title: mRNA up-regulation of MHC II and pivotal pro-inflammatory genes in normal brain aging.
abstract: In normal brain aging, CNS resident macrophages exhibit increased expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II expression. However, the transcriptional basis for this observation has not been clarified nor have age-related alterations in pivotal pro-inflammatory genes been characterized. Age-related mRNA alterations in MHC II, MHC II accessory molecules and several pro-inflammatory mediators were measured in older (24 months) and younger (3 months) male F344xBN F1 rats. Real time RT-PCR was utilized to measure steady state mRNA levels in hippocampus. Older as compared to younger animals exhibited increased mRNA levels of MHC II, CD86, CIITA and IFN-gamma. Furthermore, IL-10 and CD200 mRNA, molecules that down-regulate macrophage activation, was decreased in older animals. The present results indicate that normal brain aging is characterized by a shift towards a pro-inflammatory microenvironment in the CNS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 345, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA. matt.frank@colorado.edu
authors.forename: Matthew G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Ruth M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Barrientos
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Biedenkapp
authors.forename: Jerry W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Rudy
authors.forename: Linda R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: Steven F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Maier
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C495490:Cd200 protein, rat; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; C042739:antigens, CD200