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Lithium exposure enhances survival of NT2N cells (hNT neurons) in the hemiparkinsonian rat
Author(s) -
Willing Alison E.,
Zigova Tanja,
Milliken Melissa,
Poulos Steve,
Saporta Samuel,
McGrogan Michael,
Snable Gary,
Sanberg Paul R.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1460-9568.2002.02300.x
Subject(s) - transplantation , paraformaldehyde , tyrosine hydroxylase , striatum , immunostaining , immunocytochemistry , lithium (medication) , lithium carbonate , cell culture , immunohistochemistry , lithium chloride , biology , dopamine , chemistry , medicine , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , immunology , ion , genetics , organic chemistry , ionic bonding
Lithium (Li +) treatment of NTera2/D1 (or hNT Neurons) in culture increases tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in this cell‐line [Zigova et al. , (1999) Exp. Neurol. , 157 , 251–258]. It is not known if these Li + treated cells maintain TH expression once transplanted into the striatum of the hemiparkinsonian rats. hNT neurons were either treated with 1 m m LiCl or left untreated and then transplanted into the striatum of Sprague‐Dawley rats. Some cells were exposed to the lithium for 24 h in culture while others were exposed only briefly (2–3 h) just prior to transplantation. We also examined whether Li + treatment of the animal after transplantation (0.24% w/w lithium carbonate in chow) was effective in increasing neuronal survival. One week after transplantation, the animals were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde and immunocytochemistry was performed on 30 µm sections through the transplant. Human nuclear matrix antigen immunostaining demonstrated that there was significantly better survival of cells in the group treated briefly with lithium compared to all other groups. Brief exposure to lithium resulted in a greater expression of TH in situ as well. Neuron specific enolase immunohistochemistry showed that there was extensive fibre outgrowth in all groups. These results suggest that brief Li + exposure may enhance survival to over 60% and increase TH expression of hNT Neurons transplanted in the hemiparkinsonian rat nearly three‐fold.