Figure 1.

Estrogenic effects on gp130 signaling. gp130 signaling plays an important role in the injured brain. Although quiescent in the healthy brain, on injury, STAT3 activation leads to transcription of genes that promote cell survival. STAT3 gene deletion studies show enhanced neuronal apoptosis and increased infarct size after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Estrogen has been shown to increase levels of activated STAT3⁵⁴; however, estrogen also increases inhibitors of the pathway, ERK1/2 and SOCS3.⁶² BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; VEFG, vascular endothelial growth factor.