노화흰쥐의 시상하부에서 vasopressin-면역반응 신경세포의 형태학적 변화

박영란(Young-Lan Park),정윤영(Yoon-Young Chung),천관영(Kwan-Young Cheon),박근용(Keun-Yong Park),설경수(Kyeong-Soo Seol),김종중(Jong-Joong Kim),문정석(Jeong Seok Moon) 대한체질인류학회 2007 해부·생물인류학 (Anat Biol Anthropol) Vol.20 No.1

노화는 중추신경계의 구조를 변화시킬 뿐 아니라 여러 신경인자들의 분포에 영향을 미쳐 생체리듬에 많은 변화를 초래한다. vasopressin (VP)은 시상하부에서 분비되는 펩타이드의 일종으로서, 주로 혈압을 상승시키고 항이뇨호르몬 작용을 가진다. 본 연구는 여러 생체리듬조절에 관여하는 시상하부에 분포하는 VP-면역반응 신경세포의 형태학적 변화를 노화흰쥐에서 관찰함으로써 노화로 인한 신경세포 변화를 관찰하고자 하였다. Sprague-Dawley계의 약 12주령인 젊은 흰쥐와 약 18월령의 노화흰쥐에 통상의 조직처리를 한 후 VP 일차항체를 사용하여 면역조직화학염색을 시행한 후 광학현미경으로 비교 관찰하였다. VP의 염색결과, VP-면역반응 신경세포는 주로 시상하부의 뇌실곁핵과 시각로위핵에서 두드러지게 관찰되었으며 노화흰쥐의 VP-면역반응 신경세포에서 핵과 세포체 크기가 젊은흰쥐에 비해 매우 크게 관찰되었으나 노화흰쥐의 VP-면역반응 신경세포의 수는 감소하였다. 그리고 시각교차위핵에서 노화흰쥐에서 VP-면역반응 신경세포의 수는 젊은흰쥐보다 약 2배정도 많이 나타났다. 따라서 노화가 진행됨에 따라 시상하부에서 VP 분비의 변화를 초래하여 다양한 기본생활주기가 달라지고 하루주기행동의 주간리듬(diurnal rhythm)의 변화에 영향을 미칠 것으로 사료된다. The role of neuropeptides in the central nervous system (CNS) has received increasing attention. Numerous peptide molecules are found in the mammalian CNS and many of them are thought to act as either neurotransmitters or neuromodulators. The neuropeptides found in high concentration in the hypothalamus include vasopressin (VP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, somatostatin, and oxytocin. The main approches to assess the involvement of neuropeptides can be focused on functions affecting the aging of the brain. Morphological aging of the CNS has been characterized by degenerative changes of fiber connections and cell loss, although degeneration does not always occur to the same extent throughout various parts of the brain and, moreover, varies for different cell types. Despite of many studies in VP containing neurons , there exist discrepancies in results about the changes of aged rat brain. The aim of the present study is, therefore, to investigative possible changes in the number and morphology of VPimmunoreactive neurons with aging in each area of the hypothalmus of the aged rats. As a result, the number of VP-immunoreactive neurons was decreased in hypothalamus nucleus of aged group. Especially, in VP-immunoreactive neurons of hypothalamus, the size of neuronal cell body and nuclei in aged group is larger than in young group and the fiber density of immunoreactivity neurons of median eminance (ME) in aged group is stronger than in young group. But, the total number of VP-immunoreactive neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the aged group is larger than in the young group. These studies indicate the involvement of VP-immunoreactive neurons in aging process of hypothalamus, and aging process may affect the synthesis of VP in the neurons of hypothalamic nuclei. Whereas, in VP expression, aging process induces an enlargement of the cell size of surviving neurons to compensate.

손상된 흰쥐 척수에 사람중간엽세포 이식시기에 따른 영향

박영란(Young Lan Park),문정석(Jeong Seok Moon),정윤영(Yoon Young Chung),김 진(Jin Kim),송창훈(Chang Hun Song),김종중(Jong Joong Kim) 대한해부학회 2007 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.40 No.2

골수와 탯줄혈액에서 분리한 중간엽세포(mesenchymal stem cells: MSCs)는 각종 질병을 치료하는데 많이 이용하는 성체줄기세포이다. 본 연구에서는 흰쥐에 척수손상(spinal cord injury: SCI) 후 꼬리 정맥에 이식한 사람중간엽세포(human MSCs: hMSCs)가 손상부위로 안정하게 이주하여 신경세포 및 신경아교세포로 분화되는지 관찰하였고 hMSCs의 이식날짜에 따른 SCI로 인한 마비된 척수의 운동기능의 회복률 차이를 비교하고자 본 실험을 시도하였다. 본 실험에서 SCI은 척추궁절제술을 시행하여 8~9번째 흉추부위척수를 노출시킨 후 동맥류 집게를 이용하여 약 30초간 압박하여 손상시켰다. 이식에 이용한 hMSCs는 세포 생존율을 측정하기 위하여 이식하기 직전에 cholera toxin subunit B (CTX-B) FITC로 미리 표지하였고 이후 hMSCs를 쥐의 꼬리정맥을 통해 이식하거나 SCI 부위에 직접이식을 하였다. 이식된 CTX-B FICT로 표지된 hMSCs가 손상된 부위에 이주하였으며, 이식된 hMSCs는 이식한 전체의 수에 비하면 매우 적었다. 그리고 SCI1+hMSCs 군에 서 관찰된 CTX-B FITC로 표지된 hMSCs은 SCI5+hMSCs 군보다 더 많이 분포하였다. human specific mitochondria항체를 이용한 면역조직화학법을 통해 CTX-B FICT로 표지된 세포가 hMSCs임을 재확인하였으며 이 중 일부는 신경세포의 표지단백질들이 발현되었다. 또한 hMSCs가 면역억제제를 쓰지 않은 조건에서도 일부세포는 4주까지 생존함을 확인할 수 있었다. 그리고 SCI후에 hMSCs를 이식한 흰쥐에 행동평가를 시행한 결과 대체적으로 뒷다리의 운동성이 서서히 회복됨을 관찰할 수 있었다. 특히 SCI을 시행하고 1일 후에 이식한 실험군(SCI1+hMSCs)이 5일 후에 이식한 실험군(SCI5+hMSCs)보다 뒷다리 운동이 더 효과적으로 회복되었다. 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 SCI후에 hMSCs의 이식은 SCI 후 흰쥐 운동성 회복에 기여할 수 있다는 것을 확인할 수 있었으며 이러한 hMSCs에 대한 연구는 자가이식, 윤리적, 면역학적 측면에서 다른 방법의 세포치료에 비해 더욱 유용한 치료방법이라 할 수 있으며 임상응용에 중요한 기초가 될 것으로 판단된다. Two sources of adult stem cells that have aroused great interest are human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human umbilical cord blood cells. hMSCs have been reported to maintain their ability to differentiate into neuronal lineage cells in the central nervous system. Therefore, transplantation of hMSCs represents an attractive new form of cellular therapy for clinical application in spinal cord injury (SCI). The aim of this study was to investigate how transplanted hMSCs from the venous circulation moved into a target zone of compression injury in the spinal cord of rats, and if they ameliorated the behavioral impairments associated with SCI. SCI in rats was induced by compressing the spinal cord for 30 s with an aneurysm clip. hMSCs labeled with cholera toxin subunit B conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate (CTX B-FITC) were injected intravenously through the tail vein or directly on the SCI site using a 27-g needle. Suspensions of hMSCs collected from adult humans were delivered at concentrations (1×106cells/200 μL) in 1 or 5 d after experimental SCI. After transplantation of hMSCs, the SCI regions displayed some endogenous background fluorescence, but CTX B-FITC-labeled hMSCs were clearly identifiable. They were observed in injured but not in intact areas; they were usually round or slightly elongated with a prominent nucleus. Only a few hMSCs were found in the spinal cord in each case but there were more cells in the rats injected at day one than at day five. This study confirmed that these were indeed transplanted hMSCs using antisera recognizing human-specific nuclei or human-specific mitochondria. Double immunofluorescence analysis showed the production of some neuronal and glial cell markers in the SCI lesions. Behavioral test scores of SCI rats treated with hMSCs at day one were significantly better than those for rats treated at day five and for the untreated SCI group. Thus, hMSCs appear to be beneficial in reversing the behavioral effects of SCI in this rat model, even when infused one day after injury. They might be a viable source of stem cells for the treatment of human neurological disorders.

흰쥐 대뇌겉질에서 Transforming growth factor-α와 Epidermal growth factor receptor면역반응 신경세포의 생후 발달에 관한 연구

정윤영(Yoon-Young Chung),김남훈(Nam-Hoon Kim),김종중(Jong-Joong Kim),문정석(Jeong Seok Moon),박영란(Young-Lan Park),류소연(So-Yeon Ryu),김현곤(Hyun-Kon Kim) 대한해부학회 2002 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.35 No.4

본 연구에서는 생후 발달중인 대뇌겉질에서 Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α)와 epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)에 대한 면역조직화학염색을 시행하여 이들 각각을 함유하는 신경세포 뿐 아니라 두 가지 단백질을 동시에 함유하는 신경세포를 구분하여 각 세포의 발달 양상을 조사하였다. TGF-α 면역반응 양성 세포는 출생 시에 이미 분자층을 제외한 나머지 층에서 관찰되었으며 생후 20일에 마루겉질에서 가장 많이 나타났다. TGF-α 면역반응 양성 세포의 염색 강도와 수는 생후 15일에서 20일 사이에 가장 현저하게 증가하였으며 생후 20일경에 성숙 흰쥐의 세포 양상과 유사하였다. EGFR 면역반응 양성 세포는 출생한 날에는 등쪽 안배모양겉질에서만 출현하였으며 생후 3일에 이마겉질, 마루겉질, 뒤통수겉질, 관자겉질 등에서 소수 나타났다. EGFR 면역반응 양성 세포는 생후 90일, 즉 성숙 흰쥐의 마루겉질에서 가장 많이 나타났으며 성숙 흰쥐의 IV, V, VI층에서 EGFR 면역반응이 가장 뚜렷하게 나타났다. 이 세포들은 이마겉질과 마루겉질에서 광범위하게 나타났다가 가쪽의 섬겉질로 이행하면서 감소하였고, 생후 10일과 그 이후에 성숙 흰쥐의 세포 양상과 유사하였다. 이러한 EGFR 면역반응의 출현시기와 분포위치 등은 서로 다른 겉질 영역의 기능적 활동과도 연관이 있을 것으로 생각되며 본 연구에서 TGF-α와 EGFR에 양성반응을 나타내는 신경아교세포는 관찰할 수 없었다. TGF-α과 EGFR 면역반응은 대부분 신경세포에서 관찰되었고 TGF-α와 EGFR를 공유하는 세포도 모두 신경세포였다. TGF-α와 EGFR 공유신경세포는 생후 3일에 대부분의 대뇌겉질에서 관찰되었으며 생후 10일까지는 대부분 미성숙한 형태로 나타났다. 본 연구에서 출생한 날을 제외하고 생후 발달중이거나 성숙 흰쥐 모두에서 대뇌겉질 신경세포에 TGF-α와 EGFR이 광범위하게 발현되었으며 대부분 EGFR 함유 신경세포가 TGF-α를 분비하는 세포였다. 한편 TGF-α와 EGFR 함유 신경세포의 생후 출현시기 및 세포 형태의 발달상의 차이를 보임으로써 이는 정상적으로 발달중인 대뇌겉질에서 TGF-α가 생후 연령별로 여러 가지 다른 조절 기전에 의해 EGFR을 활성화하여 신경세포에 작용함으로써 그 기능을 발휘할 가능성을 시사한다. Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) immunoreactivities were examined in the cerebral cortex of the rat during postnatal development. TGF-α-immunoreactive cells were found at birth in all cortical layers except the molecular layer. TGF-α-immunoreactive cells were most abundant in the parietal cortex at P20. The intensity and number of the TGF-α-immunoreactive cells increased at postnatal days 15 or 20 (P15-P20). Mature patterns of TGF-α-immunoreactive cells were achieved at P20. EGFR-immunoreactive cells appeared only in dorsal endopiriform cortex at P0. The first EGFR-immunoreactive cells were observed in the neocortex at P3. These cells were most abundant in the parietal cortex at P90. In adult, the most prominent EGFR immunoreactivity occured in layer IV, V and VI. These cells were numerous in the frontal and parietal cortex, diminishing laterally towards the insular cortex. Adult patterns were reached on and after P10. The time of appearance and localization of EGFR immunoreactivity correlated with functional activity in the different cortical areas. No clear labelling of glial cells with TGF-α and EGFR antibodies was found. TGF-α and EGFR immunoreactivity was observed in the majority of neurons in the postnatal developing and adult cerebral cortex of the rat. Also double-immunohistochemistry with antibodies to TGF-α and EGFR showed co-localization of TGF-α and EGFR in neurons of the cerebral cortex. Co-localization of TGF-α and EGFR was first detectable in most cortices at P3. By P10, these neurons showed immature neuronal features. The present results showing TGF-α and EGFR immunoreactivity is widely distributed in the postnatal developing (except P0) and adult cerebral cortex, mainly localized in neurons. And TGF-α and EGFR co-localize in most neurons, thus indicating that most EGFR-containing cells are TGF-α-synthesizing cells. In addition to difference of time of appearance and mature neuronal pattern suggest that TGF-α has the capacity of activating the EGFR in the normal postnatal developing cerebral cortex, therefore, TGF-α and EGFR may interact within cortical neurons through many different mechanism according to postnatal age.

증례보고 : 수술 로봇을 이용한 심방중격결손 수술의 마취

최용선 ( Yong Seon Choi ),곽영란 ( Young Lan Kwak ),전동혁 ( Dong Hyuk Jeon ),홍용우 ( Yong Woo Hong ),박한기 ( Han Ki Park ) 대한마취과학회 2007 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.52 No.3

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery including robotic technique has become increasingly popular over the last decade. The advantages of such technique include improved cosmesis and healing, and reduced stress response, hospital and intensive care unit stay, and transfusion requirements. Robot-assisted cardiac surgery requires prolonged one-lung ventilation to optimize exposure. Remote-access perfusion requires appropriate positioning of multiple catheters to establish cardiopulmonary bypass. Carbon dioxide insufflation into the thorax can cause hemodynamic instability and carbon dioxide embolism. Limited exposure of the heart may pose difficulties with management of arrhythmia, hemostasis, myocardial protection and de-airing at the end of surgery. Limited access due to robot manipulator would make rapid intervention for cardiopulmonary resuscitation difficult or impossible. This case report describes robot-asssisted atrial septal defect repair and discusses the anesthetic issues associated with minimally invasive cardiac surgery including robotic cardiac surgery. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2007; 52: 371~5)

모체 Thyroxine 투여가 태아알코올효과를 가진 흰쥐 뇌의 BDNF함유 신경세포 생후 발달에 미치는 영향

강양수(Yang Soo Kang),정윤영(Yoon Young Chung),박영란(Young Lan Park),현영식(Young Sig Hyun),김종중(Jong Joong Kim),문정석(Jeong Seok Moon),문영민(Young Min Mun),오재욱(Jae Wook Oh),신성희(Sung Heui Shin),배춘상(Choon Sang Bae) 대한해부학회 2006 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.39 No.4

임부의 알코올 남용은 태아 정신발육지연의 흔한 원인이며 특히 태아의 뇌 발생에 예민한 결정적 기간 (critical period) 동안에 지속적으로 음주하는 경우 태아알코올효과를 나타내기 쉽다. 본 연구에서는 임신 기간중 지속적으로 알코올을 섭취한 모체에 thyroxine을 투여하여 알코올의 유해한 영향으로 인한 태아알코올효과를 개선시킬 수 있는지를 관찰하기 위하여 흰쥐 뇌의 생후 연령에 따라 brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)함유 신경세포의 성숙 양상을 면역조직화학염색을 이용하여 관찰하였고 BDNF 함량을 측정하였다. 실험동물은 매일 35 칼로리 정도의 알코올을 섭취한 알코올군, 알코올 대신 dextrin이 첨가된 유동액을 섭취한 정상군 및 알코올을 섭취하고 thyroxine을 매일 5 μg/kg 피하 주사한 알코올+T4군으로 나누었으며 생후 0, 7, 14, 21, 28일에 희생시켰다. 본 연구 결과 BDNF 단백 양은 알코올+T4군에서 알코올군에 비해 생후 7, 14, 21일에 증가하였으며 특히 생후 7일의 알코올+T4군에서 가장 높았다. 알코올군은 모든 연령에서 정상군보다 감소하였다. 소뇌에서는 알코올+T4군에서 생후 14일부터 정상군과 유사한 BDNF함유 신경세포들이 조롱박세포층에 분포하였다. 알코올+T4군에서는 알코올군에 비해 대뇌겉질, 시상하부 및 해마에서 생후 7일에 성숙되고 두드러진 양성반응을 나타냈으며 해마에서는 생후 28일까지도 뚜렷한 양성반응을 나타냈다. 이상의 결과는 임신 중 알코올을 음용한 흰쥐 모체에 thyroxine을 투여하면 태아알코올효과를 가지고 태어날 수 있는 후손들의 뇌에 분포하는 BDNF함유 신경세포들이 생후 발달동안 정상군과 유사하거나 더 빠르게 발달시킬 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 이는 모체에 투여하는 지속적인 thyroxine 처치가 출생 초기에 BDNF 합성을 증가시켜 모체의 알코올 남용으로 야기되는 태아알코올효과와 같은 출생결함을 개선시킬 수 있음을 시사한다. Maternal alcohol abuse is thought to be the common cause of mental retardation. Especially, continuous alcohol consumption during critical period of brain development induce fetal alcohol effects. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of maternal alcohol drinking on the postnatal changes of BDNF contents and patterns of BDNF-containing neuron in neonatal rat brain, and, the influence of maternal thyroxine treatment on the brain of pups of alcohol abused mother. Pregnant rats were divided into three groups. Alcohol-fed group (n=4) received 35 calories of liquid alcohol diet daily from gestation day 6; control pair-fed group (n=4) was fed a liquid diet in dextrin replaced alcohol isocalorically; alcohol+T4 group (n=4) received 35 calories liquid alcohol diet and exogenous thyroxine (5 μg/kg/day) subcutaneously. The amount of BDNF was significantly higher in the alcohol+T4 group as compared to the alcohol group at P7, P14 and P21, especially, alcohol+T4-exposed pups showed a significant increase of BDNF at P7. The decrease in BDNF was found in alcohol group compared to control pair-fed group at all ages. In alcohol+T4 group, BDNF-containing Purkinje cells exhibited mature pattern and monolayer arrangement at P14. Alcohol+T4 group showed mature pattern and numerical increase of BDNF-containing cells in cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and hippocampus at P7. The BDNF immunoreactivity of hippocampus continued to show prominent configuration in alcohol+T4 group at P28. These results indicate that the increase of the BDNF-containing neurons and BDNF amount in pups of thyroxinesupplemented alcohol-exposed dams as compared to control pair-fed and alcohol-exposed pups at P7, presumably suggest the early postnatal growth stimulatory effect of the exogenously supplemented thyroxine. Therefore, the increase of BDNF synthesis caused by maternal administration of exogenous thyroxine may ameliorate fetal alcohol effects, one of the ill effects as a result of the dysthyroid state following maternal alcohol abuse.

돼지의 박동심장전위 모형에서 Norepinephrine 투여에 의한 혈역학적 지수들과 열확산 소식자(Thermal Diffusion Probe)로 측정한 국소심근관류의 변화

이종화 ( Jong Wha Lee ),방서욱 ( Sou Ouk Bang ),박한기 ( Han Ki Park ),안지원 ( Ji Won An ),곽영란 ( Young Lan Kwak ),홍용우 ( Yong Woo Hong ) 대한마취과학회 2008 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.55 No.4

항혈소판제제에 노출된 체외순환 없는 관상동맥우회술을 시행받는 환자에서 Hydroxyethyl Starch 용액과 정질액 정주가 출혈량과 수혈량에 미치는 영향

안소운 ( So Woon Ahn ),방서욱 ( Sou Ouk Bang ),전덕희 ( Duck Hee Chun ),이종화 ( Jong Hwa Lee ),박경배 ( Kyung Bae Park ),곽영란 ( Young Lan Kwak ) 대한마취과학회 2008 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.54 No.2

사람의 비후성 반흔에서 면역조직화학기법에 의한 형질전환인자 알파와 표피성장인자 발현의 차이에 관한 면역조직화학적 연구

박영란,김현곤,김종중,문정석,송준섭,설경수,정윤영 朝鮮大學校 附設 醫學硏究所 2008 The Medical Journal of Chosun University Vol.33 No.2

Background and Objectives: Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are polypeptides which interact with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to produce their biological effects. The aim of the present investigation was to elucidate the immunolocalization of TGF-α and EGF in normal human skin, hypertrophic scar with skin graft on soft tissue defect, and postburn hypertrophic scar without graft. Methods: The data presented in this paper focused attention on differences of expression between two kinds of hypertrophic scars in relation to skin graft using immunohistochemistry. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from 3 normal skin tissues, 3 hypertrophic scars after skin graft and 8 postburn hypertrophic scars without graft were immunolabelled with antibodies directed against TGF-α and EGF. Results: In normal epidermis of skin, strong TGF-α immunoreactivity (IR) was observed in all epidermal layers except the stratum (S.) basale, whereas EGF was immunopositive in a few cells over all epidermal layers. The staining for TGF-α was found in cell membrane, and EGF was seen either diffuse cytoplasmic or peripheral part of cells in normal epidermis. In hypertrophic scar after six months postoperation, TGF-α IR was observed in the upper part of S. spinosum and S. corneum, whereas EGF was diffusely expressed in the S. spinosum, also its intensity was slightly increased compared to normal skin. In hypertrophic scar without skin graft, very strong expression of EGF was detected in the S. spinosum and S. corneum, and intensity of EGF was increased when compared to normal skin and postoperative hypertrophic scar. EGF and TGF-α coexisted in the cells of S. spinosum in normal skin as well as hypertrophic scars. Double-labeled cells were increased in postburn hypertrophic scar compared to normal skin and postoperative hypertrophic scar. In addition, intensity of EGF and TGF-α double IR was the strongest in postburn hypertrophic scar. Conclusion: These results indicate that EGF may have a more complex regulatory role not only in the early stages of wound healing but also in hypertrophic scar.

감자의 수침에 따른 전분의 알칼리 호화 특성

박영란,김경애,김성곤,정난희 한국조리과학회 1998 한국식품조리과학회지 Vol.14 No.3

The changes in physicochemical properties of potato were investigated while steeping in water for 7 days at 30±1℃. The shape of raw starch granules was round or oval, the starch granule showed birefringence distinctly under polarized light and it was kept clearly even after steeping. X-ray diffraction pattern of the starch was B-type and there was no change in the pattern after steeping. However, crystallinity was increased up to the 4th day and then decreased. Amylose contents of raw starch and the starch steeped for 7 days were 19.3% and 13.1%, respectively. When the potato starch was gelatinized in 0.15N sodium hydroxide solution, the viscosity was decreased until the 3rd day, but increased thereafter. Gel volume of the starch in KSCN solution was decreased during steeping.

흰쥐 시상에서 Epidermal growth factor receptor면역반응 신경세포의 생후 발달에 관한 연구

박영란,정윤영,김종중,문정석,오재욱,정영욱,김주수 조선대학교 2003 The Medical Journal of Chosun University Vol.28 No.1

Background and Objectives : Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a 170-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein, appears to mediate epidermal growth factor (EGF) activity. Transforming growth factor-α and EGF produce their biological effects in numerous systems by stimulating the EGFR In this study, we examine the postnatal development of EGFR immunoreactivity in the different regions of the thalamus of the rat Materials and Methods : The present study is based on 28 postnatal cases of rat thalamus ranging from the day of birth, postnatal day 0 (P0) to 30 days (P3, P5, P10, P15, P20, P30), and these cases were compared with adult rat thalamus. Cryostat sections were processed free-floating with monoclonal antibody by immunohistochemistry Results : EGFR immunoreactivity in the thalamus of the rat showed very different patterns according to postnatal ages and thalamic areas. EGFR-immunoreactive cells appeared in the first two postnatal weeks, except the ventral posterior thalamic nuclei. In the early postnatal days, EGFR-immunoreactive cells appeared thalamic midline structures, increased progressively in the first two postnatal weeks, and followed mediolateral gradient. The mature patterns of EGFR-immunoreactive cells were achieved at P20 Conclusion : These data indicate that the maturation of EGFR-immunoreactive cells requires a relatively prolonged period of time to achieve an adult configuration. Many growth factors probably play protective or neurotrophic roles at EGFR-immunoreactive neurons of thalamus both young and adult rats In addition to difference in time of appearance in thalamic nuclei and developing pattern with mediolateral gradient suggest that EGFR-immunoreactivities are correlated with the appearance of the related functional.