THE UP-REGULATION OF A GLIAL-CELL SURFACE-ANTIGEN AT THE ASTROCYTIC SCAR IN THE RAT

The upregulation of a 106-kDa glial protein was examined using indirec t immunohistochemical methods. The protein is recognized by the monocl onal antibody AMP1. Previous studies demonstrated that the AMP1 antige n is found on the external surface of cultured astrocytes and is invol ved in stabilizing adhesive interactions between these cells. In secti ons of injured adult rat brain, the spatial distribution of the AMP1 a ntigen correlated with the region of reactive gliosis. The relative in tensity of immunofluorescence indicates that the AMP1 antigen is drama tically upregulated at the gliotic scar. The correlation between AMP1 antigen upregulation and reactive gliosis suggests that this molecule is critical to the process of CNS scar formation.