1
|
Niyonzima YB, Asato Y, Kadokawa H. Alpha-synuclein expression in oxytocin neurons of young and old bovine brains. J Reprod Dev 2024; 70:213-222. [PMID: 38684411 PMCID: PMC11310384 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2024-020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding of central nervous system mechanisms underlying age-related infertility remains limited. Fibril α-synuclein, distinct from its monomeric form, is implicated in age-related diseases. Notably, fibril α-synuclein spreads among neurons, similar to prions, from damaged old neurons in cortex and hippocampus to healthy neurons. However, less is known whether α-synuclein propagates into oxytocin neurons, which play crucial roles in reproduction. We compared α-synuclein expression in the oxytocin neurons in suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), supraoptic nucleus (SON), paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), and posterior pituitary (PP) gland of healthy heifers and aged cows to determine its role in age-related infertility. We analyzed mRNA and protein expression, along with Congo red histochemistry and fluorescent immunohistochemistry for oxytocin and α-synuclein, followed by confocal microscopy with Congo red staining. Both mRNA and protein expressions of α-synuclein were confirmed in the bovine cortex, hippocampus, SCN, SON, PVN, and PP tissues. Significant differences in α-synuclein mRNA expressions were observed in the cortex and hippocampus between young heifers and old cows. Western blots showed five bands of α-synuclein, probably reflecting monomers, dimers, and oligomers, in the cortex, hippocampus, SCN, SON, PVN, and PP tissues, and there were significant differences in some bands between the young heifers and old cows. Bright-field and polarized light microscopy did not detect obvious amyloid deposition in the aged hypothalami; however, higher-sensitive confocal microscopy unveiled strong positive signals for Congo red and α-synuclein in oxytocin neurons in the aged hypothalami. α-synuclein was expressed in oxytocin neurons, and some differences were observed between young and old hypothalami.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuuki Asato
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Hiroya Kadokawa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abreo TJ, Thompson EC, Madabushi A, Soh H, Varghese N, Vanoye CG, Springer K, Park KL, Johnson J, Sims S, Ji Z, Chavez AG, Jankovic MJ, Habte B, Zuberi AR, Lutz C, Wang Z, Krishnan V, Dudler L, Einsele-Scholz S, Noebels JL, George AL, Maheshwari A, Tzingounis AV, Cooper EC. Plural molecular and cellular mechanisms of pore domain KCNQ2 encephalopathy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.04.574177. [PMID: 38260608 PMCID: PMC10802467 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.04.574177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
KCNQ2 variants in children with neurodevelopmental impairment are difficult to assess due to their heterogeneity and unclear pathogenic mechanisms. We describe a child with neonatal-onset epilepsy, developmental impairment of intermediate severity, and KCNQ2 G256W heterozygosity. Analyzing prior KCNQ2 channel cryoelectron microscopy models revealed G256 as a node of an arch-shaped non-covalent bond network linking S5, the pore turret, and the ion path. Co-expression with G256W dominantly suppressed conduction by wild-type subunits in heterologous cells. Ezogabine partly reversed this suppression. G256W/+ mice have epilepsy leading to premature deaths. Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells from G256W/+ brain slices showed hyperexcitability. G256W/+ pyramidal cell KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 immunolabeling was significantly shifted from axon initial segments to neuronal somata. Despite normal mRNA levels, G256W/+ mouse KCNQ2 protein levels were reduced by about 50%. Our findings indicate that G256W pathogenicity results from multiplicative effects, including reductions in intrinsic conduction, subcellular targeting, and protein stability. These studies provide evidence for an unexpected and novel role for the KCNQ2 pore turret and introduce a valid animal model of KCNQ2 encephalopathy. Our results, spanning structure to behavior, may be broadly applicable because the majority of KCNQ2 encephalopathy patients share variants near the selectivity filter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Abreo
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Emma C. Thompson
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anuraag Madabushi
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Heun Soh
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Nissi Varghese
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Carlos G. Vanoye
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kristen Springer
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Kristen L. Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Childrens Colorado, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Neurology, Childrens Colorado, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Zhigang Ji
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ana G. Chavez
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Bereket Habte
- Department of Pediatrics, Childrens Colorado, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Neurology, Childrens Colorado, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Aamir R. Zuberi
- The Rare Disease Translational Center & Technology Evaluation and Development, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | - Cathleen Lutz
- The Rare Disease Translational Center & Technology Evaluation and Development, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | - Zhao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- CryoEM Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vaishnav Krishnan
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lisa Dudler
- Center for Human Genetics Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Jeffrey L. Noebels
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alfred L. George
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Atul Maheshwari
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Edward C. Cooper
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Milham LT, Morris GP, Konen LM, Rentsch P, Avgan N, Vissel B. Quantification of AMPA receptor subunits and RNA editing-related proteins in the J20 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by capillary western blotting. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 16:1338065. [PMID: 38299128 PMCID: PMC10828003 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1338065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Accurate modelling of molecular changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia is crucial for understanding the mechanisms driving neuronal pathology and for developing treatments. Synaptic dysfunction has long been implicated as a mechanism underpinning memory dysfunction in AD and may result in part from changes in adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) mediated RNA editing of the GluA2 subunit of AMPA receptors and changes in AMPA receptor function at the post synaptic cleft. However, few studies have investigated changes in proteins which influence RNA editing and notably, AD studies that focus on studying changes in protein expression, rather than changes in mRNA, often use traditional western blotting. Methods Here, we demonstrate the value of automated capillary western blotting to investigate the protein expression of AMPA receptor subunits (GluA1-4), the ADAR RNA editing proteins (ADAR1-3), and proteins known to regulate RNA editing (PIN1, WWP2, FXR1P, and CREB1), in the J20 AD mouse model. We describe extensive optimisation and validation of the automated capillary western blotting method, demonstrating the use of total protein to normalise protein load, in addition to characterising the optimal protein/antibody concentrations to ensure accurate protein quantification. Following this, we assessed changes in proteins of interest in the hippocampus of 44-week-old J20 AD mice. Results We observed an increase in the expression of ADAR1 p110 and GluA3 and a decrease in ADAR2 in the hippocampus of 44-week-old J20 mice. These changes signify a shift in the balance of proteins that play a critical role at the synapse. Regression analysis revealed unique J20-specific correlations between changes in AMPA receptor subunits, ADAR enzymes, and proteins that regulate ADAR stability in J20 mice, highlighting potential mechanisms mediating RNA-editing changes found in AD. Discussion Our findings in J20 mice generally reflect changes seen in the human AD brain. This study underlines the importance of novel techniques, like automated capillary western blotting, to assess protein expression in AD. It also provides further evidence to support the hypothesis that a dysregulation in RNA editing-related proteins may play a role in the initiation and/or progression of AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luke T. Milham
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gary P. Morris
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Lyndsey M. Konen
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peggy Rentsch
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nesli Avgan
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bryce Vissel
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Erdmann L, Santos PI, Rieper P, Klafki HW, Beutner D, Wiltfang J, Outeiro TF, Setz C. Automated Capillary Electrophoresis Immunoblot for the Detection of Alpha-Synuclein in Mouse Tissue. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2024; 14:681-692. [PMID: 38578903 PMCID: PMC11191443 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-230379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Background Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) is a key player in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy. aSyn is expressed throughout the brain, and can also be detected in various peripheral tissues. In fact, initial symptoms of PD are non-motoric and include autonomic dysfunction, suggesting that the periphery might play an important role in early development of the disease. aSyn is expressed at relatively low levels in non-central tissues, which brings challenges for its detection and quantification in different tissues. Objective Our goal was to assess the sensitivity of aSyn detection in central and peripheral mouse tissues through capillary electrophoresis (CE) immunoblot, considering the traditional SDS-PAGE immunoblot as the current standard. Methods Tissues from central and non-central origin from wild type mice were extracted, and included midbrain, inner ear, and esophagus/stomach. aSyn detection was assessed through immunoblotting using Simple Western size-based CE and SDS-PAGE. Results CE immunoblots show a consistent detection of aSyn in central and peripheral tissues. Through SDS-PAGE, immunoblots revealed a reliable signal corresponding to aSyn, particularly following membrane fixation. Conclusion Our results suggest a reliable detection of aSyn in central and peripheral tissues using the CE Simple Western immunoblot system. These observations can serve as preliminary datasets when aiming to formally compare CE with SDS-PAGE, as well as for further characterization of aSyn using this technique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Erdmann
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Patrícia I. Santos
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Petra Rieper
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hans W. Klafki
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dirk Beutner
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inner Ear Lab, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jens Wiltfang
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tiago F. Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cristian Setz
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inner Ear Lab, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
DeNies MS, Liu AP, Schnell S. Seeing beyond the blot: A critical look at assumptions and raw data interpretation in Western blotting. Biomol Concepts 2024; 15:bmc-2022-0047. [PMID: 38557557 DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2022-0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Rapid advancements in technology refine our understanding of intricate biological processes, but a crucial emphasis remains on understanding the assumptions and sources of uncertainty underlying biological measurements. This is particularly critical in cell signaling research, where a quantitative understanding of the fundamental mechanisms governing these transient events is essential for drug development, given their importance in both homeostatic and pathogenic processes. Western blotting, a technique developed decades ago, remains an indispensable tool for investigating cell signaling, protein expression, and protein-protein interactions. While improvements in statistical analysis and methodology reporting have undoubtedly enhanced data quality, understanding the underlying assumptions and limitations of visual inspection in Western blotting can provide valuable additional information for evaluating experimental conclusions. Using the example of agonist-induced receptor post-translational modification, we highlight the theoretical and experimental assumptions associated with Western blotting and demonstrate how raw blot data can offer clues to experimental variability that may not be fully captured by statistical analyses and reported methodologies. This article is not intended as a comprehensive technical review of Western blotting. Instead, we leverage an illustrative example to demonstrate how assumptions about experimental design and data normalization can be revealed within raw data and subsequently influence data interpretation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell S DeNies
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Allen P Liu
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Santiago Schnell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Applied & Computational Mathematics & Statistics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Paramanantham A, Asfiya R, Das S, McCully G, Srivastava A. No-stain protein labeling as a potential normalization marker for small extracellular vesicle proteins. Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 53:1243-1253. [PMID: 36927304 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2023.2185897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Western blot analysis of relative protein expression relies on appropriate reference proteins for data normalization. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), or exosomes, are increasingly recognized as potential indicators of the physiological state of cells due to their protein composition. Therefore, accurate relative sEVs protein quantification is crucial for disease detection and prognosis applications. Currently, no documented ubiquitous reference proteins are identified for precise normalization of a protein of interest in sEVs. Here we showed the use of total protein staining method for sEVs protein normalization in western blots of samples where conventional housekeeping proteins like β-actin and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) are not always detected in the sEVs western blots. The No-Stain™ Protein Labeling (NSPL) method showed high sensitivity in sEVs-protein labeling and facilitated quantitative evaluation of changes in the expression pattern of the protein of interest. Further, to show the robustness of NSPL for expression analysis, the results were compared with quantitative mass spectroscopy analysis results. Here, we outline a comprehensive method for protein normalization in sEVs that will increase the value of protein expression study of therapeutically significant sEVs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anjugam Paramanantham
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Rahmat Asfiya
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Siddharth Das
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Grace McCully
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Akhil Srivastava
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
- Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Musyaju S, Modi HR, Flerlage WJ, Scultetus AH, Shear DA, Pandya JD. Revert total protein normalization method offers a reliable loading control for mitochondrial samples following TBI. Anal Biochem 2023; 680:115301. [PMID: 37673410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2023.115301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Owing to evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a dominant role in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) pathophysiology, the Western blot (WB) based immunoblotting method is widely employed to identify changes in the mitochondrial protein expressions after neurotrauma. In WB method, the housekeeping proteins (HKPs) expression is routinely used as an internal control for sample normalization. However, the traditionally employed HKPs can be susceptible to complex cascades of TBI pathogenesis, leading to their inconsistent expression. Remarkably, our data illustrated here that mitochondrial HKPs, including Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDAC), Complex-IV, Cytochrome C and Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) yielded altered expressions following penetrating TBI (PTBI) as compared to Sham. Therefore, our goal was to identify more precise normalization procedure in WB. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats (N = 6 rats/group) were used to perform PTBI, and the novel REVERT Total Protein (RTP) method was used to quantify mitochondrial protein load consistency between samples at 6 h and 24 h post-injury. Notably, the RTP method displayed superior protein normalization compared to HKPs method with higher sensitivity at both time-points between experimental groups. Our data favors application of RTP based normalization to accurately quantify protein expression where inconsistent HKPs may be evident in neuroscience research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sudeep Musyaju
- TBI Bioenergetics Metabolism and Neurotherapuetics, Brain Trauma Neuroprotection Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Hiren R Modi
- TBI Bioenergetics Metabolism and Neurotherapuetics, Brain Trauma Neuroprotection Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - William J Flerlage
- TBI Bioenergetics Metabolism and Neurotherapuetics, Brain Trauma Neuroprotection Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Anke H Scultetus
- TBI Bioenergetics Metabolism and Neurotherapuetics, Brain Trauma Neuroprotection Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Deborah A Shear
- TBI Bioenergetics Metabolism and Neurotherapuetics, Brain Trauma Neuroprotection Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Jignesh D Pandya
- TBI Bioenergetics Metabolism and Neurotherapuetics, Brain Trauma Neuroprotection Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sule R, Rivera G, Gomes AV. Western blotting (immunoblotting): history, theory, uses, protocol and problems. Biotechniques 2023; 75:99-114. [PMID: 36971113 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2022-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Western blotting (immunoblotting) is a powerful and commonly used technique that is capable of detecting or semiquantifying an individual protein from complex mixtures of proteins extracted from cells or tissues. The history surrounding the origin of western blotting, the theory behind the western blotting technique, a comprehensive protocol and the uses of western blotting are presented. Lesser known and significant problems in the western blotting field and troubleshooting of common problems are highlighted and discussed. This work is a comprehensive primer and guide for new western blotting researchers and those interested in a better understanding of the technique or getting better results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rasheed Sule
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Gabriela Rivera
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Aldrin V Gomes
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Department of Physiology & Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang Q, Han W, Ma C, Wang T, Zhong J. Western blot normalization: Time to choose a proper loading control seriously. Electrophoresis 2023; 44:854-863. [PMID: 36645159 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202200222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Recent research has questioned the validity of housekeeping proteins in Western blot. Our present study proposed new ideas for Western blot normalization that improved the reproducibility of scientific research. We used the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and the web tool GEO2R to exclude unstable housekeeping genes quickly. In ischemic heart tissues, actin and tubulin changed significantly, whereas no statistically significant changes were observed in the expression of genes relative to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Besides, the reliability of GAPDH was further examined by Western blot. Additionally, unstable housekeeping genes were found in other animal models of cardiovascular medicine. We also found that sodium dodecyl sulfate and temperature significantly impacted the results of Ponceau S staining. Membranes stained with Ponceau S after immunodetection could avoid this interference, and the coefficients of variation for post-immunodetection staining are lower than those produced by GAPDH immunodetection. Overall, we described a new use of differential gene expression analysis and proposed a modified Ponceau S staining method, which provided researchers with a proper loading control for Western blot and hence could improve reproducibility in research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinhong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Wenqiang Han
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Chuanzhen Ma
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Tianyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Jingquan Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P. R. China.,Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yang YT, Jin S, Bai YB, Liu Y, Hogervorst E. Association of Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunction with Cognitive Impairment in Rats: The Role of Autophagy. J NIPPON MED SCH 2023; 90:372-380. [PMID: 37940558 DOI: 10.1272/jnms.jnms.2023_90-506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated the effect of subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism on cognitive function in rats and the role of autophagy in this process. METHODS Forty Wistar rats were randomized into normal control (NC), hyperthyroidism (Hyper), hypothyroidism (Hypo), subclinical hyperthyroidism (sHyper), and subclinical hypothyroidism (sHypo) groups. Cognitive function (spatial learning and memory) was tested by the Morris water maze test. Hippocampal histopathology was analyzed by H&E staining, and expression levels of caspase-3 in hippocampal CA1 neurons were measured. In addition, immunoblot analysis was performed to detect hippocampal autophagy-related proteins. RESULTS Escape latency from day 1 to day 4 was significantly longer in the Hypo, Hyper, and sHyper groups than in the NC group (P < 0.01). In addition, the number of rats crossing the virtual platform was significantly lower in the Hypo, Hyper, and sHyper groups than in the NC group (P < 0.01). Compared with the NC group, all four groups had significantly lower residence time in the target quadrant (P < 0.05). Beclin-1 and LC3-II protein expression in hippocampal tissues was significantly higher in the Hyper and sHyper groups than in the NC group (P < 0.01). Beclin-1 and LC3-II protein expression in hippocampal tissues did not significantly differ between the sHypo group and NC group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Subclinical thyroid dysfunction in rats might lead to cognitive impairment. Subclinical hyperthyroidism might be associated with excessive activation of autophagy and hippocampal neuron damage and necrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Tian Yang
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University
- Departments of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University
| | - Shan Jin
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University
| | - Yin-Bao Bai
- Departments of Thyroid Surgery, People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
| | - Yousheng Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Datong Third People's Hospital
| | - Eef Hogervorst
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Soderstrom CI, Larsen J, Owen C, Gifondorwa D, Beidler D, Yong FH, Conrad P, Neubert H, Moore SA, Hassanein M. Development and Validation of a Western Blot Method to Quantify Mini-Dystrophin in Human Skeletal Muscle Biopsies. AAPS J 2022; 25:12. [PMID: 36539515 PMCID: PMC10034579 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-022-00776-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a degenerative muscular disease affecting roughly one in 5000 males at birth. The disease is often caused by inherited X-linked recessive pathogenic variants in the dystrophin gene, but may also arise from de novo mutations. Disease-causing variants include nonsense, out of frame deletions or duplications that result in loss of dystrophin protein expression. There is currently no cure for DMD and the few treatment options available aim at slowing muscle degradation. New advances in gene therapy and understanding of dystrophin (DYS) expression in other muscular dystrophies have opened new opportunities for treatment. Therefore, reliable methods are needed to monitor dystrophin expression and assess the efficacy of new therapies for muscular dystrophies such as DMD and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). Here, we describe the validation of a novel Western blot (WB) method for the quantitation of mini-dystrophin protein in human skeletal muscle tissues that is easy to adopt in most laboratory settings. This WB method was assessed through precision, accuracy, selectivity, dilution linearity, stability, and repeatability. Based on mini-DYS standard performance, the assay has a dynamic range of 0.5-15 ng protein (per 5 µg total protein per lane), precision of 3.3 to 25.5%, and accuracy of - 7.5 to 3.3%. Our stability assessment showed that the protein is stable after 4 F/T cycles, up to 2 h at RT and after 7 months at - 70°C. Furthermore, our WB method was compared to the results from our recently published LC-MS method. Workflow for our quantitative WB method to determine mini-dystrophin levels in muscle tissues (created in Biorender.com). Step 1 involves protein extraction from skeletal muscle tissue lysates from control, DMD, or BMD biospecimen. Step 2 measures total protein concentrations. Step 3 involves running gel electrophoresis with wild-type dystrophin (wt-DYS) from muscle tissue extracts alongside mini-dystrophin STD curve and mini-DYS and protein normalization with housekeeping GAPDH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Larsen
- Early Clinical Development, Precision Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Carolina Owen
- Early Clinical Development, Precision Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David Gifondorwa
- Clinical Assay Group, Global Product Development (GPD), Pfizer Inc, Groton, Connecticut, USA
| | - David Beidler
- Early Clinical Development, Precision Medicine, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA
| | - Florence H Yong
- Biostatistics, Early Clinical Development, Worldwide Research & Development, Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Patricia Conrad
- Early Clinical Development, Precision Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hendrik Neubert
- Biomedicine Design, Worldwide Research & Development, Pfizer Inc., Andover, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Steven A Moore
- Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, Department of Pathology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA
| | - Mohamed Hassanein
- Early Clinical Development, Precision Medicine, Pfizer Inc., 1 Portland, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Colombe AS, Gerbaud P, Benitah JP, Pidoux G. Housekeeping Proteins Exhibit a High Level of Expression Variability Within Control Group and Between Ischemic Human Heart Biopsies. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e026292. [PMID: 36073642 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.026292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Human cardiac biopsies are widely used in clinical and fundamental research to decipher molecular events that characterize cardiac physiological and pathophysiological states. One of the main approaches relies on the analysis of semiquantitative immunoblots that reveals alterations in protein expression levels occurring in diseased hearts. To maintain semiquantitative results, expression level of target proteins must be standardized. The expression of HKP (housekeeping proteins) is commonly used to this purpose. Methods and Results We evaluated the stability of HKP expression (actin, β-tubulin, GAPDH, vinculin, and calsequestrin) and total protein staining within control (coefficient of variation) and comparatively with ischemic human heart biopsies (P value). All HKP exhibited a high level of intragroup (ie, actin, β-tubulin, and GAPDH) and/or intergroup variability (ie, GAPDH, vinculin, and calsequestrin). Among all, we found total protein staining to exhibit the highest degree of stability within and between groups, which makes this reference the best to study protein expression level in human biopsies from ischemic hearts and age-matched controls. In addition, we illustrated that using an inappropriate reference protein marker misleads interpretation on SERCA2 (sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase) and cMyBPC (cardiac myosin binding protein-C) expression level after myocardial infarction. Conclusions These reemphasize the need to standardize the level of protein expression with total protein staining in comparative immunoblot studies on human samples from control and diseased hearts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie Colombe
- INSERM, UMR-S 1180, Signalisation et Physiopathologie Cardiovasculaire, Université Paris-Saclay Châtenay-Malabry France
| | - Pascale Gerbaud
- INSERM, UMR-S 1180, Signalisation et Physiopathologie Cardiovasculaire, Université Paris-Saclay Châtenay-Malabry France
| | - Jean-Pierre Benitah
- INSERM, UMR-S 1180, Signalisation et Physiopathologie Cardiovasculaire, Université Paris-Saclay Châtenay-Malabry France
| | - Guillaume Pidoux
- INSERM, UMR-S 1180, Signalisation et Physiopathologie Cardiovasculaire, Université Paris-Saclay Châtenay-Malabry France
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Do HA, Baek KH. Protein phosphatase 2A regulated by USP7 is polyubiquitinated and polyneddylated. Oncol Rep 2022; 48:124. [PMID: 35593311 DOI: 10.3892/or.2022.8335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin‑specific protease 7 (USP7) participates in the ubiquitin‑proteasome system (UPS), and is considered an essential regulator of substrate stability in cancers. In a previous study, the substrates that bind to USP7 were separated through two‑dimensional electrophoresis (2‑DE), which resulted in the identification of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) through matrix‑assisted laser desorption‑ionization time‑of‑flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‑TOF/MS) analysis. In the present study, GST pull‑down assay was performed to determine whether USP7 and PP2A directly bind to each other. Immunocytochemistry assay confirmed that USP7 co‑localizes with PP2A in the cytoplasm and nucleus of HeLa cells. Moreover, western blotting and immunoprecipitation were performed to determine whether polyubiquitination and polyneddylation of PP2A were formed. The results of the present study demonstrated that USP7 was a deubiquitinating enzyme of PP2A, and regulated the ubiquitination and stability of PP2A through the K48‑linked polyubiquitin chains. Consequently, the knockdown of USP7 reduced the expression of PP2A. The data of the present study revealed the cellular association between USP7 and PP2A, a new substrate of USP7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyeon-Ah Do
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam‑si, Gyeonggi‑do 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Hyun Baek
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam‑si, Gyeonggi‑do 13488, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bardallo RG, Company-Marin I, Folch-Puy E, Roselló-Catafau J, Panisello-Rosello A, Carbonell T. PEG35 and Glutathione Improve Mitochondrial Function and Reduce Oxidative Stress in Cold Fatty Liver Graft Preservation. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11010158. [PMID: 35052662 PMCID: PMC8772919 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The need to meet the demand for transplants entails the use of steatotic livers, more vulnerable to ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Therefore, finding the optimal composition of static cold storage (SCS) preservation solutions is crucial. Given that ROS regulation is a therapeutic strategy for liver IR injury, we have added increasing concentrations of PEG35 and glutathione (GSH) to the preservation solutions (IGL-1 and IGL-2) and evaluated the possible protection against energy depletion and oxidative stress. Fatty livers from obese Zücker rats were isolated and randomly distributed in the control (Sham) preserved (24 h at 4 °C) in IGL-0 (without PEG35 and 3 mmol/L GSH), IGL-1 (1 g/L PEG35, and 3 mmol/L GSH), and IGL-2 (5 g/L PEG35 and 9 mmol/L GSH). Energy metabolites (ATP and succinate) and the expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes (OXPHOS) were determined. Mitochondrial carrier uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and the inflammasome (NLRP3) expressions were analyzed. As biomarkers of oxidative stress, protein oxidation (AOPP) and carbonylation (DNP derivatives), and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA)–thiobarbituric acid (TBA) adducts) were measured. In addition, the reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG) and enzymatic (Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), CAT, GSH S-T, GSH-Px, and GSH-R) antioxidant capacities were determined. Our results showed that the cold preservation of fatty liver graft depleted ATP, accumulated succinate and increased oxidative stress. In contrast, the preservation with IGL-2 solution maintained ATP production, decreased succinate levels and increased OXPHOS complexes I and II, UCP2, and PINK-1 expression, therefore maintaining mitochondrial integrity. IGL-2 also protected against oxidative stress by increasing Nrf2 and HO-1 expression and GSH levels. Therefore, the presence of PEG35 in storage solutions may be a valuable option as an antioxidant agent for organ preservation in clinical transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel G. Bardallo
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (R.G.B.); (I.C.-M.)
| | - Idoia Company-Marin
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (R.G.B.); (I.C.-M.)
| | - Emma Folch-Puy
- Experimental Pathology Department, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.F.-P.); (J.R.-C.); (A.P.-R.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Roselló-Catafau
- Experimental Pathology Department, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.F.-P.); (J.R.-C.); (A.P.-R.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arnau Panisello-Rosello
- Experimental Pathology Department, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.F.-P.); (J.R.-C.); (A.P.-R.)
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Carbonell
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (R.G.B.); (I.C.-M.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wang JL, Li MQ, Zhang JJ, Xu CJ. Total protein staining with Congo red as an alternative loading control for western blot analysis. Biotech Histochem 2021; 97:404-414. [PMID: 34903132 DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2021.2008008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
For western blot analysis, a housekeeping protein, such as β-actin or glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, is used as loading control with the assumption that these proteins are stable. In practice, these internal loading control proteins vary with different cell states and tissue types. These internal standards are not appropriate for use with serum, extracellular secretion, cerebrospinal fluid analysis or for protein purification. We investigated total protein measurement using Congo red staining and found it to be a superior alternative to routine loading controls. Advantages include lower cost, technical simplicity and improved linear regression. We propose using Congo red staining for total protein immunoblotting to evaluate protein loading in western blots.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Ling Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital 1 of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Mei-Qi Li
- School of 2nd Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Jia Zhang
- School of 1st Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Chao-Jin Xu
- Department of Histology & Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Microglial Cytokines Induce Invasiveness and Proliferation of Human Glioblastoma through Pyk2 and FAK Activation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246160. [PMID: 34944779 PMCID: PMC8699228 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Microglia infiltrate most gliomas and have been demonstrated to promote tumor growth, invasion, and treatment resistance. To develop improved treatment methods, that take into consideration the supporting role of microglia in tumor progression, the functional and mechanistic pathways of glioma–microglia interactions need to be identified and experimentally dissected. Our recent studies and literature reports revealed the overexpression of Pyk2 and FAK in glioblastomas. Pyk2 and FAK signaling pathways have been shown to regulate migration and proliferation in glioma cells, including microglia-promoted glioma cell migration. However, the specific factors released by microglia that modulate Pyk2 and FAK to promote glioma invasiveness and proliferation are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify key microglia-derived signaling molecules that induce the activation of Pyk2- and FAK-dependent glioma cell proliferation and invasiveness. Abstract Glioblastoma is the most aggressive brain tumor in adults. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that microglia create a microenvironment favoring glioma invasion and proliferation. Our previous studies and literature reports indicated the involvement of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) in glioma cell proliferation and invasion, stimulated by tumor-infiltrating microglia. However, the specific microglia-released factors that modulate Pyk2 and FAK signaling in glioma cells are unknown. In this study, 20 human glioblastoma specimens were evaluated with the use of RT-PCR and western blotting. A Pierson correlation test demonstrated a correlation (0.6–1.0) between the gene expression levels for platelet-derived growth factor β(PDGFβ), stromal-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α), IL-6, IL-8, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in tumor-purified microglia and levels of p-Pyk2 (Y579/Y580) and p-FAK(Y925) in glioma cells. siRNA knockdown against Pyk2 or FAK in three primary glioblastoma cell lines, developed from the investigated specimens, in combination with the cytokine receptor inhibitors gefitinib (1 μM), DMPQ (200 nM), and burixafor (1 μM) identified EGF, PDGFβ, and SDF-1α as key extracellular factors in the Pyk2- and FAK-dependent activation of invadopodia formation and the migration of glioma cells. EGF and IL-6 were identified as regulators of the Pyk2- and FAK-dependent activation of cell viability and mitosis.
Collapse
|
17
|
Richard HB, Minder S, Sidhu A, Juba AN, Jancovich JK, Jacobs BL, Wellensiek BP. Optimization of translation enhancing element use to increase protein expression in a vaccinia virus system. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 34382930 PMCID: PMC8513643 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the successful use of vaccinia virus (VACV) in the immunization strategies to eliminate smallpox, research has been focused on the development of recombinant VACV strains expressing proteins from various pathogens. Attempts at decreasing the side effects associated with exposure to recombinant, wild-type viral strains have led to the development of attenuated viruses. Yet while these attenuated VACV's have improved safety profiles compared to unmodified strains, their clinical use has been hindered due to efficacy issues in stimulating a host immune response. This deficiency has largely been attributed to decreased production of the target protein for immunization. Efforts to increase protein production from attenuated VACV strains has largely centered around modulation of viral factors, while manipulation of the translation of viral mRNAs has been largely unexplored. In this study we evaluate the use of translation enhancing element hTEE-658 to increase recombinant protein production in an attenuated VACV system. Optimization of the use of this motif is also attempted by combining it with strategies that have demonstrated effectiveness in previous research. We show that extension of the 5' leader sequence containing hTEE-658 does not improve motif function, nor does the combination with other known translation enhancing elements. However, the sole use of hTEE-658 in an attenuated VACV system is shown to increase protein expression levels beyond those of a standard viral promoter when used with a wild-type virus. Taken together these results highlight the potential for hTEE-658 to improve the effectiveness of attenuated VACV vaccine candidates and give insights into the optimal sequence context for its use in vaccine design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harold B Richard
- Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Stephanie Minder
- Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Amandeep Sidhu
- Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Amber N Juba
- Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - James K Jancovich
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, CA 92078, USA
| | - Bertram L Jacobs
- Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Brian P Wellensiek
- Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Nguyen BL, Yoshihara T, Deminice R, Lawrence J, Ozdemir M, Hyatt H, Powers SK. Alterations in renin-angiotensin receptors are not responsible for exercise preconditioning of skeletal muscle fibers. SPORTS MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2021; 3:148-156. [PMID: 35784524 PMCID: PMC9219300 DOI: 10.1016/j.smhs.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Endurance exercise training promotes a protective phenotype in skeletal muscle known as exercise preconditioning. Exercise preconditioning protects muscle fibers against a variety of threats including inactivity-induced muscle atrophy. The mechanism(s) responsible for exercise preconditioning remain unknown and are explored in these experiments. Specifically, we investigated the impact of endurance exercise training on key components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The RAS was targeted because activation of the classical axis of the RAS pathway via angiotensin II type I receptors (AT1Rs) promotes muscle atrophy whereas activation of the non-classical RAS axis via Mas receptors (MasRs) inhibits the atrophic signaling of the classical RAS pathway. Guided by prior studies, we hypothesized that an exercise-induced decrease in AT1Rs and/or increases in MasRs in skeletal muscle fibers is a potential mechanism responsible for exercise preconditioning. Following endurance exercise training in rats, we examined the abundance of AT1Rs and MasRs in both locomotor and respiratory muscles. Our results indicate that endurance exercise training does not alter the protein abundance of AT1Rs or MasRs in muscle fibers from the diaphragm, plantaris, and soleus muscles compared to sedentary controls (p > 0.05). Furthermore, fluorescent angiotensin II (AngII) binding analyses confirm our results that exercise preconditioning does not alter the protein abundance of AT1Rs in the diaphragm, plantaris, and soleus (p > 0.05). This study confirms that exercise-induced changes in RAS receptors are not a key mechanism that contributes to the beneficial effects of exercise preconditioning in skeletal muscle fibers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Branden L. Nguyen
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, Florida, USA
| | - Toshinori Yoshihara
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, Florida, USA
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 270-1695, Japan
| | - Rafael Deminice
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, Florida, USA
- Department of Physical Education, University of Estadual of Londrina, Londrina, 10011, Brazil
| | - Jensen Lawrence
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, Florida, USA
| | - Mustafa Ozdemir
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, Florida, USA
| | - Hayden Hyatt
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, Florida, USA
| | - Scott K. Powers
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611, Florida, USA
- Corresponding authors. Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lack of Glutamate Receptor Subunit Expression Changes in Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus after Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury in a Rodent Model of Depression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158086. [PMID: 34360865 PMCID: PMC8347641 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects over 69 million people annually worldwide, and those with pre-existing depression have worse recovery. The molecular mechanisms that may contribute to poor recovery after TBI with co-morbid depression have not been established. TBI and depression have many commonalities including volume changes, myelin disruption, changes in proliferation, and changes in glutamatergic signaling. We used a well-established animal model of depression, the Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat, to elucidate changes after TBI that may influence the recovery trajectory. We compared the histological and molecular outcomes in the hippocampal dentate gyrus after experimental TBI using the lateral fluid percussion injury (LFPI) in the WKY and the parent Wistar (WIS) strain. We showed that WKY had exaggerated myelin loss after LFPI and baseline deficits in proliferation. In addition, we showed that while after LFPI WIS rats exhibited glutamate receptor subunit changes, namely increased GluN2B, the WKY rats failed to show such injury-related changes. These differential responses to LFPI helped to elucidate the molecular characteristics that influence poor recovery after TBI in those with pre-existing depression and may lead to targets for future therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
|
20
|
Aerobic training associated with an active lifestyle exerts a protective effect against oxidative damage in hypothalamus and liver: The involvement of energy metabolism. Brain Res Bull 2021; 175:116-129. [PMID: 34303768 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxidation resistance protein 1 (OXR1) is of scientific interest due its role in protecting tissues against oxidative stress, DNA mutations and tumorigenesis, but little is known regarding strategies to increase OXR1 in different tissues. As an improved antioxidant defense may result from a high total amount of physical activity, the present study was designed to determine whether an active lifestyle including aerobic training exercise and spontaneous physical activity (SPA) can increase OXR1. We have built a large cage (LC) that allows animals to move freely, promoting an increase in SPA in comparison to a small cage (SC). METHODS We examined the effects of aerobic training applied for 8 weeks on SPA and OXR1 of C57BL/6 J mice living in two types of housing (SC and LC). OXR1 protein was studied in hypothalamus, muscle and liver, which were chosen due to their important role in energy and metabolic homeostasis. RESULTS LC-mice were more active than SC-mice as determined by SPA values. Despite both trained groups exhibiting similar gains in aerobic capacity, only trained mice kept in a large cage (but not for trained mice housed in SC) exhibited high OXR1 in the hypothalamus and liver. Trained mice housed in LC that exhibited an up-regulation of OXR1 also were those who exhibited an energy-expensive metabolism (based on metabolic parameters). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that aerobic training associated with a more active lifestyle exerts a protective effect against oxidative damage and may be induced by changes in energy metabolism.
Collapse
|
21
|
Koebele SV, Hiroi R, Plumley ZMT, Melikian R, Prakapenka AV, Patel S, Carson C, Kirby D, Mennenga SE, Mayer LP, Dyer CA, Bimonte-Nelson HA. Clinically Used Hormone Formulations Differentially Impact Memory, Anxiety-Like, and Depressive-Like Behaviors in a Rat Model of Transitional Menopause. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:696838. [PMID: 34366807 PMCID: PMC8335488 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.696838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved hormone therapy options are currently used to successfully alleviate unwanted symptoms associated with the changing endogenous hormonal milieu that occurs in midlife with menopause. Depending on the primary indication for treatment, different hormone therapy formulations are utilized, including estrogen-only, progestogen-only, or combined estrogen plus progestogen options. There is little known about how these formulations, or their unique pharmacodynamics, impact neurobiological processes. Seemingly disparate pre-clinical and clinical findings regarding the cognitive effects of hormone therapies, such as the negative effects associated with conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate vs. naturally circulating 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone, signal a critical need to further investigate the neuro-cognitive impact of hormone therapy formulations. Here, utilizing a rat model of transitional menopause, we administered either E2, progesterone, levonorgestrel, or combinations of E2 with progesterone or with levonorgestrel daily to follicle-depleted, middle-aged rats. A battery of assessments, including spatial memory, anxiety-like behaviors, and depressive-like behaviors, as well as endocrine status and ovarian follicle complement, were evaluated. Results indicate divergent outcomes for memory, anxiety, and depression, as well as unique physiological profiles, that were dependent upon the hormone regimen administered. Overall, the combination hormone treatments had the most consistently favorable profile for the domains evaluated in rats that had undergone experimentally induced transitional menopause and remained ovary-intact. The collective results underscore the importance of investigating variations in hormone therapy formulation as well as the menopause background upon which these formulations are delivered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie V. Koebele
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Ryoko Hiroi
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Zachary M. T. Plumley
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Ryan Melikian
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Alesia V. Prakapenka
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Shruti Patel
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Catherine Carson
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Destiney Kirby
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Sarah E. Mennenga
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | | | | | - Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus mimics the dark-driven regulation of appetite markers and melatonin receptors' expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae: Understanding the role of the gut microbiome. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 256:110634. [PMID: 34119649 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The use of probiotics has been recently considered a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent pathologies such as obesity; however, the specific mechanisms of action by which probiotics exert their beneficial effects on metabolic health remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the short-term effects of a probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus supplementation (PROB) on appetite regulation, growth-related markers, and microbiota diversity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae, compared to a group subjected to a constant darkness photoperiod (DARK), as well as to evaluate the effects of both treatments on melatonin receptors' expression. After a 24 h treatment, both PROB and DARK conditions caused a significant increase in leptin a expression. Moreover, mRNA abundances of leptin b and proopiomelanocortin a were elevated in the PROB group, and DARK showed a similar tendency, supporting a negative regulation of appetite markers by the treatments. Moreover, both PROB and DARK also enhanced the abundances of melatonin receptors transcript (melatonin receptor 1 ba and bb) and protein (melatonin receptor 1) suggesting a potential involvement of melatonin in mediating these effects. Nevertheless, treatments did not exhibit a significant effect on the expression of most of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis genes evaluated. Finally, only the DARK condition significantly modulated gut microbiota diversity at such short time, altogether highlighting the rapid effects of this probiotic on modulating appetite regulatory and melatonin receptors' expression, without a concomitant variation of gut microbiota.
Collapse
|
23
|
DeCristofano L, Decker S, Schulte MK, Suryanarayanan A. Desformylflustrabromine (dFBr), a positive allosteric modulator of the α 4β 2 nicotinic receptor modulates the hypnotic response to ethanol. Alcohol 2021; 93:35-44. [PMID: 33652092 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Binge drinking can increase an individual's risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). Ethanol targets multiple neurotransmitter systems; however, not much is known about its effects on the cholinergic system. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels, the heteromeric α4β2 nAChR being a commonly expressed subtype. Desformylflustrabromine (dFBr), a positive allosteric modulator (PAM), increases the efficacy of α4β2 nAChR in vitro and has previously been shown to have translational potential. In this study, we investigated whether dFBr modulates the hypnotic response to ethanol. METHODS Ethanol-induced loss of righting reflex (LORR) duration was measured in the presence and absence of dFBr. The β2 nAChR selective antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE) was used to study the involvement of the β2 subunit. Additionally, we used a crosslinking-based western blot assay to estimate changes in total versus intracellular α4 nAChR protein in thalamic tissue of rats treated with vehicle, dFBr, ethanol, or ethanol and dFBr. Lastly, using Xenopus oocyte two-electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) studies, we determined the effects of ethanol and dFBr on α4β2 nAChR. RESULTS Pretreatment with 6 mg/kg dFBr reduced ethanol-induced LORR duration as compared to rats treated with ethanol alone. LORR studies with DHβE suggest that dFBr reduced ethanol-induced LORR duration via the β2 nAChR subunit. Crosslinking-based western analyses revealed that ethanol caused early increases in total and presumably surface thalamic α4 nAChR subunit protein levels. This ethanol-induced α4 nAChR upregulation was significantly reduced in rats pretreated with 6 mg/kg dFBr. In TEVC studies, ethanol potentiated ACh-induced currents in α4β2 nAChR, while it slightly reduced dFBr potentiation of maximal ACh currents. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that thalamic nAChRs containing the α4 subunit are rapidly upregulated by a single intoxicating dose of ethanol. Furthermore, dFBr, an α4β2 nAChR-selective PAM, significantly attenuates the hypnotic response to ethanol via actions on β2 nAChR. Overall, these results indicate that dFBr represents an option to reverse ethanol intoxication.
Collapse
|
24
|
Correll EA, Ramser BJ, Knott MV, McCullumsmith RE, McGuire JL, Ngwenya LB. Deficits in pattern separation and dentate gyrus proliferation after rodent lateral fluid percussion injury. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2021; 10:31-41. [PMID: 33861814 PMCID: PMC8019949 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that adult born granule cells are generated after traumatic brain injury (TBI). There is evidence that these newly generated neurons are aberrant and are poised to contribute to poor cognitive function after TBI. Yet, there is also evidence that these newly generated neurons are important for cognitive recovery. Pattern separation is a cognitive task known to be dependent on the function of adult generated granule cells. Performance on this task and the relation to dentate gyrus dysfunction after TBI has not been previously studied. Here we subjected Sprague Dawley rats to lateral fluid percussion injury or sham and tested them on the dentate gyrus dependent task pattern separation. At 2 weeks after injury, we examined common markers of dentate gyrus function such as GSK3ß phosphorylation, Ki-67 immunohistochemistry, and generation of adult born granule cells. We found that injured animals have deficits in pattern separation. We additionally found a decrease in proliferative capacity at 2 weeks indicated by decreased phosphorylation of GSK3ß and Ki-67 immunopositivity as compared to sham animals. Lastly we found an increase in numbers of new neurons generated during the pattern separation task. These findings provide evidence that dentate gyrus dysfunction may be an important contributor to TBI pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika A Correll
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Benjamin J Ramser
- College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Maxon V Knott
- University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Robert E McCullumsmith
- College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, 2801W. Bancroft St, Toledo, OH 43606, USA.,ProMedica Toledo Hospital, 1 ProMedica Pkwy, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Jennifer L McGuire
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Laura B Ngwenya
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.,Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Diller T, Thompson J, Steer B. Biological validation of a novel process and product for quantitating western blots. J Biotechnol 2020; 326:52-60. [PMID: 33373626 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Protein normalization of western blots has relied upon housekeeping proteins which exhibit signal saturation and varied cellular expression level variations. These issues can produce spurious results leading to erroneous conclusions. A superior method to protein normalization using housekeeping proteins is Total Protein Normalization, a method now recognized as the gold standard for quantitative westerns. Total Protein Normalization requires that all proteins on a membrane be stained or labeled uniformly, imaged, and then analyzed for total protein. It is important that such a normalization process not interfere with typical immunodetection methods, fits within existing western workflows, and exhibits a linear relationship of signal intensity to protein load under all experimental conditions. Here we report that we developed a new reagent enabling Total Protein Normalization, and we demonstrate its superior protein normalization capabilities through analysis of target proteins in different cell backgrounds. These data illustrate how housekeeping proteins exhibit signal saturation, yield erroneous normalization data, and display sample-to-sample variations averaging 48.2 % overall. Signal intensities obtained using our new method show a linear relationship to protein sample load, thus providing accurate protein normalization with an overall average variation of 7.7 %.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Diller
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, 5781 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad, CA, 92008-7321, United States.
| | - Jordan Thompson
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, 5781 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad, CA, 92008-7321, United States
| | - Brian Steer
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, 5781 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad, CA, 92008-7321, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Remote and Persistent Alterations in Glutamate Receptor Subunit Composition Induced by Spreading Depolarizations in Rat Brain. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 42:1253-1260. [PMID: 33184769 PMCID: PMC8113318 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-01000-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Spreading depolarizations (SDs) are massive breakdowns of ion homeostasis in the brain's gray matter and are a necessary pathologic mechanism for lesion development in various injury models. However, injury-induced SDs also propagate into remote, healthy tissue where they do not cause cell death, yet their functional long-term effects are unknown. Here we induced SDs in uninjured cortex and hippocampus of Sprague-Dawley rats to study their impact on glutamate receptor subunit expression after three days. We find that both cortical and hippocampal tissue exhibit changes in glutamate receptor subunit expression, including GluA1 and GluN2B, suggesting that SDs in healthy brain tissue may have a role in plasticity. This study is the first to show prolonged effects of SDs on glutamate signaling and has implications for neuroprotection strategies aimed at SD suppression.
Collapse
|
27
|
Hu QX, Klatt GM, Gudmundsrud R, Ottestad-Hansen S, Verbruggen L, Massie A, Danbolt NC, Zhou Y. Semi-quantitative distribution of excitatory amino acid (glutamate) transporters 1–3 (EAAT1-3) and the cystine-glutamate exchanger (xCT) in the adult murine spinal cord. Neurochem Int 2020; 140:104811. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
28
|
Koebele SV, Mennenga SE, Poisson ML, Hewitt LT, Patel S, Mayer LP, Dyer CA, Bimonte-Nelson HA. Characterizing the effects of tonic 17β-estradiol administration on spatial learning and memory in the follicle-deplete middle-aged female rat. Horm Behav 2020; 126:104854. [PMID: 32949557 PMCID: PMC8032560 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
17β-estradiol (E2)-containing hormone therapy is a safe, effective way to alleviate unwanted menopause symptoms. Preclinical research has focused upon the role of E2 in learning and memory using a surgically menopausal rodent model whereby the ovaries are removed. Given that most women retain their reproductive tract and undergo a natural menopause transition, it is necessary to understand how exogenous E2 impacts a structurally intact, but follicle-deplete, system. In the current study, 8 month old female rats were administered the ovatoxin 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD), which accelerates ovarian follicular depletion, to model the human menopause transition. After follicular depletion, at 11 months old, rats were administered Vehicle or tonic E2 treatment for 12 days prior to behavioral evaluation on spatial working and reference memory tasks. Results demonstrated that E2 had both enhancing and impairing effects on taxed working memory depending upon the learning or retention phases of the water radial-arm maze, with no impact on reference memory. Relationships between memory scores and circulating estrogen levels were specific to follicle-depleted rats without E2 treatment. Collectively, findings demonstrate the complexity of E2 administration in a follicle-depleted background, with cognitive effects specific to working memory; furthermore, E2 administration altered circulating hormonal milieu and relationships between hormone profiles and memory. In sum, menopausal etiology impacts the parameters of E2 effects on cognition, complementing prior work with other estrogen compounds. Deciphering estrogenic actions in a system wherein the reproductive tract remains intact with follicle-depleted ovaries, thus modeling the majority or menopausal women, is critical for translational perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie V Koebele
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States of America; Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium, Phoenix, AZ 85006, United States of America
| | - Sarah E Mennenga
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States of America; Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium, Phoenix, AZ 85006, United States of America
| | - Mallori L Poisson
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States of America; Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium, Phoenix, AZ 85006, United States of America
| | - Lauren T Hewitt
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States of America; Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium, Phoenix, AZ 85006, United States of America
| | - Shruti Patel
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States of America; Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium, Phoenix, AZ 85006, United States of America
| | | | - Cheryl A Dyer
- FYXX Foundation, Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America
| | - Heather A Bimonte-Nelson
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States of America; Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium, Phoenix, AZ 85006, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Vidal SE, Polyzos A, Chatterjee K, Ee LS, Swanzey E, Morales-Valencia J, Wang H, Parikh CN, Amlani B, Tu S, Gong Y, Snetkova V, Skok JA, Tsirigos A, Kim S, Apostolou E, Stadtfeld M. Context-Dependent Requirement of Euchromatic Histone Methyltransferase Activity during Reprogramming to Pluripotency. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:1233-1245. [PMID: 32976761 PMCID: PMC7724475 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylation of histone 3 at lysine 9 (H3K9) constitutes a roadblock for cellular reprogramming. Interference with methyltransferases or activation of demethylases by the cofactor ascorbic acid (AA) facilitates the derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), but possible interactions between specific methyltransferases and AA treatment remain insufficiently explored. We show that chemical inhibition of the methyltransferases EHMT1 and EHMT2 counteracts iPSC formation in an enhanced reprogramming system in the presence of AA, an effect that is dependent on EHMT1. EHMT inhibition during enhanced reprogramming is associated with rapid loss of H3K9 dimethylation, inefficient downregulation of somatic genes, and failed mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. Furthermore, transient EHMT inhibition during reprogramming yields iPSCs that fail to efficiently give rise to viable mice upon blastocyst injection. Our observations establish novel functions of H3K9 methyltransferases and suggest that a functional balance between AA-stimulated enzymes and EHMTs supports efficient and less error-prone iPSC reprogramming to pluripotency. EHMT function during mouse cell reprogramming is modulated by ascorbic acid (AA) EHMT inhibition counteracts reprogramming in the presence of AA EHMT inhibition in the presence of AA results in global erasure of H3K9 dimethylation Cells reprogrammed in the presence of EHMT inhibitor are functionally impaired
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon E Vidal
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Pharma Technical Development, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Alexander Polyzos
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Kaushiki Chatterjee
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Ly-Sha Ee
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Emily Swanzey
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Jorge Morales-Valencia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Hongsu Wang
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Chaitanya N Parikh
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Bhishma Amlani
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Shengjiang Tu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yixiao Gong
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Valentina Snetkova
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jane A Skok
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Aristotelis Tsirigos
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sangyong Kim
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Office for Collaborative Science, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Effie Apostolou
- Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Matthias Stadtfeld
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kirshner ZZ, Yao JK, Li J, Long T, Nelson D, Gibbs RB. Impact of estrogen receptor agonists and model of menopause on enzymes involved in brain metabolism, acetyl-CoA production and cholinergic function. Life Sci 2020; 256:117975. [PMID: 32565251 PMCID: PMC7448522 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Our goal is to understand how loss of circulating estrogens and estrogen replacement affect brain physiology and function, particularly in brain regions involved in cognitive processes. We recently conducted a large metabolomics study characterizing the effects of rodent models of menopause and treatment with estrogen receptor (ER) agonists on neurochemical targets in hippocampus, frontal cortex, and striatum. Here we characterize effects on levels of several key enzymes involved in glucose utilization and energy production, specifically phosphofructokinase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and pyruvate dehydrogenase. We also evaluated effects on levels of β-actin and α-tubulin, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, and levels of ATP citrate lyase. All experiments were conducted in young adult rats. Experiment 1 compared the effects of ovariectomy (OVX), a model of surgical menopause, and 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-treatments, a model of transitional menopause, with tissues collected at proestrus and at diestrus. Experiment 2 used a separate cohort of rats to evaluate the same targets in OVX and VCD-treated rats treated with estradiol or with selective ER agonists. Differences in the expression of metabolic enzymes between cycling animals and models of surgical and transitional menopause were detected. These differences were model-, region- and time- dependent, and were modulated by selective ER agonists. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that loss of ovarian function and ER agonist treatments have differing effects in OVX vs. VCD-treated rats. Differences may help to explain differences in the effects of estrogen treatments on brain function and cognition in women who have experienced surgical vs. transitional menopause.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z Z Kirshner
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Jeffrey K Yao
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Junyi Li
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Tao Long
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Doug Nelson
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - R B Gibbs
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1004 Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Deminice R, Hyatt H, Yoshihara T, Ozdemir M, Nguyen B, Levine S, Powers S. Human and Rodent Skeletal Muscles Express Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptors. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071688. [PMID: 32674346 PMCID: PMC7407103 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abundant evidence reveals that activation of the renin-angiotensin system promotes skeletal muscle atrophy in several conditions including congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and prolonged mechanical ventilation. However, controversy exists about whether circulating angiotensin II (AngII) promotes skeletal muscle atrophy by direct or indirect effects; the centerpiece of this debate is the issue of whether skeletal muscle fibers express AngII type 1 receptors (AT1Rs). While some investigators assert that skeletal muscle expresses AT1Rs, others argue that skeletal muscle fibers do not contain AT1Rs. These discordant findings in the literature are likely the result of study design flaws and additional research using a rigorous experimental approach is required to resolve this issue. We tested the hypothesis that AT1Rs are expressed in both human and rat skeletal muscle fibers. Our premise was tested using a rigorous, multi-technique experimental design. First, we established both the location and abundance of AT1Rs on human and rat skeletal muscle fibers by means of an AngII ligand-binding assay. Second, using a new and highly selective AT1R antibody, we carried out Western blotting and determined the abundance of AT1R protein within isolated single muscle fibers from humans and rats. Finally, we confirmed the presence of AT1R mRNA in isolated single muscle fibers from rats. Our results support the hypothesis that AT1Rs are present in both human and rat skeletal muscle fibers. Moreover, our experiments provide the first evidence that AT1Rs are more abundant in fast, type II muscle fibers as compared with slow, type I fibers. Together, these discoveries provide the foundation for an improved understanding of the mechanism(s) responsible for AngII-induced skeletal muscle atrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Deminice
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608 USA; (R.D.); (T.Y.); (M.O.); (B.N.); (S.P.)
- Department of Physical Education, State University of Londrina, Londrina 860570-970, Brazil
| | - Hayden Hyatt
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608 USA; (R.D.); (T.Y.); (M.O.); (B.N.); (S.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-352-294-1713; Fax: +1-352-392-0316
| | - Toshinori Yoshihara
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608 USA; (R.D.); (T.Y.); (M.O.); (B.N.); (S.P.)
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Juntendo University, Chiba 270-1695, Japan
| | - Mustafa Ozdemir
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608 USA; (R.D.); (T.Y.); (M.O.); (B.N.); (S.P.)
| | - Branden Nguyen
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608 USA; (R.D.); (T.Y.); (M.O.); (B.N.); (S.P.)
| | - Sanford Levine
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Scott Powers
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608 USA; (R.D.); (T.Y.); (M.O.); (B.N.); (S.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Pillai-Kastoori L, Schutz-Geschwender AR, Harford JA. A systematic approach to quantitative Western blot analysis. Anal Biochem 2020; 593:113608. [PMID: 32007473 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Attaining true quantitative data from WB requires that all the players involved in the procedure are quality controlled including the user. Appropriate protein extraction method, electrophoresis, and transfer of proteins, immunodetection of blotted protein by antibodies, and the ultimate step of imaging and analyzing the data is nothing short of a symphony. Like with any other technology in life-sciences research, Western blotting can produce erroneous and irreproducible data. We provide a systematic approach to generate quantitative data from Western blot experiments that incorporates critical validation steps to identify and minimize sources of error and variability throughout the Western blot process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeff A Harford
- LI-COR Biosciences, 4647 Superior Street, Lincoln, NE, 68504, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Long T, Yao JK, Li J, Kirshner ZZ, Nelson D, Dougherty GG, Gibbs RB. Estradiol and selective estrogen receptor agonists differentially affect brain monoamines and amino acids levels in transitional and surgical menopausal rat models. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 496:110533. [PMID: 31394142 PMCID: PMC6717664 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.110533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens have many beneficial effects in the brain. Previously, we evaluated the effects of two models of menopause (surgical vs. transitional) on multiple monoaminergic endpoints in different regions of the adult rat brain in comparison with levels in gonadally intact rats. Here we evaluated the effects of estrogen receptor (ER) agonist treatments in these same two models of menopause. Neurochemical endpoints were evaluated in the hippocampus (HPC), frontal cortex (FCX), and striatum (STR) of adult ovariectomized (OVX) rats and in rats that underwent selective and gradual ovarian follicle depletion by daily injection of 4-vinylcyclohexene-diepoxide (VCD), after 1- and 6-weeks treatment with 17β-estradiol (E2), or with selective ERα (PPT), ERβ (DPN), or GPR30 (G-1) agonists. Endpoints included serotonin (5-HT) and 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid, dopamine (DA), 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid, norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine, as well as the amino acids tryptophan (TRP) and tyrosine (TYR). Significant differences between the models were detected. OVX rats were much more sensitive to ER agonist treatments than VCD-treated rats. Significant differences between brain regions also were detected. Within OVX rats, more agonist effects were detected in the HPC than in any other region. One interesting finding was the substantial decrease in TRP and TYR detected in the HPC and FCX in response to agonist treatments, particularly in OVX rats. This is on top of the substantial decreases in TRP and TYR previously reported one week after OVX or VCD-treatments in comparison with gonadally intact controls. Other interesting findings included increases in the levels of 5-HT, DA, and NE in the HPC of OVX rats treated with DPN, increases in DA detected in the FCX of OVX rats treated with any of the ER agonists, and increases in 5-HT and DA detected in the STR of OVX rats treated with E2. Many effects that were observed after 1-week of treatment were no longer observed after 6-weeks of treatment, demonstrating that effects were temporary despite continued agonist treatment. Collectively, the results demonstrate significant differences in the effects of ER agonists on monoaminergic endpoints in OVX vs. VCD-treated rats that also were brain region-specific and time dependent. The fact that agonist treatments had lesser effects in VCD treated rats than in OVX rats may help to explain reports of lesser effects of estrogen replacement on cognitive performance in women that have undergone transitional vs. surgical menopause.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Long
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA; Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Medical Research Service, Pittsburgh, PA, 15240, USA
| | - Jeffrey K Yao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA; Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Medical Research Service, Pittsburgh, PA, 15240, USA
| | - Junyi Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Ziv Z Kirshner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Doug Nelson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - George G Dougherty
- Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Medical Research Service, Pittsburgh, PA, 15240, USA
| | - Robert B Gibbs
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Strzelewicz AR, Ordoñes Sanchez E, Rondón-Ortiz AN, Raneri A, Famularo ST, Bangasser DA, Kentner AC. Access to a high resource environment protects against accelerated maturation following early life stress: A translational animal model of high, medium and low security settings. Horm Behav 2019; 111:46-59. [PMID: 30708031 PMCID: PMC6527488 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Early life exposure to a low security setting, characterized by a scarcity of resources and limited food access, increases the risk for psychiatric illness and metabolic dysfunction. We utilized a translational rat model to mimic a low security environment and determined how this manipulation affected offspring behavior, metabolism, and puberty. Because food insecurity in humans is associated with reduced access to healthy food options the "low security" rat manipulation combined a Western diet with exposure to a limited bedding and nesting manipulation (WD-LB). In this setting, dams were provided with limited nesting materials during the pups' early life (P2-P10). This manipulation was contrasted with standard rodent caging (SD) and environmental enrichment (EE), to model "medium security" and "high security" environments, respectively. To determine if transitioning from a low to high security environment improved outcomes, some juvenile WD-LB offspring were exposed to EE. Maternal care was impacted by these environments such that EE dams engaged in high quality care when on the nest, but spent less time on the nest than SD dams. Although WD-LB dams excessively chased their tails, they were very attentive to their pups, perhaps to compensate for limited resources. Offspring exposed to WD-LB only displayed subtle changes in behavior. However, WD-LB exposure resulted in significant metabolic dysfunction characterized by increased body weight, precocious puberty and alterations in the hypothalamic kisspeptin system. These negative effects of WD-LB on puberty and weight regulation were mitigated by EE exposure. Collectively, these studies suggest that both compensatory maternal care and juvenile enrichment can reduce the impact of a low security environment. Moreover, they highlight how utilizing diverse models of resource (in)stability can reveal mechanisms that confer vulnerability and resilience to early life stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arielle R Strzelewicz
- School of Pharmacy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston,MA 02115, United States
| | | | - Alejandro N Rondón-Ortiz
- School of Pharmacy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston,MA 02115, United States
| | - Anthony Raneri
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Sydney T Famularo
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Debra A Bangasser
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Amanda C Kentner
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Lehman SJ, Tal-Grinspan L, Lynn ML, Strom J, Benitez GE, Anderson ME, Tardiff JC. Chronic Calmodulin-Kinase II Activation Drives Disease Progression in Mutation-Specific Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Circulation 2019; 139:1517-1529. [PMID: 30586744 PMCID: PMC6461395 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.118.034549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the genetic causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are widely recognized, considerable lag in the development of targeted therapeutics has limited interventions to symptom palliation. This is in part attributable to an incomplete understanding of how point mutations trigger pathogenic remodeling. As a further complication, similar mutations within sarcomeric genes can result in differential disease severity, highlighting the need to understand the mechanism of progression at the molecular level. One pathway commonly linked to HCM progression is calcium homeostasis dysregulation, though how specific mutations disrupt calcium homeostasis remains unclear. METHODS To evaluate the effects of early intervention in calcium homeostasis, we used 2 mouse models of sarcomeric HCM (cardiac troponin T R92L and R92W) with differential myocellular calcium dysregulation and disease presentation. Two modes of intervention were tested: inhibition of the autoactivated calcium-dependent kinase (calmodulin kinase II [CaMKII]) via the AC3I peptide and diltiazem, an L-type calcium channel antagonist. Two-dimensional echocardiography was used to determine cardiac function and left ventricular remodeling, and atrial remodeling was monitored via atrial mass. Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ATPase activity was measured as an index of myocellular calcium handling and coupled to its regulation via the phosphorylation status of phospholamban. RESULTS We measured an increase in phosphorylation of CaMKII in R92W animals by 6 months of age, indicating increased autonomous activity of the kinase in these animals. Inhibition of CaMKII led to recovery of diastolic function and partially blunted atrial remodeling in R92W mice. This improved function was coupled to increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ATPase activity in the R92W animals despite reduction of CaMKII activation, likely indicating improvement in myocellular calcium handling. In contrast, inhibition of CaMKII in R92L animals led to worsened myocellular calcium handling, remodeling, and function. Diltiazem-HCl arrested diastolic dysfunction progression in R92W animals only, with no improvement in cardiac remodeling in either genotype. CONCLUSIONS We propose a highly specific, mutation-dependent role of activated CaMKII in HCM progression and a precise therapeutic target for clinical management of HCM in selected cohorts. Moreover, the mutation-specific response elicited with diltiazem highlights the necessity to understand mutation-dependent progression at a molecular level to precisely intervene in disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J. Lehman
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA
| | - Lauren Tal-Grinspan
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Melissa L. Lynn
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85724, USA
| | - Joshua Strom
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA
| | - Grace E. Benitez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85724, USA
| | - Mark E. Anderson
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA
| | - Jil C. Tardiff
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85724, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Distribution of insulin in trigeminal nerve and brain after intranasal administration. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2621. [PMID: 30796294 PMCID: PMC6385374 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39191-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In the brain, insulin acts as a growth factor, regulates energy homeostasis, and is involved in learning and memory acquisition. Many central nervous system (CNS) diseases are characterized by deficits in insulin signaling. Pre-clinical studies have shown that intranasal insulin is neuroprotective in models of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury. Clinical trials have also shown that intranasal insulin elicits beneficial cognitive effects in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. It is known that insulin can be detected in the CNS within minutes following intranasal administration. Despite these advances, the anatomical pathways that insulin utilizes to reach the CNS and the cellular CNS targets after intranasal administration are not fully understood. Here, we intranasally administered fluorescently labeled insulin and imaged its localization within the brain and trigeminal nerves. Our data indicates that intranasal insulin can reach cellular CNS targets along extracellular components of the trigeminal nerve. Upon CNS entry, we found insulin significantly increased levels of an activated form of the insulin receptor. These findings suggest that the intranasal route of administration is able to effectively deliver insulin to CNS targets in a biologically active form.
Collapse
|
37
|
Dickinson JD, Sweeter JM, Staab EB, Nelson AJ, Bailey KL, Warren KJ, Jaramillo AM, Dickey BF, Poole JA. MyD88 controls airway epithelial Muc5ac expression during TLR activation conditions from agricultural organic dust exposure. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2019; 316:L334-L347. [PMID: 30358438 PMCID: PMC6397350 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00206.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation from airborne microbes can overwhelm compensatory mucociliary clearance mechanisms, leading to mucous cell metaplasia. Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation via myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) signaling is central to pathogen responses. We have previously shown that agricultural organic dust extract (ODE), with abundant microbial component diversity, activates TLR-induced airway inflammation. With the use of an established model, C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) and global MyD88 knockout (KO) mice were treated with intranasal inhalation of ODE or saline, daily for 1 wk. ODE primarily increased mucin (Muc)5ac levels relative to Muc5b. Compared with ODE-challenged WT mice, ODE-challenged, MyD88-deficient mice demonstrated significantly increased Muc5ac immunostaining, protein levels by immunoblot, and expression by quantitative PCR. The enhanced Muc5ac levels in MyD88-deficient mice were not explained by differences in the differentiation program of airway secretory cells in naïve mice. Increased Muc5ac levels in MyD88-deficient mice were also not explained by augmented inflammation, IL-17A, or neutrophil elastase levels. Furthermore, the enhanced airway mucins in the MyD88-deficient mice were not due to defective secretion, as the mucin secretory capacity of MyD88-KO mice remained intact. Finally, ODE-induced Muc5ac levels were enhanced in MyD88-deficient airway epithelial cells in vitro. In conclusion, MyD88 deficiency enhances airway mucous cell metaplasia under environments with high TLR activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John D Dickinson
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Jenea M Sweeter
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Elizabeth B Staab
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Amy J Nelson
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Kristina L Bailey
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Kristi J Warren
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Ana Maria Jaramillo
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, Texas
| | - Burton F Dickey
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, Texas
| | - Jill A Poole
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, Nebraska
| |
Collapse
|