dizocilpine-maleate and Optic-Neuritis

Autoimmune optic neuritis (AON), a model of multiple sclerosis-associated optic neuritis, is accompanied by degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and optic nerve demyelination and axonal loss. In order to investigate the role of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in mediating RGC degeneration, upstream changes in the optic nerve actin cytoskeleton and associated deterioration in visual function, we induced AON in Brown Norway rats by immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Subsequently, visual acuity was assessed by recording visual evoked potentials and electroretinograms prior to extraction of optic nerves for western blot analysis and retinas for quantification of RGCs. As previously reported, in Brown Norway rats RGC degeneration is observed prior to onset of immune cell infiltration and demyelination of the optic nerves. However, within the optic nerve, destabilization of the actin cytoskeleton could be seen as indicated by an increase in the globular to filamentous actin ratio. Interestingly, these changes could be mimicked by intravitreal injection of glutamate, and similarly blocked by application of the NMDA receptor blocker MK-801, leading us to propose that prior to optic nerve lesion formation, NMDA receptor activation within the retina leads to retinal calcium accumulation, actin destabilization within the optic nerve as well as a deterioration of visual acuity during AON.

Topics: Animals; Dizocilpine Maleate; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Evoked Potentials, Visual; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Female; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; Optic Nerve; Optic Neuritis; Rats; Rats, Inbred BN; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Retina

Optic neuritis is a common clinical manifestation of the chronic inflammatory CNS disease multiple sclerosis that can result in persistent visual impairment caused by degeneration of optic nerve axons and apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Using a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis with optic neuritis (Brown Norway rats), we show that administration of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists memantine or MK801 results in RGC protection, axon protection, and reduced demyelination of optic nerves. Calcium imaging revealed that RGC responses to glutamate stimulation predominantly occurred via NMDA receptors and were inhibited by memantine in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, oligodendrocytes were mainly responsive through the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid/kainate receptor. This suggests that NMDA receptor blockade protected RGCs directly and that the protection was independent of effects on oligodendrocytes. Moreover, increased RGC survival was observed before the onset of optic nerve demyelination--when RGC degeneration had already started. These results indicate an important pathophysiologic role for NMDA receptor-mediated glutamate toxicity during the induction phase of this disease model and highlight a potential target for therapeutic neuroprotection in human optic neuritis.

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Calcium; Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Dizocilpine Maleate; Female; Memantine; Myelin Sheath; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; Neuritis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Neuroprotective Agents; Oligodendroglia; Optic Nerve; Optic Neuritis; Rats; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Stilbamidines