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Interferon inhibits synaptic potentiation in rat hippocampus

G D'Arcangelo1, F Grassi, D Ragozzino

  • 1Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Scienze Biochimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Italy.

Brain Research
|November 15, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Rat interferon (IFN) impairs synaptic plasticity, reducing both short-term and long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. These findings suggest interferon may act as a neuromodulator in the mammalian brain.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Synaptic plasticity, including short-term potentiation (STP) and long-term potentiation (LTP), is crucial for learning and memory.
  • Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines primarily known for their role in immune responses, but their direct effects on neuronal function are less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of rat interferon (IFN) on synaptic transmission and plasticity in the rat hippocampus.
  • To explore the potential role of IFN as a neuromodulator in the mammalian brain.

Main Methods:

  • Extracellular field potential recordings in rat hippocampal slices.
  • Electrically-induced potentiation of synaptic transmission.
  • Application of varying concentrations of rat IFN.
  • Patch-clamp recordings of neuronal currents in cultured hippocampal neurons.

Main Results:

  • Rat IFN (120 U/ml) significantly reduced STP and suppressed LTP in a dose-dependent manner (50-500 U/ml).
  • IFN also affected basal synaptic transmission at concentrations ≥250 U/ml.
  • In cultured neurons, IFN attenuated N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced currents and altered voltage-activated Ca2+ currents.

Conclusions:

  • Rat interferon negatively impacts synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.
  • IFN may function as a neuromodulator, influencing neuronal excitability and synaptic function.
  • These findings highlight a potential link between immune signaling and brain function during immune responses.

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