Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (23): 4939-4946.doi: 10.12307/2025.090

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Fasudil alleviates beta-amyloid 1-42-induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells

Guo Minfang1, Zhang Huiyu1, Zhang Peijun1, Su Qin2, Jia Siwei2, Yu Jiezhong1, 3   

  1. 1Institute of Brain Science/Key Laboratory of Molecular Cellular Immunology in Datong, Shanxi Datong University, Datong 037009, Shanxi Province, China; 2Research Center of Neurobiology, Key Research Laboratory of Benefiting Qi for Acting Blood Circulation Method to Treat Multiple Sclerosis of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, Shanxi Province, China; 3First Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Datong University/Datong Fifth People’s Hospital, Datong 037009, Shanxi Province, China
  • Received:2023-12-25 Accepted:2024-05-22 Online:2025-08-18 Published:2024-09-29
  • Contact: Yu Jiezhong, MD, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Institute of Brain Science/Key Laboratory of Molecular Cellular Immunology in Datong, Shanxi Datong University, Datong 037009, Shanxi Province, China; First Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Datong University/Datong Fifth People’s Hospital, Datong 037009, Shanxi Province, China
  • About author:Guo Minfang, Master, Associate professor, Institute of Brain Science/Key Laboratory of Molecular Cellular Immunology in Datong, Shanxi Datong University, Datong 037009, Shanxi Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Research Project of Shanxi Province Basic Research Program, No. 20210302123476 (to GMF); Research Project of Shanxi Province Basic Research Program, No. 20210302123478 (to ZHY); Shanxi Province 2022 “Four Batch One” Science and Technology Innovation Plan Project, No. 2022XM33 (to YJZ); Shanxi Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Project, No. 2023ZYYB2042 (to YJZ); College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program Project of Shanxi Datong University, No. XDC2022174 (to GMF)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fasudil has a regulatory effect on mitochondrial dynamics in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease mice and can inhibit neuroinflammation, but whether it can reduce the toxicity of β-amyloid protein by regulating mitophagy-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of fasudil on β-amyloid 1-42-induced apoptosis and mitophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome in human derived neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y cells.
METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells were inoculated into the pore plate. After adhesion, cells were divided into three groups for intervention: No drug was added to the control group; 20 μmol/L β-amyloid 1-42 was added to the model group, and 20 μmol/L β-amyloid 1-42 and 15 mg/L fasudil were added to the fasudil group at the same time. After 24 hours of intervention, the cell activity was detected by MTT assay and apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was detected by qRT-PCR and western blot assay. The expression of mitochondrial autophagy related proteins was detected by immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay. The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome related proteins was detected by immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Compared with control group, the cell activity of the model group was decreased and the apoptosis rate was increased (P < 0.05). Compared with model group, cell activity in the fasudil group was increased and apoptosis rate was decreased (P < 0.05). (2) The results of qRT-PCR and western blot assay showed that compared with the control group, the expression of Bax mRNA and protein was increased in the model group (P < 0.05), while the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of Bax mRNA and protein was decreased (P < 0.05), and the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was increased (P < 0.05) in the fasudil group. (3) The results of immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay showed that compared with the control group, the expressions of PINK1, Parkinson’s disease protein and LC3 protein were decreased (P < 0.05), while the expression of p62 protein was increased (P < 0.05) in the model group. Compared with model group, the expression levels of PINK1, Parkinson’s disease protein, and LC3 protein were increased (P < 0.05), while the expression of p62 protein was decreased (P < 0.05) in the fasudil group. (4) The results of immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay showed that compared with the control group, the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and interleukin1β protein were increased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and interleukin1β were decreased in the fasudil group (P < 0.05). (5) The results show that fasudil can reduce the apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells induced by β-amyloid 1-42, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of mitophagy and the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Key words: fasudil, β-amyloid, nerve cell, apoptosis, mitophagy, inflammasome

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