大鼠海马CA1区β受体参与长时程增强和空间学习

在离体海马脑片上, 激活CA1区β肾上腺素能受体(β受体)易化这一区域突触传递的长时程增强(LTP). 然而, 在体情况下, CA1区β受体是否参与LTP的调控, 是否参与海马依赖性的学习和记忆, 尚无实验证据. 为此, 观察了β受体激动剂异丙肾上腺素或拮抗剂心得安对在体CA1区LTP的调控作用以及对大鼠在Morris水迷宫中的空间学习的影响. 正常情况下对突触强度仅有微小调制作用的10 Hz的θ节律刺激(每串150个脉冲, 1串), 在CA1区局部给予L-异丙肾上腺素后, 显著地诱导出LTP, 这一效应被DL-心得安所阻断; 相反, 正常情况下对突触强度有显著调制作用的5 Hz的θ节律刺激(每串150个脉冲, 3串), 在CA1区局部给予DL-心得安后, 诱导出的LTP显著地被压抑. 相应地, 训练前20 min在CA1区注射DL-心得安, 大鼠在水迷宫中的学习速度显著地慢于对照组大鼠, 训练后24 h的空间记忆保持亦相应较差. 以上结果表明, β受体参与海马CA1区的突触可塑性, 且对空间学习重要.     

双电极绑定技术记录在体大鼠海马CA1区长时程增强

目的:探讨双电极绑定条件下记录大鼠在体海马CA1区长时程增强的可行性。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠乌拉坦麻醉;脑立体定位仪上埋置脑室导管;安装自制的刺激/记录绑定电极;引导基础性场兴奋性突触后电位(fEP-SP);强直刺激诱导长时程增强(LTP)。结果:绑定后的刺激和记录电极能可靠地引起海马CA1区fEPSP,fEPSP的出现率几乎100%;基础性fEPSP记录可保持长时间稳定;高频刺激成功诱导出LTP并维持达3h以上,诱导率约67%;双脉冲易化记录稳定、可靠;脑室注射β淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)对LTP显示出明显的压抑作用。结论:采用双电极绑定技术进行在体海马LTP记录简便易行、节省资源、引导fEPSP和诱导LTP的成功率较高,有望成为一项重要的研究学习和记忆机制的电生理辅助手段。     

2 Hz与100 Hz刺激在诱导大鼠视皮层长持续长时程增强中的不同作用

在哺乳动物的视皮层,多种不同参数的刺激可诱导出长时程增强(long-term potentiation,LTP)现象。但关于刺激参数与持续时间长于3h的长持续LTP(long lasting LTP,L-LTP)之间关系的研究较少。本研究用3周龄的大鼠视皮层脑片标本,在Ⅳ层刺激而在Ⅱ／Ⅲ层记录场电位,待场电位稳定后施加强直刺激诱导LTP,探讨2Hz与100Hz的强直刺激在诱发持续时间长于3h的L-LTP中的作用。结果表明,多于300个脉冲不同频率的刺激可稳定地诱导出L-LTP;2Hz与100Hz的刺激诱发的L-LTP有明显不同的表达形式,100Hz刺激可诱导出较大的L-LTP;频率相同而脉冲数不同的强直刺激诱发的L-LTP有相同的表达形式。以上结果提示,不同频率的强直刺激诱发的L-LTP机制可能不同;相同频率的刺激(脉冲数不同)诱发的L-LTP可能有相同的机制。     

小鼠海马CAl区高频刺激诱发的突触可塑性分析

通过细胞外记录方法记录场兴奋性突触后电位（field excitatory postsynaptic potential,fEPSP）的变化是研究突触可塑性,诸如长时程增强（long-term potentiation,LTP）和双脉冲可塑性（paired-pulse plasticity,PPP）的最常见方法之一。fEPSP波形的起始斜率、起始面积、峰值及总面积等的变化常用作判断突触可塑性增强或减弱的标准。在相同记录结果中测量fEPSP波形不同部位通常会有不同的结果,因此可能得出不同的结论,这些往往会被研究者忽略。本文通过测量小鼠海马CA1区细胞fEPSP波形的起始斜率、起始面积、峰值、总面积及时间参数等,分析比较高频刺激（high-frequency stimulation,HFS）诱发的突触可塑性,包括LTP和PPP的变化。结果显示,LTP过程中AMPA受体动力学变化加快,且在同一记录中,fEPSP波形不同部位的测量分析可以产生较大幅度的LTP和PPP差异。给予HFS后,双脉冲诱发fEPSP的比率在测量起始面积时略有下降,但在测量起始斜率时则显著增加,这些结果可能导致相反的结论。因此,全面仔细地分析fEPSP波形在整个实验中的变化对正确了解突触可塑性至关重要。     

在体大鼠海马Schaffer-CA1条件化双通路与海马组合突触可塑性

在戊巴比妥钠麻醉的Sprague-Dawley大鼠上,运用海马Schaffer-CA1双通路条件化作用(低频配对,600对脉冲,5Hz,配对刺激相应的兴奋性突触后电位峰值时间间隔为10ms)在两条Schaffer-CA1条件化通路上同时诱导出突触可塑性,呈现出海马组合突触可塑性。结果显示:不管海马Schaffer-CA1双通路独立与否,双通路条件化作用均可以同时诱导出长时程增强(long-term potentiation,LTP)和长时程抑制(long-term depression,LTD),呈现出LTP/LTD组合突触可塑性。结果表明:海马Schaffer-CA1双通路技术,可实现海马突触可塑性的双向诱导,可塑性的方向取决于突触的自身状态。由此提示,与传统的高频诱导LTP低频诱导LTD相比,在海马Schaffer-CA1双通路条件化作用诱导出的组合突触可塑性可以更好地编码海马相关的学习记忆,体现了海马突触可塑性的灵活性与稳定性。     

血小板激活因子对大鼠海马脑片CA1区LTP的作用

目的:为了探讨血小板激活因子(platelet-activating factor,PAF)对大鼠海马脑片CA1区的长时程增强效应(long-term potentiation,LTP)的影响.方法:应用离体脑片电生理记录技术,记录大鼠海马CA1区的兴奋性突触后电位EPSP,研究了PAF对大鼠海马脑片CA1区的突触传递和可塑性的影响.结果:小剂量(1μmol/L)PAF可诱发大鼠海马CA1区LTP的产生;大剂量(10～50μmol/L)PAF不能诱发大鼠海马CA1区LTP的产生,且不能阻止高频电刺激(HFS,100 Hz,1 000 ms×2,每隔20 s给予)Schffer侧支引起的大鼠海马脑片CA1区LTP的形成和维持.大剂量PAF对海马CA1区基础EPSP没有影响.PAF受体拮抗剂银杏苦内酯(ginkgolide B,GB)可拮抗小剂量PAF诱发大鼠海马CA1区LTP的产生.结论:大剂量PAF具有神经毒性,可能是通过抑制海马CA1区的LTP的形成而参与艾滋病痴呆(HIV-1 associated dementia,HAD)的形成机制.     

锂对铅引起的大鼠海马CA1区长时程增强效应（LTP）损伤的修复作用

应用离体脑片记录技术,记录大鼠海马CA1区的兴奋性突触后电位(EPSPs),研究了锂对铅引起的大鼠海马CA1区长时程增强效应(long-termpotentiation,LTP)损伤的修复作用。结果表明:对照组大鼠海马CA1区LTP幅度为194.42±14.05%(n=10);铅处理组LTP的幅度为147.06±9.55%(n=13);而锂加铅处理组LTP的幅度为193.45±14.91%(n=15)。与对照组相比,铅处理组LTP的幅度降低了47.36%,而锂几乎完全修复了铅对大鼠海马CA1区LTP幅度的损伤。锂和铅处理后对大鼠海马CA1区的双脉冲易化(paired-pulsefacilica-tion,PPF)都有一定的抑制作用,在脉冲间隔为50ms时,这种抑制效应最大:对照组为155.58±6.35%(n=7);铅暴露组为150.26±13.74%(n=8);锂加铅处理组为140.59±15.42%(n=8)。结果表明:锂对铅引起大鼠海马CA1区LTP的损伤有一定的修复作用。     

高低频强直刺激诱导大鼠视皮层长持续长时程增强后突触超微结构的变化

在发育期大鼠视皮层上以2与100 Hz强直刺激诱导长持续长时程增强(long-lasting long-term potentiation,L-LTP),然后观察突触超微结构的变化.在L-LTP形成后,运用电子显微镜及图像分析技术分析突触形态的变化.实验中观察到,突触界面曲率、突触数密度以及突触后致密物厚度在2与100 Hz组较对照组均显著增加,而突触间隙宽度减小.在100 Hz强直刺激诱导L-LTP组中,单位体积的活性区面积显著增加.100 Hz强直刺激诱导L-LTP组较2 Hz强直刺激诱导L-LTP组中单个突触活性区的面积大.以上结果表明100 Hz强直刺激诱导L-LTP组中新形成的突触较2 Hz强直刺激诱导L-LTP组中的突触大,提示100 Hz强直刺激引起的L-LTP可能伴随有突触后细胞骨架蛋白重组或合成的增加.     

长时程增强诱导和维持过程中海马CA1区神经细胞粘附分子蛋白水平与mRNA表达的变化

既往研究发现,神经细胞粘附分子(neural cell adhesion molecules,NCAM)对海马CA1区突触传递长时程增强(longterm potentiation,LTP)的诱导和维持极为关键。本文采用原位杂交法和Western blot法,观察了大鼠海马腑片LTP诱导和维持过程中NCAM mRNA和蛋白水平的动态变化过程。结果显示,强直刺激诱发fEPSP斜率升高10 min时,海马CA1区NCAM mRNA染色阳性神经元数量显著增加(76.6±11.5个),NCAM蛋白水平亦明显升高(7.190±0.64任意单位/50μg蛋白)。强直刺激诱发fEPSP斜率升高1 h时,NCAM mRNA染色阳性神经元数量为73.3±14.0个,NCAM蛋白量为9.031±0.71任意单位/50 μg蛋白;与强直刺激后10 min比较,NCAM mRNA表达无显著变化,而NCAM蛋白水平变化明显。NMDA受体特异阻断剂AP-5在损害LTP的同时,显著抑制NCAM mRNA和蛋白的增加。实验结果表明,在大鼠海马LTP诱导和维持过程中,NCAM mRNA增强的表达相对稳定,而NCAM蛋白水平呈现先低后高的变化。     

大鼠在体海马CA1区场电位引导新技术——刺激/记录/给药一体化装置的开发和应用

大鼠海马场电位记录是研究学习记忆的一个重要手段,尤以在体记录更具生理学意义.为克服目前在体海马场电位记录的弊端和诸多不便,提高实验效率,设计并完善了一套简便易行,融刺激、记录、给药于一体的大鼠海马在体CA1区场电位实验技术.将雄性SD大鼠麻醉后固定于脑立体定位仪上,利用自制的刺激/记录/给药联合装置,引导海马CA1区场兴奋性突触后电位(fEPSP).结果表明,使用刺激/记录/给药联合装置能长时间稳定记录由测试刺激诱发的海马CA1区fEPSP.高频刺激条件下,能成功诱导早期时相长时程增强(E-LTP)和晚期时相型长时程增强(L-LTP).海马内注射AMPA受体阻断剂CNQX(100μmol/L,1μl)可迅速抑制fEPSP,注射NMDA受体拮抗剂AP-5(100μmol/L,1μl)可明显压抑LTP,药物发挥作用的时间较侧脑室给药明显缩短,剂量减少.采用此联合装置还成功实现了PPF的稳定记录.总之,采用刺激/记录/给药一体化技术进行在体海马CA1区场电位记录的特点是简单、可靠、高效,可以为开展脑认知功能活动的电生理学研究奠定良好的基础.     

Chronic Nicotine Treatment Reverses Hypothyroidism-Induced Impairment of L-LTP Induction Phase: Critical Role of CREB

We have previously shown that adult onset hypothyroidism impairs late-phase long-term potentiation (L-LTP) and reduces basal protein levels of cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB), mutagen-activated protein kinase (MAPKp42/44), and calcium calmodulin kinase IV (CaMKIV) in area Cornu Ammonis 1 (CA1) of the hippocampus. These changes were reversed by chronic nicotine treatment. In the present study, levels of signaling molecules important for L-LTP were determined in CA1 area of the hippocampus during the induction phase. Standard multiple high-frequency stimulation (MHFS) was used to evoke L-LTP in the CA1 area of the hippocampus of hypothyroid, nicotine-treated hypothyroid, nicotine, and sham control anaesthetized adult rats. Chronic nicotine treatment reversed hypothyroidism-induced impairment of L-LTP at the induction phase. Five minutes after MHFS, Western blotting showed an increase in the levels of P-CREB, and P-MAPKp42/44 in sham-operated control, nicotine, and nicotine-treated hypothyroid animals, but not in hypothyroid animals. The protein levels of total CREB, total MAPK p42/44, BDNF, and CaMKIV were not altered in all groups 5 min after MHFS. Therefore, normalized phosphorylation of essential kinases such as P-CREB and P-MAPK p42/44 in the CA1 area of nicotine-treated hypothyroid animals plays a crucial role in nicotine-induced rescue of L-LTP induction during hypothyroidism.     

Calcium-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity is critical for hippocampus-dependent long-term memory and late phase LTP.

It is hypothesized that Ca2+ stimulation of calmodulin (CaM)-activated adenylyl cyclases (AC1 or AC8) generates cAMP signals critical for late phase LTP (L-LTP) and long-term memory (LTM). However, mice lacking either AC1 or AC8 exhibit normal L-LTP and LTM. Here, we report that mice lacking both enzymes (DKO) do not exhibit L-LTP or LTM. To determine if these defects are due to a loss of cAMP increases in the hippocampus, DKO mice were unilaterally cannulated to deliver forskolin. Administration of forskolin to area CA1 before training restored normal LTM. We conclude that Ca2+-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity is essential for L-LTP and LTM and that AC1 or AC8 can produce the necessary cAMP signal.     

Long-lasting LTP requires neither repeated trains for its induction nor protein synthesis for its development

Current thinking about LTP triggered in the area CA1 of hippocampal slices is ruled by two "dogmas": (1) A single train of high-frequency stimulation is sufficient to trigger short-lasting LTP (1-3 h), whereas multiple trains are required to induce long-lasting LTP (L-LTP, more than 4 h). (2) The development of the late phase of L-LTP requires the synthesis of new proteins. In this study, we found that a single high-frequency train could trigger an LTP lasting more than 8 h that was not affected by either anisomycin or cycloheximide (two inhibitors of protein synthesis). We ascertained that the induction of this L-LTP made use of the same mechanisms as those usually reported to be involved in LTP induction: it was dependent on NMDA receptors and on the activation of two "core" kinases, CaMKII and PI3K. These findings call into question the two "dogmas" about LTP.     

Increased expression of phospho-cofilin in CA1 and subiculum areas after theta-burst stimulation of Schaffer collateral-commissural fibers in rat hippocampal slices

Activity-dependent structural plasticity of dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons in the central neuron system has been proposed to be a cellular basis of learning and memory. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is accompanied by changes in synaptic morphology and structural remodeling of dendritic spines. However, there is considerable uncertainty as to the nature of the adjustment. The present study tested whether immunoreactive phospho-cofilin, an index of altered actin filament assembly, could be increased by theta-burst stimulations (TBS), which is an effective stimulation pattern for inducing LTP in the hippocampus. The slope of fEPSPs evoked by TBS to Schaffer collateral-commissural fibers in hippocampal slices was measured, and p-cofilin expression was examined using immunofluorescence techniques. Results indicated that saturated L-LTP was produced by multiple TBS episodes to Schaffer collateral-commissural fibers in the hippocampal CA1 area, and TBSs also increased immunoreactive p-cofilin expression in the stratum radiatum of the hippocampal CA1 area and pyramidal layer of the subiculum. D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (D-APV) prevented LTP and expression of p-cofilin immunoreactive induced by multiple TBS episodes in the stratum radiatum of the hippocampal CA1 area. Two paired-pulse low-frequency stimulation (PP-LFS) episodes to Schaffer collateral-commissural fibers induced long-term depression (LTD), and did not affect p-cofilin expression in the stratum radiatum of the hippocampal CA1 area. These results suggest that LTP induction is associated with altered actin filament assembly. Moreover, the CA1 and subiculum areas of the hippocampal formation possibly cooperate with each other in important physiological functions, such as learning and memory, or in pathological diseases, such as epilepsy.     

Temporal Sensitivity of Protein Kinase A Activation in Late-Phase Long Term Potentiation

Protein kinases play critical roles in learning and memory and in long term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity. The induction of late-phase LTP (L-LTP) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus requires several kinases, including CaMKII and PKA, which are activated by calcium-dependent signaling processes and other intracellular signaling pathways. The requirement for PKA is limited to L-LTP induced using spaced stimuli, but not massed stimuli. To investigate this temporal sensitivity of PKA, a computational biochemical model of L-LTP induction in CA1 pyramidal neurons was developed. The model describes the interactions of calcium and cAMP signaling pathways and is based on published biochemical measurements of two key synaptic signaling molecules, PKA and CaMKII. The model is stimulated using four 100 Hz tetani separated by 3 sec (massed) or 300 sec (spaced), identical to experimental L-LTP induction protocols. Simulations show that spaced stimulation activates more PKA than massed stimulation, and makes a key experimental prediction, that L-LTP is PKA-dependent for intervals larger than 60 sec. Experimental measurements of L-LTP demonstrate that intervals of 80 sec, but not 40 sec, produce PKA-dependent L-LTP, thereby confirming the model prediction. Examination of CaMKII reveals that its temporal sensitivity is opposite that of PKA, suggesting that PKA is required after spaced stimulation to compensate for a decrease in CaMKII. In addition to explaining the temporal sensitivity of PKA, these simulations suggest that the use of several kinases for memory storage allows each to respond optimally to different temporal patterns.     

Forskolin induction of late-LTP and up-regulation of 5' TOP mRNAs translation via mTOR, ERK, and PI3K in hippocampal pyramidal cells

The late phase of long-term potentiation (LTP) requires activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and synthesis of new proteins. mTOR regulates protein synthesis via phosphorylation of 4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs) and S6K, and via selective up-regulation of 5' terminal oligopyrimidine (5' TOP) mRNAs that encode components of the translational machinery. In this study, we explored the regulation of 5' TOP mRNAs during late-LTP (L-LTP). Synaptic plasticity was studied at Schaffer collateral – CA1 pyramidal cell synapses in rat organotypic hippocampal slices. Forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, induced L-LTP in organotypic slices that was mTOR-dependent. To determine if 5' TOP mRNAs are specifically up-regulated during L-LTP, we generated a 5' TOP-myr-dYFP reporter to selectively monitor 5' TOP translation. Confocal imaging experiments in cultured slices revealed an increase in somatic and dendritic fluorescence after forskolin treatment. This up-regulation was dependent on an intact TOP sequence and was mTOR, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent. Our findings indicate that forskolin induces L-LTP in hippocampal neurons and up-regulates 5' TOP mRNAs translation via mTOR, suggesting that up-regulation of the translational machinery is a candidate mechanism for the stabilization of LTP.