Nociceptin/orphanin FQ and stress regulate synaptophysin expression in the rat fundic and colonic mucosa. Issue 2 (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grandi, Daniela; Becchi, Gabriella; Guerrini, Remo; Calò, Girolamo; Morini, Giuseppina
• Is Part Of: Tissue & cell. Volume 47:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 147
• Page End: 151
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: N/OFQ nociceptin/orphanin FQ -- NOP N/OFQ peptide; Nociceptin/orphanin FQ -- Cold-restraint stress -- Knockout rats for the NOP receptor gene -- Synaptophysin -- Mucosa -- Gastric fundus -- Distal colon -- Nerve fibers -- Rat; Cytology -- Periodicals; 571.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2015.01.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-8166

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Stress increases immunostained nerve fibers in the fundus. 4 h infusion of nociceptin/orphanin FQ increases immunostained fibers in the fundus. Immunostained cells are increased in the fundus of NOP (−/−) rats. Immunostained fibers are decreased in the fundus and colon of NOP (−/−) rats. Abstract: Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), the endogenous ligand of the N/OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor, is a neuropeptide regulating gastrointestinal functions. The present study investigated the influence of acute cold-restraint stress and of short- and long-lasting peripheral infusion of N/OFQ on the level of synaptophysin, an exocytotic protein involved in neural plasticity. Exposure to cold-restraint stress for 3 h or subcutaneous infusion of N/OFQ, 1 μg/kg/h for 4 h, induced a significant increase of the area of synaptophysin-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the fundic mucosa, while prolonged subcutaneous infusion of N/OFQ, 1 μg/kg/h for 52 h and for 14 days, did not modify the synaptophysin-immunostained fibers. In the colonic mucosa stress exposure and subcutaneous infusion of N/OFQ, at any time point considered, had no significant effect on the area of synaptophysin-immunoreactive nerve fibers. Synaptophysin immunoreactive nerve fibers were decreased in knockout rats for the NOP receptor gene both in the fundic and colonic mucosa. Synaptophysin-immunoreactivity was demonstrated in cells located in the basal portion of the fundic mucosa. Our study is the first to show that the N/OFQ/NOP receptor system influences the expression of synaptophysin and hence the process of exocytosis both in nerve terminals and in cells.