Effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on synapsin expression in rat spinal cord anterior horn neurons cultured in vitro

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes synaptic formation and functional maturation by upregulating synapsin expression in cortical and hippocampal neurons. However, it remains controversial whether BDNF affects synapsin expression in spinal cord anterior horn neurons. Wistar rat spinal cord anterior horn neurons were cultured in serum-supplemented medium containing BDNF, BDNF antibody, and Hank's solution for 3 days, and then synapsin I and synaptophysin protein and mRNA expression was detected. Under serum-supplemented conditions, the number of surviving neurons in the spinal cord anterior horn was similar among BDNF, anti-BDNF, and control groups (P > 0.05). Synapsin I and synaptophysin protein and mRNA expressions were increased in BDNF-treated neurons, but decreased in BDNF antibody-treated neurons (P < 0.01). These results indicated that BDNF significantly promotes synapsin I and synaptophysin expression in in vitro-cultured rat spinal cord anterior horn neurons.