Ontogenesis of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive structures in the rat hypothalamus. Fiber pathways and terminal fields

Hypothalamic neurons fully or partially expressing the dopaminergic phenotype: development, distribution, functioning and functional significance. A review

The hypothalamus is a key link in neuroendocrine regulations, which are provided by neuropeptides and dopamine. Until the late 1980 s, it was believed that, along with peptidergic neurons, hypothalamus contained dopaminergic neurons. Over time, it has been shown that besides dopaminergic neurons expressing the dopamine transporter and dopamine-synthesizing enzymes - tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) - the hypothalamus contains neurons expressing only TH, only AADC, both enzymes or only dopamine transporter. The end secretory product of TH neurons is L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, while that of AADC neurons and bienzymatic neurons lacking the dopamine transporter is dopamine. During ontogenesis, especially in the perinatal period, monoenzymatic neurons predominate in the hypothalamic neuroendocrine centers. It is assumed that L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and dopamine are released into the neuropil, cerebral ventricles, and blood vessels, participating in the regulation of target cell differentiation in the perinatal period and the functioning of target cells in adulthood.

The Periventricular Nucleus as a Brain Center Containing Dopaminergic Neurons and Neurons Expressing Individual Enzymes of Dopamine Synthesis

Since the 1980s, the concept of dopamine-rich brain centers as clusters of only dopaminergic neurons has been fundamentally revised. It has been shown that, in addition to dopaminergic neurons, most of these centers contain neurons expressing one of the enzymes of dopamine synthesis: tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). We have obtained convincing evidence that in rats, the hypothalamic periventricular nucleus (PeVN) is one of the largest dopamine-rich centers, containing dopaminergic and monoenzymatic neurons. Indeed, using double immunostaining for TH and AADC, the PeVN was shown to contain almost three thousand dopaminergic and monoenzymatic neurons. According to high-performance liquid chromatography, PeVN contains L-DOPA and dopamine, which, apparently, are synthesized in monoenzymatic TH neurons and bienzymatic neurons, respectively. According to confocal microscopy, neurons (cell bodies, fibers), which were immunopositive only to TH, only to AADC, or both, are in close topographic relationships with each other and with the 3rd ventricle. These data suggest the mutual regulation of the neurons, as well as the delivery of dopamine and L-DOPA to the third ventricle, which is confirmed by their detection in the cerebrospinal fluid. Thus, evidence has been obtained that PeVN is one of the largest dopamine-rich centers of the brain, containing dopaminergic and monoenzymatic neurons.

Development of Circumventricular Organs in the Mirror of Zebrafish Enhancer-Trap Transgenics

The circumventricular organs (CVOs) are small structures lining the cavities of brain ventricular system. They are associated with the semitransparent regions of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Hence it is thought that CVOs mediate biochemical signaling and cell exchange between the brain and systemic blood. Their classification is still controversial and development not fully understood largely due to an absence of tissue-specific molecular markers. In a search for molecular determinants of CVOs we studied the green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression pattern in several zebrafish enhancer trap transgenics including Gateways (ET33-E20) that has been instrumental in defining the development of choroid plexus. In Gateways the GFP is expressed in regions of the developing brain outside the choroid plexus, which remain to be characterized. The neuroanatomical and histological analysis suggested that some previously unassigned domains of GFP expression may correspond to at least six other CVOs–the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT), subfornical organ (SFO), paraventricular organ (PVO), pineal (epiphysis), area postrema (AP) and median eminence (ME). Two other CVOs, parapineal and subcommissural organ (SCO) were detected in other enhancer-trap transgenics. Hence enhancer-trap transgenic lines could be instrumental for developmental studies of CVOs in zebrafish and understanding of the molecular mechanism of disease such a hydrocephalus in human. Their future analysis may shed light on general and specific molecular mechanisms that regulate development of CVOs.

Three-dimensional distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase, vasopressin and oxytocin neurones in the transparent postnatal mouse brain

Over the years, advances in immunohistochemistry techniques have been a critical step in detecting and mapping neuromodulatory substances in the central nervous system. The better quality and specificity of primary antibodies, new staining procedures and the spectacular development of imaging technologies have allowed such progress. Very recently, new methods permitting tissue transparency have been successfully used on brain tissues. In the present study, we combined whole-mount immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), with the iDISCO+ clearing method, light-sheet microscopy and semi-automated counting of three-dimensionally-labelled neurones to obtain a (3D) distribution of these neuronal populations in a 5-day postnatal (P5) mouse brain. Segmentation procedure and 3D reconstruction allowed us, with high resolution, to map TH staining of the various catecholaminergic cell groups and their ascending and descending fibre pathways. We show that TH pathways are present in the whole P5 mouse brain, similar to that observed in the adult rat brain. We also provide new information on the postnatal distribution of OXT and AVP immunoreactive cells in the mouse hypothalamus, and show that, compared to AVP neurones, OXT neurones in the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei are not yet mature in the early postnatal period. 3D semi-automatic quantitative analysis of the PVN reveals that OXT cell bodies are more numerous than AVP neurones, although their immunoreactive soma have a volume half smaller. More AVP nerve fibres compared to OXT were observed in the PVN and the retrochiasmatic area. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate the utility and the potency of imaging large brain tissues with clearing procedures coupled to novel 3D imaging technologies to study, localise and quantify neurotransmitter substances involved in brain and neuroendocrine functions.

Direct Midbrain Dopamine Input to the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Accelerates Circadian Entrainment

Dopamine (DA) neurotransmission controls behaviors important for survival, including voluntary movement, reward processing, and detection of salient events, such as food or mate availability. Dopaminergic tone also influences circadian physiology and behavior. Although the evolutionary significance of this input is appreciated, its precise neurophysiological architecture remains unknown. Here, we identify a novel, direct connection between the DA neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). We demonstrate that D1 dopamine receptor (Drd1) signaling within the SCN is necessary for properly timed resynchronization of activity rhythms to phase-shifted light:dark cycles and that elevation of DA tone through selective activation of VTA DA neurons accelerates photoentrainment. Our findings demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for direct DA input to the master circadian clock and highlight the importance of an evolutionarily significant relationship between the circadian system and the neuromodulatory circuits that govern motivational behaviors.

Cell discharge correlates of posterior hypothalamic theta rhythm. Recipe for success in recording stable field potential

The theta rhythm discovered in the posterior hypothalamus area (PHa) differs from theta observed in the hippocampal formation. In comparison to hippocampal spontaneous theta, the theta recorded in the PHa is rarely registered, has lower amplitude, often disappears, and sometimes returns after a few minutes. These features indicate that spontaneous theta recorded in the PHa is not an appropriate experimental model to search for the correlation between PHa cell discharges and local field potential. In this paper we present standard experimental conditions necessary to record theta-related cells in the PHa in anesthetized rats. Three pharmacological agents were used in the experiments to induce PHa theta rhythm in urethanized rats: carbachol (CCH), carbenoxolone and kainic acid, which are potent enough to induce well-synchronized PHa theta. However, CCH was found to be the best pharmacological tool to induce PHa theta oscillations, due to its longest duration of action and lack of preliminary epileptogenic effects. It seems that CCH-induced theta can be the most suitable pharmacological model for experiments with the use of protocol of long-lasting recordings of PHa theta-related cell discharges.

Brain neurons partly expressing dopaminergic phenotype: location, development, functional significance, and regulation

In addition to catecholaminergic neurons possessing all the enzymes of catecholamine synthesis and the specific membrane transporters, neurons partly expressing the catecholaminergic phenotype have been found a quarter of a century ago. Most of them express individual enzymes of dopamine (DA) synthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), or aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), lacking the DA membrane transporter and the vesicular monoamine transporter, type 2. These so-called monoenzymatic neurons are widely distributed throughout the brain in ontogenesis and adulthood being in some brain regions even more numerous than dopaminergic (DA-ergic) neurons. Individual enzymes of DA synthesis are expressed in these neurons continuously or transiently in norm and pathology. It has been proven that monoenzymatic TH neurons and AADC neurons are capable of producing DA in cooperation. It means that l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) synthesized from l-tyrosine in monoenzymatic TH neurons is transported to monoenzymatic AADC neurons for DA synthesis. Such cooperative synthesis of DA is considered as a compensatory reaction under a failure of DA-ergic neurons, for example, in neurodegenerative diseases like hyperprolactinemia and Parkinson's disease. Moreover, l-DOPA, produced in monoenzymatic TH neurons, is assumed to play a role of a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator affecting the target neurons via catecholamine receptors. Thus, numerous widespread neurons expressing individual complementary enzymes of DA synthesis serve to produce DA in cooperation that is a compensatory reaction at failure of DA-ergic neurons.

Non-dopaminergic neurons partly expressing dopaminergic phenotype: distribution in the brain, development and functional significance

Besides the dopaminergic (DA-ergic) neurons possessing the whole set of enzymes of DA synthesis from l-tyrosine and the DA membrane transporter (DAT), the neurons partly expressing the DA-ergic phenotype have been first discovered two decades ago. Most of the neurons express individual enzymes of DA synthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) and lack the DAT. A list of the neurons partly expressing the DA-ergic phenotype is not restricted to so-called monoenzymatic neurons, e.g. it includes some neurons co-expressing both enzymes of DA synthesis but lacking the DAT. In contrast to true DA-ergic neurons, monoenzymatic neurons and bienzymatic non-dopaminergic neurons lack the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) that raises a question about the mechanisms of storing and release of their final synthetic products. Monoenzymatic neurons are widely distributed all through the brain in adulthood being in some brain regions even more numerous than DA-ergic neurons. Individual enzymes of DA synthesis are expressed in these neurons continuously or transiently in norm or under certain physiological conditions. Monoenzymatic neurons, particularly those expressing TH, appear to be even more numerous and more widely distributed in the brain during ontogenesis than in adulthood. Most populations of monoenzymatic TH neurons decrease in number or even disappear by puberty. Functional significance of monoenzymatic neurons remained uncertain for a long time after their discovery. Nevertheless, it has been shown that most monoenzymatic TH neurons and AADC neurons are capable to produce l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) from l-tyrosine and DA from L-DOPA, respectively. L-DOPA produced in monoenzymatic TH neurons is assumed to play a role of a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator acting on target neurons via catecholamine receptors. Moreover, according to our hypothesis L-DOPA released from monoenzymatic TH neurons is captured by monoenzymatic AADC neurons for DA synthesis. Such cooperative synthesis of DA is considered as a compensatory reaction under a failure of DA-ergic neurons, e.g. in neurodegenerative diseases like hyperprolactinemia and Parkinson's disease.Thus, a substantial number of the brain neurons express partly the DA-ergic phenotype, mostly individual complementary enzymes of DA synthesis, serving to produce DA in cooperation that is supposed to be a compensatory reaction under the failure of DA-ergic neurons.

The influence of catecholamine on the migration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-producing neurons in the rat foetuses

Catecholamines (CA) play an important role in the regulation of GnRH neurons in adults, and it is probable that they control GnRH-neuron development. Migration of GnRH neurons was evaluated in male and female rats at the 17th embryonic day (E17) and E21, following the daily treatment of their pregnant mothers from the 11th to the 16th and 20th day of gestation with alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (alphaMPT), an inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis. High-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED) was used to specify the alphaMPT-induced CA depletion. There was a 50-70% decrease in dopamine and noradrenaline content in the nose and in the brain of alphaMPT-treated foetuses, proving the efficacy of this pharmacological model. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the percentage (%) of GnRH neurons along their migration pathway from the vomeronasal organ (VNO) in the nose to the septo-preoptic area in the forebrain which is considered as an index of neuron migration. Special attention was paid to the topographic relationships of GnRH neurons with catecholaminergic fibres. These were observed in apposition with GnRH neurons in the entrance to the forebrain. In CA-deficient foetuses, the percentage of GnRH neurons located in the rostral regions extending from the VNO to the septum was greater than in controls. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the forebrain which extended from the septum to the retrochiasmatic area. In conclusion, these data suggest that endogenous catecholamines stimulate the GnRH neuron migration in ontogenesis.

Interaction between the circadian clocks of mother and fetus

In mammals, a unidirectional communication exists between the biological clocks of the mother and fetus. As a biological clock begins oscillating in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the fetus, redundant circadian signals entrain the fetal clock to the prevailing light-dark cycle. Recent studies have revealed an activatable dopamine system within the fetal hypothalamus which may serve as a final common pathway by which maternal signals entrain the fetus. An entrained biological clock during fetal life makes the developing mammal better prepared for life in the outside world.

Neuronal expression of catechol O-methyltransferase mRNA in neonatal rat suprachiasmatic nucleus

We examined the expression profile of catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) mRNA and its protein in the neonatal rat hypothalamus by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to clarify the sites of dopamine degradation. Strong COMT mRNA expression was observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) throughout its rostrocaudal extent at postnatal day 1 (P1) and P2, and the mRNA levels decreased gradually until P16. COMT mRNA was predominantly localized to the ventral and medial parts of the SCN. Intense COMT immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the ventral SCN and was detected in neuronal perikarya and processes at P1. Ependymal and microglial cells also exhibited strong COMT immunoreactivity. These results indicate that COMT may directly be involved in dopaminergic signaling in the neonatal SCN.

Postnatal regulation by monoamines of vasopressin expression in the neuroendocrine hypothalamus of MAO-A-deficient mice

We studied the influence of noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT) on arginine-vasopressin (AVP) expression in the mouse neuroendocrine hypothalamus during the postnatal period. We used 11-day-old transgenic Tg8 mice knock-out for the monoamine oxidase A gene, which are characterized by increased amounts of NA (two-fold) and 5-HT (nine-fold) in the brain compared with wild-type littermates. AVP expression, determined by enzyme immunoassay and in situ hybridization, was increased in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), decreased in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), and unchanged in the paraventricular nucleus of Tg8 mice compared with wild-types. Inhibiting NA synthesis by injecting alpha-methylparatyrosine to Tg8 mice, AVP levels were decreased in the SCN but increased in the SON. Moreover, the administration of parachlorophenylalanine, a 5-HT synthesis inhibitor, was associated with increased AVP contents in the SCN only. Together, these data show a marked region-specific sensitivity of AVP expression to NA and 5-HT during the postnatal period in the mouse hypothalamus.

Neurons possessing enzymes of dopamine synthesis in the mediobasal hypothalamus of rats. Topographic relations and axonal projections to the median eminence in ontogenesis

We evaluated the topographic relations between tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)- and/or aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC)-immunoreactive neurons in the arcuate nucleus (AN), as well as between TH- and/or AADC-immunoreactive axons in the median eminence (ME) in rats at the 21st embryonic day, 9th postnatal day, and in adulthood. The double-immunofluorescent technique in combination with confocal microscopy was used. Occasional bienzymatic neurons but numerous monoenzymatic TH- or AADC-immunoreactive neurons were observed in fetuses. There was almost no overlap in the distribution of monoenzymatic neurons, and therefore few appositions were observed in between. In postnatal animals, numerous bienzymatic neurons appeared in addition to monoenzymatic neurons. They were distributed throughout the AN resulting in the increased frequency of appositions. Furthermore, specialized-like contacts between monoenzymatic TH- and AADC-immunoreactive neurons appeared. The quantification of the fibers in the ME showed that there were large specific areas of the monoenzymatic TH-immunoreactive fibers and bienzymatic fibers in fetuses, followed by the gradual reduction of the former and the increase of the latter to adulthood. The specific area of the monoenzymatic AADC-immunoreactive fibers in fetuses was rather low, and thereafter increased progressively to adulthood. The fibers of all the types were in apposition in the ME at each studied age. Close topographic relations between the neurons containing individual complementary enzymes of dopamine synthesis at the level of cell bodies and axons suggest functional interaction in between.

The differentiation of dopaminergic neurons in situ, in vivo, and in transplants

This article summarizes results obtained from studies on the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons in animal hypothalamus and human substantia nigra in situ, in vitro, and in transplants, as well as the role of the microenvironment in regulating this process. Four stages were identified in the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons from rat hypothalamus: a) formation of neurons from neuroepithelial precursor cells, b) expression of specific synthetic products (enzymes and dopamine itself) and mechanisms for transmembrane dopamine transport (reuptake and secretion in response to membrane depolarization), c) formation of permanent and transient efferent connections, and d) formation of afferent innervation and synaptogenesis. Along with dopaminergic neurons, rat fetuses contained neurons expressing only one of the dopamine-synthesizing enzymes and probably taking part in in situ dopamine synthesis. Differentiation of dopaminergic neurons was sexually dimorphic in terms of the dynamics of neuron formation and expression of enzymes involved in dopamine synthesis. A neurotransplantation model showed that humoral factors of placental and maternal origin had no significant effect on the differentiation of the dopaminergic neurons of the hypothalamus. As regards the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra, expression of their specific phenotype in human fetuses started with the synthesis of tyrosine hydroxylase and co-maturation of the specific dopamine reuptake mechanism during the sixth week of development. During the next four weeks, specific uptake increased, and this appears to be a measure of the number of neurons and the growth of their processes. These data provide the basis for regarding the period from week 6 to week 10 as optimal for transplantation of dopaminergic neurons into the striatum of patients with Parkinson's disease. Suspensions of fetal substantia nigra cells enriched with dopaminergic neurons were introduced stereotaxically into a patient's striatum through a cannula. Positron emission tomography studies showed that the transplanted neurons survived within the host brain, underwent differentiation, and started to synthesize dopamine. The results of clinical assessment performed in parallel with these studies suggested that the transplanted dopaminergic neurons were involved in regulating striatal target neurons.

The ontogenic appearance of tyrosine hydroxylase-, serotonin-, gamma-aminobutyric acid-, calcitonin gene-related peptide-, substance P-, and synaptophysin-immunoreactivity in rat pituitary gland

The initial appearance of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-, serotonin (5-HT)-, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-, calcitonin gene-related peptide- (CGRP), substance P-, and synaptophysin-immunoreactivity in the rat pituitary gland, and in the related brain regions was investigated. Several groups of TH-immunoreactive neurons were first detected in the brain stem on day E17, and in the hypothalamus on day E18, followed by TH-immunoreactivity in the median eminence and infundibulum on E19-E20. TH-positive fibers appeared in the posterior lobe on day E20 and in the intermediate lobe on day P0. 5-HT-immunoreactivity was first detected on day E17 in neurons and nerve fibers in the brain stem and in the median eminence, respectively. On day E18, a few 5-HT-immunoreactive fibers were detected in the posterior lobe of the pituitary, although they were consistently seen in the infundibulum from day E19. In newborn rats, some 5-HT-immunoreactive fibers, but no neurons, were seen in the hypothalamus. GABA immunoreactivity appeared on day E17 in several nerve fibers of the infundibulum and the posterior lobe. Some neurons in the cortex and ventral hypothalamus transiently expressed GABA-immunoreactivity on day E17. In newborn rats, a plexus of GABA-immunoreactive fibers was detected for the first time in the intermediate lobe. No CGRP-immunoreactive fibers could be detected in the prenatal pituitary. On day P10, CGRP-immunoreactive fibers were first observed in the anterior lobe. Later their number considerably increased, while only sporadic fibers could be found in the intermediate or posterior lobes. No substance P-immunoreactivity could be detected in any of the lobes in the embryonic or developing postnatal rat pituitary, instead the adult anterior lobe occasionally showed some substance P-immunoreactive fibers. Synaptophysin-immunoreactivity was first detected in the posterior lobe on day E20, followed shortly by its expression in the intermediate lobe in newborn rats. The time course of GABA and 5-HT expression revealed in the present study suggests that these transmitters, which are initially expressed in the developing pituitary clearly before synaptic maturation, may act as trophic molecules during the prenatal period.

D1-dopamine receptor binding and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactivity in the fetal and neonatal hamster suprachiasmatic nucleus

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the anterior hypothalamus is the site of an endogenous biological clock that regulates mammalian circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms, although endogenously driven, are synchronized or entrained to daily environmental cues. Developmentally, the SCN begins to oscillate before birth and is entrained to the maternal circadian rhythm by a mechanism that is still unclear. Recent evidence in rats and hamsters suggests that a fetal dopaminergic system and D1-dopamine receptors may be involved in the process of entraining the fetal clock. The present study using [3H]SCH 23390 autoradiography and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry determined the developmental time courses of the appearance of D1 receptor in, and catecholaminergic input to, the hamster SCN. [3H]SCH 23390 binding to D1-dopamine receptors was first detected in the fetal SCN on embryonic day (E) 15, the day before birth in this species, and persisted through adulthood. The TH immunoreactive fibers were first observed on day E15 coursing just ventral to the fetal SCN but TH-immunoreactive cells and fibers were not seen within the SCN until postnatal day (P) 5. The presence of D1-dopamine receptor binding in the fetal hamster SCN is consistent with the role of these receptors in entrainment of the fetal circadian pacemaker to maternal cues. However, a receptor-transmitter mismatch exists between D1-dopamine receptors and TH-immunoreactive fibers in the fetal SCN suggesting that the role of dopamine in maternal-fetal entrainment may be as a paracrine or humoral signal.

Postnatal maturation of rat hypothalamoneurohypophysial neurons: evidence for a developmental decrease in calcium entry during action potentials

Action potentials and voltage-gated currents were studied in acutely dissociated neurosecretory cells from the rat supraoptic nucleus during the first three postnatal weeks (PW1-PW3), a period corresponding to the final establishment of neuroendocrine relationships. Action potential duration (at half maximum) decreased from 2.7 to 1.8 ms; this was attributable to a decrease in decay time. Application of cadmium (250 microM) reduced the decay time by 43% at PW1 and 21% at PW3, indicating that the contribution of calcium currents to action potentials decreased during postnatal development. The density of high-voltage-activated calcium currents increased from 4.4 to 10.1 pA/pF at postnatal days 1-5 and 11-14, respectively. The conductance density of sustained potassium current, measured at +20 mV, increased from 0.35 (PW1) to 0.53 (PW3) nS/pF. The time to half-maximal amplitude did not change. Conductance density and time- and voltage-dependent inactivation of the transient potassium current were stable from birth. At PW1, the density and time constant of decay (measured at 0 mV) were 0.29 nS/pF (n = 12) and 17.9 ms (n = 10), respectively. Voltage-dependent properties and density (1.1 nS/pF) of the sodium current did not change postnatally. During PW1, fitting the mean activation data with a Boltzmann function gave a half-activation potential of -25 mV. A double Boltzman equation was necessary to adequately fit the inactivation data, suggesting the presence of two populations of sodium channels. One population accounted for approximately 14% of the channels, with a half-inactivation potential of -86 mV; the remaining population showed a half-inactivation potential of -51 mV. A mathematical model, based on Hodgkin-Huxley equations, was used to assess the respective contributions of individual currents to the action potential. When the densities of calcium and sustained potassium currents were changed from immature to mature values, the decay time of the action potentials generated with the model decreased from 2.85 to 1.95 ms. A similar reduction was obtained when only the density of the potassium current was increased. Integration of the calcium currents generated during mature and immature action potentials demonstrated a significant decrease in calcium entry during development. We conclude that the developmental reduction of the action potential duration 1) is a consequence of the developmentally regulated increase in a sustained potassium current and 2) leads to a reduction of the participation of calcium currents in the action potential, resulting in a decreased amount of calcium entering the cell during each action potential.

Co-culture of hypothalamic neurons and melanotrope cells: a model to study synaptogenesis between central neurons and endocrine cells

As a first step towards elucidating mechanisms involved in neuroendocrine synaptogenesis, we developed a model of co-culture based on hypothalamic-intermediate pituitary interactions. Dissociated hypothalamic neurons from fetal rats at embryonic day 15 were cultured in a defined medium together with melanotrope cells of the pituitary intermediate lobe from neonatal rats. In these co-cultures, establishment of synaptic contacts between GABAergic or dopaminergic neurons and an endocrine target cell the melanotrope cell, was studied by morphofunctional approaches. Using double immunostaining with antibodies directed against glutamate decarboxylase or tyrosine hydroxylase and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, we demonstrated morphological contacts between GABAergic or dopaminergic neurons and melanotrope cells as early as three days in vitro. Furthermore, using an antibody directed against synapsin I, we showed a modification of synapsin I immunoreactivity from diffuse to punctate distribution correlated with the establishment of contacts and the observation of characteristic neuroendocrine synapses by electron microscopy. These results were further confirmed by electrophysiological studies. Patch-clamp recordings demonstrated that, at six days in vitro, some melanotrope cells displayed GABAergic synaptic currents, which occurred either spontaneously and/or could be evoked chemically by 50 mM KCl or 100 microM kainate. The proportion of the melanotrope cells receiving functional synaptic inputs increased until 10 days in culture, a stage at which virtually all melanotrope cells in contact with neurons possessed functional synapses. The results presented here describe the establishment of neuroendocrine synapses in vitro, studied by combining morphofunctional and electrophysiological approaches.

Catecholaminergic innervation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the adult rat: ultrastructural relationships with neurons containing vasoactive intestinal peptide or vasopressin

Catecholaminergic fibers in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of adult rats were investigated by use of light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry. The suprachiasmatic nucleus receives a modest density of tyrosine hydroxylase-containing axons, homogeneously distributed in the nucleus and forming varicosities throughout its entire rostro-caudal extension. Immunolabeling with antibodies against dopamine showed that this catecholamine input comprises a dopaminergic component. Many tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells were localized at the immediate periphery of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. With electron-microscopic examination, dendrites of these neurons were found within the limits of the nucleus as well as at a border zone between the suprachiasmatic nucleus proper and the optic tract where they received unlabeled synapses, providing a morphological support for a possible role of dopaminergic neurons in the integration and/or transfer of light-related signals. More than 91% of catecholaminergic axonal varicosities were found to establish morphologically defined synapses with dendrites. To investigate whether these synapses might be shared with neurons of one or both of the two main peptidergic populations of the nucleus, namely vasoactive intestinal peptide- and vasopressin-containing neurons, we carried out double-labelling experiments combining immunoperoxidase and immunogold-silver labeling. Results showed only a few cases of direct association of the catecholaminergic terminals with these peptidergic categories. In both types of dually stained sections, catecholaminergic synapses were preferentially made with unlabeled dendrites. The homogeneous distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive fibers in the suprachiasmatic nucleus could therefore reflect a lack of significant catecholaminergic innervation of both vasoactive intestinal peptide- and vasopressin-synthesizing neurons.

Postnatal development of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the rat. Morpho-functional characteristics and time course of tyrosine hydroxylase immunopositive fibers

According to earlier data, the suprachiasmatic nucleus of neonatal rats is highly innervated by serotonin- and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive fibers [Ugrumov M. V. (1992) Zool. Sci. (Tokyo) 9, 37-45], while the latter were no longer observed in adults. This study has attempted to evaluate the timing of the innervation of the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus by tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive fibers, as well as to specify some morpho-functional characteristics of these fibers. According to our semi-quantitative light microscopic immunocytochemical data, few tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive fibers were observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus as early as the second postnatal day. They highly increased in number neonatally reaching a maximum at the 10th postnatal day, and then decreased dramatically in adulthood. These data suggest either the provisional character of the tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive fibers themselves or the transient expression of tyrosine hydroxylase within permanent fibers. The tyrosine hydroxylase immunopositivity in the fibers points to their catecholaminergic nature, while the overlapping in the distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase- and serotonin-immunopositive fibers might also suggest the transient expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in serotoninergic neurons. In order to check this hypothesis, the neurotoxins of catecholamine- and serotoninergic neurons, 6-hydroxydopamine and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, were intraventricularly injected at the second postnatal day, while their effects were specified by the semi-quantitative immunocytochemistry eight days later. 6-Hydroxydopamine did not modify the content of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive fibers in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Conversely, the treatment with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine resulted in a significant increase in the number of the tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive fibers, while reducing the amount of the serotoninergic ones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Development of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in rats during ontogenesis: tyrosine hydroxylase immunopositive cell bodies and fibers

This study has evaluated differentiation of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus as well as the innervation of this nucleus by tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive axons in rats during ontogenesis. Tyrosine hydroxylase-containing structures were detected with electron-microscopic pre-embedding immunocytochemistry at the 22nd fetal day as well as at the second, ninth and 21st postnatal days. Rare uni- and bipolar small tyrosine-hydroxylase-immunopositive neurons were observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus both in fetuses and postnatal rats. These neurons underwent differentiation over the perinatal period that was mainly manifested in the increase of their size as well as in the development of the Golgi complex, granular endoplasmic reticulum and the onset of the dense core vesicle production. Concomitantly, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive neurons, cell bodies and dendrites, became innervated by immunonegative axons first making presynapses, and, then, symmetric (Gray-type II) and asymmetric (Gray-type I) synapses. In addition to cell bodies and dendrites, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive axons were regularly observed in ventral, ventrolateral and ventromedial regions of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in fetuses and postnatal rats. Tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive axons were observed either in simple appositions with the immunonegative neurons or making presynapses in fetuses and symmetric and asymmetric synapses in postnatal animals. The nature of the tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive axons and the functional significance in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in ontogenesis are discussed.

Development of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in rats during ontogenesis: serotonin-immunopositive fibers

The innervation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus by serotoninergic fibers has been studied in rats from the 22nd embryonic until the 21st postnatal day. The serotoninergic fibers were detected with the pre-embedding immunocytochemical technique at the electron-microscopic level using antibodies to serotonin. Serotonin-immunopositive fibers were always identified as axons as they contained numerous synaptic vesicles both in fetuses and postnatal rats. Moreover, immunopositive dense core vesicles appeared in the axons after birth. From the end of fetal life onwards, the serotonin-immunopositive axons made specialized contacts with the immunonegative neurons, mainly with their dendrites and to a lesser extent with cell bodies and axons. In fetuses, only immature synapses (presynapses) were observed. After birth, presynapses were replaced by typical synapses with the thickened pre- and postsynaptic membranes, accumulations of dense materials at the pre- and postsynaptic membranes as well as with an accumulation of synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic membrane. The functional significance of the serotoninergic input to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in ontogenesis is discussed.

Effect of maternal adrenal deprivation on the content of catecholamines in fetal brain

Previous studies performed in our laboratory showed the importance of the effects that the absence of maternal adrenal hormones have on fetal brain. In the present study we investigated the effect of adrenal deprivation during gestation on the fetal catecholamines development in several cerebral areas. Fetuses from both control and adrenalectomized mothers from the first day of gestation were removed on the 20th embryonary day. Plasma corticosterone levels were significantly lower in the maternal serum of adrenalectomized rats, while the contents were non significantly higher in the adrenalectomized-mothers group of fetuses. Catecholamine contents in diencephalon, metencephalon, mesencephalon and telencephalon were measured by HPLC-ED. The results obtained showed that when the development of the catecholaminergic systems was previous enough to the fetal adrenal function, and under maternal adrenal deprivation conditions, the lack of corticosterone promotes an increase in the level of the catecholamines, as observed in the diencephalic NA, the earlier in maturational process. In those areas where the maturation starts at the same time than the fetal adrenal hypersecretion, no changes were observed. In the cortex, where both DA and NA develop later, the corticosterone produces an inhibition in the proliferation of the catecholaminergic neurons, showing decreased telencephalic levels of both catecholamines.

D1-dopamine receptors activate c-fos expression in the fetal suprachiasmatic nuclei

The existence of an activatable dopamine system within the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), the site of a biological clock, was investigated in rats during fetal life. In situ hybridization studies revealed that D1-dopamine receptor mRNA was highly expressed in the fetal SCN and not expressed in other hypothalamic regions. Cocaine injected into pregnant rats or directly into rat fetuses on day 20 of gestation selectively activated c-fos gene expression in the fetal SCN; cocaine did not induce c-fos expression elsewhere in the fetal brain or in the maternal SCN. This cocaine-induced activation of c-fos expression in fetal SCN was mediated in part through D1-dopamine receptors, as the cocaine-induced activation was partially blocked by the D1-dopamine receptor antagonist SCH 23390. In addition, the selective D1-dopamine receptor agonist SKF 38393 induced high levels of c-fos expression in the fetal SCN. The presence of an activatable dopamine system within the fetal SCN provides a mechanism through which maternal signals could entrain the fetal biological clock and through which maternally administered psychotropic drugs could alter normal development of the circadian timing system.

Ontogenesis of the hypothalamic catecholaminergic system in rats: synthesis, uptake and release of catecholamines

The development of the hypothalamic catecholaminergic system during ontogenesis in rats has been studied with glyoxylic acid histofluorescent method in vivo and with isotopic biochemical technique in vitro. It has been demonstrated that at the 15th fetal day the catecholaminergic system was functionally inactive at least in its ability for the uptake and K(+)-stimulated release of catecholamines. Since the 16th fetal day, hypothalamic neuronal elements gained an ability for synthesis of catecholamines, their specific uptake and K(+)-evoked release. Over the subsequent two days, the intensity of the fluorescent intraneuronal product rose considerably showing the increase of either synthesis or accumulation of catecholamines. Simultaneously, the values of the uptake and K(+)-stimulated release of the exogenous radioactively-labelled dopamine increased significantly. The intensity of the fluorescence of the hypothalamic neuronal elements dropped from 20th fetal until the ninth postnatal day, whereas the specific uptake doubled over the same period reaching its adult level. By the 21st postnatal day the reaccumulation of the fluorescent product occurred.

Ontogenesis of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive structures in the rat hypothalamus. An atlas of neuronal cell bodies

The development of the catecholaminergic system in the hypothalamus and in the septal region was studied in rats from the 12th fetal day until the 9th postnatal day. Catecholaminergic structures were visualized with pre-embedding immunocytochemistry using antiserum to tyrosine hydroxylase. An intensification of diaminobenzidine product with silver and gold was additionally applied to make the immunocytochemical technique more sensitive. In this paper only the data on the appearance and distribution of the tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive neurons (cell bodies) are presented, whereas the catecholaminergic innervation of the hypothalamus with the tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive fibers is the topic of an accompanying paper. Sparse tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive neurons were first observed in the anlage of the hypothalamus and septal region on the 13th fetal day. Their number increased progressively with age and by the 15th fetal day they already gave rise to a large dorsal accumulation. From the 18th fetal day on, tyrosine hydroxylase immunopositive neurons began to occupy their definitive positions, mainly concentrating within the hypothalamus: in the zona incerta, periventricular and arcuate nuclei. To a lesser extent, they were concentrated in the medial preoptic area, suprachiasmatic, supraoptic, paraventricular, dorsomedial, and anterior hypothalamic nuclei. The data on the distribution of the tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive neurons both in the hypothalamus and in the septal region during ontogenesis are summarized in the precise atlas. Primarily small bi- and unipolar catecholaminergic neurons first observed in the youngest fetuses undergo cytodifferentiation during ontogenesis, giving rise to at least two different populations localized ventrally, mainly in the arcuate nucleus, and dorsally, in the zona incerta. The neurons of the former population remain similar to those of the youngest fetuses, whereas the neurons of the latter increase significantly in size, forming several long, highly ramified processes.