Cell culture models of oxidative stress and injury in the central nervous system

Constantly growing body of evidence suggests that hallmarks of oxidative stress are present in various central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Technological advantages in cell culturing made it possible to use neural cell/tissue cultures as experimental models for investigation of molecular mechanisms which underlie the development of oxidative stress condition, damage and adaptive responses to oxidative insults. This review is focused on the application of cell culture methodology for studies of oxidative stress condition in the brain. The review describes studies of biomarkers of oxidative stress-dependent cell damage and adaptive responses in various kinds of brain cell culture models. It discusses the use of cell/tissue culture models for elucidation of the role and pathogenesis of oxidative stress in neurodegenerative brain disorders, AIDS-associated brain pathology, drug abuse, and aging. The review underscores the importance of cell/tissue-based studies for testing of new antioxidants and development of therapeutic strategies for amelioration of oxidative damage in the CNS. The impact of new advances in gene and protein expression analysis on the cell/tissue culture-based research of oxidative stress in the CNS is also discussed.