Embryonic And Adult Neural Precursor Cells Related Research

Dopamine promotes the survival of embryonic striatal cells: involvement ofROS and endogenous NADPH oxidaseThe dopaminergic system appears early in mammalian brain development, and aneurodevelopmental role for dopamine (DA) has been suggested. In present study, we findthat DA markedly promotes the survival of embryonic striatal cells in cultures. The failureof DA receptor antagonists to block this survival-promoting effect and the capability ofS-apomorphine, which is devoid of DA receptor agonist activity but possesses antioxidativeactivity as R-apomorphine and DA, to completely mimic this effect suggest that DAreceptor activation is not required in the survival-promoting effect elicited by DA, and itsantioxidative activity might be involved. Moreover, it is observed that mRNA of NADPHoxidase is expressed in the embryonic striatum. Furthermore, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI)or apocynin, NADPH oxidase inhibitors, have been shown to promote the survival ofembryonic striatal cells. Addition of either DA or DPI into striatal cell cultures is found todecrease the superoxide level. These results indicate that the mechanisms underlying theneuroprotective effects of DA are likely associated with its antioxidative activity. NADPHoxidase might contribute, at least in part, to reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation.