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Lin CV, Thomas CAD, Huynh TL, Wei DT, Young JN, Aivazian AS, McInnes A, Xu J, Cook SE, Vazquez J, Maselli RA. Adeno-Associated Virus Type 9-Mediated Gene Therapy of Choline Acetyltransferase-Deficient Mice. Hum Gene Ther 2024; 35:123-131. [PMID: 38299967 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) synthesizes acetylcholine from acetyl-CoA and choline at the neuromuscular junction and at the nerve terminals of cholinergic neurons. Mutations in the ChAT gene (CHAT) result in a presynaptic congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) that often associates with life-threatening episodes of apnea. Knockout mice for Chat (Chat-/-) die at birth. To circumvent the lethality of this model, we crossed mutant mice possessing loxP sites flanking Chat exons 4 and 5 with mice that expressed Cre-ERT2. Injection of tamoxifen (Tx) at postnatal (P) day 11 in these mice induced downregulation of Chat, autonomic failure, weakness, and death. However, a proportion of Chatflox/flox-Cre-ERT2 mice receiving at birth an intracerebroventricular injection of 2 × 1013 vg/kg adeno-associated virus type 9 (AAV9) carrying human CHAT (AAV9-CHAT) survived a subsequent Tx injection and lived to adulthood without showing signs of weakness. Likewise, injection of AA9-CHAT by intracisternal injection at P28 after the onset of weakness also resulted in survival to adulthood. The expression of Chat in spinal motor neurons of Chatflox/flox-Cre-ERT2 mice injected with Tx was markedly reduced, but AAV-injected mice showed a robust recovery of ChAT expression, which was mainly translated by the human CHAT RNA. The biodistribution of the viral genome was widespread but maximal in the spinal cord and brain of AAV-injected mice. No significant histopathological changes were observed in the brain, liver, and heart of AAV-injected mice after 1 year follow-up. Thus, AAV9-mediated gene therapy may provide an effective and safe treatment for patients severely affected with CHAT-CMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron V Lin
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Clementine A D Thomas
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Thanh L Huynh
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - David T Wei
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Jaime N Young
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Anahid S Aivazian
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Abigail McInnes
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Jixiang Xu
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Sarah E Cook
- Anatomic Pathology, University of California Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA
| | - Jessica Vazquez
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Ricardo A Maselli
- Department of Neurology, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
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D'Aloia A, Pastori V, Blasa S, Campioni G, Peri F, Sacco E, Ceriani M, Lecchi M, Costa B. A new advanced cellular model of functional cholinergic-like neurons developed by reprogramming the human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:24. [PMID: 38216593 PMCID: PMC10786877 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01790-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Modeling human neuronal properties in physiological and pathological conditions is essential to identify novel potential drugs and to explore pathological mechanisms of neurological diseases. For this purpose, we generated a three-dimensional (3D) neuronal culture, by employing the readily available human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line, and a new differentiation protocol. The entire differentiation process occurred in a matrix and lasted 47 days, with 7 days of pre-differentiation phase and 40 days of differentiation, and allowed the development of a 3D culture in conditions consistent with the physiological environment. Neurons in the culture were electrically active, were able to establish functional networks, and showed features of cholinergic neurons. Hence here we provide an easily accessible, reproducible, and suitable culture method that might empower studies on synaptic function, vesicle trafficking, and metabolism, which sustain neuronal activity and cerebral circuits. Moreover, this novel differentiation protocol could represent a promising cellular tool to study physiological cellular processes, such as migration, differentiation, maturation, and to develop novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia D'Aloia
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy.
| | - Valentina Pastori
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefania Blasa
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
- Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Gloria Campioni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
- SYSBIO-ISBE-IT, Europe, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Peri
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Sacco
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
- Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milano, Italy
- SYSBIO-ISBE-IT, Europe, 20126, Milano, Italy
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Ceriani
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
- Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Marzia Lecchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
- Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milano, Italy
- Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research, Pisa, Italy
| | - Barbara Costa
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
- Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milano, Italy
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Munasinghe PE, Saw EL, Reily-Bell M, Tonkin D, Kakinuma Y, Fronius M, Katare R. Non-neuronal cholinergic system delays cardiac remodelling in type 1 diabetes. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17434. [PMID: 37426799 PMCID: PMC10329120 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17434] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. The underlying mechanisms for T1DM-induced heart disease still remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of cardiac non-neuronal cholinergic system (cNNCS) activation on T1DM-induced cardiac remodelling. Methods T1DM was induced in C57Bl6 mice using low-dose streptozotocin. Western blot analysis was used to measure the expression of cNNCS components at different time points (4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after T1DM induction). To assess the potential benefits of cNNCS activation, T1DM was induced in mice with cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the enzyme required for acetylcholine (Ac) synthesis. We evaluated the effects of ChAT overexpression on cNNCS components, vascular and cardiac remodelling, and cardiac function. Key findings Western blot analysis revealed dysregulation of cNNCS components in hearts of T1DM mice. Intracardiac ACh levels were also reduced in T1DM. Activation of ChAT significantly increased intracardiac ACh levels and prevented diabetes-induced dysregulation of cNNCS components. This was associated with preserved microvessel density, reduced apoptosis and fibrosis, and improved cardiac function. Significance Our study suggests that cNNCS dysregulation may contribute to T1DM-induced cardiac remodelling, and that increasing ACh levels may be a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent or delay T1DM-induced heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pujika Emani Munasinghe
- Department of Physiology, HeartOtago, University of Otago, 270, Great King Street, Dunedin, 9010, New Zealand
| | - Eng Leng Saw
- Department of Physiology, HeartOtago, University of Otago, 270, Great King Street, Dunedin, 9010, New Zealand
| | - Matthew Reily-Bell
- Department of Physiology, HeartOtago, University of Otago, 270, Great King Street, Dunedin, 9010, New Zealand
| | - Devin Tonkin
- Department of Physiology, HeartOtago, University of Otago, 270, Great King Street, Dunedin, 9010, New Zealand
| | - Yoshihiko Kakinuma
- Department of Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Martin Fronius
- Department of Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rajesh Katare
- Department of Physiology, HeartOtago, University of Otago, 270, Great King Street, Dunedin, 9010, New Zealand
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A novel transgenic mouse model expressing primate-specific nuclear choline acetyltransferase: insights into potential cholinergic vulnerability. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3037. [PMID: 36810877 PMCID: PMC9944276 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30155-4] [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: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The acetylcholine (ACh) synthesizing enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) is an important cholinergic neuronal marker whose levels and/or activity are reduced in physiological and pathological aging. One isoform of ChAT, 82-kDa ChAT, is expressed only in primates and found primarily in nuclei of cholinergic neurons in younger individuals, but this protein becomes mostly cytoplasmic with increasing age and in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies suggest that 82-kDa ChAT may be involved in regulating gene expression during cellular stress. Since it is not expressed in rodents, we developed a transgenic mouse model that expresses human 82-kDa ChAT under the control of an Nkx2.1 driver. Behavioral and biochemical assays were used to phenotype this novel transgenic model and elucidate the impact of 82-kDa ChAT expression. The 82-kDa ChAT transcript and protein were expressed predominantly in basal forebrain neurons and subcellular distribution of the protein recapitulated the age-related pattern found previously in human necropsy brains. Older 82-kDa ChAT-expressing mice presented with better age-related memory and inflammatory profiles. In summary, we established a novel transgenic mouse expressing 82-kDa ChAT that is valuable for studying the role of this primate-specific cholinergic enzyme in pathologies associated with cholinergic neuron vulnerability and dysfunction.
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Ge Y, van Roon L, van Gils JM, Geestman T, van Munsteren CJ, Smits AM, Goumans MJTH, DeRuiter MC, Jongbloed MRM. Acute myocardial infarction induces remodeling of the murine superior cervical ganglia and the carotid body. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:758265. [PMID: 36277772 PMCID: PMC9582601 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.758265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A role for cardiac sympathetic hyperinnervation in arrhythmogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI) has increasingly been recognized. In humans and mice, the heart receives cervical as well as thoracic sympathetic contributions. In mice, superior cervical ganglia (SCG) have been shown to contribute significantly to myocardial sympathetic innervation of the left ventricular anterior wall. Of interest, the SCG is situated adjacent to the carotid body (CB), a small organ involved in oxygen and metabolic sensing. We investigated the remodeling of murine SCG and CB over time after MI. Murine SCG were isolated from control mice, as well as 24 h, 3 days, 7 days and 6 weeks after MI. SCG and CBs were stained for the autonomic nervous system markers β3-tubulin, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), as well as for the neurotrophic factors brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and their tyrosine receptor kinase (pan TRK). Results show that after MI a significant increase in neuron size occurs, especially in the region bordering the CB. Co-expression of TH and ChAT is observed in SCG neuronal cells, but not in the CB. After MI, a significant decrease in ChAT intensity occurs, which negatively correlated with the increased cell size. In addition, an increase of BDNF and NGF at protein and mRNA levels was observed in both the CB and SCG. This upregulation of neurotropic factors coincides with the upregulation of their receptor within the SCG. These findings were concomitant with an increase in GAP43 expression in the SCG, which is known to contribute to axonal outgrowth and elongation. In conclusion, neuronal remodeling toward an increased adrenergic phenotype occurs in the SCG, which is possibly mediated by the CB and might contribute to pathological hyperinnervation after MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ge
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands,Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lieke van Roon
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands,Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Janine M. van Gils
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands,Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Tom Geestman
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Conny J. van Munsteren
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Anke M. Smits
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Marco C. DeRuiter
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Monique R. M. Jongbloed
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands,Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Monique R. M. Jongbloed, ; orcid.org/0000-0002-9132-0418
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Díaz I, Colmenárez-Raga AC, Pérez-González D, Carmona VG, Plaza Lopez I, Merchán MA. Effects of Multisession Anodal Electrical Stimulation of the Auditory Cortex on Temporary Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in the Rat. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:642047. [PMID: 34393701 PMCID: PMC8358804 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.642047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The protective effect of the efferent system against acoustic trauma (AT) has been shown by several experimental approaches, including damage to one ear, sectioning of the olivocochlear bundle (OCB) in the floor of the IV ventricle, and knock-in mice overexpressing outer hair cell (OHC) cholinergic receptors, among others. Such effects have been related to changes in the regulation of the cholinergic efferent system and in cochlear amplification, which ultimately reverse upon protective hearing suppression. In addition to well-known circuits of the brainstem, the descending corticofugal pathway also regulates efferent neurons of the olivary complex. In this study, we applied our recently developed experimental paradigm of multiple sessions of electrical stimulation (ES) to activate the efferent system in combination with noise overstimulation. ABR thresholds increased 1 and 2 days after AT (8-16 kHz bandpass noise at 107 dB for 90 min) recovering at AT + 14 days. However, after multiple sessions of epidural anodal stimulation, no changes in thresholds were observed following AT. Although an inflammatory response was also observed 1 day after AT in both groups, the counts of reactive macrophages in both experimental conditions suggest decreased inflammation in the epidural stimulation group. Quantitative immunocytochemistry for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) showed a significant decrease in the size and optical density of the efferent terminals 1 day after AT and a rebound at 14 days, suggesting depletion of the terminals followed by a long-term compensatory response. Such a synthesis recovery was significantly higher upon cortical stimulation. No significant correlation was found between ChAT optical density and size of the buttons in sham controls (SC) and ES/AT + 1day animals; however, significant negative correlations were shown in all other experimental conditions. Therefore, our comparative analysis suggests that cochleotopic cholinergic neurotransmission is also better preserved after multisession epidural stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Díaz
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - David Pérez-González
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Venezia G Carmona
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ignacio Plaza Lopez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Miguel A Merchán
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Bhat S, El-Kasaby A, Freissmuth M, Sucic S. Functional and Biochemical Consequences of Disease Variants in Neurotransmitter Transporters: A Special Emphasis on Folding and Trafficking Deficits. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 222:107785. [PMID: 33310157 PMCID: PMC7612411 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Neurotransmitters, such as γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, acetyl choline, glycine and the monoamines, facilitate the crosstalk within the central nervous system. The designated neurotransmitter transporters (NTTs) both release and take up neurotransmitters to and from the synaptic cleft. NTT dysfunction can lead to severe pathophysiological consequences, e.g. epilepsy, intellectual disability, or Parkinson’s disease. Genetic point mutations in NTTs have recently been associated with the onset of various neurological disorders. Some of these mutations trigger folding defects in the NTT proteins. Correct folding is a prerequisite for the export of NTTs from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the subsequent trafficking to their pertinent site of action, typically at the plasma membrane. Recent studies have uncovered some of the key features in the molecular machinery responsible for transporter protein folding, e.g., the role of heat shock proteins in fine-tuning the ER quality control mechanisms in cells. The therapeutic significance of understanding these events is apparent from the rising number of reports, which directly link different pathological conditions to NTT misfolding. For instance, folding-deficient variants of the human transporters for dopamine or GABA lead to infantile parkinsonism/dystonia and epilepsy, respectively. From a therapeutic point of view, some folding-deficient NTTs are amenable to functional rescue by small molecules, known as chemical and pharmacological chaperones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreyas Bhat
- Institute of Pharmacology and the Gaston H. Glock Research Laboratories for Exploratory Drug Development, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ali El-Kasaby
- Institute of Pharmacology and the Gaston H. Glock Research Laboratories for Exploratory Drug Development, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Freissmuth
- Institute of Pharmacology and the Gaston H. Glock Research Laboratories for Exploratory Drug Development, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sonja Sucic
- Institute of Pharmacology and the Gaston H. Glock Research Laboratories for Exploratory Drug Development, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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Abstract
The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) acts as an autocrine growth factor for human lung cancer. Several lines of evidence show that lung cancer cells express all of the proteins required for the uptake of choline (choline transporter 1, choline transporter-like proteins) synthesis of ACh (choline acetyltransferase, carnitine acetyltransferase), transport of ACh (vesicular acetylcholine transport, OCTs, OCTNs) and degradation of ACh (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase). The released ACh binds back to nicotinic (nAChRs) and muscarinic receptors on lung cancer cells to accelerate their proliferation, migration and invasion. Out of all components of the cholinergic pathway, the nAChR-signaling has been studied the most intensely. The reason for this trend is due to genome-wide data studies showing that nicotinic receptor subtypes are involved in lung cancer risk, the relationship between cigarette smoke and lung cancer risk as well as the rising popularity of electronic cigarettes considered by many as a "safe" alternative to smoking. There are a small number of articles which review the contribution of the other cholinergic proteins in the pathophysiology of lung cancer. The primary objective of this review article is to discuss the function of the acetylcholine-signaling proteins in the progression of lung cancer. The investigation of the role of cholinergic network in lung cancer will pave the way to novel molecular targets and drugs in this lethal malignancy.
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Jiao-Tai-Wan Improves Cognitive Dysfunctions through Cholinergic Pathway in Scopolamine-Treated Mice. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:3538763. [PMID: 30050927 PMCID: PMC6040267 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3538763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction is characterized as the gradual loss of learning ability and cognitive function, as well as memory impairment. Jiao-tai-wan (JTW), a Chinese medicine prescription including Coptis chinensis and cinnamon, is mainly used for the treatment of insomnia, while the effect of JTW in improving cognitive function has not been reported. In this study, we employed a scopolamine- (SCOP-) treated learning and memory deficit model to explore whether JTW could alleviate cognitive dysfunction. In behavioral experiments, Morris water maze, Y-maze, fearing condition test, and novel object discrimination test were conducted. Results showed that oral administration of JTW (2.1 g/kg, 4.2 g/kg, and 8.4 g/kg) can effectively promote the ability of spatial recognition, learning and memory, and the memory ability of fresh things of SCOP-treated mice. In addition, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was effectively decreased; the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and concentration of acetylcholine (Ach) were improved after JTW treatment in both hippocampus and cortex of SCOP-treated mice. JTW effectively ameliorated oxidative stress because of decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in hippocampus and cortex. Furthermore, JTW promotes the expressions of neurotrophic factors including postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and synaptophysin (SYN) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in both hippocampus and cortex. Nissl's staining shows that the neuroprotective effect of JTW was very effective. To sum up, JTW might be a promising candidate for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.
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CHAT gene polymorphism rs3810950 is associated with the risk of Alzheimer's disease in the Czech population. J Biomed Sci 2018; 25:41. [PMID: 29759072 PMCID: PMC5950140 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-018-0444-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is based on the findings that a reduced and/or perturbed cholinergic activity in the central nervous system correlates with cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The hypothesis resulted in the development of centrally-acting agents potentiating cholinergic neurotransmission; these drugs, however, only slowed down the cognitive decline and could not prevent it. Consequently, the perturbation of the central cholinergic signalling has been accepted as a part of the Alzheimer’s aetiology but not necessarily the primary cause of the disease. In the present study we have focused on the rs3810950 polymorphism of ChAT (choline acetyltransferase) gene that has not been studied in Czech population before. Methods We carried out an association study to test for a relationship between the rs3810950 polymorphism and Alzheimer’s disease in a group of 1186 persons; 759 patients with Alzheimer’s disease and 427 control subjects. Furthermore, we performed molecular modelling of the terminal domain (1st-126th amino acid residue) of one of the ChAT isoforms (M) to visualise in silico whether the rs3810950 polymorphism (A120T) can change any features of the tertiary structure of the protein which would have a potential to alter its function. Results The AA genotype of CHAT was associated with a 1.25 times higher risk of AD (p < 0.002) thus demonstrating that the rs3810950 polymorphism can have a modest but statistically significant effect on the risk of AD in the Czech population. Furthermore, the molecular modelling indicated that the polymorphism is likely to be associated with significant variations in the tertiary structure of the protein molecule which may impact its enzyme activity. Conclusions Our findings are consistent with the results of the meta-analytical studies of the relationship between rs3810950 polymorphism and AD and provide further material evidence for a direct (primary) involvement of cholinergic mechanisms in the etiopathogenesis of AD, particularly as a factor in cognitive decline and perturbed conscious awareness commonly observed in patients with AD.
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Postnatal development of neurotransmitter systems and their relevance to extinction of conditioned fear. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2017; 138:252-270. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 10/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Winick-Ng W, Caetano FA, Winick-Ng J, Morey TM, Heit B, Rylett RJ. 82-kDa choline acetyltransferase and SATB1 localize to β-amyloid induced matrix attachment regions. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23914. [PMID: 27052102 PMCID: PMC4823725 DOI: 10.1038/srep23914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The M-transcript of human choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) produces an 82-kDa protein (82-kDa ChAT) that concentrates in nuclei of cholinergic neurons. We assessed the effects of acute exposure to oligomeric amyloid-β1–42 (Aβ1–42) on 82-kDa ChAT disposition in SH-SY5Y neural cells, finding that acute exposure to Aβ1–42 results in increased association of 82-kDa ChAT with chromatin and formation of 82-kDa ChAT aggregates in nuclei. When measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation with next-generation sequencing (ChIP-seq), we identified that Aβ1–42 -exposure increases 82-kDa ChAT association with gene promoters and introns. The Aβ1–42 -induced 82-kDa ChAT aggregates co-localize with special AT-rich binding protein 1 (SATB1), which anchors DNA to scaffolding/matrix attachment regions (S/MARs). SATB1 had a similar genomic association as 82-kDa ChAT, with both proteins associating with synapse and cell stress genes. After Aβ1–42 -exposure, both SATB1 and 82-kDa ChAT are enriched at the same S/MAR on the APP gene, with 82-kDa ChAT expression attenuating an increase in an isoform-specific APP mRNA transcript. Finally, 82-kDa ChAT and SATB1 have patterned genomic association at regions enriched with S/MAR binding motifs. These results demonstrate that 82-kDa ChAT and SATB1 play critical roles in the response of neural cells to acute Aβ -exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren Winick-Ng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine &Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1 Canada.,Molecular Medicine Group, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1 Canada
| | - Fabiana A Caetano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine &Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1 Canada.,Molecular Medicine Group, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1 Canada
| | | | - Trevor M Morey
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine &Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1 Canada.,Molecular Medicine Group, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1 Canada
| | - Bryan Heit
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine &Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1 Canada
| | - R Jane Rylett
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine &Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1 Canada.,Molecular Medicine Group, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1 Canada
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13
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Kolos EA, Korzhevskii DA. Heterogeneous choline acetyltransferase staining in cholinergic neurons. NEUROCHEM J+ 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712416010104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Insulin Regulates the Activity of the High-Affinity Choline Transporter CHT. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132934. [PMID: 26161852 PMCID: PMC4498808 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies in humans and animal models show that neuronal insulin resistance increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and that insulin treatment may promote memory function. Cholinergic neurons play a critical role in cognitive and attentional processing and their dysfunction early in AD pathology may promote the progression of AD pathology. Synthesis and release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is closely linked to the activity of the high-affinity choline transporter protein (CHT), but the impact of insulin receptor signaling and neuronal insulin resistance on these aspects of cholinergic function are unknown. In this study, we used differentiated SH-SY5Y cells stably-expressing CHT proteins to study the effect of insulin signaling on CHT activity and function. We find that choline uptake activity measured after acute addition of 20 nM insulin is significantly lower in cells that were grown for 24 h in media containing insulin compared to cells grown in the absence of insulin. This coincides with loss of ability to increase phospho-Protein Kinase B (PKB)/Akt levels in response to acute insulin stimulation in the chronic insulin-treated cells. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) in cells significantly lowers phospho-PKB/Akt levels and decreases choline uptake activity. We show total internal reflection microscopy (TIRF) imaging of the dynamic movement of CHT proteins in live cells in response to depolarization and drug treatments. These data show that acute exposure of depolarized cells to insulin is coupled to transiently increased levels of CHT proteins at the cell surface, and that this is attenuated by chronic insulin exposure. Moreover, prolonged inhibition of PI3-kinase results in enhanced levels of CHT proteins at the cell surface by decreasing their rate of internalization.
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15
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Granja MG, Braga LEG, Carpi-Santos R, de Araujo-Martins L, Nunes-Tavares N, Calaza KC, dos Santos AA, Giestal-de-Araujo E. IL-4 Induces Cholinergic Differentiation of Retinal Cells In Vitro. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2015; 35:689-701. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-015-0164-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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16
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Santoro ML, Santos CM, Ota VK, Gadelha A, Stilhano RS, Diana MC, Silva PN, Spíndola LMN, Melaragno MI, Bressan RA, Han SW, Abílio VC, Belangero SI. Expression profile of neurotransmitter receptor and regulatory genes in the prefrontal cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rats: relevance to neuropsychiatric disorders. Psychiatry Res 2014; 219:674-9. [PMID: 25041985 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2014.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Revised: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) strain was shown to be a useful animal model to study several behavioral, pathophysiological and pharmacological aspects of schizophrenia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. To further understand the genetic underpinnings of this model, our primary goal in this study was to compare the gene expression profile of neurotransmitter receptors and regulators in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) of SHR and Wistar rats (control group). In addition, we investigated DNA methylation pattern of promoter region of the genes differentially expressed. We performed gene expression analysis using a PCRarray technology, which simultaneously measures the expression of 84 genes related to neurotransmission. Four genes were significantly downregulated in the PFC of SHR compared to Wistar rats (Gad2, Chrnb4, Slc5a7, and Qrfpr) and none in nucleus accumbens. Gad2 and Qrfpr have CpG islands in their promoter region. For both, the promoter region was hypomethylated in SHR group, and probably this mechanism is not related with the downregulation of these genes. In summary, we identified genes that are downregulated in the PFC of SHR, and might be related to the behavioral abnormalities exhibited by this strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Leite Santoro
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil; Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Maurício Santos
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Kiyomi Ota
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil; Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ary Gadelha
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberta Sessa Stilhano
- Department of Biophysics and Investigation Center for Gene Therapy, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Cepollaro Diana
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Natália Silva
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia Maria Nery Spíndola
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel Melaragno
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Affonseca Bressan
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sang Won Han
- Department of Biophysics and Investigation Center for Gene Therapy, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Costhek Abílio
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sintia Iole Belangero
- Genetics Division, Department of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil; Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Neurosciences (LiNC), Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Albers S, Inthathirath F, Gill SK, Winick-Ng W, Jaworski E, Wong DY, Gros R, Rylett RJ. Nuclear 82-kDa choline acetyltransferase decreases amyloidogenic APP metabolism in neurons from APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 69:32-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 05/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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Vagus nerve through α7 nAChR modulates lung infection and inflammation: models, cells, and signals. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:283525. [PMID: 25136575 PMCID: PMC4127262 DOI: 10.1155/2014/283525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) bridges immune and nervous systems and plays pleiotropic roles in modulating inflammation in animal models by targeting different immune, proinflammatory, epithelial, endothelial, stem, and progenitor cells and signaling pathways. Acute lung injury (ALI) is a devastating inflammatory disease. It is pathogenically heterogeneous and involves many cells and signaling pathways. Here, we emphasized the research regarding the modulatory effects of CAP on animal models, cell population, and signaling pathways that involved in the pathogenesis of ALI. By comparing the differential effects of CAP on systemic and pulmonary inflammation, we postulated that a pulmonary parasympathetic inflammatory reflex is formed to sense and respond to pathogens in the lung. Work targeting the formation and function of pulmonary parasympathetic inflammatory reflex would extend our understanding of how vagus nerve senses, recognizes, and fights with pathogens and inflammatory responses.
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Akasheh N, Walsh MT, Costello RW. Eosinophil peroxidase induces expression of cholinergic genes via cell surface neural interactions. Mol Immunol 2014; 62:37-45. [PMID: 24937179 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2014.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Eosinophils localize to and release their granule proteins in close association with nerves in patients with asthma and rhinitis. These conditions are associated with increased neural function. In this study the effect of the individual granule proteins on cholinergic neurotransmitter expression was investigated. Eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) upregulated choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) gene expression. Fluorescently labeled EPO was seen to bind to the IMR-32 cell surface. Both Poly-L-Glutamate (PLG) and Heparinase-1 reversed the up-regulatory effect of EPO on ChAT and VAChT expression and prevented EPO adhesion to the cell surface. Poly-L-arginine (PLA) had no effect on expression of either gene, suggesting that charge is necessary but insufficient to alter gene expression. EPO induced its effects via the activation of NF-κB. MEK inhibition led to reversal of all up-regulatory effects of EPO. These data indicate a preferential role of EPO signaling via a specific surface receptor that leads to neural plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadim Akasheh
- Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Smurfit Building, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.
| | - Marie-Therese Walsh
- Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Smurfit Building, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Richard W Costello
- Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Smurfit Building, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
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Natural Compounds (Small Molecules) as Potential and Real Drugs of Alzheimer's Disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63281-4.00006-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
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21
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Overexpression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter increased acetylcholine release in the hippocampus. Neuroscience 2012; 218:1-11. [PMID: 22641085 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 05/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cholinergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus is involved in cognitive functions, including learning and memory. Strategies to enhance septohippocampal cholinergic neurotransmission may therefore be of therapeutic value to limit cognitive decline during cholinergic dysfunction. In addition to current strategies being developed, such as the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, enhancing acetylcholine (ACh) release may be critical for optimal cholinergic neurotransmission. Vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) activity limits the rate of formation of the readily releasable ACh pool. As such, we sought to determine the influence of increased VAChT expression on the septohippocampal cholinergic system. To do this, we used the B6.eGFPChAT congenic mouse, which we show contains multiple gene copies of VAChT. In this transgenic mouse, the increased VAChT gene copy number led to an increase in VAChT gene expression in the septum and a corresponding enhancement of VAChT protein in the hippocampal formation. VAChT overexpression enhanced the release of ACh from ex vivo hippocampal slices. From these findings, we conclude that VAChT overexpression is sufficient to enhance ACh release in the hippocampal formation. It remains to be established whether, in cases of cholinergic deficits, increasing VAChT expression would re-establish adequate levels of cholinergic neurotransmission, thereby providing a valid therapeutic target.
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