Cyclophilin A affects Bcl-2 and Bax expression following beta-amyloid fragment 25-35-induced injury to PC12 cells★

BACKGROUND: Cyclophilin A can protect neurons against oxidative stress.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cyclophilin A on Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression in pheochromocytoma (PCI2) cells treated with beta-amyloid fragment 25-35 (A β25-35), and to verify the protection pathway ofcyclophilin A.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The initial experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Department of Neurology, First Clinical College, China Medical University from November 2006 to July 2007.MATERIALS: PCI2 cells were cultured at the Cell Center of Peking Union Medical College. A β25-35 (Sigma, USA), antibodies of Bcl-2 and Bax (Wuhan Boster, China), and recombinant human cyclophilin A (Biomol, USA) were used in this study.METHODS: PC12 cells were divided into three groups. Cells in the control group were incubated in culture medium. Cells in the Aβ25-35 injury group were incubated in medium containing a final concentration of 10 μ mol/L of Aβ25-35. Cells in the cyclophilin A group were incubated in medium containing a final concentration of 10 nmol/L of cyclophilin A for 30 minutes, and then treated with 10 μmol/L Aβ25-35. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: After 24 hours of culture, immunohistochemistry was used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax expression in PC12 cells. Annexin-V flow cytometry was employed to measure the apoptosis rate of PC12 cells. The MTT method was applied to examine the survival rate of PC12 cells.RESULTS: Bcl-2 expression decreased, whereas Bax expression increased in PCI2 cells treated with Aβ25-35 (t = 2.277, 5.957, P<0.05). However, in PC12 cells treated with Aβ25-35 and cyclophilin A, Bcl-2 expression increased and Bax expression decreased (t = 4.497, 2.531, P < 0.05). The survival rate of PC12 cells significantly decreased and the apoptosis rate increased (t=8.509, 22.886, P < 0.05) following Aβ25-35 treatment. Cyclophilin A enhanced the survival rate of PC12 cells to Aβ25-35-induced apoptosis (t = 4.895, 10.042, P< 0.05).CONCLUSION: Cyclophilin A can increase Bcl-2 expression and decrease Bax expression in PC12 cells treated with Aβ25-35, which indicates that cyclophilin A has a protective effect on Aβ25-35-induced injury to PC12 cells.     

Aβ_(25-35)诱导PC12细胞损伤的蛋白质组学研究

目的 识别AD细胞模型中蛋白质组改变,在蛋白质水平上揭示Aβ的作用机制.方法 利用双向差异凝胶电泳技术(2D-DIGE)和质谱(MS)技术.探索20μmol/L浓度Aβ_(25-35)肽段作用48h后PC12细胞蛋白质组的改变.结果 2D-DIGE图像上出现约2000个蛋白点.与对照组比较,Aβ_(25-35)作用下共有29个蛋白的表达有显著差异,其中25个蛋白表达量上调及4个蛋白表达量下调超过30%.质谱鉴定出7个蛋白点,分为3类:(1)具有分子伴侣活性的蛋白:葡萄糖调节蛋白75(glucose-regulated protein75,GRP75)、热休克同源蛋白71(heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein,HSC71)、calreticulin表达量均上调.(2)细胞骨架蛋白:β-微管蛋白(tubulin beta chain 15,TBETA-15)和低分子量神经细丝蛋白(neurofilament light polypeptide,NF-L)表达量亦上调.(3)与能量代谢有关的酶:肌酸激酶B(creatine kinase-B,CKB)和醛缩酶A(aldolaseA)蛋白表达量均下调.结论 本实验首次将DIGE和MS方法应用于Aβ_(25-35)神经毒性作用机制研究,在蛋白质组水平上揭示了Aβ_(25-35)毒性作用的早期机制.     

PC12 cells transfected with a C-terminal fragment of the amyloid precursor protein (APP C-100), exhibit enhanced sensitivity to the calcium ionophore A23187, and diminished sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide.

Extracellular neuritic plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The core protein of plaques is Abeta, a 39-43 amino acid peptide derived from the amyloid precursor protein (APP). APP C-100 is a C-terminal fragment of APP, 100 amino acids long, whose sequence includes Abeta. To determine whether APP C-100 expression alters cellular vulnerability to calcium and H(2)O(2), rat PC12 cells were modified to overexpress APP C-100. Cellular survival (as measured in the MTT assay) was determined as a function of concentration for the calcium ionophore, A23187, and for H(2)O(2) in APP C-100 transfectants and vector-transfected controls. APP C-100 expression significantly increased cellular vulnerability to A23187, and decreased vulnerability to H(2)O(2).     

Protective effect of paeonol on beta-amyloid 25-35- induced toxicity in PC12 cells

BACKGROUND: Paeonol is a primary phenolic component of the Chinese medicinal herb Cortex moutan. Recent studies have shown that paeonol has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidative effects as well as a significant cardioprotective effect against myocardial ischemia.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of paeonol on β-amyloid 25-35-induced toxicity in PC12 cells and analyze its mechanism of action.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A controlled repeated-measures cell-based study was performed in the Department of Pharmacology of Guangdong Medical College between September 2006 and December 2007.MATERIALS: Paeonol was supplied by Xuancheng Baicao Plant Industry and Trade Company, China.PC12 cells were a kind girl from Dr. Haitao Zhang at Guangdong Medical College. Β-amyloid 25-35was purchased from Sigma Company, USA. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA)kits were purchased from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Research Institute, China.METHODS: PC12 cells were maintained in Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 100 mL/L heat-inactivated horse serum and 50 mL/L fetal bovine serum at 37℃ and cultured in an incubator with 5% CO2. The medium was renewed every other day. Batches of cells were assigned into three groups. (1) Paeonol group: cells were preincubated with different concentrations of paeonol (12, 25or 50 μ mol/L) for one hour and β-amyloid 25-35 was added to the medium; (2) control group: cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 100 mL/L heat-inactivated horse serum and 50 mL/L fetal bovine serum; and (3) β-amyloid 25-35 group: β-amyloid 25-35 was added to the medium.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: When PC12 cells in each group were cultured for 24 hours, the cell viability was determined using the MTT reduction assay, LDH release into the culture media was measured by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine chromatometry and MDA content was measured using a thiobarbituric acid assay.RESULTS: When PC12 cells were treated with β -amyloid 25-35 (50 μ mol/L) for 24 hours, their viability was significantly lower compared with the control group (P < 0.01). When the cells were treated with paeonol for one hour prior to incubation with β -amyloid 25-35, their viability was significantly increased compared with the β -amyloid 25-35 group (P < 0.05-0.01), LDH activity and MDA level in the β -amyloid 25-35 group were significantly increased compared with the control group (P < 0.01). When the cells were treated with different concentrations of paeonot, LDH activity and MDA level in PC12 cells were significantly decreased compared with the β-amyloid 25-35 group (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Paeonol protects PC12 cells against β-amyloid 25-35-induced toxicity and the protective effect of paeonol is probably achieved through its antioxidative effects.     

Protective effect of paeonol on beta-amyloid 25-35- induced toxicity in PC12 cells**☆

BACKGROUND：Paeonol is a primary phenolic component of the Chinese medicinal herb Cortex moutan. Recent studies have shown that paeonol has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidative effects as well as a significant cardioprotective effect against myocardial ischemia. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the protective effect of paeonol on β-amyloid 25-35-induced toxicity in PC12 cells and analyze its mechanism of action. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A controlled repeated-measures cell-based study was performed in the Department of Pharmacology of Guangdong Medical College between September 2006 and December 2007. MATERIALS： Paeonol was supplied by Xuancheng Baicao Plant Industry and Trade Company, China. PC12 cells were a kind gift from Dr. Haitao Zhang at Guangdong Medical College. β-amyloid 25-35 was purchased from Sigma Company, USA. Lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and malondialdehyde （MDA） kits were purchased from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Research Institute, China. METHODS： PC12 cells were maintained in Dulbecco＇s modified eagle＇s medium （DMEM） supplemented with 100 mL/L heat-inactivated horse serum and 50 mL/L fetal bovine serum at 37 ℃ and cultured in an incubator with 5% CO2. The medium was renewed every other day. Batches of cells were assigned into three groups. （1） Paeonol group： cells were preincubated with different concentrations of paeonol （12, 25 or 50 μmol/L） for one hour and β-amyloid 25-35 was added to the medium; （2） control group： cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 100 mL/L heat-inactivated horse serum and 50 mL/L fetal bovine serum; and （3） β-amyloid 25-35 group： β-amyloid 25-35 was added to the medium. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： When PC12 cells in each group were cultured for 24 hours, the cell viability was determined using the MTT reduction assay, LDH release into the culture media was measured by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine chromatometry and MDA content was measured using a thiobarbituric acid assay. RESULTS： When PC12 cells wer     

Carboxyl-terminal fragment of amyloid precursor protein and hydrogen peroxide induce neuronal cell death through different pathways

Summary. Carboxyl-terminal fragments (CTs) of the amyloid precursor protein have been shown to be highly neurotoxic and are though to contribute to the neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease. We compared the effects of expressing CT99 in the human neuroblastoma MC65 with the effects of hydrogen peroxide on the parental SK-N-MC cells. CT99 and hydrogen peroxide generated a different pattern of free radicals and their toxic effects were differentially protected by a battery of antioxidants. Hydrogen peroxide caused a cell cycle arrest at phase S and apoptosis mediated through caspase-3 activation in a pattern similar to that described for amyloid-β neurotoxicity. However, CT99 apoptosis appeared to be mediated through an unidentified mitochondrial pathway. Both oxidative injury types induced heme oxygenase-1 expression as a neuroprotective response. Overall we found a coincidence in the nonespecific stress oxidative effects of CT99 and hydrogen peroxide, but clear differences on their respective potencies and pathways of neurotoxicity.     

Amitriptyline and fluoxetine protect PC12 cells from cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential protective effects of amitriptyline and fluoxetine in a catecholamine cell model. METHODS: Cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were pretreated with amitriptyline or fluoxetine for 24 or 48 hours and were then subjected to neurotoxic insult (200 micromol/L hydrogen peroxide). Cell viability was determined by measurement of the reduction product of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). The enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was determined by a commercial SOD assay kit. RESULTS: The decrease in cell viability induced by hydrogen peroxide was attenuated in PC12 cells pretreated with 100 micromol/L amitriptyline for 24 hours or with 50 micromol/L amitriptyline or 50 micromol/L fluoxetine for 48 hours. Pretreatment with either amitriptyline or fluoxetine was associated with increased SOD activity in PC12 cells. Inhibition of SOD activity with diethyldithiocarbamic acid reduced the cytoprotective action of fluoxetine. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the neuroprotective actions of some antidepressants include the upregulation of SOD activity.     

Enhanced BK-induced calcium responsiveness in PC12 cells expressing the C100 fragment of the amyloid precursor protein.

Several lines of evidence have implicated the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its metabolic products as key players in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. The approximately 100 amino acid C-terminal fragment (C100) of APP has been shown to accumulate intracellularly in neurons expressing familial AD (FAD) mutants of APP and to cause neurodegeneration when expressed in transfected neuronal cells. Transgenic animals expressing this fragment in the brain also exhibit some neuropathological and behavioral AD-like deficits. Here, we present evidence that PC12 cells expressing the C100 fragment either via stable transfections or herpes simplex virus-mediated infections show alterations in calcium handling that are similar to those previously shown in fibroblasts from AD patients. This alteration in calcium homeostasis may contribute to the deleterious effects of C100 in PC12 cells. Our data also lend support for a pathophysiological role for C100 since it induces an alteration thought to play an important role in AD pathology.     

3-nitropropionic acid-induced hydrogen peroxide, mitochondrial DNA damage, and cell death are attenuated by Bcl-2 overexpression in PC12 cells

3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA), a complex II inhibitor of the electron transport chain, causes Huntington disease-like symptoms after administration into animals. However, primary mechanisms of cell death are not clearly understood. This study tested the hypothesis that 3-NPA leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial DNA damage, and loss of mitochondrial function. Amplex red and horseradish peroxidase were used to accurately measure the amount of H2O2, and showed that PC12 cells treated with 3-NPA (4 mM) lead to the production of hydrogen peroxide (1 nmol/10(6) cells/h). This amount of 3-NPA also leads to a rapid decline of ATP levels. There was time- and dose-dependent mitochondrial DNA damage following 3-NPA treatment. Overexpression of the proto-oncogene bcl-2 protects cells from apoptosis induced by various stimuli. Overexpression of Bcl-2 leads to almost threefold higher levels of ATP and also decreased the 3-NPA-mediated induction of hydrogen peroxide by over 50%. Bcl-2-overexpressing PC12 cells were also protected from mitochondrial DNA damage. These data show that ROS production followed by mitochondrial DNA damage is the primary event in 3-NPA toxicity, and Bcl-2 protects PC12 cells from 3-NPA toxicity by preventing mitochondrial DNA damage.     

过氧化氢干预下Rab30在PC12细胞中的表达及促凋亡通路

目的探讨经过氧化氢(H_2O_2)损伤干预下Rab30在PC12细胞中的表达及可能的促凋亡通路。方法将体外常规培养的PC12细胞分为正常组和H_2O_2组。采用MTT检测细胞存活率;Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法检测细胞凋亡率;Western-blot检测Rab30、JNK3、GM130、Caspase-3的蛋白表达情况。结果 H_2O_2损伤干预可导致PC12细胞的存活率显著降低(P0.05),早期凋亡率和总凋亡率均显著增高(均P0.05);JNK3、Caspase-3蛋白表达水平在PC12细胞中显著增加(P0.05),而Rab30、GM130蛋白表达显著下降(P0.05)。结论 H_2O_2在PC12细胞中的促凋亡通路可能是H_2O_2激活JNK3的表达而靶向下调Rab30,致使高尔基体结构破碎,并激活Caspase-3的活性,从而诱导PC12细胞的凋亡。     

Interaction of Alzheimer's disease amyloid beta peptide fragment 25-35 with tau protein, and with a tau peptide containing the microtubule binding domain

The interaction of amyloid beta (Abeta) 25-35 with tau protein and with the peptide 1/2R (KVTSKCGSLGNIHHKPGGG), has been investigated by chromatography, electron microscopy, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Abeta 25-35 comprises the minimum region of Abeta peptide that is able to aggregate into fibrils, and 1/2R contains residues 307-325 from the tau region involved in microtubule binding. The results of chromatography showed that Abeta 25-35 induces the aggregation of tau protein and of tau peptide 1/2R. Likewise, the results of electron microscopy showed that Abeta 25-35 increases the tau peptide polymerization observed in the presence of polyanions like heparin. A decrease in Abeta 25-35 aggregation induced by tau peptide was also observed by both techniques. No direct interaction between tau protein immobilized on the sensor surface and Abeta 25-35 could be detected by SPR. However, incubation of tau protein at room temperature produced the loss of capability of this protein for interacting with the active biosensor surface. The presence of Abeta 25-35 during the incubation of tau protein makes more efficient this loss of interacting capability with the sensor surface. These results clearly indicate that Abeta 25-35, the peptide region to which the cytotoxic properties of Abeta can be assigned, interacts with the peptide region of tau protein involved in microtubule binding. This interaction produces the aggregation of tau peptide and the concomitant disassembling of Abeta 25-35, offering thus an explanation to the lack of co-localization of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease, and suggesting the possibility that tau protein may have a protective action by preventing Abeta from adopting the cytotoxic, aggregated form.     

Olanzapine and quetiapine protect PC12 cells from beta-amyloid peptide(25-35)-induced oxidative stress and the ensuing apoptosis

We previously found that the atypical antipsychotic drugs (APDs) clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone reduce PC12 cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide, N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion, or beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta(25-35)). Such neurotoxic substances have in common the capability of causing oxidative stress. Atypical APDs have been used in treating schizophrenia and in treating psychotic symptoms of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), in which Abeta is involved by causing oxidative stress. Therefore, we hypothesized that atypical APDs might alleviate oxidative stress in PC12 cells, thus protecting them from apoptosis. PC12 cells were seeded in plates or chambers for 24 hr and cultured for another 24 hr with olanzapine or quetiapine in the medium, and then the cells were cultured in the new medium containing Abeta(25-35) and/or olanzapine, quetiapine, but not serum, for various periods. It was shown that cultures treated with olanzapine + Abeta(25-35), or quetiapine + Abeta(25-35), had significantly higher cell viabilities and lower rates of apoptosis compared with the cultures exposed only to Abeta(25-35). In addition, the drugs blocked the activation of caspase-3 caused by Abeta(25-35). Furthermore, olanzapine and quetiapine prevented Abeta(25-35)-induced overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, Abeta(25-35)-induced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, and Abeta(25-35)-induced changes in activities of the key antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. In consideration of the wealth of evidence linking oxidative stress to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and AD, these findings give us a new insight into the therapeutic actions of atypical antipsychotics in patients with the disorders.     

H2O2预处理通过ERK1/2和p38 MAPK信号通路上调14-3-3蛋白在PC12

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of hydrogen peroxide preconditioning (HPP) on the pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells treated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) and to explore the potential mechanisms. METHODS: The viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, respectively. The expressions of 14-3-3 protein and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined by Western blot. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the activity of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). RESULTS: The cell viability decreased and the number of apoptotic cells increased dramatically in MPP(+) group compared with that in Control group. HPP induced a significant increase in cell viability and a marked decrease in population of apoptotic cells of the MPP(+)-treated PC12 cells, accompanied with up-regulation of 14-3-3 protein and increase of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activities. The 14-3-3 protein expression was positively correlated with the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Furthermore, inhibition of the ERK1/2 with PD98059 abolished the 14-3-3 protein up-regulation in PC12 cells induced by HPP. CONCLUSION: HPP protects PC12 cells against MPP(+) toxicity by up-regulating 14-3-3 protein expression through the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.     

雷沙吉兰(Rasagiline)对Aβ25-35诱导PC12细胞凋亡的防护作用

目的探讨雷沙吉兰(Rasagiline)对β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)诱导PC12细胞损伤阿尔茨海默病(AD)模型的保护作用及其机制。方法不同浓度的Aβ25-35(1μmol/L,10μmol/L,20μmol/L)作用于PC12细胞48h,MTT法检测细胞存活率,选用使细胞存活率降低到64%的Aβ浓度20μmol/L。用不同浓度的雷沙吉兰(0.1μmol/L,1μmol/L,10μmol/L)预孵育PC12细胞1h,再加入20μmol/L的Aβ共孵育48h,再测MTT活性,并用荧光染料丫啶橙和溴化乙啶染色,在荧光显微镜下计数凋亡细胞检测凋亡细胞百分率。结果Aβ在20μmol/L时使PC12细胞存活率降低至64%,与对照组差异显著,1μmol/L的雷沙吉兰可显著提高细胞存活率至85%。对照组细胞凋亡率为2%,20μmol/L Aβ作用48h后,PC12细胞凋亡率达13%,1μmol/L的雷沙吉兰使20μmol/L Aβ诱导的PC12细胞凋亡率下降到5%。结论雷沙吉兰对Aβ引起的PC12细胞损伤具有明显的保护作用,其机制可能与抑制Aβ诱导的凋亡有关。     

β-淀粉样肽(25-35)对PC12细胞前列腺凋亡反应蛋白-4和bcl-2基因表达的影响

目的观察β-淀粉样肽（25-35）（β-amyloid peptide 25-35，Aβ-25-35）诱导PC12细胞凋亡及对前列腺凋亡反应蛋白-4（prostate apoptosis response-4，par-4）和bcl-2基因表达的影响。方法采用MTT比色法分析细胞存活率，Hoechst33258-PI荧光染色观察细胞核凋亡的形态学改变，RT-PCR检测par-4和bcl-2基因mRNA表达变化，Western blot检测Par-4和Bcl-2蛋白表达变化。结果 随Aβ23-35浓度的增加，PC12细胞存活率降低，荧光染色可见细胞核固缩、核碎裂，par-4 mRNA及蛋白表达增加，bcl-2 mRNA及蛋白表达降低。结论 在Aβ25-35诱导PC12细胞凋亡过程中Par-4和Bcl-2蛋白分子可能起重要作用。     

Huperzine A attenuates amyloid beta-peptide fragment 25-35-induced apoptosis in rat cortical neurons via inhibiting reactive oxygen species formation and caspase-3 activation.

Huperzine A, a novel Lycopodium alkaloid originally discovered in the Chinese herb Qian Ceng Ta (Huperzia serrata), is a reversible, potent, and selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor and has been extensively used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in China. The present studies were designed to investigate effects of huperzine A on amyloid beta-peptide fragment 25-35 (Abeta25-35)-induced neuronal apoptosis and potential mechanisms in primary cultured rat cortical neurons. After exposure of the cells to Abeta25-35 (20 microM), apoptotic cell death was observed as evidenced by a significant decrease in cell viability, alteration of neuronal morphology, and DNA fragmentation. Pretreatment of the cells with huperzine A (0.01-10 microM) prior to Abeta25-35 exposure significantly elevated the cell survival and reduced Abeta25-35-induced nuclei fragmentation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based fluorescence, caspase-3-like fluorogenic cleavage, and Western blot analysis demonstrated that huperzine A reduced Abeta25-35-induced ROS formation in a dose-dependent manner, and 1 microM of huperzine A attenuated Abeta25-35-induced caspase-3 activity at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hr posttreatment. Our results provide the first direct evidence that huperzine A protects neurons against Abeta25-35-induced apoptosis via the inhibition of ROS formation and caspase-3 activity.     

PC12h-R cell,a subclone of PC12 cells,shows EGF-induced neuronal differentiation and sustained signaling

Unlike nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) does not induce neuronal differentiation but promotes proliferation of the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. We found that PC12h-R, a subclone of PC12 cells, differentiated into neuron-like cells in response to EGF as well as to NGF. PC12h-R cells treated with EGF extended neurites, attenuated cell proliferation, and increased the levels of tyrosine hydroxylase protein synthesis and of acetylcholinesterase activity as those treated with NGF. The EGF-induced differentiation of PC12h-R cells was not mediated by the indirect activation of p140^trkA by EGF. In addition, EGF induced the sustained tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, and 46 and 52 kDa proteins, and the prolonged activation of MAP kinases in PC12h-R cells compared with the parent PC12h, which does not show EGF-induced differentiation. The response of PC12h-R cells to EGF was not simply due to an increase in the level of EGF receptor protein. These results indicated that the duration of EGF-induced signaling might determine the cellular response of PC12 cells between cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Repair of amyloid beta(25-35)-induced memory impairment and synaptic loss by a Kampo formula, Zokumei-to

Although Zokumei-to (ZMT), a Kampo formula, has been used for postapopletic sequelae such as paralysis and logopathy, only few studies of this drug have been carried out. We hypothesized that ZMT may affect neuronal plasticity and investigated whether or not this drug is capable of improving learning impairment and synaptic loss observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Amyloid β(25–35) [Aβ(25–35)] (4.7 nmol) was intracerebroventricularly injected into ddY mice (male, 6 weeks old). Fourteen days after the injection, mice were given ZMT extract (500 mg/kg/day) per os for 15 days. In a memory acquisition test, the Aβ(25–35)-injected mice required more time to master this task than did mice in the saline- or reverse peptide Aβ(35–25)-treated groups. ZMT-treated mice shortened escape latencies during trial days 3–5, but not significantly. Three days after the last drug treatment, a retention test was performed. Following ZMT, the number of crossings over a platform was significantly decreased in Aβ(25–35)-injected mice compared with those in the control groups. However, ZMT-treated mice showed complete recovery of this number. Although Aβ(25–35) injection decreased synaptophysin expression in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, ZMT treatment significantly increased the level of expression of synaptophysin up to the control level. Donepezil hydrochloride (DNP, 0.5 mg/kg/day, po) clinically used for AD had no effect on memory retention and synaptophysin levels. Aβ(25–35)-induced neuronal loss was not observed in any region of the brain. The present results suggest that memory impairment and synaptic loss in AD patients may be improved by treatment with ZMT, even after such impairment has already progressed.     

Yizhijiannao Granule and a combination of its effective monomers,icariin and Panax notoginseng saponins,inhibit early PC12 cell apoptosis induced by beta-amyloid(25-35)

One of our previous studies showed that Yizhijiannao Granule,a compound Chinese medicine, effectively improved the clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.In the present study,we established a model of Alzheimer’s disease using beta-amyloid(25-35)in PC12 cells,and treated the cells with Yizhijiannao Granule and its four monomers,i.e.,icariin,catechin,Panax notoginseng saponins,and eleutheroside E.Flow cytometry showed that Yizhijiannao Granule-containing serum, icariin,Panax notoginseng saponins,and icariin+Panax notoginseng saponins were protective against beta-amyloid(25-35)-induced injury in PC12 cells.Icariin in combination with Panax notoginseng saponins significantly inhibited early apoptosis of PC12 cells with beta-amyloid (25-35)-induced injury compared to icariin or Panax notoginseng saponins alone.The effects of icariin+Panax notoginseng saponins were similar to the effects of Yizhijiannao Granule.The findings indicate that two of the effective monomers of Yizhijiannao Granule,icariin and Panax notoginseng saponins,can synergistically inhibit early apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by beta-amyloid(25-35).