Thromboxane A2 stimulates neurite outgrowth in cerebral cortical neurons via mitogen activated protein kinase signaling

•TXA2 receptor (TP receptor) is expressed in rat cortical neurons.•TXA2 agonist U-46619 stimulates neurite outgrowth in rat cortical neurons.•Inactivation of MAPK prevents U-46619-mediated neurite outgrowth.

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is a central prostanoid in the cardiovascular system and is a crucial mediator of vascular homeostasis and platelet aggregation. In this study, we report a novel role for TXA2 in neurite outgrowth. TXA2 receptor is expressed in rat cortical neurons, and treatment with the TXA2 agonist U-46619 promotes neurite outgrowth in a concentration-dependent manner. We investigated the molecular mechanism underlying U-46619-induced neurite outgrowth in cortical neurons. Blockade of the phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) prevents U-46619-mediated neurite outgrowth. These data indicates that TXA2 functions as a positive regulator of neurite outgrowth via a mechanism dependent on MAPKs in cortical neurons.