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Human Molecular Genetics Advance Access published online on July 13, 2005
Human Molecular Genetics, doi:10.1093/hmg/ddi248
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© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved
Received May 23, 2005
Accepted July 4, 2005

Article

Gene expression analysis in mice with elevated glial fibrillary acidic protein and Rosenthal fibers reveals a stress response followed by glial activation and neuronal dysfunction

Tracy L. Hagemann 1, Stephen A. Gaeta 1, Mark A. Smith 2, Delinda A. Johnson 3, Jeffrey A. Johnson 4, and Albee Messing 5*

1 Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
2 Institute of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
3 School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
4 Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA; School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA; Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
5 Waisman Center 713, University of Wisconsin, 1500 Highland Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA; Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Albee Messing, E-mail: Messing{at}waisman.wisc.edu


  Abstract

Alexander disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder resulting from missense mutations of the intermediate filament protein, GFAP. The pathological hallmark of this disease is the formation of cytoplasmic protein aggregates within astrocytes known as Rosenthal fibers. Transgenic mice engineered to overexpress wild type human GFAP develop an encephalopathy with identical aggregates, suggesting that elevated levels of GFAP in addition to mutant protein contribute to the pathogenesis of this disorder. To study further the effects of elevated GFAP and Rosenthal fibers per se, independent of mutations, we performed gene expression analysis on olfactory bulbs of transgenic mice at two different ages to follow the progression of pathology. The expression profiles reveal a stress response that includes genes involved in glutathione metabolism, peroxide detoxification, and iron homeostasis. Many of these genes are regulated by the transcription factor Nfe2l2, which is also increased in expression at 3 wks. An immune-related response occurs with activation of cytokine and cytokine receptor genes, complement components, and acute phase response genes. These transcripts are further elevated with age, with additional induction of macrophage-specific markers such as Mac1 and CD68, suggesting activation of microglia. At 4 months, decreased expression of genes for microtubule associated proteins, vesicular trafficking proteins, and neurotransmitter receptors becomes apparent. Interneuron-specific transcription factors including Dlx family members and Pax6 are down-regulated as well as Gad1 and Gad2, suggesting impairment of GABAergic granule cells. Together these data implicate an initial stress response by astrocytes that results in the activation of microglia and compromised neuronal function.


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