Neuregulin-1 Protects Neuronal Cells Against Damage due to CoCl(2)-Induced Hypoxia by Suppressing Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α and P53 in SH-SY5Y Cells

PURPOSE: Hypoxia-mediated neurotoxicity contributes to various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer disease. Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) plays an important role in the development and plasticity of the brain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect and the regulating hypoxic inducible factor of NRG1 in cobalt chloride (CoCl(2)) induced hypoxia. METHODS: Hypoxia was induced in SH-SY5Y cells by CoCl(2) treatment. SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with NRG1 and then treated with CoCl(2). Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays were performed to examine neuroprotective properties of NRG1 in SH-SY5Y cells. RESULTS: Our data showed that CoCl(2) induced cytotoxicity and changes of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and p53 expression in SH-SY5Y cells. However, pretreatment with NRG1 inhibited CoCl(2)-induced accumulation of HIF-1α and p53 stability. In addition, NRG1 significantly attenuated cell death of SH-SY5Y induced by CoCl(2). CONCLUSIONS: NRG1 can regulate HIF-1α and p53 to protect neurons against hypoxic damage.