Korean J Anat.  2001 Dec;34(6):589-602.

Immunocytochemical Localization of Transforming Growth Factor-alpha in the Forebrain of the Rat

• Chung YY
• Park SS
• Yoon SP
• Kim JJ
• Moon JS
• Jeong SB
• Kim HS

Abstract

The distribution of Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) was examined in the rat forebrain by immunocytochemistry. TGF-alpha immunoreactivity was observed in the cerebral hemispheres, thalamus and hypothalamus. Neurons in the olfactory and septal area, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum, amygdala, and different nuclei of the thalamus and hypothalamus showed immunoreactivity. The intensity of the immunoreaction was high in the hippocampus, pyramidal cell layers of cerebral cortex, reticular and ventral thalamic nuclei, and paraventricular and supraoptic hypothalamic nuclei. In addition, a few labelled glial cells appeared at random in the forebrain. These results indicate that both neurons and glial cells appear to synthesize TGF-alpha in normal forebrain of the rat. However, TGF-alpha immunoreactivity was more widely distributed in neurons than glial cells. Therefore, although the role of TGF-alpha in the central nervous system remains elusive, the present data support the concept that TGF-alpha may act as a trophic factor in the adult rat forebrain.

Keyword

Transforming growth factor-alpha; Forebrain; Rat; Immunocytochemistry

MeSH Terms

Adult
Amygdala
Animals
Central Nervous System
Cerebral Cortex
Cerebrum
Hippocampus
Humans
Hypothalamus
Immunohistochemistry
Neuroglia
Neurons
Prosencephalon*
Pyramidal Cells
Rats*
Septum of Brain
Thalamus
Transforming Growth Factor alpha
Ventral Thalamic Nuclei
Transforming Growth Factor alpha