detection of il-20r1 and il-20r2 mrna in c57bl/6 mice astroglial cells and brain cortex following lps stimulation

background: astrocytes, which comprise ~90% of overall brain mass, are involved in brain immunity. these cells represent the non-professional class of cns-resident apcs and may promote or inhibit cns inflammation depending on the cytokines they secrete. il-10 family of cytokines and their receptors, il-20r1 and il-20r2, may have a role in shifting astrocytes to a neuroprotective or neurodegenerative function. objective: to address the expression of il-20r1 and il-20r2 cytokine receptors in astrocytes and brain cortex of c57bl/6 mice. methods: we investigated the expression of il-20r1 and il-20r2 in c57bl/6 mice astroglial cells and brain cortex in response to lipopolysaccharide (lps), using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rtpcr) method. results: astrocytes were able to express il-20r1 and il-20r2 mrna not only in response to lps stimulation but also in the absence of lps. furthermore, we found the expression of il-20r1 and il-20r2 mrna in the cortex of adult c57bl/6 mice. conclusions: il-20r1 and il-20r2 are constitutively expressed in the brain. since most neuropathological processes involve astrocytes and inflammatory cytokines, these findings have important implications for future therapeutic strategies.