The Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange system in rat glial cells in culture: activation by external monovalent cations

Modeling of ATP-mediated signal transduction and wave propagation in astrocytic cellular networks

Astrocytes, a special type of glial cells, were considered to have supporting role in information processing in the brain. However, several recent studies have shown that they can be chemically stimulated by neurotransmitters and use a form of signaling, in which ATP acts as an extracellular messenger. Pathological conditions, such as spreading depression, have been linked to abnormal range of wave propagation in astrocytic cellular networks. Nevertheless, the underlying intra- and inter-cellular signaling mechanisms remain unclear. Motivated by the above, we constructed a model to understand the relationship between single-cell signal transduction mechanisms and wave propagation and blocking in astrocytic networks. The model incorporates ATP-mediated IP3 production, the subsequent Ca2+ release from the ER through IP3R channels and ATP release into the extracellular space. For the latter, two hypotheses were tested: Ca2+- or IP3-dependent ATP release. In the first case, single astrocytes can exhibit excitable behavior and frequency-encoded oscillations. Homogeneous, one-dimensional astrocytic networks can propagate waves with infinite range, while in two dimensions, spiral waves can be generated. However, in the IP3-dependent ATP release case, the specific coupling of the driver ATP-IP3 system with the driven Ca2+ subsystem leads to one- and two-dimensional wave patterns with finite range of propagation.

A genistein-sensitive Na+/Ca2+ exchange is responsible for the resting [Ca2+]i and most of the Ca2+ plasma membrane fluxes in stimulated rat cerebellar type 1 astrocytes

The differential role of Na+/Ca2+ exchange in the regulation of intracellular ionized calcium ([Ca2+]i) in immunological and pharmacologically identified type 1 astrocytes and Purkinje cells was studied in rat cerebellar culture, using Ca2+ (Fluo-3, Fura-2) and Na+ (SBFI) fluorescence measurements. The mean resting [Ca2+]i was significantly higher (191 +/- 8 nM, n=25) in type 1 astrocytes than in Purkinje cells (92 +/- 2.5 nM, n=35). In contrast to Purkinje cells, in unstimulated cerebellar type 1 astrocytes, forward and reverse Na+/Ca2+ modes operate under resting physiological conditions, being responsible for most of the total Ca2+ transplasma membrane fluxes. Four observations support this hypothesis: (1) under resting conditions of temperature and ionic composition, Na+o removal causes a remarkable increase in [Ca2+]i, being inhibited by 2',4' dichlorobenzamil (DCB), and 2-[2-[4-(nitrobenzilloxiphenyl ethyl] isothiourea metanesulfonate (KB-R7943); (2) Ca2+o removal in the presence of Na+o causes an important drop in [Ca2+]i, which is absent in Li+o or NMG+o (N-methyl-D-glucamine) containing medium; (3) the reverse mode exchange inhibitor KB-R7943 mimics the removal of Ca2+o only in the presence of Na+o; and (4) under loaded [Na+]i conditions (ouabain or the activation of taurine-Na+-cotransport), reverse mode exchange increases in both astrocytes and Purkinje cells. In type 1 astrocytes stimulated with endothelin-3 (ET-3), the recovery of the Ca2+i signal occurs largely through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, completely and reversibly blocks all exchange activity, but not its inactive analogue daidzein, thus suggesting that the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger of cerebellar type 1 astrocytes may be modulated by phosphorylation. Our main conclusion is that in rat cerebellar type 1 astrocytes under resting physiological conditions, most of the total transplasma membrane Ca2+ fluxes take place through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, thus accounting for the resting [Ca(2+)]i.

Sodium/calcium exchanger subtypes NCX1, NCX2 and NCX3 show cell-specific expression in rat hippocampus cultures

Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange activity is known to be expressed throughout the brain in both glial and neuronal tissue. mRNA of all three major subtypes of the mammalian Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger protein (NCX1, NCX2, NCX3) has been detected in most brain areas, albeit at varying densities. [The term 'subtype' is used for exchangers that are products of different genes (NCX1, NCX2, NCX3); 'isoform' is used for splice variants of a single gene product]. However, for lack of subtype specific labels, the cellular expression pattern of this transport protein has remained largely unknown. We have now used three subtype-specific antibodies, two monoclonal and one polyclonal, to identify the cellular distribution of the exchanger subtypes in rat hippocampus cell cultures. Surprisingly, we found little overlap for the expression of this membrane protein in different cell types. NCX1 labeled mainly the membranes of neuronal cells and their associated dendritic network. It was found in nearly all neuronal cells of the population growing in culture. In cultures maintained for more than 3 weeks, NCX1 was increasingly detected in the membrane of glia cells. NCX2 immunoreactivity was predominantly localized in various types of glia cells. It was also detected in the membranes of a few neuronal cell bodies but never in the dendritic network. In addition to labeling membranes, the NCX2 antibody strongly cross-reacted with an unidentified glial fibrillar protein. NCX3 expression appeared very low in hippocampus cultures and was restricted to a small subpopulation of neuronal cells. It was never detected in glia cells. Our results provide novel information on the cell-specific expression of the three Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger subtypes (NCX1, NCX2 and NCX3) in mammalian brain. These data may reflect functional differences among the subtypes that are not obvious from studies in recombinant cell lines and hence, may help to understand the functional role of specific glia- or neuron-associated Ca(2+) transport systems.

Ca(2+) influx through AMPA or kainate receptors alone is sufficient to initiate excitotoxicity in cultured oligodendrocytes

Oligodendrocytes are vulnerable to excitotoxic insults mediated by AMPA receptors and by low and high affinity kainate receptors, a feature that is dependent on Ca(2+) influx. In the current study, we have analyzed the intracellular concentration of calcium [Ca(2+)](i) as well as the entry routes of this cation, upon activation of these receptors. Selective activation of either receptor type resulted in a substantial increase (up to fivefold) of [Ca(2+)](i), an effect which was totally abolished by the non-NMDA receptor antagonist CNQX or by removing Ca(2+) from the culture medium. Blockade of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels with La(3+) or nifedipine, reduced the amplitude of the Ca(2+) current triggered by AMPA receptor activation by approximately 65%, but not that initiated by low and high affinity kainate receptors. In contrast, KB-R7943, an inhibitor of the plasma membrane Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger, solely attenuated the rise in [Ca(2+)](i) by approximately 25% due to activation of low affinity kainate receptors. However, oligodendroglial death by glutamate receptor overactivation was largely unaffected in the presence of La(3+) or KB-R7943. These findings indicate that Ca(2+) influx via AMPA and kainate receptors alone is sufficient to initiate cell death in oligodendrocytes, which does not require the entry of calcium via other routes such as voltage-activated calcium channels or the plasma membrane Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger.

Na+-Ca2+ exchange activity in rat skeletal myotubes: effect of lithium ions

The whole-cell patch-clamp technique coupled with intracellular [Ca2+] measurements was used to investigate the sodium-calcium exchange mechanism in rat skeletal muscle cells in primary culture. Replacing external Na+ ions with Li+ or N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG+) ions generated outward currents which were correlated with significant increases of free cytosolic-calcium concentration. These results strongly argue for a functional Na+-Ca2+ exchange mechanism working in its reverse mode. Moreover, the outward currents were sensitive to the new compound KB-R7943 (10 microM), which has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of the sodium-calcium exchanger. Outward Na+-Ca2+ exchange current densities were reduced in the presence of external Li+ as compared to those measured in the presence of NMDG+. After replacing internal sodium by lithium ions, rapid changes of external lithium concentrations generated sarcolemmal currents which were accompanied by subsequent variations of intracellular calcium activity. The currents were dependent on extracellular Li+ with a half-maximal activation at 67 mM and a Hill coefficient of 2.9. This work shows that the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger is able to significantly influence the myoplasmic calcium concentration of cultured rat myotubes. On the other hand, our results suggest that Li+ ions may substitute Na+ ions to catalyse an electrogenic Li+/Ca2+ counter transport.

Ionic changes accompanying astrocytic intercellular calcium waves triggered by mechanical cell damaging stimulation

Mechanically poking or damaging a single cell within a confluent astrocyte culture produces the so-called intercellular calcium (Ca(2+)) waves, that is, cell-to-cell propagating changes of intracellular free Ca(2+). We were interested whether intercellular Ca(2+) waves are also associated with changes in other intra- or extracellular ions. To that purpose, we investigated spatiotemporal changes of intracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(i)2+), sodium (Na(i)+) and protons (H(i)+) in primary cultures of rat cortical astrocytes using microfluorescence imaging with fura-2, SBFI and BCECF, respectively; changes of extracellular potassium (K(e)+) were monitored with K(+)-sensitive microelectrodes. Mechanical damage to a single cell by stimulation with a piezo-electrically driven micropipette initiated intercellular Ca(2+) waves that propagated to about 160 microm away from the stimulation point. Na(i)(+) increases could be detected in cells located 2-3 cell diameters from the stimulated cell, acidification was observed 1-2 cell diameters away and Ke(+) increases were measured up to 75 microm away. Kinetic analysis suggests that the Na(i)(+) and H(i)(+) changes occur after, and thus secondary to the Ca(i)(2+) changes. In contrast, K(e)(+) changes occurred very fast, even before the Ca(i)(2+) changes, but their propagation speed was too fast to implicate them as a trigger of Ca(i)(2+) changes. As Na(i)(+) is an important regulator of glycolysis in astrocytes, we hypothesize that astrocytic Na(i)(+) changes in cells located remotely from a damaged cell might be a signal that activates glycolysis thereby producing more lactate that is transferred to the neurons and increases their energy potential to survive the inflicted damage.

White matter ischaemia

Brain and spinal cord white matter are vulnerable to the effects of ischaemia. Reduction of the energy supply leads to a cascade of events including depolarization, influx of Na(+) and the subsequent reverse operation of the membrane protein the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger which ultimately terminates in intracellular Ca(2+) overload and irreversible axonal injury. Various points along the white matter damage cascade could be specifically targeted as a potential means of inhibiting the development of axonal irreversible injury.

Sodium/calcium exchange: its physiological implications

The Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, an ion transport protein, is expressed in the plasma membrane (PM) of virtually all animal cells. It extrudes Ca2+ in parallel with the PM ATP-driven Ca2+ pump. As a reversible transporter, it also mediates Ca2+ entry in parallel with various ion channels. The energy for net Ca2+ transport by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and its direction depend on the Na+, Ca2+, and K+ gradients across the PM, the membrane potential, and the transport stoichiometry. In most cells, three Na+ are exchanged for one Ca2+. In vertebrate photoreceptors, some neurons, and certain other cells, K+ is transported in the same direction as Ca2+, with a coupling ratio of four Na+ to one Ca2+ plus one K+. The exchanger kinetics are affected by nontransported Ca2+, Na+, protons, ATP, and diverse other modulators. Five genes that code for the exchangers have been identified in mammals: three in the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger family (NCX1, NCX2, and NCX3) and two in the Na+/Ca2+ plus K+ family (NCKX1 and NCKX2). Genes homologous to NCX1 have been identified in frog, squid, lobster, and Drosophila. In mammals, alternatively spliced variants of NCX1 have been identified; dominant expression of these variants is cell type specific, which suggests that the variations are involved in targeting and/or functional differences. In cardiac myocytes, and probably other cell types, the exchanger serves a housekeeping role by maintaining a low intracellular Ca2+ concentration; its possible role in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling is controversial. Cellular increases in Na+ concentration lead to increases in Ca2+ concentration mediated by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger; this is important in the therapeutic action of cardiotonic steroids like digitalis. Similarly, alterations of Na+ and Ca2+ apparently modulate basolateral K+ conductance in some epithelia, signaling in some special sense organs (e.g., photoreceptors and olfactory receptors) and Ca2+-dependent secretion in neurons and in many secretory cells. The juxtaposition of PM and sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum membranes may permit the PM Na+/Ca2+ exchanger to regulate sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores and influence cellular Ca2+ signaling.

Glial calcium: homeostasis and signaling function

Glial cells respond to various electrical, mechanical, and chemical stimuli, including neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and hormones, with an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). The increases exhibit a variety of temporal and spatial patterns. These [Ca2+]i responses result from the coordinated activity of a number of molecular cascades responsible for Ca2+ movement into or out of the cytoplasm either by way of the extracellular space or intracellular stores. Transplasmalemmal Ca2+ movements may be controlled by several types of voltage- and ligand-gated Ca(2+)-permeable channels as well as Ca2+ pumps and a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. In addition, glial cells express various metabotropic receptors coupled to intracellular Ca2+ stores through the intracellular messenger inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate. The interplay of different molecular cascades enables the development of agonist-specific patterns of Ca2+ responses. Such agonist specificity may provide a means for intracellular and intercellular information coding. Calcium signals can traverse gap junctions between glial cells without decrement. These waves can serve as a substrate for integration of glial activity. By controlling gap junction conductance, Ca2+ waves may define the limits of functional glial networks. Neuronal activity can trigger [Ca2+]i signals in apposed glial cells, and moreover, there is some evidence that glial [Ca2+]i waves can affect neurons. Glial Ca2+ signaling can be regarded as a form of glial excitability.

Anoxic and ischemic injury of myelinated axons in CNS white matter: from mechanistic concepts to therapeutics

White matter of the brain and spinal cord is susceptible to anoxia and ischemia. Irreversible injury to this tissue can have serious consequences for the overall function of the CNS through disruption of signal transmission. Myelinated axons of the CNS are critically dependent on a continuous supply of energy largely generated through oxidative phosphorylation. Anoxia and ischemia cause rapid energy depletion, failure of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, and accumulation of axoplasmic Na+ through noninactivating Na+ channels, with concentrations approaching 100 mmol/L after 60 minutes of anoxia. Coupled with severe K+ depletion that results in large membrane depolarization, high [Na+]i stimulates reverse Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange and axonal Ca2+ overload. A component of Ca2+ entry occurs directly through Na+ channels. The excessive accumulation of Ca2+ in turn activates various Ca(2+)-dependent enzymes, such as calpain, phospholipases, and protein kinase C, resulting in irreversible injury. The latter enzyme may be involved in "autoprotection," triggered by release of endogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid and adenosine, by modulation of certain elements responsible for deregulation of ion homeostasis. Glycolytic block, in contrast to anoxia alone, appears to preferentially mobilize internal Ca2+ stores; as control of internal Ca2+ pools is lost, excessive release from this compartment may itself contribute to axonal damage. Reoxygenation paradoxically accelerates injury in many axons, possibly as a result of severe mitochondrial Ca2+ overload leading to a secondary failure of respiration. Although glia are relatively resistant to anoxia, oligodendrocytes and the myelin sheath may be damaged by glutamate released by reverse Na(+)-glutamate transport. Use-dependent Na+ channel blockers, particularly charged compounds such as QX-314, are highly neuroprotective in vitro, but only agents that exist partially in a neutral form, such as mexiletine and tocainide, are effective after systemic administration, because charged species cannot penetrate the blood-brain barrier easily. These concepts may also apply to other white matter disorders, such as spinal cord injury or diffuse axonal injury in brain trauma. Moreover, whereas many events are unique to white matter injury, a number of steps are common to both gray and white matter anoxia and ischemia. Optimal protection of the CNS as a whole will therefore require combination therapy aimed at unique steps in gray and white matter regions, or intervention at common points in the injury cascades.

Glutamate-stimulated production of inositol phosphates is mediated by Ca2+ influx in oligodendrocyte progenitors

The effect of glutamate on the accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates was examined in oligodendrocyte progenitor cultures prepared from rat brains. Glutamate, and the analogues alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) and kainate, caused a concentration- and time-dependent increase in [3H]inositol trisphosphate (IP3) formation and the effect was blocked by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), a competitive AMPA and kainate receptor antagonist. Similarly, the more selective, noncompetitive antagonist of AMPA receptors, 1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine (GYKI 52466), significantly reduced the effect of both AMPA and kainate. In contrast, antagonists of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, (5R,10S)-(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclo-hepten-5, 10-imine (MK-801) and R(-)-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP), and antagonists of metabotropic receptors, L(+)-2-amino-3-phosphono-propanoic acid (L-AP3) and alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG), were ineffective. These results suggest that the effect of glutamate on [3H]IP3 accumulation is mediated through ionotropic AMPA receptors. Cyclothiazide, an inhibitor of AMPA receptor desensitization, strongly potentiated the AMPA and kainate-stimulated [3H]IP3 formation as well as the uptake of 45Ca2+ in line with the previous findings. 45Ca2+ uptake evoked by AMPA or kainate, in combination with cyclothiazide, was also prevented by both CNQX and GYKI 52466. Glutamate-stimulated [3H]IP3 accumulation was prevented by EGTA, suggesting a requirement for extracellular calcium. Pre-incubation with the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel blockers, diltiazem, nifedipine and CdCl2, partially prevented the glutamate-induced [3H]IP3 accumulation as well as 45Ca2+ uptake. Similarly, the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger blockers benzamil and 3,4-dichlorobenzamil reduced significantly kainate-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake. These data indicate that glutamate-induced [3H]IP3 accumulation is triggered by calcium influx via AMPA receptors, voltage-gated calcium channels and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger operating in reverse mode.

Calcium signalling in glial cells

Glial cells respond to a variety of external stimuli such as neurotransmitters, hormones or even mechanical stress by generating complex changes in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration. This Ca2+ signal is controlled by an interplay of different mechanisms including plasmalemmal and intracellular Ca2+ channels, Ca2+ transporters and cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffers. In astrocytes, the Ca2+ signal can travel as waves within the syncytium spreading via gap junctions which might be regarded as a possible means for interglial communication. Ca2+ signalling is also an important medium for neurone-glia interaction: neuronal activity can trigger Ca2+ signals in glial cells and, in turn, there is evidence that glial Ca2+ signals can elicit responses in neurones. While glial cells are not equipped with the proper channels to generate action potentials, Ca2+ signalling could be the instrument by which these cells integrate and propagate signals in the CNS.