Glutamate Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Apoptosis in Primary Rat Astrocytes

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Glutamate is a well-known central nervous system (CNS) excitatory neurotransmitter that plays a role in memory and learning. However, in excess, it leads to a process called excitotoxicity resulting in cell death. To investigate the mechanism of glutamate cytotoxicity, the apoptosis signaling pathway of primary rat astrocytes was explored in vitro. With this study, we hope to improve the prevention and treatment of ischaemic strokes and various central nervous system disorders. METHODS: To produce a model of cell injury, primary rat astrocytes were treated with glutamate. RESULTS: Treatment with glutamate induced death by apoptosis in primary rat astrocytes. This was evidenced by an increase in sub-G0/G1 fraction of the cell cycle with a loss of cell viability. Glutamate also increased the intracellular accumulation of Ca2+ ions, the expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (Grp78) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) protein, and the phosphorylation of protein kinase r-like endoplasmic reticulum kianse (PERK). However, the expression pattern of activating transcription factor (ATF)4 protein did not change and the 90 kDa ATF6 was cleaved to 50 kDa along with a reduced amount of Bcl-2 protein in a time-dependent manner. Interestingly, pre-treatment with glutathione markedly suppressed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the sub-G0/G1 fraction. However, the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ did not change. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that glutamate injures primary rat astrocytes through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway, as well as, ROS generation. More specifically, through Grp78, PERK, and CHOP, glutamate activates the ER stress-mediated signaling pathway in astrocytes and activates ATF6 to reduce the expression of the Bcl-2 proteins contributing to apoptosis. In addition, the ER stress-mediated signaling pathway is closely related to the transformation of intracellular ROS. This information should be applied to research for the prevention and treatment of strokes and other CNS conditions.