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Nan X, Wang M, Du J, Liu Y, Cao L, Zhou J, Liu L, Li X. Single vesicle chemistry reveals partial release happens at the mechanical stress-induced exocytosis. Talanta 2024; 271:125637. [PMID: 38237284 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.125637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal activity can be modulated by mechanical stress in the central nervous system (CNS) in neurodegenerative diseases, for example Alzheimer's disease. However, the impact of mechanical stress on chemical signal transmission, especially the storage and release of neurotransmitter in neuron vesicles, has not been fully clarified. In this study, a nanotip conical carbon fiber microelectrode (CFME) and a disk CFME are placed in and on a cell, respectively. The nanotip conical CFME functions for both the mechanical stress and the quantification of transmitter storage in single vesicles, while the disk CFME is used to monitor the transmitter release during exocytosis induced by mechanical stress at the same cell. By comparing the vesicular transmitter storage with its release during mechanical stress-induced exocytosis at the same cell, we find the release ratio of transmitter in chromaffin cells varies from 27 % to 100 %, while for PC12 cells from 30 % to 100 %. Our results indicate that the exocytosis of cells responding to mechanical stress shows individual difference obviously, with a significant population exhibiting partial release mode. The variation of Ca2+ channels and mechanosensitive ion channels on cell membrane may both contribute to this variation. Our discovery not only shows mechanical stress can change the transmission of cellular chemical signals at the vesicle level, but also provides an important reference perspective for the study of nervous system regulation and nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoke Nan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs and Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Mengying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Metabolomics (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jinchang Du
- Key Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Metabolomics (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yuying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs and Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lijiao Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs and Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Junlan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs and Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Luyao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Metabolomics (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xianchan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs and Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China; Department of Preventive Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, 100081, China.
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2
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Gržeta Krpan N, Harej Hrkać A, Janković T, Dolenec P, Bekyarova E, Parpura V, Pilipović K. Chemically Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Prevent the Reduction in Plasmalemmal Glutamate Transporter EAAT1 Expression in, and Increase the Release of Selected Cytokines from, Stretch-Injured Astrocytes in Vitro. Cells 2024; 13:225. [PMID: 38334617 PMCID: PMC10854924 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
We tested the effects of water-soluble single-walled carbon nanotubes, chemically functionalized with polyethylene glycol (SWCNT-PEG), on primary mouse astrocytes exposed to a severe in vitro simulated traumatic brain injury (TBI). The application of SWCNT-PEG in the culture media of injured astrocytes did not affect cell damage levels, when compared to those obtained from injured, functionalization agent (PEG)-treated cells. Furthermore, SWCNT-PEG did not change the levels of oxidatively damaged proteins in astrocytes. However, this nanomaterial prevented the reduction in plasmalemmal glutamate transporter EAAT1 expression caused by the injury, rendering the level of EAAT1 on par with that of control, uninjured PEG-treated astrocytes; in parallel, there was no significant change in the levels of GFAP. Additionally, SWCNT-PEG increased the release of selected cytokines that are generally considered to be involved in recovery processes following injuries. As a loss of EAATs has been implicated as a culprit in the suffering of human patients from TBI, the application of SWCNT-PEG could have valuable effects at the injury site, by preventing the loss of astrocytic EAAT1 and consequently allowing for a much-needed uptake of glutamate from the extracellular space, the accumulation of which leads to unwanted excitotoxicity. Additional potential therapeutic benefits could be reaped from the fact that SWCNT-PEG stimulated the release of selected cytokines from injured astrocytes, which would promote recovery after injury and thus counteract the excess of proinflammatory cytokines present in TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nika Gržeta Krpan
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, HR-51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (N.G.K.); (A.H.H.); (T.J.); (P.D.)
| | - Anja Harej Hrkać
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, HR-51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (N.G.K.); (A.H.H.); (T.J.); (P.D.)
| | - Tamara Janković
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, HR-51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (N.G.K.); (A.H.H.); (T.J.); (P.D.)
| | - Petra Dolenec
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, HR-51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (N.G.K.); (A.H.H.); (T.J.); (P.D.)
| | - Elena Bekyarova
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA;
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- International Translational Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China;
| | - Kristina Pilipović
- Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, HR-51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (N.G.K.); (A.H.H.); (T.J.); (P.D.)
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3
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Pillai AG, Nadkarni S. Amyloid pathology disrupts gliotransmitter release in astrocytes. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010334. [PMID: 35913987 PMCID: PMC9371304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) is associated with synaptic dysfunction and destabilization of astrocytic calcium homeostasis. A growing body of evidence support astrocytes as active modulators of synaptic transmission via calcium-mediated gliotransmission. However, the details of mechanisms linking Aβ signaling, astrocytic calcium dynamics, and gliotransmission are not known. We developed a biophysical model that describes calcium signaling and the ensuing gliotransmitter release from a single astrocytic process when stimulated by glutamate release from hippocampal neurons. The model accurately captures the temporal dynamics of microdomain calcium signaling and glutamate release via both kiss-and-run and full-fusion exocytosis. We investigate the roles of two crucial calcium regulating machineries affected by Aβ: plasma-membrane calcium pumps (PMCA) and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). When we implemented these Aβ-affected molecular changes in our astrocyte model, it led to an increase in the rate and synchrony of calcium events. Our model also reproduces several previous findings of Aβ associated aberrant calcium activity, such as increased intracellular calcium level and increased spontaneous calcium activity, and synchronous calcium events. The study establishes a causal link between previous observations of hyperactive astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Aβ-induced modifications in mGluR and PMCA functions. Analogous to neurotransmitter release, gliotransmitter exocytosis closely tracks calcium changes in astrocyte processes, thereby guaranteeing tight control of synaptic signaling by astrocytes. However, the downstream effects of AD-related calcium changes in astrocytes on gliotransmitter release are not known. Our results show that enhanced rate of exocytosis resulting from modified calcium signaling in astrocytes leads to a rapid depletion of docked vesicles that disrupts the crucial temporal correspondence between a calcium event and vesicular release. We propose that the loss of temporal correspondence between calcium events and gliotransmission in astrocytes pathologically alters astrocytic modulation of synaptic transmission in the presence of Aβ accumulation. Signaling by astrocytes is critical to information processing at synapses, and its aberration plays a central role in neurological diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A complete characterization of calcium signaling and the resulting pattern of gliotransmitter release from fine astrocytic processes are not accessible to current experimental tools. We developed a biophysical model that can quantitatively describe signaling by astrocytes in response to a wide range of synaptic activity. We show that AD-related molecular alterations disrupt the concurrence of calcium and gliotransmitter release events, a characterizing feature that enables astrocytes to influence synaptic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suhita Nadkarni
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, Pune, India
- * E-mail:
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4
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Montana V, Flint D, Waagepetersen HS, Schousboe A, Parpura V. Two Metabolic Fuels, Glucose and Lactate, Differentially Modulate Exocytotic Glutamate Release from Cultured Astrocytes. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:2551-2579. [PMID: 34057673 PMCID: PMC9015689 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03340-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes have a prominent role in metabolic homeostasis of the brain and can signal to adjacent neurons by releasing glutamate via a process of regulated exocytosis. Astrocytes synthesize glutamate de novo owing to the pyruvate entry to the citric/tricarboxylic acid cycle via pyruvate carboxylase, an astrocyte specific enzyme. Pyruvate can be sourced from two metabolic fuels, glucose and lactate. Thus, we investigated the role of these energy/carbon sources in exocytotic glutamate release from astrocytes. Purified astrocyte cultures were acutely incubated (1 h) in glucose and/or lactate-containing media. Astrocytes were mechanically stimulated, a procedure known to increase intracellular Ca2+ levels and cause exocytotic glutamate release, the dynamics of which were monitored using single cell fluorescence microscopy. Our data indicate that glucose, either taken-up from the extracellular space or mobilized from the intracellular glycogen storage, sustained glutamate release, while the availability of lactate significantly reduced the release of glutamate from astrocytes. Based on further pharmacological manipulation during imaging along with tandem mass spectrometry (proteomics) analysis, lactate alone, but not in the hybrid fuel, caused metabolic changes consistent with an increased synthesis of fatty acids. Proteomics analysis further unveiled complex changes in protein profiles, which were condition-dependent and generally included changes in levels of cytoskeletal proteins, proteins of secretory organelle/vesicle traffic and recycling at the plasma membrane in aglycemic, lactate or hybrid-fueled astrocytes. These findings support the notion that the availability of energy sources and metabolic milieu play a significant role in gliotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedrana Montana
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
| | - Daniel Flint
- Luxumbra Strategic Research, LLC, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Helle S Waagepetersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arne Schousboe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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5
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Zhang X, Liu Y, Hong X, Li X, Meshul CK, Moore C, Yang Y, Han Y, Li WG, Qi X, Lou H, Duan S, Xu TL, Tong X. NG2 glia-derived GABA release tunes inhibitory synapses and contributes to stress-induced anxiety. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5740. [PMID: 34593806 PMCID: PMC8484468 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25956-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
NG2 glia, also known as oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), play an important role in proliferation and give rise to myelinating oligodendrocytes during early brain development. In contrast to other glial cell types, the most intriguing aspect of NG2 glia is their ability to directly sense synaptic inputs from neurons. However, whether this synaptic interaction is bidirectional or unidirectional, or its physiological relevance has not yet been clarified. Here, we report that NG2 glia form synaptic complexes with hippocampal interneurons and that selective photostimulation of NG2 glia (expressing channelrhodopsin-2) functionally drives GABA release and enhances inhibitory synaptic transmission onto proximal interneurons in a microcircuit. The mechanism involves GAD67 biosynthesis and VAMP-2 containing vesicular exocytosis. Further, behavioral assays demonstrate that NG2 glia photoactivation triggers anxiety-like behavior in vivo and contributes to chronic social defeat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Liu
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqi Hong
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xia Li
- Institute of Special Environmental Medicine, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Charles K Meshul
- Research Services, VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Cynthia Moore
- Research Services, VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Yabing Yang
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanfei Han
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Guang Li
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Qi
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huifang Lou
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health of China, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shumin Duan
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health of China, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tian-Le Xu
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoping Tong
- Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, China.
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6
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Mielnicka A, Michaluk P. Exocytosis in Astrocytes. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1367. [PMID: 34572580 PMCID: PMC8471187 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Until recently, astrocytes were thought to be a part of a simple "brain glue" providing only a supporting role for neurons. However, the discoveries of the last two decades have proven astrocytes to be dynamic partners participating in brain metabolism and actively influencing communication between neurons. The means of astrocyte-neuron communication are diverse, although regulated exocytosis has received the most attention but also caused the most debate. Similar to most of eukaryotic cells, astrocytes have a complex range of vesicular organelles which can undergo exocytosis as well as intricate molecular mechanisms that regulate this process. In this review, we focus on the components needed for regulated exocytosis to occur and summarise the knowledge about experimental evidence showing its presence in astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Piotr Michaluk
- BRAINCITY, Laboratory of Neurobiology, The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland;
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Malchow RP, Tchernookova BK, Choi JIV, Smith PJS, Kramer RH, Kreitzer MA. Review and Hypothesis: A Potential Common Link Between Glial Cells, Calcium Changes, Modulation of Synaptic Transmission, Spreading Depression, Migraine, and Epilepsy-H . Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:693095. [PMID: 34539347 PMCID: PMC8446203 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.693095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
There is significant evidence to support the notion that glial cells can modulate the strength of synaptic connections between nerve cells, and it has further been suggested that alterations in intracellular calcium are likely to play a key role in this process. However, the molecular mechanism(s) by which glial cells modulate neuronal signaling remains contentiously debated. Recent experiments have suggested that alterations in extracellular H+ efflux initiated by extracellular ATP may play a key role in the modulation of synaptic strength by radial glial cells in the retina and astrocytes throughout the brain. ATP-elicited alterations in H+ flux from radial glial cells were first detected from Müller cells enzymatically dissociated from the retina of tiger salamander using self-referencing H+-selective microelectrodes. The ATP-elicited alteration in H+ efflux was further found to be highly evolutionarily conserved, extending to Müller cells isolated from species as diverse as lamprey, skate, rat, mouse, monkey and human. More recently, self-referencing H+-selective electrodes have been used to detect ATP-elicited alterations in H+ efflux around individual mammalian astrocytes from the cortex and hippocampus. Tied to increases in intracellular calcium, these ATP-induced extracellular acidifications are well-positioned to be key mediators of synaptic modulation. In this article, we examine the evidence supporting H+ as a key modulator of neurotransmission, review data showing that extracellular ATP elicits an increase in H+ efflux from glial cells, and describe the potential signal transduction pathways involved in glial cell-mediated H+ efflux. We then examine the potential role that extracellular H+ released by glia might play in regulating synaptic transmission within the vertebrate retina, and then expand the focus to discuss potential roles in spreading depression, migraine, epilepsy, and alterations in brain rhythms, and suggest that alterations in extracellular H+ may be a unifying feature linking these disparate phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Paul Malchow
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Boriana K. Tchernookova
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ji-in Vivien Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Peter J. S. Smith
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Bell Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Richard H. Kramer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Matthew A. Kreitzer
- Department of Biology, Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN, United States
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8
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Chemically Functionalized Water-Soluble Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Obstruct Vesicular/Plasmalemmal Recycling in Astrocytes Down-Stream of Calcium Ions. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071597. [PMID: 32630262 PMCID: PMC7408470 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We used single-walled carbon nanotubes chemically functionalized with polyethylene glycol (SWCNT-PEG) to assess the effects of this nanomaterial on astrocytic endocytosis and exocytosis. We observed that the SWCNT-PEG do not affect the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-evoked Ca2+ elevations in astrocytes but significantly reduce the Ca2+-dependent glutamate release. There was a significant decrease in the endocytic load of the recycling dye during constitutive and ATP-evoked recycling. Furthermore, SWCNT-PEG hampered ATP-evoked exocytotic release of the loaded recycling dye. Thus, by functionally obstructing evoked vesicular recycling, SWCNT-PEG reduced glutamate release from astrocytes via regulated exocytosis. These effects implicate SWCNT-PEG as a modulator of Ca2+-dependent exocytosis in astrocytes downstream of Ca2+, likely at the level of vesicle fusion with/pinching off the plasma membrane.
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9
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Vardjan N, Parpura V, Verkhratsky A, Zorec R. Gliocrine System: Astroglia as Secretory Cells of the CNS. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1175:93-115. [PMID: 31583585 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9913-8_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are secretory cells, actively participating in cell-to-cell communication in the central nervous system (CNS). They sense signaling molecules in the extracellular space, around the nearby synapses and also those released at much farther locations in the CNS, by their cell surface receptors, get excited to then release their own signaling molecules. This contributes to the brain information processing, based on diffusion within the extracellular space around the synapses and on convection when locales relatively far away from the release sites are involved. These functions resemble secretion from endocrine cells, therefore astrocytes were termed to be a part of the gliocrine system in 2015. An important mechanism, by which astrocytes release signaling molecules is the merger of the vesicle membrane with the plasmalemma, i.e., exocytosis. Signaling molecules stored in astroglial secretory vesicles can be discharged into the extracellular space after the vesicle membrane fuses with the plasma membrane. This leads to a fusion pore formation, a channel that must widen to allow the exit of the Vesiclal cargo. Upon complete vesicle membrane fusion, this process also integrates other proteins, such as receptors, transporters and channels into the plasma membrane, determining astroglial surface signaling landscape. Vesiclal cargo, together with the whole vesicle can also exit astrocytes by the fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane (exosomes) or by budding of vesicles (ectosomes) from the plasma membrane into the extracellular space. These astroglia-derived extracellular vesicles can later interact with various target cells. Here, the characteristics of four types of astroglial secretory vesicles: synaptic-like microvesicles, dense-core vesicles, secretory lysosomes, and extracellular vesicles, are discussed. Then machinery for vesicle-based exocytosis, second messenger regulation and the kinetics of exocytotic vesicle content discharge or release of extracellular vesicles are considered. In comparison to rapidly responsive, electrically excitable neurons, the receptor-mediated cytosolic excitability-mediated astroglial exocytotic vesicle-based transmitter release is a relatively slow process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Vardjan
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. .,Celica Biomedical, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Robert Zorec
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia. .,Celica Biomedical, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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10
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Toth AB, Hori K, Novakovic MM, Bernstein NG, Lambot L, Prakriya M. CRAC channels regulate astrocyte Ca 2+ signaling and gliotransmitter release to modulate hippocampal GABAergic transmission. Sci Signal 2019; 12:12/582/eaaw5450. [PMID: 31113852 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaw5450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are the major glial subtype in the brain and mediate numerous functions ranging from metabolic support to gliotransmitter release through signaling mechanisms controlled by Ca2+ Despite intense interest, the Ca2+ influx pathways in astrocytes remain obscure, hindering mechanistic insights into how Ca2+ signaling is coupled to downstream astrocyte-mediated effector functions. Here, we identified store-operated Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels encoded by Orai1 and STIM1 as a major route of Ca2+ entry for driving sustained and oscillatory Ca2+ signals in astrocytes after stimulation of metabotropic purinergic and protease-activated receptors. Using synaptopHluorin as an optical reporter, we showed that the opening of astrocyte CRAC channels stimulated vesicular exocytosis to mediate the release of gliotransmitters, including ATP. Furthermore, slice electrophysiological recordings showed that activation of astrocytes by protease-activated receptors stimulated interneurons in the CA1 hippocampus to increase inhibitory postsynaptic currents on CA1 pyramidal cells. These results reveal a central role for CRAC channels as regulators of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling, gliotransmitter release, and astrocyte-mediated tonic inhibition of CA1 pyramidal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna B Toth
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kotaro Hori
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Michaela M Novakovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Natalie G Bernstein
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Laurie Lambot
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Murali Prakriya
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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11
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Wang P, Wang SC, Li D, Li T, Yang HP, Wang L, Wang YF, Parpura V. Role of Connexin 36 in Autoregulation of Oxytocin Neuronal Activity in Rat Supraoptic Nucleus. ASN Neuro 2019; 11:1759091419843762. [PMID: 31091986 PMCID: PMC6535915 DOI: 10.1177/1759091419843762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the supraoptic nucleus (SON), the incidence of dye coupling among oxytocin (OT) neurons increases significantly in nursing mothers. However, the type(s) of connexin (Cx) involved is(are) unknown. In this study, we specifically investigated whether Cx36 plays a functional role in the coupling between OT neurons in the SON of lactating rats. In this brain region, Cx36 was mainly coimmunostained with vasopressin neurons in virgin female rats, whereas in lactating rats, Cx36 was primarily colocalized with OT neurons. In brain slices from lactating rats, application of quinine (0.1 mM), a selective blocker of Cx36, significantly reduced dye coupling among OT neurons as well as the discharge/firing frequency of spikes/action potentials and their amplitude, and transiently depolarized the membrane potential of OT neurons in whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. However, quinine significantly reduced the amplitude, but not frequency, of inhibitory postsynaptic currents in OT neurons; the duration of excitatory postsynaptic currents was reduced but not their frequency and amplitude. Furthermore, the excitatory effect of OT (1 pM) on OT neurons was significantly weakened and delayed by quinine, and burst firing was absent in the presence of this inhibitor. Lastly, Western blotting analysis revealed that the presence of combined, but not alone, quinine and OT significantly reduced the amount of Cx36 in the SON. Thus, Cx36-mediated junctional communication plays a crucial role in autoregulatory control of OT neuronal activity, likely by acting at the postsynaptic sites. The level of Cx36 is modulated by its own activity and the presence of OT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, China
| | | | - Dongyang Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Hai-Peng Yang
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Liwei Wang
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA
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12
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Vásquez-Navarrete J, Martínez AD, Ory S, Baéz-Matus X, González-Jamett AM, Brauchi S, Caviedes P, Cárdenas AM. RCAN1 Knockdown Reverts Defects in the Number of Calcium-Induced Exocytotic Events in a Cellular Model of Down Syndrome. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:189. [PMID: 30034324 PMCID: PMC6043644 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, Down Syndrome (DS) is a condition caused by partial or full trisomy of chromosome 21. Genes present in the DS critical region can result in excess gene dosage, which at least partially can account for DS phenotype. Although regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) belongs to this region and its ectopic overexpression in neurons impairs transmitter release, synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, the relative contribution of RCAN1 in a context of DS has yet to be clarified. In the present work, we utilized an in vitro model of DS, the CTb neuronal cell line derived from the brain cortex of a trisomy 16 (Ts16) fetal mouse, which reportedly exhibits acetylcholine release impairments compared to CNh cells (a neuronal cell line established from a normal littermate). We analyzed single exocytotic events by using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter fused to the pH-sensitive green fluorescent protein (VAChT-pHluorin) as a reporter. Our analyses showed that, compared with control CNh cells, the trisomic CTb cells overexpress RCAN1, and they display a reduced number of Ca2+-induced exocytotic events. Remarkably, RCAN1 knockdown increases the extent of exocytosis at levels comparable to those of CNh cells. These results support a critical contribution of RCAN1 to the exocytosis process in the trisomic condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Vásquez-Navarrete
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Agustín D Martínez
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Stéphane Ory
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UPR 3212), Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI), Strasbourg, France
| | - Ximena Baéz-Matus
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Arlek M González-Jamett
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Sebastián Brauchi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Pablo Caviedes
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Biotecnología y Bioingeniería (CeBiB), Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Biotecnología y Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ana M Cárdenas
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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13
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Zorec R, Parpura V, Verkhratsky A. Astroglial vesicular network: evolutionary trends, physiology and pathophysiology. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2018; 222. [PMID: 28665546 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular organelles, including secretory vesicles, emerged when eukaryotic cells evolved some 3 billion years ago. The primordial organelles that evolved in Archaea were similar to endolysosomes, which developed, arguably, for specific metabolic tasks, including uptake, metabolic processing, storage and disposal of molecules. In comparison with prokaryotes, cell volume of eukaryotes increased by several orders of magnitude and vesicle traffic emerged to allow for communication between distant intracellular locations. Lysosomes, first described in 1955, a prominent intermediate of endo- and exocytotic pathways, operate virtually in all eukaryotic cells including astroglia, the most heterogeneous type of homeostatic glia in the central nervous system. Astrocytes support neuronal network activity in particular through elaborated secretion, based on a complex intracellular vesicle network dynamics. Deranged homeostasis underlies disease and astroglial vesicle traffic contributes to the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative (Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease), neurodevelopmental diseases (intellectual deficiency, Rett's disease) and neuroinfectious (Zika virus) disorders. This review addresses astroglial cell-autonomous vesicular traffic network, as well as its into primary and secondary vesicular network defects in diseases, and considers this network as a target for developing new therapies for neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Zorec
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology and Molecular Cell Physiology; Institute of Pathophysiology; University of Ljubljana; Ljubljana Slovenia
- Celica; BIOMEDICAL; Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - V. Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology; Civitan International Research Center and Center for Glial Biology in Medicine; Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute; Atomic Force Microscopy and Nanotechnology Laboratories; University of Alabama; Birmingham AL USA
| | - A. Verkhratsky
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology and Molecular Cell Physiology; Institute of Pathophysiology; University of Ljubljana; Ljubljana Slovenia
- Celica; BIOMEDICAL; Ljubljana Slovenia
- Faculty of Biology; Medicine and Health; The University of Manchester; Manchester UK
- Achucarro Center for Neuroscience; IKERBASQUE; Basque Foundation for Science; Bilbao Spain
- Department of Neurosciences; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED; Leioa Spain
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14
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Wolfes AC, Dean C. Culturing In Vivo-like Murine Astrocytes Using the Fast, Simple, and Inexpensive AWESAM Protocol. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29364267 DOI: 10.3791/56092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The AWESAM (a low-cost easy stellate astrocyte method) protocol entails a fast, simple, and inexpensive way to generate large quantities of in vivo-like mouse and rat astrocyte monocultures: Brain cells can be isolated from different brain regions, and after a week of cell culture, non-astrocytic cells are shaken off by placing the culture dishes on a shaker for 6 h in the incubator. The remaining astrocytes are then passaged into new plates with an astrocyte-specific medium (termed NB+H). NB+H contains low concentrations of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF), which is used in place of serum in medium. After growing in NB+H, AWESAM astrocytes have a stellate morphology and feature fine processes. Moreover, these astrocytes have more in vivo-like gene expression than astrocytes generated by previously published methods. Ca2+ imaging, vesicle dynamics, and other events close to the membrane can thus be studied in the fine astrocytic processes in vitro, e.g., using live cell confocal or TIRF microscopy. Notably, AWESAM astrocytes also exhibit spontaneous Ca2+ signaling similar to astrocytes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C Wolfes
- Chemical Biology, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford; Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford; Trans-synaptic signaling, European Neuroscience Institute
| | - Camin Dean
- Trans-synaptic signaling, European Neuroscience Institute;
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15
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Abstract
Astrocytes are neural cells of ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin that provide for homeostasis and defense of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in morphological appearance; they express a multitude of receptors, channels, and membrane transporters. This complement underlies their remarkable adaptive plasticity that defines the functional maintenance of the CNS in development and aging. Astrocytes are tightly integrated into neural networks and act within the context of neural tissue; astrocytes control homeostasis of the CNS at all levels of organization from molecular to the whole organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Verkhratsky
- The University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; Achúcarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain ; Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain ; Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark ; and Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester, New York
| | - Maiken Nedergaard
- The University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; Achúcarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain ; Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain ; Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark ; and Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester, New York
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16
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Verkhratsky A, Nedergaard M. Physiology of Astroglia. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:239-389. [PMID: 29351512 PMCID: PMC6050349 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00042.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 939] [Impact Index Per Article: 156.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are neural cells of ectodermal, neuroepithelial origin that provide for homeostasis and defense of the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes are highly heterogeneous in morphological appearance; they express a multitude of receptors, channels, and membrane transporters. This complement underlies their remarkable adaptive plasticity that defines the functional maintenance of the CNS in development and aging. Astrocytes are tightly integrated into neural networks and act within the context of neural tissue; astrocytes control homeostasis of the CNS at all levels of organization from molecular to the whole organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Verkhratsky
- The University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; Achúcarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain ; Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain ; Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark ; and Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester, New York
| | - Maiken Nedergaard
- The University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; Achúcarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain ; Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain ; Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark ; and Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester, New York
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17
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Lasič E, Stenovec M, Kreft M, Robinson PJ, Zorec R. Dynamin regulates the fusion pore of endo- and exocytotic vesicles as revealed by membrane capacitance measurements. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:2293-2303. [PMID: 28669852 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dynamin is a multidomain GTPase exhibiting mechanochemical and catalytic properties involved in vesicle scission from the plasmalemma during endocytosis. New evidence indicates that dynamin is also involved in exocytotic release of catecholamines, suggesting the existence of a dynamin-regulated structure that couples endo- to exocytosis. METHODS Thus we here employed high-resolution cell-attached capacitance measurements and super-resolution structured illumination microscopy to directly examine single vesicle interactions with the plasmalemma in cultured rat astrocytes treated with distinct pharmacological modulators of dynamin activity. Fluorescent dextrans and the lipophilic plasmalemmal marker DiD were utilized to monitor uptake and distribution of vesicles in the peri-plasmalemmal space and in the cell cytosol. RESULTS Dynamin inhibition with Dynole™-34-2 and Dyngo™-4a prevented vesicle internalization into the cytosol and decreased fusion pore conductance of vesicles that remained attached to the plasmalemma via a narrow fusion pore that lapsed into a state of repetitive opening and closing - flickering. In contrast, the dynamin activator Ryngo™-1-23 promoted vesicle internalization and favored fusion pore closure by prolonging closed and shortening open fusion pore dwell times. Immunocytochemical staining revealed dextran uptake into dynamin-positive vesicles and increased dextran uptake into Syt4- and VAMP2-positive vesicles after dynamin inhibition, indicating prolonged retention of these vesicles at the plasmalemma. CONCLUSIONS Our results have provided direct evidence for a role of dynamin in regulation of fusion pore geometry and kinetics of endo- and exocytotic vesicles, indicating that both share a common dynamin-regulated structural intermediate, the fusion pore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Lasič
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Stenovec
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Celica Biomedical, Tehnološki Park 24, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Marko Kreft
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Celica Biomedical, Tehnološki Park 24, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, CPAE, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Phillip J Robinson
- Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Robert Zorec
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Celica Biomedical, Tehnološki Park 24, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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18
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Bohmbach K, Schwarz MK, Schoch S, Henneberger C. The structural and functional evidence for vesicular release from astrocytes in situ. Brain Res Bull 2017; 136:65-75. [PMID: 28122264 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The concept of the tripartite synapse states that bi-directional signalling between perisynaptic astrocyte processes, presynaptic axonal boutons and postsynaptic neuronal structures defines the properties of synaptic information processing. Ca2+-dependent vesicular release from astrocytes, as one of the mechanisms of astrocyte-neuron communication, has attracted particular attention but has also been the subject of intense debate. In neurons, regulated vesicular release is a strongly coordinated process. It requires a complex release machinery comprised of many individual components ranging from vesicular neurotransmitter transporters and soluble NSF attachment protein receptors (SNARE) proteins to Ca2+-sensors and the proteins that spatially and temporally control exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. If astrocytes employ similar mechanisms to release neurotransmitters is less well understood. The aim of this review is therefore to discuss recent experimental evidence that sheds light on the central structural components responsible for vesicular release from astrocytes in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Bohmbach
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Martin K Schwarz
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Susanne Schoch
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Henneberger
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany; Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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19
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Wolfes AC, Ahmed S, Awasthi A, Stahlberg MA, Rajput A, Magruder DS, Bonn S, Dean C. A novel method for culturing stellate astrocytes reveals spatially distinct Ca2+ signaling and vesicle recycling in astrocytic processes. J Gen Physiol 2016; 149:149-170. [PMID: 27908976 PMCID: PMC5217085 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201611607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Communication between astrocytes and neurons has been difficult to study because cultured astrocytes do not resemble those in vivo. Wolfes et al. develop a stellate astrocyte monoculture with physiological characteristics and find that VAMP2 and SYT7 mark distinct vesicle populations in astrocytes. Interactions between astrocytes and neurons rely on the release and uptake of glial and neuronal molecules. But whether astrocytic vesicles exist and exocytose in a regulated or constitutive fashion is under debate. The majority of studies have relied on indirect methods or on astrocyte cultures that do not resemble stellate astrocytes found in vivo. Here, to investigate vesicle-associated proteins and exocytosis in stellate astrocytes specifically, we developed a simple, fast, and economical method for growing stellate astrocyte monocultures. This method is superior to other monocultures in terms of astrocyte morphology, mRNA expression profile, protein expression of cell maturity markers, and Ca2+ fluctuations: In astrocytes transduced with GFAP promoter–driven Lck-GCaMP3, spontaneous Ca2+ events in distinct domains (somata, branchlets, and microdomains) are similar to those in astrocytes co-cultured with other glia and neurons but unlike Ca2+ events in astrocytes prepared using the McCarthy and de Vellis (MD) method and immunopanned (IP) astrocytes. We identify two distinct populations of constitutively recycling vesicles (harboring either VAMP2 or SYT7) specifically in branchlets of cultured stellate astrocytes. SYT7 is developmentally regulated in these astrocytes, and we observe significantly fewer synapses in wild-type mouse neurons grown on Syt7−/− astrocytes. SYT7 may thus be involved in trafficking or releasing synaptogenic factors. In summary, our novel method yields stellate astrocyte monocultures that can be used to study Ca2+ signaling and vesicle recycling and dynamics in astrocytic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C Wolfes
- Trans-Synaptic Signaling Group, European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Saheeb Ahmed
- Trans-Synaptic Signaling Group, European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ankit Awasthi
- Trans-Synaptic Signaling Group, European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Markus A Stahlberg
- Trans-Synaptic Signaling Group, European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ashish Rajput
- Research Group for Computational Systems Biology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel S Magruder
- Research Group for Computational Systems Biology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Bonn
- Research Group for Computational Systems Biology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease (DZNE), 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Camin Dean
- Trans-Synaptic Signaling Group, European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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20
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Ogata K, Kushida M, Miyata K, Sumida K, Takeda S, Izawa T, Kuwamura M, Yamate J. Alteration of microRNA expressions in the pons and medulla in rats after 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile administration. J Toxicol Pathol 2016; 29:229-236. [PMID: 27821907 PMCID: PMC5097965 DOI: 10.1293/tox.2016-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although 3,3′-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) is widely used as a neurotoxicant to cause axonopathy due to accumulation of neurofilaments in several rodent models, its mechanism of neurotoxicity has not been fully understood. In particular, no information regarding microRNA (miRNA) alteration associated with IDPN is available. This study was conducted to reveal miRNA alteration related to IDPN-induced neurotoxicity. Rats were administered IDPN (20, 50, or 125 mg/kg/day) orally for 3, 7, and 14 days. Histopathological features were investigated using immunohistochemistry for neurofilaments and glial cells, and miRNA alterations were analyzed by microarray and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Nervous symptoms such as ataxic gait and head bobbing were observed from Day 9 at 125 mg/kg. Axonal swelling due to accumulation of neurofilaments was observed especially in the pons, medulla, and spinal cord on Day 7 at 125 mg/kg and on Day 14 at 50 and 125 mg/kg. Furthermore, significant upregulation of miR-547* was observed in the pons and medulla in treated animals only on Day 14 at 125 mg/kg. This is the first report indicating that miR-547* is associated with IDPN-induced neurotoxicity, especially in an advanced stage of axonopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Ogata
- Environmental Health Science Laboratory, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Osaka 554-8558, Japan; Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka 598-8531, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kushida
- Environmental Health Science Laboratory, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Osaka 554-8558, Japan
| | - Kaori Miyata
- Environmental Health Science Laboratory, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Osaka 554-8558, Japan
| | - Kayo Sumida
- Environmental Health Science Laboratory, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Osaka 554-8558, Japan
| | - Shuji Takeda
- Environmental Health Science Laboratory, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Osaka 554-8558, Japan
| | - Takeshi Izawa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka 598-8531, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Kuwamura
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka 598-8531, Japan
| | - Jyoji Yamate
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka 598-8531, Japan
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21
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Guček A, Jorgačevski J, Singh P, Geisler C, Lisjak M, Vardjan N, Kreft M, Egner A, Zorec R. Dominant negative SNARE peptides stabilize the fusion pore in a narrow, release-unproductive state. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:3719-31. [PMID: 27056575 PMCID: PMC11108528 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2213-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Key support for vesicle-based release of gliotransmitters comes from studies of transgenic mice with astrocyte-specific expression of a dominant-negative domain of synaptobrevin 2 protein (dnSNARE). To determine how this peptide affects exocytosis, we used super-resolution stimulated emission depletion microscopy and structured illumination microscopy to study the anatomy of single vesicles in astrocytes. Smaller vesicles contained amino acid and peptidergic transmitters and larger vesicles contained ATP. Discrete increases in membrane capacitance, indicating single-vesicle fusion, revealed that astrocyte stimulation increases the frequency of predominantly transient fusion events in smaller vesicles, whereas larger vesicles transitioned to full fusion. To determine whether this reflects a lower density of SNARE proteins in larger vesicles, we treated astrocytes with botulinum neurotoxins D and E, which reduced exocytotic events of both vesicle types. dnSNARE peptide stabilized the fusion-pore diameter to narrow, release-unproductive diameters in both vesicle types, regardless of vesicle diameter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alenka Guček
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jernej Jorgačevski
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Celica BIOMEDICAL, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Priyanka Singh
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Claudia Geisler
- Department of Optical Nanoscopy, Laser-Laboratory Göttingen e.V., 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marjeta Lisjak
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Vardjan
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Celica BIOMEDICAL, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marko Kreft
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Celica BIOMEDICAL, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alexander Egner
- Department of Optical Nanoscopy, Laser-Laboratory Göttingen e.V., 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Robert Zorec
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Celica BIOMEDICAL, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Zorec R, Parpura V, Verkhratsky A. Astroglial Vesicular Trafficking in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Neurochem Res 2016; 42:905-917. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-2055-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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23
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Kreft M, Jorgačevski J, Vardjan N, Zorec R. Unproductive exocytosis. J Neurochem 2016; 137:880-9. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Revised: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marko Kreft
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Ljubljana; Ljubljana Slovenia
- Celica BIOMEDICAL; Ljubljana Slovenia
- Department of Biology; Biotechnical Faculty; University of Ljubljana; Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Jernej Jorgačevski
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Ljubljana; Ljubljana Slovenia
- Celica BIOMEDICAL; Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Nina Vardjan
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Ljubljana; Ljubljana Slovenia
- Celica BIOMEDICAL; Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Robert Zorec
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology; Faculty of Medicine; University of Ljubljana; Ljubljana Slovenia
- Celica BIOMEDICAL; Ljubljana Slovenia
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Modulation of Synaptic Plasticity by Glutamatergic Gliotransmission: A Modeling Study. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:7607924. [PMID: 27195153 PMCID: PMC4852535 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7607924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamatergic gliotransmission, that is, the release of glutamate from perisynaptic astrocyte processes in an activity-dependent manner, has emerged as a potentially crucial signaling pathway for regulation of synaptic plasticity, yet its modes of expression and function in vivo remain unclear. Here, we focus on two experimentally well-identified gliotransmitter pathways, (i) modulations of synaptic release and (ii) postsynaptic slow inward currents mediated by glutamate released from astrocytes, and investigate their possible functional relevance on synaptic plasticity in a biophysical model of an astrocyte-regulated synapse. Our model predicts that both pathways could profoundly affect both short- and long-term plasticity. In particular, activity-dependent glutamate release from astrocytes could dramatically change spike-timing-dependent plasticity, turning potentiation into depression (and vice versa) for the same induction protocol.
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Lee W, Parpura V. Spatio-temporal characteristics of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 traffic at or near the plasma membrane in astrocytes. Glia 2016; 64:1050-65. [PMID: 27014856 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 02/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes can sense extracellular glutamate and respond to it by elevating their intracellular Ca(2+) levels via the activation of G-protein coupled receptors, such as metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), which, during early postnatal development, is the primary receptor responsible for glutamatergic signaling in astrocytes. However, the detailed spatio-temporal characteristics of mGluR5 traffic at or near the plasma membrane of astrocytes are not well understood. To address this issue, we expressed recombinant fluorescent protein chimera of mGluR5 and used total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy on rat visual cortical astrocytes in culture. We used astrocytes lacking major processes, otherwise posing as a diffusion barrier, to infer into the general dynamics of this receptor. We found that plasmalemmal mGluR5 clusters in distinct areas, the size, and initial spatio-temporal level of occupancy of which dictated mGluR5 trafficking characteristics upon glutamate stimulation. These findings will be valuable in the interpretation of point-to-point information transfer and volume transmission between astrocytes and neurons, as well as that of paracrine signaling within astrocytic networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Lee
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Atomic Force Microscopy and Nanotechnology Laboratories, Civitan International Research Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Atomic Force Microscopy and Nanotechnology Laboratories, Civitan International Research Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
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Verkhratsky A, Matteoli M, Parpura V, Mothet JP, Zorec R. Astrocytes as secretory cells of the central nervous system: idiosyncrasies of vesicular secretion. EMBO J 2016; 35:239-57. [PMID: 26758544 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201592705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are housekeepers of the central nervous system (CNS) and are important for CNS development, homeostasis and defence. They communicate with neurones and other glial cells through the release of signalling molecules. Astrocytes secrete a wide array of classic neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and hormones, as well as metabolic, trophic and plastic factors, all of which contribute to the gliocrine system. The release of neuroactive substances from astrocytes occurs through several distinct pathways that include diffusion through plasmalemmal channels, translocation by multiple transporters and regulated exocytosis. As in other eukaryotic cells, exocytotic secretion from astrocytes involves divergent secretory organelles (synaptic-like microvesicles, dense-core vesicles, lysosomes, exosomes and ectosomes), which differ in size, origin, cargo, membrane composition, dynamics and functions. In this review, we summarize the features and functions of secretory organelles in astrocytes. We focus on the biogenesis and trafficking of secretory organelles and on the regulation of the exocytotic secretory system in the context of healthy and diseased astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Celica BIOMEDICAL, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Michela Matteoli
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Milano, Italy Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, Civitan International Research Center and Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Atomic Force Microscopy & Nanotechnology Laboratories University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre Mothet
- Team Gliotransmission & Synaptopathies, Aix-Marseille University CNRS, CRN2M UMR7286, Marseille, France
| | - Robert Zorec
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Celica BIOMEDICAL, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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27
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Stenovec M, Lasič E, Božić M, Bobnar ST, Stout RF, Grubišić V, Parpura V, Zorec R. Ketamine Inhibits ATP-Evoked Exocytotic Release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor from Vesicles in Cultured Rat Astrocytes. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:6882-6896. [PMID: 26660497 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9562-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the brain, astrocytes signal to neighboring cells via regulated exocytotic release of gliosignaling molecules, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Recent studies uncovered a role of ketamine, an anesthetic and antidepressant, in the regulation of BDNF expression and in the disruption of astrocytic Ca2+ signaling, but it is unclear whether it affects astroglial BDNF release. We investigated whether ketamine affects ATP-evoked Ca2+ signaling and exocytotic release of BDNF at the single-vesicle level in cultured rat astrocytes. Cells were transfected with a plasmid encoding preproBDNF tagged with the pH-sensitive fluorescent protein superecliptic pHluorin, (BDNF-pHse) to load vesicles and measure the release of BDNF-pHse when the exocytotic fusion pore opens and alkalinizes the luminal pH. In addition, cell-attached membrane capacitance changes were recorded to monitor unitary vesicle interaction with the plasma membrane. Intracellular Ca2+ activity was monitored with Fluo-4 and confocal microscopy, which was also used to immunocytochemically characterize BDNF-pHse-laden vesicles. As revealed by double-fluorescent micrographs, BDNF-pHse localized to vesicles positive for the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins, vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2), VAMP3, and synaptotagmin IV. Ketamine treatment decreased the number of ATP-evoked BDNF-pHse fusion/secretion events (P < 0.05), the frequency of ATP-evoked transient (P < 0.001) and full-fusion exocytotic (P < 0.05) events, along with a reduction in the ATP-evoked increase in intracellular Ca2+ activity in astrocytes by ~70 % (P < 0.001). The results show that ketamine treatment suppresses ATP-triggered vesicle fusion and BDNF secretion by increasing the probability of a narrow fusion pore open state and/or by reducing astrocytic Ca2+ excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matjaž Stenovec
- Celica Biomedical, Tehnološki park 24, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Eva Lasič
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mićo Božić
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Saša Trkov Bobnar
- Celica Biomedical, Tehnološki park 24, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Randy F Stout
- Department of Neurobiology, Civitan International Research Center and Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Atomic Force Microscopy and Nanotechnology Laboratories, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 429, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- The Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Vladimir Grubišić
- Department of Neurobiology, Civitan International Research Center and Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Atomic Force Microscopy and Nanotechnology Laboratories, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 429, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, Civitan International Research Center and Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Atomic Force Microscopy and Nanotechnology Laboratories, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 429, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Robert Zorec
- Celica Biomedical, Tehnološki park 24, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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28
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Vardjan N, Parpura V, Zorec R. Loose excitation-secretion coupling in astrocytes. Glia 2015; 64:655-67. [PMID: 26358496 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes play an important housekeeping role in the central nervous system. Additionally, as secretory cells, they actively participate in cell-to-cell communication, which can be mediated by membrane-bound vesicles. The gliosignaling molecules stored in these vesicles are discharged into the extracellular space after the vesicle membrane fuses with the plasma membrane. This process is termed exocytosis, regulated by SNARE proteins, and triggered by elevations in cytosolic calcium levels, which are necessary and sufficient for exocytosis in astrocytes. For astrocytic exocytosis, calcium is sourced from the intracellular endoplasmic reticulum store, although its entry from the extracellular space contributes to cytosolic calcium dynamics in astrocytes. Here, we discuss calcium management in astrocytic exocytosis and the properties of the membrane-bound vesicles that store gliosignaling molecules, including the vesicle fusion machinery and kinetics of vesicle content discharge. In astrocytes, the delay between the increase in cytosolic calcium activity and the discharge of secretions from the vesicular lumen is orders of magnitude longer than that in neurons. This relatively loose excitation-secretion coupling is likely tailored to the participation of astrocytes in modulating neural network processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Vardjan
- Celica Biomedical, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Civitan International Research Center, Atomic Force Microscopy & Nanotechnology Laboratories, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Robert Zorec
- Celica Biomedical, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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29
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Abstract
Neuroglia, the "glue" that fills the space between neurons in the central nervous system, takes active part in nerve cell signaling. Neuroglial cells, astroglia, oligodendroglia, and microglia, are together about as numerous as neurons in the brain as a whole, and in the cerebral cortex grey matter, but the proportion varies widely among brain regions. Glial volume, however, is less than one-fifth of the tissue volume in grey matter. When stimulated by neurons or other cells, neuroglial cells release gliotransmitters by exocytosis, similar to neurotransmitter release from nerve endings, or by carrier-mediated transport or channel flux through the plasma membrane. Gliotransmitters include the common neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA, the nonstandard amino acid d-serine, the high-energy phosphate ATP, and l-lactate. The latter molecule is a "buffer" between glycolytic and oxidative metabolism as well as a signaling substance recently shown to act on specific lactate receptors in the brain. Complementing neurotransmission at a synapse, neuroglial transmission often implies diffusion of the transmitter over a longer distance and concurs with the concept of volume transmission. Transmission from glia modulates synaptic neurotransmission based on energetic and other local conditions in a volume of tissue surrounding the individual synapse. Neuroglial transmission appears to contribute significantly to brain functions such as memory, as well as to prevalent neuropathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidar Gundersen
- SN-Lab, Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, and CMBN/SERTA/Healthy Brain Ageing Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; and Brain and Muscle Energy Group, Department of Oral Biology and Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon Storm-Mathisen
- SN-Lab, Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, and CMBN/SERTA/Healthy Brain Ageing Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; and Brain and Muscle Energy Group, Department of Oral Biology and Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Linda Hildegard Bergersen
- SN-Lab, Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, and CMBN/SERTA/Healthy Brain Ageing Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; and Brain and Muscle Energy Group, Department of Oral Biology and Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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30
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Li D, Hérault K, Zylbersztejn K, Lauterbach MA, Guillon M, Oheim M, Ropert N. Astrocyte VAMP3 vesicles undergo Ca2+ -independent cycling and modulate glutamate transporter trafficking. J Physiol 2015; 593:2807-32. [PMID: 25864578 DOI: 10.1113/jp270362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Mouse cortical astrocytes express VAMP3 but not VAMP2. VAMP3 vesicles undergo Ca(2+) -independent exo- and endocytotic cycling at the plasma membrane. VAMP3 vesicle traffic regulates the recycling of plasma membrane glutamate transporters. cAMP modulates VAMP3 vesicle cycling and glutamate uptake. ABSTRACT Previous studies suggest that small synaptic-like vesicles in astrocytes carry vesicle-associated vSNARE proteins, VAMP3 (cellubrevin) and VAMP2 (synaptobrevin 2), both contributing to the Ca(2+) -regulated exocytosis of gliotransmitters, thereby modulating brain information processing. Here, using cortical astrocytes taken from VAMP2 and VAMP3 knock-out mice, we find that astrocytes express only VAMP3. The morphology and function of VAMP3 vesicles were studied in cultured astrocytes at single vesicle level with stimulated emission depletion (STED) and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopies. We show that VAMP3 antibodies label small diameter (∼80 nm) vesicles and that VAMP3 vesicles undergo Ca(2+) -independent exo-endocytosis. We also show that this pathway modulates the surface expression of plasma membrane glutamate transporters and the glutamate uptake by astrocytes. Finally, using pharmacological and optogenetic tools, we provide evidence suggesting that the cytosolic cAMP level influences astrocytic VAMP3 vesicle trafficking and glutamate transport. Our results suggest a new role for VAMP3 vesicles in astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Li
- CNRS UMR 8118, Paris, F-75006 France; Brain Physiology Laboratory, Saints-Pères Research in Neurosciences Federation, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, F-75006, France.,INSERM U603, Paris, F-75006 France; CNRS UMR 8154, Paris, F-75006 France, Neurophysiology and New Microscopies Laboratory, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, F-75006, France
| | - Karine Hérault
- CNRS UMR 8118, Paris, F-75006 France; Brain Physiology Laboratory, Saints-Pères Research in Neurosciences Federation, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, F-75006, France
| | - Kathleen Zylbersztejn
- INSERM ERL U950, Paris, F-75013, France.,Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, F-75013, France.,CNRS, UMR 7592, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, F-75013, France
| | - Marcel A Lauterbach
- Neurophotonics Laboratory, CNRS UMR 8250, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, F-75006, France
| | - Marc Guillon
- Neurophotonics Laboratory, CNRS UMR 8250, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, F-75006, France
| | - Martin Oheim
- CNRS UMR 8118, Paris, F-75006 France; Brain Physiology Laboratory, Saints-Pères Research in Neurosciences Federation, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, F-75006, France.,INSERM U603, Paris, F-75006 France; CNRS UMR 8154, Paris, F-75006 France, Neurophysiology and New Microscopies Laboratory, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, F-75006, France
| | - Nicole Ropert
- CNRS UMR 8118, Paris, F-75006 France; Brain Physiology Laboratory, Saints-Pères Research in Neurosciences Federation, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, F-75006, France.,INSERM U603, Paris, F-75006 France; CNRS UMR 8154, Paris, F-75006 France, Neurophysiology and New Microscopies Laboratory, 45 rue des Saints Pères, Paris, F-75006, France
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31
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Vardjan N, Verkhratsky A, Zorec R. Pathologic Potential of Astrocytic Vesicle Traffic: New Targets to Treat Neurologic Diseases? Cell Transplant 2015; 24:599-612. [DOI: 10.3727/096368915x687750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicles are small intracellular organelles that are fundamental for constitutive housekeeping of the plasmalemma, intercellular transport, and cell-to-cell communications. In astroglial cells, traffic of vesicles is associated with cell morphology, which determines the signaling potential and metabolic support for neighboring cells, including when these cells are considered to be used for cell transplantations or for regulating neurogenesis. Moreover, vesicles are used in astrocytes for the release of vesicle-laden chemical messengers. Here we review the properties of membrane-bound vesicles that store gliotransmitters, endolysosomes that are involved in the traffic of plasma membrane receptors, and membrane transporters. These vesicles are all linked to pathological states, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, neuroinflammation, trauma, edema, and states in which astrocytes contribute to developmental disorders. In multiple sclerosis, for example, fingolimod, a recently introduced drug, apparently affects vesicle traffic and gliotransmitter release from astrocytes, indicating that this process may well be used as a new pathophysiologic target for the development of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Vardjan
- Celica Biomedical, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Celica Biomedical, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Robert Zorec
- Celica Biomedical, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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32
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Vardjan N, Zorec R. Excitable Astrocytes: Ca(2+)- and cAMP-Regulated Exocytosis. Neurochem Res 2015; 40:2414-24. [PMID: 25732760 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-015-1545-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
During neural activity, neurotransmitters released at synapses reach neighbouring cells, such as astrocytes. These get excited via numerous mechanisms, including the G protein coupled receptors that regulate the cytosolic concentration of second messengers, such as Ca(2+) and cAMP. The stimulation of these pathways leads to feedback modulation of neuronal activity and the activity of other cells by the release of diverse substances, gliosignals that include classical neurotransmitters such as glutamate, ATP, or neuropeptides. Gliosignal molecules are released from astrocytes through several distinct molecular mechanisms, for example, by diffusion through membrane channels, by translocation via plasmalemmal transporters, or by vesicular exocytosis. Vesicular release regulated by a stimulus-mediated increase in cytosolic second messengers involves a SNARE-dependent merger of the vesicle membrane with the plasmalemma. The coupling between the stimulus and vesicular secretion of gliosignals in astrocytes is not as tight as in neurones. This is considered an adaptation to regulate homeostatic processes in a slow time domain as is the case in the endocrine system (slower than the nervous system), hence glial functions constitute the gliocrine system. This article provides an overview of the mechanisms of excitability, involving Ca(2+) and cAMP, where the former mediates phasic signalling and the latter tonic signalling. The molecular, anatomic, and physiologic properties of the vesicular apparatus mediating the release of gliosignals is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Vardjan
- Celica Biomedical, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Robert Zorec
- Celica Biomedical, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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33
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Zorec R, Verkhratsky A, Rodríguez JJ, Parpura V. Astrocytic vesicles and gliotransmitters: Slowness of vesicular release and synaptobrevin2-laden vesicle nanoarchitecture. Neuroscience 2015; 323:67-75. [PMID: 25727638 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Revised: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neurotransmitters released at synapses activate neighboring astrocytes, which in turn, modulate neuronal activity by the release of diverse neuroactive substances that include classical neurotransmitters such as glutamate, GABA or ATP. Neuroactive substances are released from astrocytes through several distinct molecular mechanisms, for example, by diffusion through membrane channels, by translocation via plasmalemmal transporters or by vesicular exocytosis. Vesicular release regulated by a stimulus-mediated increase in cytosolic calcium involves soluble N-ethyl maleimide-sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptor (SNARE)-dependent merger of the vesicle membrane with the plasmalemma. Up to 25 molecules of synaptobrevin 2 (Sb2), a SNARE complex protein, reside at a single astroglial vesicle; an individual neuronal, i.e. synaptic, vesicle contains ∼70 Sb2 molecules. It is proposed that this paucity of Sb2 molecules in astrocytic vesicles may determine the slow secretion. In the present essay we shall overview multiple aspects of vesicular architecture and types of vesicles based on their cargo and dynamics in astroglial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Zorec
- University of Ljubljana, Institute of Pathophysiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology and Molecular Cell Physiology, Zaloska cesta 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Celica, BIOMEDICAL, Technology Park 24, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - A Verkhratsky
- University of Ljubljana, Institute of Pathophysiology, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology and Molecular Cell Physiology, Zaloska cesta 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Celica, BIOMEDICAL, Technology Park 24, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, 48011 Bilbao, Spain; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain.
| | - J J Rodríguez
- Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, 48011 Bilbao, Spain; University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and CIBERNED, Leioa, Spain.
| | - V Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, Civitan International Research Center and Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Atomic Force Microscopy & Nanotechnology Laboratories, 1719 6th Avenue South, CIRC 429, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0021, USA; Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Radmile Matejčić 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
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Trafficking of excitatory amino acid transporter 2-laden vesicles in cultured astrocytes: a comparison between approximate and exact determination of trajectory angles. Amino Acids 2014; 47:357-67. [PMID: 25408463 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-014-1868-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A clear consensus concerning the mechanisms of intracellular secretory vesicle trafficking in astrocytes is lacking in the physiological literature. A good characterization of vesicle trafficking that may assist researchers in achieving that goal is the trajectory angle, defined as the angle between the trajectory of a vesicle and a line radial to the cell's nucleus. In this study, we provide a precise definition of the trajectory angle, describe and compare two methods for its calculation in terms of measureable trafficking parameters, and give recommendations for the appropriate use of each method. We investigated the trafficking of vesicles containing excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) fluorescently tagged with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to quantify and validate the precision of each method. The motion of fluorescent puncta--taken to represent vesicles containing EAAT2-EGFP--was found to be typical of secretory vesicle trafficking. An exact method for calculating the trajectory angle of these puncta produced no error but required large computation time. An approximate method reduced the requisite computation time but produced an error depending on the inverse of the ratio of the punctum's initial distance from the nucleus centroid to its maximal displacement. Fitting this dependence to a power function allowed us to establish an exclusion distance from the centroid, beyond which the approximate method is less likely to produce an error above an acceptable 5%. We recommend that the exact method be used to calculate the trajectory angle for puncta closer to the nucleus centroid than this exclusion distance.
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Montana V, Verkhratsky A, Parpura V. Pathological role for exocytotic glutamate release from astrocytes in hepatic encephalopathy. Curr Neuropharmacol 2014; 12:324-33. [PMID: 25342940 PMCID: PMC4207072 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x12666140903094700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Revised: 05/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver failure can lead to generalized hyperammonemia, which is thought to be the underlying cause of hepatic encephalopathy. This neuropsychiatric syndrome is accompanied by functional changes of astrocytes. These glial cells enter ammonia-induced self-amplifying cycle characterized by brain oedema, oxidative and osmotic stress that causes modification of proteins and RNA. Consequently, protein expression and function are affected, including that of glutamine synthetase and plasmalemmal glutamate transporters, leading to glutamate excitotoxicity; Ca2+-dependent exocytotic glutamate release from astrocytes contributes to this extracellular glutamate overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedrana Montana
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Atomic Force Microscopy & Nanotechnology Laboratories, Civitan International Research Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA ; Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK ; Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011 Bilbao, Spain ; University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod 603022, Russia
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Glial Biology in Medicine, Atomic Force Microscopy & Nanotechnology Laboratories, Civitan International Research Center, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA ; Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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Martineau M, Parpura V, Mothet JP. Cell-type specific mechanisms of D-serine uptake and release in the brain. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2014; 6:12. [PMID: 24910611 PMCID: PMC4039169 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2014.00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence during the last decade established that D-serine is a key signaling molecule utilized by neurons and astroglia in the mammalian central nervous system. D-serine is increasingly appreciated as the main physiological endogenous coagonist for synaptic NMDA receptors at central excitatory synapses; it is mandatory for long-term changes in synaptic strength, memory, learning, and social interactions. Alterations in the extracellular levels of D-serine leading to disrupted cell-cell signaling are a trademark of many chronic or acute neurological (i.e., Alzheimer disease, epilepsy, stroke) and psychiatric (i.e., schizophrenia) disorders, and are associated with addictive behavior (i.e., cocaine addiction). Indeed, fine tuning of the extracellular levels of D-serine, achieved by various molecular machineries and signaling pathways, is necessary for maintenance of accurate NMDA receptor functions. Here, we review the experimental data supporting the notion that astroglia and neurons use different pathways to regulate levels of extracellular D-serine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magalie Martineau
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Muenster Muenster, Germany
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL, USA ; Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka Rijeka, Croatia
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Single-vesicle architecture of synaptobrevin2 in astrocytes. Nat Commun 2014; 5:3780. [PMID: 24807050 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Exocytic transmitter release is regulated by the SNARE complex, which contains a vesicular protein, synaptobrevin2 (Sb2). However, Sb2 vesicular arrangement is unclear. Here we use super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to study the prevalence and distribution of endogenous and exogenous Sb2 in single vesicles of astrocytes, the most abundant glial cells in the brain. We tag Sb2 protein at C- and N termini with a pair of fluorophores, which allows us to determine the Sb2 length and geometry. To estimate total number of Sb2 proteins per vesicle and the quantity necessary for the formation of fusion pores, we treat cells with ATP to stimulate Ca2+-dependent exocytosis, increase intracellular alkalinity to enhance the fluorescence presentation of yellow-shifted pHluorin (YpH), appended to the vesicle lumen domain of Sb2, and perform photobleaching of YpH fluorophores. Fluorescence intensity analysis reveals that the total number of endogenous Sb2 units or molecules per vesicle is ≤25.
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38
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Sharma TP, McDowell CM, Liu Y, Wagner AH, Thole D, Faga BP, Wordinger RJ, Braun TA, Clark AF. Optic nerve crush induces spatial and temporal gene expression patterns in retina and optic nerve of BALB/cJ mice. Mol Neurodegener 2014; 9:14. [PMID: 24767545 PMCID: PMC4113182 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-9-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Central nervous system (CNS) trauma and neurodegenerative disorders trigger a cascade of cellular and molecular events resulting in neuronal apoptosis and regenerative failure. The pathogenic mechanisms and gene expression changes associated with these detrimental events can be effectively studied using a rodent optic nerve crush (ONC) model. The purpose of this study was to use a mouse ONC model to: (a) evaluate changes in retina and optic nerve (ON) gene expression, (b) identify neurodegenerative pathogenic pathways and (c) discover potential new therapeutic targets. Results Only 54% of total neurons survived in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) 28 days post crush. Using Bayesian Estimation of Temporal Regulation (BETR) gene expression analysis, we identified significantly altered expression of 1,723 and 2,110 genes in the retina and ON, respectively. Meta-analysis of altered gene expression (≥1.5, ≤-1.5, p < 0.05) using Partek and DAVID demonstrated 28 up and 20 down-regulated retinal gene clusters and 57 up and 41 down-regulated optic nerve clusters. Regulated gene clusters included regenerative change, synaptic plasticity, axonogenesis, neuron projection, and neuron differentiation. Expression of selected genes (Vsnl1, Syt1, Synpr and Nrn1) from retinal and ON neuronal clusters were quantitatively and qualitatively examined for their relation to axonal neurodegeneration by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. Conclusion A number of detrimental gene expression changes occur that contribute to trauma-induced neurodegeneration after injury to ON axons. Nrn1 (synaptic plasticity gene), Synpr and Syt1 (synaptic vesicle fusion genes), and Vsnl1 (neuron differentiation associated gene) were a few of the potentially unique genes identified that were down-regulated spatially and temporally in our rodent ONC model. Bioinformatic meta-analysis identified significant tissue-specific and time-dependent gene clusters associated with regenerative changes, synaptic plasticity, axonogenesis, neuron projection, and neuron differentiation. These ONC induced neuronal loss and regenerative failure associated clusters can be extrapolated to changes occurring in other forms of CNS trauma or in clinical neurodegenerative pathological settings. In conclusion, this study identified potential therapeutic targets to address two key mechanisms of CNS trauma and neurodegeneration: neuronal loss and regenerative failure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Abbot F Clark
- North Texas Eye Research Institute, Ft, Worth, TX USA.
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Tewari S, Parpura V. Data and model tango to aid the understanding of astrocyte-neuron signaling. Front Comput Neurosci 2014; 8:3. [PMID: 24478686 PMCID: PMC3900764 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2014.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shivendra Tewari
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vladimir Parpura
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL, USA ; Department of Biotechnology, University or Rijeka Rijeka, Croatia
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40
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Vardjan N, Kreft M, Zorec R. Regulated Exocytosis in Astrocytes is as Slow as the Metabolic Availability of Gliotransmitters: Focus on Glutamate and ATP. GLUTAMATE AND ATP AT THE INTERFACE OF METABOLISM AND SIGNALING IN THE BRAIN 2014; 11:81-101. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-08894-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Gliotransmission: focus on exocytotic release of L-glutamate and D-serine from astrocytes. Biochem Soc Trans 2013; 41:1557-61. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20130195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The release of neuromodulators, called gliotransmitters, by astrocytes is proposed to modulate neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity, and thereby cognitive functions; but they are also proposed to have a role in diverse neurological disorders. Two main routes have been proposed to ensure gliotransmitter release: non-exocytotic release from cytosolic pools through plasma membrane proteins, and Ca2+-regulated exocytosis through the fusion of gliotransmitter-storing secretory organelles. Regulated Ca2+-dependent glial exocytosis has received much attention and is appealing since its existence endows astrocytes with some of the basic properties thought to be exclusive to neurons and neuroendocrine cells. The present review summarizes recent findings regarding the exocytotic mechanisms underlying the release of two excitatory amino acids, L-glutamate and D-serine.
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Li D, Agulhon C, Schmidt E, Oheim M, Ropert N. New tools for investigating astrocyte-to-neuron communication. Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:193. [PMID: 24194698 PMCID: PMC3810613 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gray matter protoplasmic astrocytes extend very thin processes and establish close contacts with synapses. It has been suggested that the release of neuroactive gliotransmitters at the tripartite synapse contributes to information processing. However, the concept of calcium (Ca2+)-dependent gliotransmitter release from astrocytes, and the release mechanisms are being debated. Studying astrocytes in their natural environment is challenging because: (i) astrocytes are electrically silent; (ii) astrocytes and neurons express an overlapping repertoire of transmembrane receptors; (iii) the size of astrocyte processes in contact with synapses are below the resolution of confocal and two-photon microscopes (iv) bulk-loading techniques using fluorescent Ca2+ indicators lack cellular specificity. In this review, we will discuss some limitations of conventional methodologies and highlight the interest of novel tools and approaches for studying gliotransmission. Genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs), light-gated channels, and exogenous receptors are being developed to selectively read out and stimulate astrocyte activity. Our review discusses emerging perspectives on: (i) the complexity of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling revealed by GECIs; (ii) new pharmacogenetic and optogenetic approaches to activate specific Ca2+ signaling pathways in astrocytes; (iii) classical and new techniques to monitor vesicle fusion in cultured astrocytes; (iv) possible strategies to express specifically reporter genes in astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Li
- Biophysics of Gliotransmitter Release Team, Laboratory of Neurophysiology and New Microscopies, INSERM U603, CNRS UMR 8154, University Paris Descartes Paris, France
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43
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Benesh EC, Miller PM, Pfaltzgraff ER, Grega-Larson NE, Hager HA, Sung BH, Qu X, Baldwin HS, Weaver AM, Bader DM. Bves and NDRG4 regulate directional epicardial cell migration through autocrine extracellular matrix deposition. Mol Biol Cell 2013; 24:3496-510. [PMID: 24048452 PMCID: PMC3826988 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e12-07-0539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Bves and NDRG4 proteins interact to regulate directional cell movement by mediating cell surface fusion of internalized fibronectin for resecretion. This provides the first evidence of Bves/NDRG4 protein function within subcellular trafficking pathways and explains how the Bves complex diversely influences development, cancer, and repair. Directional cell movement is universally required for tissue morphogenesis. Although it is known that cell/matrix interactions are essential for directional movement in heart development, the mechanisms governing these interactions require elucidation. Here we demonstrate that a novel protein/protein interaction between blood vessel epicardial substance (Bves) and N-myc downstream regulated gene 4 (NDRG4) is critical for regulation of epicardial cell directional movement, as disruption of this interaction randomizes migratory patterns. Our studies show that Bves/NDRG4 interaction is required for trafficking of internalized fibronectin through the “autocrine extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition” fibronectin recycling pathway. Of importance, we demonstrate that Bves/NDRG4-mediated fibronectin recycling is indeed essential for epicardial cell directional movement, thus linking these two cell processes. Finally, total internal reflectance fluorescence microscopy shows that Bves/NDRG4 interaction is required for fusion of recycling endosomes with the basal cell surface, providing a molecular mechanism of motility substrate delivery that regulates cell directional movement. This is the first evidence of a molecular function for Bves and NDRG4 proteins within broader subcellular trafficking paradigms. These data identify novel regulators of a critical vesicle-docking step required for autocrine ECM deposition and explain how Bves facilitates cell-microenvironment interactions in the regulation of epicardial cell–directed movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Benesh
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232 Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232 Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232 Department of Pathology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232 Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110
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Mitochondrial exchanger NCLX plays a major role in the intracellular Ca2+ signaling, gliotransmission, and proliferation of astrocytes. J Neurosci 2013; 33:7206-19. [PMID: 23616530 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5721-12.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria not only provide cells with energy, but are central to Ca(2+) signaling. Powered by the mitochondrial membrane potential, Ca(2+) enters the mitochondria and is released into the cytosol through a mitochondrial Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger. We established that NCLX, a newly discovered mitochondrial Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger, is expressed in astrocytes isolated from mice of either sex. Immunoblot analysis of organellar fractions showed that the location of NCLX is confined to mitochondria. Using pericam-based mitochondrial Ca(2+) imaging and NCLX inhibition either by siRNA or by the pharmacological blocker CGP37157, we demonstrated that NCLX is responsible for mitochondrial Ca(2+) extrusion. Suppression of NCLX function altered cytosolic Ca(2+) dynamics in astrocytes and this was mediated by a strong effect of NCLX activity on Ca(2+) influx via store-operated entry. Furthermore, Ca(2+) influx through the store-operated Ca(2+) entry triggered strong, whereas ER Ca(2+) release triggered only modest mitochondrial Ca(2+) transients, indicating that the functional cross talk between the plasma membrane and mitochondrial domains is particularly strong in astrocytes. Finally, silencing of NCLX expression significantly reduced Ca(2+)-dependent processes in astrocytes (i.e., exocytotic glutamate release, in vitro wound closure, and proliferation), whereas Ca(2+) wave propagation was not affected. Therefore, NCLX, by meditating astrocytic mitochondrial Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange, links between mitochondria and plasma membrane Ca(2+) signaling, thereby modulating cytoplasmic Ca(2+) transients required to control a diverse array of astrocyte functions.
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45
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Lee W, Reyes RC, Gottipati MK, Lewis K, Lesort M, Parpura V, Gray M. Enhanced Ca(2+)-dependent glutamate release from astrocytes of the BACHD Huntington's disease mouse model. Neurobiol Dis 2013; 58:192-9. [PMID: 23756199 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2013.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2013] [Revised: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 06/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) causes preferential loss of a subset of neurons in the brain although the huntingtin protein is expressed broadly in various neural cell types, including astrocytes. Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity is thought to cause selective neuronal injury, and brain astrocytes have a central role in regulating extracellular glutamate. To determine whether full-length mutant huntingtin expression causes a cell-autonomous phenotype and perturbs astrocyte gliotransmitter release, we studied cultured cortical astrocytes from BACHD mice. Here, we report augmented glutamate release through Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis from BACHD astrocytes. Although such release is usually dependent on cytosolic Ca(2+) levels, surprisingly, we found that BACHD astrocytes displayed Ca(2+) dynamics comparable to those in wild type astrocytes. These results point to a possible involvement of other factors in regulating Ca(2+)-dependent/vesicular release of glutamate from astrocytes. We found a biochemical footprint that would lead to increased availability of cytosolic glutamate in BACHD astrocytes: i) augmented de novo glutamate synthesis due to an increase in the level of the astrocyte specific mitochondrial enzyme pyruvate carboxylase; and ii) unaltered conversion of glutamate to glutamine, as there were no changes in the expression level of the astrocyte specific enzyme glutamine synthetase. This work identifies a new mechanism in astrocytes that could lead to increased levels of extracellular glutamate in HD and thus may contribute to excitotoxicity in this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Lee
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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46
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Rituper B, Guček A, Jorgačevski J, Flašker A, Kreft M, Zorec R. High-resolution membrane capacitance measurements for the study of exocytosis and endocytosis. Nat Protoc 2013; 8:1169-83. [PMID: 23702833 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2013.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In order to understand exocytosis and endocytosis, it is necessary to study these processes directly. An elegant way to do this is by measuring plasma membrane capacitance (C(m)), a parameter proportional to cell surface area, the fluctuations of which are due to fusion and fission of secretory and other vesicles. Here we describe protocols that enable high-resolution C(m) measurements in macroscopic and microscopic modes. Macroscopic mode, performed in whole-cell configuration, is used for measuring bulk C(m) changes in the entire membrane area, and it enables the introduction of exocytosis stimulators or inhibitors into the cytosol through the patch pipette. Microscopic mode, performed in cell-attached configuration, enables measurements of C(m) with attofarad resolution and allows characterization of fusion pore properties. Although we usually apply these protocols to primary pituitary cells and astrocytes, they can be adapted and used for other cell types. After initial hardware setup and culture preparation, several C(m) measurements can be performed daily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boštjan Rituper
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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47
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Kabaso D, Jorgačevski J, Calejo AI, Flašker A, Guček A, Kreft M, Zorec R. Comparison of unitary exocytic events in pituitary lactotrophs and in astrocytes: modeling the discrete open fusion-pore states. Front Cell Neurosci 2013; 7:33. [PMID: 23576951 PMCID: PMC3616249 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2013.00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In regulated exocytosis the merger between the vesicle and the plasma membranes leads to the formation of an aqueous channel (a fusion-pore), through which vesicular secretions exit into the extracellular space. A fusion pore was thought to be a short-lived intermediate preceding full-fusion of the vesicle and the plasma membranes (full-fusion exocytosis). However, transient exocytic events were also observed, where the fusion-pore opens and closes, repetitively. Here we asked whether there are different discrete states of the open fusion-pore. Unitary exocytic events were recorded by the high-resolution cell-attached patch-clamp method in pituitary lactotrophs and brain astrocytes. We monitored reversible unitary exocytic events, characterized by an on-step, which is followed by an off-step in membrane capacitance (Cm), a parameter linearly related to the membrane area. The results revealed three categories of reversible exocytic events (transient fusion-pore openings), which do not end with the complete integration of the vesicle membrane into the plasma membrane. These were categorized according to the observed differences in the amplitude and sign of the change in the real (Re) parts of the admittance signals: in case I events (Re ≈ 0) fusion pores are relatively wide; in case II (Re > 0) and case III (Re < 0) events fusion pores are relatively narrow. We show that case III events are more likely to occur for small vesicles, whereas, case II events are more likely to occur for larger vesicles. Case III events were considerably more frequent in astrocytes than in lactotrophs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doron Kabaso
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana Ljubljana, Slovenia ; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Properties of ribbon and non-ribbon release from rod photoreceptors revealed by visualizing individual synaptic vesicles. J Neurosci 2013; 33:2071-86. [PMID: 23365244 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3426-12.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicle release from rod photoreceptors is regulated by Ca(2+) entry through L-type channels located near synaptic ribbons. We characterized sites and kinetics of vesicle release in salamander rods by using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to visualize fusion of individual synaptic vesicles. A small number of vesicles were loaded by brief incubation with FM1-43 or a dextran-conjugated, pH-sensitive form of rhodamine, pHrodo. Labeled organelles matched the diffraction-limited size of fluorescent microspheres and disappeared rapidly during stimulation. Consistent with fusion, depolarization-evoked vesicle disappearance paralleled electrophysiological release kinetics and was blocked by inhibiting Ca(2+) influx. Rods maintained tonic release at resting membrane potentials near those in darkness, causing depletion of membrane-associated vesicles unless Ca(2+) entry was inhibited. This depletion of release sites implies that sustained release may be rate limited by vesicle delivery. During depolarizing stimulation, newly appearing vesicles approached the membrane at ∼800 nm/s, where they paused for ∼60 ms before fusion. With fusion, vesicles advanced ∼18 nm closer to the membrane. Release events were concentrated near ribbons, but lengthy depolarization also triggered release from more distant non-ribbon sites. Consistent with greater contributions from non-ribbon sites during lengthier depolarization, damaging the ribbon by fluorophore-assisted laser inactivation (FALI) of Ribeye caused only weak inhibition of exocytotic capacitance increases evoked by 200-ms depolarizing test steps, whereas FALI more strongly inhibited capacitance increases evoked by 25 ms steps. Amplifying release by use of non-ribbon sites when rods are depolarized in darkness may improve detection of decrements in release when they hyperpolarize to light.
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49
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Cavender CE, Gottipati MK, Malarkey EB, Parpura V. Method for the determination of trajectory angles of directional secretory vesicles in cultured astrocytes. INQUIRO 2013; 7:48-52. [PMID: 25544968 PMCID: PMC4276363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes provide a principal pathway for glutamate uptake in the mammalian brain, a task accomplished by the powerful action of excitatory amino acid transporters (EAAT) 1 and 2. These transporters are synthesized within the endoplasmic reticulum and are then trafficked to the plasma membrane. The characteristics of their intracellular traffic within astrocytes have not been investigated. We monitored the trafficking of secretory vesicles laden with the recombinant fluorescent protein chimera of EAAT2 in cultured astrocytes. Such vesicles appeared as fluorescent puncta, and their trafficking parameters were obtained using original algorithms, which we describe here in detail. We determined the maximal displacement, average instantaneous speed, and trajectory angle of individual puncta/vesicles, with angles near 0° indicating radial movement directly away from or toward the nucleus and angles near 90° indicating tangential movement. Analysis of these trafficking parameters demonstrated that trafficking of EAAT2-laden vesicles has typical characteristics expected of the trafficking of secretory vesicles in cultured astrocytes. The distribution of trajectory angles for directional vesicles, i.e. those with a maximal displacement greater than 1 μm within the 40-s time-lapse imaging, was found to be unimodal, with angles near 0° being the most prominent (mode 7°). These measurements are in good agreement with previous measurements of trajectory angles of similar trafficking vesicles carrying cannabinoid receptor 1, evidencing the validity and robustness of our analytical approach and algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manoj K Gottipati
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Erik B Malarkey
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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50
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De Pittà M, Volman V, Berry H, Parpura V, Volterra A, Ben-Jacob E. Computational quest for understanding the role of astrocyte signaling in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Front Comput Neurosci 2012; 6:98. [PMID: 23267326 PMCID: PMC3528083 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2012.00098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the signaling network that underlies astrocyte-synapse interactions may seem discouraging when tackled from a theoretical perspective. Computational modeling is challenged by the fact that many details remain hitherto unknown and conventional approaches to describe synaptic function are unsuitable to explain experimental observations when astrocytic signaling is taken into account. Supported by experimental evidence is the possibility that astrocytes perform genuine information processing by means of their calcium signaling and are players in the physiological setting of the basal tone of synaptic transmission. Here we consider the plausibility of this scenario from a theoretical perspective, focusing on the modulation of synaptic release probability by the astrocyte and its implications on synaptic plasticity. The analysis of the signaling pathways underlying such modulation refines our notion of tripartite synapse and has profound implications on our understanding of brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio De Pittà
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv, Israel
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