Objective: Glutamate receptors, which play a major role in the physiology and pathology of central nervous system gray matter, are also involved in the pathophysiology of white matter. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for excitotoxic damage to white matter elements are not fully understood. We explored the roles of AMPA and GluR5 kainate receptors in axonal Ca(2+) deregulation.

Methods: Dorsal column axons were loaded with a Ca(2+) indicator and imaged in vitro using confocal microscopy.

Results: Both AMPA and a GluR5 kainate receptor agonist increased intraaxonal Ca(2+) in myelinated rat dorsal column fibers. These responses were inhibited by selective antagonists of these receptors. The GluR5-mediated Ca(2+) increase was mediated by both canonical (ie, ionotropic) and noncanonical (metabotropic) signaling, dependent on a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein/phospholipase C-dependent pathway, promoting Ca(2+) release from inositol triphosphate-dependent stores. In addition, the GluR5 response was reduced by intraaxonal NO scavengers. In contrast, GluR4 AMPA receptors operated via Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release, dependent on ryanodine receptors, and unaffected by NO scavengers. Neither pathway depended on L-type Ca(2+) channels, in contrast with GluR6 kainate receptor action.1 Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of GluR4 and GluR5 clustered at the surface of myelinated axons; GluR5 coimmunoprecipitated with nNOS and often colocalized with neuronal nitric oxide synthase clusters on the internodal axon.

Interpretation: Central myelinated axons express functional AMPA and GluR5 kainate receptors, and can directly respond to glutamate receptor agonists. These glutamate receptor-dependent signaling pathways promote an increase in intraaxonal Ca(2+) levels potentially contributing to axonal degeneration.