NERVE GROWTH-FACTOR REGULATES THE EXPRESSION OF BRADYKININ BINDING-SITES ON ADULT SENSORY NEURONS VIA THE NEUROTROPHIN RECEPTOR P75

Neurotrophins mediate specific effects on sensory neurons through tyro sine kinase receptors. Most of these neurons also co-express the neuro trophin receptor p75 (p75(NTR)), but it, function has remained obscure . We now show that nerve growth factor but not brain-derived neurotrop hic factor or neurotrophin-3 selectively increases the expression of b radykinin binding sites on cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons from adult mouse via p75(NTR). This up-regulation of bradykinin binding sit es did not occur in neurons from mice lacking p75(NTR) Or in neurons f rom wild-type mice treated with p75(NTR)-blocking antibody, indicating that tyrosine kinase receptors alone are not sufficient to trigger th is physiological neuronal response. Thus, the interaction of nerve gro wth factor with p75(NTR) is an important factor contributing to chroni c pain conditions. (C) 1997 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.