Differential regulation of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and CNTF receptor alpha (CNTFR alpha) expression following focal cerebral ischemia.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a member of cytokines, with trophic effects on ciliary, motor sympathetic, sensory, retinal and hippocampal neurons. In the present study, we examined the temporal and spatial expression profiles of CNTF and CNTF receptor alpha (CNTFR alpha) mRNAs in a focal cerebral ischemia model induced by transient occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery and both common carotid arteries. Northern blot analysis showed a slow and sustained increase in the 1.2 kb transcript of CNTF mRNA in the ischemic cortex of rats subjected to a transient 60 min ischemic insult. A delayed decrease in the 2.1 kb transcript of CNTFR alpha mRNA in the ischemic cortex was observed in rats subjected to 60 min ischemia followed by 72 h of reperfusion. In situ hybridization studies revealed constitutive expression of CNTFR alpha mRNA in the majority of neurons in the brain. Following 4 h of reperfusion, increased expression of CNTFR alpha mRNA was observed in the ipsilateral dentate gyrus, which is opposite to the down-regulation noted in the ischemic cortex. Within the infarct area CNTFR alpha mRNA had a marked increase in cortical layer II but a decrease in cortical layer V following 1 day of reperfusion. No signal of CNTFR alpha mRNA was detected within the infarct region following 3 days of reperfusion. Following 1 week of reperfusion, although no marked changes was observed in the level of CNTFR alpha mRNA in the area immediately surrounding the necrosis region where the reactive astrocytes were noted, a striking increase in the CNTF mRNA signal was noted. In summary, differential regulation of CNTF and CNTFR alpha mRNAs was noted in the ischemic cortex. Regional differences in CNTF receptor expression were noted between the ischemic cortex and ipsilateral dentate gyrus as well as between cortical layer II and V within the infarct region. CNTF mRNA, but not CNTFR alpha mRNA, had a marked increase in the area immediately adjacent to the necrosis. The mechanisms and patho-physiological significance for these differential regulation remain to be studied.