Widespread neurotrophin receptor expression in the immune system and other nonneuronal rat tissues.

RNase protection analysis using p75, trk A, and trk B RNA probes was used to examine mRNA expression in rat tissues, with particular emphasis on the immune system. Every tissue examined, with the exception of postnatal day 0 spleen, expressed p75 mRNA. Trk A mRNA was observed in tissues previously reported to be negative for the trk A receptor, such as kidney, thymus, lymph node, muscle, and lung. Neuronal tissues expressed only the long form of trk A, whereas nonneuronal tissues expressed both trk A forms. Trk B mRNA was expressed by the same tissues as trk A, plus heart and spleen. Neuronal tissues expressed full-length and truncated trk B, whereas nonneuronal tissues only expressed truncated trk B. During development of the thymus p75 mRNA levels increased and trk A mRNA levels decreased. Similarly, for the spleen, p75 mRNA levels increased and those of trk B decreased during development. The expression of p75, trk A and trk B was localized primarily to the stroma of the thymus and spleen, but there was some expression by the splenocytes and thymocytes. The widespread expression of neurotrophin receptors in areas not known to be targets for neurotrophins suggests broader functions for neurotrophins outside of the nervous system.