Rabbit experimental sensory ataxic neuropathy: anti-GD1b antibody-mediatedtrkC downregulation of dorsal root ganglia neurons

We previously reported experimental sensory neuropathy in rabbit induced by the immunization of ganglioside GD1b. The major pathological change in dis eased rabbits was degeneration of primary sensory neurons with central axon s extending to the dorsal column of the spinal cord. The loss of primary se nsory neurons that mediate proprioceptive sensation prompted us to investig ate the expression of trkC in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) because this type o f neuron is thought depend mainly on neurotrophin-3-mediated trkC signaling . Northern blotting analysis revealed markedly reduced expression of trkC i n DRG of diseased rabbits in acute phase. This result together with the abs ence of lymphocytic infiltration in DRG of diseased rabbits at any stage su ggests the anti-GD1b antibody-mediated down regulation of trkC expression c ould be one of the pathogenesis of this experimental sensory ataxic neuropa thy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Ail rights reserved.