Activity-dependent release of endogenous BDNF from mossy fibers evokes a TRPC3 current and Ca2+ elevations in CA3 pyramidal neurons

J Neurophysiol. 2010 May;103(5):2846-56. doi: 10.1152/jn.01140.2009. Epub 2010 Mar 10.

Abstract

Multiple studies have demonstrated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a potent modulator of neuronal structure and function in the hippocampus. However, the majority of studies to date have relied on the application of recombinant BDNF. We herein report that endogenous BDNF, released via theta burst stimulation of mossy fibers (MF), elicits a slowly developing cationic current and intracellular Ca(2+) elevations in CA3 pyramidal neurons with the same pharmacological profile of the transient receptor potential canonical 3 (TRPC3)-mediated I(BDNF) activated in CA1 neurons by brief localized applications of recombinant BDNF. Indeed, sensitivity to both the extracellular BDNF scavenger tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB)-IgG and small hairpin interference RNA-mediated TRPC3 channel knockdown confirms the identity of this conductance as such, henceforth-denoted MF-I(BDNF). Consistent with such activity-dependent release of BDNF, these MF-I(BDNF) responses were insensitive to manipulations of extracellular Zn(2+) concentration. Brief theta burst stimulation of MFs induced a long-lasting depression in the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) mediated by both AMPA and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors without changes in the NMDA receptor/AMPA receptor ratio, suggesting a reduction in neurotransmitter release. This depression of NMDAR-mediated EPSCs required activity-dependent release of endogenous BDNF from MFs and activation of Trk receptors, as it was sensitive to the extracellular BDNF scavenger TrkB-IgG and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor k-252b. These results uncovered the most immediate response to endogenously released--native--BDNF in hippocampal neurons and lend further credence to the relevance of BDNF signaling for synaptic function in the hippocampus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism*
  • CA3 Region, Hippocampal / physiology*
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Long-Term Synaptic Depression / physiology
  • Mossy Fibers, Hippocampal / physiology*
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Pyramidal Cells / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptor, trkB / metabolism
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • TRPC Cation Channels / metabolism*
  • Theta Rhythm
  • Zinc / metabolism

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • TRPC Cation Channels
  • TRPC3 cation channel
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, trkB
  • Zinc
  • Calcium