Effect of A2A receptor antagonist (SCH 442416) on the mRNA expression of glutamate aspartate transporter and glutamine synthetase in rat retinal Muller cells under hypoxic conditions in vitro

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of the A(2A) receptor antagonist (SCH 442416) on the m RNA expression of glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST) and glutamine synthetase (GS) in rat retinal Muller cells under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Immunofluorescent staining of GS and GFAP was used for the identification of Muller cells. The GLAST and GS mRNA expression of Muller cells treated with 0.1, 1 and 10 mu M SCH 442416 under hypoxic conditions was examined by real-time PCR. Muller cells increased the mRNA expression of GLAST under hypoxic conditions; those treated with 0.1 mu M SCH 442416 showed a further significant increase in the m RNA expression of GLAST in vitro. Although the mRNA expression of GS was decreased under hypoxic conditions, the m RNA expression was increased when Muller cells were treated with 0.1 mu M SCH 442416. A(2A) receptor antagonist increased the GLAST and GS expression of Muller cells and accelerated the clearance of extracellular glutamate under hypoxic conditions in vitro.