Neural stem cells injured by oxidative stress can be rejuvenated by GV1001, a novel peptide, through scavenging free radicals and enhancing survival signals.

Abstract Oxidative stress is a well-known pathogenic mechanism of a diverse array of neurological diseases, and thus, numerous studies have attempted to identify antioxidants that prevent neuronal cell death. GV1001 is a 16-amino-acid peptide derived from human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Considering that hTERT has a strong antioxidant effect, whether GV1001 also has an antioxidant effect is a question of interest. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of GV1001 against oxidative stress in neural stem cells (NSCs). Primary culture NSCs were treated with different concentrations of GV1001 and/or hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) for various time durations. The H 2 O 2 decreased the viability of the NSCs in a concentration-dependent manner, with 200 μM H 2 O 2 significantly decreasing both proliferation and migration. However, treatment with GV1001 rescued the viability, proliferation and migration of H 2 O 2 -injured NSCs. Consistently, free radical levels were increased in rat NSCs treated with H 2 O 2 , while co-treatment with GV1001 significantly reduced these levels, especially the intracellular levels. In addition, GV1001 restored the expression of survival-related proteins and reduced the expression of death-associated ones in NSCs treated with H 2 O 2 . In conclusion, GV1001 has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in NSCs following treatment with H 2 O 2 , which appear to be mediated by scavenging free radicals, increasing survival signals and decreasing death signals.