The SWELL1 Channel Promotes Ischemic Brain Damage by Mediating Neuronal Swelling and Glutamate Toxicity

Abstract Cytotoxic neuronal swelling and glutamate excitotoxicity are two hallmarks of ischemic stroke. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here, it is reported that SWELL1, the essential subunit of the volume‐regulated anion channel (VRAC), plays a dual role in isc...

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Main Authors: Jianan Chen, Junhua Yang, Jiachen Chu, Kevin Hong Chen, Jesse Alt, Rana Rais, Zhaozhu Qiu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-09-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202401085
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author Jianan Chen
Junhua Yang
Jiachen Chu
Kevin Hong Chen
Jesse Alt
Rana Rais
Zhaozhu Qiu
author_facet Jianan Chen
Junhua Yang
Jiachen Chu
Kevin Hong Chen
Jesse Alt
Rana Rais
Zhaozhu Qiu
author_sort Jianan Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Cytotoxic neuronal swelling and glutamate excitotoxicity are two hallmarks of ischemic stroke. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here, it is reported that SWELL1, the essential subunit of the volume‐regulated anion channel (VRAC), plays a dual role in ischemic injury by promoting neuronal swelling and glutamate excitotoxicity. SWELL1 expression is upregulated in neurons and astrocytes after experimental stroke in mice. The neuronal SWELL1 channel is activated by intracellular hypertonicity, leading to Cl− influx‐dependent cytotoxic neuronal swelling and subsequent cell death. Additionally, the SWELL1 channel in astrocytes mediates pathological glutamate release, indicated by increases in neuronal slow inward current frequency and tonic NMDAR current. Pharmacologically, targeting VRAC with a new inhibitor, an FDA‐approved drug Dicumarol, attenuated cytotoxic neuronal swelling and cell death, reduced astrocytic glutamate release, and provided significant neuroprotection in mice when administered either before or after ischemia. Therefore, these findings uncover the pleiotropic effects of the SWELL1 channel in neurons and astrocytes in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and provide proof of concept for therapeutically targeting it in this disease.
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spelling doaj-art-b04777ce0b024b0b980dc3b894dbc7b92025-08-20T01:55:09ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442024-09-011136n/an/a10.1002/advs.202401085The SWELL1 Channel Promotes Ischemic Brain Damage by Mediating Neuronal Swelling and Glutamate ToxicityJianan Chen0Junhua Yang1Jiachen Chu2Kevin Hong Chen3Jesse Alt4Rana Rais5Zhaozhu Qiu6Department of Physiology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD 21205 USADepartment of Physiology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD 21205 USADepartment of Physiology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD 21205 USADepartment of Physiology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD 21205 USAJohns Hopkins Drug Discovery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD 21205 USAJohns Hopkins Drug Discovery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD 21205 USADepartment of Physiology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD 21205 USAAbstract Cytotoxic neuronal swelling and glutamate excitotoxicity are two hallmarks of ischemic stroke. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here, it is reported that SWELL1, the essential subunit of the volume‐regulated anion channel (VRAC), plays a dual role in ischemic injury by promoting neuronal swelling and glutamate excitotoxicity. SWELL1 expression is upregulated in neurons and astrocytes after experimental stroke in mice. The neuronal SWELL1 channel is activated by intracellular hypertonicity, leading to Cl− influx‐dependent cytotoxic neuronal swelling and subsequent cell death. Additionally, the SWELL1 channel in astrocytes mediates pathological glutamate release, indicated by increases in neuronal slow inward current frequency and tonic NMDAR current. Pharmacologically, targeting VRAC with a new inhibitor, an FDA‐approved drug Dicumarol, attenuated cytotoxic neuronal swelling and cell death, reduced astrocytic glutamate release, and provided significant neuroprotection in mice when administered either before or after ischemia. Therefore, these findings uncover the pleiotropic effects of the SWELL1 channel in neurons and astrocytes in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and provide proof of concept for therapeutically targeting it in this disease.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202401085cytotoxic neuronal swellingdicumarolglutamate excitotoxicityischemic strokeSWELL1 channels
spellingShingle Jianan Chen
Junhua Yang
Jiachen Chu
Kevin Hong Chen
Jesse Alt
Rana Rais
Zhaozhu Qiu
The SWELL1 Channel Promotes Ischemic Brain Damage by Mediating Neuronal Swelling and Glutamate Toxicity
Advanced Science
cytotoxic neuronal swelling
dicumarol
glutamate excitotoxicity
ischemic stroke
SWELL1 channels
title The SWELL1 Channel Promotes Ischemic Brain Damage by Mediating Neuronal Swelling and Glutamate Toxicity
title_full The SWELL1 Channel Promotes Ischemic Brain Damage by Mediating Neuronal Swelling and Glutamate Toxicity
title_fullStr The SWELL1 Channel Promotes Ischemic Brain Damage by Mediating Neuronal Swelling and Glutamate Toxicity
title_full_unstemmed The SWELL1 Channel Promotes Ischemic Brain Damage by Mediating Neuronal Swelling and Glutamate Toxicity
title_short The SWELL1 Channel Promotes Ischemic Brain Damage by Mediating Neuronal Swelling and Glutamate Toxicity
title_sort swell1 channel promotes ischemic brain damage by mediating neuronal swelling and glutamate toxicity
topic cytotoxic neuronal swelling
dicumarol
glutamate excitotoxicity
ischemic stroke
SWELL1 channels
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202401085
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