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Keuters MH, Antila S, Immonen R, Plotnikova L, Wojciechowski S, Lehtonen S, Alitalo K, Koistinaho J, Dhungana H. The Impact of VEGF-C-Induced Dural Lymphatic Vessel Growth on Ischemic Stroke Pathology. Transl Stroke Res 2024:10.1007/s12975-024-01262-9. [PMID: 38822994 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-024-01262-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Timely relief of edema and clearance of waste products, as well as promotion of anti-inflammatory immune responses, reduce ischemic stroke pathology, and attenuate harmful long-term effects post-stroke. The discovery of an extensive and functional lymphatic vessel system in the outermost meningeal layer, dura mater, has opened up new possibilities to facilitate post-stroke recovery by inducing dural lymphatic vessel (dLV) growth via a single injection of a vector encoding vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C). In the present study, we aimed to improve post-stroke outcomes by inducing dLV growth in mice. We injected mice with a single intracerebroventricular dose of adeno-associated viral particles encoding VEGF-C before subjecting them to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo). Behavioral testing, Gadolinium (Gd) contrast agent-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and immunohistochemical analysis were performed to define the impact of VEGF-C on the post-stroke outcome. VEGF-C improved stroke-induced behavioral deficits, such as gait disturbances and neurological deficits, ameliorated post-stroke inflammation, and enhanced an alternative glial immune response. Importantly, VEGF-C treatment increased the drainage of brain interstitial fluid (ISF) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as shown by Gd-enhanced MRI. These outcomes were closely associated with an increase in the growth of dLVs around the region where we observed increased vefgc mRNA expression within the brain, including the olfactory bulb, cortex, and cerebellum. Strikingly, VEGF-C-treated ischemic mice exhibited a faster and stronger Gd-signal accumulation in ischemic core area and an enhanced fluid outflow via the cribriform plate. In conclusion, the VEGF-C-induced dLV growth improved the overall outcome post-stroke, indicating that VEGF-C has potential to be included in the treatment strategies of post-ischemic stroke. However, to maximize the therapeutic potential of VEGF-C treatment, further studies on the impact of an enhanced dural lymphatic system at clinically relevant time points are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Hedwig Keuters
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Salli Antila
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Immonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Lidiia Plotnikova
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sara Wojciechowski
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sarka Lehtonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kari Alitalo
- Wihuri Research Institute and Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hiramani Dhungana
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210, Kuopio, Finland.
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Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well known for its angiogenic activity, but recent evidence has revealed a neuroprotective action of this factor on injured or diseased neurons. In the present review, we summarize the most relevant findings that have contributed to establish a link between VEGF deficiency and neuronal degeneration. At issue, 1) mutant mice with reduced levels of VEGF show adult-onset muscle weakness and motoneuron degeneration resembling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 2) administration of VEGF to different animal models of motoneuron degeneration improves motor performance and ameliorates motoneuronal degeneration, and 3) there is an association between low plasmatic levels of VEGF and human ALS. Altogether, the results presented in this review highlight VEGF as an essential motoneuron neurotrophic factor endowed with promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of motoneuron disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula M Calvo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rosendo G Hernández
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Angel M Pastor
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rosa R de la Cruz
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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Hernández RG, Benítez-Temiño B, de la Cruz RR, Pastor AM. Relative contribution of lateral vestibular neuron and abducens internuclear neuron inputs to the discharge activity of medial rectus motoneurons. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:183-194. [PMID: 38032515 PMCID: PMC10827814 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02736-6] [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: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Medial rectus motoneurons mediate nasally directed horizontal eye movements. These motoneurons receive two major excitatory inputs, from the abducens internuclear neurons (ABD Ints) and neurons of the lateral vestibular nucleus whose axons course through the ascending tract of Deiters (ATD). In the present work, we have recorded in the alert chronic cat preparation the discharge activity of these two premotor neurons simultaneously with eye movements, to discern their relative contribution to the firing pattern of medial rectus motoneurons. ABD Int discharge was accurately correlated with eye movements, displaying high sensitivities to eye position and eye velocity. ATD neurons also discharged in relation to spontaneous and vestibular eye movements but showed significantly lower eye position and eye velocity sensitivities. Outstandingly, ATD neurons presented a significantly lower eye position threshold for recruitment compared to both ABD Ints and medial rectus motoneurons. Therefore, ATD neurons exhibited eye position and velocity signals during spontaneous and vestibular eye movements, which were of lower magnitude than those of ABD Ints, but due to their low recruitment threshold, they could play a significant role in facilitating ABD Int signal transmission onto medial rectus motoneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosendo G Hernández
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Benítez-Temiño
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rosa R de la Cruz
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Angel M Pastor
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Sevilla, Spain.
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Calvo PM, de la Cruz RR, Pastor AM, Alvarez FJ. Preservation of KCC2 expression in axotomized abducens motoneurons and its enhancement by VEGF. Brain Struct Funct 2023; 228:967-984. [PMID: 37005931 PMCID: PMC10428176 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02635-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: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
The potassium chloride cotransporter 2 (KCC2) is the main Cl- extruder in neurons. Any alteration in KCC2 levels leads to changes in Cl- homeostasis and, consequently, in the polarity and amplitude of inhibitory synaptic potentials mediated by GABA or glycine. Axotomy downregulates KCC2 in many different motoneurons and it is suspected that interruption of muscle-derived factors maintaining motoneuron KCC2 expression is in part responsible. In here, we demonstrate that KCC2 is expressed in all oculomotor nuclei of cat and rat, but while trochlear and oculomotor motoneurons downregulate KCC2 after axotomy, expression is unaltered in abducens motoneurons. Exogenous application of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a neurotrophic factor expressed in muscle, upregulated KCC2 in axotomized abducens motoneurons above control levels. In parallel, a physiological study using cats chronically implanted with electrodes for recording abducens motoneurons in awake animals, demonstrated that inhibitory inputs related to off-fixations and off-directed saccades in VEGF-treated axotomized abducens motoneurons were significantly higher than in control, but eye-related excitatory signals in the on direction were unchanged. This is the first report of lack of KCC2 regulation in a motoneuron type after injury, proposing a role for VEGF in KCC2 regulation and demonstrating the link between KCC2 and synaptic inhibition in awake, behaving animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula M Calvo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Seville, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Rosa R de la Cruz
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - Angel M Pastor
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Seville, Spain
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Extracellular Vesicles in Chronic Demyelinating Diseases: Prospects in Treatment and Diagnosis of Autoimmune Neurological Disorders. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12111943. [PMID: 36431078 PMCID: PMC9693249 DOI: 10.3390/life12111943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent membrane-enclosed structures that are likely to be secreted by all living cell types in the animal organism, including cells of peripheral (PNS) and central nervous systems (CNS). The ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) provides the possibility not only for various EV-loaded molecules to be delivered to the brain tissues but also for the CNS-to-periphery transmission of these molecules. Since neural EVs transfer proteins and RNAs are both responsible for functional intercellular communication and involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, they represent attractive diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Here, we discuss EVs' role in maintaining the living organisms' function and describe deviations in EVs' structure and malfunctioning during various neurodegenerative diseases.
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Abstract
VEGF was initially discovered due to its angiogenic activity and therefore named "vascular endothelial growth factor." However, its more recently discovered neurotrophic activity may be evolutionarily more ancient. Our previous work showed that all the changes produced by axotomy on the firing activity and synaptic inputs of abducens motoneurons were completely restored after VEGF administration. Therefore, we hypothesized that the lack of VEGF delivered by retrograde transport from the periphery should also affect the physiology of otherwise intact abducens motoneurons. For VEGF retrograde blockade, we chronically applied a neutralizing VEGF antibody to the lateral rectus muscle. Recordings of extracellular single-unit activity and eye movements were made in alert cats before and after the application of the neutralizing antibody. Our data revealed that intact, noninjured abducens motoneurons retrogradely deprived of VEGF exhibited noticeable changes in their firing pattern. There is a general decrease in firing rate and a significant reduction in eye position and eye velocity sensitivity (i.e., a decrease in the tonic and phasic components of their discharge, respectively). Moreover, by means of confocal immunocytochemistry, motoneurons under VEGF blockade showed a marked reduction in the density of afferent synaptic terminals contacting with their cell bodies. Altogether, the present findings demonstrate that the lack of retrogradely delivered VEGF renders abducens motoneurons into an axotomy-like state. This indicates that VEGF is an essential retrograde factor for motoneuronal synaptic drive and discharge activity.
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Oberrauch S, Lu J, Cornthwaite-Duncan L, Hussein M, Li J, Rao G, Velkov T. Intraventricular Drug Delivery and Sampling for Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Study. J Vis Exp 2022:10.3791/63540. [PMID: 35435913 PMCID: PMC10400305 DOI: 10.3791/63540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the brain from foreign entities, it also prevents some therapeutics from crossing into the central nervous system (CNS) to ameliorate diseases or infections. Drugs are administered directly into the CNS in animals and humans to circumvent the BBB. The present protocol describes a unique way of treating brain infections through intraventricular delivery of antibiotics, i.e., polymyxins, the last-line antibiotics to treat multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. A straightforward stereotaxic surgery protocol was developed to implant a guide cannula reaching into the lateral ventricle in rats. After a recovery period of 24 h, rats can be injected consciously and repeatedly through a cannula that is fitted to the guide. Injections can be delivered manually as a bolus or infusion using a microinjection pump to obtain a slow and controlled flow rate. The intraventricular injection was successfully confirmed with Evans Blue dye. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be drained, and the brain and other organs can be collected. This approach is highly amenable for studies involving drug delivery to the CNS and subsequent assessment of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Oberrauch
- Department of Biochemistry & Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne
| | - Jing Lu
- Department of Biochemistry & Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne
| | - Linda Cornthwaite-Duncan
- Department of Biochemistry & Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne
| | - Maytham Hussein
- Department of Biochemistry & Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University
| | - Gauri Rao
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill;
| | - Tony Velkov
- Department of Biochemistry & Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne;
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Wei GZ, Martin KA, Xing PY, Agrawal R, Whiley L, Wood TK, Hejndorf S, Ng YZ, Low JZY, Rossant J, Nechanitzky R, Holmes E, Nicholson JK, Tan EK, Matthews PM, Pettersson S. Tryptophan-metabolizing gut microbes regulate adult neurogenesis via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2021091118. [PMID: 34210797 PMCID: PMC8271728 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021091118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
While modulatory effects of gut microbes on neurological phenotypes have been reported, the mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that indole, a tryptophan metabolite produced by tryptophanase-expressing gut microbes, elicits neurogenic effects in the adult mouse hippocampus. Neurogenesis is reduced in germ-free (GF) mice and in GF mice monocolonized with a single-gene tnaA knockout (KO) mutant Escherichia coli unable to produce indole. External administration of systemic indole increases adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus in these mouse models and in specific pathogen-free (SPF) control mice. Indole-treated mice display elevated synaptic markers postsynaptic density protein 95 and synaptophysin, suggesting synaptic maturation effects in vivo. By contrast, neurogenesis is not induced by indole in aryl hydrocarbon receptor KO (AhR-/-) mice or in ex vivo neurospheres derived from them. Neural progenitor cells exposed to indole exit the cell cycle, terminally differentiate, and mature into neurons that display longer and more branched neurites. These effects are not observed with kynurenine, another AhR ligand. The indole-AhR-mediated signaling pathway elevated the expression of β-catenin, Neurog2, and VEGF-α genes, thus identifying a molecular pathway connecting gut microbiota composition and their metabolic function to neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus. Our data have implications for the understanding of mechanisms of brain aging and for potential next-generation therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Zhang Wei
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921
- National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 169857
| | - Katherine A Martin
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921
- National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 169857
| | - Peter Yuli Xing
- The Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637335
| | - Ruchi Agrawal
- The Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Luke Whiley
- Australian National Phenome Centre, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth WA 6150, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands WA 6009, Australia
| | - Thomas K Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Sophia Hejndorf
- Department of Neurobiology, Care and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yong Zhi Ng
- The School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551
| | - Jeremy Zhi Yan Low
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921
| | - Janet Rossant
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Robert Nechanitzky
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 2C1, Canada
| | - Elaine Holmes
- Australian National Phenome Centre, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth WA 6150, Australia
- Section for Nutrition Research, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy K Nicholson
- Australian National Phenome Centre, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth WA 6150, Australia
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London SW7 2NA, United Kingdom
| | - Eng-King Tan
- National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 169857
| | - Paul M Matthews
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Sven Pettersson
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921;
- National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore 169857
- Department of Neurobiology, Care and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Sunway University, 47500 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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