Evidence for astrocytes as a potential source of the glutamate excess in temporal lobe epilepsy

Astrocytic pathology in Alpers' syndrome

Refractory epilepsy is the main neurological manifestation of Alpers' syndrome, a severe childhood-onset mitochondrial disease caused by bi-allelic pathogenic variants in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymerase gamma gene (POLG). The pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning neuronal hyperexcitabilty leading to seizures in Alpers' syndrome remain unknown. However, pathological changes to reactive astrocytes are hypothesised to exacerbate neural dysfunction and seizure-associated cortical activity in POLG-related disease. Therefore, we sought to phenotypically characterise astrocytic pathology in Alpers' syndrome. We performed a detailed quantitative investigation of reactive astrocytes in post-mortem neocortical tissues from thirteen patients with Alpers' syndrome, eight neurologically normal controls and five sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) patients, to control for generalised epilepsy-associated astrocytic pathology. Immunohistochemistry to identify glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-reactive astrocytes revealed striking reactive astrogliosis localised to the primary visual cortex of Alpers' syndrome tissues, characterised by abnormal-appearing hypertrophic astrocytes. Phenotypic characterisation of individual GFAP-reactive astrocytes demonstrated decreased abundance of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins and altered expression of key astrocytic proteins including Kir4.1 (subunit of the inwardly rectifying K⁺ ion channel), AQP4 (astrocytic water channel) and glutamine synthetase (enzyme that metabolises glutamate). These phenotypic astrocytic changes were typically different from the pathology observed in SUDEP tissues, suggesting alternative mechanisms of astrocytic dysfunction between these epilepsies. Crucially, our findings provide further evidence of occipital lobe involvement in Alpers' syndrome and support the involvement of reactive astrocytes in the pathogenesis of POLG-related disease.

Inhibition of Glutamate Release, but Not of Glutamine Recycling to Glutamate, Is Involved in Delaying the Onset of Initial Lithium-Pilocarpine-Induced Seizures in Young Rats by a Non-Convulsive MSO Dose

Initial seizures observed in young rats during the 60 min after administration of pilocarpine (Pilo) were delayed and attenuated by pretreatment with a non-convulsive dose of methionine sulfoximine (MSO). We hypothesized that the effect of MSO results from a) glutamine synthetase block-mediated inhibition of conversion of Glu/Gln precursors to neurotransmitter Glu, and/or from b) altered synaptic Glu release. Pilo was administered 60 min prior to sacrifice, MSO at 75 mg/kg, i.p., 2.5 h earlier. [1,2-¹³C]acetate and [U-¹³C]glucose were i.p.-injected either together with Pilo (short period) or 15 min before sacrifice (long period). Their conversion to Glu and Gln in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex was followed using [¹³C] gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Release of in vitro loaded Glu surrogate, [³H]d-Asp from ex vivo brain slices was monitored in continuously collected superfusates. [³H]d-Asp uptake was tested in freshly isolated brain slices. At no time point nor brain region did MSO modify incorporation of [¹³C] to Glu or Gln in Pilo-treated rats. MSO pretreatment decreased by ~37% high potassium-induced [³H]d-Asp release, but did not affect [³H]d-Asp uptake. The results indicate that MSO at a non-convulsive dose delays the initial Pilo-induced seizures by interfering with synaptic Glu-release but not with neurotransmitter Glu recycling.

Late adolescence mortality in mice with brain-specific deletion of the volume-regulated anion channel subunit LRRC8A

The leucine-rich repeat-containing family 8 member A (LRRC8A) is an essential subunit of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC). VRAC is critical for cell volume control, but its broader physiological functions remain under investigation. Recent studies in the field indicate that Lrrc8a disruption in the brain astrocytes reduces neuronal excitability, impairs synaptic plasticity and memory, and protects against cerebral ischemia. In the present work, we generated brain-wide conditional LRRC8A knockout mice (LRRC8A bKO) using Nestin^Cre -driven Lrrc8a^flox/flox excision in neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendroglia. LRRC8A bKO animals were born close to the expected Mendelian ratio and developed without overt histological abnormalities, but, surprisingly, all died between 5 and 9 weeks of age with a seizure phenotype, which was confirmed by video and EEG recordings. Brain slice electrophysiology detected changes in the excitability of pyramidal cells and modified GABAergic inputs in the hippocampal CA1 region of LRRC8A bKO. LRRC8A-null hippocampi showed increased immunoreactivity of the astrocytic marker GFAP, indicating reactive astrogliosis. We also found decreased whole-brain protein levels of the GABA transporter GAT-1, the glutamate transporter GLT-1, and the astrocytic enzyme glutamine synthetase. Complementary HPLC assays identified reduction in the tissue levels of the glutamate and GABA precursor glutamine. Together, these findings suggest that VRAC provides vital control of brain excitability in mouse adolescence. VRAC deletion leads to a lethal phenotype involving progressive astrogliosis and dysregulation of astrocytic uptake and supply of amino acid neurotransmitters and their precursors.

Recent insights on astrocyte mechanisms in CNS homeostasis, pathology, and repair

Astrocytes play essential roles in development, homeostasis, injury, and repair of the central nervous system (CNS). Their development is tightly regulated by distinct spatial and temporal cues during embryogenesis and into adulthood throughout the CNS. Astrocytes have several important responsibilities such as regulating blood flow and permeability of the blood-CNS barrier, glucose metabolism and storage, synapse formation and function, and axon myelination. In CNS pathologies, astrocytes also play critical parts in both injury and repair mechanisms. Upon injury, they undergo a robust phenotypic shift known as "reactive astrogliosis," which results in both constructive and deleterious outcomes. Astrocyte activation and migration at the site of injury provides an early defense mechanism to minimize the extent of injury by enveloping the lesion area. However, astrogliosis also contributes to the inhibitory microenvironment of CNS injury and potentiate secondary injury mechanisms, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and glutamate excitotoxicity, which facilitate neurodegeneration in CNS pathologies. Intriguingly, reactive astrocytes are increasingly a focus in current therapeutic strategies as their activation can be modulated toward a neuroprotective and reparative phenotype. This review will discuss recent advancements in knowledge regarding the development and role of astrocytes in the healthy and pathological CNS. We will also review how astrocytes have been genetically modified to optimize their reparative potential after injury, and how they may be transdifferentiated into neurons and oligodendrocytes to promote repair after CNS injury and neurodegeneration.

A Computational Study of Astrocytic GABA Release at the Glutamatergic Synapse: EAAT-2 and GAT-3 Coupled Dynamics

Neurotransmitter dynamics within neuronal synapses can be controlled by astrocytes and reflect key contributors to neuronal activity. In particular, Glutamate (Glu) released by activated neurons is predominantly removed from the synaptic space by perisynaptic astrocytic transporters EAAT-2 (GLT-1). In previous work, we showed that the time course of Glu transport is affected by ionic concentration gradients either side of the astrocytic membrane and has the propensity for influencing postsynaptic neuronal excitability. Experimental findings co-localize GABA transporters GAT-3 with EAAT-2 on the perisynaptic astrocytic membrane. While these transporters are unlikely to facilitate the uptake of synaptic GABA, this paper presents simulation results which demonstrate the coupling of EAAT-2 and GAT-3, giving rise to the ionic-dependent reversed transport of GAT-3. The resulting efflux of GABA from the astrocyte to the synaptic space reflects an important astrocytic mechanism for modulation of hyperexcitability. Key results also illustrate an astrocytic-mediated modulation of synaptic neuronal excitation by released GABA at the glutamatergic synapse.

Astrocyte and glutamate involvement in the pathogenesis of epilepsy in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) can increase the risk of epilepsy by up to 10-fold compared to healthy age-matched controls. However, the pathological mechanisms that underlie this increased risk are poorly understood. Because disruption in brain glutamate homeostasis has been implicated in both AD and epilepsy, this might play a mechanistic role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy in AD. Prior to the formation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, the brain can undergo pathological changes as a result of increased production of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Aβ oligomers. Impairments in the glutamate uptake ability of astrocytes due to astrogliosis are hypothesized to be an early event occurring before Aβ plaque formation. Astrogliosis may increase the susceptibility to epileptogenesis of the brain via accumulation of extracellular glutamate and resulting excitotoxicity. Here we hypothesize that Aβ oligomers and proinflammatory cytokines can cause astrogliosis and accumulation of extracellular glutamate, which then contribute to the pathogenesis of epilepsy in AD. In this review article, we consider the evidence supporting a potential role of dysfunction of the glutamate-glutamine cycle and the astrocyte in the pathogenesis of epilepsy in AD.

Increased immunoreactivity of glutamate receptors, neuronal nuclear protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the hippocampus of epileptic rats with fast ripple activity

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory transmission is observed. Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter that acts through ionic and metabotropic receptors; both types of receptors are involved in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). High frequency oscillations called fast ripples (FR, 250-600 Hz) have been observed, particularly in the hippocampus, and they are involved in epileptogenesis. The present study analyzed the immunoreactivity of the principal glutamate receptors associated with epilepsy in epileptic animals with FR activity. Male Swiss-Wistar rats (210-250 gr) were injected with pilocarpine (2.4 mg/2 µl) and were video monitored (24/7) until the appearance of spontaneous and recurrent seizures. Then, a deep microelectrode implantation surgery was performed in the DG, CA3 and CA1 regions, and FR activity was observed 1-, 2-, 3-, 7-, and 14-day postsurgery. The animals were sacrificed on day 15, and fluorescence immunohistochemistry was carried out in the hippocampus for the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and mGlu-R5 glutamate receptors as well as Neuronal Nuclear Protein (NeuN) and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP). An increase in the immunoreactivity for the three receptors was found. However, the AMPA receptor showed an increase in the three regions analyzed (i.e., DG, CA1 and CA3). The findings showed a decrease of NeuN in the DG and an increase of GFAP. These results suggest an important role of glutamate receptors in the hippocampus of epileptic rats with FR activity.

Pretreatment with a glutamine synthetase inhibitor MSO delays the onset of initial seizures induced by pilocarpine in juvenile rats

The contribution of glutamatergic transmission to generation of initial convulsive seizures (CS) is debated. We tested whether pretreatment with a glutamine synthetase (GS) inhibitor, methionine sulfoximine (MSO), affects the onset and progression of initial CS by cholinergic stimulus in juvenile rats. Male rats (24 days old, Sprague Dawley) sequentially received i.p. injections of lithium-carbonate, MSO, methyl-scopolamine, and pilocarpine (Pilo). Pilo was given 150 min after MSO. Animals were continuously monitored using the Racine scale, EEG/EMG and intrahippocampal glutamate (Glu) biosensors. GS activity as measured in hippocampal homogenates, was not altered by MSO at 150 min, showed initial, varied inhibition at 165 (15 min post-Pilo), and dropped down to 11% of control at 60 min post-Pilo, whereas GS protein expression remained unaltered throughout. Pilo did neither modulate the effect of MSO on GS activity nor affect GS activity itself, at any time point. MSO reduced from 32% to 4% the number of animals showing CS during the first 12 min post-Pilo, delayed by ~6 min the appearance of electrographic seizures, and tended to decrease EMG power during ~15 min post-Pilo. The results indicate that MSO impairs an aspect of glutamatergic transmission involved in the transition from the first cholinergic stimulus to the onset of seizures. A continuous rise of extracellular Glu lasting 60 min was insignificantly affected by MSO, leaving the nature of the Glu pool(s) involved in altered glutamatergic transmission undefined.

Astrocytes as Guardians of Neuronal Excitability: Mechanisms Underlying Epileptogenesis

Astrocytes are key homeostatic regulators in the central nervous system and play important roles in physiology. After brain damage caused by e.g., status epilepticus, traumatic brain injury, or stroke, astrocytes may adopt a reactive phenotype. This process of reactive astrogliosis is important to restore brain homeostasis. However, persistent reactive astrogliosis can be detrimental for the brain and contributes to the development of epilepsy. In this review, we will focus on physiological functions of astrocytes in the normal brain as well as pathophysiological functions in the epileptogenic brain, with a focus on acquired epilepsy. We will discuss the role of astrocyte-related processes in epileptogenesis, including reactive astrogliosis, disturbances in energy supply and metabolism, gliotransmission, and extracellular ion concentrations, as well as blood-brain barrier dysfunction and dysregulation of blood flow. Since dysfunction of astrocytes can contribute to epilepsy, we will also discuss their role as potential targets for new therapeutic strategies.

Glutamate induced neonatal excitotoxicity modifies the expression level of EAAT1 (GLAST) and EAAT2 (GLT-1) proteins in various brain regions of the adult rat

Glutamate-mediated excitatory synaptic signalling is primarily controlled by excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), such as EAAT1 and EAAT2, which are located mostly on astrocytes and, together, uptake more than 95 % of extracellular glutamate. Alterations in the functional expression levels of EAATs can lead to excessive extracellular glutamate accumulation, potentially triggering excitotoxicity and seizures, among other neurological disorders. Excitotoxicity induced in early developmental stages can lead to lasting changes in several neurotransmission systems, including the glutamatergic system, which could make the brain more susceptible to a second insult. In this study, the expression levels of EAAT1 (GLAST) and EAAT2 (GLT-1) proteins were assessed in the cerebral motor cortex (CMC), striatum, hippocampus and entorhinal cortex (EC) of male adult rats following the neonatal excitotoxic process triggered by monosodium glutamate (MSG)-treatment (4 g/kg of body weight at postnatal days 1,3,5 and 7, subcutaneously). Western blot analysis showed that neonatal MSG-treatment decreased EAAT1 expression levels in the CMC, striatum and hippocampus, while EAAT2 levels were increased in the striatum and EC and decreased in the CMC. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the changes in EAAT1 and EAAT2 expression induced by neonatal MSG-treatment, which were accompanied by an increase in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunofluorescence signalthat was particularly significant in the hippocampus. Our results show that a neonatal excitotoxic processes can induce lasting changes in the expression levels of EAAT1 and EAAT2 proteins and suggest that although astrogliosis occurs, glutamate uptake could be deficient, particularly in the CMC and hippocampus.

Effects of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation on Spontaneous Seizures and Neuronal Viability in a Model of Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

BACKGROUND

The essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine have recently emerged as a potential novel treatment for medically refractory epilepsy. Blood-derived BCAAs can readily enter the brain, where they contribute to glutamate biosynthesis and may either suppress or trigger acute seizures. However, the effects of BCAAs on chronic (ie, spontaneous recurrent) seizures and epilepsy-associated neuron loss are incompletely understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen rats with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy were randomized into 2 groups that could drink, ad libitum, either a 4% solution of BCAAs in water (n=8) or pure water (n=8). The frequency and relative percent of convulsive and nonconvulsive spontaneous seizures were monitored for a period of 21 days, and the brains were then harvested for immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Although the frequency of convulsive and nonconvulsive spontaneous recurrent seizures over a 3-week drinking/monitoring period were not different between the groups, there were differences in the relative percent of convulsive seizures in the first and third week of treatment. Moreover, the BCAA-treated rats had over 25% fewer neurons in the dentate hilus of the hippocampus compared with water-treated controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute BCAA supplementation reduces seizure propagation, whereas chronic oral supplementation with BCAAs worsens seizure propagation and causes neuron loss in rodents with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. These findings raise the question of whether such supplementation has a similar effect in humans.

Interaction among GRIK2 gene on epilepsy susceptibility in Chinese children

AIMS

The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of glutamate receptor 2 (GRIK2) gene, as well as gene-gene interaction with the risk of early-onset epilepsy susceptibility, was studied in Chinese children.

METHODS

Generalized multi-factor dimension reduction (GMDR) is used to identify the optimal linkage between interaction among four SNPs and early-onset epilepsy susceptibility. Logistic regression was performed to assess association between four SNPs within GRIK2 gene and the risk of epilepsy.

RESULTS

The results show that the risk of epilepsy in the rs4840200-T allele carriers was significantly higher than CC (CT/TT vs CC), adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.74 (1.31-2.20), and the carrier of rs3213607-A allele was also higher than CC (CG/GG vs CC) with adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.61 (1.23-2.10). We did not detect significant association between rs9390754 and rs2235076 within GRIK2 gene and epilepsy risk. In the GMDR analysis for the gene/gene interaction (2-4 locus models), we found a significant two-locus model (P = 0.001) involving rs4840200 and rs9390754. The cross-validation consistency was 10/10, and the prediction error was 0.632. Participants with rs4840200-CT/TT and rs9390754-GA/AA genotype within GRIK2 gene have the highest epilepsy risk, compared to participants with rs4840200-CC and rs9390754-GG genotype within GRIK2 gene, OR (95% CI) = 2.42 (1.78-3.11), after covariates adjustment for age and gender.

CONCLUSIONS

Both rs4840200-T and rs3213607-A, and the interactions between rs4840200 and rs9390754 are related to the increased risk of epilepsy risk.

Investigating the role of interleukin-1 beta and glutamate in inflammatory bowel disease and epilepsy using discovery browsing

BACKGROUND

Structured electronic health records are a rich resource for identifying novel correlations, such as co-morbidities and adverse drug reactions. For drug development and better understanding of biomedical phenomena, such correlations need to be supported by viable hypotheses about the mechanisms involved, which can then form the basis of experimental investigations.

METHODS

In this study, we demonstrate the use of discovery browsing, a literature-based discovery method, to generate plausible hypotheses elucidating correlations identified from structured clinical data. The method is supported by Semantic MEDLINE web application, which pinpoints interesting concepts and relevant MEDLINE citations, which are used to build a coherent hypothesis.

RESULTS

Discovery browsing revealed a plausible explanation for the correlation between epilepsy and inflammatory bowel disease that was found in an earlier population study. The generated hypothesis involves interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and glutamate, and suggests that IL-1 beta influence on glutamate levels is involved in the etiology of both epilepsy and inflammatory bowel disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The approach presented in this paper can supplement population-based correlation studies by enabling the scientist to identify literature that may justify the novel patterns identified in such studies and can underpin basic biomedical research that can lead to improved treatments and better healthcare outcomes.

The glutamate clearance function of adipose stromal cells-derived astrocytes

ADSCs-derived astrocytes qualify the morphology, ultrastructure and membrane electrical potential, which are all unique to astrocytes. But whether they have the glutamate clearance function like mature astrocytes is under exploration. ADSCs were extracted, cultured and induced into astrocytes for 48 h, 7d, 14d and 21d in vitro. Inverted phase contrast microscope was used to observe the morphology of the cells in each group. Immunocytochemistry assay, immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of GFAP, EAAT2 and GS of the cells in each group. The cells were cultured in glutamate solution for 1, 2, 3 and 4 h respectively before the solution collected. The glutamate concentration of the solution was detected using Glutamate Colorimetric Assay Hit. ADSCs-derived astrocytes expressed GFAP, EAAT2 and GS, all of which increased gradually and reached peak when induced for 14 days. In induction for 48 h, 7d and 14d groups, the extracellular glutamate concentration decreased gradually during the cells cultured in glutamate solution for 1, 2, 3 and 4 h, among which the decrease extent was most prominent in 14d group, while the extracellular glutamate concentration had no change in uninduction and induction for 21d group. ADSCs-derived astrocytes expressed EAAT2 and GS, meanwhile had the function of clearing glutamate, which was prominent when induced into astrocytes for 7-14 days.

Astroglial role in the pathophysiology of status epilepticus: an overview

Status epilepticus is a medical emergency with elevated morbidity and mortality rates, and represents a leading cause of epilepsy-related deaths. Though status epilepticus can occur at any age, it manifests more likely in children and elderly people. Despite the common prevalence of epileptic disorders, a complete explanation for the mechanisms leading to development of self-limited or long lasting seizures (as in status epilepticus) are still lacking. Apart from neurons, research evidence suggests the involvement of immune and glial cells in epileptogenesis. Among glial cells, astrocytes represent an ideal target for the study of the pathophysiology of status epilepticus, due to their key role in homeostatic balance of the central nervous system. During status epilepticus, astroglial cells are activated by the presence of cytokines, damage associated molecular patterns and reactive oxygen species. The persistent activation of astrocytes leads to a decrease in glutamate clearance with a corresponding accumulation in the synaptic extracellular space, increasing the chance of neuronal excitotoxicity. Moreover, major alterations in astrocytic gap junction coupling, inflammation and receptor expression, facilitate the generation of seizures. Astrocytes are also involved in dysregulation of inhibitory transmission in the central nervous system and directly participate in ionic homeostatic alterations during status epilepticus. In the present review, we focus on the functional and structural changes in astrocytic activity that participate in the development and maintenance of status epilepticus, with special attention on concurrent inflammatory alterations. We also include potential astrocytic treatment targets for status epilepticus.

A computational study of astrocytic glutamate influence on post-synaptic neuronal excitability

The ability of astrocytes to rapidly clear synaptic glutamate and purposefully release the excitatory transmitter is critical in the functioning of synapses and neuronal circuits. Dysfunctions of these homeostatic functions have been implicated in the pathology of brain disorders such as mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. However, the reasons for these dysfunctions are not clear from experimental data and computational models have been developed to provide further understanding of the implications of glutamate clearance from the extracellular space, as a result of EAAT2 downregulation: although they only partially account for the glutamate clearance process. In this work, we develop an explicit model of the astrocytic glutamate transporters, providing a more complete description of the glutamate chemical potential across the astrocytic membrane and its contribution to glutamate transporter driving force based on thermodynamic principles and experimental data. Analysis of our model demonstrates that increased astrocytic glutamate content due to glutamine synthetase downregulation also results in increased postsynaptic quantal size due to gliotransmission. Moreover, the proposed model demonstrates that increased astrocytic glutamate could prolong the time course of glutamate in the synaptic cleft and enhances astrocyte-induced slow inward currents, causing a disruption to the clarity of synaptic signalling and the occurrence of intervals of higher frequency postsynaptic firing. Overall, our work distilled the necessity of a low astrocytic glutamate concentration for reliable synaptic transmission of information and the possible implications of enhanced glutamate levels as in epilepsy.

The role of astrocytes in the excitability and hyperexcitability of neurons is a subject which has gained a lot of attention, particularly in the pathology of neurological disorders including epilepsy. Although not completely understood, the control of glutamate homeostasis is believed to play a role in paroxysmal neuronal hyperexcitability known to precede seizure activity. We have developed a computational model which explores two of the astrocytic homeostatic mechanisms, namely glutamate clearance and gliotransmission, and connect them with a common controlling factor, astrocytic cytoplasmic glutamate concentration. In our model simulations we demonstrate both a slower clearance rate of synaptic glutamate and enhanced astrocytic glutamate release where cytoplasmic glutamate is elevated, both of which contribute to high frequency neuronal firing and conditions for seizure generation. We also describe a viable role for astrocytes as a “high pass” filter, where astrocytic activation in the form of intracellular calcium oscillations is possible for only a certain range of presynaptic neuronal firing rates, the lower bound of the range being reduced where astrocytic glutamate is elevated. In physiological terms this perhaps indicates not only neuronal but also astrocytic glutamate-mediated excitation in the neural-astrocytic network.

Memory Improvement Effect of Ethanol Garlic (A. sativum) Extract in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats Is Mediated through Increasing of Hippocampal Sodium-Potassium ATPase, Glutamine Synthetase, and Calcium ATPase Activities

Studies suggest that garlic (A. sativum) improves memory dependent on the hippocampus. However, the effect of ethanol garlic extract on hippocampus Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, Ca²⁺ ATPase, and glutamine synthetase (GS) activities as possible mechanisms in memory improvement in diabetic Wistar rats has not been reported. Twenty-four male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into three groups with 8 rats each. Group (A), normal control rats, and Group (B), diabetic rats, received 1 ml of normal saline; diabetic rats in Group (C) received 1000 mg/kg of garlic extract orally for 21 days. Hyperglycemia was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 60 mg/kg followed by 120 mg/kg nicotinamide while extraction of garlic was done by cold maceration method. Memory was tested in all groups. After that, the rats were sacrificed, the brain was removed, and the hippocampi were carefully excised and then homogenized. Activities of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, calcium ATPase, and GS were analyzed from the homogenate. Results showed improvement in memory and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in hippocampus Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, Ca²⁺ ATPase, and GS activities in diabetic rats treated with garlic extract. In conclusion, the increased activity of hippocampus Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, calcium ATPase, and glutamine synthetase may account for the memory improvement.

Astroglia as a cellular target for neuroprotection and treatment of neuro-psychiatric disorders

Astrocytes are key homeostatic cells of the central nervous system. They cooperate with neurons at several levels, including ion and water homeostasis, chemical signal transmission, blood flow regulation, immune and oxidative stress defense, supply of metabolites and neurogenesis. Astroglia is also important for viability and maturation of stem-cell derived neurons. Neurons critically depend on intrinsic protective and supportive properties of astrocytes. Conversely, all forms of pathogenic stimuli which disturb astrocytic functions compromise neuronal functionality and viability. Support of neuroprotective functions of astrocytes is thus an important strategy for enhancing neuronal survival and improving outcomes in disease states. In this review, we first briefly examine how astrocytic dysfunction contributes to major neurological disorders, which are traditionally associated with malfunctioning of processes residing in neurons. Possible molecular entities within astrocytes that could underpin the cause, initiation and/or progression of various disorders are outlined. In the second section, we explore opportunities enhancing neuroprotective function of astroglia. We consider targeting astrocyte-specific molecular pathways which are involved in neuroprotection or could be expected to have a therapeutic value. Examples of those are oxidative stress defense mechanisms, glutamate uptake, purinergic signaling, water and ion homeostasis, connexin gap junctions, neurotrophic factors and the Nrf2-ARE pathway. We propose that enhancing the neuroprotective capacity of astrocytes is a viable strategy for improving brain resilience and developing new therapeutic approaches.

Inhibition of the Mitochondrial Glutamate Carrier SLC25A22 in Astrocytes Leads to Intracellular Glutamate Accumulation

The solute carrier family 25 (SLC25) drives the import of a large diversity of metabolites into mitochondria, a key cellular structure involved in many metabolic functions. Mutations of the mitochondrial glutamate carrier SLC25A22 (also named GC1) have been identified in early epileptic encephalopathy (EEE) and migrating partial seizures in infancy (MPSI) but the pathophysiological mechanism of GC1 deficiency is still unknown, hampered by the absence of an in vivo model. This carrier is mainly expressed in astrocytes and is the principal gate for glutamate entry into mitochondria. A sufficient supply of energy is essential for the proper function of the brain and mitochondria have a pivotal role in maintaining energy homeostasis. In this work, we wanted to study the consequences of GC1 absence in an in vitro model in order to understand if glutamate catabolism and/or mitochondrial function could be affected. First, short hairpin RNA (shRNA) designed to specifically silence GC1 were validated in rat C6 glioma cells. Silencing GC1 in C6 resulted in a reduction of the GC1 mRNA combined with a decrease of the mitochondrial glutamate carrier activity. Then, primary astrocyte cultures were prepared and transfected with shRNA-GC1 or mismatch-RNA (mmRNA) constructs using the Neon® Transfection System in order to target a high number of primary astrocytes, more than 64%. Silencing GC1 in primary astrocytes resulted in a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (Phosphate) (NAD(P)H) formation upon glutamate stimulation. We also observed that the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) was functional after glucose stimulation but not activated by glutamate, resulting in a lower level of cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in silenced astrocytes compared to control cells. Moreover, GC1 inactivation resulted in an intracellular glutamate accumulation. Our results show that mitochondrial glutamate transport via GC1 is important in sustaining glutamate homeostasis in astrocytes.

Main Points:

The mitochondrial respiratory chain is functional in absence of GC1

Lack of glutamate oxidation results in a lower global ATP level

Lack of mitochondrial glutamate transport results in intracellular glutamate accumulation

Astrocytes Control Circadian Timekeeping in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus via Glutamatergic Signaling

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus orchestrates daily rhythms of physiology and behavior in mammals. Its circadian (∼24 hr) oscillations of gene expression and electrical activity are generated intrinsically and can persist indefinitely in temporal isolation. This robust and resilient timekeeping is generally regarded as a product of the intrinsic connectivity of its neurons. Here we show that neurons constitute only one “half” of the SCN clock, the one metabolically active during circadian daytime. In contrast, SCN astrocytes are active during circadian nighttime, when they suppress the activity of SCN neurons by regulating extracellular glutamate levels. This glutamatergic gliotransmission is sensed by neurons of the dorsal SCN via specific pre-synaptic NMDA receptor assemblies containing NR2C subunits. Remarkably, somatic genetic re-programming of intracellular clocks in SCN astrocytes was capable of remodeling circadian behavioral rhythms in adult mice. Thus, SCN circuit-level timekeeping arises from interdependent and mutually supportive astrocytic-neuronal signaling.

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SCN neurons are active during circadian day, but SCN astrocytes are active at night

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Astrocytes direct circadian cycles of extracellular glutamate to inhibit SCN neurons

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Astrocyte-derived inhibition is mediated by NMDAR2C complexes on dorsal SCN neurons

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Genetic re-programming of the clock in SCN astrocytes reshapes circadian behavior

Altered glutamate metabolism contributes to antiepileptogenic effects in the progression from focal seizure to generalized seizure by low-frequency stimulation in the ventral hippocampus

As a promising method for treating intractable epilepsy, the inhibitory effect of low-frequency stimulation (LFS) is well known, although its mechanisms remain unclear. Excessive levels of cerebral glutamate are considered a crucial factor for epilepsy. Therefore, we designed experiments to investigate the crucial parts of the glutamate cycle. We evaluated glutamine synthetase (GS, metabolizes glutamate), glutaminase (synthesizes glutamate), and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD, a γ-aminobutyric acid [GABA] synthetase) in different regions of the brain, including the dentate gyrus (DG), CA3, and CA1 subregions of the hippocampus, and the cortex, using western blots, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme activity assays. Additionally, the concentrations of glutamate, GABA, and glutamine (a product of GS) were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the same subregions. The results indicated that a transiently promoted glutamate cycle was closely involved in the progression from focal to generalized seizure. Low-frequency stimulation (LFS) delivered to the ventral hippocampus had an antiepileptogenic effect in rats exposed to amygdaloid-kindling stimulation. Simultaneously, LFS could partly reverse the effects of the promoted glutamate cycle, including increased GS function, accelerated glutamate-glutamine cycling, and an unbalanced glutamate/GABA ratio, all of which were induced by amygdaloid kindling in the DG when seizures progressed to stage 4. Moreover, glutamine treatment reversed the antiepileptic effect of LFS with regard to both epileptic severity and susceptibility. Our results suggest that the effects of LFS on the glutamate cycle may contribute to the antiepileptogenic role of LFS in the progression from focal to generalized seizure.

The conversion of glutamate by glutamine synthase in neocortical astrocytes from juvenile rat is important to limit glutamate spillover and peri/extrasynaptic activation of NMDA receptors

Glutamate transporters (EAATs) are important to maintain spatial and temporal specificity of synaptic transmission. Their efficiency to uptake and transport glutamate into the intracellular space depends on several parameters including the intracellular concentrations of Na⁺ and glutamate, the elevations of which may slow down the cycling rate of EAATs. In astrocytes, glutamate is maintained at low concentration due to the presence of specific enzymes such as glutamine synthase (GS). GS inhibition results in cytosolic accumulation of glutamate suggesting that the conversion of glutamate by GS is important for EAATs operation. Here we recorded astrocytes from juvenile rat neocortical slices and analyzed the consequences of elevated intracellular glutamate concentrations and of GS inhibition on the time course of synaptically evoked transporter current (STC). In slices from rats treated with methionine sulfoximine (MSO), a GS inhibitor, STC evoked by short burst of high frequency stimulation (HFS; 100 Hz for 100 ms) but not by low frequency stimulation (LFS; 0.1 Hz) was twice slower than STC evoked from saline injected rats. Same results were obtained for astrocytes recorded with pipette containing 3-10 mM glutamate and compared with cells recorded with 0 or1 mM glutamate in the patch pipette. We also showed that HFS elicited significantly larger NMDAR-excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) with a stronger peri/extrasynaptic component in pyramidal cells from MSO-treated compared with saline treated rats. Taken together our data demonstrate that the conversion of glutamate by GS is fundamental to ensure an efficient clearance of glutamate by EAATs and to prevent glutamate spillover. GLIA 2017;65:401-415.

Pathogenic variants in KCTD7 perturb neuronal K+ fluxes and glutamine transport

Progressive myoclonus epilepsy is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures, ataxia and cognitive decline. We here present two affected brothers. At 9 months of age the elder brother developed ataxia and myoclonic jerks. In his second year he lost the ability to walk and talk, and he developed drug-resistant progressive myoclonus epilepsy. The cerebrospinal fluid level of glutamate was decreased while glutamine was increased. His younger brother manifested similar symptoms from 6 months of age. By exome sequencing of the proband we identified a novel homozygous frameshift variant in the potassium channel tetramerization domain 7 (KCTD7) gene (NM_153033.1:c.696delT: p.F232fs), which results in a truncated protein. The identified F232fs variant is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, and the healthy consanguineous parents carry the variant in a heterozygous state. Bioinformatic analyses and structure modelling showed that KCTD7 is a highly conserved protein, structurally similar to KCTD5 and several voltage-gated potassium channels, and that it may form homo- or heteromultimers. By heterologous expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes, we demonstrate that wild-type KCTD7 hyperpolarizes cells in a K⁺ dependent manner and regulates activity of the neuronal glutamine transporter SAT2 (Slc38a2), while the F232fs variant impairs K⁺ fluxes and obliterates SAT2-dependent glutamine transport. Characterization of four additional disease-causing variants (R94W, R184C, N273I, Y276C) bolster these results and reveal the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of KCTD7-related progressive myoclonus epilepsy. Thus, our data demonstrate that KCTD7 has an impact on K⁺ fluxes, neurotransmitter synthesis and neuronal function, and that malfunction of the encoded protein may lead to progressive myoclonus epilepsy.

Melatonin protects against oxygen and glucose deprivation by decreasing extracellular glutamate and Nox-derived ROS in rat hippocampal slices

Therapeutic interventions on pathological processes involved in the ischemic cascade, such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity and/or apoptosis, are of urgent need for stroke treatment. Melatonin regulates a large number of physiological actions and its beneficial properties have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate whether melatonin mediates neuroprotection in rat hippocampal slices subjected to oxygen-glucose-deprivation (OGD) and glutamate excitotoxicity. Thus, we describe here that melatonin significantly reduced the amount of lactate dehydrogenase released in the OGD-treated slices, reverted neuronal injury caused by OGD-reoxygenation in CA1 and CA3 hippocampal regions, restored the reduction of GSH content of the hippocampal slices induced by OGD, and diminished the oxidative stress produced in the reoxygenation period. Furthermore, melatonin afforded maximum protection against glutamate-induced toxicity and reversed the glutamate released almost basal levels, at 10 and 30μM concentration, respectively. Consequently, we propose that melatonin might strongly and positively influence the outcome of brain ischemia/reperfusion.

Glucose, Lactate, β-Hydroxybutyrate, Acetate, GABA, and Succinate as Substrates for Synthesis of Glutamate and GABA in the Glutamine-Glutamate/GABA Cycle

The glutamine-glutamate/GABA cycle is an astrocytic-neuronal pathway transferring precursors for transmitter glutamate and GABA from astrocytes to neurons. In addition, the cycle carries released transmitter back to astrocytes, where a minor fraction (~25 %) is degraded (requiring a similar amount of resynthesis) and the remainder returned to the neurons for reuse. The flux in the cycle is intense, amounting to the same value as neuronal glucose utilization rate or 75-80 % of total cortical glucose consumption. This glucose:glutamate ratio is reduced when high amounts of β-hydroxybutyrate are present, but β-hydroxybutyrate can at most replace 60 % of glucose during awake brain function. The cycle is initiated by α-ketoglutarate production in astrocytes and its conversion via glutamate to glutamine which is released. A crucial reaction in the cycle is metabolism of glutamine after its accumulation in neurons. In glutamatergic neurons all generated glutamate enters the mitochondria and its exit to the cytosol occurs in a process resembling the malate-aspartate shuttle and therefore requiring concomitant pyruvate metabolism. In GABAergic neurons one half enters the mitochondria, whereas the other one half is released directly from the cytosol. A revised concept is proposed for the synthesis and metabolism of vesicular and nonvesicular GABA. It includes the well-established neuronal GABA reuptake, its metabolism, and use for resynthesis of vesicular GABA. In contrast, mitochondrial glutamate is by transamination to α-ketoglutarate and subsequent retransamination to releasable glutamate essential for the transaminations occurring during metabolism of accumulated GABA and subsequent resynthesis of vesicular GABA.

Inhibition of glutamine synthetase in the central nucleus of the amygdala induces anhedonic behavior and recurrent seizures in a rat model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

The prevalence of depression and suicide is increased in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE); however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Anhedonia, a core symptom of depression that is predictive of suicide, is common in patients with MTLE. Glutamine synthetase, an astrocytic enzyme that metabolizes glutamate and ammonia to glutamine, is reduced in the amygdala in patients with epilepsy and depression and in suicide victims. Here, we sought to develop a novel model of anhedonia in MTLE by testing the hypothesis that deficiency in glutamine synthetase in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) leads to epilepsy and comorbid anhedonia. Nineteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with an osmotic pump infusing either the glutamine synthetase inhibitor methionine sulfoximine [MSO (n=12)] or phosphate buffered saline [PBS (n=7)] into the right CeA. Seizure activity was monitored by video-intracranial electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings for 21days after the onset of MSO infusion. Sucrose preference, a measure of anhedonia, was assessed after 21days. Methionine sulfoximine-infused rats exhibited recurrent seizures during the monitoring period and showed decreased sucrose preference over days when compared with PBS-infused rats (p<0.01). Water consumption did not differ between the PBS-treated group and the MSO-treated group. Neurons were lost in the CeA, but not the medial amygdala, lateral amygdala, basolateral amygdala, or the hilus of the dentate gyrus, in the MSO-treated rats. The results suggest that decreased glutamine synthetase activity in the CeA is a possible common cause of anhedonia and seizures in TLE. We propose that the MSO CeA model can be used for mechanistic studies that will lead to the development and testing of novel drugs to prevent seizures, depression, and suicide in patients with TLE.

Effects of site-specific infusions of methionine sulfoximine on the temporal progression of seizures in a rat model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

Glutamine synthetase (GS) in astrocytes is critical for metabolism of glutamate and ammonia in the brain, and perturbations in the anatomical distribution and activity of the enzyme are likely to adversely affect synaptic transmission. GS is deficient in discrete regions of the hippocampal formation in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), a disorder characterized by brain glutamate excess and recurrent seizures. To investigate the role of site-specific inhibition of GS in MTLE, we chronically infused the GS inhibitor methionine sulfoximine (MSO) into one of the following areas of adult laboratory rats: (1) the angular bundle, n=6; (2) the deep entorhinal cortex (EC), n=7; (3) the stratum lacunosum-moleculare of CA1, n=7; (4) the molecular layer of the subiculum, n=10; (5) the hilus of the dentate gyrus, n=6; and (6) the lateral ventricle, n=6. Twelve animals were infused with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) into the same areas to serve as controls. All infusions were unilateral, and animals were monitored by continuous video-intracranial EEG recordings for 3 weeks to capture seizure activity. All animals infused with MSO into the entorhinal-hippocampal area exhibited recurrent seizures that were particularly frequent during the first 3 days of infusion and that continued to recur for the entire 3 week recording period. Only a fraction of animals infused with MSO into the lateral ventricle had recurrent seizures, which occurred at a lower frequency compared with the other MSO infused group. Infusion of MSO into the hilus of the dentate gyrus resulted in the highest total number of seizures over the 3-week recording period. Infusion of MSO into all brain regions studied, with the exception of the lateral ventricle, led to a change in the composition of seizure severity over time. Low-grade (stages 1-3) seizures were more prevalent early during infusion, while severe (stages 4-5) seizures were more prevalent later. Thus, the site of GS inhibition within the brain determines the pattern and temporal evolution of recurrent seizures in the MSO model of MTLE.

Novel astrocyte targets: new avenues for the therapeutic treatment of epilepsy

During the last 20 years, it has been well established that a finely tuned, continuous crosstalk between neurons and astrocytes not only critically modulates physiological brain functions but also underlies many neurological diseases. In particular, this novel way of interpreting brain activity is markedly influencing our current knowledge of epilepsy, prompting a re-evaluation of old findings and guiding novel experimentation. Here, we review recent studies that have unraveled novel and unique contributions of astrocytes to the generation and spread of convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures and epileptiform activity. The emerging scenario advocates an overall framework in which a dynamic and reciprocal interplay among astrocytic and neuronal ensembles is fundamental for a fuller understanding of epilepsy. In turn, this offers novel astrocytic targets for the development of those really novel chemical entities for the control of convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures that have been acknowledged as a key priority in the management of epilepsy.

Does abnormal glycogen structure contribute to increased susceptibility to seizures in epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a family of brain disorders with a largely unknown etiology and high percentage of pharmacoresistance. The clinical manifestations of epilepsy are seizures, which originate from aberrant neuronal synchronization and hyperexcitability. Reactive astrocytosis, a hallmark of the epileptic tissue, develops into loss-of-function of glutamine synthetase, impairment of glutamate-glutamine cycle and increase in extracellular and astrocytic glutamate concentration. Here, we argue that chronically elevated intracellular glutamate level in astrocytes is instrumental to alterations in the metabolism of glycogen and leads to the synthesis of polyglucosans. Unaccessibility of glycogen-degrading enzymes to these insoluble molecules compromises the glycogenolysis-dependent reuptake of extracellular K(+) by astrocytes, thereby leading to increased extracellular K(+) and associated membrane depolarization. Based on current knowledge, we propose that the deterioration in structural homogeneity of glycogen particles is relevant to disruption of brain K(+) homeostasis and increased susceptibility to seizures in epilepsy.

Physiological bases of the K+ and the glutamate/GABA hypotheses of epilepsy

Epilepsy is a heterogeneous family of neurological disorders that manifest as seizures, i.e. the hypersynchronous activity of large population of neurons. About 30% of epileptic patients do not respond to currently available antiepileptic drugs. Decades of intense research have elucidated the involvement of a number of possible signaling pathways, however, at present we do not have a fundamental understanding of epileptogenesis. In this paper, we review the literature on epilepsy under a wide-angle perspective, a mandatory choice that responds to the recurrent and unanswered question about what is epiphenomenal and what is causal to the disease. While focusing on the involvement of K+ and glutamate/GABA in determining neuronal hyperexcitability, emphasis is given to astrocytic contribution to epileptogenesis, and especially to loss-of-function of astrocytic glutamine synthetase following reactive astrogliosis, a hallmark of epileptic syndromes. We finally introduce the potential involvement of abnormal glycogen synthesis induced by excess glutamate in increasing susceptibility to seizures.

Pathophysiogenesis of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: is prevention of damage antiepileptogenic?

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is frequently associated with hippocampal sclerosis, possibly caused by a primary brain injury that occurred a long time before the appearance of neurological symptoms. This type of epilepsy is characterized by refractoriness to drug treatment, so to require surgical resection of mesial temporal regions involved in seizure onset. Even this last therapeutic approach may fail in giving relief to patients. Although prevention of hippocampal damage and epileptogenesis after a primary event could be a key innovative approach to TLE, the lack of clear data on the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to TLE does not allow any rational therapy. Here we address the current knowledge on mechanisms supposed to be involved in epileptogenesis, as well as on the possible innovative treatments that may lead to a preventive approach. Besides loss of principal neurons and of specific interneurons, network rearrangement caused by axonal sprouting and neurogenesis are well known phenomena that are integrated by changes in receptor and channel functioning and modifications in other cellular components. In particular, a growing body of evidence from the study of animal models suggests that disruption of vascular and astrocytic components of the blood-brain barrier takes place in injured brain regions such as the hippocampus and piriform cortex. These events may be counteracted by drugs able to prevent damage to the vascular component, as in the case of the growth hormone secretagogue ghrelin and its analogues. A thoroughly investigation on these new pharmacological tools may lead to design effective preventive therapies.

Mechanisms of ictogenesis

Epilepsy is a paroxysmal condition characterized by repeated transient seizures separated by longer interictal periods. Ictogenesis describes the processes of transition from the interictal state to a seizure. The processes include a preictal state, with specific clinical signs and a distinct electrophysiology which may provide opportunities to anticipate, or even prevent, seizures. Biological mechanisms of ictogenesis remain poorly understood and may vary between conditions/syndromes. We review here ictogenic processes including the involvement of pyramidal cells, interneurons and astrocytes, GABAergic and glutamatergic signaling, and ionic perturbations. Our review suggests that specific excitatory influences at the transition to an ictal event include (1) GABA receptor activation with a neuronal Cl(-) load and (2) a transient increase in external K(+).

Oxidative stress and redistribution of glutamine synthetase in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) with domoic acid toxicosis

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress and glutamine synthetase (GS) redistribution occur in domoic acid (DA) toxicosis in California sea lions (CSLs, Zalophus californianus). Sections of archived hippocampi from seven control and 13 CSLs diagnosed with DA toxicosis were labelled immunohistochemically for GS and for two markers of oxidative stress, malondialdehyde (MDA) and 3-nitrotyrosine (NT). The distribution and intensity of labelling were compared with the pathological changes seen in haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Increased expression of MDA and NT occurred in neurons of the hippocampal formation of CSLs with lesions consistent with DA toxicosis. The degree of oxidative stress was not affected significantly by the chronicity or severity of hippocampal damage. In six out of seven CSLs with chronic effects of DA toxicosis, in addition to the normal glial distribution of GS, GS expression was very strong in some neurons of the subiculum. However, neuronal GS labelling was also seen in one control CSL, an effect that may have been due to previous exposure to DA. GS expression in neurons was associated with decreases in GS labelling in neighbouring glial cell processes. DA toxicosis therefore induces increased expression of markers of oxidative stress in neurons consistent with oxidative stress contributing to the initial DA insult and also the epilepsy that often develops in chronic DA toxicosis. GS redistribution occurred primarily in chronic DA toxicosis, perhaps leading to alterations of the glutamine-glutamate-GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) cycle and contributing to the excitotoxicity and seizures often seen in DA toxicosis.

A Transient Upregulation of Glutamine Synthetase in the Dentate Gyrus Is Involved in Epileptogenesis Induced by Amygdala Kindling in the Rat

Reduction of glutamine synthetase (GS) function is closely related to established epilepsy, but little is known regarding its role in epileptogenesis. The present study aimed to elucidate the functional changes of GS in the brain and its involvement in epileptogenesis using the amygdala kindling model of epilepsy induced by daily electrical stimulation of basolateral amygdala in rats. Both expression and activity of GS in the ipsilateral dentate gyrus (DG) were upregulated when kindled seizures progressed to stage 4. A single dose of L-methionine sulfoximine (MSO, in 2 µl), a selective GS inhibitor, was administered into the ipsilateral DG on the third day following the first stage 3 seizure (just before GS was upregulated). It was found that low doses of MSO (5 or 10 µg) significantly and dose-dependently reduced the severity of and susceptibility to evoked seizures, whereas MSO at a high dose (20 µg) aggravated kindled seizures. In animals that seizure acquisition had been successfully suppressed with 10 µg MSO, GS upregulation reoccurred when seizures re-progressed to stage 4 and re-administration of 10 µg MSO consistently reduced the seizures. GLN at a dose of 1.5 µg abolished the alleviative effect of 10 µg MSO and deleterious effect of 20 µg MSO on kindled seizures. Moreover, appropriate artificial microRNA interference (1 and 1.5×10(6) TU/2 µl) of GS expression in the ipsilateral DG also inhibited seizure progression. In addition, a transient increase of GS expression and activity in the cortex was also observed during epileptogenesis evoked by pentylenetetrazole kindling. These results strongly suggest that a transient and region-specific upregulation of GS function occurs when epilepsy develops into a certain stage and eventually promotes the process of epileptogenesis. Inhibition of GS to an adequate degree and at an appropriate timing may be a potential therapeutic approach to interrupting epileptogenesis.

Regulation of astrocyte glutamine synthetase in epilepsy

Astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating and maintaining the extracellular chemical milieu of the central nervous system under physiological conditions. Moreover, proliferation of phenotypically altered astrocytes (a.k.a. reactive astrogliosis) has been associated with many neurologic and psychiatric disorders, including mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). Glutamine synthetase (GS), which is found in astrocytes, is the only enzyme known to date that is capable of converting glutamate and ammonia to glutamine in the mammalian brain. This reaction is important, because a continuous supply of glutamine is necessary for the synthesis of glutamate and GABA in neurons. The known stoichiometry of glutamate transport across the astrocyte plasma membrane also suggests that rapid metabolism of intracellular glutamate via GS is a prerequisite for efficient glutamate clearance from the extracellular space. Several studies have indicated that the activity of GS in astrocytes is diminished in several brain disorders, including MTLE. It has been hypothesized that the loss of GS activity in MTLE leads to increased extracellular glutamate concentrations and epileptic seizures. Understanding the mechanisms by which GS is regulated may lead to novel therapeutic approaches to MTLE, which is frequently refractory to antiepileptic drugs. This review discusses several known mechanisms by which GS expression and function are influenced, from transcriptional control to enzyme modification.

The Glutamate-Glutamine (GABA) Cycle: Importance of Late Postnatal Development and Potential Reciprocal Interactions between Biosynthesis and Degradation

The gold standard for studies of glutamate-glutamine (GABA) cycling and its connections to brain biosynthesis from glucose of glutamate and GABA and their subsequent metabolism are the elegant in vivo studies by (13)C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), showing the large fluxes in the cycle. However, simpler experiments in intact brain tissue (e.g., immunohistochemistry), brain slices, cultured brain cells, and mitochondria have also made important contributions to the understanding of details, mechanisms, and functional consequences of glutamate/GABA biosynthesis and degradation. The purpose of this review is to attempt to integrate evidence from different sources regarding (i) the enzyme(s) responsible for the initial conversion of α-ketoglutarate to glutamate; (ii) the possibility that especially glutamate oxidation is essentially confined to astrocytes; and (iii) the ontogenetically very late onset and maturation of glutamine-glutamate (GABA) cycle function. Pathway models based on the functional importance of aspartate for glutamate synthesis suggest the possibility of interacting pathways for biosynthesis and degradation of glutamate and GABA and the use of transamination as the default mechanism for initiation of glutamate oxidation. The late development and maturation are related to the late cortical gliogenesis and convert brain cortical function from being purely neuronal to becoming neuronal-astrocytic. This conversion is associated with huge increases in energy demand and production, and the character of potentially incurred gains of function are discussed. These may include alterations in learning mechanisms, in mice indicated by lack of pairing of odor learning with aversive stimuli in newborn animals but the development of such an association 10-12 days later. The possibility is suggested that analogous maturational changes may contribute to differences in the way learning is accomplished in the newborn human brain and during later development.

Astrocytic Ca(2+) waves mediate activation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors in hippocampal neurons to aggravate brain damage during ischemia

Excitotoxicity plays a central role in the neuronal damage during ischemic stroke. Although growing evidence suggests that activation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors initiates neuronal death, no direct evidence demonstrated their activation during ischemia. Using rat hippocampal slices, we detected oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) induced slow inward currents (SICs) mediated by extrasynaptic NMDA receptors in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Moreover, Ca(2+) chelator BAPTA dialysis into astrocytic network decreased the frequency of OGD induced SICs, indicating that the activation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors depended on astrocytic Ca(2+) activity. To further demonstrate the importance of astrocytic Ca(2+) activity, we tested hippocampal slices from inositol triphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2) knock-out mice which abolished the astrocytic Ca(2+) activity. As expected, the frequency of OGD induced SICs was reduced. Using two-photon Ca(2+) imaging, we characterized the astrocytic Ca(2+) dynamics. By controlling Ca(2+) level in the individual astrocytes using targeted photolysis, we found that OGD facilitated the propagation of intercellular Ca(2+) waves, which were inhibited by gap junction blocker carbenoxolone (CBX). CBX also inhibited the Ca(2+) activity of the astrocytic network and decreased the SIC frequency during OGD. Functionally, the infarct volumes from brain ischemia were reduced in IP3R2 knock-out mice and in rat intracerebrally delivered with CBX. Our results demonstrate that enhanced Ca(2+) activity of the astrocytic network plays a key role on the activation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors in hippocampal neurons, which enhances brain damage during ischemia.

Role of nonsynaptic GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in excitotoxicity: evidence that fluoxetine selectively inhibits these receptors and may have neuroprotective effects

In acute ischaemic brain injury and chronic neurodegeneration, the primary step leading to excitotoxicity and cell death is the excessive and/or prolonged activation of glutamate (Glu) receptors, followed by intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) overload. These steps lead to several effects: a persistent depolarisation of neurons, mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in energy failure, an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), an increase in the concentration of cytosolic Ca(2+) [Ca(2+)]i, increased mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake, and the activation of self-destructing enzymatic mechanisms. Antagonists for NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are expected to display neuroprotective effects, but no evidence to support this hypothesis has yet been reported. A number of clinical trials using NMDAR antagonists have failed to demonstrate neuroprotective effects, either by reducing brain injury or by preventing neurodegeneration. Recent advances in NMDAR research have provided an explanation for this phenomenon. Synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDARs are composed of different subunits (GluN2A and GluN2B) that demonstrate opposing effects. Synaptic GluN2A-containing and extrasynaptic GluN2B-containing NMDARs have different co-agonists: d-serine for synaptic NMDARs and glycine for extrasynaptic NMDARs. Both co-agonists are of glial origin. The mechanisms of cell destruction or cell survival in response to the activation of NMDAR receptors depend in part on [Ca(2+)]i and the route of entry of this ion and more significantly on the subunit composition and localisation of the NMDARs. While synaptic NMDAR activation is involved in neuroprotection, the stimulation of extrasynaptic NMDARs, which are composed of GluN2B subunits, triggers cell destruction pathways and may play a key role in the neurodegeneration associated with Glu-induced excitotoxicity. In addition, it has been found that synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors have opposing effects in determining the fate of neurons. This result has led to the targeting of nonsynaptic GluN2B-containing NMDARs as promising candidates for drug research. Under hypoxic conditions, it is likely that the failure of synaptic glutamatergic transmission, the impairment of the GluN2A-activated neuroprotective cascade, and the persistent over-activation of extrasynaptic GluN2B-containing NMDARs lead to excitotoxicity. Fluoxetine, a drug widely used in clinical practice as an antidepressant, has been found to selectively block GluNR2B-containing NMDARs. Therefore, it seems to be a potential candidate for neuroprotection.