[Activation of astrocytes of by anaphylatoxins of the complement system]

It has been shown that astrocytes (human glioblastoma U118 cell line) release reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide O2.- and hydrogen peroxide H2O2 following the action of C5a complement component C5a (but not C3a). The effect of C5a (1 nM) is accompanied with hyperpolarization of the astrocyte plasma membrane. Component C3a (100 nM), which is not an inducer of ROS, caused a prolonged depolarization of astrocytes. However, both the agents induced a transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The data obtained permit a conclusion that O2.- participates in the intracellular signal transduction, and is involved in the mechanism of hyperpolarization response of astrocytes to the effect of the inducer of ROS, complement component C5a.