Reactive astrocytes express cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB) binding protein (CBP) in the central nervous system of transgenic mice expressing a human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase mutation

In the present study, we used the superoxide dismutase 1(SODI)G93A transgenic mice as an in vivo model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and performed immunohistochemical studies to investigate the changes of cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB) binding protein (CBP) in the central nervous system of transgenic mice. The distribution of CBP-immunoreactive neurons was not different between control and transgenic mice, whereas CBP-immunoreactive astrocytes were found only in transgenic mice. CBP-immunoreactive astrocytes were detected in the spinal cord, brainstem, midbrain and cerebellar nuclei of transgenic mice. The present study provides the first evidence that CBP immunoreactive astrocytes were observed in the central nervous system of transgenic mice, suggesting that reactive astrocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progress of ALS.