The effects of rat brain ischemia on the expression of Acetyl-cholinesterase and Caspase-3 of the immune system / 中国免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effects of brain ischemia on the immune system and the expression of Acetyl-cholinesterase(AChE) and Caspase-3 after neuro-immunological injury.Methods:The serum IL-4,IL-10,TNF-?,IL-2 and IL-12 concentrations and AChE level in brain,thymus and spleen of the rat brain ischemia at different time spots were detected by ELISA.The active fragments of Caspase-3 P17 and P32 in brain,thymus and spleen were tested by Western blot.The expression of AChE in nerve cells was examined immunohistochemistry.The relationship between amount of AChE and concentrations of the cytokines or NK activity as well as cell apoptosis was analyzed.Results:The concentration of AChE in brain increased gradually after ischemia,the level reached peak after 12 hours,and then decreased afterward.The AChE level in thymus and spleen increased after 1 h in accordance with the ischemic brain.The NK activity,serum TNF-?,IL-2 and IL-12 levels also increased at 0.5 h,1 h and 2 h after ischemia,but the trend reversed after 3 hours.Serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels did not change significantly at 0.5 h,1 h and 2 h after ischemia,but serum IL-10 raised after 3 hours to 48 hours.Serum IL-4 level slightly increased only appearing at ischemia 12 h point.The ratio of P17/(P17+P32) became higher with ischemic time.Conclusion:Sustained rising of AChE level due to brain ischemia induces the apoptosis of cells in the brain,thymus and spleen via activation caspase-3,leading to Th1/Th2 imbalance and immune dysfunctions.