Paeoniflorin ameliorates ischemic neuronal damage in vitro via adenosine A1 receptor-mediated transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor
Abstract
Aim: Paeoniflorin from Chinese herb Paeoniae Radix has been shown to ameliorate middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced ischemia in rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective action of PF in cultured rat cortical neurons.
Methods: Primary cultured cortical neurons of rats were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) insult. Cell survival was determined using MTT assay. HEK293 cells stably transfected with A1R (HEK293/A1R) were used for detailed analysis. Phosphorylation of the signaling proteins was evaluated by Western blot or immunoprecipitation. Receptor interactions were identified using co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence staining.
Results: Paeoniflorin (10 nmol/L to 1 μmol/L) increased the survival of neurons subjected to OGD/R. Furthermore, paeoniflorin increased the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 in these neurons. These effects were blocked by PI3K inhibitor wortmannin or MEK inhibitor U0126. Paeoniflorin also increased the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 in HEK293/A1R cells. Both A1R antagonist DPCPX and EGFR inhibitor AG1478 not only blocked paeoniflorin-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt in HEK293/A1R cells, but also paeoniflorin-increased survival of neurons subjected to OGD/R. In addition, paeoniflorin increased the phosphorylation of Src kinase and activation of MMP-2 in HEK293/A1R cells. Both Src inhibitor PP2 and MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitor BiPs not only blocked paeoniflorininduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (and Akt) in HEK293/A1R cells, but also paeoniflorin-increased survival of neurons subjected to OGD/R.
Conclusion: Paeoniflorin promotes the survival of cultured cortical neurons by increasing Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation via A1Rmediated transactivation of EGFR.
Keywords:
paeoniflorin; Chinese herb; cortical neurons; oxygen-glucose deprivation; neuroprotection; adenosine A1 receptor; EGFR; transactivation; wortmannin; U0126; DPCPX; AG1478; PP2; BiPs
Methods: Primary cultured cortical neurons of rats were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) insult. Cell survival was determined using MTT assay. HEK293 cells stably transfected with A1R (HEK293/A1R) were used for detailed analysis. Phosphorylation of the signaling proteins was evaluated by Western blot or immunoprecipitation. Receptor interactions were identified using co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence staining.
Results: Paeoniflorin (10 nmol/L to 1 μmol/L) increased the survival of neurons subjected to OGD/R. Furthermore, paeoniflorin increased the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 in these neurons. These effects were blocked by PI3K inhibitor wortmannin or MEK inhibitor U0126. Paeoniflorin also increased the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 in HEK293/A1R cells. Both A1R antagonist DPCPX and EGFR inhibitor AG1478 not only blocked paeoniflorin-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt in HEK293/A1R cells, but also paeoniflorin-increased survival of neurons subjected to OGD/R. In addition, paeoniflorin increased the phosphorylation of Src kinase and activation of MMP-2 in HEK293/A1R cells. Both Src inhibitor PP2 and MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitor BiPs not only blocked paeoniflorininduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (and Akt) in HEK293/A1R cells, but also paeoniflorin-increased survival of neurons subjected to OGD/R.
Conclusion: Paeoniflorin promotes the survival of cultured cortical neurons by increasing Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation via A1Rmediated transactivation of EGFR.