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Sonawane S, Všianský V, Brázdil M. MicroRNA-mediated regulation of neurotransmitter receptors in epilepsy: A systematic review. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 158:109912. [PMID: 38924965 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenesis of epilepsy involves dysregulation of the neurotransmitter system contributing to hyper-excitability of neuronal cells. MicroRNA (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs known to play a crucial role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. METHODS The present review was prepared following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, employing a comprehensive search strategy to identify and extract data from published research articles. Keywords suchas epilepsy, micro RNA (micro RNAs, miRNA, miRNAs, miR), neurotransmitters (specific names), and neurotransmitter receptors (specific names) were used to construct the query. RESULTS A total of 724 articles were identified using the keywords epilepsy, microRNA along with select neurotransmitter and neurotransmitter receptor names. After exclusions, the final selection consisted of 17 studies, most of which centered on glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. Singular studies also investigated miRNAs affecting cholinergic, purinergic, and glycine receptors. CONCLUSION This review offers a concise overview of the current knowledge on miRNA-mediated regulation of neurotransmitter receptors in epilepsy and highlights their potential for future clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Sonawane
- Brno Epilepsy Center, 1st Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and St. Annés University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic; Behavioural and Social Neuroscience Research Group, CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Všianský
- Brno Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, St. Anne's University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Brázdil
- Brno Epilepsy Center, 1st Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and St. Annés University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic; Behavioural and Social Neuroscience Research Group, CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Jiang L, Huang G, Yu X. The Olfactory Working Memory Capacity Paradigm. Curr Protoc 2024; 4:e1072. [PMID: 38884352 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.1072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Working memory capacity (WMC), a crucial component of working memory (WM), has consistently drawn the attention of researchers. Exploring the underlying neurobiological mechanisms behind it is currently a prominent focus in the field of neuroscience. Previously, we developed a novel behavioral paradigm for rodents called the olfactory working memory capacity (OWMC) paradigm, which serves as an effective tool for quantifying the WMC of rodents. The OWMC task comprises five phases: context adaptation, digging training, rule-learning for nonmatching to a single sample odor (NMSS), rule-learning for nonmatching to multiple sample odors (NMMS), and capacity testing. In the first phase, mice are handled to reduce stress and acclimate to the training cage. The second phase involves training mice to dig in a bowl of unscented sawdust to locate a piece of cheese. In the third phase, mice are trained to locate the cheese pellet in a bowl with a noveal odor. The fourth phase requires mice to distinguish the novel odor among multiple scented bowls to locate the cheese pellet. Finally, in the fifth phase, mice undergo several WMC tests until they achieve a stable level of performance. In this protocol paper, we will provide detailed instructions on how to implement the behavioral paradigm. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Context adaptation Basic Protocol 2: Digging training Basic Protocol 3: Rule-learning for NMSS Basic Protocol 4: Rule-learning for NMMS Basic Protocol 5: Capacity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Jiang
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research on Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, Beijing, China
| | - Gengdi Huang
- Department of Addiction Medicine, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, China
- Affiliated Mental Health Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research on Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, Beijing, China
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3
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Wright GA, Rodriguez-Martinez AC, Conn H, Matarin M, Thompson P, Moore AT, Ba-Abbad R, Webster AR, Moosajee M. Enhanced Learning and Memory in Patients with CRB1 Retinopathy. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:660. [PMID: 38927596 PMCID: PMC11203261 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the CRB1 gene are associated with a diverse spectrum of retinopathies with phenotypic variability causing severe visual impairment. The CRB1 gene has a role in retinal development and is expressed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, but its role in cognition has not been described before. This study compares cognitive function in CRB1 retinopathy individuals with subjects with other retinopathies and the normal population. METHODS Neuropsychological tests of cognitive function were used to test individuals with CRB1 and non-CRB1 retinopathies and compare results with a standardised normative dataset. RESULTS CRB1 retinopathy subjects significantly outperformed those with non-CRB1 retinopathy in list learning tasks of immediate (p = 0.001) and delayed memory (p = 0.007), tests of semantic verbal fluency (p = 0.017), verbal IQ digit span subtest (p = 0.037), and estimation test of higher execution function (p = 0.020) but not in the remaining tests of cognitive function (p > 0.05). CRB1 retinopathy subjects scored significantly higher than the normal population in all areas of memory testing (p < 0.05) and overall verbal IQ tests (p = 0.0012). Non-CRB1 retinopathy subjects scored significantly higher than the normal population in story recall, verbal fluency, and overall verbal IQ tests (p = 0.0016). CONCLUSIONS Subjects with CRB1 retinopathy may have enhanced cognitive function in areas of memory and learning. Further work is required to understand the role of CRB1 in cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve A. Wright
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK; (G.A.W.); (A.C.R.-M.); (A.T.M.); (R.B.-A.); (A.R.W.)
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (UCL), London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Ana Catalina Rodriguez-Martinez
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK; (G.A.W.); (A.C.R.-M.); (A.T.M.); (R.B.-A.); (A.R.W.)
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (UCL), London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Hanne Conn
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, University College London Hospitals (UCLH), National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (H.C.); (M.M.); (P.T.)
| | - Mar Matarin
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, University College London Hospitals (UCLH), National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (H.C.); (M.M.); (P.T.)
| | - Pamela Thompson
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, University College London Hospitals (UCLH), National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK; (H.C.); (M.M.); (P.T.)
| | - Anthony T. Moore
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK; (G.A.W.); (A.C.R.-M.); (A.T.M.); (R.B.-A.); (A.R.W.)
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (UCL), London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Rola Ba-Abbad
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK; (G.A.W.); (A.C.R.-M.); (A.T.M.); (R.B.-A.); (A.R.W.)
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (UCL), London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Andrew R. Webster
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK; (G.A.W.); (A.C.R.-M.); (A.T.M.); (R.B.-A.); (A.R.W.)
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (UCL), London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London EC1V 2PD, UK; (G.A.W.); (A.C.R.-M.); (A.T.M.); (R.B.-A.); (A.R.W.)
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (UCL), London EC1V 9EL, UK
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Fu Y, Yuan P, Zeng M, Zhang Q, Hou Y, Gao L, Wei Y, Zheng Y, Feng W, Zheng X. Dihydroquercetin regulates HIF-1α/AKT/NR2B signalling to improve impaired brain function in rats with metabolic syndrome. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29807. [PMID: 38737244 PMCID: PMC11088260 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Dihydroquercetin (DHQ) is commonly used as a dietary additive, but its activity in improving brain injury with metabolic syndrome (MS) remains known. In present study, the MS rat model was induced using 10 % fructose water. The apoptosis rate of primary brain cells was detected. The HIF-1α/AKT/NR2B signalling pathway, levels of KEAP1/NRF2, HO-1 and NQO-1 were detected. In vitro experiments were performed using H2O2-stimulated PC-12 cells. The effect of DHQ on rates of cell survival and apoptosis were detected. After silencing HIF-1α, we further elucidate the mechanism of action of DHQ. The results indicated that DHQ reduced the hyperactivity and inhibited oxidative stress via increasing the levels of HIF-1α/AKT/NR2B signalling pathway, whereas regulated KEAP1/NRF2 pathway. In vitro experiments showed that the HIF-1α plays an important role in this process. Overall, DHQ may improve impaired brain function in rats with metabolic syndrome by regulating the HIF-1α/AKT/NR2B signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Fu
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- The Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - PeiPei Yuan
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- The Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Mengnan Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- The Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Ying Hou
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Liyuan Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yaxin Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yajuan Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Weisheng Feng
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- The Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xiaoke Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- The Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450046, China
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Costa-Pinto S, Gonçalves-Ribeiro J, Tedim-Moreira J, Socodato R, Relvas JB, Sebastião AM, Vaz SH. Communication defects with astroglia contribute to early impairments in the motor cortex plasticity of SOD1 G93A mice. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 193:106435. [PMID: 38336279 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease, involving the selective degeneration of cortical upper synapses in the primary motor cortex (M1). Excitotoxicity in ALS occurs due to an imbalance between excitation and inhibition, closely linked to the loss/gain of astrocytic function. Using the ALS SOD1G93A mice, we investigated the astrocytic contribution for the electrophysiological alterations observed in the M1 of SOD1G93A mice, throughout disease progression. Results showed that astrocytes are involved in synaptic dysfunction observed in presymptomatic SOD1G93A mice, since astrocytic glutamate transport currents are diminished and pharmacological inhibition of astrocytes only impaired long-term potentiation and basal transmission in wild-type mice. Proteomic analysis revealed major differences in neuronal transmission, metabolism, and immune system in upper synapses, confirming early communication deficits between neurons and astroglia. These results provide valuable insights into the early impact of upper synapses in ALS and the lack of supportive functions of cortical astrocytes, highlighting the possibility of manipulating astrocytes to improve synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Costa-Pinto
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Joana Gonçalves-Ribeiro
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Joana Tedim-Moreira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde and Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal; Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Renato Socodato
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde and Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - João B Relvas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde and Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal; Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Ana M Sebastião
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Sandra H Vaz
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal.
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6
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Gandy HM, Hollis F, Hernandez CM, McQuail JA. Aging or chronic stress impairs working memory and modulates GABA and glutamate gene expression in prelimbic cortex. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 15:1306496. [PMID: 38259638 PMCID: PMC10800675 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1306496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid (GC) hypothesis posits that effects of stress and dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity accumulate over the lifespan and contribute to impairment of neural function and cognition in advanced aging. The validity of the GC hypothesis is bolstered by a wealth of studies that investigate aging of the hippocampus and decline of associated mnemonic functions. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) mediates working memory which also decreases with age. While the PFC is susceptible to stress and GCs, few studies have formally assessed the application of the GC hypothesis to PFC aging and working memory. Using parallel behavioral and molecular approaches, we compared the effects of normal aging versus chronic variable stress (CVS) on working memory and expression of genes that encode for effectors of glutamate and GABA signaling in male F344 rats. Using an operant delayed match-to-sample test of PFC-dependent working memory, we determined that normal aging and CVS each significantly impaired mnemonic accuracy and reduced the total number of completed trials. We then determined that normal aging increased expression of Slc6a11, which encodes for GAT-3 GABA transporter expressed by astrocytes, in the prelimbic (PrL) subregion of the PFC. CVS increased PrL expression of genes associated with glutamatergic synapses: Grin2b that encodes the GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptor, Grm4 that encodes for metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4), and Plcb1 that encodes for phospholipase C beta 1, an intracellular signaling enzyme that transduces signaling of Group I mGluRs. Beyond the identification of specific genes that were differentially expressed between the PrL in normal aging or CVS, examination of Log2 fold-changes for all expressed glutamate and GABA genes revealed a positive association between molecular phenotypes of aging and CVS in the PrL but no association in the infralimbic subregion. Consistent with predictions of the GC hypothesis, PFC-dependent working memory and PrL glutamate/GABA gene expression demonstrate comparable sensitivity to aging and chronic stress. However, changes in expression of specific genes affiliated with regulation of extracellular GABA in normal aging vs. genes encoding for effectors of glutamatergic signaling during CVS suggest the presence of unique manifestations of imbalanced inhibitory and excitatory signaling in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Gandy
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Fiona Hollis
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
- Columbia VA Health Care System, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Caesar M. Hernandez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Joseph A. McQuail
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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7
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Hanson JE, Yuan H, Perszyk RE, Banke TG, Xing H, Tsai MC, Menniti FS, Traynelis SF. Therapeutic potential of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor modulators in psychiatry. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:51-66. [PMID: 37369776 PMCID: PMC10700609 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01614-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors mediate a slow component of excitatory synaptic transmission, are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system, and regulate synaptic plasticity. NMDA receptor modulators have long been considered as potential treatments for psychiatric disorders including depression and schizophrenia, neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett Syndrome, and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. New interest in NMDA receptors as therapeutic targets has been spurred by the findings that certain inhibitors of NMDA receptors produce surprisingly rapid and robust antidepressant activity by a novel mechanism, the induction of changes in the brain that well outlast the presence of drug in the body. These findings are driving research into an entirely new paradigm for using NMDA receptor antagonists in a host of related conditions. At the same time positive allosteric modulators of NMDA receptors are being pursued for enhancing synaptic function in diseases that feature NMDA receptor hypofunction. While there is great promise, developing the therapeutic potential of NMDA receptor modulators must also navigate the potential significant risks posed by the use of such agents. We review here the emerging pharmacology of agents that target different NMDA receptor subtypes, offering new avenues for capturing the therapeutic potential of targeting this important receptor class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse E Hanson
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Hongjie Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Riley E Perszyk
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Tue G Banke
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Hao Xing
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Ming-Chi Tsai
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Frank S Menniti
- MindImmune Therapeutics, Inc., The George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA.
| | - Stephen F Traynelis
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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8
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Wang W, Lu D, Shi Y, Wang Y. Exploring the Neuroprotective Effects of Lithium in Ischemic Stroke: A literature review. Int J Med Sci 2024; 21:284-298. [PMID: 38169754 PMCID: PMC10758146 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.88195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke ranks among the foremost clinical causes of mortality and disability, instigating neuronal degeneration, fatalities, and various sequelae. While standard treatments, such as intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy, prove effective, they come with limitations. Hence, there is a compelling need to develop neuroprotective agents capable of improving the functional outcomes of the nervous system. Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated that lithium can act in multiple molecular pathways, including glycogen synthase kinase 3(GSK-3), the Wnt signaling pathway, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and glutamate receptors. Through these pathways, lithium has been shown to affect inflammation, autophagy, apoptosis, ferroptosis, excitotoxicity, and other pathological processes, thereby improving central nervous system (CNS) damage caused by ischemic stroke. Despite these promising preclinical findings, the number of clinical trials exploring lithium's efficacy remains limited. Additional trials are imperative to thoroughly ascertain the effectiveness and safety of lithium in clinical settings. This review delineates the mechanisms underpinning lithium's neuroprotective capabilities in the context of ischemic stroke. It elucidates the intricate interplay between these mechanisms and sheds light on the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory markers in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. Furthermore, the review offers directions for future research, thereby advancing the understanding of the potential therapeutic utility of lithium and establishing a theoretical foundation for its clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihua Wang
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Dunlin Lu
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Youkui Shi
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Yanqiang Wang
- Department of Neurology Ⅱ, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
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9
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Mackiewicz J, Lisek M, Boczek T. Targeting CaN/NFAT in Alzheimer's brain degeneration. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1281882. [PMID: 38077352 PMCID: PMC10701682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1281882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive functions. While the exact causes of this debilitating disorder remain elusive, numerous investigations have characterized its two core pathologies: the presence of β-amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Additionally, multiple studies of postmortem brain tissue, as well as results from AD preclinical models, have consistently demonstrated the presence of a sustained inflammatory response. As the persistent immune response is associated with neurodegeneration, it became clear that it may also exacerbate other AD pathologies, providing a link between the initial deposition of β-amyloid plaques and the later development of neurofibrillary tangles. Initially discovered in T cells, the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) is one of the main transcription factors driving the expression of inflammatory genes and thus regulating immune responses. NFAT-dependent production of inflammatory mediators is controlled by Ca2+-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), which dephosphorylates NFAT and promotes its transcriptional activity. A substantial body of evidence has demonstrated that aberrant CaN/NFAT signaling is linked to several pathologies observed in AD, including neuronal apoptosis, synaptic deficits, and glia activation. In view of this, the role of NFAT isoforms in AD has been linked to disease progression at different stages, some of which are paralleled to diminished cognitive status. The use of classical inhibitors of CaN/NFAT signaling, such as tacrolimus or cyclosporine, or adeno-associated viruses to specifically inhibit astrocytic NFAT activation, has alleviated some symptoms of AD by diminishing β-amyloid neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation. In this article, we discuss the recent findings related to the contribution of CaN/NFAT signaling to the progression of AD and highlight the possible benefits of targeting this pathway in AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tomasz Boczek
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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10
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Ge Y, Wang YT. GluN2B-containing NMDARs in the mammalian brain: pharmacology, physiology, and pathology. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1190324. [PMID: 37324591 PMCID: PMC10264587 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1190324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is critical for promoting physiological synaptic plasticity and neuronal viability. As a major subpopulation of the NMDAR, the GluN2B subunit-containing NMDARs have distinct pharmacological properties, physiological functions, and pathological relevance to neurological diseases compared with other NMDAR subtypes. In mature neurons, GluN2B-containing NMDARs are likely expressed as both diheteromeric and triheteromeric receptors, though the functional importance of each subpopulation has yet to be disentangled. Moreover, the C-terminal region of the GluN2B subunit forms structural complexes with multiple intracellular signaling proteins. These protein complexes play critical roles in both activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival and death signaling, thus serving as the molecular substrates underlying multiple physiological functions. Accordingly, dysregulation of GluN2B-containing NMDARs and/or their downstream signaling pathways has been implicated in neurological diseases, and various strategies to reverse these deficits have been investigated. In this article, we provide an overview of GluN2B-containing NMDAR pharmacology and its key physiological functions, highlighting the importance of this receptor subtype during both health and disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ge
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yu Tian Wang
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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11
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Dainauskas JJ, Marie H, Migliore M, Saudargiene A. GluN2B-NMDAR subunit contribution on synaptic plasticity: A phenomenological model for CA3-CA1 synapses. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 15:1113957. [PMID: 37008680 PMCID: PMC10050887 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2023.1113957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity is believed to be a key mechanism underlying learning and memory. We developed a phenomenological N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-based voltage-dependent synaptic plasticity model for synaptic modifications at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses on a hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron. The model incorporates the GluN2A-NMDA and GluN2B-NMDA receptor subunit-based functions and accounts for the synaptic strength dependence on the postsynaptic NMDA receptor composition and functioning without explicitly modeling the NMDA receptor-mediated intracellular calcium, a local trigger of synaptic plasticity. We embedded the model into a two-compartmental model of a hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell and validated it against experimental data of spike-timing-dependent synaptic plasticity (STDP), high and low-frequency stimulation. The developed model predicts altered learning rules in synapses formed on the apical dendrites of the detailed compartmental model of CA1 pyramidal neuron in the presence of the GluN2B-NMDA receptor hypofunction and can be used in hippocampal networks to model learning in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justinas J. Dainauskas
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Department of Informatics, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Hélène Marie
- Université Côte d'Azur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7275, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IPMC), Valbonne, France
| | - Michele Migliore
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ausra Saudargiene
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- *Correspondence: Ausra Saudargiene
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12
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Xu F, Cong P, Zhang B, Dong H, Zuo W, Wu T, Tian L, Xiong L. A decrease in NR2B expression mediated by DNA hypermethylation induces perioperative neurocognitive disorder in aged mice. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:1229-1242. [PMID: 36694341 PMCID: PMC10068472 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS This study was designed to investigate the role of NR2B and the contribution of DNA methylation to NR2B expression in the pathogenesis of PND. METHODS Eighteen-month-old C57BL/6J mice were subjected to experimental laparotomy under 1.4% isoflurane anesthesia. Hippocampus-dependent learning and memory were evaluated by using the Barnes maze and contextual fear conditioning tests. The protein and mRNA expression levels of NR2B were evaluated by western blotting and qRT-PCR respectively, and the methylation of the NR2B gene was examined by using targeted bisulfite sequencing. Long-term synaptic plasticity (LTP) was measured by electrophysiology. RESULTS Mice that underwent laparotomy exhibited hippocampus-dependent cognitive deficits accompanied by decreased NR2B expressions and LTP deficiency. The overexpression of NR2B in the dorsal hippocampus could improve learning and memory in mice subjected to laparotomy. In particular, the decreased NR2B expressions induced by laparotomy was attributed to the NR2B gene hypermethylation. Preoperative administration of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) could hypomethylate the NR2B gene, upregulate NR2B expression and improve LTP, exerting a dose-dependent therapeutic effect against PND. Moreover, inhibiting NR2B abrogated the benefits of SAM pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS Laparotomy cause hippocampus-dependent cognitive decline by hypermethylating the NR2B gene, allowing us to understand the pathogenesis of PND in an epigenetic landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Peilin Cong
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingqian Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hailong Dong
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenqiang Zuo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tingmei Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Tian
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Shanghai, China
| | - Lize Xiong
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Shanghai, China
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13
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Sheynikhovich D, Otani S, Bai J, Arleo A. Long-term memory, synaptic plasticity and dopamine in rodent medial prefrontal cortex: Role in executive functions. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 16:1068271. [PMID: 36710953 PMCID: PMC9875091 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1068271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mnemonic functions, supporting rodent behavior in complex tasks, include both long-term and (short-term) working memory components. While working memory is thought to rely on persistent activity states in an active neural network, long-term memory and synaptic plasticity contribute to the formation of the underlying synaptic structure, determining the range of possible states. Whereas, the implication of working memory in executive functions, mediated by the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in primates and rodents, has been extensively studied, the contribution of long-term memory component to these tasks received little attention. This review summarizes available experimental data and theoretical work concerning cellular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the medial region of rodent PFC and the link between plasticity, memory and behavior in PFC-dependent tasks. A special attention is devoted to unique properties of dopaminergic modulation of prefrontal synaptic plasticity and its contribution to executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Sheynikhovich
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France,*Correspondence: Denis Sheynikhovich ✉
| | - Satoru Otani
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Jing Bai
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris, INSERM U1266, Paris, France
| | - Angelo Arleo
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
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14
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Cothren TO, Evonko CJ, MacQueen DA. Olfactory Dysfunction in Schizophrenia: Evaluating Olfactory Abilities Across Species. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 63:363-392. [PMID: 36059004 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Though understudied relative to perturbations in the auditory and visual domains, olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of schizophrenia. Over the past two decades, the availability of standardized assessments to quantify human olfactory abilities, and enhance understanding of the neurophysiology supporting olfaction, has increased, enabling a more thorough characterization of these deficits. In contrast to other psychiatric conditions for which olfactory dysfunction has been observed (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease), the impairments observed in schizophrenia are particularly global and profound. At this level, such deficits in olfactory abilities likely impact the enjoyment of food, detection of environmental hazards, and influence social relationships. More broadly, the study of olfactory phenotypes in schizophrenia presents new avenues for detection of those at-risk for the condition, identification of therapeutic targets for treatment development, and for the characterization of novel animal models relevant to schizophrenia and psychosis. This review will consider the olfactory performance of individuals with schizophrenia in domains for which standardized assessments are available (odor sensitivity, discrimination, identification, and memory). Paradigms available for assessing these abilities in rodents will also be discussed with the aim of facilitating translation. Thus, future studies will be able to include cross-species translation of mechanisms relevant to olfactory function and cognition, what has gone awry in the disease state, and test potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taitum O Cothren
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA
| | - Christopher J Evonko
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA
| | - David A MacQueen
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA.
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15
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Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist PHA-543613 improves memory deficits in presenilin 1 and presenilin 2 conditional double knockout mice. Exp Neurol 2023; 359:114271. [PMID: 36370840 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Cholinergic system dysfunction has been considered as a critical feature of neurodegenerative progression in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7-nAChRs) are widely expressed in the hippocampus cortex and play an important role in memory formation, considered as potential therapeutic agents targets. However, underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, we combine behavioral, molecular biological methods with in vitro slice and in vivo multichannel electrophysiological recording techniques to investigate the molecular, cellular synaptic and neuronal mechanisms of activating α7-nAChR by PHA-543613 (a selective α7-nAChR agonist), which influences the impaired cognitive function using presenilin 1 (PS1) and presenilin 2 (PS2) conditional double knockout (cDKO) mice. Our results demonstrated that PHA-543613 treatment significantly improved the impaired hippocampus-related memory via recovering the reduced the hippocampal synaptic protein levels of α7-nAChR, NMADAR and AMPAR, thereby restoring the impaired post-tetanic potentiation (PTP), long-term potentiation (LTP), activation of molecular signaling pathway for neuronal protection, theta power and strength of theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) at hippocampus in 6-month-old cDKO mice. For the first time, we systematically reveal the mechanisms by which PHA-543613 improves memory deficits at different levels. Therefore, our findings may be significant for the development of therapeutic strategies for AD.
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16
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Sun W, Lu Z, Chen X, Yang, Mei Y, Li X, An L. Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles Impair Working Memory and Neuronal Activity through the GSK3β/BDNF Signaling Pathway of Prefrontal Cortex in Rats. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:3352-3361. [PMID: 36444509 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies demonstrated that alumina nanoparticles (alumina NPs) impair spatial cognition and hippocampus-dependent synaptic plasticity. Although alumina NPs accumulate in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), their effects on PFC-mediated neuronal and cognitive function have been not yet documented. Here, alumina NPs (10 or 20 μg/kg of body weight) were bilaterally injected into the medial PFC (mPFC) of adult rats, and the levels of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were detected. The PFC-dependent working memory task with one-minute or three-minute delay time was conducted. Meanwhile, the neuronal correlates of working memory performance were recorded. The specific expression of neuronal BDNF was assessed by colabeled BDNF expression with the neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN). Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were employed to detect neuronal excitability. Intra-mPFC alumina NP infusions significantly enhanced the expression of GSK3β but reduced the phosphorylation of GSK3β (pGSK3β) and BDNF levels more severely at a dose of 20 μg/kg. Alumina NPs acted in a dose-dependent manner to impair working memory. The neuronal expression of BDNF in the 20 μg/kg group was markedly declined compared with the 10 μg/kg group. During the delay time, the neuronal frequency of pyramidal cells but not interneurons was significantly weakened. Furthermore, both the frequency and amplitude of the excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were descended in the mPFC slices. Additionally, the infusion of GSK3β inhibitor SB216763 or BDNF could effectively attenuate the impairments in neuronal correlate, neuronal activity, and working memory. From the perspective of the identified GSK3β/BDNF pathway, these findings demonstrated for the first time that alumina NPs exposure can be a risk factor for prefrontal neuronal and cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Sun
- Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China.,Behavioural Neuroscience Lab, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China
| | - Zhenzhong Lu
- Behavioural Neuroscience Lab, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China.,Department of Neurology, Jinan Geriatric/Rehabilitation Hospital, Jinan 250013, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Behavioural Neuroscience Lab, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China.,Graduate School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.,Department of Neurology, Jinan Geriatric/Rehabilitation Hospital, Jinan 250013, China
| | - Yang
- Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China
| | - Yazi Mei
- Graduate School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaoliang Li
- Department of Neurology, Jinan Geriatric/Rehabilitation Hospital, Jinan 250013, China
| | - Lei An
- Department of Pediatric, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China.,Behavioural Neuroscience Lab, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China.,Graduate School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.,Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China
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17
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Lissek T. Activity-Dependent Induction of Younger Biological Phenotypes. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2200119. [PMID: 35976161 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In several mammalian species, including humans, complex stimulation patterns such as cognitive and physical exercise lead to improvements in organ function, organism health and performance, as well as possibly longer lifespans. A framework is introduced here in which activity-dependent transcriptional programs, induced by these environmental stimuli, move somatic cells such as neurons and muscle cells toward a state that resembles younger cells to allow remodeling and adaptation of the organism. This cellular adaptation program targets several process classes that are heavily implicated in aging, such as mitochondrial metabolism, cell-cell communication, and epigenetic information processing, and leads to functional improvements in these areas. The activity-dependent gene program (ADGP) can be seen as a natural, endogenous cellular reprogramming mechanism that provides deep insight into the principles of inducible improvements in cell and organism function and can guide the development of therapeutic approaches for longevity. Here, these ADGPs are analyzed, exemplary critical molecular nexus points such as cAMP response element-binding protein, myocyte enhancer factor 2, serum response factor, and c-Fos are identified, and it is explored how one may leverage them to prevent, attenuate, and reverse human aging-related decline of body function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lissek
- Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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18
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Chen J, Luo Y, Liang X, Kong X, Xiao Q, Tang J, Qi Y, Tang Y, Xiu Y. Alteration in NMDAR subunits in different brain regions of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model. Transl Neurosci 2022; 13:379-389. [PMID: 36348956 PMCID: PMC9601380 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2022-0255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) signaling pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression. However, the role of NMDAR subunits in depression is still unclear. In this study, alteration in all seven NMDAR subunits in several brain areas of rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), an animal model of depression, was detected. Our findings demonstrated that: (1) CUMS could induce a reduction in sucrose preference, an indicator of typical depression-like behaviors; (2) CUMS significantly reduced the NMDAR subunits of GluN2B and GluN3 in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but not altered all seven NMDAR subunits in hippocampus and corpus callosum of rats; (3) subunit composition of NMDARs in corpus callosum was different from that in mPFC, PFC and hippocampus; and (4) the mRNA expressions of GluN2B, GluN3A and GluN3B in mPFC as well as mRNA expression of GluN2C in corpus callosum were correlated to sucrose preference in rats. These findings suggested that GluN2B and GluN3 in mPFC may contribute to the pathophysiology of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Molecular Medicine Diagnostic and Testing Center, Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P. R. China
| | - Yanmin Luo
- Department of Physiology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P. R. China
| | - Xin Liang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P. R. China
| | - Xiangru Kong
- Department of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400014, P. R. China
| | - Qian Xiao
- Department of Radioactive Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P. R. China
| | - Jing Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P. R. China
| | - Yingqiang Qi
- Molecular Medicine Diagnostic and Testing Center, Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P. R. China
| | - Yong Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P. R. China
| | - Yun Xiu
- Molecular Medicine Diagnostic and Testing Center, Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P. R. China
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19
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Mizera J, Kazek G, Pomierny B, Bystrowska B, Niedzielska-Andres E, Pomierny-Chamiolo L. Maternal High-Fat diet During Pregnancy and Lactation Disrupts NMDA Receptor Expression and Spatial Memory in the Offspring. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5695-5721. [PMID: 35773600 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02908-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The problem of an unbalanced diet, overly rich in fats, affects a significant proportion of the population, including women of childbearing age. Negative metabolic and endocrine outcomes for offspring associated with maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy and/or lactation are well documented in the literature. In this paper, we present our findings on the little-studied effects of this diet on NMDA receptors and cognitive functions in offspring. The subject of the study was the rat offspring born from dams fed a high-fat diet before mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation. Using a novel object location test, spatial memory impairment was detected in adolescent offspring as well as in young adult female offspring. The recognition memory of the adolescent and young adult offspring remained unaltered. We also found multiple alterations in the expression of the NMDA receptor subunits, NMDA receptor-associated scaffolding proteins, and selected microRNAs that regulate the activity of the NMDA receptor in the medial prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus of the offspring. Sex-dependent changes in glutamate levels were identified in extracellular fluid obtained from the medial prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus of the offspring. The obtained results indicate that a maternal high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation can induce in the offspring memory disturbances accompanied by alterations in NMDA receptor expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Mizera
- Department of Toxicology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Kraków, PL, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Kazek
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Kraków, PL, Poland
| | - Bartosz Pomierny
- Department of Biochemical Toxicology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Kraków, PL, Poland
| | - Beata Bystrowska
- Department of Biochemical Toxicology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Kraków, PL, Poland
| | - Ewa Niedzielska-Andres
- Department of Toxicology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Kraków, PL, Poland.
| | - Lucyna Pomierny-Chamiolo
- Department of Toxicology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Kraków, PL, Poland.
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20
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Howland JG, Ito R, Lapish CC, Villaruel FR. The rodent medial prefrontal cortex and associated circuits in orchestrating adaptive behavior under variable demands. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104569. [PMID: 35131398 PMCID: PMC9248379 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence implicates rodent medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in tasks requiring adaptation of behavior to changing information from external and internal sources. However, the computations within mPFC and subsequent outputs that determine behavior are incompletely understood. We review the involvement of mPFC subregions, and their projections to the striatum and amygdala in two broad types of tasks in rodents: 1) appetitive and aversive Pavlovian and operant conditioning tasks that engage mPFC-striatum and mPFC-amygdala circuits, and 2) foraging-based tasks that require decision making to optimize reward. We find support for region-specific function of the mPFC, with dorsal mPFC and its projections to the dorsomedial striatum supporting action control with higher cognitive demands, and ventral mPFC engagement in translating affective signals into behavior via discrete projections to the ventral striatum and amygdala. However, we also propose that defined mPFC subdivisions operate as a functional continuum rather than segregated functional units, with crosstalk that allows distinct subregion-specific inputs (e.g., internal, affective) to influence adaptive behavior supported by other subregions.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Howland
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
| | - Rutsuko Ito
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto-Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Christopher C Lapish
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Franz R Villaruel
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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21
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Rahman T, Purves-Tyson T, Geddes AE, Huang XF, Newell KA, Weickert CS. N-Methyl-d-Aspartate receptor and inflammation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2022; 240:61-70. [PMID: 34952289 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Lower N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) GluN1 subunit levels and heightened neuroinflammation are found in the cortex in schizophrenia. Since neuroinflammation can lead to changes in NMDAR function, it is possible that these observations are linked in schizophrenia. We aimed to extend our previous studies by measuring molecular indices of NMDARs that define key functional properties of this receptor - particularly the ratio of GluN2A and GluN2B subunits - in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) from schizophrenia and control cases (37/37). We sought to test whether changes in these measures are specific to the subset of schizophrenia cases with high levels of inflammation-related mRNAs, defined as a high inflammatory subgroup. Quantitative autoradiography was used to detect 'functional' NMDARs ([3H]MK-801), GluN1-coupled-GluN2A subunits ([3H]CGP-39653), and GluN1-coupled-GluN2B subunits ([3H]Ifenprodil). Quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure NMDAR subunit transcripts (GRIN1, GRIN2A and GRIN2B). The ratios of GluN2A:GluN2B binding and GRIN2A:GRIN2B mRNAs were calculated as an index of putative NMDAR composition. We found: 1) GluN2A binding, and 2) the ratios of GluN2A:GluN2B binding and GRIN2A:GRIN2B mRNAs were lower in schizophrenia cases versus controls (p < 0.05), and 3) lower GluN2A:GluN2B binding and GRIN2A:GRIN2B mRNA ratios were exaggerated in the high inflammation/schizophrenia subgroup compared to the low inflammation/control subgroup (p < 0.05). No other NMDAR-related indices were significantly changed in the high inflammation/schizophrenia subgroup. This suggests that neuroinflammation may alter NMDAR stoichiometry rather than targeting total NMDAR levels overall, and future studies could aim to determine if anti-inflammatory treatment can alleviate this aspect of NMDAR-related pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnim Rahman
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tertia Purves-Tyson
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Amy E Geddes
- School of Medicine and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Xu-Feng Huang
- School of Medicine and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Kelly A Newell
- School of Medicine and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia.
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
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22
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An S, Wang J, Zhang X, Duan Y, Xu Y, Lv J, Wang D, Zhang H, Richter-Levin G, Klavir O, Yu B, Cao X. αCaMKII in the lateral amygdala mediates PTSD-Like behaviors and NMDAR-Dependent LTD. Neurobiol Stress 2021; 15:100359. [PMID: 34258335 PMCID: PMC8252123 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2021.100359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that afflicts many individuals. However, its molecular and cellular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Here, we found PTSD susceptible mice exhibited significant up-regulation of alpha-Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (αCaMKII) in the lateral amygdala (LA). Consistently, increasing αCaMKII in the LA not only caused PTSD-like behaviors such as impaired fear extinction and anxiety-like behaviors, but also attenuated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term depression (LTD) at thalamo-lateral amygdala (T-LA) synapses, and reduced GluA1-Ser845/Ser831 dephosphorylation and a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) internalization. Suppressing the elevated αCaMKII to normal levels completely rescued both PTSD-like behaviors and the impairments in LTD, GluA1-Ser845/Ser831 dephosphorylation, and AMPAR internalization. Intriguingly, deficits in GluA1-Ser845/Ser831 dephosphorylation and AMPAR internalization were detected not only after impaired fear extinction, but also after attenuated LTD. Our results suggest that αCaMKII in the LA may be a potential molecular determinant of PTSD. We further demonstrate for the first time that GluA1-Ser845/Ser831 dephosphorylation and AMPAR internalization are molecular links between fear extinction and LTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuming An
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Jiayue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xuliang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yanhong Duan
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yiqiong Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Junyan Lv
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Dasheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Gal Richter-Levin
- “Sagol” Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, Haifa, 31905, Israel
| | - Oded Klavir
- Department of Psychology, Brain and Psychopathology Division, University of Haifa, Haifa, 31905, Israel
| | - Buwei Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Xiaohua Cao
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
- Corresponding author.
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23
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Regulation of the NMDA receptor by its cytoplasmic domains: (How) is the tail wagging the dog? Neuropharmacology 2021; 195:108634. [PMID: 34097949 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Excitatory neurotransmission mediated by N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) is critical for synapse development, function, and plasticity in the brain. NMDARs are tetra-heteromeric cation-channels that mediate synaptic transmission and plasticity. Extensive human studies show the existence of genetic variants in NMDAR subunits genes (GRIN genes) that are associated with neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), epilepsy (EP), intellectual disability (ID), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia (SCZ). NMDAR subunits have a unique modular architecture with four semiautonomous domains. Here we focus on the carboxyl terminal domain (CTD), also known as the intracellular C-tail, which varies in length among the glutamate receptor subunits and is the most diverse domain in terms of amino acid sequence. The CTD shows no sequence homology to any known proteins but encodes short docking motifs for intracellular binding proteins and covalent modifications. Our review will discuss the many important functions of the CTD in regulating NMDA membrane and synaptic targeting, stabilization, degradation targeting, allosteric modulation and metabotropic signaling of the receptor. This article is part of the special issue on 'Glutamate Receptors - NMDA Receptors'.
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24
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Liu H, Tan M, Cheng B, Wang S, Xiao L, Zhu J, Wu Q, Lai X, Zhang Q, Chen J, Li T. Valproic Acid Induces Autism-Like Synaptic and Behavioral Deficits by Disrupting Histone Acetylation of Prefrontal Cortex ALDH1A1 in Rats. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:641284. [PMID: 33994921 PMCID: PMC8113628 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.641284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to investigate the impact of valproic acid (VPA) on the histone acetylation of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) and the mechanism underlying VPA-induced autism-like behavior. Methods Female Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with VPA during gestation to establish an autism model in their offspring. Some offspring prenatally exposed to VPA were randomly treated with MS-275, one histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, or retinoic acid (RA) after birth. Behavioral tests were conducted on the offspring 6 weeks after birth. Electrophysiological experiments were performed to investigate long-term potentiation (LTP) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The expression levels of AMPA receptors (GluA1 and 2), NMDA receptors (GluN1 and 2), synapsin 1 (SYN1), HDAC, acetylated histone 3 (AcH3), RA receptor alpha (RARα), and ALDH1A1 in the PFC were measured by Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. ALDH enzyme activity in PFC tissue was detected using a Micro ALDH Assay Kit. The RA level in the PFC was measured using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiment explored the interaction between the ALDH1A1 gene and AcH3. Results Offspring prenatally exposed to VPA showed autism-like behavior, upregulated the levels of LTP and GluN2A, GluA1, and SYN1 proteins relevant to synaptic plasticity in the PFC. The expression levels of HDAC3 mRNA and protein were increased. On the other hand, there was a significant reduction in the levels of AcH3, RARα, RA, ALDH1A1 mRNA and protein, the level of ALDH activity and AcH3 enrichment in the ALDH1A1 promoter region in VPA-induced offspring. Administration of MS-275 in VPA offspring significantly elevated the levels of AcH3, ALDH1A1 mRNA and protein, ALDH activity, RA, the level of RARα protein and the binding of AcH3 to the ALDH1A1 promoter. In addition, the GluA1 protein level and LTP were reduced, and most behavioral deficits were reversed. After RA supplementation in the VPA-treated offspring, the RA and RARα protein levels were significantly upregulated, GluA1 protein and LTP were downregulated, and most autism-like behavioral deficits were effectively reversed. Conclusion These findings suggest that VPA impairs histoneacetylation of ALDH1A1 and downregulates the RA-RARα pathway. Such epigenetic modification of ALDH1A1 by VPA leads to autism-like synaptic and behavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Liu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorder, Chongqing, China
| | - Mei Tan
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorder, Chongqing, China
| | - Boli Cheng
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorder, Chongqing, China
| | - Si Wang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorder, Chongqing, China
| | - Lu Xiao
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorder, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorder, Chongqing, China
| | - Qionghui Wu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorder, Chongqing, China
| | - Xi Lai
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorder, Chongqing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorder, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorder, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingyu Li
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorder, Chongqing, China
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25
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Strong KL, Epplin MP, Ogden KK, Burger PB, Kaiser TM, Wilding TJ, Kusumoto H, Camp CR, Shaulsky G, Bhattacharya S, Perszyk RE, Menaldino DS, McDaniel MJ, Zhang J, Le P, Banke TG, Hansen KB, Huettner JE, Liotta DC, Traynelis SF. Distinct GluN1 and GluN2 Structural Determinants for Subunit-Selective Positive Allosteric Modulation of N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptors. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:79-98. [PMID: 33326224 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are ionotropic ligand-gated glutamate receptors that mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system (CNS). Several neurological disorders may involve NMDAR hypofunction, which has driven therapeutic interest in positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of NMDAR function. Here we describe modest changes to the tetrahydroisoquinoline scaffold of GluN2C/GluN2D-selective PAMs that expands activity to include GluN2A- and GluN2B-containing recombinant and synaptic NMDARs. These new analogues are distinct from GluN2C/GluN2D-selective compounds like (+)-(3-chlorophenyl)(6,7-dimethoxy-1-((4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl)-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)methanone (CIQ) by virtue of their subunit selectivity, molecular determinants of action, and allosteric regulation of agonist potency. The (S)-enantiomers of two analogues (EU1180-55, EU1180-154) showed activity at NMDARs containing all subunits (GluN2A, GluN2B, GluN2C, GluN2D), whereas the (R)-enantiomers were primarily active at GluN2C- and GluN2D-containing NMDARs. Determination of the actions of enantiomers on triheteromeric receptors confirms their unique pharmacology, with greater activity of (S) enantiomers at GluN2A/GluN2D and GluN2B/GluN2D subunit combinations than (R) enantiomers. Evaluation of the (S)-EU1180-55 and EU1180-154 response of chimeric kainate/NMDA receptors revealed structural determinants of action within the pore-forming region and associated linkers. Scanning mutagenesis identified structural determinants within the GluN1 pre-M1 and M1 regions that alter the activity of (S)-EU1180-55 but not (R)-EU1180-55. By contrast, mutations in pre-M1 and M1 regions of GluN2D perturb the actions of only the (R)-EU1180-55 but not the (S) enantiomer. Molecular modeling supports the idea that the (S) and (R) enantiomers interact distinctly with GluN1 and GluN2 pre-M1 regions, suggesting that two distinct sites exist for these NMDAR PAMs, each of which has different functional effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L. Strong
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Matthew P. Epplin
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Kevin K. Ogden
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Pieter B. Burger
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Thomas M. Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Timothy J. Wilding
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Hiro Kusumoto
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Chad R. Camp
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Gil Shaulsky
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Subhrajit Bhattacharya
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Riley E. Perszyk
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - David S. Menaldino
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Miranda J. McDaniel
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Phuong Le
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Tue G. Banke
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Kasper B. Hansen
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, Center for Structural and Functional Neuroscience, Division for Biological Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, Montana 59812, United States
| | - James E. Huettner
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Dennis C. Liotta
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Stephen F. Traynelis
- Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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26
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Galvin VC, Yang S, Lowet AS, Datta D, Duque A, Arnsten AFT, Wang M. M1 receptors interacting with NMDAR enhance delay-related neuronal firing and improve working memory performance. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 2. [PMID: 35098156 PMCID: PMC8794314 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2021.100016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The recurrent excitatory circuits in dlPFC underlying working memory are known to require activation of glutamatergic NMDA receptors (NMDAR). The neurons in these circuits also rely on acetylcholine to maintain persistent activity, with evidence for actions at both nicotinic α7 receptors and muscarinic M1 receptors (M1R). It is known that nicotinic α7 receptors interact with NMDAR in these circuits, but the interactions between M1R and NMDAR on dlPFC neuronal activity are unknown. Here, we investigated whether M1Rs contribute to the permissive effects of ACh in dlPFC circuitry underlying working memory via interactions with NMDA receptors. We tested interactions between M1Rs and NMDARs in vivo on single neuron activity in rhesus macaques performing a working memory task, as well as on working memory behavior in rodents following infusion of M1R and NMDAR compounds into mPFC. We report that M1R antagonists block the enhancing effects of NMDA application, consistent with M1R permissive actions. Conversely, M1R positive allosteric modulators prevented the detrimental effects of NMDAR blockade in single neurons in dlPFC and on working memory performance in rodents. These data support an interaction between M1R and NMDARs in working memory circuitry in both primates and rats, and suggest M1Rs contribute to the permissive actions of ACh in primate dlPFC. These results are consistent with recent data suggesting that M1R agonists may be helpful in the treatment of schizophrenia, a cognitive disorder associated with NMDAR dysfunction. Working memory-related persistent firing in primate prefrontal cortex relies on NMDAR. Unlike classic circuits, NMDAR transmission requires permissive acetylcholine actions. Muscarinic M1R blockade prevents the excitatory effects of NMDA on neuronal firing. M1R stimulation averts the harmful effects of NMDAR blockade on cell firing and memory.
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27
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Spectral blueshift of biophotonic activity and transmission in the ageing mouse brain. Brain Res 2020; 1749:147133. [PMID: 32971084 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The brain is considered to be a complex system with extremely low energy consumption and high-efficiency information transmission and processing, and this system has not been replicated by any artificial systems so far. Several studies indicate that the activity and transmission of biophotons in neural circuits may play an important role in neural information communication, while the biophotonic spectral redshift from lower to higher in animals may be related to the evolution of intelligence. The ageing processes of higher organisms are often accompanied by a decline in brain functions; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Combining an ultraweak biophoton imaging system with the improved biophoton spectral analysis device, we compared and analyzed the spectra of glutamate-induced biophotonic emissions in mouse brain slices at different ages (newborn, 1, 3, 6, 12, 15, and 18 months). We found that the glutamate-induced biophotonic emissions presented a spectral blueshift from young to old mice, suggesting that the brain may transform to use relatively high-energy biophotons for neural information transmission and processing during the ageing process. Such a change may lead to a gradual decrease in the efficiency of the nervous system and provide a new biophysical mechanism for explaining the ageing-related changes in cognitive functions.
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28
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Huang GD, Jiang LX, Su F, Wang HL, Zhang C, Yu X. A novel paradigm for assessing olfactory working memory capacity in mice. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:431. [PMID: 33319773 PMCID: PMC7738675 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01120-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A decline in working memory (WM) capacity is suggested to be one of the earliest symptoms observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although WM capacity is widely studied in healthy subjects and neuropsychiatric patients, few tasks are developed to measure this variation in rodents. The present study describes a novel olfactory working memory capacity (OWMC) task, which assesses the ability of mice to remember multiple odours. The task was divided into five phases: context adaptation, digging training, rule-learning for non-matching to a single-sample odour (NMSS), rule-learning for non-matching to multiple sample odours (NMMS) and capacity testing. During the capacity-testing phase, the WM capacity (number of odours that the mice could remember) remained stable (average capacity ranged from 6.11 to 7.00) across different testing sessions in C57 mice. As the memory load increased, the average errors of each capacity level increased and the percent correct gradually declined to chance level, which suggested a limited OWMC in C57 mice. Then, we assessed the OWMC of 5 × FAD transgenic mice, an animal model of AD. We found that the performance displayed no significant differences between young adult (3-month-old) 5 × FAD mice and wild-type (WT) mice during the NMSS phase and NMMS phase; however, during the capacity test with increasing load, we found that the OWMC of young adult 5 × FAD mice was significantly decreased compared with WT mice, and the average error was significantly increased while the percent correct was significantly reduced, which indicated an impairment of WM capacity at the early stage of AD in the 5 × FAD mice model. Finally, we found that FOS protein levels in the medial prefrontal cortex and entorhinal cortex after the capacity test were significantly lower in 5 × FAD than WT mice. In conclusion, we developed a novel paradigm to assess the capacity of olfactory WM in mice, and we found that OWMC was impaired in the early stage of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng-Di Huang
- grid.459847.30000 0004 1798 0615Peking University Sixth Hospital, 100191 Beijing, China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Institute of Mental Health, 100191 Beijing, China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 100191 Beijing, China ,grid.459847.30000 0004 1798 0615National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), 100191 Beijing, China ,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research on Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, 100191 Beijing, China
| | - Li-Xin Jiang
- grid.459847.30000 0004 1798 0615Peking University Sixth Hospital, 100191 Beijing, China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Institute of Mental Health, 100191 Beijing, China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 100191 Beijing, China ,grid.459847.30000 0004 1798 0615National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), 100191 Beijing, China ,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research on Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, 100191 Beijing, China
| | - Feng Su
- grid.452723.50000 0004 7887 9190Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China ,grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XSchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 100069 Beijing, China
| | - Hua-Li Wang
- grid.459847.30000 0004 1798 0615Peking University Sixth Hospital, 100191 Beijing, China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Institute of Mental Health, 100191 Beijing, China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 100191 Beijing, China ,grid.459847.30000 0004 1798 0615National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), 100191 Beijing, China ,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research on Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, 100191 Beijing, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, 100069, Beijing, China.
| | - Xin Yu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, 100191, Beijing, China. .,Peking University Institute of Mental Health, 100191, Beijing, China. .,NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 100191, Beijing, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), 100191, Beijing, China. .,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory for Translational Research on Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, 100191, Beijing, China.
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29
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Gonda S, Giesen J, Sieberath A, West F, Buchholz R, Klatt O, Ziebarth T, Räk A, Kleinhubbert S, Riedel C, Hollmann M, Hamad MIK, Reiner A, Wahle P. GluN2B but Not GluN2A for Basal Dendritic Growth of Cortical Pyramidal Neurons. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:571351. [PMID: 33281565 PMCID: PMC7691608 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.571351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
NMDA receptors are important players for neuronal differentiation. We previously reported that antagonizing NMDA receptors with APV blocked the growth-promoting effects evoked by the overexpression of specific calcium-permeable or flip-spliced AMPA receptor subunits and of type I transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory proteins which both exclusively modify apical dendritic length and branching of cortical pyramidal neurons. These findings led us to characterize the role of GluN2B and GluN2A for dendritogenesis using organotypic cultures of rat visual cortex. Antagonizing GluN2B with ifenprodil and Ro25-6981 strongly impaired basal dendritic growth of supra- and infragranular pyramidal cells at DIV 5–10, but no longer at DIV 15–20. Growth recovered after washout, and protein blots revealed an increase of synaptic GluN2B-containing receptors as indicated by a enhanced phosphorylation of the tyrosine 1472 residue. Antagonizing GluN2A with TCN201 and NVP-AAM077 was ineffective at both ages. Dendrite growth of non-pyramidal interneurons was not altered. We attempted to overexpress GluN2A and GluN2B. However, although the constructs delivered currents in HEK cells, there were neither effects on dendrite morphology nor an enhanced sensitivity to NMDA. Further, co-expressing GluN1-1a and GluN2B did not alter dendritic growth. Visualization of overexpressed, tagged GluN2 proteins was successful after immunofluorescence for the tag which delivered rather weak staining in HEK cells as well as in neurons. This suggested that the level of overexpression is too weak to modify dendrite growth. In summary, endogenous GluN2B, but not GluN2A is important for pyramidal cell basal dendritic growth during an early postnatal time window.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Gonda
- Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jan Giesen
- Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Alexander Sieberath
- Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Fabian West
- Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Raoul Buchholz
- Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Oliver Klatt
- Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Tim Ziebarth
- Cellular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Andrea Räk
- Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sabine Kleinhubbert
- Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christian Riedel
- Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michael Hollmann
- Biochemistry I - Receptor Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Mohammad I K Hamad
- Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Andreas Reiner
- Cellular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Petra Wahle
- Developmental Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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30
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Goldsworthy MR, Rogasch NC, Ballinger S, Graetz L, Van Dam JM, Harris R, Yu S, Pitcher JB, Baune BT, Ridding MC. Age-related decline of neuroplasticity to intermittent theta burst stimulation of the lateral prefrontal cortex and its relationship with late-life memory performance. Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 131:2181-2191. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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31
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Galizio M, Mason MG, Bruce K. Successive incrementing non-matching-to-samples in rats: An automated version of the odor span task. J Exp Anal Behav 2020; 114:248-265. [PMID: 32725820 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The odor span task is a procedure frequently used to study remembering of multiple stimuli in rodents. A large arena is used and odor stimuli are presented using scented cups. Selection of each odor is reinforced when first presented, but not on subsequent presentations; correct selections depend on remembering which stimuli were previously presented. The use of an arena setting with manual stimulus presentation makes the odor span task labor-intensive and limits experimental control; thus, an automated version of the task would be of value. The present study used an operant chamber equipped with an olfactometer and trained rats using successive conditional discrimination procedures under an incrementing non-matching-to-samples contingency. High rates of responding developed to odor stimuli when they were session-novel with low rates of responding to subsequent presentations of that odor. Additional experiments assessed variations of the procedure to determine the role of the frequency of odor presentation and the retention interval separating sample and comparison. Discrimination was impaired with long retention intervals suggesting the importance of this variable. These findings confirmed that rats differentiate between stimuli that are session-novel and those previously encountered and support the use of an automated procedure as an alternative to the odor span task.
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32
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Hu H, Cui Y, Yang Y. Circuits and functions of the lateral habenula in health and in disease. Nat Rev Neurosci 2020; 21:277-295. [PMID: 32269316 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-0292-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed exponentially growing interest in the lateral habenula (LHb) owing to new discoveries relating to its critical role in regulating negatively motivated behaviour and its implication in major depression. The LHb, sometimes referred to as the brain's 'antireward centre', receives inputs from diverse limbic forebrain and basal ganglia structures, and targets essentially all midbrain neuromodulatory systems, including the noradrenergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. Its unique anatomical position enables the LHb to act as a hub that integrates value-based, sensory and experience-dependent information to regulate various motivational, cognitive and motor processes. Dysfunction of the LHb may contribute to the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders, especially major depression. Recently, exciting progress has been made in identifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the LHb that underlie negative emotional state in animal models of drug withdrawal and major depression. A future challenge is to translate these advances into effective clinical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailan Hu
- Department of Psychiatry of First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,The MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, China. .,NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, China. .,Fountain-Valley Institute for Life Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yihui Cui
- The MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Yang
- The MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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33
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Pegasiou CM, Zolnourian A, Gomez-Nicola D, Deinhardt K, Nicoll JAR, Ahmed AI, Vajramani G, Grundy P, Verhoog MB, Mansvelder HD, Perry VH, Bulters D, Vargas-Caballero M. Age-Dependent Changes in Synaptic NMDA Receptor Composition in Adult Human Cortical Neurons. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:4246-4256. [PMID: 32191258 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular processes underlying the aging-related decline in cognitive performance and memory observed in humans are poorly understood. Studies in rodents have shown a decrease in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) that contain the GluN2B subunit in aging synapses, and this decrease is correlated with impaired memory functions. However, the age-dependent contribution of GluN2B-containing receptors to synaptic transmission in human cortical synapses has not been previously studied. We investigated the synaptic contribution of GluN2A and GluN2B-containing NMDARs in adult human neurons using fresh nonpathological temporal cortical tissue resected during neurosurgical procedures. The tissue we obtained fulfilled quality criteria by the absence of inflammation markers and proteomic degradation. We show an age-dependent decline in the NMDA/AMPA receptor ratio in adult human temporal cortical synapses. We demonstrate that GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors contribute to synaptic responses in the adult human brain with a reduced contribution in older individuals. With previous evidence demonstrating the critical role of synaptic GluN2B in regulating synaptic strength and memory storage in mice, this progressive reduction of GluN2B in the human brain during aging may underlie a molecular mechanism in the age-related decline in cognitive abilities and memory observed in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysia M Pegasiou
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Ardalan Zolnourian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wessex Neurological Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.,Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Diego Gomez-Nicola
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Katrin Deinhardt
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - James A R Nicoll
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.,Department of Cellular Pathology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Aminul I Ahmed
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wessex Neurological Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.,Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Girish Vajramani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wessex Neurological Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Paul Grundy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wessex Neurological Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Matthijs B Verhoog
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands.,Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7935, South Africa
| | - Huibert D Mansvelder
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands
| | - V H Perry
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Diederik Bulters
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wessex Neurological Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.,Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Mariana Vargas-Caballero
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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34
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Zhu Z, Wang H, Jiang Y, Hua T, Zhang C. Heroin exposure and withdrawal differentially influence expression of NMDA receptor NR2 subunits in the prelimbic region of rat medial prefrontal cortex. Neurosci Lett 2020; 721:134819. [PMID: 32032749 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.134819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
It is widely reported that drug addiction involves the strengthening of specific reward circuits through N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR)-dependent synaptic potentiation, and several lines of evidence strongly implicate NMDA receptor 2 (NR2) subunits in drug abuse. To explore the potential mechanism of heroin dependence, this study examined changes in the expression levels of NR2 subunits NR2A-D in the prelimbic (PL) region of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) after repeated heroin administration and subsequent abstinence. The conditioned place preference (CPP) test confirmed successful induction of heroin dependence and withdrawal. Western blotting and qRT-PCR revealed no differences in NR2A subunit expression among heroin-exposure, heroin-withdrawal, and control group rats; in contrast, expression of NR2B was significantly higher in the heroin-exposure group, whereas expression levels of NR2C and NR2D were significantly higher in the heroin-withdrawal group relative to the controls. Further studies are needed to identify the functional significance based on alterations of NR2 subunits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaiman Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China; Department of Physiology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Physiology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Yuxin Jiang
- Department of Physiology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Tianmiao Hua
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China.
| | - Changzheng Zhang
- Department of Psychology & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Development and Education for Special Needs Children, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, China.
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35
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The D2-family receptor agonist bromocriptine but, not nicotine, reverses NMDA receptor antagonist-induced working memory deficits in the radial arm maze in mice. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 168:107159. [PMID: 31911198 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hypofunction of the NMDA receptor (NMDAr) may underlie cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions including working memory (WM) impairments. Given that these deficits link closely to functional outcome, treatments remediating such deficits require identification. NMDAr hypofunction can be modeled via treatment with the antagonist MK-801. Hence, the present study determined whether cholinergic or dopaminergic agonists attenuate MK-801-induced WM deficits in mice. WM was assessed in male C57BL/6 mice trained on an automated 12-arm radial arm maze (RAM) paradigm, wherein rewards were delivered after the first but, not after subsequent entries into WM arms (8/12) and never delivered for entries into reference memory (RM) arms (4/12). Mice were then treated with MK-801 (vehicle or 0.3 mg/kg) and nicotine (vehicle, 0.03 or 0.30 mg/kg) in a cross-over design. After a 2-week washout, mice were then retested with MK-801 and the dopamine D2-family receptor agonist bromocriptine (vehicle, 3 or 10 mg/kg). In both experiments, MK-801 reduced WM span and increased RM and WM error rates. Nicotine did not attenuate these deficits. In contrast, a bromocriptine/MK-801 interaction was observed on WM error rate, where bromocriptine attenuated MK-801 induced deficits without affecting MK-801-induced RM errors. Additionally, bromocriptine produced the main effect of slowing latency to collect rewards. Hence, while NMDAr hypofunction-induced deficits in WM was unaffected by nicotine, it was remediated by treatment with the dopamine D2-family agonist bromocriptine. Future studies should determine whether selective activation of dopamine D2, D3, or D4 receptors remediate this NMDAr hypofunction-induced WM deficit.
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36
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Dysfunctional mesocortical dopamine circuit at pre-adolescence is associated to aggressive behavior in MAO-A hypomorphic mice exposed to early life stress. Neuropharmacology 2019; 159:107517. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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37
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Yermakov LM, Griggs RB, Drouet DE, Sugimoto C, Williams MT, Vorhees CV, Susuki K. Impairment of cognitive flexibility in type 2 diabetic db/db mice. Behav Brain Res 2019; 371:111978. [PMID: 31141724 PMCID: PMC6579681 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.111978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Impaired executive function is a major peril for patients with type 2 diabetes, reducing quality of life and ability for diabetes management. Despite the significance of this impairment, few animal models of type 2 diabetes examine domains of executive function such as cognitive flexibility or working memory. Here, we evaluated these executive function domains in db/db mice, an established model of type 2 diabetes, at 10 and 24 weeks of age. The db/db mice showed impaired cognitive flexibility in the Morris water maze reversal phase. However, the db/db mice did not show apparent working memory disturbance in the spatial working memory version of the Morris water maze or in the radial water maze. We also examined axon initial segments (AIS) and nodes of Ranvier, key axonal domains for action potential initiation and propagation. AIS were significantly shortened in medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of 26-week-old db/db mice compared with controls, similar to our previous findings in 10-week-old mice. Nodes of Ranvier in corpus callosum, previously shown to be unchanged at 10 weeks, were elongated at 26 weeks, suggesting an important role for this domain in disease progression. Together, the findings help establish db/db mice as a model of impaired cognitive flexibility in type 2 diabetes and advance our understanding of its pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid M Yermakov
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
| | - Ryan B Griggs
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
| | - Domenica E Drouet
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
| | - Chiho Sugimoto
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Michael T Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Charles V Vorhees
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Keiichiro Susuki
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA.
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38
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Amidfar M, Woelfer M, Réus GZ, Quevedo J, Walter M, Kim YK. The role of NMDA receptor in neurobiology and treatment of major depressive disorder: Evidence from translational research. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 94:109668. [PMID: 31207274 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence demonstrating that dysfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission, particularly via N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, is involved in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Several studies have revealed an altered expression of NMDA receptor subtypes and impaired NMDA receptor-mediated intracellular signaling pathways in brain circuits of patients with MDD. Clinical studies have demonstrated that NMDA receptor antagonists, particularly ketamine, have rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression, however, neurobiological mechanisms are not completely understood. Growing body of evidence suggest that signal transduction pathways involved in synaptic plasticity play critical role in molecular mechanisms underlying rapidly acting antidepressant properties of ketamine and other NMDAR antagonists in MDD. Discovering the molecular mechanisms underlying the unique antidepressant actions of ketamine will facilitate the development of novel fast acting antidepressants which lack undesirable effects of ketamine. This review provides a critical examination of the NMDA receptor involvement in the neurobiology of MDD including analyses of alterations in NMDA receptor subtypes and their interactive signaling cascades revealed by postmortem studies. Furthermore, to elucidate mechanisms underlying rapid-acting antidepressant properties of NMDA receptor antagonists we discussed their effects on the neuroplasticity, mostly based on signaling systems involved in synaptic plasticity of mood-related neurocircuitries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie Woelfer
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, University Magdeburg, Germany; New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Gislaine Z Réus
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Unit, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - João Quevedo
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Unit, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil; Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA; Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Martin Walter
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, University Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, University Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Yong-Ku Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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39
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Oxymatrine protects neonatal rat against hypoxic-ischemic brain damage via PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway. Life Sci 2019; 254:116444. [PMID: 31102745 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.04.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In this study we aimed to explore the specific effect and mechanism of oxymatrine on neonatal rats hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hypoxia-ischemia damage model was built by ligaturing the left common carotid artery in 7-day-old rat. Rat pups in OMT group received intraperitoneal injection with oxymatrine (120 mg/kg). Oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion model was created in hippocampal neurons. Neurological behavioral, histopathological alteration, cell viability, intracellular Ca2+ concentration, MMP and cell apoptosis were used in damage evaluation. KEY FINDINGS The results shown that oxymatrine regulated brain damage and cell apoptosis by controlling NR2B-PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway. SIGNIFICANCE Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage is a destructive injury that leading to death and detrimental neurological deficits. Oxymatrine is a natural alkaloid compound that can alleviate the ischemic cerebral infarction. In the study, 120 mg/kg oxymatrine decreased neuroethology damage and neuronal damage in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus CA3. Moreover, 0.2, 1, 5 μg/ml oxymatrine improved cell survival, decreased cell apoptosis. The utilization of LY293004 (PI3K signaling pathway inhibitor) also supported that oxymatrine ameliorated neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage and cell injury by controlling NR2B-PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway.
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40
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Hara Y, Crimins JL, Puri R, Wang ACJ, Motley SE, Yuk F, Ramos TM, Janssen WGM, Rapp PR, Morrison JH. Estrogen Alters the Synaptic Distribution of Phospho-GluN2B in the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex While Promoting Working Memory in Aged Rhesus Monkeys. Neuroscience 2019; 394:303-315. [PMID: 30482274 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Age- and menopause-related deficits in working memory can be partially restored with estradiol replacement in women and female nonhuman primates. Working memory is a cognitive function reliant on persistent firing of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) neurons that requires the activation of GluN2B-containing glutamate NMDA receptors. We tested the hypothesis that the distribution of phospho-Tyr1472-GluN2B (pGluN2B), a predominant form of GluN2B seen at the synapse, is sensitive to aging or estradiol treatment and coupled to working memory performance. First, ovariectomized young and aged rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) received long-term cyclic vehicle (V) or estradiol (E) treatment and were tested on the delayed response (DR) test of working memory. Then, serial section electron microscopic immunocytochemistry was performed to quantitatively assess the subcellular distribution of pGluN2B. While the densities of pGluN2B immunogold particles in dlPFC dendritic spines were not different across age or treatment groups, the percentage of gold particles located within the synaptic compartment was significantly lower in aged-E monkeys compared to young-E and aged-V monkeys. On the other hand, the percentage of pGluN2B gold particles in the spine cytoplasm was decreased with E treatment in young, but increased with E in aged monkeys. In aged monkeys, DR average accuracy inversely correlated with the percentage of synaptic pGluN2B, while it positively correlated with the percentage of cytoplasmic pGluN2B. Together, E replacement may promote cognitive health in aged monkeys, in part, by decreasing the relative representation of synaptic pGluN2B and potentially protecting the dlPFC from calcium toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Hara
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Kastor Neurobiology of Aging Laboratories, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Johanna L Crimins
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Kastor Neurobiology of Aging Laboratories, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Rishi Puri
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Kastor Neurobiology of Aging Laboratories, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Athena C J Wang
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Kastor Neurobiology of Aging Laboratories, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Sarah E Motley
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Kastor Neurobiology of Aging Laboratories, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Frank Yuk
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Kastor Neurobiology of Aging Laboratories, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Tiffany M Ramos
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Kastor Neurobiology of Aging Laboratories, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - William G M Janssen
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Kastor Neurobiology of Aging Laboratories, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Peter R Rapp
- National Institute on Aging, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - John H Morrison
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Kastor Neurobiology of Aging Laboratories, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA 95616, United States; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
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41
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Li Q, Wu X, Na X, Ge B, Wu Q, Guo X, Ntim M, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Yang J, Xiao Z, Zhao J, Li S. Impaired Cognitive Function and Altered Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity in Mice Lacking Dermatan Sulfotransferase Chst14/D4st1. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:26. [PMID: 30853887 PMCID: PMC6396735 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) proteoglycans (PGs) are major extracellular matrix (ECM) components of the central nervous system (CNS). A large body of evidence has shown that CSPGs/DSPGs play critical roles in neuronal growth, axon guidance, and plasticity in the developing and mature CNS. It has been proposed that these PGs exert their function through specific interaction of CS/DS chains with its binding partners in a manner that depends on the sulfation patterns of CS/DS. It has been reported that dermatan 4-O-sulfotransferase-1 (Chst14/D4st1) specific for DS, but not chondroitin 4-O-sulfotransferase-1 (Chst11/C4st1) specific for CS, regulates proliferation and neurogenesis of neural stem cells (NSCs), indicating that CS and DS play distinct roles in the self-renewal and differentiation of NSCs. However, it remains unknown whether specific sulfation profiles of DS has any effect on CNS plasticity. In the present study, Chst14/D4st1-deficient (Chst14−/−) mice was employed to investigate the involvement of DS in synaptic plasticity. First, behavior study using Morris Water Maze (MWM) showed that the spatial learning and memory of Chst14−/− mice was impaired when compared to their wild type (WT) littermates. Corroborating the behavior result, long-term potentiation (LTP) at the hippocampal CA3-CA1 connection was reduced in Chst14−/− mice compared to the WT mice. Finally, the protein levels of N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor, postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95), growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43), synaptophysin (SYN) and N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) which are important in synaptic plasticity were examined and Chst14/D4st1 deficiency was shown to significantly reduce the expression of these proteins in the hippocampus. Further studies revealed that Akt/mammalian target rapamycin (mTOR) pathway proteins, including protein kinase B (p-Akt), p-mTOR and p-S6, were significantly lower in Chst14−/− mice, which might contribute to the decreased protein expression. Together, this study reveals that specific sulfation of DS is critical in synaptic plasticity of the hippocampus and learning and memory, which might be associated with the changes in the expression of glutamate receptors and other synaptic proteins though Akt/mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifa Li
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xuefei Wu
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xueyan Na
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Biying Ge
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug-Research and Development (R & D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xuewen Guo
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Michael Ntim
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yiping Sun
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jinyi Yang
- Department of Urology, Dalian Friendship Hospital, Dalian, China
| | - Zhicheng Xiao
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jie Zhao
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug-Research and Development (R & D) of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Shao Li
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebral Diseases, Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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Effects of 5-Aza on p-Y1472 NR2B related to learning and memory in the mouse hippocampus. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 109:701-707. [PMID: 30551522 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have previously reported that 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-cdR) can repress protein serine/threonine phosphatase-1γ (PP1γ) expression and activity in the mouse hippocampus and affect the behaviour of mice in a water maze. It is well known that the phosphorylation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 2B subunit (NR2B) plays a role in behaviour. In this study, we examined whether 5-Aza-cdR affects NR2B phosphorylation at tyrosine 1472 (p-Y1472 NR2B) and whether it affected the responses of the mice in a passive avoidance test. METHODS 5-Aza-cdR (10 μM) was administered to mice via intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v). The learning and memory behaviour of the mice were evaluated by measuring their response in a step-down type passive avoidance test 24 h after the injection. The mRNA level of NR2B was measured by real-time PCR. NR2B and p-Y1472 NR2B protein expression in the mouse hippocampus was detected by western blot and immunofluorescence. CDK5 activity was detected by the ADP-Glo™ + CDK5/p35 Kinase Enzyme System. To further clarify whether the 5-Aza-cdR effects on behaviour were dependent on cellular proliferation or not, the effect of 5-Aza-cdR on the expression level of NR2B, the phosphorylation level of p-Y1472 NR2B, cell viability and the cell cycle were analysed using the immortalized mouse hippocampal neuronal cells neural cell line HT22 treated with 10 μM 5-Aza-cdR compared with an untreated control group. RESULTS After injection with 5-Aza-cdR, the behaviour of the mice in the step-down test was improved, while their phosphorylation level of p-Y1472 NR2B was increased and their CDK5 activity was decreased in the hippocampus. In vitro experiments showed 10 μM 5-Aza-cdR increased the p-Y1472 NR2B phosphorylation level with inhibition of cell viability and cell cycle arrest. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that the effect of 5-Aza-cdR on behaviour may be related to the increase in phosphorylation of p-Y1472 NR2B in the hippocampus.
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Kumar A, Foster TC. Alteration in NMDA Receptor Mediated Glutamatergic Neurotransmission in the Hippocampus During Senescence. Neurochem Res 2018; 44:38-48. [PMID: 30209673 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-018-2634-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in neurons and glia. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), and kainate receptors are major ionotropic glutamate receptors. Glutamatergic neurotransmission is strongly linked with Ca2+ homeostasis. Research has provided ample evidence that brain aging is associated with altered glutamatergic neurotransmission and Ca2+ dysregulation. Much of the work has focused on the hippocampus, a brain region critically involved in learning and memory, which is particularly susceptible to dysfunction during senescence. The current review examines Ca2+ regulation with a focus on the NMDA receptors in the hippocampus. Integrating the knowledge of the complexity of age-related alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis and NMDA receptor-mediated glutamatergic neurotransmission will positively shape the development of highly effective therapeutics to treat brain disorders including cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Kumar
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, PO Box 100244, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0244, USA.
| | - Thomas C Foster
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, PO Box 100244, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0244, USA.
- Genetics and Genomics Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
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Duan Y, Wang Q, Zeng Q, Wang J, Chen Z, Xu M, Duan Y, Zhao Z, Xue Q, Cao X. Striatal GluN2B involved in motor skill learning and stimulus-response learning. Neuropharmacology 2018; 135:73-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Lin J, Wang S, Feng Y, Zhao W, Zhao W, Luo F, Feng N. Propofol exposure during early gestation impairs learning and memory in rat offspring by inhibiting the acetylation of histone. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:2600-2611. [PMID: 29461008 PMCID: PMC5908131 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Propofol is widely used in clinical practice, including non-obstetric surgery in pregnant women. Previously, we found that propofol anaesthesia in maternal rats during the third trimester (E18) caused learning and memory impairment to the offspring rats, but how about the exposure during early pregnancy and the underlying mechanisms? Histone acetylation plays an important role in synaptic plasticity. In this study, propofol was administered to the pregnant rats in the early pregnancy (E7). The learning and memory function of the offspring were tested by Morris water maze (MWM) test on post-natal day 30. Two hours before each MWM trial, histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) inhibitor, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), Senegenin (SEN, traditional Chinese medicine), hippyragranin (HGN) antisense oligonucleotide (HGNA) or vehicle were given to the offspring. The protein levels of HDAC2, acetylated histone 3 (H3) and 4 (H4), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB), N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) 2 subunit B (NR2B), HGN and synaptophysin in offspring's hippocampus were determined by Western blot or immunofluorescence test. It was discovered that infusion with propofol in maternal rats on E7 leads to impairment of learning and memory in offspring, increased the protein levels of HDAC2 and HGN, decreased the levels of acetylated H3 and H4 and phosphorylated CREB, NR2B and synaptophysin. HDAC2 inhibitor SAHA, Senegenin or HGN antisense oligonucleotide reversed all the changes. Thus, present results indicate exposure to propofol during the early gestation impairs offspring's learning and memory via inhibiting histone acetylation. SAHA, Senegenin and HGN antisense oligonucleotide might have therapeutic value for the adverse effect of propofol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamei Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, the Eastern Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shengqiang Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yunlin Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Weihong Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Weilu Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Foquan Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Namin Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Monaco SA, Ferguson BR, Gao WJ. Lithium Inhibits GSK3β and Augments GluN2A Receptor Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:16. [PMID: 29449801 PMCID: PMC5799274 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in both psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's disease; therefore regulating its activity has become an important strategy for treatment of cognitive impairments in these disorders. This study examines the effects of lithium on GSK3β and its interaction with β-catenin and NMDA receptors within the prefrontal cortex. Lithium, a clinically relevant drug commonly prescribed as a mood stabilizer for psychiatric disorders, significantly increased levels of phosphorylated GSK3β serine 9, an inhibitory phosphorylation site, and decreased β-catenin ser33/37/thr41 phosphorylation in vitro, indicating GSK3β inhibition and reduced β-catenin degradation. GluN2A subunit levels were concurrently increased following lithium treatment. Similar alterations were also demonstrated in vivo; lithium administration increased GSK3β serine 9 phosphorylation and GluN2A levels, suggesting a reduced GSK3β activity and augmented GluN2A expression. Correspondingly, we observed that the amplitudes of evoked GluN2A-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents in mPFC pyramidal neurons were significantly increased following lithium administration. Our data suggest that GSK3β activity negatively regulates GluN2A expression, likely by mediating upstream β-catenin phosphorylation, in prefrontal cortical neurons. Furthermore, our biochemical and electrophysiological experiments demonstrate that lithium mediates a specific increase in GluN2A subunit expression, ultimately augmenting GluN2A-mediated currents in the prefrontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Huang Y, Liu X, Liao Y, Liao Y, Zou D, Wei X, Huang Q, Wu Y. Role of miR-34c in the cognitive function of epileptic rats induced by pentylenetetrazol. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:4173-4180. [PMID: 29344671 PMCID: PMC5802187 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies suggest that microRNA (miR)-34c may serve a role in cognitive function in rodent and primate groups. A previous study demonstrated an increase in miR-34c expression in chronic epileptic rats with memory disorders, induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). However, the mechanism underlying the effects of miR-34c on cognitive function in epileptic rats remains unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated alterations in cognitive function in temporal lobe epileptic rats, induced by repeated injections of PTZ, following treatment with an miR-34c agomir compared with a scramble group. Increased expression of miR-34c was observed in the agomir group, in addition to an increased deficit in learning and memory function in the Morris water maze test. Glutamate receptor ionotropic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) 2B (NR2B), phosphorylated (p)-reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent diflavin oxidoreductase 1 (NR1) and p-glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1) protein expression was detected in the hippocampus using western blotting. Additionally, the downregulation of NR2B, p-NR1 and p-GluR1 in the miR-34c agomir group demonstrated that miR-34c may serve a negative role in cognitive function in epileptic seizures, by dysregulating NMDA and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors, which are associated with long-term potentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xixia Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yuhan Liao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yayun Liao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Donghua Zou
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xing Wei
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Wu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
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Xiong L, Liyue H, Fancai Z, Maoting L, Ya L, Ting H, Zhen Y, Shanshan Z, Wenwen G, Yan T. Effect of decabrominated diphenyl ether exposure on spatial learning and memory, the expression and phosphorylation of hippocampal glutamate receptor subunits in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. J Toxicol Sci 2018; 43:645-657. [DOI: 10.2131/jts.43.645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Li Xiong
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Hao Liyue
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Zeng Fancai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Li Maoting
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Li Ya
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - He Ting
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Yang Zhen
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Zhu Shanshan
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Gu Wenwen
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, China
| | - Tang Yan
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, China
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Davies DA, Greba Q, Selk JC, Catton JK, Baillie LD, Mulligan SJ, Howland JG. Interactions between medial prefrontal cortex and dorsomedial striatum are necessary for odor span capacity in rats: role of GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 24:524-531. [PMID: 28916627 PMCID: PMC5602347 DOI: 10.1101/lm.045419.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Working memory is involved in the maintenance and manipulation of information essential for complex cognition. While the neural substrates underlying working memory capacity have been studied in humans, considerably less is known about the circuitry mediating working memory capacity in rodents. Therefore, the present experiments tested the involvement of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and dorsal striatum (STR) in the odor span task (OST), a task proposed to assay working memory capacity in rodents. Initially, Long Evans rats were trained to dig in scented sand for food following a serial delayed nonmatching-to-sample rule. Temporary inactivation of dorsomedial (dm) STR significantly reduced span in well trained rats. Inactivation of mPFC or contralateral disconnection of the mPFC and dmSTR also reduced span. Infusing the GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor antagonist Ro 25-6981 into mPFC did not affect span; however, span was significantly reduced following bilateral Ro 25-6981 infusions into dmSTR or contralateral disconnection of mPFC (inactivation) and dmSTR (Ro 25-6981). These results suggest that span capacity in rats depends on GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor-dependent interactions between the mPFC and the dmSTR. Therefore, interventions targeting this circuit may improve the working memory capacity impairments in patients with schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don A Davies
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Quentin Greba
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Jantz C Selk
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Jillian K Catton
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Landon D Baillie
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Sean J Mulligan
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - John G Howland
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
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50
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Gulchina Y, Xu SJ, Snyder MA, Elefant F, Gao WJ. Epigenetic mechanisms underlying NMDA receptor hypofunction in the prefrontal cortex of juvenile animals in the MAM model for schizophrenia. J Neurochem 2017. [PMID: 28628228 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is characterized not only by psychosis, but also by working memory and executive functioning deficiencies, processes that rely on the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Because these cognitive impairments emerge prior to psychosis onset, we investigated synaptic function during development in the neurodevelopmental methylazoxymethanol (MAM) model for SCZ. Specifically, we hypothesize that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction is attributable to reductions in the NR2B subunit through aberrant epigenetic regulation of gene expression, resulting in deficient synaptic physiology and PFC-dependent cognitive dysfunction, a hallmark of SCZ. Using western blot and whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, we found that the levels of synaptic NR2B protein are significantly decreased in juvenile MAM animals, and the function of NMDARs is substantially compromised. Both NMDA-mEPSCs and synaptic NMDA-eEPSCs are significantly reduced in prelimbic PFC (plPFC). This protein loss during the juvenile period is correlated with an aberrant increase in enrichment of the epigenetic transcriptional repressor RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) and the repressive histone marker H3K27me3 at the Grin2b promoter, as assayed by ChIP-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Glutamate hypofunction has been a prominent hypothesis in the understanding of SCZ pathology; however, little attention has been given to the NMDAR system in the developing PFC in models for SCZ. Our work is the first to confirm that NMDAR hypofunction is a feature of early postnatal development, with epigenetic hyper-repression of the Grin2b promoter being a contributing factor. The selective loss of NR2B protein and subsequent synaptic dysfunction weakens plPFC function during development and may underlie early cognitive impairments in SCZ models and patients. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 264.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelena Gulchina
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Song-Jun Xu
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Melissa A Snyder
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Felice Elefant
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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