H. Tomimoto et al., ASTROGLIAL EXPRESSION OF ATL-DERIVED FACTOR, A HUMAN THIOREDOXIN HOMOLOG, IN THE GERBIL BRAIN AFTER TRANSIENT GLOBAL-ISCHEMIA, Brain research, 625(1), 1993, pp. 1-8
Distribution of adult T cell leukemia derived factor (ADF/TRX), a huma
n thioredoxin homologue, was studied by immunohistochemistry in gerbil
brain during reperfusion after transient cerebral ischemia. In contro
l brains, immunoreactivity was observed widely in the central nervous
system, including the ependyma, tanycytes, endothelial cells as well a
s subcommisural organs, and weakly in the neuronal cell bodies. During
reperfusion, ADF/TRX was expressed in glial cells in the CA1 and dent
ate hilus of the hippocampus, and in a few cases in the lateral portio
n of the caudateputamen. ADF/TRX positive glias first appeared after r
eperfusion for 24 h, and the intensity of staining peaked at 72 h and
diminished after 7 days of reperfusion. They were concentrated around
microvessels and identified to be astroglia by double labeling immunoh
istochemistry with glial fibrillary acidic protein as marker. Immunobl
otting analysis demonstrated an increase of ADF/TRX in the postischemi
c hippocampus. Astroglial expression of ADF/TRX in postischemic injuri
es suggests a role in neuroprotection by hydrogen peroxide reducing an
d protein-refolding activities or in modulation of local immune respon
ses.