Neuropeptide Y and galanin are coexpressed in rat large type A sensory neurons after peripheral transection

Abstract Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in 20–30% of ipsilateral dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons (L4–5) after unilateral transection of rat sciatic nerve. Most of these neurons contained 200 kDa subunit of neurofilaments and galanin. Immunohistochemical analysis combined with retrograde tracing method demonstrated that NPY-IR was detected in cutaneous and muscular sensory, but not in visceral sensory neurons. These findings suggest that NPY coexists with galanin in injured large type A cells, which may innervate the mechanoreceptors in the skin and muscle, such as corpuscles of Meissner and Pacini, or muscle spindles.