Platelet-activating factor inhibits ionotropic GABA receptor activity in cultured hippocampal neurons

Chu Chen, Nicolas G. Bazan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

PLATELET-ACTIVATING factor (PAF), one of the most potent bioactive lipids, has been implicated in modulating long-term potentiation (LTP) and neurotoxicity. In the CNS, glutamate and GABA are the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, respectively. Previous work has focused on the effects of PAF on glutamatergic receptor responses. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible actions of PAF on ionotropic GABA receptor responses in primary cultured hippocampal neurons using the whole-cell and single channel patch clamp techniques. Extracellular application of PAF induced a reduction of the GABA gated Cl- current in a majority of cells (29 of 44 cells), while it caused an enhancement in 10 of 44 cells. A similar heterogeneous modulation of PAF on the GABA receptor activities was also observed in outside-out patch recordings. Moreover, the cell-attached single channel recordings showed that PAF decreased the GABA channel activity. Therefore, PAF may modulate synaptic activity by inhibiting GABA receptor channels. During seizures and neural injury, when enhanced synthesis of this lipid mediator takes place, the actions of PAF on inhibitory GABA receptors may contribute to synaptic dysfunction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3831-3835
Number of pages5
JournalNeuroReport
Volume10
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 16 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • GABA receptor
  • Hippocampus
  • PAF
  • Voltage-clamp

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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