Regulation of neuropeptide expression in the brain by neurotrophins. Potential role in vivo

Enriched Environment Reverts Somatostatin Interneuron Loss in MK-801 Model of Schizophrenia

Dysregulation of the inhibitory drive has been proposed to be a central mechanism to explain symptoms and pathophysiological hallmarks in schizophrenia. A number of recent neuroanatomical studies suggest that certain types of inhibitory cells are deficient in schizophrenia, including somatostatin-immunoreactive interneurons (SST+). The present study sought to use stereological methods to investigate whether the number of SST+ interneurons decreased after repeated injections of NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (0.5 mg/kg) and to determine the effect of limited exposure to an enriched environment (EE) in adult life on this sub-population of inhibitory cells. Considering that somatostatin expression is highly dependent on neurotrophic support, we explored the changes in the relative expression of proteins related to brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tyrosine kinase B (BDNF-TrkB) signaling between the experimental groups. We observed that early-life MK-801 treatment significantly decreased the number of SST+ interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (HPC) of adult Long Evans rats. Contrarily, short-term exposure to EE increased the number of SST+ interneurons in MK-801-injected animals, except in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, whereas this increase was not observed in vehicle-injected rats. We also found upregulated BDNF-TrkB signaling after EE that triggered an increase in the pERK/ERK ratio in mPFC and HPC, and the pAkt/Akt ratio in HPC. Thus, the present results support the notion that SST+ interneurons are markedly affected after early-life NMDAR blockade and that EE promotes SST+ interneuron expression, which is partly mediated through the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway. These results may have important implications for schizophrenia, as SST+ interneuron loss is also observed in the MK-801 pre-clinical model, and its expression can be rescued by non-pharmacological approaches.

Ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, and other feeding-regulatory peptides active in the hippocampus: role in learning and memory

The hippocampus is a brain region of primary importance for neurogenesis, which occurs during early developmental states as well as during adulthood. Increases in neuronal proliferation and in neuronal death with age have been associated with drastic changes in memory and learning. Numerous neurotransmitters are involved in these processes, and some neuropeptides that mediate neurogenesis also modulate feeding behavior. Concomitantly, feeding peptides, which act primarily in the hypothalamus, are also present in the hippocampus. This review aims to ascertain the role of several important feeding peptides in cognitive functions, either through their local synthesis in the hippocampus or through their actions via specific receptors in the hippocampus. A link between neurogenesis and the orexigenic or anorexigenic properties of feeding peptides is discussed.

Involvement of neuropeptide Y and its Y1 and Y5 receptors in maintaining self-renewal and proliferation of human embryonic stem cells

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and NPY receptors are widely expressed in various organs and cell types and have been shown to have pleiotropic functions. However, their presence or role in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) remains unknown. We now show that undifferentiated hESCs primarily express NPY and its Y1 and Y5 receptors. Inhibition of NPY signalling using either the selective NPY Y1 or Y5 receptor antagonist reduces the maintenance of self-renewal and proliferation of undifferentiated hESCs. We also provide compelling evidence that exogenous NPY supports the long-term growth of undifferentiated hESCs in the absence of feeder cell factors using only knockout serum replacement media. Further, NPY facilitates the use of chemically defined medium made up of N2/B27 supplement and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for hESC feeder-free culture. Our results indicate that both Y1 and Y5 receptors appear to be involved in the NPY-mediated activation of AKT/protein kinase B and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in hESCs. Notably, only Y1 receptor, but not Y5 receptor, is responsible for the NPY-induced activation of cAMP-response element binding (CREB) in hESCs. These results provide the first evidence that NPY and its Y1 and Y5 receptors have potential role in maintaining hESC self-renewal and pluripotency. We demonstrate the underlying importance of NPY signalling and its usefulness in the development of a defined and xeno-free culture condition for the large-scale propagation of undifferentiated hESCs.

Effects of electro-acupuncture on NT-4 expression in spinal dorsal root ganglion and associated segments of the spinal dorsal horn in cats subjected to adjacent dorsal root ganglionectomy

It is well known that neuroplasticity occurs in the central nervous system in response to injury. Electro-acupuncture (EA) may also promote neuroplasticity. But little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms for the beneficial effects of EA. This study investigated the effects of EA on neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) expression in L(6) spinal dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and associated segments of the spinal dorsal horn in cats subjected to unilateral removal of L(1)-L(5) and L(7)-S(2) DRG. NT-4 protein was normally present in the cytoplasm of the L(6) DRG neurons and L(3) and L(6) spinal dorsal horn neurons and glia. Adjacent ganglionectomy leads to a significant decrease in NT-4 expression in the L(6) DRG, but no change in the spinal dorsal horn. Following EA treatment a significant increase occurred in the L(6) DRG at 14 days post-operation (dpo) as well as the L(6) cord segment at 7 and 14 dpo. These findings pointed to a possible association between NT-4 expression and EA promoted spinal cord plasticity in adult cats subjected to partial ganglionectomy.

Peptide hormones as developmental growth and differentiation factors

Peptide hormones, usually considered to be endocrine factors responsible for communication between tissues remotely located from each other, are increasingly being found to be synthesized in developing tissues, where they act locally. Several hormones are now known to be produced in developing tissues that are unrelated to the endocrine gland of origin in the adult. These hormones are synthesized locally, and are active as differentiation and survival factors, before the developing adult endocrine tissue becomes functional. There is increasing evidence for paracrine and/or autocrine actions for these factors during development, thus, placing them among the conventional growth and differentiation factors. We review the evidence for the view that thyroid hormones, growth hormone, prolactin, insulin, and parathyroid hormone-related protein are developmental growth and differentiation factors.

New insights into brain BDNF function in normal aging and Alzheimer disease

The decline observed during aging involves multiple factors that influence several systems. It is the case for learning and memory processes which are severely reduced with aging. It is admitted that these cognitive effects result from impaired neuronal plasticity, which is altered in normal aging but mainly in Alzheimer disease. Neurotrophins and their receptors, notably BDNF, are expressed in brain areas exhibiting a high degree of plasticity (i.e. the hippocampus, cerebral cortex) and are considered as genuine molecular mediators of functional and morphological synaptic plasticity. Modification of BDNF and/or the expression of its receptors (TrkB.FL, TrkB.T1 and TrkB.T2) have been described during normal aging and Alzheimer disease. Interestingly, recent findings show that some physiologic or pathologic age-associated changes in the central nervous system could be offset by administration of exogenous BDNF and/or by stimulating its receptor expression. These molecules may thus represent a physiological reserve which could determine physiological or pathological aging. These data suggest that boosting the expression or activity of these endogenous protective systems may be a promising therapeutic alternative to enhance healthy aging.

BDNF up-regulates pre-pro-TRH mRNA expression in the fetal/neonatal paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Properties of the transduction pathway

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increases the levels of pre-pro-thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) mRNA in fetal rodent hypothalamic neurons that express TrkB receptors. The present studies aimed at better understanding the role of BDNF in establishing and maintaining the TRH phenotype in hypothalamic neurons during early development. To determine where BDNF regulates the expression of pre-pro-TRH mRNA in vivo, we compared the hypothalamic distribution of pre-pro-TRH mRNA to that of TrkB mRNA. Full-length TrkB (FL-TrkB) mRNA was detected earlier in development than pre-pro-TRH mRNA in the region that gives rise to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). We also evaluated the effects of BDNF on the expression of pre-pro-TRH mRNA in vitro. BDNF up-regulated the levels of pre-pro-TRH mRNA in primary cell cultures obtained from the hypothalamus or the PVN of 17 days old fetuses or newborn rats. This effect was abolished by PD98059, an inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) 1/2 or 5. The effect of BDNF on pre-pro-TRH mRNA levels was reversible. The continuous application of BDNF led to a desensitization of the response at day 10 in vitro, an effect that correlated with a drop in the levels of FL-TrkB protein. In conclusion, BDNF enhances the expression of pre-pro-TRH mRNA in PVN neurons. This effect is reversible, decreases with time, and requires an active MEK. BDNF may contribute to the enhancement of pre-pro-TRH mRNA expression in the hypothalamic PVN during development.

Differential effects of NT-4, NGF and BDNF on development of neurochemical architecture and cell size regulation in rat visual cortex during the critical period

Development of inhibition is a crucial determinant of the time course of visual cortical plasticity. BDNF strongly affects interneuron development and the onset and closure of the critical period for ocular dominance plasticity. Less is known on the effects of NT-4 despite a clear involvement in ocular dominance plasticity. We have investigated the effects of NT-4 on interneuron development by supplying NT-4 with osmotic minipumps during two time windows overlapping the onset (P12-20) and the peak (P20-28) of the critical period. We assessed the expression of interneuronal markers and soma size maturation either after the end of the infusion periods or at the end of the critical period (P45). We found that NT-4 was very effective in regulating interneuron development. NPY, SOM and PARV neuron somata grew faster during both infusion periods whereas CR neurons only responded during the early infusion period. The effects of soma size elicited during the earlier infusion period were still present at P45. In PARV neurons, NT-4 caused a long-lasting stabilization of CB and NPY expression. Furthermore, NT-4 accelerated the expression of GAD-65 mRNA in a subset of non-PARV neurons of layer V, which normally up-regulate GAD-65 towards the end of the critical period. Most of these effects were shared by NT-4 and BDNF. Some were unexpectedly also shared by NGF, which promoted growth of layer V PARV neurons, stabilized the CB expression and accelerated the GAD-65 expression. The results suggest that neurotrophins act on critical period plasticity by strengthening inhibition.

The development of hippocampal interneurons in rodents

Interneurons are GABAergic neurons responsible for inhibitory activity in the adult hippocampus, thereby controlling the activity of principal excitatory cells through the activation of postsynaptic GABAA receptors. Subgroups of GABAergic neurons innervate specific parts of excitatory neurons. This specificity indicates that particular interneuron subgroups are able to recognize molecules segregated on the membrane of the pyramidal neuron. Once these specific connections are established, a quantitative regulation of their strength must be performed to achieve the proper balance of excitation and inhibition. We will review when and where interneurons are generated. We will then detail their migration toward and within the hippocampus, and the maturation of their morphological and neurochemical characteristics. We will finally review potential mechanisms underlying the development of GABAergic interneurons.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) in neuroblastoma: effect on growth and vascularization

Neuroblastomas are pediatric tumors of sympathetic origin, expressing neuronal markers, such as NPY and its receptors. Due to this, neuroblastomas are often associated with elevated plasma levels of NPY, which correlates with poor clinical outcome of the disease. This clinical data corroborates the recent discovery of growth-promoting actions of NPY in neuroblastomas. The peptide has been shown to stimulate proliferation of neuroblastoma cells in an autocrine manner and induce tumor vascularization. Since both processes are mediated by the same Y2 and Y5 receptors, targeting this pathway may be a potential bidirectional therapy for these children's tumors.

Developmental changes of neurotrophin mRNA expression in the layers of rat visual cortex

Neurotrophins are essential factors for the structural, neurochemical and functional maturation of the brain including developmental and adult plasticity. Northern blots and polymerase chain reaction revealed the expression of neurotrophin 4 (NT4), neurotrophin 3 (NT3), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the cortex. The cellular producers of NT3 and BDNF have been characterized by anatomical methods as being mostly pyramidal, and the tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) receptor is expressed by many cortical neurons. However, these methods have so far failed to identify the cells producing NT4 and NGF mRNA. These factors are much lower in expression than, e.g. BDNF, and apparently remain below detection levels of in situ hybridization. Given their specific actions on cell types and afferent systems, knowledge about the producing cell types is highly desirable. To narrow down on the producing cell types, we quantified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) the developmental changes of BDNF, NT3, NT4, NGF and TrkB mRNA expression in total visual cortex lysates, and in the cortical layers dissected by tangential cryostat sectioning. We found dramatic changes in laminar expression of NT3 and NGF, mild changes of NT4, and no changes of BDNF and TrkB mRNA. For instance, NT3 is important early on for thalamocortical axons, and we found transient peaks of NT3 mRNA expression first in layer VI, then in layer IV. NT4 mRNA was in layers IV and VI, suggesting NT4 protein production in thalamorecipient layers, but peak expression gradually shifted to upper layers as did NGF expression. The layer-specific developmental expression shifts of neurotrophin mRNAs correlate with morphogenetic processes.

The effects of aging on dentate circuitry and function

The central nervous system (CNS) undergoes a variety of anatomic, physiologic, and behavioral changes during aging. One region that has received a great deal of attention is the hippocampal formation due to the increased incidence of impaired spatial learning and memory with age. The hippocampal formation is also highly susceptible to Alzheimer's disease, ischemia/hypoxia, and seizure generation, the three most common aging-related neurological disorders. While data reveal that the dentate gyrus plays a key role in hippocampal function and dysfunction, the majority of electrophysiological studies that have examined the effects of age on the hippocampal formation have focused on CA3 and CA1. We perceive this to be an oversight and consequently will highlight data in this review which demonstrate an age-related disruption in dentate circuitry and function, and propose that these changes contribute to the decline in hippocampal-dependent behavior seen with "normal" aging.

Effects of neonatal capsaicin treatment in the neutrophil production, and expression of preprotachykinin-I and tachykinin receptors in the rat bone marrow

Bone marrow is richly innervated with both myelinated and non-myelinated nerve fibers, but the role of this innervation on hemopoiesis is poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of C-fibers on hematopoiesis. Wistar rats were neonatally injected with either capsaicin or its vehicle, and used at adult ages (8-10 weeks). In capsaicin-pretreated rats, the levels of substance P (SP) in bone marrow fluid were markedly reduced in comparison with the vehicle group (13.1+/-4.5 pg/ml versus 47.3+/-5.5 pg/ml, p<0.05). In bone marrow, the number of total leukocytes was 28% higher (p<0.05) in capsaicin-pretreated group, and this accompanied by a higher number of neutrophils, particularly of the immature forms. The mononuclear cell and eosinophils counts did not differ significantly among vehicle and capsaicin groups. In peripheral blood, the number of circulating neutrophils in the capsaicin group increased by 53.8% (p<0.05), whereas the number of mononuclear cells did not change significantly among groups. Eosinophils were virtually absent in the circulating blood in both groups. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that both preprotachykinin (PPT)-I mRNA and the tachykinin neurokinin (NK)-1 mRNA expression in bone marrow cells significantly increased in capsaicin group, whereas the NK-2 mRNA expression was unchanged after capsaicin pretreatment. In conclusion, our data show that chronic neuropeptide depletion enhance the neutrophil proliferation and differentiation in the rat bone marrow by mechanisms involving upregulation of PPT-I gene and NK-1 receptors.

Transcellular induction of neuropeptide Y expression by NT4 and BDNF

The transcellular signaling of neurotrophins is postulated, but evidence is scarce. We now show that a small number of NT4- and BDNF-overexpressing neurons in the cortical explant of thalamocortical cocultures rapidly evoked a Trk receptor-dependent upregulation of neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA in interneurons. In contrast to BDNF, the action of NT4 was independent of calcium influx through NMDA receptors and L-type calcium channels. NPY neurons vastly outnumbered the neurotrophin-overexpressing neurons (mostly pyramidal cells), arguing for a spread of the neurotrophin signal via axonally connected neuronal populations. Furthermore, NT4 transfection of one explant of axonally connected corticocortical cocultures evoked significantly larger numbers of NPY neurons in both explants. Delivery of the signal was not by diffusion of neurotrophins via the medium. Moreover, cortical NPY neuron numbers increased after NT4 and BDNF transfection of a cocultured tectal explant innervated selectively by cortical layer V pyramidal neurons. The transcellular induction of NPY suggests a source-to-sink model for axonal transport and a local cortical redistribution of TrkB ligands to interneurons competent for NPY expression.

Neurotrophins induce short-term and long-term changes of cortical neurotrophin expression

Neuronal activity, hormones, transmitters, physical exercise and enrichment influence cortical neurotrophin expression. Neurotrophins then elicit structural and physiological changes, and regulate gene expression. This prompted the hypothesis that neurotrophins themselves are involved in regulating neurotrophin expression. Here we investigated the mRNA expression level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), NT-3 and nerve growth factor (NGF) as well as the tyrosine receptor kinases TrkB and TrkC receptor in response to BDNF, NT-4, NT-3 and NGF pulses in organotypic cortex cultures. Single neurotrophin pulses evoked a dramatic up- or down-regulation of some, but not all four, neurotrophin mRNAs, even within 3-24 h, indicating an immediate impact on neurotrophin transcription. Most strikingly, neurotrophin pulses during the first 10 days in vitro (DIV) potentiated the expression of some neurotrophin mRNAs at 20 DIV, suggesting that early trophic factor experience influences the expression levels seen later in development. The NT-3 mRNA expression, for example, was consistently promoted by NGF and BDNF, suggesting that these two factors help to maintain the low level of NT-3 found in adult cortex. Rapid bidirectional changes characterized the NT-4 mRNA expression. A single pulse of NT-4 transiently increased NT-4 mRNA, whereas a BDNF pulse transiently reduced NT-4 mRNA. Surprisingly, NGF strongly potentiated BDNF mRNA and in particular NT-4 mRNA. By contrast, TrkB mRNA remained constant at ages or time points at which other mRNAs amplified from the very same cDNA libraries revealed dramatic increases or decreases. Our study suggests the existence of a complex regulatory neurotrophin network controlling the expression of other neurotrophins.

Ethanol inhibits brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated intracellular signaling and activator protein-1 activation in cerebellar granule neurons

Developmental exposure to ethanol causes profound damage to the cerebellum, ranging from aberration in neuronal differentiation to cell loss. As a major neurotrophic factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB are expressed in the developing, as well as adult, cerebellum. Many neurotrophic effects of BDNF are mediated by gene transcription. We hypothesized that ethanol interfered with BDNF signaling and disrupted BDNF-regulated transcriptional activity. Using a transgenic mouse model expressing an activator protein-1 (AP-1) luciferase reporter construct, we demonstrated that BDNF stimulated AP-1 transactivation in cultured cerebellar granule neurons. This observation was validated by the study using a human neuronal cell line expressing inducible TrkB (TB8 neuroblastoma cells). BDNF induced AP-1 transactivation, as well as increased the binding activity of AP-1 protein complex to a DNA sequence containing AP-1 sites in TB8 cells. BDNF-mediated AP-1 activation was mediated by PI3K/Akt and JNK pathways; BDNF activated Akt and JNKs, and blocking these pathways significantly inhibited BDNF-stimulated AP-1 transactivation. More importantly, ethanol inhibited BDNF-mediated activation of PI3K/Akt and JNKs, and blocked BDNF-stimulated AP-1 activation. Since ethanol did not affect either the expression or autophosphorylation of TrkB, it could be concluded that the site of ethanol action was downstream of TrkB. The present study establishes that this AP-1 reporter transgenic mouse model is valuable for assessing AP-1 activity in the CNS neurons. Our results provide an insight into molecular mechanism(s) of ethanol action.

Environmental enrichment: effects on stereotyped behavior and neurotrophin levels

The present study evaluated whether environmental enrichment-related effects on the development of stereotyped behavior in deer mice were associated with alterations in neurotrophin levels. Deer mice were reared in enriched or standard cage conditions for 60 days. The mice were then tested in automated photocell detectors and classified as either stereotypic or nonstereotypic. This testing paradigm yielded four behaviorally distinct groups: enriched stereotypic, enriched nonstereotypic, standard cage stereotypic, and standard cage nonstereotypic. The motor cortex, striatum, and hippocampus were dissected, and the levels of brain-derived neurotrophin factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in each brain region were analyzed using Promega ELISA kits. There were no differences in either NGF or BDNF in either the motor cortex or the hippocampus. In the striatum, the enriched nonstereotypic mice exhibited significantly more BDNF than the enriched stereotypic, the standard cage nonstereotypic, or the standard cage stereotypic mice. There were no differences in NGF in the striatum. These results provide evidence that the enrichment-related prevention of stereotyped behavior in deer mice is associated with increased BDNF in the striatum.

NGF and NT-3 exert differential effects on the expression of neuropeptides in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of rats withdrawn from ethanol treatment

Some neurotrophins have the capability of enhancing neuropeptide expression in several regions of the brain. It was also recently shown that NGF, infused over 1 month, offsets the decreased synthesis and expression of vasopressin (VP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of rats submitted to chronic ethanol treatment and withdrawal. In the present study we examined the effectiveness of neutrotrophin-3 (NT-3) in promoting such effects, given that SCN neurons express both the high and the low affinity receptors for this neurotrophin. NT-3 was intraventricularly infused during 10 days to rats withdrawn from prolonged ethanol treatment. The total number, and the mean somatic volume, of VP- and VIP-immunoreactive neurons was compared with the estimates obtained from control rats and withdrawn rats treated with either NGF or cerebrospinal fluid during the same period. The infusion of cerebrospinal fluid and of NT-3 did not prevent the reduction in the number of peptide-producing neurons induced by withdrawal from ethanol treatment. Conversely, NGF infusion increased their number to control levels and led to neuronal hypertrophy. Our results show that, unlike NGF, NT-3 does not display the capacity of enhancing neuropeptide expression in the SCN. Because SCN neurons express the low affinity p75(NTR), which is equally activated by both neurotrophins, our results additionally indicate that the effects of NGF upon SCN neurons are not receptor-mediated. Taken together, our data suggest that indirect mechanisms, rather than direct neutrophin signaling, are likely to mediate the trophic effects exerted by NGF upon SCN neurons.

Neuronal activity and neurotrophic factors regulate GAD-65/67 mRNA and protein expression in organotypic cultures of rat visual cortex

Environmental factors are known to regulate the molecular differentiation of neocortical interneurons. Their class-defining transmitter synthetic enzymes are the glutamic acid decarboxylases (GAD); yet, fairly little is known about the developmental regulation of transcription and translation of the GAD-65/67 isoforms. We have characterized the role of neuronal activity, neurotrophins and afferent systems for GAD-65/67 expression in visual cortex in organotypic cultures (OTC) compared with in vivo in order to identify cortex-intrinsic regulatory mechanisms. Spontaneously active OTC prepared at postnatal day 0 displayed from 10 days in vitro (DIV) onwards 12-14% GAD-65/GAD-67 neurons similar to in vivo. However, GAD-65 mRNA was higher, whereas GAD-67 protein was lower, than in vivo. During the first week neurotrophins increased whereas the Trk receptor inhibitor K252a and MEK inhibitors decreased both GAD mRNAs and proteins. After 10 DIV GAD expression no longer depended on neurotrophin signalling. Activity-deprived OTC revealed only 6% GAD-67 neurons and mRNA and protein were reduced by 50%. GAD-65 mRNA was less reduced, but protein was reduced by half, suggesting translational regulation. Upon recovery of activity GAD mRNAs, cell numbers, and both proteins quickly returned to normal and these 'adult' levels were resistant to late-onset deprivation. In 20 DIV activity-deprived OTC, only neurotrophin 4 increased GAD-65/67 mRNAs, rescued the percentage of GAD-67 neurons and increased both proteins in a TrkB-dependent manner. Activity deprivation had thus shifted the period of neurotrophin sensitivity to older ages. The results suggested neuronal activity as a major regulator differentially affecting transcription and translation of the GAD isoforms. The early presence of neuronal activity promoted the GAD expression in OTC to a neurotrophin-independent state suggesting that neurotrophins play a context-dependent role.

Involvement of VIP on BDNF-induced somatostatin gene expression in cultured fetal rat cerebral cortical cells

Previous studies have shown that BDNF promotes expression of SS. In earlier studies we demonstrated the stimulatory effect of locally produced VIP upon SS secretion. These facts led us to explore the peptidergic action of BDNF on VIP, and to determine if BDNF-induced SS might be mediated by the induction of VIP. Cultured fetal rat cerebrocortical cells were incubated with BDNF (50 ng/ml) and/or VIP (10(-11) M) for 2 and 5 days. In other experiments IgGs from BDNF or VIP antisera were also added. BDNF increased VIP and SS gene expression and peptide production. After 2 days of incubation with both BDNF and VIP the induction of SS mRNA was similar to that obtained with BDNF alone. However when the treatment was extended to 5 days the increase in SS mRNA was higher than that obtained with BDNF alone. This finding suggests the possibility that both factors acted synergistically. To define the potential role of VIP in the response of SS gene expression to BDNF, endogenous VIP was blocked with IgGs from VIP antiserum. Under these experimental conditions BDNF-induced SS decreased. Our study provides the first evidence that BDNF up-regulates VIP gene expression and concentration of the peptide. The involvement of VIP on BDNF-induced SS gene expression is also demonstrated.

Development of pro-TRH gene expression in primary cultures of fetal hypothalamic cells

Little is known about the temporal relationship and the sequential steps for peptide biosynthesis during the terminal differentiation of the peptide phenotype in central nervous system. Analysis of the TRH phenotype in primary cultures of rat fetal day 17 hypothalamic cells has shown that TRH levels start increasing only after a week in culture, in contrast with in vivo data showing a steady increase during late fetal life. The purpose of this study was to compare the developmental patterns of TRH and pro-TRH mRNA levels in vitro to determine whether the initial low and steady levels of TRH are due to deficient transcription. Pro-TRH mRNA levels were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR through the development of primary cultures of serum-supplemented hypothalamic fetal cells from 17 day old embryos. Pro-TRH mRNA levels per dish increased steadily since the beginning of the culture. In contrast, TRH levels per dish were low and stable during the first week increasing afterwards, but remaining low compared to equivalent in vivo values. Pro-TRH mRNA levels per hypothalamus increased between fetal day 17 and postnatal 14, suggesting that the in vitro pattern of pro-TRH mRNA development mimics that occurring in vivo. These data show that pro-TRH gene expression does not limit TRH accumulation in vitro suggesting that the transcriptional and post-transcriptional programs leading to peptide accumulation are established independently.

Neurotrophins, but not depolarization, regulate substance P expression in the developing optic tectum

Neurotransmitter expression can be regulated by both activity and neurotrophins in a number of in vitro systems. We examined whether either of these factors was likely to play a role in the in vivo optic nerve-dependent regulation of a substance P-like immunoreactive (SP-ir) population of cells in the developing optic tectum of the frog. In contrast to our previous results with the adult system, blocking tectal cell responses to glutamate release by retinal ganglion cells with 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3 dione (CNQX) did not affect the percent of SP-ir cells in the developing tectum. Treatment with d-(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (d-AP-5) was also ineffective in this regard, although both it and CNQX treatment disrupted visual map topography. Chronic treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5) produced increases in SP-ir cells in the treated lobes of normal animals, which were significant in the case of NT-4/5. Both substances also prevented the decrease of SP cells that would otherwise occur in the deafferented lobe of unilaterally optic nerve-transected tadpoles. These changes in the percent of SP-ir cells occurred without any detectable changes in the overall number of tectal cells. NGF had no effect on SP expression. Nor did it affect topographic map formation, which was disrupted by treatment with either BDNF or NT-4/5. Our results demonstrate that different mechanisms regulate SP expression in the developing and adult tectum. They indicate that neurotrophin levels in the developing optic tectum may selectively regulate a specific neuropeptide-expressing population of cells.

Distribution and regulation of substance P-related peptide in the frog visual system

Modulation of visual signal activity has consequences for both signal processing and for activity-dependent structuring mechanisms. Among the neuromodulatory agents found in visual areas are substance P (SP)-related peptides. This article reviews what is known about these substances in the amphibian retina and optic tectum with special emphasis on the leopard frog, Rana pipiens. It is found that the distribution of these SP-related peptides is remarkably similar to that seen in mammals. This suggests that study of model amphibian systems may significantly enhance our understanding of how neuropeptides contribute to visual system function and organization.

BDNF increases the early expression of TRH mRNA in fetal TrkB+ hypothalamic neurons in primary culture

Known effects of neurotrophins in the developing central nervous system include induction or regulation of peptide expression. Hypothalamic postmitotic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-producing neurons may require neurotrophins for survival and/or differentiation. This issue was investigated using primary cell cultures derived from 17-day-old fetal rat hypothalamus seeded in serum-free medium and analysed up to 4 days in vitro culture. Neurotrophin receptor (TrkB and TrkC) mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR in fetal hypothalamus and throughout the culture period. Western blots confirmed the expression of the full-length proteins in vitro. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the addition of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increases TRH mRNA levels while the addition of neurotrophin-3 does not. TRH cell content was not modified. Studies on the effect of cell density or homologous conditioned medium demonstrated that endogenous factors probably contribute to determine TRH mRNA levels. One of these factors was BDNF because basal TRH mRNA levels were reduced by the addition of a Trk inhibitor or anti-BDNF. TrkB mRNA was expressed in 27% of cells and TRH mRNA in 2% of cells. The number of TRH+ cells was not affected by BDNF treatment. Forty-eight per cent of TRH neurons contained TrkB mRNA; these neurons had higher amounts of TRH mRNA than TrkB- neurons. Only TrkB+ cells responded to BDNF by increasing their TRH mRNA levels suggesting that BDNF may directly affect TRH biosynthesis. In conclusion, fetal hypothalamic TRH neurons are probably heterogeneous in regard to the neurotrophic factors enhancing peptide and mRNA levels. BDNF enhances TRH mRNA levels in a population of TrkB+ fetal hypothalamic TRHergic neurons in primary culture. However, additional influences may be necessary for the establishment of peptide phenotype in the TrkB+ neurons.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor delays hippocampal kindling in the rat

Epileptic seizures increase the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus. Since this neurotrophin exerts modulatory effects on neuronal excitability in this structure, it may play an important role in hippocampal epileptogenesis. This question was addressed by studying the effects of chronic infusions of recombinant brain-derived neurotrophic factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor antisense in the hippocampus during the first seven days of hippocampal kindling. Infusion with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (6-24 microg/day) significantly delayed the progression of standard hippocampal kindling and strongly suppressed seizures induced by rapid hippocampal kindling. These suppressive effects were dose dependent, long lasting, not secondary to neuronal toxicity and specific to this neurotrophin, as nerve growth factor accelerated hippocampal kindling progression. They also appeared to be specific to the hippocampus, as infusion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (48 microg/day) in the amygdala only resulted in a slight and transient delay of amygdala kindling. Conversely to the protective effects of exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor, chronic hippocampal infusion of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (12 nmol/day), resulting in reduced expression of endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus, aggravated seizures during hippocampal kindling. Taken together, our results lead us to suggest that the seizure-induced increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the hippocampus may constitute an endogenous regulatory mechanism able to restrain hippocampal epileptogenesis.

Exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor regulates the synaptic composition of axonally lesioned and normal adult rat motoneurons

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor has previously been shown to promote survival and axonal regeneration in injured spinal motoneurons and, also, to modulate synaptic transmission and regulate the density of synaptic innervation in a variety of neurons. The present light and electron microscopic study demonstrates synaptotrophic effects of exogenously applied brain-derived neurotrophic factor on the synaptic composition of both normal and axonally lesioned adult rat spinal motoneurons. After L5-L6 ventral root avulsion, a massive loss of all types of boutons occurred on the somata of the lesioned motoneurons which persisted for at least 12 weeks postoperatively. We found that (i) intrathecal infusion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor during the first postoperative week did not prevent the synaptic detachment and activation of glial cells; (ii) prolonged treatment for four weeks restored synaptic covering and significantly reduced microglial reaction; (iii) the synaptotrophic effect remained significant for at least eight weeks after cessation of the treatment; (iv) brain-derived neurotrophic factor mainly supported F-type boutons with presumably inhibitory function, while it had little effect on S-type boutons associated with excitatory action; and (v) in normal unlesioned motoneurons, four weeks of treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor induced sprouting of F-type boutons, a loss of S-type boutons and motoneuron atrophy. The present data show that exogenous neurotrophins not only help to restore synaptic circuitry in axonally injured motoneurons, but also strongly influence the synaptic composition in normal motoneurons.

Activity-dependent regulation of substance P expression and topographic map maintenance by a cholinergic pathway

We have assessed the role of activity in the adult frog visual system in modulating two aspects of neuronal plasticity: neurotransmitter expression and topographic map maintenance. Chronic treatment of one tectal lobe with the non-NMDA receptor antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione decreased the percentage of substance P-like immunoreactive (SP-IR) tectal cells in the untreated lobe while disrupting topographic map formation in the treated one. Treatment with the NMDA receptor antagonist d-(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (d-AP-5) disrupted the topographic map but had no affect on SP-IR cells. These results indicate that maintenance of the topographic map is dependent on direct input from the glutamatergic retinal ganglion cells, whereas substance P (SP) expression is being regulated by a pathway that relays activity from one tectal lobe to the other. Such a pathway is provided by the cholinergic nucleus isthmi, which is reciprocally connected to the ipsilateral tectum and sends a projection to the contralateral one. Mecamylamine and atropine, antagonists of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, respectively, were used together to block all cholinergic activity or alone to block receptor subclass activity. All three treatments decreased SP expression and disrupted the topographic map in the treated tectal lobe. We conclude that both SP expression and topographic map maintenance in the adult optic tectum are activity-dependent processes. Although our results are consistent with the maintenance of the topographic map through an NMDA receptor-based mechanism, they suggest that SP expression is regulated by a cholinergic interaction that depends on retinal ganglion cell input only for its activation.

Neurodegenerative and morphogenic changes in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy do not depend on the expression of the calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin, calbindin, or calretinin

The functional role of the calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin, calretinin, and calbindin D-28k for epileptogenesis and long-term seizure-related alterations of the hippocampal formation was assessed in single- and double-knockout mice, using a kainate model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. The effects of a unilateral intrahippocampal injection of kainic acid were assessed at one day, 30 days, and four months post-injection, using various markers of GABAergic interneurons (GABA-transporter type 1, GABA(A)-receptor alpha1 subunit, calretinin, calbindin D-28k, somatostatin, and neuropeptide Y). Parvalbumin-deficient, parvalbumin/calbindin-deficient, and parvalbumin/calretinin-deficient mice exhibited no difference in cytoarchitecture of the hippocampal formation and in the number, distribution, or morphology of interneurons compared to wild-type mice. Likewise, mutant mice were not more vulnerable to acute kainate-induced excitotoxicity or to long-term effects of recurrent focal seizures, and exhibited the same pattern of neurochemical alterations (e.g., bilateral induction of neuropeptide Y in granule cells) and morphogenic changes (enlargement and dispersion of dentate gyrus granule cells) as wild-type animals. Quantification of interneurons revealed no significant difference in neuronal vulnerability among the genotypes.These results indicate that the calcium-binding proteins investigated here are not essential for determining the neurochemical phenotype of interneurons. Furthermore, they are not protective against kainate-induced excitotoxicity in this model, and do not appear to modulate the overall level of excitability of the hippocampus. Finally, seizure-induced changes in gene expression in granule cells, which normally express high levels of calcium-binding proteins, apparently were not affected by the gene deletions analysed.

Long-term environmental enrichment leads to regional increases in neurotrophin levels in rat brain

A number of studies have demonstrated that both morphological and biochemical indices in the brain undergo alterations in response to environmental influences. In previous work we have shown that rats raised in an enriched environmental condition (EC) perform better on a spatial memory task than rats raised in isolated conditions (IC). We have also found that EC rats have a higher density of immunoreactivity than IC rats for both low and high affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors in the basal forebrain. In order to determine if these alterations were coupled with altered levels of neurotrophins in other brain regions as well, we measured neurotrophin levels in rats that were raised in EC or IC conditions. Rats were placed in the different environments at 2 months of age and 12 months later brain regions were dissected and analyzed for NGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) levels using Promega ELISA kits. We found that NGF and BDNF levels were increased in the cerebral cortex, hippocampal formation, basal forebrain, and hindbrain in EC animals compared to age-matched IC animals. NT-3 was found to be increased in the basal forebrain and cerebral cortex of EC animals as well. These findings demonstrate significant alterations in NGF, BDNF, and NT-3 protein levels in several brain regions as a result of an enriched versus an isolated environment and thus provide a possible biochemical basis for behavioral and morphological alterations that have been found to occur with a shifting environmental stimulus.

Specification of neuropeptide Y phenotype in visual cortical neurons by leukemia inhibitory factor

Building the complex mammalian neocortex requires appropriate numbers of neurochemically specified neurons. It is not clear how the highly diverse cortical interneurons acquire their distinctive phenotypes. The lack of genetic determination implicates environmental factors in this selection and specification process. We analysed, in organotypic visual cortex cultures, the specification of neurons expressing neuropeptide Y (NPY), a potent anticonvulsant. Endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin 4/5 play no role in early NPY phenotype specification. Rather, the decision to express NPY is made during a period of molecular plasticity during which differentiating neurons with the potential to express NPY compete for the cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor which is produced in the cortex, but is negatively regulated by thalamic afferences. The neurons that fail in this competition are parvalbuminergic basket and chandelier neurons, which express NPY transiently, but will not acquire a permanent NPY expression. They switch into a facultative NPY expression mode, and remain responsive to the neurotrophins which modulate NPY expression later in development.

Selective neuroprotective effects with insulin-like growth factor-1 in phenotypic striatal neurons following ischemic brain injury in fetal sheep

Severe perinatal asphyxia can lead to injury and dysfunction of the basal ganglia. Post insult administration of insulin-like growth factor-1 is neuroprotective, particularly in the striatum. Insulin-like growth factor-1 is also known to be a neuromodulator of several types of striatal neurons. The striatum comprises various phenotypic neurons with a complex neurochemical anatomy and physiology. In the present study, we examined the specificity of neuronal rescue with insulin-like growth factor-1 on different striatal neurons. Bilateral brain injury was induced in near term fetal sheep by 30 min of reversible carotid artery occlusion. A single dose of 3 microg of insulin-like growth factor-1 was infused over 1 h into the lateral ventricle 90 min following ischemia. The histological and immunohistochemical outcome were examined after 4 days recovery using paraffin tissue preparations. Insulin-like growth factor-1 treatment (n = 11) significantly reduced the percentage of neuronal loss in the striatum compared with the vehicle treated group (n = 10, 28.3+/-5.1% vs 55.5+/-17.3%, P < 0.005). Immunohistochemical studies showed that ischemia resulted in a significant loss of calbindin-28kd, choline acetyltransferase, parvalbumin, glutamate acid decarboxylase, neuronal nitric oxide synthase and neuropeptide Y immunopositive neurons, compared with sham controls. Insulin-like growth factor-1 markedly prevented the loss of calbindin-28kd (n = 7, P < 0.05), choline acetyltransferase (n = 7, P < 0.05), neuropeptide Y (n = 7, P < 0.05), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (n = 8, P < 0.05) and glutamate acid decarboxylase (n = 9, P < 0.05) immunopositive neurons, but failed to protect parvalbumin (n = 6) immunopositive neurons. The present study indicates that the therapeutic effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 in the basal ganglia is selectively associated with cholinergic and some phenotypic GABAergic neurons. These data suggest a potential role for insulin-like growth factor-1 in preventing cerebral palsy due to perinatal asphyxia.

Overexpression of neuropeptide Y induced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the rat hippocampus is long lasting

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in hippocampal neuroplasticity. In particular, BDNF upregulation in the hippocampus by epileptic seizures suggests its involvement in the neuronal rearrangements accompanying epileptogenesis. We have shown previously that chronic infusion of BDNF in the hippocampus induces a long-term delay in hippocampal kindling progression. Although BDNF has been shown to enhance the excitability of this structure upon acute application, long-term transcriptional regulations leading to increased inhibition within the hippocampus may account for its suppressive effects on epileptogenesis. Therefore, the long-term consequences of a 7-day chronic intrahippocampal infusion of BDNF (12 microg/day) were investigated up to 2 weeks after the end of the infusion, on the expression of neurotransmitters contained in inhibitory hippocampal interneurons and which display anti-epileptic properties. Our results show that BDNF does not modify levels of immunostaining for glutamic acid decarboxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis, and somatostatin. Conversely, BDNF induces a long-lasting increase of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the hippocampus, measured by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay, outlasting the end of the infusion by at least 7 days. The distribution of BDNF-induced neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity is similar to the pattern observed in animals submitted to hippocampal kindling, with the exception of mossy fibres which only become immunoreactive following seizure activity. The enduring increase of neuropeptide Y expression induced by BDNF in the hippocampus suggests that this neurotrophin can trigger long-term genomic effects, which may contribute to the neuroplasticity of this structure, in particular during epileptogenesis.

Critical periods during sensory development

Recent studies have made progress in characterizing the determinants of critical periods for experience-dependent plasticity. They highlight the role of neurotrophins, NMDA receptors and GABAergic inhibition. In particular, genetic manipulation of a single molecule, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), has been shown to alter the timing of the critical period of plasticity in mouse visual cortex, establishing a causal relation between neurotrophin action, the development of visual function, and the duration of the critical period.

The distribution of neuropeptide Y and brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity in hippocampal formation of the monkey and rat

The distribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the hippocampal formation of monkey and rat brains was studied immunohistochemically. The NPY-neuronal system is more highly developed in the monkey compared to that in the rat. The distribution of NPY-positive products was coincident with that of abundant BDNF-positive deposits. These observations suggest that the role of BDNF and the interaction of BDNF-NPY may differ between species.

Plasticity in the enteric nervous system

Enteric ganglia can maintain integrated functions, such as the peristaltic reflex, in the absence of input from the central nervous system, which has a modulatory role. Several clinical and experimental observations suggest that homeostatic control of gut function in a changing environment may be achieved through adaptive changes occurring in the enteric ganglia. A distinctive feature of enteric ganglia, which may be crucial during the development of adaptive responses, is the vicinity of the final effector cells, which are an important source of mediators regulating cell growth. The aim of this review is to focus on the possible mechanisms underlying neuronal plasticity in the enteric nervous system and to consider approaches to the study of plasticity in this model. These include investigations of neuronal connectivity during development, adaptive mechanisms that maintain function after suppression of a specific neural input, and the possible occurrence of activity-dependent modifications of synaptic efficacy, which are thought to be important in storage of information in the brain. One of the applied aspects of the study of plasticity in the enteric nervous system is that knowledge of the underlying mechanisms may eventually enable us to develop strategies to correct neuronal alterations described in several diseases.

Excitatory granule cells of the dentate gyrus exhibit a double inhibitory neurochemical content after intrahippocampal administration of kainate in adult mice

We have previously demonstrated that, in the adult mouse, injection of kainate/AMPA receptors agonists into the dorsal hippocampus induces major structural modifications of the dentate gyrus granule cells. Such changes are mediated by the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Considering previous involvements of BDNF in activity-linked regulations of hippocampal neuronal phenotype, changes of neurochemical contents were further investigated. It is shown that excitatory granule cells rapidly acquire a strong immunoreactivity for the inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA and neuropeptide-Y, with different patterns for both molecules. GABA immunoreactivity appeared first in mossy fibers, before extending to cell bodies and dendrites. Analysis of glutamic acid decarboxylase revealed slight increases in mossy fibers and no somatic labeling. In contrast to GABA, neuropeptide-Y labeling was observed first in granule cell soma and then in mossy fibers, with a centrifugal gradient. All labelings were transient, but slight amounts of GABA and NPY were kept in some cell bodies for at least 6 months. Confocal microscope analysis of double GABA/NPY labelings revealed colocalization of both mediators in the same neurons. The specificity of kainate-linked changes was suggested by lack of immunoreactivity for somatostatin. These results show that the capacities of mature granule cells to adapt environmental modifications can concern neurochemical contents, by synthesis and/or uptake of specific molecules. The fact that adaptive changes are rapid and transient suggests a direct response to kainate, in order to limit its potentially deleterious effects. Colocalization of GABA and neuropeptide-Y indicates that the dentate gyrus granule cells can use several pathways to this aim.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4/5 differentially regulate the phenotype and prevent degenerative changes in striatal projection neurons after excitotoxicity in vivo

To determine whether growth factors of the neurotrophin family are able to regulate the phenotype of striatal projection neurons, cell lines overexpressing brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3 or neurotrophin-4/5 were intrastriatally grafted. Striatal projection neurons were examined for the regulation of their soma areas and for the expression of glutamate decarboxylase 67, preprotachykinin A, preproenkephalin and prodynorphin messenger RNAs by in situ hybridization. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4/5 differentially regulated the soma area of projection neurons at different distances from the graft, but did not modify their messenger RNA levels. Neurotrophin-3 induced an increase in the soma area of preproenkephalin- and preprotachykinin A-positive neurons, brain-derived neurotrophic factor increased the soma area of only preprotachykinin A-positive neurons, while neurotrophin-4/5 did not produce any effect. Because atrophy and neuronal loss are hallmarks of Huntington's disease, we next examined whether neurotrophins prevent degenerative changes in a quinolinate model of Huntington's disease. Seven days after intrastriatal quinolinate injection, we observed a halo of cell loss around the injection sites, reduced soma area of glutamate decarboxylase 67-, preproenkephalin- and preprotachykinin A-positive neurons bordering the lesion, and a decrease in the messenger RNA levels of glutamate decarboxylase 67 and these neuropeptides. Grafting of cell lines expressing brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3 or neurotrophin-4/5 reduced the size of the lesion for preproenkephalin-, preprotachykinin- and glutamate decarboxylase 67-, but not for prodynorphin-positive neurons. Moreover, the three neurotrophins prevented the atrophy of all projection neurons, and the lesion-induced decrease in preproenkephalin and preprotachykinin A messenger RNA levels. We conclude that neurotrophins differentially regulate the phenotype of striatal projection neurons and prevent degenerative changes. The higher efficiency of neurotrophin-3 suggests a potential therapeutic application of this molecule in neurological disorders affecting striatal projection neurons, such as Huntington's disease.

A novel role for receptor-associated protein in somatostatin modulation: implications for Alzheimer's disease

Receptor-associated protein appears to play an important role in low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein trafficking. Since ligands for the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease and normal functioning of this protein is indispensable for central nervous system development, deficient receptor-associated protein expression may result in central nervous system alterations. In this study, receptor-associated protein knockout mice were behaviorally tested and nervous system integrity was assessed via in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical/laser confocal microscopy methods. Receptor-associated protein knockout mice were found to be cognitively impaired in the Morris water maze compared to controls. In wild-type mice, the receptor-associated protein was found to be highly co-expressed with somatostatin in hippocampal and neocortical inhibitory neurons. Receptor-associated protein knockout mice, however, showed a significant decrease in number of somatostatin-expressing neurons of the CA1 region and somatostatin expression within these neurons. The decreased number of somatostatin neurons significantly correlated with cognitive impairment observed in the receptor-associated protein knockout mice. These results suggest a novel role for receptor-associated protein in modulating the functioning of somatostatin-producing neurons. Furthermore, this has implications for Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis, in which altered regulation of both somatostatin and the known low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein ligands are a consistent finding.

Regulation of nociceptin/orphanin FQ gene expression by neuropoietic cytokines and neurotrophic factors in neurons and astrocytes

We have identified the gene encoding nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), the novel opioid-like neuropeptide, as responsive to ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). N/OFQ mRNA levels were induced five- and ninefold by CNTF in striatal and cortical neurons. In primary astrocytes CNTF also increased N/OFQ mRNA levels. CNTF is a multifunctional cytokine that mediates the development and differentiation of both neurons and astrocytes and supports the survival of various neurons. CNTF is also an injury-induced factor in the brain playing a crucial role in astrogliosis. The mechanism by which CNTF elicits these effects is not well understood, but it is likely to involve regulation of specific genes. CNTF regulation of N/OFQ expression was sensitive to the kinase inhibitors H-7 and genistein but not to inhibition of protein synthesis. This pharmacological profile is consistent with CNTF activating the Janus protein tyrosine kinase (JAK)/ signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway to induce N/OFQ transcription. In nuclear extracts of CNTF-treated striatal neurons DNA binding of STAT proteins was increased. Radioimmunoassays revealed elevated N/OFQ immunoreactivity in striatal neurons after CNTF treatment. Expression of the related proenkephalin gene was not affected by CNTF in either neuronal or glial cultures. Regulation of N/OFQ expression by CNTF might point to a possible function of N/OFQ during development and after neural injury.

BDNF and NT-4 differentiate two pathways in the modulation of neuropeptide protein levels in postnatal hippocampal interneurons

Neuropeptide protein levels in hippocampal interneurons exhibit a considerable maturation in postnatal animals. This study characterizes the role of neuronal activity in determining neuropeptide protein levels in postnatal hippocampal interneurons, and the involvement of neurotrophins. In hippocampal slices from 7-day-old rats cultured for 2 weeks, treatment with the gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor antagonist bicuculline increased the staining intensity and the number of neurons immunoreactive for neuropeptide Y (NPY). An opposite effect was observed when non-N-methyl-d-aspartate (non-NMDA) excitatory transmission was blocked. The effects of either treatment were reversed after return to control medium. These findings were similar to those previously obtained on the effects of activity on somatostatin immunostaining. Blockade of endogenous tyrosine kinase neurotrophin receptors using K252a prevented the effects of bicuculline on NPY- and somatostatin-immunoreactive neurons. Application of exogenous neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) increased NPY and somatostatin protein levels in long-term but not short-term cultures, while nerve growth factor (NGF) had no effect. In contrast, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) did not affect equally NPY and somatostatin immunoreactivity: they mimicked the effects of bicuculline treatment on NPY-immunoreactive neurons, but exerted no conspicuous effect on somatostatin immunostaining. These results indicate that although neuronal activity plays a major role in determining neuropeptide protein levels in postnatal hippocampal interneurons, its effects on different neuropeptides might be exerted through different mechanisms, with or without the mediation of BDNF or NT-4.

Mutual regulation between the intercellular messengers nitric oxide and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in rodent neocortical neurons

The diffusible factors, nitric oxide (NO) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are both suggested to be intercellular messengers that have similar synaptic activities and developmental influences in the brain. In the present study, we have analysed their mutual regulation with respect to their production in rodent neocortical neurons. Some of the cultured rat neocortical neurons exhibited immunoreactivity for both neuronal NO synthase (NOS) and the BDNF receptor trkB. Neuronal NOS appeared to be activated autonomously and produced NO in culture as monitored by nitrite accumulation. Inhibition of the endogenous NO production in culture by a NOS inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA), enhanced basal expression of BDNF mRNA and protein. Similarly, cerebroventricular administration of another NOS inhibitor, N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), but not D-NAME or saline, increased BDNF content in the neocortex. In the opposite direction, however, BDNF appeared to function as a positive regulator for NO synthesis. Addition of BDNF upregulated the neuronal NOS expression as well as NO production in neocortical culture. In agreement, BDNF knock-out mice exhibited significant impairment of neuronal NOS expression in the neocortex. Taken together, these observations suggest that the trans-synaptic signalling molecules, NO and BDNF, influence the production of each other and mutually regulate the strength of their intercellular communications.

Expression of TrkB and TrkC but not BDNF mRNA in neurochemically identified interneurons in rat visual cortex in vivo and in organotypic cultures

The mammalian visual cortex contains morphologically diverse populations of interneurons whose neurochemical properties are believed to be regulated by neurotrophic factors. This requires the expression of neurotrophin receptors. We have analysed whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), its receptor trkB and the NT-3 receptor trkC are expressed in interneurons of rat visual cortex in vivo, and in organotypic visual cortex cultures, paying particular attention to the subsets of neuropeptidergic neurons. In situ hybridization in combination with immunofluorescence for calcium-binding proteins and neuropeptides revealed that BDNF is not expressed in interneurons in vivo or in vitro. For the neurotrophin receptors we found in vivo at postnatal day 70 (P70) that approximately 80% of the parvalbumin-immunoreactive (-ir), but only 50% of the intensely calbindin-ir, and only 20% of the calretinin-ir neurons express trkB. Double labelling with neuropeptides revealed that approximately 50% of the neuropeptide Y-ir and approximately 50% of the somatostatin-ir neurons express trkB in a laminar-specific way. Only 25% of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-ir neurons coexpress trkB. The coexpression of neuropeptide Y with trkB, but not with BDNF or trkC, was confirmed with a double in situ hybridization. In contrast, the percentages differed in the immature cortex; at P14 70% of the NPY-ir neurons and 46% of the calretinin-ir neurons revealed trkB expression, while the ratio for calbindin-ir cells was fairly constant (59%). From the interneuron populations studied, only 12% of the parvalbumin-ir neurons expressed trkC. A triple labelling revealed that some neurons coexpressed both trk mRNAs, while others had only trkC. The analysis of interneurons in organotypic cultures yielded very similar results. The results indicate that trkB ligands synthesized by pyramidal neurons influence neuropeptide or calcium-binding protein expression in a paracrine or transsynaptic manner. However, in contrast to current belief, in the adult only about half of all interneurons appear responsive to trkB ligands. Although the proportion is higher in the immature cortex, not all of the interneurons appear neurotrophin-receptive. With regard to the presence or absence of neurotrophin receptors, the molecular heterogeneity of GABAergic interneurons in the visual cortex is higher than currently assumed, and the responsiveness to neurotrophins changes with development in a cell type-specific way.

The effects of the N-terminal tripeptide of insulin-like growth factor-1, glycine-proline-glutamate in different regions following hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in adult rats

Insulin-like growth factor-1 has pleiotropic effects in the central nervous system and can act both as a survival and a differentiation factor. Insulin-like growth factor-1 can be proteolytically cleaved into des-N-(1-3)-insulin-like growth factor-1 and a N-terminal tripeptide fragment, glycine-proline-glutamate. Both insulin-like growth factor-1 and des-N-(1-3)-insulin-like growth factor-1 can improve neuronal survival after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in vivo. The present study investigates the effects of glycine-proline-glutamate on different brain regions and neuronal populations after hypoxic-ischemic injury. Unilateral hypoxic-ischemic injury was induced in adult rats. Glycine-proline-glutamate (3 microg) was administered centrally 2 h after the injury and the extent of brain damage determined five days later. In a separate trial immunohistochemical techniques were used to determine the effects of glycine-proline-glutamate on specific populations of neurons in the striatum after the injury. Compared to the vehicle treatment, glycine-proline-glutamate (n=19) treatment reduced the extent of cortical damage and neuronal loss in the CA1-2 subregions of the hippocampus (P<0.05). In the striatum, there was a trend towards a reduction in neuronal loss after glycine-proline-glutamate treatment (P=0.053) compared to the vehicle (n=21)-treated animals. In a separate study, glycine-proline-glutamate (n=8) treatment prevented the loss of choline acetyltransferase (P<0.05), glutamate acid decarboxylase (P<0.05) and somatostatin (P<0.05) containing neurons in the ipsilateral striatum following hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and also increased the numbers of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (P<0.05) containing neurons in the contralateral side. These studies suggest that in addition to neuroprotective effects, glycine-proline-glutamate can influence neuronal activity after hypoxic-ischemic injury.

Decreased neuropeptide content in the spinal cord of aged rats: the effect of GM1 ganglioside

This study investigated the status of substance P (SP), methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk) and dynorphin A(1-13) (Dyn A) in the spinal cord of aged Sprague-Dawley rats and the effect of GM1 ganglioside on these neuropeptides. SP and Met-Enk, but not Dyn A, were decreased in both dorsal and ventral horns of the aged spinal cord. Treatment with GM1 ganglioside (30 mg/kg i.p., daily for 30 days) restored, in part, the neuropeptide deficits in the ventral horns, but not in the dorsal horns. This information might be important for understanding the sensory and motor deficits associated with ageing, and how the spinal cord neuropeptides might be amplified in the aged spinal cord.

Tyrosine kinase A, galanin and nitric oxide synthase within basal forebrain neurons in the rat

Cholinergic basal forebrain neurons appear to play a key role in cognition and attention. In rat, basal forebrain neurons express multiple proteins including the high-affinity signal transducing tyrosine kinase A receptor for nerve growth factor, the neuropeptide galanin and nitric oxide synthase, a marker for the novel neurotransmitter nitric oxide. The present study was undertaken to define the relationship between neurons expressing each of these markers within the medial septum-vertical limb of the diagonal band, horizontal limb of the diagonal band and nucleus basalis in colchicine pre-treated rats. Tyrosine kinase A-immunopositive neurons were seen throughout all subfields of the basal forebrain. In contrast, nitric oxide synthase- and galanin-immunoreactive neurons were mainly distributed within the septal-diagonal band complex. Co-localization experiments revealed that virtually all nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons (visualized by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase histochemistry) also contained tyrosine kinase A, whereas many fewer tyrosine kinase A neurons were nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase positive within the medial septum-vertical limb of the diagonal band. Within the horizontal limb of the diagonal band, numerous nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase neurons expressed tyrosine kinase A, whereas only a small number of tyrosine kinase A neurons contained nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase. Within the nucleus basalis very few neurons were nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase reactive, and a minor number contained tyrosine kinase A. Additional co-localization experiments revealed minor percentages of neurons containing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase and galanin immunoreactivity within the various subfields of the basal forebrain. Within the horizontal limb of the diagonal band minor numbers of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase-reactive perikarya displayed galanin. Similarly, only a few galanin-containing neurons expressed nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase. The existence of tyrosine kinase A, nitric oxide synthase and galanin within select neuronal subgroups of the cholinergic basal forebrain suggests that these perikarya are responsive to a complex set of chemical signals. A greater understanding of the chemical signature of the cholinergic basal forebrain neurons will provide the insight required to develop novel pharmacological approaches aimed at preventing or slowing the degenerative processes that effect these neurons in aging and pathologic disorders.

Serotonergic repression of mitogen-activated protein kinase control of the calcitonin gene-related peptide enhancer

We have investigated the mechanisms underlying regulation of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) cell-specific enhancer. Recently, we reported that this enhancer is inhibited by serotonin type-1 (5-HT1) agonists, similar to currently used antimigraine drugs. We have now tested whether this repression involves a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. We first demonstrate that the CGRP enhancer is strongly (10-fold) activated by a constitutively active MAP kinase kinase (MEK1), yielding reporter activities 100-fold above the enhancerless control. The involvement of a MAP kinase pathway was confirmed by down-regulation of reporter activity upon cotransfection of a dominant negative Ras. Activation of the enhancer by MEK1 was blocked in a dose-dependent manner by the 5-HT1 receptor agonist CGS 12066A (CGS). Since it is not known whether the CGRP enhancer factors are immediate targets of MAP kinases, we then used EIk-1- and c-Jun-dependent reporter genes that are directly activated by the ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinases) and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) MAP kinases. CGS treatment repressed the activation of both of these reporters, suggesting that at least two MAP kinases are the immediate targets of CGS-mediated repression. We further demonstrate that 5-HT1 agonists inactivate ERK by dephosphorylation, even in the presence of constitutively activated MEK1. This inactivation appears to be due to a marked increase in the level of MAP kinase phosphatase-1. These results have defined a novel and general mechanism by which 5-HT1 receptor agonists can repress MAP kinase activation of target genes, such as CGRP.

Somatostatin expression in TS16 mouse brain cultures

Somatostatin expression in trisomy 16 mouse neuronal cultures has been studied to investigate the effects of the presence of an extra copy of the pre-pro-somatostatin (ppSS) gene on mouse chromosome 16. The immunoreactivity for somatostatin (SS) was considered in mixed cultures of neurons and glia cells and in neuron-enriched cultures as well as that for neuropeptide Y, glutamic acid decarboxylase, and gamma-enolase immunoreactivity the genes of which are not present on mouse chromosome 16. ppSS and pre-pro-neuropeptide Y (ppNPY) mRNA expression was evaluated and SS immunoreactivity in neurons analyzed by a morphometrical study. The extra copy of the ppSS gene resulted in a significantly increased level of the transcript in trisomic cultures, whereas the expression of the other neuropeptides did not differ. The absence of glial cells in these cultures reduced the number of SS-positive neurons making their number comparable in the trisomic and control cultures. Thus, in spite of higher expression of the ppSS mRNA in trisomic cultures, the determination of this peptidergic phenotype was influenced by the presence of neuroglial cells.