Localization of 5-HT3 receptors in the rat spinal cord: immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization

SPECIFIC antibodies raised against a fusion protein containing the amino acid sequence of the putative second intracellular loop of the cloned 5-HT,-A receptor subunit were used for the immunohistochemical visualization of 5-HT, receptors in the rat spinal cord. A dense 5-HT,-like immunoreactivity was found in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn, which closely matched the labelling of 5-HT, binding sites by [I]iodo-zacopride. This immuno-staining was markedly decreased following unilateral rhizotomy, consistently with a preferential location of 5-HT, receptors on terminals of primary afferent fibres, and with the presence of 5-HT, mRNA in dorsal root ganglia. However, a significant proportion of 5-HT, receptors persisted after rhizotomy, and the corresponding mRNA was found in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. 5-HT, receptors are therefore also located on intrinsic neurones of the spinal cord.