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Are glutamate transporters neuroprotective or neurodegenerative during cerebral ischemia?

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Abstract

The accumulation of glutamate (Glu) in the synaptic cleft during cerebral ischemia triggers the death of neurons, causing mental or physical handicap. However, the mechanisms of the alteration in Glu homeostasis and the imbalance between the release and clearance of Glu in ischemia are not yet completely understood. Additionally, the role of Glu transporters in regulating Glu concentration in the synaptic cleft is controversial. This review aims to provide readers with an in-depth understanding of Glu transporters in the early or later stages of ischemic events, or in mild or severe cerebral ischemia via alteration of Glu transporter expression, reversal of Glu transporters function, and trafficking between membrane and cytoplasm, to further clarify whether the Glu transporters are neuroprotective or neurodegenerative during cerebral ischemia. We provide the insights for deeper understanding of the mechanism of Glu transporters regulation after different periods and severities of cerebral ischemia.

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Acknowledgements

These authors acknowledge the support received for this study from the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC81402886), the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (H2016208071), and Hebei Province hundred excellent innovative talents support scheme (III) (SLRC2017044).

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  1. Li-Nan Zhang and Liang Hao contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathophysiology, Hebei Medical University, 361 Zhongshan East Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China

    Li-Nan Zhang, Li-Zhe Liu & Wen-Bin Li

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Third Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Beijing, 050011, Hebei, China

    Liang Hao

  3. Department of Traumatology, Third Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Beijing, 050011, Hebei, China

    Yu-Song Guo

  4. Pharmaceutical Preparation Section, Third Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Beijing, 050011, Hebei, China

    Hai-Yan Wang

  5. Clinical Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Beijing, 050017, Hebei, China

    Lin-lin Li

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Contributions

Zhang LN designed the research concept; Hao L and Guo YS analyzed data and interpreted; Wang HY and Li LL collected the data; Liu L made the table; Zhang LN and Li WB checked the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Wen-Bin Li.

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Zhang, LN., Hao, L., Guo, YS. et al. Are glutamate transporters neuroprotective or neurodegenerative during cerebral ischemia?. J Mol Med 97, 281–289 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-019-01745-5

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