Excitability of rat dentate gyrus granule cells in vivo is controlled by tonic and evoked GABA(B) receptor-mediated inhibition

Constitutive and Synaptic Activation of GIRK Channels Differentiates Mature and Newborn Dentate Granule Cells

Sparse neural activity in the dentate gyrus is enforced by powerful networks of inhibitory GABAergic interneurons in combination with low intrinsic excitability of the principal neurons, the dentate granule cells (GCs). Although the cellular and circuit properties that dictate synaptic inhibition are well studied, less is known about mechanisms that confer low GC intrinsic excitability. Here we demonstrate that intact G protein-mediated signaling contributes to the characteristic low resting membrane potential that differentiates mature dentate GCs from CA1 pyramidal cells and developing adult-born GCs. In mature GCs from male and female mice, intact G protein signaling robustly reduces intrinsic excitability, whereas deletion of G protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium channel 2 (GIRK2) increases excitability and blocks the effects of G protein signaling on intrinsic properties. Similarly, pharmacological manipulation of GABA_B receptors (GABA_BRs) or GIRK channels alters intrinsic excitability and GC spiking behavior. However, adult-born new GCs lack functional GIRK activity, with phasic and constitutive GABA_BR-mediated GIRK signaling appearing after several weeks of maturation. Phasic activation is interneuron specific, arising primarily from nNOS-expressing interneurons rather than parvalbumin- or somatostatin-expressing interneurons. Together, these results demonstrate that G protein signaling contributes to the intrinsic excitability that differentiates mature and developing dentate GCs and further suggest that late maturation of GIRK channel activity is poised to convert early developmental functions of GABA_B receptor signaling into GABA_BR-mediated inhibition.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The dentate gyrus exhibits sparse neural activity that is essential for the computational function of pattern separation. Sparse activity is ascribed to strong local inhibitory circuits in combination with low intrinsic excitability of the principal neurons, the granule cells. Here we show that constitutive activity of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels (GIRKs) underlies to the hallmark low resting membrane potential and input resistance of mature dentate neurons. Adult-born neurons initially lack functional GIRK channels, with constitutive and phasic GABA_B receptor-mediated GIRK inhibition developing in tandem after several weeks of maturation. Our results reveal that GABA_B/GIRK activity is an important determinant of low excitability of mature dentate granule cells that may contribute to sparse DG activity in vivo.

α1-Adrenoceptors in the hippocampal dentate gyrus involved in learning-dependent long-term potentiation during active-avoidance learning in rats

The hippocampus is the key structure for learning and memory in mammals and long-term potentiation (LTP) is an important cellular mechanism responsible for learning and memory. The influences of norepinephrine (NE) on the modulation of learning and memory, as well as LTP, through β-adrenoceptors are well documented, whereas the role of α1-adrenoceptors in learning-dependent LTP is not yet clear. In the present study, we measured extracellular concentrations of NE in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) region using an in-vivo brain microdialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography techniques during the acquisition and extinction of active-avoidance behavior in freely moving conscious rats. Next, the effects of prazosin (an antagonist of α1-adrenoceptor) and phenylephrine (an agonist of the α1-adrenoceptor) on amplitudes of field excitatory postsynaptic potential were measured in the DG region during the active-avoidance behavior. Our results showed that the extracellular concentration of NE in the DG was significantly increased during the acquisition of active-avoidance behavior and gradually returned to the baseline level following extinction training. A local microinjection of prazosin into the DG significantly accelerated the acquisition of the active-avoidance behavior, whereas a local microinjection of phenylephrine retarded the acquisition of the active-avoidance behavior. Furthermore, in all groups, the changes in field excitatory postsynaptic potential amplitude were accompanied by corresponding changes in active-avoidance behavior. Our results suggest that NE activation of α1-adrenoceptors in the hippocampal DG inhibits active-avoidance learning by modulation of synaptic efficiency in rats.

Increased inhibitory synaptic activity in the hippocampus (CA1) of genetic absence epilepsy rats: Relevance of kindling resistance

PURPOSE

Genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), a well-validated genetic rat model for typical absence epilepsy, are known to manifest a resistance to secondary generalization of abnormal focal electrical activity evoked by kindling. The mechanism of this resistance is still unclear. In order to understand the possible mechanism of kindling resistance, we investigated for the first time, the differences of short-term synaptic plasticity by using a paired-pulse paradigm as an indicator of GABAergic activity in CA1 region of hippocampus in GAERS and non-epileptic Wistar rats in-vivo.

METHODS

Rats were subjected to kindling process, basolateral amygdala was stimulated twice a day, with a supra-threshold current, until they displayed limbic or convulsive seizures. One hour after the last kindling stimulation, evoked field potentials from CA1 pyramidal layer of hippocampus were recorded in-vivo under urethane anesthesia.

RESULTS

In response to supra-threshold kindling stimulations GAERS showed a significantly delayed kindling progression and displayed a significant increase in hippocampal excitability at early stages of kindling that is the critical for the development of convulsive seizures. In control rats that were not received kindling stimulation, paired-pulse depression (PPD) was significantly pronounced in GAERS with respect to the Wistar group. During the kindling course, PPD was gradually reduced in the Wistar rats as kindling progression was advanced. However in GAERS, PPD ratios were not significantly changed at early stages of kindling. When GAERS reached convulsive stage, their PPD ratios became similar to that of Wistar rats.

DISCUSSION

The increased inhibition in paired-pulse responses at early stages of kindling in GAERS suggests the role of augmented GABAergic activity as one of the underlying mechanisms of kindling resistance observed in genetic rat models of absence epilepsy.

Calcium-independent inhibitory G-protein signaling induces persistent presynaptic muting of hippocampal synapses

Adaptive forms of synaptic plasticity that reduce excitatory synaptic transmission in response to prolonged increases in neuronal activity may prevent runaway positive feedback in neuronal circuits. In hippocampal neurons, for example, glutamatergic presynaptic terminals are selectively silenced, creating "mute" synapses, after periods of increased neuronal activity or sustained depolarization. Previous work suggests that cAMP-dependent and proteasome-dependent mechanisms participate in silencing induction by depolarization, but upstream activators are unknown. We, therefore, tested the role of calcium and G-protein signaling in silencing induction in cultured hippocampal neurons. We found that silencing induction by depolarization was not dependent on rises in intracellular calcium, from either extracellular or intracellular sources. Silencing was, however, pertussis toxin sensitive, which suggests that inhibitory G-proteins are recruited. Surprisingly, blocking four common inhibitory G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) (adenosine A(1) receptors, GABA(B) receptors, metabotropic glutamate receptors, and CB(1) cannabinoid receptors) and one ionotropic receptor with metabotropic properties (kainate receptors) failed to prevent depolarization-induced silencing. Activating a subset of these GPCRs (A(1) and GABA(B)) with agonist application induced silencing, however, which supports the hypothesis that G-protein activation is a critical step in silencing. Overall, our results suggest that depolarization activates silencing through an atypical GPCR or through receptor-independent G-protein activation. GPCR agonist-induced silencing exhibited dependence on the ubiquitin-proteasome system, as was shown previously for depolarization-induced silencing, implicating the degradation of vital synaptic proteins in silencing by GPCR activation. These data suggest that presynaptic muting in hippocampal neurons uses a G-protein-dependent but calcium-independent mechanism to depress presynaptic vesicle release.

Effect of low frequency stimulation of perforant path on kindling rate and synaptic transmission in the dentate gyrus during kindling acquisition in rats

Low frequency stimulation (LFS) has an inhibitory effect on kindling acquisition. In the present study the effect of the perforant path LFS on induction of rapid perforant path kindled seizures and synaptic transmission in the dentate gyrus was investigated. Animals were kindled by perforant path stimulation in a rapid kindling manner (12 stimulations per day). In one group of animals LFS (0.1 ms pulse duration at 1 Hz, 200 pulses, and 50-150 microA) was applied to perforant path, immediately after termination of each rapid kindling stimulation. Application of LFS significantly retarded the kindling acquisition and increased the number of stimulations to achieved different kindled seizure stages. LFS also prevented an increment in the slope of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials and population spike amplitude during kindling. In addition, LFS significantly reduced the marked increase in early (10-50 ms intervals) and late (300-1000 ms intervals) paired-pulse depression induced by kindling. According to obtained results, it may be suggested that LFS of perforant path has a significant antiepileptogenic effect through inhibition of synaptic transmission in dentate gyrus. Meanwhile, LFS prevents an increase in the paired-pulse depression during kindling acquisition.

Thyroid hormone insufficiency during brain development reduces parvalbumin immunoreactivity and inhibitory function in the hippocampus

Thyroid hormones are necessary for brain development. gamma-Amino-butyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons comprise the bulk of local inhibitory circuitry in brain, many of which contain the calcium binding protein, parvalbumin (PV). A previous report indicated that severe postnatal hypothyroidism reduces PV immunoreactivity (IR) in rat neocortex. We examined PV-IR and GABA-mediated synaptic inhibition in the hippocampus of rats deprived of thyroid hormone from gestational d 6 until weaning on postnatal d 30. Pregnant dams were exposed to propylthiouracil (0, 3, 10 ppm) via the drinking water, which decreased maternal serum T(4) by approximately 50-75% and increased TSH. At weaning, T(4) was reduced by approximately 70% in offspring in the low-dose group and fell below detectable levels in high-dose animals. PV-IR was diminished in the hippocampus and neocortex of offspring killed on postnatal d 21, an effect that could be reversed by postnatal administration of T(4). Dose-dependent decreases in the density of PV-IR neurons were observed in neocortex and hippocampus, with the dentate gyrus showing the most severe reductions (50-75% below control counts). Altered staining persisted to adulthood despite the return of thyroid hormones to control levels. Developmental cross-fostering and adult-onset deprivation studies revealed that early postnatal hormone insufficiency was required for an alteration in PV-IR. Synaptic inhibition of the perforant path-dentate gyrus synapse evaluated in adult offspring, in vivo, revealed dose-dependent reductions in paired pulse depression indicative of a suppression of GABA-mediated inhibition. These data demonstrate that moderate degrees of thyroid hormone insufficiency during the early postnatal period permanently alters interneuron expression of PV and compromises inhibitory function in the hippocampus.

GABA(B) receptors inhibit backpropagating dendritic spikes in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells in vivo

Spike backpropagation has been proposed to enhance dendritic depolarization and synaptic plasticity. However, relatively little is known about the inhibitory control of spike backpropagation in vivo. In this study, the backpropagation of the antidromic spike into the dendrites of CA1 pyramidal cells was studied by extracellular recording in urethane-anesthetized rats. The population antidromic spike (pAS) in CA1 following stimulation of the alveus was recorded simultaneously with a 16-channel silicon probe and analyzed as current source density (CSD). The pAS current sink was shown to sequentially invade the soma and then the apical and basal dendrites. When the pAS was preceded <400 ms by a conditioning orthodromic CA3 stimulus, the apical and basal dendritic spike sinks were reduced and delayed. Dendritic spike suppression was large after a high-intensity CA3 conditioning stimulus that evoked a population spike, small after a low-intensity CA3 conditioning stimulus, and weak after conditioning by another pAS. The late (150-400 ms latency) inhibition of the backpropagating pAS at the apical and basal dendrites was partially relieved by a GABA(B) receptor antagonist, CGP35348 or CGP56999A, given intracerebroventricularly (icv). CGP35348 icv also decreased the latency of the antidromic spike sinks at all depths. A compartment cable model of a CA1 pyramidal cell with excitable dendrites, combined with a model of extracellular potential generation, confirms that GABA(B) receptor activation delays a backpropagating spike and blocks distal dendritic spikes. GABA(B) receptor-mediated conductance increase and hyperpolarization, amplified by removing dendritic I(A) inactivation, contribute to conditioned dendritic spike suppression. In addition, the model shows that slow Na(+) channel inactivation also participates in conditioned spike suppression, which may partly explain the small dendritic spike suppression after conditioning with a weak orthodromic stimulus or another antidromic spike. Thus, both theory and experiment confirm an important role of the GABA(B) receptors in controlling dendritic spike backpropagation.

Decrease of hippocampal GABA B receptor-mediated inhibition after hyperthermia-induced seizures in immature rats

PURPOSE

Whether febrile seizures have detrimental consequences on the brain is still controversial. We hypothesized that neuronal inhibition in the hippocampus is altered after hyperthermia-induced seizures in immature rats.

METHODS

Rats were given a single seizure by a heat lamp on postnatal day (PND) 15, or repeated seizures by heated air on PND 13 to 15. Fourteen or 30 days after the seizure(s), laminar field potentials were recorded by 16-channel silicon probes in CA1 and the dentate gyrus (DG), in response to the paired-pulse stimulation of the CA3 and medial perforant path, and analyzed as current source density. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(B)-receptor antagonist CGP35348 was injected intracerebroventricularly (icv).

RESULTS

At 14 but not at 30 days after a single or after repeated hyperthermia-induced seizures, paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) of the CA1 population spikes at 100 to 200 ms interpulse intervals (IPIs) was significantly increased in seizure as compared with control rats, irrespective of the types of induced seizures. CGP35348 icv also resulted in PPF at 100 to 200 ms IPIs in CA1 of control rats, but CGP35348 had no effect on PPF in seizure rats. At 30 days after repeated seizures, paired-pulse inhibition in the DG was significantly increased at 30-ms IPI, and PPF was increased at 200-ms IPI. CGP35348 increased paired-pulse inhibition in the DG in repeated-seizure rats but not in control rats.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that hyperthermia-induced seizures in immature rats induced a decrease of GABA(B) receptor-mediated inhibition in CA1 and DG that lasted > or =14 to 30 days after hyperthermic seizure(s).

Hippocampal afterdischarges after GABA(B)-receptor blockade in the freely moving rat

PURPOSE

To determine whether hippocampal afterdischarges (ADs) and excitability changes were induced by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(B)-receptor blockade in adult, freely moving rats.

METHODS

A specific GABA(B)-receptor antagonist CGP35348, CGP55845A, or CGP55699A was injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), and EEGs and behaviors of rats were analyzed.

RESULTS

CGP35348 (56-110 microg, i.c.v.) induced afterdischarges (ADs) approximately 60% of the time, starting at the hippocampus or neocortex. Neocortical-onset ADs began with sporadic discharges and were <3 mV. Hippocampal-onset ADs were bilateral, >5 mV, and spread to the entorhinal cortex and amygdala, often ending in a rebound AD and accompanied with stereotypic jumping, forelimb clonus, and wet-dog shakes. The CGP35348-induced hippocampal AD had an onset frequency (5-9 Hz) that was higher than the electrically evoked AD (2-4 Hz). CGP35348 i.c.v. also increased the mean starting frequency of an electrically evoked hippocampal AD from 3.6 Hz to 5.3 Hz. Hippocampal gamma activity (25-80 Hz) increased up to twofold for 30 min after a hippocampal but not a neocortical AD. A single dose of CGP35348 induced repeated ADs of increasing duration. Paired-pulse inhibition of the evoked potentials in CA1, at interpulse interval of <100 ms, was decreased after but not before a hippocampal AD. CGP56999A (i.c.v.) gave results similar to those with CGP35348, whereas CGP55845A (i.c.v.) rarely induced ADs.

CONCLUSIONS

GABA(B)-receptor blockade increases seizure susceptibility by reducing AD threshold and increasing the frequency and spread of a hippocampal AD. Hippocampal excitability (based on paired-pulse test) and gamma activity increased after but not before a hippocampal AD.

Perinatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls alters excitatory synaptic transmission and short-term plasticity in the hippocampus of the adult rat

Developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been associated with cognitive deficits in humans and laboratory animals. Previous work has demonstrated a reduced capacity to support long-term potentiation (LTP) in animals exposed to a PCB mixture, Aroclor 1254 (A1254) via the dam in utero and throughout the preweaning period [Brain Res. 850;1999:87-95; Toxicol. Sci. 57;2000:102-11]. Assessment of normalized input/output (I/O) functions collected prior to LTP induction failed to reveal consistent differences in baseline synaptic transmission between control and PCB-exposed groups. The present study was designed to systematically evaluate excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission using a more extensive I/O analysis and paired pulse functions to assess short-term plasticity. Pregnant Long-Evans rats were administered either corn oil (control) or 6 mg/kg per day of A1254 by gavage from gestational day (GD) 6 until pups were weaned on postnatal day (PND) 21. In adult male offspring (5-11 months of age), field potentials evoked by perforant path stimulation were recorded in the dentate gyrus under urethane anesthesia. Detailed I/O functions were assessed by averaging the responses evoked in the dentate gyrus to stimulus pulses delivered to the perforant path in an extensive ascending intensity series. Population spike (PS) and postsynaptic potential (PSP) amplitudes recorded in the dentate gyrus were significantly enhanced in PCB-exposed animals relative to controls at midrange intensities. No group differences were observed in EPSP slope amplitudes. Short-term plasticity was assessed by delivering pairs of stimulus pulses at interpulse intervals (IPIs) ranging from 10 to 70 ms. In the dentate gyrus this range of intervals activates both inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms leading to a pattern of depression at brief intervals (<30 ms) followed by facilitation as the interval between pulses is extended. Paired pulse depression was decreased at an intermediate IPI (30 ms) with submaximal stimulus intensities. These data augment previous work demonstrating persistent changes in hippocampal plasticity as a result of exposure to PCBs during development. Furthermore, as increases in field potential amplitudes were observed, these findings support previous conclusions that A1254-induced LTP deficits are not readily attributable to reductions in synaptic excitability. Thus, in addition to impairment in use-dependent synaptic plasticity reported previously, the present report reveals that basic components of information processing within the hippocampus are permanently altered as a result of perinatal exposure to PCBs.

Hyperthermia induces age-dependent changes in rat hippocampal excitability

The mechanisms underlying the generation of febrile seizures are poorly understood. This study investigated hyperthermia-induced changes in the hippocampus, a structure implicated in febrile seizures. It was hypothesized that neuronal excitability in the hippocampus changes with increasing temperature, and that this change is different in adult as compared with immature rats. Adult and immature (15-17 days postnatal) male rats were studied under urethane anesthesia during normothermia, moderate hyperthermia (38-39.5 degrees C), and severe hyperthermia (>39.5 degrees C). Paired-pulse inhibition of the orthodromically activated population spikes in the dentate gyrus and cornu ammonis 1 region of the hippocampus (CA1), two structures within the hippocampus, was measured after stimulation of the medial perforant path and Schaffer collaterals, respectively. In the adult rat, paired-pulse inhibition was increased in the dentate gyrus during moderate and severe hyperthermia but decreased in CA1 during severe hyperthermia (all p values < 0.05). In the immature rat, paired-pulse inhibition was unchanged in the dentate gyrus but decreased in CA1 during moderate hyperthermia (p < 0.05). We suggest that hyperthermia contributes to seizure susceptibility in the immature hippocampus by decreasing CA1 inhibition. In the adult rat, a decrease in CA1 inhibition requires a higher degree of hyperthermia, and hippocampal seizure generation is opposed by an increase in dentate gyrus inhibition.