From the Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology,
Medical College of Wisconsin and Clement Zablocki VA Medical Center,
Milwaukee, Wis.
Correspondence to David R. Harder, PhD, Cardiovascular Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226. E-mail dharder{at}mcw.edu
Summary of ReviewThis short review will develop the hypothesis
that cytochrome P450 epoxygenase activity in astrocytes
catalyzes formation of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which act as
potent dilators of cerebral vessels and are released in response to
glutamate receptor activation within astrocytes. Neuronal activity
stimulates release of arachidonic acid from the
phospholipid pool of astrocytic membranes. We provide evidence that the
arachidonic acid released on stimulation of glutamate
receptors within astrocytes is metabolized by cytochrome P450 2C11 cDNA
enzymes into EETs.
ConclusionsThe EETs thus formed will be released and
activate K+ channels, increase outward
K+ current, and hyperpolarize the plasma membrane. The
resulting membrane hyperpolarization inhibits
voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and leads to arteriolar
dilation, thereby increasing regional nutritive blood flow in response
to neuronal activity.
Astrocytes express functional metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate
receptors that mediate a number of cellular signaling events including
elevation of intracellular Ca2+,8 9 10 11
activation of phospholipase C,9 activation of cell-cell
signaling,12 13 and release of AA into the
cytosol.14 15 Elevation of intracellular calcium due to
electrically propagated calcium waves from neurons may also
activate several of these signaling processes in astrocytes,
including activation of calcium-dependent phospholipases and the
subsequent release of AA. Once released from the membrane phospholipid
pool, free AA can be metabolized by a number of enzymatic
metabolic pathways in astrocytes. Primary cultures of glial
fibrillary acidic proteinpositive hippocampal astrocytes contain
message and protein for both constitutive (COX-1) and inducible (COX-2)
cyclooxygenase, as depicted in Fig 2
The expression of COX-2 is often seen in cultured astrocytes. While we
have seen expression of COX-2 message in cortical tissue similar to
that found in normal intact brain, we do not know under which
conditions it is normally expressed. Other investigators have found the
expression of mitogen- and glucocorticoid-inducible COX-2 in brain
neurons but not in the glia.16 Since the discrepancy
between ours and this previous observation may be due to the impact of
cell culture conditions, the reader needs to interpret these findings
with caution. Fig 2
We have cloned and sequenced a P450 gene from cortical astrocytes that
has nearly complete sequence homology with a P450 2C11 cDNA previously
sequenced in rat liver.19 This 2C11 cDNA encodes an enzyme
that, in the presence of NADPH and molecular oxygen, catalyzes the
epoxidation of AA into EETs.20 There are four regioisomers
of EETs, namely, 5,6-, 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-EETs (Fig 3
All four regioisomers dilate cerebral vessels. However, 11,12- and
8,9-EETs appear to be the most potent in vitro, in that they induce
cerebral vasodilation at relatively low concentrations.3 4
Gebremedhin et al4 reported that exogenously applied 5,6-,
8,9-, 11,12-EETs dilate isolated pressurized cat cerebral arteries and
that this effect was time dependent. All these EETs induced peak
dilation of cerebral arteries at 2 to 3 minutes after application, with
8,9- and 11,12-EETs being more potent at each concentration tested.
However, although similar in potency to 8,9-EET in the same study,
11,12-EET induced vasodilation that was sustained over 5 minutes after
application. This previous study also demonstrated that activation of
large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+
channel mediates the EET-induced cerebral arterial
dilation. Here we also provide evidence showing that 11,12-EET, at a
concentration of 1 nmol/L, markedly increases the open state
probability of a large-conductance Ca2+-activated
single-channel K+ current recorded from vascular smooth
muscle cells of cat cerebral microvessels (50 to 100 µm) (Fig 4
The in vivo responses and potencies of the regioisomers appear to
differ from those observed in vitro. Ellis et al3 observed
that only 5,6-EET dilated pial arteries when superfused over the brain
in vivo; the other regioisomers were without effect. Such differences
between in vivo and in vitro responses and in the time course of
responses may reflect differences in the relative susceptibility of
particular regioisomer to degradation and/or metabolism by
other enzyme systems such as epoxide hydrolase and
cyclooxygenase.
Recent publications have demonstrated that EETs are released from
astrocytes on exposure to glutamate and that P450 2C11 protein in
astrocytes is markedly upregulated by prolonged exposure to
glutamate.22 Inhibition of P450 epoxygenases,
and thus formation of EETs, results in a 30% reduction in baseline CBF
and prevents the increase in CBF observed in response to exogenous
application of glutamate.22
The hypothesis for a predominant role of P450-derived EETs in the
control of CBF by astrocytes comes from evidence from our laboratory
and that of Dr Earl Ellis (unpublished data, 1996). Reports from the
Ellis group, which have been confirmed in our laboratory, demonstrate
that EETs are the predominant AA metabolite formed by
astrocytes.2 22 26 27 There are no consistent
reports that glutamate stimulates the formation of
cyclooxygenase products, whereas EET formation
is significantly enhanced in the presence of
glutamate.22 27
Pharmacological inhibition of P450 epoxygenase
significantly blunts the transient increase in nutritive
laser-Doppler blood flow in response to glutamate infusion (Fig 6
Received May 5, 1997;
revision received September 15, 1997;
accepted October 2, 1997.
2.
Alkayed NJ, Narayanan J, Gebremedhin D, Medhora M,
Roman RJ, Harder DR. Molecular characterization of an
arachidonic acid epoxygenase in rat brain
astrocytes. Stroke. 1996;27:971979.
3.
Ellis EF, Police RJ, Yancey L, McKinney JS, Amruthesh
SC. Dilation of cerebral arterioles by cytochrome P-450 metabolites of
arachidonic acid. Am J Physiol. 1990;259:H1171H1177.
4.
Gebremedhin D, Ma YH, Falck JR, Roman RJ, VanRollins
M, Harder DR. Mechanism of action of cerebral epoxyeicosatrienoic acids
on cerebral arterial smooth muscle. Am J
Physiol. 1992;263:H519H525.
5.
Nedergaard M. Direct signaling from astrocytes to
neurons in cultures of mammalian brain cells. Science. 1994;263:17681771.
6.
Murphy TH, Blatter LA, Wier WG, Baraban JM. Rapid
communication between neurons and astrocytes in primary cortical
cultures. J Neurosci. 1993;13:26722679.[Abstract]
7.
Porter JT, McCarthy KD. Hippocampal astrocytes in situ
respond to glutamate released from synaptic terminals. J
Neurosci. 1996;16:50735081.
8.
Madden KS, Kim WT, Cornell-Bell A. Glutamate,
arachidonic acid, and calcium regulation in cultured
hippocampal astrocytes: involvement in ischemia? Adv
Neurol. 1996;71:5359.[Medline]
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9.
Brune T, Deitmer JW. Intracellular acidification and
Ca2+ transients in cultured rat cerebellar astrocytes
evoked by glutamate agonists and noradrenaline.
Glia. 1995;14:153161.[Medline]
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10.
Porter JT, McCarthy KD. GFAP-positive hippocampal
astrocytes in situ respond to glutamatergic neuroligands with increases
in [Ca2+]i. Glia. 1995;13:101112.[Medline]
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11.
Kim WT, Rioult MG, Cornell-Bell AH. Glutamate-induced
calcium signaling in astrocytes. GLIA. 1994;11:173184.[Medline]
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12.
Glowinski J, Marin P, Tence M, Stella N, Giaume C,
Premont J. Glial receptors and their intervention in
astrocyto-astrocytic and astrocyto-neuronal interactions.
Glia.. 1994;11:201208.[Medline]
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13.
Enkvist MO, McCarthy KD. Astroglial gap junction
communication is increased by treatment with either glutamate or high
K+ concentration. J Neurochem. 1994;62:489495.[Medline]
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14.
Stella N, Tence M, Glowinski J, Premont J.
Glutamate-evoked release of arachidonic acid from mouse
brain astrocytes. J Neurosci. 1994;114:568575.
15.
Stella N, Tence M, Glowinski J, Premont J. Glutamate
induces the release of arachidonic acid by interacting
with an atypical metabotropic receptor present on mouse brain
astrocytes. Renal Physiol Biochem. 1994;17:153156.[Medline]
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16.
Yamagata K, Andreasson KI, Kaufmann WE, Barnes CA,
Worley PF. Expression of mitogen-inducible
cyclooxygenase in brain neurons: regulation by
synaptic activity and glucocorticoids. Neuron. 1993;11:371386.[Medline]
[Order article via Infotrieve]
17.
Nelson DR, Koymans L, Kamataki T, Stegeman JJ,
Feyereisen R, Waxman DJ, Waterman MR, Gotoh O, Coon MJ, Estabrook RW,
Gunsalus IC, Nebert DW. P450 superfamily: update on new sequences, gene
mapping, accession numbers and nomenclature.
Pharmacogenetics. 1996;6:142.[Medline]
[Order article via Infotrieve]
18.
Shimizu T, Wolfe LS. Arachidonic acid
cascade and signal transduction. J Neurochem. 1990;55:115.[Medline]
[Order article via Infotrieve]
19.
Strom A, Eguchi H, Mode A, Legraverend C, Tollet P,
Stromstedt PE, Gustafsson JA. Characterization of the proximal promoter
and two silencer elements in the CYP2C11 gene expressed in rat liver.
DNA Cell Biol. 1994;13:805819.[Medline]
[Order article via Infotrieve]
20.
Capdevila JH, Armando K, Waxman DJ, Martin MV, Falck
JR, Guenguerich FP. Cytochrome P450 enzyme-specific control of the
regio- and enantiofacial selectivity of the microsomal
arachidonic acid epoxygenase. J
Biol Chem. 1990;265:1086510871.
21.
Zou AP, Fleming JT, Falck JR, Jacobs ER, Gebremedhin D,
Harder DR, Roman RJ. Stereospecific effects of epoxyeicosatrienoic
acids on renal vascular tone and K(+)-channel activity. Am J
Physiol. 1996;270:F822832.
22.
Alkayed NJ, Birks EK, Hudetz AG, Roman RJ, Henderson L,
Harder DR. Inhibition of brain P-450 arachidonic acid
epoxygenase decreases baseline cerebral blood flow.
Am J Physiol. 1996;271:H1541H1546.
23.
Chuang M, Lee MW, Zhao D, Severson DL.
Metabolism of a long-chain diacylglycerol by
permeabilized A10 smooth muscle cells. Am J
Physiol. 1993;265:C927C933.
24.
Hu S, Kim HS. Activation of K+ channel in vascular
smooth muscles by cytochrome P450 metabolites of
arachidonic acid. Eur J Pharmacol. 1993;230:215221.[Medline]
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25.
Bendani MK, Palluy O, Cook-Moreau J, Beneytout JL,
Rigaud M, Vallat JM. Localization of 12-lipoxygenase
mRNA in cultured oligodendrocytes and astrocytes by in situ reverse
transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction. Neurosci Lett. 1995;189:159162.[Medline]
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26.
Amruthesh SC, Boerschel MF, McKinney JS, Willoughby KA,
Ellis EF. Metabolism of arachidonic acid to
epoxyeicosatrienoic acids,
hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, and
prostaglandins in cultured rat hippocampal astrocytes.
J Neurochem. 1993;61:150159.[Medline]
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27.
Alkayed NJ, Birks EK, Narayanan J, Petrie KA,
Kohler-Cabot AE, Harder DR. Role of P450 arachidonic
acid epoxygenase in cerebral blood flow response to
glutamate. Stroke. 1997;28:10661072.
28.
VanRollins M, Kaduce TL, Fang X, Knapp HR, Spector AA.
Arachidonic acid diols produced by cytochrome P-450
monooxygenases are incorporated into phospholipids of
vascular endothelial cells. J Biol
Chem. 1996;271:1400114009.
29.
Zhu Y, Schieber EB, McGiff JC, Balazy M. Identification
of arachidonate P-450 metabolites in human platelet
phospholipids. Hypertension. 1995;25:854859.
30.
Shivachar AC, Willoughby KA, Ellis EF. Effect of
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incorporation into astroglial phospholipids. J
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© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.
Basic Science Review
Functional Hyperemia in the Brain
Hypothesis for Astrocyte-Derived Vasodilator Metabolites
![]()
Abstract
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Anatomic Location of Astrocytes...
Astrocytic P450 Enzymes
Glutamate-Induced Release of...
Conclusions
References
BackgroundCerebral blood flow is
tightly coupled to neuronal metabolic activity, a
phenomenon referred to as functional hyperemia. The mechanisms
underlying functional hyperemia in the brain have been
extensively studied, but the link between neuronal activation and
nutritive blood flow has yet to be defined. Recent investigations by
our laboratory and others have identified a potential role for
astrocytes as an intermediary cell type in this process.
Key Words: astrocytes blood flow vasodilation
![]()
Introduction
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Anatomic Location of Astrocytes...
Astrocytic P450 Enzymes
Glutamate-Induced Release of...
Conclusions
References
The regulation of CBF
in response to neuronal metabolic demand is a dynamic and
tightly regulated process. Given that neuronal metabolism
relies almost exclusively on oxidative metabolism, all
normal function, from control of motor activity to cognitive ability
and memory acquisition, requires adequate delivery of
oxygenated blood. The cellular and molecular mechanisms
underlying this coupling of neuronal metabolism to CBF
remain poorly understood. Metabolic regulation of CBF is
thought to involve release of vasoactive metabolites in response to
neuronal activity. Numerous studies over the past decade have
implicated modulation of ion channels by several diverse stimuli as one
of the principal transduction processes responsible for defining the
activation state of cerebral arteriolar muscle and thereby adjusting
blood flow to meet metabolic demand. Very recently, studies
from a number of laboratories, including our own, have defined a
predominant role for metabolites of AA in controlling ion channel
activity in excitable cells, including vascular muscle. Astrocytes may
be the principal cells in the CNS through which neuronal signals are
transduced to cerebral vessels by means of these AA metabolites.
Anatomic studies have revealed that astrocytes communicate with neurons
through intimate membrane contacts1 and envelope cerebral
blood vessels with foot processes.1 This anatomic
configuration combined with recent findings concerning the capacity of
astrocytes to release vasoactive fatty metabolites of AA implies a role
for astrocytes in the coupling of neuronal activity to CBF. Our
laboratory, as well as others, has found several lines of evidence that
support this hypothesis. Astrocytes contain RNA and protein for several
enzymes capable of metabolizing AA to vasoactive eicosanoids. In
addition to cyclooxygenase, astrocytes express a
cytochrome P450 (P450) epoxygenase,2 which
catalyzes the formation of EETs from AA. EETs have been previously
found to be potent dilators of cerebral vessels.3 4 This
review will summarize the current knowledge concerning the role of EETs
in the cerebral circulation, as well as recent work by our laboratory
demonstrating that the activity and expression levels of a P450
epoxygenase in astrocytes can be modulated by glutamate,
the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. Further in vivo
studies will be discussed that demonstrate a role for this P450
epoxygenase in the CBF responses to glutamate. These topics
will be discussed in the context of the hypothesis that astrocytes act
as an intermediary cell type between neurons and the cerebral
microvasculature to redistribute local CBF to meet
metabolic demand under normal conditions.
![]()
Anatomic Location of Astrocytes Between Cortical Neurons and
Microvasculature
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Anatomic Location of Astrocytes...
Astrocytic P450 Enzymes
Glutamate-Induced Release of...
Conclusions
References
Astrocytes are the most predominant type of glial cell in the CNS
and constitute over 50% of the cell mass in the brain.1
Astrocytes extend projections referred to as "astrocytic foot
processes" to other cell types in the CNS, including microvascular
capillaries and arterioles, as depicted in Fig 1
. Also depicted in Fig 1
is the close
proximity of astrocytic and neuronal membranes; electrical coupling at
such sites may facilitate the propagation of calcium waves from neurons
to astrocytes.5 6 Such close association of astrocytes and
neurons may also lead to signals being transmitted to astrocytes by
neurotransmitters released from presynaptic neurons during increases in
neuronal activity. This anatomic juxtaposition of astrocytes between
neurons and blood vessels implicates astrocytes as integrators of
neuronal signals that can be transduced to cerebral vessels. Such
integration of neuronal signals would lead to modulation of vascular
tone and thus changes in local cerebral perfusion. Signals may be
transmitted to astrocytes from neurons by direct electrical
coupling5 6 or by binding of released neurotransmitters,
such as glutamate, to receptors on astrocytes.7 Either
mechanism, as will be discussed, can lead to increases in the release
of vasoactive metabolites of AA from astrocytes.

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Figure 1. Astrocytes (3) are juxtaposed between neurons (4)
and cerebral arterioles (2). Astrocytic foot processes (1) contact and
completely envelope arterioles in the cerebral circulation. From Kandel
et al.1
.

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Figure 2. Astrocytes express mRNA and protein for COX-1 and
COX-2. Left, Western blot of cell lines transfected with COX-1 or COX-2
(control lanes) and cell lysate of primary cultures of rat hippocampal
astrocytes (astrocyte lanes). Right, Reverse-transcription polymerase
chain reaction (RT-PCR) of rat hippocampal astrocyte mRNA using primers
specific for internal regions of rat COX-1 or COX-2.
shows that cultured astrocytes retain the COX-2
isoform. It is unlikely that the strong COX-2 message is due to
neuronal contamination, in that at least 90% of cells stain positive
for glial fibrillary acidic protein. It should also be noted that the
presence of molecular message through reverse-transcription polymerase
chain reaction does not always mean that there is translation of
sufficient protein for product formation. Another (and a
potentially more important) enzyme system present in astrocytes
capable of metabolizing AA into potent vasodilator metabolites is the
P450 monooxygenase system.
![]()
Astrocytic P450 Enzymes
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Anatomic Location of Astrocytes...
Astrocytic P450 Enzymes
Glutamate-Induced Release of...
Conclusions
References
The P450 gene family constitutes one of the oldest families of
cDNAs yet defined.17 At the present time, over 240
cDNAs have been reported that encode for P450 enzymes.17
While many of these genes are nonmammalian, the diversity and number of
P450 genes underscore the complexity of a system that oxidizes a
plethora of substrates, including fatty acids. There are many
differences between P450 enzymes and the other major enzymatic pathways
generating AA metabolites such as cyclooxygenase
and lipoxygenase, which have been described in detail
in other reviews.18
).

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Figure 3. Structures of the four regioisomers of
epoxyeicosatrienoic acids formed by P450
epoxygenases.
). This increase in K+
channel activity hyperpolarizes the cell membrane and
inactivates voltage-gated Ca2+ channels,
thereby causing dilation of the cerebral microvessels.
Consistent with this later observation, we have recently
reported that the various EETs induce stereospecific dilation of renal
arterioles (<50 µm) in the nanomolar concentration range, which
is mediated through activation of a large-conductance
Ca2+-activated K+ channels in rat renal
arteriolar smooth muscle cells.21 These findings appear to
indicate that the EETs are more potent in dilating resistance-sized
vessels than large arteries.

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Figure 4. Representative tracings show the
effect of exogenous 11,12-EET on a 217 pS calcium-activated
single-channel K+ current, recorded from cell-attached
patches of cat cerebral microvascular smooth muscle cells at a pipette
potential (PP) of 0 mV using physiological
concentrations of K+ and Ca2+. Application of 1
nmol/L 11,12-EET to the bath markedly increased the open state
probability of the 217 pS K+ channel current compared with
the control (the open state probability averaged 0.012±0.001 before
and 0.108±0.040 after addition of 1 nmol/L 11,12-EET; n=4;
P<.05). c and o indicate closed and open state of the
channel, respectively.
![]()
Glutamate-Induced Release of EETs May Mediate Functional
Hyperemia in the Brain
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Anatomic Location of Astrocytes...
Astrocytic P450 Enzymes
Glutamate-Induced Release of...
Conclusions
References
The purpose of this section is to develop a hypothesis defining
the mechanisms of second-to-second functional hyperemia in the
brain. For the purpose of this review, functional hyperemia
will be defined as a local increase in CBF to match and support
neuronal metabolic demand with respect to a specific
neuronal function, ie, movement of a limb or performance of a
mathematical problem. As discussed above, astrocytes possess functional
glutamate receptors, both within their cell bodies and projecting
foot processes. Glutamate activates phospholipase C and
releases AA from the phospholipid pool through formation of arachidonyl
DAG and the subsequent action on DAG monoacylglycerol
lipases.23 Glutamate also activates P450 2C11
enzyme activity with subsequent formation of and release of
EETs.22 EETs released from astrocytes potently dilate
cerebral microvessels by enhancing outward K+ current and
hyperpolarizing cerebral and other arterial muscle
cells.2 4 21 24 Thus, a hypothesis emerges which states
that release of glutamate during normal neuronal activity can bind to
glutamate receptors on astrocytes to increase AA turnover and release
EETs from astrocytes that quickly and potently dilate the cerebral
microcirculation to "shunt" flow to those areas surrounding
metabolically active neurons. This hypothesis is depicted
in Fig 5
. Binding of glutamate can
activate phospholipases to release AA from the membrane of
astrocytes, and free AA can be metabolized by P450
epoxygenases to EETs, which can diffuse out of astrocytic
foot processes and hyperpolarize cerebral arterial vascular
smooth muscle and induce dilation. Release of free AA from the
astrocytic phospholipid pool by glutamate may obviously result in
activation of a number of other enzymatic pathways and formation of a
variety of metabolites. The presence of
cyclooxygenase activity may lead to the formation
of both vasodilator and constrictor products, and there is at least
one report that lipoxygenase activity is also
present in astrocytes.25

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Figure 5. Glutamate released from synaptic terminals of
neurons during increased neuronal activity can bind glutamate receptors
on astrocytes, thus increasing intracellular calcium and AA release
from astrocytic membranes by activation of phospholipase C,
phospholipase A2, and DAG lipases. The free AA thus
released can be metabolized by COX to prostaglandin (PG)
F2
, thromboxane A2
(TXA2), PGI2, and PGE2 and by P450
epoxygenases to EETs. Diffusion of these eicosanoids from
astrocytic foot processes onto cerebral arterioles leads to modulation
of cerebral vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) membrane potential and
thus contractile state. Depolarization by PGF2
and
TXA2 leads to constriction, whereas
hyperpolarization by PGI2,
PGE2, and EETs leads to dilation and increases in local
CBF. This anatomic-metabolic arrangement of neurons,
astrocytes, and cerebral arterioles may be the basis for coupling of
neuronal activity to increases in blood flow. PIP2
indicates phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate; IP3,
inositol triphosphate.
). Similarly,
intraventricular (lateral ventricle) application of
antisense oligonucleotides against P450 2C11 24 hours
earlier blocks the transient increase in blood flow to exogenous
glutamate (Fig 7
). The
inhibitory effect of the antisense 2C11
oligonucleotides on the increase in CBF to glutamate
superfusion was specific since animals treated with the sense
oligonucleotide responded with sustained increases in
CBF in response to glutamate. We could not determine the effects of
antisense oligonucleotides on baseline flow because
laser-Doppler flowmetry is not quantitative. However, as
seen in Fig 7
, the ability of glutamate to increase blood flow is
inhibited. These data indicate a functional role for P450
epoxygenase system in astrocytes and the generation of EETs
as a possible pathway that may regulate functional hyperemia in
rat brain. At present, the antisense data are only confirmatory to
pharmacological inhibition in that the precise mechanism of antisense
oligonucleotide inhibition is unknown.

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Figure 6. Response of rat microvascular CBF, measured by
laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF), to subdural infusion of
glutamate (5x10-4 mol/L). A, Actual tracings of LDF
signals (expressed in laser-Doppler perfusion units) and mean
arterial pressure (MAP) (expressed in millimeters of
mercury) before and during application of glutamate. B, Effect of
30-minute intercerebroventricular infusion of miconazole,
inhibitor of P450 epoxygenase activity (20
µmol/L, n=5) or vehicle on the glutamate-induced increases in CBF.
Miconazole significantly attenuated the glutamate-induced increases in
CBF, whereas the vehicle had no effect. *Significant difference at
P<.05 from control. From Amruthesh et
al.26

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Figure 7. Effect of a P450 2C11 antisense
oligodeoxynucleotide on the response of CBF to glutamate.
The response of laser-Doppler flowmetry signals (LDP) of
the cerebral microcirculation of the rat to a subdural infusion of
glutamate (5x10-4 mol/L in artificial cerebrospinal
fluid) was compared between animals treated with 2C11 sense or 2C11
antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (n=5 for both groups; 30
µg in artificial cerebrospinal fluid,
intercerebroventricularly) for 24 hours. CBF response to
glutamate was calculated as a percent change of peak LDP after
administration of glutamate from a 5-minute average of baseline flow
before glutamate infusion. *Significant difference between sense- and
antisense-treated animals (P<.05).
![]()
Conclusions
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Anatomic Location of Astrocytes...
Astrocytic P450 Enzymes
Glutamate-Induced Release of...
Conclusions
References
We have discussed preliminary findings in support of the
hypothesis that functional hyperemia in the rat cerebral cortex
is due to expression of P450 activity and the enzymatic formation of
EETs on release of AA by glutamate. While this hypothesis is well
supported by preliminary data and published reports, a great deal of
verification is still needed for the transition from hypothesis to
fact. We do know that glutamate induces P450 2C11 message and
product, in that it is often difficult to detect the message in
cultured astrocytes unless glutamate is present, whereas intact
cortical tissue readily expresses P450 2C11 RNA and forms EETs
(unpublished data, 1996). It is also important to note that EETs may be
stored in astrocytic membranes and released on demand by activation of
phospholipases. This mechanism may be more consistent with the
time course involved in functional hyperemia. Several
investigators have demonstrated such incorporation of EETs into
membrane phospholipids in endothelial
cells28 and platelets.29 Recently, Ellis et
al30 demonstrated this phenomenon in astrocytes as well. It
remains to be determined whether EETs are preformed and stored in the
plasma membrane to be quickly released in response to glutamate or
other stimuli, such as increases in intracellular calcium due to
electrical coupling with neurons. Further investigation of the
underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms by which functional
hyperemia is controlled under normal conditions will lead to a
greater understanding of how dysregulation of these mechanisms may lead
to pathological states. Such pathways may present important targets
for pharmacological intervention in several disease states, including
stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and other cerebrovascular
disorders.
![]()
Selected Abbreviations and Acronyms
AA
=
arachidonic acid
CBF
=
cerebral blood flow
CNS
=
central nervous system
COX-1
=
constitutive cyclooxygenase
COX-2
=
inducible cyclooxygenase
DAG
=
diacylglycerol
EETs
=
epoxyeicosatrienoic acids
P450
=
cytochrome P450
![]()
References
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Anatomic Location of Astrocytes...
Astrocytic P450 Enzymes
Glutamate-Induced Release of...
Conclusions
References
1.
Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessell TM, eds.
Principles of Neural Science. 3rd ed. New York, NY:
Elsevier; 1991:1135.
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J. Schummers, H. Yu, and M. Sur Tuned Responses of Astrocytes and Their Influence on Hemodynamic Signals in the Visual Cortex Science, June 20, 2008; 320(5883): 1638 - 1643. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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P. Sura, R. Sura, A. E. EnayetAllah, and D. F. Grant Distribution and Expression of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase in Human Brain J. Histochem. Cytochem., June 1, 2008; 56(6): 551 - 559. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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V. M. Blanco, J. E. Stern, and J. A. Filosa Tone-dependent vascular responses to astrocyte-derived signals Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2008; 294(6): H2855 - H2863. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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P. D. Smith, S. E. Brett, K. D. Luykenaar, S. L. Sandow, S. P. Marrelli, E. J. Vigmond, and D. G. Welsh KIR channels function as electrical amplifiers in rat vascular smooth muscle J. Physiol., February 15, 2008; 586(4): 1147 - 1160. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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A. Li, Q. Xi, E. S. Umstot, L. Bellner, M. L. Schwartzman, J. H. Jaggar, and C. W. Leffler Astrocyte-Derived CO Is a Diffusible Messenger That Mediates Glutamate-Induced Cerebral Arteriolar Dilation by Activating Smooth Muscle Cell KCa Channels Circ. Res., February 1, 2008; 102(2): 234 - 241. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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M. J. Corenblum, V. E. Wise, K. Georgi, B. D. Hammock, P. A. Doris, and M. Fornage Altered Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Gene Expression and Function and Vascular Disease Risk in the Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Hypertension, February 1, 2008; 51(2): 567 - 573. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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J. J. Iliff, L. N. Close, N. R. Selden, and N. J. Alkayed A novel role for P450 eicosanoids in the neurogenic control of cerebral blood flow in the rat Exp Physiol, July 1, 2007; 92(4): 653 - 658. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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K. D. Luykenaar and D. G. Welsh Activators of the PKA and PKG pathways attenuate RhoA-mediated suppression of the KDR current in cerebral arteries Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2007; 292(6): H2654 - H2663. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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P. G. Haydon and G. Carmignoto Astrocyte control of synaptic transmission and neurovascular coupling. Physiol Rev, July 1, 2006; 86(3): 1009 - 1031. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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D. R. Harder and R. J. Roman Endothelial Dysfunction and Hypertension in Rats Transduced With CYP4A2 Adenovirus Circ. Res., April 14, 2006; 98(7): 866 - 867. [Full Text] [PDF] |
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M. R. Metea and E. A. Newman Glial cells dilate and constrict blood vessels: a mechanism of neurovascular coupling. J. Neurosci., March 15, 2006; 26(11): 2862 - 2870. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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L. K. Bekar, M. E. Loewen, K. Cao, X. Sun, J. Leis, R. Wang, G. W. Forsyth, and W. Walz Complex Expression and Localization of Inactivating Kv Channels in Cultured Hippocampal Astrocytes J Neurophysiol, March 1, 2005; 93(3): 1699 - 1709. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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T. Fellin and G. Carmignoto Neurone-to-astrocyte signalling in the brain represents a distinct multifunctional unit J. Physiol., August 15, 2004; 559(1): 3 - 15. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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K. D. Luykenaar, S. E. Brett, B. N. Wu, W. B. Wiehler, and D. G. Welsh Pyrimidine nucleotides suppress KDR currents and depolarize rat cerebral arteries by activating Rho kinase Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, March 1, 2004; 286(3): H1088 - H1100. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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N. G. Bazan Synaptic lipid signaling: significance of polyunsaturated fatty acids and platelet-activating factor J. Lipid Res., December 1, 2003; 44(12): 2221 - 2233. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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C. B. Lawrence, T. Williams, and S. M. Luckman Intracerebroventricular Galanin-Like Peptide Induces Different Brain Activation Compared with Galanin Endocrinology, September 1, 2003; 144(9): 3977 - 3984. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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M. Lauritzen and L. Gold Brain Function and Neurophysiological Correlates of Signals Used in Functional Neuroimaging J. Neurosci., May 15, 2003; 23(10): 3972 - 3980. [Full Text] [PDF] |
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M. Medhora, J. Daniels, K. Mundey, B. Fisslthaler, R. Busse, E. R. Jacobs, and D. R. Harder Epoxygenase-driven angiogenesis in human lung microvascular endothelial cells Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 2003; 284(1): H215 - H224. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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C. Zhang and D. R. Harder Cerebral Capillary Endothelial Cell Mitogenesis and Morphogenesis Induced by Astrocytic Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid Stroke, December 1, 2002; 33(12): 2957 - 2964. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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M. D. Hollenberg PARs in the stars: proteinase-activated receptors and astrocyte function. Focus on "Thrombin (PAR-1)-induced proliferation in astrocytes via MAPK involves multiple signaling pathways" Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, November 1, 2002; 283(5): C1347 - C1350. [Full Text] [PDF] |
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D. Zhu, C. Zhang, M. Medhora, and E. R. Jacobs CYP4A mRNA, protein, and product in rat lungs: novel localization in vascular endothelium J Appl Physiol, July 1, 2002; 93(1): 330 - 337. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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N. J. Alkayed, T. Goyagi, H.-D. Joh, J. Klaus, D. R. Harder, R. J. Traystman, and P. D. Hurn Neuroprotection and P450 2C11 Upregulation After Experimental Transient Ischemic Attack Stroke, June 1, 2002; 33(6): 1677 - 1684. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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H. Abdul-Khaliq, R. Uhlig, W. Bottcher, P. Ewert, V. Alexi-Meskishvili, and P. E. Lange Factors influencing the change in cerebral hemodynamics in pediatric patients during and after corrective cardiac surgery of congenital heart diseases by means of full-flow cardiopulmonary bypass Perfusion, May 1, 2002; 17(3): 179 - 185. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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R. J. Roman P-450 Metabolites of Arachidonic Acid in the Control of Cardiovascular Function Physiol Rev, January 1, 2002; 82(1): 131 - 185. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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T. Horiuchi, H. H. Dietrich, S. Tsugane, and R. G. Dacey Jr. Analysis of purine- and pyrimidine-induced vascular responses in the isolated rat cerebral arteriole Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, February 1, 2001; 280(2): H767 - H776. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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E. R. Jacobs and D. C. Zeldin The lung HETEs (and EETs) up Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 2001; 280(1): H1 - H10. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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C. M. Thompson, J. H. Capdevila, and H. W. Strobel Recombinant Cytochrome P450 2D18 Metabolism of Dopamine and Arachidonic Acid J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., September 1, 2000; 294(3): 1120 - 1130. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
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J. H. Capdevila, J. R. Falck, and R. C. Harris Cytochrome P450 and arachidonic acid bioactivation: molecular and functional properties of the arachidonate monooxygenase J. Lipid Res., February 1, 2000; 41(2): 163 - 181. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
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X. Hou, F. Gobeil Jr, K. Peri, G. Speranza, A. M. Marrache, P. Lachapelle, J. Roberts II, D. R. Varma, S. Chemtob, and E. F. Ellis Augmented Vasoconstriction and Thromboxane Formation by 15-F2t-Isoprostane (8-Iso-Prostaglandin F2{alpha}) in Immature Pig Periventricular Brain Microvessels • Editorial Comment Stroke, February 1, 2000; 31(2): 516 - 524. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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W. Qu, J. A. Bradbury, C.-C. Tsao, R. Maronpot, G. J. Harry, C. E. Parker, L. S. Davis, M. D. Breyer, M. P. Waalkes, J. R. Falck, et al. Cytochrome P450 CYP2J9, a New Mouse Arachidonic Acid omega -1 Hydroxylase Predominantly Expressed in Brain J. Biol. Chem., June 29, 2001; 276(27): 25467 - 25479. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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