Differential gene expression changes for complement C1q and C3 after injuries to dorsal and ventral nerve roots

Poster (konferens), 2011

C1q is an initiating protein in the classical complement cascade and is a key element in the inflammatory response to injuries in the nervous system. Interestingly, it has been shown to be expressed by immature neurons and is localized to synapses. Mice that are deficient to C1q or the downstream complement factor C3 show severe defects in elimination of synapses during development (Stevens et al., 2007). This can lead to nonappropriate connections, increased excitatory connectivity and epileptiform activity. Recent in vitro studies indicate that C1q can directly promote neuronal survival (Benoit and Tenner, 2011). In this study we have examined expression changes after injuries to dorsal and ventral roots in 18 adult rats using Affymetrix Rat Gene ST 1.0 arrays. The data suggest that the cute response in genes for complement factors C1q and C3 is different after different nerve root lesions. The ventral root replantation and nerve injuries are followed by a regenerative response while dorsal root transection and ventral root avulsion are examples of non-regenerative conditions.