Purinergic mediated changes in Ca2+ mobilization and functional responses in microglia: effects of low levels of ATP

Modulation of Microglial Function by ATP-Gated P2X7 Receptors: Studies in Rat, Mice and Human

P2X receptors are a family of seven ATP-gated ion channels that trigger physiological and pathophysiological responses in a variety of cells. Five of the family members are sensitive to low concentrations of extracellular ATP, while the P2X6 receptor has an unknown affinity. The last subtype, the P2X7 receptor, is unique in requiring millimolar concentrations to fully activate in humans. This low sensitivity imparts the agonist with the ability to act as a damage-associated molecular pattern that triggers the innate immune response in response to the elevated levels of extracellular ATP that accompany inflammation and tissue damage. In this review, we focus on microglia because they are the primary immune cells of the central nervous system, and they activate in response to ATP or its synthetic analog, BzATP. We start by introducing purinergic receptors and then briefly consider the roles that microglia play in neurodevelopment and disease by referencing both original works and relevant reviews. Next, we move to the role of extracellular ATP and P2X receptors in initiating and/or modulating innate immunity in the central nervous system. While most of the data that we review involve work on mice and rats, we highlight human studies of P2X7R whenever possible.

Nonpharmacological modulation of cortical spreading depolarization

AIMS

Cortical spreading depolarization (CSD) is a wave of pathologic neuronal dysfunction that spreads through cerebral gray matter, causing neurologic disturbance in migraine and promoting lesion development in acute brain injury. Pharmacologic interventions have been found to be effective in migraine with aura, but their efficacy in acutely injured brains may be limited. This necessitates the assessment of possible adjunctive treatments, such as nonpharmacologic methods. This review aims to summarize currently available nonpharmacological techniques for modulating CSDs, present their mechanisms of action, and provide insight and future directions for CSD treatment.

MAIN METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed, generating 22 articles across 3 decades. Relevant data is broken down according to method of treatment.

KEY FINDINGS

Both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions can mitigate the pathological impact of CSDs via shared molecular mechanisms, including modulating K⁺/Ca²⁺/Na⁺/Cl^- ion channels and NMDA, GABA_A, serotonin, and CGRP ligand-based receptors and decreasing microglial activation. Preclinical evidence suggests that nonpharmacologic interventions, including neuromodulation, physical exercise, therapeutic hypothermia, and lifestyle changes can also target unique mechanisms, such as increasing adrenergic tone and myelination and modulating membrane fluidity, which may lend broader modulatory effects. Collectively, these mechanisms increase the electrical initiation threshold, increase CSD latency, slow CSD velocity, and decrease CSD amplitude and duration.

SIGNIFICANCE

Given the harmful consequences of CSDs, limitations of current pharmacological interventions to inhibit CSDs in acutely injured brains, and translational potentials of nonpharmacologic interventions to modulate CSDs, further assessment of nonpharmacologic modalities and their mechanisms to mitigate CSD-related neurologic dysfunction is warranted.

Emerging roles of the P2X7 receptor in cancer pain

Cancer pain is the most prevalent symptom experienced by cancer patients. It substantially impacts a patient’s long-term physical and emotional health, making it a pressing issue that must be addressed. Purinergic receptor P2X7 (P2X7R) is a widely distributed and potent non-selective ATP-gated ion channel that regulates tumor proliferation, chronic pain, and the formation of inflammatory lesions in the central nervous system. P2X7R plays an essential role in cancer pain and complications related to cancer pain including depression and opioid tolerance. This review focuses on the structure and distribution of P2X7R, its role in diverse tissues in cancer pain, and the application of P2X7R antagonists in the treatment of cancer pain to propose new ideas for cancer pain management.

Role of Microglia and Astrocytes in Alzheimer’s Disease: From Neuroinflammation to Ca2+ Homeostasis Dysregulation

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia worldwide, with a complex, poorly understood pathogenesis. Cerebral atrophy, amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles represent the main pathological hallmarks of the AD brain. Recently, neuroinflammation has been recognized as a prominent feature of the AD brain and substantial evidence suggests that the inflammatory response modulates disease progression. Additionally, dysregulation of calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis represents another early factor involved in the AD pathogenesis, as intracellular Ca2+ concentration is essential to ensure proper cellular and neuronal functions. Although growing evidence supports the involvement of Ca2+ in the mechanisms of neurodegeneration-related inflammatory processes, scant data are available on its contribution in microglia and astrocytes functioning, both in health and throughout the AD continuum. Nevertheless, AD-related aberrant Ca2+ signalling in astrocytes and microglia is crucially involved in the mechanisms underpinning neuroinflammatory processes that, in turn, impact neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis and brain function. In this light, we attempted to provide an overview of the current understanding of the interactions between the glia cells-mediated inflammatory responses and the molecular mechanisms involved in Ca2+ homeostasis dysregulation in AD.

Synergistic photobiomodulation with 808-nm and 1064-nm lasers to reduce the β-amyloid neurotoxicity in the in vitro Alzheimer's disease models

BACKGROUND

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques is closely associated with the neuronal apoptosis and activation of microglia, which may result in the functional impairment of neurons through pro-inflammation and over-pruning of the neurons. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a non-invasive therapeutic approach without any conspicuous side effect, which has shown promising attributes in the treatment of chronic brain diseases such as AD by reducing the Aβ burden. However, neither the optimal parameters for PBM treatment nor its exact role in modulating the microglial functions/activities has been conclusively established yet.

METHODS

An inflammatory stimulation model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was set up by activating microglia and neuroblastoma with fibrosis β-amyloid (fAβ) in a transwell insert system. SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and BV2 microglial cells were irradiated with the 808- and 1,064-nm lasers, respectively (a power density of 50 mW/cm2 and a dose of 10 J/cm2) to study the PBM activity. The amount of labeled fAβ phagocytosed by microglia was considered to assess the microglial phagocytosis. A PBM-induced neuroprotective study was conducted with the AD model under different laser parameters to realize the optimal condition. Microglial phenotype, microglial secretions of the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, and the intracellular Ca2+ levels in microglia were studied in detail to understand the structural and functional changes occurring in the microglial cells of AD model upon PBM treatment.

CONCLUSION

A synergistic PBM effect (with the 808- and 1,064-nm lasers) effectively inhibited the fAβ-induced neurotoxicity of neuroblastoma by promoting the viability of neuroblastoma and regulating the intracellular Ca2+ levels of microglia. Moreover, the downregulation of Ca2+ led to microglial polarization with an M2 phenotype, which promotes the fAβ phagocytosis, and resulted in the upregulated expression of anti-inflammatory factors and downregulated expression of inflammatory factors.

Microglia Modulate Cortical Spreading Depolarizations After Ischemic Stroke: A Narrative Review

Cortical spreading depolarizations (CSDs) are characterized by waves of diminished electroencephalography activity that propagate across the cortex with subsequent loss of ionic homeostasis. CSDs have been found in many pathological conditions, including migraine, traumatic brain injury, and ischemic stroke. Because of CSD-associated ionic and metabolic disturbances at the peri-infarct area after ischemic stroke, it is thought that CSDs exacerbate tissue infarction and worsen clinical outcomes. Microglia, the main innate immune cells in the brain, are among the first responders to brain tissue damage. Recent studies demonstrated that microglia play a critical role in CSD initiation and propagation. In this article, we discuss the significance of CSD in the setting of ischemic stroke and how microglia may modulate peri-infarct CSDs, also known as iso-electric depolarizations. Finally, we discuss the significance of microglial Ca²⁺ and how it might be used as a potential therapeutic target for patients with ischemic stroke.

Gut-innervating TRPV1+ Neurons Drive Chronic Visceral Pain via Microglial P2Y12 Receptor

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Chronic abdominal pain is a common symptom of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Peripheral and central mechanisms contribute to the transition from acute to chronic pain during active disease and clinical remission. Lower mechanical threshold and hyperexcitability of visceral afferents induce gliosis in central pain circuits, leading to persistent visceral hypersensitivity (VHS). In the spinal cord, microglia, the immune sentinels of the central nervous system, undergo activation in multiple models of VHS. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of microglia activation to identify centrally acting analgesics for chronic IBD pain.

METHODS

Using Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD) expressed in transient receptor potential vanilloid member 1-expressing visceral neurons that sense colonic inflammation, we tested whether neuronal activity was indispensable to control microglia activation and VHS. We then investigated the neuron-microglia signaling system involved in visceral pain chronification.

RESULTS

We found that chemogenetic inhibition of transient receptor potential vanilloid member 1⁺ visceral afferents prevents microglial activation in the spinal cord and subsequent VHS in colitis mice. In contrast, chemogenetic activation, in the absence of colitis, enhanced microglial activation associated with VHS. We identified a purinergic signaling mechanism mediated by neuronal adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and microglial P2Y12 receptor, triggering VHS in colitis. Inhibition of P2RY12 prevented microglial reactivity and chronic VHS post-colitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these data provide novel insights into the central mechanisms of chronic visceral pain and suggest that targeting microglial P2RY12 signaling could be harnessed to relieve pain in patients with IBD who are in remission.

Kv1.3 inhibition attenuates neuroinflammation through disruption of microglial calcium signaling

In the last 5 years inhibitors of the potassium channel KV1.3 have been shown to reduce neuroinflammation in rodent models of ischemic stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain injury. At the systemic level these beneficial actions are mediated by a reduction in microglia activation and a suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine and nitric oxide production. However, the molecular mechanisms for the suppressive action of KV1.3 blockers on pro-inflammatory microglia functions was not known until our group recently demonstrated that KV1.3 channels not only regulate membrane potential, as would be expected of a voltage-gated potassium channel, but also play a crucial role in enabling microglia to resist depolarizations produced by the danger signal ATP thus regulating calcium influx through P2X4 receptors. We here review the role of KV1.3 in microglial signaling and show that, similarly to their role in T cells, KV1.3 channels also regulated store-operated calcium influx in microglia.

Structural diversity, bioactivities, and biosynthesis of natural diterpenoid alkaloids

Covering: 2009 to 2018. Diterpenoid alkaloids, originating from the amination of natural tetracyclic diterpenes, are a diverse class of compounds having complex structural features with many stereocenters. The important pharmacological activities and structural complexity of the diterpenoid alkaloids have long interested scientists due to their medicinal uses, infamous toxicity, and unique biosynthesis. Since 2009, 373 diterpenoid alkaloids, assigned to 46 skeletons, have been isolated and identified from plants mostly in the Ranunculaceae family. The names, classes, molecular weight, molecular formula, NMR data, and plant sources of these diterpene alkaloids are collated here. This review will be a detailed update of the naturally occurring diterpene alkaloids reported from the plant kingdom from 2009-2018, providing an in-depth discussion of their diversity, biological activities, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, application, evolution, and biosynthesis.

Nitric oxide displays a biphasic effect on calcium dynamics in microglia

Calcium is a critical secondary messenger in microglia. In response to inflammation, microglia mobilize intracellular calcium and increase the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which produces nitric oxide (NO). This study set to explore whether NO regulates intracellular calcium dynamics through transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in primary wildtype (WT) and iNOS knockout (iNOS-/-) microglia, and the BV2 microglial cell line using calcium imaging and voltage-clamp recordings. Our results demonstrated that application of the NO-donor SNAP induced a biphasic calcium response in naïve murine microglia. Specifically, phase I was characterized by a rapid decline in calcium influx that was attenuated by pretreatment of the store operated calcium channel (SOCC) inhibitor 2APB, while phase II presented as a slow calcium influx that was abolished by pretreatment with the TRP vanilloid type 2 (TRPV2) channel inhibitor tranilast. Importantly, in the presence of a protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor, the SNAP-mediated calcium decline in phase I persisted while the calcium influx in phase II was abolished. Application of thapsigargin to activate SOCCs caused a calcium influx through a nonselective cation conductance in BV2 microglia, which was abruptly attenuated by SNAP. Importantly, iNOS-/- microglia displayed a significantly larger calcium influx though SOCCs while expressing less stromal interaction molecule 1, Orai1, and TRP canonical type 1 and 3 mRNA, when compared to WT microglia. Together, these results demonstrate that NO signaling restricts calcium influx through SOCCs independent of PKG signaling and increases calcium influx through TRPV2 channels in a PKG-dependent mechanism in microglia.

Biophysical basis for Kv1.3 regulation of membrane potential changes induced by P2X4-mediated calcium entry in microglia

Microglia‐mediated inflammation exerts adverse effects in ischemic stroke and in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Expression of the voltage‐gated potassium channel Kv1.3 is required for microglia activation. Both genetic deletion and pharmacological inhibition of Kv1.3 are effective in reducing microglia activation and the associated inflammatory responses, as well as in improving neurological outcomes in animal models of AD and ischemic stroke. Here we sought to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Kv1.3 inhibition, which remain incompletely understood. Using a combination of whole‐cell voltage‐clamp electrophysiology and quantitative PCR (qPCR), we first characterized a stimulus‐dependent differential expression pattern for Kv1.3 and P2X4, a major ATP‐gated cationic channel, both in vitro and in vivo. We then demonstrated by whole‐cell current‐clamp experiments that Kv1.3 channels contribute not only to setting the resting membrane potential but also play an important role in counteracting excessive membrane potential changes evoked by depolarizing current injections. Similarly, the presence of Kv1.3 channels renders microglia more resistant to depolarization produced by ATP‐mediated P2X4 receptor activation. Inhibiting Kv1.3 channels with ShK‐223 completely nullified the ability of Kv1.3 to normalize membrane potential changes, resulting in excessive depolarization and reduced calcium transients through P2X4 receptors. Our report thus links Kv1.3 function to P2X4 receptor‐mediated signaling as one of the underlying mechanisms by which Kv1.3 blockade reduces microglia‐mediated inflammation. While we could confirm previously reported differences between males and females in microglial P2X4 expression, microglial Kv1.3 expression exhibited no gender differences in vitro or in vivo.

Main Points

The voltage‐gated K⁺ channel Kv1.3 regulates microglial membrane potential.

Inhibition of Kv1.3 depolarizes microglia and reduces calcium entry mediated by P2X4 receptors by dissipating the electrochemical driving force for calcium.

Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin: small pore, large consequences

The small β-pore-forming α-toxin, also termed α-hemolysin or Hla is considered to be an important virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus. Perforation of the plasma membrane (PM) by Hla leads to uncontrolled flux of ions and water. Already a small number of toxin pores seems to be sufficient to induce complex cellular responses, many of which depend on the efflux of potassium. In this article, we discuss the implications of secondary membrane lesions, for example, by endogenous channels, for Hla-mediated toxicity, for calcium-influx and membrane repair. Activation of purinergic receptors has been proposed to be a major contributor to the lytic effects of various pore forming proteins, but new findings raise doubts that this holds true for Hla. However, the recently discovered cellular pore forming proteins gasdermin D and Mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL) which perforate the PM from the cytosolic side might contribute to both calcium-influx-dependent damage and membrane repair. Activation of endogenous pore forming proteins by Hla above a threshold concentration could explain the apparent dependence of pore characteristics on toxin concentrations. If secondary membrane damage in the aftermath of Hla-attack contributes significantly to overall PM permeability, it might be an interesting target for new therapeutic approaches.

Microglia in Alzheimer Disease: Well-Known Targets and New Opportunities

Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system. They play key roles in brain development, and physiology during life and aging. Equipped with a variety of molecular sensors and through the various functions they can fulfill, they are critically involved in maintaining the brain’s homeostasis. In Alzheimer disease (AD), microglia reaction was initially thought to be incidental and triggered by amyloid deposits and dystrophic neurites. However, recent genome-wide association studies have established that the majority of AD risk loci are found in or near genes that are highly and sometimes uniquely expressed in microglia. This leads to the concept of microglia being critically involved in the early steps of the disease and identified them as important potential therapeutic targets. Whether microglia reaction is beneficial, detrimental or both to AD progression is still unclear and the subject of intense debate. In this review, we are presenting a state-of-knowledge report intended to highlight the variety of microglial functions and pathways shown to be critically involved in AD progression. We first address both the acquisition of new functions and the alteration of their homeostatic roles by reactive microglia. Second, we propose a summary of new important parameters currently emerging in the field that need to be considered to identify relevant microglial targets. Finally, we discuss the many obstacles in designing efficient therapeutic strategies for AD and present innovative technologies that may foster our understanding of microglia roles in the pathology. Ultimately, this work aims to fly over various microglial functions to make a general and reliable report of the current knowledge regarding microglia’s involvement in AD and of the new research opportunities in the field.

Maxi-anion channels play a key role in glutamate-induced ATP release from mouse astrocytes in primary culture

Astrocytes are an abundant source of ATP, which might be released from the cytosol into extracellular spaces under various conditions and even affect cell fate under some circumstances. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the pathway(s) contributing toward glutamate-induced ATP release from mouse astrocytes. Firstly, our study of cultured astrocytes showed marked ATP release in response to stimuli of glutamate at different concentrations (0.1-1 mM), with an interesting bimodal distribution in time course. Inhibitors or blockers of potential pathways for ATP release such as exocytotic vesicular release, gap junction hemichannels, P2X7 receptors, and volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying chloride channels had no significant effects on the observed ATP release. In contrast, glutamate-induced ATP release from astrocytes was significantly inhibited by gadolinium (50 µM), an inhibitor of a maxi-anion channel; meanwhile, the application of gadolinium can allay glutamate-induced cell injury significantly. Thus, we propose that the maxi-anion channel might play an important role in glutamate-induced ATP release from mouse astrocytes and inhibition of maxi-anion channel activities to reduce ATP release can produce protective effects in the case of glutamate stimuli.

Spontaneous Ca2+ transients in mouse microglia

Microglia are the resident immune cells in the central nervous system and many of their physiological functions are known to be linked to intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) signaling. Here we show that isolated and purified mouse microglia-either freshly or cultured-display spontaneous and transient Ca²⁺ elevations lasting for around ten to twenty seconds and occurring at frequencies of around five to ten events per hour and cell. The events were absent after depletion of internal Ca²⁺ stores, by phospholipase C (PLC) inhibition or blockade of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP₃Rs), but not by removal of extracellular Ca²⁺, indicating that Ca²⁺ is released from endoplasmic reticulum intracellular stores. We furthermore provide evidence that autocrine ATP release and subsequent activation of purinergic P2Y receptors is not the trigger for these events. Spontaneous Ca²⁺ transients did also occur after stimulation with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and in glioma-associated microglia, but their kinetics differed from control conditions. We hypothesize that spontaneous Ca²⁺ transients reflect aspects of cellular homeostasis that are linked to regular and patho-physiological functions of microglia.

The L-type voltage-gated calcium channel modulates microglial pro-inflammatory activity

Under pathological conditions, microglia, the resident CNS immune cells, become reactive and release pro-inflammatory cytokines and neurotoxic factors. We investigated whether this phenotypic switch includes changes in the expression of the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) in a rat model of N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration. Double immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy evidenced that activated microglia express the L-type VGCC. We then analyzed whether BV2 microglia express functional L-type VGCC, and investigated the latter's role in microglial cytokine release and phagocytic capacity. Activated BV2 microglia express the CaV1.2 and CaV1.3 subunits of the L-type VGCC determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Depolarization with KCl induced a Ca2+ entry facilitated by Bay k8644 and partially blocked with nifedipine, which also reduced TNF-α and NO release by 40%. However, no nifedipine effect on BV2 microglia viability or phagocytic capacity was observed. Our results suggest that in CNS inflammatory processes, the L-type VGCC plays a specific role in the control of microglial secretory activity.

Constitutive and functional expression of runt-related transcription factor-2 by microglial cells

Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2) is the master regulator of osteoblastogenesis with an ability to promote differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into the osteoblastic lineage. We have previously shown constitutive and functional expression of Runx2 by astroglial cells. In this study, we investigated the possible expression of Runx2 by both murine microglia and microglial cell line BV-2 cells. Runx2 expression was seen in cultured microglia and BV-2 cells, while sustained exposure to 1mM ATP led to a significant but transient increase in mRNA and corresponding protein expression of Runx2 within 24 h. The increase in Runx2 expression was invariably prevented by several chemicals with antagonistic properties for P2X7 purinergic receptor, calmodulin and calcineurin in BV-2 cells, with a P2X7 receptor agonist more than quadrupling Runx2 expression. A significant increase in Runx2 expression was seen in osteoclastic cells, but not in osteoblastic or chondrocytic cells, when exposed to a high concentration of ATP. In BV2-cells with control siRNA, a significant decrease was found in the number of cells with at least one process within 3 h after the exposure to 1mM ATP, followed by an increase up to 24 h. However, Runx2 siRNA significantly deteriorated the property to induce delayed process extension during 6-24 h after exposure to ATP along with drastically decreased Runx2 protein levels. These results suggest that Runx2 is constitutively and functionally expressed by microglial cells with responsiveness to ATP for upregulation in the murine brain.

Calcium ion influx in microglial cells: physiological and therapeutic significance

Microglial cells, the immunocompetent cells of the central nervous system (CNS), exhibit a resting phenotype under healthy conditions. In response to injury, however, they transform into an activated state, which is a hallmark feature of many CNS diseases. Factors or agents released from the neurons, blood vessels, and/or astrocytes could activate these cells, leading to their functional and structural modifications. Microglial cells are well equipped to sense environmental changes within the brain under both physiological and pathological conditions. Entry of calcium ions (Ca(2+)) plays a critical role in the process of microglial transformation; several channels and receptors have been identified on the surface of microglial cells. These include store-operated channel, Orai1, and its sensor protein, stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), in microglial cells, and their functions are modulated under pathological stimulations. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and voltage- and ligand-gated channels (ionotropic and metabotropic receptors) are also responsible for Ca(2+) influx into the microglial cells. An elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration subsequently regulates microglial cell functions by activating a diverse array of Ca(2+)-sensitive signaling cascades. Perturbed Ca(2+) homeostasis contributes to the progression of a number of CNS disorders. Thus, regulation of Ca(2+) entry into microglial cells could be a pharmacological target for several CNS-related pathological conditions. This Review addresses the recent insights into microglial cell Ca(2+) influx mechanisms, their roles in the regulation of functions, and alterations of Ca(2+) entry in specific CNS disorders.

Purinergic responses of calcium-dependent signaling pathways in cultured adult human astrocytes

Background

The properties of Ca²⁺ signaling mediated by purinergic receptors are intrinsically linked with functional activity of astrocytes. At present little is known concerning Ca²⁺-dependent purinergic responses in adult human astrocytes. This work has examined effects of purinergic stimulation to alter levels of intracellular Ca²⁺ in adult human astrocytes. Ca²⁺-sensitive spectrofluorometry was carried out to determine mobilization of intracellular Ca²⁺ following adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or 3′-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl-ATP (Bz-ATP) stimulation of adult human astrocytes. In some experiments pharmacological modulation of Ca²⁺ pathways was applied to help elucidate mechanisms of Ca²⁺ signaling. RT-PCR was also performed to confirm human astrocyte expression of specific purinoceptors which were indicated from imaging studies.

Results

The endogenous P2 receptor agonist ATP (at 100 μM or 1 mM) applied in physiological saline solution (PSS) evoked a rapid increase of [Ca²⁺]_i to a peak amplitude with the decay phase of response exhibiting two components. The two phases of decay consisted of an initial rapid component which was followed by a secondary slower component. In the presence of Ca²⁺-free solution, the secondary phase of decay was absent indicating this prolonged component was due to influx of Ca²⁺. This prolonged phase of decay was also attenuated with the store-operated channel (SOC) inhibitor gadolinium (at 2 μM) added to standard PSS, suggesting this component was mediated by SOC activation. These results are consistent with ATP activation of P2Y receptor (P2YR) in adult human astrocytes leading to respective rapid [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization from intracellular stores followed by Ca²⁺ entry through SOC. An agonist for P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), BzATP induced a very different response compared with ATP whereby BzATP (at 300 μM) elicited a slowly rising increase in [Ca²⁺]_i to a plateau level which was sustained in duration. The BzATP-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i was not enhanced with lipopolysaccharide pre-treatment of cells as previously found for P2X7R mediated response in human microglia. RT-PCR analysis showed that adult human astrocytes in vitro constitutively express mRNA for P2Y1R, P2Y2R and P2X7R.

Conclusion

These results suggest that activation of metabotropic P2YR (P2Y1R and/or P2Y2R) and ionotropic P2X7R could mediate purinergic responses in adult human astrocytes.

Bullatine A, a diterpenoid alkaloid of the genus Aconitum, could attenuate ATP-induced BV-2 microglia death/apoptosis via P2X receptor pathways

Bullatine A (BLA), a diterpenoid alkaloid of the genus Aconitum, possesses anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. The mechanism underlying the effects was examined in the present study. The effect of BLA on extracellular ATP induced cell death/apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokines release were investigated using BV-2 microglia cell line. The mediation/efficacy of inflammatory cytokines and P2X receptors was evaluated by detecting the mRNA levels of iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β and P2X receptors, respectively. The results demonstrated that BV-2 cells could be damaged after incubation with higher dose of ATP, leading to activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, transcriptional activation of iNOS and overproduction of NO via activation of P2X receptor. The BLA (1-50μM) potently inhibits ATP-induced BV-2 cell death/apoptosis and P2X receptor-mediated inflammatory responses via selectively suppressing the up-regulation of P2X7 receptor mRNA. Since P2X7 receptors have an important role in immune and pain response, inflammation and inflammatory disease, this discovery of BLA as a potent P2X7 antagonist indicated that BLA may be a potential useful candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as arthritis.

ATP is required and advances cytokine-induced gap junction formation in microglia in vitro

Microglia are the immune cells in the central nervous system. After injury microglia release bioactive molecules, including cytokines and ATP, which modify the functional state of hemichannels (HCs) and gap junction channels (GJCs), affecting the intercellular communication via extracellular and intracellular compartments, respectively. Here, we studied the role of extracellular ATP and several cytokines as modulators of the functional state of microglial HCs and GJCs using dye uptake and dye coupling techniques, respectively. In microglia and the microglia cell line EOC20, ATP advanced the TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced dye coupling, probably through the induction of IL-1β release. Moreover, TNF-α/IFN-γ, but not TNF-α plus ATP, increased dye uptake in EOC20 cells. Blockade of Cx43 and Panx1 HCs prevented dye coupling induced by TNF-α/IFN-γ, but not TNF-α plus ATP. In addition, IL-6 prevented the induction of dye coupling and HC activity induced by TNF-α/IFN-γ in EOC20 cells. Our data support the notion that extracellular ATP affects the cellular communication between microglia through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, which might affect the timing of immune response under neuroinflammatory conditions.

Selective activation of KCa3.1 and CRAC channels by P2Y2 receptors promotes Ca(2+) signaling, store refilling and migration of rat microglial cells

Microglial activation involves Ca(2+) signaling, and numerous receptors can evoke elevation of intracellular Ca(2+). ATP released from damaged brain cells can activate ionotropic and metabotropic purinergic receptors, and act as a chemoattractant for microglia. Metabotropic P2Y receptors evoke a Ca(2+) rise through release from intracellular Ca(2+) stores and store-operated Ca(2+) entry, and some have been implicated in microglial migration. This Ca(2+) rise is expected to activate small-conductance Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) (SK) channels, if present. We previously found that SK3 (KCa2.3) and KCa3.1 (SK4/IK1) are expressed in rat microglia and contribute to LPS-mediated activation and neurotoxicity. However, neither current has been studied by elevating Ca(2+) during whole-cell recordings. We hypothesized that, rather than responding only to Ca(2+), each channel type might be coupled to different receptor-mediated pathways. Here, our objective was to determine whether the channels are differentially activated by P2Y receptors, and, if so, whether they play differing roles. We used primary rat microglia and a rat microglial cell line (MLS-9) in which riluzole robustly activates both SK3 and KCa3.1 currents. Using electrophysiological, Ca(2+) imaging and pharmacological approaches, we show selective functional coupling of KCa3.1 to UTP-mediated P2Y2 receptor activation. KCa3.1 current is activated by Ca(2+) entry through Ca(2+)-release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC/Orai1) channels, and both CRAC/Orai1 and KCa3.1 channels facilitate refilling of Ca(2+) stores. The Ca(2+) dependence of KCa3.1 channel activation was skewed to abnormally high concentrations, and we present evidence for a close physical association of the two channel types. Finally, migration of primary rat microglia was stimulated by UTP and inhibited by blocking either KCa3.1 or CRAC/Orai1 channels. This is the first report of selective coupling of one type of SK channel to purinergic stimulation of microglia, transactivation of KCa3.1 channels by CRAC/Orai1, and coordinated roles for both channels in store refilling, Ca(2+) signaling and microglial migration.

Microglial calcium signaling in the adult, aged and diseased brain

Microglial cells are the resident immune cells of the CNS. They mediate innate immune response of the brain to injury, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Apart from their role in disease they are critically involved in the development and plasticity-driven reorganization of neuronal networks and the homeostatic maintenance of brain tissue. Accumulating in vitro evidence suggests that executive functions of microglia are coupled to the intracellular Ca(2+) signaling of these cells. So far, however, very little is known about microglial Ca(2+) signaling in situ or in vivo, both in the healthy and in the diseased brain. Here, we summarize the recent in vivo/in situ findings and compare the properties of surveillant microglia in these preparations with those of microglia in vitro. The data suggest that surveillant microglia rarely show spontaneous Ca(2+) transients, express fewer functional receptors directly coupled to changes in the intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration on their surface, but vividly respond with Ca(2+) transients to cell or tissue damage in their microenvironment. Interestingly, some of these properties microglia share with monocytes engrafting in the brain under pathological conditions.

Expression of ATP receptors in the rat dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord

Extracellular purine nucleotides and nucleosides play important roles in the nervous system, e.g., neurotransmission, neuromodulation, chemoattraction and acute inflammation. Extracellular nucleotides act through ATP receptors (P2 receptors). P2 receptors are classified into two families: the P2X receptors are ionotropic ligand-gated ion channels and the P2Y receptors are metabotropic G-protein-coupled receptors. Currently, seven P2X receptors (P2X1-7) and eight P2Y receptors (P2Y1, P2Y2, P2Y4, P2Y6, P2Y11, P2Y12, P2Y13 and P2Y14) are recognized. In the sensory nervous system, ATP is suggested to be one of first mediators of tissue damage, which activates primary afferents. Nerve injury often leads to neuropathic pain, such as mechanical allodynia and painful responses to normally innocuous stimuli. Peripheral nerve injury induces the upregulation of molecules in activated microglia in the spinal cord. Microglia in the spinal cord may play an important role in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. A prominent signaling pathway in the development of neuropathic pain involves ATP acting on microglial purinergic receptors. This review focuses on the expression of P2X and P2Y receptors mRNAs in the pain transmission pathway, i.e., in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord. Furthermore, we suggest that the multiple microglial P2Y receptors activated by peripheral nerve injury may play a key role in the development of neuropathic pain.

Multiple P2Y subtypes in spinal microglia are involved in neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury

A prominent signaling pathway in the development of neuropathic pain involves ATP acting on microglial purinergic receptors. Among the P2Y metabotropic receptors, we reported before that the P2Y12 receptor is upregulated in microglia following nerve injury and involved in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and in the development of pain behavior. In this study, we examined the expression of P2Y6, P2Y13, and P2Y14 receptors in the spinal cord and whether these receptors are involved in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury. We found that spared nerve injury induced a dramatic increase of not only P2Y12, but also P2Y6, 13, and 14 receptor mRNA expression in spinal microglia. The increase continued for at least 2 weeks after injury. To determine whether p38 MAPK can induce the expression of P2Y receptors, we administered intrathecally the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and found that it significantly suppressed P2Y6, P2Y13, and P2Y14 but not P2Y12 mRNAs. Intrathecal injection of the specific P2Y6 antagonist MRS2578, specific P2Y13 antagonist MRS2211 or P2Y14 antisense LNA, attenuated mechanical pain hypersensitivity. The mixture of three antagonists for P2Y6, 12, and 13 showed a longer suppressive effect on pain behavior than the individual treatments. Our data demonstrate that ATP and other nucleotides may stimulate activated microglia with the upregulation of P2Y6, P2Y12, P2Y13, and P2Y14 receptors following nerve injury and these receptors are involved in the development of neuropathic pain.

Neuroprotective roles of the P2Y(2) receptor

Purinergic signaling plays a unique role in the brain by integrating neuronal and glial cellular circuits. The metabotropic P1 adenosine receptors and P2Y nucleotide receptors and ionotropic P2X receptors control numerous physiological functions of neuronal and glial cells and have been implicated in a wide variety of neuropathologies. Emerging research suggests that purinergic receptor interactions between cells of the central nervous system (CNS) have relevance in the prevention and attenuation of neurodegenerative diseases resulting from chronic inflammation. CNS responses to chronic inflammation are largely dependent on interactions between different cell types (i.e., neurons and glia) and activation of signaling molecules including P2X and P2Y receptors. Whereas numerous P2 receptors contribute to functions of the CNS, the P2Y(2) receptor is believed to play an important role in neuroprotection under inflammatory conditions. While acute inflammation is necessary for tissue repair due to injury, chronic inflammation contributes to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and occurs when glial cells undergo prolonged activation resulting in extended release of proinflammatory cytokines and nucleotides. This review describes cell-specific and tissue-integrated functions of P2 receptors in the CNS with an emphasis on P2Y(2) receptor signaling pathways in neurons, glia, and endothelium and their role in neuroprotection.

Imaging microcircuit function in healthy and diseased brain

Neural microcircuits are the computational units of the mammalian brain. Recent evidence suggests that they are not composed exclusively of neurons but also involve other cell types such as astrocytes and microglia. In the healthy brain microglia, the resident immune cell, closely interacts with synapses and is likely to be involved in their structural plasticity. The interaction between the nervous and the immune systems is even more prominent under pathological conditions such as brain injury, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. This review discusses the techniques for high resolution imaging of microcircuit function in health and disease by focusing on some of the most recent advances in the field of in vivo calcium imaging of neurons, astrocytes and microglia.

Mechanisms of Mg2+ inhibition of BzATP-dependent Ca2+ responses in THP-1 monocytes

We have recently reported effects of Mg2+ to confer neuroprotection against toxicity of purinergic stimulated microglia and THP-1 monocytes. To examine mechanisms underlying neuroprotection, we have studied Mg2+ modulation of transient changes in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in THP-1 cells induced by P2X7R agonist 2',3'-[benzoyl-4-benzoyl]-ATP (BzATP). Application of BzATP caused a rapid transient increase in [Ca2+]i followed by a prolonged component. The time course of the secondary slower phase was significantly reduced with Ca2+-free extracellular solution, with treatment of THP-1 cells by the P2X7R antagonist, oxATP or with exposure of cells to the store-operated channel (SOC) inhibitor, SKF96365. These results suggest that Ca2+ influx, mediated by both the P2X7R or by SOC, contribute to the slow component of [Ca2+]i. Treatment of THP-1 cells with 10 mMMg2+ was highly effective in reducing the time course of BzATP-induced Ca2+ decay; unlike the other modulatory protocols, Mg2+ markedly inhibited the amplitudes of slow and rapid components. In addition, acute application of Mg2+ during BzATP-induced responses elicited in the presence of either oxATP or SKF96365 to block respective P2X7R and SOC contributions, rapidly attenuated [Ca2+]i to baseline levels. Priming of cells with the inflammatory stimulus LPS/IFN-γ markedly enhanced the slower, but not rapid, phase of BzATP-induced [Ca2+]i with application of 10 mMMg2+ inhibiting both components of response. A model is proposed to account for BzATP stimulation of both ionotropic P2XR and metabotropic P2YR which provides a mechanistic basis for elevated Mg2+ anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions in inflamed brain.

A comparison of in vitro properties of resting SOD1 transgenic microglia reveals evidence of reduced neuroprotective function

Background

Overexpression of mutant copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) in rodents has provided useful models for studying the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Microglia have been shown to contribute to ALS disease progression in these models, although the mechanism of this contribution remains to be elucidated. Here, we present the first evidence of the effects of overexpression of mutant (TG G93A) and wild type (TG WT) human SOD1 transgenes on a set of functional properties of microglia relevant to ALS progression, including expression of integrin β-1, spreading and migration, phagocytosis of apoptotic neuronal cell debris, and intracellular calcium changes in response to an inflammatory stimulus.

Results

TG SOD1 G93A but not TG SOD1 WT microglia had lower expression levels of the cell adhesion molecule subunit integrin β-1 than their NTG control cells [NTG (G93A) and NTG (WT), respectively, 92.8 ± 2.8% on TG G93A, 92.0 ± 6.6% on TG WT, 100.0 ± 1.6% on NTG (G93A), and 100.0 ± 2.7% on NTG (WT) cells], resulting in decreased spreading ability, with no effect on ability to migrate. Both TG G93A and TG WT microglia had reduced capacity to phagocytose apoptotic neuronal cell debris (13.0 ± 1.3% for TG G93A, 16.5 ± 1.9% for TG WT, 28.6 ± 1.8% for NTG (G93A), and 26.9 ± 2.8% for NTG (WT) cells). Extracellular stimulation of microglia with ATP resulted in smaller increase in intracellular free calcium in TG G93A and TG WT microglia relative to NTG controls (0.28 ± 0.02 μM for TG G93A, 0.24 ± 0.03 μM for TG WT, 0.39 ± 0.03 μM for NTG (G93A), and 0.37 ± 0.05 μM for NTG (WT) microglia).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that, under resting conditions, microglia from mutant SOD1 transgenic mice have a reduced capacity to elicit physiological responses following tissue disturbances and that higher levels of stimulatory signals, and/or prolonged stimulation may be necessary to initiate these responses. Overall, resting mutant SOD1-overexpressing microglia may have reduced capacity to function as sensors of disturbed tissue/cellular homeostasis in the CNS and thus have reduced neuroprotective function.

Induction of the P2X7 receptor in spinal microglia in a neuropathic pain model

Peripheral nerve injury causes a progressive series of morphological changes in spinal microglia, and extracellular ATP stimulates proliferation of microglia and may be involved in neuropathic pain. We defined the precise expression of P2X7 in the spinal cord following peripheral nerve injury. We found that both P2X7 mRNA and protein increased in the spinal cord, with a peak at 7d after injury. Double labeling studies revealed that cells expressing increased P2X7 mRNA and protein after nerve injury were predominantly microglia in dorsal horn. Pharmacological blockades by intrathecal administration of a P2X7 antagonist (A 438079 hydrochloride) suppressed the development of mechanical hypersensitivity. We present distinct evidence that increases in the number of P2X7 receptors in spinal microglia may play an important role in neuropathic pain.

Physiology of microglia

Microglial cells are the resident macrophages in the central nervous system. These cells of mesodermal/mesenchymal origin migrate into all regions of the central nervous system, disseminate through the brain parenchyma, and acquire a specific ramified morphological phenotype termed "resting microglia." Recent studies indicate that even in the normal brain, microglia have highly motile processes by which they scan their territorial domains. By a large number of signaling pathways they can communicate with macroglial cells and neurons and with cells of the immune system. Likewise, microglial cells express receptors classically described for brain-specific communication such as neurotransmitter receptors and those first discovered as immune cell-specific such as for cytokines. Microglial cells are considered the most susceptible sensors of brain pathology. Upon any detection of signs for brain lesions or nervous system dysfunction, microglial cells undergo a complex, multistage activation process that converts them into the "activated microglial cell." This cell form has the capacity to release a large number of substances that can act detrimental or beneficial for the surrounding cells. Activated microglial cells can migrate to the site of injury, proliferate, and phagocytose cells and cellular compartments.

Calcium dependence of purinergic subtype P2Y₁ receptor modulation of C6 glioma cell migration

We have examined activation of purinergic P2Y₁ receptor-dependent Ca²⁺-signaling pathways in mediating C6 glioma cell migration. The administration of 2-methylthioadenosine 5'-diphosphate (2MeSADP), a selective agonist for P2Y₁R, induced marked increases in patterns of glioma migration in both scratch wound and Boyden chamber assays. Antagonism of P2Y₁R with either the broad spectrum purinergic blocker, pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonate (PPADS) or the specific P2Y₁R antagonist, 2'-deoxy-N⁶-methyladenosine-3',5'-bisphosphate (MRS2179), significantly inhibited C6 cell migration. Calcium-sensitive spectrofluorometry showed 2MeSADP stimulation of glioma cells caused a biphasic change in intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]i). The rapid transient phase was unchanged in Ca²⁺-free solution reflecting a [Ca²⁺]i component due to intracellular stores release subsequent to activation of a metabotropic P2Y subtype receptor. The secondary prolonged phase of [Ca²⁺]i was abolished in Ca²⁺-free solution or in glioma cells treated with the store-operated channel (SOC) blocker, SKF96365. Treatment of glioma with either MRS2179 or PPADS significantly attenuated both the rapid and prolonged phases of [Ca²⁺]i. These results suggest critical roles for activation of P2Y₁R in mediating glioma cell mobility and migration with changes in [Ca²⁺]i contributing as a mechanistic link between activated receptor and functional response. Our findings suggest that pharmacological modulation of metabotropic P2Y₁R-dependent signaling pathways may serve as a novel therapeutic procedure to slow glioma progression.

Glycine enhances microglial intracellular calcium signaling. A role for sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporters

The inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine is known to enhance microglial nitric oxide production. However, up to now, the mechanism is undocumented. Since calcium is an important second messenger in both immune and glial cells, we studied the effects of glycine on intracellular calcium signaling. We found that millimolar concentrations of glycine enhance microglial intracellular calcium transients induced by 100 μM ATP or by 500 nM thapsigargin. This modulation was unaffected by the glycine receptor antagonist strychnine and could not be mimicked by glycine receptor agonists such as taurine or β-alanine, indicating glycine receptor independency. The modulation of calcium responses could be mimicked by several structurally related amino acids (e.g., serine, alanine, or glutamine) and was inhibited in the presence of the neutral amino acid transporter substrate α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB). We correlated these findings to immunofluorescence glycine uptake experiments which showed a clear glycine uptake which was inhibited by AIB. Furthermore, all amino acids that were shown to modulate calcium responses also evoked AIB-sensitive inward currents, mainly carried by sodium, as demonstrated by patch clamp experiments. Based on these findings, we propose that sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporters are responsible for the observed glycine modulation of intracellular calcium responses.

Microglial calcium signal acts as a rapid sensor of single neuron damage in vivo

In the healthy adult brain microglia, the main immune-competent cells of the CNS, have a distinct (so-called resting or surveying) phenotype. Resting microglia can only be studied in vivo since any isolation of brain tissue inevitably triggers microglial activation. Here we used in vivo two-photon imaging to obtain a first insight into Ca(2+) signaling in resting cortical microglia. The majority (80%) of microglial cells showed no spontaneous Ca(2+) transients at rest and in conditions of strong neuronal activity. However, they reliably responded with large, generalized Ca(2+) transients to damage of an individual neuron. These damage-induced responses had a short latency (0.4-4s) and were localized to the immediate vicinity of the damaged neuron (< 50 μm cell body-to-cell body distance). They were occluded by the application of ATPγS as well as UDP and 2-MeSADP, the agonists of metabotropic P2Y receptors, and they required Ca(2+) release from the intracellular Ca(2+) stores. Thus, our in vivo data suggest that microglial Ca(2+) signals occur mostly under pathological conditions and identify a Ca(2+) store-operated signal, which represents a very sensitive, rapid, and highly localized response of microglial cells to brain damage. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 11th European Symposium on Calcium.

Activation of microglia by neuronal activity: results from a new in vitro paradigm based on neuronal-silicon interfacing technology

Cognition and behavior primarily arise from the communication that occurs between brain cells. By using photoconductive stimulation to trigger localized regions of neuronal action potentials and astrocyte Ca(2+) waves in dissociated rat hippocampal cultures, we can directly study microglia behavior in response to physiological and pathological levels of activity. Connections between neurons can be modified by microglia, which regulate gap junctions and synapses through secretion of proteins such as cytokines, proteases and neurotrophic factors. Activated microglia participate in bidirectional communication with the excitable tissues that they support. Through feedback from the many ion channels and surface receptors they express, microglia are informed of neuronal and astrocytic activity that may indicate disruption in the homeostasis of the CNS. Such disturbances alert microglia to locations of such activity and promote their transformation into a reactive state, in which they perform adaptive functions that can be either neuroprotective, neurotoxic, or neuromodulatory. Under physiological conditions, normal brain activity has the effect of suppressing microglia inflammatory responses. This report summarizes available data about the interaction of microglia and brain activity and presents a new in vitro paradigm to study the mechanisms involved. We propose that photoconductive stimulation is a powerful tool for studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the dynamic interactions between neurons, astrocytes and microglia.

ATP stimulates chemokine production via a store-operated calcium entry pathway in C6 glioma cells

Background

Glioma present as one of the most challenging cancers to treat, however, understanding of tumor cell biology is not well understood. Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) could serve as a critical signaling molecule regulating tumor development. This study has examined pharmacological modulation of calcium (Ca²⁺) entry through store-operated channels (SOC) on cellular expression and production of immune-cell mobilizing chemokines in ATP-stimulated C6 glioma cells.

Methods

Calcium spectrofluorometry was carried out to measure mobilization of intracellular Ca²⁺ [Ca²⁺]i following ATP stimulation of rat C6 glioma cells. Pretreatment with two inhibitors of SOC, SKF96365 or gadolinium, was used to examine for effects on [Ca²⁺]i. RT-PCR was performed to determine effects of purinergic stimulation on C6 cell expression of metabotropic P2Y receptors (P2YR) and the chemokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). ELISA was carried out to measure production of MCP-1 and IL-8 with ATP stimulation of glioma cells.

Results

Application of ATP (at 100 μM) to C6 glioma induced an increase in [Ca²⁺]i with the response exhibiting two components of decay. In the presence of the SOC inhibitors, SKF96365 or gadolinium, or with Ca²⁺-free solution, ATP responses lacked a slow phase suggesting the secondary component was due to SOC-mediated influx of Ca²⁺. RT-PCR confirmed expression of purinergic P2Y-subtype receptors in C6 cells which would serve as a precursor to activation of SOC. In addition, ATP-stimulated C6 cells showed enhanced expression of the chemokines, MCP-1 and IL-8, with SKF96365 or gadolinium effective in reducing chemokine expression. Gadolinium treatment of ATP-stimulated C6 cells was also found to inhibit the production of MCP-1 and IL-8.

Conclusion

These results suggest ATP-induced Ca²⁺ entry, mediated by activation of SOC in C6 glioma, as a mechanism leading to increased cellular expression and release of chemokines. Elevated levels of MCP-1 and IL-8 are predicted to enhance the mobility of tumor cells and promote recruitment of microglia into developing tumors thereby supporting tumor growth.

Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease: a target for neuroprotection?

Parkinson's disease is characterised by a slow and progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Despite intensive research, the cause of the neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease is poorly understood. Neuroinflammatory mechanisms might contribute to the cascade of events leading to neuronal degeneration. In this Review, we describe the evidence for neuroinflammatory processes from post-mortem and in vivo studies in Parkinson's disease. We further identify the cellular and molecular events associated with neuroinflammation that are involved in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in animal models of the disease. Overall, available data support the importance of non-cell-autonomous pathological mechanisms in Parkinson's disease, which are mostly mediated by activated glial and peripheral immune cells. This cellular response to neurodegeneration triggers deleterious events (eg, oxidative stress and cytokine-receptor-mediated apoptosis), which might eventually lead to dopaminergic cell death and hence disease progression. Finally, we highlight possible therapeutic strategies (including immunomodulatory drugs and therapeutic immunisation) aimed at downregulating these inflammatory processes that might be important to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Block of purinergic P2X(7) receptor is neuroprotective in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease

Pharmacological antagonism of the ionotropic purinergic P2X7R has been studied for effects on inflammatory reactivity and neuronal viability in amyloid-beta1-42-injected rat hippocampus. Amyloid-beta1-42-injected brains (7-day postinjection) demonstrated marked increases in P2X7R expression, gliosis, leakiness of blood-brain barrier and loss of hippocampal neurons. The P2X7R antagonist, brilliant blue G reduced levels of purinergic receptor expression, attenuated gliosis, diminished leakiness of blood-brain barrier and was neuroprotective in peptide-injected brain. Brilliant blue G also demonstrated neuroprotection and antagonism against inflammatory responses induced by the P2X7R agonist, 2',3'-(benzoyl-4-benzoyl)-ATP. The findings constitute the first report that pharmacological inhibition of P2X7R, possibly by acting to inhibit inflammatory reactivity, confers neuroprotection in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease brain.

Activation of P2X7 receptors induces CCL3 production in microglial cells through transcription factor NFAT

Microglia are implicated as a source of diverse proinflammatory factors in the CNS. Extracellular nucleotides are well known to be potent activators of glial cells and trigger the release of cytokines from microglia through purinergic receptors. However, little is known about the role of purinoceptors in microglial chemokine release. In this study, we found that high concentrations of ATP evoked release of CC-chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3)/macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha from MG-5 cells, a mouse microglial cell line, and rapid up-regulation of CCL3 mRNA was elicited within 30 min of ATP stimulation. The release of CCL3 was also stimulated by 2'- and 3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl) ATP, an agonist of P2X(7) receptors. Brilliant Blue G, an antagonist of P2X(7) receptors, strongly inhibited this ATP-induced CCL3 release. Similar pharmacological profile was observed in primary microglia. In MG-5 cells, ATP caused de-phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). ATP-induced NFAT de-phosphorylation was also dependent on P2X(7) receptor activation. Furthermore, ATP-induced CCL3 release and production were prevented by a selective inhibitor of NFAT. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate an involvement of NFAT in the mechanism underlying P2X(7) receptor-mediated CCL3 release.

Variation in the purinergic P2RX(7) receptor gene and schizophrenia

INTRODUCTION

The purinergic receptor gene P2RX(7) is located in a major linkage hotspot for schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, 12q21-33. It has previously been associated with bipolar disorder but has never been analysed in relation to schizophrenia, although it is involved in several neuronal processes associated with schizophrenia.

METHODS

Nine functionally characterised variants in P2RX(7) were genotyped in 389 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, each matched on sex, birth-year and month with two healthy controls.

RESULTS

We did not find association between P2RX(7) and schizophrenia and stratification on gender did not change this result. The high ethnic and diagnostic homogeneity of the sample adds credibility to this finding.

CONCLUSION

P2XR(7) was not associated with schizophrenia in this study.

VEGF receptor antagonist Cyclo-VEGI reduces inflammatory reactivity and vascular leakiness and is neuroprotective against acute excitotoxic striatal insult

BACKGROUND

Excitotoxic brain insult is associated with extensive neuronal damage but could also cause inflammatory reactivity and vascular remodeling. The effects of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, Cyclo-VEGI on expression of VEGF, microgliosis and astrogliosis, blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and neuronal viability have been studied following intra-striatal injection of the excitotoxin, quinolinic acid (QUIN). The purpose of this study was to examine VEGF-dependent inflammatory responses in excitotoxin-injected brain and their dependence on pharmacological antagonism of VEGF receptors.

METHODS

Single and double immunofluorescence staining of cellular (microglia, astrocyte, neuron) responses and dye and protein infiltration of blood-brain barrier have been applied in the absence, and presence, of pharmacological modulation using a VEGF receptor antagonist, Cyclo-VEGI. Dunn-Bonferroni statistical analysis was used to measure for significance between animal groups.

RESULTS

Detailed analysis, at a single time point of 1 d post-QUIN injection, showed excitotoxin-injected striatum to exhibit marked increases in microgliosis (ED1 marker), astrogliosis (GFAP marker) and VEGF expression, compared with PBS injection. Single and double immunostaining demonstrated significant effects of Cyclo-VEGI treatment of QUIN-injected striatum to inhibit microgliosis (by 38%), ED1/VEGF (by 42%) and VEGF striatal immunoreactivity (by 43%); astrogliosis and GFAP/VEGF were not significantly altered with Cyclo-VEGI treatment. Leakiness of BBB was indicated by infiltration of Evans blue dye and plasma protein fibrinogen into QUIN-injected striatum with barrier permeability restored by 62% (Evans blue permeability) and 49% (fibrinogen permeability) with Cyclo-VEGI application. QUIN-induced toxicity was demonstrated with loss of striatal neurons (NeuN marker) and increased neuronal damage (Fluoro-Jade marker) with significant neuroprotection conferred by Cyclo-VEGI treatment (33% increase in NeuN and 38% decrease in Fluoro-Jade).

CONCLUSION

An antagonist for VEGF receptor-mediated signaling, Cyclo-VEGI, has shown efficacy in a broad spectrum of activity against striatal excitotoxic insult including inhibition of microgliosis, reduction in leakiness of BBB and parenchymal infiltration of plasma fibrinogen and in conferring significant protection for striatal neurons. Antagonism of VEGF-mediated activity, possibly targeting VEGF receptors on reactive microglia, is suggested as a neuroprotective mechanism against inflammatory reactivity and a novel strategy to attenuate acute excitotoxic damage.

Differential regulation of trophic and proinflammatory microglial effectors is dependent on severity of neuronal injury

Microglial activation has been reported to promote neurotoxicity and also neuroprotective effects. A possible contributor to this dichotomy of responses may be the degree to which proximal neurons are injured. The aim of this study was to determine whether varying the severity of neuronal injury influenced whether microglia were neuroprotective or neurotoxic. We exposed cortical neuronal cultures to varying degrees of hypoxia thereby generating mild (<20% death, 30 min hypoxia), moderate (40-60% death, 2 h hypoxia), or severe (>70% death, 6 h hypoxia) injuries. Twenty-four hours after hypoxia, the media from the neuronal cultures was collected and incubated with primary microglial cultures for 24 h. Results showed that the classic microglial proinflammatory mediators including inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-1-beta were upregulated only in response to mild neuronal injuries, while the trophic microglial effectors brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor were upregulated in response to all degrees of neuronal injury. Microglia stimulated with media from damaged neurons were co-cultured with hypoxic neurons. Microglia stimulated by moderate, but not mild or severe damage were neuroprotective in these co-cultures. We also showed that the severity-dependent phenomenon was not related to autocrine microglial signaling and was dependent on the neurotransmitters released by neurons after injury, namely glutamate and adenosine 5'-triphosphate. Together our results show that severity of neuronal injury is an important factor in determining microglial release of "toxic" versus "protective" effectors and the resulting neurotoxicity versus neuroprotection.