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Astrocyte characterization in the multiple sclerosis glial scar.
J E Holley1, D Gveric, J Newcombe
1Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Peninsula Medical School (Exeter), London, UK. janet.holley@pms.ac.uk
Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology
|September 26, 2003
Summary
Dense astrocytic scarring in multiple sclerosis (MS) hinders repair. Researchers defined the antigenic phenotype of scar astrocytes (SAs) in chronic MS lesions, identifying novel markers that could inform future therapeutic strategies for tissue regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Astrocytic scarring in chronic multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions creates an environment that inhibits tissue repair.
- The antigenic phenotype of astrocytes, the brain's most abundant cell type, varies by type and location, as shown in animal studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the antigenic phenotype of scar astrocytes (SAs) within chronic MS lesions.
- To investigate established markers of reactive astrocytes from animal studies in human MS tissue.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to examine cerebral white matter from normal controls and MS patients (normal-appearing white matter and lesions of varying acuity).
Main Results:
- Scar astrocytes (SAs) in chronic MS lesions exhibit a significantly modified protein expression profile.
- SAs express nestin, embryonic neural cell adhesion molecule, fibroblast growth factor receptor 4, epidermal growth factor receptor, nerve growth factor, and a subpopulation expresses basic fibroblast growth factor, in addition to glial fibrillary acidic protein, vimentin, and tenascins C and R.
Conclusions:
- The antigenic phenotype of scar astrocytes (SAs) in chronic multiple sclerosis lesions has been defined.
- Understanding this SA antigenic profile may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing scar formation and promoting central nervous system tissue repair.