EXPRESSION OF 72-KDA HEAT-SHOCK PROTEIN IN RAT SPINAL-CORD AFTER LOCALIZED HYPERTHERMIA

Rat spinal cord was locally heated and the expression of heat shock pr otein with a molecular weight of 72 kDa (HSP72) was investigated. HSP7 2 was detected in the cord from one of 3 animals 24 h after exposure t o 30 min 42.1 degrees C and in all animals (n = 11) after 30 min 42.3- 42.9 degrees C. Most neurons and glial cells were HSP72 positive. Ther e was agreement in localization between HSP72 and Factor Vm, a surface antigen on the vascular endothelium. Axons were HSP72 negative. The d ata indicate that spinal cord components that are susceptible to heat injury and thus would benefit from protection by HSP72, such as neuron s, glial cells and endothelial cells, do synthesize HSP72 after heat s tress.