Involvement of Glial Endothelin/Nitric Oxide in Delayed Neuronal Death of Rat Hippocampus After Transient Forebrain Ischemia

1. We examined time- and cell-type-dependent changes in endothelin (ET)-1-like immunoreactivity, ET receptors binding and nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) activity in CA1 subfields of the hippocampus of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats subjected to a 10-min bilateral carotid occlusion and reperfusion.2. Microglia aggregated in accord with neuronal death and expressed a high density of ET_B receptors and an intense NOS activity in the damaged CA1 pyramidal cell layer, 7 days after the induced transient forebrain ischemia. The increased NOS activity and ET_B receptor in microglia disappeared 28 days after this transient ischemia.3. In contrast to microglia, astrocytes presented a moderate level of ET-1-like immunoreactivity, ET_B receptors, and NOS activity in all areas of the damaged CA1 subfields, 7 days after the ischemia. These events were further enhanced 28 days after the ischemia.4. In light of these findings, the possibility that the microglial and the astrocytic ET_B/NO system largely contributes to development of the neuronal death and to reconstitution of the damaged neuronal tissue, respectively, in the hippocampus subjected to a transient forebrain ischemia would have to be considered.     

Alterations in Nitric Oxide-Stimulated Endogenous ADP-Ribosylation Associated with Long-Term Potentiation in Rat Hippocampus

Abstract: The present study examines the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO)-stimulated endogenous ADP-ribosylation in long-term potentiation (LTP). LTP was induced in hippocampal slices by stimulation of Schaffer collateral inputs to the CA1 pyramidal neurons. Basal and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), which generates NO, stimulation of endogenous ADP-ribosylation was then studied in CA1 subfields isolated from the slices. Control slices received no treatment or were tetanized in the presence of aminophosphonovaleric acid, an NMDA receptor antagonist that blocks the development of LTP. SNP-stimulated ADP-ribosylation of endogenous proteins was reduced by 40–70% in LTP slices relative to control slices. LTP was also associated with a small but significant reduction in basal ADP-ribosylation activity. The results demonstrate that the induction of LTP is associated with regulation of endogenous ADP-ribosylation and suggest a role for this type of covalent modification in some aspect of LTP.     

Altered interaction between PSD-95 and the NMDA receptor following transient global ischemia

The postsynaptic density (PSD) is a cytoskeletal specialization involved in the anchoring of neurotransmitter receptors and in regulating the response of postsynaptic neurons to synaptic stimulation. The postsynaptic protein PSD-95 binds to NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B and to signaling molecules such as neuronal nitric oxide synthase and p135synGAP. We investigated the effects of transient cerebral ischemia on protein interactions involving PSD-95 and the NMDA receptor in the rat hippocampus. Ischemia followed by reperfusion resulted in a decrease in the solubility of the NMDA receptor and PSD-95 in 1% sodium deoxycholate, the decrease being greater in the vulnerable CA1 hippocampal subfield than in the less sensitive CA3/dentate gyrus regions. Solubilization of the kainic acid receptor GluR6/7 and the PSD-95 binding proteins, neuronal nitric oxide synthase and p135synGAP, also decreased following ischemia. The association between PSD-95 and NR2A and NR2B, as indicated by coimmunoprecipitation, was less in postischemic samples than in sham-operated controls. Ischemia also resulted in a decrease in the size of protein complexes containing PSD-95, but had only a small effect on the size distribution of complexes containing the NMDA receptor. The results indicate that molecular interactions involving PSD-95 and the NMDA receptor are modified by an ischemic challenge.     

Origin of Ischemia-Induced Glutamate Efflux in the CA1 Field of the Gerbil Hippocampus: An In Vivo Brain Microdialysis Study

Abstract: In vivo brain microdialysis experiments were performed in the gerbil to evaluate the origin of accumulation of extracellular glutamate under transient ischemia. Microdialysis probes were positioned in the CA1 field of the hippocampus in which proliferation of astrocytes, death of CA1 pyramidal neurons, and damage of presynaptic terminals had been induced by 5-min ischemia 10–14 days before the microdialysis experiment; in the white matter of the cerebral cortex, which contained few neurons, few presynaptic terminals, and many astrocytes; or in the histologically normal CA1 field of the hippocampus, and then 5- or 20-min ischemia was induced. When 5-min ischemia was induced, no significant increase in glutamate content was observed in the CA1 field that showed proliferation of astrocytes, death of CA1 pyramidal neurons, and damage of presynaptic terminals and in the white matter of the cerebral cortex, whereas a significant increase in glutamate (15-fold) was observed in the histologically normal CA1 field. When 20-min ischemia was induced, no significant increase in glutamate content was observed in the CA1 field that showed proliferation of astrocytes, death of CA1 pyramidal neurons, and damage of presynaptic terminals and in the white matter during the first 10 min after the onset of 20-min ischemia, but remarkable ischemia-induced increases in glutamate were observed during the last 10 min of 20-min ischemia in both areas. An excessive increase in glutamate (100-fold) was observed during 20-min ischemia in the normal CA1 field of the hippocampus. When a probe was positioned in the CA1 field of the hippocampus in which presynaptic terminals of Schaffer collaterals and commissural fibers had been eliminated by bilateral kainate injections into the lateral ventricles 4–7 days before the microdialysis experiment and then 5-min ischemia was induced, a significant increase in glutamate was observed during the last half of 5-min ischemia. These results suggest that the efflux of glutamate from astrocytes does not contribute to the large ischemia-induced glutamate accumulation in the CA1 field of the hippocampus during 5-min ischemia but contributes to the ischemia-induced increase in glutamate level during ischemia with a longer duration and that ischemia-induced efflux of glutamate in the CA1 field during 5-min ischemia originates mainly from neuronal elements: presynaptic terminals and postsynaptic neurons.     

Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity Endogenously Modulates NMDA Receptors

Abstract: We tested the possibility that endogenous nitric oxide synthase activity regulated NMDA receptors in primary cultured striatal neurons. We monitored NMDA-induced increase in intra-cellular Ca²⁺ levels with fura-2 ratio imaging, while nitric oxide synthase activity was either increased with l -arginihe (the natural substrate of nitric oxide synthase) or inhibited using nitro- l -arginine (a specific inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase). We found that the NMDA receptor effect was slowly but strongly diminished after an l -arginine (1 m M , 15 min) treatment ( l -arginine preincubation reduced the 100 μM NMDA-induced maximal effect by 30–50%). The l -arginine blockade of NMDA receptors was long-lasting but could be partially reversed by hemoglobin (100 μM , 10 min), which binds nitric oxide. This was not observed when the neurons were treated with l -arginine together with nitro- l -arginine. Our data strongly suggest that physiological nitric oxide synthase activity could regulate NMDA receptors.     

Catalytically Dead αCaMKII K42M Mutant Acts as a Dominant Negative in the Control of Synaptic Strength

During long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory synapses, Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is activated by Ca²⁺ influx through NMDA receptors that potentiate AMPA receptor currents by insertion of additional GluR1-containing receptors at the synapse and by increasing AMPA channel conductance, as well as by stimulating structural changes. CaMKII is also involved in the maintenance of LTP and contributes to maintenance of behavioral sensitization by cocaine or amphetamine. Recent studies show that transient expression of catalytically dead αCaMKII K42M mutant after exposure to amphetamine persistently reverses the behavioral effects of the addiction. A suggested interpretation is that this mutant acts as a dominant negative in the control of synaptic strength, but this interpretation has not been physiologically tested. Here we investigate the effect of αCaMKII K42M mutant expressed in single CA1 pyramidal neurons on basal excitatory neurotransmission in cultured rat hippocampal organotypic slices. The mutant caused nearly 50% reduction in the basal CA3–CA1 transmission, while overexpression of the wild-type αCaMKII had no effect. This result is consistent with the dominant negative hypothesis, but there are complexities. We found that the decrease in basal transmission did not occur when activity in the slices was suppressed after transfection by TTX or when NMDA receptors were blocked by APV. Thus, the dominant negative effect requires neural activity for its expression.     

Temperature dependence of synaptic responses in guinea pig hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro

1. Temperature-dependent properties of synaptic transmission were studied by recording orthodromic responses of the population spike and excitatory postsynaptic potential in CA1 pyramidal neurons of guinea pig hippocampal slices.2. Increasing the temperature of the perfusing medium from 30 to 43°C resulted in a decrease in the amplitude of the population spike (A-PS) and a reduced slope of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (S-EPSP). Bath application of the -aminobutyric acid receptor antagonist, picrotoxin, or a change in the calcium concentration of the perfusate did not affect the A-PS during heating.3. Increasing the strength of the synaptic input to that eliciting a PS with an amplitude 50, 75, or 100% of maximal at 30°C resulted in a significant increase in the A-PS during the middle phase of hyperthermia (35–39°C).4. The long-term potentiation (LTP) induced at either 30 or 37°C showed the same percentage increase in both the amplitude of the population spike and the S-EPSP after delivery of a tetanus (100 Hz, 100 pulses) to CA1 synapses.5. The results of the present study, therefore, indicate that the decrease in CA1 field potential was linearly related to the temperature of the slice preparation, while LTP was induced in these responses during heating from 30 to 37°C.     

Selective cholinergic depletion in medial septum leads to impaired long term potentiation and glutamatergic synaptic currents in the hippocampus

Cholinergic depletion in the medial septum (MS) is associated with impaired hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Here we investigated whether long term potentiation (LTP) and synaptic currents, mediated by alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the CA1 hippocampal region, are affected following cholinergic lesions of the MS. Stereotaxic intra-medioseptal infusions of a selective immunotoxin, 192-saporin, against cholinergic neurons or sterile saline were made in adult rats. Four days after infusions, hippocampal slices were made and LTP, whole cell, and single channel (AMPA or NMDA receptor) currents were recorded. Results demonstrated impairment in the induction and expression of LTP in lesioned rats. Lesioned rats also showed decreases in synaptic currents from CA1 pyramidal cells and synaptosomal single channels of AMPA and NMDA receptors. Our results suggest that MS cholinergic afferents modulate LTP and glutamatergic currents in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, providing a potential synaptic mechanism for the learning and memory deficits observed in the rodent model of selective MS cholinergic lesioning.     

Incorporation of inwardly rectifying AMPA receptors at silent synapses during hippocampal long-term potentiation

Despite decades of study, the mechanisms by which synapses express the increase in strength during long-term potentiation (LTP) remain an area of intense interest. Here, we have studied how AMPA receptor subunit composition changes during the early phases of hippocampal LTP in CA1 pyramidal neurons. We studied LTP at silent synapses that initially lack AMPA receptors, but contain NMDA receptors. We show that strongly inwardly rectifying AMPA receptors are initially incorporated at silent synapses during LTP and are then subsequently replaced by non-rectifying AMPA receptors. These findings suggest that silent synapses initially incorporate GluA2-lacking, calcium-permeable AMPA receptors during LTP that are then replaced by GluA2-containing calcium-impermeable receptors. We also show that LTP consolidation at CA1 synapses requires a rise in intracellular calcium concentration during the early phase of expression, indicating that calcium influx through the GluA2-lacking AMPA receptors drives their replacement by GluA2-containing receptors during LTP consolidation. Taken together with previous studies in hippocampus and in other brain regions, these findings suggest that a common mechanism for the expression of activity-dependent glutamatergic synaptic plasticity involves the regulation of GluA2-subunit composition and highlights a critical role for silent synapses in this process.     

A behavioral role for dendritic integration: HCN1 channels constrain spatial memory and plasticity at inputs to distal dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons

The importance of long-term synaptic plasticity as a cellular substrate for learning and memory is well established. By contrast, little is known about how learning and memory are regulated by voltage-gated ion channels that integrate synaptic information. We investigated this question using mice with general or forebrain-restricted knockout of the HCN1 gene, which we find encodes a major component of the hyperpolarization-activated inward current (Ih) and is an important determinant of dendritic integration in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells. Deletion of HCN1 from forebrain neurons enhances hippocampal-dependent learning and memory, augments the power of theta oscillations, and enhances long-term potentiation (LTP) at the direct perforant path input to the distal dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons, but has little effect on LTP at the more proximal Schaffer collateral inputs. We suggest that HCN1 channels constrain learning and memory by regulating dendritic integration of distal synaptic inputs to pyramidal cells.     

Long-Term Potentiation in the CA1 Hippocampus Induced by NR2A Subunit-Containing NMDA Glutamate Receptors Is Mediated by Ras-GRF2/Erk Map Kinase Signaling

Background

NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) are major contributors to long-term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity implicated in the process of learning and memory. These receptors consist of calcium-permeating NR1 and multiple regulatory NR2 subunits. A majority of studies show that both NR2A and NR2B-containing NMDARs can contribute to LTP, but their unique contributions to this form of synaptic plasticity remain poorly understood.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, we show that NR2A and NR2B-containing receptors promote LTP differently in the CA1 hippocampus of 1-month old mice, with the NR2A receptors functioning through Ras-GRF2 and its downstream effector, Erk Map kinase, and NR2B receptors functioning independently of these signaling molecules.

Conclusions/Significance

This study demonstrates that NR2A-, but not NR2B, containing NMDA receptors induce LTP in pyramidal neurons of the CA1 hippocamus from 1 month old mice through Ras-GRF2 and Erk. This difference add new significance to the observation that the relative levels of these NMDAR subtypes is regulated in neurons, such that NR2A-containing receptors become more prominent late in postnatal development, after sensory experience and synaptic activity.     

丹参酮ⅡA 预防慢性缺氧大鼠认知功能障碍的电生理机制

目的:探讨丹参酮ⅡA(TⅡA)预防慢性缺氧大鼠认知功能障碍的电生理机制。方法:将18只雄性SD大鼠(200-250 g)随机分为对照组、模型组(Model组)、TⅡA(10mg/kg.d)治疗组(TⅡA组)。复制慢性缺氧大鼠认知功能障碍模型,并给予相应治疗,在脑片水平运用膜片钳技术检测海马CA1区的LTP变化,并检测海马CA1区锥体细胞的兴奋性变化。结果:(1)给予高频强直刺激(HFS)后各组兴奋性突出后电位(fEPSP)斜率均显著增加,即均可诱发LTP并持续1h以上,但模型组LTP较对照组显著减弱(P<0.05),TⅡA治疗组LTP较模型组明显增强(P<0.05);(2)慢性缺氧使海马CA1锥体细胞放电所需的刺激电流幅度显著增加、阈电位升高、兴奋性降低,同样刺激强度条件下动作电位数量减少,TⅡA干预可明显减轻慢性缺氧对海马CA1锥体细胞的上述抑制。结论:TⅡA可能是通过维持海马CA1锥体细胞的兴奋性、维持海马的突出可塑性减轻慢性缺氧对认知功能的损害。     

The neuroprotective effect of propofol against brain ischemia mediated by the glutamatergic signaling pathway in rats

Several mechanisms are involved in the neuroprotection of propofol against ischemia, but influences of propofol on the binding properties of glutamate receptors and the uptake of glutamate in brain ischemia are not known. The present study was undertaken to investigate these issues in rat global brain ischemic model using methods of neuropathological evaluation, radioligand binding assay with and uptake test for L-³H-glutamate. It was shown that propofol used in anesthetic doses protected pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 subfield against delayed neuronal death normally induced by global brain ischemia. Simultaneously, the propofol decreased the value of maximal number of binding sites (Bmax), increased the value of equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd), and increased the glutamate uptake in the CA1 subfield. These findings indicate that it is, at least partly, via modulating the binding properties of glutamate receptors and the uptake of glutamate that propofol protects neurons against ischemic injury.     

Transient brain ischemia: NMDA receptor modulation and delayed neuronal death

Transient global ischemia induces delayed neuronal death in certain cell types and brain regions while sparing cells in other areas. A key process through which oxygen-glucose deprivation triggers cell death is the excessive accumulation of the neurotransmitter glutamate leading to over excitation of neurons. In certain neurons this increase in glutamate will potentiate the NMDA type of glutamate receptor, which can then initiate cell death. This review provides an update of the neurophysiological, cellular and molecular mechanisms inducing post-ischemic plasticity of NMDA receptors, focusing on the sensitive CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus as compared to the relatively resistant neighboring CA3 neurons. Both a change in the equilibrium between protein tyrosine kinases/phosphatases and an increased density of surface NMDA receptors in response to ischemia may explain the selective vulnerability of specific cell types. Implications for the treatment of stroke and reasons for the failures of human clinical trials utilizing NMDA receptor antagonists are also discussed.     

Regional health and function in the hippocampus: Evolutionary compromises for a critical brain region

The hippocampus is especially vulnerable to damage caused by metabolic dysregulation. However distinct sub-regions within the hippocampus differ by their relative susceptibility to such damage. Region CA1 pyramidal neurons are most sensitive to metabolic perturbations while region CA3 pyramidal neurons show more resistance, and these unique profiles of susceptibility are but one example that differentiates CA1/CA3 neurons. We present here a hypothesis that inextricably links the unique biochemistries of learning and memory in region CA1, to that of cell survival signaling, and in so doing, suggest an explanation for region CA1 susceptibility to metabolic dysfunction. Further, we propose a signaling mechanism to explain how both pathways can be simultaneously regulated. Critical to this process is the protein phosphatase PHLPP1. Finally we discuss the implications of this hypothesis and the inherent challenges it poses for treatment of neurological disorders resulting in reduced hippocampal function by increased neuron death.     

Effect of ischemia in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro on NOS pools in the spinal cord: comparative study

1. This study was performed to compare both the Ca(2+)-dependent nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and the neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity (nNOS-IR) in the rabbit lumbosacral spinal cord after 15 min abdominal aorta occlusion (ischemia in vivo) and oxygen-glucose deprivation of the spinal cord slices for 45 and 60 min (ischemia in vitro). All ischemic periods were followed by 15, 30 and 60 min reoxygenation in vitro. 2. Catalytic nitric oxide synthase activity was determined by the conversion of (L)-[(14)C]arginine to (L)-[(14)C]citrulline. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity in the spinal cord was detected by incubation of sections with polyclonal sheep-nNOS-primary antibody and biotinylated anti-sheep secondary antibody. 3. Our results show that ischemia in vivo and the oxygen-glucose deprivation of spinal cord slices in vitro result in a time-dependent loss of constitutive NOS activity with a partial restoration of enzyme activity during 15 and 45 min ischemia followed by 30 min of reoxygenation. A significant decrease of enzyme activity was found during 60 min ischemia alone, which persisted up to 1 h of oxygen-glucose restoration. The upregulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase was observed in the ventral horn motoneurons after all ischemic periods. The remarkable changes in optical density of neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive motoneurons were observed after 45 and 60 min ischemia in vitro followed by 30 and 60 min reoxygenation. 4. Our results suggest that the oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation in the spinal cord is adequately sensitive to monitor ischemia/reperfusion changes. It seems that 15 min ischemia in vivo and 45 min ischemia in vitro cause reversible changes, while the decline of Ca(2+)-dependent nitric oxide synthase activity after 60 min ischemic insult suggests irreversible alterations.     

Nitric Oxide Produced During Sublethal Ischemia Is Crucial for the Preconditioning-Induced Down-Regulation of Glutamate Transporter GLT-1 in Neuron/Astrocyte Co-Cultures

In the brain, prior sublethal ischemia (preconditioning, PC) produces tolerance of neurons to subsequent lethal ischemia. This study aims at elucidating whether and how nitric oxide (NO) produced during PC is involved in the PC-induced ischemic tolerance of neurons in neuron/astrocyte co-cultures. The rise in the extracellular concentration of glutamate during ischemia caused by the reversed uptake of glutamate (Glu) by the astrocytic Glu transporter GLT-1 was markedly suppressed by the prior PC treatment, but the suppression was reversed by treatment with an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) during PC. Immunocytochemical and Western blot analyses demonstrated that the expression of GLT-1 was down-regulated after the PC insult, and this down-regulation was also antagonized by treatment with NOS inhibitors during PC. Here we show that nNOS-derived NO produced during PC was crucial for the down-regulation of astrocytic GLT-1, and this down-regulation coincided with an increased survival rate of neurons.     

Disinhibition Mediates a Form of Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation in Area CA1

The hippocampus plays a central role in memory formation in the mammalian brain. Its ability to encode information is thought to depend on the plasticity of synaptic connections between neurons. In the pyramidal neurons constituting the primary hippocampal output to the cortex, located in area CA1, firing of presynaptic CA3 pyramidal neurons produces monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) followed rapidly by feedforward (disynaptic) inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs). Long-term potentiation (LTP) of the monosynaptic glutamatergic inputs has become the leading model of synaptic plasticity, in part due to its dependence on NMDA receptors (NMDARs), required for spatial and temporal learning in intact animals. Using whole-cell recording in hippocampal slices from adult rats, we find that the efficacy of synaptic transmission from CA3 to CA1 can be enhanced without the induction of classic LTP at the glutamatergic inputs. Taking care not to directly stimulate inhibitory fibers, we show that the induction of GABAergic plasticity at feedforward inhibitory inputs results in the reduced shunting of excitatory currents, producing a long-term increase in the amplitude of Schaffer collateral-mediated postsynaptic potentials. Like classic LTP, disinhibition-mediated LTP requires NMDAR activation, suggesting a role in types of learning and memory attributed primarily to the former and raising the possibility of a previously unrecognized target for therapeutic intervention in disorders linked to memory deficits, as well as a potentially overlooked site of LTP expression in other areas of the brain.     

Delayed Postconditionig Initiates Additive Mechanism Necessary for Survival of Selectively Vulnerable Neurons After Transient Ischemia in Rat Brain

1. The aim of this study was to validate the role of postconditioning, used 2 days after lethal ischemia, for protection of selectively vulnerable brain neurons against delayed neuronal death.2. Eight, 10, or 15 min of transient forebrain ischemia in rat (four-vessel occlusion model) was used as initial lethal ischemia. Fluoro Jade B, the marker of neurodegeneration, and NeuN, a specific neuronal marker were used for visualization of changes 7 or 28 days after ischemia without and with delayed postconditioning.3. Our results confirm that postconditioning if used at right time and with optimal intensity can prevent process of delayed neuronal death. At least three techniques, known as preconditioners, can be used as postconditioning: short ischemia, 3-nitropropionic acid and norepinephrine. A cardinal role for the prevention of death in selectively vulnerable neurons comprises synthesis of proteins during the first 5 h after postconditioning. Ten minutes of ischemia alone is lethal for 70% of pyramidal CA1 neurons in hippocampus. Injection of inhibitor of protein synthesis (Cycloheximide), if administered simultaneously with postconditioning, suppressed beneficial effect of postconditioning and resulted in 50% of CA1 neurons succumbing to neurodegeneration. Although, when Cycloheximide was injected 5 h after postconditioning, this treatment resulted in survival of 90% of CA1 neurons.4. Though postconditioning significantly protects hippocampal CA1 neurons up to 10 min of ischemia, its efficacy at 15 min ischemia is exhausted. However, protective impact of postconditioning in less-sensitive neuronal populations (cortex and striatum) is very good after such a damaging insult like 15 min ischemia. This statement also means that up to 15 min of ischemia, postconditioning does not induce cumulation of injuries produced by the first and the second stress.