Different regulation of N-cadherin and cadherin-11 in rat hippocampus

Cadherin-mediated specific cell adhesion is an important process in brain development as well as in synaptic plasticity in the adult brain. In this study the authors quantified mRNA levels of N-cadherin and cadherin-11 in different brain regions for the first time. In hippocampus N-cadherin mRNA levels were very high at embryonic stages and decreased during further development, whereas cadherin-11 mRNA levels were highest at postnatal stages. However, N-cadherin protein level was not altered during hippocampal development and cadherin-11 protein was low at embryonic but high at postnatal and adult stages. In cultured hippocampal neurons both cadherins became colocalized and recruited to synaptic sites during ongoing differentiation, with especially high accumulation of cadherin-11 at synapses. These data hint at a critical role of N-cadherin at early embryonic stages and early synaptogenesis, whereas cadherin-11 might be more important for further stabilization of synapses in the postnatal period and adulthood.     

Developmental Expression of GABAA Receptor Subunit mRNAs in Individual Hippocampal Neurons In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract: The GABA_A receptor is a heterooligomeric protein complex composed of multiple receptor subunits. Developmental changes in the pattern of expression of 11 GABA_A receptor subunits in individual rat embryonic hippocampal neurons on days 1–21 in culture and acutely dissociated hippocampal neurons from postnatal day (PND) 5 rat pups were investigated using the technique of single-cell mRNA amplification. We demonstrate that multiple GABA_A receptor subunits are expressed within individual hippocampal neurons, with most cells simultaneously expressing α1, α2, α5, β1, and γ2 mRNAs. Further, relative expression of several GABA_A receptor subunit mRNAs changes significantly in embryonic hippocampal neurons during in vitro development, with the relative abundance (compared with β-actin) of α1, α5, and γ2 mRNAs increasing 2.3-, 2.7-, and 3.8-fold, respectively, from days 1 to 14, and β1 increasing 5-fold from days 1 to 21. In situ hybridization with antisense digoxigenin-labeled α1, β1, and γ2 RNA probes demonstrates a similar increase in expression of subunit mRNAs as embryonic hippocampal neurons mature in vitro. Relative abundances of α1, β1, and γ2 subunit mRNAs in acutely dissociated PND 5 hippocampal neurons are also significantly greater than in embryonic day 17 neurons on day 1 in vitro and exceed the peak values seen in cultured neurons on days 14–21, suggesting that GABA_A receptor subunit mRNA expression within individual hippocampal neurons follows a similar, if somewhat delayed, developmental pattern in vitro compared with in vivo. These findings suggest that embryonic hippocampal neuronal culture provides a useful model in which to study the developmental regulation of GABA_A receptor expression and that developmental changes in GABA_A receptor subunit expression may underlie some of the differences in functional properties of GABA_A receptors in neonatal and mature hippocampal neurons.     

Culturing hippocampal neurons

We provide protocols for preparing low-density dissociated-cell cultures of hippocampal neurons from embryonic rats or mice. The neurons are cultured on polylysine-treated coverslips, which are suspended above an astrocyte feeder layer and maintained in serum-free medium. When cultured according to this protocol, hippocampal neurons become appropriately polarized, develop extensive axonal and dendritic arbors and form numerous, functional synaptic connections with one another. Hippocampal cultures have been used widely for visualizing the subcellular localization of endogenous or expressed proteins, for imaging protein trafficking and for defining the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of neuronal polarity, dendritic growth and synapse formation. Preparation of glial feeder cultures must begin 2 weeks in advance, and it takes 5 d to prepare coverslips as a substrate for neuronal growth. Dissecting the hippocampus and plating hippocampal neurons takes 2-3 h.     

Different Regulation of N-Cadherin and Cadherin-11 in Rat Hippocampus

Abstract

Cadherin-mediated specific cell adhesion is an important process in brain development as well as in synaptic plasticity in the adult brain. In this study the authors quantified mRNA levels of N-cadherin and cadherin-11 in different brain regions for the first time. In hippocampus N-cadherin mRNA levels were very high at embryonic stages and decreased during further development, whereas cadherin-11 mRNA levels were highest at postnatal stages. However, N-cadherin protein level was not altered during hippocampal development and cadherin-11 protein was low at embryonic but high at postnatal and adult stages. In cultured hippocampal neurons both cadherins became colocalized and recruited to synaptic sites during ongoing differentiation, with especially high accumulation of cadherin-11 at synapses. These data hint at a critical role of N-cadherin at early embryonic stages and early synaptogenesis, whereas cadherin-11 might be more important for further stabilization of synapses in the postnatal period and adulthood.     

脊髓源神经干细胞诱导分化为胆碱能神经元过程中Aldoc和Stmn1表达的研究

目的探讨脊髓源神经干细胞在诱导分化为胆碱能神经元过程中Aldoc和Stmn1的表达变化情况。方法从孕17天Wistar胚胎大鼠取出脊髓组织,制成细胞悬液,采用含EGF和bFGF的无血清限定性培养基培养,然后进行诱导分化,观察脊髓源神经干细胞向胆碱能神经元分化的情况,应用荧光定量PCR方法分析Aldoc和Stmn1基因在脊髓源神经干细胞诱导分化为胆碱能神经元的过程中的表达变化情况。结果神经干细胞在诱导分化为胆碱能神经元后,经免疫荧光检测有ChAT阳性细胞表达;Aldoc基因的表达量在胆碱能神经元较神经干细胞低(P<0.05);Stmn1基因的表达量则在诱导分化后较神经干细胞升高(P<0.05)。结论 Aldoc对神经干细胞的干性维持有重要作用,Stmn1在胆碱能神经元的成熟过程中起作用。     

Increased expression of NR2A subunit does not alter NMDA-evoked responses in cultured fetal trisomy 16 mouse hippocampal neurons

The trisomy 16 (Ts16) mouse is an animal model for human trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome). The gene encoding the NR2A subunit of the NMDA receptor has been localized to mouse chromosome 16. In the present study, western blot analysis revealed a 2.5-fold increase of NR2A expression in cultured Ts16 embryonic hippocampal neurons. However, this increase did not affect the properties of NMDA-evoked currents in response to various modulators. The sensitivity of NMDA receptors to transient applications of NMDA, spermine, and Zn(2+) was investigated in murine Ts16 and control diploid cultured embryonic hippocampal neurons. Peak and steady-state currents evoked by NMDA were potentiated by spermine at concentrations < 1 mM, and inhibited by Zn(2+) in a dose-dependent and voltage-independent manner. No marked difference was observed between Ts16 and control diploid neurons for any of these modulators with regard to IC(50) and EC(50) values or voltage dependency. Additionally, inhibition by the NR2B selective inhibitor, ifenprodil, was similar. These results demonstrate that NMDA-evoked currents are not altered in cultured embryonic Ts16 neurons and suggest that Ts16 neurons contain similar functional properties of NMDA receptors as diploid control neurons despite an increased level of NR2A expression.     

Hypophyseal corticosteroids stimulate somatotrope differentiation in the embryonic chicken pituitary gland

Although it is known that glucocorticoids induce differentiation of growth hormone (GH)-producing cells in rodents and birds, the effect of mineralocorticoids on GH mRNA expression and the origin of corticosteroids affecting somatotrope differentiation have not been elucidated. In this study, we therefore carried out experiments to determine the effect of mineralocorticoids on GH mRNA expression in the chicken anterior pituitary gland in vitro and to determine whether corticosteroids are synthesized in the chicken embryonic pituitary gland. In a pituitary culture experiment with E11 embryos, both corticosterone and aldosterone stimulated GH mRNA expression and increased the number of GH cells in both lobes of the pituitary gland in a dose-dependent manner. These effects of the corticosteroids were significantly reversed by pretreatment with mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist, or spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist. Interestingly, an in vitro serum-free culture experiment with an E11 pituitary gland showed that the GH mRNA level spontaneously increased during cultivation for 2 days without any extra stimulation, and this increase in GH mRNA level was completely suppressed by metyrapone, a corticosterone-producing enzyme P450C11 inhibitor. Moreover, progesterone, the corticosterone precursor, also stimulated GH mRNA expression in the cultured chicken pituitary gland, and this effect was blocked by pretreatment with metyrapone. We also detected mRNA expression of enzymes of cytochrome P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage (P450scc) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase1 (3β-HSD1) in the developmental chicken pituitary gland from E14 and E18, respectively. These results suggest that mineralocorticoids as well as glucocorticoids can stimulate GH mRNA expression and that corticosteroids generated in the embryonic pituitary gland by intrinsic steroidogenic enzymes stimulate somatotrope differentiation.     

The establishment of polarity by hippocampal neurons: the relationship between the stage of a cell's development in situ and its subsequent development in culture

Neurons removed from the embryonic hippocampus and placed into culture develop structurally and functionally distinct axonal and dendritic processes. The central issue addressed in this study concerns the extent to which the sequence of events which results in the differentiation of neurites by hippocampal neurons in culture is influenced by the cell's state of development in situ. [3H]thymidine was administered to pregnant rats either on Embryonic Day 15 (E15) or on E18.5 to label hippocampal neurons at known stages of their development. All fetuses were sacrificed on E19. Some of the fetal brains were sectioned and examined by autoradiography to determine the location of labeled cells in the hippocampus. The remaining brains were used to prepare hippocampal cell cultures. Neurons labeled at E18.5 remained confined to the ventricular zone at E19. Those labeled at E15 had completed their migration to the cortical plate. Other data suggest that the former cells had not yet initiated process outgrowth, while the latter cells had begun to elaborate both axons and dendrites. When introduced into culture, both populations of cells developed axons and dendrites and both compartmentalized MAP2 to the dendritic domain. Moreover, despite marked differences in their developmental state at the time of introduction into culture, both underwent the same sequence of developmental events leading to axonal and dendritic development. In a few cases cells that incorporated [3H]thymidine in situ at E18.5 apparently underwent mitosis in culture. These neurons also developed axons and dendrites appropriately. These results indicate that hippocampal neurons become polarized in culture, even if they have never developed axons or dendrites in situ, and do so as efficiently as cells that have become polarized before being placed into culture. Moreover, they indicate that the same sequence of events leading to the establishment of polarity occurs for hippocampal neurons with different developmental histories prior to culturing.     

Alternative effects of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway on glucocorticoid receptor down-regulation and transactivation are mediated by CHIP, an E3 ligase

The ubiquitin/proteasome-dependent protein degradation pathway (UPP) is responsible for the accelerated down-regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels in cells subjected to chronic glucocorticoid exposure. Whereas hormone-dependent down-regulation of GR operates in most cells, the receptor is not down-regulated after long-term glucocorticoid treatment of either cultured embryonic hippocampal neurons or the HT22 hippocampal cell line. In this report, we show that stable overexpression of the carboxy terminus of heat shock protein 70-interacting protein (CHIP) E3 ligase can restore hormone-dependent down-regulation of GR in HT22 cells. Proteasome inhibitor studies establish that ubiquitylated GR can be efficiently engaged with the proteasome upon CHIP overexpression, unlike the case in parental HT22 cells. In addition to its impact on GR down-regulation, CHIP overexpression alters the coupling between the UPP and GR transactivation. Unlike other steroid receptors whose transactivation properties are typically reduced upon proteasome inhibition, GR transactivation in HT22 cells and other cell lines is enhanced upon proteasome inhibition. However, in HT22 cells overexpressing CHIP, proteasome inhibition leads to a reduction in GR transactivation activity. Thus, the divergent response of a single transactivator (i.e. GR) to the UPP can be dictated by CHIP, an E3 ligase that also functions as a proteasome-targeting factor.     

Sequential specification of neurons and glia by developmentally regulated extracellular factors

Cortical progenitor cells give rise to neurons during embryonic development and to glia after birth. While lineage studies indicate that multipotent progenitor cells are capable of generating both neurons and glia, the role of extracellular signals in regulating the sequential differentiation of these cells is poorly understood. To investigate how factors in the developing cortex might influence cell fate, we developed a cortical slice overlay assay in which cortical progenitor cells are cultured over cortical slices from different developmental stages. We find that embryonic cortical progenitors cultured over embryonic cortical slices differentiate into neurons and those cultured over postnatal cortical slices differentiate into glia, suggesting that the fate of embryonic progenitors can be influenced by developmentally regulated signals. In contrast, postnatal progenitor cells differentiate into glial cells when cultured over either embryonic or postnatal cortical slices. Clonal analysis indicates that the postnatal cortex produces a diffusible factor that induces progenitor cells to adopt glial fates at the expense of neuronal fates. The effects of the postnatal cortical signals on glial cell differentiation are mimicked by FGF2 and CNTF, which induce glial fate specification and terminal glial differentiation respectively. These observations indicate that cell fate specification and terminal differentiation can be independently regulated and suggest that the sequential generation of neurons and glia in the cortex is regulated by a developmental increase in gliogenic signals.     

大鼠海马神经元内11β-HSD1和GR的共存及其意义

本研究旨在探讨糖皮质激素代谢酶-11β-羟基类固醇脱氢酶Ⅰ型（11β-HSD1）和糖皮质激素受体（GR）在大鼠海马神经元内的共同分布及其意义。用免疫细胞化学方法研究显示,海马神经元内不仅存在11β-HSD1免疫反应物质,还存在GR免疫反应物质,而且11β-HSD1与GR共存于同一个海马神经元内,用Western印迹杂交和薄层层析（TLC）方法研究表明,地塞米松（DEX）可以促进11β-HSD1与GR共存于同一个海马神经元内,用Western印迹杂交和薄层层析（TLG）方法研究表明,地塞米松（DEX）可以促进11β-HSD1蛋白表达及其酶的活性,利用11β-HSD1基因启动子区序列构建的以CAT酶为报告基因的pBLCAT6质粒转染PC12细胞,证实DEX能够促进CAT酶的表达。以上糖皮质激素的作用均可为GR受体阻断剂RU38486所阻断,结果提示;糖皮质激素（GC）与GR结合后,可以作用于与其共存的11β-HSD1基因启动子区,使11β-HSD1表达增加,从而使更多的GC代谢产物转化为有活性的GC,此机制可能与保证GC在海马神经元内与亲和力较低的GR结合有关。     

Neural control of the sequence of expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms in foetal mammalian muscles

The expression of myosin isoforms was studied during development of calf muscles in foetal and neonatal rats, using monoclonal antibodies against slow, embryonic and neonatal isoforms of myosin heavy chain (MHC). Primary myotubes had appeared in all prospective rat calf muscles by embryonic day 16 (E16). On both E16 and E17, primary myotubes in all muscles with the exception of soleus stained for slow, embryonic and neonatal MHC isoforms; soleus did not express neonatal MHC. In earlier stages of muscle formation staining for the neonatal isoform was absent or faint. Secondary myotubes were present in all muscles by E18, and these stained for both embryonic and neonatal MHCs, but not slow. In mixed muscles, primary myotubes destined to differentiate into fast muscle fibres began to lose expression of slow MHC, and primary myotubes destined to become slow muscle fibres began to lose expression of neonatal MHC. This pattern was further accentuated by E19, when many primary myotubes stained for only one of these two isoforms. Chronic paralysis or denervation from E15 or earlier did not disrupt the normal sequence of maturation of primary myotubes up until E18, but secondary myotubes did not form. By E19, however, most primary myotubes in aneural or paralyzed tibialis anterior muscles had lost expression of slow MHC and expressed only embryonic and neonatal MHCs. Similar changes occurred in other muscles, except for soleus which never expressed neonatal MHC, as in controls. Paralysis or denervation commencing later than E15 did not have these effects, even though it was initiated well before the period of change in expression of MHC isoforms. In this case, some secondary myotubes appeared in treated muscles. Paralysis initiated on E15, followed by recovery 2 days later so that animals were motile during the period of change in expression of MHC isoforms, was as effective as full paralysis. These experiments define a critical period (E15-17) during which foetuses must be active if slow muscle fibres are to differentiate during E19-20. We suggest that changes in expression of MHC isoforms in primary myotubes depend on different populations of myoblasts fusing with the myotubes, and that the normal sequence of appearance of these myoblasts has a stage-dependent reliance on active innervation of foetal muscles. A critical period of nerve-dependence for these myoblasts occurs several days before their action can be noted.     

Placodal sensory neurons in culture: nodose ganglion neurons are unresponsive to NGF, lack NGF receptors but are supported by a liver-derived neurotrophic factor

Explant and dissociated neuron-enriched cultures of nodose ganglia (inferior or distal sensory ganglion of the Xth cranial nerve) were established from chick embryos taken between embryonic Day 4 (E4) and Day 16 (E16). The response of each type of culture to nerve growth factor (NGF) was examined over this developmental range. At the earliest ages taken (E4-E6), NGF elicited modest neurite outgrowth from ganglion explants cultured in collagen gel for 24 hr, although the effect of NGF on ganglia taken from E4 chicks was only marginally greater than spontaneous neurite extension from control ganglia of the same developmental age. The response of nodose explants to NGF was maximal at E6-E7, but declined to a negligible level in ganglia taken from E9-E10 or older chick embryos. In dissociated neuron-enriched cultures, nodose ganglion neurons were unresponsive to NGF throughtout the entire developmental age range between E5 and E12. In contrast to the lack of effect of NGF, up to 50% of nodose ganglion neurons survived and produced extensive neurites in dissociated cultures, on either collagen- or polylysine-coated substrates, in the presence of extracts of late embryonic or early posthatched chick liver (E18-P7). Antiserum to mouse NGF did not block the neurotrophic activity of chick (or rat or bovine) liver extracts. Whether cultured with chick liver extract alone or with chick liver extract plus NGF, nodose ganglion neurons taken from E6-E12 chick embryos and maintained in culture for 2 days were devoid of NGF receptors, as assessed by autoradiography of cultures incubated with 125I-NGF. Under similar conditions 70-95% of spinal sensory neurons (dorsal root ganglion--DRG) were heavily labeled. 2+     

Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates development of bovine embryos during the fourth cell cycle.

In vitro produced, 2-cell bovine embryos were cultured in serum-free medium supplemented with various combinations of growth factors to test the hypothesis that these polypeptide factors are able to signal preimplantation development. The developmental arrest that occurs during the 8-cell stage with typical culture methods might be relieved by a growth factor-dependent mechanism that would stimulate expression of the embryonic genome, thereby mimicking events that occur in vivo in the oviduct during the fourth cell cycle (8- to 16-cell stage). Subsequently, other growth factors might promote compaction and blastulation, processes which normally occur in the uterus. The effects of growth factors on early embryos were evaluated using phase contrast microscopy to monitor progression to the 8-cell stage, completion and duration of the fourth cell cycle, and blastocyst formation. Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) promoted development beyond the 16-cell stage in 39.1% of the 2-cell embryos examined in all experiments. The duration of the fourth cell cycle among these embryos was approximately 26 hours. During development after the 16-cell stage, PDGF reduced the proportion of embryos bastulating from 12.7% to 5.8%; in contrast, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), acting during the same developmental time period, increased the proportion of embryos blastulating from 8.6% to 40.6%. These results, using serum-free medium, indicated that PDGF signalled completion of the fourth cell cycle. TGF alpha, and perhaps basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), promoted blastulation of 16-cell embryos during subsequent culture.     

Localization of the type 1 corticotropin releasing factor receptor (CRF-R1) in the embryonic mouse cerebellum

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is present in the adult, as well as in the embryonic and postnatal rodent cerebellum. Further, the distribution of the type 1 CRF receptor has been described in adult and postnatal animals. The focus of the present study is to determine the distribution and cellular relationships of the type 1 CRF receptor (CRF-R1) during embryonic development of the cerebellum. Between embryonic day (E)11 and E12, CRF-R1 immunoreactive puncta are uniformly distributed in the ventricular zone, the site of origin of Purkinje cells, nuclear neurons, and GABAergic interneurons, as well as the germinal trigone, the birthplace of the precursors of granule cells. Between E13 and 18, the distribution of immunolabeled puncta decreases in both the ventricular zone and the germinal trigone and increases in the intermediate zone, as well as in the dorsal aspect of the cerebellar plate. Between E14 and 18, antibodies that label specific populations of cerebellar neurons were combined with the antibody for the receptor to determine the cellular elements that expressed CRF-R1. At E14, CRF-R1 immunoreactivity is co-localized in neurons immunolabeled with PAX-2, an antibody that is specific for GABAergic interneurons. These neurons continue to express CRF-R1 as they migrate dorsally toward the cerebellar surface. Between E16 and 18, Purkinje cells, immunolabeled with calbindin, near the dorsal surface of the cerebellum express CRF-R1 in their cell bodies and apical processes. CRF has been shown to have a depolarizing effect on adult and postnatal Purkinje cells. Further, CRF has been shown to contribute to excitability of hippocampal neurons during embryonic development by binding to CRF-R1; depolarization induced excitability appears to be critical for cell survival. The location of the type one CRF receptor and the presence of its primary ligand, CRF, in the germinal zones of the cerebellum and in migrating neurons suggest that this receptor/ligand interaction could be important in the regulation of neuronal survival through cellular mechanisms that lead to depolarization of embryonic cerebellar neurons.     

穹窿切断后海马神经元GR表达变化的研究

目的实施大鼠穹窿切断术研究海马神经元核受体GR(glucocorticoidreceptor糖皮质激素受体)表达的变化。方法建立大鼠穹窿切断模型,于穹窿切断术后0、4、7、10d取材;同时取材假手术组(非穹窿切断术)作为对照,应用免疫组化、WesternBlotting方法分别进行各组海马神经元GR表达变化的观察及定量检测。结果穹窿切断7d后,免疫组化和WesternBlotting结果显示海马神经元GR表达下调,10d下调更为显著。结论穹窿切断后,海马GR表达下调,提示可能减弱海马对HPA轴的抑制。     

Age-dependent expression of glucocorticoid- and mineralocorticoid receptors on neural precursor cell populations in the adult murine hippocampus

Steroid hormones are regulators of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and are central to hypotheses regarding adult neurogenesis in age-related and psychiatric disturbances associated with altered hippocampal plasticity--most notably dementias and major depression. Using immunohistochemistry, we examined the expression of glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors during adult hippocampal neurogenesis. In young mice only 27% of dividing cells in the subgranular zone expressed GR, whereas 4 weeks after division 87% had become positive for GR and MR. GR was expressed by 50% of the radial glia-like type-1 and type-2a progenitor cells, whereas MR was expressed only by mature calbindin-positive granule cells. Doublecortin-positive neuronal progenitor cells (type-2b) and early postmitotic calretinin-positive neurons were devoid of GR and MR expression. Fifty per cent of the intermediate type-3 cells showed GR expression, possibly reflecting cells terminating maturation. Thus, all subpopulations of dividing precursor cells showed an identical receptor profile (50% GR, no MR), except for type-2b cells, which expressed neither receptor. There was also no overlap between calretinin and GR early postnatally (P8) or after physical activity or exposure to an enriched environment, both of which are potent neurogenic stimuli. In contrast, in old age calretinin-positive young neurons became GR and MR positive, suggesting increased steroid sensitivity. Age also increased the expression of GR in type-1 and type-2a precursor cells. Other intermediates were so rare in old age that they could not be studied. This course and variability of receptor expression in aging might help to explain differential vulnerability of adult neural precursor cells to corticoid-mediated influences.     

中脑神经前体细胞的体外分离、培养和特性

为了解中脑神经前体细胞的体外培养特性和建立中脑神经前体细胞的体外分化调控机制提供细胞模型。本实验采用含有丝分裂源表皮生长因子(EGF)的无血清培养基培养来源于大鼠胚胎E14.5天的中脑神经前体细胞,应用免疫细胞化学方法了解其前体细胞特性。结果发现中脑神经前体细胞呈神经前体细胞特征性标记Nestin免疫染色阳性,无分化细胞标记;细胞克隆实验证实中脑神经前体细 胞有自我更新能力;在EGF刺激下增殖迅速;当撤去EGF后置于含胎牛血清的培养基和被覆多聚赖氨酸(PLL)的培养皿内,中脑神经前体细胞可分化成神经元和星形胶质细胞。本试验证明我们培养的中脑神经前体细胞具有增殖、自我更新能力和多向分化潜能特性。     

Sevoflurane Induces Hippocampal Neuronal Apoptosis by Altering the Level of Neuropeptide Y in Neonatal Rats

Numerous studies have shown that the inhaled general anesthetic sevoflurane imposes toxicity on the central nervous system during the developmental period but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was reported to have important neuroprotective effects, which can attenuate neuronal loss under pathological conditions. However, the effects of NPY on sevoflurane-induced hippocampal neuronal apoptosis have not been investigated. In this study, postnatal day 7 (PND7) Sprague–Dawley rats and primary cultured cells separated from hippocampi were exposed to sevoflurane (2.4% for 4 h) and the NPY expression levels after treatment were analyzed. Furthermore, neuronal apoptosis assay was conducted via immunofluorescence staining of cleaved caspase-3 and flow cytometry after exogenous NPY administration to PND7 rats as well as cultured hippocampal neurons to elucidate the role of NPY in sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity. Our results showed the level of NPY gradually decreased within 24 h after sevoflurane exposure in both the hippocampus of PND7 rats and cultured hippocampal neurons, but not in cultured astrocytes. In the exogenous NPY pretreatment study, the proportion of cleaved caspase-3 positive cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was increased significantly at 24 h after sevoflurane treatment, while NPY pretreatment could reduce it. Similarly, NPY could also reverse the apoptogenic effect of sevoflurane on cultured neurons. Herein, our results showed that sevoflurane caused a significant decrease in NPY expression, whereas exogenous NPY supplementation could reduce sevoflurane-induced hippocampal neuronal apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro.