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NMDA receptors are expressed in developing oligodendrocyte processes and mediate injury
Michael G Salter1, Robert Fern
1Department of Cell Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK.
Nature
|December 24, 2005
Summary
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors on oligodendrocyte processes contribute to white matter injury during ischemia. Blocking these NMDA receptors protects these crucial cells, offering a new therapeutic target for brain disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Neurobiology
Background:
- Oligodendrocyte processes are vital for myelination and their injury is linked to brain disorders.
- Previous research has overlooked the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in oligodendrocyte injury due to a focus on cell somata.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of NMDA receptor subunits in oligodendrocyte processes.
- To determine the impact of NMDA receptor activation on oligodendrocyte processes during ischemic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Examined NMDA receptor subunit expression in mouse white matter using techniques like green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagging in CNP-GFP mice.
- Modeled ischemia to observe the effects of NMDA receptor activation on oligodendrocyte processes.
- Differentiated the localization of NMDA and AMPA/kainate receptors within oligodendrocytes.
Main Results:
- NMDA receptor subunits (NR1, NR2A-D, NR3A) are expressed in oligodendrocyte processes, but not NR3B.
- NMDA receptor activation during modeled ischemia caused rapid, calcium-dependent detachment and disintegration of oligodendrocyte processes.
- AMPA/kainate receptors were localized to somata, and blocking them protected cell bodies, while blocking NMDA receptors protected processes.
Conclusions:
- The presence of NMDA receptors in oligodendrocyte processes explains their vulnerability to injury.
- NMDA receptors in oligodendrocyte processes represent a significant new drug development target for acute brain injury and related disorders.
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