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A Cell Culture Model for Androgen Effects in Motor Neurons
Author(s) -
Brooks Brian P.,
Merry Diane E.,
Paulson Henry L.,
Lieberman Andrew P.,
Kolson Dennis L.,
Fischbeck Kenneth H.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1046/j.1471-4159.1998.70031054.x
Subject(s) - androgen receptor , androgen , biology , motor neuron , neuron , neuroscience , population , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , medicine , hormone , prostate cancer , genetics , environmental health , cancer , spinal cord
Androgens are known to alter the morphology, survival, and axonal regeneration of lower motor neurons in vivo. To understand better the molecular mechanisms of androgen action in neurons, we created a model system by stably expressing the human androgen receptor (AR) in motor neuron hybrid cells. Motor neuron hybrid cells express markers consistent with anterior horn cells and can be differentiated into a neuronal phenotype. When differentiated in the presence of androgen, AR‐expressing cells, but not control cells, exhibit a dose‐dependent change in morphology: androgen‐treated cells develop larger cell bodies and broader neuritic processes while continuing to express neuronal markers. In addition, androgen promotes the survival of AR‐expressing cells, but not control cells, under low‐serum conditions. Our results demonstrate a direct trophic effect of androgens on lower motor neurons, mediated through the AR expressed in this population of neurons.