Albumin attenuates DNA damage in primary-cultured neurons.
Human serum albumin (HSA) is an effective therapeutic agent that protects neurons after cerebral ischemia or related injuries by means of its antioxidant capacity. Our aim was to test whether bovine serum albumin (BSA) might also provide protection, especially against DNA damage. Rat cortical neurons were cultured in both the presence and absence of BSA. To test the neuroprotective role of BSA against DNA damage and neuronal death, primary cultures were investigated using both gamma-H2AX and pATM immunocytochemistry, and the TUNEL assay, respectively. Quantitative analyses revealed that the cultures in the absence of BSA had a higher number of apoptotic neurons. Additionally, neurons showing DNA strand breaks were fewer when BSA was added to the medium. BSA acts as a neuroprotective molecule, reducing both the DNA damage and apoptosis rates. This effect is similar to that described for HSA, probably due to its antioxidant activity. Hence, we have demonstrated that BSA provides a neuroprotective role when DNA damage occurs. Additionally, we suggest that BSA probably shares similarities with HSA in its antioxidant activity, opening new ways in the study of stroke and related brain diseases.
Baltanás
Fernando C
FC
Lab. of Neural Plasticity and Neurorepair, Institute for Neurosciences of Castilla y León, Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain.
Weruaga
Eduardo
E
Valero
Jorge
J
Recio
Javier S
JS
Alonso
José R
JR
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; D002417:Cattle; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006657:Histones / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006657:Histones; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; C576324:ATM protein, human; D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases