[The expression level of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 in spinal cord of growing embryonic chicken].

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 in spinal cord of growing embryonic chicken.

METHODS

The lumbar segments of the spinal cords were obtained from chick embryos at 7 day (E7) and 14 day (E14) respectively. The distribution of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) was examined in frozen sections by immunohistochemistry, and their level was determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

At E7, intensive NGF was detected mainly in the white matter of ventralateral zone, and BDNF was seen in both perikaryon and neurite of neurons, in the gray matter of the ventral horn, while NT-3 existed mainly within parts of the ventrolateral region of the spinal cord. Comparatively, at E14, NGF increased apparently in both the white and the gray matter. And BDNF presents in neuronal cell bodies and some axon of the dorsal horn, while NT-3 positive neurons were detected in the intermediate zone and the dorsal horn. Western-blot analysis confirmed the level of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 were all up regulated from E7 to E14 in the spinal cord of embryonic chicken during development.

CONCLUSION

The increase of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 in the dorsal horn was concomitant with the development of spinal cord from E7 to E14, suggesting that NGF, BDNF and NT-3 may be associated with the growth of the spinal cord during development.