SMI-32 — a novel axonal injury marker for investigation of ischemic brain pathology

Abstract

The relevance of this work is determined by the high prevalence and social significance of cerebrovascular diseases and the need to develop effective methods for verifying neuronal damage due to cerebral ischemia in experimental models.
 The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of immunohistochemical revealing of neurofilaments to detect axonal injury in cerebral ischemia models.
 Materials and methods. A model of transient focal cerebral ischemia by the left middle cerebral artery occlusion was reproduced in male Wistar, SHR and WKY rats. Axonal injury was assessed by immunohistochemical reactions for neurofilament proteins using SMI-32 and 2F11 antibodies.
 Results. In cerebral ischemia, damage to nerve fibers occurs, manifested by thickening of axons, their varicose expansion and segmental accumulation of neurofilament proteins. These changes are more noticeable with an immunohistochemical reaction to the SMI-32 marker of neurofilament heavy chain.
 Conclusions. The use of antibodies to the non-phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain makes it easy to identify degenerating nerve fibers and can be recommended as an alternative method for detecting axonal injury.