Hoffman G E, Le W W, Abbud R, Lee W S, Smith M S
Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, PA 15261.
Brain Res. 1994 Aug 22;654(2):207-15. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(94)90481-2.
This manuscript describes the use of staining of Fos-related antigens (FRAs) as markers for changes in neuronal activity. The model system consisted of the tuberoinfundibular dopamine (TIDA) neurons located in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Under normal conditions, these neurons are devoid of c-Fos staining even though the neurons are tonically active and can express FRAs. During specific neuroendocrine states the neurons undergo changes in activity, as described by other studies. At times when the activity is relatively high as in pregnancy and during proestrus, approximately 50%-60% of the TIDA neurons expressed FRA immunoreactivity. Moreover changes over the course of proestrus paralleled known shifts in TIDA activity (declining as the day progressed). At times when TIDA activity is suppressed, such as during lactation, FRA staining in TIDA neurons was markedly reduced or absent. Upon removal of the suckling stimulus, FRA staining rose to reach peak expression 12-24 h after pup removal (without coordinate induction of c-Fos). These data suggest that FRA staining can serve as a useful marker of activity in the TIDA neurons which permits not only assessment of stimulated activity but also suppressed function in the neurons. A cautionary note in using this approach along with acquisition of serial blood samples for hormone measurement is that surgical procedures for monitoring plasma hormone levels are associated with strong long-lived induction of FRAs (and c-Fos) in many neurons (including the TIDA neurons) that can confound interpretation of FRA staining.
本手稿描述了使用Fos相关抗原（FRA）染色作为神经元活动变化的标志物。模型系统由位于下丘脑弓状核的结节漏斗多巴胺（TIDA）神经元组成。在正常情况下，尽管这些神经元处于紧张性活动状态且能够表达FRA，但它们没有c-Fos染色。如其他研究所描述的，在特定的神经内分泌状态下，这些神经元的活动会发生变化。在妊娠和发情前期等活动相对较高时，约50%-60%的TIDA神经元表达FRA免疫反应性。此外，发情前期过程中的变化与已知的TIDA活动变化（随时间推移而下降）平行。在TIDA活动受到抑制时，如在哺乳期，TIDA神经元中的FRA染色明显减少或缺失。去除哺乳刺激后，FRA染色在幼崽移除后12-24小时上升至峰值表达（无c-Fos的协同诱导）。这些数据表明，FRA染色可作为TIDA神经元活动的有用标志物，不仅可以评估神经元的刺激活动，还可以评估其抑制功能。在使用这种方法以及采集系列血样进行激素测量时需要注意的是，监测血浆激素水平的手术操作会在许多神经元（包括TIDA神经元）中强烈且长期诱导FRA（和c-Fos），这可能会混淆FRA染色的解释。
