Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

A Neuronal and Astrocyte Co-Culture Assay for High Content Analysis of Neurotoxicity
Published on: May 5, 2009
Trail interacts redundantly with nitric oxide in rat astrocytes: potential contribution to neurodegenerative
Giuseppina Cantarella1, Laurence Lempereur, Maria Antonia D'Alcamo
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy.
Abstract:
The proapoptotic cytokine TRAIL has been shown to enhance amyloid-beta-dependent neurotoxicity. Here are reported interactions between TRAIL and nitric oxide (NO) in cultured rat astrocytes in vitro. Rat astrocytes expressed all TRAIL receptor mRNAs and proteins. However, TRAIL failed in inducing apoptosis of astrocytes, whereas these cells released substantial amounts of nitrites. A TRAIL-neutralizing antibody was able to prevent LPS-induced iNOS expression in astrocytes. Interestingly, TRAIL induced its own expression in astrocytes. These data suggest that redundancy between TRAIL and NO in astrocytes could be fueling neuronal damage/death processes, potentially uncovering novel molecular targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
Related Concept Videos
Enzyme-linked Receptors
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway
