Biopolym. Cell. 2023; 39(2):152-157.
http://dx.doi.org/10.7124/bc.000A8B
Short Communications
Interaction between the antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and elastin-derived peptide (VGVAPG) in primary astrocytes
1Szychowski K. A.
  1. University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow
    2, Sucharskiego Str., Rzeszow, Poland, 35-225

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of the elastin derived peptide (VGVAPG) alone and in co-treatment with MK-801 (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist) on the expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in mouse primary astrocytes in vitro. Methods. Primary astrocytes were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium without phenol red supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. The cells were exposed to 10 nM and 1 μM of the VGVAPG peptide and in co-treatment with the antagonist MK-801. After 48 h of exposition to the peptide, the expression of AhR was measured. Results. In this study, significant changes in the astrocyte co-treatment were observed only in a group treated with 10 nM VGVAPG peptide and MK-801, which is probably an effect of the “N” or “U” shaped response to the VGVAPG peptide concentrations. This study is the first one to show an impact of the VGVAPG peptide on the AhR protein level in mouse astrocytes in vitro. It is the first to describe changes in the AhR protein level under treatment with MK-801 agent acting as the NMDAR antagonist. Conclusions. Taking into account the postulated important role of AhR in the extracellular matrix metabolism, the obtained data suggest that the VGVAPG peptide may cause changes in the extracellular matrix in the NMDAR-dependent manner.
Keywords: elastin-derived peptides, VGVAPG, astrocytes, AhR, NMDAR
Full text: (PDF, in English)

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