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Vásquez E, Oresti GM, Paez MD, Callegari EA, Masone D, Muñoz EM. Impact of aging on the GABA B receptor-mediated connectome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.31.606013. [PMID: 39131332 PMCID: PMC11312617 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.31.606013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
GABA B receptors (GABABRs) are heterodimeric seven-transmembrane receptors that interact with a range of proteins and form large protein complexes on cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains. As the brain ages, membrane cholesterol levels exhibit alterations, although it remains unclear how these changes impact protein-protein interactions and downstream signaling. Herein, we studied the structural bases for the interaction between GABABR and the KCC2 transporter, including their protein expression and distribution, and we compared data between young and aged rat cerebella. Also, we analyzed lipid profiles for both groups, and we used molecular dynamics simulations on three plasma membrane systems with different cholesterol concentrations, to further explore the GABABR-transporter interaction. Based on our results, we report that a significant decrease in GABAB2 subunit expression occurs in the aged rat cerebella. After performing a comparative co-immunoprecipitation analysis, we confirm that GABABR and KCC2 form a protein complex in adult and aged rat cerebella, although their interaction levels are reduced substantially as the cerebellum ages. On the other hand, our lipid analyses reveal a significant increase in cholesterol and sphingomyelin levels of the aged cerebella. Finally, we used the Martini coarse-grained model to conduct molecular dynamics simulations, from which we observed that membrane cholesterol concentrations can dictate whether the GABABR tail domains physically establish G protein-independent contacts with a transporter, and the timing when those associations eventually occur. Taken together, our findings illustrate how age-related alterations in membrane cholesterol levels affect protein-protein interactions, and how they could play a crucial role in regulating GABABR's interactome-mediated signaling. Significance Statement This study elucidates age-related changes in cerebellar GABAB receptors (GABABRs), KCC2, and plasma membrane lipids, shedding light on mechanisms underlying neurological decline. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal how membrane lipids influence protein-protein interactions, offering insights into age-related neurodegeneration. The findings underscore the broader impact of cerebellar aging on motor functions, cognition, and emotional processing in the elderly. By elucidating plasma membrane regulation and GABAergic dynamics, this research lays the groundwork for understanding aging-related neurological disorders and inspires further investigation into therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Vásquez
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Gerardo M. Oresti
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - María D. Paez
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Eduardo A. Callegari
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Diego Masone
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Estela M. Muñoz
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza (IHEM), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Mendoza, Argentina
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Guo Y, Kang Y, Bai W, Liu Q, Zhang R, Wang Y, Wang C. Perinatal exposure to bisphenol A impairs cognitive function via the gamma-aminobutyric acid signaling pathway in male rat offspring. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:1235-1244. [PMID: 37926988 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common synthetic endocrine disruptor that can be utilized in the fabrication of materials such as polycarbonates and epoxy resins. Numerous studies have linked BPA to learning and memory problems, although the precise mechanism remains unknown. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate central nervous system, and it is intimately related to learning and memory. This study aims to evaluate whether altered cognitive behavior involves the GABA signaling pathway in male offspring of rats exposed to BPA during the prenatal and early postnatal periods. Pregnant rats were orally given BPA (0, 0.04, 0.4, and 4 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day) from the first day of pregnancy to the 21st day of breastfeeding. Three-week-old male rat offspring were selected for an open-field experiment and a new object recognition experiment to evaluate the effect of BPA exposure on cognitive behavior. Furthermore, the role of GABA signaling markers in the cognition affected by BPA was investigated at the molecular level using western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The research demonstrated that BPA exposure impacted the behavior and memory of male rat offspring and elevated the expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), GABA type A receptors subunit (GABAARα1), and GABA vesicle transporter (VGAT) in the hippocampus while decreasing the expression levels of GABA transaminase (GABA-T) and GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1). These findings indicate that the alteration in the expression of GABA signaling molecules may be one of the molecular mechanisms by which perinatal exposure to BPA leads to decreased learning and memory in male rat offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Guo
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuxin Kang
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenjie Bai
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiling Liu
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rongqiang Zhang
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuxin Wang
- College of Health Public, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chong Wang
- Medical Experiment Center, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
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Burnyasheva AO, Stefanova NA, Kolosova NG, Telegina DV. Changes in the Glutamate/GABA System in the Hippocampus of Rats with Age and during Alzheimer's Disease Signs Development. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:1972-1986. [PMID: 38462444 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923120027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
GABA and glutamate are the most abundant neurotransmitters in the CNS and play a pivotal part in synaptic stability/plasticity. Glutamate and GABA homeostasis is important for healthy aging and reducing the risk of various neurological diseases, while long-term imbalance can contribute to the development of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Normalization of the homeostasis has been discussed as a promising strategy for prevention and/or treatment of AD, however, data on the changes in the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems with age, as well as on the dynamics of AD development, are limited. It is not clear whether imbalance of the excitatory/inhibitory systems is the cause or the consequence of the disease development. Here we analyzed the age-related alterations of the levels of glutamate, GABA, as well as enzymes that synthesize them (glutaminase, glutamine synthetase, GABA-T, and GAD67), transporters (GLAST, GLT-1, and GAT1), and relevant receptors (GluA1, NMDAR1, NMDA2B, and GABAAr1) in the whole hippocampus of the Wistar rats and of the senescence-accelerated OXYS rats, a model of the most common (> 95%) sporadic AD. Our results suggest that there is a decline in glutamate and GABA signaling with age in hippocampus of the both rat strains. However, we have not identified significant changes or compensatory enhancements in this system in the hippocampus of OXYS rats during the development of neurodegenerative processes that are characteristic of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena O Burnyasheva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Natalia A Stefanova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Nataliya G Kolosova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - Darya V Telegina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
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Trifilio E, Shortell D, Olshan S, O’Neal A, Coyne J, Lamb D, Porges E, Williamson J. Impact of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on healthy cognitive and brain aging. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1184051. [PMID: 37575296 PMCID: PMC10416636 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1184051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence for clinically meaningful benefits of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been rapidly accumulating over the past 15 years. This relatively novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique has been applied to a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's disease. More recently, non-invasive forms of VNS have allowed for investigations within healthy aging populations. These results offer insight into protocol considerations specific to older adults and how to translate those results into effective clinical trials and, ultimately, effective clinical care. In this review, we characterize the possible mechanisms by which non-invasive VNS may promote healthy aging (e.g., neurotransmitter effects, inflammation regulation, functional connectivity changes), special considerations for applying non-invasive VNS in an older adult population (e.g., vagus nerve changes with age), and how non-invasive VNS may be used in conjunction with existing behavioral interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive training) to promote healthy emotional and cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Trifilio
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Destin Shortell
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sarah Olshan
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Alexandria O’Neal
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jozee Coyne
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Damon Lamb
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Eric Porges
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - John Williamson
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Castro CCM, Silva SP, Rabelo LN, Queiroz JPG, Campos LD, Silva LC, Fiuza FP. Age, Education Years, and Biochemical Factors Are Associated with Selective Neuronal Changes in the Elderly Hippocampus. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244033. [PMID: 36552799 PMCID: PMC9777473 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244033] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain aging involves regional alterations of specific cellular subpopulations in the human hippocampus: a network hub for memory consolidation. The present study investigates whether age, sex, education years, and the concentration of neuropathological and inflammatory proteins influence neuronal-type marker expression in the elderly hippocampus. We analyzed the digital images (1 µm/pixel) of postmortem hippocampal sections from 19 non-demented individuals (from 78 to 99 years). This material was obtained from the "Aging Dementia and TBI Study" open database. Brain samples were processed through in situ hybridization (ISH) for the immunodetection of VGLUT1 (glutamatergic transporter) and GAT1 (GABAergic transporter) and mRNAs and Luminex protein quantifications. After image acquisition, we delineated the dentate gyrus, CA 3/2, and CA1 hippocampal subdivisions. Then, we estimated the area fraction in which the ISH markers were expressed. Increased VGLUT1 was observed in multiple hippocampal subfields at late ages. This glutamatergic marker is positively correlated with beta-amyloid and tau proteins and negatively correlated with interleukin-7 levels. Additionally, education years are positively correlated with GAT1 in the hippocampus of elderly women. This GABAergic marker expression is associated with interferon-gamma and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. These associations can help to explain how hippocampal sub-regions and neurotransmitter systems undergo distinct physiological changes during normal aging.
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The Regional and Cellular Distribution of GABAA Receptor Subunits in the Human Amygdala. J Chem Neuroanat 2022; 126:102185. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2022.102185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Yeung J, Palpagama T, Turner C, Waldvogel H, Faull R, Kwakowsky A. mGluR1α expression in the hippocampus, subiculum, entorhinal cortex and superior temporal gyrus in Alzheimer's disease. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2022; 13:78-86. [PMID: 36590090 PMCID: PMC9795296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.06.004] [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: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, responsible for a plethora of cellular processes including memory formation and higher cerebral function and has been implicated in various neurological disease states. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading neurodegenerative disorder worldwide and is characterized by significant cell loss and glutamatergic dysfunction. While there has been a focus on ionotropic glutamatergic receptors few studies have attempted to elucidate the pathological changes of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in AD. mGluRs are G-protein coupled receptors which have a wide-ranging functionality, including the regulation of neuronal injury and survival. In particular, the group I mGluRs (mGluR1 and mGluR5) are associated with ionotropic receptor activation and upregulation with resultant glutamate release in normal neuronal functioning. The mGluR subtype 1 splice variant a (mGluR1α) is the longest variant of the mGluR1 receptor, is localized to dendritic processes and is mainly plasma membrane-bound. Activation of mGluR1a has been shown to result in increased constitutive activity of ionotropic receptors, although its role in neurodegenerative and other neurological diseases is controversial, with some animal studies demonstrating potential neuroprotective properties in excito- and neurotoxic environments. In this study, the expression of mGluR1a within normal and AD human hippocampal tissue was quantified using immunohistochemistry. We found a significantly reduced expression of mGluR1α within the stratum pyramidale and radiatum of the CA1subregion, subiculum, and entorhinal cortex. This downregulation could result in potential dysregulation of the glutamatergic system with consequences on AD progression by promoting excitotoxicity, but alternatively may also be a neuroprotective mechanism to prevent mGluR1α associated excitotoxic effects. In summary, more research is required to understand the role and possible consequences of mGluR1α downregulation in the human AD hippocampus, subiculum and entorhinal cortex and its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.H.Y. Yeung
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - T.H. Palpagama
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - C. Turner
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, LabPlus, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - H.J. Waldvogel
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - R.L.M. Faull
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - A. Kwakowsky
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Corresponding author at: Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Abstract
Infection with SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, originated in China and quickly spread across the globe. Despite tremendous economic and healthcare devastation, research on this virus has contributed to a better understanding of numerous molecular pathways, including those involving γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), that will positively impact medical science, including neuropsychiatry, in the post-pandemic era. SARS-CoV-2 primarily enters the host cells through the renin–angiotensin system’s component named angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2). Among its many functions, this protein upregulates GABA, protecting not only the central nervous system but also the endothelia, the pancreas, and the gut microbiota. SARS-CoV-2 binding to ACE-2 usurps the neuronal and non-neuronal GABAergic systems, contributing to the high comorbidity of neuropsychiatric illness with gut dysbiosis and endothelial and metabolic dysfunctions. In this perspective article, we take a closer look at the pathology emerging from the viral hijacking of non-neuronal GABA and summarize potential interventions for restoring these systems.
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de Oliveira FR, da Silva NM, Hamoy M, Crespo-López ME, Ferreira IM, da Silva EO, de Matos Macchi B, do Nascimento JLM. The GABAergic System and Endocannabinoids in Epilepsy and Seizures: What Can We Expect from Plant Oils? Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27113595. [PMID: 35684543 PMCID: PMC9182121 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Seizures and epilepsy are some of the most common serious neurological disorders, with approximately 80% of patients living in developing/underdeveloped countries. However, about one in three patients do not respond to currently available pharmacological treatments, indicating the need for research into new anticonvulsant drugs (ACDs). The GABAergic system is the main inhibitory system of the brain and has a central role in seizures and the screening of new ACD candidates. It has been demonstrated that the action of agents on endocannabinoid receptors modulates the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters; however, studies on the anticonvulsant properties of endocannabinoids from plant oils are relatively scarce. The Amazon region is an important source of plant oils that can be used for the synthesis of new fatty acid amides, which are compounds analogous to endocannabinoids. The synthesis of such compounds represents an important approach for the development of new anticonvulsant therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (F.R.d.O.); (N.M.d.S.); (E.O.d.S.)
- Laboratório de Controle de Qualidade e Bromatologia, Curso de Farmácia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá 68902-280, Brazil
| | - Nágila Monteiro da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (F.R.d.O.); (N.M.d.S.); (E.O.d.S.)
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil;
| | - Moisés Hamoy
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Toxicologia de Produtos Naturais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil;
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil;
| | - Maria Elena Crespo-López
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil;
- Laboratório de Farmacologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Irlon Maciel Ferreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá 68902-280, Brazil;
- Laboratório de Biocatálise e Síntese Orgânica Aplicada, Departamento de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá 68902-280, Brazil
| | - Edilene Oliveira da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (F.R.d.O.); (N.M.d.S.); (E.O.d.S.)
- Laboratorio de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (INCT-INBEB), Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil
| | - Barbarella de Matos Macchi
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil;
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil;
| | - José Luiz Martins do Nascimento
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (F.R.d.O.); (N.M.d.S.); (E.O.d.S.)
- Laboratório de Neuroquímica Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil;
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil;
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá 68902-280, Brazil;
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Neuroimunomodulação (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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10
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Spurny-Dworak B, Handschuh P, Spies M, Kaufmann U, Seiger R, Klöbl M, Konadu ME, Reed MB, Ritter V, Baldinger-Melich P, Bogner W, Kranz GS, Lanzenberger R. Effects of sex hormones on brain GABA and glutamate levels in a cis- and transgender cohort. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 138:105683. [PMID: 35176535 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Sex hormones affect the GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmitter system as demonstrated in animal studies. However, human research has mostly been correlational in nature. Here, we aimed at substantiating causal interpretations of the interaction between sex hormones and neurotransmitter function by using magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (MRSI) to study the effect of gender-affirming hormone treatment (GHT) in transgender individuals. Fifteen trans men (TM) with a DSM-5 diagnosis of gender dysphoria, undergoing GHT, and 15 age-matched cisgender women (CW), receiving no therapy, underwent MRSI before and after at least 12 weeks. Additionally, sex differences in neurotransmitter levels were evaluated in an independent sample of 80 cisgender men and 79 cisgender women. Mean GABA+ (combination of GABA and macromolecules) and Glx (combination of glutamate and glutamine) ratios to total creatine (GABA+/tCr, Glx/tCr) were calculated in five predefined regions-of-interest (hippocampus, insula, pallidum, putamen and thalamus). Linear mixed models analysis revealed a significant measurement by gender identity effect (pcorr. = 0.048) for GABA+/tCr ratios in the hippocampus, with the TM cohort showing decreased GABA+/tCr levels after GHT compared to CW. Moreover, analysis of covariance showed a significant sex difference in insula GABA+/tCr ratios (pcorr. = 0.049), indicating elevated GABA levels in cisgender women compared to cisgender men. Our study demonstrates GHT treatment-induced GABA+/tCr reductions in the hippocampus, indicating hormone receptor activation on GABAergic cells and testosterone-induced neuroplastic processes within the hippocampus. Moreover, elevated GABA levels in the female compared to the male insula highlight the importance of including sex as factor in future MRS studies. DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: Due to data protection laws processed data is available from the authors upon reasonable request. Please contact rupert.lanzenberger@meduniwien.ac.at with any questions or requests.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Spurny-Dworak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - P Handschuh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - M Spies
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - U Kaufmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - R Seiger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - M Klöbl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - M E Konadu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - M B Reed
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - V Ritter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - P Baldinger-Melich
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - W Bogner
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, High Field MR Centre, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - G S Kranz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China.
| | - R Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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Michalettos G, Ruscher K. Crosstalk Between GABAergic Neurotransmission and Inflammatory Cascades in the Post-ischemic Brain: Relevance for Stroke Recovery. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:807911. [PMID: 35401118 PMCID: PMC8983863 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.807911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive plasticity processes are required involving neurons as well as non-neuronal cells to recover lost brain functions after an ischemic stroke. Recent studies show that gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) has profound effects on glial and immune cell functions in addition to its inhibitory actions on neuronal circuits in the post-ischemic brain. Here, we provide an overview of how GABAergic neurotransmission changes during the first weeks after stroke and how GABA affects functions of astroglial and microglial cells as well as peripheral immune cell populations accumulating in the ischemic territory and brain regions remote to the lesion. Moreover, we will summarize recent studies providing data on the immunomodulatory actions of GABA of relevance for stroke recovery. Interestingly, the activation of GABA receptors on immune cells exerts a downregulation of detrimental anti-inflammatory cascades. Conversely, we will discuss studies addressing how specific inflammatory cascades affect GABAergic neurotransmission on the level of GABA receptor composition, GABA synthesis, and release. In particular, the chemokines CXCR4 and CX3CR1 pathways have been demonstrated to modulate receptor composition and synthesis. Together, the actual view on the interactions between GABAergic neurotransmission and inflammatory cascades points towards a specific crosstalk in the post-ischemic brain. Similar to what has been shown in experimental models, specific therapeutic modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission and inflammatory pathways may synergistically promote neuronal plasticity to enhance stroke recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Michalettos
- Laboratory for Experimental Brain Research, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karsten Ruscher
- Laboratory for Experimental Brain Research, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- LUBIN Lab—Lunds Laboratorium för Neurokirurgisk Hjärnskadeforskning, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Karsten Ruscher
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Burrinha T, Cláudia GA. Aging impact on amyloid precursor protein neuronal trafficking. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 73:102524. [PMID: 35303572 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Neurons live a lifetime. Neuronal aging may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. How does neuronal membrane trafficking maintain synapse function during aging? In the normal aged brain, intraneuronal beta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulates without Alzheimer's disease mutations or risk variants. However, do changes with neuronal aging potentiate Aβ accumulation? We reviewed the membrane trafficking of the amyloid precursor protein in neurons and highlighted its importance in Aβ production. Importantly, we reviewed the evidence supporting the impact of aging on neuronal membrane trafficking, APP processing, and consequently Aβ production. Dissecting the molecular regulators of APP trafficking during neuronal aging is required to identify strategies to delay synaptic decline and protect from Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Burrinha
- Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal. https://twitter.com/@burrinha_t
| | - Guimas Almeida Cláudia
- Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School (NMS), Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal.
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