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.