1
|
Borroto-Escuela DO, Gonzalez-Cristo E, Ochoa-Torres V, Serra-Rojas EM, Ambrogini P, Arroyo-García LE, Fuxe K. Understanding electrical and chemical transmission in the brain. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1398862. [PMID: 38988663 PMCID: PMC11233782 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1398862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The histochemical Falck-Hillarp method for the localization of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin in the central nervous system (CNS) of rodents was introduced in the 1960s. It supported the existence of chemical neurotransmission in the CNS. The monoamine neurons in the lower brain stem formed monosynaptic ascending systems to the telencephalon and diencephalon and monoamine descending systems to the entire spinal cord. The monoamines were early on suggested to operate via synaptic chemical transmission in the CNS. This chemical transmission reduced the impact of electrical transmission. In 1969 and the 1970s indications were obtained that important modes of chemical monoamine communication in the CNS also took place through the extra-synaptic fluid, the extracellular fluid, and long-distance communication in the cerebrospinal fluid involving diffusion and flow of transmitters like DA, NA and serotonin. In 1986, this type of transmission was named volume transmission (VT) by Agnati and Fuxe and their colleagues, also characterized by transmitter varicosity and receptor mismatches. The short and long-distance VT pathways were characterized by volume fraction, tortuosity and clearance. Electrical transmission also exists in the mammalian CNS, but chemical transmission is in dominance. One electrical mode is represented by electrical synapses formed by gap junctions which represent low resistant passages between nerve cells. It allows for a more rapid passage of action potentials between nerve cells compared to chemical transmission. The second mode is based on the ability of synaptic currents to generate electrical fields to modulate chemical transmission. One aim is to understand how chemical transmission can be integrated with electrical transmission and how putative (aquaporin water channel, dopamine D2R and adenosine A2AR) complexes in astrocytes can significancy participate in the clearance of waste products from the glymphatic system. VT may also help accomplish the operation of the acupuncture meridians essential for Chinese medicine in view of the indicated existence of extracellular VT pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dasiel O. Borroto-Escuela
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Emmanuell Gonzalez-Cristo
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Verty Ochoa-Torres
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
- Faculty of Engineering and Biotechnology, University OTR and the Regional Cooperative for Comprehensive Medical Assistance (CRAMI), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Emilio M. Serra-Rojas
- Receptomics and Brain Disorders Lab, Department of Human Physiology Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
- Cardiology Service, Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Patrizia Ambrogini
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Università di Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Luis E. Arroyo-García
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kjell Fuxe
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen B, Tan Q, Zhang H, Chu W, Wen H, Tian X, Yang Y, Li W, Li W, Chen Y, Feng H. Contralesional Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Promotes Intact Corticospinal Tract Axonal Sprouting and Functional Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2024; 38:214-228. [PMID: 38385458 DOI: 10.1177/15459683241233261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (AtDCS), a neuromodulatory technique, has been applied to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI) in patients and was reported to promote functional improvement. We evaluated the effect of contralesional AtDCS on axonal sprouting of the intact corticospinal tract (CST) and the underlying mechanism in a TBI mouse model to provide more preclinical evidence for the use of AtDCS to treat TBI. METHODS TBI was induced in mice by a contusion device. Then, the mice were subjected to contralesional AtDCS 5 days per week followed by a 2-day interval for 7 weeks. After AtDCS, motor function was evaluated by the irregular ladder walking, narrow beam walking, and open field tests. CST sprouting was assessed by anterograde and retrograde labeling of corticospinal neurons (CSNs), and the effect of AtDCS was further validated by pharmacogenetic inhibition of axonal sprouting using clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). RESULTS TBI resulted in damage to the ipsilesional cortex, while the contralesional CST remained intact. AtDCS improved the skilled motor functions of the impaired hindlimb in TBI mice by promoting CST axon sprouting, specifically from the intact hemicord to the denervated hemicord. Furthermore, electrical stimulation of CSNs significantly increased the excitability of neurons and thus activated the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. CONCLUSIONS Contralesional AtDCS improved skilled motor following TBI, partly by promoting axonal sprouting through increased neuronal activity and thus activation of the mTOR pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beike Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Tan
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Hongyan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Weihua Chu
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Huizhong Wen
- Department of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medical Science, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xuelong Tian
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The 904th Hospital of PLA, School of Medicine of Anhui Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Weina Li
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wenyan Li
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yujie Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hua Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nassar A, Kodi T, Satarker S, Chowdari Gurram P, Upadhya D, SM F, Mudgal J, Nampoothiri M. Astrocytic MicroRNAs and Transcription Factors in Alzheimer's Disease and Therapeutic Interventions. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244111. [PMID: 36552875 PMCID: PMC9776935 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are important for maintaining cholesterol metabolism, glutamate uptake, and neurotransmission. Indeed, inflammatory processes and neurodegeneration contribute to the altered morphology, gene expression, and function of astrocytes. Astrocytes, in collaboration with numerous microRNAs, regulate brain cholesterol levels as well as glutamatergic and inflammatory signaling, all of which contribute to general brain homeostasis. Neural electrical activity, synaptic plasticity processes, learning, and memory are dependent on the astrocyte-neuron crosstalk. Here, we review the involvement of astrocytic microRNAs that potentially regulate cholesterol metabolism, glutamate uptake, and inflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The interaction between astrocytic microRNAs and long non-coding RNA and transcription factors specific to astrocytes also contributes to the pathogenesis of AD. Thus, astrocytic microRNAs arise as a promising target, as AD conditions are a worldwide public health problem. This review examines novel therapeutic strategies to target astrocyte dysfunction in AD, such as lipid nanodiscs, engineered G protein-coupled receptors, extracellular vesicles, and nanoparticles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ajmal Nassar
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Triveni Kodi
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Sairaj Satarker
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Prasada Chowdari Gurram
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Dinesh Upadhya
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Fayaz SM
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Jayesh Mudgal
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Madhavan Nampoothiri
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ferrari LL, Ogbeide-Latario OE, Gompf HS, Anaclet C. Validation of DREADD agonists and administration route in a murine model of sleep enhancement. J Neurosci Methods 2022; 380:109679. [PMID: 35914577 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2022.109679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemogenetics is a powerful tool to study the role of specific neuronal populations in physiology and diseases. Of particular interest, in mice, acute and specific activation of parafacial zone (PZ) GABAergic neurons expressing the Designer Receptors Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD) hM3Dq (PZGABA-hM3Dq) enhances slow-wave-sleep (SWS), and this effect lasts for up to 6 h, allowing prolonged and detailed study of SWS. However, the most widely used DREADDs ligand, clozapine N-oxide (CNO), is metabolized into clozapine which has the potential of inducing non-specific effects. In addition, CNO is usually injected intraperitoneally (IP) in mice, limiting the number and frequency of repeated administration. NEW METHODS The present study is designed to validate the use of alternative DREADDs ligands-deschloroclozapine (DCZ) and compound 21 (C21)-and a new administration route, the voluntary oral administration. RESULTS We show that IP injections of DCZ and C21 dose-dependently enhance SWS in PZGABA-hM3Dq mice, similar to CNO. We also show that oral administration of CNO, DCZ and C21 induces the same sleep phenotype as compared with IP injection. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS AND CONCLUSION Therefore, DCZ and C21 are powerful alternatives to the use of CNO. Moreover, the voluntary oral administration is suitable for repeated dosing of DREADDs ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loris L Ferrari
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, USA
| | - Oghomwen E Ogbeide-Latario
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, USA; Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, USA
| | - Heinrich S Gompf
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis School of Medicine, USA
| | - Christelle Anaclet
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis School of Medicine, USA.
| |
Collapse
|