title: DHEA reduces NGF-mediated cell survival in serum-deprived PC12 cells.
abstract: Adrenocortical androgens, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are produced in the inner zone of the adrenal cortex that is in direct contact with the neural crest-derived catecholamine-producing chromaffin cells. DHEA has recently been identified as a crucial regulator of neuronal stem cell proliferation. Thus, DHEA might play a hitherto unknown role in intra-adrenal tissue formation. In the present study, we examined the influence of DHEA on nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated survival in serum-deprived PC12 cells and analyzed the influence of DHEA on NGF-induced ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell survival promoted by NGF in serum-deprived PC12 cells and neurite outgrowth was reduced by DHEA, pointing toward a role of DHEA in the differentiation process of chromaffin cells. Furthermore, NGF-induced ERK 1/2 activation was significantly inhibited by DHEA. Hence, we speculate that DHEA might influence NGF-mediated chromaffin differentiation processes using the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway during adrenal tissue development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Medical Clinic III, University of Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.forename: Flavie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sicard
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sperber
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ehrhart-Bornstein
authors.forename: Stefan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bornstein
authors.forename: Alexander W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Krug
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3