Protective effect of adult olfactory ensheathing cells against 6-OHDA toxicity in PC-12 cells

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC) have been successfully used to stimulate the growth of injured fibers and to promote functional recovery within the injured adult CNS. These cells exhibit functional properties, which are known to be involved in axonal elongation. OEC express high level of growth factors including NGF, GDNF, BDNF and NT-3, which are known to play an important role in nerve regeneration. In view of their axonal growth promoting properties, the present study is undertaken to further make an insight into the mechanism underlying the process of neuroprotection. In present study the effect of OEC conditioned media on PC-12 cells was investigated. OEC have a protective effect against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity as evident by MTT assay. Similarly, the expression of early response gene also reduced in 6-OHDA treated PC-12 cells in the presence of OEC-conditioned media. The results show that the factors secreted by the adult OEC can promote PC-12 cells from 6-OHDA-induced toxicity.