Location of Radioactively Labelled Extracellular Fluid Indicators in Nervous Tissue by Autoradiography

Neurons, Receptors, and Channels

Here, I recount some adventures that I and my colleagues have had over some 60 years since 1957 studying the effects of drugs and neurotransmitters on neuronal excitability and ion channel function, largely, but not exclusively, using sympathetic neurons as test objects. Studies include effects of centrally active drugs on sympathetic transmission; neuronal action and neuroglial uptake of GABA in the ganglia and brain; the action of muscarinic agonists on sympathetic neurons; the action of bradykinin on neuroblastoma-derived cells; and the identification of M-current as a target for muscarinic action, including experiments to determine its distribution, molecular composition, neurotransmitter sensitivity, and intracellular regulation by phospholipids and their hydrolysis products. Techniques used include electrophysiological recording (extracellular, intracellular microelectrode, whole-cell, and single-channel patch-clamp), autoradiography, messenger RNA and complementary DNA expression, antibody injection, antisense knockdown, and membrane-targeted lipidated peptides. I finish with some recollections about my scientific career, funding, and changes in laboratory life and pharmacology research over the past 60 years.

Drugs in the brain--cellular imaging with receptor microscopic autoradiography

For cell and tissue localization of drugs, receptor microscopic autoradiography is reviewed, including its development history, multiple testing, extensive applications and significant discoveries. This sensitive high-resolution imaging method is based on the use of radiolabeled compounds (esp. tagged with (3)H or (125)I), preservation through freezing of in vivo localization of tissue constituents, cutting thin frozen sections, and close contact with the recording nuclear emulsion. After extensive testing of the utility of this method, the distribution of radiolabeled compounds has been identified and characterized for estradiol, progestagens, adrenal steroids, thyroid hormone, ecdysteroids, vitamin D, retinoic acid, metabolic indicators glucose and 2-deoxyglucose, as well as extracellular space indicators. Target cells and associated tissues have been characterized with special stains, fluorescing compounds, or combined autoradiography-immunocytochemistry with antibodies to dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, GABA, enkephalin, specific receptor proteins, or other cellular products. Blood-brain barrier and brain entries via capillary endothelium, ependyma, or circumventricular recess organs have been visualized for (3)H-dexamethasone, (210)Pb lead, and (3)H-1,25(OH)(2) vitamin D(3). With this histopharmacologic approach, cellular details and tissue integrative overviews can be assessed in the same preparation. As a result, information has been gained that would have been difficult or impossible otherwise. Maps of brain drug distribution have been developed and relevant target circuits have been recognized. Examples include the stria terminalis that links septal-amygdaloid-thalamic-hypothalamic structures and telencephalic limbic system components which extend as the periventricular autonomic-neuroendocrine ABC (Allocortex-Brainstem-Circuitry) system into the mid- and hindbrain. Discoveries with radiolabeled substances challenged existing paradigms, engendering new concepts and providing seminal incentives for further research toward understanding drug actions. Most notable are discoveries made during the 1980s with vitamin D in the brain together with over 50 target tissues that challenged the century-old doctrine of vitamin D's main role as 'the calcitropic hormone', when the new data made it apparent that the main biological function of this multifunctional sunshine hormone rather is maintenance of life and adapting vital functions to the solar environment. In the brain, vitamin D, in close relation to sex and adrenal steroids, participates in the regulation of the secretion of neuro-endocrines, such as, serotonin, dopamine, nerve growth factor, acetyl choline, with importance in prophylaxis and therapy of neuro-psychiatric disorders. Histochemical imaging with high cellular-subcellular resolution is necessary for obtaining detailed information, as this review indicates. New spectrometric methods, like MALDI-MSI, are unlikely to furnish the same information as receptor microautoradiography does, but can provide important correlative molecular information.

Support and satellite cells within the rabbit dorsal root ganglion: ultrastructure of a perineuronal support cell

STUDY DESIGN

The membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasmic contents of satellite cells were evaluated using a transmission electron microscope.

OBJECTIVE

To delineate satellite cell morphometries.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The role of the satellite support cells associated with the neuronal cell bodies remains poorly understood. Previous research has identified one type of satellite support cells.

METHODS

Dorsal root ganglions were excised from 10 adult New Zealand White rabbits. Sections from L2-L5 ganglions were prepared, cut, and analyzed under a transmission electron microscope.

RESULTS

A total of 190 neurons and their associated satellite cells were selected for analysis. Three subgroups of satellite cells were identified. The two predominant subgroups consisted of previously described satellite cells. The third subgroup consisted of highly complex and unusual cells. Nineteen satellite cells (4%) did not conform to any previous description of glial cells. Cells were characterized by larger nuclei, with numerous inclusions, and by extensively convoluted reflections of the cellular membrane. These cells were "perched" or "piggy-backed" on top of a convoluted and multilayered cytoplasmic sheet.

CONCLUSION

A new type of support cell representing a different cell line or a highly adapted cell with specific functional capacities was identified.

Evaluation of extra- and intracellular apparent diffusion in normal and globally ischemic rat brain via 19F NMR

The biophysical mechanism(s) underlying diffusion-weighted MRI contrast following brain injury remains to be elucidated. Although it is generally accepted that water apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) decreases after brain injury, it is unknown whether this is associated with a decrease in intracellular or extracellular water displacement, or both. To address this question, 2-[19F]luoro-2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate (2FDG-6P) was employed as a compartment-specific marker in normal and globally ischemic rat brain. Through judicious choice of routes of administration, 2FDG-6P was confined to the intra- or extracellular space. There was no statistical difference between intra- and extracellular 2FDG-6P ADCs in normal or in globally ischemic brain (P > 0.16), suggesting that water ADCs in both compartments are similar. However, ischemia did result in a 40% ADC decrease in both compartments (P < 0.001). Assuming that 2FDG-6P reflects water motion, this study shows that water ADC decreases in both spaces after ischemia, with the reduction of intracellular water motion being the primary source of diffusion-weighted contrast.

Distribution of extracellular tracers in perivascular spaces of the rat brain

Large molecular weight tracers (india ink or albumin labeled with colloidal gold, Evans blue or rhodamine) were micro-injected into the perivascular space of an artery or vein on the brain surface, or within the cerebral cortex or the subarachnoid space of anesthetized rats. The subsequent distribution was followed both under intravital microscopy, in order to outline the pathways and direction of tracer movement, and in histological section, in order to describe the pathways of flow at the light and electron microscopic level. The tracers remained largely in the perivascular spaces and in the interconnecting network of extracellular channels, including the subpial space and the core of subarachnoid trabeculae. Tracer also leaked across the pia into subarachnoid CSF. Bulk flow of fluid within the perivascular space, around both arteries and veins, was suggested from video-densitometric measurements of fluorescently labeled albumin. However, this flow was slow, and its direction varied in an unpredictable way. These results confirm that perivascular spaces may serve as channels for fluid exchange between brain and CSF, but do not support the idea that CSF circulates rapidly through brain tissue via perivascular spaces.

Intracellular concentration of potassium and other elements in vaginal epithelial cells stimulated by estradiol administration

Electron probe x-ray microanalysis was used to measure cytoplasmic elemental content (in mmoles/kg dry weight) of the basal layer of cells of the vaginal epithelium of ovariectomized rats. Measurements were made both before estradiol injection and at 2 hr, 17 hr, and 24 hr after estradiol administration. Mitotic figures first appeared in the basal cell layer at 24 hr. During the course of the study significant time-dependent differences were seen in the content of all elements mesured. A pattern of change in cytoplasmic content was seen for Na, P, S, and Cl; all of which decrease significantly by 17 hr and then return to approximately the nonstimulated concentration by 24 hr. On the other hand K, and to a lesser extent Mg, show an early and continued increase in cytoplasmic content after estadiol injection. Thus, the marked increase in the intracytoplasmic content of K in the estradiol treated cells suggests that K, or the ratio of Na to K, may be directly or indirectly involved in growth stimulation.

Intracellular concentration of elements in normal and dystrophic skeletal muscles of the chicken

In this study, the intracellular concentrations of six elements (mmole/kg dry weight) were directly measured in the muscle fibers of pectoralis major muscles of eight week old, genetically dystrophic and normal chickens by the X-ray microanalysis technique. The extent of muscle degeneration was evaluated by morphometric measurements of muscle fiber diameter and other histological changes. A significant increase in the concentration of intracellular sodium and chlorine was evident in dystrophic muscles. The concentration of intracellular sodium was 127.0 +/- 35.0 in the muscle fibers of dystrophic chicks compared to 65.7 +/- 16.5 in normal controls. The concentration of chlorine was 90.5 +/- 27.5 and 54.1 +/- 5.5 in the muscle fibers of dystrophic and normal chicks respectively. The intracellular concentrations of potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, and sulfur remained unchanged in the dystrophic condition. Morphometric studies revealed that the dystrophic pectoralis muscles contain fewer but thicker fibers per unit area compared to normal pectoralis muscles. The importance of these findings are discussed in relation to the results of earlier investigations.

An X-ray microanalysis survey of the concentration of elements in the cytoplasm of different mammalian cell types

Electron probe energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis was performed on freeze-dried tissue sections. The dry weight concentration of elements (mmole/kg dry weight) was measured in the cytoplasm of several cell types from adult mice and rats. This comparative investigation showed: (1) That the energy dispersive X-ray spectrum of element concentration from the cytoplasm of a specific cell type allows one to distinguish this specific cell type from other cell types with considerable accuracy. (2) That there is a relationship between the concentration of the various elements and the ultrastructural features of the cytoplasmic regions being analyzed. For example, areas rich in ribosomes are also rich in P, K and Mg. (3) These data support the idea that K is directly involved in the control of protein synthesis. The catalog of element concentrations in the cytoplasm of 13 cell types from both mice and rats should be of value to others who seek to answer various questions about these cell types.

Electron probe microanalysis of elemental composition of mouse cardiac myocytes during post-natal maturation

Elemental concentrations in the cytoplasm and nucleus of t tests post-natal mouse myocytes were measured at 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 days and in adults using electron probe X-ray microanalysis. Using an analysis of variance test, significant age dependent changes were found in intracellular potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, and chlorine concentrations (mg/kg dry weight), while sodium and magnesium concentrations did not show significant changes. The application of t tests following linear regression analyses (age versus concentration for each element) did, however, give a significant slope for cytoplasmic sodium, potassium, sulfur, and phosphorus values. The findings correspond closely with an emission spectroscopy-titrimetric study of whole heart ventricle of the same developmental period (Hazelwood and Nichols, '70).

Discrepancies in the extracellular space of sympathetic ganglia measured using different isotopes of mannitol and sucrose

The extracellular space of rat superior cervical ganglia in vitro was measured using mannitol and sucrose labelled with tritium and carbon-14. The volumes of distribution of the 3H-labelled derivatives, especially [3H]mannitol, exceeded those of the 14C-derivatives. The divergence increased with increasing lengths of incubation. Thus, after 30 min incubation, 'spaces' (ml . g-1) were: [14Cu]mannitol, 0.407; [3H]mannitol 0.447; [14C]mannitol, 0.458; [3H]mannitol, 0.645; [14C]sucrose, 0.430; [3H]sucrose, 0.497. Using thin layer chromatography, it was shown that an average of 22% of the label in ganglia incubated for 120 min with [3H]mannitol, but only 4% with [14C]mannitol, was not associated with the parent compound. Both [3H]- and [14C]sucrose appeared to be metabolized by 11%. It is concluded that mannitol and sucrose can be metabolized in isolated ganglia and that this may lead to substantial errors in estimating the extracellular space, particularly when [3H]markers are used.

An x-ray microanalysis study of differences in concentration of elements in brain cells due to opiates, cell type, and subcellular location

Adult female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups and given two daily doses of: 1) morphine (25 mg/kg at each injection), or 2) methadone (5 mg/kg), or 3) saline for nine days. Two hours before the rats were killed on day 10, they were given a double dose of the drugs. Fifteen minutes before being killed, some of the morphine-treated rats were given the opiate antagonist naloxone (2.5 mg/kg), which caused a sudden arousal in these rats. At the time of killing, the preoptic-hypothalamic region was repidly removed and frozen in liquid propane to prevent translocation of elements in cells. Frozen 4-micrometer sections were cut, freeze-dried, and electron-probed in a scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectra were collected. The characteristic peak-to-continuum ratio for all detectable elements was determined in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of ependymal cells and neurons. The data from nine cells of each type in each rat brain were then subjected to one- and three-way analysis of variance. The results show significant differences in the distribution of elements (sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, potassium, and calcium) which are dependent upon: 1) subcellular localization, 2) cell type, and particularly, 3) opiate treatment. The behavioral state produced by the opiates is correlated with the effects they have on intracellular concentration of several elements, most notably, sodium.

Factors influencing the insulin space in cerebral cortex slices from adult and 7-day-old rats

The inulin spaces and swelling of brain cortex slices from adult and 7-day-old rats were measured under differing experimental conditions. At 37 degrees C inulin penetrated into larger compartments than at 0 degrees C in both age groups. At 37 degrees C the inulin space increased with decreasing concentration of inulin in the medium. At 0 degrees C the inulin space did not depend on the inulin concentration. The swelling of the slices at 37 degrees C diminished with increasing concentrations of inulin. Anaerobic conditions, 0.2, and 1.0 mmol/l sodium cyanide and 0.1 mmol/l dinitrophenol reduced the inulin space and caused increased swelling of the slices. 1.0 mmol/l sodium iodoacetate was ineffective. In anaerobic conditions the inulin space did not change significantly as a function of the inulin concentration. A serious disadvantage of the inulin space as an indicator of extracellular space is that its size depends on the inulin concentration used. The inulin itself may influence the size of the space to be measured. Inulin also in osmotically inactive concentrations considerably reduces the swelling of brain cortex slices.

Electrolyte- and fluid-spaces of rat brain in situ after infusion with dinitrophenol

Chemical distribution measurements of radioactive sodium-thiosulfate (35S) and of the brain water indicate that infusion of 2.4-dinitrophenol into a carotid artery of rats caused a water uptake and fluid shifts from the extra- into the intracellular compartments in the central nervous system. The extracellular marker compound was administered to the brain via ventriculo-cisternal perfusion and intravenous injection yielding almost equal concentrations in plasma-water and perfusate. In order to prevent an active efflux of the label from the tissue, high concentrations were utilized in the perfusate to saturate potential outward transport mechanisms. The indicator space (based on total brain water) was 16% in controls and 12% in experimental animals when marker equilibrium had been attained, which is equivalent in reduction of the extracellular space of about 1/4. Intracellular water and Na+ rose after DNP, while K+ remained all but unchanged. The fluid shift into the intracellular compartment was found to relate closely with a cellular uptake of Na+. The Na+ concentration both in plasma and in the perfusion fluid leaving the ventricular system was consistently reduced in experimental animals. The K+ concentration was significantly elevated in the plasma of experimental animals but virtually unchanged in the cisternal effluate.

Intracellular pH in rat isolated superior cervical ganglia in relation to nicotine-depolarization and nicotine-uptake

1. The intracellular pH (pH(i)) of rat isolated superior cervical ganglia incubated in normal Krebs solution (pH(o)=7.37) was estimated to be 7.33 from the uptake of a weak acid, (14)C-5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione (DMO). Addition of 30 muM nicotine for 30 min reduced the DMO-estimated pH(i) by 0.15 units to 7.18. This effect was prevented by hexamethonium (2.5 mM) or by depolarizing the ganglion with K(+) (124 mM).2. (3)H-Nicotine (30 muM) was concentrated within the ganglia to an intracellular/extracellular concentration ratio (C(i)/C(o)) of 5.54 in normal Krebs solution and 4.61 in 2.5 mM hexamethonium. This would suggest an intracellular pH of 6.54 and 6.63 respectively. In ganglia previously depolarized by K(+) the corresponding values for C(i)/C(o) were 4.02 (minus hexamethonium, estimated pH(i) 6.95) and 4.17 (plus hexamethonium, estimated pH(i) 6.94).3. A multicompartment cell interior comprising an acid cytoplasm (pH approximately 6.6) and more alkaline nucleus and mitochondria is proposed to explain the difference between the values of pH(i) estimated from the uptake of DMO and nicotine. It is suggested that the fall in pH(i) during nicotine-depolarization results from metabolic stimulation following Na(+) entry.

Uptake of nicotine and extracellular space markers by isolated rat ganglia in relation to receptor activation

1. Uptake of (3)H-nicotine by isolated rat superior cervical sympathetic (SCG) and nodose (NG) ganglia was measured in vitro. Depolarization of the ganglia by nicotine was measured electrically.2. Nicotine depolarized the SCG but not the NG. The mean ED50 for depolarization was 5.3 x 10(-6)M.3. Both ganglia accumulated nicotine when incubated in 3.1 x 10(-5)M(3)H-nicotine: after 30 min incubation the ratios of tissue to medium concentrations were (mean +/- S.E. of mean): SCG, 3.49 +/- 0.13; NG, 2.50 +/- 0.09.4. Total water contents, estimated by drying to constant weight, were: SCG, 83.8 +/- 0.12%; NG, 80.1 +/- 0.21%. Extracellular spaces, measured as (3)H-mannitol space, were: SCG, 38.8 +/- 1.3; NG, 40.3 +/- 0.8% wet weight. These values were not significantly altered by nicotine.5. Correction for tissue fluid spaces indicated that the ratio of the mean intracellular fluid concentration to the extracellular fluid concentration for (3)H-nicotine at 3.1 x 10(-5)M were: SCG, 7.4; NG, 5.6. The ratios were not altered in any consistent manner on varying the nicotine concentration between 3.1 x 10(-7) and 1.6 x 10(-4)M.6. When the nicotine concentration was sufficiently great (6.2 x 10(-6)M or more) to evoke large SCG depolarizations, hexamethonium (2.5 x 10(-3)M) reduced (3)H-nicotine uptake by the SCG by up to 19% without affecting uptake by the NG, and thereby reduced the uptake difference between the two ganglia. With nicotine concentrations <6.2 x 10(-6)M, hexamethonium did not modify uptake by either ganglion.7. It was concluded that nicotine may be concentrated within neurones, and that such intracellular accumulation may be augmented during depolarization induced by nicotine.

3H-Nicotine in cat superior cervical and nodose ganglia after close-arterial injection in vivo

1. Concentrations of (3)H-nicotine in the superior cervical and nodose ganglia of anaesthetized cats were measured after close-arterial injection.2. Shortly after injection there was a higher concentration of (3)H-nicotine in the superior cervical ganglion than in the nodose ganglion. Mean concentration ratios, superior cervical ganglion/nodose ganglion (S/N ratios) were: 2 min after injection, 1.60 +/- 0.19; 4 min, 1.21 +/- 0.19; 8 min, 0.92 +/- 0.05. These ratios were independent of the dose of nicotine over the range 4 to 200 mug in 0.2 ml.3. There was no comparable difference in the concentrations of injected (14)C-inulin or (3)H(2)O in the two ganglia, or in total water content.4. Procedures which reduced the pharmacological action of nicotine (pre-treatment with hexamethonium, admixture of (14)C-inulin) tended to reduce the S/N ratio for nicotine.5. Autoradiographs showed that nicotine entered the neurones of both superior cervical and nodose ganglia.6. It was concluded that the higher concentration of nicotine in the superior cervical ganglion was probably related to its selective pharmacological action at this site, and may have been due to a greater intracellular retention of nicotine.