Dexamethasone attenuates inflammatory-mediated suppression of β2-adrenoceptor expression in rat primary mixed glia

β2-adrenoceptors are G-protein coupled receptors expressed on both astrocytes and microglia that play a key role in mediating the anti-inflammatory actions of noradrenaline in the CNS. Here the effect of an inflammatory stimulus (LPS + IFN-γ) was examined on glial β2-adrenoceptor expression a nd function. Exposure of glia to LPS + IFN-γ decreased β2-adrenoceptor mRNA and agonist-stimulated production of the intracellular second messenger cAMP. Pre-treatment with the synthetic glucocorticoid and potent anti-inflammatory agent dexamethasone prevented the LPS + IFN-γ-induced supp ression of β2-adrenoceptor mRNA expression.
Source: Journal of Neuroimmunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Source Type: research