GV1001 is a 16-amino-acid vaccine peptide derived from the human telomerase 
reverse transcriptase sequence. We investigated the effects of GV1001 against 
β-amyloid (Aβ) oligomer-induced neurotoxicity in rat neural stem cells (NSCs). 
Primary culture NSCs were treated with several concentrations of GV1001 and/or 
Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ oligomer for 48 hours. GV1001 protected NSCs against the Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ 
oligomer in a concentration-dependent manner. Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ concentration dependently 
decreased viability, proliferation, and mobilization of NSCs and GV1001 
treatment restored the cells to wild-type levels. Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ increased free radical 
levels in rat NSCs while combined treatment with GV1001 significantly reduced 
these levels. In addition, GV1001 treatment of Aβ₂₅₋₃₅-injured NSCs increased 
the expression level of survival-related proteins, including 
mitochondria-associated survival proteins, and decreased the levels of death and 
inflammation-related proteins, including mitochondria-associated death proteins. 
Together, these results suggest that GV1001 possesses neuroprotective effects 
against Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ oligomer in NSCs and that these effects are mediated through 
mimicking the extra-telomeric functions of human telomerase reverse 
transcriptase, including the induction of cellular proliferation, anti-apoptotic 
effects, mitochondrial stabilization, and anti-aging and anti-oxidant effects.