Exp Neurobiol.  2015 Jun;24(2):133-138. 10.5607/en.2015.24.2.133.

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Expression in Astrocytes After Excitotoxic Lesion in the Mouse Hippocampus

• Yi MH
• Zhang E
• Baek H
• Kim S
• Shin N
• Kang JW
• Lee S
• Oh SH
• Kim DW

• KMID: 2165547
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5607/en.2015.24.2.133

Abstract

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is, a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of proteins. Although GDF15 is well established as a potent neurotrophic factor for neurons, little is known about its role in glial cells under neuropathological conditions. We monitored GDF15 expression in astrocyte activation after a kainic acid (KA)-induced neurodegeneration in the ICR mice hippocampus. In control, GDF15 immunoreactivity (IR) was evident in the neuronal layer of the hippocampus; however, GDF15 expression had increased in activated astrocytes throughout the hippocampal region at day 3 after the treatment with KA. LPS treatment in astrocytes dramatically increased GDF15 expression in primary astrocytes. In addition, LPS treatment resulted in the decrease of the IkappaB-alpha degradation and increase of the phosphorylation level of RelA/p65. These results indicate that GDF15 has a potential link to NF-kappaB activation, making GDF15 a valuable target for modulating inflammatory conditions.

Keyword

GDF15; Astrocyte; Excitotoxicity; NF kappaB signaling

MeSH Terms

Animals
Astrocytes*
Growth Differentiation Factor 15*
Hippocampus*
Kainic Acid
Mice*
Mice, Inbred ICR
Neuroglia
Neurons
NF-kappa B
Phosphorylation
Transforming Growth Factor beta
Growth Differentiation Factor 15
Kainic Acid
NF-kappa B
Transforming Growth Factor beta