Glucocorticoid effects on LPS-induced inflammation in rat primary frontal cortex cultures

• Grant number: 10/13932-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2011
• End date: August 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Carolina Demarchi Munhoz
• Grantee: Erica de Almeida Duque
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The excessive inflammation can be detrimental and can lead to dysfunction and tissue damage, as seen in some diseases such as Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are the most commonly worldwide prescribed anti-inflammatory drug, it was shown that increased levels of this hormone can enhance some aspects of inflammation, i.e., LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced NFKB activation. In the brain, the cell type where NFKB activation occurs could predict its function. Neuronal NFKB would be beneficial while glial NFKB would be deleterious. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of GCs on the LPS-induced NFKB activation at the different cell types (neurons, astrocytes, and microglia) of primary frontal cortex culture derived from newborn Wistar rats. To this end, we will evaluate the pattern of the transcription factor NFKB activation via the EMSA assay and the location of this response in neurons or glial cells via immunofluorescence assays in cultured cells in the presence or absence of pretreatment with corticosterone followed or not by LPS exposure, and the role of GR by using RU486 or mifepristone, a GR antagonist, in the conditions described above. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DUQUE, ERICA DE ALMEIDA; MUNHOZ, CAROLINA DEMARCHI. The Pro-inflammatory Effects of Glucocorticoids in the Brain. FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY, v. 7, JUN 28 2016. (12/24727-4, 10/13932-0)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

DUQUE, Erica de Almeida. Glucocorticoids effects on LPS-induced inflammation in rat primary frontal cortex cultures.. 2013. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.