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Isolation of Sensory Neurons of Aplysia californica for Patch Clamp Recordings of Glutamatergic Currents
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Isolation of Sensory Neurons of Aplysia californica for Patch Clamp Recordings of Glutamatergic Currents

Published on: July 10, 2013

Interleukin-2 inhibits the GABA-induced Cl- current in identified Aplysia neurons

M Sawada1, N Hara, M Ichinose

  • 1Department of Physiology, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.

Journal of Neuroscience Research
|November 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) suppressed gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-induced currents in Aplysia neurons. This immunomodulator effect on the nervous system was reversible and specific to active rhIL-2.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Marine Biology

Background:

  • Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an immunomodulator.
  • Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system.
  • The effects of IL-2 on neuronal function are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) on GABA-induced currents in identified Aplysia neurons.
  • To determine if rhIL-2 modulates neurotransmission in the marine mollusc Aplysia kurodai.

Main Methods:

  • Conventional voltage-clamp technique.
  • Pressure ejection of GABA and rhIL-2.
  • Recording from identified neurons (R9 and R12) of Aplysia kurodai.

Main Results:

  • Extracellular application of rhIL-2 (10-40 U/ml) significantly reduced GABA-induced Cl- currents.
  • The observed suppression was fully reversible upon removal of rhIL-2.
  • Heat-inactivated rhIL-2 had no effect, indicating the biological activity of rhIL-2 is responsible for the modulation.

Conclusions:

  • Recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) can modulate GABA-induced responses in the Aplysia nervous system.
  • IL-2 may play a role in regulating neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission.
  • These findings suggest a potential link between the immune system and nervous system function.

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