Acidic fibroblast growths factor (FGF-I) in the anterior horn cells of ALSand control cases

The expression and localization of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF-, FGF-I) were examined in the spinal cord of patients with amyotrophic latera l sclerosis (ALS) and controls by reverse transcription-polymerase chain re action (RT-PCR) method and immunohistochemistry. The RT-PCR experiments dem onstrated that aFGF amplification products were clearly detected in all con trol cases but could be scarcely seen in ALS patients. aFGF immunoreactivit y was detected in the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord. Double immuno staining for aFGF and choline acetyltransferase revealed that the majority (95.9%) of cholinergic neurons expressed aFGF. In ALS cases, the number and the staining intensity of aFGF-positive neurons were markedly decreased. T hese results suggest that aFGF is involved in AILS pathology. NeuroReport 1 2:3799-3803 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.