| First Author | Dickinson TK | Year | 1998 |
| Journal | Brain Res | Volume | 801 |
| Issue | 1-2 | Pages | 171-81 |
| PubMed ID | 9729367 | Mgi Jnum | J:49207 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:1276996 | Doi | 10.1016/s0006-8993(98)00575-7 |
| Citation | Dickinson TK, et al. (1998) Immunohistochemical analysis of transferrin receptor: regional and cellular distribution in the hypotransferrinemic (hpx) mouse brain. Brain Res 801(1-2):171-81 |
| abstractText | The hypotransferrinemic (hpx) mouse mutant produces <1% of the normal circulating level of transferrin (Tf). Heterozygote animals of this strain (hpx/+) have approximately 50% of normal plasma Tf levels. In this study we examine the cellular and regional distribution of Tf receptor (Tf-R) in the brain of wild type, hpx/+ and mutant (hpx/hpx) mice. Also, using slot-blot (immunoblot) analysis, we describe the relative amount of Tf-R in brain microvessels of hpx/+ animals compared with wild type. Tf-R was seen primarily in neurons throughout the brains of wild type, hpx/+ and hpx/hpx animals. Gray matter areas immunoreacted more robustly than white matter areas. Oligo-dendrocytes and third ventricle tanycytes, both of which we have previously described as iron-positive, did not immunoreact for Tf-R. Tf-R immunohistochemical reaction in wild type, hpx/+ and hpx/hpx brains appeared similar. Immunoblot analysis of isolated cortical microvessels from wild type and hpx/+ animals revealed no upregulation of Tf-R expression in hpx/+ (relative to normal) despite a 50% decrease in circulating Tf levels. These results indicate that Tf-R is primarily expressed by neurons and that half normal levels of Tf (hpx/+) or transferrin supplementation (hpx/hpx) are apparently sufficient for normal expression and distribution of Tf-R. Because of the lack of circulating Tf, but unaltered Tf-R expression, hpx mice could serve as a model for delivery of therapeutic agents via the Tf/Tf-R system. Copyright 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. |
