Cited by 777Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsAcute Ischemic Stroke Management

NMDA Receptor Subunits Have Differential Roles in Mediating Excitotoxic Neuronal Death Both In Vitro and In Vivo

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Liu, Yitao, Wong, Tak Pan, Aarts, Michelle, Rooyakkers, Amanda, Liu, Lidong, Lai, Ted Weita, Wu, Dong Chuan, Lu, Jie +3 more·2007·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

Well-documented experimental evidence from both in vitro and in vivo models of stroke strongly supports the critical involvement of NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity in neuronal damage after stroke. Despite this, the results of clinical trials testing NMDA receptor antagonists as neuroprotectants after stroke and brain trauma have been discouraging. Here, we report that in mature cortical cultures, activation of either synaptic or extrasynaptic NR2B-containing NMDA receptors results in excitotoxicity, increasing neuronal apoptosis. In contrast, activation of either synaptic or extrasynaptic NR2A-containing NMDA receptors promotes neuronal survival and exerts a neuroprotective action against both NMDA receptor-mediated and non-NMDA receptor-mediated neuronal damage. A similar opposing action of NR2B and NR2A in mediating cell death and cell survival was also observed in an in vivo rat model of focal ischemic stroke. Moreover, we found that blocking NR2B-mediated cell death was effective in reducing infarct volume only when the receptor antagonist was given before the onset of stroke and not 4.5 h after stroke. In great contrast, activation of NR2A-mediated cell survival signaling with administration of either glycine alone or in the presence of NR2B antagonist significantly attenuated ischemic brain damage even when delivered 4.5 h after stroke onset. Together, the present work provides a molecular basis for the dual roles of NMDA receptors in promoting neuronal survival and mediating neuronal damage and suggests that selective enhancement of NR2A-containing NMDA receptor activation with glycine may constitute a promising therapy for stroke.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.0116-07.2007

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Authors
Liu, Y., Wong, T. P., Aarts, M., Rooyakkers, A., Liu, L., Lai, T. W., Wu, D. C., Lu, J., Tymianski, M., Craig, A. M., & Wang, Y. T.
Affiliations
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • Toronto Western Hospital (CA)
  • University of British Columbia Hospital (CA)
Corresponding author
Wang, Yu Tian
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2007-03-14
Volume
27
Issue
11
Pages
2846-2857
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W2097095684
Cited by
773
References
77
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 51 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 50 · 2015: 39 · 2014: 58 · 2013: 48 · 2012: 72
FWCI
18.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation of British Columbia and Yukon
  • Canadian Stroke Network
  • Michael Smith Health Research BC
  • Novartis Pharma
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Acute Ischemic Stroke Management
Keywords
NMDA receptor subunits, NR2A, NR2B, excitotoxicity, ischemic stroke, neuronal apoptosis, neuroprotection, glycine, extrasynaptic NMDA receptors, synaptic NMDA receptors, infarct size, cortical cultures, focal cerebral ischemia, NMDA receptor antagonists
MeSH terms
Animals, Cells, Cultured, Brain Ischemia, Male, Mice, Transgenic, Neurons, Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate, Cell Death, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists, Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists, Protein Subunits, Mice, Rats

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