Aminergic receptors in astrogliotic plaques from patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Cultured astrocytes express a spectrum of neurotransmitter receptors. However, little is known about these receptors in situ. We previously reported the absence of β2 adrenergic receptors on astrocytes in multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we used [3H]-radioligands and receptor autoradiography to screen for a variety of other aminergic receptors in six silent chronic astrogliotic plaques in brain tissue obtained from five patients with MS. Dopamine D1 and histamine H1 receptors were absent. We detected specific binding for cholinergic muscarinic receptors > dopamine D2, α1- and α2-adrenergic receptors > 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B/D, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2c, 5-HT4, and dopamine D3 receptors. Radiotracers for these aminergic receptors might be useful for studying astrogliosis in patients with MS, and compounds acting at some of these receptors may have potential to modulate astroglial function in MS. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.