NT-3 attenuates the growth of human neuron cells through the ERK pathway.

Spinal cord injury is a devastating health problem that affects thousands of individuals each year. The neurons were destroyed. NT-3 is a recently discovered neurotrophin. This study sought to understand the potential involvement of MAPKs in NT-3-mediated growth inhibition of human neurons. We applied different concentrations of NT-3 and observed the growth rate of the cells and the changes in the phosphorylation state of the MAPKs ERK1/2, JNK and p38. This study discovered that NT-3-induced HNC growth was promoted primarily by phosphorylated ERK1/2, and that this phosphorylation, as well p90(rsk)phosphorylation, was mediated by TrkC. The ERK1/2 pathway is known to play an essential role in the NT-3-mediated growth of human neurons. In conclusion, our study suggests that NT-3 promotes the growth of human neurons cells primarily through the TrkC/ERK pathway.