Bumetanide-induced NKCC1 inhibition attenuates oxygen–glucose deprivation-induced decrease in proliferative activity and cell cycle progression arrest in cultured OPCs via p-38 MAPKs

• Bumetanide attenuated the decrease in OGD-induced OPCs proliferative activity.
• Bumetanide attenuated the arrest of OGD-induced cell cycle progression.
• Bumetanide modulated the expression of cell cycle-regulated proteins.
• P-38 MAPK signaling pathway was involved in bumetanide-induced OPCs proliferation.

The Na–K–Cl co-transporter 1 (NKCC1; a member of the cation-chloride co-transporter family) mediates the coupled movement of Na+ and/or K+ with Cl− across the plasma membrane of cells (Haas and Forbush, 2000, Annu. Rev. Physiol., 62, 515–534; Russell, 2000, Physiol. Rev., 80, 211–276). Although it acts as an important regulator of cell volume, secretion, and modulator of cell apoptosis and proliferation (Chen et al., 2005, J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab., 25, 54–66; Kahle et al., 2008, Nat. Clin. Pract. Neurol., 4, 490–503; Kidokoro et al., 2014, Am. J. Physiol. Ren. Physiol., 306, F1155–F1160; Wang et al., 2011, Cell. Physiol. Biochem., 28, 703–714), NKCC1׳s effects on oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) have not been characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and to what extent inhibition of NKCC1 alters oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cell cycle progression. In the present study, we demonstrated that inhibition of NKCC1 with bumetanide attenuates the decrease in OGD-induced DNA synthesis in cultured OPCs. Western blots showed that NKCC1 inhibition led to an increased expression of cyclin D1, CDK 4, and cyclin E in OGD-treated cells. Furthermore, our results showed bumetanide attenuated the decrease in OGD-induced proliferation and arrest of cell cycle progression via the P-38 MAPK signaling cascade. Thus, NKCC1 plays important roles in the proliferation of OPCs under OGD-induced stress.