title: Protection of neurons derived from human neural progenitor cells by veratridine.
abstract: The survival of developing dopaminergic neurons has been shown to be modulated by voltage-dependent mechanisms. Manipulation of these mechanisms in human neural progenitor cell cultures could improve the survival of immature dopaminergic neurons, and therefore aid research into pharmacological and cell replacement therapies for Parkinson's disease. Here, we examined the effect of the Na+ channel agonist veratridine on the human fetal neural progenitor ReNcell VM cell line. Neuronal differentiation was determined by immunocytochemistry, whereas patch clamp recordings showed the expression of functional voltage-gated sodium channels. Our results show that veratridine is neuroprotective in human fetal neural progenitor cells, which may benefit studies investigating neuronal development by reducing premature death amongst developing neurons.
authors.affiliation: Albrecht-Kossel-Institute for Neuroregeneration (AKos), Centre for Mental Health Diseases, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimer Strasse, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ortinau
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frahm
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krüger
authors.forename: Arndt
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rolfs
authors.forename: Moritz J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Frech
mesh_terms: D002452:Cell Count; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000378:metabolism; D062687:Sodium Channel Agonists; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D014701:Veratridine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D062687:Sodium Channel Agonists; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers; D015222:Sodium Channels; D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D014701:Veratridine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase