Similar protective effects of BQ-123 and erythropoietin on survival of neural cells and generation of neurons upon hypoxic injury.

Our recent study [Danielyan et al., 2005. Eur.

The blockade of endothelin A receptor protects astrocytes against hypoxic injury: common effects of BQ-123 anderythropoietin on the rejuvenation of the astrocyte population.

In the present study the role of endothelin (ET) and its receptors (ETA-R and ETB-R) in cellular mechanisms underlying the resistance of astroglial cells to low oxygen level and development of hypoxia has been investigated. To define the influences of ET and its receptors on survival and on antigenic as well as morphologic differentiation of rat astroglial cells in normoxic (NC) and hypoxic culture (HC) the selective antagonists of ETA-R (BQ-123) and ETB-R (BQ-788) were used. Treatment of HC with BQ-123 caused an increase in cell number and inhibited the hypoxia-induced apoptosis by 37%.

Asymmetry of glutamine transporters in cultured neural cells.

Transfer of glutamine between astrocytes and neurons is an essential part of the glutamate-glutamine cycle in the brain. Transport of glutamine was investigated in primary cultures of astrocytes and neurons and compared to glutamine transport in cell lines with glial and neuronal properties. Glutamine uptake in astrocytes was mainly mediated by general amino acid transporters with properties similar to ASCT2, LAT1, LAT2, SN1 and y(+)LAT2.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells of the kidney are capable of raising a protective biochemical barrier similar to astrocytes: expression of metallothionein in podocytes.

Blood-tissue exchange and homeostasis within the organs depend on various interactions between endothelial and perivascular cells (Buniatian, 2001). Podocytes possess anatomical and cellular features intermediate between those of astrocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Podocytes, like HSCs, are associated with fenestrated capillaries and, similar to astrocytes, interact with the capillaries via the basement membrane and participate in permeability-limiting ultrafiltration.