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Changes in the Distribution of Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript-Containing Neural Structures in the

Agnieszka Oponowicz1, Anna Kozłowska2, Sławomir Gonkowski3

  • 1Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Warszawska 30, 10-561 Olsztyn, Poland. agnieszka.oponowicz@uwm.edu.pl.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 1, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) neurons increase near colon adenocarcinoma. This suggests CART may protect neurons and aid plasticity during cancer progression.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The enteric nervous system (ENS) regulates gut function.
  • Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is a peptide found in the ENS.
  • Colon adenocarcinoma can disrupt ENS function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze changes in CART distribution in the human colon ENS during adenocarcinoma invasion.
  • To investigate the role of CART in neuronal responses to colon cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Double-labeling immunofluorescence technique was used.
  • Quantified CART-immunoreactive neurons in myenteric (MP), outer submucous (OSP), and inner submucous (ISP) plexuses.
  • Compared CART distribution in control vs. adenocarcinoma-affected colon tissues.

Main Results:

  • CART-immunoreactive neurons were present in all ENS plexuses in control colon.
  • Tumor invasion led to a significant increase in the relative frequency of CART-like immunoreactive (CART-LI) neurons in MP, OSP, and ISP near the tumor.
  • No significant difference in the density of CART-LI nerves was observed between control and tumor-affected areas.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first detailed description of CART distribution in the ENS during human colon adenocarcinoma invasion.
  • Results suggest CART may act as a neuroprotective factor.
  • CART might be involved in neuronal plasticity associated with neoplastic progression.
Keywords:
CARTcarcinomacocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcriptcolon cancerenteric nervous system

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