Disturbed Presynaptic Ca(2+) Signaling in Photoreceptors in the EAE Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease caused by an auto-reactive immune system. Recent studies also demonstrated synapse dysfunctions in MS patients and MS mouse models. We previously observed decreased synaptic vesicle exocytosis in photoreceptor synapses in the EAE mouse model of MS at an early, preclinical stage. In the present study, we analyzed whether synaptic defects are associated with altered presynaptic Ca(2+) signaling. Using high-resolution immunolabeling, we found a reduced signal intensity of Cav-channels and RIM2 at active zones in early, preclinical EAE. In line with these morphological alterations, depolarization-evoked increases of presynaptic Ca(2+) were significantly smaller. In contrast, basal presynaptic Ca(2+) was elevated. We observed a decreased expression of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and plasma membrane Ca(2+) ATPase 2 (PMCA2), but not PMCA1, in photoreceptor terminals of EAE mice that could contribute to elevated basal Ca(2+). Thus, complex Ca(2+) signaling alterations contribute to synaptic dysfunctions in photoreceptors in early EAE.