Transmitter status in cultured rat sympathetic neurons: plasticity and multiple function

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Sympathetic principal neurons, particularly those from the superior cervical ganglia, are crucial for regulating various physiological processes.
• Recent research has unveiled surprising plasticity in the neurotransmitter status of these neurons.
• Understanding this plasticity is key to comprehending neural development and function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review findings on the neurotransmitter plasticity of cultured sympathetic principal neurons from rats.
• To elucidate the conditions and mechanisms driving the shift in transmitter status.
• To investigate the phenomenon of dual and triple transmitter secretion.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing primary cultures of immature and adult rat sympathetic principal neurons.
• Employing co-culture systems with non-neuronal cells (e.g., heart cells) and conditioned media.
• Performing serial physiological assays on single neurons in microcultures to track functional changes over time.

Main Results:

• Immature neurons can transition from adrenergic to cholinergic function when cultured with non-neuronal cells or their conditioned media.
• Neurons exhibit a dual adrenergic/cholinergic function during this transition, also observed in adult neurons.
• Some neurons display a third, purinergic (adenosine-related) transmitter function, leading to triple function (adrenergic/cholinergic/purinergic).

Conclusions:

• Sympathetic principal neurons possess significant neurotransmitter plasticity, allowing them to alter their functional status.
• Non-neuronal cells play a critical role in inducing the cholinergic phenotype in developing sympathetic neurons.
• The expression of dual and triple transmitter functions highlights the complex signaling capabilities of these neurons.