[Lipopolysaccharide induces astrocyte activation and downregulates the expression of Kir4.1 channel].

Objective To explore the influence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the activation of astrocytes and the expression of the inwardly rectifying K(+) channel Kir4.1. Methods Astrocytes were separated from the cerebral cortex of newborn SD rats and cultured in the presence of LPS or LPS combined with interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). The cell vitality was detected by MTT assay; the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was analyzed by immunocytochemistry; the production of IL-1β was tested by ELISA; the expression of Kir4.1 and IL-1β mRNAs were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Results LPS promoted the activation of astrocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner. LPS significantly increased the production of IL-1β and the expression of IL-1β mRNA, while decreased the expression of Kir4.1 mRNA in cultured astrocytes. Compared with the LPS group, IL-1ra could effectively reversed the above two results. Conclusion The cultured astrocytes could be activated by LPS; LPS-induced downregulation of Kir4.1 mRNA in cultured astrocytes might be related with the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β.

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