Cerebellar astroglial cells in primary culture: expression of different morphological appearances and different ability to take up [3H]D-aspartate and [3H]GABA

The phagocytes of neonate rat primary mixed glial cultures

The phagocytes present in mechanically dissociated neonate rat cerebral hemispheres have been cultured and characterized both qualitatively and quantitatively. They comprise about 10% of the starting cell suspension and persist but do not proliferate in culture. They do not possess neuronal or neuroglial antigens but do express the leukocyte common antigen and readily ingest both latex beads and opsonized erythrocytes. the latter by an Fc receptor-mediated process. Evidence is presented that these cells are a bona fida component of the neonate central nervous system.

Activation of P2X(7) receptors induced [(3)H]GABA release from the RBA-2 type-2 astrocyte cell line through a Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-)-dependent mechanism

ATP is an important signaling molecule in the nervous system and it's signaling is mediated through the metabotropic P2Y and ionotropic P2X receptors. ATP is known to stimulate Ca(2+) influx and phospholipase D (PLD) activity in the type-2 astrocyte cell line, RBA-2; in this study, we show that the release of preloaded [(3)H]GABA from RBA-2 cells is mediated through the P2X(7) receptors. ATP and the ATP analogue 3'-O-(4-benoylbenoyl)-adenosine-5'-triphosphate (BzATP) both stimulated [(3)H]GABA release in a concentration dependent manner, while the nonselective P2 receptor antagonist pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS), the P2X(7)-sensitive antagonist oxidized ATP (oATP), and high extracellular Mg(2+) all inhibited the ATP-stimulated [(3)H]GABA release. The ATP-stimulated [(3)H]GABA release was not affected neither by removing extracellular Na(+) nor by changes in the intracellular or extracellular Ca(2+) concentration. The GABA transporter inhibitors nipecotic acid and beta-alanine also had no effect. The ATP-stimulated [(3)H]GABA release was blocked, however, when media Cl(-) was replaced with gluconate and when extracellular HCO(3)(-) was removed. The Cl(-) channel/exchanger blockers 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2',2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and 4-acetamido-4'- isothiocyanatostilbene-2',2'-disulfonic acids (SITS), but not diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (DPC) and furosemide, blocked the ATP-stimulated [(3)H]GABA release. The anionic selectivity of the process was F(-) > Cl(-) > Br(-) which is the same as that reported for volume-sensitive Cl(-) conductance. Treating cells with phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), forskolin, dibutyryl-cAMP, PD98059, neomycin, and D609 all inhibited the ATP-stimulated [(3)H]GABA release. We concluded that in RBA-2 cells, ATP stimulates [(3)H]GABA release through the P2X(7) receptors via a Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-)-dependent mechanism that is regulated by PKC, PKA, MEK/ERK, and PLD.

Expression and regulation of the LIM-class homeobox gene rlim-1 in neuronal progenitors of the rat cerebellum

To investigate LIM gene function in the rat cerebellar system, we analyzed expression and regulation of the rat homologue of frog Xlim-1 (rlim-1) in vivo and in cultured cells. In developing cerebellum, peak levels of rlim-1 mRNA at postnatal day 8 (p8) are coincident with the peak period of granule cell proliferation. Analysis of rlim-1 protein with a specific antibody showed that expression was also maximal at p8. In situ hybridization showed that at p8 rlim-1 mRNA was expressed in Purkinje and granule cells. Both the proliferative and the premigratory granule cells in the external germinal zone displayed high levels of rlim-1 mRNA expression. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that at p8 rlim-1 protein was also present in proliferative and premigratory granule cells. In adult cerebellum (p30), rlim-1 mRNA and protein expression in granule cells was strongly attenuated. The down-regulation of rlim-1 mRNA occurred in granule cells just after the time of final division, coinciding with the onset of their migration. rlim-1 protein was detected in migratory granule neurons. The developmental decrease in rlim-1 mRNA and protein found in vivo was reproduced in pure cerebellar granule cell cultures. In these cultures, granule neurons were postmitotic 1 day after plating but still displayed high levels of rlim-1 protein expression up to 3 days in vitro. Our findings indicate that 1) rlim-1 is likely to act in concert with other genes to specify granule cell fate, 2) rlim-1 expression in granule neurons is regulated autonomously, and 3) rlim-1 protein may also play an important role in granule neuron differentiation and survival. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Cell ashing for trace element analysis: A new approach based on ultraviolet/ozone

We studied a new approach to cell ashing based on illuminating the specimens with a low-pressure mercury discharge lamp. We analyzed with synchrotron spectromicroscopy its effects on different physiological elements in neurobiological specimens. Our results demonstrate that carbon is removed, whereas phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and sulfur are retained and their relative concentrations are enhanced. Applied to trace elements, this technique will enhance their practical detectability.

The effect of ashing on cells: spectromicroscopy of physiological elements

We analyzed the effects of cold oxygen plasma ashing of neurobiological specimens on different elements with synchrotron spectromicroscopy. Our results demonstrate that while carbon is almost completely removed, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sulfur, and, to some extent, nitrogen are retained and their relative concentration is enhanced.

In vitro properties of a newly established medulloblastoma cell line, MCD-1

Medulloblastomas are poorly differentiated brain tumors believed to arise from primitive pleuripotential stem cells, and tend to express mixed neuronal and glial properties. In the present study, we examined immunohistochemical and neurotransmitter phenotypic properties in a newly established medulloblastoma cell line, MCD-1. MCD-1 cells were immortal, not contact-inhibited, but did not grow in soft agar. Immunohistochemical studies showed positive staining for neurofilament protein (NF), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), synaptophysin, MAP 2, tau, NCAM 180, vimentin, and S-100 protein. The cells expressed specific uptake of glutamate, serotonin, and choline, but not GABA or dopamine. A significant increase in process extension was seen in response to agents that enhance intracellular cyclic AMP, especially 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). Process formation induced by IBMX was associated with a decrease in cell proliferation as evidenced by a reduction in numbers of cells incorporating 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU). No increase in process extension was observed following exposure to NGF or retinoic acid. MCD-1 cells were shown to produce transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), and were immunopositive for mutant p53. Transfection assays with the PG13-Luc reporter plasmid, which contains a p53-responsive enhancer element and a luciferase reporter gene, suggested MCD-1 cells are deficient in wild-type p53 and do not activate p53 on treatment with the anticancer agent adriamycin. The MCD-1 cell line is suggested to represent an abnormally differentiated cell type, which has some properties consistent with a multipotent neuronal phenotype while retaining some properties of immature cells of a glial lineage. The MCD-1 cell line can be used to provide a model of a medulloblastoma cell line that is resistant to growth-controlling and anticancer agents.

A glutamate-sensitizing activity in conditioned media derived from rat cerebellar granule cells

When cerebellar granule cells that had been cultured in vitro for 8 days were subjected to a cytotoxic glutamate pulse (100 microM, 30 min incubation), the response varied according to cell density and the volume of medium in which cells were grown. Thus, lowering the cell density by a factor of 4 compared with usual conditions (2.6 x 10(5) cells/cm2) or increasing the volume by an identical 4-fold factor reduced cell death from 90-95% to 20-30%. Addition of a conditioned medium derived from high-density to low-density cultures or to high-volume cultures markedly increased the sensitivity of the cells to glutamate. This glutamate-sensitizing activity, which accelerated by several days the onset of the response of cerebellar cultures to glutamate, was inhibited by actinomycin D and was not detectable in conditioned medium derived from confluent cultures of cerebellar astroglia, or from cell lines such as PC12, GT1-7, 3T3 and CHP 100. Glutamate-sensitizing activity was not mimicked by trilodo-L-thyronine, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), truncated IGF-I, GPE [a tripeptide (gly-pro-glu) derived from IGF-I], brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), basic fibroblast growth factor or tumour necrosis factor-alpha. However, IGF-I added to cultures of granule cells plated at high density and grown in basal medium Eagle's without serum or any other constituent of chemically defined media was capable of supporting production of glutamate-sensitizing activity to an extent similar to that shown by whole fetal calf serum. Under the same conditions triiodo-L-thyronine and BDNF did not support the production of glutamate-sensitizing activity. Glutamate-sensitizing activity was not mimicked by glutamate, NMDA, glycine or lactate, and was not inhibited by glucose, haemoglobin or N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. At variance with the response of granule cells, the response to glutamate of GABAergic cells present in the same culture was not affected by cell density or by glutamate-sensitizing activity.

The extraneuronal transporter for monoamine transmitters exists in cells derived from human central nervous system glia

From studies on sympathetically innervated peripheral tissues it is well known that both neuronal and non-neuronal transport systems contribute to the inactivation of released monoamine transmitters. The close proximity between synapses and glia cell processes in the CNS leads to the so far unresolved question whether non-neuronal transporters are involved in the inactivation of centrally released monamine transmitters such as noradrenaline, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) is a prototypical substrate of the extraneuronal monoamine transporter (uptake2). [3H]MPP+ was found to accumulate in various human glioma cell lines. [3H]MPP+ transport was characterized in more detail in HTZ146 human glioma cells. The Ki values of various compounds for the inhibition of initial rates of [3H]MPP+ transport into HTZ146 cells were closely correlated with known Ki values for the inhibition of the extraneuronal monoamine transporter (P < 0.01, r = 0.991, n = 7). The rank order of inhibitory potencies was decynium 22 > corticosterone > cyanine 863 > O-methylisoprenaline > quinine > clonidine > quinidine. [3H]MPP+ accumulation was investigated not only in various CNS tumour cell lines but also in primary cultures of human astrocytes and rat cerebral cortex slices. In all tested experimental systems, accumulation was sensitive to cyanine-related inhibitors of the extraneuronal monamine transporter. These findings suggest that the extraneuronal monamine transporter exists in glia cells. Furthermore, it was shown that MPP+ is able to make use of the extraneuronal monoamine transporter not only to enter but also to leave glia cells. This finding suggests that the extraneuronal monoamine transporter may play a key role in the mechanism of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) neurotoxicity.

High expression of noradrenaline, choline acetyltransferase and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the epileptic focus consecutive to GABA withdrawal. An immunocytochemical study

Interruption of a chronic GABA infusion into the rat somatosensory cortex induces the appearance of focal epileptic manifestations, known as the 'GABA withdrawal syndrome' (GWS). The aim of the present study was to determine, by immunocytochemistry, if neurotransmitters other than GABA are involved in GWS, namely: noradrenaline (NA), serotonin, choline acetyltransferase (CAT), cholecystokinin, neuropeptide Y, somatostatin and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP). Immunocytochemical data were compared in three animal groups: GABA-, saline- and L-aspartate (L-Asp)-infused rats. Only GABA-infused rats presented epileptic manifestations after interruption of the infusion. Saline- and L-Asp-infused rats served as controls. Observations were limited to the region surrounding the cortical infusion site. GABA-infused rats showed in the zone of the epileptic focus a number of cell bodies strongly immunoreactive to NA antibodies much larger than control rats. In addition, NA-immunoreactive fibers formed a dense plexus and some of them were observed around perikarya. In saline- and L-Asp-infused rats, the NA-immunolabelled fibers were sparse and NA immunolabelling was rarely observed in cell bodies. These results contrast to those obtained for the serotonergic system, where no significant difference was observed among the three groups of rats. CAT immunolabelling was observed in cell bodies, but not in nerve terminals in rats of the three groups. The number of CAT-immunoreactive cell bodies was much greater in GABA-infused rats than in the control animals. GFAP immunolabelling showed an important number of astrocytes throughout the cortex of the GABA-infused hemisphere, whereas, astrocytic reaction was limited to the infusion site in controls. Immunocytochemical data concerning peptides revealed cortical neuronal elements labelled similarly in the three groups of rats. Noradrenergic, cholinergic and glial modifications observed mainly in GABA-infused rats can result from lesion and from a specific action of GABA in chronic infusion. These modifications may contribute to the epileptogenesis of GWS, as recently demonstrated by electrophysiological recordings that show a modulating action of NA on firing activity of neurons involved in the epileptic focus.

Substance P receptors on O-2A progenitor cells and type-2 astrocytes in vitro

Bradykinin- and substance P (SP)-stimulated second messenger studies in isolated subsets of neuroglia showed bradykinin-stimulated synthesis of phosphoinositides (PI) in type-1 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. SP-stimulated PI accumulation was restricted to oligodendrocyte/type-2 astrocyte progenitor cells and type-2 astrocytes. These data were confirmed by analysis of calcium transients in single cells. In a regional study, SP-stimulated PI accumulation in primary astrocyte cultures was restricted to white matter. We conclude that regional heterogeneity in the expression of peptide receptors in cultures of primary astrocytes arises from a restricted distribution on subsets of macroglia. SP receptors restricted on cells of the oligodendrocyte/type-2 astrocyte type-2 lineage in vitro, coupled with in vivo observations by others, suggests that SP receptor expression is conserved on subsets of macroglia in vitro and possibly reactive astrocytes in vivo.

Neurotoxicity of HIV coat protein gp120, NMDA receptors, and protein kinase C: a study with rat cerebellar granule cell cultures

The neuronal loss observed in AIDS patients may be partly due to the neurotoxicity of HIV coat protein gp120, whose mechanism of action has been suggested to involve an interaction with voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and NMDA receptors (Lipton, Trends Neurosci 15:75-79, 1992). In the present investigation we analyzed the acute neurotoxicity of gp120 on a purified neuronal population (rat cerebellar granule cell cultures) amply used for studies on glutamate toxicity. Cultures of 7-8 days were exposed for 15 min to a buffered Locke's solution containing the substances under study, washed, and cultured for another 24 hr in their original medium. The cells were stained with the nuclear dyes propidium iodide (for dead cells) and Hoechst 33258 (for total cells) and counted. Average cell death in controls was 8%. gp120 (1 pM-10 nM) caused an increase of cell death of about 80%. The effect was totally antagonized by NMDA antagonists (1 mM APV and 10 microM MK-801), by 1 microM nifedipine, and by anti-gp120 antibodies. At a concentration of 100 microM glutamate caused an average 130% increase of cell death, which was totally antagonized by APV. The effect of gp120 or glutamate did not appear to be mediated by the secretion of neurotoxins by nonneuronal cells present in a low proportion in the cultures nor to be due to the inactivation of (or competition with) neurotrophic factors present in the medium. The simultaneous administration of gp120 and glutamate (in various combinations of concentrations) had an effect that was less than additive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasticity of astroglial glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake in cell cultures derived from postnatal mouse cerebellum

The plasticity of astroglial glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptakes was investigated using mouse cerebellar cell cultures. The influence of external factors, such as different sera and/or the presence of neurons, was examined. Control autoradiography experiments showed that after short-term exposure to radioactive amino acids, granule cells took up neither glutamate nor GABA, and beta-alanine predominantly inhibited astroglial GABA uptake. Astroglial uptake was quantified by measuring the radioactivity taken up by the cells in the culture and relating this measurement to the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells present. Glutamate uptake was investigated in astroglial cultures and subcultures and in neuronal-astroglial cultures derived from postnatal day 4 mouse cerebella. In the absence of neurons, glutamate uptake increased during the first 9 days after plating and then leveled off. At 14 days in vitro in horse serum, which favors the differentiation of fibrous-like astrocytes, glutamate uptake related to astrocyte number was twice as high as in fetal calf serum. In the presence of cerebellar neurons, this rate was even higher. The specificity of the responsiveness of astrocytes to neurons with respect to glutamate uptake was investigated by comparing GABA uptake in the different culture conditions. Neurons also increased the rate of GABA uptake by astrocytes. Another component of the astroglial plasma membrane, the density of beta-adrenergic receptors, was, however, not markedly affected by the presence of neurons. Hence, these results showed that in astrocytes plated from postnatal day 4 mouse cerebella, the level of neurotransmitter uptake can be regulated in vitro by factors present in sera and by cerebellar neurons in the culture. However, this plasticity declined during development because astrocytes plated from postnatal day 8 cerebella and cultured under identical conditions were less active in glutamate uptake and were insensitive to the presence of horse serum. The latter observation suggested that the metabolic plasticity of astrocytes is restricted to a period defined early in cerebellar development and is no longer evident by postnatal day 8.

Functional expression and CNS distribution of a beta-alanine-sensitive neuronal GABA transporter

The synaptic action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is terminated by high affinity, Na(+)-dependent transport processes in both neurons and glia. We have isolated a novel GABA transporter cDNA, GAT-B, which encodes a high affinity (Km = 2.3 microM), Na(+)- and Cl(-)-dependent GABA transport protein that is potently blocked by beta-alanine, a compound generally considered a selective inhibitor of glial transport. However, in situ hybridization studies indicate that GAT-B mRNA is expressed predominantly within neurons. These data indicate that the neuronal-glial distinction of GABA transporters based on inhibitor sensitivities must be reconsidered and suggest a greater diversity of GABA transporters than has been predicted by previous pharmacologic studies.

Single type-2 astrocytes show multiple independent sites of Ca2+ signaling in response to histamine

Intracellular Ca2+ plays an important role in signal transduction as a second messenger. In various types of cells, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced elevations of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) have been reported to be uniform in single cells or originate at discrete sites from which they then propagate throughout the cells. These observations so far imply that a single cell functions as a minimal unit for inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ signaling. In this study, we examined the effects of histamine on [Ca2+]i of type-2 astrocytes using fura-2-based digital imaging fluorescence microscopy and found an unusual type of Ca2+ signaling in these cells. Histamine induced [Ca2+]i elevation in type-2 astrocytes by means of histamine H1 receptors. Submaximal concentrations of histamine (10(-7)-10(-6) M) evoked multiple sites of oscillatory [Ca2+]i elevation in single type-2 astrocytes. These Ca2+ "hot spots" were localized in the processes of the astrocytes but not in the cell bodies. The time courses of [Ca2+]i oscillations in different hot spots were not synchronized, indicating that each of them formed an independent compartment of Ca2+ signaling. When higher concentrations (10(-5)-10(-4) M) of histamine were added, [Ca2+]i in the processes remained elevated at high levels and [Ca2+]i elevations propagated from the processes to the cell bodies. These results suggest that individual processes of type-2 astrocytes can form minimal units for Ca2+ signaling in response to submaximal concentrations of histamine and that single type-2 astrocytes may function as multiple units for Ca2+ signaling.

Activation of glutamate receptors and glutamate uptake in identified macroglial cells in rat cerebellar cultures

1. Patch-clamp methods have been used to examine the action of excitatory amino acids on three types of glial cell in cultures of rat cerebellum, namely type-1-like astrocytes, type-2 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. In addition we have examined glutamate sensitivity of the precursor cell (the O-2A progenitor) that gives rise to type-2 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. 2. Glutamate (30 microM), quisqualate (3-100 microM), (S)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA, 10-30 microM) and kainate (10-500 microM) were applied to cerebellar type-2 astrocytes examined under whole-cell voltage clamp. Each of these agonists induced inward currents in cells held at negative membrane potentials. The currents reversed direction near 0 mV holding potential. N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, 30-100 microM) or aspartate (30 microM) in the presence of glycine (1 microM) did not evoke any whole-cell current changes in type-2 astrocytes. 3. The distribution of glutamate receptors in type-2 astrocytes was mapped with single- or double-barrelled ionophoretic pipettes containing quisqualate or kainate. Application of these agonists (current pulses 100 ms, 50-100 nA) to cells held at -60 mV evoked inward currents of 20-120 pA in the cell soma and 10-80 pA in the processes. Responses could also be obtained at the extremities of processes (approximately 60 microns from the soma). 4. Quisqualate or kainate (at 30 microM) applied to O-2A progenitor cells from rat cerebellum or optic nerve induced whole-cell currents (quisqualate 20-30 pA; kainate 20-50 pA, holding potential, Vh = -60 mV) that reversed near 0 mV. In common with type-2 astrocytes, the progenitor cells did not respond to NMDA (30 microM). 5. Type-1-like astrocytes produced large inward currents to glutamate (30 microM). These currents remained inward-going at holding potentials as positive as +80 mV and were not accompanied by any apparent noise increase. This result can be explained by the presence of an electrogenic glutamate uptake carrier. In cells kept up to 4 days in vitro, quisqualate, kainate and NMDA each failed to produce any whole-cell current changes, indicating the absence of receptors in type-1-like astrocytes at this stage in culture. Furthermore the glutamate uptake currents in type-1-like astrocytes were inhibited when external Na+ was replaced by Li+, although Li+ was found to pass through the glutamate channel in type-2 astrocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Beta-adrenergic receptor regulation, through cyclic AMP, of nerve growth factor expression in rat cortical and cerebellar astrocytes

1. Type 1 astrocytes prepared from 3-day rat cortex and cerebellum express the 1.3-kb nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA and synthesize and release beta-NGF. 2. Isoproterenol (IP), a beta-adrenergic agonist, stimulates NGF mRNA content in cortical astrocytes; this increase is blocked by the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol but not the alpha-antagonist phenoxybenzamine. The EC50 for the effect of IP is 5 nM. 3. IP increases astrocyte cyclic AMP as does forskolin, which directly activates adenylate cyclase and also increases NGF mRNA content. Cerebellar astrocytes contain about one-third as much NGF mRNA, which can also be increased by forskolin and cyclic AMP. 4. These results suggest that CNS astrocytes can serve as a source of NGF and that the NGF gene is one of the class of cyclic AMP regulated genes.

Establishment of a permanent rat brain-derived glial cell line as a source of purified oligodendrocyte-type 2 astrocyte lineage cell populations

A permanent glial cell line (L3) has been established from mixed glial cultures obtained from neonatal rat forebrain by repetitive passaging and selection of the process-bearing cells growing on top of a flat cell monolayer. Continuous propagation of the process-bearing cells was supported by the flat cells, of presumed astroglial origin, which were present in negligible amounts following each passage but then grew and formed a basal, feeder layer. Throughout a culture period of over 2 years, the L3 cells have maintained a stable morphological and antigenic phenotype. In serum-containing culture medium, most of the process-bearing cells expressed at the same time features of immature oligodendrocytes (O4 positivity) and of astrocytes [glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positivity]. A smaller proportion of them was labeled by the monoclonal antibody LB1. LB1+ or O4+ cells were rarely GFAP-, and GFAP+ cells were rarely LB1- or O4-. GalC+ oligodendrocytes were seen only occasionally, but the proportion of these cells increased up to 30% upon culturing in chemically defined medium containing 0.5% fetal calf serum. The L3 process-bearing cells accumulated the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), expressed the proteoglycan chondroitin sulfate, and responded to the mitogenic action of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). All these properties are characteristic of cells belonging to the O-2A (oligodendrocyte-type 2 astrocyte) cell lineage. The L3 flat cells were largely negative for the glial markers tested, but resembled type 1 astrocytes in their ability to support the growth of O-2A lineage cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sodium dependency of GABA uptake into glial cells in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia

The kinetics of sodium dependency of GABA uptake by satellite glial cells was studied in bullfrog sympathetic ganglia. GABA uptake followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics at all sodium concentrations tested. Increasing external sodium concentration increased both Km and Vmax for GABA uptake, with an increase in the Vmax/Km ratio. The initial rate of uptake as a function of the sodium concentration exhibited sigmoid shape at 100 microM GABA. Hill number was estimated to be 2.0. Removal of external potassium ion or 10 microM ouabain reduced GABA uptake time-dependently. The effect of ouabain was potentiated by 100 microM veratrine. These results suggest that at least two sodium ions are involved with the transport of one GABA molecule and that sodium concentration gradient across the plasma membrane is the main driving force for the transport of GABA. The essential sodium gradient may be maintained by Na+, K(+)-ATPase acting as an ion pump.

Pituitary astrocytes from the neural lobe of rats. A tissue culture and immunohistochemical study

Tissue culture preparations of adult and neonatal rat pituitary neural lobes were examined by use of cell-type specific immunohistochemical markers. Cultures obtained from explanted or dissociated adult tissue or explanted neonatal tissue produced cells immunoreactive for endothelial and fibroblast markers. In contrast, dissociated neonatal tissue produced, in addition, two distinct forms of astrocytic glial cells immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein, one of which was also immunoreactive for the ganglioside GD3.

Extracellular matrix of cultured glial cells: selective expression of chondroitin 4-sulfate by type-2 astrocytes and their progenitors

We have studied the extracellular matrix composition of cultured glial cells by immunocytochemistry with different monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Double immunofluorescence experiments and metabolic labeling with [3H]glucosamine performed in different types of cerebellar and cortical cultures showed that bipotential progenitors for type-2 astrocytes and for oligodendrocytes (recognized by the monoclonal antibody LB1 at early stages of their development) synthesize chondroitin sulfate (CS) and deposit this proteoglycan in their extracellular matrix. The distribution of the various [3H]glucosamine-labeled glycosaminoglycans between the intracellular and the extracellular space was different. CS was present both within the cells and in the culture medium, although in different amounts. Bi-potential progenitors became also O4-positive during their development in vitro. At the stage of O4-positivity they were still stained with antibodies against CS. However, when the progenitor cells were maintained in serum-free medium and differentiated into Gal-C-positive oligodendrocytes, they became CS-negative. In the presence of fetal calf serum in the culture medium, the bipotential progenitors differentiated into GFAP-positive type-2 astrocytes. These cells still expressed CS: their Golgi area and their surface were stained with anti-CS antibodies. Staining with monoclonal antibodies specific for different types of CS (4-sulfate, 6-sulfate, and unsulfated) revealed that both bipotential progenitors and type-2 astrocytes synthesized only chondroitin 4-sulfate. Type-1 astrocytes were negative for both the polyclonal and the monoclonal anti-CS antibodies. Finally, type-2 astrocytes and their progenitors were weakly stained with anti-laminin antibodies and unstained with anti-fibronectin. Type-1 astrocytes were positive for both anti-laminin and anti-fibronectin antibodies and appeared to secrete fibronectin in the extracellular space.

Proliferation-related responses in rat astrocytes to epidermal growth factor

The signals which regulate the proliferation of astrocytes have relevance to both normal developmental processes and abnormal states of gliosis or glial tumor formation. We have extended studies of astrocyte proliferation and related responses in primary cultures of rat telencephalic cortical astrocytes as a result of treatment with epidermal growth factor. Epidermal growth factor stimulates the rate of DNA synthesis five fold and maintains the rate of protein synthesis. The stimulation occurs at a dose of 2 ng/ml and is greater in higher density cultures than in lower density cultures, perhaps representing a relative starvation for the growth factor. The astrocyte response is still present even after being cultured 3 1/2 weeks in serum-free and non-growth factor or hormone-supplemented media. Combined immunofluorescence and thymidine autoradiography disclose that glial fibrillary acidic protein containing cells are the cells synthesizing DNA in response to the growth factor, and combined rhodamine and fluorescein-linked stains disclose that epidermal growth factor is in the glial fibrillary acidic protein containing cells. Proliferation-related 2-deoxyglucose uptake is stimulated at approximately the same dose as DNA synthesis is stimulated, but the time course is relatively slow, maximizing at 48 hr. Ornithine decarboxylase is stimulated in 6 hr indicating more rapid nuclear stimulation by the signal. In conclusion, epidermal growth factor has a clear direct interaction with glial fibrillary acidic protein-containing cells which is greater in higher density cultures, is still present in long-quiescent cells, and includes DNA synthesis, cell cycle progression, hexose uptake, and polyamine synthesis.

Comparative marker analysis of the ependymocytes of the subcommissural organ in four different mammalian species

The subcommissural organ (SCO), classified as one of the circumventricular organs, is composed mainly of modified ependymal cells, attributable to a glial lineage. Nevertheless, in the rat, these cells do not possess glial markers such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), protein S100, or the enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS). They receive a synaptic 5-HT input and show pharmacological properties for uptake of GABA resembling the uptake mechanism of neurons. In this study, we examine the phenotype of several mammalian SCO (cat, mouse, rabbit) and compare them with the corresponding features of the rat SCO. In all these species, the SCO ependymocytes possess vimentin as an intermediate filament, but never express GFAP or neurofilament proteins. They do not contain GS as do glial cells involved in GABA metabolism, and when they contain protein S100 (rabbit, mouse), its rate is low in comparison to classical glial or ependymal cells. Thus, these ependymocytes display characteristics that differentiate them from other types of glial cells (astrocytes, epithelial ependymocytes and tanycytes). Striking interspecies differences in the capacity of SCO-ependymocytes for uptake of GABA might be related to their innervation and suggest a species-dependent plasticity in their function.

Expression of excitatory amino acid receptors by cerebellar cells of the type-2 astrocyte cell lineage

We have used postnatal rat cerebellar astrocyte-enriched cultures to study the excitatory amino acid receptors present on these cells. In the cultures used, type-2 astrocytes (recognized by the monoclonal antibodies A2B5 and LB1) selectively took up gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid ([3H]GABA) and released it when incubated in the presence of micromolar concentrations of kainic and quisqualic acids. The releasing effect of kainic acid was concentration dependent in the range of 5-100 microM. Quisqualate was more effective than kainate in the lower concentration range but less effective at concentrations at which its releasing activity was maximal (approximately 50 microM). N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid and dihydrokainate (100 microM) did not stimulate [3H]GABA release from cultured astrocytes. L-Glutamic acid (20-100 microM) stimulated [3H]GABA release as effectively as kainate. The stimulatory effects of kainate and quisqualate on [3H]GABA release were completely Na+ dependent; that of kainate was also partially Ca2+ dependent. Kynurenic acid (50-200 microM) selectively antagonized the releasing effects of kainic acid and also that of L-glutamate; quisqualate was unaffected. Quisqualic acid inhibited the releasing effects of kainic acid when both agonists were used at equimolar concentrations (50 microM). D-[3H]aspartate was taken up by both type-1 and type-2 astrocytes, but only type-2 astrocytes released it in the presence of kainic acid. Excitatory amino acid receptors with a pharmacology similar to that of the receptors present in type-2 astrocytes were also expressed by the immature, bipotential progenitors of type-2 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

Establishment, characterization, and evolution of cultures enriched in type-2 astrocytes

The aim of the present study was to prepare cultures enriched in type-2 astrocytes (AS) and to analyze some of the properties of these cells over relatively long culture periods. Cultures enriched in type-2 AS were obtained by subculturing, at low cell density and in the presence of fetal calf serum, a cell population containing numerous bipotential glial precursors. This cell population was detached mechanically from 2- to 3-week primary mixed glial cultures prepared from 1-day postnatal rat cerebral cortex. The cellular composition of the subcultures was analyzed immunocytochemically over a period of 3 weeks using various combinations of antibodies, recognizing a set of differentiated and a set of undifferentiated glial antigens (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], galactocerebroside, sulfatide, gangliosides binding the monoclonal antibodies A2B5 and LB1, fibronectin). Most LB1+, A2B5+ glial precursors differentiated into type-2 AS within a week. At this stage, type-2 AS accounted for more than 70% of cells in the cultures and exhibited the characteristic features previously described for these cells (stellate shape, GFAP, LB1 and A2B5 positivity, ability to accumulate [3H]GABA and to synthesize chondroitin sulfate, low proliferative activity). About one third of the type-2 AS also were recognized by O4 (antisulfatide) antibodies. The major contaminants were macrophages (10-15%) and fibroblastic cells (5-10%). In longer term cultures, type-2 AS tended to lose several of these features. Many acquired a flat, polygonal shape and lost LB1 positivity. The ability to accumulate [3H]GABA progressively decreased, as did the expression of chondroitin sulfate, although to a lesser degree. Although losing several of their properties, type-2 AS did not appear to acquire the properties of type-1 AS: their proliferative activity remained very low, and they did not express class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex upon stimulation with gamma-interferon. Some became positive for fibronectin.

Differentiation of bipotential glial precursors into oligodendrocytes is promoted by interaction with type-1 astrocytes in cerebellar cultures

The differentiation of bipotential precursors of oligodendrocytes (OL) and type-2 astrocytes (AS) was followed in primary cultures from 8-day postnatal rat cerebellum by labeling the cells with the antibodies LB1 (which binds to the surface disialoganglioside GD3 present in glial precursors, type-2 AS, and immature OL), O4 (a marker of immature and mature OL binding to surface sulfatide), anti-galactocerebroside (GalCer, a marker of OL), and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, a marker of AS). Two hours after plating, hardly any LB1+, GFAP+ cells were detectable, 40% of the O4+ cells were GalCer+, and none of the O4+ cells were GFAP+. Upon culturing cells plated at a density of 1 x 10(5) cells per cm2 in the presence of fetal calf serum, most of the LB1+ precursors differentiated into type-2 AS, even if most of them had already expressed the O4 antigen. Thus, in culture, most type-2 AS seem to derive from progenitor cells that were differentiating in vivo into OL. In higher density cultures (2.5 x 10(5) cells per cm2), however, many precursors differentiated into GalCer+ OL, rather than into AS. As a possible source of the signals responsible for the behavior of the glial precursors in high-density cultures, we focused our attention on type-1 AS, the most abundant cell type in the cultures. We found that, in low-density cultures maintained for 5-7 days in a medium conditioned by type-1 AS, the proliferation of the precursors was enhanced and their differentiation into OL or AS was prevented. In contrast, when cerebellar cells were coplated with type-1 AS dissociated from purified cultures, not only did the precursors proliferate more than in control cultures, but also a larger proportion of them differentiated into GalCer+ OL. In conclusion, type-1 AS appear to facilitate the differentiation of bipotential glial precursors into OL through direct cell-cell interactions. The influence of type-1 AS on the differentiation of the LB1+ and O4+ precursors is supported also by experiments with glial cortical cultures.

Development of macroglial cells in rat cerebellum. I. Use of antibodies to follow early in vivo development and migration of oligodendrocytes

The origin of oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in the CNS is still a focus of much experimentation and controversy. We have used antibodies against ganglioside GD3 and galactocerebroside (GC) to follow the origin and development of rat cerebellar oligodendrocytes both in vitro and in vivo. The immunofluorescent identification of GC+ cells in the rat neonatal cerebellum in vivo, revealed that cells initially GD3+/GC- appeared to make the transition via GD3+/GC+ cells to GD3-/GC+ oligodendrocytes. This sequence of events closely paralleled the maturation of cerebellar oligodendrocyte precursors found in serum-free dissociated culture. In contrast, whereas both GD3+ and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells were seen in serum-containing dissociated culture and also in freshly dissociated suspensions of cerebellum at postnatal days 0 to 6, such cells could not be identified in situ. Putative GD3+/GC- oligodendrocyte precursor cells arose from the deeper regions of the cerebellum at birth, perhaps initially from the superior medullary velum adjacent to the fourth ventricle, and appeared to migrate into the developing folia just prior to myelination and the acquisition of GC.

Oligodendroglial and astroglial heterogeneity in mouse primary central nervous system culture as demonstrated by differences in GABA and D-aspartate transport and immunocytochemistry

Using simultaneous autoradiography and immunofluorescence we have investigated the functional heterogeneity amongst oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in primary mouse central nervous system (CNS) culture as expressed by differences in their ability to accumulate gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid [( 3H]GABA) and D-[3H]aspartate. We have used a range of specific antibodies that identify oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, from precursor to fully mature cells, to address the question of whether all neuroglial cells are capable of expressing this function. Our results showing that A2B5-, 03-, and galactocerebroside-positive cells became heavily labelled with these two neuroactive amino acids, whereas cells expressing the myelin proteins 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNP) and myelin basic protein (MBP) did not, demonstrate that this capacity is already present in oligodendrocytes at early developmental stages but may not extend to fully mature cells. Astrocytes in culture exhibited a large degree of variability with respect to their ability to transport GABA and D-aspartate. When grown in either serum-containing or serum-free hormone supplemented culture medium two morphologically distinct of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocyte were identified, process-bearing and epithelioid. Process-bearing cells became heavily labelled with the amino acids under both growth conditions, whereas, data showed that although epithelioid astrocytes were not, or only lightly, labelled with either amino acid in serum-containing cultures, when grown in serum-free culture medium they became more heavily labelled. Thus the expression, in culture, by epithelioid astrocytes, of one of the functions attributed to these cells is largely dependent on growth conditions.

Simultaneous immunofluorescence and autoradiography: a useful technique for investigating neurotransmitter uptake by neurons and glia in primary central nervous system culture

Previous studies on the localization of radiolabelled neurotransmitters in cultured cells of neural origin have relied on the comparison of cell morphology, as determined by immunocytochemistry, with the patterns of labelling on autoradiograms. We present here a method combining simultaneously autoradiography, following the uptake of tritium-labelled amino acid transmitters, with indirect immunofluorescence using antibodies against both surface and intracellular antigens. Using a fixative containing only a low concentration of glutaraldehyde (4% paraformaldehyde, 0.1% glutaraldehyde), a similar retention of gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid (GABA) and D-[3H]aspartate was achieved as with the higher concentrations commonly used, with the advantage that the autofluorescence associated with glutaraldehyde fixed tissue was eliminated, and the immunoreactivity of the antigens to be localized was not destroyed. Using this method GABA and D-aspartate accumulating cells, in dissociated mouse central nervous system (CNS) cultures, could be reliably identified as oligodendrocytes, and some multiprocessed astrocytes, by anti-galactocerebroside (GC) and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunofluorescence respectively. GABA-accumulating neuron-specific enolase (NSE) positive neurons could be clearly identified but no D-aspartate accumulating neurons were found. This technique should have a wide application in the investigation of whether selective transport mechanisms coexist with antigens characteristic of a certain cell type or sub-type.

High-affinity uptake of gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid by isolated mouse oligodendrocytes in culture

Oligodendrocytes were isolated from mixed glial cultures of neonatal mouse forebrain and further grown in serum-free hormone supplemented culture medium. Cell populations were identified by indirect immunofluorescence using a range of specific antibodies, revealing a predominantly immature population of oligodendrocytes, the majority expressing the myelin glycolipids galactocerebroside and sulfatide on their plasma membrane. Astroglial contamination was found to be minimal. Simultaneous autoradiography and immunofluorescence demonstrated the presence of a transport system for the major inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the oligodendrocytes. The transport system was found to be energy, sodium and temperature dependent. Kinetic analysis revealed a high affinity system, with a Km of 6.27 microM and Vmax of 0.714 nmol/min/mg protein, which is comparable to that found previously for CNS neurons and astrocytes.

The proteoglycan chondroitin sulfate is present in a subpopulation of cultured astrocytes and in their precursors

We have used an antibody raised against the bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycan chondroitin sulfate (CS) digested with chondroitinase ABC (anti-CS serum) to stain cerebellar glial cells maintained in culture. In cultures grown in the presence of serum, the antibody stained a subclass of GFAP+ astrocytes which we have previously shown to selectively bind the monoclonal antibodies A2B5 and LB1. Also the direct bipotential precursors of these cells, capable of differentiating into GFAP+ astrocytes or into Gal-C+, O1+ oligodendrocytes depending on the culture conditions, were stained, but stopped to produce CS when they differentiated into oligodendrocytes.

Beta-adrenergic receptors of cerebellar astrocytes in culture: intact cells versus membrane preparation

Experiments were carried out to assess: the influence of culture conditions on the expression of beta-adrenergic receptors in intact glial cells from the central nervous system; and the extent to which quantitation of receptor sites in membrane preparations reflects the receptor population of the whole cells they are derived from. Cerebellar astrocytes were chosen for this study since essentially one receptor subtype, the beta 2 one, is present in adult cerebellum. Intact, attached cerebellar astrocytes exhibit only one class of binding sites for the beta-adrenergic antagonist, [3H]CGP 12177. Replating of the astrocytes after a few days of culture in vitro induces an up-regulation of the receptors. This effect is particularly important when astrocytes are maintained for 6 days in the presence of horse serum, a condition that favors cellular differentiation. Only 30-50% of the beta-adrenergic receptors of the intact cells can be detected on membrane preparations. When membranes are prepared from astrocytes grown either in the presence of horse serum or under chemically controlled medium (i.e. under differentiation promoting conditions) two classes of binding sites for [125I](-)-iodocyanopindolol are revealed. Several hypotheses, mainly related to the morphology of the cells, may provide an explanation for such differences. Studies of the pharmacological specificity of receptors of membrane fractions show that cerebellar astrocytes cultured in vitro exhibit both beta 1 and beta 2 receptor subtypes. The beta 1 subtype receptors are slightly more abundant when astrocytes are grown in fetal calf serum (FCS), a condition under which they exhibit a polygonal, poorly differentiated morphology. When culture conditions favor cellular differentiation, more receptors of the beta 2 subtype are seen, which can be related to what is observed in the adult in vivo where the astrocytes exhibit a differentiated morphology.

Glial conditioned media inhibit the proliferation of cultured rat cerebellar astrocytes

Conditioned medium (CM) obtained from rat cerebellar astrocytes cultured in a serum-containing medium was able to inhibit [3H]thymidine incorporation into proliferating astrocytes, when compared to fresh medium. This effect could be attributed to two fractions of the CM with different molecular weights. The low molecular weight fraction (Mr less than 1,000) inhibited the cellular transport of the labeled precursor, without significantly affecting cell proliferation. The high molecular weight fraction (Mr greater than 10,000) showed a strong inhibitory effect on astrocyte proliferation, which was documented using different assay techniques: i) [3H]thymidine incorporation performed in conditions preventing the effects of CM on transport; ii) [3H]thymidine autoradiography; iii) determination of the DNA content of the cultures. The inhibitory activity was present in media conditioned by non proliferating astrocytes treated with the antimitotic cytosine arabinoside, but not in media conditioned by neuron-enriched cultures nor in a chemically defined (N2) CM. The antiproliferative activity of astrocyte CM could be due either to a rapid depletion of mitogenic factors present in serum, or, to a secretion of growth inhibitory factor(s) by cultured astrocytes.

Biochemical and morphological studies on GABA neurons in reaggregate culture

Dissociated cells from the 14-day fetal mouse corpus striatum (CS), rostral mesencephalic tegmentum (RMT) and tectum were reaggregated in rotation-mediated cultures in the following combinations: CS alone, RMT-CS, RMT-tectum, and tectum alone. Reaggregates were cultured for 1-4 weeks. An even distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-positive cells was observed in all the reaggregate combinations that were cultured for 1 and 2 weeks. With increasing time in culture, cellular staining was decreased while positive fiber staining increased. CS and RMT-CS co-cultures increased their capacity to take up [3H]GABA with time in culture. All reaggregates reached a maximum uptake/accumulation capacity of 30-40 pmol/mg protein/30 min, by 4 weeks in vitro. There were no significant differences between the various co-aggregate combinations in the accumulation capacity. [3H]GABA accumulation in the reaggregates was largely blocked by the putative neuronal GABA uptake inhibitor, diaminobutyric acid, and was inhibited to a much lesser degree by the putative glial uptake inhibitor beta-alanine. All reaggregates released [3H]GABA to 70 mM potassium depolarization, in a calcium-dependent manner. One-three week CS reaggregates released more [3H]GABA in response to the potassium-induced depolarization than RMT-CS co-cultures. Since nigral dopamine neurons within the RMT proliferate processes and actively release dopamine only when co-cultured with CS target cells, it is suggested that these dopamine neurons might chronically inhibit striatal GABA neurons in the RMT-CS co-cultures, thereby depressing stimulated release of [3H]GABA.

Differentiation of cerebellar bipotential glial precursors into oligodendrocytes in primary culture: developmental profile of surface antigens and mitotic activity

We have analyzed the changes in surface antigenic properties of cerebellar bipotential precursors of oligodendrocytes and type-2 astrocytes during their differentiation into oligodendrocytes in serum-free cultures and the relationship between antigen expression and proliferation of these cells. Double immunofluorescence experiments with different monoclonal antibodies (mabs) performed at various stages in vitro and immunocytolysis experiments provided evidence for the following antigenic developmental profile: at early stages in culture the progenitor cells are recognized by the mabs A2B5 and LB1 (which bind to surface gangliosides) but not by other mabs known to label immature or mature oligodendrocytes (04, 01, and anti-galactocerebroside [GalC]). A few days later, the precursors start to express the 04 antigen; at this stage they maintain a bipotential nature and, in the presence of serum, they differentiate into type-2 astrocytes. If maintained in serum-free medium, the progenitor cells enter the oligodendrocyte differentiation compartment, acquiring GalC positivity. Soon after becoming GalC+, the cells lose both bipotentiality and the surface antigens binding A2B5 and LB1. They conserve, however, the antigen binding 04. Experiments of [3H]thymidine autoradiography combined with immunofluorescence showed that a greater proportion of the LB1+ cells incorporated the radioactive nucleoside into their nuclei as compared to the 04+ cells. No incorporation was present in GalC+ oligodendrocytes.

Sodium-dependent high-affinity uptake of taurine in cultured cerebellar granule cells and astrocytes

Taurine uptake in cultured cerebellar granule cells and astrocytes consisted of a saturable high-affinity component and nonsaturable diffusion. The transport constant (Km) was significantly lower and the maximal velocity (V) higher in granule cells than in astrocytes. The uptakes were strictly sodium dependent and also moderately decreased in potassium-free medium. The specificity profile of taurine uptake was similar in both cell types, hypotaurine, beta-alanine, and guanidinoethanesulphonic acid being the most potent inhibitors, followed by GABA and homotaurine. Glutamate inhibited taurine uptake more in astrocytes than in granule cells. In principle, the uptake systems were similar in granule cells and astrocytes, exhibiting features characteristic of uptake of a neurotransmitter or -modulator.

Mitogenic effect of a human placental factor on astrocytes and glial precursors

We have characterized and partially purified a new 'factor' present in human placenta which strongly stimulates the in vitro proliferation of two immunocytochemically characterized subtypes of astrocytes and of bipotential precursors of putative fibrous astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This 'factor' has an apparent Mr of 60-80 kD and exhibits physicochemical and chromatographic properties characteristic of polypeptides. Our observations suggest that placenta-derived growth factors (PDMF) control the proliferation of glial cells and glial precursors during fetal development.

Immunocytochemically defined astroglia from fetal, newborn and young adult rats express beta-adrenergic receptors in vitro

Autoradiography of radioligand binding was used to assess the expression of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-AR) by immunocytochemically identified astroglia cultured from the cerebral cortices of rats 16 days in gestation through 28 days postnatal (DPN). Polygonal astroglia isolated from animals at each age examined were found to exhibit large numbers of beta-AR. In contrast, only low levels of beta-AR could be detected on process-bearing astroglia and fibroblasts. Quantitative analysis showed that there was an increase in the density of beta-AR on polygonal astroglia between 16 days in gestation and 1 DPN. This increase in beta-AR receptor density was present whether the cells were grown for long periods of time in culture (8-22 days) or for short periods of time in culture (1-5 days). The results also suggest that differences in the level of receptor expression between cells grown in short-term and long-term culture may be due in part to culture methodology.

Selective uptake of neuroactive amino acids by both oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in primary dissociated culture: a possible role for oligodendrocytes in neurotransmitter metabolism

CNS glia may be involved in the modulation of neuronal excitability through their capacity to accumulate and metabolize neuroactive amino acids. To investigate the possible role of oligodendrocytes in amino acid neurotransmitter metabolism, we have used light microscopic autoradiography, following the uptake of 3H-labelled amino acids by dissociated cultures of neonatal mouse brain, characterized immunocytochemically using cell-type specific markers. Oligodendrocytes, recognized by their characteristic galactocerebroside membrane staining, rapidly accumulated [3H] gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), becoming intensely labelled over cell body and processes after short incubations. In contrast, oligodendrocytes became only lightly labelled with [3H]L-glutamate and aspartate, which preferentially labelled astrocytes. [3H]D-aspartate, a non-metabolized analogue of L-glutamate, was avidly accumulated by oligodendrocytes, labelling cell bodies and processes after short incubations, to a similar extent as GABA. Thus, oligodendrocytes possess a transport mechanism for these excitatory amino acids, but rapidly metabolize them and release the metabolites. Not only the GC-positive cells but also the GC-negative undifferentiated oligodendrocyte precursors accumulated both GABA and D-aspartate, suggesting that this may be a function expressed early in the differentiation of oligodendrocytes. Net uptake of [3H] beta-alanine and [3H]glycine by oligodendrocytes was not observed under any conditions tested. A small number of oligodendrocytes were labelled with [3H]taurine after longer incubations. The uptake of certain neuroactive amino acids is thus a property shared by astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, the latter acting in a protective fashion around neuronal perikarya and axons.

Bipotential precursors of putative fibrous astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in rat cerebellar cultures express distinct surface features and "neuron-like" gamma-aminobutyric acid transport

When postnatal rat cerebellar cells were cultured in a chemically defined, serum-free medium, the only type of astrocyte (defined by the expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP) present was unable to accumulate gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid (GABA), did not express surface antigens recognized by two monoclonal antibodies, A2B5 and LB1, and showed minimal proliferation. In these cultures, nonneuronal A2B5+, LB1+ stellate cells exhibiting "neuron-like" [3H]GABA uptake formed cell colonies of increasing size and were GFAP-. After about one week of culturing, the A2B5+, LB1+, GABA-uptake positive cell groups became galactocerebroside (GalCer) positive. Immunocytolysis of the A2B5+ cells at 3 and 4 days in vitro prevented the appearance of the A2B5+, LB1+, GABA-uptake positive cell colonies, and also of the GalCer+ cell groups. If 10% (vol/vol) fetal calf serum was added to 6-day cultures, the A2B5+, LB1+, GABA-uptake positive cell groups expressed GFAP and not GalCer. If the serum was added to the cultures 2 days after lysing the A2B5+ cells, only A2B5-, LB1-, GABA-uptake negative astrocytes proliferated. It is concluded that the putative fibrous astrocytes previously described in serum-containing cultures (which had a stellate shape and were A2B5+, LB1+, GABA-uptake positive) derive from bipotential precursors that differentiate into oligodendrocytes (GalCer+) in serum-free medium or into astrocytes (GFAP+) in the presence of serum, while the epithelioid A2B5-, LB1-, GABA-uptake negative astrocytes originate from a different precursor not yet identified.

GABAergic neurons in rat hippocampal culture

The experiments described here were designed to study biochemical and histological measures of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in primary dissociated cell cultures prepared from 17-21-day fetal rat hippocampus. Preparations from all ages of animals, except 21-day fetuses, were enriched in GABAergic neurons, when compared to the adult hippocampus in situ. These cells comprise 30-50% of the large, phase-bright, process-bearing cells in hippocampal cultures as estimated by autoradiography of GABA uptake and GAD immunocytochemistry. Neurons concentrate GABA by a relatively slow but high-affinity process (Km = 2.6 microM) that has considerably higher maximum velocity than glial uptake (Vmax = 479 pmol/mg protein/min for neurons and 31 pmol/mg protein/min for glia). No low-affinity uptake process was noted in neurons or glia. GABA uptake into neurons was competitively inhibited by cis-4-OH-nipecotic acid (Ki = 39 +/- 11 microM). These cultures also possess considerable GAD activity, up to 6 nmol/mg protein/min in one-month-old cultures, which approximates that of the adult hippocampus. Both GABA uptake and GAD activity increased with time in culture. The enrichment of GABAergic markers indicates that this preparation may be useful for the detailed study of hippocampal GABAergic neurons.

Subpopulations of rat cerebellar astrocytes in primary culture: morphology, cell surface antigens and [3H]GABA transport

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes in preconfluent cultures derived from postnatal rat cerebellum have been previously shown to display two distinct morphologies, one stellate and the other irregularly epithelioid. The immunofluorescence studies described here showed that these cells also possess unique surface characteristics. In cultures derived from 8-day-old animals stellate cells bound the monoclonal antibody A2B5 whereas the epithelioid cells bound another monoclonal antibody against rat neural antigen-2 (RAN2). Some stellate cells derived from 2-day-old animals also bound tetanus toxin. The A2B5 labelling of the stellate cells made it possible to follow their fate in vitro. In confirmation of previous time-lapse studies, they underwent a shape transformation as confluence was approached, ultimately attaining a form resembling that of the epithelioid cells. Autoradiographic transport studies using two tritiated gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogues cis-1,3-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid (ACHC) and beta-alanine revealed further differences between the two types of astrocytes. Whereas [3H]ACHC was taken up solely by the stellate cells [3H]beta-alanine was transported by both cell types. In other experiments in which various inhibitors of [3H]GABA transport were used ACHC virtually eliminated uptake into the stellate astrocyte, but had little effect on the epithelioid ones. The 'neuron-like' [3H]GABA transport process in the stellate astrocytes was confirmed in experiments comparing the effect of another compound which has been proposed as an astrocyte-selective GABA transport inhibitor, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo-(4,5-C)pyridin-3-ol (THPO). No discrimination was found in its effect on the uptake of [3H]GABA into either neurons or stellate astrocytes. Further autoradiographic studies following the uptake of [3H]GABA by postnatal cerebellar slices showed that astrocytes in all layers of the cerebellar cortex and white matter transported [3H]GABA in contrast to the situation in culture where the amino acid is taken up predominantly by the stellate astrocytes. The possibility is discussed that the stellate astrocytes represent a population of cerebellar fibrous astrocytes whereas the identity of the epithelioid astrocytes is less certain.

Nuclear localization of a lactic dehydrogenase with single-stranded DNA-binding properties

In the preceding article [1] we identified the 34 kD single-stranded DNA-binding (ssb) protein, whose synthesis is inhibited in PC12 cells concomitantly with nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced mitotic arrest, with the enzyme lactic dehydrogenase (LDH-ssb protein). Localization studies performed with antibodies raised against the LDH-ssb protein demonstrate the presence of a pool of this protein in the nucleus of several cell types. The nuclear association of this protein is sensitive to DNase treatment of the cells and quantitative electron microscopy confirms that the LDH-ssb protein is located close to chromatin structures. These results point to a possible involvement of the LDH-ssb protein in some nuclear function(s).