Immunocytochemical distribution of the brain glucose transporter (GLUT 1) in experimental gliosis

The present study has examined the immunocytochemical expression of the blood-brain barrier glucose transporter GLUT 1 as compared with GFAP in models of experimental gliosis. In neocortical grafts, gliosis was prominent at the graft-host interface mostly associated with blood vessels. Consecutive sections examined for anti-GLUT 1 showed that the protein was distributed in nearly an identical pattern to the anti-GFAP, staining fibrillar processes and all vessels and also appeared extracellularly. In stab wounds, GLUT 1 immunoexpression was similar to GFAP reactivity and stained injured vessels and glial-like processes that were reminiscent of astrocytic end-feet. Normal glial cells and processes in unaffected neuropil, however, were never stained. This report suggests that GLUT 1 protein may be upregulated in non-endothelial components, such as reactive astroglia or possibly microglia, that are associated with injured or angiogenic vessels.