Lipopolysaccharide induces cell death in cultured porcine myenteric neurons.

• Enteric bacteria execute, via lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a pathogenic role in intestinal inflammation. The effects of LPS on survival and neurotransmitter expression in cultured porcine myenteric neurons were investigated. Myenteric neurons were isolated and cultured for 6 days in medium, in LPS (100 ng/ml) with or without α-ketoglutarate or the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NAME, in α-ketoglutarate or in the NO donor SNAP. Neuronal survival and expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and NOS were evaluated by immunocytochemistry. Addition of LPS significantly decreased neuronal survival; only 40% survived, compared to controls run in parallel. The LPS-induced neurotoxic effect was not counteracted by the simultaneous presence of α-ketoglutarate or L-NAME. Either SNAP or α-ketoglutarate influenced neuronal survival. Culturing, particularly in the presence of LPS, markedly increased the proportion of VIP-immunoreactive neurons; NOS-immunoreactive neurons were unchanged. The reported LPS-induced neurotoxicity indicates loss of enteric neurons as a consequence of intestinal inflammation.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Gastroenterologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Gastroenterology and Hepatology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Myenteric Plexus: cytology

Animals

Cell Culture Techniques

Cell Death

Cell Survival

Female

Immunohistochemistry

Inflammation

Intestinal Diseases: etiology

Intestinal Diseases: immunology

Intestinal Diseases: microbiology

Lipopolysaccharides: pharmacology

Male

Myenteric Plexus: pathology

Neurons: drug effects

Neurons: physiology

Neurotransmitters: biosynthesis

Research Support

Non-U.S. Gov't

Swine

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)