Effect of CIPC and intervention of Ca(2+)-regulated factors on CaN, cbl-b and p-AKT expression in neurons

Yong-Mei Jiang1, Hui Zhang, Lin Yin

  • 1Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China.

Brain Research
|March 9, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Cerebral ischemia increases calpain (CaN) and cbl-b expression, promoting neuronal apoptosis. CIPC treatment, nimodipine, and cyclosporine A inhibit this by reducing CaN and cbl-b, while MK801 exacerbates ischemia effects.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Calpain (CaN) induces neuronal apoptosis, but its regulation during cerebral ischemia and the role of cbl-b are unclear.
  • The influence of CIPC and Ca(2+)-regulated factors like nimodipine, MK801, and cyclosporine A on CaN expression needs investigation.
  • Understanding the involvement of cbl-b in ischemia and CIPC-induced expression changes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of CIPC, nimodipine, MK801, and cyclosporine A on CaN, cbl-b, and p-AKT expression in rat hippocampus neurons.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal apoptosis regulation in cerebral ischemia and CIPC.
  • To determine the role of cbl-b in ischemia-induced apoptosis and its modulation by therapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Establishment of rat models for sham, ischemia, CIPC, nimodipine, MK801, and cyclosporine A.
  • Assessment of neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarction volume (TTC staining), and apoptotic neurons (TUNEL staining).
  • Examination of CaN, cbl-b protein expression (Western blotting) and cbl-b transcription (RT-PCR), and p-AKT expression.

Main Results:

  • Ischemia and MK801 significantly increased neurological deficits, infarction volume, apoptotic neurons, and CaN/cbl-b expression, while decreasing p-AKT.
  • CIPC treatment reduced these ischemia-induced markers and increased p-AKT.
  • Nimodipine and cyclosporine A further reduced CaN/cbl-b and increased p-AKT, suggesting neuroprotective effects by modulating intracellular calcium and CaN activity.

Conclusions:

  • Continuous ischemia elevates CaN and cbl-b, leading to AKT dephosphorylation and apoptosis.
  • CIPC inhibits this pathway, reducing CaN/cbl-b and increasing p-AKT, thereby protecting neurons.
  • Nimodipine and cyclosporine A offer neuroprotection by decreasing CaN/cbl-b and increasing p-AKT, while MK801 counteracts CIPC's beneficial effects.

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