F-actin may play an important role in IL-1β-stimulated hippocampal neurons

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate whether IL-1β treatment affects F-actin in hippocampal neurons. Materials and methods Primary culture of hippocampal neurons were prepared from rat embryos, and the effect of different concentrations of IL-1β on the cell phenotype was investigated. Cell viability was monitored by CCK-8 activity analysis. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to analyze protein levels and morphological changes in cells treated with IL-1β. Results IL-1β increased viability at low doses and these increases were severely blunted at higher concentrations. Similarly, the expression of F-actin was increased at low concentrations and decreased at high concentrations. Conclusions IL-1β has a critical role in regulating hippocampal neuron viability by stimulating F-actin expression. These data suggest that IL-1β secretion at low doses is beneficial for the expression of F-actin, which can improve the survival of hippocampal neurons during stress. However,these effect were severely blunted at higher concentrations.