In vitro activation of murine DRG neurons by CGRP-mediated mucosal mast cell degranulation

Abstract

Upregulation of CGRP-immunoreactive (IR) primary afferent nerve fibers accompanied by mastocytosis is characteristic for the Schistosoma mansoni-infected murine ileum. These mucosal mast cells (MMC) and CGRP-IR fibers, which originate from dorsal root (DRG) and nodose ganglia, are found in close apposition. We examined interactions between primary cultured MMC and CGRP-IR DRG neurons in vitro by confocal recording of intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i). The degranulatory EC50for the mast cell secretagogue compound 48/80 (C48/80; 10 μg/ml) and the neuropeptides CGRP (2.10−8M) and substance P (SP; 3.10−8M) were determined by measurement of extracellular release of the granule chymase, mouse mast cell protease-1. Application of C48/80 (10 μg/ml) and CGRP and SP (both 10−7M) to Fluo-4-loaded MMC induced a transient rise in [Ca2+]iafter a lag time, indicative of mast cell degranulation and/or secretion. The CGRP response could be completely blocked by pertussis toxin (2 μg/ml), indicating involvement of Giproteins. Application of MMC juice, obtained by C48/80 degranulation of MMC, to Fluo-4-loaded DRG neurons induced in all neurons a rise in [Ca2+]i, indicative of activation. Degranulation of MMC by C48/80 in culture dishes containing Fluo-4-loaded DRG neurons also caused activation of the DRG neurons. In conclusion, these results demonstrate a bidirectional cross-talk between cultured MMC and CGRP-IR DRG neurons in vitro. This indicates that such a communication may be the functional relevance for the close apposition between MMC and CGRP-IR nerve fibers in vivo.