LOSS OF BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR IN THE SUBCOMMISSURAL ORGAN OFOLD SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

The immunocytochemical localization of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was studied in subcommissural organ (SCO) of aged-matched normo tensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats at 10, 14 and 18 months of age using a polyclonal antibody against bFGF. The bFGF-like immunoreactivity (bFGF-ir) was observed in SCO ependyma l cells of young and old normotensive rats. However, a progressive los s of bFGF-immunopositive ependymal SCO cells was observed with age in SH rats (27.24, 57.5 and 96.9% in 10, 14 and 18 months old respectivel y) compared with aged-matched WKY normotensive rats. Considering the p otential role of the SCO in sleep regulation and sodium homeostasis, w hich are altered in essential hypertension, these data show a new neur oendocrine anomaly to be added to the many others previously observed in this rat strain, when they develop hypertension as they get old. (C ) 1996 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.