Ultrastructrural observation of the membrane surface of kainic acid-treated hippocampal neurons by atomic force microscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the three-dimensional morphological changes on the membrane surface of primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons in response to kainic acid (KA) exposure.


METHODS
After isolation and primary culture, Wistar rat hippocampal neurons were treated with KA at the concentrations of 0, 25, and 250 micromol/L for different durations (10 and 100 min) to observe the subsequent changes in the membrane surface structure of the neurons by nano-scale scanning with an atomic force microscope (AFM).


RESULTS
Normal neurons displayed smooth membrane surface with even and regular undulation, while the neurons treated with KA, in contrast, presented degenerative changes characterized by cell swelling and coarse membrane surface with processes and holes. As the treatment was prolonged and KA concentration increased, the changes became more evident.


CONCLUSIONS
As a result of the toxic effect of KA, the membrane surface ultrastructure of rat hippocampal neurons undergo obvious changes, which can be clearly observed and quantitatively analyzed by means of AFM.
Liu
Zhi-liang
ZL
Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China. zl-liu@163.net
Xu
Ru-xiang
RX
Zhang
Ying-ge
YG
Zhang
Sa
S
Jiang
Xia
X
Zhang
De-tian
DT
Yang
Yi
Y
Jiang
Xiao-dan
XD
Zou
Yu-xi
YX
Du
Mou-xuan
MX
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D007608:Kainic Acid