Insights into the neuroprotective mechanisms of 2-iminobiotin employing an in-vitro model of hypoxic-ischemic cell injury

Several animal models have been used to simulate cerebral hypoxia-ischemia and suggested neuroprotective effects of the biotin analogue 2-iminobiotin (2-IB). The aims of this study were to employ a human in-vitro hypoxia model to confirm protective effects of 2-IB on neuronal cells, determine the optimal neuroprotective concentrations of 2-IB and scrutinize underlying cellular effects of 2-IB.Neuronal IMR-32 cells were exposed to hypoxia employing an enzymatic hypoxia system and were thereafter incubated with various concentrations of 2-IB (10 to 300ng/ml). Cell damage, metabolic activity and generation of reactive oxygen species were quantified using colorimetric/fluorometric lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), tetrazolium-based (MTS) and reactive oxygen species assays. Proteome profiling arrays were performed to evaluate the regulation of cell stress protein expression by hypoxia and 2-IB.Seven hours of hypoxia led to morphological changes in IMR-32 cultures, increased neuronal cell damage (P<0.001), reduction of metabolic activity (P<0.01) and enhanced reactive oxygen species production (P<0.05). Post-hypoxic application of 2-IB (30ng/ml) attenuated hypoxia-induced LDH release (P<0.05) and increased metabolic activity of IMR-32 cells (P<0.05), while reactive oxygen species production was only by trend decreased. Array-based protein expression profiling revealed that 2-IB attenuated the expression of several hypoxia-induced cell stress-associated proteins by more than 25% (pp38α, HIF2α, ADAMTS1, pHSP27, PON2, PON3 and p27).Hypoxia-induced neuronal cell damage can be simulated using the described in-vitro model. 2-IB inhibits hypoxia-mediated neurotoxicity most efficiently at 30 ng/ml and the underlying mechanisms involve a downregulation of stress-associated protein expression. Our results suggest 2-IB as a potential drug for the treatment of perinatal hypoxia-ischemia.