Transcriptional changes after controlled cortical impact in mice

Many extracellular matrix (ECM) changes occur in the brain after traumatic brain injury. This work sought to understand the dynamics of ECM modifications after TBI by comparing RNA transcription between ipsilateral and contralateral brain regions. Mice underwent controlled cortical impact (with a 2mm depth) using a pneumatic impactor. Seven days later, brain tissue was harvested from the site of injury and from the corresponding contralateral cortex. Microarrays were used to measure gene expression to compare these tissues. Brain tissue ipsilateral (experimental) and contralateral (control) to controlled cortical impact were dissected 7 days after injury. RNA was extracted and gene expression levels were measured using Affymetrix microarrays. There were 5 biological replicates for ipsilateral and contralateral tissue.