Nox4-dependent H2O2 production contributes to chronic glutamate toxicity in primary cortical neurons

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can trigger neuronal cell death and has been implicated in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases as well as brain ischemia. Here, we demonstrate that chronic (but not acute) glutamate toxicity in primary cortical neuronal cultures is associated with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation in the culture medium and that neurotoxicity can be eliminated by external catalase treatment. Neuronal cultures in Ca²⁺-free medium or treated with BAPTA showed reduced glutamate-induced H₂O₂ generation, indicating that H₂O₂ generation is Ca²⁺-dependent. Pharmacological and genetic approaches revealed that NADPH oxidase plays a role in glutamate-induced H₂O₂ generation and that activation of NMDA and AMPA receptors is involved in this H₂O₂ generation. The Nox4 siRNA reduced NMDA-induced H₂O₂ production by 54% and cytotoxicity in parallel, suggesting that Nox4-containing NADPH oxidase functions NMDA receptor-mediated H₂O₂ production resulting in neurotoxicity. These findings suggest that the modulation of NADPH oxidase can be used as a new therapeutic strategy for glutamate-induced neuronal diseases.