PSA-NCAM modulates BDNF-dependent survival and differentiation of cortical neurons

In vivo effects of L1 coating on inflammation and neuronal health at the electrode-tissue interface in rat spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion

The spinal cord (SC) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) are target implantation regions for neural prosthetics, but the tissue-electrode interface in these regions is not well-studied. To improve understanding of these locations, the tissue reactions around implanted electrodes were characterized. L1, an adhesion molecule shown to maintain neuronal density and reduce gliosis in brain tissue, was then evaluated in SC and DRG implants. Following L1 immobilization onto neural electrodes, the bioactivities of the coatings were verified in vitro using neuron, astrocyte and microglia cultures. Non-modified and L1-coated electrodes were implanted into adult rats for 1 or 4 weeks. Hematoxylin and eosin staining along with cell-type specific antibodies were used to characterize the tissue response. In the SC and DRG, cells aggregated at the electrode-tissue interface. Microglia staining was more intense around the implant site and decreased with distance from the interface. Neurofilament staining in both locations decreased or was absent around the implant, compared with surrounding tissue. With L1, neurofilament staining was significantly increased while neuronal cell death decreased. These results indicate that L1-modified electrodes may result in an improved chronic neural interface and will be evaluated in recording and stimulation studies.

Neural cell adhesion molecules in brain plasticity and disease

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) has been studied extensively. But it is only in recent times that interest in this molecule has shifted to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Schizophrenia, focusing on its role in neurodegeneration and abnormal neurodevelopment. NCAM is important in neurite outgrowth, long-term potentiation in the hippocampus and synaptic plasticity. Reduced as well as increased levels in NCAM have been linked to pathology in the brain suggesting that a shift in the equilibrium may be the key. Hence, increasing our understanding of the role of NCAM in health and disease should clear some of the ambiguity surrounding the molecule and even lead to newer potential therapeutic targets. This review consolidates our current understanding of NCAM, focusing on the consequences of dysregulation, its role in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, and the future of NCAM plus potential options for therapy.

Significance of the cell adhesion molecules and sialic acid in neurodegeneration

The central nervous system (CNS) is a complex and precise mechanism that controls the most highest functions of the body. All of them depend on the cellular and molecular interactions called by neurobiologists "cellular plasticity". The CNS is a flexible structure but its regeneration after damage is strongly limited. Better understanding of cellular and molecular basis of brain repair can open new way in the development of therapeutic tools for neurodegeneration. Among many molecules that participate in the formation of neuronal networks, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and its sialylated derivative seem to play crucial role in the life of brain. In particular, polysialylated cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) is proposed to participate in the neuroprotective response in neurodegeneration by reducing of AMPA/NMDA receptors sensitivity to glutamate and facilitating disconnection of cell-cell interactions. These mechanisms protect from excitotoxic damage and promote dendritic/spine re-growth. This review briefly focuses on the expression and role of PSA-NCAM in neurodegenerative diseases and its potential application in therapy.

Targeted taste cell-specific overexpression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in adult taste buds elevates phosphorylated TrkB protein levels in taste cells, increases taste bud size, and promotes gustatory innervation

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most potent neurotrophic factor in the peripheral taste system during embryonic development. It is also expressed in adult taste buds. There is a lack of understanding of the role of BDNF in the adult taste system. To address this, we generated novel transgenic mice in which transgene expression was driven by an α-gustducin promoter coupling BDNF expression to the postnatal expression of gustducin in taste cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed significantly stronger BDNF labeling in taste cells of high BDNF-expressing mouse lines compared with controls. We show that taste buds in these mice are significantly larger and have a larger number of taste cells compared with controls. To examine whether innervation was affected in Gust-BDNF mice, we used antibodies to neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and ATP receptor P2X3. The total density of general innervation and specifically the gustatory innervation was markedly increased in high BDNF-expressing mice compared with controls. TrkB and NCAM gene expression in laser capture microdissected taste epithelia were significantly up-regulated in these mice. Up-regulation of TrkB transcripts in taste buds and elevated taste cell-specific TrkB phosphorylation in response to increased BDNF levels indicate that BDNF controls the expression and activation of its high affinity receptor in taste cells. This demonstrates a direct taste cell function for BDNF. BDNF also orchestrates and maintains taste bud innervation. We propose that the Gust-BDNF transgenic mouse models can be employed to further dissect the specific roles of BDNF in the adult taste system.

The effects of electrospun TSF nanofiber diameter and alignment on neuronal differentiation of human embryonic stem cells

Although transplantation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)-derived neural precursors (NPs) has been demonstrated with some success for nervous repair in small animal model, control of the survival, and directional differentiation of these cells is still challenging. Meanwhile, the notion that using suitable scaffolding materials to control the growth and differentiation of grafted hESC-derived NPs raises the hope for better clinical nervous repair. In this study, we cultured hESC-derived NPs on Tussah silk fibroin (TSF)-scaffold of different diameter (i.e., 400 and 800 nm) and orientation (i.e., random and aligned) to analyze the effect of fiber diameter and alignment on the cell viability, neuronal differentiation, and neurite outgrowth of hESC-derived NPs. The results show that TSF-scaffold supports the survival, migration, and differentiation of hESC-derived NPs. Aligned TSF-scaffold significantly promotes the neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth of hESC-derived neurons compared with random TSF-scaffold. Moreover, on aligned 400 nm fibers cell viability, neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth are greater than that on aligned 800 nm fibers. Together, these results demonstrate that aligned 400 nm TSF-scaffold is more suitable for the development of hESC-derived NPs, which shed light on optimization of the therapeutic potential of hESCs to be employed for neural regeneration.

Sensory experience differentially modulates the mRNA expression of the polysialyltransferases ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV in postnatal mouse visual cortex

Polysialic acid (PSA) is a unique carbohydrate composed of a linear homopolymer of α-2,8 linked sialic acid, and is mainly attached to the fifth immunoglobulin-like domain of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in vertebrate neural system. In the brain, PSA is exclusively synthesized by the two polysialyltransferases ST8SiaII (also known as STX) and ST8SiaIV (also known as PST). By modulating adhesive property of NCAM, PSA plays a critical role in several neural development processes such as cell migration, neurite outgrowth, axon pathfinding, synaptogenesis and activity-dependent plasticity. The expression of PSA is temporally and spatially regulated during neural development and a tight regulation of PSA expression is essential to its biological function. In mouse visual cortex, PSA is downregulated following eye opening and its decrease allows the maturation of GABAergic synapses and the opening of the critical period for ocular dominance plasticity. Relatively little is known about how PSA levels are regulated by sensory experience and neuronal activity. Here, we demonstrate that while both ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV mRNA levels decrease around the time of eye opening in mouse visual cortex, only ST8SiaII mRNA level reduction is regulated by sensory experience. Using an organotypic culture system from mouse visual cortex, we further show that ST8SiaII gene expression is regulated by spiking activity and NMDA-mediated excitation. Further, we show that both ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV mRNA levels are positively regulated by PKC-mediated signaling. Therefore, sensory experience-dependent ST8SiaII gene expression regulates PSA levels in postnatal visual cortex, thus acting as molecular link between visual activity and PSA expression.

Removal of polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule increases morphine analgesia and interferes with tolerance in mice

Neurons that express high levels of polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) in adult spinal substantia gelatinosa also express the μ-opioid receptor. While PSA removal from NCAM by spinal intrathecal injection of endoneuraminidase-N (endo-N) did not detectably change opioid receptor expression, morphine-induced analgesia was significantly increased. This analgesic strengthening was detected as early as 15 min after endo-N treatment and persisted for at least 7 days. In addition, the tolerance that develops with chronic morphine treatment was overcome in the absence of PSA. Interestingly, the same effects on analgesia and tolerance were also produced by selective deletion of the NCAM-180 isoform.

Differentiation of neural stem cells influences their chemotactic responses to vascular endothelial growth factor

Although much effort has been devoted to the delineation of factors involved in the migration of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs), the relationship between the chemotactic response and the differentiation status of these cells remains elusive. In the present study, we found that NSCs in varying differentiation states possess different chemotactic responses to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): first, the number of chemotaxing NSCs and the optimal concentrations of VEGF that induced the peak migration vary greatly; second, time-lapse video analysis shows that NSCs at certain differentiation states migrate more efficiently toward VEGF, although the migration speed remains unchanged irrespective of cell states; third, the phosphorylation status of Akt, ERK1/2, SAPK/JNK, and p38MAPK is closely related to the differentiation levels of NSCs subjected to VEGF; and, finally, although inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling significantly attenuates VEGF-stimulated transfilter migration of both undifferentiated and differentiating NSCs, NSCs show normal chemotactic response after treatment with inhibitors of SAPK/JNK or p38MAPK. Meanwhile, interference with PI3K/Akt signaling prevents only NSCs of 12 hr differentiation, but not NSCs of 1 day or 3 days differentiation, from migrating in response to VEGF. Moreover, blocking of PI3K/Akt or MAPK signaling impairs the migration efficiency and/or speed, the extent of which depends on the cell differentiation status. Collectively, these results demonstrate that differentiation of NSCs influences their chemotactic responses to VEGF: NSCs in varying differentiation states have different migratory capacities, thereby shedding light on optimization of the therapeutic potential of NSCs to be employed for neural regeneration after injury.

BDNF control of adult SVZ neurogenesis

The sensory processing of odorants is a dynamic process that requires plasticity at multiple levels. In the olfactory bulb (OB), inhibitory interneurons undergo lifelong replacement through a process known as adult neurogenesis. These newly born cells are incorporated in a learning-dependent fashion, a process which has led some to suggest this as a primary mechanism through which the OB retains a high degree of plasticity throughout life. A continued focus of researchers in this field has been to understand the molecular mechanisms controlling adult subventricular zone (SVZ) neurogenesis and the innate functional role of these cells. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been identified as a strong candidate molecule regulating adult OB neurogenesis. We review what is known regarding the functional role of newly born cells, highlight the role of BDNF in this process, and describe preliminary findings from our lab implicating BDNF in the process of selecting of newly born cells for survival.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and polysialylated-neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM): codistribution in the human brainstem precerebellar nuclei from prenatal to adult age

Occurrence and distribution of the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and polysialylated-neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM), a neuroplasticity marker known to modulate BDNF signalling, were examined by immunohistochemistry in the human brainstem precerebellar nuclei at prenatal, perinatal and adult age. Western blot analysis performed in human brainstem showed for both molecules a single protein band compatible with the molecular weight of the dimeric form of mature BDNF and with that of PSA-NCAM. Detectability of both molecules up to 72h post-mortem was also assessed in rat brain. In neuronal perikarya, BDNF-like immunoreactivity (LI) appeared as intracytoplasmic granules, whereas PSA-NCAM-LI appeared mostly as peripheral staining, indicative of membrane labelling; immunoreactivity to both substances also labelled nerve fibres and terminals. BDNF- and PSA-NCAM-LI occurred in the external cuneate nucleus, perihypoglossal nuclei, inferior olive complex, arcuate nucleus, lateral reticular formation, vestibular nuclei, pontine reticulotegmental and paramedian reticular nuclei, and pontine basilar nuclei. With few exceptions, for both substances the distribution pattern detected at prenatal age persisted later on, though the immunoreactivity appeared often higher in pre- and full-term newborns than in adult specimens. The results obtained suggest that BDNF operates in the development, maturation, maintenance and plasticity of human brainstem precerebellar neuronal systems. They also imply a multiple origin for the BDNF-LI of the human cerebellum. The codistribution of BDNF- and PSA-NCAM-LI in analyzed regions suggests that PSA-NCAM may modulate the functional interaction between BDNF and its high and low affinity receptors, an issue worth further analysis, particularly in view of the possible clinical significance of neuronal trophism in cerebellar neurodegenerative disorders.

Chronic effects of venlafaxine on synaptophysin and neuronal cell adhesion molecule in the hippocampus of cerebral ischemic miceThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue entitled “Second International Symposium on Recent Advances in Basic, Clinical, and Social Medicine” and has undergone the Journal's usual peer review process

Venlafaxine, a novel antidepressant, inhibits serontonin and norepinephrine reuptake in the presynaptic cleft. Unlike typical selective serontonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), venlafaxine may have modulatory effects on nerve terminals and neuronal plasticity. Our preliminary data found that 5 mg·kg–1·d–1 of venlafaxine treatment prevented decreased synaptophysin (SYP) in the hippocampus, which results from chronic restrained stress in the rat model. The present study investigates whether venlafaxine regulates alterations of synaptophysin and neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in a post-stroke depression mouse model. We compared the expression level of SYP and NCAM in the hippocampus of global cerebral ischemic (GCI) mice treated with different doses of venlafaxine using immunohistological and Western blot analysis. Pre-treatment with intraperitoneal injection of venlafaxine (2.5 and 5.0 mg·kg–1·d–1) for 14 days significantly prevented the decrease of SYP in the hilus area of the hippocampus in vehicle-treated GCI mice. NCAM was significantly higher in the hippocampus of vehicle-treated GCI mice, and pretreatment with venlafaxine prevented alterations of NCAM, with the high-dose venlafaxine group comparable with vehicle-sham mice. The results suggest the alteration of neuronal remodeling proteins in the hippocampus may be an underlying mechanism of venlafaxine in treating post-stroke depression.

Binding of the receptor tyrosine kinase TrkB to the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) regulates phosphorylation of NCAM and NCAM-dependent neurite outgrowth

Recognition molecules and neurotrophins play important roles during development and maintenance of nervous system functions. In this study, we provide evidence that the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and the neurotrophin receptor TrkB directly interact via sequences in their intracellular domains. Stimulation of TrkB by brain-derived neurotrophic factor leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of NCAM at position 734. Mutation of this tyrosine to phenylalanine completely abolishes tyrosine phosphorylation of NCAM by TrkB. Moreover, the knockdown of TrkB in hippocampal neurons leads to a reduction of NCAM-induced neurite outgrowth. Transfection of NCAM-deficient hippocampal neurons with mutated NCAM carrying an exchange of tyrosine by phenylalanine at position 734 leads to promotion of NCAM-induced neurite outgrowth in comparison with that observed after transfection with wild-type NCAM, whereas a reduction of neurite outgrowth was observed after transfection with mutated NCAM, which carries an exchange of tyrosine by glutamate that mimics the phosphorylated tyrosine. Our observations indicate a functional relationship between TrkB and NCAM.

Neurotrophic factor control of adult SVZ neurogenesis

Neurogenesis is the process by which cells divide, migrate, and subsequently differentiate into a neuronal phenotype. Significant rates of neurogenesis persist into adulthood in two brain regions, the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles. Cells of the SVZ divide and migrate via the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulb (OB) where they differentiate into granule and periglomerular cells. With the discovery of large-scale neurogenesis in the adult brain, there have been significant efforts to identify the mechanisms that control this process as well as the role of these cells in neuronal functioning. Neurotrophic factors are a family of molecules that serve critical roles in the survival and differentiation of neurons during development, as well as contribute to continued plasticity throughout life. Several members of the neurotrophin family have been implicated in the control of adult postnatal SVZ neurogenesis. In this review we will address what is currently known regarding neurotrophic factor-dependent control of SVZ neurogenesis and place these findings in the context of what is known regarding other growth factors.

Survival-enhancing of spiral ganglion cells under influence of olfactory ensheathing cells by direct cellular contact

The efficacy of cochlear implantation is primarily associated with the quantity and health of the remaining spiral ganglion cells (SGCs). Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are capable of expressing a variety of growth factors and adhesion molecules, playing an important role in enhancing cellular survival. To investigate the effect of OECs on the survival of SGCs, co-cultures of OECs and SGCs were developed in this study. In addition, OECs conditioned medium (OEC-CM) was employed to culture SGCs in contrast with the co-cultures. OECs were identified immunocytochemically by low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75 (P75NTR) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), while SGCs were stained with neuron-specific markerbetaIII-tubulin. SGCs survival was assessed in different conditions. To explore the underlying mechanism, growth factors, adhesion molecules and their receptors were investigate using RT-PCR. Our results indicate that the co-cultures of OECs and SGCs can be successfully established and that both OECs and OEC-CM promote SGCs survival in vitro. SGCs survival was most enhanced when co-cultured with OECs. Both Olfactory bulb (OB) and OECs were proved to express BMP-4 and NCAM while BMPR-1A and a7 integrin were also detected in cochlea and SGCs. In conclusion, our results suggest that enhancement in co-cultures is in part due to direct cellular contact. Transplantation of OECs may be a cell-based therapy for the application of neurotrophic factors to the inner ear.

NCAM-mimetic, FGL peptide, restores disrupted fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) phosphorylation and FGFR mediated signaling in neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)-deficient mice

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is a membrane-bound glycoprotein expressed on the surface of neuronal and glial cells. Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated that NCAM promotes neuronal functions largely via three main interaction partners: the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), a member of Src family of tyrosine kinases, Fyn and Raf1 kinase which all activate different intracellular signaling pathways. The objective was to clarify, which signaling pathways are being disrupted in NCAM knockout mice and whether FGL peptide is able to restore observed disruptions. Therefore we compared the levels of phosphorylation of FGFR1, Src kinase Fyn, Raf1 kinase, MAP kinases, Akt kinase and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases II and IV (CaMKII and CaMKIV) in the hippocampus of NCAM knockout mice to their wild-type littermates. The data of our study show that mice constitutively deficient in all isoforms of NCAM have decreased basal phosphorylation levels of FGFR1 and CaMKII and CaMKIV. Furthermore, NCAM-mimetic, FGL peptide, is found to be able to restore FGFR1, CaMKII and CaMKIV phosphorylation levels and thereby mimic the interactions of NCAM at this receptor in NCAM deficient mice. Also, we found that Fyn(Tyr530), Raf1, MAP kinases and Akt kinase phosphorylation in adult animals is not affected by NCAM deficiency but interestingly, we found an over-expression of another cell adhesion molecule L1. We conclude that in NCAM deficient mice FGFR1-dependent signaling is disrupted and it can be restored by FGL peptide.

Role of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) interactions in induction of neurite outgrowth and identification of a binding site for NCAM in the heel region of GDNF

The formation of appropriate neuronal circuits is an essential part of nervous system development and relies heavily on the outgrowth of axons and dendrites and their guidance to their respective targets. This process is governed by a large array of molecules, including glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), the interaction of which induce neurite outgrowth. In the present study the requirements for NCAM-mediated GDNF-induced neurite outgrowth were investigated in cultures of hippocampal neurons, which do not express Ret. We demonstrate that NCAM-mediated GDNF-induced signaling leading to neurite outgrowth is more complex than previously reported. It not only involves NCAM-140 and the Src family kinase Fyn but also uses NCAM-180 and the fibroblast growth factor receptor. We find that induction of neurite outgrowth by GDNF via NCAM or by trans-homophilic NCAM interactions are not mutually exclusive. However, whereas NCAM-induced neurite outgrowth primarily is mediated by NCAM-180, we demonstrate that GDNF-induced neurite outgrowth involves both NCAM-140 and NCAM-180. We also find that GDNF-induced neurite outgrowth via NCAM differs from NCAM-induced neurite outgrowth by being independent of NCAM polysialylation. Additionally, we investigated the structural basis for GDNF-NCAM interactions and find that NCAM Ig3 is necessary for GDNF binding. Furthermore, we identify within the heel region of GDNF a binding site for NCAM and demonstrate that a peptide encompassing this sequence mimics the effects of GDNF with regard to NCAM binding, activation of intracellular signaling, and induction of neurite outgrowth.

Interactive effect of excitotoxic injury and dietary restriction on neurogenesis and neurotrophic factors in adult male rat brain

Dietary restriction (DR) is known to have potential health benefits including enhanced resistance of neurons to excitotoxic, oxidative and metabolic insults, cancer, stress, diabetes, reduced morbidity, and increased life span. In the present study, we examined the effect of DR (alternate day feeding regimen) on neurogenesis, expression of immature neuronal marker polysialic acid neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) and neurotrophic factors from different brain regions such as subventricular zone (SVZ), subgranular zone (SGZ) of hippocampus, median eminence arcuate (ME-ARC) region of hypothalamus, and piriform cortex (PIR) of adult male rats and further challenged ad libitum fed (AL) and DR rats with pilocarpine to induce excitotoxic injury. The quantitative analysis of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling revealed a significant increase in the proliferation rate of neuronal progenitor cells from discrete brain regions in DR rats with and without pilocarpine induced seizures as compared to AL rats. DR significantly enhanced the expression of PSA-NCAM and neurotrophic factors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). There was a marked reduction in neuronal cell death in SVZ and PIR cortex after pilocarpine administration in DR rats. These results add to the accumulating evidence that DR may be an effective intervention to enhance the resistance of brain to excitotoxic injury.

Extracellular GAPDH binds to L1 and enhances neurite outgrowth

We have identified glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as a binding partner for the cell adhesion molecule L1. GAPDH binds to sites within the extracellular domain of L1, namely the immunoglobulin-like domains I-VI and the fibronectin type III homologous repeats 4-5. Extracellular GAPDH was detected at the cell surface of neuronal cells by surface biotinylation and immunocytochemistry. Addition of GAPDH antibodies to cultured cerebellar neurons inhibited L1-dependent neurite outgrowth in the presence of ATP, while the application of exogenous GAPDH promoted L1-dependent neurite outgrowth. Pre-treatment of substrate-coated L1-Fc with ATP and GAPDH, which phosphorylates L1, subsequently led to an enhanced neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, aggregation of L1-Fc carrying beads was enhanced in the presence of both GAPDH and ATP. L1-dependent neurite outgrowth and aggregation of L1 were diminished in the presence of alkaline phosphatase or a protein kinase inhibitor. Our results show that GAPDH-dependent phosphorylation of L1 is a novel mechanism in regulating L1-mediated neurite outgrowth.

Transcriptional regulation of PSA-NCAM expression by NMDA receptor activation in RA-differentiated C6 glioma cultures

N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors exhibit a dichotomy of signaling with both toxic and plastic responses. Recent reports have shown that exposure to subtoxic concentration of NMDA results in a neuroprotective state that was measured when these neurons were subsequently challenged with toxic doses of glutamate or kainate. Control of polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) expression by NMDA receptor activation has been described in several systems, suggesting a functional link between these two proteins. The perception of glial role in CNS function has changed dramatically over the past few years from simple trophic functions to that of cells with important roles in development and maintenance of CNS in cooperation with neurons. We report here the transcriptional regulation of PSA-NCAM expression by subtoxic dose of NMDA in retinoic acid differentiated C6 glioma cell cultures. C6 glioma cell cultures differentiated with retinoic acid (10microM) were exposed to NMDA (100microM) or to antagonist MK-801 (200nM) prior to treatment with NMDA and cells were harvested after 24h of treatment to study the expression of total NCAM, PSA-NCAM, nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) by Western blotting and dual immunocytofluorescence and expression of PST mRNA by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Significant increase in the levels of PSA-NCAM, NF-kappaB, AP-1 and PST mRNA was observed in NMDA treated cultures. Treatment of cultures with MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, prior to NMDA exposure prevented the NMDA-mediated changes indicating the involvement of NMDA receptor activation. The results elucidate the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of regulation of PSA-NCAM expression in astroglial cultures by extracellular signals.

Depression-like behaviour in neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)-deficient mice and its reversal by an NCAM-derived peptide, FGL

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) plays a pivotal role in brain plasticity. Brain plasticity itself has a crucial role in the development of depression. The aim of this study was to analyze whether NCAM-deficient (NCAM(-/-)) mice exhibit depression-like behaviour and whether a peptide termed FGL, derived from the NCAM binding site for the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor, is able to reverse the depression-like signs in NCAM(-/-) mice. Our study showed that NCAM(-/-) mice demonstrated increased freezing time in the tail-suspension test and reduced preference for sucrose consumption in the sucrose preference test, reduced adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and reduced levels of the phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) in the hippocampus. FGL administered acutely or repeatedly reduced depression-like behaviour in NCAM(-/-) mice without having an effect on their wild-type littermates. Repeated administration of FGL enhanced survival of the newly born neurons in NCAM(-/-) mice and increased the levels of pCREB in both NCAM(+/+) and NCAM(-/-) mice. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that NCAM deficiency in mice results in a depression-like phenotype which can be reversed by the acute or repeated administration of FGL. The results also suggest a role of the deficit in NCAM signalling through the FGF receptor in depression.

Polysialic acid and activity-dependent synapse remodeling

Polysialic acid (PSA) is a large carbohydrate added post-translationally to the extracellular domain of the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM) that influences its adhesive and other functional properties. PSA-NCAM is widely distributed in the developing nervous system where it promotes dynamic cell interactions, like those responsible for axonal growth, terminal sprouting and target innervation. Its expression becomes restricted in the adult nervous system where it is thought to contribute to various forms of neuronal and glial plasticity. We here review evidence, obtained mainly from hypothalamic neuroendocrine centers and the olfactory system, that it intervenes in structural synaptic plasticity and accompanying neuronal-glial transformations, making possible the formation and elimination of synapses that occur under particular physiological conditions. While the mechanism of action of this complex sugar is unknown, it is now clear that it is a necessary molecular component of various cell transformations, including those responsible for activity-dependent synaptic remodeling.

Polysialic acid, a glycan with highly restricted expression, is found on human and murine leukocytes and modulates immune responses

Polysialic acid (polySia) is a large glycan with restricted expression, typically found attached to the protein scaffold neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). PolySia is best known for its proposed role in modulating neuronal development. Its presence and potential functions outside the nervous systems are essentially unexplored. Herein we show the expression of polySia on hematopoietic progenitor cells, and demonstrate a role for this glycan in immune response using both acute inflammatory and tumor models. Specifically, we found that human NK cells modulate expression of NCAM and the degree of polymerization of its polySia glycans according to activation state. This contrasts with the mouse, where polySia and NCAM expression are restricted to multipotent hematopoietic progenitors and cells developing along a myeloid lineage. Sialyltransferase 8Sia IV(-/-) mice, which lacked polySia expression in the immune compartment, demonstrated an increased contact hypersensitivity response and decreased control of tumor growth as compared with wild-type animals. This is the first demonstration of polySia expression and regulation on myeloid cells, and the results in animal models suggest a role for polySia in immune regulation.

WITHDRAWN: NCAM and the FGF-Receptor

In this review, the structural biology of interaction between the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor is described and a possible mechanism of the FGF-receptor activation by NCAM is discussed. Most of the FGF-receptor molecules are thought to be constantly involved in a transient interaction with NCAM. However, the FGF-receptor becomes activated only when NCAM is involved the trans-homophilic binding (mediating cell-cell adhesion). The trans-homophilic binding between the NCAM molecules is believed to result in formation of either one- or two-dimensional 'zipper'-like arrays of the NCAM molecules, which leads to NCAM clustering and as a result to clustering of the FGF-receptor, which in turn may lead to its activation through a direct receptor-receptor dimerization (and thus activation) due to an increase in the local concentration of the receptor.

Dissecting polysialic acid and NCAM functions in brain development

The unique modification of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) by polysialic acid (polySia) is tightly associated with nervous system development and plasticity. The prevailing view that this large carbohydrate polymer acts as an anti-adhesive factor seems straightforward at first sight. However, during almost 25 years of polySia research it became increasingly clear that the impact of polySia on cell surface interactions can not be explained by one unifying mechanism. Recent progress in the generation of mouse models, which partially or completely lack polySia due to ablation of one or both of the two polySia synthesizing enzymes, provides novel insights into the function of this unique post-translational modification. The present review is focused on a phenotype comparison between the newly established mouse strains which combine polySia-deficiency with normal NCAM expression and the well-characterized NCAM negative mouse model. Analysis of shared and individual phenotypes allows a clear distinction between NCAM and polySia functions and revealed that polySia plays a vital role as a specific control element of NCAM-mediated interactions.

Polysialic acid–neural cell adhesion molecule in brain plasticity: From synapses to integration of new neurons

Isoforms of the neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) carrying the linear homopolymer of alpha 2,8-linked sialic acid (polysialic acid, PSA) have emerged as particularly attractive candidates for promoting plasticity in the nervous system. The large negatively charged PSA chain of NCAM is postulated to be a spacer that reduces adhesion forces between cells allowing dynamic changes in membrane contacts. Accumulating evidence also suggests that PSA-NCAM-mediated interactions lead to activation of intracellular signaling cascades that are fundamental to the biological functions of the molecule. An important role of PSA-NCAM appears to be during development, when its expression level is high and where it contributes to the regulation of cell shape, growth or migration. However, PSA-NCAM does persist in adult brain structures such as the hippocampus that display a high degree of plasticity where it is involved in activity-induced synaptic plasticity. Recent advances in the field of PSA-NCAM research have not only consolidated the importance of this molecule in plasticity processes but also suggest a role for PSA-NCAM in the regulation of higher cognitive functions and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss the role and mode of actions of PSA-NCAM in structural plasticity as well as its potential link to cognitive processes.

Neural cell adhesion molecule polysialylation enhances the sensitivity of embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursors to migration guidance cues

The development of stem cell-based neural repair strategies requires detailed knowledge on the interaction of migrating donor cells with the host brain environment. Here we report that overexpression of polysialic acid (PSA), a carbohydrate polymer attached to the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), in embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived glial precursors (ESGPs) strikingly modifies their migration behavior in response to guidance cues. ESGPs transduced with a retrovirus encoding the polysialyltransferase STX exhibit enhanced migration in monolayer cultures and an increased penetration of organotypic slice cultures. Chemotaxis assays show that overexpression of PSA results in an enhanced chemotactic migration toward gradients of a variety of chemoattractants, including fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), platelet-derived growth factor, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and that this effect is mediated via the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Moreover, PSA-overexpressing ESGPs also exhibit an enhanced chemotactic response to tissue explants derived from different brain regions. The effect of polysialylation on directional migration is preserved in vivo. Upon transplantation into the adult striatum, PSA-overexpressing but not control cells display a targeted migration toward the subventricular zone. On the basis of these data, we propose that PSA plays a crucial role in modulating the ability of migrating precursor cells to respond to regional guidance cues within the brain tissue. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

Impact of polysialylated CD56 on natural killer cell cytotoxicity

Background

Siglec-7, a sialic acid binding inhibitory receptor expressed by NK cells is masked in vivo by a so far unknown ligand. It shows a strong binding prevalence for α-2,8-linked disialic acids in vitro.

Results

Here we describe the expression of PSA-NCAM (α-2,8-linked polysialic acid modified NCAM) on functional adult peripheral blood natural killer cells and examine its possible role in masking Siglec-7. Unmasking of Siglec-7 using Clostridium perfringens neuraminidase massively reduces NK cell cytotoxicity. By contrast a specific removal of PSA using Endo-NF does not lead to a reduction of NK cell cytotoxicity.

Conclusion

The results presented here therefore indicate that PSA-NCAM is not involved in masking Siglec-7.

Polysialic acid-directed migration and differentiation of neural precursors are essential for mouse brain development

Polysialic acid, which is synthesized by two polysialyltransferases, ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV, plays an essential role in brain development by modifying the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). It is currently unclear how polysialic acid functions in different processes of neural development. Here we generated mice doubly mutant in both ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV to determine the effects of loss of polysialic acid on brain development. In contrast to NCAM-deficient, ST8SiaII-deficient, or ST8SiaIV-deficient single mutant mice, ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV double mutants displayed severe defects in anatomical organization of the forebrain associated with apoptotic cell death. Loss of polysialic acid affected both tangential and radial migration of neural precursors during cortical development, resulting in aberrant positioning of neuronal and glial cells. Glial cell differentiation was aberrantly increased in vivo and in vitro in the absence of polysialic acid. Consistent with these findings, polysialic acid-deficient mice exhibited increased expression of the glial cell marker glial fibrillary acidic protein and a decrease in expression of Pax6, a transcription factor regulating neural cell migration. These results indicate that polysialic acid regulates cell migration and differentiation of neural precursors crucial for brain development.

Upregulation of polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule in the dorsal hippocampus after contextual fear conditioning is involved in long-term memory formation

The role of the hippocampus in pavlovian fear conditioning is controversial. Although lesion and pharmacological inactivation studies have suggested a key role for the dorsal hippocampus in contextual fear conditioning, the involvement of the ventral part is still uncertain. Likewise, the debate is open with regard to the putative implication of each hippocampal subdivision in fear conditioning to a discrete conditioned stimulus. We explored the potential existence of dissociations occurring in the dorsal versus ventral hippocampus at the cellular level while dealing with either contextual or cued fear conditioning and focused in a molecular "signature" linked to structural plasticity, the polysialylated form of the neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM). We found an upregulation of PSA-NCAM expression in the dorsal (but not ventral) dentate gyrus at 24 h after contextual (but not tone) fear conditioning. Specific removal of PSA through microinfusion of the enzyme endoneuraminidase-N in the dorsal (but not ventral) hippocampus reduced freezing responses to the conditioned context. Therefore, we present evidence for a specific role of PSA-NCAM in the dorsal hippocampus in the plasticity processes occurring during consolidation of the context representation after "standard" contextual fear conditioning. Interestingly, we also found that exposing animals just to the context induced an activation of PSA-NCAM in both dorsal and ventral dentate gyrus. Altogether, these findings highlighting the distinctive occurrence of these neuroplastic processes in the dorsal hippocampus during the standard contextual fear-conditioning task enlighten the ongoing debate about the involvement of these hippocampal subdivisions in pavlovian fear conditioning.

Induced expression of polysialic acid in the spinal cord promotes regeneration of sensory axons

After spinal cord injury axonal regeneration is prevented by glial scar formation. In this study we examined whether induced expression of polysialic acid (PSA) in the lesion site would render the glial scar permissive to axonal regeneration after dorsal column transection. PSA was induced by lentiviral vector-mediated expression of polysialyltransferase (LV/PST). PSA expression increased astrocyte infiltration and permitted the penetration of regenerating axons across the caudal border of the lesion and into the lesion cavity. In LV/PST-injected animals with a peripheral nerve-conditioning lesion, 20 times more axons grew into the lesion cavity than those LV/GFP-injected plus conditioning lesion, and some axons grew across the cavity and extended to the rostral cord, while in LV/GFP group most ascending axons terminated at the caudal border of the lesion. Our result suggests that induced expression of PSA can provide a favorable environment for axonal regeneration.

Down-regulation of polysialic acid is required for efficient myelin formation

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells modify the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) by the attachment of polysialic acid (PSA). Upon further differentiation into mature myelinating oligodendrocytes, however, oligodendrocyte precursor cells down-regulate PSA synthesis. In order to address the question of whether this down-regulation is a necessary prerequisite for the myelination process, transgenic mice expressing the polysialyltransferase ST8SiaIV under the control of the proteolipid protein promoter were generated. In these mice, postnatal down-regulation of PSA in oligodendrocytes was abolished. Most NCAM-120, the characteristic NCAM isoform in oligodendrocytes, carried PSA in the transgenic mice at all stages of postnatal development. Polysialylated NCAM-120 partially co-localized with myelin basic protein and was present in purified myelin. The permanent expression of PSA-NCAM in oligodendrocytes led to a reduced myelin content in the forebrains of transgenic mice during the period of active myelination and in the adult animal. In situ hybridizations indicated a significant decrease in the number of mature oligodendrocytes in the forebrain. Thus, down-regulation of PSA during oligodendrocyte differentiation is a prerequisite for efficient myelination by mature oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, myelin of transgenic mice exhibited structural abnormalities like redundant myelin and axonal degeneration, indicating that the down-regulation of PSA is also necessary for myelin maintenance.

Engineered expression of polysialic acid enhances Purkinje cell axonal regeneration in L1/GAP-43 double transgenic mice

Purkinje axons in adult mammals are generally unable to regenerate after axotomy. Our recent work has shown that over-expression of growth related genes, GAP-43 and L1, in Purkinje cells increased their axonal outgrowth into a predegenerated peripheral nerve graft, but not into a fresh graft [Zhang et al., (2005) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 102, 14883-14888]. In the current study we investigated whether engineered expression of growth permissive molecule polysialic acid (PSA) in the glial scar or on transplanted Schwann cells could overcome the inhibitory environment and promote Purkinje axonal regeneration. A stab wound was introduced in the cerebellum of the L1/GAP-43 transgenic mice and a lentiviral vector (LV) carrying the polysialyltransferase (PST) cDNA (LV/PST) was injected into the lesion site to transduce the cells in the glial scar. Regenerating Purkinje axons were examined by calbindin immunostaining. There was increased Purkinje axonal sprouting in the area expressing high-level PSA. However, Purkinje axons were unable to grow into the lesion cavity. In the second set of experiments when LV/PST transduced Schwann cells were transplanted into the lesion site, the number of Purkinje axons growing into the transplant was nine times more than that growing into Schwann cell transplant expressing GFP two months post operation. Our result suggests that transplanted Schwann cells engineered to express PSA support axonal regeneration better than naïve Schwann cells.