Experimental study of astrocyte reaction to injury in vitro / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective　To study the occurence, development and regulation of reactive gliosis with astrocyte (Ast) in vitro. Methods　Ast was isolated and cultured in vitro and its model of reactive gliosis was established by scratching the cultured astrocytes. The reactivity and rules of Ast to injury was studied by morphological changes, RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization and imaging analysis. Results　After scratching, the astrocytes showed typical features of reactive gliosis, with the hypertrophic cell body, thickened and lengtheded processes, and enhanced glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining. In situ hybridization and RT-PCR analysis confirmed that the expression of GFAP mRNA was markedly increased. These changes occurred 1 d after scratching and reached the peak 5 to 7 d after injuring. Conclusion　A model of reactive astrogliosis was successfully established in vitro which showed an active reaction to injury. The characteristics of reactive gliosis parallel that seen in vivo.