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Interleukin‐1 β Depolarizes Paraventricular Nucleus Parvocellular Neurones
Author(s) -
Ferri C. C.,
Ferguson A. V.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of neuroendocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1365-2826
pISSN - 0953-8194
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2003.00870.x
Subject(s) - parvocellular cell , depolarization , medicine , endocrinology , hypothalamus , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , chemistry , nucleus , nitric oxide , gabaergic , nitric oxide synthase , neuroscience , tetrodotoxin , biology
Interleukin‐1 β (IL‐1 β ) is involved in hypothalamic regulation of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) secretion and consequent downstream modulation of the neuroimmune response. In this study, whole‐cell patch clamp recordings of rat parvocellular neurones in a slice preparation of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus were performed to examine the cellular effects of IL‐1 β . In response to 1 n m IL‐1 β , 65% of parvocellular neurones tested exhibited a clear depolarization, which was abolished in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX). This depolarization was partially dependent on nitric oxide formation, as demonstrated by attenuation of the response in the presence of N ‐ω‐nitro‐ l ‐arginine methylester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. The effects of IL‐1 β on responsive parvocellular neurones were associated with a decrease in the frequency of inhibitory post synaptic potentials (IPSPs). Bicuculline administration blocked the effects of IL‐1 β , suggesting that this cytokine modulates GABA‐ergic output, resulting in a decrease in inhibitory input (IPSPs) and consequent depolarization. These data support the conclusion that IL‐1 β influences the excitability of parvocellular neurones in the PVN, as a secondary consequence of nitric oxide generation and modulation of GABAergic inhibitory input to these cells. They elucidate cellular correlates underlying the well‐established neuroimmune roles of IL‐1 β in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus.