NFATc3 promotes Ca(2+) -dependent MMP3 expression in astroglial cells.

Increase in intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+) ]i ) is a key mediator of astrocyte signaling, important for activation of the calcineurin (CN)/nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathway, a central mediator of inflammatory events. We analyzed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (Mmp3) in response to increases in [Ca(2+) ]i and the role of the CN/NFAT pathway in this regulation. Astrocyte Mmp3 expression was induced by overexpression of a constitutively active form of NFATc3, whereas other MMPs and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) were unaffected.

Selenoprotein S expression in reactive astrocytes following brain injury.

Selenoprotein S (SelS) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein involved in the unfolded protein response. Besides reducing ER-stress, SelS attenuates inflammation by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines. We have recently shown that SelS is responsive to ischemia in cultured astrocytes.