Abstract
Facial nerve lesions lead to a retrograde response characterized by activation of glia surrounding axotomized motoneurons and up-regulation of immunological cell surface molecules such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. Cytokines, in particular interferon-gamma, are potent inducers of MHC expression and glial activation. We have here tested whether axotomy-induced activation is changed in transgenic mouse strains lacking components of the IFN-gamma signaling pathway, STAT4 or STAT6. No differences regarding astrocyte activation, ss2-microglobulin or MHC class I expression were discernible as compared to wild type controls. In contrast, there were conspicuous differences in the reaction between the examined wild type strains (C57BL/6J, BALB/c and 129/SvJ), suggesting considerable polymorphisms in the genetic regulation of these events, however, not involving IFN-gamma, STAT4 or STAT6.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Axotomy
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / immunology*
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Facial Nerve Injuries / genetics
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Facial Nerve Injuries / immunology*
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Female
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GAP-43 Protein / genetics
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Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / genetics
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Gliosis / genetics
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Gliosis / immunology
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Histocompatibility Antigens / genetics
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Histocompatibility Antigens / immunology
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Interferon Regulatory Factor-1
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Interferon-gamma / genetics
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Interferon-gamma / immunology*
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred Strains / genetics
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Mice, Inbred Strains / growth & development*
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Mice, Knockout
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Motor Neurons / immunology
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Motor Neurons / metabolism
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Motor Neurons / pathology
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Neuroglia / immunology
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Neuroglia / metabolism
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Phosphoproteins / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Retrograde Degeneration / genetics
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Retrograde Degeneration / immunology*
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STAT4 Transcription Factor
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STAT6 Transcription Factor
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Signal Transduction / genetics
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Signal Transduction / immunology
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Trans-Activators / genetics
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Trans-Activators / immunology*
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Up-Regulation / physiology
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beta 2-Microglobulin / genetics
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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GAP-43 Protein
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
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Histocompatibility Antigens
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Interferon Regulatory Factor-1
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Irf1 protein, mouse
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Phosphoproteins
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RNA, Messenger
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STAT4 Transcription Factor
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STAT6 Transcription Factor
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Stat4 protein, mouse
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Stat6 protein, mouse
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Trans-Activators
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beta 2-Microglobulin
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Interferon-gamma