Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Role in Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Expression in Cuprizone-Induced Multiple Sclerosis Mice

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that leads to loss of myelin and oligodendrocytes and damage to axons. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a minor component of the myelin sheath, but is an important autoantigen linked to the pathogenesis of MS. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been shown to enhance the generation, maturation, and survival of oligodendrocytes in culture medium. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of CNTF on MOG expression in the cerebral cortex of Cuprizone-induced MS mice. The mice were treated by Cuprizone for five weeks in order to induce MS. The mice were then divided into 3 groups. The first group was injected subcutaneously (SC) by CNTF in the amount of 250 μg/kg BW per day. The second group (SHAM) was injected SC by normal saline and the third group was left without injection as the control group. After four weeks the mice were killed and the cerebral cortex was harvested and the expression of MOG was studied by Western blotting. The data from this study show that the MOG expression was significantly increased in the CNTF-injected group as compared to the other groups. It is concluded that CNTF increases the MOG expression and may be important in the pathophysiology of MS. It is also concluded that CNTF may play a role in the process of remyelination by inducing the MOG expression.     

Morphometric Changes of the Corpus Callosum in Congenital Blindness

We examined the effects of visual deprivation at birth on the development of the corpus callosum in a large group of congenitally blind individuals. We acquired high-resolution T1-weighted MRI scans in 28 congenitally blind and 28 normal sighted subjects matched for age and gender. There was no overall group effect of visual deprivation on the total surface area of the corpus callosum. However, subdividing the corpus callosum into five subdivisions revealed significant regional changes in its three most posterior parts. Compared to the sighted controls, congenitally blind individuals showed a 12% reduction in the splenium, and a 20% increase in the isthmus and the posterior part of the body. A shape analysis further revealed that the bending angle of the corpus callosum was more convex in congenitally blind compared to the sighted control subjects. The observed morphometric changes in the corpus callosum are in line with the well-described cross-modal functional and structural neuroplastic changes in congenital blindness.     

Age-Related Changes of NADPH-Diaphorase Positivity in the Rat Rostral Migratory Stream

Summary Accumulating evidence confirms that nitric oxide (NO), a versatile diffusible signaling molecule, contributes to controling of adult neurogenesis. We have previously shown the timing of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) positivity within the rat rostral migratory stream (RMS) during the first postnatal month. The present study was designed to describe further age-related changes of NO presence in this neurogenic region. The presence of NO synthesizing cells in the RMS was shown by NADPH-d histochemistry and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) immunohistochemistry. The phenotypic identity of nitrergic cells was examined by double labeling with GFAP and NeuN. Systematic qualitative and quantitative analysis of NADPH-d-positive cells was performed in the neonatal (P14), adult(5 months) and aging (20 months) rat RMS. 1. Nitrergic cells with different distribution pattern and morphological characteristics were present in the RMS at all ages examined. In neonatal animals, small, moderately stained NADPH-d-positive cells were identified in the RMS vertical arm and in the RMS elbow. In adult and aging rats a few labeled cells could be also detected in the RMS horizontal arm. NADPH-d-positive cells in adult and aging rats were characterized by long varicose processes and displayed dark labeling in comparison to the neonatal group. 2. Double immunolabeling has revealed that nNOS-immunoreactivity co-localized with that of NeuN. This indicates that nitrergic cells within the RMS are neurons. 3. Quantitative analysis showed that the number of NADPH-d-positive cells increases with advancing age. The presence of NO producing cells in the RMS of neonatal adult and aging rats indicates, that this proliferating and migratory area is under the influence of NO throughout the entire life of the animals.     

Changes in Glial Cell Line-derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression in the Rostral and Caudal Stumps of the Transected Adult Rat Spinal Cord

Limited information is available regarding the role of endogenous Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the spinal cord following transection injury. The present study investigated the possible role of GDNF in injured spinal cords following transection injury (T₉–T₁₀) in adult rats. The locomotor function recovery of animals by the BBB (Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan) scale score showed that hindlimb support and stepping function increased gradually from 7 days post operation (dpo) to 21 dpo. However, the locomotion function in the hindlimbs decreased effectively in GDNF-antibody treated rats. GDNF immunoreactivty in neurons in the ventral horn of the rostral stump was stained strongly at 3 and 7 dpo, and in the caudal stump at 14 dpo, while immunostaining in astrocytes was also seen at all time-points after transection injury. Western blot showed that the level of GDNF protein underwent a rapid decrease at 7 dpo in both stumps, and was followed by a partial recovery at a later time-point, when compared with the sham-operated group. GDNF mRNA-positive signals were detected in neurons of the ventral horn, especially in lamina IX. No regenerative fibers from corticospinal tract can be seen in the caudal segment near the injury site using BDA tracing technique. No somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) could be recorded throughout the experimental period as well. These findings suggested that intrinsic GDNF in the spinal cord could play an essential role in neuroplasticity. The mechanism may be that GDNF is involved in the regulation of local circuitry in transected spinal cords of adult rats.     

Age-Related Changes of Myelin Proteins in the Rat Peripheral Nervous System

Age-related changes in amounts of myelin proteins from rat sciatic nerve or spinal root were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). In the aged peripheral nerve myelin, the relative amounts of band 105K and proteins X and Y increased, whereas those of proteins P0 and P1 and band 190K decreased. Band 105K purified by preparative SDS-PAGE exhibited three bands of 105K, 28K, and 21K at the second electrophoresis. A repeated SDS-PAGE did not improve the purity of bank 105K, but increased the ratio of 21K to 28K. Compared with P0 protein, band 105K has a very similar peptide map pattern and amino acid composition, as well as the identical NH2 terminal residue, isoleucine. These findings suggest that band 105K is an aggregate form of P0 protein and its fragment, 21K. The 21K protein is a distinct entity from X protein. The quantitative and qualitative alterations in myelin proteins, as we report here, may reflect continuing demyelination and remyelination in aged peripheral nerves.     

Erythropoietin (EPO) Increases Myelin Gene Expression in CG4 Oligodendrocyte Cells through the Classical EPO Receptor

Erythropoietin (EPO) has protective effects in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, including in animal models of multiple sclerosis, where EPO decreases disease severity. EPO also promotes neurogenesis and is protective in models of toxic demyelination. In this study, we asked whether EPO could promote neurorepair by also inducing remyelination. In addition, we investigated whether the effect of EPO could be mediated by the classical erythropoietic EPO receptor (EPOR), since it is still questioned if EPOR is functional in nonhematopoietic cells. Using CG4 cells, a line of rat oligodendrocyte precursor cells, we found that EPO increases the expression of myelin genes (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein [MOG] and myelin basic protein [MBP]). EPO had no effect in wild-type CG4 cells, which do not express EPOR, whereas it increased MOG and MBP expression in cells engineered to overexpress EPOR (CG4-EPOR). This was reflected in a marked increase in MOG protein levels, as detected by Western blot. In these cells, EPO induced by 10-fold the early growth response gene 2 (Egr2), which is required for peripheral myelination. However, Egr2 silencing with a siRNA did not reverse the effect of EPO, indicating that EPO acts through other pathways. In conclusion, EPO induces the expression of myelin genes in oligodendrocytes and this effect requires the presence of EPOR. This study demonstrates that EPOR can mediate neuroreparative effects.     

Therapeutic Hypothermia Modifies Perinatal Asphyxia-Induced Changes of the Corpus Callosum and Outcome in Neonates

What Is Known about this Subject?

Diffusion-weighted MRI has demonstrated changes in the corpus callosum of term neonates with perinatal asphyxia. The severity of cerebral changes demonstrated using diffusion-weighted MRI is difficult to assess without measuring values of the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC).

What Is New?

ADC values of the anterior part of the corpus callosum are slightly higher than of the posterior part in full term infants with perinatal asphyxia. Low ADC values of the corpus callosum were associated with an adverse outcome in infants with perinatal asphyxia. In infants treated with hypothermia lower ADC values than with normothermia were associated with a poor outcome, supporting neuroprotective effects of hypothermia

Background

Using MRI, changes can be detected in the corpus callosum (CC) following perinatal asphyxia which are associated with later neurodevelopmental outcome.

Aim

To study the association between the apparent diffusion coefficient of water (ADC) in the CC on MRI in neonates with perinatal asphyxia and neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months of age.

Subjects, Methods

Of 121 infants 32 (26%) died and 13 (11%) survived with an adverse neurological outcome. Sixty-five (54%) received therapeutic hypothermia. MRI was performed within 7 days after birth using a 1.5 T or 3.0 T system, and ADC values were measured in the anterior and posterior CC. The association between ADC and composite outcome (death or abnormal neurodevelopment) was analyzed for both normothermia and hypothermia cases using receiver operating characteristics.

Results

ADC values of the posterior CC were lower than of the anterior part (mean difference 0.050 x 10^-3 mm²/s, p<0.001). Field strength did not affect ADC values. ADC values of the posterior part of the CC were significantly lower in infants with basal ganglia/thalamus or near total brain injury (p<0.001). Lower ADC values were associated with an adverse outcome, but cut-off levels were lower after hypothermia (1.024 x 10^-3 mm²/s vs 0.969 x 10^-3 mm²/s)

Conclusion

Low ADC values of the posterior part of the corpus callosum are associated with an adverse outcome in term or near term neonates with perinatal asphyxia. Therapeutic hypothermia slightly modifies this association, showing that lower values were needed for an adverse outcome.     

Age-related Changes of Elements in Human Corpus Callosum and Relationships Among These Elements

To elucidate compositional changes of the corpus callosum with aging, the authors investigated age-related changes of elements and relationships with their element contents in the corpus callosum. After ordinary dissection by medical students at Nara Medical University was finished, the genu, trunk, and splenium of the corpus callosum were resected from the subjects ranging in age from 58 to 94 years. The element contents of the corpus callosum were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The contents of Ca, P, S, Mg, Zn, Fe, and Na did not change significantly in the genu, trunk, and splenium of the corpus callosum with aging. Regarding the relationships among the element contents, significant correlations were found among the contents of Ca, P, S, Mg, and Fe in all of the genu, trunk, and splenium of the corpus callosum with some exceptions.     

Expression, Purification, and Encephalitogenicity of Recombinant Human Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein

Abstract: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), a putative autoantigen in multiple sclerosis (MS), is a quantitatively minor component of the CNS. In view of the difficulties associated with the purification of MOG from brain tissues, the extracellular domain of human MOG corresponding to the N-terminal 121 amino acids was expressed in Escherichia coli as a glutathione sulfotransferase fusion protein. The expressed protein was localized to inclusion bodies, and varying the growth parameters resulted in the solubilization of small amounts of GST-MOG that could be affinity purified on glutathione agarose columns. The fusion protein found in the inclusion bodies could be solubilized with urea. The solubilized fusion protein was cleaved with thrombin, and the extracellular domain was purified by CM Sephadex 50 chromatography to homogeneity. Injection of recombinant human MOG into different strains of mice resulted in the induction of an MS-like disease, characterized by severe neurological impairment and extensive CNS demyelinated lesions. Recombinant MOG produced in E. coli should prove to be useful as a highly purified biological reagent for immunological, pathological, functional, and structural studies.     

The Expression Patterns of Nogo-A,Myelin Associated Glycoprotein and Oligodendrocyte Myelin Glycoprotein in the Retina After Ocular Hypertension

Nogo-A, a major myelin inhibitory protein, inhibits axon growth and synaptic function in the central nervous system. Glaucoma is a progressive neuropathy as a result of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Synaptic degeneration is thought to be an early pathology of neurodegeneration in glaucoma and precedes RGC loss. Here experimental ocular hypertension model was induced in adult rats with laser coagulation of the episcleral and limbal veins. The expression of Nogo-A, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) in the retina was investigated using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. We found that Nogo-A was expressed in the RGCs and upregulated after the induction of ocular hypertension. OMgp was only expressed in the inner plexiform layer. There was no MAG expression in the retina. Our data provided, for the first time, the expression patterns of three myelin proteins in the adult retina and suggested an important role of Nogo-A in the RGC death and synaptic degeneration in glaucoma.     

Myelin Proteolipid Protein Gene Expression in Jimpy and Jimpymsd Mice

Proteolipid protein (PLP) gene expression was studied in the dysmyelinating mouse mutant jimpy(msd) (jpmsd; myelin synthesis deficient) and compared with that in wild-type mice and the allelic mutant, jimpy (jp). Southern analyses of genomic DNA from jpmsd mice revealed no major rearrangements of the PLP gene relative to the wild-type mouse PLP gene. PLP-specific mRNA levels were significantly reduced in these mutant mice, although both the 3.2- and 2.4-kilobase PLP-specific mRNAs were seen. Also, no size differences in either PLP or DM20 mRNAs were found by S1 nuclease assays of brain RNA from either jpmsd or wild-type mice. Both PLP and DM20 protein were detectable at low levels in jpmsd brain homogenates, and these proteins comigrated with PLP and DM20 protein from normal mice. Western analyses showed an altered PLP:DM20 ratio in jpmsd mice relative to wild-type mice; DM20 levels exceeded PLP levels. It is surprising that a similar pattern of expression was seen in normal mice at less than 10 days of age: DM20 protein expression preceding PLP expression. Thus, jpmsd mice are capable of synthesizing normal PLP and DM20 protein; however, the PLP gene defect has affected the normal developmental pattern of expression for these two proteins.     

Characterization and Expression of the cDNA Coding for the Human Myelin/Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein

Abstract: We report here the characterization of a full-length cDNA encoding the human myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). The sequence of the coding region of the human MOG cDNA is highly homologous to that of other previously cloned mouse, rat, and bovine MOG cDNAs, but the 3' untranslated region differs by an insertion of an Alu sequence between nucleotides 1,590 and 1,924. Accordingly, northern blot analyzes with cDNA probes corresponding to the coding region or the 3' untranslated Alu-containing sequence revealed a single band of 2 kb, rather than the 1.6 kb of bovine, rat, or mouse MOG cDNA(s). Immunocytochemical analysis of HeLa cells transfected with human MOG cDNA, which was performed using a specific antibody raised against whole MOG, clearly indicated that MOG is expressed at the cell surface as an intrinsic protein. These data are in accordance with the predicted amino acid sequence, which contains a signal peptide and two putative transmembrane domains. The knowledge of the human MOG sequence should facilitate further investigations on its potential as a target antigen in autoimmune demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis.     

核转录因子Foxp3在小鼠黑色素瘤细胞中的表达

目的:检测小鼠黑色素瘤细胞中核转录因子Foxp3的表达。方法:用TRIzol试剂提取小鼠黑色素瘤细胞RNA,通过实时荧光定量PCR检测小鼠黑色素瘤细胞中Foxp3 mRNA的表达,通过Western印迹和流式细胞术检测小鼠黑色素瘤细胞中Foxp3蛋白的表达,通过免疫荧光检测小鼠黑色素瘤细胞中Foxp3分子的表达。结果:在小鼠黑色素瘤细胞中存在Foxp3的mRNA转录和分子表达,免疫荧光显示Foxp3定位于黑色素瘤细胞的胞核及核周部位。结论:证实了小鼠黑色素瘤细胞表达Foxp3,将为临床黑色素瘤的免疫治疗提供新的靶标和治疗策略。     

转录因子XBP1S基因表达谱差异分析

目的 应用基因表达谱芯片技术了解XBP1S在肝细胞中可能上调或下调的基因,了解其可能的调节功能线索.方法 构建pcDNA3.1（-）-XBP1S真核表达载体,转染HepG2细胞,同时以空载体pcDNA3.1（-）处理相同细胞系作为对照.48 h后制备细胞裂解液,提取mRNA,应用基因表达谱芯片技术对差异表达mRNA进行检测和分析.结果 构建的表达载体经过限制性内切酶分析和DNA序列测定,证实准确无误,提取高质量的总mRNA并进行逆转录成为cDNA,进行基因表达谱芯片技术分析.经过差异基因表达谱的筛选,发现HepG2细胞转染XBP1S以后,有38个基因表达水平显著上调,30个基因表达水平显著下调.结论 成功构建XBP1S的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1（-）-XBP1S,运用基因表达谱芯片技术成功筛选了XBP1S转染细胞后的差异表达基因,这些差异表达基因包括细胞周期、蛋白质的翻译合成及运输、能量代谢、体内免疫调节、细胞凋亡及细胞内的信号转导等方面起重要作用及肿瘤发生相关的基因,为进一步阐明XBP1S可能存在的调控机制及XBP1S蛋白可能的生物学功能提供理论依据.