Original Article

Expression of 5-HT2A receptor mRNA in rat nucleus raphe magnus neurons after peripheral inflammation

Yu-Qiu Zhang, Xiu Gao, Guang-Chen Ji, Ya-Lin Huang, Gen-Cheng Wu

Abstract

Aim: Examine the expression of 5-HT2A receptor mRNA and co-localization of 5-HT2A receptor mRNA with 5-HT immunoreactivity in nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) neurons following carrageenan inflammation.
Methods: In situ hybridization (ISH) and combining fluorescent ISH with immunofluorescent histochemical double staining technique were used in the present study.
Results: 5-HT2A receptor mRNA was expressed in moderate level in NRM neurons. Following carrageenan inflammation, the expression of 5-HT2A receptor mRNA in NRM was greatly increased. The peak occurred at 3 - 8 h and then there was a clear decrease at 24 h after injection of carrageenan. Only a few 5-HT2A receptor mRNA and 5-HT immunoreactive double labeled cells were observed in NRM, and the number of the double labeled cells had no obvious change following carrageenan inflammation.
Conclusion: The synthesis of 5-HT2A receptor was increased in non-serotonin rather than serotonin neurons of NRM during peripheral inflammation.
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