Nitric Oxide/Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Signaling via Guanylyl Cyclase Isoform 1 Mediates Early Changes in Synaptic Transmission and Brain Edema Formation after Traumatic Brain Injury

Longevity, enhanced memory, and altered density of dendritic spines in hippocampal CA3 and dentate gyrus after hemizygous deletion of Pde2a in mice

Studies using acute or subchronic pharmacological inhibition of phosphodiesterase 2 A (PDE2A) have led to its proposal as a target for treatment of cognitive deficits associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disease. However, the impact of continuous inhibition of PDE2A on memory is unknown. Moreover, the neuroanatomical regions mediating memory enhancement have not been categorically identified. To address these open questions, we studied knockout mice and hippocampus restricted manipulations. Pde2a heterozygous knockout mice are viable with no gross histological abnormalities. The mice exhibit enhanced spatial and object recognition memory that is independent of anxiolytic effects and is paralleled by increased density of dendritic mushroom and thin spines in hippocampal CA3 and dentate gyrus in adult mice. In CA1, subtle alterations in spine density were seen, while theta-burst LTP and paired-pulse facilitation were normal. Spatial memory enhancement persists in aged Pde2a heterozygous knockout mice, and to our surprise these mice live significantly longer than wild-type littermate controls. In summary, we provide evidence that life-long reduction of PDE2A expression promotes spine formation and maturation, exerts beneficial effects on memory, and increases lifespan.

Astrocyte Involvement in Blood-Brain Barrier Function: A Critical Update Highlighting Novel, Complex, Neurovascular Interactions

Neurological disorders have been linked to a defective blood-brain barrier (BBB), with dysfunctions triggered by stage-specific disease mechanisms, some of these being generated through interactions in the neurovascular unit (NVU). Advanced knowledge of molecular and signaling mechanisms in the NVU and the emergence of improved experimental models allow BBB permeability prediction and the development of new brain-targeted therapies. As NVU constituents, astrocytes are the most numerous glial cells, characterized by a heterogeneity that occurs as a result of developmental and context-based gene expression profiles and the differential expression of non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs). Due to their heterogeneity and dynamic responses to different signals, astrocytes may have a beneficial or detrimental role in the BBB's barrier function, with deep effects on the pathophysiology of (and on the progression of) central nervous system diseases. The implication of astrocytic-derived extracellular vesicles in pathological mechanisms, due to their ability to pass the BBB, must also be considered. The molecular mechanisms of astrocytes' interaction with endothelial cells at the BBB level are considered promising therapeutic targets in different neurological conditions. Nevertheless, a personalized and well-founded approach must be addressed, due to the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of reactive astrogliosis states during disease.

Neuroprotective Effects of Nanowired Delivery of Cerebrolysin with Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Monoclonal Antibodies to Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in Brain Pathology Following Alzheimer's Disease Exacerbated by Concussive Head Injury

Concussive head injury (CHI) is one of the major risk factors in developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in military personnel at later stages of life. Breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in CHI leads to extravasation of plasma amyloid beta protein (ΑβP) into the brain fluid compartments precipitating AD brain pathology. Oxidative stress in CHI or AD is likely to enhance production of nitric oxide indicating a role of its synthesizing enzyme neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in brain pathology. Thus, exploration of the novel roles of nanomedicine in AD or CHI reducing NOS upregulation for neuroprotection are emerging. Recent research shows that stem cells and neurotrophic factors play key roles in CHI-induced aggravation of AD brain pathologies. Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated that CHI exacerbates AD brain pathology in model experiments. Accordingly, it is quite likely that nanodelivery of NOS antibodies together with cerebrolysin and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) will induce superior neuroprotection in AD associated with CHI. In this review, co-administration of TiO2 nanowired cerebrolysin - a balanced composition of several neurotrophic factors and active peptide fragments, together with MSCs and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to neuronal NOS is investigated for superior neuroprotection following exacerbation of brain pathology in AD exacerbated by CHI based on our own investigations. Our observations show that nanowired delivery of cerebrolysin, MSCs and neuronal NOS in combination induces superior neuroprotective in brain pathology in AD exacerbated by CHI, not reported earlier.