大鼠发育过程中下丘脑神经元钾离子通道温度效应变化的研究

为了探讨出生后钾离子通道在下丘脑神经元热敏感分化过程中的作用,采用膜片钳技术研究出生一个月内SD大鼠急性分离神经元的温度效应,结果表明IK电流密度在出生后一个月内变化不大(P>0.05),而IA电流密度则呈现为升高趋势(P<0.05).同时升高温度,不同出生日期的钾通道NPo都有不同程度的升高,但相较P1d的神经元来说,温度对P18d的电压依赖性影响更大一些.同时温度对IK和IA的影响是不一样的,IA的Q10>2,所有这些显示IA通道在神经元温度敏感性的发育分化过程中起着重要的作用.     

新生大鼠下丘脑神经元发育过程中膜特性变化

大鼠出生后下丘脑神经元温度敏感性逐步升高,采用电流钳技术发现,膜被动特性在出生后18 d内变化显著,同时峰电位升高,动作电位间期延长,前电位及后电位均有明显的变化,大多数神经元表现为单次放电.这些结果表明发育过程中离子通道的密度和活动特性发生了改变,同时温度敏感性与突触特性存在着一定的关系.     

下丘脑神经元钙激活钾通道的整流现象

目的研究SD乳鼠下丘脑神经元中钙激活钾通道的整流现象.方法采用膜片钳内面向外式记录方式.结果记录到一种大电导钙激活钾通道(KCa),在对称140mmol/L[K+]时内向电导为(171±12)pS,不随[Ca2+]变化而改变,而外向电导可受[Ca2+]调控,当[Ca2+]为500μmol/L时,外向电导为(76±14)pS.[Ca2+]越大,整流现象越明显,Mg2+对这种KCa的整流作用不明显.结论下丘脑神经元中KCa具有Ca2+依赖性整流现象,它可能与神经元的兴奋性和稳定性有关.     

新生大鼠下丘脑神经元L-Ca~(2 )通道电流活动特征

目的 :研究新生大鼠下丘脑神经元L Ca2 通道单通道特性 ;Ca2 通道激动剂BayK 86 44对Ca2 通道单通道特性的影响。方法 :采用神经元急性分离技术 ;用膜片钳细胞贴附式记录方式进行研究。结果 :大鼠下丘脑神经元L Ca2 通道是一种电导相对较大的Ca2 通道 ,其电导为 (2 9.5± 3.1)pS ,平均开放时间 (τ0 )为 0 .2 8ms,平均关闭时间的短关闭时间常数 (τc1)为 2 .91ms,长关闭时间常数 (τc2 )为 5 3.2 2ms。此通道几乎不存在时间依赖性失活。BayK86 44显著增加通道的开放概率 ,通道平均开放时间增加为 1.6 1ms。结论 :下丘脑神经元存在L Ca2 通道 ,该通道具有明显电压依赖性 ,而无显著的时间依赖性。通道特征与文献报道的其它神经元上L Ca2 通道相似 ,也有明显不同 ,显示下丘脑神经元L Ca2 钙通道的独特性     

温度对下丘脑神经元膜上延迟整流性K~ 通道活动密度的影响

目的 :探讨温度对下丘脑神经元延迟整流性K 单离子通道 (Ik)活动密度的影响。方法 :采用膜片钳细胞贴附式技术观察和记录 32℃、37℃和 39℃时下丘脑神经元Ik 的活动。结果 :温度升高 ,记录到封接膜片上Ik 活动的机率增大 ,由 32℃时的 34.6 %升至 39℃时的 5 1.0 % ,而且出现多通道活动 ;Ik 通道活动密度明显增高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,32℃、37℃和 39℃时膜上的通道活动密度分别为 0 .71、1.2 2和 1.5 2channels/ μm2 。结论 :温度升高 ,下丘脑神经元上Ik 通道更多地处于活动状态 ,这可能有利于下丘脑神经元对体温活动的调节     

温度对下丘脑神经元膜上延迟整流性K^＋通道活动密度的影响

目的：探讨温度对下丘脑神经元延迟整流性K^＋单离子通道（Ik）活动密度的影响。方法：采用膜片钳细胞贴附式技术观察和记录32℃、37℃和39℃时下丘脑神经元Ik的活动。结果：温度升高,记录到封 膜片上Ik活动的机率增大,由32℃时的34.6％升至39℃的51.05,而且出现通道活动;Ik通道活动密度明显增高（P＜0.05）,32℃、37℃和39℃时膜上的通道活动密度分别为0.71、1.22 和1.52channels/μm^2。结论：温度升高,下丘脑神经元上Ik通道更多地处于活动状态,这可能利于丘脑神经元对体温活动的调节。     

新生大鼠下丘脑神经元L—Ca^2＋通道电流活动特征

目的研究新生大鼠下丘脑神经元L-Ca2+通道单通道特性;Ca2+通道激动剂BayK8644对Ca2+通道单通道特性的影响.方法采用神经元急性分离技术;用膜片钳细胞贴附式记录方式进行研究.结果大鼠下丘脑神经元L-Ca2+通道是一种电导相对较大的Ca2+通道,其电导为(29.5±3.1)pS,平均开放时间(τ0)为0.28ms,平均关闭时间的短关闭时间常数(τc1)为2.91ms,长关闭时间常数(τc2)为53.22ms.此通道几乎不存在时间依赖性失活.BayK8644显著增加通道的开放概率,通道平均开放时间增加为1.61ms.结论下丘脑神经元存在L-Ca2+通道,该通道具有明显电压依赖性,而无显著的时间依赖性.通道特征与文献报道的其它神经元上L-Ca2+通道相似,也有明显不同,显示下丘脑神经元L-Ca2+钙通道的独特性.     

钾通道活化剂对豚鼠气道平滑肌电压依赖性钾通道特性的影响

钾通道活化剂可激活钾离子通道并松驰支气管平滑肌,在急性分离的豚鼠支气管平滑肌细胞上,用膜片钳技术的细胞贴附式和内面向外式研究了其对电压依赖性钾通道的直接作用。结果证实：在全细胞记录条件下,卡吗克林和拉吗克林不影响静息膜电位。但在去极化时可使通道电导从７５．２±５．１ｐＳ分别增大到８５．９±１１．８ｐＳ和８２．１±５．５ｐＳ。通道动力学特性也发生了改变,通道平均开放时间的τｏ２值延长和开放概率显著增加,其中拉吗克林的作用更为强。两者均可诱发通道出现多级开放。表明这两类活化剂可使去极化时钾离子外流增加。     

大鼠海马CA1区神经元Na~+通道在出生后早期发育的变化

为了探索大鼠海马CA1区锥体神经元电压门控性Na+通道发育的关键期,本研究采用膜片钳技术,分别对急性分离的出生后0周、1周、2周、3周、4周的大鼠海马CA1区锥体神经元进行全细胞记录。结果显示,随着大鼠出生后周龄的增大,Na+通道的最大电流密度逐渐增大,出生后1~4周相对于出生后0周的最大电流密度的增幅分别为(42.76±4.91)%、(146.80±7.63)%、(208.79±5.28)%、(253.72±5.74)%(n=10,P<0.05),出生后1周与2周之间的增幅最为显著;Na+通道的稳态激活曲线向左移动,出生后0~2周的半数激活电压逐渐减小,分别为39.06±0.65、43.41±0.52、48.29±0.45(mV,n=10,P<0.05),出生后2~4周的半数激活电压变化不大,出生后0~4周的斜率因子没有显著变化;Na+通道的稳态失活曲线及半数失活电压没有显著变化,但出生后1~2周斜率因子减小,分别为5.77±0.56、4.42±0.43(n=10,P<0.05),出生后0~1周、2~4周之间的斜率因子没有明显变化;Na+通道失活后恢复曲线左移,出生后1~3周的恢复时间常数逐渐减小,分别为8.30±0.24、7.15±0.21、6.18±0.25(ms,n=10,P<0.05),而出生后0~1周、3~4周之间没有明显变化;随着出生后的发育,海马CA1区锥体神经元动作电位发生变化,超射值与最大上升速率增大,阈值降低,与Na+电流的变化一致。结果提示,出生后1~2周可能是电压门控性Na+通道发育的关键期,此期间Na+通道分布显著增加,激活曲线左移,失活速度变快,失活后恢复的时间缩短。     

电压依赖性钾通道与人类神经性疾病

电压依赖性钾通道是钾通道超家族中成员最多,最为复杂的亚家族,主要包括Kvα亚单位和辅助亚单位两部分,其中快速失活A型通道和毒蕈碱敏感的M通道已被大量研究,它们广泛分布于神经系统,主要参与各种生理和病理作用,如膜兴奋性的产生,神经递质的释放,神经元细胞的增殖和退化,以及神经网络的信号传递等。目前发现Kv通道亚型或亚单位的突变与学习和记忆的损伤,共济失调,癫痫,神经性耳聋等一些神经性疾病的产生有关。     

Immunohistochemical study on the development of CRF-containing neurons in the hypothalamus of the rat

Summary Appearance of immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-containing neurons was studied in developing hypothalamus of the rat by use of antisera against rat- and ovine CRF. These neurons were first recognized in the lateral and paraventricular nuclei on days 15.5 and 16.5 of gestation, respectively, when antiserum against rat CRF was employed. Antiserum against ovine CRF revealed the cells two days later exclusively in the latter nucleus. In both nuclei, the neurons increased in number with development. The neurons in the paraventricular nucleus appeared to project their immunoreactive processes to the median eminence via the periventricular and lateral pathways. In the median eminence, the immunoreaction with antiserum to rat CRF was first recognized in its anterior portion in the form of dots on day 16.5 of gestation but as beaded fibers in the external layer on day 17.5; these structures increased in amount with development in rostro-caudal direction. Although antiserum to ovine CRF was less potent in immunostainability than antiserum to rat CRF, it also revealed the beaded fibers in the median eminence on day 17.5 of gestation. Since evidence is available that the paraventricular nucleus is involved in corticotropin release, it is concluded that, in rats, the hypothalamic regulatory mechanism controlling the release of corticotropin initially appears on days 16.5–17.5 of gestation.     

CRF-containing neurons of the rat hypothalamus

Summary The immunoreactive CRF-neurons of the rat hypothalamus have been examined immunohistochemically employing anti-rat CRF serum. These neurons are confined to the paraventricular nucleus, dorsomedial-lateral hypothalamic area, and suprachiasmatic nucleus, and are, respectively, also immunoreactive to anti-Met-enk, -alpha-MSH, and -VIP sera. Intraventricular administration of colchicine (50 g/5 l/rat) induces a dramatic enhancement of the immunostainability of the cell somata, and also accelerates the development of immunoreactivity of other stored peptides, especially in the paraventricular nucleus.The CRF-neurons respond to adrenalectomy by showing increased immunoreactivity and an increase in the number of cell bodies; in the dorsomedial-lateral area and suprachiasmatic nucleus, there is also an enhanced immunoreactivity for alpha-MSH and VIP, respectively. CRF-cells in the paraventricular nucleus become markedly hypertrophied, but do not show any enhanced immunoreactivity for Met-enk. Since the axons of the paraventricular neurons run to the median eminence, it is probable that they are involved with the endocrine control of hypophysial ACTH release. It is concluded that the CRF-containing neurons in rat hypothalamus consist of three types which are functionally and morphologically different.     

Immunocytochemical localization of somatostatin-containing neurons in the rat hypothalamus

Summary The rat hypothalamus was studied at the light microscopic level with the use of single and double immunocytochemical staining methods. It was shown that the rat supraoptic and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei, and their accessory neurosecretory nuclei, do not contain magnocellular somatostatin neurons. The distribution of the hypothalamic parvocellular somatostatin cells is described. The parvocellular component of the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus is, at least partly, composed of somatostatin cells: they form a fairly well circumscribed periventricular cell mass. The rat suprachiasmatic nuclei contain separate somatostatin neurons and vasopressin neurons. Scattered somatostatin cells are present in the entire arcuate nucleus. In addition to the periventricular somatostatin cells located in the preopticanterior hypothalamic area and in the arcuate nucleus, the rat hypothalamus also contains numerous scattered somatostatin cells located distant from the third ventricle.This investigation was supported by a grant from the Belgian Nationaal Fonds voor Geneeskundig Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek     

Ontogenetic appearance of immunoreactive GRF-containing neurons in the rat hypothalamus

Summary Ontogenetic development of GRF-containing neurons in the rat hypothalamus was studied employing antisera which were generated against hpGRF (1–44)NH₂ and rhGRF(1–43)OH: anti-hpGRF-C and -rhGRF sera recognize the species-specific C-terminal portions of the peptides, and anti-hpGRF-MC and -N sera recognize hpGRF(27–44)NH₂ and the N-terminal portion of hpGRF(1–44)NH₂, respectively. The anti-hpGRF-C and-rhGRF sera stained different neuronal cell bodies, which were localized in distinct hypothalamic areas. The former serum did not stain the axonal terminals in the median eminence, but the latter stained them strongly. The antihpGRF-MC and -N sera stained neuronal cell bodies, some of which corresponded to those immunolabelled with antihpGRF-C or -rhGRF serum. The anti-rhGRF serum first demonstrated immunoreactive perikarya in the ventral-lateral border of the arcuate nucleus of 19.5-day-old fetuses that had received an intraventricular colchicine administration 24 h previously. The immunoreactive fibers were recognized first in the external layer of the median eminence of untreated fetuses on day 19.5 of gestation, and then they increased in amount with development. No immunore-active fibers, however, were found in the median eminence of colchicine-treated animals during the fetal period. It is concluded that in rats GRF may be synthesized in the perikarya on day 18.5 of gestation and conveyed to the median eminence without delay via axonal flow.     

Electron-microscopic cytochemistry of the catecholaminergic innervation of TRH neurons in the rat hypothalamus

Summary The catecholaminergic innervation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) neurons was examined by use of a combined method of 5-hydroxydopamine (5-OHDA) uptake or autoradiography after intraventricular injection of ³H-noradrenaline (³H-NA) and immunocytochemistry for TRH in the same tissue sections at the electron-microscopic level.TRH-like immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were distributed abundantly in the parvocellular part of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), in the suprachiasmatic preoptic nucleus and in the dorsomedial nucleus of the rat hypothalamus. In the PVN, a large number of immunonegative axon terminals were found to make synaptic contact with TRH-like immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers. In the combined autoradiography or 5-OHDA labeling with immunocytochemistry, axon terminals labeled with ³H-NA or 5-OHDA were found to form synaptic contacts with the TRH immunoreactive nerve cell bodies and fibers. These findings suggest that catecholamine-containing neurons, probably noradrenergic, may innervate TRH neurons to regulate TRH secretion via synapses with other unknown neurons in the rat PVN.This study was supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan     

Distribution of vitamin D binding protein expressing neurons in the rat hypothalamus

We observed immunostaining for vitamin D binding protein (DBP) in rat hypothalamus. Part of the supraoptic and of the paraventricular neurons showed DBP immunoreactivity, in part colocalized with Arg-vasopressin. DBP was also observed in widespread axonal projections throughout the lateral hypothalamus, the median eminence and the posterior pituitary lobe. A portion of ependymal cells, the choroids plexus epithelium and some of the endocrine cells in the anterior pituitary lobe contained DBP immunoreactivity. In situ hybridization of semithin sections with a synthetic oligonucleotide probe to DBP mRNA resulted in staining of magnocellular hypothalamic neurons, but not of ependymal cells or anterior lobe cells. Our observations indicate an intrinsic expression of DBP in the rat hypothalamus. DBP may be synthesized and transported along with the classical neurohypophyseal hormones. The multiple locations of DBP-expressing neurons indicate multiple functional properties: DBP may be released from in the posterior lobe, it may act as a hypophyseotropic factor and as a central neuroactive substance.     

Taurine-activated currents in isolated neurons of the rat cerebellum

Taurine-activated currents were investigated in rat cerebellar neurons using techniques of voltage clamping at the membrane and intracellular perfusion. Activation of both chloride and calcium conductance at the membrane were produced by applying taurine to the membrane surface. The dose-response curve for taurine-activated current is in the 1×10^–4–1×10^–1 M concentration region. The dissociation constant of the taurine-receptor complex equals 2×10^–3 M. Activation of taurine-induced currents is a cooperative process: Hill's coefficient –2. It was found that bicuculline and strychnine exert a blocking action on taurine-activated currents, while pentobarbital and oxazepam potentiate taurine action.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 22, No. 6, November–December, 1990, pp. 780–786.     

Catecholaminergic innervation of GRF-containing neurons in the rat hypothalamus revealed by electron-microscopic cytochemistry

Summary The Catecholaminergic innervation of neurons containing growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) was examined by use of a method which combined either 5-hydroxydopamine (5-OHDA) uptake or autoradiography after intraventricular injection of ³H-noradrenaline with immunocytochemistry for GRF in the same tissue sections at the electron-microscopic level. In the ventrolateral part of the arcuate nucleus of the rat hypothalamus a large number of immunonegative axon terminals were found to make synaptic contact with GRF-like immunoreactive (GRF-LI) cell bodies and processes. ³H-noradrenaline autoradiography or 5-OHDA-labeling combined with GRF immunocytochemistry revealed that axon terminals labeled with ³H-noradrenaline or 5-OHDA make synaptic contact with the GRF-LI nerve cell bodies and processes. These findings indicate that catecholamine-containing neurons innervate GRF neurons to regulate GRF secretion via synapses in the rat arcuate nucleus.     

Thyroid hormone regulates mRNA expression and currents of ion channels in rat atrium

Atrial fibrillation is one of the common arrhythmias associated with hyperthyroidism. This study examined the effects of thyroid hormone (T3) on mRNA expression and currents of major ionic channels determining the action potential duration (APD) in the rat atrium using the RNase protection assay and the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, respectively. T3 increased the Kv1.5 mRNA expression and decreased the L-type calcium channel mRNA expression, while the Kv4.2 mRNA expression did not change. APD was shorter in hyperthyroid than in euthyroid myocytes. The ultrarapid delayed rectifier potassium currents were remarkably increased in hyperthyroid than in euthyroid myocytes, whereas the transient outward potassium currents were unchanged. L-type calcium currents were decreased in hyperthyroid than in euthyroid myocytes. T3 shifted the current-voltage relationship for calcium currents negatively. In conclusion, T3 increased the outward currents and decreased the inward currents. The resultant changes of ionic currents shortened APD, providing a substrate for atrial fibrillation.     

Progesterone-transforming enzyme activity in the hypothalamus of the male rat

The aim of the present study was to assess the activities of the progesterone (Pr) transforming enzyme systems 3alpha-oxidoreductase (3alpha-OR), 5alpha-reductase (5alpha-R) and 20alpha-oxidoreductase (20alpha-OR) in the hypothalamus of the male rat, at different stages of sexual maturation and following castration and adrenalectomy. Special attention was paid to transformation to 3alpha-reduced compounds previously shown to inhibit FSH synthesis and secretion. Homogenates of hypothalamic tissue were incubated with 14C-progesterone. Pr-metabolites were isolated, identified by gas chromatography/mass-spectrometry (GC/MS) and measured by liquid scintillation counting (LSC). In adult rats a ratio of 6:2.5:1 for 5alpha-R:3alpha-OR:20alpha-OR enzyme- activities was found. The hypothalamic 5alpha-R and particularly 3alpha-OR activities were considerably higher before puberty (10-20 day old rats) than in adulthood. Adrenalectomy in adult rats resulted in an increased activity of the three enzyme systems. No significant changes were seen following castration. Among the isolated metabolites, 3alpha-hydroxy-pregn-4-en-20-one (3alpha-Pr) and 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnane-20-one (5alpha,3alpha-Pr) were identified. Conversion to both these neurosteroids was considerably higher during prepuberty than in adulthood. The finding that before puberty the hypothalamus has a markedly increased capacity to convert Pr to 3alpha-reduced compounds, such as 3alpha-Pr, known to effectively inhibit FSH release, warrants further research into the mechanisms regulating the hypothalamic formation of biologically active Pr derivatives and their role in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion.