Temporal-spatial expression of ENOLASE after acute spinal cord injury in adult rats

ENOLASE enzymes are abundantly expressed, cytosolic carbon-oxygen lyases known for their role in glucose metabolism. Recent accumulation of evidence revealed that, in addition to its glycolytic function, enolase is also associated with ischemia, hypoxia and to be a neurotrophic factor. To analysis the certain expression and biological function in central nervous system, we performed an acute spinal cord contusion injury model in adult rats. Western blot analysis indicated a marked upregulation of ENOLASE after spinal cord injury (SCI). Immunohistochemistry revealed wide distribution of enolase in spinal cord, including neurons and glial cells. Double immunofluorescent staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen and phenotype-specific markers showed increases of enolase expression in proliferating microglia and astrocytes. Our data suggest that enolase may be implicated in the proliferation of microglia and astrocytes after SCI.