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Ueta Y. Transgenic approaches to opening up new fields of vasopressin and oxytocin research. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13055. [PMID: 34713515 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic approaches have been applied to generate transgenic rats that express exogenous genes in arginine vasopressin (AVP)- and oxytocin (OXT)-producing magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) of the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal system (HNS). First, the fusion gene that expresses AVP-enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and OXT-monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) was used to visualize AVP- and OXT-producing MNCs and their axon terminals in the HNS under fluorescence microscopy. Second, the fusion gene that expresses c-fos-eGFP and c-fos-mRFP1 was used to identify activated neurons physiologically in the central nervous system, including MNCs, circumventricular organs and spinal cord. In addition, AVP-eGFP x c-fos-mRFP1 and OXT-mRFP1 × c-fos-eGFP double transgenic rats were generated to identify activated AVP- and OXT-producing MNCs using appropriate physiological stimuli. Third, the fusion gene that expresses AVP-chanelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2)-eGFP and AVP-hM3Dq-mCherry was used to activate AVP- and OXT-producing MNCs by optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches. In each step, these transgenic approaches in rats have provided new insights on the physiological roles of AVP and OXT not only in the HNS, but also in the whole body. In this review, we summarize the transgenic rats that we generated, as well as related physiological findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Ueta
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
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2
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Valentim-Lima E, de Oliveira JAC, Antunes-Rodrigues J, Reis LC, Garcia-Cairasco N, Mecawi AS. Neuroendocrine changes in the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system in the Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR) strain submitted to audiogenic kindling. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12975. [PMID: 33942400 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR) strain is used as an animal model of epilepsy, which when submitted to acute acoustic stimulus presents tonic-clonic seizures, mainly dependent on brainstem (mesencephalic) structures. However, when WARs are exposed to chronic acoustic stimuli (audiogenic kindling-AK), they usually present tonic-clonic seizures, followed by limbic seizures, after recruitment of forebrain structures such as the cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. Although some studies have reported that hypothalamic-hypophysis function is also altered in WAR through modulating vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) secretion, the role of these neuropeptides in epilepsy still is controversial. We analyzed the impact of AK and consequent activation of mesencephalic neurocircuits and the recruitment of forebrain limbic (LiR) sites on the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system and expression of Avpr1a and Oxtr in these structures. At the end of the AK protocol, nine out of 18 WARs presented LiR. Increases in both plasma vasopressin and oxytocin levels were observed in WAR when compared to Wistar rats. These results were correlated with an increase in the expressions of heteronuclear (hn) and messenger (m) RNA for Oxt in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in WARs submitted to AK that presented LiR. In the paraventricular nucleus, the hnAvp and mAvp expressions increased in WARs with and without LiR, respectively. There were no significant differences in Avp and Oxt expression in supraoptic nuclei (SON). Also, there was a reduction in the Avpr1a expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala and frontal lobe in the WAR strain. In the inferior colliculus, Avpr1a expression was lower in WARs after AK, especially those without LiR. Our results indicate that both AK and LiR in WARs lead to changes in the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system and its receptors, providing a new molecular basis to better understaind epilepsy.
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MESH Headings
- Acoustic Stimulation
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Epilepsy, Reflex/genetics
- Epilepsy, Reflex/metabolism
- Epilepsy, Reflex/pathology
- Epilepsy, Reflex/physiopathology
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Hippocampus/metabolism
- Hippocampus/pathology
- Hippocampus/physiopathology
- Hypothalamus/metabolism
- Hypothalamus/pathology
- Hypothalamus/physiopathology
- Kindling, Neurologic/pathology
- Kindling, Neurologic/physiology
- Male
- Neurosecretory Systems/metabolism
- Neurosecretory Systems/pathology
- Neurosecretory Systems/physiopathology
- Oxytocin/blood
- Oxytocin/genetics
- Oxytocin/metabolism
- Pituitary Gland, Posterior/metabolism
- Pituitary Gland, Posterior/pathology
- Pituitary Gland, Posterior/physiopathology
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Seizures/genetics
- Seizures/metabolism
- Seizures/physiopathology
- Seizures/psychology
- Vasopressins/blood
- Vasopressins/genetics
- Vasopressins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Evandro Valentim-Lima
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Biophysics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Luis Carlos Reis
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | | | - Andre S Mecawi
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Biophysics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Akiyama Y, Yoshimura M, Ueno H, Sanada K, Tanaka K, Sonoda S, Nishimura H, Nishimura K, Motojima Y, Saito R, Maruyama T, Hirata K, Uezono Y, Ueta Y. Peripherally administered cisplatin activates a parvocellular neuronal subtype expressing arginine vasopressin and enhanced green fluorescent protein in the paraventricular nucleus of a transgenic rat. J Physiol Sci 2020; 70:35. [PMID: 32650712 PMCID: PMC10717609 DOI: 10.1186/s12576-020-00764-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cisplatin is one of the most potent anti-cancer drugs, though several side effects can induce stress responses such as activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) expressed in the parvocellular division of the paraventricular nucleus (pPVN) play an important role in the stress-induced activation of the HPA axis. We aimed to evaluate whether intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of cisplatin could activate parvocellular neurons in the pPVN, using a transgenic rat model that expresses the fusion gene of AVP and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). Along with the induction of FosB, a marker of neuronal activation, i.p. administration of cisplatin significantly increased eGFP fluorescent intensities in the pPVN. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that AVP-eGFP and CRH mRNAs in the pPVN were increased significantly in cisplatin-treated rats. These results suggest that cisplatin administration increases neuronal activation and upregulates AVP and CRH expression in the pPVN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuki Akiyama
- Department of Surgery 1, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Yoshimura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Ueno
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Kenya Sanada
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Kentaro Tanaka
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Satomi Sonoda
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Haruki Nishimura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Nishimura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Motojima
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Reiko Saito
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Takashi Maruyama
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Keiji Hirata
- Department of Surgery 1, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Uezono
- Division of Cancer Pathophysiology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Yoichi Ueta
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan.
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Harbachova EL, Chernigovskaya EV, Glazova MV, Nikitina LS. Audiogenic kindling activates expression of vasopressin in the hypothalamus of Krushinsky-Molodkina rats genetically prone to reflex epilepsy. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12846. [PMID: 32301211 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The present study analysed the effects of audiogenic kindling on the functional state of the vasopressinergic system of Krushinsky-Molodkina (KM) rats. KM rats represent a genetic model of audiogenic reflex epilepsy. Multiple audiogenic seizures in KM rats lead to the involvement of the limbic structures and neocortex in the epileptic network. The phenomenon of epileptic activity that overspreads from the brain stem to the forebrain is called audiogenic kindling and represents a model of limbic epilepsy. In the present study, audiogenic kindling was induced by 25 repetitive audiogenic seizures (AGS) with 1 AGS per day. A proportion of KM rats did not express AGS to sound stimuli, and these rats were characterised as the AGS-resistant group. The data demonstrated that audiogenic kindling did not change activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 or cAMP response element-binding protein, although it led to an increase in vasopressin (VP) expression in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and in the magnocellular division of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Additionally, we observed a decrease in GABAergic innervation of the hypothalamic neuroendocrine neurones after audiogenic kindling, whereas glutamatergic innervation of the SON and PVN was not altered. By contrast, analysis of AGS-resistant KM rats did not reveal any changes in the activity of the VP-ergic system, confirming that the activation of VP expression was caused by repetitive AGS expression, rather than by repetitive acoustic stress. Thus, we suggest that overspread of epileptiform activity in the brain is the main factor that affects VP expression in the hypothalamic magnocellular neurones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia L Harbachova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Elena V Chernigovskaya
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Margarita V Glazova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Liubov S Nikitina
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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Yoshimura M, Ueta Y. Advanced genetic and viral methods for labelling and manipulation of oxytocin and vasopressin neurones in rats. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:311-327. [PMID: 30338378 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2932-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Rats have been widely used as one of the most common laboratory animals for biological research, because their physiology, pathology, and behavioral characteristics are highly similar to humans. Recent developments in rat genetic modification techniques have now led to further their utility for a broad range of research questions, including the ability to specifically label individual neurones, and even manipulate neuronal function in rats. We have succeeded in generating several transgenic rat lines that enable visualization of specific neurones due to their expression of fluorescently-tagged oxytocin, vasopressin, and c-fos protein. Furthermore, we have been able to generate novel transgenic rat lines in which we can activate vasopressin neurones using optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques. In this review, we will summarize the techniques of genetic modification for labeling and manipulating the specific neurones. Successful examples of generating transgenic rat lines in our lab and usefulness of these rats will also be introduced. These transgenic rat lines enable the interrogation of neuronal function and physiology in a way that was not possible in the past, providing novel insights into neuronal mechanisms both in vivo and ex vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Yoshimura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Yoichi Ueta
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan.
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Studies of Vasopressin Secretion in Krushinskii–Molodkina Rats in Normal Conditions and during Convulsive Seizures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11055-017-0419-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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7
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Neuroprotective mechanisms activated in non-seizing rats exposed to sarin. Brain Res 2015; 1618:136-48. [PMID: 26049129 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to organophosphate (OP) nerve agents, such as sarin, may lead to uncontrolled seizures and irreversible brain injury and neuropathology. In rat studies, a median lethal dose of sarin leads to approximately half of the animals developing seizures. Whereas previous studies analyzed transcriptomic effects associated with seizing sarin-exposed rats, our study focused on the cohort of sarin-exposed rats that did not develop seizures. We analyzed the genomic changes occurring in sarin-exposed, non-seizing rats and compared differentially expressed genes and pathway activation to those of seizing rats. At the earliest time point (0.25 h) and in multiple sarin-sensitive brain regions, defense response genes were commonly expressed in both groups of animals as compared to the control groups. All sarin-exposed animals activated the MAPK signaling pathway, but only the seizing rats activated the apoptotic-associated JNK and p38 MAPK signaling sub-pathway. A unique phenotype of the non-seizing rats was the altered expression levels of genes that generally suppress inflammation or apoptosis. Importantly, the early transcriptional response for inflammation- and apoptosis-related genes in the thalamus showed opposite trends, with significantly down-regulated genes being up-regulated, and vice versa, between the seizing and non-seizing rats. These observations lend support to the hypothesis that regulation of anti-inflammatory genes might be part of an active and sufficient response in the non-seizing group to protect against the onset of seizures. As such, stimulating or activating these responses via pretreatment strategies could boost resilience against nerve agent exposures.
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Yoshimura M, Ohkubo JI, Hashimoto H, Matsuura T, Maruyama T, Onaka T, Suzuki H, Ueta Y. Effects of a subconvulsive dose of kainic acid on the gene expressions of the arginine vasopressin, oxytocin and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the rat hypothalamus. Neurosci Res 2015; 99:62-8. [PMID: 26003742 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2015.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) synthesis in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS) is up-regulated by kainic acid (KA)-induced seizure in rats. However, it remains unknown whether a subconvulsive dose of KA affects the HNS. Here we examined the effects of subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of a low dose of KA (4 mg/kg) on the gene expressions of the AVP, oxytocin (OXT) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN) of the rat hypothalamus, using in situ hybridization histochemistry. The expression of the AVP gene in the SON and PVN was judged to be up-regulated in KA-treated rats in comparison with saline-treated rats as controls. Next, the expression of the OXT gene was significantly increased in the SON at 6-24h and in the PVN at 6 and 12h after s.c. administration of KA. Finally, the expression of the nNOS gene was significantly increased in the SON and PVN at 3 and 6h after s.c. administration of KA. These results suggest that up-regulation of the gene expressions of the AVP, OXT and nNOS in the rat hypothalamus may be differentially affected by peripheral administration of a subconvulsive dose of KA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Yoshimura
- Department of Physiology and School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Jun-ichi Ohkubo
- Department of Physiology and School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan; Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Hashimoto
- Department of Physiology and School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Takanori Matsuura
- Department of Physiology and School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Takashi Maruyama
- Department of Physiology and School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Onaka
- Division of Brain and Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hideaki Suzuki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
| | - Yoichi Ueta
- Department of Physiology and School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan.
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Satoh K, Oti T, Katoh A, Ueta Y, Morris JF, Sakamoto T, Sakamoto H. In vivoprocessing and release into the circulation of GFP fusion protein in arginine vasopressin enhanced GFP transgenic rats: response to osmotic stimulation. FEBS J 2015; 282:2488-99. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.13291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Keita Satoh
- Ushimado Marine Institute; Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology; Okayama University; Japan
| | - Takumi Oti
- Ushimado Marine Institute; Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology; Okayama University; Japan
| | - Akiko Katoh
- Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; University of Occupational and Environmental Health; Kitakyushu Japan
| | - Yoichi Ueta
- Department of Physiology; School of Medicine; University of Occupational and Environmental Health; Kitakyushu Japan
| | - John F. Morris
- Department of Physiology; Anatomy and Genetics; Le Gros Clark Building; University of Oxford; UK
| | - Tatsuya Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute; Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology; Okayama University; Japan
| | - Hirotaka Sakamoto
- Ushimado Marine Institute; Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology; Okayama University; Japan
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Stöcklin B, Fouzas S, Schillinger P, Cayir S, Skendaj R, Ramser M, Weber P, Wellmann S. Copeptin as a serum biomarker of febrile seizures. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124663. [PMID: 25894585 PMCID: PMC4404343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Accurate diagnosis of febrile seizures in children presenting after paroxysmal episodes associated with fever, is hampered by the lack of objective postictal biomarkers. The aim of our study was to investigate whether FS are associated with increased levels of serum copeptin, a robust marker of arginine vasopressin secretion. Methods This was a prospective emergency-setting cross-sectional study of 161 children between six months and five years of age. Of these, 83 were diagnosed with febrile seizures, 69 had a febrile infection without seizures and nine had epileptic seizures not triggered by infection. Serum copeptin and prolactin levels were measured in addition to standard clinical, neurophysiological, and laboratory assessment. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT01884766. Results Circulating copeptin was significantly higher in children with febrile seizures (median [interquartile range] 18.9 pmol/L [8.5-36.6]) compared to febrile controls (5.6 pmol/L [4.1-9.4]; p <0.001), with no differences between febrile and epileptic seizures (21.4 pmol/L [16.1-46.6]; p = 0.728). In a multivariable regression model, seizures were the major determinant of serum copeptin (beta 0.509; p <0.001), independently of clinical and baseline laboratory indices. The area under the receiver operating curve for copeptin was 0.824 (95% CI 0.753-0.881), significantly higher compared to prolactin (0.667 [0.585-0.742]; p <0.001). The diagnostic accuracy of copeptin increased with decreasing time elapsed since the convulsive event (at 120 min: 0.879 [0.806-0.932] and at <60 min: 0.975 [0.913-0.997]). Conclusions Circulating copeptin has high diagnostic accuracy in febrile seizures and may be a useful adjunct for accurately diagnosing postictal states in the emergency setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Stöcklin
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University of Basel Children’s Hospital (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sotirios Fouzas
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Paula Schillinger
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University of Basel Children’s Hospital (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sevgi Cayir
- Emergency Department, University of Basel Children’s Hospital (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roswitha Skendaj
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Basel Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michel Ramser
- Emergency Department, University of Basel Children’s Hospital (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Weber
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University of Basel Children’s Hospital (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sven Wellmann
- Division of Neonatology, University of Basel Children’s Hospital (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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An XL, Tai FD. AVP and Glu systems interact to regulate levels of anxiety in BALB/cJ mice. DONG WU XUE YAN JIU = ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2014; 35:319-25. [PMID: 25017752 DOI: 10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2014.4.319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Whilethe roles of glutamic acid (Glu), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and their respective receptors in anxiety have been thoroughly investigated, the effects of interactions among Glu, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor, AVP and a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor on anxiety are still unclear. In the present study, the agonist and antagonist of the NMDA receptor and AMPA receptor, as well as the antagonist of AVP V1 receptor (V1aR) were introduced into BALB/cJ mice by intracerebroventricular microinjection, and the anxiety-like behaviors of the mice were evaluated by open field and elevated plus-maze tests. Compared with C57BL/6 mice, BALB/cJ mice displayed higher levels of anxiety-like behavior. Significant anxiolytic effects were found in the NMDA receptor antagonist (MK-801) and the AMPA receptor or V1aR antagonist (SSRI49415), as well as combinations of AVP/MK-801 and SSRI49415/DNQX. These results indicated that anxiety-like behaviors expressed in BALB/CJ mice may be due to a coordination disorder among glutamate, NMDA receptor, AMPA receptor, AVP and V1aR, resulting in the up-regulation of the NMDA receptor and V1aR and down-regulation of the AMPA receptor. However, because the AMPA receptor can execute its anxiolytic function by suppressing AVP and V1aR, we cannot exclude the possibility of the NMDA receptor being activated by AVP acting on V1aR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lei An
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
| | - Fa-Dao Tai
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China.
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12
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Hashimoto H, Matsuura T, Ueta Y. Fluorescent visualization of oxytocin in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:213. [PMID: 25100939 PMCID: PMC4107947 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) is well known for its ability to the milk ejection reflex and uterine contraction. It is also involved in several other behaviors, such as anti-nociception, anxiety, feeding, social recognition, and stress responses. OXT is synthesized in the magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) in the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and the supraoptic nuclei (SON) that terminate their axons in the posterior pituitary (PP). We generated transgenic rats that express the OXT and fluorescent protein fusion gene in order to visualize OXT in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS). In these transgenic rats, fluorescent proteins were observed in the MNCs and axon terminals in the PP. This transgenic rat is a new tool to study the physiological role of OXT in the HNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirofumi Hashimoto
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Takanori Matsuura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Yoichi Ueta
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Kitakyushu, Japan
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Clynen E, Swijsen A, Raijmakers M, Hoogland G, Rigo JM. Neuropeptides as targets for the development of anticonvulsant drugs. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 50:626-46. [PMID: 24705860 PMCID: PMC4182642 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8669-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. These seizures are due to abnormal excessive and synchronous neuronal activity in the brain caused by a disruption of the delicate balance between excitation and inhibition. Neuropeptides can contribute to such misbalance by modulating the effect of classical excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. In this review, we discuss 21 different neuropeptides that have been linked to seizure disorders. These neuropeptides show an aberrant expression and/or release in animal seizure models and/or epilepsy patients. Many of these endogenous peptides, like adrenocorticotropic hormone, angiotensin, cholecystokinin, cortistatin, dynorphin, galanin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, neurotensin, somatostatin, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone, are able to suppress seizures in the brain. Other neuropeptides, such as arginine-vasopressine peptide, corticotropin-releasing hormone, enkephalin, β-endorphin, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, and tachykinins have proconvulsive properties. For oxytocin and melanin-concentrating hormone both pro- and anticonvulsive effects have been reported, and this seems to be dose or time dependent. All these neuropeptides and their receptors are interesting targets for the development of new antiepileptic drugs. Other neuropeptides such as nesfatin-1 and vasoactive intestinal peptide have been less studied in this field; however, as nesfatin-1 levels change over the course of epilepsy, this can be considered as an interesting marker to diagnose patients who have suffered a recent epileptic seizure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Clynen
- Biomedical Research Institute BIOMED, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium,
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Ishikura T, Suzuki H, Yoshimura M, Ohkubo JI, Katoh A, Ohbuchi T, Ohno M, Fujihara H, Kawasaki M, Ohnishi H, Nakamura T, Ueta Y. Expression of the c-fos-monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 fusion gene in the spinal cord and the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in transgenic rats after nociceptive stimulation. Brain Res 2012; 1479:52-61. [PMID: 22960202 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 08/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We generated transgenic rats expressing the c-fos and monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion gene in the central nervous system after adequate stimulation. In the present study, the time-course of the induction patterns of mRFP1 fluorescence in the spinal cord and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) was compared with that of Fos-like immunoreactivity (LI) within 24 h after subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of 0.9% saline and 5% formalin in both hind paws. Control rats were not treated. In the control and saline/formalin injected rats, scattered mRFP1 fluorescence in the spinal cord and the PVN was observed at 0 min, though there was little Fos-LI in the same region. The mRFP1 fluorescence in the spinal cord and the PVN was increased at 3h after formalin. On the other hand, the changes of Fos-LI in the spinal cord and the PVN were relatively shorter than those of the mRFP1 fluorescence after formalin. These results suggest that the c-fos-mRFP1 fusion gene expression is slightly upregulated in normal conditions and nociceptive stimulation-induced induction of the fusion gene may be maintained longer than the endogenous c-fos gene expression in the spinal cord and the PVN. Next, nocifensive behavior and mRFP1 fluorescence and Fos-LI in the spinal cord and the PVN after s.c. injection of formalin, 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4α-PDD) and saline were compared. Although the 4α-PDD injected rats seldom displayed nocifensive behaviors like s.c. saline injection, 4α-PDD injection caused mRFP1 fluorescence and Fos-LI significantly in the spinal cord and the PVN unlike s.c. saline injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Ishikura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
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