Fig. 1

LPS induces cell death in aged cultures of rat hippocampal neurons but not in young cultures. Primary hippocampal neurons cultured for 5–8 and >18 DIV were treated for 48 h in absence (control) or presence of LPS, and apoptosis was assessed 48 h later by staining with Annexin V. a Representative bright field and Annexin V inmunofluorescence (Annex V) microphotographs of young (upper) and aged (bottom) cultured neurons in presence or absence of LPS (1 μg/ml) and CAY10614 (0.25 μM). Bar represents 10 μm and applies for all photographs. b Percent of neuron dead cells in control and LPS-treated cells. Values represent mean ± SEM of three and nine experiments from independent cultures, respectively. *p < 0.05 compared to control group. c Percent of neuron dead cells in control cells and in cells treated with LPS in presence or absence of the antagonist CAY10614. Values represent mean ± SEM of 4 independent experiments from independent cultures. *p < 0.05 compared to control group; ^# p < 0.05 compared to LPS group