GDNF and GFRα co-receptor family in the developing feline gut

Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor alleviates sepsis-induced neuromuscular dysfunction by decreasing the expression of γ- and α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in an experimental rat model of neuromyopathy

Sepsis-induced neuromuscular dysfunction results from up-regulation of the expression of γ- and α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Although glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been implicated in repairing and supporting neurons, little is known about the effects of GDNF on demyelination of nerves in sepsis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that GDNF could alleviate sepsis-induced neuromuscular dysfunction by decreasing the expression of γ- and α7-nAChR in an experimental rat model of neuromyopathy. Rats were randomly divided into a sham group and a sepsis group. Levels of inflammatory factors, muscle function, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were tested in rats after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). At 24 h after CLP, GDNF was injected around the sciatic nerve of sepsis rats, cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of nAChRs. GDNF and its downstream effector (Erk1/2 and GFR-α), neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) and γ- and α7-nAChR were measured using Western blot analysis. The expression of GDNF reached a minimum at 24 h after CLP. Compared with the sham group, the release of cytokines and the expression of γ- and α7-nAChR were significantly increased in the sepsis group. The administration of GDNF significantly alleviated sepsis-induced neuromuscular dysfunction, as well as reducing the expression of γ- and α7-nAChR. In addition, the expression of Erk1/2, GFR-α, NRG-1 were significantly increased after GDNF treatment. GDNF administration may improve patient outcomes by reducing the demyelination of nerves and the expression of γ- and α7-nAChR.

Role of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in intestinal inflammatory diseases

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a member of the neurotrophic factor family, promotes the survival, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and axonal growth of intestinal neurons. With studies on the role that enteric glia cells (EGCs) play in intestinal inflammation, GDNF has come into vision as an anti-inflammatory factor in the gut. Recent studies have gradually witnessed that, besides the role in protecting the intestinal epithelial barrier, GDNF plays an important part in a variety of protective mechanisms against intestinal inflammation, and has become the focus of numerous defense mechanisms in intestinal inflammation. GDNF also plays a very important role in the occurrence and development of intestinal inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes the results of recent studies in this field to fully discuss the roles of GDNF in the occurrence and development of intestinal inflammatory diseases.