P2X receptor expression on astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens of rats (original) (raw)
öAstrocytes express a variety of neurotransmitter receptors which render them capable of responding to extracellular stimuli, like ATP. Release of ATP, e.g. after brain injury, may initiate reactive gliosis via stimulation of purinergic P2X and P2Y receptors. In the present study, the expression and cellular localization of P2X receptor subtypes on astrocytes in the nucleus accumbens of rats under normal physiological conditions and after stab wound were investigated. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with speci¢c P2X 1À7 primers, and double immuno-£uorescence with antibodies to glial ¢brillary acidic protein (GFAP, a speci¢c marker of ¢brous astrocytes) and to di¡erent P2X receptor subtypes (P2X 1À4 , P2X 7) were used. The RT-PCR of tissue extracts of the nucleus accumbens of untreated rats revealed the presence of all seven currently known P2X receptor subtype mRNAs indicating the presence of these receptors in this region. A double immuno£uorescence approach with confocal laser scanning microscopy showed the localization of P2X 2À4 receptor subtypes on GFAP-labelled astrocytes in untreated rats. Labelling for P2X 1 and P2X 7 receptor subtypes was not found. After mechanical damage all P2X receptor subtypes studied (P2X 1À4 , P2X 7) were observed on the GFAP-labelled reactive astrocytes. A characteristic distribution of the P2X receptors on astrocytic processes and cell bodies as well as an up-regulation of the P2X-immuno£uorescence was found. In conclusion, the data show the presence of P2X receptors on rat nucleus accumbens astrocytes and suggest that astrogliosis in vivo is associated with an up-regulation of distinct P2X receptor subtypes.
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