Abstract
In this study, we examined chemokine receptor expression and function in rat cerebellar neurons. Calcium imaging experiments demonstrated that a wide variety of chemokines elicited [Ca2+]i transients in acutely isolated and cultured cerebellar Purkinje and granule neurons. In many cases, these chemokine responses were pertussis toxin (PTX) insensitive. In addition, chemokines activated the Ca2+ and cAMP-dependent transcription factor CREB and the extracellular response kinases ERK1/ERK2. Chemokines increased the survival of Purkinje neurons deprived of their trophic support. Thus, the presence of chemokine receptors and the signaling pathways they activate suggest that chemokines play a role in the control of cerebellar neuron survival and development and may mediate communication between the CNS and the immune system.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 16-28 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Journal of Neuroimmunology |
| Volume | 124 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2002 |
Funding
We gratefully thank Patrick Gray and Johnny Stine at ICOS corporation for the gift of chemokines and viral chemokines. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health Grants DA-02121, MH-40165, NS-33826 and DA-13141 to R.J.M.
Keywords
- Calcium mobilization
- Cerebellar neurons
- Chemokines
- Signal transduction
- Viralkines
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology
