M. Buttini et al., INDUCTION OF INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA MESSENGER-RNA AFTER FOCAL CEREBRAL-ISCHEMIA IN THE RAT, Molecular brain research, 23(1-2), 1994, pp. 126-134
The expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) mRNA in the brain in re
sponse to cerebral ischaemia in rats was examined using in situ hybrid
ization histochemistry. Focal cerebral ischaemia was induced in sponta
neously hypertensive rats by permanent occlusion of the left middle ce
rebral artery (MCAO). Whereas no IL-1beta mRNA could be detected in no
n-operated and sham-operated rats, middle cerebral artery occlusion in
duced the expression of IL-1beta mRNA within 15 min in the ischaemic b
rain regions prone to become necrotic after 1-2 days. The message appe
ared as spot-like signals, reached a peak after 3 h and then declined
to undetectable levels within 4 days. Additionally, a pronounced but b
rief induction of IL-1beta mRNA could be detected 1 h after MCAO in th
e meninges near the watershed zone. The results demonstrate that the i
nflammatory cytokine IL-1beta is induced in a time-dependent way after
brain ischaemia.