title: Vitamin E binding protein afamin protects neuronal cells in vitro.
abstract: Afamin, an 87 kDa human plasma glycoprotein with specific binding properties for vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) was recently characterized (Jerkovic, 1997; Vögele, 1999). In the present study the in vitro effects on neuronal cells of native human Afamin, of Afamin pre-loaded with vitamin E (Afamin+), and of vitamin E were investigated. Isolated cortical chicken neurons were maintained either under apoptosis-inducing low serum conditions or exposed to oxidative stress by the addition of H2O2 or beta-amyloid peptide(25-35). Afamin and vitamin E synergistically enhance the survival of cortical neurons under apoptotic conditions. Furthermore, Afamin alone protects cortical neurons from cell death in both experimental settings. Therefore, the plasma glycoprotein Afamin apparently displays a neuroprotective activity not only by virtue of binding and transporting vitamin E but also on its own.
authors.affiliation: JSW Research GmbH, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heiser
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hutter-Paier
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jerkovic
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pfragner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Windisch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Becker-André
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dieplinger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C088246:AFM protein, human; D000975:Antioxidants; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014810:Vitamin E; D000075462:Serum Albumin, Human