title: Glial cell inhibition of neurons by release of ATP.
abstract: ATP is released by neurons and functions as a neurotransmitter and modulator in the CNS. Here I show that ATP released from glial cells can also serve as a potent neuromodulator, inhibiting neurons in the retina of the rat. Activation of glial cells by focal ejection of ATP, ATPgammaS, dopamine, thrombin, or lysophosphatidic acid or by mechanical stimulation evoked hyperpolarizing responses and outward currents in a subset of retinal ganglion cells by increasing a Ba(2+)-sensitive K(+) conductance in the neurons. This glia-evoked inhibition reduced the firing rate of those neurons that displayed spontaneous spike activity. The inhibition was abolished by the A(1) adenosine receptor antagonist DPCPX (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine) (10 nm) and was reduced by the ecto-ATPase inhibitor ARL-67156 (6-N,N-diethyl-D-beta,gamma-dibromomethyleneATP) (50 microm) and by the ectonucleotidase inhibitor AOPCP [adenosine-5'-O-(alpha,beta-methylene)-diphosphonate] (250 microm). Selective activation of retinal glial cells demonstrated that Müller cells, but not astrocytes, mediate the inhibition. ATP release from Müller cells into the inner plexiform layer of the retina was shown using the luciferin-luciferase chemiluminescence assay. These findings demonstrate that activated glial cells can inhibit neurons in the retina by the release of ATP, which is converted to adenosine by ectoenzymes and subsequently activates neuronal adenosine receptors. The results lend support to the hypothesis that glial cells play an active role in information processing in the CNS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. ean@umn.edu
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008246:Lysophospholipids / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D058915:Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013917:Thrombin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008246:Lysophospholipids; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D015221:Potassium Channels; D058915:Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists; C022571:adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate); D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D013917:Thrombin; D002118:Calcium; D004298:Dopamine