Age-dependent differences in the effects of GDNF and NT-3 on the development of neurons and glia from neural crest-derived precursors immunoselected from the fetal rat gut: expression of GFRalpha-1 in vitro and in vivo

No enteric neurons or glia develop in the gut below the rostral foregut in mice lacking glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) or Ret. We analyzed the nature and age dependence of the effects of GDNF and, for comparison, those of NT-3, on the in vitro development of the precursors of enteric neurons and glia. Positive and negative immunoselection with antibodies to p75(NTR) were used to isolate crest-derived and crest-depleted populations of cells from the fetal rat bowel at E12, 14, and 16. Cells were typed immunocytochemically. GDNF stimulated the proliferation of nestin-expressing precursor cells isolated at E12, but not at E14-16. GDNF promoted the development of peripherin-expressing neurons (E12 > E14-16) and expression of TrkC. GDNF inhibited expression of S-100-expressing glia at E14-16. NT-3 did not affect cells isolated at E12, never stimulated precursors to proliferate, and promoted glial as well as neuronal development at E14-16. GFRalpha-1 was expressed both by crest- and non-crest-derived cells, although only crest-derived cells anchored GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2 (GFRalpha-1 > GFRalpha-2). GDNF increased the number of neurons anchoring GFRalpha-1. GFRalpha-1 is immunocytochemically detectable in neurons of the E13 intestine and persists in adult neurons of both plexuses. We suggest that GDNF stimulates the proliferation of an early (E12) NT-3-insensitive precursor common to enteric neurons and glia; by E14, this common precursor is replaced by specified NT-3-responsive neuronal and glial progenitors. GDNF exerts a neurotrophic, but not a mitogenic, effect on the neuronal progenitor. The glial progenitor is not maintained by GDNF.     

Odontogenic epithelium induces similar molecular responses in chick and mouse mandibular mesenchyme

Previous observations have shown that, during the initiation phase of odontogenesis, signals from mouse odontogenic epithelium can elicit teeth in non-odontogenic but neural crest-derived mesenchyme isolated from ectopic sites including chick mandibular mesenchyme. In the present study the formation of ectopic tooth buds and dental mesenchyme in chick mandibular mesenchyme was examined using heterospecific recombinations between E11 mouse odontogenic epithelium and stage 23 chick lateral mandibular mesenchyme. Both morphological criteria and chick-specific probes for Msx-1, Msx-2, and Bmp-4 mRNAs were used as markers for early dental mesenchyme. Our results demonstrated that interactions of mouse odontogenic epithelium with chick mandibular mesenchyme induce early changes in the chick mandibular mesenchyme including the appearance of a translucent zone, cell proliferation, and induction of expression of Msx-1, Msx-2, and Bmp-4, which have been shown to be associated with the formation of dental mesenchyme. In addition, tooth bud-like structures that resemble E13 tooth buds in vivo both morphologically and in their patterns of gene expression formed after 6 days in the heterospecific recombinations. The tooth bud-like structures consist of invaginated mouse mandibular epithelium and condensed chick mandibular mesenchyme expressing high levels of Msx-1 and Bmp-4, but undetectable levels of Msx-2. Unlike the induction of Msx-1, Msx-2, and Bmp-4 in the underlying mesenchyme, which is specific for signals derived from odontogenic epithelium, the induction of a translucent zone and cellular proliferation in the underlying mesenchyme may be related to the growth-promoting potential of embryonic epithelia and not be specific to signals derived from the odontogenic epithelium. Similar to mouse odontogenic epithelium, agarose beads soaked in recombinant BMP-4 induced a translucent zone, cellular proliferation, and expression of Msx-1, Msx-2, and Bmp-4 in chick mandibular mesenchyme after 24 hours. These observations together showed that avian mandibular mesenchyme has odontogenic potential that is expressed upon interactions with inductive signals from mouse odontogenic epithelium. Similar to odontogenesis in vivo, formation of dental mesenchyme in chick mandibular mesenchyme is mediated by the activation of Msx-1, Msx-2, and Bmp-4.     

A distinct subgroup of small DRG cells express GDNF receptor components and GDNF is protective for these neurons after nerve injury

Several lines of evidence suggest that neurotrophin administration may be of some therapeutic benefit in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy. However, a third of sensory neurons do not express receptors for the neurotrophins. These neurons are of small diameter and can be identified by the binding of the lectin IB4 and the expression of the enzyme thiamine monophosphatase (TMP). Here we show that these neurons express the receptor components for glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signaling (RET, GFRalpha-1, and GFRalpha-2). In lumbar dorsal root ganglia, virtually all IB4-labeled cells express RET mRNA, and the majority of these cells (79%) also express GFRalpha-1, GFRalpha-2, or GFRalpha-1 plus GFRalpha-2. GDNF, but not nerve growth factor (NGF), can prevent several axotomy-induced changes in these neurons, including the downregulation of IB4 binding, TMP activity, and somatostatin expression. GDNF also prevents the slowing of conduction velocity that normally occurs after axotomy in a population of small diameter DRG cells and the A-fiber sprouting into lamina II of the dorsal horn. GDNF therefore may be useful in the treatment of peripheral neuropathies and may protect peripheral neurons that are refractory to neurotrophin treatment.     

Dental innervation: functions and plasticity after peripheral injury

Oral tissues including the periodontal ligament, gingiva, and tooth pulp have a relatively dense sensory innervation and a rich vascular supply. Teeth and supporting tissues are susceptible to tissue injury and inflammation, partly due to lack of collateral blood and nerve supply and to their low compliance. This review focuses on dental nerve functions and adaptive changes in the trigeminal ganglion and tooth pulp after peripheral injuries. An overview of the peptidergic innervation of oral tissues is presented, followed by a discussion of plasticity in neuropeptide expression in trigeminal peripheral neurons after local insults to teeth and peripheral nerve injuries. The functional implications of these adaptive changes are considered, with special reference to nerve regeneration, inflammation, and hemodynamic regulation.     

Neurotrophic factors and their receptor expressions in human neuropathies

Currently, many neurotrophic factors are known to promote peripheral nerve regeneration after nerve injury or nerve degeneration. Among such neurotrophic factors, neurotrophin family (NGF, BDNF, NT-3, NT-4) and GDNF are most potent ones, and they have been demonstrated to express in the distal stump of the experimental nerve transection. In this study, we assessed the expression levels of neurotrophin mRNAs and GDNF mRNAs and their receptor mRNAs for p75, TrkA, TrkB, TrkC, GDNFR alpha and Ret in the sural nerve biopsy specimens from various human neuropathies. All the neurotrophin mRNAs and GDNF mRNAs were significantly elevated in the diseased nerves and their expression levels well correlated to the extent of T-cell and macrophage invasion. p75 and GDNFR alpha mRNAs were upregulated in correlation to the extent of axonal degeneration. On the other hand, the TrkB and TrkC mRNAs were likely downregulated. These findings suggest that the regulatory mechanism for expression of neurotrophins and GDNF mRNAs and their receptor mRNAs are different. Significant upreguration of the neurotrophic factor mRNAs in the nerve lesion would be the compensation mechanism reacting for the lesion, even in the lesions which are progressing in severity. Extrinsic supplement of these neurotrophins would be beneficial for promotion of repair of the peripheral nerve lesion particularly when they are progressive lesions.     

Neurturin shares receptors and signal transduction pathways with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in sympathetic neurons

Neurturin (NTN) is a neurotrophic factor that shares homology with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Recently, a receptor complex has been identified for GDNF that includes the Ret tyrosine kinase receptor and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked protein termed "GDNFRalpha." However, differences in the phenotype of Ret and GDNF knockout animals suggest that Ret has at least one additional ligand. In this report, we demonstrate that NTN induces Ret phosphorylation in primary cultures of rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons. NTN also caused Ret phosphorylation in fibroblasts that were transfected stably with Ret and GDNFRalpha but not in cells expressing Ret alone. A glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked protein also was important for NTN and GDNF signaling in SCG neurons; phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C treatment of SCG cultures reduced the ability of NTN to phosphorylate Ret and the ability of NTN or GDNF to activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. NTN and GDNF also caused sustained activation of Ret and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in SCG neurons. Finally, both NTN and GDNF activated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway in SCG neurons, which may be important for the ability of NTN and GDNF to promote neuronal survival. These data indicate that NTN is a physiologically relevant ligand for the Ret receptor and suggest that NTN may have a critical role in the development of many neuronal populations.     

A new method of human cardiac troponin I and troponin T purification

Neurotrophins (NTFs) are a family of structurally related proteins with specific effects on the developing nervous system and a wide range of non-neuronal differentiating cells. To date, four NTFs have been characterized: nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4). To perform their biological effects, the NTFs must bind to appropriate receptors on the surface of responsive cells. High- and low-affinity receptors for NTFs have been identified. The high-affinity receptors are members of the trk protein tyrosine kinase receptor family. The low-affinity neurotrophin receptor gp75NTFR is a common receptor for all NTFs. Here we summarize some of our previous findings on the expression patterns of NGF, gp75NTFR, TrkB, and TrkC in the developing molar tooth of the rat. Both NGF and gp75NTFR are localized in dental epithelium and mesenchyme but often their expression patterns differ. Concomitant expression of NGF and gp75NTFR in mesenchyme is correlated with odontoblast differentiation. The trkB and trkC receptors show distinct cell-specific expression patterns in developing tooth, suggesting that other NTFs, apart from NGF, may be involved in odontogenesis. These data demonstrate that NTFs participate in the cascade of molecular events that direct tooth development, and support the notion that NTFs may have multiple and distinct roles in dental tissues.     

Expression of GDNF family receptor components during development: implications in the mechanisms of interaction

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and a related factor, neurturin, promote survival of diverse groups of neurons. Both GDNF and neurturin signal via a two-component receptor complex that consists of a ligand-binding GDNF family receptor (GFRalpha-1 or GFRalpha-2) and the receptor protein tyrosine kinase Ret. Recently, a third receptor related to GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2 has also been isolated and designated GFRalpha-3. Although much is known about the interaction among GDNF family factors, Ret, and the alpha-receptors in vitro, it remains unclear about their interactions in vivo. We show here by in situ hybridization that Ret and the alpha-receptors may be colocalized in the same tissues or expressed separately in projecting and target tissues, respectively, indicating that two distinct modes of interaction between Ret and the alpha-receptors exist in vivo. First, Ret may interact with the alpha-receptors expressed in the same cells (termed interaction "in cis") in many tissues and cell populations that respond to GDNF and/or neurturin, such as the substantia nigra, dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord motoneurons, kidney, and intestine. Second, Ret may interact with the alpha-receptors localized in the target neurons (termed interaction "in trans"). In addition, we present evidence in vitro that GFRalpha-1 mediates Ret activation by GDNF in trans. These observations suggest that there are multiple mechanisms regulating the interaction between Ret and the alpha-receptors that mediates the effects of GDNF family trophic factors on the survival and differentiation of cells and on neuron-target interactions in the nervous system.     

Neurturin exerts potent actions on survival and function of midbrain dopaminergic neurons

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) exhibits potent effects on survival and function of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons in a variety of models. Although other growth factors expressed in the vicinity of developing DA neurons have been reported to support survival of DA neurons in vitro, to date none of these factors duplicate the potent and selective actions of GDNF in vivo. We report here that neurturin (NTN), a homolog of GDNF, is expressed in the nigrostriatal system, and that NTN exerts potent effects on survival and function of midbrain DA neurons. Our findings indicate that NTN mRNA is sequentially expressed in the ventral midbrain and striatum during development and that NTN exhibits survival-promoting actions on both developing and mature DA neurons. In vitro, NTN supports survival of embryonic DA neurons, and in vivo, direct injection of NTN into the substantia nigra protects mature DA neurons from cell death induced by 6-OHDA. Furthermore, administration of NTN into the striatum of intact adult animals induces behavioral and biochemical changes associated with functional upregulation of nigral DA neurons. The similarity in potency and efficacy of NTN and GDNF on DA neurons in several paradigms stands in contrast to the differential distribution of the receptor components GDNF Family Receptor alpha1 (GFRalpha1) and GFRalpha2 within the ventral mesencephalon. These results suggest that NTN is an endogenous trophic factor for midbrain DA neurons and point to the possibility that GDNF and NTN may exert redundant trophic influences on nigral DA neurons acting via a receptor complex that includes GFRalpha1.     

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor/neurturin-induced differentiation and its enhancement by retinoic acid in primary human neuroblastomas expressing c-Ret, GFR alpha-1, and GFR alpha-2

Neuroblastomas often undergo spontaneous differentiation and/or regression in vivo, which is at least partly regulated by the signals through neurotrophins and their receptors. Recently, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and a second family member, neurturin (NTN), have been found to mediate their signals by binding to a heterotetrameric complex of c-Ret tyrosine kinase receptors and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked proteins, GFR alpha-1 (GDNFR-alpha) or GFR alpha-2 (TrnR2/GDNFR-beta/NTNR-alpha/RETL2). Here, we studied the effect of GDNF and NTN on human neuroblastomas in the short-term primary culture system, as well as the expression of c-Ret, GFR alpha-1, GFR alpha-2, GDNF, and NTN. GDNF (1-100 ng/ml) induced morphological differentiation in 34 of 38 primary neuroblastomas and an accompanying increase in c-Fos induction. These effects were markedly enhanced by treatment with 5 microM all-trans-retinoic acid. Although GDNF alone induced a rather weak differentiation independent of the disease stages, the enhancement of neurite outgrowth induced by treatment with both GDNF and all-trans-retinoic acid was significantly correlated with younger age (less than 1 year; P = 0.0039), non-stage 4 diseases (P = 0.0023), a single copy of N-myc (P = 0.027), and high levels of TRK-A expression (P = 0.0062). To examine the expression levels of GFR alpha-1, we cloned a short form of the human GFR alpha-1 gene with a 15-bp deletion by screening a human adult substantia nigra cDNA library. Many primary neuroblastomas expressed c-Ret, GFR alpha-1, and GFR alpha-2 as well as their ligands, GDNF and NTN, suggesting the presence of a paracrine or autocrine signaling system within the tumor tissue. The effect of NTN on primary culture cells of neuroblastoma was similar to that of GDNF. These imply that the GDNF(NTN)/c-Ret/GFR alpha-1(GFR alpha-2) signaling may have an important role in regulating the growth, differentiation, and cell death of neuroblastomas.     

Defects in enteric innervation and kidney development in mice lacking GDNF

Glial-lial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been isolated as neurotrophic factor for midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Because of its neurotrophic activity on a wide range of neuronal populations in vitro and in vivo, GDNF is being considered as a potential therapeutic agent for neuronal disorders. During mammalian development, it is expressed not only in the nervous system, but also very prominently in the metanephric kidney and the gastrointestinal tract, suggesting possible functions during organogenesis. We have investigated the role of GDNF during development by generating a null mutation in the murine GDNF locus, and found that mutant mice show kidney agenesis or dysgenesis and defective enteric innervation. We demonstrate that GDNF induces ureter bud formation and branching during metanephros development, and is essential for proper innervation of the gastrointestinal tract.     

Artemin, a novel member of the GDNF ligand family, supports peripheral and central neurons and signals through the GFRalpha3-RET receptor complex

The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) ligands (GDNF, Neurturin [NTN], and Persephin [PSP]) signal through a multicomponent receptor system composed of a high-affinity binding component (GFRalpha1-GFRalpha4) and a common signaling component (RET). Here, we report the identification of Artemin, a novel member of the GDNF family, and demonstrate that it is the ligand for the former orphan receptor GFRalpha3-RET. Artemin is a survival factor for sensory and sympathetic neurons in culture, and its expression pattern suggests that it also influences these neurons in vivo. Artemin can also activate the GFRalpha1-RET complex and supports the survival of dopaminergic midbrain neurons in culture, indicating that like GDNF (GFRalpha1-RET) and NTN (GFRalpha2-RET), Artemin has a preferred receptor (GFRalpha3-RET) but that alternative receptor interactions also occur.     

Expression patterns of bone morphogenetic proteins (Bmps) in the developing mouse tooth suggest roles in morphogenesis and cell differentiation

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are secretory signal molecules which have a variety of regulatory functions during morphogenesis and cell differentiation. Teeth are typical examples of vertebrate organs in which development is controlled by sequential and reciprocal signaling between the epithelium and mesenchyme. In addition, tooth development is characterized by formation of mineralized tissues: the bone-like dentin and cementum as well as epithelially derived enamel. We have performed a comparative in situ hybridization analysis of the expression of six different Bmps (Bmp-2 to Bmp-7) starting from initiation of tooth development to completion of crown morphogenesis when dentine and enamel matrices are being deposited. Bmps-2, -4, and -7 were frequently codistributed and showed marked associations with epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Their expression shifted between the epithelium and mesenchyme starting from the stage of tooth initiation. They were subsequently expressed in the enamel knot, the putative signaling center regulating tooth shape. Their expression domains prior to and during the differentiation of the dentine-forming odontoblasts and enamel-forming ameloblasts was in line with functions in regulation of cell differentiation and/or secretory activities of the cells. The expression of Bmp-3 was confined to mesenchymal cells, in particular to the dental follicle cells which give rise to the cementoblasts, forming the hard tissue covering the roots of teeth. Bmp-5 was expressed only in the epithelial ameloblasts. It was upregulated as the cells started to polarize and intense expression continued in the secretory ameloblasts. Bmp-6 was expressed only weakly in the dental mesenchyme during bud and cap stages. Our results are in line with regulatory functions of Bmps at all stages of tooth morphogenesis. Bmps-2, -4, and -7 are conceivably parts of signaling networks regulating tooth initiation and shape development. They as well as Bmp-5 may be involved in the induction and formation of dentine and enamel, and Bmp-3 in the development of cementum. The remarkable overlaps in the expression domains of different Bmp genes may implicate functional redundancy and/or formation of active heterodimers between different BMPs.     

Neurturin protects dopaminergic neurons following medial forebrain bundle axotomy

To determine whether neurturin (NTN), a recently identified homologue of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), is able to preserve tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (TH-IR) in a rat model of Parkinson's disease, polymer encapsulated cells genetically engineered to release NTN were implanted near the substantia nigra 1 week before a unilateral medial forebrain bundle axotomy. Animals were allowed to survive for 1 week post-axotomy. Upon sacrifice, animals that received a NTN capsule had a significantly higher percentage of TH-IR (lesioned side vs non-lesioned side) than animals that had received a capsule containing non-transfected parent cells. However, in contrast to GDNF, no reduction of turning was observed upon amphetamine rotation with NTN. Nevertheless, these results suggest that NTN might have a therapeutic value for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.     

The influence of therapy (sympathomimetic amines versus vasodilators) in the indexes of ejection fraction derived from an analysis of Doppler aortic flow

The purpose of this study was to map the distribution of alpha-subunits of G-proteins--Galpha(olf s), Galpha(olf), Galpha(s), Galpha(i), Galpha(o), Galpha(z) and Galpha(q11)--in developing, denervated or injured rat molar teeth, using fluorescence microscopic immunohistochemistry coupled with immunogold electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. In rat fetuses (E17-E21), a widespread expression of Galpha(q11) was seen in maxillary/mandibular mesenchyme as well as in developing teeth. In addition, intensely Galpha(o)-positive nerve fibers were associated with the dental epithelium and the dental papilla of developing teeth. Other G proteins were absent or sparsely distributed during early tooth development. In the adult tooth pulp, odontoblasts appeared to express mainly Galpha(olf s), Galpha(o), and Galpha(q11). Nerve fibers were immunoreactive to Galpha(i), Galpha(o) and Galpha(z). In addition, pulpal blood vessels expressed varying levels of Galpha(olf s) Galpha(z) and Galpha(q11) while Galpha(olf s), Galpha(olf), Galpha(o) and Galpha(q11) were found in various pulpal mesenchymal cells. After adult denervation, nerve fiber-related G-protein immunoreactivity disappeared, but no other changes in pulpal G-protein immunoreactivity were noted. Odontoblasts and mesenchyme cells were intensely Galpha(i)-positive underneath a pulpal traumatic exposure, indicating an injury-induced pulpal upregulation of Galpha(i). The findings that Galpha(i), Galpha(o) and Galpha(z) are expressed in pulpal sensory nerve fibers suggest that these G proteins participate in signal conveyance from the target to the trigeminal nerve cell body.     

Neurturin responsiveness requires a GPI-linked receptor and the Ret receptor tyrosine kinase

Neurturin (NTN) is a recently identified homologue of glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Both factors promote the survival of a variety of neurons, and GDNF is required for the development of the enteric nervous system and kidney. GDNF signals through a receptor complex consisting of the receptor tyrosine kinase Ret and a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked receptor termed GDNFR-alpha. Here we report the cloning of a new GPI-linked receptor termed NTNR-alpha that is homologous with GDNFR-alpha and is widely expressed in the nervous system and other tissues. By using microinjection to introduce expression plasmids into neurons, we show that coexpression of NTNR-alpha with Ret confers a survival response to neurturin but not GDNF, and that coexpression of GDNFR-alpha with Ret confers a survival response to GDNF but not neurturin. Our findings indicate that GDNF and neurturin promote neuronal survival by signalling through similar multicomponent receptors that consist of a common receptor tyrosine kinase and a member of a GPI-linked family of receptors that determines ligand specificity.     

Delta-notch signaling in odontogenesis: correlation with cytodifferentiation and evidence for feedback regulation

Recent data suggest that dental cells utilize the evolutonarily conserved Notch-mediated intercellular signaling pathway to regulate their fates. Here we report on the expression and regulation of Delta1, a transmembrane ligand of the Notch receptors, during mouse odontogenesis. Delta1 is weakly expressed in dental epithelium during tooth initiation and morphogenesis, but during cytodifferentiation, expression is upregulated in the epithelium-derived ameloblasts and the mesenchyme-derived odontoblasts. The expression pattern of Delta1 in ameloblasts and odontoblasts is complementary to Notch1, Notch2, and Notch3 expression in adjacent epithelial and mesenchymal cells. Notch1 and Notch2 are upregulated in explants of dental mesenchyme adjacent to implanted cells expressing Delta1, suggesting that feedback regulation by Delta-Notch signaling ensures the spatial segregation of Notch receptors and ligands. TGFbeta1 and BMPs induce Delta1 expression in dental mesenchyme explants at the stage at which Delta1 is upregulated in vivo, but not at earlier stages. In contrast to the Notch family receptors and their ligand Jagged1, expression of Delta1 in the tooth germ is not affected by epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, showing that the Notch receptors and their two ligands Jagged1 and Delta1 are subject to different regulations.