Astrocytes re-express nestin in deafferented target territories of the adult rat hippocampus

UP-REGULATION of the intermediate filament protein, nestin, is a sensitive indicator for the extent of astrocytic activation in regions of CNS close t o the point of injury, However, it remains unclear whether activated astroc ytes in distant, deafferented CNS territories are also capable of nestin re -expression. Here, we demonstrate that traumatic injury to the dentate gyru s is followed by the rapid but transient expression of nestin in astrocytes located in the stratum lucidum of field CA3. Up-regulation of nestin was f irst detected at 1 day, was still visible at 14 days, and returned to close to control levels by 28 days post-injury. The present investigation clearl y demonstrates the:sensitivity of nestin expression as a indicator of astro glial activation in hippocampal target territories undergoing deafferentati on-related changes. NeuroReport 10:1007-1011 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.