Increasing data suggest that glutamate might act as a cell-signaling molecule in non-neuronal tissues such as the skin. Here we demonstrate the presence of functional N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptors in human keratinocytes. NMDA receptor expression strongly reflects the degree of cell-to-cell contact. Wounding polarizes the expression of NMDA receptors in keratinocytes involved in re-epithelialization, and the process of re-epithelialization is inhibited by NMDA receptor activation. We also demonstrate that squamous cell carcinomas lack NMDA receptors. Our data suggest that Ca2+ entry through NMDA receptors influences the cycle of keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, and migration during epithelialization. Moreover, NMDA receptor activation might play a role in contact-mediated inhibition of growth, a process that is absent during neoplastic pathology. This receptor may serve as a pharmacological target for modulating keratinocyte behavior and treating cutaneous disorders.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jcp.20010DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

nmda receptor
12
nmda receptors
12
human keratinocytes
8
receptor activation
8
nmda
7
significance n-methyl-d-aspartate
4
n-methyl-d-aspartate nmda
4
nmda receptor-mediated
4
receptor-mediated signaling
4
signaling human
4

Similar Publications

Exome sequencing reveals a rare damaging variant in GRIN2C in familial late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimers Res Ther

January 2025

Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to its pathogenesis. While early-onset AD has well-established genetic determinants, the genetic basis for late-onset AD remains less clear. This study investigates a large Italian family with late-onset autosomal dominant AD, identifying a novel rare missense variant in GRIN2C gene associated with the disease, and evaluates the functional impact of this variant.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The thrombolytic protease tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is expressed in the CNS, where it regulates diverse functions including neuronal plasticity, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain-barrier integrity. However, its role in different brain regions such as the substantia nigra (SN) is largely unexplored. In this study, we characterize tPA expression, activity, and localization in the SN using a combination of retrograde tracing and β-galactosidase tPA reporter mice.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Discovery of Brain-Penetrative Negative Allosteric Modulators of NMDA Receptors Using FEP-Guided Structure Optimization and Membrane Permeability Prediction.

J Chem Inf Model

January 2025

Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Culture Road, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.

-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, a subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), have garnered attention for their role in brain disorders. Specifically, GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors have emerged as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of depressive disorders and epilepsy. However, the development of GluN2A-containing NMDA receptor-selective antagonists, represented by -(4-(2-benzoylhydrazine-1-carbonyl)benzyl)-3-chloro-4-fluorobenzenesulfonamide (TCN-201) and its derivatives, faces a significant challenge due to their limited ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), hampering their characterization and further advancement.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Neurological disorders significantly impact the central nervous system, contributing to a growing public health crisis globally. The spectrum of these disorders includes neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. This manuscript reviews the crucial roles of cellular signalling pathways in the pathophysiology of these conditions, focusing primarily on glutaminase/glutamate/NMDA receptor signalling, alongside the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways-ERK1/2, C-JNK, and P38 MAPK.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose Of Review: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a neuropathic pain disorder characterized by pain disproportionate to the inciting event that is constant for an extended duration. Numerous treatment options for this condition have been explored with unsatisfactory results in many cases. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist typically used as an anesthetic and analgesic, presents a promising potential treatment for CRPS in patients who fail to respond to traditional therapies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!