Ecrg4 and Augurin Response to Brain Injury
Author Information
Author(s): Podvin Sonia, Gonzalez Ana-Maria, Miller Miles C., Dang Xitong, Botfield Hannah, Donahue John E., Kurabi Arwa, Boissaud-Cooke Matthew, Rossi Ryan, Leadbeater Wendy E., Johanson Conrad E., Coimbra Raul, Stopa Edward G., Eliceiri Brian P., Baird Andrew
Primary Institution: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego
Hypothesis
The initial release and proteolytic processing of augurin participates in the activation phase of injury while sustained Ecrg4 down-regulation is dysinhibitory during the proliferative phase.
Conclusion
Ecrg4 is an injury response gene that shows a biphasic response in expression following traumatic brain injury.
Supporting Evidence
- Ecrg4 gene expression was highest in choroid plexus epithelial cells.
- Augurin levels decreased significantly after CNS injury but returned to normal by day 7.
- The study used immunohistochemistry to analyze protein levels in brain tissue.
Takeaway
When the brain gets hurt, a special protein called augurin is released quickly, but its levels drop for a few days before coming back to normal.
Methodology
Adult rats were injured with a penetrating cortical lesion, and alterations in augurin immunoreactivity were examined by immunohistochemistry.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on a specific injury model and may not generalize to all types of brain injuries.
Participant Demographics
Adult male Sprague Dawley rats.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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