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Çarçak N, Onat F, Sitnikova E. Astrocytes as a target for therapeutic strategies in epilepsy: current insights. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1183775. [PMID: 37583518 PMCID: PMC10423940 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1183775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are specialized non-neuronal glial cells of the central nervous system, contributing to neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission (gliotransmission). Astrocytes play a key roles in epileptogenesis and seizure generation. Epilepsy, as a chronic disorder characterized by neuronal hyperexcitation and hypersynchronization, is accompanied by substantial disturbances of glial cells and impairment of astrocytic functions and neuronal signaling. Anti-seizure drugs that provide symptomatic control of seizures primarily target neural activity. In epileptic patients with inadequate control of seizures with available anti-seizure drugs, novel therapeutic candidates are needed. These candidates should treat epilepsy with anti-epileptogenic and disease-modifying effects. Evidence from human and animal studies shows that astrocytes have value for developing new anti-seizure and anti-epileptogenic drugs. In this review, we present the key functions of astrocytes contributing to neuronal hyperexcitability and synaptic activity following an etiology-based approach. We analyze the role of astrocytes in both development (epileptogenesis) and generation of seizures (ictogenesis). Several promising new strategies that attempted to modify astroglial functions for treating epilepsy are being developed: (1) selective targeting of glia-related molecular mechanisms of glutamate transport; (2) modulation of tonic GABA release from astrocytes; (3) gliotransmission; (4) targeting the astrocytic Kir4.1-BDNF system; (5) astrocytic Na+/K+/ATPase activity; (6) targeting DNA hypo- or hypermethylation of candidate genes in astrocytes; (7) targeting astrocytic gap junction regulators; (8) targeting astrocytic adenosine kinase (the major adenosine-metabolizing enzyme); and (9) targeting microglia-astrocyte communication and inflammatory pathways. Novel disease-modifying therapeutic strategies have now been developed, such as astroglia-targeted gene therapy with a broad spectrum of genetic constructs to target astroglial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihan Çarçak
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Filiz Onat
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Evgenia Sitnikova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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2
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Lindquist BE, Timbie C, Voskobiynyk Y, Paz JT. Thalamocortical circuits in generalized epilepsy: Pathophysiologic mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 181:106094. [PMID: 36990364 PMCID: PMC10192143 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Generalized epilepsy affects 24 million people globally; at least 25% of cases remain medically refractory. The thalamus, with widespread connections throughout the brain, plays a critical role in generalized epilepsy. The intrinsic properties of thalamic neurons and the synaptic connections between populations of neurons in the nucleus reticularis thalami and thalamocortical relay nuclei help generate different firing patterns that influence brain states. In particular, transitions from tonic firing to highly synchronized burst firing mode in thalamic neurons can cause seizures that rapidly generalize and cause altered awareness and unconsciousness. Here, we review the most recent advances in our understanding of how thalamic activity is regulated and discuss the gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms of generalized epilepsy syndromes. Elucidating the role of the thalamus in generalized epilepsy syndromes may lead to new opportunities to better treat pharmaco-resistant generalized epilepsy by thalamic modulation and dietary therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta E Lindquist
- UCSF Department of Neurology, Division of Neurocritical Care, United States of America; UCSF Department of Neurology, Division of Pediatric Epilepsy, United States of America; UCSF Department of Neurology, United States of America
| | - Clare Timbie
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, United States of America; UCSF Department of Neurology, Division of Pediatric Epilepsy, United States of America; UCSF Department of Neurology, United States of America
| | - Yuliya Voskobiynyk
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, United States of America; UCSF Department of Neurology, United States of America
| | - Jeanne T Paz
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, United States of America; UCSF Department of Neurology, United States of America; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, UCSF, United States of America.
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3
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Pan C, Mao S, Xiong Z, Chen Z, Xu N. Glutamate dehydrogenase: Potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disease. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 950:175733. [PMID: 37116563 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is a key enzyme in mammalian glutamate metabolism. It is located at the intersection of multiple metabolic pathways and participates in a variety of cellular activities. GDH activity is strictly regulated by a variety of allosteric compounds. Here, we review the unique distribution and expressions of GDH in the brain nervous system. GDH plays an essential role in the glutamate-glutamine-GABA cycle between astrocytes and neurons. The dysfunction of GDH may induce the occurrence of many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and frontotemporal dementia. GDH activators and gene therapy have been found to protect neurons and improve motor disorders in neurodegenerative diseases caused by glutamate metabolism disorders. To date, no medicine has been discovered that specifically targets neurodegenerative diseases, although several potential medicines are used clinically. Targeting GDH to treat neurodegenerative diseases is expected to provide new insights and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuqiao Pan
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Huzhou, 313200, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Shijie Mao
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Huzhou, 313200, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zeping Xiong
- Department of Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Huzhou, 313200, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Huzhou, 313200, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Institute of Drug Development & Chemical Biology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Huzhou, 313200, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Andersen JV, Schousboe A. Glial Glutamine Homeostasis in Health and Disease. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:1100-1128. [PMID: 36322369 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03771-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Glutamine is an essential cerebral metabolite. Several critical brain processes are directly linked to glutamine, including ammonia homeostasis, energy metabolism and neurotransmitter recycling. Astrocytes synthesize and release large quantities of glutamine, which is taken up by neurons to replenish the glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter pools. Astrocyte glutamine hereby sustains the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle, synaptic transmission and general brain function. Cerebral glutamine homeostasis is linked to the metabolic coupling of neurons and astrocytes, and relies on multiple cellular processes, including TCA cycle function, synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter uptake. Dysregulations of processes related to glutamine homeostasis are associated with several neurological diseases and may mediate excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration. In particular, diminished astrocyte glutamine synthesis is a common neuropathological component, depriving neurons of an essential metabolic substrate and precursor for neurotransmitter synthesis, hereby leading to synaptic dysfunction. While astrocyte glutamine synthesis is quantitatively dominant in the brain, oligodendrocyte-derived glutamine may serve important functions in white matter structures. In this review, the crucial roles of glial glutamine homeostasis in the healthy and diseased brain are discussed. First, we provide an overview of cellular recycling, transport, synthesis and metabolism of glutamine in the brain. These cellular aspects are subsequently discussed in relation to pathological glutamine homeostasis of hepatic encephalopathy, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Further studies on the multifaceted roles of cerebral glutamine will not only increase our understanding of the metabolic collaboration between brain cells, but may also aid to reveal much needed therapeutic targets of several neurological pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens V Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Arne Schousboe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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5
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Blood-brain barrier targeted delivery of lacosamide-conjugated gold nanoparticles: Improving outcomes in absence seizures. Epilepsy Res 2022; 184:106939. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.106939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Alekseeva OS, Zhilyaev SY, Platonova TF, Tsyba DL, Kirik OV, Korzhevskii DE, Demchenko IT. Involvement of Glutamine Synthetase in the Development of Hyperbaric Oxygen Seizures. J EVOL BIOCHEM PHYS+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0022093022010148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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7
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Çavdar S, Köse B, Özkan M, Sur Erdem İ. Comparison of astrocytes and gap junction proteins in the white matter of genetic absence epileptic and control rats: an experimental study. Neurol Res 2022; 44:708-718. [DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2022.2039527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Safiye Çavdar
- Department of Anatomy, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Büşra Köse
- Department of Anatomy, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mazhar Özkan
- Department of Anatomy, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - İlknur Sur Erdem
- Department of Molecular Biology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Ozgur M, Özyurt MG, Arkan S, Cavdar S. The Effects of Optogenetic Activation of Astrocytes on Spike-and-Wave Discharges in Genetic Absence Epileptic Rats. Ann Neurosci 2022; 29:53-61. [PMID: 35875425 PMCID: PMC9305907 DOI: 10.1177/09727531211072423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Absence seizures (petit mal seizures) are characterized by a brief loss of consciousness without loss of postural tone. The disease is diagnosed by an electroencephalogram (EEG) showing spike-wave discharges (SWD) caused by hypersynchronous thalamocortical (TC) oscillations. There has been an explosion of research highlighting the role of astrocytes in supporting and modulating neuronal activity. Despite established in vitro evidence, astrocytes' influence on the TC network remains to be elucidated in vivo in the absence epilepsy (AE). Purpose In this study, we investigated the role of astrocytes in the generation and modulation of SWDs. We hypothesize that disturbances in astrocytes' function may affect the pathomechanism of AE. Methods To direct the expression of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) rAAV8-GFAP-ChR2(H134R)-EYFP or to control the effect of surgical intervention, AAV-CaMKIIa-EYFP was injected into the ventrobasal nucleus (VB) of the thalamus of 18 animals. After four weeks following the injection, rats were stimulated using blue light (~473 nm) and, simultaneously, the electrophysiological activity of the frontal cortical neurons was recorded for three consecutive days. The animals were then perfused, and the brain tissue was analyzed by confocal microscopy. Results A significant increase in the duration of SWD without affecting the number of SWD in genetic absence epileptic rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) compared to control injections was observed. The duration of the SWD was increased from 12.50 ± 4.41 s to 17.44 ± 6.07 following optogenetic stimulation in GAERS. The excitation of the astrocytes in Wistar Albino Glaxo Rijswijk (WAG-Rij) did not change the duration of SWD; however, stimulation resulted in a significant increase in the number of SWD from 18.52 ± 11.46 bursts/30 min to 30.17 ± 18.43 bursts/30 min. Whereas in control injection, the duration and the number of SWDs were similar at pre- and poststimulus. Both the background and poststimulus average firing rates of the SWD in WAG-Rij were significantly higher than the firing recorded in GAERS. Conclusion These findings suggest that VB astrocytes play a role in modulating the SWD generation in both rat models with distinct mechanisms and can present an essential target for the possible therapeutic approach for AE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Ozgur
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Division of Neuroscience, Koc University, Istanbul Turkey
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Anatomy, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Görkem Özyurt
- Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sertan Arkan
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Safiye Cavdar
- Department of Anatomy, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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9
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Gobbo D, Scheller A, Kirchhoff F. From Physiology to Pathology of Cortico-Thalamo-Cortical Oscillations: Astroglia as a Target for Further Research. Front Neurol 2021; 12:661408. [PMID: 34177766 PMCID: PMC8219957 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.661408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The electrographic hallmark of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) and other idiopathic forms of epilepsy are 2.5-4 Hz spike and wave discharges (SWDs) originating from abnormal electrical oscillations of the cortico-thalamo-cortical network. SWDs are generally associated with sudden and brief non-convulsive epileptic events mostly generating impairment of consciousness and correlating with attention and learning as well as cognitive deficits. To date, SWDs are known to arise from locally restricted imbalances of excitation and inhibition in the deep layers of the primary somatosensory cortex. SWDs propagate to the mostly GABAergic nucleus reticularis thalami (NRT) and the somatosensory thalamic nuclei that project back to the cortex, leading to the typical generalized spike and wave oscillations. Given their shared anatomical basis, SWDs have been originally considered the pathological transition of 11-16 Hz bursts of neural oscillatory activity (the so-called sleep spindles) occurring during Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep, but more recent research revealed fundamental functional differences between sleep spindles and SWDs, suggesting the latter could be more closely related to the slow (<1 Hz) oscillations alternating active (Up) and silent (Down) cortical activity and concomitantly occurring during NREM. Indeed, several lines of evidence support the fact that SWDs impair sleep architecture as well as sleep/wake cycles and sleep pressure, which, in turn, affect seizure circadian frequency and distribution. Given the accumulating evidence on the role of astroglia in the field of epilepsy in the modulation of excitation and inhibition in the brain as well as on the development of aberrant synchronous network activity, we aim at pointing at putative contributions of astrocytes to the physiology of slow-wave sleep and to the pathology of SWDs. Particularly, we will address the astroglial functions known to be involved in the control of network excitability and synchronicity and so far mainly addressed in the context of convulsive seizures, namely (i) interstitial fluid homeostasis, (ii) K+ clearance and neurotransmitter uptake from the extracellular space and the synaptic cleft, (iii) gap junction mechanical and functional coupling as well as hemichannel function, (iv) gliotransmission, (v) astroglial Ca2+ signaling and downstream effectors, (vi) reactive astrogliosis and cytokine release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Gobbo
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Anja Scheller
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
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10
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Al-Absi AR, Qvist P, Glerup S, Sanchez C, Nyengaard JR. Df(h15q13)/+ Mouse Model Reveals Loss of Astrocytes and Synaptic-Related Changes of the Excitatory and Inhibitory Circuits in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:1609-1621. [PMID: 33123721 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The 15q13.3 deletion is associated with multiple neurodevelopmental disorders including epilepsy, schizophrenia, and autism. The Df(h15q13)/+ mouse model was recently generated that recapitulates several phenotypic features of the human 15q13.3 deletion syndrome (DS). However, the biological substrates underlying these phenotypes in Df(h15q13)/+ mice have not yet been fully characterized. RNA sequencing followed by real-time quantitative PCR, western blotting, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and stereological analysis were employed to dissect the molecular, structural, and neurochemical phenotypes of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) circuits in Df(h15q13)/+ mouse model. Transcriptomic profiling revealed enrichment for astrocyte-specific genes among differentially expressed genes, translated by a decrease in the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein positive cells in mPFC of Df(h15q13)/+ mice compared with wild-type mice. mPFC in Df(h15q13)/+ mice also showed a deficit of the inhibitory presynaptic marker GAD65, in addition to a reduction in dendritic arborization and spine density of pyramidal neurons from layers II/III. mPFC levels of GABA and glutamate neurotransmitters were not different between genotypes. Our results suggest that the 15q13.3 deletion modulates nonneuronal circuits in mPFC and confers molecular and morphometric alterations in the inhibitory and excitatory neurocircuits, respectively. These alterations potentially contribute to the phenotypes accompanied with the 15q13.3DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdel-Rahman Al-Absi
- Center for Molecular Morphology, Section for Stereology and Microscopy, Center for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Per Qvist
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, 8210 Aarhus, Denmark.,Centre for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.,Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, CGPM, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Simon Glerup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Connie Sanchez
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jens R Nyengaard
- Center for Molecular Morphology, Section for Stereology and Microscopy, Center for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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Celli R, Wall MJ, Santolini I, Vergassola M, Di Menna L, Mascio G, Cannella M, van Luijtelaar G, Pittaluga A, Ciruela F, Bruno V, Nicoletti F, Ngomba RT. Pharmacological activation of mGlu5 receptors with the positive allosteric modulator VU0360172, modulates thalamic GABAergic transmission. Neuropharmacology 2020; 178:108240. [PMID: 32768418 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that injection of the mGlu5 receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU0360172 into either the thalamus or somatosensory cortex markedly reduces the frequency of spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) in the WAG/Rij model of absence epilepsy. Here we have investigated the effects of VU0360172 on GABA transport in the thalamus and somatosensory cortex, as possible modes of action underlying the suppression of SWDs. Systemic VU0360172 injections increase GABA uptake in thalamic synaptosomes from epileptic WAG/Rij rats. Consistent with this observation, VU0360172 could also enhance thalamic GAT-1 protein expression, depending on the dosing regimen. This increase in GAT-1 expression was also observed in the thalamus from non-epileptic rats (presymptomatic WAG/Rij and Wistar) and appeared to occur selectively in neurons. The tonic GABAA receptor current present in ventrobasal thalamocortical neurons was significantly reduced by VU0360172 consistent with changes in GAT-1 and GABA uptake. The in vivo effects of VU0360172 (reduction in tonic GABA current and increase in GAT-1 expression) could be reproduced in vitro by treating thalamic slices with VU0360172 for at least 1 h and appeared to be dependent on the activation of PLC. Thus, the effects of VU0360172 do not require an intact thalamocortical circuit. In the somatosensory cortex, VU0360172 reduced GABA uptake but did not cause significant changes in GAT-1 protein levels. These findings reveal a novel mechanism of regulation mediated by mGlu5 receptors, which could underlie the powerful anti-absence effect of mGlu5 receptor enhancers in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark J Wall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francisco Ciruela
- Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Valeria Bruno
- I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy; Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy; Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, University Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
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Çavdar S, Kuvvet Y, Sur-Erdem I, Özgür M, Onat F. Relationships between astrocytes and absence epilepsy in rat: An experimental study. Neurosci Lett 2019; 712:134518. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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13
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Pathophysiology of absence epilepsy: Insights from genetic models. Neurosci Lett 2018; 667:53-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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14
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Sacharz J, Wesełucha-Birczyńska A, Zięba-Palus J, Lewandowski MH, Kowalski R, Palus K, Chrobok Ł, Moskal P, Birczyńska M, Sozańska A. Epileptic rat brain tissue analyzed by 2D correlation Raman spectroscopy. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2018; 188:581-588. [PMID: 28772144 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2017.07.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Absence epilepsy is the neurological disorder characterized by the pathological spike-and wave discharges present in the electroencephalogram, accompanying a sudden loss of consciousness. Experiments were performed on brain slices obtained from young male WAG/Rij rats (2-3weeks old), so that they were sampled before the appearance of brain-damaging seizures symptoms. Two differing brain areas of the rats' brain tissue were studied: the somatosensory cortex (Sc) and the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus (DLG). The Raman spectra of the fresh brain scraps, kept during measurements in artificial cerebrospinal fluid, were collected using as an excitation source 442nm, 514.5nm, 785nm and 1064nm laser line. The average spectra were analyzed by 2D correlation method regarding laser line as an external perturbation. In 2D synchronous spectra positive auto-peaks corresponding to the CC stretching and amide I band vibrations show maxima at 1660cm-1 and 1662cm-1 for Sc and DLG, respectively. The prominent auto-peak at 2937cm-1, originated from the CH3 mode in DLG brain area, seems to indicate the importance of methylation, considered to be significant in epileptogenesis. Synchronous and asynchronous correlations peaks, glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), appear in Sc and DLG, respectively. In the 1730-1600cm-1 range occur cross-peaks which appearance might be triggered by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Sacharz
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | - Marian H Lewandowski
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Katarzyna Palus
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Łukasz Chrobok
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paulina Moskal
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Malwina Birczyńska
- The Department of Infectious Diseases, The University Hospital, Kraków, Poland
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15
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Kirazlı Ö, Çavdar S, Yıldızel S, Onat F, Kaptanoğlu E. A developmental study of glutamatergic neuron populations in the ventrobasal and the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus: Comparing Genetic Absence Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) and normal control wistar rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 2016; 56:35-41. [PMID: 27939427 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
An imbalance of GABAergic inhibition and glutamatergic excitation is suspected to be the cause of absence epileptic seizures. Absence seizures are known to be generated in thalamocortical circuitry. In the present study we used light microscopy immunohistochemistry to quantify the density of glutamate+ve neurons at two developmental stages (P10 and P60) in two thalamic nuclei, the ventrobasal (VB) and lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in Wistar rats and compared the results with similar data obtained from genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS). Rats were perfused transcardially with glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde fixative, then samples from VB and LGN were removed from each animal and sectioned. The glutamatergic neurons were labelled using light-microscopic glutamate immunohistochemistry. The disector method was used to quantify the glutamate+ve neurons in VB and LGN of GAERS and Wistar rats. The data were statistically analyzed. The distribution of the glutamate+ve neurons in the VB thalamic nucleus showed a significant reduction in the neuronal profiles per unit thalamic area from P10 to P60 in both Wistar and GAERS. The decrease was greater in the GAERS compared to the Wistar animals. However, in the LGN no reduction was observed either in the Wistar or in the GAERS. Comparing the density of glutamate+ve neurons in the VB thalamic nucleus of P10 of Wistar animals with of P10 GAERS showed statistically significant greater densities of these neurons in GAERS than in the Wistar rats. However no significant difference was present at P60 between the Wistar and GAERS animals. The disproportional decrease in GAERS may be related to the onset of absence seizures or may be related to neurogenesis of absence epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özlem Kirazlı
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Safiye Çavdar
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Koç University, Rumelifeneri Yolu Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Sercan Yıldızel
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Filiz Onat
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Erkan Kaptanoğlu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
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Russo E, Citraro R, Constanti A, Leo A, Lüttjohann A, van Luijtelaar G, De Sarro G. Upholding WAG/Rij rats as a model of absence epileptogenesis: Hidden mechanisms and a new theory on seizure development. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 71:388-408. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2015] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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17
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Qian Y, Yin J, Hong J, Li G, Zhang B, Liu G, Wan Q, Chen L. Neuronal seipin knockout facilitates Aβ-induced neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity via reduction of PPARγ in hippocampus of mouse. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:145. [PMID: 27287266 PMCID: PMC4902906 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0598-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A characteristic phenotype of congenital generalized lipodystrophy 2 (CGL2) that is caused by loss-of-function of seipin gene is mental retardation. Seipin is highly expressed in hippocampal pyramidal cells and astrocytes. Neuronal knockout of seipin in mice (seipin-KO mice) reduces the hippocampal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) level without the loss of pyramidal cells. The down-regulation of PPARγ has gained increasing attention in neuroinflammation of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Thus, the present study focused on exploring the influence of seipin depletion on β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced neuroinflammation and Aβ neurotoxicity. Methods Adult male seipin-KO mice were treated with a single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of Aβ25–35 (1.2 nmol/mouse) or Aβ1–42 (0.1 nmol/mouse), generally a non-neurotoxic dose in wild-type (WT) mice. Spatial cognitive behaviors were assessed by Morris water maze and Y-maze tests, and hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells and inflammatory responses were examined. Results The Aβ25–35/1–42 injection in the seipin-KO mice caused approximately 30–35 % death of pyramidal cells and production of Hoechst-positive cells with the impairment of spatial memory. In comparison with the WT mice, the number of astrocytes and microglia in the seipin-KO mice had no significant difference, whereas the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were slightly increased. Similarly, the Aβ25–35/1–42 injection in the seipin-KO mice rather than the WT mice could stimulate the activation of astrocytes or microglia and further elevated the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. Treatment of the seipin-KO mice with the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (rosi) could prevent Aβ25–35/1–42-induced neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity, which was blocked by the PPARγ antagonist GW9962. In the seipin-KO mice, the level of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) phosphorylation at Tyr216 was elevated, while at Ser9, it was reduced compared to the WT mice, which were corrected by the rosi treatment but were unaffected by the Aβ25–35 injection. Conclusions Seipin deficiency in astrocytes increases GSK3β activity and levels of IL-6 and TNF-α through reducing PPARγ, which can facilitate Aβ25–35/1–42-induced neuroinflammation to cause the death of neuronal cells and cognitive deficits. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-016-0598-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029, China.,Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Guangzhou Road 300, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jun Yin
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Juan Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029, China.,Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Guoxi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029, China.,Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Baofeng Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - George Liu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Peking University and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences, China Administration of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qi Wan
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Guangzhou Road 300, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029, China. .,Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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18
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Çavdar S, Özgür M, Kirazlı Ö, Karahüseyinoğlu S, Onat F. Comparing glutamatergic neuron population in the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus of genetic absence epilepsy rats from strasbourg (GAERS) and normal control Wistar rats. J Chem Neuroanat 2016; 77:93-99. [PMID: 27262783 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2016.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
An imbalance between GABAergic inhibition and glutamatergic excitation is suspected to play a role in the genesis of epileptic processes. In the present study we quantified the number of glutamate+ve neurons in the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) of genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) and compared these with values for normal Wistar rats. The MD thalamic nucleus was removed from each animal and the glutamatergic neurons were labelled using light-microscopy glutamate immunohistochemistry. The disector method was used to quantify the glutamate+ve neurons in the MD thalamic nucleus of GAERS and Wistar rats. The data were statistically analyzed. In the Wistar animals glutamate+ve neurons formed 89% and in GAERS 92.3% of the total neurons in 1000μm3 of MD thalamic nucleus. In GAERS glutamate+ve neurons showed statistically significant increase in the MD thalamic nucleus compared to Wistar animals. In Wistar animals the glutamate-ve neurons formed 11% and in GAERS 7.7% of the total neurons in 1000μm3 of MD thalamic. No significant difference was observed in glutamate-ve neurons between the two strains. The average diameter of glutamate+ve neurons showed no significance, while glutamate-ve neurons were significant between the two strains. The results of the present study, on genetic absence epilepsy model, GAERS, confirms the role of MD thalamic nucleus in chemically induced absence epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safiye Çavdar
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Koç University, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Merve Özgür
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Koç University, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Özlem Kirazlı
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serçin Karahüseyinoğlu
- Department of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, Koç University, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Filiz Onat
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinic Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Jayakumar AR, Norenberg MD. Glutamine Synthetase: Role in Neurological Disorders. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2016; 13:327-350. [PMID: 27885636 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-45096-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Glutamine synthetase (GS) is an ATP-dependent enzyme found in most species that synthesizes glutamine from glutamate and ammonia. In brain, GS is exclusively located in astrocytes where it serves to maintain the glutamate-glutamine cycle, as well as nitrogen metabolism. Changes in the activity of GS, as well as its gene expression, along with excitotoxicity, have been identified in a number of neurological conditions. The literature describing alterations in the activation and gene expression of GS, as well as its involvement in different neurological disorders, however, is incomplete. This review summarizes changes in GS gene expression/activity and its potential contribution to the pathogenesis of several neurological disorders, including hepatic encephalopathy, ischemia, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, and astroglial neoplasms. This review also explores the possibility of targeting GS in the therapy of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael D Norenberg
- Laboratory of Neuropathology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.
- Departments of Pathology, University of Miami School of Medicine, 016960, Miami, FL, 33101, USA.
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
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20
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Hong J, Sha S, Zhou L, Wang C, Yin J, Chen L. Sigma-1 receptor deficiency reduces MPTP-induced parkinsonism and death of dopaminergic neurons. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1832. [PMID: 26203861 PMCID: PMC4650739 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) has been reported to be decreased in nigrostriatal motor system of Parkinson's disease patients. Using heterozygous and homozygous σ1R knockout (σ1R+/- and σ1R-/-) mice, we investigated the influence of σ1R deficiency on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-impaired nigrostriatal motor system. The injection of MPTP for 5 weeks in wild-type mice (MPTP-WT mice), but not in σ1R+/- or σ1R-/- mice (MPTP-σ1R+/- or MPTP-σ1R-/- mice), caused motor deficits and ~40% death of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta with an elevation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) NR2B phosphorylation. The σ1R antagonist NE100 or the NR2B inhibitor Ro25-6981 could alleviate the motor deficits and the death of dopaminergic neurons in MPTP-WT mice. By contrast, MPTP-σ1R+/- mice treated with the σ1R agonist PRE084 or MPTP-σ1R-/- mice treated with the NMDAr agonist NMDA appeared to have similar motor deficits and loss of dopaminergic neurons as MPTP-WT mice. The pharmacological or genetic inactivation of σ1R suppressed the expression of dopamine transporter (DAT) in substantia nigra, which was corrected by NMDA. The activation of σ1R by PRE084 enhanced the DAT expression in WT mice or σ1R+/- mice. By contrast, the level of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in σ1R+/- mice or σ1R-/- mice had no difference from WT mice. Interestingly, MPTP-WT mice showed the reduction in the levels of DAT and VMAT2, but MPTP-σ1R-/- mice did not. The inactivation of σ1R by NE100 could prevent the reduction of VMAT2 in MPTP-WT mice. In addition, the activation of microglia cells in substantia nigra was equally enhanced in MPTP-WT mice and MPTP-σ1R-/- mice. The number of activated astrocytes in MPTP-σ1R-/- mice was less than that in MPTP-WT mice. The findings indicate that the σ1R deficiency through suppressing NMDAr function and DAT expression can reduce MPTP-induced death of dopaminergic neurons and parkinsonism.
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MESH Headings
- 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
- Animals
- Anisoles/pharmacology
- Astrocytes/metabolism
- Astrocytes/pathology
- Cell Death/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dopamine/metabolism
- Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics
- Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism
- Dopaminergic Neurons/metabolism
- Dopaminergic Neurons/pathology
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Microglia/metabolism
- Microglia/pathology
- Morpholines/pharmacology
- Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology
- Parkinson Disease, Secondary/chemically induced
- Parkinson Disease, Secondary/drug therapy
- Parkinson Disease, Secondary/genetics
- Parkinson Disease, Secondary/metabolism
- Pars Compacta/metabolism
- Pars Compacta/pathology
- Phenols/pharmacology
- Phosphorylation
- Piperidines/pharmacology
- Propylamines/pharmacology
- Psychomotor Performance
- Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/genetics
- Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism
- Receptors, sigma/agonists
- Receptors, sigma/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, sigma/genetics
- Receptors, sigma/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins/genetics
- Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins/metabolism
- Sigma-1 Receptor
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hong
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - S Sha
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - L Zhou
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - C Wang
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - J Yin
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - L Chen
- State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Fauvelle F, Boccard J, Cavarec F, Depaulis A, Deransart C. Assessing Susceptibility to Epilepsy in Three Rat Strains Using Brain Metabolic Profiling Based on HRMAS NMR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics. J Proteome Res 2015; 14:2177-89. [PMID: 25761974 DOI: 10.1021/pr501309b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The possibility that a metabolomic approach can inform about the pathophysiology of a given form of epilepsy was addressed. Using chemometric analyses of HRMAS NMR data, we compared several brain structures in three rat strains with different susceptibilities to absence epilepsy: Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), Non Epileptic Control rats (NEC), and Wistar rats. Two ages were investigated: 14 days postnatal (P14) before the onset of seizures and 5 month old adults with fully developed seizures (Adults). The relative concentrations of 19 metabolites were assessed using (1)H HRMAS NMR experiments. Univariate and multivariate analyses including multiblock models were used to identify the most discriminant metabolites. A strain-dependent evolution of glutamate, glutamine, scyllo-inositol, alanine, and glutathione was highlighted during cerebral maturation. In Adults, data from somatosensory and motor cortices allowed discrimination between GAERS and NEC rats with higher levels of scyllo-inositol, taurine, and phosphoethanolamine in NEC. This epileptic metabolic phenotype was in accordance with current pathophysiological hypothesis of absence epilepsy (i.e., seizure-generating and control networks) and putative resistance of NEC rats and was observed before seizure onset. This methodology could be very efficient in a clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Fauvelle
- †IRBA, 91223 Bretigny sur Orgne, France.,‡Univ. Grenoble Alpes, IRMaGe MRI facility, F-38000 Grenoble, France.,ΨCNRS, UIMS 3552, F-38000 Grenoble, France.,¶INSERM, US17, F-38000 Grenoble, France.,§INSERM U836, F-38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Julien Boccard
- #School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fanny Cavarec
- §INSERM U836, F-38042 Grenoble, France.,∥Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, GIN, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Antoine Depaulis
- §INSERM U836, F-38042 Grenoble, France.,∥Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, GIN, F-38000 Grenoble, France.,⊥Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Colin Deransart
- §INSERM U836, F-38042 Grenoble, France.,∥Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, GIN, F-38000 Grenoble, France.,⊥Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, F-38000 Grenoble, France
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22
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Kovács Z, Dobolyi Á, Juhász G, Kékesi KA. Lipopolysaccharide induced increase in seizure activity in two animal models of absence epilepsy WAG/Rij and GAERS rats and Long Evans rats. Brain Res Bull 2014; 104:7-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2014.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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23
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Onat F. Astrocytes and absence epilepsy. Br J Pharmacol 2013; 168:1086-7. [PMID: 23145977 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/04/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED This commentary discusses the importance of a new study entitled 'ONO-2506 inhibits spike-wave discharges in a genetic animal model without affecting traditional convulsive tests via gliotransmission regulation' by Yamamura et al. () from Dr Okada's laboratory. The results from this study suggest that specific astrocyte modulating approaches should be developed for managing non-convulsive forms of epilepsy. In addition, the authors have advanced our understanding of astrocytic signalling and glial transmission. Their findings point to kynurenic acid as one of the key transmitters in the bi-directional communication between astrocytes and neurons. LINKED ARTICLE This article is a commentary on the research paper by Yamamura et al., pp. 1088-1100 of this issue. To view this paper visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02132.x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filiz Onat
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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24
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Rosati A, Poliani PL, Todeschini A, Cominelli M, Medicina D, Cenzato M, Simoncini EL, Magrini SM, Buglione M, Grisanti S, Padovani A. Glutamine synthetase expression as a valuable marker of epilepsy and longer survival in newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. Neuro Oncol 2013; 15:618-25. [PMID: 23410662 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nos338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamine synthetase (GS) is an astrocytic enzyme catalyzing the conversion of glutamate and ammonia to glutamine. Its up-regulation has been related to higher tumor proliferation and poor prognosis in extra-cerebral tumors. We have previously reported a GS deficiency in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who also developed epilepsy, which is a favorable prognostic factor in glioma. Here, we investigated the prognostic value of GS expression in patients with GBM with or without epilepsy and its correlation with survival. METHODS We conducted a clinical and histopathological study on 83 (52 males) consecutive patients with newly diagnosed GBM. Immunohistochemical expression of GS was scored semi-quantitatively on the basis of cell number, staining intensity, and distribution of immunoreactive cells. Several clinical and neuropathological variables were analyzed in relation to survival and GS expression. RESULTS Median age at diagnosis was 62 years. At the last evaluation, with a median follow-up of 11.5 months (range, 1.5-58 months), 5 patients (6%) were still alive and 78 (94%) were dead. GS expression patterns in neoplastic cells were inversely correlated to the presence of epilepsy (P < .0001 for intensity and P < .009 for homogeneity of GS distribution, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that RPA score, epilepsy, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGM)T status, application of Stupp protocol, and GS intensity pattern had a significant impact on survival. Absent/low intensity of GS expression was significantly associated with a longer survival in both uni- (19 vs 8 months; P < .0005) and multivariate (P = .003) analyses. CONCLUSIONS Absent/low-intensity GS expression pattern represents a valuable biomarker of both epilepsy and overall survival in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rosati
- Neurology Clinic, Spedali Civili, Universityof Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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Komlos D, Mann KD, Zhuo Y, Ricupero CL, Hart RP, Liu AYC, Firestein BL. Glutamate dehydrogenase 1 and SIRT4 regulate glial development. Glia 2012; 61:394-408. [PMID: 23281078 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Congenital hyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia (HI/HA) syndrome is caused by an activation mutation of glutamate dehydrogenase 1 (GDH1), a mitochondrial enzyme responsible for the reversible interconversion between glutamate and α-ketoglutarate. The syndrome presents clinically with hyperammonemia, significant episodic hypoglycemia, seizures, and frequent incidences of developmental and learning defects. Clinical research has implicated that although some of the developmental and neurological defects may be attributed to hypoglycemia, some characteristics cannot be ascribed to low glucose and as hyperammonemia is generally mild and asymptomatic, there exists the possibility that altered GDH1 activity within the brain leads to some clinical changes. GDH1 is allosterically regulated by many factors, and has been shown to be inhibited by the ADP-ribosyltransferase sirtuin 4 (SIRT4), a mitochondrially localized sirtuin. Here we show that SIRT4 is localized to mitochondria within the brain. SIRT4 is highly expressed in glial cells, specifically astrocytes, in the postnatal brain and in radial glia during embryogenesis. Furthermore, SIRT4 protein decreases in expression during development. We show that factors known to allosterically regulate GDH1 alter gliogenesis in CTX8 cells, a novel radial glial cell line. We find that SIRT4 and GDH1 overexpression play antagonistic roles in regulating gliogenesis and that a mutant variant of GDH1 found in HI/HA patients accelerates the development of glia from cultured radial glia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Komlos
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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Crunelli V, Carmignoto G. New vistas on astroglia in convulsive and non-convulsive epilepsy highlight novel astrocytic targets for treatment. J Physiol 2012; 591:775-85. [PMID: 23230232 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.243378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Our current knowledge of the role of astrocytes in health and disease states supports the view that many physiological brain functions and neurological diseases are finely tuned, and in certain cases fully determined, by the continuous cross-talk between astrocytes and neurons. This novel way of interpreting brain activity as a dynamic and reciprocal interplay between astrocytic and neuronal networks has also influenced our understanding of epilepsy, not only forcing a reinterpretation of old findings, but also being a catalyst for novel experimentation. In this review, we summarize some of the recent studies that highlight these novel distinct contributions of astrocytes to the expression of convulsive and non-convulsive epileptiform discharges and seizures. The emerging picture suggests a general framework based on bilateral signalling between astrocytes and neurons for a fuller understanding of epileptogenic and epileptic mechanisms in the brain network. Astrocytes potentially represent targets for the development of those novel chemical entities with improved efficacy for the treatment of convulsive and non-convulsive epilepsy that expert groups have recognized as one of the key priorities for the management of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Crunelli
- Neuroscience Division, School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK.
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Abstract
Epilepsy accounts for a significant portion of the dis-ease burden worldwide. Research in this field is fundamental and mandatory. Animal models have played, and still play, a substantial role in understanding the patho-physiology and treatment of human epilepsies. A large number and variety of approaches are available, and they have been applied to many animals. In this chapter the in vitro and in vivo animal models are discussed,with major emphasis on the in vivo studies. Models have used phylogenetically different animals - from worms to monkeys. Our attention has been dedicated mainly to rodents.In clinical practice, developmental aspects of epilepsy often differ from those in adults. Animal models have often helped to clarify these differences. In this chapter, developmental aspects have been emphasized.Electrical stimulation and chemical-induced models of seizures have been described first, as they represent the oldest and most common models. Among these models, kindling raised great interest, especially for the study of the epileptogenesis. Acquired focal models mimic seizures and occasionally epilepsies secondary to abnormal cortical development, hypoxia, trauma, and hemorrhage.Better knowledge of epileptic syndromes will help to create new animal models. To date, absence epilepsy is one of the most common and (often) benign forms of epilepsy. There are several models, including acute pharmacological models (PTZ, penicillin, THIP, GBL) and chronic models (GAERS, WAG/Rij). Although atypical absence seizures are less benign, thus needing more investigation, only two models are so far available (AY-9944,MAM-AY). Infantile spasms are an early childhood encephalopathy that is usually associated with a poor out-come. The investigation of this syndrome in animal models is recent and fascinating. Different approaches have been used including genetic (Down syndrome,ARX mutation) and acquired (multiple hit, TTX, CRH,betamethasone-NMDA) models.An entire section has been dedicated to genetic models, from the older models obtained with spontaneous mutations (GEPRs) to the new engineered knockout, knocking, and transgenic models. Some of these models have been created based on recently recognized patho-genesis such as benign familial neonatal epilepsy, early infantile encephalopathy with suppression bursts, severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, the tuberous sclerosis model, and the progressive myoclonic epilepsy. The contribution of animal models to epilepsy re-search is unquestionable. The development of further strategies is necessary to find novel strategies to cure epileptic patients, and optimistically to allow scientists first and clinicians subsequently to prevent epilepsy and its consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Coppola
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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Akin D, Ravizza T, Maroso M, Carcak N, Eryigit T, Vanzulli I, Aker RG, Vezzani A, Onat FY. IL-1β is induced in reactive astrocytes in the somatosensory cortex of rats with genetic absence epilepsy at the onset of spike-and-wave discharges, and contributes to their occurrence. Neurobiol Dis 2011; 44:259-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2011.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2010] [Revised: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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González-Martínez JA, Ying Z, Prayson R, Bingaman W, Najm I. Glutamate clearance mechanisms in resected cortical dysplasia. J Neurosurg 2011; 114:1195-202. [DOI: 10.3171/2010.10.jns10715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Object
Changes in the expression of glutamate transporters (GLTs) may play a role in the expression of epileptogenicity. Previous studies have shown an increased number of neuronal GLTs in human dysplastic neurons. The expression of glial and neuronal GLTs and glutamine synthetase (GS) in balloon cells (BCs) and BC-containing cortical dysplasia has not been studied.
Methods
The authors analyzed neocortical samples that were resected in 5 patients who had cortical dysplasia–induced medically intractable focal epilepsy and who underwent extraoperative prolonged electrocorticographic (ECoG) recordings. The expressions of glial (GLT1/EAAT2) and neuronal (EAAT3, EAAC1) GLTs and GS proteins were immunohistochemically studied in all 5 resected samples. The authors also assessed in situ colocalization of GLTs and GS with neuronal and glial markers.
Results
Balloon cell–containing cortical dysplasia lesions did not exhibit ictal patterns on prolonged extraoperative ECoG recordings. There was a differential expression of glial and neuronal GLTs in BCs and dysplastic neurons: the majority of BCs highly expressed glial but not neuronal GLTs. Dysplastic neurons showed increased immunohistochemical staining with neuronal EAAT3 but not with EAAT2/GLT1. Moreover, only glial fibrillary acidic protein–positive BCs also expressed GS.
Conclusions
There is a differential GLT expression in dysplastic and balloon cells. The presence of glial GLTs and GS in balloon cell cortical dysplasia suggests a possible antiepileptic role for BCs and is consistent with the reported increased epileptogenicity in GLT1-deficient animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Richard Prayson
- 2Department of Surgical Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
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Marignier R, Nicolle A, Watrin C, Touret M, Cavagna S, Varrin-Doyer M, Cavillon G, Rogemond V, Confavreux C, Honnorat J, Giraudon P. Oligodendrocytes are damaged by neuromyelitis optica immunoglobulin G via astrocyte injury. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 133:2578-91. [PMID: 20688809 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awq177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Devic's neuromyelitis optica is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder normally restricted to the optic nerves and spinal cord. Since the identification of a specific autoantibody directed against aquaporin 4, neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4 antibody, neuromyelitis optica has been considered an entity distinct from multiple sclerosis. Recent findings indicate that the neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4 antibody has a pathogenic role through complement-dependent astrocyte toxicity. However, the link with demyelination remains elusive. Autoantibodies can act as receptor agonists/antagonists or alter antigen density in their target cells. We hypothesized that the neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4 antibody impairs astrocytic function and secondarily leads to demyelination. Rat astrocytes and oligodendrocytes from primary cultures and rat optic nerves were exposed long-term (24 h) to immunoglobulin G in the absence of complement. Immunoglobulin G was purified from the serum of patients with neuromyelitis optica who were either neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4 antibody positive or negative, as well as from healthy controls. Flow cytometry analysis showed a reduction of membrane aquaporin 4 and glutamate transporter type 1 on astrocytes following contact with immunoglobulin G purified from neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4 antibody positive serum only. The activity of glutamine synthetase, an astrocyte enzyme converting glutamate into glutamine, decreased in parallel, indicating astrocyte dysfunction. Treatment also reduced oligodendrocytic cell processes and approximately 30% oligodendrocytes died. This deleterious effect was confirmed ex vivo; exposed optic nerves showed reduction of myelin basic protein. Immunoglobulin G from neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4 antibody seronegative patients and from healthy controls had no similar effect. Neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4 antibody did not directly injure oligodendrocytes cultured without astrocytes. A toxic bystander effect of astrocytes damaged by neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4 antibody on oligodendrocytes was identified. Progressive accumulation of glutamate in the culture medium of neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4-antibody-treated glial cells supported the hypothesis of a glutamate-mediated excitotoxic death of oligodendrocytes in our models. Moreover, co-treatment of glial cultures with neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4 antibody and d+2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, a competitive antagonist at the N-methyl-d-aspartate/glutamate receptor, partially protected oligodendrocytes. Co-immunolabelling of oligodendrocyte markers and neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4 antibody showed that astrocytic positive processes were in close contact with oligodendrocytes and myelin in rat optic nerves and spinal cord, but far less so in other parts of the central nervous system. This suggests a bystander effect of neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G-damaged astrocytes on oligodendrocytes in the nervous tissues affected by neuromyelitis optica. In conclusion, in these cell culture models we found a direct, complement-independent effect of neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G/aquaporin 4 antibody on astrocytes, with secondary damage to oligodendrocytes possibly resulting from glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. These mechanisms could add to the complement-induced damage, particularly the demyelination, seen in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Marignier
- Service de Neurologie A and EDMUS Coordinating Centre, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
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Waldbaum S, Patel M. Mitochondria, oxidative stress, and temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Res 2010; 88:23-45. [PMID: 19850449 PMCID: PMC3236664 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2009.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2009] [Revised: 09/18/2009] [Accepted: 09/22/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial oxidative stress and dysfunction are contributing factors to various neurological disorders. Recently, there has been increasing evidence supporting the association between mitochondrial oxidative stress and epilepsy. Although certain inherited epilepsies are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, little is known about its role in acquired epilepsies such as temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Mitochondrial oxidative stress and dysfunction are emerging as key factors that not only result from seizures, but may also contribute to epileptogenesis. The occurrence of epilepsy increases with age, and mitochondrial oxidative stress is a leading mechanism of aging and age-related degenerative disease, suggesting a further involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in seizure generation. Mitochondria have critical cellular functions that influence neuronal excitability including production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), fatty acid oxidation, control of apoptosis and necrosis, regulation of amino acid cycling, neurotransmitter biosynthesis, and regulation of cytosolic Ca(2+) homeostasis. Mitochondria are the primary site of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production making them uniquely vulnerable to oxidative stress and damage which can further affect cellular macromolecule function, the ability of the electron transport chain to produce ATP, antioxidant defenses, mitochondrial DNA stability, and synaptic glutamate homeostasis. Oxidative damage to one or more of these cellular targets may affect neuronal excitability and increase seizure susceptibility. The specific targeting of mitochondrial oxidative stress, dysfunction, and bioenergetics with pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments may be a novel avenue for attenuating epileptogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Waldbaum
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Colorado Denver School of Pharmacy Aurora, CO 80045 U.S.A
| | - Manisha Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Colorado Denver School of Pharmacy Aurora, CO 80045 U.S.A
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Ravassard P, Pachoud B, Comte JC, Mejia-Perez C, Scoté-Blachon C, Gay N, Claustrat B, Touret M, Luppi PH, Salin PA. Paradoxical (REM) sleep deprivation causes a large and rapidly reversible decrease in long-term potentiation, synaptic transmission, glutamate receptor protein levels, and ERK/MAPK activation in the dorsal hippocampus. Sleep 2009; 32:227-40. [PMID: 19238810 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/32.2.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES It has been shown that wake (W) and slow wave sleep (SWS) modulate synaptic transmission in neocortical projections. However the impact of paradoxical sleep (PS) quantities on synaptic transmission remains unknown. We examined whether PS modulated the excitatory transmission and expression of glutamate receptor subtypes and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (p-ERK1/2). DESIGN PS deprivation (PSD) was carried out with the multiple platforms method on adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. LTP, late-LTP, and synaptic transmission were studied in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus of controls, 75-h PSD and 150-min PS rebound (PSR). GluR1 and NR1 protein and mRNA expression were evaluated by western blot and real-time PCR. p-ERK1/2 level was quantified by western blot and immunohistochemistry. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS PSD decreased synaptic transmission and LTP selectively in dorsal CA1 and PSR rescued these deficits. PSD-induced synaptic modifications in CA1 were associated with a decrease in GluR1, NR1, and p-ERK1/2 levels in dorsal CA1 without change in GluR1 and NR1 mRNA expression. Regression analysis shows that LTP is positively correlated with both PS quantities and SWS episodes duration, whereas synaptic transmission and late-LTP are positively correlated with PS quantities and negatively correlated with SWS quantities. CONCLUSIONS These findings unveil previously unrecognized roles of PSD on synaptic transmission and LTP in the dorsal, but not in the ventral, hippocampus. The fact that the decrease in protein expression of GluR1 and NR1 was not associated with a change in mRNA expression of these receptors suggests that a sleep-induced modulation of translational mechanisms occurs in dorsal CA1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Ravassard
- UMR 5167 CNRS, Physio-pathologie des reseaux neuronaux du cycle veille-sommeil, Institut Feddratifdes Neurosciences de Lyon (IFNL, IFR 19), Université Lyon, Lyon, France
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Rosati A, Marconi S, Pollo B, Tomassini A, Lovato L, Maderna E, Maier K, Schwartz A, Rizzuto N, Padovani A, Bonetti B. Epilepsy in glioblastoma multiforme: correlation with glutamine synthetase levels. J Neurooncol 2009; 93:319-24. [DOI: 10.1007/s11060-008-9794-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2008] [Accepted: 12/30/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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van Gassen KLI, van der Hel WS, Hakvoort TBM, Lamers WH, de Graan PNE. Haploinsufficiency of glutamine synthetase increases susceptibility to experimental febrile seizures. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2008; 8:290-5. [PMID: 19170755 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2008.00471.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Glutamine synthetase (GS) is a pivotal glial enzyme in the glutamate-glutamine cycle. GS is important in maintaining low extracellular glutamate concentrations and is downregulated in the hippocampus of temporal lobe epilepsy patients with mesial-temporal sclerosis, an epilepsy syndrome that is frequently associated with early life febrile seizures (FS). Human congenital loss of GS activity has been shown to result in brain malformations, seizures and death within days after birth. Recently, we showed that GS knockout mice die during embryonic development and that haploinsufficient GS mice have no obvious abnormalities or behavioral seizures. In the present study, we investigated whether reduced expression/activity of GS in haploinsufficient GS mice increased the susceptibility to experimentally induced FS. FS were elicited by warm-air-induced hyperthermia in 14-day-old mice and resulted in seizures in most animals. FS susceptibility was measured as latencies to four behavioral FS characteristics. Our phenotypic data show that haploinsufficient mice are more susceptible to experimentally induced FS (P < 0.005) than littermate controls. Haploinsufficient animals did not differ from controls in hippocampal amino acid content, structure (Nissl and calbindin), glial properties (glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin) or expression of other components of the glutamate-glutamine cycle (excitatory amino acid transporter-2 and vesicular glutamate transporter-1). Thus, we identified GS as a FS susceptibility gene. GS activity-disrupting mutations have been described in the human population, but heterozygote mutations were not clearly associated with seizures or epilepsy. Our results indicate that individuals with reduced GS activity may have reduced FS seizure thresholds. Genetic association studies will be required to test this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L I van Gassen
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Bender RA, Baram TZ. Hyperpolarization activated cyclic-nucleotide gated (HCN) channels in developing neuronal networks. Prog Neurobiol 2008; 86:129-40. [PMID: 18834920 PMCID: PMC2606691 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2008.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2008] [Revised: 07/24/2008] [Accepted: 09/04/2008] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Developing neuronal networks evolve continuously, requiring that neurons modulate both their intrinsic properties and their responses to incoming synaptic signals. Emerging evidence supports roles for the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels in this neuronal plasticity. HCN channels seem particularly suited for fine-tuning neuronal properties and responses because of their remarkably large and variable repertoire of functions, enabling integration of a wide range of cellular signals. Here, we discuss the involvement of HCN channels in cortical and hippocampal network maturation, and consider potential roles of developmental HCN channel dysregulation in brain disorders such as epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland A. Bender
- Institute of Anatomy I, University of Hamburg, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany, Phone: +49-40-428034333, Fax: +49-40-428034966, E-mail:
| | - Tallie Z. Baram
- Departments Anatomy/Neurobiology, Pediatrics & Neurology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4475, USA, Phone: +1-949-824-3307, Fax: +1-949-824-1106, E-mail:
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Rojas H, Ramos M, Benaim G, Caputo C, DiPolo R. The activity of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger largely modulates the Ca2+i signal induced by hypo-osmotic stress in rat cerebellar astrocytes. The effect of osmolarity on exchange activity. J Physiol Sci 2008; 58:277-9. [PMID: 18638422 DOI: 10.2170/physiolsci.rp009208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2008] [Accepted: 07/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
We recently demonstrated that rat cerebellar Type-1 astrocytes express a very active Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger highly colocalized with ryanodine receptors (RyRs), which in turn play a key role in glutamate-induced Ca(2+) signaling through a calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) mechanism. In this work we have explored whether the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger has any role in the Ca(2+)(i) signal induced by hypo-osmotic stress in these cells, using microspectrofluorometric measurements with Fura-2, pharmacological tools, and confocal microscopy image analysis. We present evidence for the first time that the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in rat cerebellar Type-1 astrocytes, resulting from moderate hypotonic shock, is mediated by Ca(2+) release from ryanodine-operated Ca(2+)(i) stores, and that the magnitude of the intracellular Ca(2+) signal induced by hypotonicity in the short term (up to 240 s) is small and controlled by the activity of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger operating in its extrusion mode. With longer times in the hypotonic medium, intracellular Ca(2+) store depletion leads to Ca(2+) entry through store-operated Ca(2+) channels. We found it interesting that the activity of the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger measured during this reverse mode operation (Ca(2+) entry in exchange for internal Na(+)) was found to be greatly increased in hypotonic solutions and decreased in hypertonic ones. The buffering of the [Ca(2+)](i) rise induced by hypo-osmotic stress may prevent excessive increases in [Ca(2+)](i), which otherwise might impair the normal function of this glial cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Rojas
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Celular, Centro de Biofísica y Bioquímica, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Apartado 21827, Caracas 1020A
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Bidmon HJ, Görg B, Palomero-Gallagher N, Schleicher A, Häussinger D, Speckmann EJ, Zilles K. Glutamine synthetase becomes nitrated and its activity is reduced during repetitive seizure activity in the pentylentetrazole model of epilepsy. Epilepsia 2008; 49:1733-48. [PMID: 18479397 DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01642.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The astrocyte-specific glutamine synthetase (GS) plays a key role in glutamate recycling and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism. Changes in the expression or activity of GS have been proposed to contribute to epileptogenesis. The mechanisms or how and where GS may contribute to epilepsy is still a matter of discussion. Here we asked the question whether brain regions, which show an astrocytic stress response respond with alterations of GS. METHODS Biochemical and histological alterations of GS, HSP-27, and GFAP were studied after pentylenetetrazole-induced repetitive epileptic seizures (PIRS) in rats using a topographical quantification of the GS-immunoreactivity (GSIR) in relation to the focal heat shock response (HSR). Saline-treated rats served as controls and rats treated by the GS-inhibitor, L-methionine-sulfoximine (MSO) served as a positive control. RESULTS No changes in the amount of GSIR and GS-protein occurred during PIRS. A significant reduction of GSIR was observed by histochemistry (in situ) and in native (nonheated) protein extracts of MSO-treated rats. In rats affected by PIRS, GS-activity showed a significant, region-specific reduction in association with a nitration of the enzyme. DISCUSSION These results show that neither PIRS nor GS-inhibition reduced the amount of GS protein, but that MSO interferes with antibody binding to native GS. PIRS resulted in a focal increase of astrocytic stress response, whereas MSO caused a widespread, homogeneous astrocytic HSR independent from quantitative changes of GS content. In rats with PIRS the regions showing a strong glial HSR, respond with reduced GS-activity and GS-nitration, which all together are clear indicators of a nitrosative stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-J Bidmon
- C & O Vogt Institute for Brain Research, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Melø TM, Sonnewald U, Bastholm IA, Nehlig A. Astrocytes may play a role in the etiology of absence epilepsy: A comparison between immature GAERS not yet expressing seizures and adults. Neurobiol Dis 2007; 28:227-35. [PMID: 17719229 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2007.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2007] [Revised: 07/02/2007] [Accepted: 07/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal-astrocytic interactions in 1-month-old Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) before the occurrence of seizures are compared to those in non-epileptic rats (NERs) and in adult GAERS expressing epilepsy. Animals received [1-13C]glucose and [1,2-13C]acetate, preferential substrates of neurons and astrocytes, respectively, and extracts from cerebral cortex, subcortex and cerebellum were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. Increased mitochondrial metabolism took place in the cortical neurons of immature and adult GAERS and therefore does not seem to be a consequence of the occurrence of absence seizures. Glutamine supply to GABAergic neurons was reduced in cortex and subcortex in young GAERS, as reflected by increased glutamine content and decreased 13C-labeling of GABA. In the brain of immature GAERS, interactions between glutamatergic neurons and astrocytes appeared normal whereas increased astrocytic metabolism took place in adult GAERS, suggesting that astrocytic alterations could possibly be the cause of seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torun Margareta Melø
- Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), N-7489 Trondheim, Norway
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Touret M, Parrot S, Denoroy L, Belin MF, Didier-Bazes M. Glutamatergic alterations in the cortex of genetic absence epilepsy rats. BMC Neurosci 2007; 8:69. [PMID: 17725845 PMCID: PMC2014773 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-8-69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2006] [Accepted: 08/29/2007] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In absence epilepsy, the neuronal hyper-excitation and hyper-synchronization, which induce spike and wave discharges in a cortico-thalamic loop are suspected to be due to an imbalance between GABA and glutamate (GLU) neurotransmission. In order to elucidate the role played by GLU in disease outcome, we measured cortical and thalamic extracellular levels of GLU and GABA. We used an in vivo quantitative microdialysis approach (no-net-flux method) in an animal model of absence epilepsy (GAERS). In addition, by infusing labelled glutamate through the microdialysis probe, we studied in vivo glutamate uptake in the cortex and thalamus in GAERS and non-epileptic control (NEC) rats. Expression of the vesicular glutamate transporters VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 and a synaptic component, synaptophysin, was also measured. RESULTS Although extracellular concentrations of GABA and GLU in the cortex and thalamus were not significantly different between GAERS and NEC rats, cortical GLU uptake was significantly decreased in unrestrained awake GAERS. Expression of VGLUT2 and synaptophysin was increased in the cortex of GAERS compared to NEC rats, but no changes were observed in the thalamus. CONCLUSION The specific decrease in GLU uptake in the cortex of GAERS linked to synaptic changes suggests impairment of the glutamatergic terminal network. These data support the idea that a change in glutamatergic neurotransmission in the cortex could contribute to hyperexcitability in absence epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Touret
- INSERM, U842, Lyon; Université de Lyon, Lyon1, Faculté de Médecine Laennec, UMR-S842, Lyon, F-69372, France
| | - Sandrine Parrot
- Neurochem, Université de Lyon, Lyon1, Faculté de Pharmacie, Lyon 1 France
| | - Luc Denoroy
- CNRS FRE 3006, Lyon; Université de Lyon, Lyon1, Faculté de Pharmacie, Lyon 1 France
| | - Marie-Françoise Belin
- INSERM, U842, Lyon; Université de Lyon, Lyon1, Faculté de Médecine Laennec, UMR-S842, Lyon, F-69372, France
| | - Marianne Didier-Bazes
- INSERM, U842, Lyon; Université de Lyon, Lyon1, Faculté de Médecine Laennec, UMR-S842, Lyon, F-69372, France
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Melø TM, Sonnewald U, Touret M, Nehlig A. Cortical glutamate metabolism is enhanced in a genetic model of absence epilepsy. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2006; 26:1496-506. [PMID: 16538229 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jcbfm.9600300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Disturbances in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in the thalamocortical loop are involved in absence seizures. Here, we examined potential disturbances in metabolism and interactions between neurons and glia in 5-month-old genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) and nonepileptic rats (NER). Animals received [1-(13)C]glucose and [1,2-(13)C]acetate, the preferential substrates of neurons and astrocytes, respectively. Extracts from cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hippocampus were analyzed by (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Most changes were detected in the cortex. Pyruvate metabolism was enhanced as evidenced by increases of lactate, and labeled and unlabeled alanine. Neuronal mitochondrial metabolism was also enhanced as detected by elevated amounts of N-acetylaspartate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide as well as increased incorporation of label from [2-(13)C]acetyl CoA into glutamate, glutamine, and aspartate. Likewise, mitochondrial metabolism in astrocytes was increased. Changes in thalamus were restricted to increased concentration and labeling of glutamine. Changes in the hippocampus were similar to those in the cortex. This increase in glutamate-glutamine metabolism in cortical neurons and astrocytes accompanied by a decreased gamma aminobyturic acid level may lead to impaired thalamic filter function. Hence, reduced sensory input to cortex could allow the occurrence of spike-and-wave discharges in the thalamocortical loop. Increased glutamatergic output from the cortex to hippocampus may be the underlying cause of improved learning in GAERS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torun M Melø
- Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
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Morita T, Takahashi M, Takeuchi T, Hikasa Y, Ikeda S, Sawada M, Sato K, Shibahara T, Shimada A. Changes in extracellular neurotransmitters in the cerebrum of familial idiopathic epileptic shetland sheepdogs using an intracerebral microdialysis technique and immunohistochemical study for glutamate metabolism. J Vet Med Sci 2006; 67:1119-26. [PMID: 16327223 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.67.1119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracerebral microdialysis combined with electroencephalographic recordings was performed on 4 dogs of a familial idiopathic epileptic Shetland sheepdog colony to identify the kinds of neurotransmitters responsible for seizure activity. Immunohistochemistry using glutamate (Glu), glutamate transporter (GLT-1 and GLAST), and glutamine synthetase (GS) antibodies was also carried out on the cerebrum of four familial dogs that died of status epilepticus (SE). High values for extracellular levels of Glu and aspartate (ASP) were detected in association with an increased number of spikes and sharp waves during hyperventilation in 3 of 4 the familial epileptic dogs. The values of other amino acids analyzed were not altered in any of the familial epileptic dogs. Immunohistochemically, Glu-positive granules were occasionally found in the perineuronal spaces of the cerebral cortex in 3 of the familial epileptic dogs that died of SE. Immunostains for GLT-1 antibody predominantly decreased in the cerebral cortex and lateral nucleus of the thalamus in all the dogs that died of SE, whereas there were no differences detected in immunolabellings for GLAST and GS antibodies between familial epileptic dogs and controls. These results suggest that an extracellular release of both Glu and Asp may play an important role in the occurrence of seizure activity in this epileptic colony, and that a decreased expression of astrocytic GLT-1 may be related to development of SE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehito Morita
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Tottori University, Japan
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Kuisle M, Wanaverbecq N, Brewster AL, Frère SGA, Pinault D, Baram TZ, Lüthi A. Functional stabilization of weakened thalamic pacemaker channel regulation in rat absence epilepsy. J Physiol 2006; 575:83-100. [PMID: 16728450 PMCID: PMC1819420 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2006.110486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant function of pacemaker currents (Ih), carried by hyperpolarization-activated cation non-selective (HCN) channels, affects neuronal excitability and accompanies epilepsy, but its distinct roles in epileptogenesis and chronic epilepsy are unclear. We probed Ih function and subunit composition during both pre- and chronically epileptic stages in thalamocortical (TC) neurones of the Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rat from Strasbourg (GAERS). Voltage gating of Ih was unaltered in mature somatosensory TC cells, both in vivo and in vitro. However, the enhancement of Ih by phasic, near-physiological, cAMP pulses was diminished by approximately 40% and the half-maximal cAMP concentration increased by approximately 5-fold. This decreased responsiveness of Ih to its major cellular modulator preceded epilepsy onset in GAERS, persisted throughout the chronic state, and was accompanied by an enhanced expression of the cAMP-insensitive HCN1 channel mRNA (> 50%), without changes in the mRNA levels of HCN2 and HCN4. To assess for alterations in TC cell excitability, we monitored the slow up-regulation of Ih that is induced by Ca2+-triggered cAMP synthesis and important for terminating in vitro synchronized oscillations. Remarkably, repetitive rebound Ca2+ spikes evoked normal slow Ih up-regulation in mature GAERS neurones; that sufficed to attenuate spontaneous rhythmic burst discharges. These adaptive mechanisms occurred upstream of cAMP turnover and involved enhanced intracellular Ca2+ accumulation upon repetitive low-threshold Ca2+ discharges. Therefore, HCN channels appear to play a dual role in epilepsy. Weakened cAMP binding to HCN channels precedes, and likely promotes, epileptogenesis in GAERS, whereas compensatory mechanisms stabilizing Ih function contribute to the termination of spike-and-wave discharges in chronic epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Kuisle
- Department of Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Klingelbergstr. 70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
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Holter J, Carter D, Leresche N, Crunelli V, Vincent P. A TASK3 channel (KCNK9) mutation in a genetic model of absence epilepsy. J Mol Neurosci 2005; 25:37-51. [PMID: 15781965 DOI: 10.1385/jmn:25:1:037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2004] [Accepted: 04/24/2004] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Childhood absence epilepsy is an idiopathic, generalized, nonconvulsive epilepsy with a multifactorial genetic etiology. The KCNK9 gene coding for the TASK3 (Twik-like acid-sensitive K</U)+) channel is present on chromosome 8 at position 8q24, a locus that has shown positive linkage to the human absence epilepsy phenotype. Sequencing of the KCNK9 gene in the genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), a well established genetic model of this disease, reveals an additional alanine residue in a polyalanine tract within the C-terminal intracellular domain. This additional alanine is absent in the inbred nonepileptic control (NEC) strain, Wistar, and Wistar albino Glaxo strain bred in Rijswijk, another inbred rat model of absence epilepsy. Expression of the mutant channel in CHO cells produces a K+ current that is blocked by acidic pH and millimolar concentrations of barium or ruthenium red and is not different from the wild-type channel. In brain slices, thalamic neurons display a prominent pH-sensitive tonic K+ current, but no difference was observed between GAERS and NEC or Wistar rats. Ruthenium red had no effect in cortical, reticular thalamic, or sensory thalamic neurons in either GAERS or NEC, indicating that the TASK3 homodimer is not present in these structures. Twik-like acid-sensitive K+(TASK3) channels, therefore, are probably associated with TASK1 to form ruthenium red-insensitive heterodimers in these neurons. Finally, no difference was found between GAERS and NEC rats in the modulation of the leak K+ current following activation of muscarinic receptors. These studies describe the first mutation found in a genetic model of absence epilepsy. Although our experiments showed no difference in the leak K+ current between GAERS and NEC rats, further work is needed to ascertain whether this mutation contributes to the generation of absence seizures, possibly by mechanisms related to the expansion of the polyalanine run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jethro Holter
- School of Bioscience, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3US, UK
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Choi MM, Huh JW, Yang SJ, Cho EH, Choi SY, Cho SW. Identification of ADP-ribosylation site in human glutamate dehydrogenase isozymes. FEBS Lett 2005; 579:4125-30. [PMID: 16023112 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.06.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2005] [Revised: 06/11/2005] [Accepted: 06/16/2005] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
When the influence of ADP-ribosylation on the activities of the purified human glutamate dehydrogenase isozymes (hGDH1 and hGDH2) was measured in the presence of 100 microM NAD+ for 60 min, hGDH isozymes were inhibited by up to 75%. If incubations were performed for longer time periods up to 3 h, the inhibition of hGDH isozymes did not increased further. This phenomenon may be related to the reversibility of ADP-ribosylation in mitochondria. ADP-ribosylated hDGH isozymes were reactivated by Mg2+-dependent mitochondrial ADP-ribosylcysteine hydrolase. The stoichiometry between incorporated ADP-ribose and GDH subunits shows a modification of one subunit per catalytically active homohexamer. Since ADP and GTP had no effects on the extent of modification, it would appear that the ADP-ribosylation is unlikely to occur in allosteric sites. It has been proposed that Cys residue may be involved in the ADP-ribosylation of GDH, although identification of the reactive Cys residue has not been reported. To identify the reactive Cys residue involved in the ADP-ribosylation, we performed cassette mutagenesis at three different positions (Cys59, Cys119, and Cys274) using synthetic genes of hGDH isozymes. Among the Cys residues tested, only Cys119 mutants showed a significant reduction in the ADP-ribosylation. These results suggest a possibility that the Cys119 residue has an important role in the regulation of hGDH isozymes by ADP-ribosylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myung-Min Choi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1 Poongnap-2dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-736, South Korea
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Raizen DM, Brooks-Kayal A, Steinkrauss L, Tennekoon GI, Stanley CA, Kelly A. Central nervous system hyperexcitability associated with glutamate dehydrogenase gain of function mutations. J Pediatr 2005; 146:388-94. [PMID: 15756227 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2004.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe seizure phenotypes associated with the hyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia syndrome (HI/HA), which is caused by gain of function mutations in the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). STUDY DESIGN A retrospective review of records of 14 patients with HI/HA. RESULTS Nine patients had seizures as the first symptom of HI/HA, and six had seizures in the absence of hypoglycemia. No electroencephalogram (EEG) background abnormalities were identified. In four patients, EEG recordings during seizures in the setting of normal blood glucose contained generalized epileptiform discharges. EEGs of three of these patients showed 0.5- to 2-second generalized irregular spike-and-wave discharge at 3 to 6 Hz corresponding to eye blinks, eye rolling, or staring. The EEG of the fourth patient consisted of 20 seconds of generalized regular spike-and-wave discharge at 3 Hz in the clinical context of staring and unresponsiveness. In two patients, seizure control worsened with carbamezapine or oxcarbezapine treatment. CONCLUSIONS In patients with HI/HA, generalized seizures are common and can occur in the absence of hypoglycemia. The drugs carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine should be used with caution for treatment. Pathogenesis of epilepsy in these patients may be related to effects of GDH mutations in the brain, perhaps in combination with effects of recurrent hypoglycemia and chronic hyperammonemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Raizen
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
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Cohen-Gadol AA, Pan JW, Kim JH, Spencer DD, Hetherington HH. Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study and a histopathological analysis. J Neurosurg 2004; 101:613-20. [PMID: 15481715 DOI: 10.3171/jns.2004.101.4.0613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Object. Proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy imaging of the ratio of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) to creatine (Cr) has proved efficacious as a localizing tool in demonstrating the metabolic changes associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. To analyze the significance of these MR spectroscopy findings further, the authors explored the relationship between regional alterations in the NAA/Cr ratio in hippocampi measured preoperatively and histopathological findings in hippocampi resected in patients with intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE).
Methods. Twelve patients in whom the diagnosis of MTLE had been made and 12 healthy volunteers with no known history of neurological disease underwent high-resolution 1H MR spectroscopy imaging of NAA and Cr (0.64 cm3 nominal voxel resolution) in five voxels spanning the anteroposterior length of the hippocampus. The authors correlated the NAA/Cr ratio with neuropathological findings in resected hippocampi, specifically glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity and pyramidal neuronal loss. A linear regression analysis of the ipsilateral NAA/Cr ratio revealed a statistically significant relation to the extent of hippocampal neuronal loss in only the CA2 sector (correlation coefficient [r] = −0.66, p < 0.03). The ipsilateral NAA/Cr ratio displayed significant regressions with GFAP immunoreactivity from all the CA sectors (r values ranged from −0.69 and p < 0.01 for the CA4 sector to −0.88 and p < 0.001 for the CA2 sector) except for the CA1. The extent of neuronal cell loss in every hippocampal subfield (r = 0.71−0.74, p < 0.007), except the CA2 (p = 0.08), correlated to the extent of neuronal cell loss in the dentate gyrus. There was no significant relationship between the duration or frequency of seizures and the mean ipsilateral NAA/Cr ratio; however, the mean density of GFAP-immunopositive cells correlated with seizure frequency (p < 0.03).
Conclusions. The NAA/Cr ratio may not measure the full extent of hippocampal neuronal cell loss. The significant association of the NAA/Cr ratio with the GFAP immunoreactivity of most CA sectors indicates that the NAA/Cr ratio may provide a more accurate measurement of recent neuronal injury caused by epileptic activity. The coupling between neuronal impairment and astroglial GFAP expression may indicate the close association between neuronal and glial dysfunction in patients with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron A Cohen-Gadol
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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Yang SJ, Huh JW, Hong HN, Kim TU, Cho SW. Important role of Ser443 in different thermal stability of human glutamate dehydrogenase isozymes1. FEBS Lett 2004; 562:59-64. [PMID: 15044002 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(04)00183-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2004] [Revised: 02/16/2004] [Accepted: 02/16/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Molecular biological studies confirmed that two glutamate dehydrogenase isozymes (hGDH1 and hGDH2) of distinct genetic origin are expressed in human tissues. hGDH1 is heat-stable and expressed widely, whereas hGDH2 is heat-labile and specific for neural and testicular tissues. A selective deficiency of hGDH2 has been reported in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia. We have identified an amino acid residue involved in the different thermal stability of human GDH isozymes. At 45 degrees C (pH 7.0), heat inactivation proceeded faster for hGDH2 (half life=45 min) than for hGDH1 (half-life=310 min) in the absence of allosteric regulators. Both hGDH1 and hGDH2, however, showed much slower heat inactivation processes in the presence of 1 mM ADP or 3 mM L-Leu. Virtually most of the enzyme activity remained up to 100 min at 45 degrees C after treatment with ADP and L-Leu in combination. In contrast to ADP and L-Leu, the thermal stabilities of the hGDH isozymes were not affected by addition of substrates or coenzymes. In human GDH isozymes, the 443 site is Arg in hGDH1 and Ser in hGDH2. Replacement of Ser by Arg at the 443 site by cassette mutagenesis abolished the heat lability of hGDH2 with a similar half-life of hGDH1. The mutagenesis at several other sites (L415M, A456G, and H470R) having differences in amino acid sequence between the two GDH isozymes did not show any change in the thermal stability. These results suggest that the Ser443 residue plays an important role in the different thermal stability of human GDH isozymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Ju Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1 Poongnap-2dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 138-736, South Korea
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Vergnes M, Boehrer A, Nehlig A. Developmental characteristics of picrotoxin-induced convulsions in rats with genetic absence epilepsy. Exp Neurol 2003; 184:549-51. [PMID: 14637124 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-4886(03)00098-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adult rats with genetic absence epilepsy (GAERS) were shown to be hyperresponsive to convulsions induced by picrotoxin compared to nonepileptic controls (NERs). In contrast, young GAERS aged 22-26 days were less responsive than NERs to picrotoxin-induced convulsions. Around 30 days of age, when spontaneous spike-wave discharges develop in GAERS, the sensitivity of both strains did no longer differ. After 40 days of age, GAERS appeared definitely more prone than NERs to convulse in response to picrotoxin injection. A developmental imbalance in excitation/inhibition may parallel the occurrence of SWDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marguerite Vergnes
- INSERM U 398, Faculty of Medicine, 11 rue Humann, 67085, Strasbourg Cedex, France
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Schaller B, Rüegg SJ. Brain tumor and seizures: pathophysiology and its implications for treatment revisited. Epilepsia 2003; 44:1223-32. [PMID: 12919395 DOI: 10.1046/j.1528-1157.2003.05203.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Seizures affect approximately 50% of patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors. Partial seizures have the highest incidence, followed by secondarily generalized, depending on histologic subtype, location, and tumor extent. The underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of tumor-associated seizures are poorly understood and include theories of altered peritumoral amino acids, regional metabolism, pH, neuronal or glial enzyme and protein expression, as well as immunologic activity. An involvement of changed distribution and function of N-methyl-d-aspartate subclass of glutamate receptors also has been suggested. The often unpredictable responses to seizures after surgical tumor removal add substantial evidence that multiple factors are involved. The therapy of tumor-related seizures is far from perfect. Several factors contribute to these treatment difficulties, such as tumor growth and drug interactions; however, one of the main reasons for poor seizure control may result from the insufficient or even absent influence of the currently available antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on most of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of tumor-related seizures. Studies are needed to elucidate more clearly the pathophysiologic mechanisms of tumor-related seizures and to identify and develop the optimal AEDs.
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Dufour F, Koning E, Nehlig A. Basal levels of metabolic activity are elevated in Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS): measurement of regional activity of cytochrome oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase by histochemistry. Exp Neurol 2003; 182:346-52. [PMID: 12895445 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-4886(03)00052-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) are considered an isomorphic, predictive, and homologous model of human generalized absence epilepsy. It is characterized by the expression of spike-and-wave discharges in the thalamus and cortex. In this strain, basal regional rates of cerebral glucose utilization measured by the quantitative autoradiographic [(14)C]2-deoxyglucose technique display a widespread consistent increase compared to a selected strain of genetically nonepileptic rats (NE). In order to verify whether these high rates of glucose metabolism are paralleled by elevated activities of the enzymes of the glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways, we measured by histochemistry the regional activity of the two key enzymes of glucose metabolism, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) for the anaerobic pathway and cytochrome oxidase (CO) for the aerobic pathway coupled to oxidative phosphorylation. CO and LDH activities were significantly higher in GAERS than in NE rats in 24 and 28 of the 30 brain regions studied, respectively. The differences in CO and LDH activity between both strains were widespread, affected all brain systems studied, and ranged from 12 to 63%. The data of the present study confirm the generalized increase in cerebral glucose metabolism in GAERS, occurring both at the glycolytic and at the oxidative step. However, they still do not allow us to understand why the ubiquitous mutation(s) generates spike-and-wave discharges only in the thalamocortical circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Dufour
- INSERM U398, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France
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