Midkine regulates amphetamine-induced astrocytosis in striatum but has no effects on amphetamine-induced striatal dopaminergic denervation and addictive effects: functional differences between pleiotrophin and midkine

▶We studied the effects of amphetamine administration in MK genetically deficient mice. ▶Addictive effects of amphetamine are not altered by the absence of endogenous midkine. ▶Endogenous midkine significantly limits amphetamine-induced astrocytosis. ▶These MK effects are independent of Fyn-, TrkA- and ERK1/2-related mechanisms. ▶Differences between amphetamine-treated MK and pleiotrophin−/− mice are discussed.