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Pimenta J, Da Silva Oliveira B, Lima ALD, Machado CA, De Souza Barbosa Lacerda L, Rossi L, Queiroz-Junior CM, De Souza-Costa LP, Andrade ACSP, Gonçalves MR, Mota B, Marim FM, Aguiar RS, Guimarães PPG, Teixeira AL, Vieira LB, Guatimosim C, Teixeira MM, De Miranda AS, Costa VV. A suitable model to investigate acute neurological consequences of coronavirus infection. Inflamm Res 2023; 72:2073-2088. [PMID: 37837557 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-023-01798-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN The present study aimed to investigate the neurochemical and behavioral effects of the acute consequences after coronavirus infection through a murine model. MATERIAL Wild-type C57BL/6 mice were infected intranasally (i.n) with the murine coronavirus 3 (MHV-3). METHODS Mice underwent behavioral tests. Euthanasia was performed on the fifth day after infection (5 dpi), and the brain tissue was subjected to plaque assays for viral titration, ELISA, histopathological, immunohistochemical and synaptosome analysis. RESULTS Increased viral titers and mild histological changes, including signs of neuronal degeneration, were observed in the cerebral cortex of infected mice. Importantly, MHV-3 infection induced an increase in cortical levels of glutamate and calcium, which is indicative of excitotoxicity, as well as increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IFN-γ) and reduced levels of neuroprotective mediators (BDNF and CX3CL1) in the mice brain. Finally, behavioral analysis showed impaired motor, anhedonia-like and anxiety-like behaviors in animals infected with MHV-3. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the data presented emulate many aspects of the acute neurological outcomes seen in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, this model may provide a preclinical platform to study acute neurological sequelae induced by coronavirus infection and test possible therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordane Pimenta
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Bruna Da Silva Oliveira
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Anna Luiza Diniz Lima
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Caroline Amaral Machado
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Larisse De Souza Barbosa Lacerda
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Celso Martins Queiroz-Junior
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Luiz Pedro De Souza-Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Santos Pereira Andrade
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Matheus Rodrigues Gonçalves
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Mota
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Martins Marim
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Renato Santana Aguiar
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Pedro Pires Goulart Guimarães
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Antônio Lúcio Teixeira
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Luciene Bruno Vieira
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Mauro Martins Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Aline Silva De Miranda
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Vivian Vasconcelos Costa
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
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2
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Rossi L, Santos KBS, Mota BIS, Pimenta J, Oliveira B, Machado CA, Fernandes HB, Barbosa LA, Rodrigues HA, Teixeira GHM, Gomes-Martins GA, Chaimowicz GF, Queiroz-Junior CM, Chaves I, Tapia JC, Teixeira MM, Costa VV, Miranda AS, Guatimosim C. Neuromuscular defects after infection with a beta coronavirus in mice. Neurochem Int 2023; 169:105567. [PMID: 37348761 PMCID: PMC10281698 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 affects primarily the lung. However, several other systemic alterations, including muscle weakness, fatigue and myalgia have been reported and may contribute to the disease outcome. We hypothesize that changes in the neuromuscular system may contribute to the latter symptoms observed in COVID-19 patients. Here, we showed that C57BL/6J mice inoculated intranasally with the murine betacoronavirus hepatitis coronavirus 3 (MHV-3), a model for studying COVID-19 in BSL-2 conditions that emulates severe COVID-19, developed robust motor alterations in muscle strength and locomotor activity. The latter changes were accompanied by degeneration and loss of motoneurons that were associated with the presence of virus-like particles inside the motoneuron. At the neuromuscular junction level, there were signs of atrophy and fragmentation in synaptic elements of MHV-3-infected mice. Furthermore, there was muscle atrophy and fiber type switch with alteration in myokines levels in muscles of MHV-3-infected mice. Collectively, our results show that acute infection with a betacoronavirus leads to robust motor impairment accompanied by neuromuscular system alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Kivia B S Santos
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Barbara I S Mota
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Jordane Pimenta
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bruna Oliveira
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Caroline A Machado
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Heliana B Fernandes
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Leticia A Barbosa
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Hermann A Rodrigues
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Vida, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Governador Valadares, MG, Brazil
| | - Gabriel H M Teixeira
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Gabriel A Gomes-Martins
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Gabriel F Chaimowicz
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Celso Martins Queiroz-Junior
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ian Chaves
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Juan C Tapia
- School of Medicine, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Mauro M Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vivian V Costa
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Aline S Miranda
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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3
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BDNF Spinal Overexpression after Spinal Cord Injury Partially Protects Soleus Neuromuscular Junction from Disintegration, Increasing VAChT and AChE Transcripts in Soleus but Not Tibialis Anterior Motoneurons. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112851. [DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
After spinal cord transection (SCT) the interaction between motoneurons (MNs) and muscle is impaired, due to reorganization of the spinal network after a loss of supraspinal inputs. Rats subjected to SCT, treated with intraspinal injection of a AAV-BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) construct, partially regained the ability to walk. The central effects of this treatment have been identified, but its impact at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) has not been characterized. Here, we compared the ability of NMJ pre- and postsynaptic machinery in the ankle extensor (Sol) and flexor (TA) muscles to respond to intraspinal AAV-BDNF after SCT. The gene expression of cholinergic molecules (VAChT, ChAT, AChE, nAChR, mAChR) was investigated in tracer-identified, microdissected MN perikarya, and in muscle fibers with the use of qPCR. In the NMJs, a distribution of VAChT, nAChR and Schwann cells was studied by immunofluorescence, and of synaptic vesicles and membrane active zones by electron microscopy. We showed partial protection of the Sol NMJs from disintegration, and upregulation of the VAChT and AChE transcripts in the Sol, but not the TA MNs after spinal enrichment with BDNF. We propose that the observed discrepancy in response to BDNF treatment is an effect of difference in the TrkB expression setting BDNF responsiveness, and of BDNF demands in Sol and TA muscles.
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4
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Li H, Su YS, He W, Zhang JB, Zhang Q, Jing XH, Zhan LB. The nonneuronal cholinergic system in the colon: A comprehensive review. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22165. [PMID: 35174565 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101529r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) is found not only in cholinergic nerve termini but also in the nonneuronal cholinergic system (NNCS). ACh is released from cholinergic nerves by vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT), but ACh release from the NNCS is mediated by organic cation transporter (OCT). Recent studies have suggested that components of the NNCS are located in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), crypt-villus organoids, immune cells, intestinal stem cells (ISCs), and vascular endothelial cells (VECs). When ACh enters the interstitial space, its self-modulation or effects on adjacent tissues are part of the range of its biological functions. This review focuses on the current understanding of the mechanisms of ACh synthesis and release in the NNCS. Furthermore, studies on ACh functions in colonic disorders suggest that ACh from the NNCS contributes to immune regulation, IEC and VEC repair, ISC differentiation, colonic movement, and colonic tumor development. As indicated by the features of some colonic disorders, ACh and the NNCS have positive and negative effects on these disorders. Furthermore, the NNCS is located in multiple colonic organs, and the specific effects and cross-talk involving ACh from the NNCS in different colonic tissues are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Li
- Changzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, China.,Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang-Shuai Su
- Research Center of Meridians, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei He
- Research Center of Meridians, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Bin Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Changzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, China
| | - Xiang-Hong Jing
- Research Center of Meridians, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Bin Zhan
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China
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5
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Joviano-Santos JV, Kljakic O, Magalhães-Gomes MPS, Valadão PAC, de Oliveira LR, Prado MAM, Prado VF, Guatimosim C. Motoneuron-specific loss of VAChT mimics neuromuscular defects seen in congenital myasthenic syndrome. FEBS J 2021; 288:5331-5349. [PMID: 33730374 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Motoneurons (MNs) control muscle activity by releasing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) at the level of neuromuscular junctions. ACh is packaged into synaptic vesicles by the vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT), and disruptions in its release can impair muscle contraction, as seen in congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS). Recently, VAChT gene mutations were identified in humans displaying varying degrees of myasthenia. Moreover, mice with a global deficiency in VAChT expression display several characteristics of CMS. Despite these findings, little is known about how a long-term decrease in VAChT expression in vivo affects MNs structure and function. Using Cre-loxP technology, we generated a mouse model where VAChT is deleted in select groups of MNs (mnVAChT-KD). Molecular analysis revealed that the VAChT deletion was specific to MNs and affected approximately 50% of its population in the brainstem and spinal cord, with alpha-MNs primarily targeted (70% in spinal cord). Within each animal, the cell body area of VAChT-deleted MNs was significantly smaller compared to MNs with VAChT preserved. Likewise, muscles innervated by VAChT-deleted MNs showed atrophy while muscles innervated by VAChT-containing neurons appeared normal. In addition, mnVAChT KD mice had decreased muscle strength, were hypoactive, leaner and exhibited kyphosis. This neuromuscular dysfunction was evident at 2 months of age and became progressively worse by 6 months. Treatment of mutants with a cholinesterase inhibitor was able to improve some of the motor deficits. As these observations mimic what is seen in CMS, this new line could be valuable for assessing the efficacy of potential CMS drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julliane V Joviano-Santos
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ornela Kljakic
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Matheus P S Magalhães-Gomes
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, FCMMG, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Priscila Aparecida C Valadão
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Leonardo R de Oliveira
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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6
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Magalhães-Gomes MPS, Camargos W, Valadão PAC, Garcias RS, Rodrigues HA, Andrade JN, Teixeira VP, Naves LA, Cavalcante WLG, Gallaci M, Guatimosim S, Prado VF, Prado MAM, Guatimosim C. Increased Cholinergic Tone Causes Pre-synaptic Neuromuscular Degeneration and is Associated with Impaired Diaphragm Function. Neuroscience 2021; 460:31-42. [PMID: 33548369 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In vertebrates, muscle activity is dependent on acetylcholine (ACh) released from neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), and changes in cholinergic neurotransmission are linked to a variety of neuromuscular diseases, including congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS). The storage and release of ACh depends on the activity of the Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter (VAChT), a rate-limiting step for cholinergic neurotransmission whose loss of function mutations was shown to cause human congenital myasthenia. However, we know much less about increased VAChT activity, due to copy number variations, for example. Therefore, here we investigated the impact of increased VAChT expression and consequently ACh levels at the synaptic cleft of the diaphragm NMJs. We analyzed structure and function of nerve and muscles from a mouse model of cholinergic hyperfunction (ChAT-ChR2-EYFP) with increased expression of VAChT. Our results showed a significant increase of ACh released under evoked stimuli. However, we observed deleterious changes in synaptic vesicles cycle (impaired endocytosis and decrease in vesicles number), together with structural alterations of NMJs. Interestingly, ultrastructure analyses showed that synaptic vesicles from ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice NMJs were larger, which might be related to increased ACh load. We also observed that these larger synaptic vesicles were less rounded in comparison with control. Finally, we showed that ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice NMJs have compromised safety factor, possible due to the structural alterations we described. These findings reveal that physiological cholinergic activity is important to maintain the structure and function of the neuromuscular system and help to understand some of the neuromuscular adverse effects experienced by chronically increased NMJ neurotransmission, such as individuals treated with cholinesterase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus P S Magalhães-Gomes
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, FCMMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Wallace Camargos
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Priscila A C Valadão
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Rubens S Garcias
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Hermann A Rodrigues
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Vida, Instituto de Ciências da Vida, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Governador Valadares, UFJF, Governador Valadares, MG, Brazil
| | - Jéssica N Andrade
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vanessa P Teixeira
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Lígia A Naves
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Walter L G Cavalcante
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcia Gallaci
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Jr., Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvia Guatimosim
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vânia F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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7
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Dias CSB, Neto DPA, Baraldi GL, Fonseca MDC. Comparative analysis of sample preparation protocols of soft biological tissues for morphometric studies using synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2019; 26:2013-2023. [PMID: 31721746 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577519011299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The spread of microtomography as a tool for visualization of soft tissues has had a significant impact on a better understanding of complex biological systems. This technique allows a detailed three-dimensional quantitative view of the specimen to be obtained, correlating its morphological organization with its function, providing valuable insights on the functionality of the tissue. Regularly overlooked, but of great importance, proper sample mounting and preparation are fundamental for achieving the highest possible image quality even for the high-resolution imaging systems currently under development. Here, a quantitative analysis compares some of the most common sample-mounting strategies used for synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography of soft tissues: alcoholic-immersion, paraffin-embedding and critical-point drying. These three distinct sample-mounting strategies were performed on the same specimen in order to investigate their impact on sample morphology regardless of individual sample variation. In that sense, the alcoholic-immersion strategy, although causing less shrinkage to the tissue, proved to be the most unsuitable approach for a high-throughput high-resolution imaging experiment due to sample drifting. Also, critical-point drying may present some interesting advantages regarding image quality but is also incompatible with a high-throughput experiment. Lastly, paraffin-embedding is shown to be the most suitable strategy for current soft tissue microtomography experiments. Such detailed analysis of biological sample-mounting strategies for synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography are expected to offer valuable insights on the best approach for using this technique for 3D imaging of soft tissues and following morphometric analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Sato Baraldi Dias
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Giuseppe Maximo Scolfaro 10000, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Dionísio Pedro Amorim Neto
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Giuseppe Maximo Scolfaro 10000, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Giovanni Lenzi Baraldi
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Giuseppe Maximo Scolfaro 10000, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Matheus de Castro Fonseca
- Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Giuseppe Maximo Scolfaro 10000, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
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8
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Leite Schetino LP, Fonseca M, Magalhães Gomes MPS, Costa Valadão PA, Camargo WL, Rodrigues HA, Andrade JN, Arantes‐Costa FM, Naves LA, Prado CM, Prado VF, Prado MAM, Guatimosim C. Evaluation of the neuromuscular junction in a middle‐aged mouse model of congenital myasthenic syndrome. Muscle Nerve 2019; 60:790-800. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.26710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Matheus Fonseca
- Laboratório Nacional de BiociênciasCentro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | | | | | - Wallace Lucio Camargo
- Departamento de Fisiologia e BiofísicaUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Hermann Alecsandro Rodrigues
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Vida, Instituto de Ciências da VidaUniversidade Federal de Juiz de Fora Campus Governador Valadares Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Jéssica Neves Andrade
- Departamento de MorfologiaUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Minas Gerais Brazil
| | | | - Lígia Araujo Naves
- Departamento de Fisiologia e BiofísicaUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Carla Máximo Prado
- Departmento de BiociênciasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista São Paulo Brazil
| | - Vânia Ferreira Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell BiologyUniversity of Western Ontario London Ontario Canada
| | - Marco Antônio Máximo Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell BiologyUniversity of Western Ontario London Ontario Canada
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Departamento de MorfologiaUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Minas Gerais Brazil
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9
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Vaughan SK, Sutherland NM, Valdez G. Attenuating Cholinergic Transmission Increases the Number of Satellite Cells and Preserves Muscle Mass in Old Age. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:262. [PMID: 31616286 PMCID: PMC6768977 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to driving contraction of skeletal muscles, acetylcholine (ACh) acts as an anti-synaptogenic agent at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Previous studies suggest that aging is accompanied by increases in cholinergic activity at the NMJ, which may play a role in neuromuscular degeneration. In this study, we hypothesized that moderately and chronically reducing ACh could attenuate the deleterious effects of aging on NMJs and skeletal muscles. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed NMJs and muscle fibers from heterozygous transgenic mice with reduced expression of the vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT; VKDHet), which present with approximately 30% less synaptic ACh compared to control mice. Because ACh is constitutively decreased in VKDHet, we first analyzed developing NMJs and muscle fibers. We found no obvious morphological or molecular differences between NMJs and muscle fibers of VKDHet and control mice during development. In contrast, we found that moderately reducing ACh has various effects on adult NMJs and muscle fibers. VKDHet mice have significantly larger NMJs and muscle fibers compared to age-matched control mice. They also present with reduced expression of the pro-atrophy gene, Foxo1, and have more satellite cells in skeletal muscles. These molecular and cellular features may partially explain the increased size of NMJs and muscle fibers. Thus, moderately reducing ACh may be a therapeutic strategy to prevent the loss of skeletal muscle mass that occurs with advancing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney K Vaughan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.,Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States.,Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Natalia M Sutherland
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Gregorio Valdez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States.,Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States.,Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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10
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Valadão PAC, de Aragão BC, Andrade JN, Magalhães-Gomes MPS, Foureaux G, Joviano-Santos JV, Nogueira JC, Machado TCG, de Jesus ICG, Nogueira JM, de Paula RS, Peixoto L, Ribeiro FM, Tapia JC, Jorge ÉC, Guatimosim S, Guatimosim C. Abnormalities in the Motor Unit of a Fast-Twitch Lower Limb Skeletal Muscle in Huntington's Disease. ASN Neuro 2019; 11:1759091419886212. [PMID: 31818120 PMCID: PMC6904785 DOI: 10.1177/1759091419886212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a disorder characterized by chronic involuntary movements, dementia, and psychiatric symptoms. It is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes for huntingtin protein (HTT), leading to the formation of mutant proteins expressed in various tissues. Although brain pathology has become the hallmark for HD, recent studies suggest that damage of peripheral structures also contributes to HD progression. We previously identified severe alterations in the motor units that innervate cervical muscles in 12-month-old BACHD (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome Huntington’s Disease) mice, a well-established mouse model for HD. Here, we studied lumbar motoneurons and their projections onto hind limb fast-twitch skeletal muscles (tibialis anterior), which control balance and gait in HD patients. We found that lumbar motoneurons were altered in the HD mouse model; the number and size of lumbar motoneurons were reduced in BACHD. Structural alterations were also present in the sciatic nerve and neuromuscular junctions. Acetylcholine receptors were organized in several small patches (acetylcholine receptor fragmentation), many of which were partially innervated. In BACHD mice, we observed atrophy of tibialis anterior muscles, decreased expression of glycolytic fast Type IIB fibers, and at the ultrastructural level, alterations of sarcomeres and mitochondria. Corroborating all these findings, BACHD animals performed worse on motor behavior tests. Our results provide additional evidences that nerve–muscle communication is impaired in HD and that motoneurons from distinct spinal cord locations are similarly affected in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jéssica Neves Andrade
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de
Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Giselle Foureaux
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de
Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - José Carlos Nogueira
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de
Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Rayan Silva de Paula
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de
Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luisa Peixoto
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de
Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fabíola Mara Ribeiro
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade
Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - ÉriKa Cristina Jorge
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de
Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Silvia Guatimosim
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Universidade
Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de
Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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11
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Magalhães-Gomes MPS, Motta-Santos D, Schetino LPL, Andrade JN, Bastos CP, Guimarães DAS, Vaughan SK, Martinelli PM, Guatimosim S, Pereira GS, Coimbra CC, Prado VF, Prado MAM, Valdez G, Guatimosim C. Fast and slow-twitching muscles are differentially affected by reduced cholinergic transmission in mice deficient for VAChT: A mouse model for congenital myasthenia. Neurochem Int 2018; 120:1-12. [PMID: 30003945 PMCID: PMC6421860 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) result from reduced cholinergic transmission at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). While the etiology of CMS varies, the disease is characterized by muscle weakness. To date, it remains unknown if CMS causes long-term and irreversible changes to skeletal muscles. In this study, we examined skeletal muscles in a mouse line with reduced expression of Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter (VAChT, mouse line herein called VAChT-KDHOM). We examined this mouse line for several reasons. First, VAChT plays a central function in loading acetylcholine (ACh) into synaptic vesicles and releasing it at NMJs, in addition to other cholinergic nerve endings. Second, loss of function mutations in VAChT causes myasthenia in humans. Importantly, VAChT-KDHOM present with reduced ACh and muscle weakness, resembling CMS. We evaluated the morphology, fiber type (myosin heavy chain isoforms), and expression of muscle-related genes in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles. This analysis revealed that while muscle fibers atrophy in the EDL, they hypertrophy in the soleus muscle of VAChT-KDHOM mice. Along with these cellular changes, skeletal muscles exhibit altered levels of markers for myogenesis (Pax-7, Myogenin, and MyoD), oxidative metabolism (PGC1-α and MTND1), and protein degradation (Atrogin1 and MuRF1) in VAChT-KDHOM mice. Importantly, we demonstrate that deleterious changes in skeletal muscles and motor deficits can be partially reversed following the administration of the cholinesterase inhibitor, pyridostigmine in VAChT-KDHOM mice. These findings reveal that fast and slow type muscles differentially respond to cholinergic deficits. Additionally, this study shows that the adverse effects of cholinergic transmission, as in the case of CMS, on fast and slow type skeletal muscles are reversible.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daisy Motta-Santos
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Departamento de Esportes, EEFFTO, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Luana P L Schetino
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Jéssica N Andrade
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Cristiane P Bastos
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Sydney K Vaughan
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, USA; Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Patrícia M Martinelli
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Silvia Guatimosim
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Grace S Pereira
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Candido C Coimbra
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Vânia F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Gregorio Valdez
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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12
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Neuromuscular synapse degeneration without muscle function loss in the diaphragm of a murine model for Huntington's Disease. Neurochem Int 2018. [PMID: 29530757 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease characterized by chorea, incoordination and psychiatric and behavioral symptoms. The leading cause of death in HD patients is aspiration pneumonia, associated with respiratory dysfunction, decreased respiratory muscle strength and dysphagia. Although most of the motor symptoms are derived from alterations in the central nervous system, some might be associated with changes in the components of motor units (MU). To explore this hypothesis, we evaluated morphofunctional aspects of the diaphragm muscle in a mouse model for HD (BACHD). We showed that the axons of the phrenic nerves were not affected in 12-months-old BACHD mice, but the axon terminals that form the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) were more fragmented in these animals in comparison with the wild-type mice. In BACHD mice, the synaptic vesicles of the diaphragm NMJs presented a decreased exocytosis rate. Quantal content and quantal size were smaller and there was less synaptic depression whereas the estimated size of the readily releasable vesicle pool was not changed. At the ultrastructure level, the diaphragm NMJs of these mice presented fewer synaptic vesicles with flattened and oval shapes, which might be associated with the reduced expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter protein. Furthermore, mitochondria of the diaphragm muscle presented signs of degeneration in BACHD mice. Interestingly, despite all these cellular alterations, BACHD diaphragmatic function was not compromised, suggesting a higher resistance threshold of this muscle. A putative resistance mechanism may be protecting this vital muscle. Our data contribute to expanding the current understanding of the effects of mutated huntingtin in the neuromuscular synapse and the diaphragm muscle function.
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13
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Wang G, Fang X, Han M, Wang X, Huang Q. MicroRNA-493-5p promotes apoptosis and suppresses proliferation and invasion in liver cancer cells by targeting VAMP2. Int J Mol Med 2018; 41:1740-1748. [PMID: 29328362 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to explore the role of miR‑493-5p in liver cancer tissues and cell lines, and its effect on cell behavioral characteristics. The expression of miR-493-5p was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in liver cancer tissues and cell lines (hepatic cell line HL-7702 and the liver cancer cell lines HCCC-9810, HuH-7 and HepG2). In addition, the mechanism by which miR-493-5p mediates its effects was analyzed via the transfection of miR-493-5p mimic and negative control miRNA into HepG2 cells. The viability, proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of the cells were analyzed using MTT assay, flow cytometry and Transwell chamber experiments. Furthermore, the effect of miR-493-5p on the expression of vesicle associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) was assayed using a dual-luciferase reporter system, and VAMP2 protein levels were determined by western blot analysis. In addition, following the cotransfection of HepG2 cells with pcDNA3.1‑VAMP2 plasmid and miR‑493-5p mimic, the role of miR-493-5p as a regulator of VAMP2 was evaluated using MTT assay, flow cytometry and Transwell chamber experiments. RT-qPCR analysis indicated that the expression of miR-493-5p in liver cancer tissues and cell lines was decreased significantly compared with that in adjacent normal liver tissues and normal liver cell lines, respectively. Compared with the control group, the cells transfected with miR-493-5p mimic (the miR-493-5p overexpression group) exhibited reduced cell viability, a reduced percentage of cells in the S phase and an increased percentage of apoptotic cells. In addition, fewer cells passed through the Transwell membrane in the miR-493-5p overexpression group compared with the control group. In the dual-luciferase reporter assay, luciferase activity in the miR‑493-5p overexpression group was attenuated compared with that in the control group. In addition, western blot analysis indicated that the VAMP2 protein levels in the miR‑493-5p overexpression group were lower than those in the control group. Furthermore, in cells overexpressing miR-493-5p and VAMP2 simultaneously, the biological behavior of the cells, including cell viability, cell cycle and cell invasiveness, was significantly rescued compared with that of the control group transfected with miR‑493-5p alone. In conclusion, miR-493-5p is indicated to be a tumor suppressor gene, and is downregulated in human liver cancer. miR-493-5p overexpression promotes cell apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation and migration of liver cancer cells by negatively regulating the expression of VAMP. These observations suggest the potential of treating liver cancer by the overexpression of microRNA-493-5p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guannan Wang
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaosan Fang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Yijishan Hospital Affiliated to Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
| | - Meng Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Yijishan Hospital Affiliated to Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Yijishan Hospital Affiliated to Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Huang
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
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14
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Valadão PAC, de Aragão BC, Andrade JN, Magalhães-Gomes MPS, Foureaux G, Joviano-Santos JV, Nogueira JC, Ribeiro FM, Tapia JC, Guatimosim C. Muscle atrophy is associated with cervical spinal motoneuron loss in BACHD mouse model for Huntington's disease. Eur J Neurosci 2017; 45:785-796. [PMID: 27992085 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Involuntary choreiform movements are clinical hallmark of Huntington's disease, an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an increased number of CAG trinucleotide repeats in the huntingtin gene. Involuntary movements start with an impairment of facial muscles and then affect trunk and limbs muscles. Huntington's disease symptoms are caused by changes in cortex and striatum neurons induced by mutated huntingtin protein. However, little is known about the impact of this abnormal protein in spinal cord motoneurons that control movement. Therefore, in this study we evaluated abnormalities in the motor unit (spinal cervical motoneurons, motor axons, neuromuscular junctions and muscle) in a mouse model for Huntington's disease (BACHD). Using light, fluorescence, confocal, and electron microscopy, we showed significant changes such as muscle fibers atrophy, fragmentation of neuromuscular junctions, axonal alterations, and motoneurons death in BACHD mice. Noteworthy, the surviving motoneurons from BACHD spinal cords were smaller than WT. We suggest that this loss of larger putative motoneurons is accompanied by a decrease in the expression of fast glycolytic muscle fibers in this model for Huntington's disease. These observations show spinal cord motoneurons loss in BACHD that might help to understand neuromuscular changes in Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Aparecida Costa Valadão
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Campos de Aragão
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Neves Andrade
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Matheus Proença S Magalhães-Gomes
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Giselle Foureaux
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | - José Carlos Nogueira
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Fabíola Mara Ribeiro
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Juan Carlos Tapia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
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15
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Sugita S, Fleming LL, Wood C, Vaughan SK, Gomes MPSM, Camargo W, Naves LA, Prado VF, Prado MAM, Guatimosim C, Valdez G. VAChT overexpression increases acetylcholine at the synaptic cleft and accelerates aging of neuromuscular junctions. Skelet Muscle 2016; 6:31. [PMID: 27713817 PMCID: PMC5050580 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-016-0105-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholinergic dysfunction occurs during aging and in a variety of diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, it remains unknown whether changes in cholinergic transmission contributes to age- and disease-related degeneration of the motor system. Here we investigated the effect of moderately increasing levels of synaptic acetylcholine (ACh) on the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), muscle fibers, and motor neurons during development and aging and in a mouse model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS Chat-ChR2-EYFP (VAChTHyp) mice containing multiple copies of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1G93A), and Chat-IRES-Cre and tdTomato transgenic mice were used in this study. NMJs, muscle fibers, and α-motor neurons' somata and their axons were examined using a light microscope. Transcripts for select genes in muscles and spinal cords were assessed using real-time quantitative PCR. Motor function tests were carried out using an inverted wire mesh and a rotarod. Electrophysiological recordings were collected to examine miniature endplate potentials (MEPP) in muscles. RESULTS We show that VAChT is elevated in the spinal cord and at NMJs of VAChTHyp mice. We also show that the amplitude of MEPPs is significantly higher in VAChTHyp muscles, indicating that more ACh is loaded into synaptic vesicles and released into the synaptic cleft at NMJs of VAChTHyp mice compared to control mice. While the development of NMJs was not affected in VAChTHyp mice, NMJs prematurely acquired age-related structural alterations in adult VAChTHyp mice. These structural changes at NMJs were accompanied by motor deficits in VAChTHyp mice. However, cellular features of muscle fibers and levels of molecules with critical functions at the NMJ and in muscle fibers were largely unchanged in VAChTHyp mice. In the SOD1G93A mouse model for ALS, increasing synaptic ACh accelerated degeneration of NMJs caused motor deficits and resulted in premature death specifically in male mice. CONCLUSIONS The data presented in this manuscript demonstrate that increasing levels of ACh at the synaptic cleft promote degeneration of adult NMJs, contributing to age- and disease-related motor deficits. We thus propose that maintaining normal cholinergic signaling in muscles will slow degeneration of NMJs and attenuate loss of motor function caused by aging and neuromuscular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Sugita
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA USA
| | - Leland L. Fleming
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA USA
- Virginia Tech Postbaccalaureate Research and Education (VT PREP) Scholar, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA USA
| | - Caleb Wood
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA USA
| | - Sydney K. Vaughan
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA USA
- Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA USA
| | - Matheus P. S. M. Gomes
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instiuto Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Wallace Camargo
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instiuto Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Ligia A. Naves
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instiuto Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Vania F. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A5K8 Canada
| | - Marco A. M. Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A5K8 Canada
| | - Cristina Guatimosim
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instiuto Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Gregorio Valdez
- Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA USA
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16
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O'Grady GL, Verschuuren C, Yuen M, Webster R, Menezes M, Fock JM, Pride N, Best HA, Benavides Damm T, Turner C, Lek M, Engel AG, North KN, Clarke NF, MacArthur DG, Kamsteeg EJ, Cooper ST. Variants in SLC18A3, vesicular acetylcholine transporter, cause congenital myasthenic syndrome. Neurology 2016; 87:1442-1448. [PMID: 27590285 PMCID: PMC5075972 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000003179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical and genetic characteristics of presynaptic congenital myasthenic syndrome secondary to biallelic variants in SLC18A3. METHODS Individuals from 2 families were identified with biallelic variants in SLC18A3, the gene encoding the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), through whole-exome sequencing. RESULTS The patients demonstrated features seen in presynaptic congenital myasthenic syndrome, including ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, fatigable weakness, apneic crises, and deterioration of symptoms in cold water for patient 1. Both patients demonstrated moderate clinical improvement on pyridostigmine. Patient 1 had a broader phenotype, including learning difficulties and left ventricular dysfunction. Electrophysiologic studies were typical for a presynaptic defect. Both patients showed profound electrodecrement on low-frequency repetitive stimulation followed by a prolonged period of postactivation exhaustion. In patient 1, this was unmasked only after isometric contraction, a recognized feature of presynaptic disease, emphasizing the importance of activation procedures. CONCLUSIONS VAChT is responsible for uptake of acetylcholine into presynaptic vesicles. The clinical and electrographic characteristics of the patients described are consistent with previously reported mouse models of VAChT deficiency. These findings make it very likely that defects in VAChT due to variants in SLC18A3 are a cause of congenital myasthenic syndrome in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina L O'Grady
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Corien Verschuuren
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Michaela Yuen
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Richard Webster
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Manoj Menezes
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna M Fock
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Natalie Pride
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Heather A Best
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Tatiana Benavides Damm
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Turner
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Monkol Lek
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Andrew G Engel
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Kathryn N North
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nigel F Clarke
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel G MacArthur
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Erik-Jan Kamsteeg
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra T Cooper
- From the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research (G.L.O., M.Y., N.P., H.A.B., T.B.D., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Kids Research Institute, T.Y. Department of Neurology (M.M., R.W.), and Heart Centre for Children (C.T.), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney; Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (G.L.O., M.M., H.A.B., K.N.N., N.F.C., S.T.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia; Departments of Genetics (C.V.) and Child Neurology (J.M.F.), University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit (M.L., D.G.M.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.L., D.G.M.), Cambridge; Department of Neurology (A.G.E.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Murdoch Children's Research Institute (K.N.N.), Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia; and Department of Human Genetics (E.-J.K.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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17
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Leite HR, Oliveira-Lima OCD, Pereira LDM, Oliveira VEDM, Prado VF, Prado MAM, Pereira GS, Massensini AR. Vesicular acetylcholine transporter knock down-mice are more susceptible to inflammation, c-Fos expression and sickness behavior induced by lipopolysaccharide. Brain Behav Immun 2016; 57:282-292. [PMID: 27179819 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Revised: 05/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to the well-known functions as a neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh) can modulate of the immune system. Nonetheless, how endogenous ACh release inflammatory responses is still not clear. To address this question, we took advantage of an animal model with a decreased ACh release due a reduction (knockdown) in vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) expression (VAChT-KD(HOM)). These animals were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Afterwards, we evaluated sickness behavior and quantified systemic and cerebral inflammation as well as neuronal activation in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC). VAChT-KD(HOM) mice that were injected with LPS (10mg/kg) showed increased mortality rate as compared to control mice. In line with this result, a low dose of LPS (0.1mg/kg) increased the levels of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in the spleen and brain of VAChT-KD(HOM) mice in comparison with controls. Similarly, serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were increased in VAChT-KD(HOM) mice. This excessive cytokine production was completely prevented by administration of a nicotinic receptor agonist (0.4mg/kg) prior to the LPS injection. Three hours after the LPS injection, c-Fos expression increased in the DVC region of VAChT-KD(HOM) mice compared to controls. In addition, VAChT-KD(HOM) mice showed behavioral changes such as lowered locomotor and exploratory activity and reduced social interaction after the LPS challenge, when compared to control mice. Taken together, our results show that the decreased ability to release ACh exacerbates systemic and cerebral inflammation and promotes neural activation and behavioral changes induced by LPS. In conclusion, our findings support the notion that activity of cholinergic pathways, which can be modulated by VAChT expression, controls inflammatory and neural responses to LPS challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hércules Ribeiro Leite
- Laboratório de Inflamação e Metabolismo (LIM), Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Centro Integrado de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação em Saúde - CIPq-Saúde, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), Campus JK, Alto da Jacuba, Minas Gerais 39100 000, Brazil; Núcleo de Neurociências (NNC), Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antônio Carlos, Pampulha, n° 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270 901, Brazil.
| | - Onésia Cristina de Oliveira-Lima
- Núcleo de Neurociências (NNC), Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antônio Carlos, Pampulha, n° 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270 901, Brazil
| | - Luciana de Melo Pereira
- Núcleo de Neurociências (NNC), Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antônio Carlos, Pampulha, n° 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270 901, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Elias de Moura Oliveira
- Núcleo de Neurociências (NNC), Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antônio Carlos, Pampulha, n° 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270 901, Brazil
| | - Vania Ferreira Prado
- Molecular Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5K8, Canada
| | - Marco Antônio Máximo Prado
- Molecular Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5K8, Canada
| | - Grace Schenatto Pereira
- Núcleo de Neurociências (NNC), Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antônio Carlos, Pampulha, n° 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270 901, Brazil
| | - André Ricardo Massensini
- Núcleo de Neurociências (NNC), Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Avenida Antônio Carlos, Pampulha, n° 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270 901, Brazil.
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18
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de Aragão BC, Rodrigues HA, Valadão PAC, Camargo W, Naves LA, Ribeiro FM, Guatimosim C. Changes in structure and function of diaphragm neuromuscular junctions from BACHD mouse model for Huntington's disease. Neurochem Int 2016; 93:64-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2015.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Cash F, Vernon SW, Phelan P, Goodchild J, Baines RA. Central cholinergic synaptic vesicle loading obeys the set-point model in Drosophila. J Neurophysiol 2016; 115:843-50. [PMID: 26655826 DOI: 10.1152/jn.01053.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental evidence shows that neurotransmitter release, from presynaptic terminals, can be regulated by altering transmitter load per synaptic vesicle (SV) and/or through change in the probability of vesicle release. The vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) loads acetylcholine into SVs at cholinergic synapses. We investigated how the VAChT affects SV content and release frequency at central synapses in Drosophila melanogaster by using an insecticidal compound, 5Cl-CASPP, to block VAChT and by transgenic overexpression of VAChT in cholinergic interneurons. Decreasing VAChT activity produces a decrease in spontaneous SV release with no change to quantal size and no decrease in the number of vesicles at the active zone. This suggests that many vesicles are lacking in neurotransmitter. Overexpression of VAChT leads to increased frequency of SV release, but again with no change in quantal size or vesicle number. This indicates that loading of central cholinergic SVs obeys the "set-point" model, rather than the "steady-state" model that better describes loading at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction. However, we show that expression of a VAChT polymorphism lacking one glutamine residue in a COOH-terminal polyQ domain leads to increased spontaneous SV release and increased quantal size. This effect spotlights the poly-glutamine domain as potentially being important for sensing the level of neurotransmitter in cholinergic SVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cash
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel W Vernon
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Pauline Phelan
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Kent, United Kingdom; and
| | - Jim Goodchild
- Syngenta Crop Protection Research, Bracknell, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A Baines
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom;
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20
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Vesicular glutamate transporter expression level affects synaptic vesicle release probability at hippocampal synapses in culture. J Neurosci 2014; 34:11781-91. [PMID: 25164673 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1444-14.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) plays an essential role in synaptic transmission by filling vesicles with glutamate. At mammalian synapses, VGLUT expression level determines the amount of glutamate packaged into vesicles, and the specific paralog of VGLUT expressed affects the release probability. In this study, we investigate whether there is a link between the number of VGLUTs on vesicles and release probability. We used a combination of electrophysiology and imaging techniques in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons where the VGLUT expression level has been severely altered. We found that vesicles with drastically reduced VGLUT expression were released with a lower probability. This deficit in release could only be rescued by a functional transporter, suggesting that the transport function, and not the molecular interactions, of the protein affects vesicle release. Based on these data, we propose a novel means of presynaptic vesicle release regulation--the intravesicular glutamate fill state of the vesicle.
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21
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Doria JG, de Souza JM, Andrade JN, Rodrigues HA, Guimaraes IM, Carvalho TG, Guatimosim C, Dobransky T, Ribeiro FM. The mGluR5 positive allosteric modulator, CDPPB, ameliorates pathology and phenotypic signs of a mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 73:163-73. [PMID: 25160573 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Revised: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the amino-terminal region of the huntingtin protein (htt), leading to motor dysfunction, cognitive decline, psychiatric alterations, and death. The metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) has been implicated in HD and we have recently demonstrated that mGluR5 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) are neuroprotective in vitro. In the present study we demonstrate that the mGluR5 PAM, CDPPB, is a potent neuroprotective drug, in vitro and in vivo, capable of delaying HD-related symptoms. The HD mouse model, BACHD, exhibits many HD features, including neuronal cell loss, htt aggregates, motor incoordination and memory impairment. However, chronic treatment of BACHD mice with CDPPB 1.5 mg/kg s.c. for 18 weeks increased the activation of cell signaling pathways important for neuronal survival, including increased AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and augmented the BDNF mRNA expression. CDPPB chronic treatment was also able to prevent the neuronal cell loss that takes place in the striatum of BACHD mice and decrease htt aggregate formation. Moreover, CDPPB chronic treatment was efficient to partially ameliorate motor incoordination and to rescue the memory deficit exhibited by BACHD mice. Importantly, no toxic effects or stereotypical behavior were observed upon CDPPB chronic treatment. Thus, CDPPB is a potential drug to treat HD, preventing neuronal cell loss and htt aggregate formation and delaying HD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Doria
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - J M de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - J N Andrade
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - H A Rodrigues
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - I M Guimaraes
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - T G Carvalho
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - C Guatimosim
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | - F M Ribeiro
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil.
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22
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Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic model system to study neurotransmitter transporters. Neurochem Int 2014; 73:71-88. [PMID: 24704795 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The model genetic organism Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly, uses many of the same neurotransmitters as mammals and very similar mechanisms of neurotransmitter storage, release and recycling. This system offers a variety of powerful molecular-genetic methods for the study of transporters, many of which would be difficult in mammalian models. We review here progress made using Drosophila to understand the function and regulation of neurotransmitter transporters and discuss future directions for its use.
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