Prostaglandin E2 type 1 receptors contribute to neuronal apoptosis after transient forebrain ischemia.

Cyclooxygenase-2-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)) contributes to excitotoxic and ischemic neuronal cell death by engaging neuronal PGE(2) type 1 receptors (EP1R). Our previous studies have shown that EP1R signaling resulted in disturbances of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and suppression of the pro-survival protein kinase AKT. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these pathophysiological mechanism have a role in the neuronal cell death after transient forebrain ischemia. Mice were subjected to ischemia/reperfusion by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. Hippocampal cornu ammonis area 1 (CA1) neuronal cell death was determined 5 days after reperfusion. Animals treated with the EP1R antagonist SC51089 or EP1R-deficient mice (EP1(-/-)) showed significantly less neuronal injury as compared to vehicle-treated wild-type controls. Benefits of EP1R blockage were still evident 14 days after injury. Better neuronal survival was correlated with reduced neuronal caspase-3 activity and decreased nuclear translocation of the apoptosis-inducing factor. Neuroprotection could be reverted by intracerebroventricular administration of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 and was not further increased by the calcineurin inhibitor FK506. These data implicate EP1R in postischemic neuronal apoptosis possibly by facilitating AKT inhibition.