1
|
Festoff BW, Dockendorff C. The Evolving Concept of Neuro-Thromboinflammation for Neurodegenerative Disorders and Neurotrauma: A Rationale for PAR1-Targeting Therapies. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1558. [PMID: 34827556 PMCID: PMC8615608 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Interest in the role of coagulation and fibrinolysis in the nervous system was active in several laboratories dating back before cloning of the functional thrombin receptor in 1991. As one of those, our attention was initially on thrombin and plasminogen activators in synapse formation and elimination in the neuromuscular system, with orientation towards diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and how clotting and fibrinolytic pathways fit into its pathogenesis. This perspective is on neuro-thromboinflammation, emphasizing this emerging concept from studies and reports over more than three decades. It underscores how it may lead to novel therapeutic approaches to treat the ravages of neurotrauma and neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on PAR1, ALS, and parmodulins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barry W. Festoff
- PHLOGISTIX LLC, Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical School, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tomàs J, Garcia N, Lanuza MA, Santafé MM, Tomàs M, Nadal L, Hurtado E, Simó-Ollé A, Cilleros-Mañé V, Just-Borràs L. Adenosine Receptors in Developing and Adult Mouse Neuromuscular Junctions and Functional Links With Other Metabotropic Receptor Pathways. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:397. [PMID: 29740322 PMCID: PMC5928480 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, we have studied the presence and involvement in synaptogenesis and mature transmitter release of the adenosine autoreceptors (AR) in the mammalian neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Here, we review and bring together the previously published data to emphasize the relevance of these receptors for developmental axonal competition, synaptic loss and mature NMJ functional modulation. However, in addition to AR, activity-dependent mediators originating from any of the three cells that make the synapse (nerve, muscle, and glial cells) cross the extracellular cleft to generate signals in target metabotropic receptors. Thus, the integrated interpretation of the complementary function of all these receptors is needed. We previously studied, in the NMJ, the links of AR with mAChR and the neurotrophin receptor TrkB in the control of synapse elimination and transmitter release. We conclude that AR cooperate with these receptors through synergistic and antagonistic effects in the developmental synapse elimination process. In the adult NMJ, this cooperation is manifested so as that the functional integrity of a given receptor group depends on the other receptors operating normally (i.e., the functional integrity of mAChR depends on AR operating normally). These observations underlie the relevance of AR in the NMJ function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josep Tomàs
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Neus Garcia
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Maria A Lanuza
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Manel M Santafé
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Marta Tomàs
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Laura Nadal
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Erica Hurtado
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Anna Simó-Ollé
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Víctor Cilleros-Mañé
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Laia Just-Borràs
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tomàs JM, Garcia N, Lanuza MA, Nadal L, Tomàs M, Hurtado E, Simó A, Cilleros V. Membrane Receptor-Induced Changes of the Protein Kinases A and C Activity May Play a Leading Role in Promoting Developmental Synapse Elimination at the Neuromuscular Junction. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:255. [PMID: 28848391 PMCID: PMC5552667 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Synapses that are overproduced during histogenesis in the nervous system are eventually lost and connectivity is refined. Membrane receptor signaling leads to activity-dependent mutual influence and competition between axons directly or with the involvement of the postsynaptic cell and the associated glial cell/s. Presynaptic muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (subtypes mAChR; M1, M2 and M4), adenosine receptors (AR; A1 and A2A) and the tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB), among others, all cooperate in synapse elimination. Between these receptors there are several synergistic, antagonic and modulatory relations that clearly affect synapse elimination. Metabotropic receptors converge in a limited repertoire of intracellular effector kinases, particularly serine protein kinases A and C (PKA and PKC), to phosphorylate protein targets and bring about structural and functional changes leading to axon loss. In most cells A1, M1 and TrkB operate mainly by stimulating PKC whereas A2A, M2 and M4 inhibit PKA. We hypothesize that a membrane receptor-induced shifting in the protein kinases A and C activity (inhibition of PKA and/or stimulation of PKC) in some nerve endings may play an important role in promoting developmental synapse elimination at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). This hypothesis is supported by: (i) the tonic effect (shown by using selective inhibitors) of several membrane receptors that accelerates axon loss between postnatal days P5-P9; (ii) the synergistic, antagonic and modulatory effects (shown by paired inhibition) of the receptors on axonal loss; (iii) the fact that the coupling of these receptors activates/inhibits the intracellular serine kinases; and (iv) the increase of the PKA activity, the reduction of the PKC activity or, in most cases, both situations simultaneously that presumably occurs in all the situations of singly and paired inhibition of the mAChR, AR and TrkB receptors. The use of transgenic animals and various combinations of selective and specific PKA and PKC inhibitors could help to elucidate the role of these kinases in synapse maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josep M Tomàs
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i VirgiliReus, Spain
| | - Neus Garcia
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i VirgiliReus, Spain
| | - Maria A Lanuza
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i VirgiliReus, Spain
| | - Laura Nadal
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i VirgiliReus, Spain
| | - Marta Tomàs
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i VirgiliReus, Spain
| | - Erica Hurtado
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i VirgiliReus, Spain
| | - Anna Simó
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i VirgiliReus, Spain
| | - Víctor Cilleros
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i VirgiliReus, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nadal L, Garcia N, Hurtado E, Simó A, Tomàs M, Lanuza MA, Cilleros V, Tomàs J. Presynaptic Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors and TrkB Receptor Cooperate in the Elimination of Redundant Motor Nerve Terminals during Development. Front Aging Neurosci 2017; 9:24. [PMID: 28228723 PMCID: PMC5296322 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of the nervous system involves the overproduction of synapses but connectivity is refined by Hebbian activity-dependent axonal competition. The newborn skeletal muscle fibers are polyinnervated but, at the end of the competition process, some days later, become innervated by a single axon. We used quantitative confocal imaging of the autofluorescent axons from transgenic B6.Cg-Tg (Thy1-YFP)16 Jrs/J mice to investigate the possible cooperation of the muscarinic autoreceptors (mAChR, M1-, M2- and M4-subtypes) and the tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) receptor in the control of axonal elimination after the mice Levator auris longus (LAL) muscle had been exposed to several selective antagonist of the corresponding receptor pathways in vivo. Our previous results show that M1, M2 and TrkB signaling individually increase axonal loss rate around P9. Here we show that although the M1 and TrkB receptors cooperate and add their respective individual effects to increase axonal elimination rate even more, the effect of the M2 receptor is largely independent of both M1 and TrkB receptors. Thus both, cooperative and non-cooperative signaling mechanisms contribute to developmental synapse elimination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nadal
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili Reus, Spain
| | - Neus Garcia
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili Reus, Spain
| | - Erica Hurtado
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili Reus, Spain
| | - Anna Simó
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili Reus, Spain
| | - Marta Tomàs
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili Reus, Spain
| | - Maria A Lanuza
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili Reus, Spain
| | - Victor Cilleros
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili Reus, Spain
| | - Josep Tomàs
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili Reus, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nadal L, Garcia N, Hurtado E, Simó A, Tomàs M, Lanuza MA, Santafé M, Tomàs J. Presynaptic muscarinic acetylcholine autoreceptors (M1, M2 and M4 subtypes), adenosine receptors (A1 and A2A) and tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB) modulate the developmental synapse elimination process at the neuromuscular junction. Mol Brain 2016; 9:67. [PMID: 27339059 PMCID: PMC4917939 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-016-0248-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The development of the nervous system involves an initially exuberant production of neurons that make an excessive number of synaptic contacts. The initial overproduction of synapses promotes connectivity. Hebbian competition between axons with different activities (the least active are punished) leads to the loss of roughly half of the overproduced elements and this refines connectivity and increases specificity. The neuromuscular junction is innervated by a single axon at the end of the synapse elimination process and, because of its relative simplicity, has long been used as a model for studying the general principles of synapse development. The involvement of the presynaptic muscarinic ACh autoreceptors may allow for the direct competitive interaction between nerve endings through differential activity-dependent acetylcholine release in the synaptic cleft. Then, the most active ending may directly punish the less active ones. Our previous results indicate the existence in the weakest axons on the polyinnervated neonatal NMJ of an ACh release inhibition mechanism based on mAChR coupled to protein kinase C and voltage-dependent calcium channels. We suggest that this mechanism plays a role in the elimination of redundant neonatal synapses. Results Here we used confocal microscopy and quantitative morphological analysis to count the number of brightly fluorescent axons per endplate in P7, P9 and P15 transgenic B6.Cg-Tg (Thy1-YFP)16 Jrs/J mice. We investigate the involvement of individual mAChR M1-, M2- and M4-subtypes in the control of axonal elimination after the Levator auris longus muscle had been exposed to agonist and antagonist in vivo. We also analysed the role of adenosine receptor subtypes (A1 and A2A) and the tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor. The data show that postnatal axonal elimination is a regulated multireceptor mechanism that guaranteed the monoinnervation of the neuromuscular synapses. Conclusion The three receptor sets considered (mAChR, AR and TrkB receptors) intervene in modulating the conditions of the competition between nerve endings, possibly helping to determine the winner or the lossers but, thereafter, the final elimination would occur with some autonomy and independently of postsynaptic maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nadal
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN): Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrer St Llorenç num 21, 43201, Reus, Spain
| | - Neus Garcia
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN): Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrer St Llorenç num 21, 43201, Reus, Spain.
| | - Erica Hurtado
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN): Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrer St Llorenç num 21, 43201, Reus, Spain
| | - Anna Simó
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN): Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrer St Llorenç num 21, 43201, Reus, Spain
| | - Marta Tomàs
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN): Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrer St Llorenç num 21, 43201, Reus, Spain
| | - Maria A Lanuza
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN): Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrer St Llorenç num 21, 43201, Reus, Spain
| | - Manel Santafé
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN): Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrer St Llorenç num 21, 43201, Reus, Spain
| | - Josep Tomàs
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN): Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carrer St Llorenç num 21, 43201, Reus, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lanuza MA, Santafe MM, Garcia N, Besalduch N, Tomàs M, Obis T, Priego M, Nelson PG, Tomàs J. Protein kinase C isoforms at the neuromuscular junction: localization and specific roles in neurotransmission and development. J Anat 2013; 224:61-73. [PMID: 24102585 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein kinase C family (PKC) regulates a variety of neural functions including neurotransmitter release. The selective activation of a wide range of PKC isoforms in different cells and domains is likely to contribute to the functional diversity of PKC phosphorylating activity. In this review, we describe the isoform localization, phosphorylation function, regulation and signalling of the PKC family at the neuromuscular junction. Data show the involvement of the PKC family in several important functions at the neuromuscular junction and in particular in the maturation of the synapse and the modulation of neurotransmission in the adult.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Lanuza
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lluri G, Langlois GD, McClellan B, Soloway PD, Jaworski DM. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) regulates neuromuscular junction development via a beta1 integrin-mediated mechanism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 66:1365-77. [PMID: 16967503 PMCID: PMC2982212 DOI: 10.1002/neu.20315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules play critical roles in muscle function by participating in neuromuscular junction (NMJ) development and the establishment of stable, cytoskeleton-associated adhesions required for muscle contraction. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are neutral endopeptidases that degrade all ECM components. While the role of MMPs and their inhibitors, the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), has been investigated in many tissues, little is known about their role in muscle development and mature function. TIMP-2 -/- mice display signs of muscle weakness. Here, we report that TIMP-2 is expressed at the NMJ and its expression is greater in fast-twitch (extensor digitorum longus, EDL) than slow-twitch (soleus) muscle. EDL muscle mass is reduced in TIMP-2-/- mice without a concomitant change in fiber diameter or number. The TIMP-2-/- phenotype is not likely due to increased ECM proteolysis because net MMP activity is actually reduced in TIMP-2-/- muscle. Most strikingly, TIMP-2 colocalizes with beta1 integrin at costameres in the wild-type EDL and beta1 integrin expression is significantly reduced in TIMP-2-/- EDL. We propose that reduced beta1 integrin in fast-twitch muscle may be associated with destabilized ECM-cytoskeletal interactions required for muscle contraction in TIMP-2-/- muscle; thus, explaining the muscle weakness. Given that fast-twitch fibers are lost in muscular dystrophies and age-related sarcopenia, if TIMP-2 regulates mechanotransduction in an MMP-independent manner it opens new potential therapeutic avenues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gentian Lluri
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington VT 05405
| | - Garret D. Langlois
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington VT 05405
| | - Brian McClellan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington VT 05405
| | - Paul D. Soloway
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853
| | - Diane M. Jaworski
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington VT 05405
- Correspondence to: Dr. Diane M. Jaworski, Dept. of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Univ. of Vermont College of Medicine, 149 Beaumont Ave., HSRF 418, Burlington, VT 05405, Phone: (802) 656-0538, Fax: (802) 656-4674,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hebbar S, Fernandes JJ. A role for Fas II in the stabilization of motor neuron branches during pruning in Drosophila. Dev Biol 2005; 285:185-99. [PMID: 16055111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2005] [Revised: 06/16/2005] [Accepted: 06/16/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
During insect metamorphosis, the nervous system is extensively remodeled resulting in the development of new circuits that will execute adult-specific behaviors. The peripheral remodeling seen during development of innervation to the Dorsal Longitudinal (flight) Muscle (DLM) in Drosophila involves an initial retraction of larval neuromuscular junctions followed by adult-specific branch outgrowth. Subsequently, a phase of pruning occurs during which motor neuron branches are pruned back to reveal the stereotypic pattern of multiple contact points (or arbors) along the length of each DLM fiber. In this study, we show that the cell adhesion molecule, Fasciclin II (Fas II), is important for generating the stereotypic pattern. In Fas II hypomorphs, the number of contact points is increased, and the phenotype is rescued by targeted expression of Fas II in either synaptic partner. Arbor development has three distinct phases: outgrowth and elaboration, pruning and stabilization, and expansion of stabilized arbors. Fas II is expressed during the first two phases. A subset of branches is labeled during the elaboration phase, which is likely to initiate a stabilization pathway allowing branches to survive the pruning phase. However, since not all Fas II positive branches are retained, we propose that it primes branches for stabilization. Our data suggest that Fas II functions to restrict branch length and arbor expanse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarita Hebbar
- Department of Zoology, 250 Pearson Hall, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Minatel E, Neto HS, Marques MJ. Acetylcholine receptor distribution and synapse elimination at the developing neuromuscular junction of mdx mice. Muscle Nerve 2003; 28:561-9. [PMID: 14571457 DOI: 10.1002/mus.10416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The pattern of innervation of the vertebrate neuromuscular junction is established during early development, when junctions go from multiple to single innervation in the phenomenon of synapse elimination, suggesting that changes at the molecular level in the postsynaptic cell lead to the removal of nerve terminals. The mdx mouse is deficient in dystrophin and associated proteins that are part of the postsynaptic cytoskeleton. We used rhodamine-alpha-bungarotoxin and anti-neurofilament IgG-FITC to stain acetylcholine receptors and nerve terminals of the sternomastoid muscle during postnatal development in mdx and control C57BL/10 mice. Using fluorescence confocal microscopy, we observed that, 7 days after birth, 86.7% of the endplates of mdx mice were monoinnervated (n = 200) compared with 41.4% in control mice (n = 200). By the end of the second postnatal week, all endplates were innervated singly (100% mdx and 94.7% controls, n = 200 per group). These results show that dystrophic fibers achieve single innervation earlier, perhaps because dystrophin or a normal cytoskeletal complex is implicated in this phenomenon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Minatel
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Festoff BW, Suo Z, Citron BA. Plasticity and stabilization of neuromuscular and CNS synapses: interactions between thrombin protease signaling pathways and tissue transglutaminase. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 2002; 211:153-77. [PMID: 11597003 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(01)11018-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The first association of the synapse as a potential site of neurodegenerative disease burden was suggested for Alzheimer's disease (AD) almost 30 years ago. Since then protease:protease inhibitor (P:PI) systems were first linked to functional regulation of synaptogenesis and synapse withdrawal at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) more than 20 years ago. Confirmatory evidence for the involvement of the synapse, the rate-limiting or key unit in neural function, in AD did not become clear until the beginning of the 1990s. However, over the past 15 years evidence for participation of thrombin, related serine proteases and neural PIs, homologous and even identical to those of the plasma clot cascade, has been mounting. Throughout development a balance between stabilization forces, on the one hand, and breakdown influences, on the other, becomes established at synaptic junctions, just as it does in plasma clot proteins. The formation of protease-resistant cross-links by the transglutaminase (TGase) family of enzymes may add to the stability for this balance. The TGase family includes coagulation factor XIIIA and 8 other different genes, some of which may also influence the persistence of neural connections. Synaptic location of protease-activated, G-protein-coupled receptors (PARs) for thrombin and related proteases, their serpin and Kunitz-type PIs such as protease nexin I (PNI), alpha1-antichymotrypsin (alpha-ACT), and the Kunitz protease inhibitor (KPI)-containing secreted forms of beta-amyloid protein precursor (beta-APP), along with the TGases and their putative substrates, have all been amply documented. These findings strongly add to the conclusion that these molecules participate in the eventual structural stability of synaptic connections, as they do in coagulation cascades, and focus trophic activity on surviving terminals during periods of selective contact elimination. In disease states, this imbalance is likely to be shifted in favor of destabilizing forces: increased and/or altered protease activity, enhanced PAR influence, decreased and/or altered protease inhibitor function, reduction and/or alteration in tTG expression and activity, and alteration in its substrate profile. This imbalance further initiates a cascade of events leading to inappropriate programmed cell death and may well be considered evidence of synaptic apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B W Festoff
- Neurobiology Research Laboratory, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Missouri 64128, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lanuza MA, Garcia N, Santafé M, González CM, Alonso I, Nelson PG, Tomàs J. Pre- and postsynaptic maturation of the neuromuscular junction during neonatal synapse elimination depends on protein kinase C. J Neurosci Res 2002; 67:607-17. [PMID: 11891773 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.10122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The distribution of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) within and around the neuromuscular junction changes dramatically during the first postnatal weeks, a period during which polyneuronal innervation is eliminated. We reported previously that protein kinase C (PKC) activation accelerates postnatal synapse loss. Because of the close relationship between axonal retraction and AChR cluster dispersal, we hypothesize that PKC can modulate morphological maturation changes of the AChR clusters in the postsynaptic membrane during neonatal axonal reduction. We applied substances affecting PKC activity to the neonatal rat levator auris longus muscle in vivo. Muscles were then stained immunohistochemically to detect both AChRs and axons. We found that, during the first postnatal days of normal development, substantial axonal loss preceded the formation of areas in synaptic sites that were free of AChRs, implying that axonal loss could occur independently of changes in AChR cluster organization. Nevertheless, there was a close relationship between axonal loss and AChR organization; PKC modulates both, although differently. Block of PKC activity with calphostin C prevented both AChR loss and axonal loss between postnatal days 4 and 6. PKC may act primarily to influence AChR clusters and not axons, insofar as phorbol ester activation of PKC accelerated changes in receptor aggregates but produced relatively little axon loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Lanuza
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lanuza MA, Garcia N, Santafe M, Nelson PG, Fenoll-Brunet MR, Tomas J. Pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein and protein kinase C activity are involved in normal synapse elimination in the neonatal rat muscle. J Neurosci Res 2001; 63:330-40. [PMID: 11170183 DOI: 10.1002/1097-4547(20010215)63:4<330::aid-jnr1027>3.0.co;2-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Individual skeletal muscle fibers in most new-born rodents are innervated at a single endplate by several motor axons. During the first postnatal weeks, the polyneuronal innervation decreases in a process of synaptic elimination. Previous studies showed that the naturally occurring serine-protease thrombin mediates the activity-dependent synapse reduction at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in vitro and that thrombin-receptor activation may modulate nerve terminal consolidation through a protein kinase mechanism. To test whether these mechanisms may be operating in vivo, we applied external thrombin and its inhibitor hirudin, and several substances affecting the G protein-protein kinase C system (GP-PKC) directly over the external surface of the neonatal rat Levator auris longus muscle. Muscles were processed for immunocytochemistry to simultaneously detect acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) and axons for counting the percentage of polyinnervated NMJ. We found that exogenous thrombin accelerated synapse loss and hirudin blocked axonal removal. Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, a potent PKC activator, had a similar effect as thrombin, whereas the PKC inhibitors, calphostin C and staurosporine, prevented axonal removal. Pertussis toxin, an effective blocker of GP function, blocked synapse elimination. These findings suggest that the normal synapse elimination in the neonatal rat muscle may be modulated, at least in part, by the pertussis-sensitive G-protein and PKC activity and that thrombin could play a role in the postnatal synaptic maturation in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M A Lanuza
- Unitat d'Histologia i Neurobiologia (UHN), Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus (Tarragona), Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Costanzo EM, Barry JA, Ribchester RR. Competition at silent synapses in reinnervated skeletal muscle. Nat Neurosci 2000; 3:694-700. [PMID: 10862702 DOI: 10.1038/76649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic connections are made and broken in an activity-dependent manner in diverse regions of the nervous system. However, whether activity is strictly necessary for synapse elimination has not been resolved directly. Here we report that synaptic terminals occupying motor endplates made electrically silent by tetrodotoxin and alpha-bungarotoxin block were frequently displaced by regenerating axons that were also both inactive and synaptically ineffective. Thus, neither evoked nor spontaneous activation of acetylcholine receptors is required for competitive reoccupation of neuromuscular synaptic sites by regenerating motor axons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E M Costanzo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh EH8 9LE, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|