Effects of lipopolysaccharide on glial phenotype and activity of glutamate transporters: Evidence for delayed up-regulation and redistribution of GLT-1

Abstract

Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are responsible for homeostasis of extracellular l-glutamate, and the glial transporters are functionally dominant. EAAT expression or function is altered in acute and chronic neurological conditions, but little is known about the regulation of EAATs in reactive astroglia found in such neuropathologies. These studies examined the effects of the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on glial EAATs in vitro. The effects of LPS (1 μg/ml, 24-72 h) on EAAT activity and expression were examined in primary cultures of mouse astrocytes. [3H]d-aspartate uptake increased to 129% of control by 72 h treatment with LPS. Saturation analysis revealed that a..