title: Expression and modulation of an NADPH oxidase in mammalian astrocytes.
abstract: Amyloid beta peptides generate oxidative stress in hippocampal astrocytes through a mechanism sensitive to inhibitors of the NADPH oxidase [diphenylene iodonium (DPI) and apocynin]. Seeking evidence for the expression and function of the enzyme in primary hippocampal astrocytes, we confirmed the expression of the subunits of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase by Western blot analysis and by immunofluorescence and coexpression with the astrocyte-specific marker glial fibrillary acidic protein both in cultures and in vivo. Functional assays using lucigenin luminescence, dihydroethidine, or dicarboxyfluorescein fluorescence to measure the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) demonstrated DPI and apocynin-sensitive ROS generation in response to the phorbol ester PMA and to raised [Ca2+]c after application of ionomycin or P2u receptor activation. Stimulation by PMA but not Ca2+ was inhibited by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors staurosporine and hispidin. Responses were absent in transgenic mice lacking gp91phox. Expression of gp91phox and p67phox was increased in reactive astrocytes, which showed increased rates of both resting and stimulated ROS generation. NADPH oxidase activity was modulated by intracellular pH, suppressed by intracellular alkalinization, and enhanced by acidification. The protonophore carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone suppressed basal ROS generation but markedly increased PMA-stimulated ROS generation. This was independent of mitochondrial ROS production, because it was unaffected by mitochondrial depolarization with rotenone and oligomycin. Thus, the NADPH oxidase is expressed in astrocytes and is functional, activated by PKC and intracellular calcium, modulated by pHi, and upregulated by astrocyte activation. The astrocytic NADPH oxidase is likely to play important roles in CNS physiology and pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrey Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Abramov
authors.forename: Jake
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: Frans
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wientjes
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hothersall
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Canevari
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Duchen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D039481:CD11b Antigen; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002259:Carbonyl Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone / Q000494:pharmacology; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005110:Extracellular Space; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D048288:Imidazolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D007476:Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010703:Phorbol Esters / Q000494:pharmacology; D011753:Pyrones / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D039481:CD11b Antigen; D002395:Catecholamines; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D048288:Imidazolines; D007476:Ionophores; D010703:Phorbol Esters; C105949:Pirb protein, mouse; D011753:Pyrones; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D013481:Superoxides; D002259:Carbonyl Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone; D000001:Calcimycin; C011775:(3,4-dihydroxyphenylamino)-2-imidazoline; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; C007946:hispidin; D002118:Calcium