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 sy...
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.