Response of epiplexus cells associated with the choroid plexus in the lateral ventricles of adult rats to high altitude exposure.
The present study examined effects of high altitude exposure, which leads to development of hypoxia, on epiplexus cells associated with the choroid plexus in adult rats. At 2-5 h following exposure, epiplexus cells expressing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were commonly observed. Increased expression of complement type 3 receptors (CR3) and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) antigens was also observed 4-14 days after altitude exposure. It is suggested that the early expression of iNOS in epiplexus cells following an altitude exposure may protect the choroid plexus and ventricles from damage caused by reactive oxygen species during reoxygenation. The enhanced expression of CR3 receptors and MHC II antigens at later time intervals may be involved in protection of cerebral ventricular system from any infection that may accompany or follow altitude exposure.
Wang
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Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD 10, 4, Medical Drive, Singapore.
Kaur
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C
D000531:Altitude; D000818:Animals; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000502:physiology; D002831:Choroid Plexus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000502:physiology*; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496318:Nos2 protein, rat