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Published on: October 17, 2018
Induction and temporal changes of osteopontin mRNA and protein in the brain following systemic lipopolysaccharide
Jeong-Sun Choi1, Hyun-Jung Park, Jung-Ho Cha
1College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 505 Banpo-dong, Socho-gu, 137-701 Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract:
We analyzed expression of osteopontin (OPN), a cytokine regulating tissue repair and inflammation, in astrocytes and microglia in response to systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration (250 microg/100 g). OPN mRNA expression appeared in subpial astrocytes as early as 6 h, and then spread over the brain parenchyma. The signal for OPN mRNA reached a peak at 24 h post-injection, and returned to basal levels after 48 h. Changes in OPN immunoreactivity in the LPS-injected rat mirrored OPN mRNA induction patterns. These results provide the first evidence of OPN induction in astrocytes and microglia following peripheral immune challenge, and suggest that OPN may play a key role in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation.
Insights
Osteopontin (OPN) is upregulated in brain astrocytes and microglia after peripheral immune challenge. This cytokine may play a critical role in the development of neuroinflammation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Osteopontin (OPN) is a cytokine involved in tissue repair and inflammation.
- Astrocytes and microglia are key glial cells in the central nervous system involved in immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of osteopontin (OPN) in astrocytes and microglia.
- To determine the role of OPN in neuroinflammation following a peripheral immune challenge.
Main Methods:
- Systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to rats.
- Analysis of osteopontin mRNA expression using quantitative methods.
- Assessment of osteopontin protein levels via immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- Osteopontin mRNA expression was detected in subpial astrocytes early after LPS administration (6 hours).
- OPN expression spread throughout the brain parenchyma, peaking at 24 hours post-injection.
- OPN protein levels correlated with mRNA induction patterns, indicating increased OPN in astrocytes and microglia.
- OPN levels returned to baseline by 48 hours post-LPS.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of osteopontin induction in astrocytes and microglia in response to peripheral immune activation.
- Osteopontin may be a significant factor in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of OPN's role in brain immune responses.
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