The selective A(2A) adenosine receptors stimulation reduces delayed rectifier potassium currents (I-K) and differentiation of cultured oligodendrocytes

The role of adenosine A(2A) receptors (A(2A)Rs) on outward potassium (K+) currents and on differentiation process was studied in cultured oligodendrocytes, by performing whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and immunocytochemical analysis, respectively. Bath application of CGS21680, a selective A(2A)R agonist, decreased delayed rectifier (I-K) current amplitude recorded from cultured oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, when directly applied to culture medium, it reduced their differentiation, as evaluated by immunocytochemical detection of specific markers (O4 glycolipid and MAG glycoprotein). Both the effects were blocked in the presence of SCH21680, a selective A(2A)R antagonist. We propose that reduction of I-K currents is responsible for inhibition of oligodendrocyte differentiation induced by A(2A)Rs.