Exp Neurobiol.  2013 Mar;22(1):45-50. 10.5607/en.2013.22.1.45.

Effects of Serotonin on Erythropoietin Expression in Mouse Hippocampus

• Choi M
• Son H

• KMID: 2165441
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5607/en.2013.22.1.45

Abstract

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), a monoamine neurotransmitter, regulates neurological functions such as mood, sleep, and appetite. Erythropoietin (EPO) is well known for erythropoiesis but has recently emerged as a therapeutic agent in brain diseases. However, the mechanisms that induce EPO in the brain remain unclear. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the effects of 5-HT involve EPO in murine hippocampal neurons. 5-HT produced a significant increase in neuronal differentiation of hippocampal neural progenitor cells. Expression of erythropoietin was increased in 5-HT-treated cells as well. The actions of 5-HT and EPO appeared to be similar in neurite outgrowth and spine formation. In addition, we show that hippocampal expression of EPO was decreased by chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) and that antidepressant treatment to maintain 5-HT concentration in synaptic cleft reversed this effect. In conclusion, actions of antidepressants might involve EPO induction in the brain.

Keyword

erythropoietin; depression; hippocampus

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antidepressive Agents
Appetite
Brain
Brain Diseases
Depression
Erythropoiesis
Erythropoietin
Hippocampus
Mice
Neurites
Neurons
Neurotransmitter Agents
Serotonin
Spine
Stem Cells
Antidepressive Agents
Erythropoietin
Neurotransmitter Agents
Serotonin