Change of reactive oxygen species production in co-culture model of rat astrocytes and motor neurons VSC 4.1

AIM: To explore the mutual effect of co-culture of wild-type astrocytes (ASC) and motor neurons VSC4.1 (VSC) on the respective ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). METHODS: The inhibition rates of cell growth in ASC and VSC in co-culture or independent culture was detected after exposed to excitatory stimulus by MTT method. Real-time observation of ROS production by ASC and VSC labeled with Hoechst 33342 was detected by confocal microscopy under the conditions of co-culture or independent culture. RESULTS: Higher concentration of glutamate induced a higher inhibition rate in mixed cell growth than that in ASC alone, while lower concentration of glutamate induced a higher inhibition rate in mixed cell growth than that in VSC only. Real-time observation by confocal microscopy showed that ROS production by VSC under the condition of co-culture, which showed a notable increase at 15 min, was significant less than that in independent culture, which peaked at 5 min and was gradually decreased. ROS production by ASC in co-culture began to increase significantly at 10 min. CONCLUSION: Compared to independent culture, ASC reduces the resting ROS production by co-cultured with VSC, while ASC prolongs the duration of ROS production by VSC after exposed to excitatory stimulus.