Involvement of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release through ryanodine and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors in the neurotoxic effects induced by the amyloid-β peptide

Studies with in-vitro-cultured neurons treated with amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides demonstrated neuronal loss by apoptosis that is due, at least in part, to the perturbation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. In addition, it was shown that an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-specific apoptotic pathway mediated by caspase-12, which is activated upon the perturbation of ER Ca2+ homeostasis, may contribute to A[3 toxicity. To elucidate the involvement of deregulation of ER Ca2+ homeostasis in neuronal death induced by Abeta peptides, we have performed a comparative study using the synthetic peptides Abeta(25-35) or Abeta(1-40) and thapsigargin, a selective inhibitor of Ca2+ uptake into the ER. Incubation of cortical neurons with thapsigargin (2.5 muM) increased the intracellular Ca2+ levels and activated caspase-3, leading to a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells. Similarly, upon incubation of cortical cultures with the Abeta peptides (Abeta(25-35), 25 muM; Abeta(1-40), 0.5 muM), we observed a significant increase in [Ca2+](i), in caspase-3-like activity, and in number of neurons exhibiting apoptotic morphology. The role of ER Ca2+ release through ryanodine receptors (RyR) or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R) in Abeta neurotoxicity has been also investigated. Dantrolene and xestospongin C, inhibitors of ER Ca2+ release through RyR or IP3R, were able to prevent the increase in [Ca2+]; and the activation of caspase-3 and to protect partially against apoptosis induced bay treatment with Abeta(25-35) or Abeta(1-40). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the release of Ca2+ from the ER, mediated by both RyR and IP3R is involved in Abeta toxicity and can contribute, together with the activation of other intracellular neurotoxic mechanisms, to Abeta-induced neuronal death. This study suggests that Abeta accumulation may have a key role in the pathogenesis of AD as a result of deregulation of ER Ca2+ homeostasis. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.