Figure 1

Cultured hippocampal astrocytes, NPCs and the expression of GDNF mRNA in antidepressant-treated astrocytes. (A) Cultured hippocampal astrocytes and GFP expressing NPCs were stained with GFAP (left, green) and nestin (right, red) antibody, respectively. Astrocytes were counterstained with PI (left, red). NPCs were stained after the transduction with GFP-expressing retrovirus. Scale bar, 50 μm (left) and 100 μm (right). (B) The results show the RT-PCR analysis of GDNF mRNA in astrocytes. The PCR products of the GDNF and GAPDH mRNAs had sizes of approximately 300 and 180 bp, respectively. GAPDH was used as the internal control. The GDNF mRNA level was increased in astrocytes treated with 10 μM of desipramine or fluoxetine. The experiments were repeated twice to reproduce the similar results. M, size marker. Dep., desipramine. Flx., fluoxetine.