Neuroprotective effects of TRPV1 by targeting GDF11 in the Mpp+/MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease model

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2022-10, Vol.623, p.104-110
• Main Authors: Zhang, Kaiyong, Liu, Peng, Yuan, Long, Geng, Zixiang, Li, Bingrong, Zhang, Bimeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging and apoptosis; DA neurons; GDF11; Oxidative damage; Parkinson's disease; TRPV1
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.07.058

Protecting dopaminergic neurons is a key approach in the prevention of Parkinson's disease (PD). Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a nonselective cation channel that is widely distributed in the mammalian nervous system. In this study, we designed experiments to investigate the effect and mechanisms of TRPV1 against DA neurons damage of PD. Our results showed that trpv1-deficient mice showed a significant loss of TH + neurons than PD mice after MPTP intraperitoneal injection, in addition, a significant decline in motor function was observed in trpv1-deficient mice versus the MPTP model. In addition, our study indicated that GDF11 overexpression inhibited MPP + - induced oxidative stress, cell senescence, and apoptosis in neurons. Results also showed that TRPV1 prevented the down-regulation of GDF11 expression in PD model, gdf11 knockdown blocks the effects of TRPV1 on the antioxidant, antiaging, and antiapoptotic activities of dopaminergic neurons. Consequently, our findings indicate that TRPV1 protects dopaminergic neurons from injury by promoting GDF11 expression in PD model. •TRPV1 agonist capsaicin inhibits oxidative stress, senescence, and apoptosis in DA neurons.•Capsaicin promots GDF11 expression.•TRPV1 protects dopaminergic neurons from injury by promoting GDF11 expression in PD model.