Interleukin-10 modulates [Ca2+]i response induced by repeated NMDA receptor activation with brief hypoxia through inhibition of InsP(3)-sensitive internal stores in hippocampal neurons.

The goal of this study was to evaluate an effect of interleukin-10 (IL-10) on the Ca(2+) response induced by repeated NMDA receptor activation with brief hypoxia in cultured hippocampal neurons. We focused on the importance of internal Ca(2+) stores in the modulation of this Ca(2+) response by IL-10. To test this, we compared roles of InsP(3)- and ryanodine-sensitive internal stores in the effects of IL-10. Measurements of intracellular cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in cultured hippocampal neurons were made by imaging Fura-2AM loaded hippocampal cells. Repeated episodes of NMDA receptor activation with brief hypoxia induced the spontaneous (s) [Ca(2+)](i) increases about 3 min after each hypoxic episode. The amplitude of the s[Ca(2+)](i) increases was progressively enhanced from the first hypoxic episode to the third one. IL-10 (1 ng/ml) abolished these s[Ca(2+)](i) increases. Exposure of cultured hippocampal neurons with thapsigargin (1 µM) or an inhibitor of phospholipase C (U73122, 1 µM) for 10 min also abolished the s[Ca(2+)](i) increases. On the other hand, antagonist of ryanodine receptors (ryanodine, 1 µM) did not affect this Ca(2+) response. These studies appear to provide the first evidence that Ca(2+) release from internal stores is affected by anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in brain neurons. It is suggested that these data increase our understanding of the neuroprotective mechanisms of IL-10 in the early phase of hypoxia.

Repeated brief episodes of hypoxia modulate the calcium responses of ionotropic glutamate receptors in hippocampal neurons.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intracellular cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) changes induced by activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons after repeated brief episodes of hypoxia. To investigate what kinds of ionotropic glutamate receptors are involved we used specific agonists for AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors. Measurements of [Ca(2+)](i) in cultured hippocampal neurons were made by imaging Fura-2AM loaded hippocampal cells. In the rat hippocampal slice method, field potential measurements in CA1 pyramidal neurons were used. The main result of our study is that brief hypoxic episodes progressively depress the [Ca(2+)](i) increases induced by agonists of AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons. An effectiveness of this depression is increased from the first hypoxic episode to the third one. Hypoxic preconditioning effect is observed during 10-20 min after termination of hypoxic episode and depends on [Ca(2+)](i) response amplitudes to agonists before hypoxia. In contrast to AMPA receptor activation, NMDA receptor activation before hypoxia induce the spontaneous [Ca(2+)](i) increase about 3 min after each hypoxic episode. These spontaneous [Ca(2+)](i) increases may be an indicator of the development of posthypoxic hyperexcitability in hippocampal neurons. Our results suggest that brief hypoxia-induced depression of the glutamate receptor-mediated [Ca(2+)](i) responses contributes to the development of rapid hypoxic preconditioning in hippocampal CA1 neurons.