[Effects of TGF-β1 on the expression and secretion of cytokines induced by Aβ in hippocampal neuron and microglia co-cultures].

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1) on the expression and secretion of cytokines induced by Aβ in hippocampal neurons and microglial co-cultures.

Methods: Hippocampal neurons and microglia obtained from SD rat were co-cultured. TGF-β1 was applied on day 5 after the neurons and microglia co-cultures were incubated at the concentrations of 5 or 20 ng/ml, Aβ was added 1 h following TGF-β1 application at a concentration of 5 μmol/L.

TGF-β1 protection against Aβ1-42-induced hippocampal neuronal inflammation and apoptosis by TβR-I.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common chronic neurodegenerative disease, is pathologically characterized by the formation of neurofibrillary tangles because of hyperphosphorylation of tau protein and extracellular deposits of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein termed senile plaques. Recent studies indicate that neuronal apoptosis caused by chronic neuroinflammation is one of the important pathogenesis of AD. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is a pleiotropic cytokine with immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties.