Glial cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage express proton-activated Na+ channels.

Neurons and oligodendrocytes, but not type I astrocytes and Schwann cells, generate large Na+ currents in response to a step increase of [H+]. Proton-activated Na+ channels are the first cationic channels expressed in neuronal precursor cells from the mammalian brain. Glial precursor cells cultured from mouse brain are also capable of generating Na+ currents in response to step acidification (INa(H]. With further development along the oligodendrocyte lineage, this property is retained, whereas voltage-activated Na+ and K+ currents disappear. Comparing INa(H) of oligodendrocytes with INa(H) of their precursor cells did not reveal a difference in current amplitude, suggesting a higher density of INa(H) channels on the (smaller) precursor cells. The properties of INa(H) in glial precursor cells and oligodendrocytes are similar to those of neurons, with respect to activation conditions, time course, and the effect of extracellular Ca2+ concentrations. The results are consistent with previous observations which showed that oligodendrocytes partially preserve their chemically activated, but completely lose their voltage-activated, ion channels.