Axotomy does not up-regulate expression of sodium channel Na(v)1.8 in Purkinje cells

Upregulation and colocalization of p75 and Nav1.8 in Purkinje neurons in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Recent studies have indicated that, in addition to demyelination and axonal degeneration, a third factor, dysregulated ion channel expression, contributes to the pathophysiology of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Consistent with this suggestion, upregulated expression of sodium channel Na(v)1.8 is observed in Purkinje neurons in EAE and MS, and biophysical studies indicate that aberrant expression of Na(v)1.8 produces abnormal Purkinje cell firing which may contribute to the development of cerebellar ataxia. However, the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the upregulation of Na(v)1.8 in Purkinje cells in EAE and MS have not yet been determined. Previous studies have shown that neurotrophic factors can modulate sodium channel expression and that elevated levels of NGF are present in EAE and MS. Using immunocytochemical methods, we examined the relationship between the upregulation of Na(v)1.8 and the expression of the NGF receptors p75 and TrkA in EAE. Here we demonstrate that upregulation of Na(v)1.8 is associated with expression of p75 and low levels of TrkA in the majority of Purkinje cells in EAE. These findings, together with previous studies demonstrating a modulatory role of NGF on sodium channel expression, suggest that NGF acting via p75 contributes to the upregulation of Na(v)1.8 in Purkinje cells in EAE.

Altered expression of ion channel isoforms at the node of Ranvier in P0-deficient myelin mutants

To elucidate the impact of myelinating Schwann cells on the molecular architecture of the node of Ranvier, we investigated the nodal expression of voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) isoforms and the localization of paranodal and juxtaparanodal membrane proteins in a severely affected Schwann cell mutant, the mouse deficient in myelin protein zero (P0). The abnormal myelin formation and compaction was associated with immature nodal cluster types of VGSC. Most strikingly, P0-deficient motor nerves displayed an ectopic nodal expression of the Na(v)1.8 isoform, where it is coexpressed with the ubiquitous Na(v)1.6 channel. Furthermore, Caspr was distributed asymmetrically or was even absent in the mutant nerve fibers. The potassium channel K(v)1.2 and Caspr2 were not confined to juxtaparanodes, but often protruding into the paranodes. Thus, deficiency of P0 leads to dysregulation of nodal VGSC isoforms and to altered localization of paranodal and juxtaparanodal components of the nodal complex.

Temporal course of upregulation of Na(v)1.8 in Purkinje neurons parallels the progression of clinical deficit in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is recognized to involve demyelination and axonal atrophy but accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulated sodium channel expression may also contribute to its pathophysiology. Recent studies have demonstrated that the expression of Na(v)1.8 voltage-gated sodium channels, which are normally undetectable within the CNS, is upregulated in cerebellar Purkinje cells in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) and MS, and suggest that the aberrant expression of these channels contributes to clinical dysfunction by distorting the firing pattern of these neurons. In this study we examined the temporal pattern of upregulation for Na(v)1.8 mRNA and protein in chronic relapsing EAE by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Our results demonstrate a positive correlation between disease duration and degree of upregulation of Na(v)1.8 mRNA and protein in Purkinje neurons in chronic-relapsing EAE. The progressive deterioration in clinical baseline scores (i.e. in clinical scores during remissions) is paralleled by a continued increase in Na(v)1.8 mRNA and protein expression, but temporary worsening during relapses is not associated with transient changes in Na(v)1.8 expression. These results provide evidence that the expression of sodium channel Na(v)1.8 contributes to the development of clinical deficits in an in vivo model of neuroinflammatory disease.