Effects of chemokine MCP-1 on NMDA-mediated exciatory postsynaptic current in hippocampal slice of rats

Aim To explore how MCP-1 induces neurodisorder by determing the effects of MCP-1 on excitatory postsynaptic current ( EPSCs) in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal brain slices. Methods EPSCs, the AMPA receptor-mediated EPSC ( EPSCampar ), NMDA receptor mediated EPSCs(EPSCNMDAR) and NR2BR receptor-mediated EPSC ( EPSCNR2BR ) were recorded using whole-cell patch recording techniques to observe the effects of 2. 3 nmol • L-1 MCP-1 on pyramidal neurons in hippocampal CA1 region. Microtubule-Associated protein-2 ( MAP-2 ) staining was used to study whether MCP-1 induced dendritic injuries in hippocampal CA1 region and whether NMDAR, AMPAR or CCR2 receptor antagonists had protective effects against dendritic damage caused by MCP-1. Results (J) Bath application of MCP-1 produced a significant enhancement of the amplitudes of EPSCs, EPSCampar and EPSCnmdar. (2) Further studies revealed that MCP- 1 potentiated EPSCNR2BR; (3) The MCP-1-Associated dendritic injuries were blocked by NMDAR, AMPAR and CCR2R antagonists respectively. Conclusions Our results suggest a potential role of MCP-1 which may play in neuroexcitotoxicity and neural injury via NMDA receptor (especially NMDAR subtype NR2BR) and CCR2 receptor. The antagonists of these receptors may have potential therapeutic effect for neurodegeneration.