NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF TGF-BETA-1

The transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has been shown to b e an injury-related peptide growth factor within the mammalian brain. We tested TGF-beta 1 for its protective effects against neuronal degen eration caused by sodium cyanide (1 mM) or by the excitatory amino aci d L-glutamate (1 mM) in vitro and against ischemic injury in vivo caus ed by permanent occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery in mice. In vitro, TGF-beta 1 (1-30 ng/ml) significantly reduced hypoxic and ex citotoxic neuronal damage in a concentration-dependent manner. In vivo , intracerebroventricular administration of TGF-beta 1 (1 mu g/kg) dec reased the infarcted area on the mouse brain surface. The present resu lts suggest that TGF-beta 1 is capable of protecting neurons against d amage both in vitro and in vivo.