Erythropoietin protects cerebrocortical neurons from HIV-1/gp120-induced damage.
Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 can lead to neurological complications that range from mild cognitive and motor impairment to HIV-associated dementia (HAD). The mechanism of brain injury and dementia remains poorly understood. Interestingly, post mortem brain specimen from HAD patients and transgenic mice expressing the viral envelope protein gp120 present with similar neuropathological signs. The cytokine erythropoietin (EPO) is clinically used to treat anemia but has also been found to prevent neuronal death due to inflammation or excitotoxicity. Here we show that EPO protects cerebrocortical neurons against apoptosis induced by HIV-1/gp120.
Digicaylioglu
Murat
M
Center for Neuroscience and Aging Research, The Burnham Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Kaul
Marcus
M
Fletcher
Lauren
L
Dowen
Robert
R
Lipton
Stuart A
SA
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000633:toxicity*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling / Q000379:methods; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D004921:Erythropoietin