Glial U87 cells protect neuronal SH-SY5Y cells from indirect effect of radiation by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis

Recent studies have demonstrated the role of indirect effect of radiation in neurodegeneration. However, the role of glial cells in neuroprotection against indirect effect of radiation is still not clear, although they are known to protect neurons under stress conditions in central nervous system. Our study showed that indirect effect of radiation increased the oxidative stress that further enhances the expression of key apoptotic proteins and leads to neuronal cell death. We also investigated the indirect effect of radiation on neuronal cells in the presence of glial cells in a transwell co-culture system, while our analysis was focused on neuronal cells. Irradiated cell-conditioned medium (ICCM) was used as source of indirect radiation and neuroprotective effect was analyzed by various endpoints. It was observed that ICCM-induced reactive oxidative species level was significantly reduced in SH-SY5Y cells co-cultured with glial U87 cells, which might help to maintain the integrity of mitochondrial membrane potential. Increased levels of antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase and antioxidant glutathione were observed in SH-SY5Y cells co-cultured with glial U87 cells. Moreover, it was also observed that co-culture with glial cells inhibits the expression of ICCM-induced apoptotic proteins, i.e. Bax, cytochrome c, and caspase-3 in SH-SY5Y cells. Hence, it can be speculated that in co-culture system glial cells may protect the neuronal SH-SY5Y cells by reducing the ICCM-induced oxidative stress and apoptotic death.