INDUCTION OF TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR AP2 MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION IN RATPRIMARY AFFERENT NEURONS DURING ACUTE-INFLAMMATION

We have examined immediate early gene mRNA expression, using in situ h ybridisation in innervating dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons followi ng peripheral adjuvant injection. Neuronal expression of mRNAs encodin g NGFI-A (nerve growth factor-induced), NGFI-B, c-jun, jun D and jun B was undetectable in untreated controls and was unchanged following ad juvant injection. AP-2 mRNA was expressed in the majority of DRG neuro ns in untreated controls and was significantly increased (217 +/- 43% control) 1 h after adjuvant injection. AP2 mRNA levels returned to con trol values by 2 h post-injection. AP-2 may form part of the early tra nscriptional response that induces neuropeptide gene expression in DRG after adjuvant injection.