Innervation of bone marrow in the rabbit

Hematopoietic regulation mediated by interactions among the neurokinins and cytokines

This review summarizes the current data regarding the mechanisms by which two mammalian neurokinins (tachykinins), substance P (SP) and neurokinin-A (NK-A) are involved in hematopoiesis. SP and NK-A are derived from the preprotachykinin-I (PPT-I) gene which can be induced by cytokines and neurotrophic factors. In the bone marrow (BM), nerve fibers and stroma are potential sources for the PPT-I gene products. SP and NK-A interact with either of three cloned receptors, neurokinin-1 (NK-1), NK-2 or NK-3, although SP and NK-A exhibit binding preferences for NK-1 and NK-2 respectively. Through specific receptors, SP and NK-A exert dichotomous hematopoietic effects mediated mostly by the BM stroma. SP enhances the proliferation of primitive BM stem cells and progenitors and these effects correlate with the induction of stimulatory hematopoietic growth factors. NK-A appears to be protective to stem cells through the induction of TGF-beta. Proliferation of myeloid progenitors is inhibited by NK-A, effects which correlate with the induction of two suppressive factors, TGF-beta and MIP-1alpha. Stimulation of NK-2 leads to partial blunting of the enhanced stimulatory effects mediated by NK-1. Furthermore, stimulatory hematopoietic cytokines upregulate NK-1 expression and downregulate the constitutively expressed NK-2 in BM stroma. Together, the experimental evidence suggests that NK-A-NK-2 interactions could be a feedback to hematopoietic stimulation. Expression of NK-1 and NK-2 in CD34+ cell lines and also, the presence of SP binding sites on primary CD34+ cells suggest that the neurokinins could be interacting directly with BM progenitors and stem cells. In BM stroma, cytokines and neurokinins regulate the expression of each other and also, their respective receptors. In summary, the current literature pertaining to hematopoietic regulation indicates the involvement of a complex network that includes, but not exclusive of the cytokines and neurokinins. The current models that pertain to stem cell proliferation and differentiation should therefore add neuropeptides to the list of hematopoietic modulators.

Innervation of lymphoid organs and implications in development, aging, and autoimmunity

We now have substantial evidence demonstrating noradrenergic sympathetic and peptidergic innervation of both primary and secondary lymphoid organs. We have established criteria for norepinephrine, and some of the neuropeptides, as neurotransmitters, and have found changes in immune responsiveness following pharmacological manipulation of noradrenergic sympathetic or peptidergic nerves. Classic receptor binding studies have demonstrated a wide variety of target cells that possess beta-adrenoceptors and receptors for neuropeptides on cells of the immune system, including lymphocyte subsets, macrophages, accessory cells, or stromal elements. In this chapter we describe noradrenergic and peptidergic innervation of primary and secondary lymphoid organs in development, at maturation and during the normal aging process, and discuss possible functional implications of direct neural signals onto cells of the immune system at critical time points in the lifespan of an animal. Further, we examine for involvement of noradrenergic sympathetic and peptidergic innervation in the development and progression of several autoimmune disorders, including adjuvant-induced arthritis, New Zealand mice strains as a model for hemolytic anemia and lupus-like syndrome, and the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis model for multiple sclerosis.

Innervation of the human knee joint by substance-P fibers

Anterior knee pain is a frequent musculoskeletal complaint affecting all ages, both sexes, athletes, and nonathletes alike. Numerous theories have been proposed regarding its etiology including patellar malalignment, quadriceps insufficiency, subluxation, quadriceps muscle tightness, and chondral defects. However, the mechanism by which these factors produce this pain is not clear. Knowledge of the distribution of nociceptive nerve fibers around the knee would seem to provide insight in treating these painful conditions. Eleven human patellae--eight specimens from patients with degenerative patellofemoral disease and three normals--were evaluated. Immunohistochemical techniques using monoclonal antibody to substance-P were employed to identify nociceptive fibers. Substance-P is a nociceptive neurotransmitter found in afferent nerve fibers. Substance-P fibers were isolated in the retinaculum, fat pad, periosteum, and subchondral plate of patellae affected with degenerative disease. This study demonstrates that selective tracting of nociceptive pain fibers is possible around the knee both in soft tissue and, in some circumstances, bone. The subchondral plate of normal patellae did not demonstrate erosion channels, but those with chondral defects from degenerative disease did. Nociceptive fibers found in these defects may explain the origin of symptoms in some patients. The distribution of substance-P nerve fibers in the soft tissues around the knee suggests that denervation may be the mechanism by which surgical procedures for anterior knee pain produce favorable results.

Ultrastructural morphometric study of efferent nerve terminals on murine bone marrow stromal cells, and the recognition of a novel anatomical unit: the "neuro-reticular complex"

In order to extend our understanding of the role of nerve fibers in the structure and function of bone marrow stroma, we have examined nerve terminals, arterioles, and capillaries in femoral bone marrow tissues of 50 C57BL strain mice, using electron microscopy and morphometric methods. Within the adventitia of arterioles, a particular type of cell, termed periarterial adventitial (PAA) cell, is characterized by a thin veil-like cytoplasm which concentrically surrounds both nerves and arterioles. Nerve fibers containing both unmyelinated and myelinated axons are distributed mainly between the layers of PAA cells, but are found rarely on the sinus walls or within the hematopoietic parenchyma. Quantitatively, the efferent nerve terminals with many synaptic vesicles are distributed mainly beside arterial smooth muscle cells (Type I: 58.8%) or between the layers of PAA cells (Type III: 33.2%), and rarely in hematopoietic parenchyma (Type II: 5.3%) or on sinus walls (Type IV: 2.7%). In the case of Type II-IV nerve terminals, efferent (autonomic) nerves and bone marrow stromal cells which are connected by gap junctions (sinus adventitial reticular cells, intersinusoidal reticular cells, and PAA cells) appear to constitute a potential functional unit for signal conduction. We would like to propose a new term for this anatomical unit in marrow, the "neuro-reticular complex."

Development of arteries in embryonic chick bone marrow with special reference to the appearance of periarterial granulopoietic sheaths

Arterial development was studied in embryonic chick bone marrow starting on day 11 of incubation and continuing until day 18. Arteries first appear on day 11 as vessels with two components to their wall structure, namely a thin, complete endothelium and a nearly complete pericyte layer. With advancing age, three distinct layers--an endothelium, a complete muscularis, and adventitia--appear. Long, narrow endothelial cells form cellular junctions at their basal surfaces. Smooth muscle cells remain relatively undifferentiated and do not consist of more than three layers even in the largest arteries. The adventitia consists of a hypocellular zone containing fibroblasts and a collagenous extracellular matrix. Unmyelinated nerves are located at the peripheral margin of the adventitia. All of the larger arteries are surrounded by a sheath of heterophilic granulopoietic cells. These cells do not intrude into the adventitia, but basophilic or mast cells often do intrude. The stromal cells of the periarterial granulopoietic sheaths remain as either fibroblastic cells or as multilocular preadipocytes. They, unlike those stromal cells beyond the sheath, never become unilocular adipocytes. By day 18, granulopoiesis is restricted to the periarterial sheaths and to the endosteal regions of the marrow. These studies indicate that fibroblastic stromal cells and preadipocytes, but not fully developed adipocytes, support granulopoiesis in the chick marrow. The stromal cells in the periarterial sheaths either represent a subpopulation of cells that do not develop into adipocytes or represent cells whose development into adipocytes is locally inhibited.

Effect of surgical sympathectomy on bone remodeling at rat incisor and molar root sockets

Sympathectomy was carried out in 4-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats by unilateral surgical removal of the superior cervical ganglion. Sham-treated rats served as controls. All rats were injected with tetracycline hydrochloride at surgery as well as 36 hr prior to sacrifice. Rats were killed at 7, 14, or 21 days following sympathectomy. Mandibular periosteal and endosteal surfaces were analyzed by fluorochrome morphometry. Osteoclasts were identified by acid phosphatase staining, and incisor and molar root sockets were analyzed morphometrically. Following sympathectomy, periosteal and endosteal apposition as well as the rate of mineralization were significantly lower. At the same time, a significant increase in the number of osteoclasts per socket as well as in active and inactive bone resorption surfaces was also seen. All parameters, however, returned to normal values 2-3 weeks after sympathectomy. The data provide the first direct quantitative evidence that sympathetic neurons modulate bone resorption and bone remodeling in vivo.

The effects of noradrenaline on reticulocytes of the albino rat

The observation that sympathomimetic drugs or electrostimulation of the lumbar sympathetic trunks produces reticulocytosis has been reported by a number of authors in the literature. The mechanism underlying this phenomenon has been determined, although there is speculation that the result is caused by either activation of the reticuloendothelial system, vasoconstriction of the marrow blood vessels or stimulation of the suprarenal glands, spleen, or other erythropoetin-producing organs. The present study is a series of experiments to determine if the action of noradrenaline, in producing reticulocytosis, can be localized to the bone marrow. In addition, an attempt was made to identify the adrenoreceptor involved. Anaesthetized animals were given an infusion of noradrenaline into the marrow cavity of one femur. Reticulocytes were counted in peripheral blood smears before and after the infusion. Reticulocytes were also counted from the bone marrow of the injected femur and compared to reticulocyte numbers in the contralateral uninjected femur of the same animal and the femoral bone marrow of untreated control animals. The data from these experiments were compared to those obtained in experiments in which the lumbar sympathetic trunks were stimulated. One group of several animals was given propranolol prior to the infusion of noradrenaline or stimulation of the sympathetic trunks. The reticulocyte counts from these animals were compared to those from animals which did not receive the beta-adrenoreceptor blocker. All animals which received either an infusion of noradrenaline or stimulation of the lumbar sympathetic trunks demonstrated a pronounced reticulocytosis and a decrease of reticulocytes in the bone marrow. The beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist, (+/-)-propranolol, was effective in blocking these changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A histological demonstration of nerves in subchondral bone

Several different staining procedures were carried out on decalcified histological sections from human femoral heads to demonstrate the nerves in subchondral bone. The femoral heads were obtained at surgery from patients with fractures of the femoral neck or osteoarthritic hip joints. The Bodian technique was found to be the most suitable. Serial sections were used in order to disclose the various sources of error. It was not possible to demonstrate nerves in the bone matrix, but they were easily seen in the subchondral bone marrow, after related to the vessels. A comparison of the fracture and osteoarthritic cases revealed an obvious difference; more nerves were seen in osteoarthritis. The method described is considered suitable for further study of the nerves in osteoarthritic femoral heads.