Role of the outward delayed rectifier K+ current in ceramide-induced caspase activation and apoptosis in cultured cortical neurons

Enhancing Human Cutaneous Wound Healing through Targeted Suppression of Large Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels

The modulation of K+ channels plays a crucial role in cell migration and proliferation, but the effect of K+ channels on human cutaneous wound healing (CWH) remains underexplored. This study aimed to determine the necessity of modulating K+ channel activity and expression for human CWH. The use of 25 mM KCl as a K+ channel blocker markedly improved wound healing in vitro (in keratinocytes and fibroblasts) and in vivo (in rat and porcine models). K+ channel blockers, such as quinine and tetraethylammonium, aided in vitro wound healing, while Ba2+ was the exception and did not show similar effects. Single-channel recordings revealed that the Ba2+-insensitive large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channel was predominantly present in human keratinocytes. NS1619, an opener of the BKCa channel, hindered wound healing processes like proliferation, migration, and filopodia formation. Conversely, charybdotoxin and iberiotoxin, which are BKCa channel blockers, dramatically enhanced these processes. The downregulation of BKCa also improved CWH, whereas its overexpression impeded these healing processes. These findings underscore the facilitative effect of BKCa channel suppression on CWH, proposing BKCa channels as potential molecular targets for enhancing human cutaneous wound healing.

Discriminant analysis and binary logistic regression enable more accurate prediction of autism spectrum disorder than principal component analysis

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and restricted, repetitive behavior. Multiple studies have suggested mitochondrial dysfunction, glutamate excitotoxicity, and impaired detoxification mechanism as accepted etiological mechanisms of ASD that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention. In the current study, blood samples were collected from 40 people with autism and 40 control participants after informed consent and full approval from the Institutional Review Board of King Saud University. Sodium (Na⁺), Potassium (K⁺), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I (MRC1) were measured in plasma of both groups. Predictive models were established to discriminate individuals with ASD from controls. The predictive power of these five variables, individually and in combination, was compared using the area under a ROC curve (AUC). We compared the performance of principal component analysis (PCA), discriminant analysis (DA), and binary logistic regression (BLR) as ways to combine single variables and create the predictive models. K⁺ had the highest AUC (0.801) of any single variable, followed by GST, LDH, Na⁺, and MRC1, respectively. Combining the five variables resulted in higher AUCs than those obtained using single variables across all models. Both DA and BLR were superior to PCA and comparable to each other. In our study, the combination of Na⁺, K⁺, LDH, GST, and MRC1 showed the highest promise in discriminating individuals with autism from controls. These results provide a platform that can potentially be used to verify the efficacy of our models with a larger sample size or evaluate other biomarkers.

Ion Channel Involvement in Tumor Drug Resistance

Over 90% of deaths in cancer patients are attributed to tumor drug resistance. Resistance to therapeutic agents can be due to an innate property of cancer cells or can be acquired during chemotherapy. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that regulation of membrane ion channels is an important mechanism in the development of chemoresistance. Here, we review the contribution of ion channels in drug resistance of various types of cancers, evaluating their potential in clinical management. Several molecular mechanisms have been proposed, including evasion of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, decreased drug accumulation in cancer cells, and activation of alternative escape pathways such as autophagy. Each of these mechanisms leads to a reduction of the therapeutic efficacy of administered drugs, causing more difficulty in cancer treatment. Thus, targeting ion channels might represent a good option for adjuvant therapies in order to counteract chemoresistance development.

Activation of pannexin-1 mediates triglyceride-induced macrophage cell death

The accumulation of triglycerides (TGs) in macrophages induces cell death, a risk factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We had previously reported that TG-induced macrophage death is triggered by caspase-1 and -2, therefore we investigated the mechanism underlying this phenomenon. We found that potassium efflux is increased in TG-treated THP-1 macrophages and that the inhibition of potassium efflux blocks TG-induced cell death as well as caspase-1 and -2 activation. Furthermore, reducing ATP concentration (known to induce potassium efflux), restored cell viability and caspase-1 and -2 activity. The activation of pannexin-1 (a channel that releases ATP), was increased after TG treatment in THP-1 macrophages. Inhibition of pannexin-1 activity using its inhibitor, probenecid, recovered cell viability and blocked the activation of caspase-1 and -2 in TG-treated macrophages. These results suggest that TG-induced THP-1 macrophage cell death is induced via pannexin-1 activation, which increases extracellular ATP, leading to an increase in potassium efflux.

Ions, the Movement of Water and the Apoptotic Volume Decrease

The movement of water across the cell membrane is a natural biological process that occurs during growth, cell division, and cell death. Many cells are known to regulate changes in their cell volume through inherent compensatory regulatory mechanisms. Cells can sense an increase or decrease in their cell volume, and compensate through mechanisms known as a regulatory volume increase (RVI) or decrease (RVD) response, respectively. The transport of sodium, potassium along with other ions and osmolytes allows the movement of water in and out of the cell. These compensatory volume regulatory mechanisms maintain a cell at near constant volume. A hallmark of the physiological cell death process known as apoptosis is the loss of cell volume or cell shrinkage. This loss of cell volume is in stark contrast to what occurs during the accidental cell death process known as necrosis. During necrosis, cells swell or gain water, eventually resulting in cell lysis. Thus, whether a cell gains or loses water after injury is a defining feature of the specific mode of cell death. Cell shrinkage or the loss of cell volume during apoptosis has been termed apoptotic volume decrease or AVD. Over the years, this distinguishing feature of apoptosis has been largely ignored and thought to be a passive occurrence or simply a consequence of the cell death process. However, studies on AVD have defined an underlying movement of ions that result in not only the loss of cell volume, but also the activation and execution of the apoptotic process. This review explores the role ions play in controlling not only the movement of water, but the regulation of apoptosis. We will focus on what is known about specific ion channels and transporters identified to be involved in AVD, and how the movement of ions and water change the intracellular environment leading to stages of cell shrinkage and associated apoptotic characteristics. Finally, we will discuss these concepts as they apply to different cell types such as neurons, cardiomyocytes, and corneal epithelial cells.

The Bioelectric Code: Reprogramming Cancer and Aging From the Interface of Mechanical and Chemical Microenvironments

Cancer is a complex, heterogeneous group of diseases that can develop through many routes. Broad treatments such as chemotherapy destroy healthy cells in addition to cancerous ones, but more refined strategies that target specific pathways are usually only effective for a limited number of cancer types. This is largely due to the multitude of physiological variables that differ between cells and their surroundings. It is therefore important to understand how nature coordinates these variables into concerted regulation of growth at the tissue scale. The cellular microenvironment might then be manipulated to drive cells toward a desired outcome at the tissue level. One unexpected parameter, cellular membrane voltage (Vm), has been documented to exert control over cellular behavior both in culture and in vivo. Manipulating this fundamental cellular property influences a remarkable array of organism-wide patterning events, producing striking outcomes in both tumorigenesis as well as regeneration. These studies suggest that Vm is not only a key intrinsic cellular property, but also an integral part of the microenvironment that acts in both space and time to guide cellular behavior. As a result, there is considerable interest in manipulating Vm both to treat cancer as well as to regenerate organs damaged or deteriorated during aging. However, such manipulations have produced conflicting outcomes experimentally, which poses a substantial barrier to understanding the fundamentals of bioelectrical reprogramming. Here, we summarize these inconsistencies and discuss how the mechanical microenvironment may impact bioelectric regulation.

Oxygen-glucose deprivation enhancement of cell death/apoptosis in PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons correlates with changes in neuronal excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter signaling and potassium currents

Neuronal death is a pathophysiological process that is often caused by hypoxia/ischemia. However, the causes of hypoxia/ischemia-induced neuronal death are debated, and additional experimental data are needed to resolve this debate. In the present study, we applied oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) to PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons to establish a hypoxia/ischemia model. We evaluated the effects of OGD on cell death/apoptosis and on the levels of two excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, in both hippocampal neurons and the medium used to culture the hippocampal neurons. We also evaluated GluR2 expression in hippocampal neurons as well as the effects of OGD on whole-cell potassium currents in PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons. Our experimental results showed that OGD significantly decreased cell viability and markedly enhanced apoptosis in PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons. OGD treatment for 3 h increased the levels of Asp and Glu in the medium used to culture hippocampal neurons, but decreased both the levels of Asp and Glu and GluR2 expression in hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, OGD altered the electrophysiological properties of voltage-dependent potassium channels in PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons in different ways; OGD decreased the voltage-dependent potassium current in PC12 cells, but increased this current in hippocampal neurons. On the basis of these results, we concluded that OGD enhanced neuronal cell death/apoptosis in addition to altering neuronal excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter signaling and whole-cell voltage-dependent potassium currents.

Neurovascular coupling protects neurons against hypoxic injury via inhibition of potassium currents by generation of nitric oxide in direct neuron and endothelium cocultures

This study examined the effect of neuron-endothelial coupling on the survival of neurons after ischemia and the possible mechanism underlying that effect. Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments were performed on cortical neurons cultured alone or directly cocultured with brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC). Propidium iodide (PI) and NeuN staining were performed to examine neuronal death following oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). We found that the neuronal transient outward potassium currents (I_A) decreased in the coculture system, whereas the outward delayed-rectifier potassium currents (I_K) did not. Sodium nitroprusside, a NO donor, enhanced BMEC-induced I_A inhibition and nitro-l-arginine methylester, a NOS inhibitor, partially prevented this inhibition. Moreover, the neurons directly cocultured with BMEC showed more resistance to OGD-induced injury compared with the neurons cultured alone, and that neuroprotective effect was abolished by treatment with NS5806, an activator of the I_A. These results indicate that vascular endothelial cells assist neurons to prevent hypoxic injury via inhibiting neuronal I_A by production of NO in the direct neuron-BMEC coculture system. These results further provide direct evidence of functional coupling between neurons and vascular endothelial cells. This study clearly demonstrates that vascular endothelial cells play beneficial roles in the pathophysiological processes of neurons after hypoxic injury, suggesting that the improvement of neurovascular coupling or functional remodeling may become an important therapeutic target for preventing brain injury.

Oxidation of K(+) Channels in Aging and Neurodegeneration

Reversible regulation of proteins by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an important mechanism of neuronal plasticity. In particular, ROS have been shown to act as modulatory molecules of ion channels-which are key to neuronal excitability-in several physiological processes. However ROS are also fundamental contributors to aging vulnerability. When the level of excess ROS increases in the cell during aging, DNA is damaged, proteins are oxidized, lipids are degraded and more ROS are produced, all culminating in significant cell injury. From this arose the idea that oxidation of ion channels by ROS is one of the culprits for neuronal aging. Aging-dependent oxidative modification of voltage-gated potassium (K(+)) channels was initially demonstrated in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and more recently in the mammalian brain. Specifically, oxidation of the delayed rectifier KCNB1 (Kv2.1) and of Ca(2+)- and voltage sensitive K(+) channels have been established suggesting that their redox sensitivity contributes to altered excitability, progression of healthy aging and of neurodegenerative disease. Here I discuss the implications that oxidation of K(+) channels by ROS may have for normal aging, as well as for neurodegenerative disease.

Calstabin 2: An important regulator for learning and memory in mice

Calstabin2, also named FK506 binding protein 12.6 (FKBP12.6), is a subunit of ryanodine receptor subtype 2 (RyR2) macromolecular complex, which is an intracellular calcium channel and abundant in the brain. Previous studies identified a role of leaky neuronal RyR2 in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the functional role of Calstabin2 in the cognitive function remains unclear. Herein, we used a mouse model of genetic deletion of Calstabin2 to investigate the function of Calstabin2 in cognitive dysfunction. We found that Calstabin2 knockout (KO) mice showed significantly reduced performance in Morris Water Maze (MWM), long-term memory (LTM) contextual fear testing, and rotarod test when compared to wild type (WT) littermates. Indeed, genetic deletion of Calstabin2 reduced long-term potentiation (LTP) at the hippocampal CA3-CA1 connection, increased membrane excitability, and induced RyR2 leak. Finally, we demonstrated that the increase in cytoplasmic calcium activated Ca(2+) dependent potassium currents and led to neuronal apoptosis in KO hippocampal neurons. Thus, these results suggest that neuronal RyR2 Ca(2+) leak due to Calstabin2 deletion contributes to learning deficiency and memory impairment.

APOEε4 increases trauma induced early apoptosis via reducing delayed rectifier K(+) currents in neuronal/glial co-cultures model

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a commonly encountered emergency and severe neurosurgical injury. Previous studies have shown that the presence of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele has adverse outcomes across the spectrum of TBI severity. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of APOE alleles on trauma induced early apoptosis via modification of delayed rectifier K(+) current (Ik(DR)) in neuronal/glial co-cultures model. An ex vivo neuronal/glial co-cultures model carrying individual APOE alleles (ε2, ε3, ε4) of mechanical injury was developed. Flow cytometry and patch clamp recording were performed to analyze the correlations among APOE genotypes, early apoptosis and Ik(DR). We found that APOEε4 increased early apoptosis at 24h (p<0.05) compared to the ones transfected with APOEε3 and APOEε2. Noticeably, APOEε4 significantly reduced the amplitude of the Ik(DR) at 24h compared to the APOEε3 and APOEε2 (p<0.05) which exacerbate Ca(2+) influx. This indicates a possible effect of APOEε4 on early apoptosis via inhibiting Ik(DR) following injury which may adversely affect the outcome of TBI.

Voltage-gated potassium channels at the crossroads of neuronal function, ischemic tolerance, and neurodegeneration

Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels are widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system and are crucial mediators of neuronal excitability. Importantly, these channels also actively participate in cellular and molecular signaling pathways that regulate the life and death of neurons. Injury-mediated increased K(+) efflux through Kv2.1 channels promotes neuronal apoptosis, contributing to widespread neuronal loss in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and stroke. In contrast, some forms of neuronal activity can dramatically alter Kv2.1 channel phosphorylation levels and influence their localization. These changes are normally accompanied by modifications in channel voltage dependence, which may be neuroprotective within the context of ischemic injury. Kv1 and Kv7 channel dysfunction leads to neuronal hyperexcitability that critically contributes to the pathophysiology of human clinical disorders such as episodic ataxia and epilepsy. This review summarizes the neurotoxic, neuroprotective, and neuroregulatory roles of Kv channels and highlights the consequences of Kv channel dysfunction on neuronal physiology. The studies described in this review thus underscore the importance of normal Kv channel function in neurons and emphasize the therapeutic potential of targeting Kv channels in the treatment of a wide range of neurological diseases.

Granzyme B-induced neurotoxicity is mediated via activation of PAR-1 receptor and Kv1.3 channel

Increasing evidence supports a critical role of T cells in neurodegeneration associated with acute and subacute brain inflammatory disorders. Granzyme B (GrB), released by activated T cells, is a cytotoxic proteinase which may induce perforin-independent neurotoxicity. Here, we studied the mechanism of perforin-independent GrB toxicity by treating primary cultured human neuronal cells with recombinant GrB. GrBactivated the protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 receptor on the neuronal cell surface leading to decreased intracellular cyclic AMP levels. This was followed by increased expression and translocation of the voltage gated potassium channel, Kv1.3 to the neuronal cell membrane. Similar expression of Kv1.3 was also seen in neurons of the cerebral cortex adjacent to active inflammatory lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis. Kv1.3 expression was followed by activation of Notch-1 resulting in neurotoxicity. Blocking PAR-1, Kv1.3 or Notch-1 activation using specific pharmacological inhibitors or siRNAs prevented GrB-induced neurotoxicity. Furthermore, clofazimine protected against GrB-induced neurotoxicity in rat hippocampus, in vivo. These observations indicate that GrB released from T cells induced neurotoxicity by interacting with the membrane bound Gi-coupled PAR-1 receptor and subsequently activated Kv1.3 and Notch-1. These pathways provide novel targets to treat T cell-mediated neuroinflammatory disorders. Kv1.3 is of particular interest since it is expressed on the cell surface, only under pathological circumstances, and early in the cascade of events making it an attractive therapeutic target.

Redox regulation of intracellular zinc: molecular signaling in the life and death of neurons

Zn(2+) has emerged as a major regulator of neuronal physiology, as well as an important signaling agent in neural injury. The intracellular concentration of this metal is tightly regulated through the actions of Zn(2+) transporters and the thiol-rich metal binding protein metallothionein, closely linking the redox status of the cell to cellular availability of Zn(2+). Accordingly, oxidative and nitrosative stress during ischemic injury leads to an accumulation of neuronal free Zn(2+) and the activation of several downstream cell death processes. While this Zn(2+) rise is an established signaling event in neuronal cell death, recent evidence suggests that a transient, sublethal accumulation of free Zn(2+) can also play a critical role in neuroprotective pathways activated during ischemic preconditioning. Thus, redox-sensitive proteins, like metallothioneins, may play a critical role in determining neuronal cell fate by regulating the localization and concentration of intracellular free Zn(2+).

Proinflammatory and proapoptotic markers in relation to mono and di-cations in plasma of autistic patients from Saudi Arabia

Objectives

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by social and emotional deficits, language impairments and stereotyped behaviors that manifest in early postnatal life. This study aims to clarify the relationship amongst absolute and relative concentrations of K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and/or proinflammatory and proapoptotic biomarkers.

Materials and methods

Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺/K⁺, Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ together with IL6, TNFα as proinflammatory cytokines and caspase3 as proapoptotic biomarker were determined in plasma of 25 Saudi autistic male patients and compared to 16 age and gender matching control samples.

Results

The obtained data recorded that Saudi autistic patients have a remarkable lower plasma caspase3, IL6, TNFα, Ca²⁺ and a significantly higher K⁺ compared to age and gender matching controls. On the other hand both Mg²⁺ and Na⁺ were non-significantly altered in autistic patients. Pearson correlations revealed that plasma concentrations of the measured cytokines and caspase-3 were positively correlated with Ca²⁺ and Ca²⁺/K⁺ ratio. Reciever Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis proved that the measured parameters recorded satisfactory levels of specificity and sensitivity.

Conclusion

Alteration of the selected measured ions confirms that oxidative stress and defective mitochondrial energy production could be contributed in the pathogenesis of autism. Moreover, it highlights the relationship between the measured ions, IL6, TNFα and caspase3 as a set of signalling pathways that might have a role in generating this increasingly prevalent disorder. The role of ions in the possible proinflammation and proapoptic mechanisms of autistics' brains were hypothesized and explained.

Up-regulation of A-type potassium currents protects neurons against cerebral ischemia

Excitotoxicity is the major cause of many neurologic disorders including stroke. Potassium currents modulate neuronal excitability and therefore influence the pathological process. A-type potassium current (I(A)) is one of the major voltage-dependent potassium currents, yet its roles in excitotoxic cell death are not well understood. We report that, following ischemic insults, the I(A) increases significantly in large aspiny (LA) neurons but not medium spiny (MS) neurons in the striatum, which correlates with the higher resistance of LA neurons to ischemia. Activation of protein kinase Cα increases I(A) in LA neurons after ischemia. Cultured neurons from transgenic mice lacking both Kv1.4 and Kv4.2 subunits exhibit an increased vulnerability to ischemic insults. Increase of I(A) by recombinant expression of Kv1.4 or Kv4.2 is sufficient in improving the survival of MS neurons against ischemic insults both in vitro and in vivo. These results, taken together, provide compelling evidence for a protective role of I(A) against ischemia.

Inhibition of neutral sphingomyelinase-2 perturbs brain sphingolipid balance and spatial memory in mice

The sphingolipid ceramide is a bioactive signaling lipid that is thought to play important roles in modulating synaptic activity, in part by regulating the function of excitatory postsynaptic receptors. However, the molecular mechanisms by which ceramide exerts its effects on synaptic activity remain largely unknown. We recently demonstrated that a rapid generation of ceramide by neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (nSMase2; also known as "sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase-3") played a key role in modulating excitatory postsynaptic currents by controlling the insertion and clustering of NMDA receptors (Wheeler et al. [2009] J. Neurochem. 109:1237-1249). We now demonstrate that nSMase2 plays a role in memory. Inhibition of nSMase2 impaired spatial and episodic-like memory in mice. At the molecular level, inhibition of nSMase2 decreased ceramide, increased PSD-95, increased the number of AMPA receptors, and altered the subunit composition of NMDA receptors. Our study identifies nSMase2 as an important component for efficient memory formation and underscores the importance of ceramide in regulating synaptic events related to learning and memory.

Activated T-cells inhibit neurogenesis by releasing granzyme B: rescue by Kv1.3 blockers

There is a great need for pharmacological approaches to enhance neural progenitor cell (NPC) function particularly in neuroinflammatory diseases with failed neuroregeneration. In diseases such as multiple sclerosis and stroke, T-cell infiltration occurs in periventricular zones where NPCs are located and is associated with irreversible neuronal loss. We studied the effect of T-cell activation on NPC functions. NPC proliferation and neuronal differentiation were impaired by granzyme B (GrB) released by the T-cells. GrB mediated its effects by the activation of a Gi-protein-coupled receptor leading to decreased intracellular levels of cAMP and subsequent expression of the voltage-dependent potassium channel, Kv1.3. Importantly, blocking channel activity with margatoxin or blocking its expression reversed the inhibitory effects of GrB on NPCs. We have thus identified a novel pathway in neurogenesis. The increased expression of Kv1.3 in pathological conditions makes it a novel target for promoting neurorestoration.

Voltage-gated K+ channel modulators as neuroprotective agents

A manifestation in neurodegeneration is apoptosis of neurons. Neurons undergoing apoptosis may lose a substantial amount of cytosolic K+ through a number of pathways including K+ efflux via voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels. The consequent drop in cytosolic [K+] relieves inhibition of an array of pro-apoptotic enzymes such as caspases and nucleases. Blocking Kv channels has been known to prevent neuronal apoptosis by preventing K+ efflux. Some neural diseases such as epilepsy are caused by neuronal hyperexcitability, which eventually may lead to neuronal apoptosis. Reduction in activities of A-type Kv channels and Kv7 subfamily members is amongst the etiological causes of neuronal hyperexcitation; enhancing the opening of these channels may offer opportunities of remedy. This review discusses the potential uses of Kv channel modulators as neuroprotective drugs.

Enhancement of neuronal outward delayed rectifier K+ current by human monocyte-derived macrophages

Macrophages are critical cells in mediating the pathology of neurodegenerative disorders and enhancement of neuronal outward potassium (K(+)) current has implicated in neuronal apoptosis. To understand how activated macrophages induce neuronal dysfunction and injury, we studied the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human monocytes-derived macrophage (MDM) on neuronal outward delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(K)) and resultant change on neuronal viability in primary rat hippocampal neuronal culture. Bath application of LPS-stimulated MDM-conditioned media (MCM) enhanced neuronal I(K) in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas non-stimulated MCM failed to alter neuronal I(K). The enhancement of neuronal I(K) was repeated in a macrophage-neuronal co-culture system. The link of stimulated MCM (MCM(+))-associated enhancement of I(K) to MCM(+)-induced neuronal injury, as detected by PI/DAPI (propidium iodide/4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindol) staining and MTT assay, was demonstrated by experimental results showing that addition of I(K) blocker tetraethylammonium to the culture protected hippocampal neurons from MCM(+)-associated challenge. Further investigation revealed elevated levels of K(v) 1.3 and K(v) 1.5 channel expression in hippocampal neurons after addition of MCM(+) to the culture. These results suggest that during brain inflammation macrophages, through their capacity of releasing bioactive molecules, induce neuronal injury by enhancing neuronal I(K) and that modulation of K(v) channels is a new approach to neuroprotection.

Posttranslational regulation of BCL2 levels in cerebellar granule cells: A mechanism of neuronal survival

Apoptosis can be modulated by K(+) and Ca(2+) inside the cell and/or in the extracellular milieu. In murine organotypic cultures, membrane potential-regulated Ca(2+) signaling through calcineurin phosphatase has a pivotal role in development and maturation of cerebellar granule cells (CGCs). P8 cultures were used to analyze the levels of expression of B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) protein, and, after particle-mediated gene transfer in CGCs, to study the posttranslational modifications of BCL2 fused to a fluorescent tag in response to a perturbation of K(+)/Ca(2+) homeostasis. There are no changes in Bcl2 mRNA after real time PCR, whereas the levels of the fusion protein (monitored by calculating the density of transfected CGCs under the fluorescence microscope) and of BCL2 (inWestern blotting) are increased. After using a series of agonists/antagonists for ion channels at the cell membrane or the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and drugs affecting protein synthesis/degradation, accumulation of BCL2 was related to a reduction in posttranslational cleavage by macroautophagy. The ER functionally links the [K(+)](e) and [Ca(2+)](i) to the BCL2 content in CGCs along two different pathways. The first, triggered by elevated [K(+)](e) under conditions of immaturity, is independent of extracellular Ca(2+) and operates via IP3 channels. The second leads to influx of extracellular Ca(2+) following activation of ryanodine channels in the presence of physiological [K(+)](e), when CGCs are maintained in mature status. This study identifies novel mechanisms of neuroprotection in immature and mature CGCs involving the posttranslational regulation of BCL2.

SP protects cerebellar granule cells against beta-amyloid-induced apoptosis by down-regulation and reduced activity of Kv4 potassium channels

The tachykinin endecapeptide substance P (SP) has been demonstrated to exert a functional role in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aim of the present study was to evaluate the SP neuroprotective potential against apoptosis induced by the neurotoxic beta-amyloid peptide (A beta) in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells (CGCs). We found that SP protects CGCs against both A beta(25-35)- and A beta(1-42)-induced apoptotic CGCs death as revealed by live/dead cell assay, Hoechst staining and caspase(s)-induced PARP-1 cleavage, through an Akt-dependent mechanism. Since in CGCs the fast inactivating or A-type K(+) current (I(KA)) was potentiated by A beta treatment through up-regulation of Kv4 subunits, we investigated whether I(KA) and the related potassium channel subunits could be involved in the SP anti-apoptotic activity. Patch-clamp experiments showed that the A beta-induced increase of I(KA) current amplitude was reversed by SP treatment. In addition, as revealed by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence studies, SP prevented the up-regulation of Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 channel subunits expression. These results indicate that SP plays a role in the regulation of voltage-gated potassium channels in A beta-mediated neuronal death and may represent a new approach in the understanding and treatment of AD.

Neural stem and progenitor cells retain their potential for proliferation and differentiation into functional neurons despite lower number in aged brain

Neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ), which gives rise to new neurons in the olfactory bulb, continues throughout life but declines with increasing age. Little is known about how aging affects the intrinsic properties of the neural stem and progenitor cells (NSCs) in SVZ and the functional characteristics of their neuronal progeny. Here, we have compared the properties of NSCs isolated from embryonic lateral ganglionic eminence and adult and aged SVZ in mice using in vivo and in vitro systems, analyzed their gene expression profile, and studied their electrophysiological characteristics before and after differentiation into neurons. We show a loss of NSCs in SVZ from aged mice accompanied by reduced expression of genes for NSC markers, developmentally important transcription factors, and neurogenic factors. However, when isolated in vitro, the NSCs from SVZ of aged animals have capacity for proliferation and multilineage differentiation, including production of functional neurons, similar to that of NSCs in adult mice, albeit with lower efficacy. These properties are of major importance when considering therapeutic applications of neuronal replacement from endogenous NSCs in the injured, aged brain.

Delayed rectifier potassium channels are involved in SO2 derivative-induced hippocampal neuronal injury

Recent studies implicate the possible neurotoxicity of SO(2), however, its mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated SO(2) derivative-induced effect on delayed rectifier potassium channels (I(K)) and cellular death/apoptosis in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. The results demonstrate that SO(2) derivatives (NaHSO(3) and Na(2)SO(3), 3:1M/M) effectively augmented I(K) and promoted the activation of delayed rectifier potassium channels. Also, SO(2) derivatives increased neuronal death percentage and contributed to the formation of DNA ladder in concentration-dependent manners. Interestingly, the neuronal death and DNA ladder formation, caused by SO(2) derivatives, could be attenuated by the delayed rectifier potassium channel blocker (tetraethylammonium, TEA), but not by the transient outward potassium channel blocker (4-aminopyridine, 4-AP). It implies that stimulating delayed rectifier potassium channels were involved in SO(2) derivative-caused hippocampal neuronal insults, and blocking these channels might be one of the possibly clinical treatment for SO(2)-caused neuronal dysfunction.

PLC-dependent intracellular Ca2+ release was associated with C6-ceramide-induced inhibition of Na+ current in rat granule cells

In this report, the effects of C(6)-ceramide on the voltage-gated inward Na(+) currents (I(Na)), two types of main K(+) current [outward rectifier delayed K(+) current (I(K)) and outward transient K(+) current (I(A))], and cell death in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells were investigated. At concentrations of 0.01-100 microM, ceramide produced a dose-dependent and reversible inhibition of I(Na) without alteration of the steady-state activation and inactivation properties. Treatment with C(2)-ceramide caused a similar inhibitory effect on I(Na). However, dihydro-C(6)-ceramide failed to modulate I(Na). The effect of C(6)-ceramide on I(Na) was abolished by intracellular infusion of the Ca(2+)-chelating agent, 1,2-bis (2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N, N, N9, N9-tetraacetic acid, but was mimicked by application of caffeine. Blocking the release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum with ryanodine receptor blocker induced a gradual increase in I(Na) amplitude and eliminated the effect of ceramide on I(Na). In contrast, the blocker of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca(2+) receptor did not affect the action of C(6)-ceramide. Intracellular application of GTPgammaS also induced a gradual decrease in I(Na) amplitude, while GDPbetaS eliminated the effect of C(6)-ceramide on I(Na). Furthermore, the C(6)-ceramide effect on I(Na) was abolished after application of the phospholipase C (PLC) blockers and was greatly reduced by the calmodulin inhibitors. Fluorescence staining showed that C(6)-ceramide decreased cell viability and blocking I(Na) by tetrodotoxin did not mimic the effect of C(6)-ceramide, and inhibiting intracellular Ca(2+) release by dantrolene could not decrease the C(6)-ceramide-induced cell death. We therefore suggest that increased PLC-dependent Ca(2+) release through the ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+) receptor may be responsible for the C(6)-ceramide-induced inhibition of I(Na), which does not seem to be associated with C(6)-ceramide-induced granule neuron death.

Water and ion channels: crucial in the initiation and progression of apoptosis in central nervous system?

Programmed cell death (PCD), is a highly regulated and sophisticated cellular mechanism that commits cell to isolated death fate. PCD has been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative disorders. Countless molecular events underlie this phenomenon, with each playing a crucial role in death commitment. A precedent event, apoptotic volume decrease (AVD), is ubiquitously observed in various forms of PCD induced by different cellular insults. Under physiological conditions, cells when subjected to osmotic fluctuations will undergo regulatory volume increase/decrease (RVI/RVD) to achieve homeostatic balance with neurons in the brain being additionally protected by the blood-brain-barrier. However, during AVD following apoptotic trigger, cell undergoes anistonic shrinkage that involves the loss of water and ions, particularly monovalent ions e.g. K(+), Na(+) and Cl(-). It is worthwhile to concentrate on the molecular implications underlying the loss of these cellular components which posed to be significant and crucial in the successful propagation of the apoptotic signals. Microarray and real-time PCR analyses demonstrated several ion and water channel genes are regulated upon the onset of lactacystin (a proteosomal inhibitor)-mediated apoptosis. A time course study revealed that gene expressions of water and ion channels are being modulated just prior to apoptosis, some of which are aquaporin 4 and 9, potassium channels and chloride channels. In this review, we shall looked into the molecular protein machineries involved in the execution of AVD in the central nervous system (CNS), and focus on the significance of movements of each cellular component in affecting PCD commitment, thus provide some pharmacological advantages in the global apoptotic cell death.

The two-pore domain potassium channel TASK3 functionally impacts glioma cell death

Two-pore domain K(+) channels, a recently discovered family of ion channels with a unique membrane topology, have been shown to be critically involved in cell death. We here address the functional role of TASK3 (TWIK-related acid-sensitive K(+) channel, KCNK9) in human glioblastoma in vitro and in vivo. Human glioma cell lines (n = 5) as well as glioma specimens (n = 5) constitutively express TASK3 mRNA and protein. The functional impact of the potassium channel on cell survival was investigated using a medium with high (25 mM) extracellular potassium over 7 days. Using flow cytometric assessment, we show that under these culture conditions 97 +/- 0.76% of all glioma cells survived. Application of the TASK channel opener isoflurane (1 vol%) resulted in a 30 +/- 4% reduction of cell survival in different glioma cell lines. Simultaneous application of isoflurane and the TASK channel blockers bupivacaine (20 microM) and spermine (500 microM) completely reversed this effect. Our results demonstrate the expression of TASK3 in glioma cells in vitro and in vivo and provide a direct link between the TASK3 channel function and glioma cell survival. This implies that TASK3 channels may possibly represent a novel molecular target for the treatment of this type of cancer.

Up-regulation and increased activity of KV3.4 channels and their accessory subunit MinK-related peptide 2 induced by amyloid peptide are involved in apoptotic neuronal death

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether K(V)3.4 channel subunits are involved in neuronal death induced by neurotoxic beta-amyloid peptides (Abeta). In particular, to test this hypothesis, three main questions were addressed: 1) whether the Abeta peptide can up-regulate both the transcription/translation and activity of K(V)3.4 channel subunit and its accessory subunit, MinK-related peptide 2 (MIRP2); 2) whether the increase in K(V)3.4 expression and activity can be mediated by the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) family of transcriptional factors; and 3) whether the specific inhibition of K(V)3.4 channel subunit reverts the Abeta peptide-induced neurodegeneration in hippocampal neurons and nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC-12 cells. We found that Abeta(1-42) treatment induced an increase in K(V)3.4 and MIRP2 transcripts and proteins, detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively, in NGF-differentiated PC-12 cells and hippocampal neurons. Patch-clamp experiments performed in whole-cell configuration revealed that the Abeta peptide caused an increase in I(A) current amplitude carried by K(V)3.4 channel subunits, as revealed by their specific blockade with blood depressing substance-I (BDS-I) in both hippocampal neurons and NGF-differentiated PC-12 cells. The inhibition of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation with the cell membrane-permeable peptide SN-50 prevented the increase in K(V)3.4 protein and transcript expression. In addition, the SN-50 peptide was able to block Abeta(1-42)-induced increase in K(V)3.4 K(+) currents and to prevent cell death caused by Abeta(1-42) exposure. Finally, BDS-I produced a similar neuroprotective effect by inhibiting the increase in K(V)3.4 expression. As a whole, our data indicate that K(V)3.4 channels could be a novel target for Alzheimer's disease pharmacological therapy.

Substance P provides neuroprotection in cerebellar granule cells through Akt and MAPK/Erk activation: Evidence for the involvement of the delayed rectifier potassium current

In the current study, we have evaluated the ability of substance P (SP) and other neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1) agonists to protect, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) from serum and potassium deprivation-induced cell death (S-K5). We also established the presence of SP high affinity NK1 transcripts and the NK1 protein localization in the membrane of a sub-population of CGCs. Moreover, SP significantly and dose-dependently reduced the Akt 1/2 and Erk1/2 dephosphorylation induced by S-K5 conditions, as demonstrated by Western blot analysis. Surprisingly, in SP-treated CGCs caspase-3 activity was not inhibited, while the calpain-1 activity was moderately reduced. Corroborating this result, SP blocked calpain-mediated cleavage of tau protein, as demonstrated by the reduced appearance of a diagnostic fragment of 17 kDa by Western blot analysis. In addition, SP induced a significant reduction of the delayed rectifier K+ currents (Ik) in about 42% of the patched neurons, when these were evoked with depolarizing potential steps. Taken together, the present results demonstrate that the activation of NK1 receptors expressed in CGCs promote the neuronal survival via pathways involving Akt and Erk activation and by inhibition of Ik which can contribute to the neuroprotective effect of the peptide.

Cell shrinkage and monovalent cation fluxes: role in apoptosis

The loss of cell volume or cell shrinkage has been a morphological hallmark of the programmed cell death process known as apoptosis. This isotonic loss of cell volume has recently been term apoptotic volume decrease or AVD to distinguish it from inherent volume regulatory responses that occurs in cells under anisotonic conditions. Recent studies examining the intracellular signaling pathways that result in this unique cellular characteristic have determined that a fundamental movement of ions, particularly monovalent ions, underlie the AVD process and plays an important role on controlling the cell death process. An efflux of intracellular potassium was shown to be a critical aspect of the AVD process, as preventing this ion loss could protect cells from apoptosis. However, potassium plays a complex role as a loss of intracellular potassium has also been shown to be beneficial to the health of the cell. Additionally, the mechanisms that a cell employs to achieve this loss of intracellular potassium vary depending on the cell type and stimulus used to induce apoptosis, suggesting multiple ways exist to accomplish the same goal of AVD. Additionally, sodium and chloride have been shown to play a vital role during cell death in both the signaling and control of AVD in various apoptotic model systems. This review examines the relationship between this morphological change and intracellular monovalent ions during apoptosis.

C6-ceramide inhibited Na+ currents by intracellular Ca2+ release in rat myoblasts

Ceramides are novel second messengers that may mediate signaling leading to apoptosis and the regulation of cell cycle progression. Moreover, ceramide analogs have been reported to directly modulate K(+) and Ca(2+) channels in different cell types. In this report, the effect of C(6)-ceramide on the voltage-gated inward Na(+) currents (I(Na)) in cultured rat myoblasts was investigated using whole-cell current recording and a fluorescent Ca(2+) imaging experiment. At concentrations of 1-100 microM, ceramide produced a dose-independent and reversible inhibition of I(Na). Ceramide also significantly shifted the steady-state inactivation curve of I(Na) by 16 mV toward the hyperpolarizing potential, but did not alter the steady-state activation properties. C(2)-ceramide caused a similar inhibitory effect on I(Na) amplitude. However, dihydro-C(6)-ceramide, the inactive analog of ceramide, failed to modulate I(Na). The effect of C(6)-ceramide on I(Na) was abolished by intracellular infusion of the Ca(2+)-chelating agent BAPTA, but was mimicked by application of caffeine. Blocking the release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum with xestospongin C or heparin, an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptor blocker, induced a gradual increase in I(Na) amplitude and eliminated the effect of ceramide on I(Na). In contrast, ruthenium red, which is a blocker of the ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+) receptor did not affect the action of C(6)-ceramide on I(Na). Intracellular application of the G-protein agonist GTPgammaS also induced a gradual decrease in I(Na) amplitude, while the G-protein antagonist GDPbetaS eliminated the effect of C(6)-ceramide on I(Na). Calcium imaging showed that C(6)-ceramide could give rise to a significant elevation of intracellular calcium. Our data show that increased calcium release through the IP(3)-sensitive Ca(2+) receptor, which probably occurred through the G-protein and phospholipase C pathway, may be responsible for C(6)-ceramide-induced inhibition of the I(Na) of rat myoblasts.

Depolarization preconditioning produces cytoprotection against veratridine-induced chromaffin cell death

The hypothesis that K(+) channels and cell depolarization are involved in neuronal death and neuroprotection was tested in bovine chromaffin cells subjected to two treatment periods: the first period (preconditioning period) lasted 6 to 48 h and consisted of treatment with high K(+) solutions or with tetraethylammonium (TEA), a K(+) channel blocker; the second period consisted of incubation with veratridine for 24 h, to cause cell damage. Preconditioning with high K(+) (20-80 mM) or TEA (10-30 mM) for 24 h caused 20-60% cytoprotection against veratridine-induced cell death in bovine chromaffin cells. The absence of Ca(2+) ions during the first 9 h of an 18-h preconditioning period abolished the cytoprotection. Preconditioning with K(+) or TEA increased by 2.5-fold the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and by nearly 2-fold the expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. However, preconditioning did not modify the veratridine-evoked Ca(2+) signal. High K(+) shifted the Em by about 10 mV and TEA evoked a transient burst of action potentials superimposed on a sustained depolarization. We conclude that preconditioning may protect chromaffin cells from death by blocking K(+) channels that depolarize the cell and cause a cytosolic Ca(2+) signal, leading to enhanced expression of BDNF and Bcl-2.

Stress-induced corneal epithelial apoptosis mediated by K+ channel activation

One of the functional roles of the corneal epithelial layer is to protect the cornea, lens and other underlying ocular structures from damages caused by environmental insults. It is important for corneal epithelial cells to maintain this function by undergoing continuous renewal through a dynamic process of wound healing. Previous studies in corneal epithelial cells have provided substantial evidence showing that environmental insults, such as ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and other biohazards, can induce stress-related cellular responses resulting in apoptosis and thus interrupt the dynamic process of wound healing. We found that UV irradiation-induced apoptotic effects in corneal epithelial cells are started by the hyperactivation of K+ channels in the cell membrane resulting in a fast loss of intracellular K+ ions. Recent studies provide further evidence indicating that these complex responses in corneal epithelial cells are resulted from the activation of stress-related signaling pathways mediated by K+ channel activity. The effect of UV irradiation on corneal epithelial cell fate shares common signaling mechanisms involving the activation of intracellular responses that are often activated by the stimulation of various cytokines. One piece of evidence for making this distinction is that at early times UV irradiation activates a Kv3.4 channel in corneal epithelial cells to elicit activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase cascades and p53 activation leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The hypothetic model is that UV-induced potassium channel hyperactivity as an early event initiates fast cell shrinkages due to the loss of intracellular potassium, resulting in the activation of scaffolding protein kinases and cytoskeleton reorganizations. This review article presents important control mechanisms that determine Kv channel activity-mediated cellular responses in corneal epithelial cells, involving activation of stress-induced signaling pathways, arrests of cell cycle progression and/or induction of apoptosis.

Valinomycin-induced apoptosis in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Accumulating evidence endorses that excessive K(+) efflux is an ionic mechanism underlying apoptosis both in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. K(+) channels play important roles in mediating the pro-apoptotic K(+) efflux. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells have been widely used for gene transfection experiments. These cells lack detectable endogenous voltage-gated K(+) channels. We were interested in knowing whether the absence of endogenous K(+) channels would render wild-type CHO cells more resistant to apoptotic death. We also wished to determine if direct stimulation of K(+) efflux would trigger apoptosis in these cells. Exposing CHO cells to hypoxia (1% O(2)) or to a typical apoptotic insult of serum deprivation for up to 24h did not affect cell survival. On the other hand, the K(+) ionophore valinomycin caused substantial cell death within 12h of its application. Valinomycin-treated CHO cells underwent several apoptotic events, including phosphatidylserine (PS) membrane translocation, caspase-3 activation, and mitochondrial membrane depolarization during the first few hours of exposure. Reducing K(+) efflux by elevating extracellular K(+) concentrations noticeably attenuated valinomycin-induced cell death. This study reinforces a K(+) efflux-mediated apoptotic mechanism in CHO cells and may help to explain the unique feature of their higher tolerance to apoptosis.

K+ channels in apoptosis

A proper rate of programmed cell death or apoptosis is required to maintain normal tissue homeostasis. In disease states such as cancer and some forms of hypertension, apoptosis is blocked, resulting in hyperplasia. In neurodegenerative diseases, uncontrolled apoptosis leads to loss of brain tissue. The flow of ions in and out of the cell and its intracellular organelles is becoming increasingly linked to the generation of many of these diseased states. This review focuses on the transport of K(+) across the cell membrane and that of the mitochondria via integral K(+)-permeable channels. We describe the different types of K(+) channels that have been identified, and investigate the roles they play in controlling the different phases of apoptosis: early cell shrinkage, cytochrome c release, caspase activation, and DNA fragmentation. Attention is also given to K(+) channels on the inner mitochondrial membrane, whose activity may underlie anti- or pro-apoptotic mechanisms in neurons and cardiomyocytes.

Calcium- and metabolic state-dependent modulation of the voltage-dependent Kv2.1 channel regulates neuronal excitability in response to ischemia

Ischemic stroke is often accompanied by neuronal hyperexcitability (i.e., seizures), which aggravates brain damage. Therefore, suppressing stroke-induced hyperexcitability and associated excitoxicity is a major focus of treatment for ischemic insults. Both ATP-dependent and Ca2+-activated K+ channels have been implicated in protective mechanisms to suppress ischemia-induced hyperexcitability. Here we provide evidence that the localization and function of Kv2.1, the major somatodendritic delayed rectifier voltage-dependent K+ channel in central neurons, is regulated by hypoxia/ischemia-induced changes in metabolic state and intracellular Ca2+ levels. Hypoxia/ischemia in rat brain induced a dramatic dephosphorylation of Kv2.1 and the translocation of surface Kv2.1 from clusters to a uniform localization. In cultured rat hippocampal neurons, chemical ischemia (CI) elicited a similar dephosphorylation and translocation of Kv2.1. These events were reversible and were mediated by Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and calcineurin-mediated Kv2.1 dephosphorylation. CI also induced a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage-dependent activation of neuronal delayed rectifier currents (IK), leading to enhanced IK and suppressed neuronal excitability. The IK blocker tetraethylammonium reversed the ischemia-induced suppression of excitability and aggravated ischemic neuronal damage. Our results show that Kv2.1 can act as a novel Ca2+- and metabolic state-sensitive K+ channel and suggest that dynamic modulation of IK/Kv2.1 in response to hypoxia/ischemia suppresses neuronal excitability and could confer neuroprotection in response to brief ischemic insults.

Inhibition of the calcium- and voltage-dependent big conductance potassium channel ameliorates cisplatin-induced apoptosis in spiral ligament fibrocytes of the cochlea

The role of calcium- and voltage-dependent big conductance potassium channels in regulating apoptosis was investigated in cultured type I spiral ligament fibrocytes. Incubation of type I spiral ligament fibrocytes derived from gerbil cochlea with cisplatin induced dose- and time-dependent apoptosis as demonstrated by annexin V conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate/prodidium iodide assays. The average voltage activation threshold of whole cell current was sharply shifted to -40 mV in the cisplatin-treated cells as compared with a value of 40 mV in control cells. The average whole-cell current of cisplatin-treated cells induced by a depolarization voltage step from -80 to -10 mV was increased significantly to 1.2+/-0.4 nA as compared with 0.08+/-0.1 nA in control cells. Coincubation with tetraethylammonium and cisplatin retained the whole cell current in the normal range (0.12+/-0.2 nA). The increment of cisplatin-induced whole-cell current was inhibited (97+/-5%) by a specific calcium- and voltage-dependent big conductance potassium channel blocker iberiotoxin. Consistent with this, co-incubation with tetraethylammonium significantly attenuated cisplatin-induced apoptosis in type I spiral ligament fibrocytes by more than 50%. We conclude that the activation of BK channels is an early event associated with cisplatin-induced apoptosis in type I spiral ligament fibrocytes. These findings also point to the calcium- and voltage-dependent big conductance potassium channels as a potential pharmacological target for manipulating cisplatin ototoxicity.

Downregulation of the HERG (KCNH2) K+ channel by ceramide: evidence for ubiquitin-mediated lysosomal degradation

The HERG (KCNH2) potassium channel underlies the rapid component of the delayed rectifier current (Ikr), a current contributing to the repolarisation of the cardiac action potential. Mutations in HERG can cause the hereditary forms of the short-QT and long-QT syndromes, predisposing to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. HERG is expressed mainly in the cell membrane of cardiac myocytes, but has also been identified in cell membranes of a range of other cells, including smooth muscle and neurones. The mechanisms regulating the surface expression have however not yet been elucidated. Here we show, using stable HERG-expressing HEK 293 cells, that ceramide evokes a time-dependent decrease in HERG current which was not attributable to a change in gating properties of the channel. Surface expression of the HERG channel protein was reduced by ceramide as shown by biotinylation of surface proteins, western blotting and immunocytochemistry. The rapid decline in HERG protein after ceramide stimulation was due to protein ubiquitylation and its association with lysosomes. The results demonstrate that the surface expression of HERG is strictly regulated, and that ceramide modifies HERG currents and targets the protein for lysosomal degradation.

Attenuation of apoptosis in enterocytes by blockade of potassium channels

Apoptosis plays an important role in maintaining the balance between proliferation and cell loss in the intestinal epithelium. Apoptosis rates may increase in intestinal pathologies such as inflammatory bowel disease and necrotizing enterocolitis, suggesting pharmacological prevention of apoptosis as a therapy for these conditions. Here, we explore the feasibility of this approach using the rat epithelial cell line IEC-6 as a model. On the basis of the known role of K+ efflux in apoptosis in various cell types, we hypothesized that K+ efflux is essential for apoptosis in enterocytes and that pharmacological blockade of this efflux would inhibit apoptosis. By probing intracellular [K+] with the K+-sensitive fluorescent dye and measuring the efflux of 86Rb+, we found that apoptosis-inducing treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 leads to a twofold increase in K+ efflux from IEC-6 cells. Blockade of K+ efflux with tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine, stromatoxin, chromanol 293B, and the recently described K+ channel inhibitor 48F10 prevents DNA fragmentation, caspase activation, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Thus K+ efflux occurs early in the apoptotic program and is required for the execution of later events. Apoptotic K+ efflux critically depends on activation of p38 MAPK. These results demonstrate for the first time the requirement of K+ channel-mediated K+ efflux for progression of apoptosis in enterocytes and suggest the use of K+ channel blockers to prevent apoptotic cell loss occurring in intestinal pathologies.

17beta-estradiol inhibits outward potassium currents recorded in rat parabrachial nucleus cells in vitro

Evidence is increasingly accumulating in support of a role for the steroid hormone 17beta-estradiol to modify neuronal functions in the mammalian CNS, especially in autonomic centers. In addition to its well known slowly developing and long lasting actions (genomic), estrogen can also rapidly modulate cell signaling events by affecting membrane excitability (non-genomic). Little, however, is known regarding the mechanism(s) by which 17beta-estradiol produces its rapid effects on neuronal membrane excitability. As potassium channels play a crucial role in cell excitability, we hypothesized that 17beta-estradiol caused excitability by modulating potassium flux through the neuronal cell membrane. We tested this hypothesis by examining the effects of 17beta-estradiol on outward potassium currents recorded in cells from the parabrachial nucleus of rats, in vitro. Bath application of 17beta-estradiol (10-100 microM) reversibly reduced voltage-activated outward potassium currents in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect was mimicked by BSA-17beta-estradiol but not mimicked by 17alpha-estradiol and was significantly reduced by ICI 182,780, a selective estrogen receptor antagonist. The inhibitory effect of 17beta-estradiol was dependent on extracellular potassium concentration, with more profound effects observed at lower concentrations. The 17beta-estradiol-induced inhibition of the outward current was blocked by pretreatment with the potassium channel blockers tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine. The time constants of deactivation of tail currents were decreased by 17beta-estradiol over a range of test potentials (-140 to -80 mV). Finally, the inhibitory effect of 17beta-estradiol on the outward potassium currents was blocked following pre-incubation of slices in lavendustin A, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Taken together, these results suggest that 17beta-estradiol acts rapidly at an extracellular membrane receptor to reduce tetraethylammonium- and 4-aminopyridine-sensitive outward potassium currents by accelerating the closure of potassium channels. This may be the ionic basis of 17beta-estradiol-induced enhancement of neuronal excitability.

Quinolinic acid selectively induces apoptosis of human astrocytes: potential role in AIDS dementia complex

There is evidence that the kynurenine pathway (KP) and particularly one of its end products, quinolinic acid (QUIN) play a role in the pathogenesis of several major neuroinflammatory diseases, and more particularly AIDS dementia complex (ADC). We hypothesized that QUIN may be involved in astrocyte apoptosis because: 1) apoptotic astrocytes have been observed in the brains of ADC patients, 2) ADC patients have elevated cerebrospinal fluid QUIN concentrations, and 3) QUIN can induce astrocyte death. Primary cultures of human fetal astrocytes were treated with three pathophysiological concentrations of QUIN. Numeration of apoptotic cells was assessed using double immunocytochemistry for expression of active caspase 3 and for nucleus condensation. We found that treatment of human astrocytes with QUIN induced morphological (cell body shrinking) and biochemical changes (nucleus condensation and over-expression of active caspase 3) of apoptosis. After 24 hours of treatment with QUIN 500 nM and 1200 nM respectively 10 and 14% of astrocytes were undergoing apoptosis. This would be expected to lead to a relative lack of trophic support factors with consequent neuronal dysfunction and possibly death. Astroglial apoptosis induced by QUIN provides another potential mechanism for the neurotoxicity of QUIN during ADC.

Somatostatin receptor 2 is activated in cortical neurons and contributes to neurodegeneration after focal ischemia

Somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) mediates neuromodulatory signals of somatostatin and cortistatin in the cerebral cortex. Recently, SSTR2 has been shown to enhance conserved death ligand- and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathways in non-neuronal cells. Whether somatostatin receptors are activated in cerebrocortical neurons and contribute to neurodegeneration after experimental focal ischemia was unknown until now. Here we examined internalization of SSTR2 in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) by confocal microscopy. At 3 and 6 hr after MCAO, SSTR2 was internalized excessively in cerebrocortical neurons adjacent to the infarct, which was prevented by intracerebroventricular application of the SSTR2-selective antagonist BIM-23627. SSTR2 internalization was associated with a transient depletion of somatostatin from axonal terminals and increased expression of SSTR2 mRNA. The initial loss of somatostatin was followed by an increase in somatostatin mRNA levels, whereas cortistatin mRNA expression was decreased. In SSTR2-deficient mice with lacZ under the control of the SSTR2 promoter, MCAO-induced upregulation of SSTR2 gene expression was less pronounced than in wild types. SSTR2-deficient mice exhibited a 40% reduction of infarct size after permanent distal MCAO and a 63% reduction after transient proximal MCAO. In summary, we provide direct evidence for activation of SSTR2 by an endogenous ligand after focal ischemia. Activation of functional SSTR2 receptors contributes to increased SSTR2 gene expression and postischemic neurodegeneration.

Nuclear factor-κB activation by reactive oxygen species mediates voltage-gated K+ current enhancement by neurotoxic β-amyloid peptides in nerve growth factor-differentiated PC-12 cells and hippocampal neurones

Increased activity of plasma membrane K+ channels, leading to decreased cytoplasmic K+ concentrations, occurs during neuronal cell death. In the present study, we showed that the neurotoxic beta-amyloid peptide Abeta(25-35) caused a dose-dependent (0.1-10 microm) and time-dependent (> 12 h) enhancement of both inactivating and non-inactivating components of voltage-dependent K+ (VGK) currents in nerve growth factor-differentiated rat phaeochromocytoma (PC-12) cells and primary rat hippocampal neurones. Similar effects were exerted by Abeta(1-42), but not by the non-neurotoxic Abeta(35-25) peptide. Abeta(25-35) and Abeta(1-42) caused an early (15-20 min) increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. This led to an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which peaked at 3 h and lasted for 24 h; ROS production seemed to trigger the VGK current increase as vitamin E (50 microm) blocked both the Abeta(25-35)- and Abeta(1-42)-induced ROS increase and VGK current enhancement. Inhibition of protein synthesis (cycloheximide, 1 microg/mL) and transcription (actinomycin D, 50 ng/mL) blocked Abeta(25-35)-induced VGK current enhancement, suggesting that this potentiation is mediated by transcriptional activation induced by ROS. Interestingly, the specific nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor SN-50 (5 microm), but not its inactive analogue SN-50M (5 microm), fully counteracted Abeta(1-42)- or Abeta(25-35)-induced enhancement of VGK currents, providing evidence for a role of this family of transcription factors in regulating neuronal K+ channel function during exposure to Abeta.