Expression of platelet-derived growth factor after intrastriatal ibotenic acid injury

The expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was studied in a rat model of Huntington’s disease, produced by unilateral intrastriatal ibotenic acid injections. The most pronounced effect registered was that the number of PDGF-immunoreactive cells increased in the lesioned area up to 10 weeks after the surgery. Double immunofluorescence staining indicated that the PDGF-positive cells were astrocytes. The increased PDGF immunoreactivity was associated with only minor changes in total PDGF mRNA and PDGF protein levels in the lesioned area. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrated a slight increase in PDGF mRNA after ibotenic acid lesion, but this was not reflected in an increase in PDGF A- and B-chain protein concentration as measured with ELISA. After sham operation an increase in PDGF protein concentration was seen, while the number of PDGF-immunoreactive cells was unchanged. The accumulation of PDGF in the astrocytes might reflect the role of PDGF in a repair process in neurodegenerative processes.