Expression of the beta‐trace protein in human pachymeninx as revealed by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry

Abstract

In the pachymeninx (dura mater) from human spinal cord and brain, expression of mRNA for the beta-trace protein (beta-trace) was studied by in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled cRNA probes. The localization of the protein was investigated using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, respectively. Very strong hybridization signals were observed in the fibroblasts of the pachymeninx. The results obtained by in situ hybridization were essentially confirmed by immunocytochemistry. By immunoblotting of proteins solubilized from the dura mater, strong immunoreactions were found with a polyclonal beta-trace antibody. Furthermore, beta-trace was quantified in human ventricular and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by use of an immunonephelometric assay. The beta-trace concentration in human lumbar CSF was elevated 11-fold as compared with ventricular CSF. Beta-trace determined in lumbar CSF most probably originates from fibroblasts of the pachymeninx. According to the bi- or probably multifunctional features of beta-trace, various sites of mRNA expression and protein synthesis exist in the human central nervous system (CNS). The major ones are the fibroblasts of the pachymeninx, and as previously shown, the epithelial layer of the choroid plexus.

Lipocalin-type Prostaglandin D2 Synthase Protein Regulates Glial Cell Migration and Morphology through Myristoylated Alanine-rich C-Kinase Substrate

“…Our results show that L-PGDS induces glial motility and morphological changes, which are associated with reactive gliosis. We further demonstrate that L-pgds mRNA is expressed in glial cells and neurons in culture, consistent with previous reports (2,3,(65)(66)(67)(68). Thus, L-PGDS produced in the CNS may participate in reactive gliosis by promoting glial cell migration and morphological changes in an autocrine or paracrine manner.…”

Cerebrospinal fluid protein reactions during non-neurological surgery

“…Clinical changes may be due to not only increases in the macro-molecular permeability of the blood-CSF barrier but also to changes in the rate of CSF production and/or changes in drainage resistance (2). The bTP, synthesized in the leptomeninges (4) and the pachymeninx (5), is involved in prostaglandin metabolism (6) and acts as a carrier protein for retinoids (7). The bTP, synthesized in the leptomeninges (4) and the pachymeninx (5), is involved in prostaglandin metabolism (6) and acts as a carrier protein for retinoids (7).…”

“…In addition to the major proteins, such as albumine, originating from the blood plasma, the CSF contains minor proteins derived from the CNS tissues such as b-trace protein (bTP) and beta-2-microglobuline (b2M) (3). The bTP, synthesized in the leptomeninges (4) and the pachymeninx (5), is involved in prostaglandin metabolism (6) and acts as a carrier protein for retinoids (7). As the bTP is only synthesized in the CNS and in the male genital system, it is found in serum only in minute quantities and is therefore used as an indicator of CSF leakage (8).…”

Interest of blood biomarkers to predict lesions in medical imaging in the context of mild traumatic brain injury

“… Trace protein (BTP) is known to be mostly synthesized in the spinal leptomeninges and pachymeninx [84,85]. It would have a role closely related to prostaglandin metabolism as prostaglandin D synthase [86] and act as a carrier protein for retinoids [87].…”