The inflammatory effects of UDP-glucose in N9 microglia are not mediated by P2Y14 receptor activation

Vielska M Brautigam1, George R Dubyak, Jessica M Crain

  • 1Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin, 2015 Linden Dr., Madison, WI, 53706, USA.

Purinergic Signalling
|March 28, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Microbial-derived UDP-glucose (UDPG) triggers inflammation in N9 microglia, but not via P2Y14 receptors. Synthetic UDPG lacks these effects, suggesting contaminants in microbial preparations drive inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Molecular Pharmacology

Background:

  • P2Y14 receptors are expressed on microglia and implicated in inflammatory responses.
  • The role of specific P2Y14 receptor agonists, like UDP-glucose (UDPG), in microglial activation requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the pro-inflammatory effects of UDP-glucose (UDPG) and UDP-galactose on N9 microglia.
  • To determine if these effects are mediated through P2Y14 receptors.

Main Methods:

  • N9 microglia were treated with selective P2Y14 receptor agonists (microbial and synthetic UDPG, UDP-galactose) and bacterial lipopolysaccharide.
  • Inflammatory markers including cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nitric oxide production were measured.
  • Phosphorylated cyclic AMP response element binding protein levels and pertussis toxin sensitivity were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Microbial-derived UDP-glucose (UDPG) dose-dependently increased cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and potentiated lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production.
  • UDP-galactose and synthetic UDPG did not elicit pro-inflammatory effects.
  • Pro-inflammatory effects of microbial UDPG were pertussis toxin-insensitive, unlike the effects of synthetic UDPG on phosphorylated cyclic AMP response element binding protein.

Conclusions:

  • The pro-inflammatory effects observed with microbial-derived UDP-glucose (UDPG) in N9 microglia are independent of P2Y14 receptor activation.
  • Contaminants within microbial UDPG preparations likely contribute to the observed inflammatory responses, rather than UDPG itself acting through P2Y14 receptors.