Microglial interleukin-1 alpha expression in human head injury: correlations with neuronal and neuritic beta-amyloid precursor protein expression.
Activated microglia containing IL-1 alpha-immunoreactive (IL-1 alpha +) product were increased 3-fold in number in the acute phase following head injury, a risk factor for later development of Alzheimer's disease, and this increase was correlated with a 7-fold increase in the number of neurons with elevated beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP) levels (R = 0.78; P < 0.05). Furthermore, clusters of beta-APP+ dystrophic neurites present in these patients were invariably associated with activated IL-1 alpha + microglia. These findings suggest that early overexpression of IL-1 alpha and beta-APP is a priming event for later neuropathological changes evident at end stages of Alzheimer's disease.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
W S
WS
Griffin
J G
JG
Sheng
S M
SM
Gentleman
D I
DI
Graham
R E
RE
Mrak
G W
GW
Roberts
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*
D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1