INVESTIGADORES
BOUZAT Cecilia Beatriz
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
GABA transporters in human lymphocytes
Autor/es:
DE ROSA; DIONISIO L; CALDIRONI H; BOUZAT C
Lugar:
Cordoba
Reunión:
Congreso; XXVIII Congreso Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencias (SAN); 2013
Institución organizadora:
Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencias (SAN)
Resumen:
GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in CNS and is associated to several
neurological disorders. GABA transporters (GATs) play a critical role in GABA level
regulation by allowing re-uptake of neuronal secreted GABA. Four GAT subtypes
(GAT 1-3 and BGT-1) have been described in humans. Previously, we reported a
complete GABAergic system in lymphocytes. Here, we studied the modulation of
the expression and activity of GATs in human lymphocytes by the mitogen
phytohemagglutinin (PHA). We determined mRNA GAT expression in activated and
resting cells (with and without PHA, respectively). GAT 3 was not detected under
any condition, whereas GAT 2 and BGT-1 were detected in all activated cells.
Expression of GAT 1 was variable among samples and conditions. In line with these
observations, incubation with PHA also increased [3H]GABA uptake. To evaluate
the physiological role of GATs we determined cell proliferation by PHA in the
presence of nipecotic acid (NA), a GAT inhibitor. Cell proliferation was negatively
modulated by NA. In addition, secreted GABA was detected only in supernatant
from activated lymphocyte cultures. Taken together, our results show that
lymphocytes express functional GATs whose expression is modulated by PHA, GATs
regulate cell proliferation, and lymphocyte cells have the ability to secrete GABA.
Pharmacological modulation of GATs present in lymphocytes could be a new target
to modulate immune response.