INDUCTION OF THE OCT-2 TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR IN PRIMARY SENSORY NEURONS DURING INFLAMMATION IS NERVE GROWTH FACTOR-DEPENDENT

The mRNA encoding the POU family transcription factor Oct-2 is induced in cultured adult sensory neurons following treatment with nerve grow th factor (NGF) but not with a variety of other growth factors. We sho w-here that the Oct-2 mRNA is also upregulated in vivo in sensory neur ons innervating inflamed tissue following intraplantar injection of co mplete Freund's adjuvant. This rise is abolished by systemic administr ation of anti-NGF neutralizing antibodies indicating that it is an NGF -dependent effect. Hence a very specific aspect of the NGF response oc curs in sensory neurons innervating inflamed tissue in vivo. In turn, the induction of Oct-2 may play a role in the other changes observed i n such neurons both in gene expression and in their ability to respond to painful stimuli.