AMPA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity in human NT2-N neurons results from loss of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis following marked elevation of intracellular Na+

J Neurochem. 1998 Jul;71(1):112-24. doi: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.1998.71010112.x.

Abstract

Human NT2-N neurons express Ca2+-permeable alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid glutamate receptors (AMPA-GluRs) and become vulnerable to excitotoxicity when AMPA-GluR desensitization is blocked with cyclothiazide. Although the initial increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) was 1.9-fold greater in the presence than in the absence of cyclothiazide, Ca2+ entry via AMPA-GluRs in an early phase of the exposure was not necessary to elicit excitotoxicity in these neurons. Rather, subsequent necrosis was caused by a >40-fold rise in [Na+]i, which induced a delayed [Ca2+]i rise. Transfer of the neurons to a 5 mM Na+ medium after AMPA-GluR activation accelerated the delayed [Ca2+]i rise and intensified excitotoxicity. Low-Na+ medium-enhanced excitotoxicity was partially blocked by amiloride or dizocilpine (MK-801), and completely blocked by removal of extracellular Ca2+, suggesting that Ca2+ entry by reverse operation of Na+/Ca2+ exchangers and via NMDA glutamate receptors was responsible for the neuronal death after excessive Na+ loading. Our results serve to emphasize the central role of neuronal Na+ loading in AMPA-GluR-mediated excitotoxicity in human neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione / pharmacology
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology
  • Benzothiadiazines / pharmacology
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Death / physiology
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / physiology
  • Dizocilpine Maleate / pharmacology
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / pharmacology
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Extracellular Space / chemistry
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism
  • Glutamic Acid / toxicity
  • Homeostasis / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Kainic Acid / pharmacology
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Neurons / chemistry
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurotoxins / pharmacology
  • Nimodipine / pharmacology
  • Potassium / pharmacology
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism*
  • Sodium / metabolism*
  • Sodium / pharmacology
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / metabolism
  • Spider Venoms / pharmacology
  • alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Benzothiadiazines
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • JSTX spider toxin
  • Neurotoxins
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger
  • Spider Venoms
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Nimodipine
  • Dizocilpine Maleate
  • 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione
  • alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid
  • Sodium
  • cyclothiazide
  • Potassium
  • Kainic Acid
  • Calcium