CGMP increases in satellite cells of nitric oxide synthase-containing sensory ganglia

cGMP and the enzymes, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the products of which stimulate soluble guanylyl cyclase activity, were investigated in cultured dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and nodose ganglia of adult rats. A dramatic increase of cGMP-positive satellite cells in ganglia cultured for 24 or 48 h was observed, particularly in Th8-L2 DRG and in nodose ganglia. These ganglia also contained most NOS-positive neurones, as reflected by NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. HO-1 immunoreactivity increased in satellite cells, but in different cells to those in which cGMP increased. These results suggest that both NO and CO could be involved in signalling between neurones and satellite cells in sensory ganglia during regeneration.