M. Montcouquiol et al., SHORT-TERM RESPONSE OF POSTNATAL RAT VESTIBULAR NEURONS FOLLOWING BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR OR NEUROTROPHIN-3 APPLICATION, Journal of neuroscience research, 50(3), 1997, pp. 443-449
The effects of the application of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (B
DNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) neurotrophins on the intracellular calc
ium level ([Ca2+](i)) were studied in vestibular ganglion neurons (VGN
s) from postnatal slay 3 (P3) rats cultured for 50 hr, We first assess
ed the expression of trkB and trkC mRNA receptors in cultured VGNs, Im
munobloting and immunocytochemistry confirmed the presence of the neur
otrophin receptors on neurons, Both neurotrophins induced transient [C
a2+](i) elevations in VGNs: BDNF-treated neurons responded in 65% and
NT-3-treated neurons in 56%, The responses could be inhibited by anti-
BDNF or anti-NT-3 antibodies, The [Ca2+](i) elevation was dependent on
extracellular calcium since it was abolished in calcium-free medium b
ut also implicates the release of calcium from intracellular stores as
tested by prior depletion with thapsigargin, Our results suggest the
implication of a shortterm calcium regulation in VGNs, which could ref
lect specific fast effects of neurotrophins in the early postnatal rat
vestibular system. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.