title: Neuronal expression of caspase-1 immunoreactivity in the rat central nervous system.
abstract: Caspase-1/interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-converting enzyme (ICE) cleaves IL-1beta and IL-18 precursor proteins to the active forms of these proinflammatory cytokines. Since both cytokines are constitutively expressed in the brain, we investigated whether this is also the case for caspase-1. Using an antibody raised against the p10-subunit of the active enzyme, constitutive expression of caspase-1 immunoreactivity was found in nerve cells in the arcuate nucleus and in nerve fibres throughout the brain. Co-localisation with alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone was demonstrated. The distribution pattern of caspase-1 immunoreactive structures is consistent with a role to produce mature IL-1beta in regions where IL-1beta mediates fever and sleep.
authors.affiliation: Division of Experimental Geriatrics, Neurotec Department, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Novum, 4th floor, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden. Catharina.Lindberg@neurotec.ki.se
authors.forename: Catharina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindberg
authors.forename: Charlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Van Dam
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Winblad
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schultzberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D020170:Caspase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D020170:Caspase 1