Involvement of retinoic acid signaling in goldfish optic nerve regeneration

Computational refinement identifies functional destructive single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with human retinoid X receptor gene

Alterations in the nuclear retinoid X receptor (RXRs) signalling have been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the main cause underlying single nucleic acid variations which in turn determine heterogeneity within various populations. These genetic polymorphisms have been suggested to associate with various degenerative disorders in population-wide analysis. This bioinformatics study was designed to investigate, search, retrieve and identify deleterious SNPs which may affect the structure and function of various RXR isoforms through a computational and molecular modelling approach. Amongst the 1,813 retrieved SNPs several were found to be deleterious with rs140464195_G139R, rs368400425_R358W and rs368586400_L383F RXRα mutant variants being the most detrimental ones causing changes in the interatomic interactions and decreasing the flexibility of the mutant proteins. Molecular genetics analysis identified seven missense mutations in RXRα/β/γ isoforms. Two novel mutations SNP IDs (rs1588299621 and rs1057519958) were identified in RXRα isoform. We used several in silico prediction tools such as SIFT, PolyPhen, I-Mutant, Protein Variation Effect Analyzer (PROVEAN), PANTHER, SNP&Go, PhD-SNP and SNPeffect to predict pathogenicity and protein stability associated with RXR mutations. The structural assessment by DynaMut tool revealed that hydrogen bonds were affected along with hydrophobic and carbonyl interactions resulting in reduced flexibility at the mutated residue positions but ultimately stabilizing the molecule as a whole. Summarizing, analysis of the missense mutations in RXR isoforms showed a mix of conclusive and inconclusive genotype-phenotype correlations suggesting the use of sophisticated computational analysis tools for studying RXR variants.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A Brief History of Adherons: The Discovery of Brain Exosomes

Although exosomes were first described in reticulocytes in 1983, many people do not realize that similar vesicles had been studied in the context of muscle and nerve, beginning in 1980. At the time of their discovery, these vesicles were named adherons, and they were found to play an important role in both cell–substrate and cell–cell adhesion. My laboratory described several molecules that are present in adherons, including heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and purpurin. HSPGs have since been shown to play a variety of key roles in brain physiology. Purpurin has a number of important functions in the retina, including a role in nerve cell differentiation and regeneration. In this review, I discuss the discovery of adherons and how that led to continuing studies on their role in the brain with a particular focus on HSPGs.

Retinoic Acid-Signaling Regulates the Proliferative and Neurogenic Capacity of Müller Glia-Derived Progenitor Cells in the Avian Retina

In the retina, Müller glia have the potential to become progenitor cells with the ability to proliferate and regenerate neurons. However, the ability of Müller glia-derived progenitor cells (MGPCs) to proliferate and produce neurons is limited in higher vertebrates. Using the chick model system, we investigate how retinoic acid (RA)-signaling influences the proliferation and the formation of MGPCs. We observed an upregulation of cellular RA binding proteins (CRABP) in the Müller glia of damaged retinas where the formation of MGPCs is known to occur. Activation of RA-signaling was stimulated, whereas inhibition suppressed the proliferation of MGPCs in damaged retinas and in fibroblast growth factor 2-treated undamaged retinas. Furthermore, inhibition of RA-degradation stimulated the proliferation of MGPCs. Levels of Pax6, Klf4, and cFos were upregulated in MGPCs by RA agonists and downregulated in MGPCs by RA antagonists. Activation of RA-signaling following MGPC proliferation increased the percentage of progeny that differentiated as neurons. Similarly, the combination of RA and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) significantly increased neurogenesis from retinal progenitors in the circumferential marginal zone (CMZ). In summary, RA-signaling stimulates the formation of proliferating MGPCs and enhances the neurogenic potential of MGPCs and stem cells in the CMZ. Stem Cells 2018;36:392-405.

Optic nerve injury upregulates retinoic acid signaling in the adult frog visual system

Retinoic acid (RA) is important during development, in neuronal plasticity, and also in peripheral nervous system regeneration. Here we use the frog visual system as a model to investigate the changes in RA signaling that take place after axonal injury to the central nervous system. Immunocytochemistry was used to localize different components of RA signaling within sections of the retina and optic tectum, namely, the synthetic enzyme retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (RALDH), the RA binding proteins CRABPI and II, the retinoic acid receptors RARα, β and γ, and finally the catabolic enzyme CYP26A1. The levels of these proteins were quantified in extracts of retina and tectum using Western blotting. Animals were studied at 1 week, 3 weeks and 6 weeks after optic nerve transection. At the latter time point the RGC axons were re-entering the optic tectum. All the components of RA signaling were present at low to moderate levels in retinas and tecta of control, unoperated animals. In retina, soon after optic nerve injury there was a large increase in RALDH, some increase in the CRABPs, and a large increase in RGC RARβ and (expression. These increases continued as the RGC axons were regenerating, with the addition of later RARα expression at 6 weeks. At no stage did CYP26A1 expression significantly change. In the tectum the levels of RALDH increased after axotomy and during regrowth of axons (3 weeks), then decreased at 6 weeks, at which time the levels of CYP26A1 increased. Axotomy did not cause an immediate increase in tectal RAR levels but RARα and RARβ increased after 3 weeks and RARγ only after 6 weeks. These results are consistent with RA signaling playing an important role in the survival and regeneration of frog RGCs.

Sequence analysis and expression regulation of rbp4 by 9-cis-RA in Megalobrama amblycephala

Retinol-binding protein 4 (rbp4) is mainly synthesized in the liver, where it binds retinol and then enters the bloodstream, delivering retinol to cells. The full-length cDNA coding rbp4 was cloned from Megalobrama amblycephala. The amino acid sequence showed strong homology with the homologues of other vertebrates, and all structural and functional domains were highly conserved. The mRNA levels in different tissues and development stages detected by quantitative real-time PCR revealed that M. amblycephala rbp4 was highly expressed in liver (P < 0.001), but the lower levels were also detected in eyes, kidney, intestine, and spleen. During the different development stages, the rbp4 mRNA appeared until 28 hours post-fertilization (hpf), underwent a slight drop, and then gradually increased after 50 hpf. In addition, the promoter sequence of M. amblycephala rbp4 was obtained using thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR. Two single nucleotide polymorphism sites (-385A>G and -329C>T) were found in the promoter. Transfection with recombinant plasmids of two different haplotypes (GT, AC) showed that 9-cis-retinoic acid (RA) increased the promoter activity, but the AC haplotype was more sensitive to RA.

Regeneration-associated genes on optic nerve regeneration in fish retina

It has been well documented that fish central nervous system, including retina and optic nerve, can regenerate and recover its function after nerve injury. Within a few decades, a number of regeneration-associated genes (RAGs) have been identified in fish retina following optic nerve injury (ONI). RAGs can be classified into two groups: cell survival- and axonal outgrowth-related genes. In fish retina after ONI, cell survival-related genes were upregulated in 1-6 days after ONI, which corresponds to the preparation stage for cell survival and axonal sprouting. Subsequently, axonal outgrowth-related genes were upregulated in 1-6 weeks after ONI, which corresponds to the axonal regrowth stage. Recently, we've found a novel type of RAGs, dedifferentiation-related genes, that are upregulated in overlapping time between cell survival and axonal regrowth (3-10 days after ONI). In this chapter we summarize these three types of RAGs that promote optic nerve regeneration in the fish retina after ONI.

Retinoic acid induces changes in electrical properties of adult neurons in a dose- and isomer-dependent manner

The electrical activity of neurons is known to play a role in neuronal development, as well as repair of adult nervous tissue. For example, the extension of neurites and motility of growth cones can be modulated by changes in the electrical firing of neurons. The vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid also plays a critical role during nervous system development and is also known to elicit regenerative responses, namely the induction, enhancement, and directionality of neurite outgrowth. However, no studies have previously reported the ability of retinoic acid to modify the electrical activity of neurons. In this study, we determined whether retinoic acid might exert effects on the nervous system by altering the electrical properties of neurons. Using cultured adult neurons from Lymnaea stagnalis, we showed that acute application of retinoic acid can rapidly elicit changes in neuronal firing properties. Retinoic acid caused the presence of atypical firing behavior such as rhythmic bursting and altered the shape of action potentials, causing increases in half-amplitude duration and decay time. Retinoic acid also caused cell silencing, whereby neuronal activity was halted within an hour. These effects of retinoic acid were shown to be both dose and isomer dependent. We then showed that the effects of retinoic acid on cell firing (but not silencing) were significantly reduced in the presence of an retinoid X receptor pan-antagonist HX531. This study suggests that some of the effects of retinoic acid during neuronal development or regeneration might possibly occur as a result of changes in electrical activity of neurons.

A molecular mechanism of optic nerve regeneration in fish: the retinoid signaling pathway

The fish optic nerve regeneration process takes more than 100 days after axotomy and comprises four stages: neurite sprouting (1-4 days), axonal elongation (5-30 days), synaptic refinement (35-80 days) and functional recovery (100-120 days). We screened genes specifically upregulated in each stage from axotomized fish retina. The mRNAs for heat shock protein 70 and insulin-like growth factor-1 rapidly increased in the retinal ganglion cells soon after axotomy and function as cell-survival factors. Purpurin mRNA rapidly and transiently increased in the photoreceptors and purpurin protein diffusely increased in all nuclear layers at 1-4 days after injury. The purpurin gene has an active retinol-binding site and a signal peptide. Purpurin with retinol functions as a sprouting factor for thin neurites. This neurite-sprouting effect was closely mimicked by retinoic acid and blocked by its inhibitor. We propose that purpurin works as a retinol transporter to supply retinoic acid to damaged RGCs which in turn activates target genes. We also searched for genes involved in the second stage of regeneration. The mRNA of retinoid-signaling molecules increased in retinal ganglion cells at 7-14 days after injury and tissue transglutaminase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase mRNAs, RA-target genes, increased in retinal ganglion cells at 10-30 days after injury. They function as factors for the outgrowth of thick, long neurites. Here we present a retinoid-signaling hypothesis to explain molecular events during the early stages of optic nerve regeneration in fish.

Side-by-side comparison of the biological characteristics of human umbilical cord and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Both human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) have been explored as attractive mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) sources, but very few parallel comparative studies of these two cell types have been made. We designed a side-by-side comparative study by isolating MSCs from the adipose tissue and umbilical cords from mothers delivering full-term babies and thus compared the various biological aspects of ASCs and UC-MSCs derived from the same individual, in one study. Both types of cells expressed cell surface markers characteristic of MSCs. ASCs and UC-MSCs both could be efficiently induced into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and neuronal phenotypes. While there were no significant differences in their osteogenic differentiation, the adipogenesis of ASCs was more prominent and efficient than UC-MSCs. In the meanwhile, ASCs responded better to neuronal induction methods, exhibiting the higher differentiation rate in a relatively shorter time. In addition, UC-MSCs exhibited a more prominent secretion profile of cytokines than ASCs. These results indicate that although ASCs and UC-MSCs share considerable similarities in their immunological phenotype and pluripotentiality, certain biological differences do exist, which might have different implications for future cell-based therapy.

Effects of retinoic acid exposure during zebrafish retinogenesis

Retinoic acid (RA) is an important morphogen involved in retinal development. Perturbations in its levels cause retinal malformations such as microphthalmia. However, the cellular changes in the retina that lead to this phenotype are little known. We have used the zebrafish to analyse the effects of systemic high RA levels on retinogenesis. For this purpose we exposed zebrafish embryos to 0.1μM or 1μM RA from 24 to 48h post-fertilisation (hpf), the period which corresponds to the time of retinal neurogenesis and initial retinal cell differentiation. We did not find severe alterations in 0.1μM RA treated animals, but the exposure to 1μM RA significantly reduced retinal size upon treatment, and this microphthalmia persisted through larval development. We monitored histology and cell death and quantified both the proliferation rate and cell differentiation from 48hpf onwards, focusing on the retina and optic nerve of normal and 1μM treated animals. Retinal lamination and initial neurogenesis are not affected by RA exposure, but we found widespread apoptosis after RA treatment that could be the main cause of microphthalmia. Proliferating cells increased their number at 3days post-fertilisation (dpf) but decreased significantly at 5dpf maintaining the microphthalmic phenotype. Retinal cell differentiation was affected; some cell markers do not reach normal levels at larval stages and some cell types present an increased number compared to those of control animals. We also found the presence of young axons growing ectopically within the retina. Moreover although the optic axons leave the retina and form the optic chiasm they do not reach the optic tectum. The alterations observed in treated animals become more severe as larvae develop.

Functional characterization of fish neuroglobin: zebrafish neuroglobin is highly expressed in amacrine cells after optic nerve injury and can translocate into ZF4 cells

Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a recently discovered vertebrate heme protein that is expressed in the brain and can reversibly bind oxygen. Mammalian Ngb is involved in neuroprotection under conditions of oxidative stress, such as ischemia and reperfusion. We previously found that zebrafish Ngb can penetrate the mammalian cell membrane. In the present study, we investigated the functional characteristics of fish Ngb by using the zebrafish cell line ZF4 and zebrafish retina. We found that zebrafish Ngb translocates into ZF4 cells, but cannot protect ZF4 cells against cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, we demonstrated that a chimeric ZHHH Ngb protein, in which module M1 of human Ngb is replaced by that of zebrafish, is a cell-membrane-penetrating protein that can protect ZF4 cells against hydrogen peroxide exposure. Moreover, we investigated the localization of Ngb mRNA and protein in zebrafish retina and found that Ngb mRNA is expressed in amacrine cells in the inner nuclear layer and is significantly increased in amacrine cells 3days after optic nerve injury. Immunohistochemical studies clarified that Ngb protein levels were increased in both amacrine cells and presynaptic regions in the inner plexiform layer after nerve injury. Taken together, we hypothesize that fish Ngb, whose expression is upregulated in amacrine cells after optic nerve injury, might be released from amacrine cells, translocate into neighboring ganglion cells, and function in the early stage of optic nerve regeneration. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Oxygen Binding and Sensing Proteins.

Upregulation of anti-apoptotic factors in upper motor neurons after spinal cord injury in adult zebrafish

Unlike mammals, fish motor function can recover within 6-8weeks after spinal cord injury (SCI). The motor function of zebrafish is regulated by dual control; the upper motor neurons of the brainstem and motor neurons of the spinal cord. In this study, we aimed to investigate the framework behind the regeneration of upper motor neurons in adult zebrafish after SCI. In particular, we investigated the cell survival of axotomized upper motor neurons and its molecular machinery in zebrafish brain. As representative nuclei of upper motor neurons, we retrogradely labeled neurons in the nucleus of medial longitudinal fasciculus (NMLF) and the intermediate reticular formation (IMRF) using a tracer injected into the lesion site of the spinal cord. Four to eight neurons in each thin sections of the area of NMLF and IMRF were successfully traced at least 1-15days after SCI. TUNEL staining and BrdU labeling assay revealed that there was no apoptosis or cell proliferation in the axotomized neurons of the brainstem at various time points after SCI. In contrast, axotomized neurons labeled with a neurotracer showed increased expression of anti-apoptotic factors, such as Bcl-2 and phospho-Akt (p-Akt), at 1-6days after SCI. Such a rapid increase of Bcl-2 and p-Akt protein levels after SCI was quantitatively confirmed by western blot analysis. These data strongly indicate that upper motor neurons in the NMLF and IMRF can survive and regrow their axons into the spinal cord through the rapid activation of anti-apoptotic molecules after SCI. The regrowing axons from upper motor neurons reached the lesion site at 10-15days and then crossed at 4-6weeks after SCI. These long-distance descending axons from originally axotomized neurons have a major role in restoration of motor function after SCI.

Nutrient intake and risk of open-angle glaucoma: the Rotterdam Study

Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is the commonest cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Apart from an increased intraocular pressure (IOP), oxidative stress and an impaired ocular blood flow are supposed to contribute to OAG. The aim of this study was to determine whether the dietary intake of nutrients that either have anti-oxidative properties (carotenoids, vitamins, and flavonoids) or influence the blood flow (omega fatty acids and magnesium) is associated with incident OAG. We investigated this in a prospective population-based cohort, the Rotterdam Study. A total of 3502 participants aged 55 years and older for whom dietary data at baseline and ophthalmic data at baseline and follow-up were available and who did not have OAG at baseline were included. The ophthalmic examinations comprised measurements of the IOP and perimetry; dietary intake of nutrients was assessed by validated questionnaires and adjusted for energy intake. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was applied to calculate hazard ratios of associations between the baseline intake of nutrients and incident OAG, adjusted for age, gender, IOP, IOP-lowering treatment, and body mass index. During an average follow-up of 9.7 years, 91 participants (2.6%) developed OAG. The hazard ratio for retinol equivalents (highest versus lowest tertile) was 0.45 (95% confidence interval 0.23–0.90), for vitamin B1 0.50 (0.25–0.98), and for magnesium 2.25 (1.16–4.38). The effects were stronger after the exclusion of participants taking supplements. Hence, a low intake of retinol equivalents and vitamin B1 (in line with hypothesis) and a high intake of magnesium (less unambiguous to interpret) appear to be associated with an increased risk of OAG.

Characterization of Pax2 expression in the goldfish optic nerve head during retina regeneration

The Pax2 transcription factor plays a crucial role in axon-guidance and astrocyte differentiation in the optic nerve head (ONH) during vertebrate visual system development. However, little is known about its function during regeneration. The fish visual system is in continuous growth and can regenerate. Müller cells and astrocytes of the retina and ONH play an important role in these processes. We demonstrate that pax2a in goldfish is highly conserved and at least two pax2a transcripts are expressed in the optic nerve. Moreover, we show two different astrocyte populations in goldfish: Pax2⁺ astrocytes located in the ONH and S100⁺ astrocytes distributed throughout the retina and the ONH. After peripheral growth zone (PGZ) cryolesion, both Pax2⁺ and S100⁺ astrocytes have different responses. At 7 days after injury the number of Pax2⁺ cells is reduced and coincides with the absence of young axons. In contrast, there is an increase of S100⁺ astrocytes in the retina surrounding the ONH and S100⁺ processes in the ONH. At 15 days post injury, the PGZ starts to regenerate and the number of S100⁺ astrocytes increases in this region. Moreover, the regenerating axons reach the ONH and the pax2a gene expression levels and the number of Pax2⁺ cells increase. At the same time, S100⁺/GFAP⁺/GS⁺ astrocytes located in the posterior ONH react strongly. In the course of the regeneration, Müller cell vitreal processes surrounding the ONH are primarily disorganized and later increase in number. During the whole regenerative process we detect a source of Pax2⁺/PCNA⁺ astrocytes surrounding the posterior ONH. We demonstrate that pax2a expression and the Pax2⁺ astrocyte population in the ONH are modified during the PGZ regeneration, suggesting that they could play an important role in this process.

Dark rearing maintains tyrosine hydroxylase expression in retinal amacrine cells following optic nerve transection

The present study examined changes in retinal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in rats having undergone optic nerve transection and housed under a normal day/night cycle or in the dark. The aim was to investigate the effects of amacrine cells on axonal regeneration in retinal ganglion cells and on the synapses that transmit visual signals. The results revealed that retinal TH expression gradually decreased following optic nerve transection in rats housed under a normal day/night cycle, reaching a minimum at 5 days. In contrast, retinal TH expression decreased to a minimum at 1 day following optic nerve transection in dark reared rats, gradually increasing afterward and reaching a normal level at 5–7 days. The number of TH-positive synaptic particles correlated with the TH levels, indicating that dark rearing can help maintain TH expression during the synaptic degeneration stage (5–7 days after optic nerve injury) in retinal amacrine cells.

Neuritogenic activity of a genipin derivative in retinal ganglion cells is mediated by retinoic acid receptor β expression through nitric oxide/S-nitrosylation signaling

Genipin, a herbal iridoid, is known to have both neuroprotective and neuritogenic activity in neuronal cell lines. As it is structurally similar to tetrahydrobiopterin, its activity is believed to be nitric oxide (NO)-dependent. We previously proposed a novel neuroprotective activity of a genipin derivative, (1R)-isoPropyloxygenipin (IPRG001), whereby it reduces oxidative stress in RGC-5, a neuronal precursor cell line of retinal origin through protein S-nitrosylation. In the present study, we investigated another neuritogenic property of IPRG001 in RGC-5 cells and retinal explant culture where in we focused on the NO-cGMP-dependent and protein S-nitrosylation pathways. IPRG001 stimulated neurite outgrowth in RGC-5 cells and retinal explant culture through NO-dependent signaling, but not NO-dependent cGMP signaling. Neurite outgrowth with IPRG001 requires retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) expression, which is suppressed by an RAR blocking agent and siRNA inhibition. Thereby, we hypothesized that RARβ expression is mediated by protein S-nitrosylation. S-nitrosylation of histone deacetylase 2 is a key mechanism in chromatin remodeling leading to transcriptional gene activation. We found a parallelism between S-nitrosylation of histone diacetylase 2 and the induction of RARβ expression with IPRG001 treatment. The both neuroprotective and neuritogenic activities of genipin could be a new target for the regeneration of retinal ganglion cells after glaucomatous conditions.

HSP70, the earliest-induced gene in the zebrafish retina during optic nerve regeneration: its role in cell survival

Fish retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) can survive and regrow their axons after optic nerve injury. Injured RGCs express anti-apoptotic proteins, such as Bcl-2, after nerve injury; however, upstream effectors of this anti-apoptotic protein are not yet fully understood. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a crucial role in cell survival against various stress conditions. In this study, we focused on HSP70 expression in the zebrafish retina after optic nerve injury. HSP70 mRNA and protein levels increased rapidly 2.3-fold in RGCs by 1-6 h after injury and returned to control levels by 1-3 days. HSP70 transcription is regulated by heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). HSF1 mRNA and phosphorylated-HSF1 protein rapidly increased by 2.2-fold in RGCs 0.5-6 h after injury. Intraocular injection of HSP inhibitor I significantly suppressed the induction of HSP70 expression after nerve injury. It also suppressed Bcl-2 protein induction and resulted in TUNEL-positive cell death of RGCs at 5 days post-injury. Zebrafish treated with HSP inhibitor I retarded axonal elongation or visual function after injury, as analyzed by GAP43 expression and behavioral analysis of optomotor response, respectively. These results strongly indicate that HSP70, the earliest induced gene in the zebrafish retina after optic nerve injury, is a crucial factor for RGCs survival and optic nerve regeneration in fish.

Investigating regeneration and functional integration of CNS neurons: lessons from zebrafish genetics and other fish species

Zebrafish possess a robust, innate CNS regenerative ability. Combined with their genetic tractability and vertebrate CNS architecture, this ability makes zebrafish an attractive model to gain requisite knowledge for clinical CNS regeneration. In treatment of neurological disorders, one can envisage replacing lost neurons through stem cell therapy or through activation of latent stem cells in the CNS. Here we review the evidence that radial glia are a major source of CNS stem cells in zebrafish and thus activation of radial glia is an attractive therapeutic target. We discuss the regenerative potential and the molecular mechanisms thereof, in the zebrafish spinal cord, retina, optic nerve and higher brain centres. We evaluate various cell ablation paradigms developed to induce regeneration, with particular emphasis on the need for (high throughput) indicators that neuronal regeneration has restored sensory or motor function. We also examine the potential confound that regeneration imposes as the community develops zebrafish models of neurodegeneration. We conclude that zebrafish combine several characters that make them a potent resource for testing hypotheses and discovering therapeutic targets in functional CNS regeneration. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Zebrafish Models of Neurological Diseases.

Blood pressure treatment in acute ischemic stroke: a review of studies and recommendations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is frequent in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Pathophysiological data support its usefulness to maintain adequate perfusion of the ischemic penumba. This review article aims to summarize the available evidence from clinical studies that examined the prognostic role of BP during the acute phase of ischemic stroke and intervention studies that assessed the efficacy of active BP alteration.

RECENT FINDINGS

We found 34 observational studies (33,470 patients), with results being inconsistent among the studies; most studies reported a negative association between increased levels of BP and clinical outcome, whereas a few studies showed clinical improvement with higher BP levels, clinical deterioration with decreased BP, or no association at all. Similarly, the conclusions drawn by the 18 intervention studies included in this review (1637 patients) were also heterogeneous. Very recent clinical data suggest a possible beneficial effect of early treatment with some antihypertensives on late clinical outcome.

SUMMARY

Observational and interventional studies of management of acute poststroke hypertension yield conflicting results. We discuss different explanations that may account for this and discuss the current guidelines and pathophysiological considerations for the management of acute poststroke hypertension.

Time course Analysis of Gene expression patterns in ZebrafIsh Eye during Optic Nerve Regeneration

It is well-established that neurons in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) are terminally differentiated and, if injured, will be unable to regenerate their connections. In contrast to mammals, zebrafish and other teleosts display a robust neuroregenerative response. Following optic nerve crush (ONX), retinal ganglion cells (RGC) regrow their axons to synapse with topographically correct targets in the optic tectum, such that vision is restored in ~21 days. What accounts for these differences between teleostean and mammalian responses to neural injury is not fully understood. A time course analysis of global gene expression patterns in the zebrafish eye after ONX can help to elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to a successful neuroregeneration. To define different phases of regeneration after ONX, alpha tubulin 1 ( tuba1) and growth-associated protein 43 ( gap43), markers previously shown to correspond to morphophological events, were measured by real time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Microarray analysis was then performed at defined intervals (6 hours, 1, 4, 12, and 21 days) post-ONX and compared to SHAM. Results show that optic nerve damage induces multiple, phase-related transcriptional programs, with the maximum number of genes changed and highest fold-change occurring at 4 days. Several functional groups affected by optic nerve regeneration, including cell adhesion, apoptosis, cell cycle, energy metabolism, ion channel activity, and calcium signaling, were identified. Utilizing the whole eye allowed us to identify signaling contributions from the vitreous, immune and glial cells as well as the neural cells of the retina. Comparisons between our dataset and transcriptional profiles from other models of regeneration in zebrafish retina, heart and fin revealed a subset of commonly regulated transcripts, indicating shared mechanisms in different regenerating tissues. Knowledge of gene expression patterns in all components of the eye in a model of successful regeneration provides an entry point for functional analyses, and will help in devising hypotheses for testing normal and toxic regulatory factors.

Purpurin is a key molecule for cell differentiation during the early development of zebrafish retina

Recently, we cloned purpurin cDNA as an upregulated gene in the axotomized fish retina. The retina-specific protein was secreted from photoreceptors to ganglion cell layer during an early stage of optic nerve regeneration in zebrafish retina. The purpurin worked as a trigger molecule for axonal regrowth in adult injured fish retina. During zebrafish development, purpurin mRNA first appeared in ventral retina at 2 days post-fertilization (dpf) and spread out to the outer nuclear layer at 3 dpf. Here, we investigated the role of purpurin for zebrafish retinal development using morpholino gene knockdown technique. Injection of purpurin morpholino into the 1-2 cell stage of embryos significantly inhibited the transcriptional and translational expression of purpurin at 3 dpf. In the purpurin morphant, the eyeball was significantly smaller and retinal lamination of nuclear and plexiform layers was not formed at 3 dpf. Retinal cells of purpurin morphants were still proliferative and undifferentiated at 3 dpf. The visual function of purpurin morphant estimated by optomotor response was also suppressed at 5 dpf. By contrast, the control morphants with random sequence morpholino showed retinal lamination with distinct layers and differentiated cells at 3 dpf. These results strongly suggest that purpurin is a key molecule for not only optic nerve regeneration in adult but also cell differentiation during early development in embryo.

Nitric oxide-cGMP signaling regulates axonal elongation during optic nerve regeneration in the goldfish in vitro and in vivo

Nitric oxide (NO) signaling results in both neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects in CNS and PNS neurons, respectively, after nerve lesioning. We investigated the role of NO signaling on optic nerve regeneration in the goldfish (Carassius auratus). NADPH diaphorase staining revealed that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was up-regulated primarily in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) 5-40 days after axotomy. Levels of neuronal NOS (nNOS) mRNA and protein also increased in the RGCs alone during this period. This period (5-40 days) overlapped with the process of axonal elongation during regeneration of the goldfish optic nerve. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of NO signaling molecules upon neurite outgrowth from adult goldfish axotomized RGCs in culture. NO donors and dibutyryl cGMP increased neurite outgrowth dose-dependently. In contrast, a nNOS inhibitor and small interfering RNA, specific for the nNOS gene, suppressed neurite outgrowth from the injured RGCs. Intra-ocular dibutyryl cGMP promoted the axonal regeneration from injured RGCs in vivo. None of these molecules had an effect on cell death/survival in this culture system. This is the first report showing that NO-cGMP signaling pathway through nNOS activation is involved in neuroregeneration in fish CNS neurons after nerve lesioning.