Activation of class II or III metabotropic glutamate receptors protects cultured cortical neurons against excitotoxic degeneration

Eur J Neurosci. 1995 Sep 1;7(9):1906-13. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1995.tb00712.x.

Abstract

Trans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, a mixed agonist of all metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) subtypes, is known to produce either neurotoxic or neuroprotective effects. We have therefore hypothesized that individual mGluR subtypes differentially affect neurodegenerative processes. Selective agonists of subtypes which belong to mGluR class II or III, such as (2S,1'R,2'R,3'R)-2-(2,3-dicarboxycyclopropyl)-glycine (DCG-IV) (specific for subtypes mGluR4, 6 or 7), were highly potent and efficacious in protecting cultured cortical neurons against toxicity induced by either a transient exposure to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or a prolonged exposure to kainate. In contrast, agonists that preferentially activate class I mGluR subtypes (mGluR1 or 5), such as quisqualate or trans-azetidine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, were inactive. DCG-IV was still neuroprotective when applied to cultures after the toxic pulse with NMDA. This delayed rescue effect was associated with a reduction in the release of endogenous glutamate, a process that contributes to the maturation of neuronal damage. We conclude that agonists of class II or III mGluRs are of potential interest in the experimental therapy of acute or chronic neurodegenerative disorders.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / drug effects
  • Biotransformation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Colforsin / pharmacology
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / toxicity
  • Excitatory Amino Acids / toxicity*
  • Extracellular Space / drug effects
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism
  • Mice
  • N-Methylaspartate / toxicity
  • Nerve Degeneration / drug effects*
  • Neuroglia / drug effects
  • Neuroglia / physiology
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / drug effects
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate / physiology*
  • alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid / toxicity

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
  • Excitatory Amino Acids
  • Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
  • Colforsin
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid
  • Cyclic AMP