Involvement of Na+-Ca2+ exchanger in reperfusion-induced delayed cell death of cultured rat astrocytes

In some cells, Ca2+ depletion induces an increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+](i)) after reperfusion with Ca2+-containing solution, but the mechanism for the reperfusion injury is not fully elucidated. Using an antisense strategy we studied the role of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger in reperfusion injury in cultured rat astrocytes. When astrocytes were perfused in Ca2+-free medium for 15-60 min, a persistent increase in [Ca2+](i) was observed immediately after reperfusion with Ca2+-containing medium, and the number of surviving cells decreased 3-5 days latter. The increase in [Ca2+](i) was enhanced by low extracellular Na+ ([Na+](0)) during reperfusion and blocked by the inhibitors of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger amiloride and 3,4-dichlorobenzamil, but not by the Ca2+ channel antagonists nifedipine, Cd2+ and Ni2+. Treatment of astrocytes with antisense, but not sense, oligodeoxynucleotide to the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger decreased Na+-Ca2+ exchanger protein level and exchange activity. The antisense oligomer attenuated reperfusion-induced increase in [Ca2+](i) and cell toxicity. The Na+-Ca2+ exchange inhibitors 3,4-dichlorobenzamil and ascorbic acid protected astrocytes from reperfusion injury partially, while the stimulators sodium nitroprusside and 8-bromo-cyclic GMP and low [Na+](0) exacerbated the injury. Pretreatment of astrocytes with ouabain and monensin caused similar delayed glial cell death. These findings suggest that Ca2+ entry via the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger plays an important role in reperfusion-induced delayed glial cell death.