Inactivation of neuronal forebrain A 2A receptors protects dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease

Adenosine A 2A receptors antagonists produce neuroprotective effects in animal models of Parkinson’s disease (PD). As neuroinflammation is involved in PD pathogenesis, both neuronal and glial A 2A receptors might participate to neuroprotection. We employed complementary pharmacologic and genetic approaches to A 2A receptor inactivation, in a multiple MPTP mouse model of PD, to investigate the cellular basis of neuroprotection by A 2A antagonism. MPTP·HCl (20 mg/kg daily for 4 days) was administered in mice treated with the A 2A antagonist SCH58261, or in conditional knockout mice lacking A 2A receptors on forebrain neurons (fbnA 2A KO mice). MPTP‐induced partial loss of dopamine neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and striatum (Str), associated with increased astroglial and microglial immunoreactivity in these areas. Astroglia was similarly activated 1, 3, and 7 days after MPTP administration, whereas maximal microglial reactivity was detected on day 1, returning to baseline 7 days after MPTP administration. SCH58261 attenuated dopamine cell loss and gliosis in SNc and Str. Selective depletion of A 2A receptors in fbnA 2A KO mice completely prevented MPTP‐induced dopamine neuron degeneration and gliosis in SNc, and partially counteracted gliosis in Str. Results provide evidence of a primary role played by neuronal A 2A receptors in neuroprotective effects of A 2A antagonists in a multiple MPTP injections model of PD. With the symptomatic antiparkinsonian potential of several A 2A receptor antagonists being pursued in clinical trials, this study adds to the rationale for broader clinical benefit and use of these drugs early in the treatment of PD.