Overexpression of nerve growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in AIDS dementia complex.
Although neurotrophic factors are currently considered as treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, little is still known about their presence in the central nervous system under pathological conditions. We investigated the expression of the neurotrophic molecules NGF, bFGF, BDNF and IGF-1 in brain tissue of patients suffering from AIDS dementia complex. In contrast to IGF-1 and BDNF, NGF and bFGF mRNA levels were significantly elevated. Strong NGF immunoreactivity was found in perivascular areas and was colocalized with infiltrating macrophages, whereas intense bFGF staining was found in cells with characteristic astrocytic morphology. These data suggest that the induction of NGF and bFGF alone appears to be insufficient as a compensatory mechanism to prevent ADC.
Eijkman-Winkler Institute, Neuroimmunology Section, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. l.a.boven@lab.azu.nl
L A
LA
Boven
J
J
Middel
P
P
Portegies
J
J
Verhoef
G H
GH
Jansen
H S
HS
Nottet
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000906:Antibodies; D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D001253:Astrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000276:immunology; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000906:Antibodies; D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I