Hypoxic-ischemic brain lesions found in asphyxiating neonates

Early hypoxic-ischemic brain lesions were examined regarding 26 autopsy cases which had severe asphyxia at birth and died within the first week. All cases were divided into three groups according to the birth weight: group A of less than 1,000 grams, group B of 1,001-2,500 grams, and group C of more than 2,501 grams. Neocortical and deep gray matter revealed pyknotic and karyorrhectic neuronal changes; however, in group A, these changes tended to be obscure. The hippocampus was the predictive site of the neuronal changes such as pyknotic neurons in Sommer's sector and karyorrhectic neurons in subiculum. In 12 cases, pontosubicular-type necrosis was found. White matter lesions were relatively characteristic and there was an early appearance of pathological astrocytes such as gemistocytic, Alzheimer-type 2 and stellate astrocytes, periventricular leukomalacia with or without hemorrhage. The brain stem and cerebellar lesions were also found occasionally revealing neuronal or glial changes. We applied the immunoperoxidase method using antisera to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100 protein for determination of pathological astrocytes. GFAP was a useful marker for pathological astrocytes in the subpial region and in the white matter. S-100 protein was present in Bergmann's glia and satellite glia as well as pathological astrocytes.     

Immunohistochemistry of glial fibrillary acidic protein, vimentin and S-100 protein for study of astrocytes in hippocampus of rat

The distribution of astrocytes was studied in the hippocampus of mature Wistar rats. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin and S-100 protein and peroxidase anti-peroxidase techniques. Material from fresh-frozen brain, post-fixed in acetone, yielded a complex picture of the glial populations when stained for GFAP. Astrocytes immunoreactive for GFAP were seen in white matter tracts but also in the large dendritic layers of the hippocampus. Frozen material also contained different types of astrocytes following staining with a monoclonal antibody to vimentin. Stellate astrocyte types in the dendritic layers contained vimentin-stained processes. In addition a form of residual radial glia was found in the dentate gyrus. Material from brains perfusion-fixed with formaldehyde remained positive for astrocytic GFAP, but was negative for vimentin. Staining for S-100 protein antibodies revealed numerous astrocytes and diffuse background staining in fixed material. This study allows one to make predictions concerning the use of astrocytic markers in experimental pathological material.     

Immunocytochemistry of neuronal and glial markers in retinoblastoma

Summary An immunocytochemical study of 30 retinoblastomas was carried out using antibodies to neuronal and glial markers. The tumours were found to react with antibodies to neuron-specific enolase (NSE), a marker for neuronal elements, and S-100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), both of which are proteins present in glia. Two distinct cell populations were found within the tumour: the first, composed of anaplastic tumour cells at various stages of differentiation, showed both NSE and S-100 immunoreactivity; the second cell type, which immunostained for S-100 and GFAP, resembled mature glial cells. The results of this study indicate that the retinoblastoma may arise from a pluripotential primitive cell partially retaining neuronal and glial characteristics.     

Axon growth failure following corpus callosum lesions precedes glial reaction in perinatal rats

The present study compares the glial reactivity and the axon growth following corpus callosum (CC) lesions, in perinatal rats. Lesions were performed on fetal (E17 to E20) and early postnatal (P0 and P2) rats. The reactive glia and the presence of neural fibers were detected by immunohistochemical staining of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament protein (NFP), respectively. The callosal axons failed (at least in part) to penetrate the lesioned area already after E18 lesions, and the lesioned area was always impenetrable for axons after E20 and P0 lesions. In these cases, the lesioned part of the CC was completely or nearly devoid of GFAP as well as NFP. The distributions of the immunopositivities to GFAP and NFP also coincided with each other, both in the intact part of the CC and along the alternative courses of the callosal axons. GFAP-immunopositive reactive glia accompanied to the deficiency of NFP-immunostaining only when animals were lesioned at P2. Nestin immunostaining revealed astrocytes or their precursors already at P0, but reactive glia were detected only after P2 lesions, as with immunostaining to GFAP. The results suggest that the age after which the lesioned area proves to be impenetrable for axons can precede that age after which lesions provoke glial reaction. In this case the inhibition of axon growth is to be attributed to factors other than to the reactive glia. The presence of nestin-positive cells suggests that the lack of reactive glia along the lesion track was not due to the absence of astrocytes, but rather due to the lack of their reaction to lesion. In this developmental stage astroglia, when activated, seem to promote the growth of axons. Accepted: 19 May 2000     

Postnatal development of vimentin-immunoreactive radial glial cells in the primary visual cortex of the cat

Summary In kitten area 17 vimentin-like immunoreactivity is expressed in radial glial fibres up to one month postnatally, i.e. the time for which neuronal migration continues. During this time fibre density gradually decreases. A subpopulation of these fibres also contains S-100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein. However, these latter antigens disappear earlier than vimentin. In addition, vimentin immunoreactivity can be observed in astroglial cells of the white matter between the second and fifth postnatal week. Many of these cells resemble mature astrocytes but partially they have an intermediate morphology suggesting the possibility that they originated from radial glia. Such displaced radial glial cells are also positive for S-100 protein both in the cortex and white matter. Thus it is conceivable that at least part of the astrocytes of mature cat visual cortex originate from vimentin- or S-100-immunoreactive radial glia.     

An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of 243 gliomas with reference to the prognosis]

The localization of S-100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin as well as the relations between immunohistochemical reactions, grading and prognoses in 243 gliomas were investigated. In astrocytomas, both GFAP and S-100 protein were decreased along with the increase of tumor grades while the vimentin content was coincidently increased. The intensity of GFAP were negatively related to that of vimentin. Typical neoplastic oligodendroglial cells were known to be devoid of glial filaments and negative to GFAP and vimentin, anyhow, in the sporadic tumor cells, positive reaction to both GFAP and vimentin were identified, and these cells were considered to be either the astrocytes or the transitional cells between astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Difference of the survival rates in cases with various gradings or intensities against S-100 protein and GFAP stainings were noticed. The results suggested that vimentin and GFAP may exist either independently or coexist synchronously in the astrocytomas as the markers, expressing the anaplasia stages of astrocytes. S-100 protein is considered to be an important indicator for both differentiation and prognosis of this tumor.     

An immunohistochemical study of the topography and cellular localization of three neural proteins in the sheep nervous system.

The peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) method was used to determine the topography and cellular localization of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), myelin basic protein (MBP) and carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) in the central nervous system (CNS), dorsal root ganglia and dorsal and ventral spinal nerve roots of the sheep. Parallel studies of mouse brain provided comparative data. Several fixatives were compared for their relative merits in preserving marker protein expression: GFAP was well preserved irrespective of the fixative employed; MBP was best preserved in formal sublimate and CAII was best preserved in Carnoy's fluid. In sheep, GFAP expression was seen in protoplasmic and fibrous astrocytes, Bergmann glial cells, a proportion of ependymal cells, amphicytes of spinal ganglia and in a proportion of presumed Schwann cells of dorsal and ventral spinal nerve roots. MBP expression was seen in mature and developing myelin sheaths of the central nervous system and in the cytoplasm of sparse myelinating oligodendroglia of the sub-cortical white matter of the cerebrum. CAII expression was seen in choroid plexus epithelium in all ages of sheep studied and, in a young lamb and an adult sheep, in glia and neuropil of ventral horn grey matter of the spinal cord and in the cytoplasm of white matter glia, presumed fibrous astrocytes, throughout the CNS. Compared with sheep brain, mouse brain showed the following differences in marker protein localization. GFAP was weakly expressed by protoplasmic astrocytes and not expressed in ependyma, oligodendroglia expressing intracytoplasmic MBP were frequent and widespread in neonatal mouse brain, CAII was expressed in myelin and oligodendroglia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Transsynaptic degeneration in the inferior olivary nucleus associated with pontine glioblastoma

A case of glioblastoma arising in the pons of a 14-year-old boy in whom transsynaptic degeneration was found in the inferior olivary nucleus is reported. The tumor occupied most of the pons including the tegmental tract and invaded into the midbrain, medulla oblongata, cerebellar peduncles, thalamus, basal ganglia, and meninges. The right inferior olivary nucleus was devoid of the tumorous lesion, but many neurons were severely vacuolated. An immunohistochemical study using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and S-100 protein was performed. GFAP and S-100 protein were positive in the reactive glia of the nucleus and NSE gave a faint reaction in some degenerated neurons. These degenerative changes found in neurons of the inferior olivary nucleus were considered to be transsynaptic degeneration due to the destruction of the tegmental tract at the pons and of cerebellar peduncles by invasive pontine glioblastoma.     

Reversible age impairments in neurite outgrowth by manipulations of astrocytic GFAP

Aging is associated with neuron atrophy and impaired sprouting after lesions. In contrast during normal aging without neurodegenerative diseases, astrocytes display increasing activation, with progressive increases of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) beginning before midlife. Because many neuronal functions depend on astrocytic support, we developed a heterochronic co-culture system to study influences of aging astrocytes on neurons. Neurite outgrowth by embryonic neurons (E18) was markedly less when co-cultured with confluent astrocytes derived from old (24 mo) versus young (3 mo) cortex. These impairments were reversible. Diminishing the GFAP levels of old astrocytes by RNAi restored neurite outgrowth, whereas overexpression of GFAP in young astrocytes modeled these effects of aging by reducing neurite outgrowth. Quantitative relationships were found such that neurites were co-localized with high intensity laminin, which both varied inversely with GFAP. These results implicate increased astrocytic GFAP expression as a proximal cause of neuron atrophy during normal aging.     

TRANSSYNAPTIC DEGENERATION IN THE INFERIOR OLIVARY NUCLEUS ASSOCIATED WITH PONTINE GLIOBLASTOMA

A case of glioblastoma arising in the pons of a 14-year-old boy in whom transsynaptic degeneration was found in the inferior olivary nucleus is reported. The tumor occupied most of the pons including the tegmental tract and invaded into the midbrain, medulla oblongata, cerebellar peduncles, thalamus, basal ganglia, and meninges. The right inferior olivary nucleus was devoid of the tumorous lesion, but many neurons were severely vacuolated. An im-munohistochemical study using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and S-100 protein was performed. GFAP and S-100 protein were positive in the reactive glia of the nucleus and NSE gave a faint reaction in some degenerated neurons. These degenerative changes found in neurons of the inferior olivary nucleus were considered to be transsynaptic degeneration due to the destruction of the tegmental tract at the pons and of cerebellar peduncles by invasive pontine glioblastoma. ACTA PATHOL. JPN. 35: 1495–1500, 1985.     

体外血小板活化因子对神经元和星形胶质细胞的作用

目的：研究血小板活化因子（PAF）对神经元活力及星形胶质细胞胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）表达的影响。 方法： 分别取BALB/c胎鼠和新生小鼠大脑皮层，纯化培养神经元和星形胶质细胞，设正常对照组和实验组，实验组中分别加入4、8和16 μmol/L的PAF并分别作用4 h、24 h和72 h,用MTT法和免疫组织化学方法测定神经元活力和星形胶质细胞表达GFAP的平均灰度值。 结果： PAF作用后，神经元活力降低；星形胶质细胞数量减少，但存活细胞GFAP表达增加。两者均呈浓度依赖关系。 结论： PAF不仅直接作用于神经元，且可通过作用于星形胶质细胞间接影响神经元的存活。     

Maximal COX-2 and ppRb expression in neurons occurs during early Braak stages prior to the maximal activation of astrocytes and microglia in Alzheimer's disease

Neuronal expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cell cycle proteins is suggested to contribute to neurodegeneration during Alzheimer's disease (AD). The stimulus that induces COX-2 and cell cycle protein expression in AD is still elusive. Activated glia cells are shown to secrete substances that can induce expression of COX-2 and cell cycle proteins in vitro. Using post mortem brain tissue we have investigated whether activation of microglia and astrocytes in AD brain can be correlated with the expression of COX-2 and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (ppRb). The highest levels of neuronal COX-2 and ppRb immunoreactivity are observed in the first stages of AD pathology (Braak 0–II, Braak A). No significant difference in COX-2 or ppRb neuronal immunoreactivity is observed between Braak stage 0 and later Braak stages for neurofibrillary changes or amyloid plaques. The mean number of COX-2 or ppRb immunoreactive neurons is significantly decreased in Braak stage C compared to Braak stage A for amyloid deposits. Immunoreactivity for glial markers KP1, CR3/43 and GFAP appears in the later Braak stages and is significantly increased in Braak stage V-VI compared to Braak stage 0 for neurofibrillary changes. In addition, a significant negative correlation is observed between the presence of KP1, CR3/43 and GFAP immunoreactivity and the presence of neuronal immunoreactivity for COX-2 and ppRb. These data show that maximal COX-2 and ppRb immunoreactivity in neurons occurs during early Braak stages prior to the maximal activation of astrocytes and microglia. In contrast to in vitro studies, post mortem data do not support a causal relation between the activation of microglia and astrocytes and the expression of neuronal COX-2 and ppRb in the pathological cascade of AD.     

Effect of melatonin on d-amphetamine-induced neuroglial alterations in postnatal rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex

Amphetamine is a psychostimulant drug that produces long-lasting neurotoxic effects on the central nervous system. Recent studies suggested that glia might contribute to amphetamine-induced neuropathy. Excessive activation of astrocytes can be deleterious to the neuron. Amphetamine-induced lesions during development have the potential to produce numerous permanent abnormalities in neural circuitry and function, including memory deficit. In the present study, postnatal rats were injected with either saline or d-amphetamine for 7 consecutive days, starting on postnatal day 4 (P4). Our results found that d-amphetamine caused a marked increase in glia fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astroglia marker, expression that implicated astrogliosis in both hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The effect of d-amphetamine on hippocampal and prefrontal cortex neurons was also investigated, and we detected a downregulation of βIII-tubulin, a marker of premature neuron expression. Furthermore, we found that pretreatment with melatonin, a major hormone secreted from the pineal gland, prevented glial cell activation and βIII-tubulin reduction, caused by d-amphetamine in both hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The present study suggests that melatonin can attenuate the detrimental effect of d-amphetamine on glial and neuronal cells.     

Altered pattern of immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the forebrain and cerebellum of the mutant spastic rat

The spastic rat is a neurological mutant of the Han-Wistar strain with prominent spasticity, tremor, and ataxia. Neurodegeneration is found in the CA3 sector of the hippocampus and in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. We examined the forebrain and cerebellum of spastic rats for glial reactions by using immunolabelling for the astrocytic marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). First, a map of the GFAP-distribution was made representing a systematic series of frontal sections in controls. Reactive astrocytes with increased GFAP should occur in the areas with established neuronal degeneration, but they could also demarcate further regions with pathology in this rat strain. Since the baseline levels of GFAP-immunoreactivity differ between brain regions, control rats and clinically normal littermates served as controls to judge relative increases in major structures. In the CA3 sector and hilus of the dorsal hippocampus, a massive gliosis was detected. In the cerebellum, a patchy increase of GFAP labelling in Bergmann glia was found. Further increases of GFAP-labelling in reactive astrocytes occurred in fiber tracts, the ventral thalamic nuclei, medial geniculate nuclei, pontine region and optic layer of the superior colliculus. Inconsistent changes were noted in cortex and pallidum. No defects of glial labelling or malformations in glial architectonics were found. The reactive changes of astroglial cells in hippocampus and cerebellum are in proportion to the neuronal degeneration. The glial reactions in the other brain regions possibly reflect a reaction to fiber degeneration and incipient neuronal degeneration or functional alterations of glial cells in response to neuronal dysfunction.     

An immunohistochemical study of neuronal and glial cell reactions in retinae of rats with experimental glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common disease seen in the eye clinic, but its associated pathological processes, especially the role of glial cells in glaucomatous retinae, are still under debate. The aim of the present work was to study the responses of astrocytes, Müller cells and microglia in retinae of rats with experimental glaucoma. Glaucoma was induced in adult male Wistar rats by cauterizing limbal-derived veins and the changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), OX42, OX18, OX6 and EDI expression were studied by immunohistochemical staining. Neuronal cell viability was studied by immunostaining with the neuronal nuclei (NeuN) antibody. In the experimental glaucomatous eyes, a significant drop in the number of NeuN-positive neurons was observed from 7 days postoperation and beyond in both the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer. The expression of GFAP and OX42 was increased during the first 2 months after operation and reduced in rats at 3 and 4 months. OX6 and OX18 immunoreactivity was induced in some microglia of both glaucomatous and sham-operated control eyes. Possible mechanisms of the reaction of astrocytes, Müller cells and microglia in neuronal degeneration following glaucoma are discussed.     

The differential response of astrocytes within the vestibular and cochlear nuclei following unilateral labyrinthectomy or vestibular afferent activity blockade by transtympanic tetrodotoxin injection in the rat

In this study, we investigated whether changes in the vestibular neuronal activity per se influence the pattern of astrocytes morphology, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and ultimately their activation within the vestibular nuclei after unilateral transtympanic tetrodotoxin (TTX) injections and after unilateral inner ear lesion. The rationale was that, theoretically the noninvasive pharmacological functional blockade of peripheral vestibular inputs with TTX, allowed us to dissociate the signals exclusively related to the shutdown of the resting activity of the first-order vestibular neurons and from neuronal signals associated with trans-ganglionic changes in first order vestibular neurons induced by unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL). Since the cochlea was removed during the surgical procedure, we also studied the astrocytic reaction within the deafferented cochlear nuclei. No significant changes in the distribution or relative levels of GFAP mRNA expression, relative levels of GFAP protein or immunoreactivity for GFAP were found in the ipsilateral vestibular nuclei at any post-TTX injection times studied. In addition, no sign of microglia activation was observed. In contrast, a robust increase of the distribution and relative levels of GFAP mRNA expression, protein levels and immunoreactivity was observed in the deafferented vestibular and cochlear nuclei beginning at 1 day after inner ear lesion. GFAP mRNA expression and immunoreactivity in the cochlear nucleus was qualitatively stronger than in the ipsilateral vestibular nuclei. The results suggest that astrocyte activation in the vestibular nuclei is not related to drastic changes of vestibular nuclei neuronal activity per se. Early trans-ganglionic changes due to vestibular nerve dendrites lesion provoked by the mechanical destruction of vestibular receptors, most probably induced the glial reaction. Its functional role in the vestibular compensation process remains to be elucidated.     

Expression of amyloid precursor protein-like molecule in astroglial cells of the subventricular zone and rostral migratory stream of the adult rat forebrain

In adult mammals, new neurons in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle (LV) migrate tangentially through the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulb (OB), where they mature into local interneurons. Using a monoclonal antibody for the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) (mAb 22C11), which is specific for the amino-terminal region of the secreted form of APP and recognizes all APP isoforms and APP-related proteins, immunoreactivity was detected in specific subpopulations of cells in the SVZ and RMS of the adult rat forebrain. In the SVZ, APP-like immunoreactivity was detected in the ependymal cells lining the LV and some of the subependymal cells. The latter were regarded as astrocytes, because they were positive for the glial markers, S-100 protein (S-100) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). APP-like immunoreactive astrocytes exhibited strong labelling of the perinuclear cytoplasm and often possessed a long, fine process similar to that found with radial glia. The process extended to an APP-like immunoreactive meshwork in the RMS that consisted of cytoplasmic processes of astrocytes forming 'glial tubes'. Double-immunofluorescent labelling with a highly polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) confirmed that the APP-like immunoreactive astrocytes in the SVZ and meshwork in the RMS made close contact with PSA-NCAM-immunopositive neuroblasts, suggesting an interaction between APP-containing cells and neuroblasts. This region of the adult brain is a useful in vivo model to investigate the role of APP in neurogenesis.     

Damage of substantia nigra pars reticulata during pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in the rat: immunohistochemical study of neurons,astrocytes and serum-protein extravasation

Summary The substantia nigra has a gating function controlling the spread of epileptic seizure activity. Additionally, in models of prolonged status epilepticus the pars reticulata of substantia nigra (SNR) suffers from a massive lesion which may arise from a massive metabolic derangement and hyperexcitation developing in the activated SNR. In this study, status epilepticus was induced by systemic injection of pilocarpine in rats. The neuropathology of SNR was investigated using immunohistochemical techniques with the major emphasis on the time-course of changes in neurons and astrocytes. Animals surviving 20, 30, 40, 60 min, 2, 3, 6 hours, 1, 2, and 3 days after induction of status epilepticus were perfusion-fixed, and brains processed for immunohistochemical staining of SNR. Nissl-staining and antibodies against the neuron-specific calcium-binding protein, parvalbumin, served to detect neuronal damage in SNR. Antibodies against the astroglia-specific cytoskeletal protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and against the glial calcium-binding protein, S-100 protein, were used to assess the status of astrocytes. Immunohistochemical staining for serum-albumin and immunoglobulins in brain tissue was taken as indicator of blood-brain barrier disturbances and vasogenic edema formation. Immunohistochemical staining indicated loss of GFAP-staining already at 30 min after induction of seizures in an oval focus situated in the center of SNR while sparing medial and lateral aspects. At 1 h there was additional vacuolation in S-100 protein staining. By 2 hours, parvalbumin-staining changed in the central SNR indicating neuronal damage, and Nissl-staining visualized some neuronal distortion. Staining for serum-proteins occurred in a patchy manner throughout the forebrain during the first hours. By 6 h, vasogenic edema covered the lesioned SNR. By 24 h, glial and neuronal markers indicated a massive lesion in the center of SNR. By 48–72 h, astrocytes surrounding the lesion increased in size, and polymorphic phagocytotic cells invaded the damaged area. In a further group of animals surviving 1 to 5 days, conventional paraffin-sections confirmed the neuronal and glial damage of SNR. Additional pathology of similar quality was found in the globus pallidus. Since astrocytes were always damaged in parallel with neurons in SNR it is proposed that the anatomical and functional interrelationship between neurons and astrocytes is particularly tight in SNR. Both cell elements may suffer in common from metabolic disturbance and neurotransmitter dysfunction as occur during massive status epilepticus.     

大鼠星形胶质细胞在高血糖脑缺血再灌注损伤中的变化

目的:探讨星形胶质细胞在高血糖脑缺血再灌注损伤中的变化规律。方法:采用链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导Ⅰ型糖尿病高血糖大鼠模型,通过双侧颈总动脉夹闭联合股动脉放血法建立全脑缺血再灌注模型,应用组织学、免疫荧光、组织化学及Western Blot方法,对比观察糖尿病高血糖脑缺血再灌注组(简称糖尿病组)与正常血糖脑缺血再灌注组(简称正常血糖组)在脑缺血15 min、再灌注1 h和6 h大脑额叶皮质区神经元、星形胶质细胞组织学变化及GFAP的表达。结果:正常血糖组再灌注1 h脑组织出现轻度水肿;再灌注6 h脑水肿加重,出现神经元固缩;再灌注1 h,糖尿病组病变与正常血糖组基本相同,再灌注6 h脑水肿加重,固缩神经元进一步增加。再灌注1 h和6 h,糖尿病组Nissl体平均光密度值明显低于正常血糖组(P<0.05)。脑组织GFAP免疫荧光检查可见,再灌注6 h正常血糖组GFAP免疫阳性细胞明显增加。糖尿病组再灌注1 h和6 h,出现GFAP阳性星形胶质细胞数目增加(P<0.05),胞体显著增大,突起增长、增粗。Western Blot结果可见,糖尿病组GFAP的表达明显高于正常血糖组。结论:糖尿病高血糖脑缺血再灌注能够加重神经元损伤,星形胶质细胞出现更明显的数量增加和GFAP表达。     

Differential regulation of FGF-2 in neurons and reactive astrocytes of axotomized rat hypoglossal nucleus. A possible therapeutic target for neuroprotection in peripheral nerve pathology

Despite the favorable treatment of cranial nerve neuropathology in adulthood, some cases are resistant to therapy leading to permanent functional impairments. In many cases, suitable treatment is problematic as the therapeutic target remains unknown. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF-2) is involved in neuronal maintenance and wound repair following nervous system lesions. It is one of few neurotrophic molecules acting in autocrine, paracrine and intracrine fashions depending upon specific circumstances. Peripheral cranial somatic motor neurons, i.e. hypoglossal (XII) neurons, may offer a unique opportunity to study cellular FGF-2 mechanisms as the molecule is present in the cytoplasm of neurons and in the nuclei of astrocytes of the central nervous system. FGF-2 may trigger differential actions during development, maintenance and lesion of XII neurons because axotomy of those cells leads to cell death during neonatal ages, but not in adult life. Moreover, the modulatory effects of astroglial FGF-2 and the Ca+2-binding protein S100β have been postulated in paracrine mechanisms after neuronal lesions. In our study, adult Wistar rats received a unilateral crush or transection (with amputation of stumps) of XII nerve, and were sacrificed after 72 h or 11 days. Brains were processed for immunohistochemical localization of neurofilaments (NF), with or without counterstaining for Nissl substance, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, as a marker of astrocytes), S100β and FGF-2. The number of Nissl-positive neurons of axotomized XII nucleus did not differ from controls. The NF immunoreactivity increased in the perikarya and decreased in the neuropil of axotomized XII neurons 11 days after nerve crush or transection. An astrocytic reaction was seen in the ipsilateral XII nucleus of the crushed or transected animals 72 h and 11 days after the surgery. The nerve lesions did not change the number of FGF-2 neurons in the ipsilateral XII nucleus; however, the nerve transection increased the number of FGF-2 glial profiles by 72 h and 11 days. Microdensitometric image analysis revealed a short lasting decrease in the intensity of FGF-2 immunoreactivity in axotomized XII neurons by 72 h after nerve crush or transection and also an elevation of FGF-2 in the ipsilateral of glial nuclei by 72 h and 11 days after the two lesions. S100β decreased in astrocytes of 11-day-transected XII nucleus. The two-color immunoperoxidase for the simultaneous detection of the GFAP/FGF-2 indicated FGF-2 upregulation in the nuclei of reactive astrocytes of the lesioned XII nucleus. Astroglial FGF-2 may exert paracrine trophic actions in mature axotomized XII neurons and might represent a therapeutic target for neuroprotection in peripheral nerve pathology.