Expression of stem cell factor and c-kit receptor in neural cells after brain injury.
Previously it has been shown that c-kit receptor (c-kitR) and its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF), are expressed in the central nervous system. We have reported that SCF in cultures regulates mouse microglial function. Here we demonstrate that SCF/c-kitR signaling also takes place in situ. We used a penetrating stab wound injury as a model and analyzed the SCF and c-kitR expression in neural cells by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. We found that microglia activated by injury up-regulated c-kitR expression, whereas some astrocytes in the vicinity of the wound expressed SCF mRNA in addition to neurons. This observation suggests that SCF/c-kitR signaling between neurons, astrocytes and microglia also occurs in situ.
Zhang
S C
SC
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Fedoroff
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit