Distribution of CGRP mRNA in Mouse Superior Cervical Ganglion During Development

Objectives: The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) mediates inflammation and head pain by influencing the functional vascular blood supply. The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a well-characterized mediator of receptor-regulated neurotransmitter release. However, little is known between CGRP during the development of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG).
Methods: In the present study, we observed the localization of the CGRP mRNA and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) mRNA using in situ hybridization during development from the embryonic stage to after birth day 14.5 (E14.5), E17.5 and postnatal day 1 (P1). The SCG has numerous ganglion cells, a few satellite cells and shrunken cells. The data were assessed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc test.

Results: The different ratio was found in SCG ganglion cells and shrunken cells. The antisense probe for CGRP was detected by in situ hybridization at E14.5, E17.5, and P1, and the highest levels of positive CGRP ganglion cells were detected at E17.5 than that of E17.5 and P1(p<0.01). In contrast, the antisense probe for VEGF-A was detected by in situ hybridization in gradually increasing intensity from E14.5 to P1 (p<0.01).
Conclusions: The differences in the expression of these two markers indicated specific characters of CGRP concentration and release compared to VEGF-A during development. The correlation between CGRP and VEGF-A may influence the functional stress and vascular blood supply during prenatal and postnatal development.