Conditional knockout of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus increases death of adult-born immature neurons following traumatic brain injury.
It has been reported that the hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to traumatic brain injury (TBI), the consequence of which results in hippocampal-dependent cognitive impairment. In the previous study we found that adult-born immature neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus are the most vulnerable cell type to moderate TBI insult. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the survival of adult-born immature neurons in the hippocampus following TBI are still not well understood. Here, we conditionally knocked out brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and examined the death of adult-born immature neurons following moderate TBI. The results showed that the amount of adult-born immature neuron death in the hippocampal dentate gyrus significantly increased in the BDNF conditional knockout mice. This result suggests that BDNF is involved in regulating the survival of adult-born immature neurons in the hippocampus following TBI, and potentially might be a useful target for preventing the adult-born immature neurons from death following TBI.
Gao
Xiang
X
Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Chen
Jinhui
J
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000235:genetics*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor