Physiological characteristics of proliferating progenitors after mild transient brain ischemia

Transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of different precursor cell promotors represent a powerful new tool for detailed morphological and electrophysiological research. Here, we subjected mice expressing GFP under control of the nestin-, doublecortin- and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)-promoters to 30min occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAo) and subsequent reperfusion. Animals were followed over different time intervals ranging from 24 hrs to 4 weeks after MCAo. Following ischemia, we observed increased precursor cell proliferation and morphological changes in the…