Enhanced expression of p53 in reactive astrocytes following transient focal ischemia

The present study used immunohistochemistry to investigate p53 expression in rat brain following transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. In the control group, no p53-immunoreactive cells were found in any region of the central nervous system. P53 expression in reactive astrocytes was not obvious in the forebrain one day or three days following ischemic insults. Seven days following ischemic injury, increased expression of p53 was clearly detectable in reactive astrocytes in affected cortical regions, such as forelimb area, hindlimb area, and parietal cortex. At seven days of recirculation, there was also a significant increase in the number of p53-immunoreactive neurons in the cerebral cortex, striatum, and hippocampal CA1-3 regions. Although the present study has not addressed multiple mechanisms contributing to cell death following ischemic injury, the first demonstration of a significant increase in p53 expression in glial cells may prove useful for future investigations of the pathophysiology of ischemia.