Isolectin B4 binding in populations of rat trigeminal ganglion cells

We have recently classified dissociated trigeminal ganglion cells into nine types using electrophysiological current signatures. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between isolectin B4 (IB4) binding and the cell types in rat trigeminal ganglion cells. We found that IB4 was bound to all type 2 cells and more than 70% of cell types 1 and 13; however, it was bound to less than 20% of cell types 7 and 8 and did not bind at all to cell types 3–5 and 9. Thus, each trigeminal ganglion cell type showed high homogeneity in IB4 binding. These results correspond to reported IB4 binding profiles in the matched dorsal root ganglion cell types, except for types 5 and 7.

Research highlights▶ The cell types 1, 2 and 13 in trigeminal ganglion cells bind to isolectin B4. ▶ The cell types 3–5 and 7–9 cells do not bind to isolectin B4. ▶ The IB4 binding profiles correspond to those in the dorsal root ganglion cell types, except for types 5 and 7.