Intercellular signaling pathway among Endothelia, astrocytes and neurons in excitatory neuronal damage

Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Apr 16;14(4):8345-57. doi: 10.3390/ijms14048345.

Abstract

Neurons interact closely with astrocytes via glutamate; this neuron-glia circuit may play a pivotal role in synaptic transmission. On the other hand, astrocytes contact vascular endothelial cells with their end-feet. It is becoming obvious that non-neuronal cells play a critical role in regulating the neuronal activity in the brain. We find that kainic acid (KA) administration induces the expression of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) in venous endothelial cells and the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor prostaglandin E receptor (EP)-3 on astrocytes. Endothelial mPGES-1 exacerbates KA-induced neuronal damage in in vivo experiments. In in vitro experiments, mPGES-1 produces PGE2, which enhances astrocytic Ca2+ levels via the EP3 receptor and increases Ca2+-dependent glutamate release, thus aggravating neuronal injury. This novel endothelium-astrocyte-neuron signaling pathway may be crucial for driving neuronal damage after repetitive seizures and could be a new therapeutic target for epilepsy and other brain disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / drug effects
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / toxicity
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Kainic Acid
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP3 Subtype / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Synaptic Transmission

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP3 Subtype
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
  • PTGES protein, human
  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases
  • Dinoprostone
  • Kainic Acid