Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors regulate the vulnerability to hypoxic brain damage

The dynamic transcriptomic response of the goldfish brain under chronic hypoxia

Oxygen is essential to fuel aerobic metabolism. Some species evolved mechanisms to tolerate periods of severe hypoxia and even anoxia in their environment. Among them, goldfish (Carassius auratus) are unique, in that they do not enter a comatose state under severely hypoxic conditions. There is thus significant interest in the field of comparative physiology to uncover the mechanistic basis underlying hypoxia tolerance in goldfish, with a particular focus on the brain. Taking advantage of the recently published and annotated goldfish genome, we profile the transcriptomic response of the goldfish brain under normoxic (21 kPa oxygen saturation) and, following gradual reduction, constant hypoxic conditions after 1 and 4 weeks (2.1 kPa oxygen saturation). In addition to analyzing differentially expressed protein-coding genes and enriched pathways, we also profile differentially expressed microRNAs (miRs). Using in silico approaches, we identify possible miR-mRNA relationships. Differentially expressed transcripts compared to normoxia were either common to both timepoints of hypoxia exposure (n = 174 mRNAs; n = 6 miRs), or exclusive to 1-week (n = 441 mRNAs; n = 23 miRs) or 4-week hypoxia exposure (n = 491 mRNAs; n = 34 miRs). Under chronic hypoxia, an increasing number of transcripts, including those of paralogous genes, was downregulated over time, suggesting a decrease in transcription. GO-terms related to the vascular system, oxidative stress, stress signalling, oxidoreductase activity, nucleotide- and intermediary metabolism, and mRNA posttranscriptional regulation were found to be enriched under chronic hypoxia. Known 'hypoxamiRs', such as miR-210-3p/5p, and miRs such as miR-29b-3p likely contribute to posttranscriptional regulation of these pathways under chronic hypoxia in the goldfish brain.

Impairments in the early consolidation of spatial memories via group II mGluR agonism in the mammillary bodies

mGluR2 receptors are widely expressed in limbic brain regions associated with memory, including the hippocampal formation, retrosplenial and frontal cortices, as well as subcortical regions including the mammillary bodies. mGluR2/3 agonists have been proposed as potential therapeutics for neurological and psychiatric disorders, however, there is still little known about the role of these receptors in cognitive processes, including memory consolidation. To address this, we assessed the effect of the mGluR2/3 agonist, eglumetad, on spatial memory consolidation in both mice and rats. Using the novel place preference paradigm, we found that post-sample injections of eglumetad impaired subsequent spatial discrimination when tested 6 h later. Using the immediate early gene c-fos as a marker of neural activity, we showed that eglumetad injections reduced activity in a network of limbic brain regions including the hippocampus and mammillary bodies. To determine whether the systemic effects could be replicated with more targeted manipulations, we performed post-sample infusions of the mGluR2/3 agonist 2R,4R-APDC into the mammillary bodies. This impaired novelty discrimination on a place preference task and an object-in-place task, again highlighting the role of mGluR2/3 transmission in memory consolidation and demonstrating the crucial involvement of the mammillary bodies in post-encoding processing of spatial information.

Effects of hypoxia on the gill morphological structure, apoptosis and hypoxia-related gene expression in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

The blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) is a typical hypoxia-sensitive fish, and hypoxia stress leads to reduced vitality and yield during aquaculture. To explore the specific adaptation mechanism under hypoxia, the blunt snout bream was treated with hypoxia (DO = 2.0 ± 0.1 mg/L) for 24 h, followed by 3 h of recovery. Our results depicted that the gill filament structure of blunt snout bream changed after hypoxia. During hypoxia for 24 h, the gill filament structure was altered, including a more than 80% expansion of the lamellar respiratory surface area and a proportionate apoptosis decrease in interlamellar cell mass (ILCM) volume. Thus, the water-blood diffusion distance was shortened to less than 46%. During hypoxia for 24 h, the activity of ROS in gill tissue increased significantly (p < 0.05), while the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased significantly (p < 0.05). During hypoxia, mRNA expression level of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 in the gills of blunt snout bream decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while the expression of pro-apoptotic gene Bax mRNA increased significantly (p < 0.05). Thus, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA increased in the gills of blunt snout bream to promote the activity of Caspase-3. Together, our results indicated hypoxia-induced apoptosis in the gills of blunt snout bream through the mitochondrial pathway. In addition, a decreased expression of Phd1 and an increased expression of Hif-1α in gills under hypoxia stress indicates that blunt snout bream may cope with hypoxia-induced apoptosis by enhancing the HIF pathway. These results provide new insights into fish's adaptation strategies and mechanisms of hypoxia.

Fipronil impairs the GABAergic brain responses of Nile Tilapia during the transition from normoxia to acute hypoxia

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is one of the main neurotransmitters involved in the adaptation processes against the damage that hypoxia can cause to the brain. Due to its antagonist action on GABA receptors, the insecticide fipronil can turn the fish more susceptible to the negative effects of hypoxia. This study aimed to understand better if fipronil affects these GABAergic responses of Tilapia ahead to hypoxia. Oreochromis Niloticus (Nile Tilapia) were exposed for 3 and 8 h to fipronil (0.0, 0.1, and 0.5 µg.L^-1 ) under normoxia (dissolved O₂  > 6 mg.L^-1 ) and moderate hypoxia (dissolved O₂  < 2 mg.L^-1 ) conditions. Briefly, hypoxia caused opposite effects on the gene transcription of the evaluated ionotropic and metabotropic GABA receptors. Unexpectedly, we obtained reduced HIF1A mRNA and brain GABA levels, mostly in the first 3 h of the experiment, for the hypoxic group compared with the normoxia one. Besides that, we also demonstrated that the insecticide fipronil impairs the brain GABAergic signaling of a hypoxia-tolerant fish during the transition from a normoxic to an acute hypoxic state. Thus, these results predict the relevant impact on the brain metabolic adaptations of fishes exposed to such stressful conditions in an aquatic environment, as well as the effects of fipronil in the GABAergic responses to hypoxia, which in turn may have ecological and physiological significance to hypoxia-tolerant fishes exposed to this insecticide.

Group II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Reduce Apoptosis and Regulate BDNF and GDNF Levels in Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury in Neonatal Rats

Birth asphyxia causes brain injury in neonates, but a fully successful treatment has yet to be developed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of group II mGlu receptors activation after experimental birth asphyxia (hypoxia-ischemia) on the expression of factors involved in apoptosis and neuroprotective neurotrophins. Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) on 7-day-old rats was used as an experimental model. The effects of intraperitoneal application of mGluR2 agonist LY379268 (5 mg/kg) and the specific mGluR3 agonist NAAG (5 mg/kg) (1 h or 6 h after HI) on apoptotic processes and initiation of the neuroprotective mechanism were investigated. LY379268 and NAAG applied shortly after HI prevented brain damage and significantly decreased pro-apoptotic Bax and HtrA2/Omi expression, increasing expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. NAAG or LY379268 applied at both times also decreased HIF-1α formation. HI caused a significant decrease in BDNF concentration, which was restored after LY379268 or NAAG administration. HI-induced increase in GDNF concentration was decreased after administration of LY379268 or NAAG. Our results show that activation of mGluR2/3 receptors shortly after HI prevents brain damage by the inhibition of excessive glutamate release and apoptotic damage decrease. mGluR2 and mGluR3 agonists produced comparable results, indicating that both receptors may be a potential target for early treatment in neonatal HI.

Application of transcriptome analysis to understand the adverse effects of hydrogen peroxide exposure on brain function in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), as a common disinfectant, has been extensively used in aquaculture. The toxicity of high ambient H₂O₂ for gills and liver of fish has received attention from many researchers. However, whether H₂O₂ exposure induced brain injury and neurotoxicity has not been reported in fish. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential mechanism of H₂O₂ toxicity in brain of common carp via transcriptome analysis and biochemical parameter detection. The fish were exposed to 0 (control) and 1 mM of H₂O₂ for 1 h per day lasting 14 days. The results showed that H₂O₂ exposure caused oxidative damage in brain evidenced by decreased glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) levels, and increased formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Meanwhile, H₂O₂ exposure reduced 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level, and down-regulated tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (tph1a), tph2, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1A-beta (htr1ab) and htr2b expression in brain. Transcriptome analysis showed that H₂O₂ exposure up-regulated 604 genes and down-regulated 1209 genes in brain. Go enrichment displayed that the differently expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched mainly in cellular process, single-organism process, metabolic process, and biological regulation in the biological process category. Further, KEGG enrichment indicated that H₂O₂ exposure led to dysregulation of neurotransmitter signals including depression of glutamatergic synapse, GABAergic synapse and endocannabinoid signaling. Also, we found the alteration of three key pathways including calcium, cAMP and HIF-1 in brain after H₂O₂ exposure. In conclusion, our data indicated that H₂O₂ exposure induced oxidative damage and neurotoxicity, possibly related to dysregulation of neurotransmitters and calcium, cAMP and HIF-1 signaling pathways, which may adversely affect learning, memory and social responses of common carp. This study provided novel insight into biological effects and underlying mechanism of H₂O₂ toxicity in aquatic animal, and contributed to proper application of H₂O₂ in aquaculture.

Pretreatment with mGluR2 or mGluR3 Agonists Reduces Apoptosis Induced by Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Rat Brains

Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in an immature brain results in energy depletion and excessive glutamate release resulting in excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. An increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induces apoptotic processes resulting in neuronal death. Activation of group II mGluR was shown to prevent neuronal damage after HI. The application of agonists of mGluR3 (N-acetylaspartylglutamate; NAAG) or mGluR2 (LY379268) inhibits the release of glutamate and reduces neurodegeneration in a neonatal rat model of HI, although the exact mechanism is not fully recognized. In the present study, the effects of NAAG (5 mg/kg) and LY379268 (5 mg/kg) application (24 h or 1 h before experimental birth asphyxia) on apoptotic processes as the potential mechanism of neuroprotection in 7-day-old rats were investigated. Intraperitoneal application of NAAG or LY379268 at either time point before HI significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the CA1 region of the ischemic brain hemisphere. Both agonists reduced expression of the proapoptotic Bax protein and increased expression of Bcl-2. Decreases in HI-induced caspase-9 and caspase-3 activity were also observed. Application of NAAG or LY379268 24 h or 1 h before HI reduced HIF-1α formation likely by reducing ROS levels. It was shown that LY379268 concentration remains at a level that is required for activation of mGluR2 for up to 24 h; however, NAAG is quickly metabolized by glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) into glutamate and N-acetyl-aspartate. The observed effect of LY379268 application 24 h or 1 h before HI is connected with direct activation of mGluR2 and inhibition of glutamate release. Based on the data presented in this study and on our previous findings, we conclude that the neuroprotective effect of NAAG applied 1 h before HI is most likely the result of a combination of mGluR3 and NMDA receptor activation, whereas the beneficial effects of NAAG pretreatment 24 h before HI can be explained by the activation of NMDA receptors and induction of the antioxidative/antiapoptotic defense system triggered by mild excitotoxicity in neurons. This response to NAAG pretreatment is consistent with the commonly accepted mechanism of preconditioning.

Apoptosis in fish: environmental factors and programmed cell death

Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is a critical component in maintaining homeostasis and growth in all tissues and plays a significant role in immunity and cytotoxicity. In contrast to necrosis or traumatic cell death, apoptosis is a well-controlled and vital process characterized mainly by cytoplasmic shrinkage, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies. Our understanding of apoptosis is partly based on observations in invertebrates but mainly in mammals. Despite the great advantages of fish models in studying vertebrate development and diseases and the tremendous interest observed in recent years, reports on apoptosis in fish are still limited. Although apoptotic machinery is well conserved between aquatic and terrestrial organisms throughout the history of evolution, some differences exist in key components of apoptotic pathways. Core parts of apoptotic machinery in fish are virtually expressed as equivalent to the mammalian models. Some differences are, however, evident, such as the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis including lack of a C-terminal region in the Fas-associated protein with a death domain in fish. Aquatic species inhabit a complex and highly fluctuating environment, making these species good examples to reveal features of apoptosis that may not be easily investigated in mammals. Therefore, in order to gain a wider view on programmed cell death in fish, interactions between the main environmental factors, chemicals and apoptosis are discussed in this review. It is indicated that apoptosis can be induced in fish by exposure to environmental stressors during different stages of the fish life cycle.

mGlu3 receptor and astrocytes: partners in neuroprotection

Astrocytes are currently studied intensively because of their now highlighted relevance as key players with neurons that modulate a wide range of central functions, from synaptic plasticity and synaptogenesis to regulation of metabolic and neuroinflammatory processes. Since the discovery of mGlu3 receptors on astrocytes, accumulating evidence supports a role of these receptors not only in maintaining synaptic homeostasis and treating psychiatric disorders but also in promoting astrocyte survival in several pathologic conditions. This review focuses on providing up-to-date knowledge regarding effects of activating astroglial mGlu3 receptors on psychiatric disorders, astrocyte and neuronal survival, and neurodegenerative diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors'.

Group II metabotropic glutamate receptor activation by agonist LY379268 treatment increases the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor in the mouse brain

A number of in vitro and in vivo studies using selective agonists have indicated a neuroprotective role for group-II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu2/3) receptors in various models of neuronal injury. Although an interplay among neurotrophic factors and mGlu2/3 receptors signalling system has been suggested as possible mechanism involved on neuroprotection, at present poor information are available concerning the in vivo regulation by mGlu2/3 receptors activation of specific neurotrophic factors. By using in situ hybridization and western blotting methods the aim of present study was to analyse the potential regulatory role of selective mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 treatment on brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the mouse brain. The treatment with LY379268 evidenced a significant upregulation of BDNF mRNA levels in the cerebral cortex and in the hippocampal formation with a peak at 3 h from treatment and its disappearance already at 6 h from treatment. An analysis of dose-effect curve revealed that LY379268 may significantly enhance BDNF mRNA expression already at dose of 0.250 mg/kg b.w. The upregulation of BDNF mRNA expression was followed by a significant increase of BDNF protein levels at 24 h from LY379268 treatment. These effects of LY379268 treatment on BDNF expression were restricted to neuronal cells and were blocked by the new selective mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist LY341495, suggesting a receptor specificity. Taken together these findings suggest that several previous observed neuroprotective and trophic actions of mGluR2/3 agonists treatment may be mediated, at least in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation, by upregulation of BDNF expression.

AMPA and metabotropic excitoxicity explain subplate neuron vulnerability

Cerebral hypoxia-ischemia results in unique patterns of injury during development owing to selective vulnerability of specific cell populations including subplate neurons. To evaluate the contribution of glutamate excitotoxicity, we studied enriched cultures of subplate neurons in comparison with cortical neurons, deriving expression profiles for glutamate receptor subunits by microarray and immunoblot. The excitotoxic potency of specific glutamate receptors was tested with selective agonists and antagonists. After 1 week in culture, subplate neurons are more sensitive to oxygen-glucose deprivation than cortical neurons, confirming in vivo observations. Subplate and cortical neurons are equally sensitive to glutamate and insensitive to NMDA. Subplate neurons are more sensitive than cortical neurons to AMPA and express twofold less GluR2. Subplate neurons express significantly more mGluR3, a receptor proposed to be protective. Despite this increased expression, group II mGluR agonists increase subplate neuron death and antagonists lessen glutamate excitotoxicity, suggesting a novel mechanism for subplate vulnerability.

Fish as model systems for the study of vertebrate apoptosis

Apoptosis is a process of pivotal importance for multi-cellular organisms and due to its implication in the development of cancer and degenerative disease it is intensively studied in humans and mammalian model systems. Invertebrate models of apoptosis have been well-studied, especially in C. elegans and D. melanogaster, but as these are evolutionarily distant from mammals the relevance of findings for human research is sometimes limited. Presently, a non-mammalian vertebrate model for studying apoptosis is missing. However, in the past few years an increasing number of studies on cell death in fish have been published and thus new model systems may emerge. This review aims at highlighting the most important of these findings, showing similarities and dissimilarities between fish and mammals, and will suggest topics for future research. In addition, the outstanding usefulness of fish as research models will be pointed out, hoping to spark future research on this exciting, often underrated group of vertebrates.

The preclinical properties of a novel group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist LY379268

Activation of group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu2/3) receptors reduces excessive glutamate release that is often associated with neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. This finding encouraged the search for potent and selective agonists as potential therapeutic agents. The search led to the discovery of LY379268 {(-)-2-oxa-4-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-4,6-dicarboxylic acid}, which is a highly potent and systemically available mGlu2/3 receptor agonist. LY379268 was effective in several animal models of stroke, epilepsy, drug abuse, schizophrenia, and pain. Suppression of motor activity is the major side effect of LY379268. Upon repeated administration tolerance develops to this side effect, while the therapeutic effects of LY379268 remain. To date, no clinical data with LY379268 are available. This review article summarizes the preclinical pharmacology of LY379268.

Localization of metabotropic glutamate receptors in the outer plexiform layer of the goldfish retina

We studied the localization of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in the goldfish outer plexiform layer by light-and electron-microscopical immunohistochemistry. The mGluR1alpha antibody labeled putative ON-type bipolar cell dendrites and horizontal cell processes in both rod spherules and cone triads. Immunolabeling for mGluR2/3 was absent in the rod synaptic complex but was found at horizontal cell dendrites directly opposing the cone synaptic ribbon. The mGluR5 antibody labeled Müller cell processes wrapping rod terminals and horizontal cell somata. The mGluR7 antibody labeled mainly horizontal cell dendrites invaginating rods and cones and some putative bipolar cell dendrites in the cone synaptic complex. The finding of abundant expression of various mGluRs in bipolar and horizontal cell dendrites suggests multiple sites of glutamatergic modulation in the outer retina.

Pharmacological activation of mGlu2/3 metabotropic glutamate receptors protects retinal neurons against anoxic damage in the goldfish Carassius auratus

We examined the expression of mGlu2/3 metabotropic glutamate receptors in the retina of the goldfish Carassius auratus. mGlu2/3 receptors were expressed in all retinal layers internal to the photoreceptor layer, particularly in the outer and inner nuclear layers. Although the goldfish brain is able to tolerate prolonged periods of anoxia, we examined whether anoxia could induce retinal damage. Three hours of anoxia induced in the retina the development of apoptotic cell death, as assessed 48 h later by TUNEL staining. TUNEL-positive cells were particularly found in the inner and outer nuclear layers, and were also present in the ganglion cell layer. Pharmacological activation of mGlu2/3 receptors by systemic injection of LY379268 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p., 15 min before the onset of anoxia) substantially protected retinas against anoxia-induced cell death. In contrast, systemic injection of the mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist, LY341495 (1 mg/kg, i.p., 15 min before the onset of anoxia), significantly amplified cell death. Finally, as mGlu2/3 receptors are implicated in the control of extracellular glutamate concentrations, we examined the stimulation of glutamate release in isolated goldfish retinas. Depolarizing medium containing 30 mM KCl led to a significant increase in glutamate release, which was substantially reduced by LY379268. We conclude that activation of mGlu2/3 receptors may provide a major defensive mechanism against ischemic/anoxic retinal damage.

Metabotropic glutamate receptors

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlus) are a family of G-protein-coupled receptors activated by the neurotransmitter glutamate. Molecular cloning has revealed eight different subtypes (mGlu1-8) with distinct molecular and pharmacological properties. Multiplicity in this receptor family is further generated through alternative splicing. mGlus activate a multitude of signalling pathways important for modulating neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity and feedback regulation of neurotransmitter release. In this review, we summarize anatomical findings (from our work and that of other laboratories) describing their distribution in the central nervous system. Recent evidence regarding the localization of these receptors in peripheral tissues will also be examined. The distinct regional, cellular and subcellular distribution of mGlus in the brain will be discussed in view of their relationship to neurotransmitter release sites and of possible functional implications.

Neuroprotective effects of selective group II mGluR activation in brain trauma and traumatic neuronal injury

The effects of group II mGluR activation by selective agonist (-)-2-oxa-4-aminobicyclo[3.1. 0]hexane-4,6-dicarboxylate (LY379268) were examined in a mouse model of controlled cortical impact (CCI)-induced brain injury and in primary neuronal/glial and neuronal cultures subjected to mechanical trauma. Systemic administration of LY379268 to mice at 30 min after CCI significantly improved both motor and cognitive recovery as compared with vehicle-treated control animals. LY379268 also significantly reduced cell death induced by mechanical injury in rat neuronal/glial and neuronal cultures, as measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. The neuroprotective effect of LY379268 in vitro was abolished by co-administration of the mGluR2/3 antagonist (s)-alpha-ethylglutamic acid (EGLU); however, co-application of selective mGluR3 antagonist beta-N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) had no significant influence in the same system. Together, these findings demonstrate the neuroprotective activity of group II mGluR activation and underscore the role of the mGluR2 subtype for this effect.

Activation of the caspase 8 pathway mediates seizure-induced cell death in cultured hippocampal neurons

In response to harmful stresses, cells induce programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis. Seizures can induce neural damage and activate biochemical pathways associated with PCD. Since seizures trigger intracellular calcium overload, it has been presumed that the intrinsic cell death pathway mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction would modulate cell death following seizures. However, previous work suggests that the extrinsic cell death pathway may initiate the damage program. Here we investigate intrinsic versus extrinsic cell death pathway activation using caspase cleavage as a marker for activation of these pathways in a rat in vitro model of seizures. Hippocampal cells, chronically treated with kynurenic acid, had kynurenic acid withdrawn to induce seizure-like activity for 40 min. Subjecting rat hippocampal cultures to seizures increased cell death and apoptosis-like DNA fragmentation using TUNEL staining. Seizure-induced cell death was blocked by both MK801 (10 microM) and CNQX (40 microM), which suggests multiple glutamate receptors regulate seizure-induced cell death. Cleavage of the initiator caspases, caspase 8 and 12 were increased 4h following seizure, and cleavage of the quintessential executioner caspase, caspase 3 was increased 4h following seizure. In contrast, caspase 9 cleavage only increased 24h following seizure. Using an affinity labeling approach to trap activated caspases in situ, we show that caspase 8 is the apical caspase activated following seizures. Finally, we show that the caspase 8 inhibitor Ac-IETD-CHO was more effective at blocking seizure-induced cell death than the caspase 9 inhibitor Ac-LEHD-CHO. Taken together, our data suggests the extrinsic cell death pathway-associated caspase 8 is activated following seizures in vitro.

Hypoxia-induced differential apoptosis in the central nervous system of the sturgeon (Acipenser shrenckii)

Hypoxia is a frequent challenge to aquatic vertebrates as compared with that for their terrestrial counterparts. All vertebrates respond to hypoxia in a similar, but not identical manner, indicating that these responses appeared early in the evolution of vertebrates. The aim of this study is to find out the effects of hypoxia on apoptosis in the central nervous system (CNS) of sturgeon, an archaic fish. With the regional specialization of the CNS, we hypothesize that if cell death does occur, the response will vary between regions, i.e., some CNS areas will be more susceptible to hypoxia than the others would. Sturgeons (Acipenser shrenckii) were subjected to hypoxia by exposure to either air or hypoxic water. After 6- or 30-h recovery they were sacrificed and the following regions of the CNS: retina, olfactory lobe, optic tectum, pituitary, cerebellum, pons/medulla, and spinal cord were examined by the terminal transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling technique and for the cleaved fragment of activated caspase-3 by Western blotting. In hypoxia-treated sturgeons, the retina, optic tectum, pituitary, and spinal cord were found to have significantly more apoptotic cells than did untreated sturgeons at both 6 and 30 h after the hypoxic insults, indicating prolonged damage. Apoptosis was confirmed by Western blotting of the cleaved fragment of activated caspase-3. Olfactory lobe, cerebellum, and pons/medulla had relatively few apoptotic cells. The CNS of sturgeon showed a differential pattern of apoptosis in response to hypoxia.

Expression of groups I and II metabotropic glutamate receptors in the rat brain during aging

Age-dependent changes in the expression of group I and II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors were studied by in situ hybridization, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Male Fisher 344 rats of three ages (3, 12 and 25 months) were tested. Age-related increases in mGlu1 receptor mRNA levels were found in several areas (thalamic nuclei, hippocampal CA3) with parallel increases in mGlu1a receptor protein expression. However, a slight decrease in mGlu1a receptor mRNA expression in individual Purkinje neurons and a decline in cerebellar mGlu1a receptor protein levels were detected in aged animals. In contrast, mGlu1b receptor mRNA levels increased in the cerebellar granule cell layer. Although mGlu5 receptor mRNA expression decreased in many regions, its protein expression remained unchanged during aging. Compared to the small changes in mGlu2 receptor mRNA levels, mGlu3 receptor mRNA levels showed substantial age differences. An increased mGlu2/3 receptor protein expression was found in the frontal cortex, thalamus, hippocampus and corpus callosum in aged animals. These results demonstrate region- and subtype-specific, including splice variant specific changes in the expression of mGlu receptors in the brain with increasing age.

Vertebrate brains at the pilot light

While the brains of most vertebrates are unable to tolerate more than a few minutes of anoxia, some freshwater turtles (Trachemys and Chrysemys), crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and frogs (Rana pipens and Rana temporaria) can survive anoxia for hours to months. Obviously, anoxia tolerance has evolved separately several times and this is also reflected in the divergent strategies these animals utilize to survive without oxygen. The turtles and crucian carp defend their brain ATP levels and avoid a loss of ion homeostasis by reducing ATP use. In the turtles, the early release of adenosine and the activation of K(ATP) channels, a progressive release of GABA and a drastic reduction in electric activity and ion fluxes send the brain into a comatose like state. The crucian carp displays a more modest depression of ATP use, probably achieved through a moderated release of GABA and adenosine, allowing the animal to maintain physical activity in anoxia. The anoxic frog, on the other hand, seems to rely on mechanisms that greatly retard the anoxia induced fall in ATP levels and loss of ion homeostasis, so that the brain can be saved as long as the anoxia is limited to a few hours. The sequence of events characterizing the anoxic frog brain is similar to that of failing anoxic mammalian brain, although over a greatly extended time frame, allowing the frog to die slowly in anoxia, rather than survive. By contrast the only factor that limits anoxic survival in turtles and crucian carp may be the final depletion of their glycogen reserves.

Group I and II metabotropic glutamate receptors are necessary for the activity-dependent regulation of ribosomes in chick auditory neurons

Elimination of eighth-nerve activity results in the death of 30% of the neurons in the chick cochlear nucleus, nucleus magnocellularis (NM). One early event in this cell death cascade is the disruption of ribosomes in NM neurons which can be observed within 1 h following deafferentation. These rapid changes in ribosomes can be visualized using Y10B, a monoclonal antibody that recognizes ribosomal RNA. Previous studies using a brain slice preparation of the avian brain stem auditory system have shown that activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) is necessary for the activity-dependent maintenance of Y10B antigenicity. The purpose of the present study was to determine if group I and/or II mGluRs are necessary for this activity-dependent regulation. This was accomplished by selectively blocking group I or II receptors while unilaterally stimulating the auditory nerve in vitro. In normal media, unilateral stimulation of the auditory nerve resulted in darker Y10B immunolabeling of NM neurons on the stimulated side of the slice. The group I antagonist (RS)-1-aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid (AIDA) and the group II antagonists LY341495 and (S)-alpha-ethylglutamic acid (EGLU) all prevented the activity-dependent difference in Y10B immunolabeling. These data suggest that both group I and II mGluRs play vital roles in the activity-dependent regulation of ribosomes in NM.

Hypoxic survival strategies in two fishes: extreme anoxia tolerance in the North European crucian carp and natural hypoxic preconditioning in a coral-reef shark

Especially in aquatic habitats, hypoxia can be an important evolutionary driving force resulting in both convergent and divergent physiological strategies for hypoxic survival. Examining adaptations to anoxic/hypoxic survival in hypoxia-tolerant animals may offer fresh ideas for the treatment of hypoxia-related diseases. Here, we summarise our present knowledge of two fishes that have evolved to survive hypoxia under very different circumstances.

The crucian carp (Carassius carassius) is of particular interest because of its extreme anoxia tolerance. During the long North European winter, it survives for months in completely oxygen-deprived freshwater habitats. The crucian carp also tolerates a few days of anoxia at room temperature and, unlike anoxia-tolerant freshwater turtles, it is still physically active in anoxia. Moreover, the crucian carp does not appear to reduce neuronal ion permeability during anoxia and may primarily rely on more subtle neuromodulatory mechanisms for anoxic metabolic depression.

The epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) is a tropical marine vertebrate. It lives on shallow reef platforms that repeatedly become cut off from the ocean during periods of low tides. During nocturnal low tides, the water [O2] can fall by 80% due to respiration of the coral and associated organisms. Since the tides become lower and lower over a period of a few days, the hypoxic exposure during subsequent low tides will become progressively longer and more severe. Thus, this shark is under a natural hypoxic preconditioning regimen. Interestingly, hypoxic preconditioning lowers its metabolic rate and its critical PO2. Moreover, repeated anoxia appears to stimulate metabolic depression in an adenosine-dependent way.

Anoxia tolerant brains

While medical science has struggled to find ways to counteract anoxic brain damage with limited success, evolution has repeatedly solved this problem. The best-studied examples of anoxia-tolerant vertebrates are the crucian carp and some North American Freshwater turtles. These can survive anoxia for days to months, depending of temperature. Both animals successfully fight any major fall in brain ATP levels, but the strategies they use to accomplish this are quite divergent. The anoxic turtle suppresses brain activity to such a degree that it becomes virtually comatose. The underlying mechanisms involve closing down ion conductances and releasing GABA and adenosine. By contrast, the crucian carp remains active in anoxia, although it suppresses selected brain functions, and avoids lactate self-poisoning by producing an exotic anaerobic end-product. These animals provide unique models for studying anoxic survival mechanisms both on a molecular and physiological level.