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Christie IN, Theparambil SM, Braga A, Doronin M, Hosford PS, Brazhe A, Mascarenhas A, Nizari S, Hadjihambi A, Wells JA, Hobbs A, Semyanov A, Abramov AY, Angelova PR, Gourine AV. Astrocytes produce nitric oxide via nitrite reduction in mitochondria to regulate cerebral blood flow during brain hypoxia. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113514. [PMID: 38041814 PMCID: PMC7615749 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
During hypoxia, increases in cerebral blood flow maintain brain oxygen delivery. Here, we describe a mechanism of brain oxygen sensing that mediates the dilation of intraparenchymal cerebral blood vessels in response to reductions in oxygen supply. In vitro and in vivo experiments conducted in rodent models show that during hypoxia, cortical astrocytes produce the potent vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) via nitrite reduction in mitochondria. Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration mimics, but also occludes, the effect of hypoxia on NO production in astrocytes. Astrocytes display high expression of the molybdenum-cofactor-containing mitochondrial enzyme sulfite oxidase, which can catalyze nitrite reduction in hypoxia. Replacement of molybdenum with tungsten or knockdown of sulfite oxidase expression in astrocytes blocks hypoxia-induced NO production by these glial cells and reduces the cerebrovascular response to hypoxia. These data identify astrocyte mitochondria as brain oxygen sensors that regulate cerebral blood flow during hypoxia via release of nitric oxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel N Christie
- Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Shefeeq M Theparambil
- Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Alice Braga
- Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Maxim Doronin
- College of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, China
| | - Patrick S Hosford
- Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Alexey Brazhe
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation; Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander Mascarenhas
- Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Shereen Nizari
- Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Anna Hadjihambi
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, and Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9NT, UK
| | - Jack A Wells
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Adrian Hobbs
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Alexey Semyanov
- College of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, China; Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow 117997, Russian Federation
| | - Andrey Y Abramov
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Plamena R Angelova
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Alexander V Gourine
- Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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2
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Wu X, Li JR, Fu Y, Chen DY, Nie H, Tang ZP. From static to dynamic: live observation of the support system after ischemic stroke by two photon-excited fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:2093-2107. [PMID: 37056116 PMCID: PMC10328295 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.369099] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is one of the most common causes of mortality and disability worldwide. However, treatment efficacy and the progress of research remain unsatisfactory. As the critical support system and essential components in neurovascular units, glial cells and blood vessels (including the blood-brain barrier) together maintain an optimal microenvironment for neuronal function. They provide nutrients, regulate neuronal excitability, and prevent harmful substances from entering brain tissue. The highly dynamic networks of this support system play an essential role in ischemic stroke through processes including brain homeostasis, supporting neuronal function, and reacting to injuries. However, most studies have focused on postmortem animals, which inevitably lack critical information about the dynamic changes that occur after ischemic stroke. Therefore, a high-precision technique for research in living animals is urgently needed. Two-photon fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy is a powerful imaging technique that can facilitate live imaging at high spatiotemporal resolutions. Two-photon fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy can provide images of the whole-cortex vascular 3D structure, information on multicellular component interactions, and provide images of structure and function in the cranial window. This technique shifts the existing research paradigm from static to dynamic, from flat to stereoscopic, and from single-cell function to multicellular intercommunication, thus providing direct and reliable evidence to identify the pathophysiological mechanisms following ischemic stroke in an intact brain. In this review, we discuss exciting findings from research on the support system after ischemic stroke using two-photon fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy, highlighting the importance of dynamic observations of cellular behavior and interactions in the networks of the brain's support systems. We show the excellent application prospects and advantages of two-photon fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy and predict future research developments and directions in the study of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jia-Rui Li
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yu Fu
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Dan-Yang Chen
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hao Nie
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhou-Ping Tang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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3
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Varlamova EG, Plotnikov EY, Baimler IV, Gudkov SV, Turovsky EA. Pilot Study of Cytoprotective Mechanisms of Selenium Nanorods (SeNrs) under Ischemia-like Conditions on Cortical Astrocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12217. [PMID: 37569591 PMCID: PMC10419292 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytoprotective properties of the trace element selenium, its nanoparticles, and selenium nanocomplexes with active compounds are shown using a number of models. To date, some molecular mechanisms of the protective effect of spherical selenium nanoparticles under the action of ischemia/reoxygenation on brain cells have been studied. Among other things, the dependence of the effectiveness of the neuroprotective properties of nanoselenium on its diameter, pathways, and efficiency of penetration into astrocytes was established. In general, most research in the field of nanomedicine is focused on the preparation and study of spherical nanoparticles of various origins due to the ease of their preparation; in addition, spherical nanoparticles have a large specific surface area. However, obtaining and studying the mechanisms of action of nanoparticles of a new form are of great interest since nanorods, having all the positive properties of spherical nanoparticles, will also have a number of advantages. Using the laser ablation method, we managed to obtain and characterize selenium nanorods (SeNrs) with a length of 1 μm and a diameter of 100 nm. Using fluorescence microscopy and inhibitory analysis, we were able to show that selenium nanorods cause the generation of Ca2+ signals in cortical astrocytes in an acute experiment through the mobilization of Ca2+ ions from the thapsigargin-sensitive pool of the endoplasmic reticulum. Chronic use of SeNrs leads to a change in the expression pattern of genes encoding proteins that regulate cell fate and protect astrocytes from ischemia-like conditions and reoxygenation through the inhibition of a global increase in the concentration of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i). An important component of the cytoprotective effect of SeNrs during ischemia/reoxygenation is the induction of reactive A2-type astrogliosis in astrocytes, leading to an increase in both baseline and ischemia/reoxygenation-induced phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity and suppression of necrosis and apoptosis. The key components of this cytoprotective action of SeNrs are the actin-dependent process of endocytosis of nanoparticles into cells and activation of the Ca2+ signaling system of astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena G. Varlamova
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Egor Y. Plotnikov
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia;
- V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilya V. Baimler
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 38 Vavilovest., 119991 Moscow, Russia; (I.V.B.); (S.V.G.)
| | - Sergey V. Gudkov
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 38 Vavilovest., 119991 Moscow, Russia; (I.V.B.); (S.V.G.)
| | - Egor A. Turovsky
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
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4
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Xiong H, Tang F, Guo Y, Xu R, Lei P. Neural Circuit Changes in Neurological Disorders: Evidence from in vivo Two-photon Imaging. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 87:101933. [PMID: 37061201 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Neural circuits, such as synaptic plasticity and neural activity, are critical components of healthy brain function. The consequent dynamic remodeling of neural circuits is an ongoing procedure affecting neuronal activities. Disruption of this essential process results in diseases. Advanced microscopic applications such as two-photon laser scanning microscopy have recently been applied to understand neural circuit changes during disease since it can visualize fine structural and functional cellular activation in living animals. In this review, we have summarized the latest work assessing the dynamic rewiring of postsynaptic dendritic spines and modulation of calcium transients in neurons of the intact living brain, focusing on their potential roles in neurological disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and epilepsy). Understanding the fine changes that occurred in the brain during disease is crucial for future clinical intervention developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Xiong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China; Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Fei Tang
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yujie Guo
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ruxiang Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Peng Lei
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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5
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Sompol P, Gollihue JL, Weiss BE, Lin RL, Case SL, Kraner SD, Weekman EM, Gant JC, Rogers CB, Niedowicz DM, Sudduth TL, Powell DK, Lin AL, Nelson PT, Thibault O, Wilcock DM, Norris CM. Targeting Astrocyte Signaling Alleviates Cerebrovascular and Synaptic Function Deficits in a Diet-Based Mouse Model of Small Cerebral Vessel Disease. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1797-1813. [PMID: 36746627 PMCID: PMC10010459 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1333-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the indispensable role that astrocytes play in the neurovascular unit, few studies have investigated the functional impact of astrocyte signaling in cognitive decline and dementia related to vascular pathology. Diet-mediated induction of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) recapitulates numerous features of vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Here, we used astrocyte targeting approaches to evaluate astrocyte Ca2+ dysregulation and the impact of aberrant astrocyte signaling on cerebrovascular dysfunction and synapse impairment in male and female HHcy diet mice. Two-photon imaging conducted in fully awake mice revealed activity-dependent Ca2+ dysregulation in barrel cortex astrocytes under HHcy. Stimulation of contralateral whiskers elicited larger Ca2+ transients in individual astrocytes of HHcy diet mice compared with control diet mice. However, evoked Ca2+ signaling across astrocyte networks was impaired in HHcy mice. HHcy also was associated with increased activation of the Ca2+/calcineurin-dependent transcription factor NFAT4, which has been linked previously to the reactive astrocyte phenotype and synapse dysfunction in amyloid and brain injury models. Targeting the NFAT inhibitor VIVIT to astrocytes, using adeno-associated virus vectors, led to reduced GFAP promoter activity in HHcy diet mice and improved functional hyperemia in arterioles and capillaries. VIVIT expression in astrocytes also preserved CA1 synaptic function and improved spontaneous alternation performance on the Y maze. Together, the results demonstrate that aberrant astrocyte signaling can impair the major functional properties of the neurovascular unit (i.e., cerebral vessel regulation and synaptic regulation) and may therefore represent a promising drug target for treating VCID and possibly Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The impact of reactive astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is poorly understood. Here, we evaluated Ca2+ responses and signaling in barrel cortex astrocytes of mice fed with a B-vitamin deficient diet that induces hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), cerebral vessel disease, and cognitive decline. Multiphoton imaging in awake mice with HHcy revealed augmented Ca2+ responses in individual astrocytes, but impaired signaling across astrocyte networks. Stimulation-evoked arteriole dilation and elevated red blood cell velocity in capillaries were also impaired in cortex of awake HHcy mice. Astrocyte-specific inhibition of the Ca2+-dependent transcription factor, NFAT, normalized cerebrovascular function in HHcy mice, improved synaptic properties in brain slices, and stabilized cognition. Results suggest that astrocytes are a mechanism and possible therapeutic target for vascular-related dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradoldej Sompol
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
- Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences
| | | | - Blaine E Weiss
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
- Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences
| | - Ruei-Lung Lin
- Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences
| | - Sami L Case
- Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences
| | | | | | - John C Gant
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
- Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences
| | | | | | | | | | - Ai-Ling Lin
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
- Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences
| | - Peter T Nelson
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
- Pathology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky 40536
| | - Olivier Thibault
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
- Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences
| | | | - Christopher M Norris
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
- Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences
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6
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Li J, Feng P, Zhao L, Chen J, Du M, Song J, Wu Y. Transition behavior of the seizure dynamics modulated by the astrocyte inositol triphosphate noise. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2022; 32:113121. [PMID: 36456345 DOI: 10.1063/5.0124123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder with recurrent seizures, which convey complex dynamical characteristics including chaos and randomness. Until now, the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated, especially the bistable property beneath the epileptic random induction phenomena in certain conditions. Inspired by the recent finding that astrocyte GTPase-activating protein (G-protein)-coupled receptors could be involved in stochastic epileptic seizures, we proposed a neuron-astrocyte network model, incorporating the noise of the astrocytic second messenger, inositol triphosphate (IP3) that is modulated by G-protein-coupled receptor activation. Based on this model, we have statistically analyzed the transitions of epileptic seizures by performing repeatable simulation trials. Our simulation results show that the increase in the IP3 noise intensity induces depolarization-block epileptic seizures together with an increase in neuronal firing frequency, consistent with corresponding experiments. Meanwhile, the bistable states of the seizure dynamics were present under certain noise intensities, during which the neuronal firing pattern switches between regular sparse spiking and epileptic seizure states. This random presence of epileptic seizures is absent when the noise intensity continues to increase, accompanying with an increase in the epileptic depolarization block duration. The simulation results also shed light on the fact that calcium signals in astrocytes play significant roles in the pattern formations of the epileptic seizure. Our results provide a potential pathway for understanding the epileptic randomness in certain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Li
- College of Information and Control Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Shaanxi, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Peihua Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanics Education, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- College of Information and Control Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Shaanxi, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Junying Chen
- College of Information and Control Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Shaanxi, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Mengmeng Du
- School of Mathematics and Data Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Jian Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wuhan General Hospital of PLA, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ying Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanics Education, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
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7
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Ding F, Liang S, Li R, Yang Z, He Y, Yang S, Duan Q, Zhang J, Lyu J, Zhou Z, Huang M, Wang H, Li J, Yang C, Wang Y, Gong M, Chen S, Jia H, Chen X, Liao X, Fu L, Zhang K. Astrocytes exhibit diverse Ca2+ changes at subcellular domains during brain aging. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1029533. [PMID: 36389078 PMCID: PMC9650392 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1029533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytic Ca2+ transients are essential for astrocyte integration into neural circuits. These Ca2+ transients are primarily sequestered in subcellular domains, including primary branches, branchlets and leaflets, and endfeet. In previous studies, it suggests that aging causes functional defects in astrocytes. Until now, it was unclear whether and how aging affects astrocytic Ca2+ transients at subcellular domains. In this study, we combined a genetically encoded Ca2+ sensor (GCaMP6f) and in vivo two-photon Ca2+ imaging to determine changes in Ca2+ transients within astrocytic subcellular domains during brain aging. We showed that aging increased Ca2+ transients in astrocytic primary branches, higher-order branchlets, and terminal leaflets. However, Ca2+ transients decreased within astrocytic endfeet during brain aging, which could be caused by the decreased expressions of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4). In addition, aging-induced changes of Ca2+ transient types were heterogeneous within astrocytic subcellular domains. These results demonstrate that the astrocytic Ca2+ transients within subcellular domains are affected by aging differently. This finding contributes to a better understanding of the physiological role of astrocytes in aging-induced neural circuit degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fusheng Ding
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shanshan Liang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruijie Li
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Advanced Institute for Brain and Intelligence and School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhiqi Yang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong He
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shaofan Yang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingtian Duan
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianxiong Zhang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Lyu
- Brain Research Instrument Innovation Center, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhenqiao Zhou
- Brain Research Instrument Innovation Center, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Mingzhu Huang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Li
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuanyan Yang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuxia Wang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingyue Gong
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shangbin Chen
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongbo Jia
- Advanced Institute for Brain and Intelligence and School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Brain Research Instrument Innovation Center, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
- Combinatorial NeuroImaging Core Facility, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Xiaowei Chen
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiang Liao
- Center for Neurointelligence, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiang Liao,
| | - Ling Fu
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- MoE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Ling Fu,
| | - Kuan Zhang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns, and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Kuan Zhang,
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8
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Meyer E, Rieder P, Gobbo D, Candido G, Scheller A, de Oliveira RMW, Kirchhoff F. Cannabidiol Exerts a Neuroprotective and Glia-Balancing Effect in the Subacute Phase of Stroke. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12886. [PMID: 36361675 PMCID: PMC9659180 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological agents limiting secondary tissue loss and improving functional outcomes after stroke are still limited. Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa, has been proposed as a neuroprotective agent against experimental cerebral ischemia. The effects of CBD mostly relate to the modulation of neuroinflammation, including glial activation. To investigate the effects of CBD on glial cells after focal ischemia in vivo, we performed time-lapse imaging of microglia and astroglial Ca2+ signaling in the somatosensory cortex in the subacute phase of stroke by in vivo two-photon laser-scanning microscopy using transgenic mice with microglial EGFP expression and astrocyte-specific expression of the genetically encoded Ca2+ sensor GCaMP3. CBD (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) prevented ischemia-induced neurological impairment, reducing the neurological deficit score from 2.0 ± 1.2 to 0.8 ± 0.8, and protected against neurodegeneration, as shown by the reduction (more than 70%) in Fluoro-Jade C staining (18.8 ± 7.5 to 5.3 ± 0.3). CBD reduced ischemia-induced microglial activation assessed by changes in soma area and total branch length, and exerted a balancing effect on astroglial Ca2+ signals. Our findings indicate that the neuroprotective effects of CBD may occur in the subacute phase of ischemia, and reinforce its strong anti-inflammatory property. Nevertheless, its mechanism of action on glial cells still requires further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Meyer
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
- Laboratory of Brain Ischemia and Neuroprotection, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020900, Brazil
| | - Phillip Rieder
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Davide Gobbo
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Gabriella Candido
- Laboratory of Brain Ischemia and Neuroprotection, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020900, Brazil
| | - Anja Scheller
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Rúbia Maria Weffort de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Brain Ischemia and Neuroprotection, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Maringá 87020900, Brazil
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Molecular Physiology, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), University of Saarland, D-66421 Homburg, Germany
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9
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Grienberger C, Giovannucci A, Zeiger W, Portera-Cailliau C. Two-photon calcium imaging of neuronal activity. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:67. [PMID: 38124998 PMCID: PMC10732251 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00147-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
In vivo two-photon calcium imaging (2PCI) is a technique used for recording neuronal activity in the intact brain. It is based on the principle that, when neurons fire action potentials, intracellular calcium levels rise, which can be detected using fluorescent molecules that bind to calcium. This Primer is designed for scientists who are considering embarking on experiments with 2PCI. We provide the reader with a background on the basic concepts behind calcium imaging and on the reasons why 2PCI is an increasingly powerful and versatile technique in neuroscience. The Primer explains the different steps involved in experiments with 2PCI, provides examples of what ideal preparations should look like and explains how data are analysed. We also discuss some of the current limitations of the technique, and the types of solutions to circumvent them. Finally, we conclude by anticipating what the future of 2PCI might look like, emphasizing some of the analysis pipelines that are being developed and international efforts for data sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Grienberger
- Department of Biology and Volen National Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Andrea Giovannucci
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - William Zeiger
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Portera-Cailliau
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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10
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Gomez-Godinez V, Li H, Kuang Y, Liu C, Shi L, Berns MW. A single cell death is disruptive to spontaneous Ca2+ activity in astrocytes. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:945737. [PMID: 35966204 PMCID: PMC9364045 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.945737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes in the brain are rapidly recruited to sites of injury where they phagocytose damaged material and take up neurotransmitters and ions to avoid the spreading of damaging molecules. In this study we investigate the calcium (Ca2+) response in astrocytes to nearby cell death. To induce cell death in a nearby cell we utilized a laser nanosurgery system to photolyze a selected cell from an established astrocyte cell line (Ast1). Our results show that the lysis of a nearby cell is disruptive to surrounding cells' Ca2+ activity. Additionally, astrocytes exhibit a Ca2+ transient in response to cell death which differs from the spontaneous oscillations occurring in astrocytes prior to cell lysis. We show that the primary source of the Ca2+ transient is the endoplasmic reticulum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Gomez-Godinez
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Huayan Li
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Yixuan Kuang
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Changchen Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Linda Shi
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Michael W. Berns
- Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Michael W. Berns
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11
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Heuser K, Enger R. Astrocytic Ca 2+ Signaling in Epilepsy. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:695380. [PMID: 34335188 PMCID: PMC8320018 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.695380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders – estimated to affect at least 65 million worldwide. Most of the epilepsy research has so far focused on how to dampen neuronal discharges and to explain how changes in intrinsic neuronal activity or network function cause seizures. As a result, pharmacological therapy has largely been limited to symptomatic treatment targeted at neurons. Given the expanding spectrum of functions ascribed to the non-neuronal constituents of the brain, in both physiological brain function and in brain disorders, it is natural to closely consider the roles of astrocytes in epilepsy. It is now widely accepted that astrocytes are key controllers of the composition of the extracellular fluids, and may directly interact with neurons by releasing gliotransmitters. A central tenet is that astrocytic intracellular Ca2+ signals promote release of such signaling substances, either through synaptic or non-synaptic mechanisms. Accruing evidence suggests that astrocytic Ca2+ signals play important roles in both seizures and epilepsy, and this review aims to highlight the current knowledge of the roles of this central astrocytic signaling mechanism in ictogenesis and epileptogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kjell Heuser
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rune Enger
- Letten Centre and GliaLab, Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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12
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Precapillary sphincters and pericytes at first-order capillaries as key regulators for brain capillary perfusion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2023749118. [PMID: 34155102 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2023749118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rises in local neural activity trigger local increases of cerebral blood flow, which is essential to match local energy demands. However, the specific location of microvascular flow control is incompletely understood. Here, we used two-photon microscopy to observe brain microvasculature in vivo. Small spatial movement of a three-dimensional (3D) vasculature makes it challenging to precisely measure vessel diameter at a single x-y plane. To overcome this problem, we carried out four-dimensional (x-y-z-t) imaging of brain microvessels during exposure to vasoactive molecules in order to constrain the impact of brain movements on the recordings. We demonstrate that rises in synaptic activity, acetylcholine, nitric oxide, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, ATP-sensitive potassium channels, and endothelin-1 exert far greater effects on brain precapillary sphincters and first-order capillaries than on penetrating arterioles or downstream capillaries, but with similar kinetics. The high level of responsiveness at precapillary sphincters and first-order capillaries was matched by a higher level of α-smooth muscle actin in pericytes as compared to penetrating arterioles and downstream capillaries. Mathematical modeling based on 3D vasculature reconstruction showed that precapillary sphincters predominantly regulate capillary blood flow and pressure as compared to penetrating arterioles and downstream capillaries. Our results confirm a key role for precapillary sphincters and pericytes on first-order capillaries as sensors and effectors of endothelium- or brain-derived vascular signals.
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13
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Wang HL, Chen JW, Yang SH, Lo YC, Pan HC, Liang YW, Wang CF, Yang Y, Kuo YT, Lin YC, Chou CY, Lin SH, Chen YY. Multimodal Optical Imaging to Investigate Spatiotemporal Changes in Cerebrovascular Function in AUDA Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:655305. [PMID: 34149359 PMCID: PMC8209306 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.655305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Administration of 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-dodecanoic acid (AUDA) has been demonstrated to alleviate infarction following ischemic stroke. Reportedly, the main effect of AUDA is exerting anti-inflammation and neovascularization via the inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase. However, the major contribution of this anti-inflammation and neovascularization effect in the acute phase of stroke is not completely elucidated. To investigate the neuroprotective effects of AUDA in acute ischemic stroke, we combined laser speckle contrast imaging and optical intrinsic signal imaging techniques with the implantation of a lab-designed cranial window. Forepaw stimulation was applied to assess the functional changes via measuring cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) that accompany neural activity. The rats that received AUDA in the acute phase of photothrombotic ischemia stroke showed a 30.5 ± 8.1% reduction in the ischemic core, 42.3 ± 15.1% reduction in the ischemic penumbra (p < 0.05), and 42.1 ± 4.6% increase of CMRO2 in response to forepaw stimulation at post-stroke day 1 (p < 0.05) compared with the control group (N = 10 for each group). Moreover, at post-stroke day 3, increased functional vascular density was observed in AUDA-treated rats (35.9 ± 1.9% higher than that in the control group, p < 0.05). At post-stroke day 7, a 105.4% ± 16.4% increase of astrocytes (p < 0.01), 30.0 ± 10.9% increase of neurons (p < 0.01), and 65.5 ± 15.0% decrease of microglia (p < 0.01) were observed in the penumbra region in AUDA-treated rats (N = 5 for each group). These results suggested that AUDA affects the anti-inflammation at the beginning of ischemic injury and restores neuronal metabolic rate of O2 and tissue viability. The neovascularization triggered by AUDA restored CBF and may contribute to ischemic infarction reduction at post-stroke day 3. Moreover, for long-term neuroprotection, astrocytes in the penumbra region may play an important role in protecting neurons from apoptotic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Lin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Wei Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hung Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Lo
- The Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chi Pan
- National Laboratory Animal Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Wen Liang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Fu Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ting Kuo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Yu Chou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Huang Lin
- Department of Neurology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - You-Yin Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,The Ph.D. Program for Neural Regenerative Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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14
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Zhao Y, Wang S, Song X, Yuan J, Qi D, Gu X, Yin MY, Han Z, Zhu Y, Liu Z, Zhang Y, Wei L, Wei ZZ. Glial Cell-Based Vascular Mechanisms and Transplantation Therapies in Brain Vessel and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:627682. [PMID: 33841101 PMCID: PMC8032950 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.627682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) with severe neurological/psychiatric symptoms, such as cerebrovascular pathology in AD, CAA, and chronic stroke, have brought greater attention with their incidence and prevalence having markedly increased over the past few years. Causes of the significant neuropathologies, especially those observed in neurological diseases in the CNS, are commonly believed to involve multiple factors such as an age, a total environment, genetics, and an immunity contributing to their progression, neuronal, and vascular injuries. We primarily focused on the studies of glial involvement/dysfunction in part with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the neurovascular unit (NVU) changes, and the vascular mechanisms, which have been both suggested as critical roles in chronic stroke and many other NDDs. It has been noted that glial cells including astrocytes (which outnumber other cell types in the CNS) essentially contribute more to the BBB integrity, extracellular homeostasis, neurotransmitter release, regulation of neurogenic niches in response to neuroinflammatory stimulus, and synaptic plasticity. In a recent study for NDDs utilizing cellular and molecular biology and genetic and pharmacological tools, the role of reactive astrocytes (RACs) and gliosis was demonstrated, able to trigger pathophysiological/psychopathological detrimental changes during the disease progression. We speculate, in particular, the BBB, the NVU, and changes of the astrocytes (potentially different populations from the RACs) not only interfere with neuronal development and synaptogenesis, but also generate oxidative damages, contribute to beta-amyloid clearances and disrupted vasculature, as well as lead to neuroinflammatory disorders. During the past several decades, stem cell therapy has been investigated with a research focus to target related neuro-/vascular pathologies (cell replacement and repair) and neurological/psychiatric symptoms (paracrine protection and homeostasis). Evidence shows that transplantation of neurogenic or vasculogenic cells could be achieved to pursue differentiation and maturation within the diseased brains as expected. It would be hoped that, via regulating functions of astrocytes, astrocytic involvement, and modulation of the BBB, the NVU and astrocytes should be among major targets for therapeutics against NDDs pathogenesis by drug and cell-based therapies. The non-invasive strategies in combination with stem cell transplantation such as the well-tested intranasal deliveries for drug and stem cells by our and many other groups show great translational potentials in NDDs. Neuroimaging and clinically relevant analyzing tools need to be evaluated in various NDDs brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhao
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, Airport Hospital of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuanglin Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Airport Hospital of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Department of Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Institute of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaopeng Song
- Mclean Imaging Center, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - Junliang Yuan
- Mclean Imaging Center, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Mental Health, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Qi
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohuan Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michael Yaoyao Yin
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.,Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zhou Han
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Yanbing Zhu
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yongbo Zhang
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zheng Zachory Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Emory Specialized Center of Sex Differences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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15
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Murmu RP, Fordsmann JC, Cai C, Brazhe A, Thomsen KJ, Lauritzen M. Sensory Stimulation-Induced Astrocytic Calcium Signaling in Electrically Silent Ischemic Penumbra. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:223. [PMID: 31496947 PMCID: PMC6712371 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induces ischemia characterized by a densely ischemic focus, and a less densely ischemic penumbral zone in which neurons and astrocytes display age-dependent dynamic variations in spontaneous Ca2+ activities. However, it is unknown whether penumbral nerve cells respond to sensory stimulation early after stroke onset, which is critical for understanding stimulation-induced stroke therapy. In this study, we investigated the ischemic penumbra’s capacity to respond to somatosensory input. We examined adult (3- to 4-month-old) and old (18- to 24-month-old) male mice at 2–4 h after MCAO, using two-photon microscopy to record somatosensory stimulation-induced neuronal and astrocytic Ca2+ signals in the ischemic penumbra. In both adult and old mice, MCAO abolished spontaneous and stimulation-induced electrical activity in the penumbra, and strongly reduced stimulation-induced Ca2+ responses in neuronal somas (35–82%) and neuropil (92–100%) in the penumbra. In comparison, after stroke, stimulation-induced astrocytic Ca2+ responses in the penumbra were only moderately reduced (by 54–62%) in adult mice, and were even better preserved (reduced by 31–38%) in old mice. Our results suggest that somatosensory stimulation evokes astrocytic Ca2+ activity in the ischemic penumbra. We hypothesize that the relatively preserved excitability of astrocytes, most prominent in aged mice, may modulate protection from ischemic infarcts during early somatosensory activation of an ischemic cortical area. Future neuroprotective efforts in stroke may target spontaneous or stimulation-induced activity of astrocytes in the ischemic penumbra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reena P Murmu
- Translational Neurobiology Group, Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas C Fordsmann
- Translational Neurobiology Group, Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Changsi Cai
- Translational Neurobiology Group, Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexey Brazhe
- Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Kirsten J Thomsen
- Translational Neurobiology Group, Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Martin Lauritzen
- Translational Neurobiology Group, Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
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16
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Aberrant Calcium Signals in Reactive Astrocytes: A Key Process in Neurological Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20040996. [PMID: 30823575 PMCID: PMC6413203 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are abundant cells in the brain that regulate multiple aspects of neural tissue homeostasis by providing structural and metabolic support to neurons, maintaining synaptic environments and regulating blood flow. Recent evidence indicates that astrocytes also actively participate in brain functions and play a key role in brain disease by responding to neuronal activities and brain insults. Astrocytes become reactive in response to injury and inflammation, which is typically described as hypertrophy with increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Reactive astrocytes are frequently found in many neurological disorders and are a hallmark of brain disease. Furthermore, reactive astrocytes may drive the initiation and progression of disease processes. Recent improvements in the methods to visualize the activity of reactive astrocytes in situ and in vivo have helped elucidate their functions. Ca2+ signals in reactive astrocytes are closely related to multiple aspects of disease and can be a good indicator of disease severity/state. In this review, we summarize recent findings concerning reactive astrocyte Ca2+ signals. We discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying aberrant Ca2+ signals in reactive astrocytes and the functional significance of aberrant Ca2+ signals in neurological disorders.
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17
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Morrison HW, Filosa JA. Stroke and the neurovascular unit: glial cells, sex differences, and hypertension. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2019; 316:C325-C339. [PMID: 30601672 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00333.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A functional neurovascular unit (NVU) is central to meeting the brain's dynamic metabolic needs. Poststroke damage to the NVU within the ipsilateral hemisphere ranges from cell dysfunction to complete cell loss. Thus, understanding poststroke cell-cell communication within the NVU is of critical importance. Loss of coordinated NVU function exacerbates ischemic injury. However, particular cells of the NVU (e.g., astrocytes) and those with ancillary roles (e.g., microglia) also contribute to repair mechanisms. Epidemiological studies support the notion that infarct size and recovery outcomes are heterogeneous and greatly influenced by modifiable and nonmodifiable factors such as sex and the co-morbid condition common to stroke: hypertension. The mechanisms whereby sex and hypertension modulate NVU function are explored, to some extent, in preclinical laboratory studies. We present a review of the NVU in the context of ischemic stroke with a focus on glial contributions to NVU function and dysfunction. We explore the impact of sex and hypertension as modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors and the underlying cellular mechanisms that may underlie heterogeneous stroke outcomes. Most of the preclinical investigative studies of poststroke NVU dysfunction are carried out primarily in male stroke models lacking underlying co-morbid conditions, which is very different from the human condition. As such, the evolution of translational medicine to target the NVU for improved stroke outcomes remains elusive; however, it is attainable with further research.
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