Radial Glia Marker Expression after Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Abstract

The current study examines 3CB2, radial glia marker, expression after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Animal protocols were approved by the Committee of Kagawa University. Adult male SD rats received an intracaudate injection of 100µl autologous whole blood under general anesthesia. Animals were sacrificed for single and double labeling immunohistochemistry to identify which cells express 3CB2, and for Western blotting to quantify 3CB2 expression. By immunohistochemistry, 3CB2 immunoreactivity was present in large numbers of astrocytes, surrounding the hematoma from day 3 to 1 week after ICH. After 1 month, 3CB2 immunoreactivity was co-localized with a precursor neuronal marker (TUC-4). By Western blot analysis, 3CB2 was strongly expressed at day 3 (p<0.05) and 1 week (p<0.05), and expression persisted for at least 1 month (p<0.05). The ICH-induced 3CB2 expression in astrocytes may reflect an early response of these cells to injury, while the delayed expression in neurons might be a part of the adaptative response to injury leading to recovery of functions. [J Physiol Sci. 2007;57 Suppl:S141]