Spatio-temporal changes in neurofilament proteins immunoreactivity following kainate-induced cerebellar lesion in rats

• Published in: Cellular and molecular neurobiology 2004-06, Vol.24 (3), p.367-378
• Main Authors: Milenkovic, I, Filipovic, R, Nedeljkovic, N, Pekovic, S, Culic, M, Rakic, L, Stojiljkovic, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Brain Injuries - chemically induced; Brain Injuries - metabolism; Brain Injuries - physiopathology; Cerebellum - drug effects; Cerebellum - metabolism; Cerebellum - physiopathology; Disease Models, Animal; Glutamic Acid - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Kainic Acid; Male; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated - drug effects; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated - metabolism; Nerve Regeneration - drug effects; Nerve Regeneration - physiology; Neurofilament Proteins - drug effects; Neurofilament Proteins - metabolism; Neuronal Plasticity - drug effects; Neuronal Plasticity - physiology; Neurons - drug effects; Neurons - metabolism; Neurons - pathology; Neurotoxins; Purkinje Cells - drug effects; Purkinje Cells - metabolism; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reaction Time - drug effects; Reaction Time - physiology; Synaptophysin - metabolism; Up-Regulation - drug effects; Up-Regulation - physiology
• ISSN: 0272-4340
• DOI: 10.1023/B:CEMN.0000022769.44211.2b

1. Spatio-temporal changes in phosphorylated (pNFP) and nonphosphorylated (npNFP) neurofilament proteins were assessed immunocytochemicaly in adult rat cerebellum, 2-30 days following unilateral injection of kainic acid (KA) or physiological saline (s.c.). 2. Analysis of the staining intensity and pattern demonstrated that injection of both KA and physiological saline elicited significant and long-lasting increase of pNFP and npNFP immunoreactivity, at the ipsilateral, and to lesser extent at the contralateral side of lesion. 3. Kainate intoxication induced abundant expression of pNFP and npNFP in cerebellar white matter, as well as in all layers of perilesioned cortex. Higher pNFP expression was evidenced in the Purkinje cell layer, particularly at cell bodies, initial segments, and proximal dendrites, which normally do not contain pNFP. In addition, synaptophysin immunocytochemistry was used as a marker of synaptogenesis and plasticity. 4. Spatio-temporal pattern of NFP and synaptophysin expression suggests that perilesioned cortex undergoes dynamic changes following brain demage and possess a reparative capacity to abridge the consequences of brain trauma.