Impairment of electrophysiological function of astrocytes by cerebrospinal fluid from a patient with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.
Patients with the Bing Neel type of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia often present with global neurological symptoms. In this case report, we investigated the effects of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a such a patients (CSF-WM), who presented with seizures and psychomotor slowing, on the electrophysiological properties of cultured rat neurons and astrocytes. Membrane potential and Na+ and K+ currents of neurons were unaffected. Astrocytes, however, were significantly depolarized from -77.6 +/- 8.2 mV to -48.0 +/- 7.6 mV (38%) by CSF-WM. The depolarization was markedly reduced after CSF-WM heat inactivation or after pre-incubation of astrocytes with dexamethasone (1 microM). Astrocytes are electrophysiologically active cells, which control local ionic micro-environment. Therefore, we conclude that global neurological symptoms in the Bing Neel type of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia like generalized seizures can result from an impairment of glial cells electrophysiological functions.
Köller
H
H
Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
von Giesen
H J
HJ
Siebler
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D008258:Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*