Acute focal ischemia-induced alterations in MAP2 immunostaining: description of temporal changes and utilization as a marker for volumetric assessment of acute brain injury.
The utility of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunostaining as a marker of acute focal ischemic injury was investigated. Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) elicited a rapid reduction in MAP2 immunostaining that was visible 1 h post-MCAO and that increased in intensity and area encompassed over time. The ischemic lesion borders were well defined by loss of MAP2 immunostaining, but alterations in staining within the lesion were more heterogeneous. Lesion volume increased significantly from 1 to 4 h post-MCAO (from 63.8 +/- 10.8 to 111.3 +/- 19.0 mm3, mean +/- SD). Thus, MAP2 immunostaining is a sensitive, quantifiable indicator of acute brain injury following focal ischemia.
Dawson
D A
DA
Stroke Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Hallenbeck
J M
JM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000737:chemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins