BackgroundGlutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters play important roles in balancing excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain. Increasing evidence suggest that they may act concertedly to regulate extracellular levels of the neurotransmitters.ResultsHere we present evidence that glutamate uptake-induced release of GABA from astrocytes has a direct impact on the excitability of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus. We demonstrate that GABA, synthesized from the polyamine putrescine, is released from astrocytes by the reverse action of glial GABA transporter (GAT) subtypes GAT-2 or GAT-3. GABA release can be prevented by blocking glutamate uptake with the non-transportable inhibitor DHK, confirming that it is the glutamate transporter activity that triggers the reversal of GABA transporters, conceivably by elevating the intracellular Na+ concentration in astrocytes. The released GABA significantly contributes to the tonic inhibition of neurons in a network activity-dependent manner. Blockade of the Glu/GABA exchange mechanism increases the duration of seizure-like events in the low-[Mg2+] in vitro model of epilepsy. Under in vivo conditions the increased GABA release modulates the power of gamma range oscillation in the CA1 region, suggesting that the Glu/GABA exchange mechanism is also functioning in the intact hippocampus under physiological conditions.ConclusionsThe results suggest the existence of a novel molecular mechanism by which astrocytes transform glutamatergic excitation into GABAergic inhibition providing an adjustable, in situ negative feedback on the excitability of neurons.

BackgroundGlutamate (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters play important roles in regulating neuronal activity. Glu is removed from the extracellular space dominantly by glial transporters. In contrast, GABA is mainly taken up by neurons. However, the glial GABA transporter subtypes share their localization with the Glu transporters and their expression is confined to the same subpopulation of astrocytes, raising the possibility of cooperation between Glu and GABA transport processes.Methodology/Principal FindingsHere we used diverse biological models both in vitro and in vivo to explore the interplay between these processes. We found that removal of Glu by astrocytic transporters triggers an elevation in the extracellular level of GABA. This coupling between excitatory and inhibitory signaling was found to be independent of Glu receptor-mediated depolarization, external presence of Ca2+ and glutamate decarboxylase activity. It was abolished in the presence of non-transportable blockers of glial Glu or GABA transporters, suggesting that the concerted action of these transporters underlies the process.Conclusions/SignificanceOur results suggest that activation of Glu transporters results in GABA release through reversal of glial GABA transporters. This transporter-mediated interplay represents a direct link between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission and may function as a negative feedback combating intense excitation in pathological conditions such as epilepsy or ischemia.

In spite of several studies showing specific physiological functions of changes in the extracellular level of the major excitatory and inhibitory transmitters, Glu and GABA within the brain ([Glu](EXT), [GABA](EXT)) the exact origin (neuronal vs. astroglial, synaptic vs. extrasynaptic) of Glu and GABA present in dialysate samples is still a matter of debate. For better understanding the significance of in vivo microdialysis data, here we discuss methodological details and problems in addition to regulation of [Glu](EXT) and [GABA](EXT). Changes in [Glu](EXT) and [GABA](EXT) under pathological conditions such as ischemia and epilepsy are also reviewed. Based on recent in vivo microdialysis data we argue that ambient [Glu](EXT) and [GABA](EXT)may have a functional role. It is suggested that specific changes in concentrations of Glu and GABA in dialysate samples together with their alterations independent of neuronal activity indicate the involvement of Glu and GABA in the information processing of the brain as essential signaling molecules of nonsynaptic transmission as well. Since various drugs are able to interfere with extrasynaptic signals in vivo, studying the extracellular cell-to-cell communication of brain cells represents a new aspect to improve drugs modulating Gluergic as well as GABAergic neurotransmission.

Widely used for mapping afferent activated brain areas in vivo, the label-free intrinsic optical signal (IOS) is mainly ascribed to blood volume changes subsequent to glial glutamate uptake. By contrast, IOS imaged in vitro is generally attributed to neuronal and glial cell swelling, however the relative contribution of different cell types and molecular players remained largely unknown. We characterized IOS to Schaffer collateral stimulation in the rat hippocampal slice using a 464-element photodiode-array device that enables IOS monitoring at 0.6 ms time-resolution in combination with simultaneous field potential recordings. We used brief half-maximal stimuli by applying a medium intensity 50 Volt-stimulus train within 50 ms (20 Hz). IOS was primarily observed in the str. pyramidale and proximal region of the str. radiatum of the hippocampus. It was eliminated by tetrodotoxin blockade of voltage-gated Na+ channels and was significantly enhanced by suppressing inhibitory signaling with gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) receptor antagonist picrotoxin. We found that IOS was predominantly initiated by postsynaptic Glu receptor activation and progressed by the activation of astroglial Glu transporters and Mg2+-independent astroglial N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Under control conditions, role for neuronal K+/Cl− cotransporter KCC2, but not for glial Na+/K+/Cl− cotransporter NKCC1 was observed. Slight enhancement and inhibition of IOS through non-specific Cl− and volume-regulated anion channels, respectively, were also depicted. High-frequency IOS imaging, evoked by brief afferent stimulation in brain slices provide a new paradigm for studying mechanisms underlying IOS genesis. Major players disclosed this way imply that spatiotemporal IOS reflects glutamatergic neuronal activation and astroglial response, as observed within the hippocampus. Our model may help to better interpret in vivo IOS and support diagnosis in the future.

Lasztóczi B, Nyitrai G, Héja L, Kardos J. Synchronization of GABAergic inputs to CA3 pyramidal cells precedes seizure-like event onset in juvenile rat hippocampal slices. J Neurophysiol 102: 2538 -2553, 2009. First published August 12, 2009 doi:10.1152/jn.91318.2008. Here we address how dynamics of glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic input to CA3 pyramidal cells contribute to spontaneous emergence and evolution of recurrent seizure-like events (SLEs) in juvenile (P10-13) rat hippocampal slices bathed in low- [Mg 2ϩ ] artificial cerebrospinal fluid. In field potential recordings from the CA3 pyramidal layer, a short epoch of high-frequency oscillation (HFO; 400 -800 Hz) was observed during the first 10 ms of SLE onset. GABAergic synaptic input currents to CA3 pyramidal cells were synchronized and coincided with HFO, whereas the glutamatergic input lagged by ϳ10 ms. If the intracellular [Cl Ϫ ] remained unperturbed (cell-attached recordings) or was set high with whole cell electrode solution, CA3 pyramidal cell firing peaked with HFO and GABAergic input. By contrast, with low intracellular [Cl Ϫ ], spikes of CA3 pyramidal cells lagged behind HFO and GABAergic input. This temporal arrangement of HFO, synaptic input sequence, synchrony of GABAergic currents, and pyramidal cell firing emerged gradually with preictal discharges until the SLE onset. Blockade of GABA A receptormediated currents by picrotoxin reduced the inter-SLE interval and the number of preictal discharges and did not block recurrent SLEs. Our data suggest that dynamic changes of the functional properties of GABAergic input contribute to ictogenesis and GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs are both excitatory at the instant of SLE onset. At the SLE onset GABAergic input contributes to synchronization and recruitment of pyramidal cells. We conjecture that this network state is reached by an activity-dependent shift in GABA reversal potential during the preictal phase.