BLOCKADE OF BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR RETARDS RECOVERY FROM MOTOR CORTEX INJURY IN RATS

The endogenous expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was blocked by neutralizing antibodies following unilateral suction lesio ns of the motor cortex. Rats with control treatment (saline, goat IgG) after motor cortex lesions showed slow recovery of forelimb manipulat ory abilities, Rats with blockade of bFGF expression showed little rec overy. Anatomically, the control-treated lesioned rats showed an acute increase in bFGF and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) reactivit y, and chronically they had normal dendritic arborization and spine de nsity in layer V pyramidal cells in the remaining motor cortex. In con trast, rats treated with antibodies to bFGF showed little bFGF reactiv ity, normal GFAP reactivity, and atrophy of dendritic arbor and decrea sed spine density in layer V pyramidal cells. These results demonstrat e the importance of endogenous bFGF release in processes related to fu nctional recovery after cortical injury.