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Erschienen in:
01.01.2005 | Original Paper
Analysis of TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 expression in the hydrocephalic H-Tx rat brain
Erschienen in: Child's Nervous System | Ausgabe 1/2005
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Introduction
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is an important cytokine with modulatory actions in the nervous system. The development of hydrocephalus in mouse models resulting from the overexpression of TGF-β1 has previously been described, but the mechanism by which this occurs remains obscure.
Methods
In order to evaluate the role of TGF-β in hydrocephalus, we used SYBR Green I-based real-time quantitative RT-PCR method and Western blot analysis to analyze the TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 mRNA and protein expressions in the cerebral cortex of the H-Tx rat, a model of congenital hydrocephalus.
Results
The hydrocephalic H-Tx rat expressed significantly higher TGF-β3 levels than their normal siblings (p<0.01) at 7 and 14 days of age. This difference became insignificant when analyzed at 21 days of age. On the other hand, such a difference has not been observed in the TGF-β2 levels in the hydrocephalic H-Tx rat.
Conclusions
These results suggest that TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 expression may be modulated differently in the hydrocephalus, and TGF-β3 may contribute to the development of hydrocephalus in this rat model.