Increase in insulin-like growth factor II receptor within ischemic neurons following focal cerebral infarction

The mechanisms underlying the response of the brain to ischemia are not fully understood. Biochemical and morphological changes following neocortical infarction can be investigated in rats using a model of focal cerebral ischemia induced by unilateral occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Evaluation of ischemic damage often employs conventional histologic stains. Immunocytochemistry can be used as a valuable tool in this model to define changes in specific proteins of interest. In this study, an antiserum raised against insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) receptor was used to evaluate changes of IGF-II receptor immunoreactivity in the cerebral cortex of rats 4 and 7 days following permanent MCA occlusion. IGF-II receptor immunoreactivity was found to be associated with neocortical pyramidal neurons within the core of the ischemic infarct itself. The staining intensity was markedly elevated above that observed in nonischemic neurons. Immunopositive neurons exhibited a punctate staining pattern. These neurons appeared to correspond to argentophilic neurons, as defined by modified Bielschowsky silver staining. Evaluation of other neuronal markers revealed the absence of immunoreactivity for neuron-specific enolase and for tyrosine hydroxylase within the ischemic area. These observations show an increase in a specific growth factor receptor within neurons in the ischemic core of a focal infarct several days following permanent focal infarction, a time when neurons are presumed to be dead. The significance and the potential role of IGF-II receptor in lesion-induced plasticity are discussed.