Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors control metaplasticity of spinal cord learning through a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism.
Neurons within the spinal cord can support several forms of plasticity, including response-outcome (instrumental) learning. After a complete spinal transection, experimental subjects are capable of learning to hold the hindlimb in a flexed position (response) if shock (outcome) is delivered to the tibialis anterior muscle when the limb is extended. This response-contingent shock produces a robust learning that is mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs). Exposure to nociceptive stimuli that are independent of limb position (e.g., uncontrollable shock; peripheral inflammation) produces a long-term (>24 h) inhibition of spinal learning. This inhibition of plasticity in spinal learning is itself a form of plasticity that requires iGluR activation and protein synthesis. Plasticity of plasticity (metaplasticity) in the CNS has been linked to group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (subtypes mGluR1 and mGluR5) and activation of protein kinase C (PKC). The present study explores the role of mGluRs and PKC in the metaplastic inhibition of spinal cord learning using a combination of behavioral, pharmacological, and biochemical techniques. Activation of group I mGluRs was found to be both necessary and sufficient for metaplastic inhibition of spinal learning. PKC was activated by stimuli that inhibit spinal learning, and inhibiting PKC activity restored the capacity for spinal learning. Finally, a PKC inhibitor blocked the metaplastic inhibition of spinal learning produced by a group I mGluR agonist. The data strongly suggest that group I mGluRs control metaplasticity of spinal learning through a PKC-dependent mechanism, providing a potential therapeutic target for promoting use-dependent plasticity after spinal cord injury.
Ferguson
Adam R
AR
Brain and Spinal Injury Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94110, USA. adam.ferguson@ucsf.edu
Bolding
Kevin A
KA
Huie
J Russell
JR
Hook
Michelle A
MA
Santillano
Daniel R
DR
Miranda
Rajesh C
RC
Grau
James W
JW
D000818:Animals; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D064529:Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; C578937:Grm5 protein, rat; D064529:Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5; D018094:Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; C104077:metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D011493:Protein Kinase C