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NLRP2 Immunoreactivity in Mouse Brain After Cortical Spreading Depolarization
Eda Derle1,2, Buket Dönmez Demir2, Melike Sever Bahçekapılı2
1Department of Neurology, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye.
Introduction:
The objective of this study is to elucidate the expression pattern and alterations of NLRP2 following a single cortical spreading depolarization (CSD).
Method:
Brain tissue was obtained by cardiac perfusion at the 15th minute after CSD in optogenetically inducible Thy1-ChR2-YFP (n=3) mice. NLRP2 expression was examined in the obtained brain tissue sections by immunofluorescence staining and compared with NLRP2 expression pattern in the sections obtained from the control group (n=3) and naive mice (n=1). The cellular source of NLRP2 is demonstrated by dual staining with NeuN and S100β.
Results:
Cellular immunoreactivity of NLRP2 was evident in the cortical and subcortical regions of sham and naive group brains. This immunoreactivity exhibited a notable reduction in CSD-induced brains. The the majority of cells expressing NLRP2 exhibited colocalization with NeuN, a neuronal marker, while a smaller subset demonstrated merging with S100β, an astrocyte marker.
Conclusion:
This study revealed the decreased immunoreactivity of NLRP2 after single CSD in early period.
Insights
Cortical spreading depolarization (CSD) significantly reduces NLRP2 expression in brain tissue. This study investigated NLRP2 alterations in neurons and astrocytes following CSD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- NLRP2 is a component of the inflammasome.
- Its role in cortical spreading depolarization (CSD) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression pattern of NLRP2.
- To determine alterations in NLRP2 following a single CSD event.
Main Methods:
- Brain tissue was collected 15 minutes after CSD induction in mice.
- Immunofluorescence staining was used to examine NLRP2 expression.
- Dual staining identified NLRP2-expressing cells (neurons and astrocytes).
Main Results:
- NLRP2 immunoreactivity was observed in cortical and subcortical regions of control and naive brains.
- A notable reduction in NLRP2 immunoreactivity was found in CSD-induced brains.
- Most NLRP2-expressing cells were neurons (NeuN+), with a smaller population in astrocytes (S100β+).
Conclusions:
- Single CSD leads to decreased NLRP2 immunoreactivity in the early stages.
- NLRP2 is expressed in both neurons and astrocytes in the brain.
