Effect of bFGF gene transfection on expression of astrocytes associated protein in rats with radiation induced brain impairment

Objective To observe the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene therapy on astrocytes glial fibrillary acidic protein (glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP) and vimentin (Vimentin, VIM) protein expression of astrocytes in rats with whole brain radiation brain injury (RIB) in order to provide an experimental basis for exploring new ways to treat RIB. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were grouped and received single 25Gy for whole brain irradiation to established brain radiation injury (radiation injuries of the brain, RIB) model. bFGF gene therapy groups were given intracerebroventricular injection of bFGF-pcDNA3.1 (+ ) plasmid and set non-irradiated group as control. Before irradiation and post-irradiation 20 d and 60 d, respectively, GFAP and VIM expression were observed in each group of brain tissue. Results Radiation group with pathological examination showed mild degeneration of hippocampal and cortical neurons, and white matter regions presented the organizational structure comb loose and perivascular space enlargement compared with the control group.But the bFGF treatment group was significantly lighter. The expression of GFAP were increased in each group after radiation. GFAP positive cells of bFGF treatment group (65±6.2) were higher than that of irradiation group (49±5.8) and control group (18±2.4) (P 0.05) in the other groups between 20 d and 60 d. VIM expression of bFGF treatment group was higher at 20 d (0.94±0.12) compared to irradiated group (1.45±0.26) and no significant difference of VIM expression was found in each groups at 60 d. Conclusion Irradiation with 25Gy-ray can increase the expression of GFAP and VIM in rats brain at acute phase.bFGF gene therapy can increase the expression of GFAP and decrease the expression of VIM. Key words: Brain radiation injury; Glial fibrillary acidic protein; Vimentin; Basic fibroblast growth factor