1
|
Kumro J, Tripathi A, Lei Y, Sword J, Callahan P, Terry A, Lu XY, Kirov SA, Pillai A, Blake DT. Chronic basal forebrain activation improves spatial memory, boosts neurotrophin receptor expression, and lowers BACE1 and Aβ42 levels in the cerebral cortex in mice. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:7627-7641. [PMID: 36939283 PMCID: PMC10267632 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiology of Alzheimer's dementia has been hypothesized in terms of basal forebrain cholinergic decline, and in terms of reflecting beta-amyloid neuropathology. To study these different biological elements, we activated the basal forebrain in 5xFAD Alzheimer's model mice and littermates. Mice received 5 months of 1 h per day intermittent stimulation of the basal forebrain, which includes cholinergic projections to the cortical mantle. Then, mice were behaviorally tested followed by tissue analysis. The 5xFAD mice performed worse in water-maze testing than littermates. Stimulated groups learned the water maze better than unstimulated groups. Stimulated groups had 2-3-fold increases in frontal cortex immunoblot measures of the neurotrophin receptors for nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and a more than 50% decrease in the expression of amyloid cleavage enzyme BACE1. Stimulation also led to lower Aβ42 in 5xFAD mice. These data support a causal relationship between basal forebrain activation and both neurotrophin activation and reduced Aβ42 generation and accumulation. The observation that basal forebrain activation suppresses Aβ42 accumulation, combined with the known high-affinity antagonism of nicotinic receptors by Aβ42, documents bidirectional antagonism between acetylcholine and Aβ42.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Kumro
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Ashutosh Tripathi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, United States
| | - Yun Lei
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Jeremy Sword
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Patrick Callahan
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Alvin Terry
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Xin-yun Lu
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Sergei A Kirov
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Anilkumar Pillai
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
- Research and Development, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904, United States
| | - David T Blake
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Seyedaghamiri F, Mahmoudi J, Hosseini L, Sadigh-Eteghad S, Farhoudi M. Possible Engagement of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Pathophysiology of Brain Ischemia-Induced Cognitive Impairment. J Mol Neurosci 2021; 72:642-652. [PMID: 34596872 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-021-01917-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Post-stroke disabilities like cognitive impairment impose are complex conditions with great economic burdens on health care systems. For these comorbidities, no effective therapies have been identified yet. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are multifunctional receptors participating in various behavioral and neurobiological functions. During brain ischemia, the increased glutamate accumulation leads to neuronal excitotoxicity as well as mitochondrial dysfunction. These abnormalities then cause the increased levels of oxidants, which play key roles in neuronal death and apoptosis in the infarct zone. Additionally, recall of cytokines and inflammatory factors play a prominent role in the exacerbation of ischemic injury. As well, neurotrophic factors' insufficiency results in synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairments in ischemic brain. Of note, nAChRs through various signaling pathways can participate in therapeutic approaches such as cholinergic system's stimulation, and reduction of excitotoxicity, inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autophagy. Moreover, the possible roles of nAChRs in neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and stimulation of neurotrophic factors expression have been reported previously. On the other hand, the majority of the above-mentioned mechanisms were found to be common in both brain ischemia pathogenesis and cognitive function tuning. Therefore, it seems that nAChRs might be known as key regulators in the control of ischemia pathology, and their modulation could be considered as a new avenue in the multi-target treatment of post-stroke cognitive impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Javad Mahmoudi
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Leila Hosseini
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Farhoudi
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Choucry AM, Al-Shorbagy MY, Attia AS, El-Abhar HS. Pharmacological Manipulation of Trk, p75NTR, and NGF Balance Restores Memory Deficit in Global Ischemia/Reperfusion Model in Rats. J Mol Neurosci 2019; 68:78-90. [PMID: 30863991 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01284-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Long-term memory impairment is reported in more than 50% of cardiac arrest survivors. Monosialoganglioside (GM1) provided neuroprotection in experimental models of stroke but failed to replicate its promise clinically for unknown reasons. GM1 stimulates the release of nerve growth factor (NGF), which is synthesized as a precursor protein (pro-NGF) that either mediates apoptosis through the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) or is cleaved by the protease furin (FUR) to yield mature NGF, the latter supporting survival through tropomyosin kinase receptor (Trk). The flavanol epicatechin (EPI) inhibits p75NTR-mediated signaling and apoptosis by pro-NGF. The aim of the current work is to test whether these two drugs affect, or communicate with, each other in the setting of CNS injuries. Using the two-vessel occlusion model of global ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), we tested if pharmacological modulation of Trk, p75NTR, and NGF balance with GM1, EPI, and their combination, can correct the memory deficit that follows this insult. Finally, we tested if FUR insufficiency and/or p75NTR-mediated apoptosis negatively affect the neurotherapeutic effect of GM1. Key proteins for Trk and p75NTR, FUR, and both forms of NGF were assessed. All treatment regiments successfully improved spatial memory retention and acquisition. A week after the insult, most Trk and p75NTR proteins were normal, but pro/mature NGF ratio remained sharply elevated and was associated with the poorest memory performance. Pharmacological correction of this balance was achieved by reinforcing Trk and p75NTR signaling. GM1 increased FUR levels, while concomitant administration of EPI weakened GM1 effect on pro-survival Trk and p75NTR mediators. GM1 neuroprotection is therefore not limited by FUR but could be dependent on p75NTR. Graphical Abstract "."
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mohamed Choucry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El Aini st., Cairo, 11562, Egypt.,Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama University, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
| | - Muhammad Yusuf Al-Shorbagy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El Aini st., Cairo, 11562, Egypt. .,School of Pharmacy, New Giza University, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed Sherif Attia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El Aini St., Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Hanan Salah El-Abhar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El Aini st., Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fragkouli A, Pachnis V, Stylianopoulou F. Sex differences in water maze performance and cortical neurotrophin levels of LHX7 null mutant mice. Neuroscience 2008; 158:1224-33. [PMID: 19095044 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2008] [Revised: 10/20/2008] [Accepted: 11/13/2008] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Mice lacking both alleles of the LIM-homeobox gene Lhx7 display dramatically reduced number of forebrain cholinergic neurons. Given the fact that sex differences are consistently observed in forebrain cholinergic function, in the present study we investigated whether the absence of LHX7 differentially affects water maze performance in the two sexes. Herein we demonstrate that LHX7 null mutants display a sex-dependent impairment in water maze, with females appearing more affected than males. Moreover, neurotrophin assessment revealed a compensatory increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin 3 in the neocortex of both male and female mutants and an increase of nerve growth factor levels only in the females. Nevertheless, the compensatory increase of cortical neurotrophin levels did not restore cognitive abilities of Lhx7 homozygous mutants. Finally, our analysis revealed that cortical neurotrophin levels correlate negatively with water maze proficiency, indicating that there is an optimal neurotrophin level for successful cognitive performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Fragkouli
- Department of Basic Sciences, University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sandstrom NJ, Loy R, Williams CL. Prenatal choline supplementation increases NGF levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of young and adult rats. Brain Res 2002; 947:9-16. [PMID: 12144847 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(02)02900-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Female Sprague-Dawley rats received approximately 300 mg/kg per day of choline chloride through their drinking water on days 11 of pregnancy through birth and the level of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of their male offspring was measured at 20 and 90 days of age. Prenatal choline supplementation caused significant increases in hippocampal NGF levels at 20 and 90 days of age, while levels of NGF in the frontal cortex were elevated in choline-supplemented rats at 20 days of age, but not 90 days of age. These results suggest that increases in NGF levels during development or adulthood may be one mechanism underlying improvements in spatial and temporal memory of adult rats exposed to elevated levels of choline chloride perinatally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noah J Sandstrom
- Bronfman Science Center, Department of Psychology, Williams College, 18 Hoxsey Street, Williamstown, MA 01267, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|