Peptide uptake by astroglia-rich brain cultures

Potential of Multiscale Astrocyte Imaging for Revealing Mechanisms Underlying Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Astrocytes provide trophic and metabolic support to neurons and modulate circuit formation during development. In addition, astrocytes help maintain neuronal homeostasis through neurovascular coupling, blood-brain barrier maintenance, clearance of metabolites and nonfunctional proteins via the glymphatic system, extracellular potassium buffering, and regulation of synaptic activity. Thus, astrocyte dysfunction may contribute to a myriad of neurological disorders. Indeed, astrocyte dysfunction during development has been implicated in Rett disease, Alexander's disease, epilepsy, and autism, among other disorders. Numerous disease model mice have been established to investigate these diseases, but important preclinical findings on etiology and pathophysiology have not translated into clinical interventions. A multidisciplinary approach is required to elucidate the mechanism of these diseases because astrocyte dysfunction can result in altered neuronal connectivity, morphology, and activity. Recent progress in neuroimaging techniques has enabled noninvasive investigations of brain structure and function at multiple spatiotemporal scales, and these technologies are expected to facilitate the translation of preclinical findings to clinical studies and ultimately to clinical trials. Here, we review recent progress on astrocyte contributions to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders revealed using novel imaging techniques, from microscopy scale to mesoscopic scale.

Visualizing the brain's astrocytes

Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the brain and are a crucial part of solving its mysteries. Originally assumed to be passive supporting cells, astrocyte's functions are now recognized to include active modulation and information processing at the neural synapse. The full extent of the astrocyte contribution to neural processing remains unknown. This is, in part, due to the lack of methods available for astrocyte identification and analysis. Existing strategies employ genetic tools like the astrocyte specific promoters glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) or Aldh1L1 to create transgenic animals with fluorescently labeled astrocytes. Recently, small molecule targeting moieties have enabled the delivery of bright fluorescent dyes to astrocytes. Here, we review methods for targeting astrocytes, with a focus on a recently developed methylpyridinium targeting moiety's development, chemical synthesis, and elaboration to provide new features like light-based spatiotemporal control of cell labeling.

Investigations on in vitro anti-carcinogenic potential of L-carnosine in liver cancer cells

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-carcinogenic effect of L-carnosine in human carcinoma cells (SNU-423). The SNU-423 cancer cells were cultured at a density of 2 × 10⁴ cells/well in Dulbecco modified Eagle medium. After 24 h of adherence, the cells were treated with L-carnosine (0.2 and 1 mg/mL) for 48 h. Then, cell viability was assessed by sulforhodamine assay, while mitochondrial dysfunction was measured by fluorescence microscopy using chromatin-specific dye Hoechst 33258. Intracellular levels of ROS were assayed by fluorescence spectroscopy with 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA). L-Carnosine significantly inhibited the growth of the SNU-423 cells (p < 0.05). The inhibitory effect of L-carnosine was confirmed by results from mitochondrial fragmentation assay. The relative fluorescent unit was increased in a dose-dependent manner by L-carnosine, with values of 79.43, 186.87 and 400.89 for 0.6, 0.8 and 1 mg/mL of L-carnosine, respectively (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that L-carnosine exerts anti-carcinogenic effects in human liver cancer cells.

U373-MG cells express PepT2 and accumulate the fluorescently tagged dipeptide-derivative β-Ala-Lys-N(ε)-AMCA

Aim of this study was to examine the dipeptide transport of β-Ala-Lys-N(ɛ)-AMCA in the human glioma cell line U373-MG and its potential regulation by diverse hormones and culture media. A mixed glial primary cell culture of the newborn rat served as reference cell system. β-Ala-Lys-N(ɛ)-AMCA (β-Ala-Lys-N(ɛ)-7-amino-4-methyl-coumarin-3-acetic acid) is a highly specific reporter substrate to investigate the dipeptide transport system PepT2. We were able to demonstrate that U373-MG cells express PepT2-mRNA and translocate β-Ala-Lys-N(ɛ)-AMCA via PepT2 into the cytoplasm. Previous results demonstrated that β-Ala-Lys-N(ɛ)-AMCA specifically accumulates in differentiated and dedifferentiated astrocytes but neither in differentiated nor dedifferentiated oligodendrocytes and in neurons. U373-MG cells were incubated with estradiol, testosterone, thyronine, dexamethasone, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate and tetradecanoylphorbol acetate in order to detect potential substance-dependent changes in dipeptide uptake. There was no significant increase or decrease of β-Ala-Lys-N(ɛ)-AMCA-uptake after stimulation. Northern blot analyses confirmed that PepT2-mRNA is expressed in U373-MG and glial cells but showed no regulation of PepT2-mRNA expression in both cell types. Future investigations might offer the opportunity of an anti-tumor therapy with cytotoxic agents linked to a dipeptide-derivative such as β-Ala-Lys.

PepT2 transporter protein expression in human neoplastic glial cells and mediation of fluorescently tagged dipeptide derivative β-Ala-Lys-Nε-7-amino-4-methyl-coumarin-3-acetic acid accumulation

Object

The present study was aimed at analyzing the accumulation of the fluorescently tagged dipeptide derivative, β-Ala-Lys-Nε-7-amino-4-methyl coumarin-3-acetic acid (AMCA), in primary cultures of human neoplastic glial cells. This molecule is a highly specific reporter used to investigate the dipeptide transport system hPepT2.

Methods

In this study the authors used immunocytochemical methods to determine the cell-specific accumulation of a small and fluorescently tagged reporter molecule named β-Ala-Lys-Nε-AMCA to detect dipeptide transport capacity of neoplastic glial cells. Furthermore, specific mRNA levels were quantified using Northern blot analysis and the tissue distribution of hPepT2 mRNA transcripts was demonstrated with in-situ hybridization histochemical analysis.

Results

Recent fluorescent immunocytochemical analyses have revealed that β-Ala-Lys-Nε-AMCA specifically accumulates within anaplastic cells of astrocytic lineage but not in anaplastic oligodendrocytes or neurons. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that human hPepT2 mRNA is specifically detected in primary cell cultures of human glioblastoma but not in oligodendroglioma. Moreover, in situ hybridization analyses revealed an astrocytic localization of hPepT2 transcripts in human glioblastoma and astrocytoma cells. The hPepT2 transcription levels were clearly dependent on the grade of glial cell differentiation: within low-grade gliomas (WHO Grade II), more hPepT2 mRNA was detected compared with tumors of a higher grade of dedifferentiation (WHO Grade IV). Analysis of expression levels of hPepT2 mRNA in human neoplastic glial cells xenografted into the brains of athymic rats (han rnu+/+) showed a markedly increased expression of hPepT2 after 2 weeks of growth in vivo compared with the primary counterparts grown in vitro.

Conclusions

The authors concluded that expression of the hPepT2 transporter protein is a characteristic of glial cells of astrocytic lineage, and is dependent on the grade of astroglial cell differentiation and the extracellular matrix (here brain neuropil). The authors found that β-Ala-Lys-Nε-AMCA is as an excellent reporter molecule for assessing neoplastic glial cell function and physiological characteristics.

Endomorphin synthesis in rat brain from intracerebroventricularly injected [3H]-Tyr-Pro: A possible biosynthetic route for endomorphins

In spite of concentrated efforts, the biosynthetic route of mu-opioid receptor agonist brain tetrapeptide endomorphins (Tyr-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH2 and Tyr-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH2), discovered in 1997, is still obscure. We report presently that 30 min after intracerebroventricular injection of 20 or 200 microCi [3H]Tyr-Pro (49.9 Ci mmol(-1)) the incorporated radioactivity was found in endomorphin-related tetra- and tripeptides in rat brain extracts. As detected by the combination of HPLC with radiodetection, a peak corresponding to endomorphin-2-OH could be identified in two of four extracts of "20 microCi" series. Radioactive peaks in position of Tyr, Tyr-Pro, Tyr-Pro-Phe or Tyr-Pro-Trp appeared regularly in both series and also in the "tetrapeptide cluster" constituted by endomorphins and their free carboxylic forms. In one of the four extracts in the "200 microCi" series a robust active peak in the position of endomorphin 2 could be detected. Intracerebroventricularly injected 100 nmol, but not 10 or 1000 nmol cold Tyr-Pro (devoid of opioid activity in vitro), caused a naloxone-reversible prolongation of tail-flick latency in rats, peaking between 15 and 30 min. We suggest that Tyr-Pro may serve as a biosynthetic precursor to endomorphin synthesis.

Role of PEPT2 in glycylsarcosine transport in astrocyte and glioma cultures

The aims of the current study were (1) to quantify the role of PEPT2 in the uptake of glycylsarcosine (GlySar) in cultured neonatal astrocytes and (2) to examine GlySar transport and PEPT2 expression in two glioma cell lines. The uptake of [(14)C]GlySar was measured in astrocytes cultured from neonatal mouse (PEPT2(+/+) and PEPT2(-/-)) and rat, as well as rat C6 and F98 glioma cells. PEPT2 expression was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Neonatal astrocytes from PEPT2(-/-) mice had a 94% reduction in [(14)C]GlySar uptake compared to wild type mice and there was no saturable transport. In PEPT2(+/+) mice, [(14)C]GlySar uptake was saturable (V(max) 58 +/- 12 pmol/mg/min, K(m) 107 +/- 46 microM, K(d) 0.043 +/- 0.004 microl/mg/min). In neonatal rat astrocytes, kinetic analysis also suggested that [(14)C]GlySar uptake was via a single transporter. The inhibitor profile and pH dependence of that transport process was consistent with PEPT2. In C6 and F98 glioma cells, [(14)C]GlySar uptake was markedly reduced ( approximately 96-98%) compared to that in neonatal astrocytes and this was reflected by an absence of PEPT2 mRNA expression. These results indicate that PEPT2 is the sole transporter involved in the uptake of GlySar into neonatal cultured astrocytes. However, PEPT2 mRNA appears to be absent from two glioma cell lines.

Carnosine and Homocarnosine, the Forgotten, Enigmatic Peptides of the Brain

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-histidine) and homocarnosine (gamma-aminobutyryl-histidine) are major constituents of excitable tissues, brain and skeletal muscles, but their physiological functions are yet unknown. Using primary cell culture systems, synthesis and uptake of carnosine exclusively by glial cells could be demonstrated. Uptake of carnosine was found to be mediated by a high affinity, energy-dependent dipeptide transport system, subsequently identified as the peptide transporter PepT2. With the synthesis of beta-Ala-Lys-Nepsilon-AMCA as a fluorescent reporter molecule, accumulation of this dipeptide derivative could be monitored under viable conditions not only in astroglia cells but also in folliculostellate cells of the anterior pituitary and in gonadal resident macrophages. This reporter dipeptide provided a most valuable tool to identify an intrapituitary communication system by tracing folliculostellate cells in acute slice preparation. Moreover, this substance could also be used to prepare pituitary cell cultures enriched with or depleted of folliculostellate cells that are needed for further studies.

Transporters in the neurohypophysial neuroendocrine system, with special reference to vesicular glutamate transporters (BNPI and DNPI): a review

Recent advances in gene technology have helped to identify novel proteins and allowed study of their distribution and functions in the mammalian brain. One class of these proteins is that of transporters, which exist in plasma and organellar membranes of neurons and other cells to move substances selectively across membranes. These transporters can be categorized further into subclasses by their structural property, substrate selectivity, and site of action. Some of them have been identified in the hypothalamus, which is the only brain site where a neural signal is converted to a humoral one, namely, a hormone for a target organ. This unique neural mechanism has long attracted attention as the neuroendocrine system, part of which has been extensively studied as the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system involved in secretion of vasopressin and oxytocin. However, transporters in this system have been less well studied. A morphological examination of novel transporters would give us cues to a better understanding of the neuronal organization and function of the system. In this review, we first summarize recent findings on expression of transporter gene and immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus. In the second part, we explain our observations on two vesicular glutamate (inorganic phosphate) transporters (BNPI and DNPI) in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and neurohypophysis. Further study of these and other transporters will provide a basis on which to reevaluate the organization and function of the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system.

Carnosine-like immunoreactivity in the central nervous system of rats during postnatal development

In the nervous system of adult rodents, the aminoacylhistidine dipeptides (carnosine and/or homocarnosine) have been shown to be expressed in three main populations of cells: the mature olfactory receptor neurons, a subset of glial cells, and the neuroblasts of the rostral migratory stream. The current study analyzed the distribution of these dipeptides during postnatal development within the rat brain and spinal cord focusing on their pattern of appearance in the glial cells. Double staining methods using antibodies against carnosine and some markers specific for immature (vimentin) and mature (glial fibrillary acidic protein and Rip) glial cell types were used. Glial immunostaining for the aminoacylhistidine dipeptides appears starting from postnatal day 6 and reaches the final distribution in 3-week-old animals. The occurrence of carnosine-like immunoreactivity in astrocytes lags behind that in oligodendrocytes suggesting that, as previously demonstrated by in vitro studies, oligodendrocytes are also able to synthesize carnosine and/or homocarnosine in vivo. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal patterns observed support the hypothesis that the production of these dipeptides coincides with the final stages of glia differentiation. In addition, a strong carnosine-like immunoreactivity is transiently seen in a small population of cells localized in the hypothalamus and in the subfornical organ from birth to postnatal day 21. In these cells, carnosine-like immunoreactivity was not colocalized with any of the glial specific markers used. Moreover, no evidence for colocalization of carnosine and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been observed.

The peptide transporter PepT2 is expressed in rat brain and mediates the accumulation of the fluorescent dipeptide derivative beta-Ala-Lys-Nepsilon-AMCA in astrocytes

We describe the synthesis of a fluorescent dipeptide derivative, beta-Ala-Lys-Nepsilon-AMCA, which could be used as an excellent reporter molecule for studying the oligopeptide transport system in brain cell cultures. Fluorescence microscopic and immunocytochemical studies revealed that the reporter peptide specifically accumulated in astrocytes (type I and II) and O-2A progenitor cells but not in neurons or differentiated oligodendrocytes. In astroglia-rich cell culture the dipeptide derivative is taken up in unmetabolized form by an energy dependent, saturable process with apparent kinetic constants of KM = 28 microM and Vmax = 6 nmol x h(-1) x mg protein(-1) at pH 7.2. Competition studies revealed that the accumulation of beta-Ala-Lys-Nepsilon-AMCA is strongly inhibited by dipeptides and pseudopeptides such as bestatin, arphamenine A and B. The biochemical data indicated that the properties of this high-affinity oligopeptide carrier closely resemble those of the renal peptide transport system PepT2 and Northern blot analysis demonstrated that PepT2 mRNAis expressed in glial but not in neuronal cell cultures. In situ hybridization histochemistry also revealed a non-neuronal localization of PepT2 transcripts and a diffuse, widespread distribution of PepT2 signals throughout the entire rat brain. The selective accumulation of the fluorescent reporter molecule by brain cells under viable conditions may provide a useful tool for studying peptide uptake systems and other aspects of astroglial physiology.

Carnosine-synthesis in cultures of rat glial cells is restricted to oligodendrocytes and carnosine uptake to astrocytes

Cultures of glial cells consisting predominantly of oligodendrocytes and astrocytes were prepared to study whether the biosynthesis of carnosine (beta-Ala-His) and the cellular uptake of this dipeptide are processes which are associated with a specific cell type. Uptake of the radiolabeled precursor beta-alanine was observed in both cultures. Synthesis of radiolabeled carnosine, however, was only observed in oligodendrocyte cultures prepared from rat brain and spinal cord. During oligodendrocyte cultivation we observed a significant increase in the rate of carnosine synthesis which correlates with the differentiation of these cells as revealed by immunostaining with antibodies against oligodendrocyte markers. Carnosine synthesis was not observed in astroglia cell cultures that were depleted of residual O2-A progenitor cells and oligodendrocytes by antibody mediated complement cell killing. Contrary to the synthesis, carnosine was found to be taken up effectively only by astrocytes but not by oligodendrocytes.

Sodium-dependent glutamate uptake as an activator of oxidative metabolism in primary astrocyte cultures from newborn rat

In the present report we describe the effect of glutamate on respiratory activity in primary cultures of astrocytes, derived from cerebral cortex of newborn rat. Glutamate (100 microM) caused an increased oxygen consumption. This effect could not be inhibited by antagonists to the NMDA or AMPA/kainate receptors. Neither trans-ACPD (an agonist to the metabotropic glutamate receptor) nor the Krebs cycle intermediate alpha-ketoglutarate had any effect on the respiratory rate. An uncontrolled influx of Na+, caused by gramicidin, could mimic the glutamate effect on respiratory activity. In addition, the glutamate effect was abolished by addition of ouabain or replacement of Na+ by Li+ in the perfusion buffer. We conclude that the co-transport of Na+, in the Na(+)-dependent high-affinity glutamate uptake system, mediated the glutamate-induced increase in oxygen consumption through an increased activity of Na+/K(+)-ATPases.

Biosynthesis of carnosine and related peptides by skeletal muscle cells in primary culture

Synthesis of carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) and related dipeptides could be demonstrated in primary muscle cell cultures derived from embryonic chick pectoral muscle. After incubation with radiolabeled beta-alanine or gamma-aminobutyric acid, the radiolabeled dipeptides were isolated from the cell extracts and also in small amounts from the culture medium. The kinetics of dipeptide formation indicated that anserine (beta-alanyl-1-methylhistidine) is not formed directly by these cells but as a secondary product via the methylation of carnosine. Coinciding with the morphological differentiation of the mononucleated myoblast to form multi-nucleated myotubes, a rapid increase in beta-alanine uptake and also in dipeptide synthesis could be observed. These results demonstrate that carnosine and related peptides are not merely deposited in skeletal muscles but that they are actively synthesized by muscle cells in culture.

The action of leucyl-leucine methyl ester on cytotoxic lymphocytes requires uptake by a novel dipeptide-specific facilitated transport system and dipeptidyl peptidase I-mediated conversion to membranolytic products

The mechanism of toxicity for cytolytic lymphocytes of Leu-Leu-OMe and related dipeptide derivatives was examined. Selective inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase I (DPPI), a lysosomal thiol protease highly enriched in cytotoxic lymphocytes, prevented all natural killer (NK) toxic effects of such agents. However, many DPPI substrates were found to possess no NK toxic properties. For some such agents, this lack of NK toxicity appeared to be related to the lack of uptake by lymphocytes. In this regard, Leu-Leu-OMe was found to be incorporated by lymphocytes and monocytes via a saturable facilitated transport mechanism with characteristics distinct from previously characterized mammalian dipeptide transport processes. This novel transport process was found to be specific for dipeptides composed of selective L-stereoisomer amino acids and enhanced by hydrophobic ester or amide additions to the COOH terminus of dipeptides. Maximal rates of Leu-Leu-OMe uptake by T8 and NK cell-enriched peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were four- to sixfold higher than for T4-enriched PBL or PBL depleted of Leu-Leu-OMe-sensitive cytotoxic lymphocytes. All dipeptide amides or esters with NK toxic properties were found to act as competitive inhibitors of [3H]Leu-Leu-OMe uptake by PBL. However, some NK nontoxic DPPI substrates were found to be comparable with Leu-Leu-OMe in avidity for this transport process. Such agents were noted to possess one or more hydrophilic amino acid side chains and were found not to mediate red blood cell lysis when subjected to the acyl transferase activity of DPPI. Thus, uptake by a dipeptide-specific facilitated transport mechanism and conversion by DPPI to hydrophobic polymerization products with membranolytic properties were found to be common features of NK toxic dipeptide derivatives. The presence of a previously unreported dipeptide transport mechanism within blood leukocytes and the selective enrichment of the granule enzyme, DPPI, within cytotoxic effector cells of lymphoid or myeloid lineage appear to afford a unique mechanism for the targeting of immunotherapeutic reagents composed of simple dipeptide esters or amides.