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Deleye L, Franchi F, Trevisani M, Loiacono F, Vercellino S, Debellis D, Liessi N, Armirotti A, Vázquez E, Valente P, Castagnola V, Benfenati F. Few-layered graphene increases the response of nociceptive neurons to irritant stimuli. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:2419-2431. [PMID: 38226500 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr03790h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The unique properties of few-layered graphene (FLG) make it interesting for a variety of applications, including biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. Although different studies focus on applications in the central nervous system, its interaction with the peripheral nervous system has been so far overlooked. Here, we investigated the effects of exposure to colloidal dispersions of FLG on the sensory neurons of the rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG). We found that the FLG flakes were actively internalized by sensory neurons, accumulated in large intracellular vesicles, and possibly degraded over time, without major toxicological concerns, as neuronal viability, morphology, protein content, and basic electrical properties of DRG neurons were preserved. Interestingly, in our electrophysiological investigation under noxious stimuli, we observed an increased functional response upon FLG treatment of the nociceptive subpopulation of DRG neurons in response to irritants specific for chemoreceptors TRPV1 and TRPA1. The observed effects of FLG on DRG neurons may open-up novel opportunities for applications of these materials in specific disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieselot Deleye
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
| | - Francesca Franchi
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Trevisani
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Genova, Genoa, 16132, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Loiacono
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Vercellino
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Doriana Debellis
- Electron Microscopy Facility, IIT, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nara Liessi
- Analytical Chemistry Facility, IIT, via Morego, 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry Facility, IIT, via Morego, 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ester Vázquez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Castilla La-Mancha, Ciudad Real, 13071 Spain
| | - Pierluigi Valente
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Genova, Genoa, 16132, Italy.
| | - Valentina Castagnola
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
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The Alteration of Chloride Homeostasis/GABAergic Signaling in Brain Disorders: Could Oxidative Stress Play a Role? Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10081316. [PMID: 34439564 PMCID: PMC8389245 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10081316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In neuronal precursors and immature neurons, the depolarizing (excitatory) effect of γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling is associated with elevated [Cl−]i; as brain cells mature, a developmental switch occurs, leading to the decrease of [Cl−]i and to the hyperpolarizing (inhibitory) effect of GABAergic signaling. [Cl−]i is controlled by two chloride co-transporters: NKCC1, which causes Cl− to accumulate into the cells, and KCC2, which extrudes it. The ontogenetic upregulation of the latter determines the above-outlined switch; however, many other factors contribute to the correct [Cl−]i in mature neurons. The dysregulation of chloride homeostasis is involved in seizure generation and has been associated with schizophrenia, Down’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Recently, much effort has been put into developing new drugs intended to inhibit NKCC1 activity, while no attention has been paid to the origin of [Cl−]i dysregulation. Our study examines the pathophysiology of Cl− homeostasis and focuses on the impact of oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation on the activity of Cl− co-transporters, highlighting the relevance of OS in numerous brain abnormalities and diseases. This hypothesis supports the importance of primary prevention during pregnancy. It also integrates the therapeutic framework addressed to restore normal GABAergic signaling by counteracting the alteration in chloride homeostasis in central nervous system (CNS) cells, aiming at limiting the use of drugs that potentially pose a health risk.
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Flores B, Delpire E. Temporal manipulation of KCC3 expression in juvenile or adult mice suggests irreversible developmental deficit in hereditary motor sensory neuropathy with agenesis of the corpus callosum. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 320:C722-C730. [PMID: 33596149 PMCID: PMC8163575 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00594.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hereditary motor sensory neuropathy (HMSN/ACC) with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) has been documented in the French-derived populations of Charlevoix and Saguenay/Lac St. Jean in Quebec, Canada, as well as a few sporadic families throughout the world. HMSN/ACC occurs because of loss-of-function mutations in the potassium-chloride cotransporter 3 (KCC3). In HMSN/ACC, motor deficits occur early in infancy with rapid and continual deterioration of motor and sensory fibers into juvenile and adulthood. Genetic work in mice has demonstrated that the disease is caused by loss of KCC3 function in neurons and particularly parvalbumin (PV)-expressing neurons. Currently, there are no treatments or cures for HMSN/ACC other than pain management. As genetic counseling in Quebec has increased as a preventative strategy, most individuals with HSMN/ACC are now adults. The onset of the disease is unknown. In particular, it is unknown if the disease starts early during development and whether it can be reversed by restoring KCC3 function. In this study, we used two separate mouse models that when combined to the PV-CreERT2 tamoxifen-inducible system allowed us to 1) disrupt KCC3 expression in adulthood or juvenile periods; and 2) reintroduce KCC3 expression in mice that first develop with a nonfunctional cotransporter. We show that disrupting or reintroducing KCC3 in the adult mouse has no effect on locomotor behavior, indicating that expression of KCC3 is critical during embryonic development and/or the perinatal period and that once the disease has started, reexpressing a functional cotransporter fails to change the course of HMSN/ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Flores
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
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Delpire E. Advances in the development of novel compounds targeting cation-chloride cotransporter physiology. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 320:C324-C340. [PMID: 33356948 PMCID: PMC8294628 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00566.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
For about half a century, the pharmacology of electroneutral cation-chloride cotransporters has been dominated by a few drugs that are widely used in clinical medicine. Because these diuretic drugs are so good at what they do, there has been little incentive in expanding their pharmacology. The increasing realization that cation-chloride cotransporters are involved in many other key physiological processes and the knowledge that different tissues express homologous proteins with matching transport functions have rekindled interest in drug discovery. This review summarizes the methods available to assess the function of these transporters and describe the multiple efforts that have made to identify new compounds. We describe multiple screens targeting KCC2 function and one screen designed to find compounds that discriminate between NKCC1 and NKCC2. Two of the KCC2 screens identified new inhibitors that are 3-4 orders of magnitude more potent than furosemide. Additional screens identified compounds that purportedly increase cell surface expression of the cotransporter, as well as several FDA-approved drugs that increase KCC2 transcription and expression. The technical details of each screen biased them toward specific processes in the life cycle of the transporter, making these efforts independent and complementary. In addition, each drug discovery effort contributes to our understanding of the biology of the cotransporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
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Chakraborty M, Asraf H, Sekler I, Hershfinkel M. ZnR/GPR39 controls cell migration by orchestrating recruitment of KCC3 into protrusions, re-organization of actin and activation of MMP. Cell Calcium 2021; 94:102330. [PMID: 33465674 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2020.102330] [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: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Actin re-organization and degradation of extracellular matrix by metalloproteases (MMPs) facilitate formation of cellular protrusions that are required for cell proliferation and migration. We find that Zn2+ activation of the Gq-coupled receptor ZnR/GPR39 controls these processes by regulating K+/Cl- co-transporter KCC3, which modulates cell volume. Silencing of KCC3 expression or activity reverses ZnR/GPR39 enhancement of cell proliferation, migration and invasion through Matrigel. Activation of ZnR/GPR39 recruits KCC3 into F-actin rich membrane protrusions, suggesting that it can locally control volume changes. Immunofluorescence analysis indicates that Zn2+ activation of ZnR/GPR39 and KCC3 are required to enhance formation of F-actin stress fibers and cellular protrusions. In addition, ZnR/GPR39 upregulation of KCC3-dependent transport increases the activity of matrix metalloproteases MMP2 and MMP9. Our study establishes a mechanism in which ZnR/GPR39 orchestrates localization and activation of KCC3, formation of F-actin rich cell protrusions and activation of MMPs, and thereby controls cell proliferation and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moumita Chakraborty
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology and The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Hila Asraf
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology and The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Israel Sekler
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology and The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Michal Hershfinkel
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology and The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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