Glial cells in neurotoxicity development

Stem cell-based approaches for developmental neurotoxicity testing

Neurotoxicants are substances that can lead to adverse structural or functional effects on the nervous system. These can be chemical, biological, or physical agents that can cross the blood brain barrier to damage neurons or interfere with complex interactions between the nervous system and other organs. With concerns regarding social policy, public health, and medicine, there is a need to ensure rigorous testing for neurotoxicity. While the most common neurotoxicity tests involve using animal models, a shift towards stem cell-based platforms can potentially provide a more biologically accurate alternative in both clinical and pharmaceutical research. With this in mind, the objective of this article is to review both current technologies and recent advancements in evaluating neurotoxicants using stem cell-based approaches, with an emphasis on developmental neurotoxicants (DNTs) as these have the most potential to lead to irreversible critical damage on brain function. In the next section, attempts to develop novel predictive model approaches for the study of both neural cell fate and developmental neurotoxicity are discussed. Finally, this article concludes with a discussion of the future use of in silico methods within developmental neurotoxicity testing, and the role of regulatory bodies in promoting advancements within the space.

Self-Closing Stretchable Cuff Electrodes for Peripheral Nerve Stimulation and Electromyographic Signal Recording

The cuff electrode can be wrapped in the columnar or tubular biological tissue for physiological signal detection or stimulation regulation. The reliable and non-excessive interfaces between the electrode and complex tissue are critical. Here, we propose a self-closing stretchable cuff electrode, which is able to self-close onto the bundles of tissues after dropping water. The curliness is realized by the mechanical stress mismatch between different layers of the elastic substrate. The material of the substrate can be selected to match the modulus of the target tissue to achieve minimal constraint on the tissue. Moreover, the self-closing structure keeps the cuff electrode free from any extra mechanical locking structure. For in vivo testing, both sciatic nerve stimulation to drive muscles and electromyographic signal monitoring around a rat's extensor digitorum longus for 1 month prove that our proposed electrode conforms well to the curved surface of biological tissue.

Drug repurposing in cancer neuroscience: From the viewpoint of the autophagy-mediated innervated niche

Based on the bidirectional interactions between neurology and cancer science, the burgeoning field “cancer neuroscience” has been proposed. An important node in the communications between nerves and cancer is the innervated niche, which has physical contact with the cancer parenchyma or nerve located in the proximity of the tumor. In the innervated niche, autophagy has recently been reported to be a double-edged sword that plays a significant role in maintaining homeostasis. Therefore, regulating the innervated niche by targeting the autophagy pathway may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. Drug repurposing has received considerable attention for its advantages in cost-effectiveness and safety. The utilization of existing drugs that potentially regulate the innervated niche via the autophagy pathway is therefore a promising pharmacological approach for clinical practice and treatment selection in cancer neuroscience. Herein, we present the cancer neuroscience landscape with an emphasis on the crosstalk between the innervated niche and autophagy, while also summarizing the underlying mechanisms of candidate drugs in modulating the autophagy pathway. This review provides a strong rationale for drug repurposing in cancer treatment from the viewpoint of the autophagy-mediated innervated niche.

Astrocyte Reaction to Catechol-Induced Cytotoxicity Relies on the Contact with Microglia Before Isolation

Astrocytes preserve the brain microenvironment homeostasis in order to protect other brain cells, mainly neurons, against damages. Glial cells have specific functions that are important in the context of neuronal survival in different models of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Microglia are among these cells, secreting several molecules that can modulate astrocyte functions. Although 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol) is a neurotoxic monoaromatic compound of exogenous origin, several endogenous molecules also present the catechol group. This study compared two methods to obtain astrocyte-enriched cultures from newborn Wistar rats of both sexes. In the first technique (P1), microglial cells began to be removed early 48 h after primary mixed glial cultures were plated. In the second one (P2), microglial cells were late removed 7 to 10 days after plating. Both cultures were exposed to catechol for 72 h. Catechol was more cytotoxic to P1 cultures than to P2, decreasing cellularity and changing the cell morphology. Microglial-conditioned medium (MCM) protected P1 cultures and inhibited the catechol autoxidation. P2 cultures, as well as P1 in the presence of 20% MCM, presented long, dense, and fibrillary processes positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein, which retracted the cytoplasm when exposed to catechol. The Ngf and Il1beta transcription increased in P1, meanwhile astrocytes expressed more Il10 in P2. Catechol decreased Bdnf and Il10 in P2 cultures, and it decreased the expression of Il1beta in both conditions. A prolonged contact with microglia before isolation of astrocyte-enriched cultures modifies astrocyte functions and morphology, protecting these cells against catechol-induced cytotoxicity.

Effect of Dietary Exposure to Acrylamide on Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Dysfunction from the Perspectives of Oxidative Damage, Neuroinflammation, and Metabolic Disorders

Acrylamide is a toxic compound that is produced widely during food processing, but whether the daily dietary consumption of acrylamide can impair the cognitive dysfunction in diabetic individuals and the potential underlying mechanisms are unknown. The aim of the present study was to observe the changes in cognitive and memory performance caused by chronic acrylamide exposure and to evaluate its influence on the brain morphology, oxidative damage, neuroinflammation, and brain metabolic disturbance. Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a rat model of diabetes, were orally administered acrylamide at 1 mg/kg body weight for 8 weeks. The results of the novel object recognition and Y-maze tests showed that the consumption of acrylamide significantly aggravated diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction in GK rats. Acrylamide increased reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde formation and reduced glutathione levels, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity activity, which caused a succession of events associated with oxidative damage, including glial cell activation. After the activation of astrocytes and microglia, related cytokines, including interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and lipopolysaccharide, were released, amyloid β-protein was accumulated, brain-derived neurotrophic factor was decreased, and the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was increased, which aggravated neuroinflammation. Furthermore, there was perturbation of some important metabolites, including glutamic acid, citric acid, pyruvic acid, lactate, and sphinganine, and their related glucose, amino acid, and energy metabolism pathways in the brain. This work helps to demonstrate the effect of consumption of acrylamide in the daily diet on diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction and its underlying mechanisms.

Unraveling unique and common cell type-specific mechanisms in glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme persists to be an enigmatic distress in neuro-oncology. Its untethering capacity to thrive in a confined microenvironment, metastasize intracranially, and remain resistant to the systemic treatments, renders this tumour incurable. The glial cell type specificity in GBM remains exploratory. In our study, we aimed to address this problem by studying the GBM at the cell type level in the brain. The cellular makeup of this tumour is composed of genetically altered glial cells which include astrocyte, microglia, oligodendrocyte precursor cell, newly formed oligodendrocyte and myelinating oligodendrocyte. We extracted cell type-specific solid tumour as well as recurrent solid tumour glioma genes, and studied their functional networks and contribution towards gliomagenesis. We identified the principal transcription factors that are found to be regulating vital tumorigenic processes. We also assessed the protein-protein interaction networks at their domain level to get a more microscopic view of the structural and functional operations that transpire in these cells. This yielded the eminent protein regulators exhibiting their regulation in signaling pathways. Overall, our study unveiled regulatory mechanisms in glioma cell types that can be targeted for a more efficient glioma therapy.

Microglia at the Centre of Brain Research: Accomplishments and Challenges for the Future

Microglia are the immune guardians of the central nervous system (CNS), with critical functions in development, maintenance of homeostatic tissue balance, injury and repair. For a long time considered a forgotten 'third element' with basic phagocytic functions, a recent surge in interest, accompanied by technological progress, has demonstrated that these distinct myeloid cells have a wide-ranging importance for brain function. This review reports microglial origins, development, and function in the healthy brain. Moreover, it also targets microglia dysfunction and how it contributes to the progression of several neurological disorders, focusing on particular molecular mechanisms and whether these may present themselves as opportunities for novel, microglia-targeted therapeutic approaches, an ever-enticing prospect. Finally, as it has been recently celebrated 100 years of microglia research, the review highlights key landmarks from the past century and looked into the future. Many challenging problems have arisen, thus it points out some of the most pressing questions and experimental challenges for the ensuing century.

Neuroinflammation as a Common Denominator of Complex Diseases (Cancer, Diabetes Type 2, and Neuropsychiatric Disorders)

The term neuroinflammation refers to inflammation of the nervous tissue, in general, and in the central nervous system (CNS), in particular. It is a driver of neurotoxicity, it is detrimental, and implies that glial cell activation happens prior to neuronal degeneration and, possibly, even causes it. The inflammation-like glial responses may be initiated in response to a variety of cues such as infection, traumatic brain injury, toxic metabolites, or autoimmunity. The inflammatory response of activated microglia engages the immune system and initiates tissue repair. Through translational research the role played by neuroinflammation has been acknowledged in different disease entities. Intriguingly, these entities include both those directly related to the CNS (commonly designated neuropsychiatric disorders) and those not directly related to the CNS (e.g., cancer and diabetes type 2). Interestingly, all the above-mentioned entities belong to the same group of "complex disorders". This review aims to summarize cumulated data supporting the hypothesis that neuroinflammation is a common denominator of a wide variety of complex diseases. We will concentrate on cancer, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and neuropsychiatric disorders (focusing on mood disorders).

Advances in Transcription Factors Related to Neuroglial Cell Reprogramming

Neuroglial cells have a high level of plasticity, and many types of these cells are present in the nervous system. Neuroglial cells provide diverse therapeutic targets for neurological diseases and injury repair. Cell reprogramming technology provides an efficient pathway for cell transformation during neural regeneration, while transcription factor-mediated reprogramming can facilitate the understanding of how neuroglial cells mature into functional neurons and promote neurological function recovery.

Peroxiredoxin II Maintains the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential against Alcohol-Induced Apoptosis in HT22 Cells

Excessive alcohol intake can significantly reduce cognitive function and cause irreversible learning and memory disorders. The brain is particularly vulnerable to alcohol-induced ROS damage; the hippocampus is one of the most sensitive areas of the brain for alcohol neurotoxicity. In the present study, we observed significant increasing of intracellular ROS accumulations in Peroxiredoxin II (Prx II) knockdown HT22 cells, which were induced by alcohol treatments. We also found that the level of ROS in mitochondrial was also increased, resulting in a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential. The phosphorylation of GSK3β (Ser9) and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 expression levels were significantly downregulated in Prx II knockdown HT22 cells, which suggests that Prx II knockdown HT22 cells were more susceptible to alcohol-induced apoptosis. Scavenging the alcohol-induced ROS with NAC significantly decreased the intracellular ROS levels, as well as the phosphorylation level of GSK3β in Prx II knockdown HT22 cells. Moreover, NAC treatment also dramatically restored the mitochondrial membrane potential and the cellular apoptosis in Prx II knockdown HT22 cells. Our findings suggest that Prx II plays a crucial role in alcohol-induced neuronal cell apoptosis by regulating the cellular ROS levels, especially through regulating the ROS-dependent mitochondrial membrane potential. Consequently, Prx II may be a therapeutic target molecule for alcohol-induced neuronal cell death, which is closely related to ROS-dependent mitochondria dysfunction.

Inflammation associated with noise-induced hearing loss

Inflammation is a complex biological response to harmful stimuli including infection, tissue damage, and toxins. Thus, it is not surprising that cochlear damage by noise includes an inflammatory component. One mechanism by which inflammation is generated by tissue damage is the activation of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Many of the cellular receptors for DAMPS, including Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors, and DNA receptors, are also receptors for pathogens, and function in the innate immune system. DAMP receptors are known to be expressed by cochlear cells, and binding of molecules released by damaged cells to these receptors result in the activation of cell stress pathways. This leads to the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that recruit pro-inflammatory leukocytes. Extensive evidence indicates pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF alpha and interleukin 1 beta, and chemokines including CCL2, are induced in the cochlea after noise exposure. The recruitment of macrophages into the cochlea has also been demonstrated. These provide substrates for noise damage to be enhanced by inflammation. Evidence is provided by the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs in ameliorating noise-induced hearing loss. Involvement of inflammation provides a wide variety of additional anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution agents as potential pharmacological interventions in noise-induced hearing loss.

Sodium para-aminosalicylate protected cultured basal ganglia astrocytes from manganese-induced DNA damages and alteration of amino acid neurotransmitter levels

Sodium para-aminosalicylate (PAS-Na) was first applied successfully in clinical treatment of two manganism patients with good prognosis. However, the mechanism of how PAS-Na protects against Mn-induced neurotoxicity is still elusive. The current study was conducted to explore the effects of PAS-Na on Mn-induced basal ganglia astrocyte injury, and the involvement of amino acid neurotransmitter in vitro. Basal ganglia astrocytes were exposed to 500 μM manganese chloride (MnCl2) for 24 hr, following by 50, 150, or 450 μM PAS-Na treatment for another 24 hr. MnCl2 significantly decreased viability of astrocytes and induced DNA damages via increasing the percentage of tail DNA and Olive tail moment of DNA. Moreover, Mn interrupted amino acid neurotransmitters by decreasing Gln levels and increasing Glu, Gly levels. In contrast, PAS-Na treatment reversed the aforementioned Mn-induced toxic effects on basal ganglia astrocytes. Taken together, our results demonstrated that excessive Mn exposure may induce toxic effects on basal ganglia astrocytes, while PAS-Na could protect basal ganglia astrocytes from Mn-induced neurotoxicity.

Dynamic activation of basilar membrane macrophages in response to chronic sensory cell degeneration in aging mouse cochleae

In the sensory epithelium, macrophages have been identified on the scala tympani side of the basilar membrane. These basilar membrane macrophages are the spatially closest immune cells to sensory cells and are able to directly respond to and influence sensory cell pathogenesis. While basilar membrane macrophages have been studied in acute cochlear stresses, their behavior in response to chronic sensory cell degeneration is largely unknown. Here we report a systematic observation of the variance in phenotypes, the changes in morphology and distribution of basilar membrane tissue macrophages in different age groups of C57BL/6J mice, a mouse model of age-related sensory cell degeneration. This study reveals that mature, fully differentiated tissue macrophages, not recently infiltrated monocytes, are the major macrophage population for immune responses to chronic sensory cell death. These macrophages display dynamic changes in their numbers and morphologies as age increases, and the changes are related to the phases of sensory cell degeneration. Notably, macrophage activation precedes sensory cell pathogenesis, and strong macrophage activity is maintained until sensory cell degradation is complete. Collectively, these findings suggest that mature tissue macrophages on the basilar membrane are a dynamic group of cells that are capable of vigorous adaptation to changes in the local sensory epithelium environment influenced by sensory cell status.

Diverse neurotoxicants target the differentiation of embryonic neural stem cells into neuronal and glial phenotypes

The large number of compounds that needs to be tested for developmental neurotoxicity drives the need to establish in vitro models to evaluate specific neurotoxic endpoints. We used neural stem cells derived from rat neuroepithelium on embryonic day 14 to evaluate the impact of diverse toxicants on their ability to differentiate into glia and neurons: a glucocorticoid (dexamethasone), organophosphate insecticides (chlorpyrifos, diazinon, parathion), insecticides targeting the GABA_A receptor (dieldrin, fipronil), heavy metals (Ni²⁺, Ag⁺), nicotine and tobacco smoke extract. We found three broad groupings of effects. One diverse set of compounds, dexamethasone, the organophosphate pesticides, Ni²⁺ and nicotine, suppressed expression of the glial phenotype while having little or no effect on the neuronal phenotype. The second pattern was restricted to the pesticides acting on GABA_A receptors. These compounds promoted the glial phenotype and suppressed the neuronal phenotype. Notably, the actions of compounds eliciting either of these differentiation patterns were clearly unrelated to deficits in cell numbers: dexamethasone, dieldrin and fipronil all reduced cell numbers, whereas organophosphates and Ni²⁺ had no effect. The third pattern, shared by Ag⁺ and tobacco smoke extract, clearly delineated cytotoxicity, characterized by major cell loss with suppression of differentiation into both glial and neuronal phenotypes; but here again, there was some selectivity in that glia were suppressed more than neurons. Our results, from this survey with diverse compounds, point to convergence of neurotoxicant effects on a specific "decision node" that controls the emergence of neurons and glia from neural stem cells.

Oral Toxicity of 2,4-Dinitroanisole in Rats

Subacute and subchronic studies were conducted to assess the toxicity of 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and to provide information important for protecting the health of military and civilian personnel. In the subchronic study, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed with DNAN via oral gavage at 0, 1.25, 5, 20, and 80 mg/kg/d. Likely owing to its conversion to 2,4-dinitrophenol, an inhibitor of energy homeostasis, DNAN caused an apparent increase in metabolism, leading to reduced feed efficiency ratios and body mass gains in males. Anemia, splenic enlargement, hemosiderosis, and extramedullary hematopoiesis indicated blood as a target organ, with females more sensitive than males. The DNAN was a testicular toxicant, causing decreased mass of testes and epididymides, as well as degeneration and atrophy of testicular seminiferous tubules and epididymal aspermia. Stereotypical behavior in males, gait irregularities, and cerebellar lesions indicated that DNAN is neurotoxic. Splenic enlargement, anemia, testicular toxicity, and neurotoxicity occurred only at or near lethal doses in the subchronic study.

In vitro acute and developmental neurotoxicity screening: an overview of cellular platforms and high-throughput technical possibilities

Neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity are important issues of chemical hazard assessment. Since the interpretation of animal data and their extrapolation to man is challenging, and the amount of substances with information gaps exceeds present animal testing capacities, there is a big demand for in vitro tests to provide initial information and to prioritize for further evaluation. During the last decade, many in vitro tests emerged. These are based on animal cells, human tumour cell lines, primary cells, immortalized cell lines, embryonic stem cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells. They differ in their read-outs and range from simple viability assays to complex functional endpoints such as neural crest cell migration. Monitoring of toxicological effects on differentiation often requires multiomics approaches, while the acute disturbance of neuronal functions may be analysed by assessing electrophysiological features. Extrapolation from in vitro data to humans requires a deep understanding of the test system biology, of the endpoints used, and of the applicability domains of the tests. Moreover, it is important that these be combined in the right way to assess toxicity. Therefore, knowledge on the advantages and disadvantages of all cellular platforms, endpoints, and analytical methods is essential when establishing in vitro test systems for different aspects of neurotoxicity. The elements of a test, and their evaluation, are discussed here in the context of comprehensive prediction of potential hazardous effects of a compound. We summarize the main cellular characteristics underlying neurotoxicity, present an overview of cellular platforms and read-out combinations assessing distinct parts of acute and developmental neurotoxicology, and highlight especially the use of stem cell-based test systems to close gaps in the available battery of tests.

Effects of chlorpyrifos on life cycle parameters, cytochrome P450S expression, and antioxidant systems in the monogonont rotifer Brachionus koreanus

Chlorpyrifos is a widely used organophosphorus insecticide for controlling diverse insect pests of crops. In the monogonont rotifer Brachionus koreanus, population growth retardation with the inhibition of lifespan, fecundity, and individual body size of ovigerous females was shown over 10 d in response to chlorpyrifos exposure. At the molecular and biochemical levels, the rotifer B. koreanus defensome, composed of cytochrome P450 complements, heat shock protein 70, and antioxidant enzymatic systems (i.e., glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase), was significantly induced in response to different concentrations of chlorpyrifos. Thus, chlorpyrifos strongly induced a defensome system to mitigate the deleterious effects of chlorpyrifos at in vivo and in vitro levels as a trade-off in fitness costs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1449-1457. © 2015 SETAC.

Monocrotophos Induces the Expression of Xenobiotic Metabolizing Cytochrome P450s (CYP2C8 and CYP3A4) and Neurotoxicity in Human Brain Cells

Expression of various cytochrome P450s (CYPs) in mammalian brain cells is well documented. However, such studies are hampered in neural/glial cells of human origin due to nonavailability of human brain cells. To address this issue, we investigated the expression and inducibility of CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 and their responsiveness against cyclophosphamide (CPA) and organophosphorus pesticide monocrotophos (MCP), a known developmental neurotoxicant in human neural (SH-SY5Y) and glial (U373-MG) cell lines. CPA induced significant expression of CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 in both types of cells in a time-dependent manner. Neural cell line exhibited relatively higher constitutive and inducible expression of CYPs than the glial cell line. MCP exposure alone could not induce the significant expression of CYPs, whereas the cells preexposed to CPA showed a significant response to MCP. Similar to the case of CPA induced expressions, neural cells were found to be more vulnerable than glial cells. Our data indicate differential expressions of CYPs in cultured human neural and glial cell lines. The findings were synchronized with protein ligand docking studies, which showed a significant modulatory capacity of MCP by strong interaction with CYP regulators-CAR and PXR. Similarly, the known CYP inducer CPA has also shown significant high docking scores with the two studied CYP regulators. We also observed a significant induction in reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxides (LPO), micronucleus (MN), chromosomal aberration (CA), and reduction in reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase following the exposure of MCP. Moreover, the expressions of apoptotic markers such as caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, and p53 were significantly upregulated, whereas the levels of antiapoptotic marker, Bcl2, was downregulated after the exposure of MCP in both cell lines. These findings confirm the involvement of ROS-mediated oxidative stress, which subsequently triggers apoptosis pathways in both human neural (SH-SY5Y) and glial (U373-MG) cell lines following the exposure of MCP.

Impact of Plant-Derived Flavonoids on Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative disorders have a common characteristic that is the involvement of different cell types, typically the reactivity of astrocytes and microglia, characterizing gliosis, which in turn contributes to the neuronal dysfunction and or death. Flavonoids are secondary metabolites of plant origin widely investigated at present and represent one of the most important and diversified among natural products phenolic groups. Several biological activities are attributed to this class of polyphenols, such as antitumor activity, antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory, among others, which give significant pharmacological importance. Our group have observed that flavonoids derived from Brazilian plants Dimorphandra mollis Bent., Croton betulaster Müll. Arg., e Poincianella pyramidalis Tul., botanical synonymous Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul. also elicit a broad spectrum of responses in astrocytes and neurons in culture as activation of astrocytes and microglia, astrocyte associated protection of neuronal progenitor cells, neuronal differentiation and neuritogenesis. It was observed the flavonoids also induced neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and human pluripotent stem cells. Moreover, with the objective of seeking preclinical pharmacological evidence of these molecules, in order to assess its future use in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, we have evaluated the effects of flavonoids in preclinical in vitro models of neuroinflammation associated with Parkinson's disease and glutamate toxicity associated with ischemia. In particular, our efforts have been directed to identify mechanisms involved in the changes in viability, morphology, and glial cell function induced by flavonoids in cultures of glial cells and neuronal cells alone or in interactions and clarify the relation with their neuroprotective and morphogetic effects.

Modulation of BV-2 microglia functions by novel quercetin pivaloyl ester

Chronic inflammation in brain plays a critical role in major neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, stroke or multiple sclerosis. Microglia, resident macrophages and intristinc components of CNS, appear to be main effectors in this pathological process. Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, was proven to downregulate inflammatory genes in microglia. Synthetically modified quercetin, 3'-O-(3-chloropivaloyl) quercetin (CPQ), is assumed to possess better biological availability and enhanced antioxidant properties. In the present study, antineuroinflammatory capability of the novel compound CPQ was assessed in BV-2 microglial cells. Our data show that treatment with CPQ attenuated the production of the inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), in LPS-stimulated microglia somewhat more efficiently than did quercetin (p > 0.05 for CPQ vs. quercetin-treated group). Also, protein level of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in LPS-activated BV-2 microglia was to some extent more effectively supressed by CPQ than by unmodified flavonoid. In consistence with the extent of their effects on pro-inflammatory markers, CPQ and quercetin showed down-regulation of NFκB activation. This quercetin analogue caused also a decline in BV-2 microglia proliferation with interfering with cell cycle progression (p < 0.001 for CPQ vs. quercetin-treated group). However, CPQ did not remarkably affect cell viability. In addition, CPQ showed a minor better suppression of PMA-induced generation of superoxide than did quercetin. Neither CPQ nor quercetin influenced phagocytosis of BV-2 cells. These results point to the therapeutic potential of 3'-O-(3-chloropivaloyl)quercetin (CPQ) as a novel antiinflammatory drug in neurodegenerative diseases, mediating favourable modulation of pro-inflammatory functions of microglia.

Dieckol Attenuates Microglia-mediated Neuronal Cell Death via ERK, Akt and NADPH Oxidase-mediated Pathways

Excessive microglial activation and subsequent neuroinflammation lead to synaptic loss and dysfunction as well as neuronal cell death, which are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of several neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the regulation of microglial activation has been evaluated as effective therapeutic strategies. Although dieckol (DEK), one of the phlorotannins isolated from marine brown alga Ecklonia cava, has been previously reported to inhibit microglial activation, the molecular mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated here molecular mechanism of DEK via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Akt and nicotinamide adenine dinuclelotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-mediated pathways. In addition, the neuroprotective mechanism of DEK was investigated in microglia-mediated neurotoxicity models such as neuron-microglia co-culture and microglial conditioned media system. Our results demonstrated that treatment of anti-oxidant DEK potently suppressed phosphorylation of ERK in lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 µg/ml)-stimulated BV-2 microglia. In addition, DEK markedly attenuated Akt phosphorylation and increased expression of gp91^phox, which is the catalytic component of NADPH oxidase complex responsible for microglial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Finally, DEK significantly attenuated neuronal cell death that is induced by treatment of microglial conditioned media containing neurotoxic secretary molecules. These neuroprotective effects of DEK were also confirmed in a neuron-microglia co-culture system using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-transfected B35 neuroblastoma cell line. Taken together, these results suggest that DEK suppresses excessive microglial activation and microglia-mediated neuronal cell death via downregulation of ERK, Akt and NADPH oxidase-mediated pathways.

Developmental neurotoxicity - challenges in the 21st century and in vitro opportunities

In recent years neurodevelopmental problems in children have increased at a rate that suggests lifestyle factors and chemical exposures as likely contributors. When environmental chemicals contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) becomes an enormous concern. But how can it be tackled? Current animal test- based guidelines are prohibitively expensive, at $ 1.4 million per substance, while their predictivity for human health effects may be limited, and mechanistic data that would help species extrapolation are not available. A broader screening for substances of concern requires a reliable testing strategy, applicable to larger numbers of substances, and sufficiently predictive to warrant further testing. This review discusses the evidence for possible contributions of environmental chemicals to DNT, limitations of the current test paradigm, emerging concepts and technologies pertinent to in vitro DNT testing and assay evaluation, as well as the prospect of a paradigm shift based on 21st century technologies.

Biological and medical applications of a brain-on-a-chip

The desire to develop and evaluate drugs as potential countermeasures for biological and chemical threats requires test systems that can also substitute for the clinical trials normally crucial for drug development. Current animal models have limited predictivity for drug efficacy in humans as the large majority of drugs fails in clinical trials. We have limited understanding of the function of the central nervous system and the complexity of the brain, especially during development and neuronal plasticity. Simple in vitro systems do not represent physiology and function of the brain. Moreover, the difficulty of studying interactions between human genetics and environmental factors leads to lack of knowledge about the events that induce neurological diseases. Microphysiological systems (MPS) promise to generate more complex in vitro human models that better simulate the organ's biology and function. MPS combine different cell types in a specific three-dimensional (3D) configuration to simulate organs with a concrete function. The final aim of these MPS is to combine different "organoids" to generate a human-on-a-chip, an approach that would allow studies of complex physiological organ interactions. The recent discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) gives a range of possibilities allowing cellular studies of individuals with different genetic backgrounds (e.g., human disease models). Application of iPSCs from different donors in MPS gives the opportunity to better understand mechanisms of the disease and can be a novel tool in drug development, toxicology, and medicine. In order to generate a brain-on-a-chip, we have established a 3D model from human iPSCs based on our experience with a 3D rat primary aggregating brain model. After four weeks of differentiation, human 3D aggregates stain positive for different neuronal markers and show higher gene expression of various neuronal differentiation markers compared to 2D cultures. Here we present the applications and challenges of this emerging technology.

Gliotoxin-induced swelling of astrocytes hinders diffusion in brain extracellular space via formation of dead-space microdomains

One of the hallmarks of numerous life-threatening and debilitating brain diseases is cellular swelling that negatively impacts extracellular space (ECS) structure. The ECS structure is determined by two macroscopic parameters, namely tortuosity (λ) and volume fraction (α). Tortuosity represents hindrance imposed on the diffusing molecules by the tissue in comparison with an obstacle-free medium. Volume fraction is the proportion of tissue volume occupied by the ECS. From a clinical perspective, it is essential to recognize which factors determine the ECS parameters and how these factors change in brain diseases. Previous studies demonstrated that dead-space (DS) microdomains increased λ during ischemia and hypotonic stress, as these pocket-like structures transiently trapped diffusing molecules. We hypothesize that astrocytes play a key role in the formation of DS microdomains because their thin processes have concave shapes that may elongate as astrocytes swell in these pathologies. Here we selectively swelled astrocytes in the somatosensory neocortex of rat brain slices with a gliotoxin DL-α-Aminoadipic Acid (DL-AA), and we quantified the ECS parameters using Integrative Optical Imaging (IOI) and Real-Time Iontophoretic (RTI) diffusion methods. We found that α decreased and λ increased during DL-AA application. During recovery, α was restored whereas λ remained elevated. Increase in λ during astrocytic swelling and recovery is consistent with the formation of DS microdomains. Our data attribute to the astrocytes an important role in determining the ECS parameters, and indicate that extracellular diffusion can be improved not only by reducing the swelling but also by disrupting the DS microdomains.

Brain autoantibodies in autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interactions as well as restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior. The etiology of ASD is not well understood, although many factors have been associated with its pathogenesis, such genetic, neurological, environmental and immunological factors. Several studies have reported the production of numerous autoantibodies that react with specific brain proteins and brain tissues in autistic children and alter the function of the attacked brains tissue. In addition, the potential role of maternal autoantibodies to the fatal brain in the etiology of some cases of autism has also been reported. Identification and understanding of the role of brain autoantibodies as biological biomarkers may allow earlier detection of ASD, lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of ASD and have important therapeutic implications.

Glial cell response to 3,4-(+/-)-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and its metabolites

3,4-(±)-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-(±)-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), a primary metabolite of MDMA, are phenylethylamine derivatives that cause serotonergic neurotoxicity. Although several phenylethylamine derivatives activate microglia, little is known about the effects of MDMA on glial cells, and evidence of MDMA-induced microglial activation remains ambiguous. We initially determined microglial occupancy status of the parietal cortex in rats at various time points following a single neurotoxic dose of MDMA (20mg/kg, SC). A biphasic microglial response to MDMA was observed, with peak microglial occupancy occurring 12- and 72-h post-MDMA administration. Because direct injection of MDMA into the brain does not produce neurotoxicity, the glial response to MDMA metabolites was subsequently examined in vivo and in vitro. Rats were treated with MDA (20mg/kg, SC) followed by ex vivo biopsy culture to determine the activation of quiescent microglia. A reactive microglial response was observed 72 h after MDA administration that subsided by 7 days. In contrast, intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of MDA failed to produce a microglial response. However, thioether metabolites of MDA derived from α-methyldopamine (α-MeDA) elicited a robust microglial response following icv injection. We subsequently determined the direct effects of various MDMA metabolites on primary cultures of E18 hippocampal mixed glial and neuronal cells. 5-(Glutathion-S-yl)-α-MeDA, 2,5-bis-(glutathion-S-yl)-α-MeDA, and 5-(N-acetylcystein-S-yl)-α-MeDA all stimulated the proliferation of glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes at a dose of 10 µM. The findings indicate that glial cells are activated in response to MDMA/MDA and support a role for thioether metabolites of α-MeDA in the neurotoxicity.

Noninvasive strategies to promote functional recovery after stroke

Stroke is a common and disabling global health-care problem, which is the third most common cause of death and one of the main causes of acquired adult disability in many countries. Rehabilitation interventions are a major component of patient care. In the last few years, brain stimulation, mirror therapy, action observation, or mental practice with motor imagery has emerged as interesting options as add-on interventions to standard physical therapies. The neural bases for poststroke recovery rely on the concept of plasticity, namely, the ability of central nervous system cells to modify their structure and function in response to external stimuli. In this review, we will discuss recent noninvasive strategies employed to enhance functional recovery in stroke patients and we will provide an overview of neural plastic events associated with rehabilitation in preclinical models of stroke.

Lactation reduces glial activation induced by excitotoxicity in the rat hippocampus

Motherhood induces a series of adaptations in the physiology of the female, including an increase of maternal brain plasticity and a reduction of cell damage in the hippocampus caused by kainic acid (KA) excitotoxicity. We analysed the role of lactation in glial activation in the hippocampal fields of virgin and lactating rats after i.c.v. application of 100 ng of KA. Immunohistochemical analysis for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionised calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), which are markers for astrocytes and microglial cell-surface proteins, respectively, revealed differential cellular responses to KA in lactating and virgin rats. A significant astrocyte and microglial response in hippocampal areas of virgin rats was observed 24 h and 72 h after KA. By contrast, no increase in either GFAP- or Iba-1-positive cells was observed in response to KA in the hippocampus of lactating rats. Western blot analysis of GFAP showed an initial decrease at 24 h after KA treatment, with an increase at 72 h in the whole hippocampus of virgin but not of lactating rats. The number of GFAP-positive cells was increased by lactation in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus but not in CA1 and CA3 areas. The present results indicate that lactating rats exhibit diminished responses of astrocyte and microglial cells in the hippocampus to damage induced by KA, supporting the notion that the maternal hippocampus is resistant to excitotoxic insults.

Differential response to acrylonitrile toxicity in rat primary astrocytes and microglia

Acrylonitrile (ACN) is a widely used chemical in the production of plastics, resins, nitriles, acrylic fibers, synthetic rubber and acrylamide. While acute high level exposures to ACN are known to be lethal, chronic low dose exposures causes glial cell tumors in rats. Recently, these glial tumors have been characterized as microglial in origin. While effects of ACN on astrocytes, the more numerous glial cell, have been investigated, the effects on microglia are unknown. This study was conducted to compare the responses of astrocytes and microglia to ACN treatment in vitro to address differential sensitivities and adaptive responses to this toxic chemical. Cell viability, ACN uptake, lipid peroxidation byproducts (F2-isoprostanes), glutathione (GSH) levels and expression of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were evaluated in primary rat microglia and astrocytes following ACN treatment. Results indicate that microglia are more sensitive to ACN than astrocytes, accumulating less ACN while demonstrating higher F2-isoprostane levels. GSH levels were up-regulated in both cell types, as a protective mechanism against ACN-induced oxidative stress, while Nrf2 levels were only induced in microglia. Our data suggest that microglia and astrocytes exhibit different sensitivities and responses to ACN, which are linked to the intracellular thiol status inherent to each of these cell types.

MICEST: a potential tool for non-invasive detection of molecular changes in Alzheimer's disease

Myo-inositol (mIns) is a marker of glial cells proliferation and has been shown to increase in early Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. mIns exhibits a concentration dependent chemical-exchange-saturation-transfer (CEST) effect (MICEST) between its hydroxyl groups and bulk water protons. Using the endogenous MICEST technique brain mIns concentration and glial cells proliferation can be mapped at high spatial resolution. The high resolution mapping of mIns was performed using MICEST technique on ∼20 months old APP-PS1 transgenic mouse model of AD as well as on age matched wild type (WT) control (n=5). The APP-PS1 mice show ∼50% higher MICEST contrast than WT control with concomitant increase in mIns concentration as measured through proton spectroscopy. Immunostaining against glial-fibric-acidic protein also depicts proliferative glial cells in larger extent in APP-PS1 than WT mice, which correspond to the higher mIns concentration. Potential significance of MICEST in early detection of AD pathology is discussed in detail.

Time course of serum S100B protein and neuron-specific enolase levels of a single dose of chlorpyrifos in rats

Organophosphate (OP) compounds are a large class of chemicals, many of which are used as pesticides. It is suggested that OPs specifically affect glia and neurons. Effects of acute exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF), which is a common organophosphorus pesticide used worldwide, on neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100B levels in rat blood during 7 days were assessed. Rats were evaluated either before (0 hr) or 2, 12, 24, 48 and 168 hr (7 days) after injection of CPF (279 mg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle (peanut oil, 2 ml/kg, s.c.) for clinical signs of toxicity. Immediately after the evaluation of toxicity, blood samples were taken for biochemical assays. CPF administration produced decreases in body-weight and temperature, which were observed for first time at 12 hr after CPF administration and continued for 168 hr (p < 0.05-0.001). Serum S100B and NSE levels were acutely increased 2 hr after CPF administration and remained high at 12 hr (p < 0.01-0.001). NSE and S100B levels were not different in either CPF or vehicle groups at following time points. Serum butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8; BuChE) activity was dramatically reduced at 2 hr after CPF and remained low at each time points during 7 days (p < 0.01-0.001). Our results suggest that the usefulness of serum levels of these glia- and neuron-specific marker proteins in assessing OP toxicity, specifically CPF-induced toxicity.

Do salt cravings in children with autistic disorders reveal low blood sodium depleting brain taurine and glutamine?

Because boys are four times more likely than girls to develop autism, the role of male hormones (androgens) has received considerable scrutiny. Some researchers implicate arginine vasopressin, an androgen-dependent hormone from the pituitary gland that elicits male behavior. Elevated vasopressin is also the most common cause of low blood sodium (hyponatremia)--most serious in the brains of children. Hyponatremia causes astrocytes to swell, then release the amino acids taurine and glutamine and their water to compensate. Taurin--the brain osmolyte/inhibitory neurotransmitter that suppresses vasopressin--was the amino acid most wasted or depleted in urine of autistic children. Glutamine is a critical metabolic fuel in brain neurons, astrocytes, endothelial cells, and the intestines, especially during hypoglycemia. Because glutamine is not thought to cross the blood-brain barrier significantly, the implications of low blood glutamine in these children are not recognized. Yet children with high brain glutamine from urea cycle disorders are rarely diagnosed with autistic disorders. Other common events in autistic children that release vasopressin are gastrointestinal inflammation, hypoglycemia, and stress. Signs of hyponatremia in these children are salt cravings reported online and anecdotally, deep yellow urine revealing concentration, and relief of autistic behavior by fluid/salt diets. Several interventions offer promise: (a) taurine to suppress vasopressin and replenish astrocytes; (b) glutamine as fuel for intestines and brain; (c) arginine to spare glutamine, detoxify ammonia, and increase brain blood flow; and (d) oral rehydration salts to compensate dilutional hyponatremia. This hypothesis appears eminently testable: Does your child crave salt? Is his urine deep yellow?

Features of microglia and neuroinflammation relevant to environmental exposure and neurotoxicity

Microglia are resident cells of the brain involved in regulatory processes critical for development, maintenance of the neural environment, injury and repair. They belong to the monocytic-macrophage lineage and serve as brain immune cells to orchestrate innate immune responses; however, they are distinct from other tissue macrophages due to their relatively quiescent phenotype and tight regulation by the CNS microenvironment. Microglia actively survey the surrounding parenchyma and respond rapidly to changes such that any disruption to neural architecture or function can contribute to the loss in regulation of the microglia phenotype. In many models of neurodegeneration and neurotoxicity, early events of synaptic degeneration and neuronal loss are accompanied by an inflammatory response including activation of microglia, perivascular monocytes, and recruitment of leukocytes. In culture, microglia have been shown to be capable of releasing several potentially cytotoxic substances, such as reactive oxygen intermediates, nitric oxide, proteases, arachidonic acid derivatives, excitatory amino acids, and cytokines; however, they also produce various neurotrophic factors and quench damage from free radicals and excitotoxins. As the primary source for pro-inflammatory cytokines, microglia are implicated as pivotal mediators of neuroinflammation and can induce or modulate a broad spectrum of cellular responses. Neuroinflammation should be considered as a balanced network of processes whereby subtle modifications can shift the cells toward disparate outcomes. For any evaluation of neuroinflammation and microglial responses, within the framework of neurotoxicity or degeneration, one key question in determining the consequence of neuroinflammation is whether the response is an initiating event or the consequence of tissue damage. As examples of environmental exposure-related neuroinflammation in the literature, we provide an evaluation of data on manganese and diesel exhaust particles.

A simple magnetic separation method for high-yield isolation of pure primary microglia

Microglial cells play a dynamic role in the brain beyond their established function of immune surveillance. Activated microglia play key roles in neural development, neuroinflammation, neural repair and neurotoxicity. They are particularly important in several neurodegenerative diseases in which sustained microglial activation contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative processes. Consequently, understanding microglial function in CNS health and disease has become an area of active research in recent years. However, a significant obstacle to progress in this field has been the inherent difficulties in obtaining large amounts of primary microglial cells to routinely perform mechanistic studies and characterize signaling pathways regulating the dynamics of microglial activation. Herein, we describe a novel column-free magnetic separation protocol for high-yield isolation of primary microglia from mouse postnatal mixed glial cultures. The procedure is based on optimized culture conditions that enable high microglial cell densities in confluent mixed glial cultures followed by highly efficient recovery of pure microglia by magnetic separation. The novel column-free magnetic separation system utilizes tetrameric antibody complexes (TAC) with dual specificity for CD11b-PE labeled microglia and dextran magnetic nanoparticles. An FcR blocker (anti-CD16/32) is added to enhance the purity of the microglial separation by preventing non-specific labeling of other cell types. This procedure yields on average >3×10⁶ microglial cells per mouse pup, with a remarkable purity of 97% and recovery of around 87% of microglia from the mixed glial population. Importantly, the microglia obtained by this method are fully functional and respond like cells obtained by conventional isolation techniques.

Induction of S100B secretion in C6 astroglial cells by the major metabolites accumulating in glutaric acidemia type I

Glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency or glutaric acidemia type I (GA I) is an inherited neurometabolic disorder biochemically characterized by tissue accumulation of predominantly glutaric (GA) and 3-hydroxyglutaric (3OHGA) acids and clinically by severe neurological symptoms and structural brain abnormalities, manifested as progressive cerebral atrophy and acute striatum degeneration following encephalopathic crises, whose pathophysiology is still in debate. Considering that reactive astrogliosis is a common finding in brain of GA I patients, in the present study we investigated the effects of GA and 3OHGA on glial activity determined by S100B release by rat C6-glioma cells. We also evaluated the effects of these organic acids on some parameters of oxidative stress in these astroglial cells. We observed that GA and 3OHGA significantly increased S100B secretion and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (lipid peroxidation), whereas GA markedly decreased reduced glutathione levels in these glioma cells. This is the first report demonstrating that the major metabolites accumulating in GA I activate S100B secretion in astroglial cells, indicating activation of these cells. We also showed that GA and 3OHGA induced oxidative stress in C6 lineage cells, confirming previous findings observed in brain fresh tissue. It is therefore presumed that reactive glial cells and oxidative damage may underlie at least in part the neuropathology of GA I.

Assessment of gliosis around moveable implants in the brain

Repositioning microelectrodes post-implantation is emerging as a promising approach to achieve long-term reliability in single neuronal recordings. The main goal of this study was to (a) assess glial reaction in response to movement of microelectrodes in the brain post-implantation and (b) determine an optimal window of time post-implantation when movement of microelectrodes within the brain would result in minimal glial reaction. Eleven Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with two microelectrodes each that could be moved in vivo post-implantation. Three cohorts were investigated: (1) microelectrode moved at day 2 (n = 4 animals), (2) microelectrode moved at day 14 (n = 5 animals) and (3) microelectrode moved at day 28 (n = 2 animals). Histological evaluation was performed in cohorts 1-3 at four-week post-movement (30 days, 42 days and 56 days post-implantation, respectively). In addition, five control animals were implanted with microelectrodes that were not moved. Control animals were implanted for (1) 30 days (n = 1), (2) 42 days (n = 2) and (3) 56 days (n = 2) prior to histological evaluation. Quantitative assessment of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) around the tip of the microelectrodes demonstrated that GFAP levels were similar around microelectrodes moved at day 2 when compared to the 30-day controls. However, GFAP expression levels around microelectrode tips that moved at day 14 and day 28 were significantly less than those around control microelectrodes implanted for 42 and 56 days, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that moving microelectrodes after implantation is a viable strategy that does not result in any additional damage to brain tissue. Further, moving the microelectrode downwards after 14 days of implantation may actually reduce the levels of GFAP expression around the tips of the microelectrodes in the long term.

IL-6 release from mouse glia caused by MeHg requires cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation

Methylmercury is a potent neurotoxin that causes severe neurological disorders in fetuses and young children. Recent studies indicated that MeHg could alter levels of immune mediators produced by cells of the central nervous system. Results from this study indicated that MeHg could greatly induce IL-6 release from primary mouse glial cultures. This property was not shared by other cytotoxic heavy metals, such as CdCl(2) or HgCl(2). MeHg was known to induce cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) activation and expression, and this enzyme was required for IL-6 induction in some experimental systems. Further experiments using structurally distinct pharmacological agents were performed to test the hypothesis that MeHg induced PLA(2) activation was necessary for MeHg induced IL-6 release. Results indicated that AACOCF(3) (>or=10 microM), MAFP (>or=0.625 microM) and BEL (>or=0.625 microM) significantly reduced MeHg induced IL-6 release in glia. However, these PLA(2) inhibitors did not block MeHg induced GSH depletion. These results suggested that PLA(2) activation was required for MeHg to induce glial IL-6 release.

Abscisic acid activates the murine microglial cell line N9 through the second messenger cyclic ADP-ribose

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone regulating important functions in higher plants, notably responses to abiotic stress. Recently, chemical or physical stimulation of human granulocytes was shown to induce production and release of endogenous ABA, which activates specific cell functions. Here we provide evidence that ABA stimulates several functional activities of the murine microglial cell line N9 (NO and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production, cell migration) through the second messenger cyclic ADP-ribose and an increase of intracellular calcium. ABA production and release occur in N9 cells stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide, phorbol myristate acetate, the chemoattractant peptide f-MLP, or beta-amyloid, the primary plaque component in Alzheimer disease. Finally, ABA priming stimulates N9 cell migration toward beta-amyloid. These results indicate that ABA is a pro-inflammatory hormone inducing autocrine microglial activation, potentially representing a new target for anti-inflammatory therapies aimed at limiting microglia-induced tissue damage in the central nervous system.

PACAP signaling to DREAM: a cAMP-dependent pathway that regulates cortical astrogliogenesis

Astrocytes constitute a very abundant cell type in the mammalian central nervous system and play critical roles in brain function. During development, astrocytes are generated from neural progenitor cells only after these cells have generated neurons. This so called gliogenic switch is tightly regulated by intrinsic factors that inhibit the generation of astrocytes during the neurogenic period. Once neural progenitors acquire gliogenic competence, they differentiate into astrocytes in response to specific extracellular signals. Some of these signals are delivered by neurotrophic cytokines via activation of the gp130-JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription system, whereas others depend on the activity of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) on specific PAC1 receptors that stimulate the production of cAMP. This results in the activation of the small GTPases Rap1 and Ras, and in the cAMP-dependent entry of extracellular calcium into the cell. Calcium, in turn, stimulates the transcription factor downstream regulatory element antagonist modulator (DREAM), which is bound to specific sites of the promoter of the glial fibrillary acidic protein gene, stimulating its expression during astrocyte differentiation. Lack of DREAM in vivo results in alterations in the number of neurons and astrocytes generated during development. Thus, the PACAP-cAMP-Ca(2+)-DREAM signaling cascade constitutes an important pathway to activate glial-specific gene expression during astrocyte differentiation.