Astrocytes regulate GluR2 expression in motor neurons and their vulnerability to excitotoxicity

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0705046104
• Publication Date: 2007-09-06T01:39:58Z
• Authors: Philip Van Damme; Elke Bogaert; Maarten Dewil; Nicole Hersmus; Dora Kiraly; Wendy Scheveneels; Ilse Bockx; Dries Braeken; Nathalie Verpoorten; Kristien Verhoeven; Vincent Timmerman; Paul Herijgers; Geert Callewaert; Peter Carmeliet; Ludo Van Den Bosch; Wim Robberecht
• Keywords: Excitotoxicity; Silent synapse; Long-term depression

Influx of Ca 2+ ions through α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors contributes to neuronal damage in stroke, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS. The permeability AMPA is largely determined by the glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2) subunit, lacking GluR2 being permeable ions. We identified a difference expression motor neurons from two rat strains, resulting vulnerability receptor-mediated excitotoxicity both vitro vivo . Astrocytes ventral spinal cord were found mediate this neurons. presence ALS-causing mutant superoxide dismutase 1 astrocytes abolished their GluR2-regulating capacity thus affected neuron excitotoxicity. These results reveal mechanism which influence functioning health disease.