Age-related changes in ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 immunoreactivity and protein level in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region.
Microglia are evenly distributed throughout the brain parenchyma. They respond rapidly to a variety of alterations in the microenvironment of the brain and act as sensors for pathological events in the brain. In the present study, we investigated the age-dependent changes in the immunoreactivity and protein level of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), a microglial marker, in the CA1 region of the gerbil hippocampus. Iba-1 immunoreactive microglia were detected in the hippocampal CA1 region of the postnatal month 1 (PM 1) group. Iba-1 positive microglia were morphologically inactive between the PM 1 and PM 12 stages. Some Iba-1 immunoreactive microglia were present in the active form in the hippocampal CA1 region of the PM 18 and PM 24 groups. The Iba-1 protein levels in hippocampal CA1 homogenates were decreased in the PM 1 through PM 6 groups and increased in an age-dependent manner thereafter. These results suggest that Iba-1 immunoreactive microglia in the active form were detected in the hippocampal CA1 region in the PM 18 and PM 24 groups. This result may be associated with an age-dependent susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases associated with the hippocampus.
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Program for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, seoul 151-742, South Korea.
Jung Hoon
JH
Choi
Choong Hyun
CH
Lee
In Koo
IK
Hwang
Moo Ho
MH
Won
Je Kyung
JK
Seong
Yeo Sung
YS
Yoon
Heungshik S
HS
Lee
In Se
IS
Lee
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005849:Gerbillinae / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins