Epidermal growth factor receptor immunoreactivity in rat brain astrocytes. Response to injury

Neurosci Lett. 1988 Sep 12;91(3):276-82. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(88)90693-3.

Abstract

Brain astroglia in normal adult rats stained weakly or not at all with an antibody to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). A dramatic change took place after injury. The astrocytes adjacent to an entorhinal ablation and in deafferented areas of the hippocampus showed prominent EGFR immunoreactivity. Cells that were EFGR-immunoreactive also stained intensely with an antibody to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The localization and the time course of appearance of EGFR/GFAP immunoreactivity suggests that EGFR may be involved in the conversion of a normal into a reactive astrocyte.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Brain Injuries / metabolism*
  • Brain Injuries / pathology
  • Brain Injuries / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains

Substances

  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • ErbB Receptors