Control of the Na+,K+-pump by nerve growth factor is essential to neuronal survival

Na,K-ATPase alpha3 subunit in the goldfish retina during optic nerve regeneration

The goldfish optic nerve can regenerate after injury. To understand the molecular mechanism of optic nerve regrowth, we identified genes whose expression is specifically up-regulated during the early stage of optic nerve regeneration. A cDNA library constructed from goldfish retina 5 days after transection was screened by differential hybridization with cDNA probes derived from axotomized or normal retina. Of six cDNA clones isolated, one clone was identified as the Na,K-ATPase catalytic subunit alpha3 isoform by high- sequence homology. In northern hybridization, the expression level of the mRNA was significantly increased at 2 days and peaked at 5-10 days, and then gradually decreased and returned to control level by 45 days after optic nerve transection. Both in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining have revealed the location of this transient retinal change after optic nerve transection. The increased expression was observed only in the ganglion cell layer and optic nerve fiber layer at 5-20 days after optic nerve transection. In an explant culture system, neurite outgrowth from the retina 7 days after optic nerve transection was spontaneously promoted. A low concentration of ouabain (50-100 nm ) completely blocked the spontaneous neurite outgrowth from the lesioned retina. Together, these data indicate that up-regulation of the Na,K-ATPase alpha3 subunit is involved in the regrowth of ganglion cell axons after axotomy.

Endogenous modulators of brain Na+,K(+)-ATPase at early postnatal stages of rat development

The presence of endogenous modulators (peaks I and II) of synaptosomal Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity from adult rat cerebral cortex was previously suggested. In this study, the presence of such modulators at different postnatal stages of rat development was examined and their effect was tested on Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity. Synaptosomal membrane Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity was enhanced 20-30% by peak I and inhibited 70-75% by peak II obtained from 4-, 10-, 20- and 35-40-day-old rats. A fraction purified from peak II by anionic exchange HPLC (termed II-E) highly inhibits enzyme activity and behaves as a ouabain-like factor. Inhibitory activity of a 4-day-old II-E fraction proved higher than the corresponding fraction obtained from adult rats. Since expression of cerebral Na+, K(+)-ATPase has been shown to increase 10-fold during development whereas peak II concentration was observed to remain constant, and given the higher potency of purified neonatal II-E fraction, the effect of the latter may be greater at early postnatal stages of development than during adult life. It is suggested that the II-E fraction, which contains an ouabain-like factor, may play a role in neuronal development.

Alpha 2 mRNA of Na+K+ ATPase is increased in astroctyes of rat hippocampus after treatment with kainic acid

The Na+K+ ATPase (Na+ pump) plays a central role in regulating cation homeostasis and is thought to have an important role in cell proliferation. The multitude of subunit isoforms comprising the functional Na+K+ ATPase has raised the possibility that specific subunit isoform combinations may be involved in different cellular processes. We have investigated the involvement of the specific isoforms in neurons and glia at the site of a CNS lesion. Intracerebroventricular injection of kainic acid was used to induce neuronal cell loss and reactive gliosis in rat hippocampus and levels of Na+K+ ATPase subunit isoform mRNA levels were determined in cells of rat hippocampus using in situ hybridization. alpha 2 mRNA levels increased 35-40% in CA1 and CA3 astrocytes between 1-3 weeks after KA injection with no significant change in other subunit isoform mRNA levels. In addition alpha 3 mRNA levels in CA1 pyramidal neurons were decreased by approx. 35%. Small neurons in the CA1 and CA3 region showed no changes in mRNA levels for any of the Na+K+ ATPase subunit isoforms. These results may indicate a possible role for alpha 2 subunit isoform in the conversion of glial cells from a normal phenotype to the reactive phenotype characteristic in this model of CNS injury.

Effects of nerve growth factor on the survival of primary cultured adult and aged mouse sensory neurons

This study investigated the effects of exogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) on the survival and differentiation in primary culture of sensory neurons isolated from adult (6 months) and aged (2 years) mice. For neurons prepared from adult mice, a concentration effect was evident during a 2 week culture period: Neuronal counts in cultures supplemented with 25 and 50 ng/ml NGF did not differ significantly from those of control cultures without exogenous NGF or those with anti-NGF included in the culture medium, whereas cultures supplemented with either 100 or 200 ng/ml NGF contained higher numbers of neurons throughout the culture period. Cultures prepared from aged mice contained less neurons than those from adult mice, although those supplemented with 100 ng/ml NGF retained higher neuronal numbers than cultures from aged mice which did not receive exogenous NGF. Neuronal diameters were measured to investigate whether specific subpopulations of neurons were more dependent on NGF; the results indicate that neurons of a medium-larger diameter were more prevalent than cells with a smaller diameter following NGF administration. A shape index was calculated for each culture regimen; with longer culture periods a higher proportion of spindle-shaped neurons was observed.

Neurite-promoting activities of phosphatidylinositol and other lipids on fetal rat septal neurons in culture

Neurite-promoting activities of lipids were assessed using serum-free cultures of fetal rat septal neurons. The most potent one was phosphatidylinositol (PI), followed by PI 4-phosphate, phosphatidylserine, sphingomyelin, and phosphatidylcholine. The EC50 value for PI was 1.5 micrograms/ml (1.8 microM), and activity was maximal at 4 micrograms/ml (56% of total cells had neurites after 24 h). Cerebroside, sulfatide, and di- and triacylglycerols showed relatively low activities. Synthetic dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine was also active, with a maximal activity (47%) at 100 micrograms/ml, a finding implying that the unsaturated fatty acid moiety is not released and further used as substrate for the arachidonic acid cascade. Lysophospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol, and cardiolipin were rather cytotoxic and lacked activity, an observation suggesting that membrane perturbation is not responsible for the neurite-promoting activity. Treatment with a protein kinase C inhibitor, H-7, or an Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, ouabain, inhibited the PI-induced neurite outgrowth, but the cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor HA1004 did not inhibit this activity, a result indicating that multiple elements (protein kinase C and Na+,K(+)-ATPase) are involved in the induction of neurites. Because phospholipids can be provided either as lipid vesicles or as lipoproteins produced by macrophages at regeneration sites, they may play an important role in the regeneration of certain populations of neurons.

Sodium and potassium uptake in primary cultures of rat astroglial cells induced by long-term exposure to the basic astroglial growth factor (AGF2)

Astroglial cell cultures were derived from newborn rat forebrain and cultured for 5 days in serum containing-, and for an additional 4 days in a serum-free, defined medium. At the end of this 9-day-long period, basic astroglial growth factor (AGF2) was administered to the culture medium (10 ng per ml). Cells were subsequently cultured in AGF2 containing serum-free, defined medium for further two weeks. At definite intervals of culturing, unidirectional influx of both Na+ and K+ (INa and IK, respectively) was determined by applying 22Na and 42K. The AGF2-treated cultures showed highly increased, amiloride-sensitive INa at the early exposure period (2-8 hours), similar to that we have reported about cultured astroglia exposed to AGF2 for minutes. They also exhibited significant furosemide-sensitive-, while relatively poor ouabain-sensitive component of INa. However, at later periods of exposure to AGF2, INa was significantly reduced, particularly due to the decrease of its amiloride-sensitive component, while its furosemide-sensitive component further increased with the time of AGF2 treatment. In contrast to INa, the IK in the cultures exposed to AGF2 increased significantly in the course of the long-term exposure period, particularly the ouabain-, and furosemide-sensitive-components, while its amiloride-sensitive component, similarly to that of INa, decreased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sodium and potassium uptake in primary cultures of proliferating rat astroglial cells induced by short-term exposure to an astroglial growth factor

Primary cultures of rat astroglial cells were maintained in a serum-free medium. After 8-10 days of cultivation the cells were exposed to an astroglial growth factor (AGF2) for short periods (1-120 min). Subsequently, uptake of 22Na+ and 42K+ into control and AGF2-pretreated cells was studied. Assay of the Na+ and K+ values in the cells was also performed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Treatment of rat astroglial cells with AGF2 resulted in a significant increase of the uptake of both Na+ and K+ depending on the duration of the exposure period. To reach the maximum increase of cation uptake, 6-10 min and 30 min of AGF2 pretreatment were needed for Na+ and K+, respectively. Amiloride blocked this increase of Na+ and K+ uptake elicited by AGF2 pretreatment, but the control cells were amiloride resistant. Treatment with AGF2 increased the ouabain sensitivity of the K+ uptake as that: 10(-4) M ouabain inhibited K+ uptake of the AGF2-treated cells to the same degree as 5 X 10(-3) M ouabain with the control cells. The Na+ uptake of AGF2-treated cells, however, exhibited no relevant changes in the presence of ouabain. A significant part of the AGF2-induced K+ uptake could be inhibited by both ouabain and amiloride, but a ouabain-resistant and amiloride-sensitive component also was revealed. The furosemide sensitivity of both Na+ and K+ uptake into cultured astroglial cells was also significantly increased by AGF2. Our findings suggest that short-term exposure of cultured glial cells to AGF2 induces these very early ionic events: 1) The appearance of a relevant amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchange, and as a consequence of increased Na+ entry into the cells, secondary activation of the ouabain-sensitive K+ uptake via the Na+,K+-pump. 2) A direct effect of AGF2 on the Na+,K+-pump assembly in the membrane, resulting in increased Na+ sensitivity of the inner pump sites and enhanced ouabain sensitivity of the external K+-binding sites. 3) An increase of ouabain-resistant but amiloride- or furosemide-sensitive Na+ and K+ uptake.

Nerve growth factor supports growth of rat skeletal myotubes in culture

Effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) were examined on the growth of rat skeletal myotubes in culture and the expression of Na-K pump activity in this preparation. We found NGF to cause an immediate increase in electrogenic Na-K pump activity as determined by electrogenic component of membrane potential (Em) and ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake. When given chronically, NGF was able to replace serum as an essential supplement for development of cultured myotubes. Thus, when maintained in a serum-free, basal nutrient medium (DMEM), myotubes progressively deteriorated as indicated by morphological appearance, Em and the number of [3H]ouabain binding sites compared with myotubes grown in normal, serum-supplemented growth medium (GM). In contrast, the presence of NGF in DMEM completely prevented the deterioration of these properties, their values actually exceeding those in GM. These findings demonstrate a trophic effect of NGF on bioelectric properties of neonatal mammalian muscle cells.

Control of Na+, K+-pump activity in dorsal root ganglionic neurons by different neuronotrophic agents

Na+, K+-pump activity is indispensable for neuronal survival in vitro and a specific role in its regulation has been demonstrated for the NGF action on its target neurons. We have extended these earlier studies to include two other neuronotrophic agents: the chick eye-derived ciliary neuronotrophic factor (CNTF); and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). CNTF and TPA individually supported the survival of an identical (and maximal) number of embryonic day 10 (E10) dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons as did NGF. E10 DRG neurons, seeded as monolayer cultures with 86Rb+ (as K+ tracer) but no trophic supplement in their medium, received NGF, CNTF, TPA, or no agent at 2, 4 or 6 h after seeding. The cultures were analyzed at 6 and 24 h for Na+, K+-pump performance and at 24 h for neuronal survival. Neurons receiving no agent lost their pump activity over the first 6 h and died over the 10-24 h incubation period. Both pump performance and survival were fully supported by any one of the 3 agents when provided at seeding time. Delayed presentation of NGF also led to full restoration of pump activity and survival support, as expected. In contrast, CNTF and TPA failed to correct the increasing pump deficits incurred with increasing times of trophic deprivation, and neuronal survival was proportionally reduced. Delayed addition of CNTF and TPA did, however, prevent further losses of both pump and viability. Close similarities were observed between pump failure and cell losses, demonstrating a linear correlation between pump performance and neuronal survival.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Transamination of glutamate to tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates in cultured neurons correlates with the ability of oxo acids to support neuronal survival in vitro

Cultures of central-nervous-system neurons at low densities require for their survival exogenous pyruvate, alpha-oxoglutarate or oxaloacetate, even in the presence of high glucose concentrations. Most other alpha-oxo acids support cell survival only in the presence of alpha-amino acids which transaminate to alpha-oxoglutarate, oxaloacetate or pyruvate. The alpha-oxo acids therefore operate as acceptors of amino groups from appropriate donors to generate tricarboxylic acid-cycle-relevant substrates, and these alpha-oxo acids provide for neuronal support only insofar as they make it possible for exogenously supplied alpha-amino acid precursors to generate intracellularly one of the three critical metabolites. To examine more closely the relationship between transamination activity and neuronal survival, we measured 14CO2 production from [14C]glutamate in the presence of appropriate alpha-oxo acid partners by using 8-day-embryonic chick forebrain, dorsal-root-ganglion and ciliary-ganglion neurons. Neuronal survival was measured concurrently in monolayer neuronal cultures maintained with the corresponding amino acid/oxo acid pairs. Forebrain and ganglionic cell suspensions both produced 14CO2 from [14C]glutamate, which accurately correlated with 24 h neuronal survival. Concentrations of glutamate or alpha-oxo acid which provide for maximal neuronal survival also produced maximal amounts of 14CO2. The same ability to generate CO2 from glutamate (in the presence of the appropriate alpha-oxo acids) can ensure neuronal survival in 24 h cultures and therefore must meet energy or other metabolic needs of those neurons which glucose itself is unable to satisfy.

NGF-dependent and -independent growth of neurites from sympathetic ganglion cells of the aged human in a serum-free culture

Small pieces of tissue isolated from abdominal sympathetic ganglia in aged male patients were cultured in a chemically defined, serum-free medium. The growth of neurites from pieces of ganglia in cultures with and without 50 ng/ml mouse 2.5S nerve growth factor (NGF) was compared. The NGF stimulated significantly greater regeneration of neurites, causing the growth of long fibers from the ganglion pieces. Many short neurites grew, even in the absence of the NGF, but these were generally short, except for long neurites generated in several nerve cells. A method was devised for the evaluation of NGF-dependent growth of neurites in the culture. The rate of the NGF-dependent growth of neurites, which was calculated by the difference in the total lengths of the NGF-dependent neurites between 2- and 4-day-old cultures, was approximately 160 micron/day. The results indicate that although the growth of neurites from some sympathetic nerve cells of the aged human become independent of the NGF, most of the nerve cells remain dependent on the NGF, even in the stage of senescence.