Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) ›› 2025, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (1): 17-25.doi: 10.13481/j.1671-587X.20250103

• Research in basic medicine • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of prostaglandin E2 on discharge activity of warm-sensitive neurons in median preoptic nucleus of hypothalamus in female mice and its mechanism

Xiaoyu HOU1,Ya LI1,Yian SONG1,Tianhui HE2,Jie ZHANG2,Jianhui XU2()   

  1. 1.Department of Obstetrics,First Affiliated Hospital,Chengdu Medical College,Chengdu 610500,China
    2.Key Laboratory of Thermoregulation and Inflammation of Sichuan Universities,Chengdu Medical College,Chengdu 610500,China
  • Received:2024-02-21 Accepted:2024-04-14 Online:2025-01-28 Published:2025-03-06
  • Contact: Jianhui XU E-mail:helloxjh@126.com

Abstract:

Objective To discuss the effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a pyrogenic mediator, on the discharge activity of warm-sensitive neurons (WSNs) in median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) of hypothalamus in the female mice, and to clarify its mechanism. Methods Coronal brain slices of MnPO were prepared from the female mice. The slices were then perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) containing synaptic transmission blockers (STBs). The discharge frequency was monitored using the patch clamp technique while changing the temperature of the perfusate to identify the WSNs. A total of 32 MnPO WSNs were divided into base line group(n=32) and PEG2n=32). The patch clamp technique was employed to monitor the discharge frequencies of MnPO WSNs following the perfusion of ACSF and 1 μmol·L-1 PGE2, respectively. The MnPO WSNs with good activity and significant change in discharge frequency after PGE2 perfusion were divided into PGE2 receptor E-series prostaglandin receptrol (EP)1 antagonist (EP1 ant)+PGE2 group (n=7), EP3 ant+PGE2 group (n=7), and EP4 ant+PGE2 group (n=7). The patch clamp technique was used to monitor the discharge frequencies of MnPO WSNs following the perfusion of 3 μmol·L-1 EP1 ant and 1 μmol·L-1 PGE2 mixture, 10 μmol·L-1 EP3 ant and 1 μmol·L-1 PGE2 mixture, and 10 μmol·L-1 EP4 ant and 1 μmol·L-1 PGE2 mixture, respectively. Resluts: After perfuson of the ACSF containing STBs, a total of 188 MnPO neurons from the female mice with an intrinsic temperature sensitivity coefficient (m value) were identified; out of these, 32 neurons had an m value of ≥0.8 and were identified as MnPO WSNs, accounting for approximately 17% of all recorded neurons. Compared with baseline discharge frequency, the discharge frequency of MnPO WSNs after addition of PGE2 was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with PGE2 group, the percentage change in discharge frequency of MnPO WSNs in EP3 ant+PGE2 group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with PGE2 group, the percentage change in discharge frequency of MnPO WSNs in EP1 ant+PGE2 group had no significant difference (P>0.05). Compared with PGE2 group, the percentage change in discharge frequency of MnPO WSNs in EP4 ant+PGE2 group had no significant difference(P>0.05). Conclusion In the female mice, WSNs make up approximately 17% of the total neurons in MnPO. PGE2 can directly inhibit the discharge activity of MnPO WSNs in the female mice through postsynaptic mechanism involving EP3 receptors.

Key words: Fever, Prostaglandin E2, Median preoptic nucleus, Warm-sensitive neuron, EP3 receptor

CLC Number: 

  • R714