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Rossi L, Mota BI, Valadão PAC, Magalhães-Gomes MPS, Oliveira BS, Guatimosim S, Navegantes LCC, Miranda AS, Prado MAM, Prado VF, Guatimosim C. INFLUENCE OF β 2-ADRENERGIC SELECTIVE AGONIST FORMOTEROL ON THE MOTOR UNIT OF A MOUSE MODEL OF A CONGENITAL MYASTHENIC SYNDROME WITH COMPLETE VAChT DELETION. Neuropharmacology 2024:110116. [PMID: 39151654 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes (CMS) are a set of genetic diseases that affect the neuromuscular transmission causing muscular weakness. The standard pharmacological treatment aims at ameliorating the myasthenic symptom by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Most patients respond well in the short and medium term, however, over time the beneficial effects rapidly fade, and the efficacy of the treatment diminishes. Increasing evidence shows that β2-adrenergic agonists can be a suitable choice for the treatment of neuromuscular disorders, including CMS, as they promote beneficial effects in the neuromuscular system. The exact mechanism on which they rely is not completely understood, although patients and animal models respond well to the treatment, especially over extended periods. Here, we report the use of the long-lasting specific β2-adrenergic agonist formoterol in a myasthenic mouse model (mnVAChT-KD), featuring deletion of VAChT (Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter) specifically in the α-motoneurons. Our findings demonstrate that formoterol treatment (300 μg/kg/day; sc) for 30 days increased the neuromuscular junction area, induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy and altered fibre type composition in myasthenic mice. Interestingly, β2-adrenergic agonists have shown efficacy even in the absence of ACh (acetylcholine). Our data provide important evidence supporting the potential of β2-adrenergic agonists in treating neuromuscular disorders of pre-synaptic origin and characterized by disruptions in nerve-muscle communication, through a direct and beneficial action within the motor unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Rossi
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Bárbara I Mota
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Priscila A C Valadão
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Matheus P S Magalhães-Gomes
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil; Departamento de Ciências Básicas, Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, FCMMG, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Bruna S Oliveira
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Silvia Guatimosim
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Luiz C C Navegantes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Escola de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Aline S Miranda
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - 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
| | - Vânia 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, MG, Brasil.
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Koppensteiner P, Bhandari P, Önal C, Borges-Merjane C, Le Monnier E, Roy U, Nakamura Y, Sadakata T, Sanbo M, Hirabayashi M, Rhee J, Brose N, Jonas P, Shigemoto R. GABA B receptors induce phasic release from medial habenula terminals through activity-dependent recruitment of release-ready vesicles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2301449121. [PMID: 38346189 PMCID: PMC10895368 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301449121] [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: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
GABAB receptor (GBR) activation inhibits neurotransmitter release in axon terminals in the brain, except in medial habenula (MHb) terminals, which show robust potentiation. However, mechanisms underlying this enigmatic potentiation remain elusive. Here, we report that GBR activation on MHb terminals induces an activity-dependent transition from a facilitating, tonic to a depressing, phasic neurotransmitter release mode. This transition is accompanied by a 4.1-fold increase in readily releasable vesicle pool (RRP) size and a 3.5-fold increase of docked synaptic vesicles (SVs) at the presynaptic active zone (AZ). Strikingly, the depressing phasic release exhibits looser coupling distance than the tonic release. Furthermore, the tonic and phasic release are selectively affected by deletion of synaptoporin (SPO) and Ca2+-dependent activator protein for secretion 2 (CAPS2), respectively. SPO modulates augmentation, the short-term plasticity associated with tonic release, and CAPS2 retains the increased RRP for initial responses in phasic response trains. The cytosolic protein CAPS2 showed a SV-associated distribution similar to the vesicular transmembrane protein SPO, and they were colocalized in the same terminals. We developed the "Flash and Freeze-fracture" method, and revealed the release of SPO-associated vesicles in both tonic and phasic modes and activity-dependent recruitment of CAPS2 to the AZ during phasic release, which lasted several minutes. Overall, these results indicate that GBR activation translocates CAPS2 to the AZ along with the fusion of CAPS2-associated SVs, contributing to persistency of the RRP increase. Thus, we identified structural and molecular mechanisms underlying tonic and phasic neurotransmitter release and their transition by GBR activation in MHb terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pradeep Bhandari
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg3400, Austria
| | - Cihan Önal
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg3400, Austria
| | | | - Elodie Le Monnier
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg3400, Austria
| | - Utsa Roy
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg3400, Austria
| | - Yukihiro Nakamura
- Department of Pharmacology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Nishishinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo105-8461, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Sadakata
- Advanced Scientific Research Leaders Development Unit, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma371-8511, Japan
| | - Makoto Sanbo
- Section of Mammalian Transgenesis, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki444-8585, Japan
| | - Masumi Hirabayashi
- Section of Mammalian Transgenesis, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki444-8585, Japan
| | - JeongSeop Rhee
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen37077, Germany
| | - Nils Brose
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen37077, Germany
| | - Peter Jonas
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg3400, Austria
| | - Ryuichi Shigemoto
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg3400, Austria
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German‐Castelan L, Shanks HRC, Gros R, Saito T, Saido TC, Saksida LM, Bussey TJ, Prado MAM, Schmitz TW, Prado VF. Sex-dependent cholinergic effects on amyloid pathology: A translational study. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:995-1012. [PMID: 37846816 PMCID: PMC10916951 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION About two-thirds of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients are women, who exhibit more severe pathology and cognitive decline than men. Whether biological sex causally modulates the relationship between cholinergic signaling and amyloid pathology remains unknown. METHODS We quantified amyloid beta (Aβ) in male and female App-mutant mice with either decreased or increased cholinergic tone and examined the impact of ovariectomy and estradiol replacement in this relationship. We also investigated longitudinal changes in basal forebrain (cholinergic function) and Aβ in elderly individuals. RESULTS We show a causal relationship between cholinergic tone and amyloid pathology in males and ovariectomized female mice, which is decoupled in ovary-intact and ovariectomized females receiving estradiol. In elderly humans, cholinergic loss exacerbates Aβ. DISCUSSION Our findings emphasize the importance of reflecting human menopause in mouse models. They also support a role for therapies targeting estradiol and cholinergic signaling to reduce Aβ. HIGHLIGHTS Cholinergic tone regulates amyloid beta (Aβ) pathology in males and ovariectomized female mice. Estradiol uncouples the relationship between cholinergic tone and Aβ. In elderly humans, cholinergic loss correlates with increased Aβ in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana German‐Castelan
- Robarts Research InstituteSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Neuroscience programSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Hayley R. C. Shanks
- Neuroscience programSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Robert Gros
- Robarts Research InstituteSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of MedicineSchulich School of Medicine & DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine & DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Takashi Saito
- Department of Neurocognitive ScienceInstitute of Brain ScienceNagoya City University Graduate School of Medical SciencesNagoyaJapan
- Laboratory for Proteolytic NeuroscienceRIKEN Center for Brain ScienceWako, SaitamaJapan
| | - Takaomi C. Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic NeuroscienceRIKEN Center for Brain ScienceWako, SaitamaJapan
| | - Lisa M. Saksida
- Robarts Research InstituteSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Neuroscience programSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine & DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Western Institute for NeuroscienceUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Timothy J. Bussey
- Robarts Research InstituteSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Neuroscience programSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine & DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Western Institute for NeuroscienceUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Marco A. M. Prado
- Robarts Research InstituteSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Neuroscience programSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine & DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Western Institute for NeuroscienceUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell BiologySchulich School of Medicine & DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Taylor W. Schmitz
- Robarts Research InstituteSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Neuroscience programSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Western Institute for NeuroscienceUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Lawson Health Research InstituteSt. Joseph's HospitalLondonOntarioCanada
| | - Vania F. Prado
- Robarts Research InstituteSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Neuroscience programSchulich School of Medicine and DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologySchulich School of Medicine & DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Western Institute for NeuroscienceUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell BiologySchulich School of Medicine & DentistryUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
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Chancey JH, Kellendonk C, Javitch JA, Lovinger DM. Dopaminergic D2 receptor modulation of striatal cholinergic interneurons contributes to sequence learning. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.28.554807. [PMID: 37693570 PMCID: PMC10491092 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.28.554807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Learning action sequences is necessary for normal daily activities. Medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the dorsal striatum (dStr) encode action sequences through changes in firing at the start and/or stop of action sequences or sustained changes in firing throughout the sequence. Acetylcholine (ACh), released from cholinergic interneurons (ChIs), regulates striatal function by modulating MSN and interneuron excitability, dopamine and glutamate release, and synaptic plasticity. Cholinergic neurons in dStr pause their tonic firing during the performance of learned action sequences. Activation of dopamine type-2 receptors (D2Rs) on ChIs is one mechanism of ChI pausing. In this study we show that deleting D2Rs from ChIs by crossing D2-floxed with ChAT-Cre mice (D2Flox-ChATCre), which inhibits dopamine-mediated ChI pausing and leads to deficits in an operant action sequence task and lower breakpoints in a progressive ratio task. These data suggest that D2Flox-ChATCre mice have reduced motivation to work for sucrose reward, but show no generalized motor skill deficits. D2Flox-ChATCre mice perform similarly to controls in a simple reversal learning task, indicating normal behavioral flexibility, a cognitive function associated with ChIs. In vivo electrophysiological recordings show that D2Flox-ChatCre mice have deficits in sequence encoding, with fewer dStr MSNs encoding entire action sequences compared to controls. Thus, ChI D2R deletion appears to impair a neural substrate of action chunking. Virally replacing D2Rs in dStr ChIs in adult mice improves action sequence learning, but not the lower breakpoints, further suggesting that D2Rs on ChIs in the dStr are critical for sequence learning, but not for driving the motivational aspects of the task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Hotard Chancey
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA, 20852
| | - Christoph Kellendonk
- Departments of Psychiatry and Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA, 10032
| | - Jonathan A. Javitch
- Departments of Psychiatry and Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA, 10032
| | - David M. Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA, 20852
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DuBois DW, Murchison DA, Mahnke AH, Bang E, Winzer-Serhan U, Griffith WH, Souza KA. Maintenance of optogenetic channel rhodopsin (ChR2) function in aging mice: Implications for pharmacological studies of inhibitory synaptic transmission, quantal content, and calcium homeostasis. Neuropharmacology 2023:109651. [PMID: 37414332 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Disruption of synaptic function is believed to represent a common pathway contributing to cognitive decline during aging. Optogenetics is a prodigious tool for studying relationships between function and synaptic circuitry but models utilizing viral vectors present limitations. Careful characterization of the functionality of channel rhodopsin in transgenic models is crucial for determining whether they can be used across aging. This includes verifying the light sensitivity of the protein and confirming its ability to generate action potentials in response to light stimulation. We combined in vitro optogenetic methodology and a reduced synaptic preparation of acutely isolated neurons to determine if the ChR2(H134R)-eYFP vGAT mouse model is well-suited for aging studies. We used neurons from young (2-6 mo), middle-aged (10-14 mo) and aged (17-25 mo) bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mouse line with stable expression of the channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) variant H134R in GABAergic cell populations. Cellular physiology and calcium dynamics were assessed in basal forebrain (BF) neurons using patch-clamp recording and fura-2 microfluorimetry, alongside 470 nm light stimulation of the transgenic ChR2 channel to characterize a wide array of physiological functions known to decline with age. We found ChR2 expression is functionally maintained across aging, while spontaneous and optically evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents, and quantal content were decreased. Aged mice also showed an increase in intracellular calcium buffering. These results, which are on par with previous observations, demonstrate that the optogenetic vGAT BAC mouse model is well-suited for investigating age-related changes in calcium signaling and synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin W DuBois
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, USA
| | - David A Murchison
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Amanda H Mahnke
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Eunyoung Bang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Ursula Winzer-Serhan
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, USA
| | - William H Griffith
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Karienn A Souza
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, USA.
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Xanomeline restores endogenous nicotinic acetylcholine receptor signaling in mouse prefrontal cortex. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:671-682. [PMID: 36635596 PMCID: PMC9938126 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01531-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cholinergic synapses in prefrontal cortex are vital for attention, but this modulatory system undergoes substantial pre- and post-synaptic alterations during adulthood. To examine the integrated impact of these changes, we optophysiologically probe cholinergic synapses ex vivo, revealing a clear decline in neurotransmission in middle adulthood. Pharmacological dissection of synaptic components reveals a selective reduction in postsynaptic nicotinic receptor currents. Other components of cholinergic synapses appear stable, by contrast, including acetylcholine autoinhibition, metabolism, and excitation of postsynaptic muscarinic receptors. Pursuing strategies to strengthen cholinergic neurotransmission, we find that positive allosteric modulation of nicotinic receptors with NS9283 is effective in young adults but wanes with age. To boost nicotinic receptor availability, we harness the second messenger pathways of the preserved excitatory muscarinic receptors with xanomeline. This muscarinic agonist and cognitive-enhancer restores nicotinic signaling in older mice significantly, in a muscarinic- and PKC-dependent manner. The rescued nicotinic component regains youthful sensitivity to allosteric enhancement: treatment with xanomeline and NS9283 restores cholinergic synapses in older mice to the strength, speed, and receptor mechanism of young adults. Our results reveal a new and efficient strategy to rescue age-related nicotinic signaling deficits, demonstrating a novel pathway for xanomeline to restore cognitively-essential endogenous cholinergic neurotransmission.
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ACh Transfers: Homeostatic Plasticity of Cholinergic Synapses. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:697-709. [PMID: 35643882 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01227-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The field of homeostatic plasticity continues to advance rapidly, highlighting the importance of stabilizing neuronal activity within functional limits in the context of numerous fundamental processes such as development, learning, and memory. Most homeostatic plasticity studies have been focused on glutamatergic synapses, while the rules that govern homeostatic regulation of other synapse types are less understood. While cholinergic synapses have emerged as a critical component in the etiology of mammalian neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, relatively few studies have been conducted on the homeostatic plasticity of such synapses, particularly in the mammalian nervous system. An exploration of homeostatic mechanisms at the cholinergic synapse may illuminate potential therapeutic targets for disease management and treatment. We will review cholinergic homeostatic plasticity in the mammalian neuromuscular junction, the autonomic nervous system, central synapses, and in relation to pathological conditions including Alzheimer disease and DYT1 dystonia. This work provides a historical context for the field of cholinergic homeostatic regulation by examining common themes, unique features, and outstanding questions associated with these distinct cholinergic synapse types and aims to inform future research in the field.
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Tryon SC, Sakamoto IM, Kaigler KF, Gee G, Turner J, Bartley K, Fadel JR, Wilson MA. ChAT::Cre transgenic rats show sex-dependent altered fear behaviors, ultrasonic vocalizations and cholinergic marker expression. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 22:e12837. [PMID: 36636833 PMCID: PMC9994175 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The cholinergic system is a critical regulator of Pavlovian fear learning and extinction. As such, we have begun investigating the cholinergic system's involvement in individual differences in cued fear extinction using a transgenic ChAT::Cre rat model. The current study extends behavioral phenotyping of a transgenic ChAT::Cre rat line by examining both freezing behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) during a Pavlovian cued fear learning and extinction paradigm. Freezing, 22 kHz USVs, and 50 kHz USVs were compared between male and female transgenic ChAT::Cre+ rats and their wildtype (Cre-) littermates during fear learning, contextual and cue-conditioned fear recall, cued fear extinction, and generalization to a novel tone. During contextual and cued fear recall ChAT::Cre+ rats froze slightly more than their Cre- littermates, and displayed significant sex differences in contextual and cue-conditioned freezing, 22 kHz USVs, and 50 kHz USVs. Females showed more freezing than males in fear recall trials, but fewer 22 kHz distress calls during fear learning and recall. Females also produced more 50 kHz USVs during exposure to the testing chambers prior to tone (or shock) presentation compared with males, but this effect was blunted in ChAT::Cre+ females. Corroborating previous studies, ChAT::Cre+ transgenic rats overexpressed vesicular acetylcholine transporter immunolabeling in basal forebrain, striatum, basolateral amygdala, and hippocampus, but had similar levels of acetylcholinesterase and numbers of ChAT+ neurons as Cre- rats. This study suggests that variance in behavior between ChAT::Cre+ and wildtype rats is sex dependent and advances theories that distinct neural circuits and processes regulate sexually divergent fear responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C. Tryon
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & NeuroscienceUniversity of South Carolina School of MedicineColumbiaSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Iris M. Sakamoto
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & NeuroscienceUniversity of South Carolina School of MedicineColumbiaSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Kris F. Kaigler
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & NeuroscienceUniversity of South Carolina School of MedicineColumbiaSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Gabriella Gee
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & NeuroscienceUniversity of South Carolina School of MedicineColumbiaSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jarrett Turner
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & NeuroscienceUniversity of South Carolina School of MedicineColumbiaSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Katherine Bartley
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & NeuroscienceUniversity of South Carolina School of MedicineColumbiaSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jim R. Fadel
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & NeuroscienceUniversity of South Carolina School of MedicineColumbiaSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Marlene A. Wilson
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & NeuroscienceUniversity of South Carolina School of MedicineColumbiaSouth CarolinaUSA
- Columbia VA Health Care SystemColumbiaSouth CarolinaUSA
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9
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Characterization of social behavior in young and middle-aged ChAT-IRES-Cre mouse. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272141. [PMID: 35925937 PMCID: PMC9352053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The cholinergic system is an important modulator of brain processes. It contributes to the regulation of several cognitive functions and emotional states, hence altering behaviors. Previous works showed that cholinergic (nicotinic) receptors of the prefrontal cortex are needed for adapted social behaviors. However, these data were obtained in mutant mice that also present alterations of several neurotransmitter systems, in addition to the cholinergic system. ChAT-IRES-Cre mice, that express the Cre recombinase specifically in cholinergic neurons, are useful tools to investigate the role of the cholinergic circuits in behavior. However, their own behavioral phenotype has not yet been fully characterized, in particular social behavior. In addition, the consequences of aging on the cholinergic system of ChAT-IRES-Cre mice has never been studied, despite the fact that aging is known to compromise the cholinergic system efficiency. The aim of the current study was thus to characterize the social phenotype of ChAT-IRES-Cre mice both at young (2–3 months) and middle (10–11 months) ages. Our results reveal an alteration of the cholinergic system, evidenced by a decrease of ChAT, CHT and VAChT gene expression in the striatum of the mice, that was accompanied by mild social disturbances and a tendency towards anxiety. Aging decreased social dominance, without being amplified by the cholinergic alterations. Altogether, this study shows that ChAT-IRES-Cre mice are useful models for studying the cholinergic system‘s role in social behavior using appropriate modulating technics (optogenetic or DREADD).
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Mineur YS, Mose TN, Vanopdenbosch L, Etherington IM, Ogbejesi C, Islam A, Pineda CM, Crouse RB, Zhou W, Thompson DC, Bentham MP, Picciotto MR. Hippocampal acetylcholine modulates stress-related behaviors independent of specific cholinergic inputs. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1829-1838. [PMID: 34997190 PMCID: PMC9106825 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01404-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) levels are elevated in actively depressed subjects. Conversely, antagonism of either nicotinic or muscarinic ACh receptors can have antidepressant effects in humans and decrease stress-relevant behaviors in rodents. Consistent with a role for ACh in mediating maladaptive responses to stress, brain ACh levels increase in response to stressful challenges, whereas systemically blocking acetylcholinesterase (AChE, the primary ACh degradative enzyme) elicits depression-like symptoms in human subjects, and selectively blocking AChE in the hippocampus increases relevant behaviors in rodents. We used an ACh sensor to characterize stress-evoked ACh release, then used chemogenetic, optogenetic and pharmacological approaches to determine whether cholinergic inputs from the medial septum/diagonal bands of Broca (MSDBB) or ChAT-positive neurons intrinsic to the hippocampus mediate stress-relevant behaviors in mice. Chemogenetic inhibition or activation of MSDBB cholinergic neurons did not result in significant behavioral effects, while inhibition attenuated the behavioral effects of physostigmine. In contrast, optogenetic stimulation of septohippocampal terminals or selective chemogenetic activation of ChAT-positive inputs to hippocampus increased stress-related behaviors. Finally, stimulation of sparse ChAT-positive hippocampal neurons increased stress-related behaviors in one ChAT-Cre line, which were attenuated by local infusion of cholinergic antagonists. These studies suggest that ACh signaling results in maladaptive behavioral responses to stress if the balance of signaling is shifted toward increased hippocampal engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann S Mineur
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Tenna N Mose
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Laura Vanopdenbosch
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Ian M Etherington
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Chika Ogbejesi
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Ashraful Islam
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Cristiana M Pineda
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Richard B Crouse
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Wenliang Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - David C Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Matthew P Bentham
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA
| | - Marina R Picciotto
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 34 Park Street, 3rd Floor Research, New Haven, CT, 06508, USA.
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11
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Kljakic O, Janíčková H, Skirzewski M, Reichelt A, Memar S, El Mestikawy S, Li Y, Saksida LM, Bussey TJ, Prado VF, Prado MAM. Functional dissociation of behavioral effects from acetylcholine and glutamate released from cholinergic striatal interneurons. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22135. [PMID: 35032355 PMCID: PMC9303754 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101425r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In the striatum, cholinergic interneurons (CINs) have the ability to release both acetylcholine and glutamate, due to the expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and the vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGLUT3). However, the relationship these neurotransmitters have in the regulation of behavior is not fully understood. Here we used reward‐based touchscreen tests in mice to assess the individual and combined contributions of acetylcholine/glutamate co‐transmission in behavior. We found that reduced levels of the VAChT from CINs negatively impacted dopamine signalling in response to reward, and disrupted complex responses in a sequential chain of events. In contrast, diminished VGLUT3 levels had somewhat opposite effects. When mutant mice were treated with haloperidol in a cue‐based task, the drug did not affect the performance of VAChT mutant mice, whereas VGLUT3 mutant mice were highly sensitive to haloperidol. In mice where both vesicular transporters were deleted from CINs, we observed altered reward‐evoked dopaminergic signalling and behavioral deficits that resemble, but were worse, than those in mice with specific loss of VAChT alone. These results demonstrate that the ability to secrete two different neurotransmitters allows CINs to exert complex modulation of a wide range of behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornela Kljakic
- Translational Neuroscience Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helena Janíčková
- Translational Neuroscience Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Miguel Skirzewski
- Translational Neuroscience Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amy Reichelt
- Translational Neuroscience Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Memar
- Translational Neuroscience Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Salah El Mestikawy
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Yulong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Translational Neuroscience Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Translational Neuroscience Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Translational Neuroscience Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Translational Neuroscience Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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12
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Stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 (HOP/STI1/STIP1) regulates the accumulation and toxicity of α-synuclein in vivo. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:881-910. [PMID: 36121476 PMCID: PMC9547791 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02491-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The predominantly pre-synaptic intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein is prone to misfolding and aggregation in synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Molecular chaperones play important roles in protein misfolding diseases and members of the chaperone machinery are often deposited in Lewy bodies. Here, we show that the Hsp90 co-chaperone STI1 co-immunoprecipitated α-synuclein, and co-deposited with Hsp90 and Hsp70 in insoluble protein fractions in two mouse models of α-synuclein misfolding. STI1 and Hsp90 also co-localized extensively with filamentous S129 phosphorylated α-synuclein in ubiquitin-positive inclusions. In PD human brains, STI1 transcripts were increased, and in neurologically healthy brains, STI1 and α-synuclein transcripts correlated. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analyses revealed direct interaction of α-synuclein with STI1 and indicated that the STI1 TPR2A, but not TPR1 or TPR2B domains, interacted with the C-terminal domain of α-synuclein. In vitro, the STI1 TPR2A domain facilitated S129 phosphorylation by Polo-like kinase 3. Moreover, mice over-expressing STI1 and Hsp90ß presented elevated α-synuclein S129 phosphorylation accompanied by inclusions when injected with α-synuclein pre-formed fibrils. In contrast, reduced STI1 function decreased protein inclusion formation, S129 α-synuclein phosphorylation, while mitigating motor and cognitive deficits as well as mesoscopic brain atrophy in α-synuclein-over-expressing mice. Our findings reveal a vicious cycle in which STI1 facilitates the generation and accumulation of toxic α-synuclein conformers, while α-synuclein-induced proteostatic stress increased insoluble STI1 and Hsp90.
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13
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Ma T, Huang Z, Xie X, Cheng Y, Zhuang X, Childs MJ, Gangal H, Wang X, Smith LN, Smith RJ, Zhou Y, Wang J. Chronic alcohol drinking persistently suppresses thalamostriatal excitation of cholinergic neurons to impair cognitive flexibility. J Clin Invest 2021; 132:154969. [PMID: 34941575 PMCID: PMC8843706 DOI: 10.1172/jci154969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to addictive substances impairs flexible decision making. Cognitive flexibility is mediated by striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs). However, how chronic alcohol drinking alters cognitive flexibility through CINs remains unclear. Here, we report that chronic alcohol consumption and withdrawal impaired reversal of instrumental learning. Chronic alcohol consumption and withdrawal also caused a long-lasting (21 days) reduction of excitatory thalamic inputs onto CINs and reduced pause responses of CINs in the dorsomedial striatum (DMS). CINs are known to inhibit glutamatergic transmission in dopamine D1 receptor–expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) but facilitate this transmission in D2-MSNs, which may contribute to flexible behavior. We discovered that chronic alcohol drinking impaired CIN-mediated inhibition in D1-MSNs and facilitation in D2-MSNs. Importantly, in vivo optogenetic induction of long-term potentiation of thalamostriatal transmission in DMS CINs rescued alcohol-induced reversal learning deficits. These results demonstrate that chronic alcohol drinking reduces thalamic excitation of DMS CINs, compromising their regulation of glutamatergic transmission in MSNs, which may contribute to alcohol-induced impairment of cognitive flexibility. These findings provide a neural mechanism underlying inflexible drinking in alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Ma
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, United States of America
| | - Zhenbo Huang
- Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, United States of America
| | - Xueyi Xie
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, United States of America
| | - Yifeng Cheng
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, United States of America
| | - Xiaowen Zhuang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, United States of America
| | - Matthew J Childs
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, United States of America
| | - Himanshu Gangal
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, United States of America
| | - Xuehua Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, United States of America
| | - Laura N Smith
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, United States of America
| | - Rachel J Smith
- Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, United States of America
| | - Yubin Zhou
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University, Houston, United States of America
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, United States of America
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14
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Storozheva ZI, Zakharova EI, Proshin AT. Evaluation of the Activity of Choline Acetyltransferase From Different Synaptosomal Fractions at the Distinct Stages of Spatial Learning in the Morris Water Maze. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:755373. [PMID: 34720900 PMCID: PMC8548380 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.755373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulated data have evidenced that brain cholinergic circuits play a crucial role in learning and memory; however, our knowledge about the participation of neocortical and hippocampal cholinergic systems in spatial learning needs to be refined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the activity of membrane-bound and soluble choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the synaptosomal sub-fractions of the neocortex and hippocampus with performance of the spatial navigation task in the Morris water maze at different temporal stages of memory trace formation. To identify distinct stages of memory formation, rats were trained using a 5-day protocol with four trials per day. The mean escape latency for each trial was collected, and the entire dataset was subjected to principal component analysis. Based on the Morris water maze protocol, there were three relatively distinct stages of memory formation: days 1-2, day 3, and days 4-5. The remotely stored memory trace tested in repeated and reversal learning beginning on day 19 (14 days after the end of initial learning) was associated at the individual level mainly with performance during the second trial on day 21 (the third day or repeated or reversal learning). The ChAT activity data suggest the participation of cortical cholinergic projections mainly in the first stage of spatial learning (automatic sensory processing) and the involvement of hippocampal interneurons in the second stage (error-corrected learning). Cholinergic cortical interneurons participated mainly in the stage of asymptotic performance (days 4-5). It is advisable to evaluate other signalling pathways at the identified stages of memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinaida I Storozheva
- V. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena I Zakharova
- Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia
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15
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Camargo WL, Kushmerick C, Pinto E, Souza N, Cavalcante W, Souza-Neto FP, Guatimosim S, Prado M, Guatimosim C, Naves LA. Homeostatic plasticity induced by increased acetylcholine release at the mouse neuromuscular junction. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 110:13-26. [PMID: 34844076 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
At the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), changes to the size of the postsynaptic potential induce homeostatic compensation. At the Drosophila NMJ, increased glutamate release causes a compensatory decrease in quantal content, but it is unknown if this mechanism operates at the cholinergic mammalian NMJ. We addressed this question by recording endplate potentials (EPP) and muscle contraction in 3-month and 24-month ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice that overexpress vesicular acetylcholine transporter and release more acetylcholine per vesicle. At 3 months, the quantal content of EPPs from ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice were not different from WT controls, however tetanic depression was greater, and quantal size during high-frequency stimulation and the size of the readily releasable pool (RRP) were decreased. At 24 months of age, quantal content was reduced in ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice, which normalized synaptic depression despite smaller RRP. The effect of pancuronium on indirect evoked muscle twitch was not different between groups. These results indicate that an increase in the amount of acetylcholine per vesicle induces two distinct age-dependent homeostatic mechanisms compensating excessive acetylcholine release.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mam Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - L A Naves
- Departments of Physiology and biophysics
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16
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Long-term endogenous acetylcholine deficiency potentiates pulmonary inflammation in a murine model of elastase-induced emphysema. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15918. [PMID: 34354132 PMCID: PMC8342425 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95211-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh), the neurotransmitter of the cholinergic system, regulates inflammation in several diseases including pulmonary diseases. ACh is also involved in a non-neuronal mechanism that modulates the innate immune response. Because inflammation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in pulmonary emphysema, we hypothesized that vesicular acetylcholine transport protein (VAChT) deficiency, which leads to reduction in ACh release, can modulate lung inflammation in an experimental model of emphysema. Mice with genetical reduced expression of VAChT (VAChT KDHOM 70%) and wild-type mice (WT) received nasal instillation of 50 uL of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) or saline on day 0. Twenty-eight days after, animals were evaluated. Elastase instilled VAChT KDHOM mice presented an increase in macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and MAC2-positive macrophages in lung tissue and peribronchovascular area that was comparable to that observed in WT mice. Conversely, elastase instilled VAChT KDHOM mice showed significantly larger number of NF-κB-positive cells and isoprostane staining in the peribronchovascular area when compared to elastase-instilled WT-mice. Moreover, elastase-instilled VAChT-deficient mice showed increased MCP-1 levels in the lungs. Other cytokines, extracellular matrix remodeling, alveolar enlargement, and lung function were not worse in elastase-instilled VAChT deficiency than in elastase-instilled WT-controls. These data suggest that decreased VAChT expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of emphysema, at least in part, through NF-κB activation, MCP-1, and oxidative stress pathways. This study highlights novel pathways involved in lung inflammation that may contribute to the development of chronic obstrutive lung disease (COPD) in cholinergic deficient individuals such as Alzheimer's disease patients.
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17
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Kljakic O, Al-Onaizi M, Janíčková H, Chen KS, Guzman MS, Prado MAM, Prado VF. Cholinergic transmission from the basal forebrain modulates social memory in male mice. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:6075-6092. [PMID: 34308559 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Disruptions in social behaviour are prevalent in many neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorders. However, the underlying neurochemical regulation of social behaviour is still not well understood. The central cholinergic system has been proposed to contribute to the regulation of social behaviour. For instance, decreased global levels of acetylcholine release in the brain leads to decreased social interaction and an impairment of social memory in mice. Nonetheless, it has been difficult to ascertain the specific brain areas where cholinergic signalling influences social preference and social memory. In this study, we investigated the impact of different forebrain cholinergic regions on social behaviour by examining mouse lines that differ in their regional expression level of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter-the protein that regulates acetylcholine secretion. We found that when cholinergic signalling is highly disrupted in the striatum, hippocampus, cortex and amygdala mice have intact social preference but are impaired in social memory, as they cannot remember a familiar conspecific nor recognize a novel one. A similar pattern emerges when acetylcholine release is disrupted mainly in the striatum, cortex, and amygdala; however, the ability to recognize novel conspecifics is retained. In contrast, cholinergic signalling of the striatum and amygdala does not appear to significantly contribute to the modulation of social memory and social preference. Furthermore, we demonstrated that increasing global cholinergic tone does not increase social behaviours. Together, these data suggest that cholinergic transmission from the hippocampus and cortex are important for regulating social memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornela Kljakic
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohammed Al-Onaizi
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Helena Janíčková
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kevin S Chen
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Monica S Guzman
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Teixeira VP, Miranda K, Scalzo S, Rocha-Resende C, Silva MM, Tezini GCSV, Melo MB, Souza-Neto FP, Silva KSC, Jesus ICG, Santos AK, de Oliveira M, Szawka RE, Salgado HC, Prado MAM, Poletini MO, Guatimosim S. Increased cholinergic activity under conditions of low estrogen leads to adverse cardiac remodeling. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 320:C602-C612. [PMID: 33296286 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00142.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cholinesterase inhibitors are used in postmenopausal women for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Despite their widespread use in the clinical practice, little is known about the impact of augmented cholinergic signaling on cardiac function under reduced estrogen conditions. To address this gap, we subjected a genetically engineered murine model of systemic vesicular acetylcholine transporter overexpression (Chat-ChR2) to ovariectomy and evaluated cardiac parameters. Left-ventricular function was similar between Chat-ChR2 and wild-type (WT) mice. Following ovariectomy, WT mice showed signs of cardiac hypertrophy. Conversely, ovariectomized (OVX) Chat-ChR2 mice evolved to cardiac dilation and failure. Transcript levels for cardiac stress markers atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were similarly upregulated in WT/OVX and Chat-ChR2/OVX mice. 17β-Estradiol (E2) treatment normalized cardiac parameters in Chat-ChR2/OVX to the Chat-ChR2/SHAM levels, providing a link between E2 status and the aggravated cardiac response in this model. To investigate the cellular basis underlying the cardiac alterations, ventricular myocytes were isolated and their cellular area and contractility were assessed. Myocytes from WT/OVX mice were wider than WT/SHAM, an indicative of concentric hypertrophy, but their fractional shortening was similar. Conversely, Chat-ChR2/OVX myocytes were elongated and presented contractile dysfunction. E2 treatment again prevented the structural and functional changes in Chat-ChR2/OVX myocytes. We conclude that hypercholinergic mice under reduced estrogen conditions do not develop concentric hypertrophy, a critical compensatory adaptation, evolving toward cardiac dilation and failure. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding the consequences of cholinesterase inhibition, used clinically to treat dementia, for cardiac function in postmenopausal women.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylcholine/metabolism
- Animals
- Cholinergic Fibers/metabolism
- Estradiol/pharmacology
- Estrogen Replacement Therapy
- Estrogens/deficiency
- Female
- Heart/innervation
- Heart Rate
- Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/metabolism
- Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/pathology
- Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/physiopathology
- Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular/prevention & control
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Myocardial Contraction
- Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects
- Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism
- Myocytes, Cardiac/pathology
- Ovariectomy
- Signal Transduction
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/metabolism
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/pathology
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/physiopathology
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/prevention & control
- Ventricular Function, Left/drug effects
- Ventricular Remodeling/drug effects
- Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins/genetics
- Vesicular Acetylcholine Transport Proteins/metabolism
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa P Teixeira
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Kiany Miranda
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Sergio Scalzo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Cibele Rocha-Resende
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mário Morais Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Geisa C S V Tezini
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, Riberão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos B Melo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernando Pedro Souza-Neto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Kaoma S C Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Itamar C G Jesus
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Anderson K Santos
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mauro de Oliveira
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, Riberão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raphael E Szawka
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Helio C Salgado
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, Riberão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marco Antonio Máximo Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maristela O Poletini
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Silvia Guatimosim
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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19
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Favier M, Janickova H, Justo D, Kljakic O, Runtz L, Natsheh JY, Pascoal TA, Germann J, Gallino D, Kang JI, Meng XQ, Antinora C, Raulic S, Jacobsen JP, Moquin L, Vigneault E, Gratton A, Caron MG, Duriez P, Brandon MP, Neto PR, Chakravarty MM, Herzallah MM, Gorwood P, Prado MA, Prado VF, El Mestikawy S. Cholinergic dysfunction in the dorsal striatum promotes habit formation and maladaptive eating. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:6616-6630. [PMID: 33164988 DOI: 10.1172/jci138532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of habit formation has been recently proposed as pivotal to eating disorders. Here, we report that a subset of patients suffering from restrictive anorexia nervosa have enhanced habit formation compared with healthy controls. Habit formation is modulated by striatal cholinergic interneurons. These interneurons express vesicular transporters for acetylcholine (VAChT) and glutamate (VGLUT3) and use acetylcholine/glutamate cotransmission to regulate striatal functions. Using mice with genetically silenced VAChT (VAChT conditional KO, VAChTcKO) or VGLUT3 (VGLUT3cKO), we investigated the roles that acetylcholine and glutamate released by cholinergic interneurons play in habit formation and maladaptive eating. Silencing glutamate favored goal-directed behaviors and had no impact on eating behavior. In contrast, VAChTcKO mice were more prone to habits and maladaptive eating. Specific deletion of VAChT in the dorsomedial striatum of adult mice was sufficient to phenocopy maladaptive eating behaviors of VAChTcKO mice. Interestingly, VAChTcKO mice had reduced dopamine release in the dorsomedial striatum but not in the dorsolateral striatum. The dysfunctional eating behavior of VAChTcKO mice was alleviated by donepezil and by l-DOPA, confirming an acetylcholine/dopamine deficit. Our study reveals that loss of acetylcholine leads to a dopamine imbalance in striatal compartments, thereby promoting habits and vulnerability to maladaptive eating in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Favier
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helena Janickova
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Damian Justo
- GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences (CMME, Hospital Sainte-Anne), Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (INSERM UMR1266), Paris, France
| | - Ornela Kljakic
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Léonie Runtz
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joman Y Natsheh
- Palestinian Neuroscience Initiative, Al-Quds University, Abu Dis, Jerusalem, Palestine.,Kessler Foundation, East Hanover, New Jersey, USA
| | - Tharick A Pascoal
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jurgen Germann
- Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Daniel Gallino
- Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jun-Ii Kang
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Xiang Qi Meng
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christina Antinora
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sanda Raulic
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Luc Moquin
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Erika Vigneault
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alain Gratton
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marc G Caron
- Department of Cell Biology and.,Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Philibert Duriez
- GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences (CMME, Hospital Sainte-Anne), Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (INSERM UMR1266), Paris, France
| | - Mark P Brandon
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pedro Rosa Neto
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - M Mallar Chakravarty
- Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Biological and Biomedical Engineering and.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mohammad M Herzallah
- Palestinian Neuroscience Initiative, Al-Quds University, Abu Dis, Jerusalem, Palestine.,Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Arts & Sciences-Newark Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Philip Gorwood
- GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences (CMME, Hospital Sainte-Anne), Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (INSERM UMR1266), Paris, France
| | - Marco Am Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Salah El Mestikawy
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie UM 119 - CNRS UMR 8246 - INSERM U1130, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
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20
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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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21
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Altered baseline and amphetamine-mediated behavioral profiles in dopamine transporter Cre (DAT-Ires-Cre) mice compared to tyrosine hydroxylase Cre (TH-Cre) mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:3553-3568. [PMID: 32778904 PMCID: PMC10120402 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05635-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Transgenic mouse lines expressing Cre-recombinase under the regulation of either dopamine transporter (DAT) or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoters are commonly used to study the dopamine (DA) system. While use of the TH promoter appears to have less liability to changes in native gene expression, transgene insertion in the DAT locus results in reduced DAT expression and function. This confound is sometimes overlooked in genetically targeted behavioral experiments. OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the suitability of DAT-Ires-Cre and TH-Cre transgenic lines for behavioral pharmacology experiments with DA agonists. We hypothesized that DAT-Ires-Cre expression would impact DAT-mediated behaviors, but no impact of TH-Cre expression would be observed. METHODS DAT-Ires-Cre and TH-Cre mice bred on mixed 129S6/C57BL/6 and pure C57BL/6 backgrounds were evaluated for novelty-induced, baseline, and amphetamine (AMPH)-induced locomotion, and for AMPH and D1 agonist (SKF-38393)-induced preservative behaviors. RESULTS DAT-Ires-Cre mice on both mixed 129S6/C57BL/6 and pure C57BL/6 backgrounds displayed increased novelty-induced activity and decreased AMPH-induced locomotion, with mixed results for AMPH-induced stereotypy. TH-Cre mice on both backgrounds showed typical baseline activity and AMPH-induced stereotypy, with a difference in AMPH-induced locomotion observed only on the mixed background. Both transgenic lines displayed unaltered SKF-38393-induced grooming behavior. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the DAT-Ires-Cre transgenic line may lead to confounds for experiments that are dependent on DAT expression. The TH-Cre transgenic line studied here may be a more useful option, depending on background strain, because of its lack of baseline and drug-induced phenotypes. These data highlight the importance of appropriate controls in studies employing transgenic mice.
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22
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Vesicular neurotransmitter transporters in Drosophila melanogaster. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183308. [PMID: 32305263 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster express vesicular transporters for the storage of neurotransmitters acetylcholine, biogenic amines, GABA, and glutamate. The large array of powerful molecular-genetic tools available in Drosophila enhances the use of this model organism for studying transporter function and regulation.
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23
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Goncalves DF, Guzman MS, Gros R, Massensini AR, Bartha R, Prado VF, Prado MAM. Striatal Acetylcholine Helps to Preserve Functional Outcomes in a Mouse Model of Stroke. ASN Neuro 2020; 12:1759091420961612. [PMID: 32967452 PMCID: PMC7521057 DOI: 10.1177/1759091420961612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) has been suggested to facilitate plasticity and
improve functional recovery after different types of brain lesions.
Interestingly, numerous studies have shown that striatal cholinergic
interneurons are relatively resistant to acute ischemic insults, but
whether ACh released by these neurons enhances functional recovery
after stroke is unknown. We investigated the role of endogenous
striatal ACh in stroke lesion volume and functional outcomes following
middle cerebral artery occlusion to induce focal ischemia in
striatum-selective vesicular acetylcholine transporter-deficient mice
(stVAChT-KO). As transporter expression is almost completely
eliminated in the striatum of stVAChT-KO mice, ACh release is nearly
abolished in this area. Conversely, in other brain areas, VAChT
expression and ACh release are preserved. Our results demonstrate a
larger infarct size after ischemic insult in stVAChT-KO mice, with
more pronounced functional impairments and increased mortality than in
littermate controls. These changes are associated with increased
activation of GSK-3, decreased levels of β-catenin, and a higher
permeability of the blood–brain barrier in mice with loss of VAChT in
striatum neurons. These results support a framework in which
endogenous ACh secretion originating from cholinergic interneurons in
the striatum helps to protect brain tissue against ischemia-induced
damage and facilitates brain recovery by supporting blood–brain
barrier function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela F Goncalves
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Neuroscience Centre, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Monica S Guzman
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Robert Gros
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - André R Massensini
- Neuroscience Centre, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Robert Bartha
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
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24
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Lackie RE, Marques-Lopes J, Ostapchenko VG, Good S, Choy WY, van Oosten-Hawle P, Pasternak SH, Prado VF, Prado MAM. Increased levels of Stress-inducible phosphoprotein-1 accelerates amyloid-β deposition in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:143. [PMID: 32825842 PMCID: PMC7441634 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-01013-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular chaperones and co-chaperones, which are part of the protein quality control machinery, have been shown to regulate distinct aspects of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology in multiple ways. Notably, the co-chaperone STI1, which presents increased levels in AD, can protect mammalian neurons from amyloid-β toxicity in vitro and reduced STI1 levels worsen Aβ toxicity in C. elegans. However, whether increased STI1 levels can protect neurons in vivo remains unknown. We determined that overexpression of STI1 and/or Hsp90 protected C. elegans expressing Aβ(3-42) against Aβ-mediated paralysis. Mammalian neurons were also protected by elevated levels of endogenous STI1 in vitro, and this effect was mainly due to extracellular STI1. Surprisingly, in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD, by overexpressing STI1, we find increased amyloid burden, which amplifies neurotoxicity and worsens spatial memory deficits in these mutants. Increased levels of STI1 disturbed the expression of Aβ-regulating enzymes (BACE1 and MMP-2), suggesting potential mechanisms by which amyloid burden is increased in mice. Notably, we observed that STI1 accumulates in dense-core AD plaques in both 5xFAD mice and human brain tissue. Our findings suggest that elevated levels of STI1 contribute to Aβ accumulation, and that STI1 is deposited in AD plaques in mice and humans. We conclude that despite the protective effects of STI1 in C. elegans and in mammalian cultured neurons, in vivo, the predominant effect of elevated STI1 is deleterious in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Lackie
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St. N., London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada
- Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St, London, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Jose Marques-Lopes
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St. N., London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Valeriy G Ostapchenko
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St. N., London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Sarah Good
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Wing-Yiu Choy
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, Medical Sciences Building, 1151 Richmond St. N, London, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Patricija van Oosten-Hawle
- School of Molecular and Cell Biology and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Stephen H Pasternak
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St. N., London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada
- St. Joseph's Health Care London-Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital, 268 Grosvenor St Room A1-015, London, N6A 4V2, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, 1151 Richmond St, London, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St. N., London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada.
- Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St, London, N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St, London, N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St, London, N6A 3K7, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St. N., London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada.
- Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St, London, N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St, London, N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St, London, N6A 3K7, Ontario, Canada.
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25
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Mizusawa A, Watanabe A, Yamada M, Kamei R, Shimomura Y, Kitaura Y. BDK Deficiency in Cerebral Cortex Neurons Causes Neurological Abnormalities and Affects Endurance Capacity. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12082267. [PMID: 32751134 PMCID: PMC7469005 DOI: 10.3390/nu12082267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism is regulated by its rate-limiting enzyme, branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH), which is negatively regulated by BCKDH kinase (BDK). Loss of BDK function in mice and humans leads to dysregulated BCAA catabolism accompanied by neurological symptoms such as autism; however, which tissues or cell types are responsible for the phenotype has not been determined. Since BDK is highly expressed in neurons compared to astrocytes, we hypothesized that neurons are the cell type responsible for determining the neurological features of BDK deficiency. To test this hypothesis, we generated mice in which BDK deletion is restricted to neurons of the cerebral cortex (BDKEmx1-KO mice). Although BDKEmx1-KO mice were born and grew up normally, they showed clasped hind limbs when held by the tail and lower brain BCAA concentrations compared to control mice. Furthermore, these mice showed a marked increase in endurance capacity after training compared to control mice. We conclude that BDK in neurons of the cerebral cortex is essential for maintaining normal neurological functions in mice, and that accelerated BCAA catabolism in that region may enhance performance in running endurance following training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mizusawa
- Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan; (A.M.); (A.W.); (M.Y.); (R.K.)
| | - Ayako Watanabe
- Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan; (A.M.); (A.W.); (M.Y.); (R.K.)
| | - Minori Yamada
- Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan; (A.M.); (A.W.); (M.Y.); (R.K.)
| | - Rina Kamei
- Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan; (A.M.); (A.W.); (M.Y.); (R.K.)
| | - Yoshiharu Shimomura
- Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chubu University, Kasugai, Aichi 487-8501, Japan;
| | - Yasuyuki Kitaura
- Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan; (A.M.); (A.W.); (M.Y.); (R.K.)
- Correspondence:
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26
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Granger AJ, Wang W, Robertson K, El-Rifai M, Zanello AF, Bistrong K, Saunders A, Chow BW, Nuñez V, Turrero García M, Harwell CC, Gu C, Sabatini BL. Cortical ChAT + neurons co-transmit acetylcholine and GABA in a target- and brain-region-specific manner. eLife 2020; 9:57749. [PMID: 32613945 PMCID: PMC7360370 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The mouse cerebral cortex contains neurons that express choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and are a potential local source of acetylcholine. However, the neurotransmitters released by cortical ChAT+ neurons and their synaptic connectivity are unknown. We show that the nearly all cortical ChAT+ neurons in mice are specialized VIP+ interneurons that release GABA strongly onto other inhibitory interneurons and acetylcholine sparsely onto layer 1 interneurons and other VIP+/ChAT+ interneurons. This differential transmission of ACh and GABA based on the postsynaptic target neuron is reflected in VIP+/ChAT+ interneuron pre-synaptic terminals, as quantitative molecular analysis shows that only a subset of these are specialized to release acetylcholine. In addition, we identify a separate, sparse population of non-VIP ChAT+ neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex with a distinct developmental origin that robustly release acetylcholine in layer 1. These results demonstrate both cortex-region heterogeneity in cortical ChAT+ interneurons and target-specific co-release of acetylcholine and GABA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Granger
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Wengang Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Keiramarie Robertson
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Mahmoud El-Rifai
- Neurobiology Imaging Facility, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Andrea F Zanello
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Karina Bistrong
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Arpiar Saunders
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Brian W Chow
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Vicente Nuñez
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | | | - Corey C Harwell
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Chenghua Gu
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Bernardo L Sabatini
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
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27
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White D, de Sousa Abreu RP, Blake A, Murphy J, Showell S, Kitamoto T, Lawal HO. Deficits in the vesicular acetylcholine transporter alter lifespan and behavior in adult Drosophila melanogaster. Neurochem Int 2020; 137:104744. [PMID: 32315665 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is involved in critical organismal functions that include locomotion and cognition. Importantly, alterations in the cholinergic system are a key underlying factor in cognitive defects associated with aging. One essential component of cholinergic synaptic transmission is the vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT), which regulates the packaging of ACh into synaptic vesicles for extracellular release. Mutations that cause a reduction in either protein level or activity lead to diminished locomotion ability whereas complete loss of function of VAChT is lethal. While much is known about the function of VAChT, the direct role of altered ACh release and its association with either an impairment or an enhancement of cognitive function are still not fully understood. We hypothesize that point mutations in Vacht cause age-related deficits in cholinergic-mediated behaviors such as locomotion, and learning and memory. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, we have studied several mutations within Vacht and observed their effect on survivability and locomotive behavior. Here we report for the first time a weak hypomorphic Vacht allele that shows a differential effect on ACh-linked behaviors. We also demonstrate that partially rescued Vacht point mutations cause an allele-dependent deficit in lifespan and defects in locomotion ability. Moreover, using a thorough data analytics strategy to identify exploratory behavioral patterns, we introduce new paradigms for measuring locomotion-related activities that could not be revealed or detected by a simple measure of the average speed alone. Together, our data indicate a role for VAChT in the maintenance of longevity and locomotion abilities in Drosophila and we provide additional measurements of locomotion that can be useful in determining subtle changes in Vacht function on locomotion-related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel White
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA
| | - Raquel P de Sousa Abreu
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Andrew Blake
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA
| | - Jeremy Murphy
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA
| | - Shardae Showell
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA
| | - Toshihiro Kitamoto
- Department of Anesthesia, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Hakeem O Lawal
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE, 19901, USA.
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28
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Overexpression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter disrupts cognitive performance and causes age-dependent locomotion decline in Drosophila. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 105:103483. [PMID: 32217162 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholinergic (ACh) neurotransmission is essential for key organismal functions such as locomotion and cognition. However, the mechanism through which ACh is regulated in the central nervous system is not fully understood. The vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) mediates the packaging and transport of ACh for exocytotic release and is a critical component of the ACh release machinery. Yet its precise role in the maintenance of cholinergic tone remains a subject of active investigation. Here we use the overexpression of VAChT as a tool to investigate the role of changes in ACh exocytosis on the regulation of synaptic activity and its downstream consequences. We measured the effect of an increase in VAChT expression on locomotion and cognitive performance as well as on organismal survival across the lifespan. We report the surprising finding that increased VAChT expression results in a significantly shorter lifespan in comparison to control flies. Moreover, constructs overexpressing VAChT demonstrate an age-dependent decrease in locomotion performance. Importantly, we report clear deficits in learning and memory which we measured through a courtship conditioning assay. Together, these data provide evidence for the adverse effects of overexpression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in the maintenance of normal behavioral abilities in Drosophila and demonstrates for the first time a role for ACh in the regulation of organismal survival.
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29
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Mantanona CP, Alsiö J, Elson JL, Fisher BM, Dalley JW, Bussey T, Pienaar IS. Altered motor, anxiety-related and attentional task performance at baseline associate with multiple gene copies of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter and related protein overexpression in ChAT::Cre+ rats. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:3095-3116. [PMID: 31506825 PMCID: PMC6875150 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01957-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic rodents expressing Cre recombinase cell specifically are used for exploring mechanisms regulating behavior, including those mediated by cholinergic signaling. However, it was recently reported that transgenic mice overexpressing a bacterial artificial chromosome containing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) gene, for synthesizing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, present with multiple vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) gene copies, resulting in altered cholinergic tone and accompanying behavioral abnormalities. Since ChAT::Cre+ rats, used increasingly for understanding the biological basis of CNS disorders, utilize the mouse ChAT promotor to control Cre recombinase expression, we assessed for similar genotypical and phenotypical differences in such rats compared to wild-type siblings. The rats were assessed for mouse VAChT copy number, VAChT protein expression levels and for sustained attention, response control and anxiety. Rats were also subjected to a contextual fear conditioning paradigm using an unconditional fear-inducing stimulus (electrical foot shocks), with blood samples taken at baseline, the fear acquisition phase and retention testing, for measuring blood plasma markers of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA)-axis activity. ChAT::Cre+ rats expressed multiple mouse VAChT gene copies, resulting in significantly higher VAChT protein expression, revealed anxiolytic behavior, hyperlocomotion and deficits in tasks requiring sustained attention. The HPA-axis was intact, with unaltered circulatory levels of acute stress-induced corticosterone, leptin and glucose. Our findings, therefore, reveal that in ChAT::Cre+ rats, VAChT overexpression associates with significant alterations of certain cognitive, motor and affective functions. Although highly useful as an experimental tool, it is essential to consider the potential effects of altered cholinergic transmission on baseline behavior in ChAT::Cre rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig P Mantanona
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Johan Alsiö
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joanna L Elson
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Beth M Fisher
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jeffrey W Dalley
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Timothy Bussey
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ilse S Pienaar
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9PH, UK.
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30
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Perez-Medina AL, Galligan JJ. Optogenetic analysis of neuromuscular transmission in the colon of ChAT-ChR2-YFP BAC transgenic mice. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2019; 317:G569-G579. [PMID: 31411893 PMCID: PMC6879885 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00089.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Propulsion of luminal content along the gut requires coordinated contractions and relaxations of gastrointestinal smooth muscles controlled by the enteric nervous system. Activation of excitatory motor neurons (EMNs) causes muscle contractions, whereas inhibitory motor neuron (IMN) activation causes muscle relaxation. EMNs release acetylcholine (ACh), which acts at muscarinic receptors on smooth muscle cells and adjacent interstitial cells of Cajal, causing excitatory junction potentials (EJPs). IMNs release ATP (or another purine) and nitric oxide to cause inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) and muscle relaxation. We used commercially available choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2)-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mice, which express ChR2 in cholinergic neurons, to study cholinergic neuromuscular transmission in the colon. Intracellular microelectrodes were used to record IJPs and EJPs from circular muscle cells. We used blue light stimulation (BLS, 470 nm, 20 mW/mm2) and electrical field stimulation (EFS) to activate myenteric neurons. EFS evoked IJPs only, whereas BLS evoked EJPs and IJPs. Mecamylamine (10 µM, nicotinic cholinergic receptor antagonist) reduced BLS-evoked IJPs by 50% but had no effect on electrically evoked IJPs. MRS 2179 (10 µM, a P2Y1 receptor antagonist) blocked BLS-evoked IJPs. MRS 2179 and Nω-nitro-l-arginine (100 µM, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) isolated the EJP, which was blocked by scopolamine (1 µM, muscarinic ACh receptor antagonist). Immunohistochemistry revealed ChAT expression in ~88% of enhanced YFP (eYFP)-expressing neurons, whereas 12% of eYFP neurons expressed nitric oxide synthase. These data show that cholinergic interneurons synapse with EMNs and IMNs to cause contraction and relaxation of colonic smooth muscle.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Electrical stimulation of interganglionic connectives has been used widely to study synaptic transmission in the enteric nervous system. However, electrical stimulation will activate many types of neurons and nerve fibers, which complicates data interpretation. Optogenetic activation of enteric neurons using genetically modified mice expressing channelrhodopsin-2 in cholinergic neurons offers a new approach that provides more specificity for nerve stimulation when studying myenteric plexus nerve circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James J. Galligan
- 1Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan,2Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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31
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Lackie RE, Razzaq AR, Farhan SMK, Qiu LR, Moshitzky G, Beraldo FH, Lopes MH, Maciejewski A, Gros R, Fan J, Choy WY, Greenberg DS, Martins VR, Duennwald ML, Lerch JP, Soreq H, Prado VF, Prado MAM. Modulation of hippocampal neuronal resilience during aging by the Hsp70/Hsp90 co-chaperone STI1. J Neurochem 2019; 153:727-758. [PMID: 31562773 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chaperone networks are dysregulated with aging, but whether compromised Hsp70/Hsp90 chaperone function disturbs neuronal resilience is unknown. Stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 (STI1; STIP1; HOP) is a co-chaperone that simultaneously interacts with Hsp70 and Hsp90, but whose function in vivo remains poorly understood. We combined in-depth analysis of chaperone genes in human datasets, analysis of a neuronal cell line lacking STI1 and of a mouse line with a hypomorphic Stip1 allele to investigate the requirement for STI1 in aging. Our experiments revealed that dysfunctional STI1 activity compromised Hsp70/Hsp90 chaperone network and neuronal resilience. The levels of a set of Hsp90 co-chaperones and client proteins were selectively affected by reduced levels of STI1, suggesting that their stability depends on functional Hsp70/Hsp90 machinery. Analysis of human databases revealed a subset of co-chaperones, including STI1, whose loss of function is incompatible with life in mammals, albeit they are not essential in yeast. Importantly, mice expressing a hypomorphic STI1 allele presented spontaneous age-dependent hippocampal neurodegeneration and reduced hippocampal volume, with consequent spatial memory deficit. We suggest that impaired STI1 function compromises Hsp70/Hsp90 chaperone activity in mammals and can by itself cause age-dependent hippocampal neurodegeneration in mice. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14749.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Lackie
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abdul R Razzaq
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sali M K Farhan
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and The Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lily R Qiu
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gilli Moshitzky
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Flavio H Beraldo
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marilene H Lopes
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Laboratory of Neurobiology and Stem cells, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrzej Maciejewski
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert Gros
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jue Fan
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wing-Yiu Choy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - David S Greenberg
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Vilma R Martins
- International Research Center, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Martin L Duennwald
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hermona Soreq
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Program in Neuroscience, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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32
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Nuclear Receptor Nr4a1 Regulates Striatal Striosome Development and Dopamine D 1 Receptor Signaling. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0305-19.2019. [PMID: 31541002 PMCID: PMC6787343 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0305-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The GABAergic medium-size spiny neuron (MSN), the striatal output neuron, may be classified into striosome, also known as patch, and matrix, based on neurochemical differences between the two compartments. At this time, little is known regarding the regulation of the development of the two compartments. Nr4a1, primarily described as a nuclear receptor/immediate early gene involved in the homeostasis of the dopaminergic system, is a striosomal marker. Using Nr4a1-overexpressing and Nr4a1-null mice, we sought to determine whether Nr4a1 is necessary and/or sufficient for striosome development. We report that in vivo and in vitro, Nr4a1 and Oprm1 mRNA levels are correlated. In the absence of Nr4a, there is a decrease in the percentage of striatal surface area occupied by striosomes. Alterations in Nr4a1 expression leads to dysregulation of multiple mRNAs of members of the dopamine receptor D1 signal transduction system. Constitutive overexpression of Nr4a1 decreases both the induction of phosphorylation of ERK after a single cocaine exposure and locomotor sensitization following chronic cocaine exposure. Nr4a1 overexpression increases MSN excitability but reduces MSN long-term potentiation. In the resting state, type 5 adenylyl cyclase (AC5) activity is normal, but the ability of AC5 to be activated by Drd1 G-protein-coupled receptor inputs is decreased. Our results support a role for Nr4a1 in determination of striatal patch/matrix structure and in regulation of dopaminoceptive neuronal function.
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33
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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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34
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Rocha-Resende C, Weinheimer C, Bajpai G, Adamo L, Matkovich SJ, Schilling J, Barger PM, Lavine KJ, Mann DL. Immunomodulatory role of non-neuronal cholinergic signaling in myocardial injury. JCI Insight 2019; 5:128961. [PMID: 31162139 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.128961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Whereas prior studies have demonstrated an important immunomodulatory role for the neuronal cholinergic system in the heart, the role of the non-neuronal cholinergic system is not well understood. To address the immunomodulatory role of the non-neuronal cholinergic system in the heart we used a previously validated diphtheria toxin (DT)-induced cardiomyocyte ablation model (Rosa26-DTMlc2v-Cre mice). DT-injected Rosa26-DTMlc2v-Cre mice were treated with diluent or Pyridostigmine Bromide (PYR), a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor. PYR treatment resulted in increased survival and decreased numbers of MHC-IIlowCCR2+ macrophages in DT-injected Rosa26-DTMlc2v-Cre mice compared to diluent treated Rosa26-DTMlc2v-Cre mice. Importantly, the expression of CCL2/7 mRNA and protein was reduced in the hearts of PYR-treated mice. Backcrossing Rosa26-DTMlc2v-Cre mice with a transgenic mouse line (Chat-ChR2) that constitutively overexpresses the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) resulted in decreased expression of Ccl2/7 mRNA and decreased numbers of CD68+ cells in DT-injured Rosa26-DTMlc2v-Cre/Chat-ChR2 mouse hearts, consistent with the pharmacologic studies with PYR. In vitro studies with cultures of LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages revealed a concentration-dependent reduction in CCL2 secretion following stimulation with ACh, nicotine and muscarine. Viewed together, these findings reveal a previously unappreciated immunomodulatory role for the non-neuronal cholinergic system in regulating homeostatic responses in the heart following tissue injury.
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35
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Cui ED, Strowbridge BW. Selective attenuation of Ether-a-go-go related K + currents by endogenous acetylcholine reduces spike-frequency adaptation and network correlation. eLife 2019; 8:e44954. [PMID: 31032798 PMCID: PMC6488300 DOI: 10.7554/elife.44954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Most neurons do not simply convert inputs into firing rates. Instead, moment-to-moment firing rates reflect interactions between synaptic inputs and intrinsic currents. Few studies investigated how intrinsic currents function together to modulate output discharges and which of the currents attenuated by synthetic cholinergic ligands are actually modulated by endogenous acetylcholine (ACh). In this study we optogenetically stimulated cholinergic fibers in rat neocortex and find that ACh enhances excitability by reducing Ether-à-go-go Related Gene (ERG) K+ current. We find ERG mediates the late phase of spike-frequency adaptation in pyramidal cells and is recruited later than both SK and M currents. Attenuation of ERG during coincident depolarization and ACh release leads to reduced late phase spike-frequency adaptation and persistent firing. In neuronal ensembles, attenuating ERG enhanced signal-to-noise ratios and reduced signal correlation, suggesting that these two hallmarks of cholinergic function in vivo may result from modulation of intrinsic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward D Cui
- Department of NeurosciencesCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandUnited States
| | - Ben W Strowbridge
- Department of NeurosciencesCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandUnited States
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36
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Lehner KR, Silverman HA, Addorisio ME, Roy A, Al-Onaizi MA, Levine Y, Olofsson PS, Chavan SS, Gros R, Nathanson NM, Al-Abed Y, Metz CN, Prado VF, Prado MAM, Tracey KJ, Pavlov VA. Forebrain Cholinergic Signaling Regulates Innate Immune Responses and Inflammation. Front Immunol 2019; 10:585. [PMID: 31024522 PMCID: PMC6455130 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain regulates physiological functions integral to survival. However, the insight into brain neuronal regulation of peripheral immune function and the neuromediator systems and pathways involved remains limited. Here, utilizing selective genetic and pharmacological approaches, we studied the role of forebrain cholinergic signaling in the regulation of peripheral immune function and inflammation. Forebrain-selective genetic ablation of acetylcholine release and vagotomy abolished the suppression of serum TNF by the centrally-acting cholinergic drug galantamine in murine endotoxemia. Selective stimulation of acetylcholine action on the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M1 mAChR) by central administration of the positive allosteric modulator benzyl quinolone carboxylic acid (BQCA) suppressed serum TNF (TNFα) levels in murine endotoxemia. This effect was recapitulated by peripheral administration of the compound. BQCA also improved survival in murine endotoxemia and these effects were abolished in M1 mAChR knockout (KO) mice. Selective optogenetic stimulation of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons innervating brain regions with abundant M1 mAChR localization reduced serum TNF in endotoxemic mice. These findings reveal that forebrain cholinergic neurons regulate innate immune responses and inflammation, suggesting the possibility that in diseases associated with cholinergic dysfunction, including Alzheimer's disease this anti-inflammatory regulation can be impaired. These results also suggest novel anti-inflammatory approaches based on targeting forebrain cholinergic signaling in sepsis and other disorders characterized by immune dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt R. Lehner
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
| | - Harold A. Silverman
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
- Center for Biomedical Science and Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Meghan E. Addorisio
- Center for Biomedical Science and Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Ashbeel Roy
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mohammed A. Al-Onaizi
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Yaakov Levine
- SetPoint Medical Corporation, Valencia, CA, United States
| | - Peder S. Olofsson
- Center for Biomedical Science and Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, Center for Bioelectronic Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sangeeta S. Chavan
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
- Center for Biomedical Science and Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Robert Gros
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Neil M. Nathanson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Yousef Al-Abed
- Center for Biomedical Science and Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Molecular Innovation, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Christine N. Metz
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
- Center for Biomedical Science and Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Vania F. Prado
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Marco A. M. Prado
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin J. Tracey
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
- Center for Biomedical Science and Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Valentin A. Pavlov
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
- Center for Biomedical Science and Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
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Janickova H, Kljakic O, Rosborough K, Raulic S, Matovic S, Gros R, Saksida LM, Bussey TJ, Inoue W, Prado VF, Prado MAM. Selective decrease of cholinergic signaling from pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei has little impact on cognition but markedly increases susceptibility to stress. FASEB J 2019; 33:7018-7036. [PMID: 30857416 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802108r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPT) and laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) are heterogeneous brainstem structures that contain cholinergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic neurons. PPT/LDT neurons are suggested to modulate both cognitive and noncognitive functions, yet the extent to which acetylcholine (ACh) signaling from the PPT/LDT is necessary for normal behavior remains uncertain. We addressed this issue by using a mouse model in which PPT/LDT cholinergic signaling is highly decreased by selective deletion of the vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT) gene. This approach interferes exclusively with ACh signaling, leaving signaling by other neurotransmitters from PPT/LDT cholinergic neurons intact and sparing other cells. VAChT mutants were examined on different PPT/LDT-associated cognitive domains. Interestingly, VAChT mutants showed no attentional deficits and only minor cognitive flexibility impairments while presenting large deficiencies in both spatial and cued Morris water maze (MWM) tasks. Conversely, working spatial memory determined with the Y-maze and spatial memory measured with the Barnes maze were not affected, suggesting that deficits in MWM were unrelated to spatial memory abnormalities. Supporting this interpretation, VAChT mutants exhibited alterations in anxiety-like behavior and increased corticosterone levels after exposure to the MWM, suggesting altered stress response. Thus, PPT/LDT VAChT-mutant mice present little cognitive impairment per se, yet they exhibit increased susceptibility to stress, which may lead to performance deficits in more stressful conditions.-Janickova, H., Kljakic, O., Rosborough, K., Raulic, S., Matovic, S., Gros, R., Saksida, L. M., Bussey, T. J., Inoue, W., Prado, V. F., Prado, M. A. M. Selective decrease of cholinergic signaling from pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei has little impact on cognition but markedly increases susceptibility to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Janickova
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ornela Kljakic
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kaie Rosborough
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sanda Raulic
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Matovic
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Robert Gros
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wataru Inoue
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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38
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Krol A, Lopez-Huerta VG, Corey TEC, Deisseroth K, Ting JT, Feng G. Two eARCHT3.0 Lines for Optogenetic Silencing of Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Neurons. Front Neural Circuits 2019; 13:4. [PMID: 30774584 PMCID: PMC6367884 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2019.00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons modulate and control processes ranging from reward signaling to regulation of motor outputs. Further, dysfunction of these neurons is involved in both degenerative and psychiatric disorders. Elucidating the roles of these neurons has been greatly facilitated by bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mouse lines expressing channelrhodopsin to readily enable cell-type specific activation. However, corresponding lines to silence these monoaminergic neurons have been lacking. We have generated two BAC transgenic mouse lines expressing the outward proton pump, enhanced ArchT3.0 (eArchT3.0), and GFP under control of the regulatory elements of either the dopamine transporter (DAT; Jax# 031663) or the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2; Jax# 031662) gene locus. We demonstrate highly faithful and specific expression of these lines in dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons respectively. Additionally we validate effective and sensitive eArchT3.0-mediated silencing of these neurons using slice electrophysiology as well as with a well-established behavioral assay. These new transgenic tools will help expedite the study of dopaminergic and serotonergic system function in normal behavior and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Krol
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Violeta G Lopez-Huerta
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Institute of Cellular Physiology, Department of Neurodevelopment and Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Taylor E C Corey
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Jonathan T Ting
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Human Cell Types, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
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39
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Arvin MC, Wokosin DL, Banala S, Lavis LD, Drenan RM. Probing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices via Laser Flash Photolysis of Photoactivatable Nicotine. J Vis Exp 2019. [PMID: 30735191 DOI: 10.3791/58873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) acts through receptors to modulate a variety of neuronal processes, but it has been challenging to link ACh receptor function with subcellular location within cells where this function is carried out. To study the subcellular location of nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) in native brain tissue, an optical method was developed for precise release of nicotine at discrete locations near neuronal membranes during electrophysiological recordings. Patch-clamped neurons in brain slices are filled with dye to visualize their morphology during 2-photon laser scanning microscopy, and nicotine uncaging is executed with a light flash by focusing a 405 nm laser beam near one or more cellular membranes. Cellular current deflections are measured, and a high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) image of the recorded neuron is made to allow reconciliation of nAChR responses with cellular morphology. This method allows for detailed analysis of nAChR functional distribution in complex tissue preparations, promising to enhance the understanding of cholinergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Arvin
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - David L Wokosin
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | | | - Luke D Lavis
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
| | - Ryan M Drenan
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine;
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40
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Membrane Potential Correlates of Network Decorrelation and Improved SNR by Cholinergic Activation in the Somatosensory Cortex. J Neurosci 2018; 38:10692-10708. [PMID: 30373769 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1159-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleus basalis (NB) projects cholinergic axons to the cortex, where they play a major role in arousal, attention, and learning. Cholinergic inputs shift cortical dynamics from synchronous to asynchronous and improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of sensory responses. However, the underlying mechanisms of these changes remain unclear. Using simultaneous extracellular and whole-cell patch recordings in layer 4 of the mouse barrel cortex, we show that electrical or optogenetic activation of the cholinergic system has a differential effect on ongoing and sensory evoked activities. Cholinergic activation profoundly reduced the large spontaneous fluctuations in membrane potential and decorrelated ongoing activity. However, NB stimulation had no effect on the response to whisker stimulation or on signal correlations. These effects of cholinergic activation provide a unified explanation for the increased SNR of sensory response and for the reduction in noise correlations and explain the shift into the desynchronized cortical state, which are the hallmarks of arousal and attention.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Attention increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of cortical sensory response, which may reflect either reduction in background firing rate or increased sensory response. Extracellular recordings showed that attention also reduces the correlation in network activity. These effects are partially mediated by cholinergic axons from the nucleus basalis projecting to the entire cortex. To reveal the cellular and synaptic correlates of these cholinergic effects, we performed simultaneous intracellular and LFP recordings in the somatosensory cortex. Global or local cholinergic activation increased the SNR of sensory response mainly by reducing the rate and amplitude of background synaptic activity and also reduced network correlations. Therefore, coding of sensory information is enhanced by the cholinergic system mainly due to a reduction in spontaneous activity.
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41
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Discharge and Role of Acetylcholine Pontomesencephalic Neurons in Cortical Activity and Sleep-Wake States Examined by Optogenetics and Juxtacellular Recording in Mice. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-CFN-0270-18. [PMID: 30225352 PMCID: PMC6140114 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0270-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) neurons in the pontomesencephalic tegmentum (PMT) are thought to play an important role in promoting cortical activation with waking (W) and paradoxical sleep [PS; or rapid eye movement (REM)], but have yet to be proven to do so by selective stimulation and simultaneous recording of identified ACh neurons. Here, we employed optogenetics combined with juxtacellular recording and labeling of neurons in transgenic (TG) mice expressing ChR2 in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-synthesizing neurons. We established in vitro then in vivo in anesthetized (A) and unanesthetized (UA), head-fixed mice that photostimulation elicited a spike with short latency in neurons which could be identified by immunohistochemical staining as ACh neurons within the laterodorsal (LDT)/sublaterodorsal (SubLDT) and pedunculopontine tegmental (PPT) nuclei. Continuous light pulse stimulation during sleep evoked tonic spiking by ACh neurons that elicited a shift from irregular slow wave activity to rhythmic θ and enhanced γ activity on the cortex without behavioral arousal. With θ frequency rhythmic light pulse stimulation, ACh neurons discharged in bursts that occurred in synchrony with evoked cortical θ. During natural sleep-wake states, they were virtually silent during slow wave sleep (SWS), discharged in bursts during PS and discharged tonically during W. Yet, their bursting during PS was not rhythmic or synchronized with cortical θ but associated with phasic whisker movements. We conclude that ACh PMT neurons promote θ and γ cortical activity during W and PS by their tonic or phasic discharge through release of ACh onto local neurons within the PMT and/or more distant targets in the hypothalamus and thalamus.
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42
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The Role of Cholinergic Midbrain Neurons in Startle and Prepulse Inhibition. J Neurosci 2018; 38:8798-8808. [PMID: 30171090 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0984-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the two major cholinergic centers of the mammalian brain is located in the midbrain, i.e., the pedunculopontine tegmentum (PPTg) and the adjacent laterodorsal tegmentum. These cholinergic neurons have been shown to be important for e.g., arousal, reward associations, and sleep. They also have been suggested to mediate sensorimotor gating, measured as prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI). PPI disruptions are a hallmark of schizophrenia and are observed in various other psychiatric disorders, where they are associated with, and often predictive of, other cognitive symptoms. PPI has been proposed to be mediated by a short midbrain circuitry including inhibitory cholinergic projections from PPTg to the startle pathway. Although the data indicating the involvement of the PPTg is very robust, some more recent evidence challenges that there is a cholinergic contribution to PPI. We here use transient optogenetic activation of specifically the cholinergic PPTg neurons in male and female rats to address their role in startle modulation in general, and in PPI specifically. Although we could confirm the crucial role of PPTg cholinergic neurons in associative reward learning, validating our experimental approach, we found that activation of cholinergic PPTg neurons did not inhibit startle responses. In contrast, activation of cholinergic PPTg neurons enhanced startle, which is in accordance with their general role in arousal and indicate a potential involvement in sensitization of startle. We conclude that noncholinergic PPTg neurons mediate PPI in contrast to the longstanding hypothetical view that PPI is mediated by cholinergic PPTg neurons.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Activation of cholinergic neurons in the midbrain has been assumed to mediate prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI), a common measure of sensorimotor gating that is disrupted in schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. We here revisit this long-standing hypothesis using optogenetic activation of these specific neurons combined with startle testing in rats. In contrast to the hypothetical role of these neurons in startle modulation, we show that their activation leads to an increase of baseline startle and to prepulse facilitation. This supports recent data by others that have started to cast some doubt on the cholinergic hypothesis of PPI, and calls for a revision of the theoretical construct of PPI mechanisms.
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Kolisnyk B, Al-Onaizi M, Soreq L, Barbash S, Bekenstein U, Haberman N, Hanin G, Kish MT, Souza da Silva J, Fahnestock M, Ule J, Soreq H, Prado VF, Prado MAM. Cholinergic Surveillance over Hippocampal RNA Metabolism and Alzheimer's-Like Pathology. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:3553-3567. [PMID: 27312991 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between long-term cholinergic dysfunction and risk of developing dementia is poorly understood. Here we used mice with deletion of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) in the forebrain to model cholinergic abnormalities observed in dementia. Whole-genome RNA sequencing of hippocampal samples revealed that cholinergic failure causes changes in RNA metabolism. Remarkably, key transcripts related to Alzheimer's disease are affected. BACE1, for instance, shows abnormal splicing caused by decreased expression of the splicing regulator hnRNPA2/B1. Resulting BACE1 overexpression leads to increased APP processing and accumulation of soluble Aβ1-42. This is accompanied by age-related increases in GSK3 activation, tau hyperphosphorylation, caspase-3 activation, decreased synaptic markers, increased neuronal death, and deteriorating cognition. Pharmacological inhibition of GSK3 hyperactivation reversed deficits in synaptic markers and tau hyperphosphorylation induced by cholinergic dysfunction, indicating a key role for GSK3 in some of these pathological changes. Interestingly, in human brains there was a high correlation between decreased levels of VAChT and hnRNPA2/B1 levels with increased tau hyperphosphorylation. These results suggest that changes in RNA processing caused by cholinergic loss can facilitate Alzheimer's-like pathology in mice, providing a mechanism by which decreased cholinergic tone may increase risk of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammed Al-Onaizi
- Robarts Research Institute.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
| | - Lilach Soreq
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Shahar Barbash
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science and The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Edmond J Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Uriya Bekenstein
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science and The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Edmond J Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Nejc Haberman
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Geula Hanin
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science and The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Edmond J Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Maxine T Kish
- Robarts Research Institute.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
| | | | - Margaret Fahnestock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, CanadaL8S 4K1
| | - Jernej Ule
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Hermona Soreq
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science and The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Edmond J Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
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44
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Synaptic Release of Acetylcholine Rapidly Suppresses Cortical Activity by Recruiting Muscarinic Receptors in Layer 4. J Neurosci 2018; 38:5338-5350. [PMID: 29739869 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0566-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic afferents from the basal forebrain (BF) can influence cortical activity on rapid time scales, enabling sensory information processing and exploratory behavior. However, our understanding of how synaptically released acetylcholine (ACh) influences cellular targets in distinct cortical layers remains incomplete. Previous studies have shown that rapid changes in cortical dynamics induced by phasic BF activity can be mediated by the activation of nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) expressed in distinct types of GABAergic interneurons. In contrast, muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChRs) are assumed to be involved in slower and more diffuse ACh signaling following sustained increases in afferent activity. Here, we examined the mechanisms underlying fast cholinergic control of cortical circuit dynamics by pairing optical stimulation of cholinergic afferents with evoked activity in somatosensory cortical slices of mice of either sex. ACh release evoked by single stimuli led to a rapid and persistent suppression of cortical activity, mediated by mAChRs expressed in layer 4 and to a lesser extent, by nAChRs in layers 1-3. In agreement, we found that cholinergic inputs to layer 4 evoked short-latency and long-lasting mAChR-dependent inhibition of the large majority of excitatory neurons, whereas inputs to layers 1-3 primarily evoked nAChR-dependent excitation of different classes of interneurons. Our results indicate that the rapid cholinergic control of cortical network dynamics is mediated by both nAChRs and mAChRs-dependent mechanisms, which are expressed in distinct cortical layers and cell types.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Acetylcholine (ACh) release from basal forebrain (BF) afferents to cortex influences a variety of cognitive functions including attention, sensory processing, and learning. Cholinergic control occurs on the time scale of seconds and is mediated by BF neurons that generate action potentials at low rates, indicating that ACh acts as a point-to-point neurotransmitter. Our findings highlight that even brief activation of cholinergic afferents can recruit both nicotinic and muscarinic ACh receptors expressed in several cell types, leading to modulation of cortical activity on distinct time scales. Furthermore, they indicate that the initial stages of cortical sensory processing are under direct cholinergic control.
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Al-Onaizi MA, Parfitt GM, Kolisnyk B, Law CSH, Guzman MS, Barros DM, Leung LS, Prado MAM, Prado VF. Regulation of Cognitive Processing by Hippocampal Cholinergic Tone. Cereb Cortex 2018; 27:1615-1628. [PMID: 26803167 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhv349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic dysfunction has been associated with cognitive abnormalities in a variety of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Here we tested how information processing is regulated by cholinergic tone in genetically modified mice targeting the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), a protein required for acetylcholine release. We measured long-term potentiation of Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in vivo and assessed information processing by using a mouse touchscreen version of paired associates learning task (PAL). Acquisition of information in the mouse PAL task correlated to levels of hippocampal VAChT, suggesting a critical role for cholinergic tone. Accordingly, synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus in vivo was disturbed, but not completely abolished, by decreased hippocampal cholinergic signaling. Disrupted forebrain cholinergic signaling also affected working memory, a result reproduced by selectively decreasing VAChT in the hippocampus. In contrast, spatial memory was relatively preserved, whereas reversal spatial memory was sensitive to decreased hippocampal cholinergic signaling. This work provides a refined roadmap of how synaptically secreted acetylcholine influences distinct behaviors and suggests that distinct forms of cognitive processing may be regulated in different ways by cholinergic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gustavo M Parfitt
- Robarts Research Institute.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Fisiologia Animal Comparada, Laboratório de Neurociências (FURG), Brazil
| | | | - Clayton S H Law
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A5K8
| | - Monica S Guzman
- Robarts Research Institute.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
| | - Daniela Martí Barros
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Fisiologia Animal Comparada, Laboratório de Neurociências (FURG), Brazil
| | - L Stan Leung
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, CanadaN6A5K8
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience and.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience and.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5K8
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46
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Baker AL, O'Toole RJ, Gulledge AT. Preferential cholinergic excitation of corticopontine neurons. J Physiol 2018; 596:1659-1679. [PMID: 29330867 DOI: 10.1113/jp275194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Phasic activation of M1 muscarinic receptors generates transient inhibition followed by longer lasting excitation in neocortical pyramidal neurons. Corticopontine neurons in the mouse prefrontal cortex exhibit weaker cholinergic inhibition, but more robust and longer lasting excitation, than neighbouring callosal projection neurons. Optogenetic release of endogenous ACh in response to single flashes of light (5 ms) preferentially enhances the excitability of corticopontine neurons for many tens of seconds. Cholinergic excitation of corticopontine neurons involves at least three ionic mechanisms: suppression of KV 7 currents, activation of the calcium-dependent non-specific cation conductance underlying afterdepolarizations, and activation of what appears to be a calcium-sensitive but calcium-permeable non-specific cation conductance. Preferential cholinergic excitation of prefrontal corticopontine neurons may facilitate top-down attentional processes and behaviours. ABSTRACT Pyramidal neurons in layer 5 of the neocortex comprise two broad classes of projection neurons: corticofugal neurons, including corticopontine (CPn) neurons, and intratelencephalic neurons, including commissural/callosal (COM) neurons. These non-overlapping neuron subpopulations represent discrete cortical output channels contributing to perception, decision making and behaviour. CPn and COM neurons have distinct morphological and physiological characteristics, and divergent responses to modulatory transmitters such as serotonin and acetylcholine (ACh). To better understand how ACh regulates cortical output, in slices of mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC) we compared the responsivity of CPn and COM neurons to transient exposure to exogenous or endogenous ACh. In both neuron subtypes, exogenous ACh generated qualitatively similar biphasic responses in which brief hyperpolarization was followed by longer lasting enhancement of excitability. However, cholinergic inhibition was more pronounced in COM neurons, while excitatory responses were larger and longer lasting in CPn neurons. Similarly, optically triggered release of endogenous ACh from cholinergic terminals preferentially and persistently (for ∼40 s) enhanced the excitability of CPn neurons, but had little impact on COM neurons. Cholinergic excitation of CPn neurons involved at least three distinct ionic mechanisms: suppression of KV 7 channels (the 'M-current'), activation of the calcium-dependent non-specific cation conductance underlying afterdepolarizations, and activation of what appears to be a calcium-sensitive but calcium-permeable non-specific cation conductance. Our findings demonstrate projection-specific selectivity in cholinergic signalling in the PFC, and suggest that transient release of ACh during behaviour will preferentially promote corticofugal output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arielle L Baker
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Ryan J O'Toole
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Allan T Gulledge
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
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47
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Altered Baseline and Nicotine-Mediated Behavioral and Cholinergic Profiles in ChAT-Cre Mouse Lines. J Neurosci 2018; 38:2177-2188. [PMID: 29371319 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1433-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent development of transgenic rodent lines expressing cre recombinase in a cell-specific manner, along with advances in engineered viral vectors, has permitted in-depth investigations into circuit function. However, emerging evidence has begun to suggest that genetic modifications may introduce unexpected caveats. In the current studies, we sought to extensively characterize male and female mice from both the ChAT(BAC)-Cre mouse line, created with the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) method, and ChAT(IRES)-Cre mouse line, generated with the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) method. ChAT(BAC)-Cre transgenic and wild-type mice did not differ in general locomotor behavior, anxiety measures, drug-induced cataplexy, nicotine-mediated hypolocomotion, or operant food training. However, ChAT(BAC)-Cre transgenic mice did exhibit significant deficits in intravenous nicotine self-administration, which paralleled an increase in vesicular acetylcholine transporter and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) hippocampal expression. For the ChAT(IRES)-Cre line, transgenic mice exhibited deficits in baseline locomotor, nicotine-mediated hypolocomotion, and operant food training compared with wild-type and hemizygous littermates. No differences among ChAT(IRES)-Cre wild-type, hemizygous, and transgenic littermates were found in anxiety measures, drug-induced cataplexy, and nicotine self-administration. Given that increased cre expression was present in the ChAT(IRES)-Cre transgenic mice, as well as a decrease in ChAT expression in the hippocampus, altered neuronal function may underlie behavioral phenotypes. In contrast, ChAT(IRES)-Cre hemizygous mice were more similar to wild-type mice in both protein expression and the majority of behavioral assessments. As such, interpretation of data derived from ChAT-Cre rodents must consider potential limitations dependent on the line and/or genotype used in research investigations.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Altered baseline and/or nicotine-mediated behavioral profiles were discovered in transgenic mice from the ChAT(BAC)-Cre and ChAT(IRES)-Cre lines. Given that these cre-expressing mice have become increasingly used by the scientific community, either independently with chemicogenetic and optogenetic viral vectors or crossed with other transgenic lines, the current studies highlight important considerations for the interpretation of data from previous and future experimental investigations. Moreover, the current findings detail the behavioral effects of either increased or decreased baseline cholinergic signaling mechanisms on locomotor, anxiety, learning/memory, and intravenous nicotine self-administration behaviors.
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Haam J, Yakel JL. Cholinergic modulation of the hippocampal region and memory function. J Neurochem 2017; 142 Suppl 2:111-121. [PMID: 28791706 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) plays an important role in memory function and has been implicated in aging-related dementia, in which the impairment of hippocampus-dependent learning strongly manifests. Cholinergic neurons densely innervate the hippocampus, mediating the formation of episodic as well as semantic memory. Here, we will review recent findings on acetylcholine's modulation of memory function, with a particular focus on hippocampus-dependent learning, and the circuits involved. In addition, we will discuss the complexity of ACh actions in memory function to better understand the physiological role of ACh in memory. This is an article for the special issue XVth International Symposium on Cholinergic Mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhee Haam
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Jerrel L Yakel
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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López-Hernández GY, Ananth M, Jiang L, Ballinger EC, Talmage DA, Role LW. Electrophysiological properties of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons identified by genetic and optogenetic tagging. J Neurochem 2017; 142 Suppl 2:103-110. [PMID: 28791701 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Recent developments in the generation of neuronal population-specific, genetically modified mouse lines have allowed precise identification and selective stimulation of cholinergic neurons in vivo. Although considerably less laborious than studies conducted with post hoc identification of cholinergic neurons by immunostaining, it is not known whether the genetically based labeling procedures that permit in vivo identification are electrophysiologically benign. In this study, we use mice carrying a bacterial artificial chromosome transgene that drives expression of a tau-green fluorescent fusion protein specifically in cholinergic neurons. This allowed us to visualize basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in acute slice preparations. Using whole cell, patch clamp electrophysiological recording in acute brain slices, here we present original data about the basic electrical properties of these genetically tagged cholinergic neurons including firing rate, resting membrane potential, rheobase, and various characteristics of their action potentials and after-hyperpolarization potentials. The basic electrical properties are compared (i) with non-cholinergic neurons in the same brain regions; (ii) in cholinergic neurons between immature animals and young adults; and (iii) with cholinergic neurons that are expressing light-sensitive channels. Our conclusions based on these data are (i) cholinergic neurons are less excitable then their non-cholinergic neighbors, (ii) the basic properties of cholinergic neurons do not significantly change between adolescence and young adulthood and (iii) these properties are not significantly affected by chronic expression of the excitatory opsin, oChIEF. This is an article for the special issue XVth International Symposium on Cholinergic Mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen Y López-Hernández
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Center for Nervous System Disorders, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Mala Ananth
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Center for Nervous System Disorders, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Program in Neurosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Center for Nervous System Disorders, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Ballinger
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Center for Nervous System Disorders, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Program in Neurosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - David A Talmage
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Center for Nervous System Disorders, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Lorna W Role
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,Center for Nervous System Disorders, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Cell-Specific Cholinergic Modulation of Excitability of Layer 5B Principal Neurons in Mouse Auditory Cortex. J Neurosci 2017; 36:8487-99. [PMID: 27511019 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0780-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The neuromodulator acetylcholine (ACh) is crucial for several cognitive functions, such as perception, attention, and learning and memory. Whereas, in most cases, the cellular circuits or the specific neurons via which ACh exerts its cognitive effects remain unknown, it is known that auditory cortex (AC) neurons projecting from layer 5B (L5B) to the inferior colliculus, corticocollicular neurons, are required for cholinergic-mediated relearning of sound localization after occlusion of one ear. Therefore, elucidation of the effects of ACh on the excitability of corticocollicular neurons will bridge the cell-specific and cognitive properties of ACh. Because AC L5B contains another class of neurons that project to the contralateral cortex, corticocallosal neurons, to identify the cell-specific mechanisms that enable corticocollicular neurons to participate in sound localization relearning, we investigated the effects of ACh release on both L5B corticocallosal and corticocollicular neurons. Using in vitro electrophysiology and optogenetics in mouse brain slices, we found that ACh generated nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR)-mediated depolarizing potentials and muscarinic ACh receptor (mAChR)-mediated hyperpolarizing potentials in AC L5B corticocallosal neurons. In corticocollicular neurons, ACh release also generated nAChR-mediated depolarizing potentials. However, in contrast to the mAChR-mediated hyperpolarizing potentials in corticocallosal neurons, ACh generated prolonged mAChR-mediated depolarizing potentials in corticocollicular neurons. These prolonged depolarizing potentials generated persistent firing in corticocollicular neurons, whereas corticocallosal neurons lacking mAChR-mediated depolarizing potentials did not show persistent firing. We propose that ACh-mediated persistent firing in corticocollicular neurons may represent a critical mechanism required for learning-induced plasticity in AC. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Acetylcholine (ACh) is crucial for cognitive functions. Whereas in most cases the cellular circuits or the specific neurons via which ACh exerts its cognitive effects remain unknown, it is known that auditory cortex (AC) corticocollicular neurons projecting from layer 5B to the inferior colliculus are required for cholinergic-mediated relearning of sound localization after occlusion of one ear. Therefore, elucidation of the effects of ACh on the excitability of corticocollicular neurons will bridge the cell-specific and cognitive properties of ACh. Our results suggest that cell-specific ACh-mediated persistent firing in corticocollicular neurons may represent a critical mechanism required for learning-induced plasticity in AC. Moreover, our results provide synaptic mechanisms via which ACh may mediate its effects on AC receptive fields.
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