Interleukin-1beta promotes oligodendrocyte death through glutamate excitotoxicity

Ann Neurol. 2003 May;53(5):588-95. doi: 10.1002/ana.10519.

Abstract

Glutamate excitotoxicity is implicated in the progressive loss of oligodendrocytes in multiple sclerosis, but how glutamate metabolism is dysregulated in the disease remains unclear. Because there is microglia activation in all stages of multiple sclerosis, we determined whether a microglia product, interleukin-1beta, could provide the mechanism for glutamate excitotoxicity. We found that whereas interleukin-1beta did not kill oligodendrocytes in pure culture, it produced apoptosis of oligodendrocytes in coculture with astrocytes and microglia. This requirement for a mixed glia environment suggests that interleukin-1beta impairs the well-described glutamate-buffering capacity of astrocytes. In support, antagonists at AMPA/kainate glutamate receptors, NBQX and CNQX, blocked the interleukin-1beta toxicity to oligodendrocytes. Another microglia/macrophage cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, also evoked apoptosis of oligodendrocytes in a mixed glia environment in an NBQX-blockable manner. These results provide a mechanistic link between the persistent and insidious microglia activation that is evident in all stages of multiple sclerosis, with the recent appreciation that glutamate excitotoxicity leads to the destruction of oligodendrocytes in the disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Glutamic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Glutamic Acid / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Interleukin-1 / metabolism*
  • Microglia / metabolism
  • Microglia / pathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Multiple Sclerosis / metabolism*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology*
  • Oligodendroglia / metabolism*
  • Oligodendroglia / pathology*
  • Quinoxalines / adverse effects
  • Receptors, AMPA / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Kainic Acid / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Interleukin-1
  • Quinoxalines
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Receptors, Kainic Acid
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • 2,3-dioxo-6-nitro-7-sulfamoylbenzo(f)quinoxaline
  • Glutamic Acid