Glutamate enhances the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in cultured SD rat astrocytes
- Author:
Chong-Xiao LIU
1
Author Information
1. Institute of Neurobiology
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Astrocyte;
Glutamate;
Metabotropic glutamate receptor;
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
- From:Academic Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University
2009;21(3):198-201
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To study the effect of glutamate on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein in cultured rat astrocytes. Methods: Cultured rat astrocytes were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group (C), glutamate group (G), QA group (Q), DCG-IV group (D), L-AP4 group (L) and glutamate+MCPG group (G+M). Cells were cultured under nomoxic condition (95% air, 5% CO2). RT-PCR and ELISA methods were used to detect the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in cultured astrocytes, respectively. G+M group was preincubated with 1mM MCPG for 30 min prior to the stimulation with glutamate. There were 7 time points at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h in each group except G+M group. Results: The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein did not differ significantly among D group, L group and C group. Different from that in C group, the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein could be enhanced both in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner in G group and Q group. Meanwhile, the enhanced expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in G group was completely suppressed by MCPG after 24 h. Conclusion: Glutamate can increase the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in cultured astrocytes, which may be due to the activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in astrocytes.