Involvement of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 in activated microglia as assessed in post mortem human brain

Neurosci Lett. 2004 May 13;362(1):14-6. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.01.039.

Abstract

In vitro studies suggest that insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is a mitogen for microglia/macrophages. The actions of IGF-I are mediated by IGF-I receptors and modulated by IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). The aim of this study was to investigate IGF-I receptors and IGFBPs in human microglia in normal brain white matter and active lesions of multiple sclerosis, which contain activated microglia/macrophages. Methods used were immunohistochemistry and confocal laser microscopy. IGF-I receptors were demonstrated in both resting and activated microglia. In resting conditions, microglia displayed no immunoreactivity for any of the six IGFBPs, whereas activated microglia/macrophages were immunoreactive for IGFBP-2 only. Our data suggest an important function for IGFBP-2 in IGF-I actions in activated microglia/macrophages in human brain.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 / analysis
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 / physiology*
  • Male
  • Microglia / chemistry
  • Microglia / metabolism*
  • Microglia / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Somatomedin / analysis
  • Receptors, Somatomedin / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2
  • Receptors, Somatomedin