Combined Experiments with in Vivo Fiber Photometry and Behavior Tests Can Facilitate the Measurement of Neuronal Activity in the Primary Somatosensory Cortex and Hyperalgesia in an Inflammatory Pain Mice Model

The pain matrix, which includes several brain regions that respond to pain sensation, contribute to the development of chronic pain. Thus, it is essential to understand the mechanism of causing chronic pain in the pain matrix such as anterior cingulate (ACC), or primary somatosensory (S1) cortex. Recently, combined experiment with the behavior tests and in vivo calcium imaging using fiber photometry revealed the interaction between the neuronal function in deep brain regions of the pain matrix including ACC and the phenotype of chronic pain. However, it remains unclear whether this combined experiment can identify the interaction between neuronal activity in S1, which receive pain sensation, and pain behaviors such as hyperalgesia or allodynia. In this study, to examine whether the interaction between change of neuronal activity in S1 and hyperalgesia in hind paw before and after causing inflammatory pain was detected from same animal, the combined experiment of in vivo fiber photometry system and von Frey hairs test was applied. This combined experiment detected that amplitude of calcium responses in S1 neurons increased and the mechanical threshold of hind paw decreased from same animals which have an inflammatory pain. Moreover, we found that the values between amplitude of calcium responses and mechanical thresholds were shifted to negative correlation after causing inflammatory pain. Thus, the combined experiment with fiber photometry and the behavior tests has a possibility that can simultaneously consider the interaction between neuronal activity in pain matrix and pain induced behaviors and the effects of analgesics or pain treatments.

Dermal macrophages set pain sensitivity by modulating the amount of tissue NGF through an SNX25-Nrf2 pathway

Cross-talk between peripheral neurons and immune cells is important in pain sensation. We identified Snx25 as a pain-modulating gene in a transgenic mouse line with reduced pain sensitivity. Conditional deletion of Snx25 in monocytes and macrophages, but not in peripheral sensory neurons, in mice (Snx25cKO mice) reduced pain responses in both normal and neuropathic conditions. Bone marrow transplantation using Snx25cKO and wild-type mice indicated that macrophages modulated pain sensitivity. Expression of sorting nexin (SNX)25 in dermal macrophages enhanced expression of the neurotrophic factor NGF through the inhibition of ubiquitin-mediated degradation of Nrf2, a transcription factor that activates transcription of Ngf. As such, dermal macrophages set the threshold for pain sensitivity through the production and secretion of NGF into the dermis, and they may cooperate with dorsal root ganglion macrophages in pain perception.

Pain related neuronal ensembles in the primary somatosensory cortex contribute to hyperalgesia and anxiety

The mechanism by which acute pain or itch information at the periphery is processed in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) remains unclear. To elucidate this, we used a viral-mediated targeted-recombination-in-active population system to target S1 neuronal ensembles that are active during pain or itch sensations. We induced the expression of excitatory or inhibitory designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs in pain- or itch-related S1 neurons. We identified neuronal populations in mice that regulate the sensory components of pain and itch in the S1 hind paw region. Notably, the neuronal circuit between pain-related S1 neurons and the parafascicular nucleus contributed to hyperalgesia and anxiety-like behavior. We propose that S1 plays an essential role in sensory and affective responses to noxious stimuli, such as pain.

Pretreatment serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 as a predictor of long-term outcome by ustekinumab in patients with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Ustekinumab has been proven to be effective for treatment of patients with Crohn's disease; however, 30-40% of patients have been reported to lose clinical response within 2 years. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ustekinumab and identify predictors of short-term and long-term efficacy in Crohn's disease.

METHODS

Patients with Crohn's disease receiving their first ustekinumab infusion in our hospital between June 2017 and September 2020 were prospectively enrolled. Concentrations of serum cytokines and chemokines were measured using a multiplex bead array assay.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine Crohn's disease patients were enrolled in this study. Among 34 clinically active patients, 38.2% achieved a clinical response at week 8. None of the assayed factors were associated with short-term clinical response. Cumulative persistence rates of ustekinumab were 77.6% at 1 year and 58.9% at 2 years. Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that Harvey-Bradshaw Index scores at baseline, concomitant immunomodulator treatment, and concentrations of interferon gamma-induced protein-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin (IL)-1RA, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8 were significantly associated with loss of efficacy. Multivariate Cox regression analysis found that biologic naïve status (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.1191, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02458-0.5774) and MCP-1 concentrations (HR: 1.038, 95% CI: 1.015-1.062) were significantly and associated with loss of sustained efficacy for ustekinumab treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that pretreatment serum MCP-1 analysis, combined with a history of biologic use, could be a novel biomarker for predicting the long-term efficacy of ustekinumab in patients with Crohn's disease.

Amino acid transporter Asc-1 (SLC7A10) expression is altered in basal ganglia in experimental Parkinsonism and L-dopa-induced dyskinesia model mice

In Parkinson's disease (PD), a decrease in dopamine levels in the striatum causes abnormal circuit activity in the basal ganglia, resulting in increased output via the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr). A characteristic feature of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the basal ganglia circuitry under conditions of dopamine depletion is enhanced synaptic activity of NMDA receptors. However, the cause of this NMDA receptor hyperactivity is not fully understood. We focused on Asc-1 (SLC7A10), an alanine-serine-cysteine transporter, as one of the factors that regulate NMDA receptor activity by modulating D-serine and glycine concentration in synaptic clefts. We generated PD model mice by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the unilateral medial forebrain bundle and analyzed the expression level of Asc-1 mRNA in the nuclei of basal ganglia (the external segment of the globus pallidus (GPe), subthalamic nucleus (STN), and SNr) compared to control mice. Each nucleus was dissected using laser microdissection, and RNA was extracted and quantified by quantitative PCR. Asc-1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the GPe and lower in the SNr under the PD state than that in control naïve mice. The STN showed no change in Asc-1 mRNA expression. We further modeled L-dopa-induced dyskinesia by administering L-dopa continuously for 14 days to the PD model mice and found that Asc-1 mRNA expression in the GPe and SNr became close to that of control mice, regardless of the presence of abnormal involuntary movements. The present study revealed that Asc-1 mRNA expression is differentially regulated in the basal ganglionic nuclei in response to striatal dopamine concentration (depleted or replenished) and suggests that Asc-1 can be a therapeutic target for the amelioration of motor symptoms of PD.

Hedgehog signaling plays a crucial role in hyperalgesia associated with neuropathic pain in mice

Neuropathic pain is a debilitating chronic syndrome of the nervous system caused by nerve injury. In Drosophila, the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is related to increased pain sensitivity (hyperalgesia) but does not affect the baseline nociceptive threshold. In general, the contribution of the Hh signaling pathway to neuropathic pain in vertebrates is a highly debated issue. Alternatively, we investigated the potential role of Hh signaling in mechanical allodynia using a mouse model of neuropathic pain. Seven days after spinal nerve-transection (SNT) surgery, microglial activation increased in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn compared with that in the sham group; however, 21 days after surgery, microglial activation decreased. Contrastingly, astrocyte activation in the spinal cord did not differ between the groups. On day 21 of postsurgery, the SNT group showed marked upregulation of sonic hedgehog expression in peripheral glial cells but not in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Intrathecal administration of the Hh signaling inhibitor vismodegib attenuated the mechanical allodynia observed on day 21 postsurgery. Conversely, intrathecal treatment with the Hh signaling activator smoothened agonist in naive mice induced mechanical allodynia, which was abolished by the ATP transporter inhibitor clodronate. Moreover, inhibition of Hh signaling by pretreatment with vismodegib significantly reduced ATP secretion and the frequency/number of spontaneous elevations of intracellular calcium ion levels in cultured DRG cells. Thus, the Hh signaling pathway appears to modulate the neural activity of DRG neurons via ATP release, and it plays an important role in sustaining mechanical allodynia and hypersensitivity in a mouse model of neuropathic pain.

Olig2-astrocytes express neutral amino acid transporter SLC7A10 (Asc-1) in the adult brain

We have reported that the transcription factor Olig2 labels a subpopulation of astrocytes (Olig2-astrocytes), which show distribution patterns different from those of GFAP-expressing astrocytes (GFAP-astrocytes) in the adult brain. Here, to uncover the specific functions of Olig2-astrocytes, we first analyzed public single-cell RNA-seq databases of adult mouse brains. Unbiased classification of gene expression profiles and subsequent gene ontology analyses revealed that the majority of Olig2-astrocytes belonged to an astrocytic cluster that is enriched for transporter-related genes. SLC7A10 (also known as ASC-1) was one of the representative neutral amino acid transporter genes in the cluster. To complement the in silico data analyses, we differentially isolated Olig2- and GFAP-astrocytes from the same frozen section of the lateral globus pallidus using laser microdissection and compared their gene expression by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. We confirmed that Olig2 and GFAP mRNAs were preferentially expressed in the Olig2- and GFAP-astrocytes, respectively, indicating that the laser microdissection method yielded minimal cross-contamination between two types of cells. The Olig2-astrocytes expressed significantly higher levels of SLC7A10 mRNA than the GFAP-astrocytes, corroborating the in silico data. We next localized SLC7A10 protein by immunohistochemistry in the lateral globus pallidus, which was also genetically labeled for Olig2. SLC7A10 co-localized with Olig2-genetic labeling, especially on the fine processes of Olig2-astrocytes. These results are consistent with the recent discovery that SLC7A10 is expressed not only in neurons but also in a subset of astrocytes. Taken together, our findings suggest that SLC7A10 exerts specific functions in Olig2-astrocytes of the adult brain.

Antihypersensitivity effect of betanin (red beetroot extract) via modulation of microglial activation in a mouse model of neuropathic pain

BACKGROUND

Neuropathic pain (NeP) medications have several side effects that affect NeP patients' quality of life. Betanin, the most common betacyanin pigment, has been shown to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in vivo; thus, it has potential as a healthcare treatment. In this study, we focused on betanin (red beetroot extract) as a potential therapy for NeP.

METHODS

Mice model of NeP were made by chronic constriction injury (CCI), and the development of mechanical hypersensitivity was confirmed using the von Frey test. Motor coordination and locomotor activity were assessed using open field tests and rotarod tests, respectively. The expression level of glial markers in the spinal cords was analyzed by immunostaining. The direct effects of betanin on microglial cells were investigated using primary cultured microglial cells.

RESULTS

In CCI model mice, repeated betanin treatment, both intraperitoneally and orally, attenuated developing mechanical hypersensitivity in a dose-dependent manner without impairing motor coordination. Betanin treatment also attenuated mechanical hypersensitivity that had developed and prevented the onset of mechanical hypersensitivity in CCI mice. Microglial activation in the spinal cord is known to play a key role in the development of NeP; betanin treatment reduced CCI-induced microglial activation in the spinal cord of model mice. Moreover, in primary microglia cultured cells, the activation of microglia by lipopolysaccharide application was suppressed by betanin treatment.

CONCLUSION

Betanin treatment appears to ameliorate mechanical hypersensitivity related to CCI-induced NeP in mice by inhibiting microglial activation.

SIGNIFICANCE

This article supports findings of the effect of betanin on NeP and provides a potential therapeutic candidate for NeP. Furthermore, elucidating the underlying mechanism of the effect of betanin on microglial activation could assist the development of new treatments for chronic pain.

Neural expression of sorting nexin 25 and its regulation of tyrosine receptor kinase B trafficking

Sorting nexin 25 (SNX25) belongs to the sorting nexin superfamily, whose members are responsible for membrane attachment to organelles of the endocytic system. Recent reports point to critical roles for SNX25 as a negative regulator of transforming growth factor β signaling, but the expression patterns of SNX25 in the central nervous system (CNS) remain almost uncharacterized. Here, we show widespread neuronal expression of SNX25 protein and Snx25 mRNA using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. As an exception, SNX25 was present in the Bergmann glia of the cerebellum. SNX25 immunoreactivity was found in cholinergic and catecholaminergic neurons. Moreover, SNX25 colocalized with tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in the neurons of the cortex and hippocampus. In vitro, SNX25 can interact with full-length TrkB, but not with its C-terminal-truncated isoform. Overexpression of SNX25 accelerated degradation of full-lengh TrkB, indicating that SNX25 promotes the trafficking of TrkB for lysosomal degradation. These findings suggest that SNX25 is a new actor in endocytic signaling, perhaps contributing to the regulation of BDNF-TrkB signaling in the CNS.

The role of peripheral corticotropin-releasing factor signaling in a rat model of stress-induced gastric hyperalgesia

BACKGROUND

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder associated with persistent or recurrent upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms such as pain without any obvious pathological changes. Psychological and psychiatric factors might have a pathogenic role in FD. Changes in the sensation of stomach pain were determined after application of stress to adult rats. The involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), Type 2 CRF receptor (CRF₂) and inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) was also investigated in the gastric hyperalgesia observed in this model.

RESULTS

Repeated water avoidance stress (WA-S) produced gastric hyperalgesia, with no obvious lesions in the gastric mucosa. Gastric hyperalgesia was inhibited by CRF and CRF₂ antagonists, suggesting their involvement in gastric hyperalgesia observed after application of stress. Gastric hyperalgesia was inhibited by IL-6 neutralizing antibody. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated CRF, CRF₂, urocortin (Ucn)1, and Ucn2-positive cells in the gastric mucosa. CRF₂-positive cells increased after WA-S, compared to sham stress. CRF₂ and Ucn2 were expressed in the mast cells in the gastric mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS

CRF₂ plays an important role in gastric hyperalgesia produced by stress. CRF₂ signaling may be a useful therapeutic target for functional dyspepsia.

Responses of perivascular macrophages to circulating lipopolysaccharides in the subfornical organ with special reference to endotoxin tolerance

BACKGROUND

Circulating endotoxins including lipopolysaccharides (LPS) cause brain responses such as fever and decrease of food and water intake, while pre-injection of endotoxins attenuates these responses. This phenomenon is called endotoxin tolerance, but the mechanisms underlying it remain unclear. The subfornical organ (SFO) rapidly produces proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in response to peripherally injected LPS, and repeated LPS injection attenuates IL-1β production in the SFO, indicating that the SFO is involved in endotoxin tolerance. The purpose of this study is to investigate features of the IL-1β source cells in the SFO of LPS-non-tolerant and LPS-tolerant mice.

METHODS

We first established the endotoxin-tolerant mouse model by injecting LPS into adult male mice (C57BL/6J). Immunohistochemistry was performed to characterize IL-1β-expressing cells, which were perivascular macrophages in the SFO. We depleted perivascular macrophages using clodronate liposomes to confirm the contribution of IL-1β production. To assess the effect of LPS pre-injection on perivascular macrophages, we transferred bone marrow-derived cells obtained from male mice (C57BL/6-Tg (CAG-EGFP)) to male recipient mice (C57BL/6N). Finally, we examined the effect of a second LPS injection on IL-1β expression in the SFO perivascular macrophages.

RESULTS

We report that perivascular macrophages but not parenchymal microglia rapidly produced the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β in response to LPS. We found that peripherally injected LPS localized in the SFO perivascular space. Depletion of macrophages by injection of clodronate liposomes attenuated LPS-induced IL-1β expression in the SFO. When tolerance developed to LPS-induced sickness behavior in mice, the SFO perivascular macrophages ceased producing IL-1β, although bone marrow-derived perivascular macrophages increased in number in the SFO and peripherally injected LPS reached the SFO perivascular space.

CONCLUSIONS

The current data indicate that perivascular macrophages enable the SFO to produce IL-1β in response to circulating LPS and that its hyporesponsiveness may be the cause of endotoxin tolerance.

REVERCE: a randomized phase II study of regorafenib followed by cetuximab versus the reverse sequence for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The objective of this randomized phase II trial was to evaluate efficacy and safety of the therapeutic sequence of regorafenib followed by cetuximab, compared with cetuximab followed by regorafenib, as the current standard sequence for metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with KRAS exon 2 wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer after failure of fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan were randomized to receive sequential treatment with regorafenib followed by cetuximab ± irinotecan (R-C arm), or the reverse sequence [cetuximab ± irinotecan followed by regorafenib (C-R arm)]. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Key secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS) with initial treatment (PFS1), PFS with second treatment (PFS2), safety, and quality of life. Exploratory end points included serial biomarker analyses, including oncogenic alterations from circulating tumor DNA or multiple serum or plasma proteins.

RESULTS

One-hundred one patients were randomized and eligible for efficacy analysis. Sequential treatment was successful in 86% patients in both arms. Median OS for R-C and C-R was 17.4 and 11.6 months, respectively (P = 0.0293), with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.61 for OS [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39-0.96]. The HR for PFS1 (regorafenib in R-C versus cetuximab in C-R) was 0.97 (95% CI 0.61-1.54), and PFS2 (C in R-C versus R in C-R) was 0.29 (95% CI 0.17-0.50). No unexpected safety signals were observed. The quality of life scores during the entire treatment period was not significantly different between the two arms. Circulating biomarker analyses showed emerging oncogenic alterations in RAS, BRAF, EGFR, HER2, and MET, which were more commonly detected after cetuximab than after regorafenib.

CONCLUSIONS

The therapeutic sequence of regorafenib followed by cetuximab suggests a longer OS than the current standard sequence.

CCR2 upregulation in DRG neurons plays a crucial role in gastric hyperalgesia associated with diabetic gastropathy

Background

Diabetic gastropathy is a complex neuromuscular dysfunction of the stomach that commonly occurs in diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients often present with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, such as epigastric discomfort or pain. The aim of this study was to assess gastric sensation in streptozocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) rats and to determine the contribution of C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) signaling to gastric hyperalgesia.

Results

DM rats showed signs of neuropathy (cutaneous mechanical hyperalgesia) from two weeks after streptozocin administration until the end of the experiment. Accelerated solid gastric emptying was observed at two weeks after streptozocin administration compared to the controls. Intense gastric hyperalgesia also developed in DM rats at two weeks after streptozocin administration, which was significantly reduced after intrathecal administration of the CCR2 antagonist INCB3344. Immunochemical analysis indicated that CCR2 expression was substantially upregulated in small and medium-sized dorsal root ganglia neurons of DM rats, although the protein level of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, the preferred ligand for CCR2, was not significantly different between the control and DM groups.

Conclusions

These data suggest that CCR2 activation in nociceptive dorsal root ganglia neurons plays a role in the pathogenesis of gastric hyperalgesia associated with diabetic gastropathy and that CCR2 antagonist may be a promising treatment for therapeutic intervention.

The inner mitochondrial membrane protein ANT1 modulates IL-6 expression via the JNK pathway in macrophages

Mitochondria are increasingly associated with inflammation. Here, we focus on the relationship between inflammation and adenine nucleotide translocator type 1 (ANT1), which is localized in the mitochondrial inner membrane. ANT1 plays an important role in oxidative phosphorylation, and mutations in the ANT1 gene are responsible for mitochondrial diseases. Ample studies have demonstrated that ANT1 has a critical role in cardiomyocytes and neurons, but little has been reported on its functions in immune cells. We knocked down ANT1 expression in macrophages and examined inflammatory cytokine expression after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. ANT1 knockdown reduces the expression of IL-6. JNK, upstream of IL-6, is downregulated, but other MAP kinases and the NF-κB signaling remain unchanged. These results suggest that ANT1 modulates IL-6 expression through JNK in macrophages.

Propofol induces nuclear localization of Nrf2 under conditions of oxidative stress in cardiac H9c2 cells

Oxidative stress contributes to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, which causes cardiomyocyte death and precipitate life-threatening heart failure. Propofol has been proposed to protect cells or tissues against oxidative stress. However, the mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects are not fully elucidated. In the present study, we employed an in vitro oxidative injury model, in which rat cardiac H9c2 cells were treated with H₂O₂, and investigated roles of propofol against oxidative stress. Propofol treatment reduced H₂O₂-induced apoptotic cell death. While H₂O₂ induced expression of the antioxidant enzyme HO-1, propofol further increased HO-1 mRNA and protein levels. Propofol also promoted nuclear localization of Nrf2 in the presence of H₂O₂. Knockdown of Nrf2 using siRNA suppressed propofol-inducible Nrf2 and expression of Nrf2-downstream antioxidant enzyme. Knockdown of Nrf2 suppressed the propofol-induced cytoprotection. In addition, Nrf2 overexpression induced nuclear localization of Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. These results suggest that propofol exerts antioxidative effects by inducing nuclear localization of Nrf2 and expression of its downstream enzyme in cardiac cells. Finally, we examined the effect of propofol on cardiomyocytes using myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury models. The expression level of Nrf2 protein was increased at 15 min after reperfusion in the ischemia-reperfusion and propofol group compared with ischemia-reperfusion group in penumbra region. These results suggest that propofol protects cells or tissues from oxidative stress via Nrf2/HO-1 cascade.

Systematic characterization of human testis-specific actin capping protein β3 as a possible biomarker for male infertility

STUDY QUESTION

Is actin capping protein (CP) β3 involved in human spermatogenesis and male infertility?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Human CPβ3 (hCPβ3) is expressed in testis, changes its localization dynamically during spermatogenesis, and has some association with male infertility.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

The testis-specific α subunit of CP (CPα3) was previously identified in human, and mutations in the cpα3 gene in mouse were shown to induce malformation of the sperm head and male infertility. However, CPβ3, which is considered to be a heterodimeric counterpart of CPα3, has been neither characterized in human nor reported in association with male infertility.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

To confirm the existence of CPβ3 in human testis, fresh semen samples from proven fertile men were analyzed. To investigate protein expression during spermatogenesis, cryopreserved testis obtained from men with obstructive azoospermia were examined by immunofluorescent analysis. To assess the association of CP with male infertility, we compared protein expression of human CPα3 (hCPα3) and hCPβ3 using immunofluorescent analysis of cryopreserved sperm between men with normozoospermia (volunteers: Normo group, n = 20) and infertile men with oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia (O + A group, n = 21).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

The tissue-specific expression of hCPβ3 was investigated by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. To investigate whether hCPα3 and hCPβ3 form a heterodimer, a tandem expression vector containing hcpα3 tagged with monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 and hcpβ3 tagged with enhanced green fluorescent protein in a single plasmid was constructed and analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. The protein expression profiles of hCPα3 and hCPβ3 during spermatogenesis were examined by immunohistochemical analysis using human spermatogenic cells. The protein expressions of hCPα3 and hCPβ3 in sperm were compared between the Normo and O + A groups by immunohistochemical analysis.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

RT-PCR showed that mRNA of hcpβ3 was expressed exclusively in testis. Western blot analysis detected hCPβ3 with anti-bovine CPβ3 antibody. Co-IP assay with recombinant protein showed that hCPα3 and hCPβ3 form a protein complex. At each step during spermatogenesis, the cellular localization of hCPβ3 changed dynamically. In spermatogonia, hCPβ3 showed a slight signal in cytoplasm. hCPβ3 expression was conspicuous mainly from spermatocytes, and hCPβ3 localization dynamically migrated from cytoplasm to the acrosomal cap and acrosome. In mature spermatozoa, hCPβ3 accumulated in the postacrosomal region and less so at the midpiece of the tail. Double-staining analysis revealed that hCPα3 localization was identical to hCPβ3 at every step in the spermatogenic cells. Most spermatozoa from the Normo group were stained homogenously by both hCPα3 and hCPβ3. In contrast, significantly more spermatozoa in the O + A versus Normo group showed heterogeneous or lack of staining for either hCPα3 or hCPβ3 (abnormal staining) (P < 0.001). The percentage of abnormal staining was higher in the O + A group (52.4 ± 3.0%) than in the Normo group (31.2 ± 2.5%). Even by confining the observations to morphologically normal spermatozoa selected in accordance with David's criteria, the percentage of abnormal staining was still higher in the O + A group (39.9 ± 2.9%) versus the Normo group (22.5 ± 2.1%) (P < 0.001). hCPβ3 in conjunction with hCPα3 seemed to play an important role in spermatogenesis and may be associated with male infertility.

LARGE SCALE DATA

Not applicable.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION

Owing to the difficulty of collecting fresh samples of human testis, we used cryopreserved samples from testicular sperm extraction. To examine the interaction of spermatogenic cells or localization in seminiferous tubules, fresh testis sample of healthy males are ideal.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The altered expression of hCPα3 and hCPβ3 may not only be a cause of male infertility but also a prognostic factor for the results of ART. They may be useful biomarkers to determine the fertilization ability of human sperm in ART.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP16K20133). The authors declare no competing interests.

Olig2-Lineage Astrocytes: A Distinct Subtype of Astrocytes That Differs from GFAP Astrocytes

Astrocytes are the most abundant glia cell type in the central nervous system (CNS), and are known to constitute heterogeneous populations that differ in their morphology, gene expression and function. Although glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the cardinal cytological marker of CNS astrocytes, GFAP-negative astrocytes can easily be found in the adult CNS. Astrocytes are also allocated to spatially distinct regional domains during development. This regional heterogeneity suggests that they help to coordinate post-natal neural circuit formation and thereby to regulate eventual neuronal activity. Here, during lineage-tracing studies of cells expressing Olig2 using Olig2^CreER; Rosa-CAG-LSL-eNpHR3.0-EYFP transgenic mice, we found Olig2-lineage mature astrocytes in the adult forebrain. Long-term administration of tamoxifen resulted in sufficient recombinant induction, and Olig2-lineage cells were found to be preferentially clustered in some adult brain nuclei. We then made distribution map of Olig2-lineage astrocytes in the adult mouse brain, and further compared the map with the distribution of GFAP-positive astrocytes visualized in GFAP^Cre; Rosa-CAG-LSL-eNpHR3.0-EYFP mice. Brain regions rich in Olig2-lineage astrocytes (e.g., basal forebrain, thalamic nuclei, and deep cerebellar nuclei) tended to lack GFAP-positive astrocytes, and vice versa. Even within a single brain nucleus, Olig2-lineage astrocytes and GFAP astrocytes frequently occupied mutually exclusive territories. These findings strongly suggest that there is a subpopulation of astrocytes (Olig2-lineage astrocytes) in the adult brain, and that it differs from GFAP-positive astrocytes in its distribution pattern and perhaps also in its function. Interestingly, the brain nuclei rich in Olig2-lineage astrocytes strongly expressed GABA-transporter 3 in astrocytes and vesicular GABA transporter in neurons, suggesting that Olig2-lineage astrocytes are involved in inhibitory neuronal transmission.

A review of functional heterogeneity among astrocytes and the CS56-specific antibody-mediated detection of a subpopulation of astrocytes in adult brains

Astrocytes comprise the largest class of glial cells in the mammalian central nerve system (CNS). Although astrocytes were long considered to be a homogeneous population of neuron-supporting cells, recent decades have seen a shift toward the recognition that astrocytes exhibit morphological and functional heterogeneities and serve as essential modulators of brain functions. However, the mechanism underlying astrocyte diversity remains unclear, and the different subpopulations are difficult to identify due to a lack of specific cell markers. In this review, I discuss current knowledge regarding astrocyte heterogeneity and introduce a subpopulation that can be detected via labeling with a chondroitin sulfate-specific antibody (CS56). These CS56-positive astrocytes were found to selectively express tenascin-R (TNR) in the adult mouse cerebral cortex. Further research demonstrated significantly lower levels of glutamate uptake activity and glutamate aspartate transporter expression in TNR-knockdown astrocytes relative to controls, suggesting that the expression and secretion of Tnr by a subpopulation of astrocytes may contribute to region-specific neuron-astrocyte interactions. In summary, these results suggest that CS56-specific antibody and Tnr could be used as novel markers to detect an astrocyte subpopulation in the adult CNS.

Changes in endothelial cell proliferation and vascular permeability after systemic lipopolysaccharide administration in the subfornical organ

The subfornical organ (SFO) has highly permeable fenestrated vasculature and is a key site for immune-to-brain communications. Recently, we showed the occurrence of continuous angiogenesis in the SFO. In the present study, we found that systemic administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) reduced the vascular permeability and endothelial cell proliferation. In LPS-administered mice, the SFO vasculature showed a significant decrease in the immunoreactivity of plasmalemma vesicle associated protein-1, a marker of endothelial fenestral diaphragms. These data suggest that vasculature undergoes structural change to decrease vascular permeability in response to systemic LPS administration.

Voluntary Exercise Induces Astrocytic Structural Plasticity in the Globus Pallidus

Changes in astrocyte morphology are primarily attributed to the fine processes where intimate connections with neurons form the tripartite synapse and participate in neurotransmission. Recent evidence has shown that neurotransmission induces dynamic synaptic remodeling, suggesting that astrocytic fine processes may adapt their morphologies to the activity in their environment. To illustrate such a neuron-glia relationship in morphological detail, we employed a double transgenic Olig2^CreER/WT; ROSA26-GAP43-EGFP mice, in which Olig2-lineage cells can be visualized and traced with membrane-targeted GFP. Although Olig2-lineage cells in the adult brain usually become mature oligodendrocytes or oligodendrocyte precursor cells with NG2-proteoglycan expression, we found a population of Olig2-lineage astrocytes with bushy morphology in several brain regions. The globus pallidus (GP) preferentially contains Olig2-lineage astrocytes. Since the GP exerts pivotal motor functions in the indirect pathway of the basal ganglionic circuit, we subjected the double transgenic mice to voluntary wheel running to activate the GP and examined morphological changes of Olig2-lineage astrocytes at both the light and electron microscopic levels. The double transgenic mice were divided into three groups: control group mice were kept in a cage with a locked running wheel for 3 weeks, Runner group were allowed free access to a running wheel for 3 weeks, and the Runner-Rest group took a sedentary 3-week rest after a 3-week running period. GFP immunofluorescence analysis and immunoelectron microscopy revealed that astrocytic fine processes elaborated complex arborization in the Runner mice, and reverted to simple morphology comparable to that of the Control group in the Runner-Rest group. Our results indicated that the fine processes of the Olig2-lineage astrocytes underwent plastic changes that correlated with overall running activities, suggesting that they actively participate in motor functions.

Hedgehog Signaling Components Are Expressed in Choroidal Neovascularization in Laser-induced Retinal Lesion

Choroidal neovascularization is one of the major pathological changes in age-related macular degeneration, which causes devastating blindness in the elderly population. The molecular mechanism of choroidal neovascularization has been under extensive investigation, but is still an open question. We focused on sonic hedgehog signaling, which is implicated in angiogenesis in various organs. Laser-induced injuries to the mouse retina were made to cause choroidal neovascularization. We examined gene expression of sonic hedgehog, its receptors (patched1, smoothened, cell adhesion molecule down-regulated by oncogenes (Cdon) and biregional Cdon-binding protein (Boc)) and downstream transcription factors (Gli1-3) using real-time RT-PCR. At seven days after injury, mRNAs for Patched1 and Gli1 were upregulated in response to injury, but displayed no upregulation in control retinas. Immunohistochemistry revealed that Patched1 and Gli1 proteins were localized to CD31-positive endothelial cells that cluster between the wounded retina and the pigment epithelium layer. Treatment with the hedgehog signaling inhibitor cyclopamine did not significantly decrease the size of the neovascularization areas, but the hedgehog agonist purmorphamine made the areas significantly larger than those in untreated retina. These results suggest that the hedgehog-signaling cascade may be a therapeutic target for age-related macular degeneration.