Localization of endogenous morphine-like compounds in the mouse spinal cord.

Fiche publication


Date publication

mai 2012

Auteurs

Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Dr VAN DORSSELAER Alain, Dr GOUMON Yannick, Pr POISBEAU Pierrick


Tous les auteurs :
Laux A, Delalande F, Mouheiche J, Stuber D, Van Dorsselaer A, Bianchi E, Bezard E, Poisbeau P, Goumon Y

Résumé

Morphine, codeine, morphine-6-glucuronide, and morphine-3-glucuronide are synthesized de novo in mammalian cells and in the central nervous system. Knowledge on endogenous morphine-like compound distribution in the adult mouse brain has been recently improved, and new hypotheses have been suggested about the potential implications in brain physiology. Endogenous morphine-like compounds have been shown to be synthesized in the spinal cord, but their localization is unknown. Here we describe the distribution of endogenous morphine-like compounds (morphine and/or its glucuronides and/or codeine) in the adult mouse spinal cord using a well-validated antibody. By using different microscopy approaches, we found the presence of morphine, codeine, or morphine glucuronides in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons and astrocytes of the spinal cord. Whereas GABAergic neurons containing endogenous morphine-like compounds were located primarily in the ventral horn, astrocytes that were labeled for morphine-like compounds were found throughout the gray matter and the white matter. Our study demonstrates the possibility that endogenous morphine-like compounds in the central nervous system have other functions beyond their analgesic functions.

Référence

J Comp Neurol. 2012 May 1;520(7):1547-61.