锌离子调节皮质酮对原代培养大鼠海马神经元的损伤

探讨皮质酮对原代培养大鼠海马神经元的损伤效应及锌的调节作用。用原位染色和RT-PCR方法,分别检测神经元的损伤情况及NMDA受体三种亚基(NRl、NR2A、NR2B)mRNA的表达。皮质酮(5μmol／L)作用2,4h可明显降低海马神经元的存活率,导致神经元凋亡,并随着作用时间的延长而加重;锌离子明显影响皮质酮对海马神经元的损伤效应：同时加入皮质酮和低、中浓度Zn^2 (10、100μmol／L),可明显降低神经元凋亡率,而加入高浓度Zn^2 (250μmol／L)则加重神经元损伤。皮质酮作用24h后,海马神经元NRl、NR2BmRNA的表达水平增高,而同时加入低、中浓度Zn^2 (10、100μmol／L)的海马神经元NRl、NR2BmRNA表达水平与对照组接近;NR2AmRNA表达无明显变化。这些结果表明,锌对皮质酮所致应激损伤的调节具有双向性;NMDA受体亚基水平的变化可能是其中重要环节之一。     

线粒体膜电位与皮质酮对原代培养海马细胞的毒性作用

采用MTT法和激光共聚焦显微术观察皮质酮对原代培养海马神经细胞的存活率及其线粒体膜电位的影响。结果表明,在低糖、无血清培养条件下,皮质酮可剂量依赖地降低海马神经元及神经胶质细胞的存活率,在同等剂量下以神经元损伤更为显著。给予高浓度葡萄糖（25mmol/L）可明显拮抗皮质酮对海马神经元的毒性作用。进一步研究表明,皮质酮（10^-6-10^-5mol/L）可引起海马神经元线粒体膜电位明显下降,此作用亦可被高浓度葡萄糖所对抗。结果提示,在相同处理因素条件下,皮质酮以损伤神经元为主。皮质酮可降低海马神经元的存活率及线粒体膜电位,给予高浓度葡萄糖具有明显的改善作用。线粒体膜电位的下降可能是皮质酮引起神经元损伤的机制之一。     

NMDA受体通道参与大鼠脊髓背角C纤维诱发电位LTP的表达

以往研究表明,激动NMDA受体是引起海马长时程增强(LTP)的必备条件,而LTP的表达主要与AMPA受体的磷酸化及其受体组装到突触后膜有关.但是,近年来有研究表明NMDA受体通道也参与了LTP的表达.为探讨NMDA受体通道是否参与了脊髓背角C纤维诱发电位LTP的表达,诱导LTP后,分别静脉或脊髓局部给予NMDA受体拮抗剂MK801或APV,观察其作用.发现静脉注射非竞争性NMDA受体MK801(0.1mg/kg)对脊髓LTP无影响,注射0.5mg/kg显著抑制LTP,但是当剂量增高到1.0mg/kg时,抑制作用并未进一步增大.脊髓局部给予MK801也能抑制脊髓背角LTP.为验证上述结果,使用了竞争性NMDA受体拮抗剂APⅤ.结果显示,脊髓局部给予50μmol/LAPⅤ对LTP无影响,100μmol/L对LTP有显著的抑制作用,当浓度升至200μmol/L时,抑制作用并未见进一步增强.因此认为,NMDA受体通道部分地参与了脊髓背角C纤维诱发电位LTP的表达.     

锌对体外应激海马神经元MTs亚型表达的影响

目的:观察不同锌水平对体外应激海马神经元金属硫蛋白(MTs)亚型表达的影响。方法:取新生1dWis-tar大鼠海马组织进行体外神经元培养,无血清培养24h后,分别向培养液中加入皮质酮、Zn2+特异鳌合剂TPEN,使二者的最终浓度均为1×10-5mol/L,然后加入不同浓度的ZnSO4溶液,使Zn2+的最终浓度分别为1×10-5mol/L、1×10-4mol/L和2×10-4mol/L,作用24h后检测培养液中IL-6和NO含量,以蛋白印迹法检测细胞MTs含量,以RT-PCR检测细胞MT-1mRNA和MT-3mRNA的表达水平。结果:在海马神经元培养液中加入TPEN后,MTs的表达出现明显降低,皮质酮刺激也未见其表达升高。在补锌组,MTs的含量均明显增加,其中以10-4mol/LZn2+组的表达量最高。海马神经元MT-1mRNA和MT-3mRNA的表达水平在皮质酮应激组和补锌组均出现明显升高。另外,锌缺乏和皮质酮刺激可使海马神经元培养上清中的IL-6和NO水平均出现明显升高。结论:不同锌水平对应激海马神经元金属硫蛋白及其亚型mRNA的表达具有调控作用,缺锌可降低金属硫蛋白的表达,而补锌可增加金属硫蛋白的表达。     

NMDA受体介导脑缺血/再灌注诱导GluR6 巯基亚硝基化的研究

目的:研究脑缺血再灌注以及联合给予脑缺血和NMDA(N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸)受体抑制剂MK801对大鼠海马CA1区Glu R6巯基亚硝基化以及海马CA1区锥体细胞凋亡的影响。方法:采用四动脉结扎法构建大鼠全脑缺血再灌注模型,给予SD大鼠腹腔注射NMDA受体特异性抑制剂MK801(3 mg/kg)。主要运用'生物素转化法'(Biotin-Switch method)、SDS-PAGE、免疫印迹、焦油紫染色等方法对Glu R6的巯基亚硝基化(S-亚硝基化)、蛋白表达水平以及海马CA1区锥体细胞的凋亡水平进行研究。结果:脑缺血/再灌注显著促进Glu R6的巯基亚硝基化以及海马CA1区锥体细胞的凋亡,给予NMDA受体特异性抑制剂MK801能够显著抑制脑缺血/复灌诱导增加的Glu R6的S-亚硝基化以及海马CA1区锥体细胞的凋亡。结论:脑缺血/再灌注早期NMDA受体介导了Glu R6的巯基亚硝基化以及海马CA1区锥体细胞的凋亡,从而为临床治疗缺血再灌注脑损伤提供了理论依据。     

CNTF对NMDA引起大鼠海马神经元蛋白激酶C核转位的影响

目的：探讨睫状神经营养因子(CNTF)对N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸(NMDA)引起大鼠海马神经元蛋白激酶C(PKC)发生核转位的影响。方法：以NMDA及CNTF处理原代培养的大鼠海马神经元,PKCγ、免疫细胞化学并结合图象分析方法测定PKC阳性神经元胞核的灰度。结果：①给予不同浓度NMDA处理不同时间后,神经元核内有不同程度的PKCγ及PKCε表达,其中以100μmol／L NMDA 30min组表现尤为显著;②CNTF 500μmol／L NMDA组神经元胞核PKC灰度与对照组相似。结论：NMDA可引起海马神经元PKCγ、PKCε的核转位,而CNTF则抑制其转位的发生,提示CNTF对海马神经元的保护作用与抑制PKC的核转位右关。     

阻断NMDA受体可增强皮质酮对海马脑源性神经营养因子表达的抑制:cAMP反应元件结合蛋白的作用

高浓度的皮质酮可引起海马形态与功能的损伤,其中脑源性神经营养因子(brain-derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF) 表达的改变在海马形态与功能损伤中扮演重要角色。本实验的目的是观察单次皮下注射皮质酮后海马内BDNF-mRNA、前 体蛋白及成熟型蛋白表达的改变,并观察N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸(N-methyl-D-aspartate NMDA)受体阻滞剂MK801对皮质酮 作用的影响。实验结果显示,单次皮下注射皮质酮2 mg／kg,3 h后海马内BDNF mRNA、前体蛋白及成熟型蛋白的表达 均降低;MK801(0．1 mg／kg)对皮质酮的这一作用有增强效果。单独给予皮质酮或注射MK801 30 min后再给予皮质酮, 均能明显降低海马中cAMP反应元件结合蛋白(cAMP response element binding protein,CREB)的磷酸化水平,MK801与 皮质酮联用时CREB的磷酸化水平降低更为显著(与单独给予皮质酮相比,P<0．05)。实验结果提示,CREB磷酸化水平降 低可能是皮质酮引起海马BDNF表达减少的重要中间环节,阻断NMDA受体可加强皮质酮降低BDNF表达的效应。     

右美托咪定对大鼠海马神经元生长发育的影响及其机制

目的:探讨右美托咪定(DEX)对新生大鼠海马神经元发育过程及脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)-酪氨酸受体激酶B(Trk B)信号通路分子表达的影响。方法:从新生的大鼠分离出海马神经元细胞进行体外培养,将细胞接种于96孔板,实验分为4组(对照组、1μmol/L DEX处理组、5μmol/L DEX处理组、50μmol/L DEX处理组),每组设置6复孔,分别给予不同浓度的右美托咪定1、5和50μmol/L处理,于处理后2、4、6、8、10 d检测细胞活性,于处理后10 d检测细胞凋亡情况、q-PCR检测突触素(SYN)和突触后密度蛋白95(PSD95)的mRNA表达水平,分析BDNF、Trk B及N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体(NMDA)蛋白表达情况。结果:与对照组相比,不同剂量DEX处理组的神经元细胞活力无显著差异,1μmol/L和5μmol/L DEX处理组中SYN和PSD95 mRNA的表达和Trk B蛋白均无显著性差异(P>0.05),而50μmol/L DEX处理组中SYN和PSD95 mRNA的表达显著升高(P<0.01),BDNF蛋白表达水平显着上调(P<0.01),p-N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体的表达增加(P<0.01)。结论:50μmol/L DEX对大鼠海马神经元有一定的作用,其可能通过上调BDNF的表达和N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体的磷酸化水平来实现。     

对羟基苯甲醛对神经元缺氧所致钙超载的抑制作用

通过复制大鼠原代皮层神经元缺糖缺氧/复糖复氧(OGD/Rep)损伤模型,采用MTT法检测细胞存活率、硝酸还原酶法检测NO释放量、流式细胞仪检测胞内钙离子浓度、Western Blot法及RT-PCR法检测神经元L型钙通道、NMDA型钙通道、TRPM7通道蛋白和基因的表达,评价天麻成分对羟基苯甲醛对OGD/Rep损伤致大鼠原代皮层神经元钙通道过度开放的影响,探讨天麻成分对羟基苯甲醛的神经保护作用是否通过抑制钙通道的过度开放减轻钙超载,结果表明天麻成分对羟基苯甲醛可提高大鼠原代皮层神经元OGD/Rep损伤的存活率、减少NO的释放、降低胞内钙离子浓度、降低L型钙通道蛋白的表达。     

高糖对海马神经元形态破坏和APP蛋白含量的影响

为探索高糖培养对原代海马神经元形态损伤和神经退行性相关蛋白β-淀粉样蛋白前体(amyloid β-protein precursor,APP)含量的影响,分离胎龄16 d的大鼠海马神经元,分别使用含有25 mmol/L、50 mmol/L、75 mmol/L和100 mmol/L葡萄糖浓度的Neurobasal培养基进行原代培养干预,Western-blot检测APP蛋白水平,光学显微镜下观察不同浓度葡萄糖作用后海马神经元形态的变化。结果发现:高糖培养后,胎鼠海马神经元突触变短,胞体肿胀,同时APP水平随着葡萄糖浓度的递增逐渐升高。以上信息提示高糖引发的神经元形态破坏与APP高水平有关,控制血糖可能有利于保护神经元细胞,使其免受损伤。     

Corticosterone acutely prolonged N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-mediated Ca2+ elevation in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

This work reports the first demonstration that corticosterone (CORT) has a rapid and transient effect on NMDA receptor-mediated Ca2+ signaling in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Using single cell Ca2+ imaging, CORT and agonists of glucocorticoid receptors were observed to modulate the NMDA receptor-mediated Ca2+ signals in a completely different fashion from pregnenolone sulfate. In the absence of steroids, 100 micro m NMDA induced a transient Ca2+ signal that lasted for 30-70 s in 86.1% of the neurons prepared from postnatal rats (3-5 days old). After pre-treatment with 0.1-100 micro m CORT for 10-20 min, NMDA induced extremely prolonged Ca2+ elevation. This prolonged Ca2+ elevation was terminated by the application of MK-801 and followed by washing out of CORT. The proportion of CORT-modulated neurons within the NMDA-responsive cells increased from 25.1 to 95.5% when the concentration of CORT was raised from 0.1 to 50 micro m. Substitution of BSA-conjugated CORT produced essentially the same results. When hippocampal neurons were preincubated with 10 micro m cortisol and 1 micro m dexamethasone for 20 min, a very prolonged Ca2+ elevation was also observed upon NMDA stimulation. The CORT-prolonged Ca2+ elevation caused a long-lasting depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, as observed with rhodamine 123. In contrast, incubation with 100 micro m pregnenolone sulfate did not considerably alter the time duration of NMDA-induced transient Ca2+ elevation, but caused a significant increase in the peak amplitude of Ca2+ elevation in hippocampal neurons. These results imply that high levels of CORT induce a rapid and non-genomic prolongation of NMDA receptor-mediated Ca2+ elevation, probably via putative membrane surface receptors for CORT in the hippocampal neurons.     

Modulation of the levels of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA and the bindings of [3H]MK-801 in rat brain by chronic infusion of subtoxic dose of MK-801

The effects of continuous infusion of NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 on the modulation of NMDA receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, NR2B, and NR2C were investigated by using in situ hybridization study. Differential assembly of NMDA receptor subunits determines their functional characteristics. Continuous intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion with MK-801 (1 pmol/10 l/h) for 7 days resulted in significant modulations in the NR1, NR2A, and NR2B mRNA levels without producing stereotypic motor syndromes. The levels of NR1 mRNA were significantly increased (9-20%) in the cerebral cortex, striatum, septum, and CA1 of hippocampus in MK-801-infused rats. The levels of NR2A mRNA were significantly decreased (11-16%) in the CA3 and dentate gyrus of hippocampus in MK-801-infused rats. In contrast to NR2A, NR2B subunit mRNA levels were increased (10-14%) in the cerebral cortex, caudate putamen, and thalamus. However, no changes of NR2C subunits in cerebellar granule layer were observed. Using quantitative ligand autoradiography, the binding of NMDA receptor ligand [³H]MK-801 was increased (12-25%) significantly in almost all brain regions except in the thalamus and cerebellum after 7 days infusion with MK-801. These results suggest that region-specific changes of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA and [³H]MK-801 binding are involved in the MK-801-infused adult rats.     

Effect of prenatal and postnatal ethanol exposure on the developmental profile of mRNAs encoding NMDA receptor subunits in rat hippocampus

It has been proposed that assembly of the final NMDA receptor complex may be modified by prenatal ethanol exposure, resulting in long-term alterations of NMDA receptor pharmacology. We investigated the effect of prenatal and postnatal ethanol exposure on the developmental profile of mRNAs encoding NMDA receptor subunits in rat hippocampus. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically intoxicated for 4 weeks with a 10% (v/v) ethanol solution administered throughout pregnancy and lactation. Hippocampus and cerebellum were isolated from pups (postnatal days 1-28) of the ethanol-exposed and ad libitum groups. Our results, using a semiquantitative RT-PCR technique, showed a selective effect of ethanol exposure on the various NMDA receptor subunits. Ethanol exposure significantly increased the levels of NR1(1XX), NR1(X11) and NR2(D) mRNAs on postnatal days 7 and 14 and decreased the level of NR2(C) on postnatal day 1. Immunoblot analyses demonstrated that NR2(D) protein levels were increased on postnatal day 7 after ethanol exposure. However, the developmental profile of mRNAs encoding for NR2(A-B), NR3(L/S), GBP and Gly/TCP-BP subunits were not affected. Moreover, no significant effects of ethanol exposure were observed on the developmental transition from expression of NR1(0XX) to NR(1XX) splice variants occurring in the cerebellum on postnatal day 19. Unexpectedly, [(3) H]MK-801 binding experiments showed that ethanol exposure increased the B (max) values of high-affinity sites on postnatal days 14 and 28, with no change of K (d) values. These findings indicate that prenatal and/or postnatal ethanol exposure alters the hippocampal levels of mRNAs encoding for certain subunits and the density of high-affinity [(3) H]MK-801 binding sites. As these subunits have been shown to modulate the functional properties of NMDA receptors, these results suggest that this altered expression could be involved in the neurodevelopmental disorders associated with fetal ethanol exposure.     

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists enhance histamine neuron activity in rodent brain

The modulation of histamine neuron activity by various non-competitive NMDA-receptor antagonists was evaluated by changes in tele-methylhistamine (t-MeHA) levels and histidine decarboxylase (hdc) mRNA expression induced in rodent brain. The NMDA open-channel blockers phencyclidine (PCP) and MK-801 enhanced t-MeHA levels in mouse brain by 50-60%. Ifenprodil, which interacts with polyamine sites of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors, had no effect. PCP also increased hdc mRNA expression in the rat tuberomammillary nucleus. The enhancement of t-MeHA levels elicited by MK-801 (ED50 of approximately 0.1 mg/kg) was observed in the hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus. Control t-MeHA levels and the t-MeHA response to MK-801 were not different in male and female mice. Double immunostaining for HDC and NMDA receptor subunits showed that histamine neurons of the rat tuberomammillary nucleus express NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NR1) with NMDA receptor subunit 2A (NR2A) and NMDA receptor 2B subunit (NR2B). In addition, immunoreactivity for the neuronal glutamate transporter EAAC1 was observed near most histaminergic perikarya. Hence, these findings support the existence of histamine/glutamate functional interactions in the brain. The increase in histamine neuron activity induced by NMDA receptor antagonists further suggests a role of histamine neurons in psychotic disorders. In addition, the decrease in MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion observed in mice after administration of ciproxifan further strengthens the potential interest of H3-receptor antagonist/inverse agonists for the symptomatic treatment of schizophrenia.     

Comparison of the pharmacological properties of GK11 and MK801, two NMDA receptor antagonists: towards an explanation for the lack of intrinsic neurotoxicity of GK11

Over-stimulation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) is involved in many neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, developing safe NMDAR antagonists is of high therapeutic interest. GK11 is a high affinity uncompetitive NMDAR antagonist with low intrinsic neurotoxicity, shown to be promising for treating CNS trauma. In the present study, we investigated the molecular basis of its interaction with NMDARs and compared this with the reference molecule MK801. We show, on primary cultures of hippocampal neurons, that GK11 exhibits neuroprotection properties similar to those of MK801, but in contrast with MK801, GK11 is not toxic to neurons. Using patch-clamp techniques, we also show that on NR1a/NR2B receptors, GK11 totally blocks the NMDA-mediated currents but has a six-fold lower IC₅₀ than MK801. On NR1a/NR2A receptors, it displays similar affinity but fails to totally prevent the currents. As NR2A is preferentially localized at synapses and NR2B at extrasynaptic sites, we investigated, using calcium imaging and patch-clamp approaches, the effects of GK11 on either synaptic or extrasynaptic NMDA-mediated responses. Here we demonstrate that in contrast with MK801, GK11 better preserve the synaptic NMDA-mediated currents. Our study supports that the selectivity of GK11 for NR2B containing receptors accounts contributes, at least partially, for its safer pharmacological profile.     

Coexpression of postsynaptic density-95 protein with NMDA receptors results in enhanced receptor expression together with a decreased sensitivity to L-glutamate

Coexpression in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells of the postsynaptic density-95 protein (PSD-95) with NMDA receptor NR2A or NR2B single subunits or NR1-1a/NR2A and NR1-1a/NR2B subunit combinations induced an approximately threefold increase in NR2A and NR2B subunit expression. Deletion of the NR2 C-terminal ESDV motifs resulted in the loss of this increase following coexpression of NR1-1a/NR2A(Trunc) and NR1-1a/NR2B(Trunc) with PSD-95. Characterisation of the radioligand binding properties of [(3)H]MK-801 to NR1-1a/NR2A receptors with or without PSD-95 showed that PSD-95 induced a threefold increase in B:(max) values and an apparent approximately fivefold decrease in affinity in the presence of 10 microM: L-glutamate. In the presence of 1 mM: L-glutamate, the K:(i) for MK-801 binding to NR1-1a/NR2A with PSD-95 was not significantly different from that for NR1-1a/NR2A without PSD-95. The EC(50) value for the enhancement of [(3)H]MK-801 binding by L-glutamate to NR1-1a/NR2A was 1.8 +/- 0.4 (n = 4) and 8.9 (mean of n = 2) microM: in the absence and presence of PSD-95, respectively. Thus, coexpression of PSD-95 with NR1-1a/NR2A results in a decreased sensitivity to L-glutamate and an enhanced expression of NR2A and NR2B subunits. Deletion studies show that this effect is mediated via interaction of the C-terminal ESDV motif of the NR2 subunit with PSD-95.     

Exposure to an enriched environment selectively increases the functional response of the pre-synaptic NMDA receptors which modulate noradrenaline release in mouse hippocampus

We evaluated the impact of environmental training on the functions of pre-synaptic glutamatergic NMDA and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) and nicotinic receptors expressed by hippocampal noradrenergic nerve terminals. Synaptosomes isolated from the hippocampi of mice housed in enriched (EE) or standard (SE) environment were labeled with [³H]noradrenaline ([³H]NA) and tritium release was monitored during exposure in superfusion to NMDA, AMPA, epibatidine or high K⁺. NMDA -evoked [³H]NA release from EE hippocampal synaptosomes was significantly higher than that from SE synaptosomes, while the [³H]NA overflow elicited by 100 μM AMPA, 1 μM epibatidine or (9, 15, 25 mM) KCl was unchanged. In EE mice, the apparent affinity of NMDA or glycine was unmodified, while the efficacy was significantly augmented. Sensitivity to non-selective or subtype-selective NMDA receptor antagonists (MK-801, ifenprodil and Zn²⁺ ions) was not modified in EE. Finally, the analysis of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA expression in noradrenergic cell bodies of the locus coeruleus showed that NR1, NR2A, NR2B and NR2D subunits were unchanged, while NR2C decreased significantly in EE mice as compared to SE mice. Functional up-regulation of the pre-synaptic NMDA receptors modulating NA release might contribute to the improved learning and memory found in animals exposed to an EE.     

Enhancement of NMDA-mediated responses by cyanide

The effect of cyanide on NMDA-activated ion current and MK801 binding was studied in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. In microfluorometric analysis using fura-2, removal of extracellular Mg²⁺ resulted in a five-fold increase in NMDA-induced peak of [Ca²⁺]_i. One mM NaCN enhanced the peak NMDA responses in the presence, but not in the absence of extracellular Mg²⁺. Cyanide enhanced the immediate rise in [Ca²⁺]_i produced by NMDA, followed over a 1–5 min period by a gradual increase of [Ca²⁺]_i. Similar results were obtained in whole-cell patch clamp recordings from hippocampal neurons. One mM KCN enhanced the NMDA-activated current in the presence, but not in the absence of extracellular Mg²⁺. This effect was independent of cyanide-mediated metabolic inhibition since the recording pipette contained ATP (2 mM). In binding assays NaCN (1 mM) increased the binding affinity of [³H]MK-801 to rat forebrain membranes in the presence of Mg²⁺, whereas in the absence of Mg²⁺, NaCN did not influence binding. These results indicate that cyanide enhances NMDA-mediated Ca²⁺ influx and inward current by interacting with the Mg²⁺ block of the NMDA receptor. The effect of cyanide can be explained by an initial interaction with the Mg²⁺ block of the NMDA receptor/ionophore which appears to be energy-independent, followed by a gradual increase in Ca²⁺ influx resulting from cellular energy reserve depletion.Abbreviations NMDA N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - EAA excitatory amino acid - MK-801 (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d] cyclohept-5,10-imine maleate