Effect of the PGD2-DP signaling pathway on primary cultured rat hippocampal neuron injury caused by aluminum overload

In the present study, the agonists and antagonists of DP receptor were used to examine whether the PGD 2 -DP signaling pathway affects neuronal function. Primary cultured hippocampal neuron was prepared and treated with aluminum maltolate (100 μM) to establish the neuronal damage model. PGD 2 and cAMP content was detected by ELISA. L-PGDS and DPs mRNA and protein expression were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The aluminium-load neuron was treated with the DP 1 agonist BW245C, the DP 1 antagonist BWA868C, the DP 2 agonist DK-PGD 2, and the DP 2 antagonist CAY10471, respectively. Neuronal pathomorphology was observed using H-E staining. The cell viability and the lactate dehydrogenase leakage rates of neurons were measured with MTT and LDH kit, respectively. Ca 2+ level was detected by Fluo-3/AM. In the model group, the MTT values obviously decreased; LDH leakage rates and PGD 2 content increased significantly; L-PGDS, DP 1 mRNA and protein expressions increased and DP 2 level decreased. BW245C reduced the Ca 2+ fluorescence intensity and protected the neurons. DK-PGD 2 increased the intensity of Ca 2+ fluorescence, while CAY10471 had the opposite effect. In conclusion, contrary to the effect of DP 2 , the PGD 2 -DP 1 signaling pathway protects against the primary cultured rat hippocampal neuronal injury caused by aluminum overload.