AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) acts as the intracellular ATP depletion sensor, which detects and limits increases in the AMP/ATP ratio. AMPK may be significantly activated under stress conditions that deplete cellular ATP levels such as ischemia/hypoxia or glucose deprivation. Recent studies strongly suggest that AMPK participates in autophagy regulation, but it is not known whether AMPK activated by ischemia regulates autophagy in astrocytes and the consequence of autophagy activation in ischemic astrocytes are unclear. We have investigated the contribution of AMPK to autophagy activation in rat primary astrocyte cultures subjected to ischemia-simulating conditions (combined oxygen glucose deprivation, OGD) and its potential effects on astrocyte damage induced by OGD (1-12 h). The evidence supports the conclusion that AMPK activation at early stages of OGD is involved in induction of protective autophagy in astrocytes. Inhibition of AMPK, either by siAMPKα1 or by compound C, significantly attenuated the expression of autophagy-related proteins and decrease of astrocyte viability following OGD. The findings provide additional data about the role of AMPK in ischemic astrocytes and downstream responses that may be involved in OGD-induced protective autophagy.
Recent studies have implicated the role of autophagy in brain ischemia pathophysiology. However, it remains unclear whether autophagy activation is protective or detrimental to astrocytes undergoing ischemic stress. This study evaluated the influence of ischemia-induced autophagy on cell death and the course of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis in primary cultures of rat cortical astrocytes exposed to combined oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). The role of autophagy was assessed by pharmacological inhibition with 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Cell viability was evaluated by measuring LDH release and through the use of the alamarBlue Assay. Apoptosis and necrosis were determined by fluorescence microscopy after Hoechst 33,342 and propidium iodide staining, respectively. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed by immunoblotting. The downregulation of autophagy during OGD resulted in decreased cell viability and time-dependent changes in levels of apoptosis and necrosis. After short-term OGD (1, 4 h), cells treated with 3-MA showed higher level of cleaved caspase 3 compared with control cells. This result was consistent with an evaluation of apoptotic cell number by fluorescence microscopy. However, after prolonged exposure to OGD (8, 24 h), the number of apoptotic astrocytes (microscopically evaluated) did not differ or was even lower (as marked by caspase 3) in the presence of the autophagy inhibitor in comparison to the control. A higher level of necrosis was observed in 3-MA-treated cells compared to non-treated cells after 24 h OGD. The downregulation of autophagy caused time-dependent changes in both extrinsic (cleaved caspase 8, TNFα) and intrinsic (cleaved caspase 9) apoptotic pathways. Our results strongly indicate that the activation of autophagy in astrocytes undergoing ischemic stress is an adaptive mechanism, which allows for longer cell survival by delaying the initiation of apoptosis and necrosis.
Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of adult death and disability worldwide. Present applied therapeutic strategies do not give satisfactory results. It is often emphasized that pharmacological actions aimed at reducing the area of ischemic brain injury should protect astrocytes forming together with neurons and the endothelium neurovascular unit. Astrocytes contribute importantly to proper neuronal function during both physiological and pathological conditions. In ischemic stroke, astrocytes are involved in regulation of water and ion homeostasis, cerebral blood flow, maintenance of the blood-brain barrier, and control of the extracellular level of glutamate, as well as being a source of neuroprotectants. On the other hand, astrocytes may also contribute to enlarged ischemic area due to their participation in inflammatory processes and production of potential neurotoxic substances. Herein we review experimental and clinical data concerning adaptive and pathological roles of astrocytes during both early and late phases of ischemia. Especially, we emphasize specific features of astrocytes that might become a potential target of therapeutic strategies for ischemic stroke.
Autophagy is an intracellular process of macromolecule and organelle degradation, which plays an important role both in maintaining homeostasis and in responding to various harmful stimuli. Recent studies clearly indicate upregulation of autophagy in neurons challenged with brain ischemia. In this paper we present biosynthesis of autophagosomes as well as the role and molecular mechanisms of basal and induced neuronal autophagy. We have also reviewed recently published papers concerning the potential role of autophagy in brain ischemia. Results of both in vivo and in vitro experimental studies indicate that signaling pathways related to autophagy might become a target of new neuroprotective strategies.
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