Protective effects of naringin against gp120-induced injury mediated by P2X7 receptors in BV2 microglial cells

• Published in: Genetics and molecular research Vol. 15; no. 2
• Main Authors: Chen, Q, Hu, J, Qin, S S, Liu, C L, Wu, H, Wang, J R, Lu, X M, Wang, J, Chen, G Q, Liu, Y, Liu, B Y, Xu, C S, Liang, S D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil 13.05.2016
• Subjects: AIDS Dementia Complex - drug therapy; AIDS Dementia Complex - metabolism; AIDS Dementia Complex - virology; Animals; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Flavanones - pharmacology; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 - toxicity; Mice; Microglia - drug effects; Microglia - metabolism; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7 - genetics; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7 - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Up-Regulation
• ISSN: 1676-5680; 1676-5680
• DOI: 10.4238/gmr.15028649

This study was aimed at exploring the effects of P2X7 receptors on gp120-induced injury and naringin's protective effects against gp120-induced injury in BV2 microglia. BV2 microglia injury model was established by gp120 treatment and MTS assay was used to verify whether naringin has a cell-protective effect against gp120-induced injury. Changes in P2X7 receptor expression were assayed using RT-PCR, qPCR, and western blot. Results showed that the ODs of the Ctrl, gp120, gp120+naringin, and gp120+BBG groups were 0.91 ± 0.10, 0.71 ± 0.09, 0.83 ± 0.10, and 0.83 ± 0.10, respectively. Compared to the control group, the gp120 group showed a significantly decreased cell survival rate. Cell survival rates of the gp120+naringin group increased significantly compared to those of the gp120 group, while no difference was observed when compared to the gp120+BBG group. The relative P2X7 mRNA expression levels in the Ctrl, gp120, gp120+naringin, and gp120+BBG groups were 0.73 ± 0.06, 1.05 ± 0.06, 0.78 ± 0.05, and 0.81 ± 0.04, respectively. The corresponding P2X7 protein expression levels were 0.46 ± 0.04, 0.79 ± 0.04, 0.38 ± 0.07, and 0.42 ± 0.06. P2X7 mRNA and protein expression in the gp120 group increased significantly compared to those in the control group, and declined in the gp120+naringin group compared to those in the gp120 group. Therefore, P2X7 receptors might be involved in gp120-induced injury in BV2 microglia, and naringin might play a protective role by inhibiting the up-regulated expression of P2X7 receptors.