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Differential Regulation of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Synthesis in Neurons and Astrocytes by Glucocorticoid Hormones
Author(s) -
Lindholm Dan,
Castrén Eero,
Hengerer Bastian,
Zafra Francisco,
Berninger Benedikt,
Thoenen Hans
Publication year - 1992
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 - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1992.tb00889.x
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , hippocampal formation , nerve growth factor , glucocorticoid , glucocorticoid receptor , kainic acid , dexamethasone , biology , hippocampus , neurotrophin , glutamate receptor , receptor
Glucocorticoid hormones are important regulators of brain development and ageing. Here we show that dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, differentially affects the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in cultured neurons and astrocytes. Dexamethasone increased the levels of NGF mRNA in cultured hippocampal neurons in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner, whereas it down‐regulated the NGF mRNA levels in astrocytes. However, dexamethasone had no effect on the mRNA levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampal neurons. Aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid, in higher concentrations also up‐regulated NGF mRNA levels in the hippocampal neurons. Dexamethasone increased the levels of NGF mRNA in the rat hippocampus in vivo , but not to the same extent as observed with kainic acid, a glutamate receptor agonist. There is no apparent diurnal rhythm in the hippocampal NGF protein levels corresponding to circadian variations in the levels of glucocorticoid hormones in serum. The increase in NGF mRNA in the hippocampus in vivo following dexamethasone treatments may reflect the physiological response of hippocampal neurons to high glucocorticoid levels reached under conditions of stress.