title: A key role for TGF-β1 in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory.
abstract: Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a well-known neuroprotective and neurotrophic factor demonstrated to play a role in synaptic transmission. However, its involvement in physiological mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity and memory at hippocampal level has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we examine the role of TGF-β1 in hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory in adult wild type mice. Our data provide evidence that administration of exogenous TGF-β1 is able to convert early-phase-LTP into late-phase-LTP. Furthermore, we show that the block of the endogenous TGF-β1 signaling pathway by the specific TGF-β1 inhibitor SB431542, impairs LTP and object recognition memory. The latter impairment was rescued by administration of exogenous TGF-β1, suggesting that endogenously produced TGF-β1 plays a role in physiological mechanisms underlying LTP and memory. Finally, TGF-β1 functional effect correlates with an increased expression of the phosphorylated transcription factor cAMP-Responsive Element Binding protein.
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy [2] IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria S.S., Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caraci
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences - Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gulisano
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences - Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.affiliation: Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Agata A R
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Impellizzeri
authors.affiliation: Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Drago
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences - Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Puzzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences - Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Agostino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palmeri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008568:Memory; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1