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Lia A, Di Spiezio A, Vitalini L, Tore M, Puja G, Losi G. Ion Channels and Ionotropic Receptors in Astrocytes: Physiological Functions and Alterations in Alzheimer's Disease and Glioblastoma. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2038. [PMID: 37895420 PMCID: PMC10608464 DOI: 10.3390/life13102038] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is composed of nearly one hundred billion neurons and an equal number of glial cells, including macroglia, i.e., astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. In the last few decades, compelling evidence has revealed that glial cells are far more active and complex than previously thought. In particular, astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell population, not only take part in brain development, metabolism, and defense against pathogens and insults, but they also affect sensory, motor, and cognitive functions by constantly modulating synaptic activity. Not surprisingly, astrocytes are actively involved in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and other neurological disorders like brain tumors, in which they rapidly become reactive and mediate neuroinflammation. Reactive astrocytes acquire or lose specific functions that differently modulate disease progression and symptoms, including cognitive impairments. Astrocytes express several types of ion channels, including K+, Na+, and Ca2+ channels, transient receptor potential channels (TRP), aquaporins, mechanoreceptors, and anion channels, whose properties and functions are only partially understood, particularly in small processes that contact synapses. In addition, astrocytes express ionotropic receptors for several neurotransmitters. Here, we provide an extensive and up-to-date review of the roles of ion channels and ionotropic receptors in astrocyte physiology and pathology. As examples of two different brain pathologies, we focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most diffuse neurodegenerative disorders, and glioblastoma (GBM), the most common brain tumor. Understanding how ion channels and ionotropic receptors in astrocytes participate in NDs and tumors is necessary for developing new therapeutic tools for these increasingly common neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Lia
- Department Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Alessandro Di Spiezio
- Department Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.S.)
- Neuroscience Institute (CNR-IN), Padova Section, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Vitalini
- Department Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (L.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Manuela Tore
- Institute of Nanoscience (CNR-NANO), Modena Section, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Department Biomedical Science, Metabolic and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Puja
- Department Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (L.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Gabriele Losi
- Institute of Nanoscience (CNR-NANO), Modena Section, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Department Biomedical Science, Metabolic and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
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Sokolov E, Dietrich J, Cole AJ. The complexities underlying epilepsy in people with glioblastoma. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:505-516. [PMID: 37121239 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00031-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Seizures are among the most common clinical signs in people with glioblastoma. Advances over the past 5 years, including new clinical trial data, have increased the understanding of why some individuals with glioblastoma are susceptible to seizures, how seizures manifest clinically, and what implications seizures have for patient management. The pathophysiology of epilepsy in people with glioblastoma relates to a combination of intrinsic epileptogenicity of tumour tissue, alterations in the tumour and peritumoural microenvironment, and the physical and functional disturbance of adjacent brain structures. Successful management of epilepsy in people with glioblastoma remains challenging; factors such as drug-drug interactions between cancer therapies and antiseizure medications, and medication side-effects, can affect seizure outcomes and quality of life. Advances in novel therapies provide some promise for people with glioblastoma; however, the effects of these therapies on seizures are yet to be fully determined. Looking forward, insights into electrical activity as a driver of tumour cell growth and the intrinsic hyperexcitability of tumour tissue might represent useful targets for treatment and disease modification. There is a pressing need for large randomised clinical trials in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisaveta Sokolov
- Department of Neurosciences, Cleveland Clinic, London, UK; Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jorg Dietrich
- Cancer and Neurotoxicity Clinic and Brain Repair Research Program, Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew J Cole
- MGH Epilepsy Service, Division of Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Procacci NM, Hastings RL, Aziz AA, Christiansen NM, Zhao J, DeAngeli C, LeBlanc N, Notterpek L, Valdez G, Gould TW. Kir4.1 is specifically expressed and active in non-myelinating Schwann cells. Glia 2023; 71:926-944. [PMID: 36479906 PMCID: PMC9931657 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Non-myelinating Schwann cells (NMSC) play important roles in peripheral nervous system formation and function. However, the molecular identity of these cells remains poorly defined. We provide evidence that Kir4.1, an inward-rectifying K+ channel encoded by the KCNJ10 gene, is specifically expressed and active in NMSC. Immunostaining revealed that Kir4.1 is present in terminal/perisynaptic SCs (TPSC), synaptic glia at neuromuscular junctions (NMJ), but not in myelinating SCs (MSC) of adult mice. To further examine the expression pattern of Kir4.1, we generated BAC transgenic Kir4.1-CreERT2 mice and crossed them to the tdTomato reporter line. Activation of CreERT2 with tamoxifen after the completion of myelination onset led to robust expression of tdTomato in NMSC, including Remak Schwann cells (RSC) along peripheral nerves and TPSC, but not in MSC. In contrast, activating CreERT2 before and during the onset of myelination led to tdTomato expression in NMSC and MSC. These observations suggest that immature SC express Kir4.1, and its expression is then downregulated selectively in myelin-forming SC. In support, we found that while activating CreERT2 induces tdTomato expression in immature SC, it fails to induce tdTomato in MSC associated with sensory axons in culture. NMSC derived from neonatal sciatic nerve were shown to express Kir4.1 and exhibit barium-sensitive inwardly rectifying macroscopic K+ currents. Thus, this study identified Kir4.1 as a potential modulator of immature SC and NMSC function. Additionally, it established a novel transgenic mouse line to introduce or delete genes in NMSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Procacci
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Robert Louis Hastings
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Aamir A Aziz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Nina M Christiansen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Claire DeAngeli
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Normand LeBlanc
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Lucia Notterpek
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Gregorio Valdez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Thomas W Gould
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA
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Hills KE, Kostarelos K, Wykes RC. Converging Mechanisms of Epileptogenesis and Their Insight in Glioblastoma. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:903115. [PMID: 35832394 PMCID: PMC9271928 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.903115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and advanced form of primary malignant tumor occurring in the adult central nervous system, and it is frequently associated with epilepsy, a debilitating comorbidity. Seizures are observed both pre- and post-surgical resection, indicating that several pathophysiological mechanisms are shared but also prompting questions about how the process of epileptogenesis evolves throughout GBM progression. Molecular mutations commonly seen in primary GBM, i.e., in PTEN and p53, and their associated downstream effects are known to influence seizure likelihood. Similarly, various intratumoral mechanisms, such as GBM-induced blood-brain barrier breakdown and glioma-immune cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment are also cited as contributing to network hyperexcitability. Substantial alterations to peri-tumoral glutamate and chloride transporter expressions, as well as widespread dysregulation of GABAergic signaling are known to confer increased epileptogenicity and excitotoxicity. The abnormal characteristics of GBM alter neuronal network function to result in metabolically vulnerable and hyperexcitable peri-tumoral tissue, properties the tumor then exploits to favor its own growth even post-resection. It is evident that there is a complex, dynamic interplay between GBM and epilepsy that promotes the progression of both pathologies. This interaction is only more complicated by the concomitant presence of spreading depolarization (SD). The spontaneous, high-frequency nature of GBM-associated epileptiform activity and SD-associated direct current (DC) shifts require technologies capable of recording brain signals over a wide bandwidth, presenting major challenges for comprehensive electrophysiological investigations. This review will initially provide a detailed examination of the underlying mechanisms that promote network hyperexcitability in GBM. We will then discuss how an investigation of these pathologies from a network level, and utilization of novel electrophysiological tools, will yield a more-effective, clinically-relevant understanding of GBM-related epileptogenesis. Further to this, we will evaluate the clinical relevance of current preclinical research and consider how future therapeutic advancements may impact the bidirectional relationship between GBM, SDs, and seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate E. Hills
- Nanomedicine Lab, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kostas Kostarelos
- Nanomedicine Lab, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Catalan Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), Edifici ICN2, Campus UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robert C. Wykes
- Nanomedicine Lab, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Robert C. Wykes
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