Upregulation of heparin-binding growth-associated molecule after spinal cord injury in adult rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) induces changes of gene expression of heparin-binding growth-associated molecule (HB-GAM).


METHODS
In a spinal cord transection model, HB-GAM expression and cellular localization were examined using Northern blot, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double-labeling methods.


RESULTS
HB-GAM mRNA was significantly upregulated in spinal cord tissues rostral and caudal to the injury at 7 d after SCI. HB-GAM gene expression was markedly increased at 3 d, peaked at 7 d, and declined to the baseline level at 28 d post-injury. During its peak expression, HB-GAM was co-localized in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons in spinal cord tissues within 7 mm from the site of spinal transection.


CONCLUSIONS
SCI induces HB-GAM expression at both mRNA and protein levels in areas close to the injury. Both neurons and glial cells expressed HB-GAM implying that HB-GAM played a role in the process of injury and/or repair following SCI.
Wang
Yan-Ting
YT
Department of Neurobiology, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025, China.
Han
Shu
S
Zhang
Kai-Hua
KH
Jin
Yu
Y
Xu
Xiao-Ming
XM
Lu
Pei-Hua
PH
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C066845:pleiotrophin