The neuroprotective effects of heat shock protein 27 overexpression in transgenic animals against kainate-induced seizures and hippocampal cell death.
The 27-kDa heat shock protein (HSP27) has a potent ability to increase cell survival in response to a wide range of cellular challenges. In order to investigate the mode of action of HSP27 in vivo, we have developed transgenic lines, which express human HSP27 at high levels throughout the brain, spinal cord, and other tissues. In view of the particular property of HSP27 compared with other HSPs to protect neurons against apoptosis, we have tested these transgenic lines in a well established in vivo model of neurotoxicity produced by kainic acid, where apoptotic cell death occurs. Our results demonstrate for the first time the marked protective effects of HSP27 overexpression in vivo, which significantly reduces kainate-induced seizure severity and mortality rate (>50%) in two independent lines and markedly reduces neuronal cell death in the CA3 region of hippocampus. This reduced seizure severity in HSP27 transgenic animals was associated with a marked attenuation of caspase 3 induction and apoptotic features. These studies clearly demonstrate that HSP27 has a major neuroprotective effect in the central nervous system in keeping with its properties demonstrated in culture and highlight an early stage in the cell death pathway that is affected by HSP27.
Akbar
Mohammed T
MT
Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Division of Neuroscience and Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.
Lundberg
Anna M C
AM
Liu
Ke
K
Vidyadaran
Sharmili
S
Wells
Kim E
KE
Dolatshad
Hamid
H
Wynn
Sarah
S
Wells
Dominic J
DJ
Latchman
David S
DS
de Belleroche
Jacqueline
J
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016923:Cell Death / Q000235:genetics*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D012640:Seizures / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*
D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; C486113:Hsbp1 protein, mouse; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; C505409:Casp3 protein, mouse; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases; D007608:Kainic Acid