Dopamine induces glutamate accumulation in astrocytes to disrupt neuronal function leading to pathogenesis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is induced by elevated intracranial dopamine (DA). Glutamate (Glu) toxicity is known to be involved in many neurological disorders. In this study, we investigated whether DA increased Glu levels and collaborated with Glu to impair memory. We found that DA upregulated TAAR1, leading to reduced EAAT2 expression and Glu clearance in primary cortical astrocytes (PCAs). High DA increased TAAR1 expression, and high Glu increased AMPAR expression, inducing the activation of CaN/NFAT signaling and a decrease in the production of BDNF (Brain Derived Nerve Growth Factor)/NT3 (neurotrophin-3) in primary cortical neurons (PCNs). DA activated TAAR1 to downregulate EAAT2 and increase extracellular Glu levels in MHE. Additionally, DA together with Glu caused decreased production of neuronal BDNF/NT3 and memory impairment through the activation of CaN/NFAT signaling in MHE. From these findings, we conclude that DA increases Glu levels via interaction with TAAR1 and disruption of EAAT2 signaling in astrocytes, and DA interacting with TAAR1 and Glu interacting with AMPAR synergistically decreased the production of BDNF by activation of CaN/NFAT signaling to impair memory in MHE rats.