Expressional down-regulation of neuronal-type nitric oxide synthase I by glucocorticoids in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells

Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Suppression Confers the Prolonged Analgesic Effect of Sciatic Nerve Block with Perineural Dexamethasone in Postoperative Pain Model Mice

Dexamethasone supplementation to local anesthetics prolongs its action, yet the underlying mechanism is unclear. Previous studies have reported that increased p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) is associated with pain-associated behavior and that nitric oxide (NO), which is known to be a pronociceptive substance, directly inhibits sciatic nerve conduction. Here, we investigated the temporal changes in the hyperalgesic effect and p-p38 MAPK and NO synthase (NOS) expression levels in the DRG when dexamethasone was added to ropivacaine used for a sciatic nerve block (SNB) in postoperative pain model mice. Dexamethasone supplementation to ropivacaine significantly prolonged the analgesic effect of SNB via glucocorticoid receptor activation. Histological examination revealed that ropivacaine suppressed p-p38 MAPK expression in the DRG regardless of dexamethasone supplementation, suggesting that p-p38 MAPK was not involved in the prolonging effect of dexamethasone on nerve block. Contrastingly, plantar incision markedly increased the expression of neuronal NOS (nNOS) in DRG, and dexamethasone supplementation to ropivacaine significantly suppressed nNOS expression. Supplementation of L-NAME, an inhibitor of NOS, to ropivacaine markedly prolonged the effect of SNB, similar to dexamethasone. These results suggest that dexamethasone supplementation to local anesthetics prolongs the analgesic effect by inhibiting nNOS activity.

Acute restraint stress induces specific changes in nitric oxide production and inflammatory markers in the rat hippocampus and striatum

Chronic mild stress has been shown to cause hippocampal neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) overexpression and the resultant nitric oxide (NO) production has been implicated in the etiology of depression. However, the extent of nitrosative changes including NOS enzymatic activity and the overall output of NO production in regions of the brain like the hippocampus and striatum following acute stress has not been characterized. In this study, outbred male Wistar rats aged 6-7 weeks were randomly allocated into 0 (control), 60, 120, or 240 min stress groups and neural regions were cryodissected for measurement of constitutive and inducible NOS enzymatic activity, nitrosative status, and relative gene expression of neuronal and inducible NOS. Hippocampal constitutive NOS activity increased initially but was superseded by the inducible isoform as stress duration was prolonged. Interestingly, hippocampal neuronal NOS and interleukin-1β mRNA expression was downregulated, while the inducible NOS isoform was upregulated in conjunction with other inflammatory markers. This pro-inflammatory phenotype within the hippocampus was further confirmed with an increase in the glucocorticoid-antagonizing macrophage migration inhibitory factor, Mif, and the glial surveillance marker, Ciita. This indicates that despite high levels of glucocorticoids, acute stress sensitizes a neuroinflammatory response within the hippocampus involving both pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducible NOS while concurrently modulating the immunophenotype of glia. Furthermore, there was a delayed increase in striatal inducible NOS expression while no change was found in other pro-inflammatory mediators. This suggests that short term stress induces a generalized increase in inducible NOS signaling that coincides with regionally specific increased markers of adaptive immunity and inflammation within the brain.

Changes in the cholinergic innervation pattern of porcine ovaries with cysts induced by dexamethasone administration

We revealed earlier that induction of ovarian cysts in gilts by dexamethasone phosphate disodium salt (DXM) administration from the follicular phase of the estrous cycle (EC) changed the cholinergic innervation of the gonad. In the present study, the innervation of porcine ovaries by vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT)-, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)- and somatostatin (SOM)-immunoreactive (IR) fibres, after induction of cystic changes from the middle luteal phase of the EC, was determined. The cystic changes were induced by DXM injections from days 7 to 21 of the EC, and 11 days later, the ovaries were collected. In the cystic ovaries, VAChT-, nNOS- and SOM-IR fibres were found around cysts and small tertiary follicles; nNOS-IR and also VAChT-IR fibres were observed near secondary follicles and veins; and VAChT- and nNOS-IR fibres were not found around cortical arteries. The number of VIP-IR fibres increased near the cysts and within the ground plexus, while the number of VAChT-IR fibres decreased within the medullar part of this structure. Thus, our study showed changes in the cholinergic innervation pattern of the porcine cystic ovaries induced from the middle phase of the cycle and confirmed that cystic ovary innervation depends partly on the phase of the EC in which the induction of cysts was started.

Region-specific changes in activities of cell death-related proteases and nitric oxide metabolism in rat brain in a chronic unpredictable stress model

Effects of a chronic combined unpredictable stress on activities of two cell death-related proteases, calpain and cathepsin B, were studied along with indices of nitrergic system in rat brain structures. Male Wistar rats were subjected to a 2-week-long combined stress (combination of unpaired flash light and moderate footshock associated with a white noise session). Stress resulted in a significant loss in the body and thymus weight and increased defecation in the open field test, though neither motor and exploratory activity, nor plasma corticosterone differed from the respective control levels. Decreased calpain activity and increased cathepsin B activity were demonstrated in the hippocampus of stressed rats (previously we have shown that caspase-3 activity was significantly suppressed in the brain of rats subjected to same type of stress). A significant reduction in the number of NOS-containing neurons was accompanied by a chronic stressinduced decline in NOS activity in the neocortex. Similar changes were observed in the hippocampus. However, levels of NO metabolites were elevated in both structures. Thus, stress-induced structural modifications in the brain may be mediated by disturbances in the nitrergic system and increased lysosomal proteolysis.

Ontogenetic expression of dopamine-related transcription factors and tyrosine hydroxylase in prenatally stressed rats

The development of the central nervous system can be permanently affected by insults received during the perinatal period, predisposing the organism to long-term behavioral and neurochemical abnormalities. Rats exposed to different types of stress during the last week of gestation produce offspring that show several alterations, many of which have been attributed to changes in dopamine (DA) neurotransmission that could serve as the neurochemical basis for the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Employing an immunocytochemical approach, we studied the expression levels of two transcription factors Nurr1 and Pitx3 which are expressed at critical moments of DA neurons differentiation as well as the expression of the rate limiting enzyme in DA synthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in mesencephalic areas of the brains of prenatally stressed (PS) offspring at different postnatal ages. Main results show that stress exerted to the gestant mother produces permanent effect in the ontogenetic expression of key factors related to the DA metabolism mainly in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the mesencephalon. The immunocytochemical expression of the transcription factor Nurr1 shows an increase at postnatal days (PNDs) 7, 28, and 60 whereas Pitx3 shows a decrease at PND 28 and an increase at 60 PND. The rate limiting step in DA synthesis, the enzyme TH shows a decrease at PND 7 to reach control levels at PNDs 28 and 60. The increase of TFs might be up-regulating TH in order to restore DA levels that were previously seen to be normal before puberty. The area selectivity of the increase of the TFs toward VTA and the mesolimbic pathway indicates that an insult received during the prenatal period will exert mainly motivational, emotional, and reward behavior impairments in the adult life.

Growth hormone production and action in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells

Neuroblastoma cells are undifferentiated cells derived from the neural crest and are commonly used as models for studying neural function. Mouse N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells are derived from cancerous tissue and provide a model for studying the oncogenesis of neural cells. As growth hormone (GH) has been implicated as an autocrine or paracrine involved in neural regulation and in the induction or progression of cancer, the possibility that N1E-115 cells are sites of GH production and GH action was assessed. Using RT-PCR, cultured N1E-115 cells were found to express the mouse GH and GH receptor (GHR) genes. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that both of the translated proteins (GH and its receptor) were abundantly present in the cytoplasm of these cells and their co-localization was established by confocal cytochemistry. GH action in these cells was determined in cells cultured for 72 h in the presence or absence of 10(-6) M or 10(-9) M mouse GH, which induced neurite sprouting and increased axon growth. In summary, the expression of GH and its receptor in GH responsive tumor-derived N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells suggests they provide a useful experimental model to assess GH actions in neural function or neural oncogenesis.

Glucocorticoid-regulated crosstalk between arachidonic acid and endocannabinoid biochemical pathways coordinates cognitive-, neuroimmune-, and energy homeostasis-related adaptations to stress

Arachidonic acid and its derivatives constitute the major group of signaling molecules involved in the innate immune response and its communication with all cellular and systemic aspects involved on homeostasis maintenance. Glucocorticoids spread throughout the organism their influences over key enzymatic steps of the arachidonic acid biochemical pathways, leading, in the central nervous system, to a shift favoring the synthesis of anti-inflammatory endocannabinoids over proinflammatory metabolites, such as prostaglandins. This shift modifies local immune-inflammatory response and neuronal activity to ultimately coordinate cognitive, behavioral, neuroendocrine, neuroimmune, physiological, and metabolic adjustments to basal and stress conditions. In the hypothalamus, a reciprocal feedback between glucocorticoids and arachidonate-containing molecules provides a mechanism for homeostatic control. This neurochemical switch is susceptible to fine-tuning by neuropeptides, cytokines, and hormones, such as leptin and interleukin-1beta, assuring functional integration between energy homeostasis control and the immune/stress response.

Possible role for nitric oxide dysregulation in critical illness myopathy

Muscle fiber inexcitability and myosin loss underlie weakness in critical illness myopathy (CIM). Nitric oxide (NO) takes part in the maintenance of muscle fiber resting potential and, in pathological conditions accompanied by oxidative stress, may damage proteins through peroxynitrite generation. Sepsis and other conditions associated with CIM may differentially affect expression of NO synthases (NOSs), so that both downregulation and upregulation with excessive peroxynitrite production can be hypothesized. In six patients with CIM we studied NOS1, NOS2, and NOS3 protein expression by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. To investigate peroxynitrite production, we performed immunohistochemistry for nitrotyrosine and measured nitrotyrosine levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In three patients, sarcolemmal staining for NOS1 was selectively absent. In the others, it was absent in atrophic fibers and absent or reduced in non-atrophic fibers. Total NOS1 protein content was reduced by 41% in patients compared to controls, whereas no significant changes were found in levels and localization of NOS2, NOS3, and nitrotyrosine. Further studies are warranted to determine whether NOS1 loss plays a role in the pathophysiology of CIM, possibly reducing the release of NO at the sarcolemma and affecting muscle fiber excitability.

The microtubule-associated protein doublecortin-like regulates the transport of the glucocorticoid receptor in neuronal progenitor cells

In neuronal cells, activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) translocates to the nucleus guided by the cytoskeleton. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying GR translocation remain unclear. Using gain and loss of function studies, we report here for the first time that the microtubule-associated protein doublecortin-like (DCL) controls GR translocation to the nucleus. DCL overexpression in COS-1 cells, neuroblastoma cells, and rat hippocampus organotypic slice cultures impaired GR translocation and decreased GR-dependent transcriptional activity, measured by a specific reporter gene assay, in COS-1 cells. Moreover, DCL and GR directly interact on microtubule bundles formed by DCL overexpression. A C-terminal truncated DCL with conserved microtubule-bundling activity did not influence GR translocation. In N1E-115 mouse neuroblastoma cells and neuronal progenitor cells in rat hippocampus organotypic slice cultures, laser-scanning confocal microscopy showed colabeling of endogenously expressed DCL and GR. In these systems, RNA-interference-mediated DCL knockdown hampered GR translocation. Thus, we conclude that DCL expression is tightly regulated to adequately control GR transport. Because DCL is primarily expressed in neuronal progenitor cells, our results introduce this microtubule-associated protein as a new modulator of GR signaling in this cell type and suggest the existence of cell-specific mechanisms regulating GR translocation to the nucleus.

Transcription of human neuronal nitric oxide synthase mRNAs derived from different first exons is partly controlled by exon 1-specific promoter sequences

The human neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) gene is subject to extensive splicing. A total of 12 NOS1 mRNA species have been identified. They differ in their 5' ends and are derived from 12 different first exons (termed exons 1a to 1l). Various cell lines whose NOS1 first exon expression patterns were representative of human brain, skin, and skeletal muscle were identified. These included A673 neuroepithelioma cells, SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells, HaCaT keratinocyte-like cells, and C2C12 myocyte-like cells. In these cell lines, correlations were found between the exon 1 variants preferentially expressed and the promoter activities of their cognate 5' flanking sequences. These data demonstrate that expression of the different exon 1-related splice variants of NOS1 mRNA is controlled directly (at least in part) by the associated 5' flanking sequences.

Nitric oxide induces [Ca2+]i oscillations in pituitary GH3 cells: involvement of IDR and ERG K+ currents

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the occurrence of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) oscillations in pituitary GH3 cells was evaluated by studying the effect of increasing or decreasing endogenous NO synthesis with L-arginine and nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), respectively. When NO synthesis was blocked with L-NAME (1 mM) [Ca2+]i, oscillations disappeared in 68% of spontaneously active cells, whereas 41% of the quiescent cells showed [Ca2+]i oscillations in response to the NO synthase (NOS) substrate L-arginine (10 mM). This effect was reproduced by the NO donors NOC-18 and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). NOC-18 was ineffective in the presence of the L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCC) blocker nimodipine (1 microM) or in Ca2+-free medium. Conversely, its effect was preserved when Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores was inhibited either with the ryanodine-receptor blocker ryanodine (500 microM) or with the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor blocker xestospongin C (3 microM). These results suggest that NO induces the appearance of [Ca2+]i oscillations by determining Ca2+ influx. Patch-clamp experiments excluded that NO acted directly on VDCC but suggested that NO determined membrane depolarization because of the inhibition of voltage-gated K+ channels. NOC-18 and SNAP caused a decrease in the amplitude of slow-inactivating (IDR) and ether-à-go-go-related gene (ERG) hyperpolarization-evoked, deactivating K+ currents. Similar results were obtained when GH3 cells were treated with L-arginine. The present study suggests that in GH3 cells, endogenous NO plays a permissive role for the occurrence of spontaneous [Ca2+]i oscillations through an inhibitory effect on IDR and on IERG.

Intrinsic optical signal of retinal spreading depression: Second phase depends on energy metabolism and nitric oxide

Spreading depression (SD) is a wave-like phenomenon that spreads through the gray matter of central nervous tissue. The aim of this work is to investigate how cellular energy supply and nitric oxide (NO) influence the recovery period after SD wave propagation. We have examined the SD wave in chicken retina by registration of the intrinsic optical signal (IOS). The changes of the IOS were observed via a microscope, transferred to a photomultiplier and amplified. The IOS of the SD wave consists of two phases. The first phase of IOS coexists with cellular swelling induced by ion distribution; the second phase is thought to reflect metabolic changes and reflects the refractory (recovery) period. To analyze the IOS, the amplitude, the duration and the front and the back maximal slopes of the both phases were analyzed. To reduce the cellular level of ATP the blocker of glucose transport-dexamethasone (glucocorticoid hormone) and the blocker of the respiratory chain-potassium cyanide were used. Sodium nitroprusside and trinitroglycerine were chosen as NO-donors. Our results show that during and after SD wave propagation (i) increased NO concentration changes the first and the second phases of IOS (duration of both phases is NO independent), (ii) reduced glucose uptake leads to an increased second phase duration and (iii) block of the respiratory chain prolongs the first phase. According to the results here presented, we propose that glycogen synthesis is one of the mechanisms reflected by the second phase of the IOS.

Refeeding-induced expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the rat paraventricular nucleus

We have previously reported that food deprivation decreases the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rats, and this reduction is inhibited by blockade of glucocorticoid receptors. In this study, we examined whether the fasting-induced decrease in nNOS gene expression in the PVN is restored by refeeding. The number of nNOS immunopositive cells in the PVN, which was markedly decreased by 48 h of food deprivation, increased significantly after 6 h of refeeding and was fully restored by 24 h after refeeding. The plasma corticosterone level, which was markedly increased by food deprivation, decreased significantly within 30 min after refeeding and returned to the free fed control level by 6 h. Synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone blocked the refeeding-induced nNOS expression in the PVN without suppressing food intake. Refeeding with a non-caloric food mash for 5 h failed to restore the fasting-induced decrease in the PVN-nNOS but did, however, successfully restore the plasma corticosterone level. These results suggest that the refeeding-induced nNOS expression in the PVN is a nutrient-directed event and that plasma glucocorticoids may play an inhibitory role in the regulatory pathway. Additionally, glucocorticoid disinhibition alone does not appear to be sufficient to induce nNOS expression in the PVN; nNOS expression in the PVN upon refeeding may require both nutrient supplementation and glucocorticoid disinhibition.

Acute effects of glucocorticoids on ATP-induced Ca2+ mobilization and nitric oxide production in cochlear spiral ganglion neurons

Rapid, non-genomic effects of glucocorticoids on extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-induced intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) changes and nitric oxide (NO) production were investigated in type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) of the guinea-pig cochlea using the Ca(2+)-sensitive dye fura-2 and the NO-sensitive dye 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2). Pretreatment of SGNs with 1 microM dexamethasone for 10 min, a synthetic glucocorticoid hormone, enhanced the ATP-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase in SGNs. RU 38486, a competitive glucocorticoid receptor antagonist eliminated the effects of dexamethasone on the ATP-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase in SGNs. These acute effects of dexamethasone were dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca(2+), thereby suggesting that dexamethasone may rapidly enhance the Ca(2+) influx through the activation of ionotropic P2X receptors which may interact with glucocorticoid-mediated membrane receptors. Extracellular ATP increased the intensity of DAF-2 fluorescence, indicating NO production in SGNs. The ATP-induced NO production was mainly due to the Ca(2+) influx through the activation of P2 receptors. S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, a NO donor, enhanced the ATP-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase in SGNs while L-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a NO synthesis inhibitor, inhibited it. Dexamethasone enhanced the ATP-induced NO production in SGNs. The augmentation of dexamethasone on ATP-induced NO production was abolished in the presence of l-NAME. It is concluded that the ATP-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase induces NO production which enhances a [Ca(2+)](i) increase in SGNs by a positive-feedback mechanism. Dexamethasone enhances the ATP-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase in SGNs which results in the augmentation of NO production. The present study suggests that NO may play an important role in auditory signal transduction. Our results also indicate that glucocorticoids may rapidly affect auditory neurotransmission due to a novel non-genomic mechanism.

RU486 blocks fasting-induced decrease of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the rat paraventricular nucleus

It has been reported that food deprivation decreases expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Food deprivation produces autonomic changes and the PVN nitric oxide has been suggested to be involved in regulation of autonomic functions. In order to understand the molecular mechanism by which food deprivation decreases nNOS expression in the PVN, we examined if plasma glucocorticoids, which reported to be elevated during food deprivation, mediates the fasting-induced down-regulation of the PVN-nNOS. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 48 h of food deprivation, but not water deprivation, with/without subcutaneous RU486, glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, and the brain tissues were processed for immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies against nNOS. Immunoreactivity of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) was also examined in the PVN sections, because nNOS promoter carries cAMP response element (CRE). Food deprivation significantly decreased both nNOS and pCREB immunoreactivity (-ir) in the medial parvocellular PVN, and RU486 blocked this reduction. In the posterior magnocellular PVN, nNOS-ir, but not pCREB-ir, was decreased by food deprivation, and RU486 exerted no effect. These results suggest that glucocorticoid receptor may mediate the fasting-induced down-regulation of nNOS in the parvocellular PVN, but not in the magnocellular PVN.

Dexamethasone lacks effect on blood pressure in mice with a disrupted endothelial NO synthase gene

Cushing's syndrome and systemic administration of glucocorticoids are associated with hypertension, but the underlying molecular mechanism is only partially understood. We have shown previously that dexamethasone downregulates the expression of the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene in human endothelial cells and in the rat and that this may contribute to the blood pressure-raising effect of the steroid [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96 (1999) 13357]. In the current communication, we demonstrated that dexamethasone increased mean arterial blood pressure in wild-type C-57 Bl6 mice (eNOS+/+ mice), but had no effect on blood pressure in mice with a disrupted eNOS gene (eNOS-/- mice) derived from the same strain. The NOS inhibitor ethylisothiourea, used for control purposes, showed a hypertensive effect in eNOS+/+ mice, but no such effect in eNOS-/- mice. Serum NO2-/NO3- levels, an indicator of total body NO synthesis, decreased significantly when eNOS+/+ mice were treated with dexamethasone. eNOS-/- mice had lower serum NO2-/NO3- levels per se, which were not changed significantly by dexamethasone. Dexamethasone decreased the expression of eNOS in three major organs of the mouse investigated, namely the heart, the liver, and the kidney. We conclude that the expressional downregulation of eNOS and the ensuing reduction in vascular NO production contributes to the hypertension caused by glucocorticoids.

Correlated NOS-Imu and myf5 expression by satellite cells in mdx mouse muscle regeneration during NOS manipulation and deflazacort treatment

Satellite cells, muscle precursor cells in skeletal muscle, are normally quiescent and become activated by disease or injury. A lack of dystrophin and changes in the expression or activity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS-I) affect the timing of activation in vivo. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition delays muscle repair in normal mice, and worsens muscular dystrophy in the mdx mouse, a genetic homologue of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, the potential role of activation and repair events mediated by nitric oxide in determining the outcome of steroid or other treatments for muscular dystrophy is not clear. We tested the hypothesis that the extent of repair in dystrophic muscles of mdx mice is partly dependent on NOS-Imu expression and activity. Myotube formation in regenerating muscle was promoted by deflazacort treatment of mdx dystrophic mice (P<0.05), and improved by combination with the nitric oxide synthase substrate, L-arginine, especially in the diaphragm. NOS-Imu mRNA expression and activity were present in satellite cells and very new myotubes of regenerating and dystrophic muscle. Deflazacort treatment resulted in increased NOS-Imu expression in regenerating muscles in a strong and specific correlation with myf5 expression (r=0.95, P<0.01), a marker for muscle repair. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition prevented the deflazacort-induced rise in NOS-Imu and myf5 expression in the diaphragm without affecting the diameter of non-regenerating fibres. These in vivo studies suggest that gains in NOS-Imu expression and nitric oxide synthase activity in satellite cells can increase the extent and speed of repair, even in the absence of dystrophin in muscle fibres. NOS-Imu may be a useful therapeutic target to augment the effects of steroidal or other treatments of muscular dystrophy.

Expression of prolactin receptors and regulation of cell proliferation by prolactin, corticotropin-releasing factor, and corticosterone in a neuroblastoma cell line

The aetiology of neuroblastoma remains obscure, although a number of neuropeptides have been implicated in its pathogenesis. Using the mouse neuroblastoma cell line Neuro2a as a model, we have investigated the mitogenic actions of prolactin (PRL) and two hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal stress axis hormones, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and corticosterone. Using established polyclonal PRL receptor antisera with immunofluorescence cytochemistry, we show that the Neuro2a cells possess immunoreactive forms of both the long and short forms of the receptor. PRL and CRF were effective as mitogens in Neuro2a cell cultures, where a 10(-7) M concentration of PRL or CRF elicited a two-fold increase in the numbers of cells after 72 h (p < 0.0001). Corticosterone, however, attenuated their proliferation. These data suggest that prolactin may act to increase the proliferation and regulation of neuroblastomas and that the effects of PRL may be modified by hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal hormones.

Influence of estradiol on NADPH diaphorase/neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity and colocalization with progesterone or type II glucocorticoid receptors in ovine hypothalamus

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to play an important role in both the neuroendocrine reproductive and stress axes, which are closely linked. Because progesterone (P4) receptors (PRs) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) are not found in GnRH neurons and the NOergic system has been implicated in the control of GnRH secretion, this study aimed to ascertain whether steroids altered the NOergic system. Our first objective was to map the distribution of NO synthase (NOS) cells in the ovine preoptic area (POA) and hypothalamus and to determine whether NOS activity is enhanced by estradiol (E2) treatment. Using NADPH diaphorase (NADPHd) histochemistry, we found that NADPHd-positive neurons were spread throughout the ovine POA and hypothalamus, and that all NADPHd cells were immunoreactive for NOS. In response to estradiol, a significant increase in the number of NADPHd cells was noted only in the ventrolateral region of the ventromedial nucleus (VMNvl), with no significant difference in the POA or arcuate nucleus. Progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors were colocalized with NADPHd reactive neurons in the POA, arcuate nucleus, and VMNvl of ewes in both treatment groups. In ewes receiving estradiol, the number of NADPHd-positive cells containing steroid receptors in the POA (PR, 81%; GR, 79%) and arcuate nucleus (PR, 89%; GR, 84%) was similar, but in the VMNvl, fewer NADPHd-positive cells contained GR (PR, 88%, GR, 31%). These data show that estradiol up-regulates NOS activity in a site-specific manner and that the influence and possible interaction of progesterone and corticosteroids on NO producing cells may differ according to the neural location.

Immunochemical characterization and measurement of neuronal type nitric oxide synthase in human neuroblastoma NB-OK-1 cell using novel anti-synthetic peptide antibody and specific immunoassay system

We developed a sensitive and specific immunoassay system for human neuronal nitric oxide synthase (hnNOS) using synthetic hnNOS(998-1024) peptide and anti-hnNOS(998-1024) antibody. The novel antibody and radioimmunoassay system revealed a typical nNOS protein in human neuroblastoma NB-OK-1 cell (160 kDa, 180 fmol/10(6) cells). The kinetic parameters of the enzyme were K(m)=4.88 microM and V(max)=4.34 pmol/min/mg protein for L-arginine. On incubation of NB-OK-1 cell for 24 h, betamethasone phosphate decreased both nNOS-immunoreactivity (nNOS-IR) and enzymatic activity in the cell dose-dependently. On the other hand, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide(1-38) (PACAP38) increased both nNOS-IR and enzymatic activity at concentrations of 10(-10) and 10(-9) M, but inversely decreased both at 10(-7) M. These suggest the positive and negative implications of endogenous NO in proliferation and differentiation of the cell, which support mitogenic activity of NO generated by nNOS in the cell. The present findings also provided evidence that the quantitative change of nNOS protein controls the integrated activity of the enzyme in the cell and, in turn, substantiate the validity and reliability of the present immunoassay system for hnNOS and its practical usefulness.

Glucocorticoid effects on Fos immunoreactivity and NADPH-diaphorase histochemical staining following spinal cord injury

Glucocorticoids (GC) provide neuroprotection and early recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). While several mechanisms were proposed to account for these effects, limited information exists regarding GC actions in sensory areas of the spinal cord. Presently, we studied the time course of Fos expression, and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemical staining to monitor neuronal responses to SCI with or without GC treatment. Rats with sham-operation or transection at the thoracic level (T7-T8) received vehicle or 5 mg/kg of the GC dexamethasone (DEX) at 5 min post-lesion and were sacrificed 2 or 4 h after surgery. Another group of SCI rats received vehicle or intensive DEX treatment (5 min, 6 h, 18 h and 46 h post-lesion) and were sacrificed 48 h after surgery. The number of NADPH-d positive neurons or Fos immunoreactive nuclei was studied by computer-assisted image analysis in superficial dorsal horn (Laminae I-III) and central canal area (Lamina X) below the lesion. While constitutive Fos immunoreactive nuclei were sparse in controls, SCI increased Fos expression at 2 and 4 h after injury. DEX treatment significantly enhanced the number of Fos positive nuclei in Laminae I-III by 4 h after transection, although the response was not maintained by intensive steroid treatment when tested at 48 h after SCI. NADPH-d positive neurons in Laminae I-III increased at 2 and 4 h after SCI while a delayed increased was found in central canal area (Lamina X). DEX treatment decreased NADPH-d positive neurons to sham-operated levels at all time points examined. Thus, while GC stimulation of Fos suggests activation of neurons involved in sympathetic outflow and/or pain, down-regulation of NADPH-d indicates attenuation of nociceptive outflow, considering the role of enzyme-derived nitric oxide in pain-related mechanisms. Differential hormonal effects on these molecules agree with their localization in different cell populations.

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis attenuates insulin-mediated sympathetic activation in rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Infusion of insulin produces sympathoexcitation, nitric oxide (NO) generation and NO-mediated vasodilation. Because central nervous system NO may inhibit sympathetic outflow, the present study was designed to determine whether NO synthase blockade would enhance insulin-mediated sympathetic activation. We additionally aimed to determine whether augmented sympathoexcitation and reduced NO-mediated vasodilation, during combined NO synthase blockade and hyperinsulinemia, would result in a blood pressure increase.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We infused vehicle (Control; n = 7) or insulin (10 mU/min) in anaesthetized rats receiving either no pretreatment (Insulin; n = 7) or after pretreatment with the NO blocker, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA-insulin; 0.25 mg/kg per min; n = 7), while measuring mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) during euglycemic clamp. An additional control group received L-NMMA (L-NMMA; n = 7).

RESULTS

Insulin rats had large SNA increases (190 +/- 22% from 100% baseline), contrasting with small increases in the Control (136 +/- 10%) and L-NMMA (135 +/- 20%) groups. Unexpectedly, NO blockade abolished insulin-induced SNA increases in the L-NMMA-insulin group (96 +/- 12%). In agreement with the SNA findings, Insulin rats had heart rate increases while no heart rate changes were observed in the L-NMMA-insulin, Control, or L-NMMA groups. In addition, there was an unexpected was a lack of MAP increase in L-NMMA-insulin rats. MAP also did not change in the Control, L-NMMA or Insulin groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that NO is necessary for insulin to exert its sympathoexcitatory effects, and that insulin-induced NO release may play a role in activating increases in lumbar SNA.

Nitric oxide reduces pressor responsiveness during ovine hypoadrenocorticism

1. Hypoadrenocorticism frequently results in critical hypotension, hypovolaemia, hyponatraemia and hyperkalaemia. Perhaps even more important, hypoadrenocorticoid humans experience decreased vasoconstriction in response to exogenous administration of vasoconstrictors, such as noradrenaline. 2. We studied chronically adrenalectomized adult sheep to test the hypothesis that the reduction in pressor responsiveness is the result of increased production of nitric oxide (NO) during hypoadrenocorticism. 3. Withdrawal of steroid replacement resulted in reduced blood pressure, reduced pressor responsiveness, as well as hyperkalaemia and hyponatraemia. 4. Inhibition of NO production by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester in the hypoadrenocorticoid ewes restored mean arterial pressure and pressor responsiveness response to normal values. 5. The results of these experiments support the hypothesis that reduced pressor responsiveness in the hypoadrenocorticoid state is mediated by the overproduction of NO.

Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity by 3-[2-[4-(3-chloro-2-methylphenyl)- 1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-5, 6-dimethoxy-1-(4-imidazolylmethyl)-1H-indazole dihydrochloride 3.5 hydrate (DY-9760e), a novel neuroprotective agent, in vitro and in cultured neuroblastoma cells in situ

DY-9760e, 3-[2-[4-(3-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-5, 6-dimethoxy-1-(4-imidazolylmethyl)-1H-indazole dihydrochloride 3.5 hydrate, a novel calmodulin (CaM) antagonist, possesses neuroprotective activity. In the current study, we examined the effects of DY-9760e on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities in vitro and on calcium ionophore-induced NO production in situ. DY-9760e inhibited both neuronal NOS and endothelial NOS activities without affecting inducible NOS activity. It also inhibited purified neuronal NOS activity with a potency similar to that seen for purified CaM kinase II activity in vitro. Furthermore, DY-9760e significantly inhibited Ca(2+) ionophore (A23187)-induced NO production in mouse N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells, at a concentration of less than 1 microM. In contrast, no apparent inhibitory effect on Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent protein kinase II activity was observed in cultured hippocampal neurons up to 5 microM. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of DY-9760e on CaM-dependent NOS activities underlies neuroprotective effects of the agent.

Ontogeny of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, NOS I, in the developing porcine kidney

To determine if the developing kidney differs from the adult in the expression of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase, NOS I, these experiments measured mRNA gene expression by RNase protection assay and protein content by Western blot of NOS I in piglets at ages newborn and 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days and adult pigs. Whole kidney NOS I mRNA was greatest at birth and decreased progressively during renal maturation to adult levels. NOS I protein content paralleled this developmental pattern. Cortical NOS I protein was equivalent in newborn and 14-day-old piglets and was greater at both ages than the adult. Medullary NOS I protein was relatively greater than cortical in both immature ages and decreased from a peak at birth to adult levels. We conclude the following. 1) During postnatal maturation, renal NOS I mRNA and protein content show a pattern that is developmentally regulated. 2) This developmental pattern of NOS I after birth may, in part, contribute to the enhanced functional role of NO during renal maturation.

Potential functional significance of brain-type and muscle-type nitric oxide synthase I expressed in adventitia and media of rat aorta

Skeletal muscle and myocardium express microNOS I, an elongated splice variant of neuronal-type nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS I), and NOS III, endothelial-type NO synthase, respectively. This study was designed to elucidate whether vascular smooth muscle also contains a constitutively expressed NO synthase isoform. In the rat, microNOS I contains an insert of 102 nucleotides after nucleotide 2865 of the cDNA, yielding a protein of 164 kd. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with primers flanking this insert and with insert-specific primers indicated that endothelium-denuded rat aorta expresses both brain-type NOS I and microNOS I. RNase protection analyses with an antisense RNA probe overlapping the microNOS I insert detected significant amounts of NOS I mRNA and lesser amounts of microNOS I mRNA in endothelium-denuded aorta. Western blots using a specific polyclonal antibody recognizing NOS I and microNOS I showed a major band of the 160-kd NOS I and a lesser band of a slightly larger protein in endothelium-denuded aorta. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated low levels of NOS I/microNOS I immunoreactivity in the medial layer of rat aorta, whereas the endothelium expressed only NOS III immunoreactivity. When the adventitia also was removed, NOS I and microNOS I mRNA decreased markedly but remained detectable in the medial layer. In functional experiments with endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings (that contained no NOS III), contractions induced by KCl were markedly increased in the presence of the NOS inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine. These data demonstrate that 2 subforms of NOS I are expressed in nonendothelial components of rat aorta: NOS I and lesser amounts of microNOS I. Under certain conditions, this NOS I/microNOS I expression could serve as a backup system to the functionally predominant NOS III.

Neuronal-type NO synthase: transcript diversity and expressional regulation

Of the three established isoforms of NO synthase, the gene for the neuronal-type enzyme (NOS I) is by far the largest and most complicated one. The genomic locus of the human NOS I gene is located on chromosome 12 and distributed over a region greater than 200 kb. The nucleotide sequence corresponding to the major neuronal mRNA transcript is encoded by 29 exons. The full-length open reading frame codes for a protein of 1434 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 160.8 kDa. However, both in rodents and in humans, multiple, tissue-specific or developmentally regulated NOS I mRNA transcripts have been reported. They arise from the initiation by different transcriptional units containing alternative promoters (at least eight in the human gene), cassette exon deletions or insertions, and/or the usage of alternate polyadenylation signals. Depending on the insertions and deletions, translation results in functional or nonfunctional proteins. The use of alternative promoters can influence gene expression by various means. Indeed, NOS I is not a static, constitutively expressed enzyme, but subject to expressional regulation by various compounds and conditions. The molecular mechanisms underlying these regulations are currently being studied in several laboratories including our own.

Coexpression of inducible NO synthase and soluble guanylyl cyclase in colonic enterocytes: a pathophysiologic signaling pathway for the initiation of diarrhea by gram-negative bacteria?

Infectious diarrhea is often caused by the exotoxins of gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli. However, these organisms also contain lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin. LPS induces nitric oxide synthase II (NOS II, inducible NOS) in various types of cells. We now demonstrate by RNase protection analysis, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry that the expression of NOS II mRNA and protein is markedly induced in colonic enterocytes of mice that ingest LPS with their drinking water. Using the same techniques, significant levels of soluble guanylyl cyclase (GC-S), the effector enzyme of NO, were found constitutively expressed in the mucosa. This creates a pathophysiologic autocrine pathway producing increased levels of cyclic GMP and leading to hypersecretion and diarrhea. In fact, the LPS-induced diarrhea developed in parallel with the NOS II induction. Diarrhea could be controlled with orally administered dexamethasone, which prevented the LPS-stimulated induction of NOS II (RNase protection analysis and Western blot). Diarrhea was also blocked by oral aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of NOS II activity. These data suggest that in addition to the known heat-labile and heat-stable exotoxins, gram-negative bacteria may induce diarrhea through the release of endotoxins that induce a NOS II-GC-S autocrine pathway in mucosal epithelium.