Glia express a variety of ion channels, but the precise subtypes expressed by astrocytes and oligodendrocytes has not been fully elucidated. The Kir7.1 subtype of inwardly rectifying potassium channels (K<sub>ir</sub>) is highly expressed in retinal pigment epithelium and has been demonstrated in Purkinje neurons of the adult rat cerebellum and pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus, but it has not previously been identified in glia. Using quantitative real time PCR, an ion channel profile for the developing mouse optic nerve was constructed and K<sub>ir</sub>7.1 was identified as one of the major ion channels present. Immunostaining revealed widespread expression of K<sub>ir</sub>7.1 in glia and neurons in the mouse brain with the highest expression found in optic nerve oligodendrocytes. A major function of K<sub>ir</sub> is to maintain the membrane potential of glia in the face of large ionic shifts associated with normal neuronal function and pathology. Oligodendrocytes are particularly susceptible to ischemia so the role of Kir7.1 in maintaining oligodendrocyte integrity during oxygen and glucose deprivation (ODG) in the isolated intact mouse optic nerve was examined, using the K<sub>ir</sub>7.1 channel blocker VU590. Blockade of K<sub>ir</sub>7.1 resulted in increased cell death of optic nerve oligodendrocytes in normoxic conditions by activating caspase -dependent apoptotic pathways and significantly augmented cell death induced by OGD. Moreover, intracellular calcium fluctuations dependent on store operated calcium entry in optic nerve glia were identified as a potential mechanism for the cellular stress induced by K<sub>ir</sub>7.1 inhibition. The results presented within this thesis demonstrate functional expression of K<sub>ir</sub>7.1 in glial cells, and indicate they are important in maintaining oligodendrocytic integrity in both physiological and pathological conditions.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:664853 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Papanikolaou, Maria |
| Contributors | Lewis, Anthony ; Butt, Arthur Morgan |
| Publisher | University of Portsmouth |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/expression-and-function-of-kir71-in-the-murine-central-nervous-system(5d95b958-7bcc-4ae5-8f8b-3f90a34d1c3f).html |
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