Affinity-purification and characterization of caveolins from the brain: differential expression of caveolin-1, -2, and -3 in brain endothelial and astroglial cell types

Physiological and pathological roles of caveolins in the central nervous system

Caveolins are a family of transmembrane proteins located in caveolae, small lipid raft invaginations of the plasma membrane. The roles of caveolin-enriched lipid rafts are diverse, and include mechano-protection, lipid homeostasis, metabolism, transport, and cell signaling. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and other caveolins were described in endothelial cells and later in other cell types of the central nervous system (CNS), including neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and pericytes. This pancellular presence of caveolins demands a better understanding of their functional roles in each cell type. In this review we describe the various functions of Cav-1 in the cells of normal and pathological brains. Several emerging preclinical findings suggest that Cav-1 could represent a potential therapeutic target in brain disorders.

C-kit controls blood-brain barrier permeability by regulating caveolae-mediated transcytosis after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction plays a pivotal role in the pathology of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH)-related neurodegenerative diseases. Continuous endothelial cells (EC) that line the blood vessels of the brain are important components of the BBB to strictly control the flow of substances and maintain the homeostatic environment of the brain. However, the molecular mechanisms from the perspective of EC-induced BBB dysfunction after CCH are largely unknown. In this study, the BBB function was assessed using immunostaining and transmission electron microscopy. The EC dysfunction profile was screened by using EC enrichment followed by RNA sequencing. After identified the key EC dysfunction factor, C-kit, we used the C-kit inhibition drug (imatinib) and C-kit down-regulation method (AAV-BR1-C-kit shRNA) to verify the role of C-kit on BBB integrity and EC transcytosis after CCH. Furthermore, we also activated C-kit with stem cell factor (SCF) to observe the effects of C-kit on BBB following CCH. We explored that macromolecular proteins entered the brain mainly through EC transcytosis after CCH and caused neuronal loss. Additionally, we identified receptor tyrosine kinase C-kit as a key EC dysfunction molecule. Furthermore, the pharmacological inhibition of C-kit with imatinib counteracted BBB leakage by reducing caveolae-mediated transcytosis. Moreover, treatment with AAV-BR1-C-kit shRNA, which targets brain EC to inhibit C-kit expression, also ameliorated BBB leakage by reducing caveolae-mediated transcytosis. Furthermore, the SCF increased the permeability of the BBB by actively increasing caveolae-mediated transcytosis. This study provides evidence that C-kit is a key BBB permeability regulator through caveolae-mediated transcytosis in EC after CCH.

Unraveling the Cave: A Seventy-Year Journey into the Caveolar Network, Cellular Signaling, and Human Disease

In the mid-1950s, a groundbreaking discovery revealed the fascinating presence of caveolae, referred to as flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane, sparking renewed excitement in the field of cell biology. Caveolae are small, flask-shaped invaginations in the cell membrane that play crucial roles in diverse cellular processes, including endocytosis, lipid homeostasis, and signal transduction. The structural stability and functionality of these specialized membrane microdomains are attributed to the coordinated activity of scaffolding proteins, including caveolins and cavins. While caveolae and caveolins have been long appreciated for their integral roles in cellular physiology, the accumulating scientific evidence throughout the years reaffirms their association with a broad spectrum of human disorders. This review article aims to offer a thorough account of the historical advancements in caveolae research, spanning from their initial discovery to the recognition of caveolin family proteins and their intricate contributions to cellular functions. Furthermore, it will examine the consequences of a dysfunctional caveolar network in the development of human diseases.

Caveolin-1 Autonomously Regulates Hippocampal Neurogenesis Via Mitochondrial Dynamics

The mechanisms underlying adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) are not fully understood. AHN plays instrumental roles in learning and memory. Understanding the signals that regulate AHN has implications for brain function and therapy. Here we show that Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a protein that is highly enriched in endothelial cells and the principal component of caveolae, autonomously regulates AHN. Conditional deletion of Cav-1 in adult neural progenitor cells (nestin +) led to increased neurogenesis and enhanced performance of mice in contextual discrimination. Proteomic analysis revealed that Cav-1 plays a role in mitochondrial pathways in neural progenitor cells. Importantly, Cav-1 was localized to the mitochondria in neural progenitor cells and modulated mitochondrial fission-fusion, a critical process in neurogenesis. These results suggest that Cav-1 is a novel regulator of AHN and underscore the impact of AHN on cognition.

Upregulation of endocytic protein expression in the Alzheimer's disease male human brain

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) is produced from amyloid precursor protein (APP) primarily after APP is internalised by endocytosis and clathrin-mediated endocytic processes are altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is also evidence that cholesterol and flotillin affect APP endocytosis. We hypothesised that endocytic protein expression would be altered in the brains of people with AD compared to non-diseased subjects which could be linked to increased Aβ generation. We compared protein expression in frontal cortex samples from men with AD compared to age-matched, non-diseased controls. Soluble and insoluble Aβ40 and Aβ42, the soluble Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, βCTF, BACE1, presenilin-1 and the ratio of phosphorylated:total GSK3β were significantly increased while the insoluble Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio was significantly decreased in AD brains. Total and phosphorylated tau were markedly increased in AD brains. Significant increases in clathrin, AP2, PICALM isoform 4, Rab-5 and caveolin-1 and 2 were seen in AD brains but BIN1 was decreased. However, using immunohistochemistry, caveolin-1 and 2 were decreased. The results obtained here suggest an overall increase in endocytosis in the AD brain, explaining, at least in part, the increased production of Aβ during AD.

The interaction of membrane estradiol receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors in adaptive and maladaptive estradiol-mediated motivated behaviors in females

Estrogen receptors were initially identified as intracellular, ligand-regulated transcription factors that result in genomic change upon ligand binding. However, rapid estrogen receptor signaling initiated outside of the nucleus was also known to occur via mechanisms that were less clear. Recent studies indicate that these traditional receptors, estrogen receptor α and estrogen receptor β, can also be trafficked to act at the surface membrane. Signaling cascades from these membrane-bound estrogen receptors (mERs) can rapidly alter cellular excitability and gene expression, particularly through the phosphorylation of CREB. A principal mechanism of neuronal mER action has been shown to occur through glutamate-independent transactivation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu), which elicits multiple signaling outcomes. The interaction of mERs with mGlu has been shown to be important in many diverse functions in females, including driving motivated behaviors. Experimental evidence suggests that a large part of estradiol-induced neuroplasticity and motivated behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, occurs through estradiol-dependent mER activation of mGlu. Herein we will review signaling through estrogen receptors, both "classical" nuclear receptors and membrane-bound receptors, as well as estradiol signaling through mGlu. We will focus on how the interactions of these receptors and their downstream signaling cascades are involved in driving motivated behaviors in females, discussing a representative adaptive motivated behavior (reproduction) and maladaptive motivated behavior (addiction).

Effects and underlying cellular pathway involved in the impairment of the neurovascular unit following exposure of adult male mice to low doses of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate alone or in an environmental phthalate mixture

We have previously shown that adult male mice exposure to low doses of di (2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) impacts the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and surrounding parenchyma in the medial preoptic area (mPOA), a key hypothalamic area involved in the male sexual behavior. BBB leakage was associated with a decrease in the endothelial tight junction accessory protein, zona occludens-1, and caveolae protein Cav-1, added to an inflammatory profile including glial activation accompanied by enhanced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. As this failure of BBB functionality in the mPOA could participate, at least in part, in reported alteration of sexual behavior following DEHP exposure, we explored the cellular pathway connecting cerebral capillaries and neurons. Two-month-old C57BL/6J male mice were orally exposed for 6 weeks to DEHP alone (5 and 50 μg/kg/day) or to DEHP (5 μg/kg/day) in an environmental phthalate mixture. The presence of androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor-α (ERα) were first evidenced in brain capillaries. Protein levels of AR but not of ERα were reduced in cerebral capillaries after phthalate exposure. The amounts of basement membrane and cell-matrix interaction components were decreased, while matrix metalloprotease MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were increased. Fluorojade® labelling suggested that exposure to phthalates also lead to a neurodegenerative process in the mPOA. Altogether, the data suggest that environmental exposure to endocrine disruptors such as phthalates, could alter AR/Cav-1 interaction, impacting a Cav-1/nitric oxide/MMP pathway. This would lead to disruption of the glio-neurovascular coupling which is essential to neuronal functioning.

Transcellular routes of blood-brain barrier disruption

Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) can occur through different mechanisms and pathways. As these pathways result in increased permeability to different classes of substances, it is likely that the neurological insults that occur will also differ for these pathways. The major categories of BBB disruption are paracellular (between cells) and transcellular (across cells) with a subcategory of transcellular leakage involving vesicles (transcytotic). Older literature, as well as more recent studies, highlights the importance of the transcellular pathways in BBB disruption. Of the various transcytotic mechanisms that are thought to be active at the BBB, some are linked to receptor-mediated transcytosis, whereas others are likely involved in BBB disruption. For most capillary beds, transcytotic mechanisms are less clearly linked to permeability than are membrane spanning canaliculi and fenestrations. Disruption pathways share cellular mechanisms to some degree as exemplified by transcytotic caveolar and transcellular canaliculi formations. The discovery of some of the cellular components involved in transcellular mechanisms of BBB disruption and the ability to measure them are adding greatly to our classic knowledge, which is largely based on ultrastructural studies. Future work will likely address the conditions and diseases under which the various pathways of disruption are active, the different impacts that they have, and the cellular biology that underlies the different pathways to disruption.

Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channel Kir2.1 and its "Kir-ious" Regulation by Protein Trafficking and Roles in Development and Disease

Potassium (K+) homeostasis is tightly regulated for optimal cell and organismal health. Failure to control potassium balance results in disease, including cardiac arrythmias and developmental disorders. A family of inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels helps cells maintain K+ levels. Encoded by KCNJ genes, Kir channels are comprised of a tetramer of Kir subunits, each of which contains two-transmembrane domains. The assembled Kir channel generates an ion selectivity filter for K+ at the monomer interface, which allows for K+ transit. Kir channels are found in many cell types and influence K+ homeostasis across the organism, impacting muscle, nerve and immune function. Kir2.1 is one of the best studied family members with well-defined roles in regulating heart rhythm, muscle contraction and bone development. Due to their expansive roles, it is not surprising that Kir mutations lead to disease, including cardiomyopathies, and neurological and metabolic disorders. Kir malfunction is linked to developmental defects, including underdeveloped skeletal systems and cerebellar abnormalities. Mutations in Kir2.1 cause the periodic paralysis, cardiac arrythmia, and developmental deficits associated with Andersen-Tawil Syndrome. Here we review the roles of Kir family member Kir2.1 in maintaining K+ balance with a specific focus on our understanding of Kir2.1 channel trafficking and emerging roles in development and disease. We provide a synopsis of the vital work focused on understanding the trafficking of Kir2.1 and its role in development.

Caveolin-1 Regulates Cellular Metabolism: A Potential Therapeutic Target in Kidney Disease

The kidney is an energy-consuming organ, and cellular metabolism plays an indispensable role in kidney-related diseases. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a multifunctional membrane protein, is the main component of caveolae on the plasma membrane. Caveolae are represented by tiny invaginations that are abundant on the plasma membrane and that serve as a platform to regulate cellular endocytosis, stress responses, and signal transduction. However, caveolae have received increasing attention as a metabolic platform that mediates the endocytosis of albumin, cholesterol, and glucose, participates in cellular metabolic reprogramming and is involved in the progression of kidney disease. It is worth noting that caveolae mainly depend on Cav-1 to perform the abovementioned cellular functions. Furthermore, the mechanism by which Cav-1 regulates cellular metabolism and participates in the pathophysiology of kidney diseases has not been completely elucidated. In this review, we introduce the structure and function of Cav-1 and its functions in regulating cellular metabolism, autophagy, and oxidative stress, focusing on the relationship between Cav-1 in cellular metabolism and kidney disease; in addition, Cav-1 that serves as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of kidney disease is also described.

Caveolae-Mediated Endothelial Transcytosis across the Blood-Brain Barrier in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption following ischemic stroke (IS) contributes to hemorrhagic transformation, brain edema, increased neural dysfunction, secondary injury, and mortality. Brain endothelial cells form a para and transcellular barrier to most blood-borne solutes via tight junctions (TJs) and rare transcytotic vesicles. The prevailing view attributes the destruction of TJs to the resulting BBB damage following IS. Recent studies define a stepwise impairment of the transcellular barrier followed by the paracellular barrier which accounts for the BBB leakage in IS. The increased endothelial transcytosis that has been proven to be caveolae-mediated, precedes and is independent of TJs disintegration. Thus, our understanding of post stroke BBB deficits needs to be revised. These recent findings could provide a conceptual basis for the development of alternative treatment strategies. Presently, our concept of how BBB endothelial transcytosis develops is incomplete, and treatment options remain limited. This review summarizes the cellular structure and biological classification of endothelial transcytosis at the BBB and reviews related molecular mechanisms. Meanwhile, relevant transcytosis-targeted therapeutic strategies for IS and research entry points are prospected.

Synapsin-caveolin-1 gene therapy preserves neuronal and synaptic morphology and prevents neurodegeneration in a mouse model of AD

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly. Identifying molecular signals that mitigate and reverse neurodegeneration in AD may be exploited therapeutically. Transgenic AD mice (PSAPP) exhibit learning and memory deficits at 9 and 11 months, respectively, with associated decreased expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a membrane/lipid raft (MLR) scaffolding protein necessary for synaptic and neuroplasticity. Neuronal-targeted gene therapy using synapsin-Cav-1 cDNA (SynCav1) was delivered to the hippocampus of PSAPP mice at 3 months using adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9). Bilateral SynCav1 gene therapy was able to preserve MLRs profile, learning and memory, hippocampal dendritic arbor, synaptic ultrastructure, and axonal myelin content in 9- and 11-month PSAPP mice, independent of reducing toxic amyloid deposits and astrogliosis. Our data indicate that SynCav1 gene therapy may be an option for AD and potentially in other forms of neurodegeneration of unknown etiology.

Involvement of Testosterone Signaling in the Integrity of the Neurovascular Unit in the Male: Review of Evidence, Contradictions, and Hypothesis

Age-related central nervous system function decline and increased susceptibility of females compared to males with respect to prevalence of several neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases are both based on the principle that hormonal factors could be involved. These cerebral disorders are characterized by an alteration of blood-brain barrier (BBB) properties and chronic neuroinflammation, which lead to disease progression. Neuroinflammation, in turn, contributes to BBB dysfunction. The BBB and its environment, called the neurovascular unit (NVU), are crucial for cerebral homeostasis and neuronal function. Interestingly, sex steroids influence BBB properties and modulate neuroinflammatory responses. To date however, the majority of work reported has focused on the effects of estrogens on BBB function and neuroinflammation in female mammals. In contrast, the effects of testosterone signaling on the NVU in males are still poorly studied. The aim of this review was to summarize and discuss the literature, providing insights and contradictions to highlight hypothesis and the need for further investigations.

Expression of P-gp in Glioblastoma: What we can Learn from Brain Development

P-Glycoprotein (P-gp) is a 170-kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that works as an efflux pump and confers multidrug resistance (MDR) in normal tissues and tumors, including nervous tissues and brain tumors. In the developing telencephalon, the endothelial expression of P-gp, and the subcellular localization of the transporter at the luminal endothelial cell (EC) plasma membrane are early hallmarks of blood-brain barrier (BBB) differentiation and suggest a functional BBB activity that may complement the placental barrier function and the expression of P-gp at the blood-placental interface. In early fetal ages, P-gp has also been immunolocalized on radial glia cells (RGCs), located in the proliferative ventricular zone (VZ) of the dorsal telencephalon and now considered to be neural progenitor cells (NPCs). RG-like NPCs have been found in many regions of the developing brain and have been suggested to give rise to neural stem cells (NSCs) of adult subventricular (SVZ) neurogenic niches. The P-gp immunosignal, associated with RG-like NPCs during cortical histogenesis, progressively decreases in parallel with the last waves of neuroblast migrations, while 'outer' RGCs and the deriving astrocytes do not stain for the efflux transporter. These data suggest that in human glioblastoma (GBM), P-gp expressed by ECs may be a negligible component of tumor MDR. Instead, tumor perivascular astrocytes may dedifferentiate and resume a progenitor-like P-gp activity, becoming MDR cells and contribute, together with perivascular P-gpexpressing glioma stem-like cells (GSCs), to the MDR profile of GBM vessels. In conclusion, the analysis of Pgp immunolocalization during brain development may contribute to identify the multiple cellular sources in the GBM vessels that may be involved in P-gp-mediated chemoresistance and can be responsible for GBM therapy failure and tumor recurrence.

Deciphering the roles of caveolin in neurodegenerative diseases: The good, the bad and the importance of context

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), which contribute to progressive and irreversible impairments of both the structure and function of the nervous system, pose a substantial socioeconomic burden on society. Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, membrane damage, DNA damage, and abnormal protein degradation pathways play pivotal roles in the etiology of NDDs. Recently, growing evidence has demonstrated that caveolins are important in the pathology of NDDs due to their cellular functions in signal transduction, endocytosis, transcytosis, cholesterol transport, and lipid homeostasis. Given the significance of caveolins, here we review the literature to clarify their molecular mechanisms and roles in NDDs. We first briefly introduce the general background on caveolins. Next, we focus on the various important functions of caveolins in the brain. Finally, we emphasize recent progress regarding caveolins, especially Cav-1, which exert both benefit and unfavorable effects in NDDs such as AD and PD. Collectively, the data presented here should advance the investigation of caveolins for the future development of innovative strategies for the treatment of NDDs.

Caveolin-1 suppresses tumor formation through the inhibition of the unfolded protein response

Caveolin-1 (CAV1), is a broadly expressed, membrane-associated scaffolding protein that acts both, as a tumor suppressor and a promoter of metastasis, depending on the type of cancer and stage. CAV1 is downregulated in human tumors, tumor cell lines and oncogene-transformed cells. The tumor suppressor activity of CAV1 is generally associated with its presence at the plasma membrane, where it participates, together with cavins, in the formation of caveolae and also has been suggested to interact with and inhibit a wide variety of proteins through interactions mediated by the scaffolding domain. However, a pool of CAV1 is also located at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), modulating the secretory pathway in a manner dependent on serine-80 (S80) phosphorylation. In melanoma cells, CAV1 expression suppresses tumor formation, but the protein is largely absent from the plasma membrane and does not form caveolae. Perturbations to the function of the ER are emerging as a central driver of cancer, highlighting the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), a central pathway involved in stress mitigation. Here we provide evidence indicating that the expression of CAV1 represses the activation of the UPR in vitro and in solid tumors, reflected in the attenuation of PERK and IRE1α signaling. These effects correlated with increased susceptibility of cells to ER stress and hypoxia. Interestingly, the tumor suppressor activity of CAV1 was abrogated by site-directed mutagenesis of S80, correlating with a reduced ability to repress the UPR. We conclude that the tumor suppression by CAV1 involves the attenuation of the UPR, and identified S80 as essential in this context. This suggests that intracellular CAV1 regulates cancer through alternative signaling outputs.

Cardiac and neuronal HCN channelopathies

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are expressed as four different isoforms (HCN1-4) in the heart and in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the voltage range of activation, HCN channels carry an inward current mediated by Na⁺ and K⁺, termed I_f in the heart and I_h in neurons. Altered function of HCN channels, mainly HCN4, is associated with sinus node dysfunction and other arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and atrioventricular block. In recent years, several data have also shown that dysfunctional HCN channels, in particular HCN1, but also HCN2 and HCN4, can play a pathogenic role in epilepsy; these include experimental data from animal models, and data collected over genetic mutations of the channels identified and characterized in epileptic patients. In the central nervous system, alteration of the I_h current could predispose to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease; since HCN channels are widely expressed in the peripheral nervous system, their dysfunctional behavior could also be associated with the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. Given the fundamental role played by the HCN channels in the regulation of the discharge activity of cardiac and neuronal cells, the modulation of their function for therapeutic purposes is under study since it could be useful in various pathological conditions. Here we review the present knowledge of the HCN-related channelopathies in cardiac and neurological diseases, including clinical, genetic, therapeutic, and physiopathological aspects.

Identification of a combination of transcription factors that synergistically increases endothelial cell barrier resistance

Endothelial cells (ECs) display remarkable plasticity during development before becoming quiescent and functionally mature. EC maturation is directed by several known transcription factors (TFs), but the specific set of TFs responsible for promoting high-resistance barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), have not yet been fully defined. Using expression mRNA data from published studies on ex vivo ECs from the central nervous system (CNS), we predicted TFs that induce high-resistance barrier properties of ECs as in the BBB. We used our previously established method to  generate ECs from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), and then we overexpressed the candidate TFs in hPSC-ECs and measured barrier resistance and integrity using electric cell-substrate impedance sensing, trans-endothelial electrical resistance and FITC-dextran permeability assays. SOX18 and TAL1 were the strongest EC barrier-inducing TFs, upregulating Wnt-related signaling and EC junctional gene expression, respectively, and downregulating EC proliferation-related genes. These TFs were combined with SOX7 and ETS1 that together effectively induced EC barrier resistance, decreased paracellular transport and increased protein expression of tight junctions and induce mRNA expression of several genes involved in the formation of EC barrier and transport. Our data shows identification of a transcriptional network that controls barrier resistance in ECs. Collectively this data may lead to novel approaches for generation of in vitro models of the BBB.

Mfsd2a Attenuates Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption After Sub-arachnoid Hemorrhage by Inhibiting Caveolae-Mediated Transcellular Transport in Rats

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is one of the critical mechanisms of brain injury induced by subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Past studies have often focused on the tight junctions of endothelial cells. However, low transcellular transport levels also play an important role in the normal functioning of the BBB. Major facilitator superfamily domain-containing 2a (Mfsd2a) has been demonstrated to be essential for the maintenance of the normal BBB. Our present study aimed to explore the roles and mechanisms of Mfsd2a in BBB disruption after SAH. In this study, a prechiasmatic cistern single-injection model was used to produce experimental SAH in Sprague-Dawley rats. Specific small-interfering RNA and plasmids were used to downregulate and upregulate the expression of Mfsd2a prior to assessments in our SAH model. Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency diet was used to reduce DHA in rat brain. The expression level of Mfsd2a decreased significantly after SAH and reached its lowest level at 72 h post-SAH, which then gradually recovered. At 72 h after SAH, BBB function was disrupted; upregulation of Mfsd2a reversed this damage, whereas downregulation of Mfsd2a exacerbated this damage. These effects were primarily mediated through transcellular transport, especially for changes in caveolae compared to those of tight junctions. After stopping the supply of omega-3 fatty acids, the effect of Mfsd2a on inhibition of caveolae and protection of the blood-brain barrier was eliminated. Taken together, Mfsd2a inhibits caveolae-based transcellular transport by transporting omega-3 fatty acids to protect the BBB after SAH.

Involvement of caveolin-1 in neurovascular unit remodeling after stroke: Effects on neovascularization and astrogliosis

Complex cellular and molecular events occur in the neurovascular unit after stroke, such as blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and inflammation that contribute to neuronal death, neurological deterioration and mortality. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) has distinct physiological functions such as caveolae formation associated with endocytosis and transcytosis as well as in signaling pathways. Cav-1 has been proposed to be involved in BBB dysfunction after brain injury; however, its precise role is poorly understood. The goal of this study was to characterize the expression and effect of Cav-1 deletion on outcome in the first week in a transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion stroke model. We found increased Cav-1 expression in new blood vessels in the lesion and in reactive astrocytes in the peri-lesion areas. In Cav-1 KO mice, the lesion volume was larger and the behavioral outcome worse than in WT mice. Cav-1 KO mice exhibited reduced neovascularization and modified astrogliosis, without formation of a proper glial scar around the lesion at three days post injury, coinciding with aggravated outcomes. Altogether, these results point towards a potential protective role of endogenous Cav-1 in the first days after ischemia by promoting neovascularization, astrogliosis and scar formation.

Neurodegeneration and Neuro-Regeneration-Alzheimer's Disease and Stem Cell Therapy

Aging causes many changes in the human body, and is a high risk for various diseases. Dementia, a common age-related disease, is a clinical disorder triggered by neurodegeneration. Brain damage caused by neuronal death leads to cognitive decline, memory loss, learning inabilities and mood changes. Numerous disease conditions may cause dementia; however, the most common one is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a futile and yet untreatable illness. Adult neurogenesis carries the potential of brain self-repair by an endogenous formation of newly-born neurons in the adult brain; however it also declines with age. Strategies to improve the symptoms of aging and age-related diseases have included different means to stimulate neurogenesis, both pharmacologically and naturally. Finally, the regulatory mechanisms of stem cells neurogenesis or a functional integration of newborn neurons have been explored to provide the basis for grafted stem cell therapy. This review aims to provide an overview of AD pathology of different neural and glial cell types and summarizes current strategies of experimental stem cell treatments and their putative future use in clinical settings.

The role of caveolin-1 in tumors of the brain - functional and clinical implications

BACKGROUND

Caveolin-1 (cav-1) is the major structural protein of caveolae, the flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane mainly involved in cell signaling. Today, cav-1 is believed to play a role in a variety of disease processes including cancer, owing to the variations of its expression in association with tumor progression, invasive behavior, metastasis and therapy resistance. Since first detected in the brain, a number of studies has particularly focused on the role of cav-1 in the various steps of brain tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss the different roles of cav-1 and its contributions to the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathobiology and natural behavior of brain tumors including glial, non-glial and metastatic subtypes. These contributions could be attributed to its co-localization with important players in tumorigenesis within the lipid-enriched domains of the plasma membrane. In that regard, the ability of cav-1 to interact with various cell signaling molecules as well as the impact of caveolae depletion on important pathways acting in brain tumor pathogenesis are noteworthy. We also discuss conversant causes hampering the treatment of malignant glial tumors such as limited transport of chemotherapeutics across the blood tumor barrier and resistance to chemoradiotherapy, by focusing on the molecular fundamentals involving cav-1 participation.

CONCLUSIONS

Cav-1 has the potential to pivot the molecular basis underlying the pathobiology of brain tumors, particularly the malignant glial subtype. In addition, the regulatory effect of cav-1-dependent and caveola-mediated transcellular transport on the permeability of the blood tumor barrier could be of benefit to overcome the restricted transport across brain barriers when applying chemotherapeutics. The association of cav-1 with tumors of the brain other than malignant gliomas deserves to be underlined, as well given the evidence suggesting its potential in predicting tumor grade and recurrence rates together with determining patient prognosis in oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, meningiomas, vestibular schwannomas and brain metastases.

Caveolin-1 and MLRs: A potential target for neuronal growth and neuroplasticity after ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Thrombolytic therapy, the only established treatment to reduce the neurological deficits caused by ischemic stroke, is limited by time window and potential complications. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve neuronal growth and neurological function following ischemic stroke. Membrane lipid rafts (MLRs) are crucial structures for neuron survival and growth signaling pathways. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), the main scaffold protein present in MLRs, targets many neural growth proteins and promotes growth of neurons and dendrites. Targeting Cav-1 may be a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance neuroplasticity after cerebral ischemia. This review addresses the role of Cav-1 and MLRs in neuronal growth after ischemic stroke, with an emphasis on the mechanisms by which Cav-1/MLRs modulate neuroplasticity via related receptors, signaling pathways, and gene expression. We further discuss how Cav-1/MLRs may be exploited as a potential therapeutic target to restore neuroplasticity after ischemic stroke. Finally, several representative pharmacological agents known to enhance neuroplasticity are discussed in this review.

A review of the role of cav-1 in neuropathology and neural recovery after ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke starts a series of pathophysiological processes that cause brain injury. Caveolin-1 (cav-1) is an integrated protein and locates at the caveolar membrane. It has been demonstrated that cav-1 can protect blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity by inhibiting matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) which degrade tight junction proteins. This article reviews recent developments in understanding the mechanisms underlying BBB dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress after ischemic stroke, and focuses on how cav-1 modulates a series of activities after ischemic stroke. In general, cav-1 reduces BBB permeability mainly by downregulating MMP9, reduces neuroinflammation through influencing cytokines and inflammatory cells, promotes nerve regeneration and angiogenesis via cav-1/VEGF pathway, reduces apoptosis, and reduces the damage mediated by oxidative stress. In addition, we also summarize some experimental results that are contrary to the above and explore possible reasons for these differences.

Essential role of ATP6AP2 enrichment in caveolae/lipid raft microdomains for the induction of neuronal differentiation of stem cells

Background

The subcellular distribution of prorenin receptor and adaptor protein ATP6AP2 may affect neurogenesis. In this study, we hypothesized that ATP6AP2 expression and subcellular relocalization from caveolae/lipid raft microdomains (CLR-Ms) to intracellular sites may correlate with neuronal differentiation (Neu-Dif) of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs).

Methods

Human ADSCs isolated from 24 healthy donors and 24 patients with neurological disorders (ND) were cultured and induced for Neu-Dif. The mechanism of action of ATP6AP2 and the impact of its localization within the plasma membrane (particularly CLR-Ms) and intracellular sites on several pathways (mitogen-activated protein kinase, Wnt(s) signaling and others) and intracellular calcium and exosome release were evaluated. The impact of CLR-Ms on ATP6AP2 or vice versa was determined by pharmacological disruption of CLR-Ms or siATP6AP2 assays.

Results

In patients with ND, loss of ATP6AP2 from CLR-Ms correlated with an inhibition of Neu-Dif and signaling. However, its relocalization in CLR-Ms was positively correlated to induction of Neu-Dif in healthy subjects. An apparent switch from canonical to noncanonical Wnt signaling as well as from caveolin to flotillin occurs concurrently with the increases of ATP6AP2 expression during neurogenesis. Stimulation by renin activates ERK/JNK/CREB/c-Jun but failed to induce β-catenin. Wnt5a enhanced the renin-induced JNK responsiveness. Gα proteins crosslink ATP6AP2 to caveolin where a switch from Gαi to Gαq is necessary for Neu-Dif. In ATP6AP2-enriched CLR-Ms, the release of exosomes was induced dependently from the intracellular Ca²⁺ and Gαq. Pharmacological disruption of CLR-M formation/stability impairs both ATP6AP2 localization and Neu-Dif in addition to reducing exosome release, indicating an essential role of ATP6AP2 enrichment in CLR-Ms for the induction of Neu-Dif. The mechanism is dependent on CLR-M dynamics, particularly the membrane fluidity. Knockdown of ATP6AP2 inhibited Neu-Dif but increased astrocytic-Dif, depleted ATP6AP2/flotillin/Gαq but accumulated caveolin/Gαi in CLR-Ms, and blocked the activation of JNK/ERK/c-Jun/CREB/exosome release. siATP6AP2 cells treated with sphingomyelinase/methyl-β-cyclodextrin reversed the levels of caveolin/flotillin in CLR-Ms but did not induce Neu-Dif, indicating the crucial relocalization of ATP6AP2 in CLR-Ms for neurogenesis. Treatment of ND-derived cells with nSMase showed reversibility in ATP6AP2 abundance in CLR-Ms and enhanced Neu-Dif.

Conclusions

This study gives evidence of the determinant role of CLR-M ATP6AP2 localization for neuronal and oligodendrocyte differentiation involving mechanisms of switches from Gαi/caveolin/canonical to Gαq/flotillin/PCP, the ERK/JNK pathway and Ca²⁺-dependent release of exosomes and as a potential target of drug therapy for neurodegenerative disorders.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-018-0862-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of Retro-Inverso Isomer of Bradykinin on Size-Dependent Penetration of Blood-Brain Tumor Barrier

Retro-inverso bradykinin (RI-BK) has better metabolic stability and higher affinity for the BK type 2 (B2) receptor, compared with bradykinin. At low doses, RI-BK can selectively enhance the permeability of the blood-brain tumor barrier (BBTB) without harming normal brain tissue. In this study, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) of size ranging from 5 to 90 nm are synthesized to assess the optimal size of nanocarriers that achieves maximum brain accumulation after the treatment of RI-BK. The ability of the GNPs to cross the BBTB is tested in a rat C6 glioma tumor model. The results of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy indicate that GNPs with size of 70 nm achieve maximum permeability to the glioma. The present study supports the conclusion that RI-BK can enhance the permeability of BBTB and provides fundamental information for further development of nanomedicines or nanoprobes for glioma therapy.

Identification and characterization of molluscan caveolin-1 ortholog from Haliotis discus discus: Possible involvement in embryogenesis and host defense mechanism against pathogenic stress

Caveolins are principal membrane proteins of caveolae that play a central role in signal transduction, substrate transport, and membrane trafficking in various cell types. Numerous studies have reported the crucial role of caveolin-1 (CAV1) in response to invading microbes; yet, very little is known about molluscan CAV1. In this study, we identified and characterized CAV1 ortholog from the disk abalone, Haliotis discus discus (HdCAV1). The cDNA sequence of HdCAV1 is 826 bp long and encodes a 127-amino acid polypeptide. Characteristic caveolin superfamily domain (Glu³ - Lys¹²⁶) and two possible transmembrane domains (Cys⁴⁸ - Tyr⁶⁷ and Ile¹⁰³ - Phe¹²⁰) were identified in the HdCAV1 protein. Homology analysis revealed that HdCAV1 shared higher identity (>47%) with molluscans, but lower identity with other species. Phylogenetic tree constructed by the neighbor-joining (NJ) method revealed a distinct evolutionary pathway for molluscans. Transcriptional analysis by SYBR Green qPCR showed the highest expression of HdCAV1 mRNA in late veliger stage, as compared to that in other embryonic developmental stages of disk abalone. In adult animals, gill tissue showed highest HdCAV1 transcript levels under normal physiological condition. Stimulations with two bacteria (Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Listeria monocytogenes), viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, and two pathogen-associated molecular patterns (LPS and poly I:C) significantly modulated the expression of HdCAV1 transcripts. Collectively, these data suggest that CAV1 plays an important role in embryogenesis and host immune defense in disk abalone.

Estradiol Membrane-Initiated Signaling in the Brain Mediates Reproduction

Over the past few years our understanding of estrogen signaling in the brain has expanded rapidly. Estrogens are synthesized in the periphery and in the brain, acting on multiple receptors to regulate gene transcription, neural function, and behavior. Various estrogen-sensitive signaling pathways often operate in concert within the same cell, increasing the complexity of the system. In females, estrogen concentrations fluctuate over the estrous/menstrual cycle, dynamically modulating estrogen receptor (ER) expression, activity, and trafficking. These dynamic changes influence multiple behaviors but are particularly important for reproduction. Using the female rodent model, we review our current understanding of estradiol signaling in the regulation of sexual receptivity.

Genome-wide imaging association study implicates functional activity and glial homeostasis of the caudate in smoking addiction

Background

Nearly 6 million deaths and over a half trillion dollars in healthcare costs worldwide are attributed to tobacco smoking each year. Extensive research efforts have been pursued to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of smoking addiction and facilitate cessation. In this study, we genotyped and obtained both resting state and task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging from 64 non-smokers and 42 smokers. Smokers were imaged after having smoked normally (“sated”) and after having not smoked for at least 12 h (“abstinent”).

Results

While abstinent smokers did not differ from non-smokers with respect to pairwise resting state functional connectivities (RSFCs) between 12 brain regions of interest, RSFCs involving the caudate and putamen of sated smokers significantly differed from those of non-smokers (P < 0.01). Further analyses of caudate and putamen activity during elicited experiences of reward and disappointment show that caudate activity during reward (CR) correlated with smoking status (P = 0.015). Moreover, abstinent smokers with lower CR experienced greater withdrawal symptoms (P = 0.024), which suggests CR may be related to smoking urges. Associations between genetic variants and CR, adjusted for smoking status, were identified by genome-wide association study (GWAS). Genes containing or exhibiting caudate-specific expression regulation by these variants were enriched within Gene Ontology terms that describe cytoskeleton functions, synaptic organization, and injury response (P < 0.001, FDR < 0.05).

Conclusions

By integrating genomic and imaging data, novel insights into potential mechanisms of caudate activation and homeostasis are revealed that may guide new directions of research toward improving our understanding of addiction pathology.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-017-4124-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Age-Related Modulations of AQP4 and Caveolin-1 in the Hippocampus Predispose the Toxic Effect of Phoneutria nigriventer Spider Venom

We have previously demonstrated that Phoneutria nigriventer venom (PNV) causes blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, swelling of astrocytes end-feet and fluid permeation into brain interstitium in rats. Caveolae and water channels respond to BBB alterations by co-participation in shear stress response and edema formation/resolution. Herein, we showed post-natal developmental-related changes of two BBB-associated transporter proteins: the endothelial caveolin-1 (Cav-1), the major scaffolding protein from caveolae frame, and the astroglial aquaporin-4 (AQP4), the main water channel protein expressed in astrocytic peri-vascular end-feet processes, in the hippocampus of rats intraperitoneally-administered PNV. Western blotting protein levels; immunohistochemistry (IHC) protein distribution in CA1, CA2, and CA3 subfields; and gene expression by Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) were assessed in post-natal Day 14 (P14) and 8–10-week-old rats over critical periods of envenomation. The intensity and duration of the toxic manifestations indicate P14 neonate rats more vulnerable to PNV than adults. Histologically, the capillaries of P14 and 8–10-week-old rats treated with PNV showed perivascular edema, while controls did not. The intensity of the toxic manifestations in P14 decreases temporally (2 > 5 > 24 h), while inversely the expression of AQP4 and Cav-1 peaked at 24 h when clinically PNV-treated animals do not differ from saline controls. IHC of AQP4 revealed that hippocampal CA1 showed the least expression at 2 h when toxic manifestation was maximal. Subfield IHC quantification revealed that in P14 rats Cav-1 peaked at 24 h when toxic manifestations were absent, whereas in 8–10-week-old rats Cav-1 peaked at 2 h when toxic signs were highest, and progressively attenuated such increases until 24 h, remaining though significantly above baseline. Considering astrocyte-endothelial physical and functional interactions, we hypothesize that age-related modulations of AQP4 and Cav-1 might be linked both to changes in functional properties of astrocytes during post-natal development and in the BBB breakdown induced by the venom of P. nigriventer.

GPI-Anchored Proteins and Glycosphingolipid-Rich Rafts: Platforms for Adhesion and Signaling

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins in mammalian cells play a role in adhesion and signaling. They are sorted in the trans-Golgi network into glycosphingolipid- and cholesterol-rich microdomains termed rafts. Such rafts can be isolated from many cell types including epithelial cells, neural cells, and lymphocytes. In polarized cells, the rafts segregate in distinct regions of the cell. The rafts constitute platforms for signal transduction via raft-associated srcfamily tyrosine kinases. This review compares the sorting, distribution, and signaling of GPI-anchored proteins and rafts in epithelial cells, lymphocytes, and neural cells. A possible involvement of rafts in distinct diseases is also addressed.

Are Synchronized Changes in Connexin-43 and Caveolin-3 a Bystander Effect in a Phoneutria nigriventer Venom Model of Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown?

Upregulation of caveolin-3 (Cav-3) or connexin-43 (Cx43) in astrocytes has been associated with important brain pathologies. We used Phoneutria nigriventer spider venom (PNV), which induces blood-brain barrier breakdown in rats, in order to investigate Cav-3 and Cx43 expression in the cerebellum over critical periods of rat envenomation. By immunofluorescence, western blotting (WB), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we assessed changes at 1, 2, 5, 24, and 72 h post-venom. WB showed immediate increases in Cav-3 and Cx43 at 1 h (interval of greatest manifestations of envenomation) that persisted at 5 h (when there were signs of recovery) and peaked at 24 h when no signs of envenomation were detectable. At 2 and 72 h, Cav-3 was downregulated and Cx43 had returned to baseline. PNV markedly intensified Cx43 in molecular, Purkinje and granular layers and Cav-3 in astrocytes whose colocalization to increased GFAP suggests interaction between reactive astrogliosis and Cav-3 upregulation. TEM showed swollen perivascular astrocytic end-feet and synaptic contact alterations that had generally resolved by 72 h. It is uncertain whether such PNV-induced synchronized changes are an interactive effect between Cav-3 and Cx43, or a bystander effect. Evidences indicate that Cav-3 downregulation coupled to Cx43 return to baseline at 72 h when no signs of envenomation were visible, suggesting homeostasis reestablishment. This experimental model is relevant to studying mechanisms involved in neurological disorders associated with Cav-3 overexpression.

Heterogeneous astrocytes: Active players in CNS

Astrocytes, the predominant cell type that are broadly distributed in the brain and spinal cord, play key roles in maintaining homeostasis of the central nerve system (CNS) in physiological and pathological conditions. Increasing evidence indicates that astrocytes are a complex colony with heterogeneity on morphology, gene expression, function and many other aspects depending on their spatio-temporal distribution and activation level. In pathological conditions, astrocytes differentially respond to all kinds of insults, including injury and disease, and participate in the neuropathological process. Based on current studies, we here give an overview of the roles of heterogeneous astrocytes in CNS, especially in neuropathologies, which focuses on biological and functional diversity of astrocytes. We propose that a precise understanding of the heterogeneous astrocytes is critical to unlocking the secrets about pathogenesis and treatment of the mazy CNS.

Contribution of synovial lining cells to synovial vascularization of the rat temporomandibular joint

The lining layer of the synovial membrane in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) contains two types of lining cells: macrophage-like type A and fibroblast-like type B cells. The type B cells are particularly heterogeneous in their morphology and immunoreactivity, so that details of their functions remain unclear. Some of the type B cells exhibit certain resemblances in their ultrastructure to those of an activated capillary pericyte at the initial stage of the angiogenesis. The articular surface, composed of cartilage and the disc in the TMJ, has few vasculatures, whereas the synovial lining layer is richly equipped with blood capillaries to produce the constituent of synovial fluid. The present study investigated at both the light and electron microscopic levels the immunocytochemical characteristics of the synovial lining cells in the adult rat TMJ, focusing on their contribution to the synovial vascularization. It also employed an intravascular perfusion with Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) lectin to identify functional vessels in vivo. Results showed that several type B cells expressed desmin, a muscle-specific intermediate filament which is known as the earliest protein to appear during myogenesis as well as being a marker for the immature capillary pericyte. These desmin-positive type B cells showed immunoreactions for vimentin and pericyte markers (neuron-glial 2; NG2 and PDGFRβ) but not for the other markers of myogenic cells (MyoD and myogenin) or a contractile apparatus (αSMA and caldesmon). Immunoreactivity for RECA-1, an endothelial marker, was observed in the macrophage-like type A cells. The arterioles and venules inside the synovial folds extended numerous capillaries with RECA-1-positive endothelial cells and desmin-positive pericytes to distribute densely in the lining layer. The distal portion of these capillaries showing RECA-1-immunoreactivity lacked lectin-staining, indicating a loss of blood-circulation due to sprouting or termination in the lining layer. The desmin-positive type B and RECA-1-positive type A cells attached to this portion of the capillaries. Some capillaries in the lining layer also expressed ninein, a marker for sprouting endothelial cells, called tip cells. Since an activated pericyte, macrophage and tip cell are known to act together at the forefront of the vessel sprout during angiogenesis, the desmin-positive type B cell and RECA-1-positive type A cell might serve as these angiogenic cells in the synovial lining layer. Tomato lectin perfusion following decalcification would be a highly useful tool for research on the vasculature of the mineralized tissue. Use of this technique combined with immunohistochemistry should permit future extensive investigations on the presence of the physiological angiogenesis and on the function of the lining cells in the synovial membrane.

Enhanced caveolin-1 expression increases migration, anchorage-independent growth and invasion of endometrial adenocarcinoma cells

Background

Caveolin-1 (CAV1) has been implicated both in tumor suppression and progression, whereby the specific role appears to be context dependent. Endometrial cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the female genital tract; however, little is known about the role of CAV1 in this disease.

Methods

Here, we first determined by immunohistochemistry CAV1 protein levels in normal proliferative human endometrium and endometrial tumor samples. Then using two endometrial cancer cell lines (ECC: Ishikawa and Hec-1A) we evaluated mRNA and protein levels of CAV1 by real time qPCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. The role of CAV1 expression in ECC malignancy was further studied by either inducing its expression in endometrial cancer cells with the tumor promotor 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (4β-TPA) or decreasing expression using short-hairpin RNA constructs, and then evaluating the effects of these changes on ECC proliferation, transmigration, matrigel invasion, and colony formation in soft agar.

Results

Immunohistochemical analysis of endometrial epithelia revealed that substantially higher levels of CAV1 were present in endometrial tumors than the normal proliferative epithelium. Also, in Ishikawa and Hec-1A endometrial cancer cells CAV1 expression was readily detectable. Upon treatment with 4β-TPA CAV1 levels increased and coincided with augmented cell transmigration, matrigel invasion, as well as colony formation in soft agar. Reduction of CAV1 expression using short-hairpin RNA constructs ablated these effects in both cell types whether treated or not with 4β-TPA. Alternatively, CAV1 expression appeared not to modulate significantly proliferation of these cells.

Conclusion

Our study shows that elevated CAV1, observed in patients with endometrial cancer, is linked to enhanced malignancy of endometrial cancer cells, as evidenced by increased migration, invasion and anchorage-independent growth.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1477-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Caveolae: molecular insights and therapeutic targets for stroke

INTRODUCTION

Caveolae are specialized plasma membrane micro-invaginations of most mammalian cell types. The organization and function of caveolae are carried out by their coat proteins, caveolins and adaptor proteins, cavins. Caveolae/caveolins physically interact with membrane-associated signaling molecules and function in cholesterol incorporation, signaling transduction and macromolecular transport/permeability.

AREAS COVERED

Recent investigations have implicated a check-and-balance role of caveolae in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia. Caveolin knockout mice displayed exacerbated ischemic injury, whereas caveolin peptide exerted remarkable protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive synopsis of how caveolae/caveolins modulate blood-brain barrier permeability, pro-survival signaling, angiogenesis and neuroinflammation, and how this may contribute to a better understanding of the participation of caveolae in ischemic cascade. The role of caveolin in the preconditioning-induced tolerance against ischemia is also discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

Caveolae represent a novel target for cerebral ischemia. It remains open how to manipulate caveolin expression in a practical way to recapitulate the beneficial therapeutic outcomes. Caveolin peptides and associated antagomirs may be efficacious and deserve further investigations for their potential benefits for stroke.

Caveolin expression changes in the neurovascular unit after juvenile traumatic brain injury: signs of blood-brain barrier healing?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of death and disability in pediatrics, and results in a complex cascade of events including the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). A controlled-cortical impact on post-natal 17-day-old rats induced BBB disruption by IgG extravasation from 1 to 3 days after injury and returned to normal at day 7. In parallel, we characterized the expression of three caveolin isoforms, caveolin 1 (cav-1), caveolin 2 (cav-2) and caveolin 3 (cav-3). While cav-1 and cav-2 are expressed on endothelial cells, both cav-1 and cav-3 were found to be present on reactive astrocytes, in vivo and in vitro. Following TBI, cav-1 expression was increased in blood vessels at 1 and 7 days in the perilesional cortex. An increase of vascular cav-2 expression was observed 7 days after TBI. In contrast, astrocytic cav-3 expression decreased 3 and 7 days after TBI. Activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (via its phosphorylation) was detected 1 day after TBI and phospho-eNOS was detected both in association with blood vessels and with astrocytes. The molecular changes involving caveolins occurring in endothelial cells following juvenile-TBI might participate, independently of eNOS activation, to a mechanism of BBB repair while, they might subserve other undefined roles in astrocytes.

Ablation of MMP9 gene ameliorates paracellular permeability and fibrinogen-amyloid beta complex formation during hyperhomocysteinemia

Increased blood level of homocysteine (Hcy), called hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) accompanies many cognitive disorders including Alzheimer's disease. We hypothesized that HHcy-enhanced cerebrovascular permeability occurs via activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and leads to an increased formation of fibrinogen-β-amyloid (Fg-Aβ) complex. Cerebrovascular permeability changes were assessed in C57BL/6J (wild type, WT), cystathionine-β-synthase heterozygote (Cbs+/-, a genetic model of HHcy), MMP9 gene knockout (Mmp9-/-), and Cbs and Mmp9 double knockout (Cbs+/-/Mmp9-/-) mice using a dual-tracer probing method. Expression of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) and Fg-Aβ complex formation was assessed in mouse brain cryosections by immunohistochemistry. Short-term memory of mice was assessed with a novel object recognition test. The cerebrovascular permeability in Cbs+/- mice was increased via mainly the paracellular transport pathway. VE-cadherin expression was the lowest and Fg-Aβ complex formation was the highest along with the diminished short-term memory in Cbs+/- mice. These effects of HHcy were ameliorated in Cbs+/-/Mmp9-/- mice. Thus, HHcy causes activation of MMP9 increasing cerebrovascular permeability by downregulation of VE-cadherin resulting in an enhanced formation of Fg-Aβ complex that can be associated with loss of memory. These data may lead to the identification of new targets for therapeutic intervention that can modulate HHcy-induced cerebrovascular permeability and resultant pathologies.

Genetically induced dysfunctions of Kir2.1 channels: implications for short QT3 syndrome and autism-epilepsy phenotype

Short QT3 syndrome (SQT3S) is a cardiac disorder characterized by a high risk of mortality and associated with mutations in Kir2.1 (KCNJ2) channels. The molecular mechanisms leading to channel dysfunction, cardiac rhythm disturbances and neurodevelopmental disorders, potentially associated with SQT3S, remain incompletely understood. Here, we report on monozygotic twins displaying a short QT interval on electrocardiogram recordings and autism-epilepsy phenotype. Genetic screening identified a novel KCNJ2 variant in Kir2.1 that (i) enhanced the channel's surface expression and stability at the plasma membrane, (ii) reduced protein ubiquitylation and degradation, (iii) altered protein compartmentalization in lipid rafts by targeting more channels to cholesterol-poor domains and (iv) reduced interactions with caveolin 2. Importantly, our study reveals novel physiological mechanisms concerning wild-type Kir2.1 channel processing by the cell, such as binding to both caveolin 1 and 2, protein degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway; in addition, it uncovers a potential multifunctional site that controls Kir2.1 surface expression, protein half-life and partitioning to lipid rafts. The reported mechanisms emerge as crucial also for proper astrocyte function, suggesting the need for a neuropsychiatric evaluation in patients with SQT3S and offering new opportunities for disease management.

The memory-enhancing effects of hippocampal estrogen receptor activation involve metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling

Our laboratory has demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E2) enhances hippocampal memory consolidation via rapid activation of multiple intracellular signaling cascades, including the ERK/MAPK cascade (Fernandez et al., 2008; Fan et al., 2010). However, the receptor mechanisms responsible for these effects of E2 remain unclear. In vitro, estrogen receptor α (ERα) signaling through metabotropic glutamate receptor 1a (mGluR1a) leads to ERK-dependent CREB phosphorylation (Boulware et al., 2005), suggesting that interactions between ERs and mGluR1a may be vital to the memory-enhancing effects of E2. As such, the present study tested the roles of classical estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and mGluR1a in mediating the effects of E2 on hippocampal memory consolidation. Dorsal hippocampal (DH) infusion of ERα (PPT) or ERβ (DPN) agonists enhanced novel object recognition and object placement memory in ovariectomized female mice in an ERK-dependent manner, suggesting that these receptors influence memory by rapidly activating hippocampal cell signaling. Next, DH infusion of the mGluR1a antagonist LY367385 blocked the object and spatial memory facilitation induced by E2, PPT, and DPN, demonstrating that ER/mGluR1a signaling is critical for the memory-enhancing effects of E2. Finally, we show that ERα, ERβ, mGluR1, and ERK all reside within specialized membrane microdomains of the DH, and that ERα and ERβ physically interact with mGluR1, providing a means through which ERs may activate mGluRs and downstream signaling. Together, these findings provide the first in vivo evidence demonstrating that ER/mGluR signaling can mediate the beneficial effects of E2 on hippocampal memory consolidation.

Caveolin isoform switching as a molecular, structural, and metabolic regulator of microglia

Microglia are ramified cells that serve as central nervous system (CNS) guardians, capable of proliferation, migration, and generation of inflammatory cytokines. In non-pathological states, these cells exhibit ramified morphology with processes intermingling with neurons and astrocytes. Under pathological conditions, they acquire a rounded amoeboid morphology and proliferative and migratory capabilities. Such morphological changes require cytoskeleton rearrangements. The molecular control points for polymerization states of microtubules and actin are still under investigation. Caveolins (Cavs), membrane/lipid raft proteins, are expressed in inflammatory cells, yet the role of caveolin isoforms in microglia physiology is debatable. We propose that caveolins provide a necessary control point in the regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics, and thus investigated a role for caveolins in microglia biology. We detected mRNA and protein for both Cav-1 and Cav-3. Cav-1 protein was significantly less and localized to plasmalemma (PM) and cytoplasmic vesicles (CVs) in the microglial inactive state, while the active (amoeboid-shaped) microglia exhibited increased Cav-1 expression. In contrast, Cav-3 was highly expressed in the inactive state and localized with cellular processes and perinuclear regions and was detected in active amoeboid microglia. Pharmacological manipulation of the cytoskeleton in the active or non-active state altered caveolin expression. Additionally, increased Cav-1 expression also increased mitochondrial respiration, suggesting possible regulatory roles in cell metabolism necessary to facilitate the morphological changes. The present findings strongly suggest that regulation of microglial morphology and activity are in part due to caveolin isoforms, providing promising novel therapeutic targets in CNS injury or disease.

Expression of caveolin-1 in the early phase of beta-TCP implanted in dog mandible

Caveolin is an essential and signature protein of caveolae. Caveolin-1 participates in signal transduction processes by acting as a scaffolding protein that concentrates, organizes and functional regulates signalling molecules within caveolar membranes. Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) has been widely used for scaffold in tissue engineering due to its high biodegradability, osteoconductivity, easy manipulation, and lack of histotoxicity. To better understand the role of caveolin-1 in bone homeostasis and response to β-TCP scaffold, β-TCP was implanted into the dog mandible defects in beagle dogs, and gene expression profiles were examined focused on the molecular components involved in caveolin-1 regulation. Here we showed the quantitative imageology analysis characterized using in vivo micro-computed tomography (CT) images at 4 and 7 days after β-TCP implanted in dog mandibles. The bone reformation by using the β-TCP scaffolds began within 4 days of surgery, and was healing well at 7 days after surgery. Higher mRNA level of caveolin-1 was observed in β-TCP-implanted Beagle dog mandibles compared with controls at day 4 and day 7 post-surgery. The enhancement of caveolin-1 by β-TCP was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis. We further revealed increased Smad7 and Phospho Stat3 expression in β-TCP-implanted specimens. Taken together, these results suggest that the enhancement of caveolin-1 play an important role in accelerating bone formation by β-TCP.

Caveolin-1 regulates neural differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells into neurons by modulating Notch signaling

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to differentiate into neurons in vitro. However, the mechanism underlying MSC differentiation remains controversial. A recent analysis has shown that Notch signaling is involved in regulating the differentiation of MSCs. This study examines the potential mechanism of the differentiation of MSCs into neurons, and it considers the role of caveolin-1 in this process. We investigated neuron differentiation and Notch signaling by detecting the expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), Neuron-specific Enolase (NSE), Notch-1, Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and hairy enhancer of split 5 (Hes5). We found that by down-regulating caveolin-1 during induction, MSCs were prone to neural differentiation and expressed high levels of neuronal markers. Meanwhile, the expression levels of Notch-1, NICD and Hes5 decreased. Our results indicate that down-regulation of caveolin-1 promotes the neuronal differentiation of MSCs by modulating the Notch signaling pathway.

Differential expression of caveolins and myosin heavy chains in response to forced exercise in rats

Exercise training can improve strength and lead to adaptations in the skeletal muscle and nervous systems. Skeletal muscles can develop into two types: fast and slow, depending on the expression pattern of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms. Previous studies reported that exercise altered the distribution of muscle fiber types. It is not currently known what changes in the expression of caveolins and types of muscle fiber occur in response to the intensity of exercise. This study determined the changes in expression of caveolins and MHC type after forced exercise in muscular and non-muscular tissues in rats. A control (Con) group to which forced exercise was not applied and an exercise (Ex) group to which forced exercise was applied. Forced exercise, using a treadmill, was introduced at a speed of 25 m/min for 30 min, 3 times/day (07:00, 15:00, 23:00). Homogenized tissues were applied to extract of total RNA for further gene analysis. The expression of caveolin-3 and MHC2a in the gastrocnemius muscle of female rats significantly increased in the Ex group compared with the Con group (P<0.05). Furthermore, in the gastrocnemius muscle of male rats, the expression of MHC2x was significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). There was an increased expression in caveolin-3 and a slightly decreased expression in TGFβ-1 in muscular tissues implicating caveolin-3 influences the expression of MHC isoforms and TGFβ-1 expression. Eventually, it implicates that caveolin-3 has positive regulatory function in muscle atrophy induced by neural dysfunction with spinal cord injury or stroke.