Immunocytochemical localization of GDNF in primary afferents of the lumbar dorsal horn

IMMUNOCYTOCHEMISTRY was used to identify glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in rat spinal cord. Strong GDNF labeling was found in fibers and terminals in laminae I and II (outer) and to a lesser extent in the remaining laminae. A few spinal ganglion cells also contained GDNF. After dorsal root transection GDNF disappeared from the dorsal horn and after dorsal root ligation there was accumulation of GDNF only on the ganglion side of the ligation. These findings demonstrate anterograde transport of GDNF within primary afferent fibers, which constitute the only source of GDNF labeling in the dorsal horn. The strong presence of GDNF in the superficial dorsal horn may indicate that GDNF has a role in pain transmission in the adult rat spinal cord.