Changes in expression of GFAP, ApoE and APP mRNA and protein levels in the adult rat brain following cortical injury

Abstract

The recovery period following cortical injury (CI) is characterized by a dynamic and highly complex interplay between beneficial and detrimental events. The aim of this study was to examine the expressions of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), all of which are involved in brain plasticity and neurodegeneration. Our results reveal that CI strongly influenced GFAP, ApoE and APP mRNA expression, as well as GFAP and ApoE protein expression. Considering the pivotal role of these proteins in the brain, the obtained results point to their potential contribution in neurodegeneration and consequent Alzheimer’s disease development. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173056]

Keywords

• Cortical injury
• astrocytes
• glial fibrillary acidic protein
• amyloid precursor protein
• apolipoprotein E
• recovery
• synaptic plasticity