Dysregulated glutamate uptake by astrocytes causes oligodendroglia death in hypoxic perventricular white matter damage

Madhuvika Murugan, Eng Ang Ling, Charanjit Kaur

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Excess glutamate mediates damage to oligodendroglia, resulting in myelination disturbances characteristic of hypoxic periventricular white matter (PWM) damage. We sought to examine if hypoxia altered the expression of astroglial excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT1, EAAT2 and EAAT3) in the PWM, and, if so, whether it activated astroglial N-methyl d-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) which might lead to apoptosis of oligodendroglia. EAAT expression in the PWM of neonatal rats was measured at different time points after hypoxic exposure; it was attenuated at 7 and 14. d following hypoxia. Hypoxia prevented the uptake of glutamate by astroglial EAATs causing increased levels of extracellular glutamate. Excess glutamate augmented the expression of functional astroglial NMDAR. Following hypoxia, an increase in gap junction proteins between astroglia and oligodendroglia aided in the spreading of NMDAR-mediated excitotoxic calcium signals into the latter cell type triggering its apoptosis. Hence, dysregulated glutamate homeostasis is believed to contribute to hypoxia-induced death of oligodendroglia leading to neonatal PWM damage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)342-354
Number of pages13
JournalMolecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Volume56
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2013
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Keywords

  • Astrocytes
  • Developing brain
  • Glutamate transporters
  • NMDAR receptors
  • Oligodendrocytes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dysregulated glutamate uptake by astrocytes causes oligodendroglia death in hypoxic perventricular white matter damage'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this