1
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Tabassum S, Shorter S, Ovsepian SV. Analysis of the action mechanisms and targets of herbal anticonvulsants highlights opportunities for therapeutic engagement with refractory epilepsy. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:761-771. [PMID: 38653825 PMCID: PMC11106186 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02445-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by spontaneous and recurring seizures. It poses significant therapeutic challenges due to diverse etiology, pathobiology, and pharmacotherapy-resistant variants. The anticonvulsive effects of herbal leads with biocompatibility and toxicity considerations have attracted much interest, inspiring mechanistic analysis with the view of their use for engagement of new targets and combination with antiseizure pharmacotherapies. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the key molecular players and putative action mechanisms of the most common antiepileptic herbals demonstrated in tissue culture and preclinical models. From the review of the literature, it emerges that their effects are mediated via five distinct mechanisms: (1) reduction of membrane excitability through inhibition of cation channels, (2) improvement of mitochondrial functions with antioxidant effects, (3) enhancement in synaptic transmission mediated by GABAA receptors, (4) improvement of immune response with anti-inflammatory action, and (5) suppression of protein synthesis and metabolism. While some of the primary targets and action mechanisms of herbal anticonvulsants (1, 3) are shared with antiseizure pharmacotherapies, herbal leads also engage with distinct mechanisms (2, 4, and 5), suggesting new drug targets and opportunities for their integration with antiseizure medications. Addressing outstanding questions through research and in silico modeling should facilitate the future use of herbals as auxiliary therapy in epilepsy and guide the development of treatment of pharmacoresistant seizures through rigorous trials and regulatory approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sobia Tabassum
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Susan Shorter
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich London, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK
| | - Saak V Ovsepian
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich London, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK.
- Faculty of Medicine, Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, 0177, Republic of Georgia.
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2
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Raut S, Singh K, Sanghvi S, Loyo-Celis V, Varghese L, Singh E, Gururaja Rao S, Singh H. Chloride ions in health and disease. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20240029. [PMID: 38573803 PMCID: PMC11065649 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20240029] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Chloride is a key anion involved in cellular physiology by regulating its homeostasis and rheostatic processes. Changes in cellular Cl- concentration result in differential regulation of cellular functions such as transcription and translation, post-translation modifications, cell cycle and proliferation, cell volume, and pH levels. In intracellular compartments, Cl- modulates the function of lysosomes, mitochondria, endosomes, phagosomes, the nucleus, and the endoplasmic reticulum. In extracellular fluid (ECF), Cl- is present in blood/plasma and interstitial fluid compartments. A reduction in Cl- levels in ECF can result in cell volume contraction. Cl- is the key physiological anion and is a principal compensatory ion for the movement of the major cations such as Na+, K+, and Ca2+. Over the past 25 years, we have increased our understanding of cellular signaling mediated by Cl-, which has helped in understanding the molecular and metabolic changes observed in pathologies with altered Cl- levels. Here, we review the concentration of Cl- in various organs and cellular compartments, ion channels responsible for its transportation, and recent information on its physiological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K. Raut
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A
| | - Kulwinder Singh
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A
| | - Shridhar Sanghvi
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A
| | - Veronica Loyo-Celis
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A
| | - Liyah Varghese
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A
| | - Ekam R. Singh
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A
| | | | - Harpreet Singh
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, U.S.A
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3
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Shingaki M, Itoh Y, Borgil B, Kida T, Inui K. Short-latency prepulse inhibition of the trigeminal blink reflex. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1357368. [PMID: 38841093 PMCID: PMC11150608 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1357368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is a well-established phenomenon wherein a weak sensory stimulus attenuates the startle reflex triggered by a subsequent strong stimulus. Within the circuit, variations in target responses observed for PPI paradigms represent prepulse-induced excitability changes. However, little is known about the mechanism of PPI. Here, we focused on short-latency PPI of the trigeminal blink reflex R1 signal with an oligosynaptic reflex arc through the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus and the facial nucleus. As the facial nucleus is facilitatory to any input, R1 PPI is the phenomenon in the former nucleus. Considering that GABAergic modulation may be involved in PPI, this study investigated whether the PPI mechanism includes GABA-A equivalent inhibition, which peaks at approximately 30 ms in humans. In 12 healthy volunteers, the reflex was elicited by electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve, and recorded at the ipsilateral lower eyelid by accelerometer. Stimulus intensity was 1.5 times the R1 threshold for test stimulus and 0.9 times for the prepulse. The prepulse-test interval (PTI) was 5-150 ms. Results showed significant inhibition at 40-and 80-150-ms PTIs but not at 20-, 30-, 50-, 60-, and 70-ms PTIs, yielding two distinct inhibitions of different time scales. This corresponds well to the early and late components of inhibitory post synaptic potentials by GABA-A and GABA-B receptor activation. Thus, the data support the contribution of inhibitory post synaptic potentials elicited by the prepulse to the observed PPI. As inhibitory function-related diseases may impair the different inhibition components to varying degrees, methods deconvoluting each inhibitory component contribution are of clinical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Shingaki
- Department of Functioning and Disability, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, Kasugai, Japan
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4
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Leitch B. Parvalbumin Interneuron Dysfunction in Neurological Disorders: Focus on Epilepsy and Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5549. [PMID: 38791587 PMCID: PMC11122153 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Parvalbumin expressing (PV+) GABAergic interneurons are fast spiking neurons that provide powerful but relatively short-lived inhibition to principal excitatory cells in the brain. They play a vital role in feedforward and feedback synaptic inhibition, preventing run away excitation in neural networks. Hence, their dysfunction can lead to hyperexcitability and increased susceptibility to seizures. PV+ interneurons are also key players in generating gamma oscillations, which are synchronized neural oscillations associated with various cognitive functions. PV+ interneuron are particularly vulnerable to aging and their degeneration has been associated with cognitive decline and memory impairment in dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Overall, dysfunction of PV+ interneurons disrupts the normal excitatory/inhibitory balance within specific neurocircuits in the brain and thus has been linked to a wide range of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. This review focuses on the role of dysfunctional PV+ inhibitory interneurons in the generation of epileptic seizures and cognitive impairment and their potential as targets in the design of future therapeutic strategies to treat these disorders. Recent research using cutting-edge optogenetic and chemogenetic technologies has demonstrated that they can be selectively manipulated to control seizures and restore the balance of neural activity in the brains of animal models. This suggests that PV+ interneurons could be important targets in developing future treatments for patients with epilepsy and comorbid disorders, such as AD, where seizures and cognitive decline are directly linked to specific PV+ interneuron deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beulah Leitch
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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5
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Scheper M, Sørensen FNF, Ruffolo G, Gaeta A, Lissner LJ, Anink JJ, Korshunova I, Jansen FE, Riney K, van Hecke W, Mühlebner A, Khodosevich K, Schubert D, Palma E, Mills JD, Aronica E. Impaired GABAergic regulation and developmental immaturity in interneurons derived from the medial ganglionic eminence in the tuberous sclerosis complex. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:80. [PMID: 38714540 PMCID: PMC11076412 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02737-7] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024]
Abstract
GABAergic interneurons play a critical role in maintaining neural circuit balance, excitation-inhibition regulation, and cognitive function modulation. In tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), GABAergic neuron dysfunction contributes to disrupted network activity and associated neurological symptoms, assumingly in a cell type-specific manner. This GABAergic centric study focuses on identifying specific interneuron subpopulations within TSC, emphasizing the unique characteristics of medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)- and caudal ganglionic eminence (CGE)-derived interneurons. Using single-nuclei RNA sequencing in TSC patient material, we identify somatostatin-expressing (SST+) interneurons as a unique and immature subpopulation in TSC. The disrupted maturation of SST+ interneurons may undergo an incomplete switch from excitatory to inhibitory GABAergic signaling during development, resulting in reduced inhibitory properties. Notably, this study reveals markers of immaturity specifically in SST+ interneurons, including an abnormal NKCC1/KCC2 ratio, indicating an imbalance in chloride homeostasis crucial for the postsynaptic consequences of GABAergic signaling as well as the downregulation of GABAA receptor subunits, GABRA1, and upregulation of GABRA2. Further exploration of SST+ interneurons revealed altered localization patterns of SST+ interneurons in TSC brain tissue, concentrated in deeper cortical layers, possibly linked to cortical dyslamination. In the epilepsy context, our research underscores the diverse cell type-specific roles of GABAergic interneurons in shaping seizures, advocating for precise therapeutic considerations. Moreover, this study illuminates the potential contribution of SST+ interneurons to TSC pathophysiology, offering insights for targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirte Scheper
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Frederik N F Sørensen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00163, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gaeta
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Lilian J Lissner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Jasper J Anink
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Irina Korshunova
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Floor E Jansen
- Department of Child Neurology, Brain Center University Medical Center, Member of ERN EpiCare, 3584 BA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kate Riney
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia
- Neurosciences Unit, Queensland Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
| | - Wim van Hecke
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Angelika Mühlebner
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Konstantin Khodosevich
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dirk Schubert
- Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, 6525 HR, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00163, Rome, Italy
| | - James D Mills
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Bucks, SL9 0RJ, UK
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, The Netherlands
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6
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Zhu S, Shi J, Zhang Y, Chen X, Shi T, Li L. Combination administration of alprazolam and N-Ethylmaleimide synergistically enhances sleep behaviors in mice with no potential CNS side effects. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17342. [PMID: 38737745 PMCID: PMC11086308 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background N-Ethylmaleimide (NEM), an agonist of the potassium chloride cotransporters 2 (KCC2) receptor, has been correlated with neurosuppressive outcomes, including decreased pain perception and the prevention of epileptic seizures. Nevertheless, its relationship with sleep-inducing effects remains unreported. Objective The present study aimed to investigate the potential enhancement of NEM on the sleep-inducing properties of alprazolam (Alp). Methods The test of the righting reflex was used to identify the appropriate concentrations of Alp and NEM for inducing sleep-promoting effects in mice. Total sleep duration and sleep quality were evaluated through EEG/EMG analysis. The neural mechanism underlying the sleep-promoting effect was examined through c-fos immunoreactivity in the brain using immunofluorescence. Furthermore, potential CNS-side effects of the combination Alp and NEM were assessed using LABORAS automated home-cage behavioral phenotyping. Results Combination administration of Alp (1.84 mg/kg) and NEM (1.0 mg/kg) significantly decreased sleep latency and increased sleep duration in comparison to administering 1.84 mg/kg Alp alone. This effect was characterized by a notable increase in REM duration. The findings from c-fos immunoreactivity indicated that NEM significantly suppressed neuron activation in brain regions associated with wakefulness. Additionally, combination administration of Alp and NEM showed no effects on mouse neural behaviors during automated home cage monitoring. Conclusions This study is the first to propose and demonstrate a combination therapy involving Alp and NEM that not only enhances the hypnotic effect but also mitigates potential CNS side effects, suggesting its potential application in treating insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Shi
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, China
| | - Xuejun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, China
| | - Liqin Li
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, China
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7
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Nascimento AA, Pereira-Figueiredo D, Borges-Martins VP, Kubrusly RC, Calaza KC. GABAergic system and chloride cotransporters as potential therapeutic targets to mitigate cell death in ischemia. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25355. [PMID: 38808645 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25355] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a critical inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that plays a vital role in modulating neuronal excitability. Dysregulation of GABAergic signaling, particularly involving the cotransporters NKCC1 and KCC2, has been implicated in various pathologies, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and ischemia. NKCC1 facilitates chloride influx, whereas KCC2 mediates chloride efflux via potassium gradient. Altered expression and function of these cotransporters have been associated with excitotoxicity, inflammation, and cellular death in ischemic events characterized by reduced cerebral blood flow, leading to compromised tissue metabolism and subsequent cell death. NKCC1 inhibition has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach to attenuate intracellular chloride accumulation and mitigate neuronal damage during ischemic events. Similarly, targeting KCC2, which regulates chloride efflux, holds promise for improving outcomes and reducing neuronal damage under ischemic conditions. This review emphasizes the critical roles of GABA, NKCC1, and KCC2 in ischemic pathologies and their potential as therapeutic targets. Inhibiting or modulating the activity of these cotransporters represents a promising strategy for reducing neuronal damage, preventing excitotoxicity, and improving neurological outcomes following ischemic events. Furthermore, exploring the interactions between natural compounds and NKCC1/KCC2 provides additional avenues for potential therapeutic interventions for ischemic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Nascimento
- Neurobiology of the Retina Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology and Graduate Program of Neurosciences, Institute of Biology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
| | - D Pereira-Figueiredo
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (Physiology and Pharmacology), Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
| | - V P Borges-Martins
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
| | - R C Kubrusly
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biomedical Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
| | - K C Calaza
- Neurobiology of the Retina Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology and Graduate Program of Neurosciences, Institute of Biology, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (Physiology and Pharmacology), Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil
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8
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Pall ML. Central Causation of Autism/ASDs via Excessive [Ca 2+]i Impacting Six Mechanisms Controlling Synaptogenesis during the Perinatal Period: The Role of Electromagnetic Fields and Chemicals and the NO/ONOO(-) Cycle, as Well as Specific Mutations. Brain Sci 2024; 14:454. [PMID: 38790433 PMCID: PMC11119459 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050454] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The roles of perinatal development, intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i, and synaptogenesis disruption are not novel in the autism/ASD literature. The focus on six mechanisms controlling synaptogenesis, each regulated by [Ca2+]i, and each aberrant in ASDs is novel. The model presented here predicts that autism epidemic causation involves central roles of both electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and chemicals. EMFs act via voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) activation and [Ca2+]i elevation. A total of 15 autism-implicated chemical classes each act to produce [Ca2+]i elevation, 12 acting via NMDA receptor activation, and three acting via other mechanisms. The chronic nature of ASDs is explained via NO/ONOO(-) vicious cycle elevation and MeCP2 epigenetic dysfunction. Genetic causation often also involves [Ca2+]i elevation or other impacts on synaptogenesis. The literature examining each of these steps is systematically examined and found to be consistent with predictions. Approaches that may be sed for ASD prevention or treatment are discussed in connection with this special issue: The current situation and prospects for children with ASDs. Such approaches include EMF, chemical avoidance, and using nutrients and other agents to raise the levels of Nrf2. An enriched environment, vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3s in fish oil may also be helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin L Pall
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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9
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François L, Romagnolo A, Luinenburg MJ, Anink JJ, Godard P, Rajman M, van Eyll J, Mühlebner A, Skelton A, Mills JD, Dedeurwaerdere S, Aronica E. Identification of gene regulatory networks affected across drug-resistant epilepsies. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2180. [PMID: 38467626 PMCID: PMC10928184 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46592-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic and heterogenous disease characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures, that are commonly resistant to antiseizure medications. This study applies a transcriptome network-based approach across epilepsies aiming to improve understanding of molecular disease pathobiology, recognize affected biological mechanisms and apply causal reasoning to identify therapeutic hypotheses. This study included the most common drug-resistant epilepsies (DREs), such as temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS), and mTOR pathway-related malformations of cortical development (mTORopathies). This systematic comparison characterized the global molecular signature of epilepsies, elucidating the key underlying mechanisms of disease pathology including neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity, brain extracellular matrix and energy metabolism. In addition, specific dysregulations in neuroinflammation and oligodendrocyte function were observed in TLE-HS and mTORopathies, respectively. The aforementioned mechanisms are proposed as molecular hallmarks of DRE with the identified upstream regulators offering opportunities for drug-target discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth François
- UCB Pharma, Early Solutions, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium.
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Alessia Romagnolo
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mark J Luinenburg
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jasper J Anink
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marek Rajman
- UCB Pharma, Early Solutions, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | | | - Angelika Mühlebner
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - James D Mills
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont, UK
| | | | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, The Netherlands.
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10
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Efthymiou S, Han W, Ilyas M, Li J, Yu Y, Scala M, Malintan NT, Ilyas M, Vavouraki N, Mankad K, Maroofian R, Rocca C, Salpietro V, Lakhani S, Mallack EJ, Palculict TB, Li H, Zhang G, Zafar F, Rana N, Takashima N, Matsunaga H, Manzoni C, Striano P, Lythgoe MF, Aruga J, Lu W, Houlden H. Human mutations in SLITRK3 implicated in GABAergic synapse development in mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1222935. [PMID: 38495551 PMCID: PMC10940442 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1222935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
This study reports on biallelic homozygous and monoallelic de novo variants in SLITRK3 in three unrelated families presenting with epileptic encephalopathy associated with a broad neurological involvement characterized by microcephaly, intellectual disability, seizures, and global developmental delay. SLITRK3 encodes for a transmembrane protein that is involved in controlling neurite outgrowth and inhibitory synapse development and that has an important role in brain function and neurological diseases. Using primary cultures of hippocampal neurons carrying patients' SLITRK3 variants and in combination with electrophysiology, we demonstrate that recessive variants are loss-of-function alleles. Immunostaining experiments in HEK-293 cells showed that human variants C566R and E606X change SLITRK3 protein expression patterns on the cell surface, resulting in highly accumulating defective proteins in the Golgi apparatus. By analyzing the development and phenotype of SLITRK3 KO (SLITRK3-/-) mice, the study shows evidence of enhanced susceptibility to pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure with the appearance of spontaneous epileptiform EEG as well as developmental deficits such as higher motor activities and reduced parvalbumin interneurons. Taken together, the results exhibit impaired development of the peripheral and central nervous system and support a conserved role of this transmembrane protein in neurological function. The study delineates an emerging spectrum of human core synaptopathies caused by variants in genes that encode SLITRK proteins and essential regulatory components of the synaptic machinery. The hallmark of these disorders is impaired postsynaptic neurotransmission at nerve terminals; an impaired neurotransmission resulting in a wide array of (often overlapping) clinical features, including neurodevelopmental impairment, weakness, seizures, and abnormal movements. The genetic synaptopathy caused by SLITRK3 mutations highlights the key roles of this gene in human brain development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Efthymiou
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, University College London (UCL) Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Wenyan Han
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Muhammad Ilyas
- Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Jun Li
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yichao Yu
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marcello Scala
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, University College London (UCL) Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università Degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nancy T. Malintan
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, University College London (UCL) Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Muhammad Ilyas
- Centre for Omic Sciences, Islamia College Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Nikoleta Vavouraki
- School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Kshitij Mankad
- Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Developmental Neurosciences Department, University College London (UCL) Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Reza Maroofian
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, University College London (UCL) Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clarissa Rocca
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, University College London (UCL) Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, University College London (UCL) Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shenela Lakhani
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eric J. Mallack
- Center for Neurogenetics, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Hong Li
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Guojun Zhang
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Faisal Zafar
- Department of Pediatrics, Multan Hospital, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Nuzhat Rana
- Department of Pediatrics, Multan Hospital, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Noriko Takashima
- Laboratory for Behavioral and Developmental Disorders, RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Saitama, Japan
| | - Hayato Matsunaga
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Nagasaki University Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Claudia Manzoni
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università Degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mark F. Lythgoe
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jun Aruga
- Laboratory for Behavioral and Developmental Disorders, RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI), Saitama, Japan
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Nagasaki University Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Wei Lu
- Synapse and Neural Circuit Research Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, University College London (UCL) Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Vyas P, Chaturvedi I, Hwang Y, Scafidi J, Kadam SD, Stafstrom CE. High Doses of ANA12 Improve Phenobarbital Efficacy in a Model of Neonatal Post-Ischemic Seizures. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1447. [PMID: 38338726 PMCID: PMC10855037 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Phenobarbital (PB) remains the first-line medication for neonatal seizures. Yet, seizures in many newborns, particularly those associated with perinatal ischemia, are resistant to PB. Previous animal studies have shown that in postnatal day P7 mice pups with ischemic stroke induced by unilateral carotid ligation, the tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) antagonist ANA12 (N-[2-[[(hexahydro-2-oxo-1H-azepin-3-yl)amino]carbonyl]phenyl]-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide, 5 mg/kg) improved the efficacy of PB in reducing seizure occurrence. To meet optimal standards of effectiveness, a wider range of ANA12 doses must be tested. Here, using the unilateral carotid ligation model, we tested the effectiveness of higher doses of ANA12 (10 and 20 mg/kg) on the ability of PB to reduce seizure burden, ameliorate cell death (assessed by Fluoro-Jade staining), and affect neurodevelopment (righting reflex, negative geotaxis test, open field test). We found that a single dose of ANA12 (10 or 20 mg/kg) given 1 h after unilateral carotid ligation in P7 pups reduced seizure burden and neocortical and striatal neuron death without impairing developmental reflexes. In conclusion, ANA12 at a range of doses (10-20 mg/kg) enhanced PB effectiveness for the treatment of perinatal ischemia-related seizures, suggesting that this agent might be a clinically safe and effective adjunctive agent for the treatment of pharmacoresistant neonatal seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Vyas
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (P.V.); (I.C.); (Y.H.); (J.S.)
| | - Ira Chaturvedi
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (P.V.); (I.C.); (Y.H.); (J.S.)
| | - Yun Hwang
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (P.V.); (I.C.); (Y.H.); (J.S.)
| | - Joseph Scafidi
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (P.V.); (I.C.); (Y.H.); (J.S.)
- Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shilpa D. Kadam
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (P.V.); (I.C.); (Y.H.); (J.S.)
- Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Carl E. Stafstrom
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (P.V.); (I.C.); (Y.H.); (J.S.)
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12
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Kim HR, Martina M. Bidirectional Regulation of GABA A Reversal Potential in the Adult Brain: Physiological and Pathological Implications. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:143. [PMID: 38276272 PMCID: PMC10817304 DOI: 10.3390/life14010143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In physiological conditions, the intracellular chloride concentration is much lower than the extracellular. As GABAA channels are permeable to anions, the reversal potential of GABAA is very close to that of Cl-, which is the most abundant free anion in the intra- and extracellular spaces. Intracellular chloride is regulated by the activity ratio of NKCC1 and KCC2, two chloride-cation cotransporters that import and export Cl-, respectively. Due to the closeness between GABAA reversal potential and the value of the resting membrane potential in most neurons, small changes in intracellular chloride have a major functional impact, which makes GABAA a uniquely flexible signaling system. In most neurons of the adult brain, the GABAA reversal potential is slightly more negative than the resting membrane potential, which makes GABAA hyperpolarizing. Alterations in GABAA reversal potential are a common feature in numerous conditions as they are the consequence of an imbalance in the NKCC1-KCC2 activity ratio. In most conditions (including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and Down's syndrome), GABAA becomes depolarizing, which causes network desynchronization and behavioral impairment. In other conditions (neonatal inflammation and neuropathic pain), however, GABAA reversal potential becomes hypernegative, which affects behavior through a potent circuit deactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haram R. Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 300 E. Superior, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Marco Martina
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 300 E. Superior, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 300 E. Superior, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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13
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Curatolo P, Scheper M, Emberti Gialloreti L, Specchio N, Aronica E. Is tuberous sclerosis complex-associated autism a preventable and treatable disorder? World J Pediatr 2024; 20:40-53. [PMID: 37878130 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-023-00762-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder caused by inactivating mutations in the TSC1 and TSC2 genes, causing overactivation of the mechanistic (previously referred to as mammalian) target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in fetal life. The mTOR pathway plays a crucial role in several brain processes leading to TSC-related epilepsy, intellectual disability, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Pre-natal or early post-natal diagnosis of TSC is now possible in a growing number of pre-symptomatic infants. DATA SOURCES We searched PubMed for peer-reviewed publications published between January 2010 and April 2023 with the terms "tuberous sclerosis", "autism", or "autism spectrum disorder"," animal models", "preclinical studies", "neurobiology", and "treatment". RESULTS Prospective studies have highlighted that developmental trajectories in TSC infants who were later diagnosed with ASD already show motor, visual and social communication skills in the first year of life delays. Reliable genetic, cellular, electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers can identify pre-symptomatic TSC infants at high risk for having autism and epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS Preventing epilepsy or improving therapy for seizures associated with prompt and tailored treatment strategies for autism in a sensitive developmental time window could have the potential to mitigate autistic symptoms in infants with TSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Curatolo
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Systems Medicine Department, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirte Scheper
- Department of Neuropathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Specchio
- Clinical and Experimental Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165, Rome, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of Neuropathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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14
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Liu C, Huang R, Su G, Hou L, Zhou W, Liu Q, Qiu Z, Zhao Q, Li P. Introgression of pigs in Taihu Lake region possibly contributed to the improvement of fertility in Danish Large White pigs. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:733. [PMID: 38049711 PMCID: PMC10694980 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09860-x] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eurasian pigs have undergone lineage admixture throughout history. It has been confirmed that the genes of indigenous pig breeds in China have been introduced into Western commercial pigs, providing genetic materials for breeding Western pigs. Pigs in Taihu Lake region (TL), such as the Meishan pig and Erhualian pig, serve as typical representatives of indigenous pig breeds in China due to their high reproductive performances. These pigs have also been imported into European countries in 1970 and 1980 s. They have played a positive role in improving the reproductive performances in European commercial pigs such as French Large White pigs (FLW). However, it is currently unclear if the lineage of TL pigs have been introgressed into the Danish Large White pigs (DLW), which are also known for their high reproductive performances in European pigs. To systematically identify genomic regions in which TL pigs have introgressed into DLW pigs and their physiological functions, we collected the re-sequencing data from 304 Eurasian pigs, to identify shared haplotypes between DLW and TL pigs. RESULTS The findings revealed the presence of introgressed genomic regions from TL pigs in the genome of DLW pigs indeed. The genes annotated within these regions were found to be mainly enriched in neurodevelopmental pathways. Furthermore, we found that the 115 kb region located in SSC16 exhibited highly shared haplotypes between TL and DLW pigs. The major haplotype of TL pigs in this region could significantly improve reproductive performances in various pig populations. Around this genomic region, NDUFS4 gene was highly expressed and showed differential expression in multiple reproductive tissues between extremely high and low farrowing Erhualian pigs. This suggested that NDUFS4 gene could be an important candidate causal gene responsible for affecting the reproductive performances of DLW pigs. CONCLUSIONS Our study has furthered our knowledge of the pattern of introgression from TL into DLW pigs and the potential effects on the fertility of DLW pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Liu
- Institute of Swine Science (Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Nanjing)), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Ruihua Huang
- Institute of Swine Science (Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Nanjing)), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Guosheng Su
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, DK-8000, Denmark
| | - Liming Hou
- Institute of Swine Science (Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Nanjing)), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Wuduo Zhou
- Institute of Swine Science (Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Nanjing)), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Institute of Swine Science (Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Nanjing)), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zijian Qiu
- Institute of Swine Science (Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Nanjing)), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Qingbo Zhao
- Institute of Swine Science (Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Nanjing)), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| | - Pinghua Li
- Institute of Swine Science (Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Resources Evaluation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Nanjing)), Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
- Huaian Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Huaian, 223001, China.
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15
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Tokatly Latzer I, Hanson E, Bertoldi M, García-Cazorla À, Tsuboyama M, MacMullin P, Rotenberg A, Roullet JB, Pearl PL. Autism spectrum disorder and GABA levels in children with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency. Dev Med Child Neurol 2023; 65:1596-1606. [PMID: 37246331 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
AIM To elucidate the etiological aspects of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD), related to dysregulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. METHOD In this prospective, international study, individuals with SSADHD underwent neuropsychological assessments, as well as biochemical, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging evaluations. RESULTS Of the 29 individuals (17 females) enrolled (median age [IQR] 10 years 5 months [5 years 11 months-18 years 1 month]), 16 were diagnosed with ASD. ASD severity significantly increased with age (r = 0.67, p < 0.001) but was inversely correlated with plasma GABA (r = -0.67, p < 0.001) and γ-hydroxybutyrate levels (r = -0.538, p = 0.004), and resting motor threshold as measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (r = -0.44, p = 0.03). A discriminative analysis indicated that an age older than 7 years 2 months (p = 0.004) and plasma GABA levels less than 2.47 μM (p = 0.01) are the threshold values beyond which the likelihood of ASD presenting in individuals with SSADHD is increased. INTERPRETATION ASD is prevalent but not universal in SSADHD, and it can be predicted by lower levels of plasma GABA and GABA-related metabolites. ASD severity in SSADHD increases with age and the loss of cortical inhibition. These findings add insight into the pathophysiology of ASD and may facilitate its early diagnosis and intervention in individuals with SSADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itay Tokatly Latzer
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ellen Hanson
- Human Neurobehavioral Core Services, Division of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children's Hospital, MA, USA
| | - Mariarita Bertoldi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Àngeles García-Cazorla
- Neurometabolic Unit, Neurology Department, Institut de Recerca, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Melissa Tsuboyama
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paul MacMullin
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Rotenberg
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jean-Baptiste Roullet
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Phillip L Pearl
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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16
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Leontiadis LJ, Trompoukis G, Tsotsokou G, Miliou A, Felemegkas P, Papatheodoropoulos C. Rescue of sharp wave-ripples and prevention of network hyperexcitability in the ventral but not the dorsal hippocampus of a rat model of fragile X syndrome. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1296235. [PMID: 38107412 PMCID: PMC10722241 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1296235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability and is related to autism. FXS is caused by mutations of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 gene (Fmr1) and is associated with alterations in neuronal network excitability in several brain areas including hippocampus. The loss of fragile X protein affects brain oscillations, however, the effects of FXS on hippocampal sharp wave-ripples (SWRs), an endogenous hippocampal pattern contributing to memory consolidation have not been sufficiently clarified. In addition, it is still not known whether dorsal and ventral hippocampus are similarly affected by FXS. We used a Fmr1 knock-out (KO) rat model of FXS and electrophysiological recordings from the CA1 area of adult rat hippocampal slices to assess spontaneous and evoked neural activity. We find that SWRs and associated multiunit activity are affected in the dorsal but not the ventral KO hippocampus, while complex spike bursts remain normal in both segments of the KO hippocampus. Local network excitability increases in the dorsal KO hippocampus. Furthermore, specifically in the ventral hippocampus of KO rats we found an increased effectiveness of inhibition in suppressing excitation and an upregulation of α1GABAA receptor subtype. These changes in the ventral KO hippocampus are accompanied by a striking reduction in its susceptibility to induced epileptiform activity. We propose that the neuronal network specifically in the ventral segment of the hippocampus is reorganized in adult Fmr1-KO rats by means of balanced changes between excitability and inhibition to ensure normal generation of SWRs and preventing at the same time derailment of the neural activity toward hyperexcitability.
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17
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Taylor SR, Kobayashi M, Vilella A, Tiwari D, Zolboot N, Du JX, Spencer KR, Hartzell A, Girgiss C, Abaci YT, Shao Y, De Sanctis C, Bellenchi GC, Darnell RB, Gross C, Zoli M, Berg DK, Lippi G. MicroRNA-218 instructs proper assembly of hippocampal networks. eLife 2023; 12:e82729. [PMID: 37862092 PMCID: PMC10637775 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The assembly of the mammalian brain is orchestrated by temporally coordinated waves of gene expression. Post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs) is a key aspect of this program. Indeed, deletion of neuron-enriched miRNAs induces strong developmental phenotypes, and miRNA levels are altered in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the mechanisms used by miRNAs to instruct brain development remain largely unexplored. Here, we identified miR-218 as a critical regulator of hippocampal assembly. MiR-218 is highly expressed in the hippocampus and enriched in both excitatory principal neurons (PNs) and GABAergic inhibitory interneurons (INs). Early life inhibition of miR-218 results in an adult brain with a predisposition to seizures. Changes in gene expression in the absence of miR-218 suggest that network assembly is impaired. Indeed, we find that miR-218 inhibition results in the disruption of early depolarizing GABAergic signaling, structural defects in dendritic spines, and altered intrinsic membrane excitability. Conditional knockout of Mir218-2 in INs, but not PNs, is sufficient to recapitulate long-term instability. Finally, de-repressing Kif21b and Syt13, two miR-218 targets, phenocopies the effects on early synchronous network activity induced by miR-218 inhibition. Taken together, the data suggest that miR-218 orchestrates formative events in PNs and INs to produce stable networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth R Taylor
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Mariko Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-oncology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Antonietta Vilella
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences; Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (CfNN), University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Durgesh Tiwari
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Norjin Zolboot
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| | - Jessica X Du
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| | - Kathryn R Spencer
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| | - Andrea Hartzell
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| | - Carol Girgiss
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Yusuf T Abaci
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Yufeng Shao
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
| | | | - Gian Carlo Bellenchi
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A Buzzati-TraversoNaplesItaly
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa LuciaRomeItaly
| | - Robert B Darnell
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-oncology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Christina Gross
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Michele Zoli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences; Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (CfNN), University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Darwin K Berg
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Giordano Lippi
- Department of Neuroscience, Scripps Research InstituteLa JollaUnited States
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18
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Pethe A, Hamze M, Giannaki M, Heimrich B, Medina I, Hartmann AM, Roussa E. K +/Cl - cotransporter 2 (KCC2) and Na +/ HCO3- cotransporter 1 (NBCe1) interaction modulates profile of KCC2 phosphorylation. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1253424. [PMID: 37881493 PMCID: PMC10595033 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1253424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
K+/Cl- cotransporter 2 (KCC2) is a major Cl- extruder in mature neurons and is responsible for the establishment of low intracellular [Cl-], necessary for fast hyperpolarizing GABAA-receptor mediated synaptic inhibition. Electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 1 (NBCe1) is a pH regulatory protein expressed in neurons and glial cells. An interactome study identified NBCe1 as a possible interaction partner of KCC2. In this study, we investigated the putative effect of KCC2/NBCe1 interaction in baseline and the stimulus-induced phosphorylation pattern and function of KCC2. Primary mouse hippocampal neuronal cultures from wildtype (WT) and Nbce1-deficient mice, as well as HEK-293 cells stably transfected with KCC2WT, were used. The results show that KCC2 and NBCe1 are interaction partners in the mouse brain. In HEKKCC2 cells, pharmacological inhibition of NBCs with S0859 prevented staurosporine- and 4-aminopyridine (4AP)-induced KCC2 activation. In mature cultures of hippocampal neurons, however, S0859 completely inhibited postsynaptic GABAAR and, thus, could not be used as a tool to investigate the role of NBCs in GABA-dependent neuronal networks. In Nbce1-deficient immature hippocampal neurons, baseline phosphorylation of KCC2 at S940 was downregulated, compared to WT, and exposure to staurosporine failed to reduce pKCC2 S940 and T1007. In Nbce1-deficient mature neurons, baseline levels of pKCC2 S940 and T1007 were upregulated compared to WT, whereas after 4AP treatment, pKCC2 S940 was downregulated, and pKCC2 T1007 was further upregulated. Functional experiments showed that the levels of GABAAR reversal potential, baseline intracellular [Cl-], Cl- extrusion, and baseline intracellular pH were similar between WT and Nbce1-deficient neurons. Altogether, our data provide a primary description of the properties of KCC2/NBCe1 protein-protein interaction and implicate modulation of stimulus-mediated phosphorylation of KCC2 by NBCe1/KCC2 interaction-a mechanism with putative pathophysiological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Pethe
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mira Hamze
- INMED, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Marina Giannaki
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Heimrich
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Igor Medina
- INMED, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Anna-Maria Hartmann
- Division of Neurogenetics, Faculty VI, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Center for Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Eleni Roussa
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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19
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Yakovlev AV, Kurmashova E, Gataulina E, Gerasimova E, Khalilov I, Sitdikova GF. Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia increases seizures susceptibility of neonatal rats. Life Sci 2023; 329:121953. [PMID: 37467884 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Neonatal seizures are severe pathologies which may result in long-term neurological consequences. High plasma concentrations of homocysteine - hyperhomocysteinemia (hHCy) - are associated with epilepsy. In the present study, we evaluated susceptibility to seizure of neonatal rats with prenatal hHCy. MAIN METHODS Prenatal hHCy was induced by feeding females with a high-methionine diet. Experiments were performed on pups during the first three postnatal weeks. Flurothyl-induced epileptic behavior was assessed according to Racine's scale. Epileptiform activity in the hippocampus was recorded using electrophysiological methods. The balance of excitation/inhibition, functional GABAergic inhibition and GABA reversal potential in hippocampal neurons were analyzed. KEY FINDINGS Rats with hHCy developed more severe stages of behavioral patterns during flurothyl-induced epilepsy with shorter latency. Electrophysiological recordings demonstrated higher background neuronal activity in rats with hHCy. Seizure-like events triggered by flurothyl (in vivo) or 4-aminopyridine (in vitro) showed shorter latency, higher power and amplitude. An increased glutamate/GABA synaptic ratio was shown in the pyramidal neurons of rats with hHCy and more slices demonstrated excitation by isoguvacine, a selective GABA(A) receptor agonist, during the first and second postnatal weeks. The GABA driving force and the reversal potential of GABA(A) currents were more positive during the second postnatal week for hHCy rats. SIGNIFICANCE The higher susceptibility to seizures in rats with prenatal hHCy due to a shift in the balance of excitation/inhibition toward excitation may underlie the clinical evidence about the association of hHCy with an increased risk of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Yakovlev
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya str 18, Kazan 420008, Russia.
| | - E Kurmashova
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya str 18, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - E Gataulina
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya str 18, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - E Gerasimova
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya str 18, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - I Khalilov
- Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, INMED UMR901 Parc scientifique de Luminy, 163 avenue de Luminy BP13 - 13273, Marseille cedex 09, France; Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya str 18, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - G F Sitdikova
- Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya str 18, Kazan 420008, Russia
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20
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kamruzzaman S, Bulbul L, Alam MZ, Rahman MM. GABA content and an antioxidant profile positively correlated with the anticonvulsive activity of Microcos paniculata in acute seizure mice. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18295. [PMID: 37539232 PMCID: PMC10395524 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of different parts of M. paniculata (MP) extracts on convulsions and antioxidant activities in mice. Six polyphenolic compounds were identified, where epicatechin and quercetin have been identified in the highest amounts (23.01 and 32.23 mg/100 g of dry MP extract, respectively) in MP leaf and stem extracts, using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography. 7-day oral administration of MP at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW) significantly reduced convulsions and reduced mortality rates compared with seizure inducer groups. Antioxidant potentials were measured by superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and reduced glutathione (GSH) content in whole-brain homogenates. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels significantly increased in leaves and stem-treated groups, suggesting that MP leaves and stems have potent antioxidant properties that can attenuate convulsions by modulating the GABAergic system and antioxidant activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- S.M. kamruzzaman
- Department of Horticulture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Latifa Bulbul
- Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Md Zahir Alam
- Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
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21
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Wang B, Huang L, Ye S, Zheng Z, Liao S. Identification of Novel Prognostic Biomarkers That are Associated with Immune Microenvironment Based on GABA-Related Molecular Subtypes in Gastric Cancer. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2023; 16:665-679. [PMID: 37405024 PMCID: PMC10315139 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s411862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays an important role in tumorigenesis and progression. Despite this, the role of Reactome GABA receptor activation (RGRA) on gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. This study was intended to screen RGRA-related genes in GC and investigate their prognostic value. Methods GSVA algorithm was used to assess the score of RGRA. GC patients were divided into two subtypes based on the median score of RGRA. GSEA, functional enrichment analysis, and immune infiltration analysis were performed between the two subgroups. Then, differentially expressed analysis, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were used to identify RGRA-related genes. The prognosis and expression of core genes were analyzed and validated in the TCGA database, GEO database, and clinical samples. ssGSEA and ESTIMATE algorithms were used to assess the immune cell infiltration in the low- and high-core genes subgroups. Results High-RGRA subtype had a poor prognosis and activated immune-related pathways, as well as an activated immune microenvironment. ATP1A2 was identified to be the core gene. The expression of ATP1A2 was associated with the overall survival rate and tumor stage, and its expression was down-regulated in GC patients. Furthermore, ATP1A2 expression was positively correlated with the level of immune cells, including B cells, CD8 T cells, cytotoxic cells, DC, eosinophils, macrophages, mast cells, NK cells, and T cells. Conclusion Two RGRA-related molecular subtypes were identified that could predict the outcome in GC patients. ATP1A2 was a core immunoregulatory gene and was associated with prognosis and immune cell infiltration in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Linlin Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanliang Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongwen Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanying Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People’s Republic of China
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22
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Giustizieri M, Petrillo S, D’Amico J, Torda C, Quatrana A, Vigevano F, Specchio N, Piemonte F, Cherubini E. The ferroptosis inducer RSL3 triggers interictal epileptiform activity in mice cortical neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1213732. [PMID: 37396923 PMCID: PMC10311487 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1213732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which result from excessive, synchronous discharges of neurons in different brain areas. In about 30% of cases, epileptic discharges, which vary in their etiology and symptomatology, are difficult to treat with conventional drugs. Ferroptosis is a newly defined iron-dependent programmed cell death, characterized by excessive accumulation of lipid peroxides and reactive oxygen species. Evidence has been provided that ferroptosis is involved in epilepsy, and in particular in those forms resistant to drugs. Here, whole cell patch clamp recordings, in current and voltage clamp configurations, were performed from layer IV principal neurons in cortical slices obtained from adult mouse brain. Application of the ferroptosis inducer RAS-selective lethal 3 (RSL3) induced interictal epileptiform discharges which started at RSL3 concentrations of 2 μM and reached a plateau at 10 μM. This effect was not due to changes in active or passive membrane properties of the cells, but relied on alterations in synaptic transmission. In particular, interictal discharges were dependent on the excessive excitatory drive to layer IV principal cells, as suggested by the increase in frequency and amplitude of spontaneously occurring excitatory glutamatergic currents, possibly dependent on the reduction of inhibitory GABAergic ones. This led to an excitatory/inhibitory unbalance in cortical circuits. Interictal bursts could be prevented or reduced in frequency by the lipophilic antioxidant Vitamin E (30 μM). This study allows identifying new targets of ferroptosis-mediated epileptic discharges opening new avenues for the treatment of drug-resistant forms of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Giustizieri
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI)-Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica D’Amico
- Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Torda
- Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Quatrana
- Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Vigevano
- Neurology Unit, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Specchio
- Clinical and Experimental Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network on Rare and Complex Epilepsies (EpiCARE), Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Piemonte
- Muscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Research Area of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Cherubini
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI)-Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Del Turco D, Paul MH, Schlaudraff J, Muellerleile J, Bozic F, Vuksic M, Jedlicka P, Deller T. Layer-specific changes of KCC2 and NKCC1 in the mouse dentate gyrus after entorhinal denervation. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1118746. [PMID: 37293543 PMCID: PMC10244516 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1118746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The cation-chloride cotransporters KCC2 and NKCC1 regulate the intracellular Cl- concentration and cell volume of neurons and/or glia. The Cl- extruder KCC2 is expressed at higher levels than the Cl- transporter NKCC1 in mature compared to immature neurons, accounting for the developmental shift from high to low Cl- concentration and from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing currents through GABA-A receptors. Previous studies have shown that KCC2 expression is downregulated following central nervous system injury, returning neurons to a more excitable state, which can be pathological or adaptive. Here, we show that deafferentation of the dendritic segments of granule cells in the outer (oml) and middle (mml) molecular layer of the dentate gyrus via entorhinal denervation in vivo leads to cell-type- and layer-specific changes in the expression of KCC2 and NKCC1. Microarray analysis validated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed a significant decrease in Kcc2 mRNA in the granule cell layer 7 days post-lesion. In contrast, Nkcc1 mRNA was upregulated in the oml/mml at this time point. Immunostaining revealed a selective reduction in KCC2 protein expression in the denervated dendrites of granule cells and an increase in NKCC1 expression in reactive astrocytes in the oml/mml. The NKCC1 upregulation is likely related to the increased activity of astrocytes and/or microglia in the deafferented region, while the transient KCC2 downregulation in granule cells may be associated with denervation-induced spine loss, potentially also serving a homeostatic role via boosting GABAergic depolarization. Furthermore, the delayed KCC2 recovery might be involved in the subsequent compensatory spinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Del Turco
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mandy H. Paul
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jessica Schlaudraff
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Julia Muellerleile
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Fran Bozic
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mario Vuksic
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Peter Jedlicka
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Deller
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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24
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Dec K, Alsaqati M, Morgan J, Deshpande S, Wood J, Hall J, Harwood AJ. A high ratio of linoleic acid (n-6 PUFA) to alpha-linolenic acid (n-3 PUFA) adversely affects early stage of human neuronal differentiation and electrophysiological activity of glutamatergic neurons in vitro. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1166808. [PMID: 37255597 PMCID: PMC10225581 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1166808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: There is a growing interest in the possibility of dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for treatment and prevention of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Studies have suggested that of the two important classes of polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids support brain development and function, and when used as a dietary supplement may have beneficial effects for maintenance of a healthy brain. However, to date epidemiological studies and clinical trials on children and adults have been inconclusive regarding treatment length, dosage and use of specific n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The aim of this study is to generate a simplified in vitro cell-based model system to test how different n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratios affect human-derived neurons activity as a cellular correlate for brain function and to probe the mechanism of their action. Methods: All experiments were performed by use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In this study, we examined the effect of different ratios of linoleic acid (n-6) to alpha-linolenic acid in cell growth medium on induced pluripotent stem cell proliferation, generation of neuronal precursors and electrophysiology of cortical glutamatergic neurons by multielectrode array (MEA) analysis. Results: This study shows that at a n-6:n-3 ratio of 5:1 polyunsaturated fatty acids induce stem cell proliferation, generating a large increase in number of cells after 72 h treatment; suppress generation of neuronal progenitor cells, as measured by decreased expression of FOXG1 and Nestin in neuronal precursor cells (NPC) after 20 days of development; and disrupt neuronal activity in vitro, increasing spontaneous neuronal firing, reducing synchronized bursting receptor subunits. We observed no significant differences for neuronal precursor cells treated with ratios 1:3 and 3:1, in comparison to 1:1 control ratio, but higher ratios of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids adversely affect early stages of neuronal differentiation. Moreover, a 5:1 ratio in cortical glutamatergic neurons induce expression of GABA receptors which may explain the observed abnormal electrophysiological activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Dec
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Mouhamed Alsaqati
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
- School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne Morgan
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Sumukh Deshpande
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie Wood
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian J. Harwood
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
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25
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Tallarico M, Leo A, Russo E, Citraro R, Palma E, De Sarro G. Seizure susceptibility to various convulsant stimuli in the BTBR mouse model of autism spectrum disorders. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1155729. [PMID: 37153775 PMCID: PMC10157402 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1155729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are one of the most severe chronic childhood disorders in terms of prevalence, morbidity, and impact on society. Interestingly, several systematic reviews and meta-analyses documented a bidirectional link between epilepsy and ASD, supporting the hypothesis that both disorders may have common neurobiological pathways. According to this hypothesis, an imbalance of the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) ratio in several brain regions may represent a causal mechanism underpinning the co-occurrence of these neurological diseases. Methods: To investigate this bidirectional link, we first tested the seizure susceptibility to chemoconvulsants acting on GABAergic and glutamatergic systems in the BTBR mice, in which an imbalance between E/I has been previously demonstrated. Subsequently, we performed the PTZ kindling protocol to study the impact of seizures on autistic-like behavior and other neurological deficits in BTBR mice. Results: We found that BTBR mice have an increased susceptibility to seizures induced by chemoconvulsants impairing GABAA neurotransmission in comparison to C57BL/6J control mice, whereas no significant difference in seizure susceptibility was observed after administration of AMPA, NMDA, and Kainate. This data suggests that deficits in GABAergic neurotransmission can increase seizure susceptibility in this strain of mice. Interestingly, BTBR mice showed a longer latency in the development of kindling compared to control mice. Furthermore, PTZ-kindling did not influence autistic-like behavior in BTBR mice, whereas it was able to significantly increase anxiety and worsen cognitive performance in this strain of mice. Interestingly, C57BL/6J displayed reduced sociability after PTZ injections, supporting the hypothesis that a tight connection exists between ASD and epilepsy. Conclusion: BTBR mice can be considered a good model to study epilepsy and ASD contemporarily. However, future studies should shed light on the mechanisms underpinning the co-occurrence of these neurological disorders in the BTBR model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tallarico
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Leo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- *Correspondence: Antonio Leo,
| | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rita Citraro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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Impaired synaptic plasticity in an animal model of autism exhibiting early hippocampal GABAergic-BDNF/TrkB signaling alterations. iScience 2022; 26:105728. [PMID: 36582822 PMCID: PMC9793278 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In Neurodevelopmental Disorders, alterations of synaptic plasticity may trigger structural changes in neuronal circuits involved in cognitive functions. This hypothesis was tested in mice carrying the human R451C mutation of Nlgn3 gene (NLG3R451C KI), found in some families with autistic children. To this aim, the spike time dependent plasticity (STDP) protocol was applied to immature GABAergic Mossy Fibers (MF)-CA3 connections in hippocampal slices from NLG3R451C KI mice. These animals failed to exhibit STD-LTP, an effect that persisted in adulthood when these synapses became glutamatergic. Similar results were obtained in mice lacking the Nlgn3 gene (NLG3 KO mice), suggesting a loss of function. The loss of STD-LTP was associated with a premature shift of GABA from the depolarizing to the hyperpolarizing direction, a reduced BDNF availability and TrkB phosphorylation at potentiated synapses. These effects may constitute a general mechanism underlying cognitive deficits in those forms of Autism caused by synaptic dysfunctions.
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27
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GABA A and GABA B Receptors Mediate GABA-Induced Intracellular Ca 2+ Signals in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233860. [PMID: 36497118 PMCID: PMC9739010 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies recently showed that the inhibitory neurotransmitter, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), can stimulate cerebral angiogenesis and promote neurovascular coupling by activating the ionotropic GABAA receptors on cerebrovascular endothelial cells, whereas the endothelial role of the metabotropic GABAB receptors is still unknown. Preliminary evidence showed that GABAA receptor stimulation can induce an increase in endothelial Ca2+ levels, but the underlying signaling pathway remains to be fully unraveled. In the present investigation, we found that GABA evoked a biphasic elevation in [Ca2+]i that was initiated by inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate- and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent Ca2+ release from neutral and acidic Ca2+ stores, respectively, and sustained by store-operated Ca2+ entry. GABAA and GABAB receptors were both required to trigger the endothelial Ca2+ response. Unexpectedly, we found that the GABAA receptors signal in a flux-independent manner via the metabotropic GABAB receptors. Likewise, the full Ca2+ response to GABAB receptors requires functional GABAA receptors. This study, therefore, sheds novel light on the molecular mechanisms by which GABA controls endothelial signaling at the neurovascular unit.
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28
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Vazetdinova A, Valiullina-Rakhmatullina F, Rozov A, Evstifeev A, Khazipov R, Nasretdinov A. On the accuracy of cell-attached current-clamp recordings from cortical neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:979479. [PMID: 36034500 PMCID: PMC9405422 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.979479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-attached current-clamp (CA/CC) recordings have been proposed to measure resting membrane potential and synaptic/agonist responses in neurons without disrupting the cell membrane, thus avoiding the intracellular dialysis that occurs in conventional whole-cell recordings (WC). However, the accuracy of CA/CC recordings in neurons has not been directly assessed. Here, we used concomitant CA and WC current clamp recordings from cortical neurons in brain slices. Resting membrane potential values and slow voltage shifts showed variability and were typically attenuated during CA/CC recordings by ~10–20% relative to WC values. Fast signals were slowed down and their amplitude was greatly reduced: synaptic potentials by nearly 2-fold, and action potentials by nearly 10-fold in CA/CC mode compared to WC. The polarity of GABAergic postsynaptic responses in CA/CC mode matched the responses in WC, and depolarising GABAergic potentials were predominantly observed during CA/CC recordings of intact neonatal CA3 hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Similarly, CA/CC recordings reliably detected neuronal depolarization and excitation during network-induced giant depolarizing potentials in the neonatal CA3 hippocampus, and revealed variable changes, from depolarization to hyperpolarization, in CA1 pyramidal cells during sharp wave ripples in the adult hippocampus. Thus, CA/CC recordings are suitable for assessing membrane potential but signal distortion, probably caused by leakage via the seal contact and RC filtering should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrei Rozov
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
- Institut für Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Heidelberg, Germany
- Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Roustem Khazipov
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
- INMED - INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- *Correspondence: Roustem Khazipov
| | - Azat Nasretdinov
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
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Molecular Mechanisms of Epilepsy: The Role of the Chloride Transporter KCC2. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1500-1515. [PMID: 35819636 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02041-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by abnormal or synchronous brain activity causing seizures, which may produce convulsions, minor physical signs, or a combination of symptoms. These disorders affect approximately 65 million people worldwide, from all ages and genders. Seizures apart, epileptic patients present a high risk to develop neuropsychological comorbidities such as cognitive deficits, emotional disturbance, and psychiatric disorders, which severely impair quality of life. Currently, the treatment for epilepsy includes the administration of drugs or surgery, but about 30% of the patients treated with antiepileptic drugs develop time-dependent pharmacoresistence. Therefore, further investigation about epilepsy and its causes is needed to find new pharmacological targets and innovative therapeutic strategies. Pharmacoresistance is associated to changes in neuronal plasticity and alterations of GABAA receptor-mediated neurotransmission. The downregulation of GABA inhibitory activity may arise from a positive shift in GABAA receptor reversal potential, due to an alteration in chloride homeostasis. In this paper, we review the contribution of K+-Cl--cotransporter (KCC2) to the alterations in the Cl- gradient observed in epileptic condition, and how these alterations are coupled to the increase in the excitability.
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Capsoni S, Arisi I, Malerba F, D’Onofrio M, Cattaneo A, Cherubini E. Targeting the Cation-Chloride Co-Transporter NKCC1 to Re-Establish GABAergic Inhibition and an Appropriate Excitatory/Inhibitory Balance in Selective Neuronal Circuits: A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12060783. [PMID: 35741668 PMCID: PMC9221351 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060783] [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: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain, depolarizes and excites immature neurons because of an initially higher intracellular chloride concentration [Cl-]i due to the delayed expression of the chloride exporter KCC2 at birth. Depolarization-induced calcium rise via NMDA receptors and voltage-dependent calcium channels is instrumental in shaping neuronal circuits and in controlling the excitatory (E)/inhibitory (I) balance in selective brain areas. An E/I imbalance accounts for cognitive impairment observed in several neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of this review is to summarize recent data on the mechanisms by which alterations of GABAergic signaling alter the E/I balance in cortical and hippocampal neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the role of cation-chloride co-transporters in this process. In particular, we discuss the NGF and AD relationship and how mice engineered to express recombinant neutralizing anti-NGF antibodies (AD11 mice), which develop a neurodegenerative pathology reminiscent of that observed in AD patients, exhibit a depolarizing action of GABA due to KCC2 impairment. Treating AD and other forms of dementia with bumetanide, a selective KCC2 antagonist, contributes to re-establishing a proper E/I balance in selective brain areas, leading to amelioration of AD symptoms and the slowing down of disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Capsoni
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Section of Physiology, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ivan Arisi
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.A.); (F.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Francesca Malerba
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.A.); (F.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Mara D’Onofrio
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.A.); (F.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.A.); (F.M.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (E.C.); Tel.: +39-050-509320 (A.C.); +39-06-49255255 (E.C.)
| | - Enrico Cherubini
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.A.); (F.M.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (E.C.); Tel.: +39-050-509320 (A.C.); +39-06-49255255 (E.C.)
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Chapman CA, Nuwer JL, Jacob TC. The Yin and Yang of GABAergic and Glutamatergic Synaptic Plasticity: Opposites in Balance by Crosstalking Mechanisms. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2022; 14:911020. [PMID: 35663370 PMCID: PMC9160301 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.911020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity is a critical process that regulates neuronal activity by allowing neurons to adjust their synaptic strength in response to changes in activity. Despite the high proximity of excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic postsynaptic zones and their functional integration within dendritic regions, concurrent plasticity has historically been underassessed. Growing evidence for pathological disruptions in the excitation and inhibition (E/I) balance in neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders indicates the need for an improved, more "holistic" understanding of synaptic interplay. There continues to be a long-standing focus on the persistent strengthening of excitation (excitatory long-term potentiation; eLTP) and its role in learning and memory, although the importance of inhibitory long-term potentiation (iLTP) and depression (iLTD) has become increasingly apparent. Emerging evidence further points to a dynamic dialogue between excitatory and inhibitory synapses, but much remains to be understood regarding the mechanisms and extent of this exchange. In this mini-review, we explore the role calcium signaling and synaptic crosstalk play in regulating postsynaptic plasticity and neuronal excitability. We examine current knowledge on GABAergic and glutamatergic synapse responses to perturbances in activity, with a focus on postsynaptic plasticity induced by short-term pharmacological treatments which act to either enhance or reduce neuronal excitability via ionotropic receptor regulation in neuronal culture. To delve deeper into potential mechanisms of synaptic crosstalk, we discuss the influence of synaptic activity on key regulatory proteins, including kinases, phosphatases, and synaptic structural/scaffolding proteins. Finally, we briefly suggest avenues for future research to better understand the crosstalk between glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tija C. Jacob
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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