Induction by synaptic zinc of heat shock protein-70 in hippocampus after kainate seizures

Insulin-like growth factor 1 in heat stress-induced neuroinflammation: novel perspective about the neuroprotective role of chromium

Heat stress (HS) can cause a series of stress responses, resulting in numerous negative effects on the body, such as the diminished food intake, carcass quality and reproductive capacity. In addition to the negative effects on the peripheral system, HS leads to central nervous system (CNS) disorders given its toll on neuroinflammation. This neuroinflammatory process is mainly mediated by microglia and astrocytes, which are involved in the activation of glial cells and the secretion of cytokines. While the regulation of inflammatory signaling has a close relationship with the expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), HS-induced neuroinflammation is closely related to the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Moreover, oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are key players in the development of neuroinflammation. Chromium (Cr) has been widely shown to have neuroprotective effects in both humans and animals, despite the lack of mechanistic evidence. Evidence has shown that Cr supplementation can increase the levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a major neurotrophic factor with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This review highlights recent advances in the attenuating effects and potential mechanisms of Cr-mediated IGF-1 actions on HS-induced neuroinflammation, providing presently existing evidence supporting the neuroprotective role of Cr.

Extracellular zinc regulates contextual fear memory formation in male rats through MMP-BDNF-TrkB pathway in dorsal hippocampus and basolateral amygdala

Large amount of zinc (100 µM even up to 300 µM) is released from the nerve terminals in response to high frequency neuronal stimulation in certain brain regions including hippocampus and amygdala. However, its precise pharmacological effect is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of extracellular zinc (endogenous zinc) and exogenous zinc in memory formation using contextual fear conditioning (CFC) model. Male Sprague Dawley rats were trained for fear conditioning followed by in vivo microdialysis for collection of microdialysate samples from CA1 and CA3 regions of hippocampus and basolateral amygdala (BLA). Extracellular zinc chelator CaEDTA, BDNF scavenger TrkB-Fc, exogenous 7,8-DHF and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) inhibitor were infused into the CA1 and CA3 regions of hippocampus and BLA after CFC. Different doses of exogenous zinc hydroaspartate were administered intraperitoneally immediately after CFC. We found that CFC increased the level of extracellular zinc in the hippocampus and BLA. Infusing the CaEDTA, TrkB-Fc and MMP inhibitor into the CA1 and CA3 regions of hippocampus and BLA disrupted the fear memory formation. Furthermore, administration of TrKB agonist 7,8-DHF reversed the inhibitory effect of CaEDTA on fear memory formation, suggesting that extracellular zinc may regulate fear memory formation via the BDNF-TrKB pathway. We also found that high dose of exogenous zinc hydroaspartate supplementation increased extracellular zinc levels in brain and enhanced fear memory formation. Altogether, these findings indicate that extracellular zinc may participate in formation of contextual fear memory through MMP-BDNF-TrkB pathway in the hippocampus and BLA.

Effects of evaporative cooling and dietary zinc source on heat shock responses and mammary gland development in lactating dairy cows during summer

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of evaporative cooling and dietary supplemental Zn source on heat shock responses and mammary gland development of lactating dairy cows during summer. Seventy-two multiparous lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Cows were either cooled (CL) or not cooled (NC) and fed diets supplemented with 75 mg of Zn/kg of dry matter (DM) from Zn hydroxychloride (IOZ) or 35 mg of Zn/kg of DM from Zn hydroxychloride plus 40 mg of Zn/kg of DM from Zn-Met complex (ZMC). The 168-d trial included a 12-wk baseline phase when all cows were cooled and fed respective dietary treatments, and a subsequent 12-wk environmental challenge phase when NC cows were deprived of evaporative cooling. Plasma was collected from a subset of cows (n = 24) at 1, 3, 5, 12, 26, 41, 54, 68, 81 d of the environmental challenge to measure heat shock protein (HSP) 70 concentration. Mammary biopsies were collected from another subset of cows (n = 30) at enrollment (baseline samples) and at d 7 and 56 of the environmental challenge to analyze gene expression related to heat shock response, apoptosis and anti-oxidative enzymes, and to examine apoptosis and cell proliferation using immunohistochemistry. Supplemental Zn source did not affect milk yield but NC cows produced less milk than CL cows. Supplemental Zn source had no effect on mammary gene expression of HSP27, 70, and 90 or plasma concentrations of HSP70. The NC cows had greater mammary gene expression of HSP than CL cows. Circulating HSP70 of NC cows gradually increased and was higher at 81 d of environmental challenge compared with CL cows. Relative to IOZ, ZMC cows tended to have lower total mammary cell proliferation but greater mammary apoptosis. There was a tendency of greater TNFRSF1A mRNA expression for ZMC compared with IOZ cows, which may suggest upregulated extrinsic apoptosis. At d 7 of environmental challenge, NC cows had numerically higher mammary apoptosis than CL cows although not statistically significant. The NC cows tended to have greater mRNA expression of CAT and SOD3 regardless of time, and had greater mRNA expression of GPX1 at d 56 and FAS at d 7 of the environmental challenge than CL cows. Relative to CL cows, mammary cell proliferation rate was higher for NC cows at d 56 of the environmental challenge. In conclusion, dietary source of supplemental Zn has substantial effect on mammary cell turnover in lactating dairy cows, and prolonged exposure to heat stress increases mammary cell proliferation.

Crystal structure, spectroscopic, DNA binding studies and DFT calculations of a Zn(ii) complex

A highly fluorescent Zn(ii) complex and its DNA-binding and bio-imaging applications are reported.

Influence of extracellular zinc on M1 microglial activation

Extracellular zinc, which is released from hippocampal neurons in response to brain ischaemia, triggers morphological changes in microglia. Under ischaemic conditions, microglia exhibit two opposite activation states (M1 and M2 activation), which may be further regulated by the microenvironment. We examined the role of extracellular zinc on M1 activation of microglia. Pre-treatment of microglia with 30–60 μM ZnCl₂ resulted in dose-dependent increases in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) secretion when M1 activation was induced by lipopolysaccharide administration. In contrast, the cell-permeable zinc chelator TPEN, the radical scavenger Trolox, and the P2X7 receptor antagonist A438079 suppressed the effects of zinc pre-treatment on microglia. Furthermore, endogenous zinc release was induced by cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion, resulting in increased expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and the microglial M1 surface marker CD16/32, without hippocampal neuronal cell loss, in addition to impairments in object recognition memory. However, these effects were suppressed by the zinc chelator CaEDTA. These findings suggest that extracellular zinc may prime microglia to enhance production of pro-inflammatory cytokines via P2X7 receptor activation followed by reactive oxygen species generation in response to stimuli that trigger M1 activation, and that these inflammatory processes may result in deficits in object recognition memory.

Heat shock proteins in the retina: Focus on HSP70 and alpha crystallins in ganglion cell survival

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) belong to a superfamily of stress proteins that are critical constituents of a complex defense mechanism that enhances cell survival under adverse environmental conditions. Cell protective roles of HSPs are related to their chaperone functions, antiapoptotic and antinecrotic effects. HSPs' anti-apoptotic and cytoprotective characteristics, their ability to protect cells from a variety of stressful stimuli, and the possibility of their pharmacological induction in cells under pathological stress make these proteins an attractive therapeutic target for various neurodegenerative diseases; these include Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, prion disease, and others. This review discusses the possible roles of HSPs, particularly HSP70 and small HSPs (alpha A and alpha B crystallins) in enhancing the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in optic neuropathies such as glaucoma, which is characterized by progressive loss of vision caused by degeneration of RGCs and their axons in the optic nerve. Studies in animal models of RGC degeneration induced by ocular hypertension, optic nerve crush and axotomy show that upregulation of HSP70 expression by hyperthermia, zinc, geranyl-geranyl acetone, 17-AAG (a HSP90 inhibitor), or through transfection of retinal cells with AAV2-HSP70 effectively supports the survival of injured RGCs. RGCs survival was also stimulated by overexpression of alpha A and alpha B crystallins. These findings provide support for translating the HSP70- and alpha crystallin-based cell survival strategy into therapy to protect and rescue injured RGCs from degeneration associated with glaucomatous and other optic neuropathies.

Pre-exposure to low-power diode laser irradiation promotes cytoprotection in the rat retina

The aim of this study was to investigate whether pre-exposure to low-power laser irradiation can provoke an effect on cellular protection in the rat retina. The right eyes of 40 rats were exposed to a 3-mm diode laser beam for 1 min in different light intensities and different experimental sets: group A low power of 60 mW (34.27 J/cm(2) on the retina in consideration of the energy losses along the optical pathway) prior to high power of 80 mW (44.88 J/cm(2) on the retina in consideration of the energy losses along the optical pathway), group B high power, group C low power, group D (the left eyes from the counterpart of group A) and group E (untreated rat eyes) as controls. Morphological retinal change retinas were assessed using light microscopy and/or transmission electron microscopy. Heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 and cleaved caspase 3 protein expression were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot. Cellular injury was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. Hsp 70 expression in the inner plexiform layer and the outer plexiform layer in group A were 73.09 ± 6.49 and 78.03 ± 3.05%, respectively, which was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those observed in group B (59.07 ± 1.40 and 32.25 ± 4.26%, respectively). The Hsp70/β-actin ratio was 0.49 ± 0.06 in group C, which was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of group B (0.27 ± 0.04). Cleaved caspase 3 expression in group C both was significantly lower than that observed in group B. TUNEL staining showed that positive cells in the outer nuclear layer and inner nuclear layer in group A were significantly lower than those of group B. Pre-exposure to a 60-mW (34.27 J/cm(2) on the retina) power laser irradiation stimulates a hyperexpression of Hsp70 together with a hypoexpression of cleaved caspase 3 in rat retina, which may suggest a cellular protective effect.

Neuroprotective role of PrPC against kainate-induced epileptic seizures and cell death depends on the modulation of JNK3 activation by GluR6/7-PSD-95 binding

Cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) is a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored glycoprotein. When mutated or misfolded, the pathogenic form (PrP(SC)) induces transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. In contrast, PrP(C) has a number of physiological functions in several neural processes. Several lines of evidence implicate PrP(C) in synaptic transmission and neuroprotection since its absence results in an increase in neuronal excitability and enhanced excitotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, PrP(C) has been implicated in the inhibition of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA)-mediated neurotransmission, and prion protein gene (Prnp) knockout mice show enhanced neuronal death in response to NMDA and kainate (KA). In this study, we demonstrate that neurotoxicity induced by KA in Prnp knockout mice depends on the c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) pathway since Prnp(o/o)Jnk3(o/o) mice were not affected by KA. Pharmacological blockage of JNK3 activity impaired PrP(C)-dependent neurotoxicity. Furthermore, our results indicate that JNK3 activation depends on the interaction of PrP(C) with postsynaptic density 95 protein (PSD-95) and glutamate receptor 6/7 (GluR6/7). Indeed, GluR6-PSD-95 interaction after KA injections was favored by the absence of PrP(C). Finally, neurotoxicity in Prnp knockout mice was reversed by an AMPA/KA inhibitor (6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione) and the GluR6 antagonist NS-102. We conclude that the protection afforded by PrP(C) against KA is due to its ability to modulate GluR6/7-mediated neurotransmission and hence JNK3 activation.

Zinc pyrithione impairs zinc homeostasis and upregulates stress response gene expression in reconstructed human epidermis

Zinc ion homeostasis plays an important role in human cutaneous biology where it is involved in epidermal differentiation and barrier function, inflammatory and antimicrobial regulation, and wound healing. Zinc-based compounds designed for topical delivery therefore represent an important class of cutaneous therapeutics. Zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) is an FDA-approved microbicidal agent used worldwide in over-the-counter topical antimicrobials, and has also been examined as an investigational therapeutic targeting psoriasis and UVB-induced epidermal hyperplasia. Recently, we have demonstrated that cultured primary human skin keratinocytes display an exquisite sensitivity to nanomolar ZnPT concentrations causing induction of heat shock response gene expression and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-dependent cell death (Cell Stress Chaperones 15:309-322, 2010). Here we demonstrate that ZnPT causes rapid accumulation of intracellular zinc in primary keratinocytes as observed by quantitative fluorescence microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and that PARP activation, energy crisis, and genomic impairment are all antagonized by zinc chelation. In epidermal reconstructs (EpiDerm™) exposed to topical ZnPT (0.1-2% in Vanicream™), ICP-MS demonstrated rapid zinc accumulation, and expression array analysis demonstrated upregulation of stress response genes encoding metallothionein-2A (MT2A), heat shock proteins (HSPA6, HSPA1A, HSPB5, HSPA1L, DNAJA1, HSPH1, HSPD1, HSPE1), antioxidants (SOD2, GSTM3, HMOX1), and the cell cycle inhibitor p21 (CDKN1A). IHC analysis of ZnPT-treated EpiDerm™ confirmed upregulation of Hsp70 and TUNEL-positivity. Taken together our data demonstrate that ZnPT impairs zinc ion homeostasis and upregulates stress response gene expression in primary keratinocytes and reconstructed human epidermis, activities that may underlie therapeutic and toxicological effects of this topical drug.

The topical antimicrobial zinc pyrithione is a heat shock response inducer that causes DNA damage and PARP-dependent energy crisis in human skin cells

The differentiated epidermis of human skin serves as an essential barrier against environmental insults from physical, chemical, and biological sources. Zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) is an FDA-approved microbicidal agent used worldwide in clinical antiseptic products, over-the-counter topical antimicrobials, and cosmetic consumer products including antidandruff shampoos. Here we demonstrate for the first time that cultured primary human skin keratinocytes and melanocytes display an exquisite vulnerability to nanomolar concentrations of ZnPT resulting in pronounced induction of heat shock response gene expression and impaired genomic integrity. In keratinocytes treated with nanomolar concentrations of ZnPT, expression array analysis revealed massive upregulation of genes encoding heat shock proteins (HSPA6, HSPA1A, HSPB5, HMOX1, HSPA1L, and DNAJA1) further confirmed by immunodetection. Moreover, ZnPT treatment induced rapid depletion of cellular ATP levels and formation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymers. Consistent with an involvement of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in ZnPT-induced energy crisis, ATP depletion could be antagonized by pharmacological inhibition of PARP. This result was independently confirmed using PARP-1 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts that were resistant to ATP depletion and cytotoxicity resulting from ZnPT exposure. In keratinocytes and melanocytes, single-cell gel electrophoresis and flow cytometric detection of gamma-H2A.X revealed rapid induction of DNA damage in response to ZnPT detectable before general loss of cell viability occurred through caspase-independent pathways. Combined with earlier experimental evidence that documents penetration of ZnPT through mammalian skin, our findings raise the possibility that this topical antimicrobial may target and compromise keratinocytes and melanocytes in intact human skin.

Sanjoinine A isolated from Semen Zizyphi Spinosi protects against kainic acid-induced convulsions

These experiments were performed to know whether sanjoinine A, a component of the alkaloid fraction of Semen Zizyphi Spinosi, acts as an anti-convulsive agent in the kainic acid (KA)-induced experimental convulsion model and whether these effects are mediated by decreased intracellular calcium. Oral administration of sanjoinine A (4 and 8 mg/kg) increased the survival rate and latency of convulsion onset, and decreased the seizure scores and the weight loss induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of KA (50 mg/kg) in mice. In addition, sanjoinine A protected against neuronal damage and apoptosis in the hippocampus after KA administration, as analyzed by using immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assay. Sanjoinine A also significantly blocked seizure-form electroencephalogram alterations induced by KA. Moreover, in cultured rat neuronal cells, sanjoinine A inhibited KA-induced cell death, as measured by propidium iodide detection. Sanjoinine A also increased intracellular chloride and inhibited the elevation of intracellular calcium induced by KA. Sanjoinine A, therefore protects against KA-induced convulsions by increasing intracellular chloride and reducing intracellular calcium levels.

Neuroprotective effects of IGF-I following kainic acid-induced hippocampal degeneration in the rat

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has been shown to act as a neuroprotectant both in in vitro studies and in in vivo animal models of ischemia, hypoxia, trauma in the brain or the spinal cord, multiple and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective potential of IGF-I in the "kainic acid-induced degeneration of the hippocampus" model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Increased cell death--as detected by FluoroJade B staining--and extensive cell loss--as determined by cresyl violet staining--were observed mainly in the CA3 and CA4 areas of the ipsilateral and contralateral hippocampus, 7 days following intrahippocampal administration of kainic acid. Kainic acid injection also resulted in intense astrogliosis--as assessed by the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunopositive cells--in both hemispheres, forming a clear astroglial scar ipsilaterally to the injection site. Heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) immunopositive cells were also observed in the ipsilateral dentate gyrus (DG) following kainic acid injection. When IGF-I was administered together with kainic acid, practically no signs of degeneration were detected in the contralateral hemisphere, while in the ipsilateral, there was a smaller degree of cell loss, reduced number of FluoroJade B-stained cells, decreased reactive gliosis and fewer Hsp70-positive cells. Our present results extend further the cases in which IGF-I is shown to exhibit neuroprotective properties in neurodegenerative processes in the CNS.

Endogenous zinc mediates apoptotic programmed cell death in the developing brain

Endogenous zinc can mediate the apoptotic programmed cell death (PCD) in the developing brain. Intensive accumulation of labile zinc occurs in almost all neurons undergoing PCD in the developing rat brain. Based on the greater frequency of neurons with intensive zinc accumulation compared to apoptotic neurons, it is inferred that cytosolic zinc accumulation precedes apoptotic PCD. To determine the role of intracellular labile zinc in developmental apoptosis, we subcutaneously injected the membrane-permeant zinc chelator, N,N,N',N-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN) into postnatal rats for 7 days after birth. TPEN chelated intraneuronal zinc without modulating the expression of the zinc-regulating proteins, ZnT-1, ZnT-3, and synaptophysin. The frequency of apoptotic neurons significantly decreased in TPEN-treated rat brains compared with that in normal postnatal rats. Activating cleavages of caspase-9 and -3, and mitochondrial pro-apoptotic Bax expression were reduced, whereas expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was increased. Thus, intracerebral zinc chelation may arrest PCD in the developing brain by interfering with the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. The present study demonstrates that intracellular zinc acts as a key mediator of developmental apoptosis and therefore provides the first in vivo evidence that endogenous labile zinc causes neuronal apoptosis.

Zinc reverses malathion-induced impairment in antioxidant defenses

Malathion toxicity has been related to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and induction of oxidative stress, while zinc has been shown to possess neuroprotective effects in experimental and clinical studies. In the present study the effect of zinc chloride (zinc) was addressed in adult male Wistar rats following a long-term treatment (30 days, 300mg/L in tap water ad libitum) against an acute insult caused by a single malathion exposure (250mg/kg, i.p.). Malathion produced a significant decrease in hippocampal acetylcholinesterase, as well as a decrease in the activity of several hippocampal antioxidant enzymes: glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. The pretreatment with zinc did not completely prevent acetylcholinesterase activity impairment; however, antioxidant activity was completely restored. Zinc administration significantly increased HSP60, but not HSP70, expression. The HSP60 increase suggests a novel zinc-dependent pathway, which may be related to a counteracting mechanism against malathion effects. Based on these results the following hypothesis can be presented: the published "pro-oxidative" effect of malathion may be related, among others, to compromised antioxidant defenses, while the zinc "antioxidant" action may be related to the preservation of antioxidant defenses. In conclusion, our data points to the inhibition of antioxidant enzymes as an important non-cholinergic effect of malathion, which can be rescued by oral zinc treatment.

Essential role for zinc-triggered p75NTR activation in preconditioning neuroprotection

Ischemic preconditioning (PC) of the brain is a phenomenon by which mild ischemic insults render neurons resistant to subsequent strong insults. Key steps in ischemic PC of the brain include caspase-3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) cleavage, but upstream events have not been clearly elucidated. We have tested whether endogenous zinc is required for ischemic PC of the brain in rats. Mild, transient zinc accumulation was observed in certain neurons after ischemic PC. Moreover, intraventricular administration of CaEDTA during ischemic PC abrogated both zinc accumulation and the protective effect against subsequent full ischemia. To elucidate the mechanism of the zinc-triggered PC (Zn PC) effect, cortical cultures were exposed to sublethal levels of zinc, and 18 h later to lethal levels of zinc or NMDA. Zn PC exhibited the characteristic features of ischemic PC, including caspase-3 activation, PARP-1 cleavage, and HSP70 induction, all of which are crucial for subsequent neuroprotection against NMDA or zinc toxicity. HSP70 induction was necessary for protection, as it halted caspase-3 activation before apoptosis. Interestingly, in both Zn PC in vitro and ischemic PC in vivo, p75(NTR) was necessary for neuroprotection. These results suggest that caspase-3 activation during ischemic PC, a necessary event for subsequent neuroprotection, may result from mild zinc accumulation and the consequent p75(NTR) activation in neurons.

Pyruvate protects against kainate-induced epileptic brain damage in rats

Although the majority of epileptic seizures can be effectively controlled with antiepileptic drugs and/or surgery, a significant number progress to status epilepticus of sufficient duration to cause permanent brain damage. Combined treatment with antiepileptic drugs and neuroprotective agents, however, may help protect these individuals from permanent brain damage. Since toxicity induced by endogenous zinc contributes to epileptic brain injury, and since pyruvate is effective in reducing zinc-triggered neuronal death in cortical culture as well as ischemic neuronal death in vivo, we examined whether systemic pyruvate administration reduces seizure-induced brain damage. Na pyruvate (500 mg/kg) or osmolarity-matched saline (265 mg/kg NaCl, i.p.) were given to adult SD rats 30 or 150 min after 10 mg/kg kainite injection (i.p.), and there was no significant difference in the time course or severity of seizures between these groups. Zinc accumulation in neuronal cell bodies in the hippocampus, however, was much lower in the pyruvate than in the saline group. There was a close correlation between zinc accumulation and cell death, as assessed by acid-fuchsin and TUNEL staining. Pyruvate treatment markedly reduced neuronal death in the hippocampus, neocortex and thalamus. Pyruvate increased HSP-70 expression in hippocampal neurons. These results suggest that pyruvate, a natural glucose metabolite, may be useful as adjunct treatment in status epilepticus to reduce permanent brain damage.

Extracellular chelation of zinc does not affect hippocampal excitability and seizure-induced cell death in rats

In the nervous system, zinc can influence synaptic responses and at extreme concentrations contributes to epileptic and ischaemic neuronal injury. Zinc can originate from synaptic vesicles, the extracellular space and from intracellular stores. In this study, we aimed to determine which of these zinc pools is responsible for the increased hippocampal excitability observed in zinc-depleted animals or following zinc chelation. Also, we investigated the source of intracellularly accumulating zinc in vulnerable neurons. Our data show that membrane-permeable and membrane-impermeable zinc chelators had little or no effect on seizure activity in the CA3 region. Furthermore, extracellular zinc chelation could not prevent the accumulation of lethal concentrations of zinc in dying neurons following epileptic seizures. At the electron microscopic level, zinc staining significantly increased at the presynaptic membrane of mossy fibre terminals in kainic acid-treated animals. These data indicate that intracellular but not extracellular zinc chelators could influence neuronal excitability and seizure-induced zinc accumulation observed in the cytosol of vulnerable neurons.

Repeated brief epileptic seizures by pentylenetetrazole cause neurodegeneration and promote neurogenesis in discrete brain regions of freely moving adult rats

Recurrent epileptic seizures are known to provoke various forms of cellular reorganization in the brains of humans and experimental animals. However, little is known about the mechanism of neuronal cell death resulting from epileptic seizures elicited by GABA antagonists. In the present study, we explored the effect on the central nervous systems of freely moving adult rats, of repeated brief epileptic seizures induced by systemic injection of pentylenetetrazole, a GABA-A receptor antagonist. Starting with minor convulsions, repeated epileptic seizures elicited a progressive increase in seizure severity, culminating in the fully kindled state. Histological examination showed that the epileptic seizures caused overt neuronal cell death in the limbic system, including the hippocampus and amygdala, and its adjoining cortex. During the recurrent epileptic seizures, neurogenesis occurred in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus, the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle, and the amygdala. This type of pentylenetetrazole-induced neurogenesis was seen at an early stage of epileptogenesis in some regions in which massive cell loss was not evident. This suggests that neurogenesis is not a secondary consequence of neuronal cell death, but rather an independent effect of recurrent epileptic seizures.

Cell type-specific action of seizure-induced intracellular zinc accumulation in the rat hippocampus

Increased levels of intracellular zinc have been implicated in neuronal cell death in ischaemia, epilepsy and traumatic brain damage. However, decreases in zinc levels also lead to increased neuronal death and lowered seizure threshold. In the present study we investigated the physiological role of zinc in neurodegeneration and protection following epileptic seizures. Cells located in the strata oriens and lucidum of the CA3 region accumulated high concentrations of zinc and died. A decrease in zinc level could prevent the death of these neurones after seizures. Most of these cells were GABAergic interneurones. In contrast, neurones in the CA3 pyramidal cell layer accumulated moderate amounts of zinc and survived. Zinc chelation led to an increase in the mortality rate of these cells. Furthermore, in these cells low concentrations of intracellular zinc activated Akt (protein kinase B), thus providing protection against neurodegeneration. These results demonstrate that intracellularly accumulated zinc can be neurotoxic or neuroprotective depending on its concentration. This dual action is cell type specific.

Nitrosative stress and potassium channel-mediated neuronal apoptosis: is zinc the link?

Nitrosative stress has been implicated in a large number of neurological disorders. The molecular mechanisms underlying the neuronal injury associated with this stimulus, however, are not clearly understood. Emerging evidence suggests that the liberation of intracellular zinc as well as over-activation of potassium channels may be two important components of nitrosative stress-induced neuronal death.

Response to kainic acid injections: changes in staining for zinc, FOS, cell death and glial response in the rat forebrain

A pool of zinc is present in synaptic vesicles in a population of glutamatergic neurones. Zinc appears to modulate synaptic transmission and cause neuronal death. The status of vesicular zinc, neuronal death and glial reaction in the rat forebrain was analysed after a systemic injection of kainic acid in order to establish a model for future studies on zinc function. Rats received a systemic injection of kainic acid (10 mg/kg) and were killed 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h post-treatment. Timm's method and zinquin staining were used to detect zinc. Immunostaining for Fos-like proteins and staining with Fluoro-Jade B were used to detect cell reaction and degeneration, respectively. Glial fibrillary acidic protein and tomato lectin were used as glial markers. Zinquin staining for zinc rose transitorily in neuronal somata 6 h after injection (not observed at 24-48 h) in the piriform and entorhinal cortices, amygdala and hippocampus. In contrast sulphide/silver staining for zinc showed virtually no rise in cytoplasmic zinc (except in cornus ammonis field 1 of the hippocampus) 6 h after injection, and a decrease (bleaching) in some terminal fields starting 12 h after injection and increasing at 24-48 h. The areas most affected by the zinc bleaching were the olfactory bulb, piriform and entorhinal cortices, endopiriform and amygdaloid nuclei. Transitory Fos immunostaining (within neuronal nuclei) was observed between 3 and 12 h after kainate treatment in many telencephalic areas: olfactory bulb, cortex (piriform, hippocampal and neocortex) and amygdaloid nuclei. This was accompanied by changes in glial markers starting 3 h after injection. Fluoro-Jade B staining in neurones (degeneration) appeared 6 h after treatment and increased later. Degenerating areas generally coincided with those showing Fos immunoreactivity. Zinquin and sulphide/silver methods revealed various pools of zinc after kainate injection: a cytoplasmic pool and a terminal field (or vesicular) pool. Cytoplasmic zinc (zinquin) was coincident, in time and location, with cell degeneration, thus implicating zinc in cell death. This zinc may not have come from presynaptic stores, since no bleaching (sulphide/silver method) was observed 6 h after injection. Future experiments altering zinc pools (e.g. by chelating agents) may elucidate the function of zinc.

Expression of heat shock protein 70 induced by 4-aminopyridine through glutamate-mediated excitotoxic stress in rat hippocampus in vivo

The intrahippocampal administration of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) induces epileptic seizures and neurodegeneration, due probably to stimulation of glutamate release from synaptic terminals. We have studied the time course of the neurodegenerative changes produced by 4-AP, perfused through microdialysis cannulas in rat hippocampus, and correlated them with the expression of the inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), detected immunocytochemically. Electroencephalographic seizure activity appeared immediately after the beginning of 4-AP perfusion. The first signs of histological neuronal damage were observed in CA1 and CA3 subfields of the perfused hippocampus 3 h after treatment and progressed until reaching a maximal neuronal loss at 24 h. In 4-AP-treated rats HSP70 was expressed mainly in neurons of the contralateral hippocampus, with a time course and cellular distribution very similar to the neurodegeneration observed in the perfused hippocampus, but no neuronal damage was observed. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists MK-801 and (3-phosphonopropyl)-piperazine-2-carboxylic acid prevented the seizures, the neurodegeneration and the expression of HSP70. These data demonstrate that the 4-AP-induced release of endogenous glutamate overactivates NMDA receptors in the perfused hippocampus and that the resulting neuronal hyperexcitability propagates to the contralateral hippocampus, generating a glutamate-mediated neuronal stress sufficient to induce the expression of HSP70 but not to produce neurodegeneration. These findings provide a useful model for investigating the relationships between neuronal hyperexcitation, neurodegeneration and the role of HSP expression.

Co-induction of p75(NTR) and the associated death executor NADE in degenerating hippocampal neurons after kainate-induced seizures in the rat

Zinc induces in cultured cortical neurons both p75(NTR) and p75(NTR)-associated death executor (NADE), which together contribute to caspase-dependent neuronal apoptosis. Since zinc neurotoxicity may contribute to neuronal death following seizures, we examined whether p75(NTR) and NADE are co-induced also in rat hippocampal neurons degenerating after seizures. Staining of brain sections with a zinc-specific fluorescent dye (N-(6-methoxy-8-quinolyl)-p-carboxybenzoylsulphonamide) and acid fuchsin revealed zinc accumulation in degenerating neuronal cell bodies in CA1 and CA3 of hippocampus 24 h after kainate injection. Both anti-p75(NTR) and anti-NADE immunoreactivities appeared in zinc-accumulating/degenerating neurons in both areas. Intraventricular injection of CaEDTA, without altering the severity or time course of kainate-induced seizures, markedly attenuated the induction of p75(NTR)/NADE in hippocampus, which correlated with the decrease of caspase-3 activation and zinc accumulation/cell death. The present study has demonstrated that p75(NTR) and NADE are co-induced in neurons degenerating after kainate-induced seizures in rats, likely in a zinc-dependent manner.

Differential regulation of metallothionein-I, II, and III mRNA expression in the rat brain following kainic acid treatment

Although metallothioneins (MTs) are believed to be involved in the protection against neural stresses, spatio-temporal regulation of MT isoforms following neural insults has not been thoroughly examined. In this study, we found that systemic application of kainic acid (KA) rapidly induced MT-I and II expression in neurons localized in hippocampal formation, piriform cortex, and amygdala of the adult rat, whereas the level of MT-III mRNA was decreased in KA-vulnerable areas. At 96 h after KA treatment, while the neuronal expression of MT-I and II returned to basal level, the glial expression of MT-I, II and III was increased in the reactive astrocytes. Differential regulation of MT isoforms in neuron and gila suggests that each isoform might have distinct role in the cell-type dependent cellular responses against KA-evoked neural injuries.

Meeting of the minds: metalloneurochemistry

Metalloneurochemistry is the study of metal ion function in the brain and nervous system at the molecular level. Research in this area is exemplified through discussion of several forefront areas where significant progress has been made in recent years. The structure and function of ion channels have been elucidated through high-resolution x-ray structural work on the bacterial K(+) ion channel. Selection of potassium over sodium ions is achieved by taking advantage of key principles of coordination chemistry. The role of calcium ions in neuronal signal transduction is effected by several Ca(2+)-binding protein such as calmodulin, calcineurin, and synaptotagmin. Structural changes in response to calcium ion concentrations allow these proteins to function in memory formation and other neurochemical roles. Metallochaperones help to achieve metal ion homeostasis and thus prevent neurological diseases because of metal ion imbalance. Much detailed chemical information about these systems has become available recently. Zinc is another important metal ion in neuroscience. Its concentration in brain is in part controlled by metallothionein, and zinc is released in the hippocampus at glutamatergic synapses. New fluorescent sensors have become available to help track such zinc release.

Induction of neuronal apoptosis by thiol oxidation: putative role of intracellular zinc release

The membrane-permeant oxidizing agent 2,2'-dithiodipyridine (DTDP) can induce Zn(2+) release from metalloproteins in cell-free systems. Here, we report that brief exposure to DTDP triggers apoptotic cell death in cultured neurons, detected by the presence of both DNA laddering and asymmetric chromatin formation. Neuronal death was blocked by increased extracellular potassium levels, by tetraethylammonium, and by the broad-spectrum cysteine protease inhibitor butoxy-carbonyl-aspartate-fluoromethylketone. N,N,N', N'-Tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) and other cell-permeant metal chelators also effectively blocked DTDP-induced toxicity in neurons. Cell death, however, was not abolished by the NMDA receptor blocker MK-801, by the intracellular calcium release antagonist dantrolene, or by high concentrations of ryanodine. DTDP generated increases in fluorescence signals in cultured neurons loaded with the zinc-selective dye Newport Green. The fluorescence signals following DTDP treatment also increased in fura-2- and magfura-2-loaded neurons. These responses were completely reversed by TPEN, consistent with a DTDP-mediated increase in intracellular free Zn(2+) concentrations. Our studies suggest that under conditions of oxidative stress, Zn(2+) released from intracellular stores may contribute to the initiation of neuronal apoptosis.