title: Human T lymphocytes express N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors functionally active in controlling T cell activation.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and the functional role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in human T cells. RT-PCR analysis showed that human resting peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and Jurkat T cells express genes encoding for both NR1 and NR2B subunits: phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-activated PBL also expresses both these genes and the NR2A and NR2D genes. Cytofluorimetric analysis showed that NR1 expression increases as a consequence of PHA (10 microg/ml) treatment. D-(-)-2-Amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (D-AP5), and (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine [(+)-MK 801], competitive and non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists, respectively, inhibited PHA-induced T cell proliferation, whereas they did not affect IL-2 (10 U/ml)-induced proliferation of PHA blasts. These effects were due to the prevention of T cell activation (inhibition of cell aggregate formation and CD25 expression), but not to cell cycle arrest or death. These results demonstrate that human T lymphocytes express NMDA receptors, which are functionally active in controlling cell activation.
authors.affiliation: DiSCAFF Department, Eastern Piedmont University, Via Bovio 6, 28100 Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miglio
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Varsaldi
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lombardi
mesh_terms: D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / Q000494:pharmacology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; C409466:NR1 NMDA receptor; C121001:NR2B NMDA receptor; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate