Cordycepin Ameliorates Kainic Acid-Induced HT22 Cell Neurotoxicity by Activating GPR120-Mediated Mitophagy

Mitophagy is important for normal neural activity. Epilepsy is intimately linked to neurotoxicity due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Cordycepin (Cor) has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects. This study aims to investigate whether Cor could mitigate neurotoxicity in epilepsy by modulating mitophagy.

In vitro, kainic acid (KA) was utilized to induce cytotoxicity in HT22 cell. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, while cell damage was evaluated through an LDH kit. Flow cytometry was used to assess apoptosis. The expressions of G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120), apoptosis, and mitophagy-related proteins were analyzed by western blot. Inflammatory factors and oxidative stress levels were examined by kits. DCFH-DA staining was applied to observe cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The three-dimensional coordinates of GPR120 were retrieved from the PDB database, and molecular docking was performed using AutoDock. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe mitophagy level.

Cor significantly attenuated KA-induced HT22 cell viability injury and inflammation, while suppressing ROS and oxidative stress levels. Notably, Cor ameliorated the decrease of mitophagy level observed in HT22 cells treated with KA. GPR120 expression was upregulated following KA treatment and further elevated after adding Cor. Cor could bind to GPR120. Interference with GPR120 reversed the ameliorative effects of Cor on KA-induced mitophagy and cytotoxicity in HT22 cells.

Overall, Cor significantly alleviated KA-induced HT22 cell neurotoxic damage and oxidative stress. This protective effect may be mediated through GPR120-regulated mitophagy.