Transforming growth factors-beta protect primary rat hippocampal neuronal cultures from degeneration induced by beta-amyloid peptide. 1996

R F Ren, and K C Flanders
Laboratory of Chemoprevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-5055, USA.

Treatment of primary rat embryo hippocampal neuronal cultures with 10(-5) M beta-amyloid peptide fragment 25-35 (A beta P) for 24 h resulted in a 60% decrease in cell viability as determined by MTT incorporation. When these cells were treated with 0.1-10 ng/ml of either transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) 1, 2 or 3 for 24 h before exposure to A beta P, there was a 2.9-, 1.9-, and 3.2-fold increase in cell survival, respectively, compared to cells treated with A beta P alone. The viability of cells treated with A beta P and 0.1-10 ng/ml TGF-beta was comparable to that of cells not treated with A beta P. The protective effects were less pronounced at lower TGF-beta concentrations. The protective effects of pretreatment with TGF-beta were less striking in mouse CCL-N-2a and human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cell lines. When all cells were treated with TGF-beta for 24 h following a 24 h exposure to A beta P, there was a trend toward increased cell viability which was less significant than pretreatment with TGFs-beta. An isoform-specific TGF-beta SELISA showed that primary hippocampal neuronal cultures and the neuroblastoma cell lines secrete all 3 TGF-beta isoforms. Based on our results, we propose that the increased expression of TGF-beta observed in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease may offer some degree of neuroprotection.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009447 Neuroblastoma A common neoplasm of early childhood arising from neural crest cells in the sympathetic nervous system, and characterized by diverse clinical behavior, ranging from spontaneous remission to rapid metastatic progression and death. This tumor is the most common intraabdominal malignancy of childhood, but it may also arise from thorax, neck, or rarely occur in the central nervous system. Histologic features include uniform round cells with hyperchromatic nuclei arranged in nests and separated by fibrovascular septa. Neuroblastomas may be associated with the opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. (From DeVita et al., Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 5th ed, pp2099-2101; Curr Opin Oncol 1998 Jan;10(1):43-51) Neuroblastomas
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D009498 Neurotoxins Toxic substances from microorganisms, plants or animals that interfere with the functions of the nervous system. Most venoms contain neurotoxic substances. Myotoxins are included in this concept. Alpha-Neurotoxin,Excitatory Neurotoxin,Excitotoxins,Myotoxin,Myotoxins,Neurotoxin,Alpha-Neurotoxins,Excitatory Neurotoxins,Excitotoxin,Alpha Neurotoxin,Alpha Neurotoxins,Neurotoxin, Excitatory,Neurotoxins, Excitatory
D010446 Peptide Fragments Partial proteins formed by partial hydrolysis of complete proteins or generated through PROTEIN ENGINEERING techniques. Peptide Fragment,Fragment, Peptide,Fragments, Peptide
D002460 Cell Line Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely. Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D002470 Cell Survival The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability. Cell Viability,Cell Viabilities,Survival, Cell,Viabilities, Cell,Viability, Cell
D002478 Cells, Cultured Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others. Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D005333 Fetus The unborn young of a viviparous mammal, in the postembryonic period, after the major structures have been outlined. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after CONCEPTION until BIRTH, as distinguished from the earlier EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN. Fetal Structures,Fetal Tissue,Fetuses,Mummified Fetus,Retained Fetus,Fetal Structure,Fetal Tissues,Fetus, Mummified,Fetus, Retained,Structure, Fetal,Structures, Fetal,Tissue, Fetal,Tissues, Fetal
D006624 Hippocampus A curved elevation of GRAY MATTER extending the entire length of the floor of the TEMPORAL HORN of the LATERAL VENTRICLE (see also TEMPORAL LOBE). The hippocampus proper, subiculum, and DENTATE GYRUS constitute the hippocampal formation. Sometimes authors include the ENTORHINAL CORTEX in the hippocampal formation. Ammon Horn,Cornu Ammonis,Hippocampal Formation,Subiculum,Ammon's Horn,Hippocampus Proper,Ammons Horn,Formation, Hippocampal,Formations, Hippocampal,Hippocampal Formations,Hippocampus Propers,Horn, Ammon,Horn, Ammon's,Proper, Hippocampus,Propers, Hippocampus,Subiculums
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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