Specific localization of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 immunoreactivity in oxytocin neurons of the rat hypothalamus.

The transcription factor STAT1 participates in signaling pathways and cellular responses triggered by several cytokines, growth factors and hormones. The present work demonstrates for the first time the immunohistochemical distribution of STAT1 in the rat hypothalamus. STAT1 immunoreactivity was observed in somas, dendrites and axons of neurons throughout the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and co-localized specifically with oxytocin. These findings indicate that STAT1 is positioned to participate in specific neuroendocrine regulation in the nonpathological rat brain.