Evidence for activation of the complement cascade in the hypoglossal nucleus following peripheral nerve injury

Following hypoglossal nerve transection in adult rats, immunoreactivity for complement factor C3 and one of its degradation products C3d as well as C4d and immunoglobulin G (IgG) was observed in the ipsilateral hypoglossal nucleus. Double-labelling experiments indicated that these antigens were present in perineuronally located reactive microglial cells. In addition, increased levels of complement factor C3-mRNA was found in perineuronally located cells ipsilateral to nerve lesion. These results suggest that the complement cascade is locally activated in the vicinity of axotomized neuronal perikarya and that microglial cells have a key role in this process, alternatively that C3, C3d, C4d and IgG are involved in other so far unknown processes.