GDNF Protects PC 12 cells from Oxidative Damage Induced Apoptosis
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Authors
Vettraino, Jason T.
Issue Date
1999
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Motor neuron Disease (MND) is a term which includes a variety of disorders
characterized by progressive muscle weakness without sensory loss. Amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (AL8), the most common form of MND, is characterized by muscle atrophy,
weakness, and loss of fine motor coordination, leading to paralysis, respiratory failure and
premature death. The etiology of the disease is unknown. Current research is focused on
abnormalities of neuronal cell metabolism involving glutamate and the role of potential
excitotoxins and neurotrophic factors. Excitotoxicity describes the cellular conditions in
which excitatory amino acids (EAAs) have a damaging effect on the central nervous system
(CNS) due to over excitation and oxidative damage. Neurotrophic factors are specific
proteins that are essential for the development, survival, and maintenance of both the
peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the CNS. Neurotrophic factors have also demonstrated
the ability to regenerate and/or save neurons from a variety of deaths. The goal of this
experiment was to set up a simple, in vitro, neuronal model of ALS to study the ability of the
neurotrophic factor, glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) to rescue neurons from
apoptosis caused by oxidative damage. Results of this study conflrm prior studies from
Oppenheim and colleagues (1995), and Gimenez and colleagues (1997) in that GDNF has
therapeutic potentials. This study suggests that GDNF has the ability to prevent apoptosis
induced by excitoxicity.
Description
iv, 28 p.
Citation
Publisher
License
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