Abstract
Focal injury to the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) results in a cascade of cellular responses - including glial and capillary proliferation and neural sprouting - that contribute to the repair of neural tissue and to the recovery of neurological function. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are heparin-binding polypeptides with potent trophic effects on CNS glia, endothelia, and neurons; both acidic and basic forms are found in the mammalian CNS. We used heparin-affinity chromatography coupled to Balb/c 3T3 mitogenic assay to show a marked increase in levels of bioactive FGFs in tissue surrounding focal cortical lesions of the mature rat brain at one week after injury. Heparin-affinity HPLC showed that this increase was due to a large increase in levels of basic FGF (bFGF), and a much smaller increase in levels of acidic FGF (aFGF) after injury. Increased bFGF bioactivity was paralleled by increased levels of immunoreactive bFGF, as assessed by Western blotting techniques. Increased bFGF levels may play an important role in the cascade of cellular reactions occurring after focal brain injury.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
