STAT3 AND NF-KAPPA-B GLIAL EXPRESSION AFTER EXCITOTOXIC DAMAGE TO THEPOSTNATAL BRAIN

THE nuclear factor-kappa B (NF kappa B) and the signal transducer acti vator of transcription 3 (STAT3), are putative transcription factors a ctivated by growth factors and cytokines, and involved in glial gene e xpression changes after neuronal injury. Immunocytochemical analysis o f NF kappa B and STAT3 from 2 h to 14 days after excitotoxic damage to the postnatal rat brain showed STAT3- and NF kappa B-positive glial c ells at 2 h post-lesion, increasing in number to reach a maximum at da y 1. Immunoreactivity then decreased but the glial scar remained posit ive. Glial STAT3 immunoreactivity was located in the nucleus up to 1 d ay post-lesion and in the nucleus, cytoplasm and cell processes from d ay 3. Glial NF kappa B immunoreactivity was mainly cytoplasmatic. (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.