Induction of cytokine expression in the brain macrophages/amoeboid microglia of the fetal rat exposed to a teratogen

Neuroreport. 2001 May 25;12(7):1391-7. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200105250-00020.

Abstract

Using in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, lectin histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, this study examined the time course expression and cellular localization of various cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukins (IL-1, IL-6) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in fetal rat brain after a maternal injection of the teratogen cyclophosphamide (CP). Eight hours after CP injection, there was a marked increase in brain macrophages (BM)/amoeboid microglia (AM) in different areas of the fetal brain as determined by lectin histochemistry. Concomitant to this was the induction in mRNA level of TNF-alpha, which was progressively increased with time. TGF-beta mRNA was undetectable until 24 h had elapsed. Expression of IL-1 and IL-6 was undetectable at all stages. In situ hybridization combined with immunohistochemistry has shown the localization of TNF-alpha in BM/AM and neurons. Present results suggest that both TNF-alpha and TGF-beta are involved in the progression of neural damage in the fetal brain induced by the teratogen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm*
  • Antigens, Surface*
  • Avian Proteins*
  • Basigin
  • Blood Proteins*
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / immunology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Cyclophosphamide / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fetus / drug effects*
  • Fetus / embryology
  • Fetus / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology
  • Interleukin-1 / genetics
  • Interleukin-1 / immunology
  • Interleukin-1 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Lectins / pharmacokinetics
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Microglia / drug effects*
  • Microglia / immunology
  • Microglia / metabolism
  • Mutagens / pharmacology
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Teratogens / pharmacology*
  • Time Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Avian Proteins
  • Blood Proteins
  • Bsg protein, Gallus gallus
  • Bsg protein, rat
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-1
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lectins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Mutagens
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Teratogens
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Basigin
  • Cyclophosphamide