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Published on: June 26, 2020
Spatial-temporal expression of NDRG2 in brain tissues in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage: A pilot study
Lingfeng Gao1, Xiang Li1, Haiying Li1
1Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
Abstract:
N-myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) was a member of the N-myc down regulated gene family which belongs to the alpha/beta hydrolase superfamily and played important roles in cell death. To date, the expression and effects of NDRG2 in brain after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are unclear. In this study, we investigated the spatial-temporal expression of NDRG2 in brain tissues in a rat model of ICH. The expression levels of NDRG2 were tested in 3h, 6h, 12h, 24h, 48h, 72h, and 7d after ICH by western blot analysis. The results showed that the NDRG2 levels were increased and peaked at 24h after ICH, and then declined subsequently. Meanwhile, we also examined the NDRG2 cellular localization in brain tissues by immunofluorescence analysis with NeuN and GFAP (biomarker of neuron and astrocytes respectively). The results demonstrated that NDRG2 was mainly expressed in astrocytes, but not neurons, after ICH. Additionally, the results of double staining indicated that the rate of NDRG2- and TUNEL -positive cells was significantly higher in the brain tissues in rats after ICH. The roles of NDRG2 in ICH needed further investigation and inhibiting the expression of NDRG2 may have potential therapeutic effects in ICH.
Insights
N-myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) expression increases in the brain after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), primarily in astrocytes. This suggests NDRG2 may play a role in ICH-induced cell death, warranting further investigation for therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- N-myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) is involved in cell death.
- The role of NDRG2 in the brain following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial-temporal expression of NDRG2 in rat brain tissue after ICH.
- To determine the cellular localization of NDRG2 in the context of ICH.
Main Methods:
- Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was induced in a rat model.
- Western blot analysis was used to quantify NDRG2 expression levels at various time points post-ICH.
- Immunofluorescence staining with NeuN and GFAP was performed to identify NDRG2-expressing cells.
- Double staining with TUNEL assay assessed cell death rates.
Main Results:
- NDRG2 expression significantly increased after ICH, peaking at 24 hours.
- NDRG2 was predominantly localized in astrocytes, not neurons, in the affected brain tissue.
- A higher rate of NDRG2-positive cells also exhibited TUNEL staining, indicating cell death.
Conclusions:
- NDRG2 expression is upregulated in astrocytes following ICH.
- NDRG2 may contribute to cell death processes in the context of ICH.
- Inhibiting NDRG2 could represent a potential therapeutic strategy for ICH.
