Roles of BDNF in spinal neuroplasticity in cats subjected to partial dorsal ganglionectomy.

This study investigated the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neuroplasticity in cats subjected to the removal of dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Following partial ganglionectomy, the number of BDNF-positive varicosities from spared L6 DRG decreased significantly. This reduction was observed at 3 days post operation (dpo) in spinal lamina II of L3 and L5. Whereas the percentages of positive neurons for BDNF and its mRNA in spared L6 DRG at 10 dpo were significantly increased, and accumulated BDNF was seen on the DRG side of the ligated axons. Importantly, BDNF antibody neutralization in vivo results in a significant reduction in the number of varicosities in spinal lamina II, evidenced by BDNF and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunohistochemical staining. These findings suggested that peripheral-derived BDNF could play a critical role in spinal neuroplasticity in cats subjected to partial ganglionectomy. This may underlie the basis of molecular therapy depending on gene drug-like BDNF release.

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