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Morphological changes and expression of protein kinase CK2 beta subunit in the microglia after hypoglossal nerve
1Department of Anatomy/Histology, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, Dar-Es-salaam, Tanzania.
Abstract:
Following hypoglossal nerve transection, the microglia of the rat hypoglossal nucleus expressed protein kinase CK2 beta subunit immunoreactivity. CK2 beta immunostaining occurred on the operated side from postoperative day 3; on day 5 we observed strong immunoreactivity and the immunopositive microglial cell processes surrounded the injured neurones. Thereafter, the immunoreactivity decreased gradually and on day 10 the immunopositive cells surrounded only a few injured neurones. Electron microscopic observations on the hypoglossal nucleus revealed microglia-neuronal contact within 3 hours of nerve injury, and by day 3 all the injured neurones were in contact with microglial cells. These observations indicated that microglia-neuronal contact occurred earlier than the CK2 beta subunit immunoreactivity. CK2 may not be implicated during the initial migration of the microglia to the injured neurones; however, it may enhance the growth and elongation of the microglial cell processes around the injured neurones.