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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor protects neurons from GdCl3-induced impairment in neuron-astrocyte co-cultures

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Abstract

Gadolinium (Gd3+) complexes are important contrast agents in medical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and of great potential value in brain research. In order to better understand the mechanisms of the action of Gd3+ on neurons in the complex central nervous system (CNS), the neurotoxic actions of GdCl3 have been investigated in both neuron monoculture and astrocyte-neuron co-culture systems. Measurements of lactate dehydrogenase release showed that GdCl3 causes significant cell death of monocultured neurons as a result of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and down-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). However, GdCl3 does not affect the viability and BDNF expression of astrocytes. Both co-culturing of neurons with astrocytes and addition of BDNF ameliorated GdCl3-induced neurotoxicity by decreasing ROS generation and facilitating recovery of BDNF levels. The results obtained suggest that astrocytes in the CNS may protect neurons from GdCl3-induced impairment through secreting BDNF and thus up-regulating BDNF expression and interfering with Gd3+-induced cell signaling in neurons. A possible molecular mechanism is suggested which should be helpful in understanding the neurotoxic actions of gadolinium probes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs and Department of Chemical Biology; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China

    Qing Xia, XuDong Feng, Lan Yuan, Kui Wang & XiaoDa Yang

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  1. Qing Xia
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  2. XuDong Feng
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  3. Lan Yuan
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  4. Kui Wang
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  5. XiaoDa Yang
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Correspondence to Qing Xia or XiaoDa Yang.

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Xia, Q., Feng, X., Yuan, L. et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor protects neurons from GdCl3-induced impairment in neuron-astrocyte co-cultures. Sci. China Chem. 53, 2193–2199 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-010-4105-x

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