OXYTOCIN RECEPTOR IS INVOLVED IN NEURONAL GROWTH

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Objective. The aims of the present study were two fold 1) to determine the effect of oxytocin and oxytocin antagonists atosiban and L-371,257 on neuronal proliferation and 2) to measure the effect of oxytocin on neurite outgrowth. Background. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide abundantly produced in the brain. We have repeatedly demonstrated that oxytocin affects growth and development of the neuronal cells, however the role of oxytocin receptors remains less clear. Methods. Experiment I. Proliferation of human SH-SY5Y and U-87MG cells was evaluated in response to incubation with oxytocin, atosiban and L- 371,257 after 24-96 h. Experiment II. Neurite outgrowth was measured in response to incubation with oxytocin, L-371,257 and their combination in primary cortico-hippocampal neurons isolated from newborn mouse. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was used as a positive control. Results. Oxytocin increased cell number in both cell types while L-371,257 decreased cell growth compared to control. Neurite length of primary neurons increased in response to both ATRA and oxytocin; however L-371,257 co-treatment significantly antagonized oxytocin’s effect with no effect on cell growh in ATRA treated cells. Conclusion. The results indicate that oxytocin receptors play a role in neuronal proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, oxytocin receptors are involved in neurite outgrowth at least in certain types of neuronal cells. Grants. This study has been supported by grants APVV-0253-10 and 2/0119/15.