title: Astrocyte and endothelial cell expression of ADAM 17 (TACE) in adult human CNS.
abstract: ADAM 17, also known as TACE, is an important sheddase for a number of proteins, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), L-selectin, p75, and p55 TNF receptors, and interleukin-1 receptor II (IL-1RII). The presence of ADAM 17 mRNA in adult mouse and rat CNS was recently reported (Karkkainen et al. Mol Cell Neurosci 15:547-560, 2000). However, the cellular origin of ADAM 17 remains unknown. In this study, we have used an anti-ADAM 17 antibody in an immunohistochemical study of its distribution in human adult CNS tissue. Cells with astrocytic and endothelial morphology were ADAM 17-positive. This finding was further confirmed using double immunofluorescence with antibodies against GFAP and von Willebrand factor, which label astrocytes and endothelial cells, respectively. This study demonstrates that ADAM 17 is expressed by astrocytes and endothelial cells in normal brain tissue and may have a role in normal brain function.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Science and Mathematics, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom. d.r.goddard@shu.ac.uk
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bunning
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Woodroofe
mesh_terms: D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000072198:ADAM17 Protein; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D051722:ADAM Proteins; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D000072198:ADAM17 Protein; C000606462:ADAM17 protein, human; C000606463:Adam17 protein, mouse; C000606464:Adam17 protein, rat