An NCAM mimetic, FGL, alters hippocampal cellular morphometry in young adult (4 month-old) rats

Ojo, Bunmi; Gabbott, Paul L.; Rezaie, Payam; Corbett, Nicola; Medvedev, Nikolay I.; Cowley, Thelma R.; Lynch, Marina and Stewart, Michael G. (2013). An NCAM mimetic, FGL, alters hippocampal cellular morphometry in young adult (4 month-old) rats. Neurochemical Research, 38(6) pp. 1208–1218.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-012-0908-9

Abstract

The neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM, is ubiquitously expressed within the CNS and has roles in development, cognition, neural plasticity and regulation of the immune system. NCAM is thus potentially an important pharmacological target for treatment of brain diseases. A cell adhesion mimetic FGL, a 15 amino-acid peptide derived from the second fibronectin type-III module of NCAM, has been shown to act as a neuroprotective agent in experimental disease and ageing models, restoring hippocampal/cognitive function and markedly alleviating deleterious changes in the CNS. However, the effects of FGL on the hippocampus of young healthy rats are unknown. The present study has examined the cellular neurobiological consequences of subcutaneous injections of FGL, on hippocampal cell morphometry in young (4 month-old) rats. We determined the effects of FGL on hippocampal volume, pyramidal neuron number/density (using unbiased quantitative stereology), and examined aspects of neurogenesis (using 2D morphometric analyses). FGL treatment reduced total volume of the dorsal hippocampus (associated with a decrease in total pyramidal neuron numbers in CA1 and CA3), and elevated the number of doublecortin immunolabeled neurons in the dentate gyrus, indicating a likely influence on neurogenesis in young healthy rats. These data indicate that FGL has a specific age dependent effect on the hippocampus, differing according to the development and maturity of the CNS.

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About

  • Item ORO ID
  • 35880
  • Item Type
  • Journal Item
  • ISSN
  • 1573-6903
  • Project Funding Details
  • Funded Project NameProject IDFunding Body
    FPVI ‘‘Promemoria’’ programme grantContract No. 512012European Union
    EU FP7 ‘MemStickRef: 201600European Union
    High resolution 3-D reconstructions from brain tissue via Field Emission scanning electron microscopy in back scattered electron (BSE) imaging mode (SB-10-117-MS)BB/I020330/1BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council)
  • Extra Information
  • Special issue dedicated to Elisabeth Bock
  • Keywords
  • NCAM mimetic FGL; hippocampus; young adult rat; neuronal morphometry; neurogenesis; stereology
  • Academic Unit or School
  • Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Life, Health and Chemical Sciences
    Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
  • Copyright Holders
  • © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York
  • Depositing User
  • Michael Stewart
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)

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