Tumor-necrosis-factor-related apoptosis-inducing-ligand (TRAIL)-mediated death of neurons in living human brain tissue is inhibited by flupirtine-maleate

J Neuroimmunol. 2005 Oct;167(1-2):204-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2005.06.027.

Abstract

Neuronal damage mediated by the TRAIL-system might be involved in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory diseases of the central nervous system. Here we used an investigator-independent approach to quantify TRAIL-mediated death of total CNS cells and neurons in a living human brain slice culture system, a model which is much closer to the in vivo situation than dissociated cell culture. We observed dose-dependent TRAIL-mediated death of both total human CNS cells and neurons, which was prevented by flupirtine-maleate, a centrally acting analgesic drug with proposed neuroprotective properties. Our data suggest flupirtine-maleate as an orally available neuroprotective approach in the course of neuroinflammation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminopyridines / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / physiology
  • Cell Count / methods
  • Cell Death / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Interactions
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / pharmacology
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique / methods
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
  • N-Methylaspartate / pharmacology
  • Neocortex / cytology*
  • Neocortex / drug effects
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Propidium
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / physiology

Substances

  • Aminopyridines
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • TNFSF10 protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Propidium
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • flupirtine