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Bi Q, Wang C, Cheng G, Chen N, Wei B, Liu X, Li L, Lu C, He J, Weng Y, Yin C, Lin Y, Wan S, Zhao L, Xu J, Wang Y, Gu Y, Shen XZ, Shi P. Microglia-derived PDGFB promotes neuronal potassium currents to suppress basal sympathetic tonicity and limit hypertension. Immunity 2022; 55:1466-1482.e9. [PMID: 35863346 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Although many studies have addressed the regulatory circuits affecting neuronal activities, local non-synaptic mechanisms that determine neuronal excitability remain unclear. Here, we found that microglia prevented overactivation of pre-sympathetic neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) at steady state. Microglia constitutively released platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B, which signaled via PDGFRα on neuronal cells and promoted their expression of Kv4.3, a key subunit that conducts potassium currents. Ablation of microglia, conditional deletion of microglial PDGFB, or suppression of neuronal PDGFRα expression in the PVN elevated the excitability of pre-sympathetic neurons and sympathetic outflow, resulting in a profound autonomic dysfunction. Disruption of the PDGFBMG-Kv4.3Neuron pathway predisposed mice to develop hypertension, whereas central supplementation of exogenous PDGFB suppressed pressor response when mice were under hypertensive insult. Our results point to a non-immune action of resident microglia in maintaining the balance of sympathetic outflow, which is important in preventing cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Bi
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science & Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Guo Cheng
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Ningting Chen
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Bo Wei
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhejiang Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Zhejiang Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jian He
- Department of Physiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Yuancheng Weng
- Department of Physiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Chunyou Yin
- Department of Physiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Yunfan Lin
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Haining, Zhejiang 314400, China
| | - Shu Wan
- Brain Center, Affiliated Zhejiang Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jiaxi Xu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Yan Gu
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science & Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Xiao Z Shen
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Department of Physiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Peng Shi
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
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Roy RK, Ferreira-Neto HC, Felder RB, Stern JE. Angiotensin II inhibits the A-type K + current of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus neurons in rats with heart failure: role of MAPK-ERK1/2 signaling. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2022; 322:R526-R534. [PMID: 35319903 PMCID: PMC9076419 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00308.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin II (ANG II)-mediated sympathohumoral activation constitutes a pathophysiological mechanism in heart failure (HF). Although the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is a major site mediating ANG II effects in HF, the precise mechanisms by which ANG II influences sympathohumoral outflow from the PVN remain unknown. ANG II activates the ubiquitous intracellular MAPK signaling cascades, and recent studies revealed a key role for ERK1/2 MAPK signaling in ANG II-mediated sympathoexcitation in HF rats. Importantly, ERK1/2 was reported to inhibit the transient outward potassium current (IA) in hippocampal neurons. Given that IA is a critical determinant of the PVN neuronal excitability, and that downregulation of IA in the brain has been reported in cardiovascular disease states, including HF, we investigated here whether ANG II modulates IA in PVN neurons via the MAPK-ERK pathway, and, whether these effects are altered in HF rats. Patch-clamp recordings from identified magnocellular neurosecretory neurons (MNNs) and presympathetic (PS) PVN neurons revealed that ANG II inhibited IA in both PVN neuronal types, both in sham and HF rats. Importantly, ANG II effects were blocked by inhibiting MAPK-ERK signaling as well as by inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a gateway to MAPK-ERK signaling. Although no differences in basal IA magnitude were found between sham and HF rats under normal conditions, MAPK-ERK blockade resulted in significantly larger IA in both PVN neuronal types in HF rats. Taken together, our studies show that ANG II-induced ERK1/2 activity inhibits IA, an effect expected to increase the excitability of presympathetic and neuroendocrine PVN neurons, contributing in turn to the neurohumoral overactivity that promotes progression of the HF syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjan K Roy
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Robert B Felder
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Javier E Stern
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Yu Y, Chen E, Weiss RM, Felder RB, Wei SG. Transforming Growth Factor-α Acts in Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus to Upregulate ERK1/2 Signaling and Expression of Sympathoexcitatory Mediators in Heart Failure Rats. Neuroscience 2022; 483:13-23. [PMID: 34968668 PMCID: PMC8837700 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase is associated with increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 signaling in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which contributes to the sympathetic excitation in heart failure (HF). Transforming growth factor (TGF)-α is a major endogenous ligand for EGFR. The present study sought to determine whether TGF-α increases in the PVN in HF and promotes the activation of EGFR to increase ERK1/2 activity. Male rats received bilateral PVN microinjections of an EGFR siRNA or a scrambled siRNA followed by an intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of TGF-α or vehicle one week later. In rats pretreated with the scrambled siRNA, ICV TGF-α increased phosphorylated (p-) EGFR and upregulated the expression of p-ERK1/2 and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines (PICs) and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components in the PVN, when compared with the untreated age-matched control rats. These responses to ICV TGF-α were significantly attenuated in rats pretreated with the EGFR siRNA. Furthermore, bilateral PVN microinjection of a TGF-α siRNA in HF rats significantly decreased the elevated levels of TGF-α, p-EGFR, p-ERK1/2 and the mRNA expression of PICs and RAS components in the PVN, compared with the HF rats treated with a scrambled siRNA. The TGF-α siRNA-treated HF rats also exhibited lower plasma norepinephrine levels and improved peripheral manifestations of HF. These data suggest that TGF-α expression is upregulated in the PVN in HF and induces the activation of EGFR-mediated ERK1/2 signaling to augment the inflammation and RAS activity that drives sympathetic excitation in HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Ethan Chen
- Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Robert M Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States; Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Robert B Felder
- Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States; Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States; Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Shun-Guang Wei
- Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States; Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States; Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States.
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Airway hypersensitivity induced by eosinophil granule-derived cationic proteins. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2019; 57:101804. [PMID: 31096035 DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2019.101804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Vagal bronchopulmonary C-fiber sensory nerves play an important role in the manifestation of airway hypersensitivity, a common and prominent pathophysiological feature of airway inflammatory diseases. Eosinophil granule-derived cationic proteins are known to be involved in the mucosal damage and development of bronchial hyperresponsiveness during allergic airway inflammation. In view of these background information, we have carried out a series of studies to investigate the effect of cationic proteins on these C-fiber afferents and the mechanism(s) possibly involved; a summary of these studies is presented in this mini-review. Intra-tracheal instillation of either eosinophil granule-derived (e.g., major basic protein, MBP) or synthetic cationic proteins (e.g., poly-l-lysine) induced a sporadic, but intense and lingering discharge of pulmonary C-fibers, and greatly enhanced the chemical and mechanical sensitivities of these afferents in anesthetized rats. The stimulatory and sensitizing effects of these proteins were completely nullified when their cationic charges were neutralized or removed. Furthermore, in isolated rat bronchopulmonary capsaicin-sensitive neurons, eosinophil granule cationic proteins induced a direct and long-lasting (>60 min) but reversible sensitizing effect on their responses to chemical and electrical stimulations. More importantly, our study showed that these cationic proteins exerted an inhibitory effect on the sustained delayed-rectifier voltage-gated K+ current and the A-type, fast-inactivating K+ current; these actions were at least in part responsible for the sensitizing effect in these neurons. In awake mice, intra-tracheal instillation of MBP also induced a slowly developing (peaking in 2-3 days), progressive and sustained (lasting for 3-7 days) elevation of the cough responses to inhaled irritant gases. Taken together, these findings suggest that the enhanced sensitivity of bronchopulmonary C-fibers induced by the eosinophil granule cationic proteins may be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and chronic cough associated with eosinophilic infiltration of the airways.
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Feetham CH, O'Brien F, Barrett-Jolley R. Ion Channels in the Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus (PVN); Emerging Diversity and Functional Roles. Front Physiol 2018; 9:760. [PMID: 30034342 PMCID: PMC6043726 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) is critical for the regulation of homeostatic function. Although also important for endocrine regulation, it has been referred to as the "autonomic master controller." The emerging consensus is that the PVN is a multifunctional nucleus, with autonomic roles including (but not limited to) coordination of cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, metabolic, circadian and stress responses. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying these multifunctional roles remain poorly understood. Neurones from the PVN project to and can alter the function of sympathetic control regions in the medulla and spinal cord. Dysfunction of sympathetic pre-autonomic neurones (typically hyperactivity) is linked to several diseases including hypertension and heart failure and targeting this region with specific pharmacological or biological agents is a promising area of medical research. However, to facilitate future medical exploitation of the PVN, more detailed models of its neuronal control are required; populated by a greater compliment of constituent ion channels. Whilst the cytoarchitecture, projections and neurotransmitters present in the PVN are reasonably well documented, there have been fewer studies on the expression and interplay of ion channels. In this review we bring together an up to date analysis of PVN ion channel studies and discuss how these channels may interact to control, in particular, the activity of the sympathetic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire H Feetham
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona O'Brien
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Barrett-Jolley
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Hypertension is a prevalent and major health problem, involving a complex integration of different organ systems, including the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS and the hypothalamus in particular are intricately involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. In fact, evidence supports altered hypothalamic neuronal activity as a major factor contributing to increased sympathetic drive and increased blood pressure. Several mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to hypothalamic-driven sympathetic activity, including altered ion channel function. Ion channels are critical regulators of neuronal excitability and synaptic function in the brain and, thus, important for blood pressure homeostasis regulation. These include sodium channels, voltage-gated calcium channels, and potassium channels being some of them already identified in hypothalamic neurons. This brief review summarizes the hypothalamic ion channels that may be involved in hypertension, highlighting recent findings that suggest that hypothalamic ion channel modulation can affect the central control of blood pressure and, therefore, suggesting future development of interventional strategies designed to treat hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Geraldes
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Laranjo
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Rocha
- Instituto de Fisiologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal. .,Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Action Potential Broadening in Capsaicin-Sensitive DRG Neurons from Frequency-Dependent Reduction of Kv3 Current. J Neurosci 2017; 37:9705-9714. [PMID: 28877968 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1703-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Action potential (AP) shape is a key determinant of cellular electrophysiological behavior. We found that in small-diameter, capsaicin-sensitive dorsal root ganglia neurons corresponding to nociceptors (from rats of either sex), stimulation at frequencies as low as 1 Hz produced progressive broadening of the APs. Stimulation at 10 Hz for 3 s resulted in an increase in AP width by an average of 76 ± 7% at 22°C and by 38 ± 3% at 35°C. AP clamp experiments showed that spike broadening results from frequency-dependent reduction of potassium current during spike repolarization. The major current responsible for frequency-dependent reduction of overall spike-repolarizing potassium current was identified as Kv3 current by its sensitivity to low concentrations of 4-aminopyridine (IC50 <100 μm) and block by the peptide inhibitor blood depressing substance I (BDS-I). There was a small component of Kv1-mediated current during AP repolarization, but this current did not show frequency-dependent reduction. In a small fraction of cells, there was a component of calcium-dependent potassium current that showed frequency-dependent reduction, but the contribution to overall potassium current reduction was almost always much smaller than that of Kv3-mediated current. These results show that Kv3 channels make a major contribution to spike repolarization in small-diameter DRG neurons and undergo frequency-dependent reduction, leading to spike broadening at moderate firing frequencies. Spike broadening from frequency-dependent reduction in Kv3 current could mitigate the frequency-dependent decreases in conduction velocity typical of C-fiber axons.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Small-diameter dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons mediating nociception and other sensory modalities express many types of potassium channels, but how they combine to control firing patterns and conduction is not well understood. We found that action potentials of small-diameter rat DRG neurons showed spike broadening at frequencies as low as 1 Hz and that spike broadening resulted predominantly from frequency-dependent inactivation of Kv3 channels. Spike width helps to control transmitter release, conduction velocity, and firing patterns and understanding the role of particular potassium channels can help to guide new pharmacological strategies for targeting pain-sensing neurons selectively.
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Kline DD. Tuning excitability of the hypothalamus via glutamate and potassium channel coupling. J Physiol 2017; 595:4583-4584. [PMID: 28548235 DOI: 10.1113/jp274446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David D Kline
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
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Zhang M, Biancardi VC, Stern JE. An increased extrasynaptic NMDA tone inhibits A-type K + current and increases excitability of hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons in hypertensive rats. J Physiol 2017; 595:4647-4661. [PMID: 28378360 PMCID: PMC5509869 DOI: 10.1113/jp274327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS A functional coupling between extrasynaptic NMDA receptors (eNMDARs) and the A-type K+ current (IA ) influences homeostatic firing responses of magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) to a physiological challenge. However, whether an altered eNMDAR-IA coupling also contributes to exacerbated MNC activity and neurohumoral activation during disease states is unknown. We show that activation of eNMDARs by exogenously applied NMDA inhibited IA in MNCs obtained from sham, but not in MNCs from renovascular hypertensive (RVH) rats. Neither the magnitude of the exogenously evoked NMDA current nor the expression of NMDAR subunits were altered in RVH rats. Conversely, we found that a larger endogenous glutamate tone, which was not due to blunted glutamate transport activity, led to the sustained activation of eNMDARs that tonically inhibited IA , contributing in turn to higher firing activity in RVH rats. Our studies show that exacerbated activation of eNMDARs by endogenous glutamate contributes to tonic inhibition of IA and enhanced MNC excitability in RVH rats. ABSTRACT We recently showed that a functional coupling between extrasynaptic NMDA receptors (eNMDARs) and the A-type K+ current (IA ) influences the firing activity of hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory neurons (MNCs), as well as homeostatic adaptive responses to a physiological challenge. Here, we aimed to determine whether changes in the eNMDAR-IA coupling also contributed to exacerbated MNC activity during disease states. We used a combination of patch-clamp electrophysiology and real-time PCR in MNCs in sham and renovascular hypertensive (RVH) rats. Activation of eNMDARs by exogenously applied NMDA inhibited IA in sham rats, but this effect was largely blunted in RVH rats. The blunted response was not due to changes in eNMDAR expression and/or function, since neither NMDA current magnitude or reversal potential, nor the levels of NR1-NR2A-D subunit expression were altered in RVH rats. Conversely, we found a larger endogenous glutamate tone, resulting in the sustained activation of eNMDARs that tonically inhibited IA and contributed also to higher ongoing firing activity in RVH rats. The enhanced endogenous glutamate tone in RVH rats was not due to blunted glutamate transporter activity. Rather, a higher transporter activity was observed, which possibly acted as a compensatory mechanism in the face of the elevated endogenous tone. In summary, our studies indicate that an elevated endogenous glutamate tone results in an exacerbated activation of eNMDARs, which in turn contributes to diminished IA magnitude and increased firing activity of MNCs from hypertensive rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhang
- Department of PhysiologyMedical College of GeorgiaAugusta University1120 15th StreetAugustaGA30912USA
| | - Vinicia C. Biancardi
- Department of PhysiologyMedical College of GeorgiaAugusta University1120 15th StreetAugustaGA30912USA
| | - Javier E. Stern
- Department of PhysiologyMedical College of GeorgiaAugusta University1120 15th StreetAugustaGA30912USA
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Pitra S, Stern JE. A-type K + channels contribute to the prorenin increase of firing activity in hypothalamic vasopressin neurosecretory neurons. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2017. [PMID: 28626074 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00216.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have supported an important contribution of prorenin (PR) and its receptor (PRR) to the regulation of hypothalamic, sympathetic, and neurosecretory outflows to the cardiovascular system, including systemic release of vasopressin (VP), both under physiological and cardiovascular disease conditions. Still, the identification of precise cellular mechanisms and neuronal/molecular targets remain unknown. We have recently shown that PRR is expressed in VP neurons and that their activation increases neuronal activity. However, the underlying ionic channel mechanisms are undefined. Here, we performed patch-clamp electrophysiology from identified VP neurons in acute hypothalamic slices obtained from enhanced green fluorescent protein-VP transgenic rats. Voltage-clamp recordings showed that PR inhibited the magnitude of A-type K+ current (IA; ~50% at -25 mV), a subthreshold voltage-dependent current that restrains VP firing activity. PR also increased the inactivation rate of IA and shifted the steady-state voltage-dependent inactivation function toward more hyperpolarized membrane potential (~7 mV shift), thus resulting in less channel availability to be activated at any given membrane potential. PR also inhibited a sustained component of IA ("window" current). PR-mediated changes in action potential waveform and increased firing activity were occluded when IA was blocked by 4-aminopyridine. Finally, PR failed to increase superoxide production within the supraoptic nucleus/paraventricular nucleus, and PR excitatory effects persisted in slices treated with the SOD mimetic tempol. Taken together, these experiments indicated that PR excitatory effects on vasopressin neurons involve inhibition of IA, due, in part, to increases in its voltage-dependent inactivation properties. Moreover, our results indicate that PR effects did not involve an increase in oxidative stress.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we demonstrate that prorenin/the prorenin receptor is an important signaling unit for the regulation of vasopressin firing activity and, thus, systemic hormonal release. We identified A-type K+ channels as key molecular targets mediating prorenin stimulation of vasopressin neuronal activity, thus standing as a potential therapeutic target for neurohumoral activation in cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Pitra
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Javier E Stern
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
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Sex differences in NMDA GluN1 plasticity in rostral ventrolateral medulla neurons containing corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor following slow-pressor angiotensin II hypertension. Neuroscience 2015; 307:83-97. [PMID: 26306872 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
There are profound, yet incompletely understood, sex differences in the neurogenic regulation of blood pressure. Both corticotropin signaling and glutamate receptor plasticity, which differ between males and females, are known to play important roles in the neural regulation of blood pressure. However, the relationship between hypertension and glutamate plasticity in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-receptive neurons in brain cardiovascular regulatory areas, including the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), is not understood. In the present study, we used dual-label immuno-electron microscopy to analyze sex differences in slow-pressor angiotensin II (AngII) hypertension with respect to the subcellular distribution of the obligatory NMDA glutamate receptor subunit 1 (GluN1) subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in the RVLM and PVN. Studies were conducted in mice expressing the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) under the control of the CRF type 1 receptor (CRF1) promoter (i.e., CRF1-EGFP reporter mice). By light microscopy, GluN1-immunoreactivity (ir) was found in CRF1-EGFP neurons of the RVLM and PVN. Moreover, in both regions tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was found in CRF1-EGFP neurons. In response to AngII, male mice showed an elevation in blood pressure that was associated with an increase in the proportion of GluN1 on presumably functional areas of the plasma membrane (PM) in CRF1-EGFP dendritic profiles in the RVLM. In female mice, AngII was neither associated with an increase in blood pressure nor an increase in PM GluN1 in the RVLM. Unlike the RVLM, AngII-mediated hypertension had no effect on GluN1 localization in CRF1-EGFP dendrites in the PVN of either male or female mice. These studies provide an anatomical mechanism for sex-differences in the convergent modulation of RVLM catecholaminergic neurons by CRF and glutamate. Moreover, these results suggest that sexual dimorphism in AngII-induced hypertension is reflected by NMDA receptor trafficking in presumptive sympathoexcitatory neurons in the RVLM.
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Zhang Y, Huang Y, Liu X, Wang G, Wang X, Wang Y. Estrogen suppresses epileptiform activity by enhancing Kv4.2-mediated transient outward potassium currents in primary hippocampal neurons. Int J Mol Med 2015; 36:865-72. [PMID: 26179130 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2015.2287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Catamenial epilepsy is a common phenomenon in female epileptic patients that is, in part, influenced by the 17-β-estradiol level during the menstrual cycle, which modulates the strength of the epileptic seizures. However, the underlying mechanism(s) for catamenial epilepsy remains unknown. In the present study, the effect of 17‑β‑estradiol on modulating epileptiform activities was investigated in cultured hippocampal neurons by focusing on the transient outward potassium current. Using the patch clamp technique, 17‑β‑estradiol was demonstrated to have a dose‑dependent U‑shape effect on epileptiform bursting activities in cultured hippocampal neurons; only the low dose (~0.1 ng/ml) of 17‑β‑estradiol had a suppressive effect on the epileptiform activities. The blockade effect of the low dose 17‑β‑estradiol could be suppressed by phrixotoxin2 (PaTx2), a selective channel blocker for voltage‑gated potassium channel type 4.2 (Kv4.2), which mediates the transient outward potassium current. Furthermore, the 17‑β‑estradiol bell‑shape‑like dose‑dependently enhanced the transient outward potassium current, which was inhibited by the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. In conclusion, these results indicate that reduced activation of the transient outward potassium current by a high (or none) 17‑β‑estradiol level may enhance the epileptiform bursting activities in neurons, which may be one of the triggering causes for catamenial epilepsy, and therefore, maintaining a certain low 17‑β‑estradiol level may aid in the control of catamenial epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yian Huang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Guoxiang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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13
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Larson RA, Gui L, Huber MJ, Chapp AD, Zhu J, LaGrange LP, Shan Z, Chen QH. Sympathoexcitation in ANG II-salt hypertension involves reduced SK channel function in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2015; 308:H1547-55. [PMID: 25862832 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00832.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Hypertension (HTN) resulting from subcutaneous infusion of ANG II and dietary high salt (HS) intake involves sympathoexcitation. Recently, we reported reduced small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SK) current and increased excitability of presympathetic neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in ANG II-salt HTN. Here, we hypothesized that ANG II-salt HTN would be accompanied by altered PVN SK channel activity, which may contribute to sympathoexcitation in vivo. In anesthetized rats with normal salt (NS) intake, bilateral PVN microinjection of apamin (12.5 pmol/50 nl each), the SK channel blocker, remarkably elevated splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA), renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). In contrast, rats with ANG II-salt HTN demonstrated significantly attenuated SSNA, RSNA, and MAP (P < 0.05) responses to PVN-injected apamin compared with NS control rats. Next, we sought to examine the individual contributions of HS and subcutaneous infusion of ANG II on PVN SK channel function. SSNA, RSNA, and MAP responses to PVN-injected apamin in rats with HS alone were significantly attenuated compared with NS-fed rats. In contrast, sympathetic nerve activity responses to PVN-injected apamin in ANG II-treated rats were slightly attenuated with SSNA, demonstrating no statistical difference compared with NS-fed rats, whereas MAP responses to PVN-injected apamin were similar to NS-fed rats. Finally, Western blot analysis showed no statistical difference in SK1-SK3 expression in the PVN between NS and ANG II-salt HTN. We conclude that reduced SK channel function in the PVN is involved in the sympathoexcitation associated with ANG II-salt HTN. Dietary HS may play a dominant role in reducing SK channel function, thus contributing to sympathoexcitation in ANG II-salt HTN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Larson
- Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan
| | - Le Gui
- Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan; Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China; and
| | - Michael J Huber
- Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan
| | - Andrew D Chapp
- Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan
| | - Jianhua Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China; and
| | - Lila P LaGrange
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of the Incarnate Word, Feik School of Pharmacy, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Zhiying Shan
- Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan
| | - Qing-Hui Chen
- Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan;
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14
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Briant LJB, Stalbovskiy AO, Nolan MF, Champneys AR, Pickering AE. Increased intrinsic excitability of muscle vasoconstrictor preganglionic neurons may contribute to the elevated sympathetic activity in hypertensive rats. J Neurophysiol 2014; 112:2756-78. [PMID: 25122704 PMCID: PMC4254885 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00350.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypertension is associated with pathologically increased sympathetic drive to the vasculature. This has been attributed to increased excitatory drive to sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPN) from brainstem cardiovascular control centers. However, there is also evidence supporting increased intrinsic excitability of SPN. To test this hypothesis, we made whole cell recordings of muscle vasoconstrictor-like (MVClike) SPN in the working-heart brainstem preparation of spontaneously hypertensive (SH) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The MVClike SPN have a higher spontaneous firing frequency in the SH rat (3.85 ± 0.4 vs. 2.44 ± 0.4 Hz in WKY; P = 0.011) with greater respiratory modulation of their activity. The action potentials of SH SPN had smaller, shorter afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs) and showed diminished transient rectification indicating suppression of an A-type potassium conductance (IA). We developed mathematical models of the SPN to establish if changes in their intrinsic properties in SH rats could account for their altered firing. Reduction of the maximal conductance density of IA by 15–30% changed the excitability and output of the model from the WKY to a SH profile, with increased firing frequency, amplified respiratory modulation, and smaller AHPs. This change in output is predominantly a consequence of altered synaptic integration. Consistent with these in silico predictions, we found that intrathecal 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) increased sympathetic nerve activity, elevated perfusion pressure, and augmented Traube-Hering waves. Our findings indicate that IA acts as a powerful filter on incoming synaptic drive to SPN and that its diminution in the SH rat is potentially sufficient to account for the increased sympathetic output underlying hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linford J B Briant
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; and
| | - Alexey O Stalbovskiy
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew F Nolan
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alan R Champneys
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; and
| | - Anthony E Pickering
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospitals Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
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15
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Naskar K, Stern JE. A functional coupling between extrasynaptic NMDA receptors and A-type K+ channels under astrocyte control regulates hypothalamic neurosecretory neuronal activity. J Physiol 2014; 592:2813-27. [PMID: 24835172 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2014.270793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal activity is controlled by a fine-tuned balance between intrinsic properties and extrinsic synaptic inputs. Moreover, neighbouring astrocytes are now recognized to influence a wide spectrum of neuronal functions. Yet, how these three key factors act in concert to modulate and fine-tune neuronal output is not well understood. Here, we show that in rat hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs), glutamate NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are negatively coupled to the transient, voltage-gated A-type K(+) current (IA). We found that activation of NMDARs by extracellular glutamate levels influenced by astrocyte glutamate transporters resulted in a significant inhibition of IA. The NMDAR-IA functional coupling resulted from activation of extrasynaptic NMDARs, was calcium- and protein kinase C-dependent, and involved enhanced steady-state, voltage-dependent inactivation of IA. The NMDAR-IA coupling diminished the latency to the first evoked spike in response to membrane depolarization and increased the total number of evoked action potentials, thus strengthening the neuronal input/output function. Finally, we found a blunted NMDA-mediated inhibition of IA in dehydrated rats. Together, our findings support a novel signalling mechanism that involves a functional coupling between extrasynaptic NMDARs and A-type K(+) channels, which is influenced by local astrocytes. We show this signalling complex to play an important role in modulating hypothalamic neuronal excitability, which may contribute to adaptive responses during a sustained osmotic challenge such as dehydration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Naskar
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Javier E Stern
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
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16
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Estrogen replacement modulates voltage-gated potassium channels in rat presympathetic paraventricular nucleus neurons. BMC Neurosci 2013; 14:134. [PMID: 24180323 PMCID: PMC3840734 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-14-134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is an important site in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Specifically, PVN neurons projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla (PVN-RVLM) play a regulatory role in the determination of the sympathetic outflow in the cardiovascular system. In the PVN-RVLM neurons, the estrogen receptor β is expressed. However, to date, the effects of estrogen on PVN-RVLM neurons have not been reported. The present study investigated estrogen-mediated modulation of two voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv) subunits, Kv4.2 and Kv4.3, that are expressed predominantly in PVN neurons and the functional current of Kv4.2 and Kv4.3, the transient outward potassium current (IA). Results Single-cell real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that 17β-estradiol (E2) replacement (once daily for 4 days) selectively down-regulated Kv4.2 mRNA levels in the PVN-RVLM neurons of ovariectomized female rats. There was no change in Kv4.3 levels. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings demonstrated that E2 also diminished IA densities. Interestingly, these effects were most apparent in the dorsal cap parvocellular subdivision of the PVN. E2 also shortened a delay in the excitation of the PVN-RVLM neurons. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that E2 exerts an inhibitory effect on the functions of IA, potentially by selectively down-regulating Kv4.2 but not Kv4.3 in PVN-RVLM neurons distributed in a specific parvocellular subdivision.
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17
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Li KY, Putnam RW. Transient outwardly rectifying A currents are involved in the firing rate response to altered CO2 in chemosensitive locus coeruleus neurons from neonatal rats. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2013; 305:R780-92. [PMID: 23948777 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00029.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The effect of hypercapnia on outwardly rectifying currents was examined in locus coeruleus (LC) neurons in slices from neonatal rats [postnatal day 3 (P3)-P15]. Two outwardly rectifying currents [4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive transient current and tetraethyl ammonium (TEA)-sensitive sustained current] were found in LC neurons. 4-AP induced a membrane depolarization of 3.6 ± 0.6 mV (n = 4), while TEA induced a smaller membrane depolarization of 1.2 ± 0.3 mV (n = 4). Hypercapnic acidosis (HA) inhibited both currents. The maximal amplitude of the TEA-sensitive current was reduced by 52.1 ± 4.5% (n = 5) in 15% CO2 [extracellular pH (pHo) 7.00, intracellular pH (pHi) 6.96]. The maximal amplitude of the 4-AP-sensitive current was reduced by 34.5 ± 3.0% (n = 6) in 15% CO2 (pHo 7.00, pHi 6.96), by 29.4 ± 6.8% (n = 6) in 10% CO2 (pHo 7.15, pHi 7.14), and increased by 29.0 ± 6.4% (n = 6) in 2.5% CO2 (pHo 7.75, pHi 7.35). 4-AP completely blocked hypercapnia-induced increased firing rate, but TEA did not affect it. When LC neurons were exposed to HA with either pHo or pHi constant, the 4-AP-sensitive current was inhibited. The data show that the 4-AP-sensitive current (likely an A current) is inhibited by decreases in either pHo or pHi. The change of the A current by various levels of CO2 is correlated with the change in firing rate induced by CO2, implicating the 4-AP-sensitive current in chemosensitive signaling in LC neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Yong Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio
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18
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Stern JE, Potapenko ES. Enhanced NMDA receptor-mediated intracellular calcium signaling in magnocellular neurosecretory neurons in heart failure rats. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2013; 305:R414-22. [PMID: 23785079 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00160.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
An enhanced glutamate excitatory function within the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricluar nuclei is known to contribute to increased neurosecretory and presympathetic neuronal activity, and hence, neurohumoral activation, during heart failure (HF). Still, the precise mechanisms underlying enhanced glutamate-driven neuronal activity in HF remain to be elucidated. Here, we performed simultaneous electrophysiology and fast confocal Ca²⁺ imaging to determine whether altered N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated changes in intracellular Ca²⁺ levels (NMDA-ΔCa²⁺) occurred in hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) in HF rats. We found that activation of NMDA receptors resulted in a larger ΔCa²⁺ in MNCs from HF when compared with sham rats. The enhanced NMDA-ΔCa²⁺ was neither dependent on the magnitude of the NMDA-mediated current (voltage clamp) nor on the degree of membrane depolarization or firing activity evoked by NMDA (current clamp). Differently from NMDA receptor activation, firing activity evoked by direct membrane depolarization resulted in similar changes in intracellular Ca²⁺ in sham and HF rats. Taken together, our results support a relatively selective alteration of intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis and signaling following activation of NMDA receptors in MNCs during HF. The downstream functional consequences of such altered ΔCa²⁺ signaling during HF are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier E Stern
- Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia
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19
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Stern JE, Sonner PM, Son SJ, Silva FCP, Jackson K, Michelini LC. Exercise training normalizes an increased neuronal excitability of NTS-projecting neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in hypertensive rats. J Neurophysiol 2012; 107:2912-21. [PMID: 22357793 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00884.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated sympathetic outflow and altered autonomic reflexes, including impaired baroreflex function, are common findings observed in hypertensive disorders. Although a growing body of evidence supports a contribution of preautonomic neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to altered autonomic control during hypertension, the precise underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we aimed to determine whether the intrinsic excitability and repetitive firing properties of preautonomic PVN neurons that innervate the nucleus tractus solitarii (PVN-NTS neurons) were altered in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Moreover, given that exercise training is known to improve and/or correct autonomic deficits in hypertensive conditions, we evaluated whether exercise is an efficient behavioral approach to correct altered neuronal excitability in hypertensive rats. Patch-clamp recordings were obtained from retrogradely labeled PVN-NTS neurons in hypothalamic slices obtained from sedentary (S) and trained (T) Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and SHR rats. Our results indicate an increased excitability of PVN-NTS neurons in SHR-S rats, reflected by an enhanced input-output function in response to depolarizing stimuli, a hyperpolarizing shift in Na(+) spike threshold, and smaller hyperpolarizing afterpotentials. Importantly, we found exercise training in SHR rats to restore all these parameters back to those levels observed in WKY-S rats. In several cases, exercise evoked opposing effects in WKY-S rats compared with SHR-S rats, suggesting that exercise effects on PVN-NTS neurons are state dependent. Taken together, our results suggest that elevated preautonomic PVN-NTS neuronal excitability may contribute to altered autonomic control in SHR rats and that exercise training efficiently corrects these abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier E Stern
- Dept. of Physiology, Georgia Health Sciences Univ., Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
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20
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Filosa JA, Naskar K, Perfume G, Iddings JA, Biancardi VC, Vatta MS, Stern JE. Endothelin-mediated calcium responses in supraoptic nucleus astrocytes influence magnocellular neurosecretory firing activity. J Neuroendocrinol 2012; 24:378-92. [PMID: 22007724 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02243.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In addition to their peripheral vasoactive effects, accumulating evidence supports an important role for endothelins (ETs) in the regulation of the hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory system, which produces and releases the neurohormones vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT). Still, the precise cellular substrates, loci and mechanisms underlying the actions of ETs on the magnocellular system are poorly understood. In the present study, we combined patch-clamp electrophysiology, confocal Ca(2+) imaging and immunohistochemistry to study the actions of ETs on supraoptic nucleus (SON) magnocellular neurosecretory neurones and astrocytes. Our studies show that ET-1 evoked rises in [Ca(2+) ](i) levels in SON astrocytes (but not neurones), an effect largely mediated by the activation of ET(B) receptors and mobilisation of thapsigargin-sensitive Ca(2+) stores. The presence of ET(B) receptors in SON astrocytes was also verified immunohistochemically. ET(B) receptor activation either increased (75%) or decreased (25%) SON firing activity, both in VP and putative OT neurones, and these effects were prevented when slices were preincubated in glutamate receptor blockers or nitric oxide synthase blockers, respectively. Moreover, ET(B) -mediated effects in SON neurones were also prevented by a gliotoxin compound, and when changes in [Ca(2+) ](i) were prevented with bath-applied BAPTA-AM or thapsigargin. Conversely, intracellular Ca(2+) chelation in the recorded SON neurones failed to block ET(B) -mediated effects. In summary, our results indicate that ET(B) receptor activation in SON astrocytes induces the mobilisation of [Ca(2+) ](i) , likely resulting in the activation of glutamate and nitric oxide signalling pathways, evoking in turn excitatory and inhibitory SON neuronal responses, respectively. Taken together, our study supports an important role for astrocytes in mediating the actions of ETs on the magnocellular neurosecretory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Filosa
- Department of Physiology, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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21
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Lee SK, Lee S, Shin SY, Ryu PD, Lee SY. Single cell analysis of voltage-gated potassium channels that determines neuronal types of rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus neurons. Neuroscience 2012; 205:49-62. [PMID: 22245500 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Revised: 11/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a site for the integration of both the neuroendocrine and autonomic systems, has heterogeneous cell composition. These neurons are classified into type I and type II neurons based on their electrophysiological properties. In the present study, we investigated the molecular identification of voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels, which determines a distinctive characteristic of type I PVN neurons, by means of single-cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) along with slice patch clamp recordings. In order to determine the mRNA expression profiles, firstly, the PVN neurons of male rats were classified into type I and type II neurons, and then, single-cell RT-PCR and single-cell real-time RT-PCR analysis were performed using the identical cell. The single-cell RT-PCR analysis revealed that Kv1.2, Kv1.3, Kv1.4, Kv4.1, Kv4.2, and Kv4.3 were expressed both in type I and in type II neurons, and several Kv channels were co-expressed in a single PVN neuron. However, we found that the expression densities of Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 were significantly higher in type I neurons than in type II neurons. Taken together, several Kv channels encoding A-type K+ currents are present both in type I and in type II neurons, and among those, Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 are the major Kv subunits responsible for determining the distinct electrophysiological properties. Thus these 2 Kv subunits may play important roles in determining PVN cell types and regulating PVN neuronal excitability. This study further provides key molecular mechanisms for differentiating type I and type II PVN neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Lee
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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22
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Sonner PM, Lee S, Ryu PD, Lee SY, Stern JE. Imbalanced K+ and Ca2+ subthreshold interactions contribute to increased hypothalamic presympathetic neuronal excitability in hypertensive rats. J Physiol 2011; 589:667-83. [PMID: 21149460 PMCID: PMC3055550 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2010.198556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2010] [Accepted: 12/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the importance of brain-mediated sympathetic activation in the morbidity and mortality of patients with high blood pressure, the precise cellular mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. We show that an imbalanced interaction between two opposing currents mediated by potassium (I(A)) and calcium (I(T)) channels occurs in sympathetic-related hypothalamic neurons in hypertensive rats. We show that this imbalance contributes to enhanced membrane excitability and firing activity in this neuronal population. Knowledge of how these opposing ion channels interact in normal and disease states increases our understanding of underlying brain mechanisms contributing to the high blood pressure condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Sonner
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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23
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Chen QH, Andrade MA, Calderon AS, Toney GM. Hypertension induced by angiotensin II and a high salt diet involves reduced SK current and increased excitability of RVLM projecting PVN neurons. J Neurophysiol 2010; 104:2329-37. [PMID: 20719931 DOI: 10.1152/jn.01013.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although evidence indicates that activation of presympathetic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurons contributes to the pathogenesis of salt-sensitive hypertension, the underlying cellular mechanisms are not fully understood. Recent evidence indicates that small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SK) channels play a significant role in regulating the excitability of a key group of sympathetic regulatory PVN neurons, those with axonal projections to the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM; i.e., PVN-RVLM neurons). In the present study, rats consuming a high salt (2% NaCl) diet were made hypertensive by systemic infusion of angiotensin II (AngII), and whole cell patch-clamp recordings were made in brain slice from retrogradely labeled PVN-RVLM neurons. To determine if the amplitude of SK current was altered in neurons from hypertensive rats, voltage-clamp recordings were performed to isolate SK current. Results indicate that SK current amplitude (P < 0.05) and density (P < 0.01) were significantly smaller in the hypertensive group. To investigate the impact of this on intrinsic excitability, current-clamp recordings were performed in separate groups of PVN-RVLM neurons. Results indicate that the frequency of spikes evoked by current injection was significantly higher in the hypertensive group (P < 0.05-0.01). Whereas bath application of the SK channel blocker apamin significantly increased discharge of neurons from normotensive rats (P < 0.05-0.01), no effect was observed in the hypertensive group. In response to ramp current injections, subthreshold depolarizing input resistance was greater in the hypertensive group compared with the normotensive group (P < 0.05). Blockade of SK channels increased depolarizing input resistance in normotensive controls (P < 0.05) but had no effect in the hypertensive group. On termination of current pulses, a medium afterhyperpolarization potential (mAHP) was observed in most neurons of the normotensive group. In the hypertensive group, the mAHP was either small or absent. In the latter case, an afterdepolarization potential (ADP) was observed that was unaffected by apamin. Apamin treatment in the normotensive group blocked the mAHP and revealed an ADP resembling that seen in the hypertensive group. We conclude that diminished SK current likely underlies the absence of mAHPs in PVN-RVLM neurons from hypertensive rats. Both the ADP and greater depolarizing input resistance likely contribute to increased excitability of PVN-RVLM neurons from rats with AngII-Salt hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Hui Chen
- Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education Department, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan; USA.
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24
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Biancardi VC, Campos RR, Stern JE. Altered balance of gamma-aminobutyric acidergic and glutamatergic afferent inputs in rostral ventrolateral medulla-projecting neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus of renovascular hypertensive rats. J Comp Neurol 2010; 518:567-85. [PMID: 20034060 DOI: 10.1002/cne.22256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
An imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory functions has been shown to contribute to numerous pathological disorders. Accumulating evidence supports the idea that a change in hypothalamic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic inhibitory and glutamatergic excitatory synaptic functions contributes to exacerbated neurohumoral drive in prevalent cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension. However, the precise underlying mechanisms and neuronal substrates are still not fully elucidated. In the present study, we combined quantitative immunohistochemistry with neuronal tract tracing to determine whether plastic remodeling of afferent GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs into identified RVLM-projecting neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN-RVLM) contributes to an imbalanced excitatory/inhibitory function in renovascular hypertensive rats (RVH). Our results indicate that both GABAergic and glutamatergic innervation densities increased in oxytocin-positive, PVN-RVLM (OT-PVN-RVLM) neurons in RVH rats. Despite this concomitant increase, time-dependent and compartment-specific differences in the reorganization of these inputs resulted in an altered balance of excitatory/inhibitory inputs in somatic and dendritic compartments. A net predominance of excitatory over inhibitory inputs was found in OT-PVN-RVLM proximal dendrites. Our results indicate that, along with previously described changes in neurotransmitter release probability and postsynaptic receptor function, remodeling of GABAergic and glutamatergic afferent inputs contributes as an underlying mechanism to the altered excitatory/inhibitory balance in the PVN of hypertensive rats.
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Gao L, Li Y, Schultz HD, Wang WZ, Wang W, Finch M, Smith LM, Zucker IH. Downregulated Kv4.3 expression in the RVLM as a potential mechanism for sympathoexcitation in rats with chronic heart failure. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2009; 298:H945-55. [PMID: 20044444 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00145.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Elevated central angiotensin II (ANG II) plays a critical role in the sympathoexcitation of chronic heart failure (CHF) by stimulating upregulated ANG II type 1 receptors (AT(1)R) in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). However, the link between enhanced ANG II signaling and alterations in the electrophysiological characteristics of neurons in the RVLM remains unclear. In the present experiments, we screened for potentially altered genes in the medulla of rats with CHF that are directly related to neuronal membrane conductance using the Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array GeneChip. We found that CHF rats exhibited a 2.1-fold reduction in Kv4.3 gene expression, one of the main voltage-gated K(+) channels, in the medulla. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis confirmed the downregulation of Kv4.3 in the RVLM of CHF rats. In intact animals, we found that microinjection of the voltage-gated potassium channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine, into the RVLM evoked a sympathoexcitation and hypertension in both normal and CHF rats. CHF rats exhibited smaller responses to 4-aminopyridine than did normal rats. Finally, we used a neuronal cell line (CATH.a neurons) to explore the effect of ANG II on Kv4.3 expression and function. We found that ANG II treatment significantly downregulated mRNA and protein expression of Kv4.3 and decreased the A-type K(+) current. Employing this cell line, we also found that the ANG II-induced inhibition of Kv4.3 mRNA expression was attenuated by the superoxide scavenger Tempol and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB-203580. The effects of ANG II were abolished by the AT(1)R antagonist losartan. We conclude that the sympathoexcitation observed in the CHF state may be due, in part, to an ANG II-induced downregulation of Kv4.3 expression and subsequent decrease in K(+) current, thereby increasing the excitability of neurons in the RVLM. The ANG II-induced inhibition of Kv4.3 mRNA expression was mediated by ANG II-AT(1)R-ROS-p38 MAPK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lie Gao
- Dept. of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Univ. of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, 68198-5850, USA.
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Michelini LC, Stern JE. Exercise-induced neuronal plasticity in central autonomic networks: role in cardiovascular control. Exp Physiol 2009; 94:947-60. [PMID: 19617267 PMCID: PMC2922747 DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2009.047449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
It is now well established that brain plasticity is an inherent property not only of the developing but also of the adult brain. Numerous beneficial effects of exercise, including improved memory, cognitive function and neuroprotection, have been shown to involve an important neuroplastic component. However, whether major adaptive cardiovascular adjustments during exercise, needed to ensure proper blood perfusion of peripheral tissues, also require brain neuroplasticity, is presently unknown. This review will critically evaluate current knowledge on proposed mechanisms that are likely to underlie the continuous resetting of baroreflex control of heart rate during/after exercise and following exercise training. Accumulating evidence indicates that not only somatosensory afferents (conveyed by skeletal muscle receptors, baroreceptors and/or cardiopulmonary receptors) but also projections arising from central command neurons (in particular, peptidergic hypothalamic pre-autonomic neurons) converge into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) in the dorsal brainstem, to co-ordinate complex cardiovascular adaptations during dynamic exercise. This review focuses in particular on a reciprocally interconnected network between the NTS and the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which is proposed to act as a pivotal anatomical and functional substrate underlying integrative feedforward and feedback cardiovascular adjustments during exercise. Recent findings supporting neuroplastic adaptive changes within the NTS-PVN reciprocal network (e.g. remodelling of afferent inputs, structural and functional neuronal plasticity and changes in neurotransmitter content) will be discussed within the context of their role as important underlying cellular mechanisms supporting the tonic activation and improved efficacy of these central pathways in response to circulatory demand at rest and during exercise, both in sedentary and in trained individuals. We hope this review will stimulate more comprehensive studies aimed at understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms within CNS neuronal networks that contribute to exercise-induced neuroplasticity and cardiovascular adjustments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisete C Michelini
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Chen QH, Toney GM. Excitability of paraventricular nucleus neurones that project to the rostral ventrolateral medulla is regulated by small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels. J Physiol 2009; 587:4235-47. [PMID: 19581379 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.175364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole cell patch-clamp recordings were performed in brain slices to investigate mechanisms regulating the excitability of paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurones that project directly to the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) (PVN-RVLM neurones) of rats. In voltage-clamp recordings, step depolarization elicited a calcium-dependent outward tail current that reversed near E(K). The current was nearly abolished by apamin and by UCL1684, suggesting mediation by small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SK) channels. In current-clamp recordings, depolarizing step current injections evoked action potentials that underwent spike-frequency adaptation (SFA). SK channel blockade with apamin or UCL1684 increased the spike frequency without changing the rate of SFA. Upon termination of step current injection, a prominent medium after-hyperpolarization potential (mAHP) was observed. SK channel blockade abolished the mAHP and revealed an after-depolarization potential (ADP). In response to ramp current injections, the rate of sub-threshold depolarization was increased during SK channel blockade, indicating that depolarizing input resistance was increased. Miniature EPSC frequency, amplitude, and decay kinetics were unaltered by bath application of apamin, suggesting that SK channel blockade likely increased excitability by a postsynaptic action. We conclude that although SK channels play little role in generating SFA in PVN-RVLM neurones, their activation nevertheless does dampen excitability. The mechanism appears to involve activation of a mAHP that opposes a prominent ADP that would otherwise facilitate firing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Hui Chen
- Department of Physiology-MC7756, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
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Gu Q, Lim ME, Gleich GJ, Lee LY. Mechanisms of eosinophil major basic protein-induced hyperexcitability of vagal pulmonary chemosensitive neurons. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2009; 296:L453-61. [PMID: 19136577 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.90467.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We have reported recently that eosinophil-derived basic proteins directly enhance the capsaicin- and electrical stimulation-evoked whole cell responses in rat pulmonary sensory neurons (19). Our present study further elucidates the mechanisms underlying the sensitization of pulmonary afferent nerves induced by these cationic proteins. Our results show that pretreatment with eosinophil major basic protein (MBP; 2 microM, 60 s) significantly enhanced the excitability of isolated rat vagal pulmonary chemosensitive neurons to acid and ATP in the current-clamp mode, but this potentiating effect was absent in the voltage-clamp recordings. The hyperexcitability induced by MBP was not prevented by the blockade of either transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 receptor (TRPV1) selectively (inhibitor: AMG 9810; 1 microM, 2 min) or all TRPV1-4 channels (inhibitor: ruthenium red; 5 microM, 2 min). In addition, MBP also markedly potentiated the excitability of mouse pulmonary chemosensitive neurons, and no detectable difference was found between those isolated from wild-type and TRPV1 knockout mice. Furthermore, MBP pretreatment affected the decay time and recovery phase of the action potentials evoked by current injections and significantly inhibited both the sustained delayed-rectifier voltage-gated K(+) current (IK(dr)) and the A-type, fast-inactivating K(+) current (IK(a)) in these sensory neurons. In conclusion, our results indicate that the inhibition of IK(dr) and IK(a) should, at least in part, account for the hyperexcitability of pulmonary chemosensitive neurons induced by eosinophil-derived cationic proteins, whereas an interaction with TRPV1 channels does not seem to be required for the sensitizing effect of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihai Gu
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0298, USA
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Lee S, Han TH, Sonner PM, Stern JE, Ryu PD, Lee SY. Molecular characterization of T-type Ca(2+) channels responsible for low threshold spikes in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus neurons. Neuroscience 2008; 155:1195-203. [PMID: 18657597 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.06.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2007] [Revised: 06/23/2008] [Accepted: 06/23/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is composed of functionally heterogeneous cell groups, possessing distinct electrophysiological properties depending on their functional roles. Previously, T-type Ca(2+) dependent low-threshold spikes (LTS) have been demonstrated in various PVN neuronal types, including preautonomic cells. However, the molecular composition and functional properties of the underlying T-type Ca(2+) channels have not been characterized. In the present study, we combined single cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and patch-clamp recordings to identify subtypes of T-type Ca(2+) channels expressed in PVN cells displaying LTS (PVN-LTS), including identified preautonomic neurons. LTS appeared at the end of hyperpolarizing pulses either as long-lasting plateaus or as short-lasting depolarizing humps. LTS were mediated by rapidly activating and inactivating T-type Ca(2+) currents and were blocked by Ni(2+). Single cell RT-PCR and immunohistochemical studies revealed Cav3.1 (voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel) as the main channel subunit detected in PVN-LTS neurons. In conclusion, these data indicate that Cav3.1 is the major subtype of T-type Ca(2+) channel subunit that mediates T-type Ca(2+) dependent LTS in PVN neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lee
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, Seoul National University, Kwanak-Gu, Seoul, South Korea.
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