Ischemia-related change of ceruloplasmin immunoreactivity in neurons and astrocytes in the gerbil hippocampus and dentate gyrus

In the present study, we investigated the temporal and spatial alterations of ceruloplasmin immunoreactivity in the gerbil hippocampus and dentate gyrus after 5 min transient forebrain ischemia. In sham-operated animals, ceruloplasmin immunoreactivity in the hippocampal CA2/3 areas was higher than that of other areas. Ceruloplasmin immunoreactivity and its protein content significantly increased and were highest in the CA1 area 1 day after ischemia-reperfusion. At this time point, the immunoreactivity was shown in pyramidal cells of the CA1 area. Four days after ischemia-reperfusion, ceruloplasmin immunoreactivity was shown in astrocytes in the hippocamapal CA1 area. These results suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) do not immediately damage neuronal cytosol, unlike DNA. An interval of time is required for the full expression of the cytoplasmic protein injury by ROS. This delayed neuronal injury 1 day after ischemic insult might provide a window of opportunity for therapeutic interventions using antioxidants.     

Differential regulation of ciliary neurotrophic factor and its receptor in the rat hippocampus in response to kainic acid-induced excitotoxicity

We analyzed the changes in expression of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and its receptor, ligand-binding subunit a (CNTFRa), in the hippocampus following intraperitoneal administration of a convulsant dose of kainic acid (KA). Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting showed that CNTF levels rose dramatically between day 1 and day 10, and that the CNTF was located in reactive astrocytes. In contrast, upregulation of CNTFRalpha mRNA, occurred in neurons as well as astrocytes. A rapid, and short-lived (3 h-2 d) increase in CNTFRalpha was also observed in the more resistant granule cells and CA2 pyramidal neurons. The increase in astrocytes was detected by day 1 and was sustained for more than 5 d. These results show that CNTF and CNTFRalpha are differentially regulated in hippocampal neurons and reactive astrocytes following KA injection, indicating that these proteins may be involved in the regulation of astrocyte and neuronal degenerative responses.     

Mannitol induces selective astroglial death in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus following status epilepticus

In the present study, we addressed the question of whether treatment with mannitol, an osmotic diuretic, affects astrogliovascular responses to status epilepticus (SE). In saline-treated animals, astrocytes exhibited reactive astrogliosis in the CA1-3 regions 2-4 days after SE. In the mannitol-treated animals, a large astroglial empty zone was observed in the CA1 region 2 days after SE. This astroglial loss was unrelated to vasogenic edema formation. There was no difference in SE-induced neuronal loss between saline- and mannitol-treated animals. Furthermore, mannitol treatment did not affect astroglial loss and vasogenic edema formation in the dentate gyrus and the piriform cortex. These findings suggest that mannitol treatment induces selective astroglial loss in the CA1 region independent of vasogenic edema formation following SE. These findings support the hypothesis that the susceptibility of astrocytes to SE is most likely due to the distinctive heterogeneity of astrocytes independent of hemodynamics. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(9): 507-512]     

Ischemia-Induced Changes of PRAS40 and p-PRAS40 Immunoreactivities in the Gerbil Hippocampal CA1 Region After Transient Cerebral Ischemia

Proline-rich Akt substrate of 40-kDa (PRAS40) is one of the important interactive linkers between Akt and mTOR signaling pathways. The increase of PRAS40 is related with the reduction of brain damage induced by cerebral ischemia. In the present study, we investigated time-dependent changes in PRAS40 and phospho-PRAS40 (p-PRAS40) immunoreactivities in the hippocampal CA1 region of the gerbil after 5 min of transient cerebral ischemia. PRAS40 immunoreactivity in the CA1 region was decreased in pyramidal neurons from 12 h after ischemic insult in a time-dependent manner, and, at 5 days post-ischemia, PRAS40 immunoreactivity was newly expressed in astrocytes. p-PRAS40 immunoreactivity in the CA1 pyramidal neurons was hardly found 12 h and apparently detected again 1 and 2 days after ischemic insult. At 5 days post-ischemia, p-PRAS40 immunoreactivity in the CA1 pyramidal neurons was not found. These results indicate that ischemia-induced changes in PRAS40 and p-PRAS40 immunoreactivities in CA1 pyramidal neurons and astrocytes may be closely associated with delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region following transient cerebral ischemia.     

Effects of Transient Cerebral Ischemia on the Expression of DNA Methyltransferase 1 in the Gerbil Hippocampal CA1 Region

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic modification of DNA that is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt). Increasing evidences suggest that DNA methylation in neurons regulates synaptic plasticity as well as neuronal network activity. In the present study, we investigated the changes in DNA methyltransferases 1 (Dnmt1) immunoreactivity and its protein levels in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region after 5 min of transient global cerebral ischemia. CA1 pyramidal neurons were well stained with NeuN (a neuron-specific soluble nuclear antigen) antibody in the sham-group, Four days after ischemia–reperfusion (I–R), NeuN-positive (⁺) cells were significantly decreased in the stratum pyramidale (SP) of the CA1 region, and many Fluro-Jade B (a marker for neuronal degeneration)⁺ cells were observed in the SP. Dnmt1 immunoreactivity was well detected in all the layers of the sham-group. Dnmt1 immunoreactivity was hardly detected only in the stratum pyramidale of the CA1 region from 4 days post-ischemia; however, at these times, Dnmt1 immunoreactivity was newly expressed in GABAergic interneurons or astrocytes in the ischemic CA1 region. In addition, the level of Dnmt1 was lowest at 4 days post-ischemia. In brief, both the Dnmt1 immunoreactivity and protein levels were distinctively decreased in the ischemic CA1 region 4 days after transient cerebral ischemia. These results indicate that the decrease of Dnmt1 expression at 4 days post-ischemia may be related to ischemia-induced delayed neuronal death.     

蝎毒对癫痫敏感性和海马GFAP释放的影响

目的和方法 :本工作用海人酸癫痫模型 ,通过对癫痫大鼠蝎毒治疗后行为变化及脑内胶质原纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)免疫反应活性的检测 ,对蝎毒抗癫痫反复发作的相关脑区及其机制做以初步探讨。结果 :癫痫大鼠蝎毒治疗三周后 ,能明显减少癫痫发作的例数 ,减轻癫痫发作的程度 ,使发作的潜伏期延长 (P <0 .0 5 )。免疫细胞化学的实验显示 ,蝎毒抗癫痫反复发作的相关脑区是海马。 8例蝎毒治疗的大鼠与实验对照组相比 ,有 6例背侧海马GFAP免疫染色明显减轻 ,未见星形胶质细胞增生 ;CA1区无明显神经元缺失 ;而且与空白对照组相比无显著差异。结论 :癫痫大鼠蝎毒治疗三周后 ,能明显减轻癫痫发作的行为 ,抑制海马星形胶质细胞的增生肥大 ,减轻海马神经元受损的程度。蝎毒抑制海马星形胶质细胞增生很可能是蝎毒抗癫痫反复发作的重要机制之一。     

Comparison of Phosphorylated Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 1/2 Immunoreactivity in the Hippocampal Ca1 Region Induced by Transient Cerebral Ischemia Between Adult and Aged Gerbils

In this study, the authors examined the difference of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2) in the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) between adult and aged gerbils after 5 min of transient cerebral ischemia. Delayed neuronal death in the CA1 of the aged group was much slower than that in the adult group after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). pERK1/2 immunoreaction was observed in the CA1 region of the sham-operated adult gerbil. pERK1/2 immunoreactivity and protein levels in the ischemic CA1 region of the adult group were markedly increased 4 days after I/R, and then reduced up to 10 days after I/R. In contrast, pERK1/2 immunoreaction was hardly detected in the CA1 region of sham-operated aged gerbils, and the immunoreactivity increased from 1 day after the ischemic insult, and still observed until 10 days post-ischemia. In addition, pERK1/2-immunoreaction was expressed in astrocytes in the ischemic CA1 region: The expression in the ischemia-operated aged gerbils was later than that in the ischemia-operated adult gerbils. These results indicate that different patterns of ERK1/2 immunoreactivity may be associated with different processes of delayed neuronal death in adult and aged animals.     

Na+/HCO3- cotransporter immunoreactivity changes in neurons and expresses in astrocytes in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region after ischemia/reperfusion

The maintenance of intracellular pH is important in neuronal function. Na⁺/HCO₃ ⁻ cotransporter (NBC), a bicarbonate-dependent acid–base transport protein, may contribute to cellular acid–base homeostasis in pathophysiological processes. We examined the alterations of NBC immunoreactivity and its protein levels in the hippocampal CA1 region after transient cerebral ischemia in gerbils. In the sham-operated group, moderate NBC immunoreactivity was detected in CA1 pyramidal neurons, and, 12 h after I/R, the immunoreactivity in the pyramidal neurons was markedly increased over controls. Three days after I/R, NBC immunoreactivity nearly disappeared in the CA1 pyramidal neurons. However, NBC immunoreactivity was detected in the non-pyramidal neurons of the ischemic CA1 region at 3 days after I/R. From double immunofluorescence study with glial markers, NBC immunoreactivity was detected in astrocytes, not in microglia, at 4 days after I/R. NBC protein level in the CA1 region was significantly increased at 12 h post-ischemia and significantly decreased at 2 days post-ischemia. Thereafter, NBC protein level was again increased and returned to the level of the sham-operated group at 4 days post-ischemia. On the other hand, treatment with 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate (DIDS), an inorganic anion exchanger blocker including Cl-bicarbonate exchanger, protected CA1 pyramidal neurons from I/R injury at 4 days post-ischemia. These results indicate that changes in NBC expressions may play an important role in neuronal damage and astrocytosis induced by transient cerebral ischemia.     

Time-course alterations of Toll-like receptor 4 and NF-κB p65, and their co-expression in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region after transient cerebral ischemia

Innate immune system is very important to modulate the host defense against a large variety of pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in controlling innate immune response. Among TLRs, TLR4 is a specific receptor for lipopolysaccharide and associated with the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the present study, we investigated ischemia-related changes of TLR4 immunoreactivity and its protein level, and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 immunoreactivity regarding inflammatory responses in the hippocampal CA1 region after 5 min of transient cerebral ischemia to identify the correlation between transient ischemia and inflammation. In the sham-operated group, TLR4 immunoreactivity was easily detected in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1). TLR4 immunoreactivity in pyramidal neurons was distinctively decreased after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R); instead, based on double immunofluorescence study, TLR4 immunoreactivity was expressed in non-pyramidal neurons and astrocytes from 2 days postischemia. In addition, TLR4 protein level was lowest at 1 day postischemia and highest 4 days after I/R. On the other hand, NF-κB p65 immunoreactivity was not detected in the CA1 of the sham-operated group, and NF-κB p65 immunoreactivity was not observed until 1 day after I/R. However, NF-κB p65 immunoreactivity began to be expressed in astrocytes at 2 days postischemia, and the immunoreactivity was strong 4 days postischemia. Our results indicate that TLR4 and NF-κB p65 immunoreactivity are changed in CA1 pyramidal neurons and newly expressed in astrocytes, not in microglia, in the CA1 region after transient cerebral ischemia.     

Mapping of rat hippocampal neurons with NeuN after ischemia/reperfusion and Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) pretreatment

1. The neuroprotective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) against transient forebrain ischemia following 7 days of reperfusion was studied in male Wistar rats after four-vessel occlusion for 20 min.2. NeuN, a neuronal specific nuclear protein was used for immunohistochemical detection of surviving pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus, as well as counterstaining with hematoxylin in the same sections for detection of neurons that underwent delayed neuronal death and for glial nuclei staining. GFAP immunohistochemistry was used for detection of astrocytes in the studied area of CA1 region.3. In the group of rats pretreated 7 days with Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761), following 20 min of ischemia and 7 days of reperfusion without EGb 761, increased number of NeuN immunoreactive cells were counted in the most vulnerable CA1 pyramidal layer of hippocampus. On the other hand, the group of rats with 7 days of EGb 761 pretreatment following 20 min of ischemia and 7 days of reperfusion with EGb 761 showed decreased number of surviving NeuN immunoreactive CA1 pyramidal cells in comparison with the first above-mentioned experimental group.4. Increased number of reactive astrocytes immunolabeled for GFAP (Glial fibrilary acidic protein) was observed in both experimental groups in the stratum oriens and stratum lacunosum and moleculare.5. Twenty minutes of ischemia is lethal for most population of CA1 pyramidal cell layer. Our results showed that prophylactic oral administration of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in the dose 40 mg/kg/day during the 7 days protects the most vulnerable CA1 pyramidal cells against 20 min of ischemia.     

Expression and changes of endogenous insulin-like growth factor-1 in neurons and glia in the gerbil hippocampus and dentate gyrus after ischemic insult

In the present study, we focused upon expression and changes of endogenous insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the hippocampus of the Mongolian gerbil after ischemic insult. In sham-operated animals, IGF-1 immunoreactivity was absent from the hippocampus. IGF-1-immunoreactive (IR) neurons were detected at 12 h and 1 day after ischemic insult. In the hippocampal CA1 area, the IGF-IR neurons were non-pyramidal cells (GABAergic neurons). In the hippocampal CA2/3 areas, the IGF-1-IR neurons were pyramidal and non-pyramidal cells, and in the dentate gyrus the IGF-1-IR neurons were hilar neurons. Four days after ischemia-reperfusion, IGF-1 immunoreactivity disappeared from neurons, and significantly increased in astrocytes and microglia. These results suggest that the induction of IGF-1 in the CA1 area during the early stage (12-24 h after ischemic insult) is associated with the relative vulnerabilities of pyramidal glutamatergic neurons and non-pyramidal GABAergic neurons. The later increase (4 days after ischemic insult) of IGF-1 expression and protein content was found to promote the activities of astrocytes and microglia. These increases of IGF-1 in astrocytes and in microglia are associated with mechanisms that compensate for the effects of delayed neuronal death.     

Hyperoxidized Peroxiredoxins and Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Immunoreactivity and Protein Levels are Changed in the Gerbil Hippocampal CA1 Region After Transient Forebrain Ischemia

Oxidative stress is a major pathogenic event occurring in several brain disorders and is a major cause of brain damage due to ischemia/reperfusion. Thiol proteins are easily oxidized in cells exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we investigated transient ischemia-induced chronological changes in hyperoxidized peroxiredoxins (Prx-SO₃) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH-SO₃) immunoreactivity and protein levels in the gerbil hippocampus induced by 5 min of transient forebrain ischemia. Weak Prx-SO₃ immunoreactivity is detected in the hippocampal CA1 region of the sham-operated group. Prx-SO₃ immunoreactivity was significantly increased 12 h and 1 day after ischemia/reperfusion, and the immunoreactivity was decreased to the level of the sham-operated group 2 days after ischemia/reperfusion. Prx-SO₃ immunoreactivity in the 4 days post-ischemia group was increased again, and the immunoreactivity was expressed in glial components for 5 days after ischemia/reperfusion. GAPDH-SO₃ immunoreactivity was highest in the CA1 region 1 day after ischemia/reperfusion, the immunoreactivity was decreased 2 days after ischemia/reperfusion. Four days after ischemia/reperfusion, GAPDH-SO₃ immunoreactivity increased again, and the immunoreactivity began to be expressed in glial components from 5 days after ischemia/reperfusion. Prx-SO₃ and GAPDH-SO₃ protein levels in the ischemic CA1 region were also very high 12 h and 1 day after ischemia/reperfusion and returned to the level of the sham-operated group 3 days after ischemia/reperfusion. Their protein levels were increased again 5 days after ischemia/reperfusion. In conclusion, Prx-SO₃ and GAPDH-SO₃ immunoreactivity and protein levels in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region are significantly increased 12 h-24 h after ischemia/reperfusion and their immunoreactivity begins to be expressed in glial components from 4 or 5 days after ischemia/reperfusion.     

Resveratrol Protects Against Neurotoxicity Induced by Kainic Acid

Increased oxidative stress has been implicated in the mechanisms of excitotoxicity in hippocampus induced by kainic acid (KA), an excitatory glutamate receptor agonist. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic antioxidant compound enriched in grape, is regarded as an important ingredient in red wine to offer cardiovascular and neural protective effects. This study was designed to investigate whether resveratrol treatment may ameliorate neuronal death after KA administration. Adult Sprague Dawley male rats were treated with KA (8 mg/kg) daily for 5 days and another group was treated similarly with KA plus resveratrol (30 mg/kg/day). Three hr after the last treatment protocol, animals were sacrificed, and brain sections were obtained for histochemical and immunohistochemical identification of neurons, astrocytes and microglial cells. After KA administration, significant neuronal death and activation of astrocytes and microglial cells were observed in the hippocampal CA1, CA3 and polymorphic layer (hilar) of the dentate gyrus (DG) (P < 0.001). The KA-induced hippocampal neuronal damage was significantly attenuated by treatment with resveratrol (P < 0.001). Resveratrol also suppressed KA-induced activation of astrocytes and microglial cells. Since increased oxidative stress is a key factor for KA-induced neurotoxicity, this study demonstrated the ability of resveratrol to act as free radical scavenger to protect against neuronal damage caused by excitotoxic insults.Special issue dedicated to Dr. Lawrence F. Eng.     

Effect of Transient Cerebral Ischemia on the Expression of Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) in the Gerbil Hippocampus Proper

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a multi-ligand receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily that has been implicated in multiple neuronal and inflammatory stress processes. In this study, we examined changes in RAGE immunoreactivity and its protein levels in the gerbil hippocampus (CA1-3 regions) after 5 min of transient global cerebral ischemia. The ischemic hippocampus was stained with cresyl violet, neuronal nuclei (a neuron-specific soluble nuclear antigen) antibody and Fluoro-Jade B (a marker for neuronal degeneration). 5 days after ischemia–reperfusion, delayed neuronal death occurred in the stratum pyramidale of the CA1 region. RAGE immunoreactivity was not detected in any regions of the CA1-3 regions of the sham-group; the immunoreactivity was markedly increased only in the CA1 region from 3 days after ischemia–reperfusion. On the other hand, RAGE immunoreactivity was newly expressed in astrocytes, not in microglia. Western blot analysis showed that RAGE protein level was highest at 5 days post-ischemia. In brief, both the RAGE immunoreactivity and protein level were distinctively increased in astrocytes in the ischemic CA1 region from 3 days after transient cerebral ischemia. These results indicate that the increase of RAGE expression in astrocytes after ischemia–reperfusion may be related to the ischemia-caused activation of astrocytes in the ischemic CA1 region.     

Ionized Calcium-binding Adapter Molecule 1 Immunoreactive Cells Change in the Gerbil Hippocampal CA1 Region after Ischemia/Reperfusion

Ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (iba-1) is specifically expressed in microglia and plays an important role in the regulation of the function of microglia. We observed chronological changes of iba-1-immunoreactive cells and iba-1 level in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region after transient ischemia. Transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils was induced by the occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries for 5 min. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis of iba-1 were performed in the gerbil ischemic hippocampus. In the sham-operated group, iba-1-immunoreactive cells were detected in the CA1 region. Thirty minutes after ischemia/reperfusion, iba-1 immunoreactivity significantly increased, and its immunoreactive cells were well ramified. Three hours after ischemia/reperfusion, iba-1 immunoreactivity and level decreased, and thereafter they increased again with time after ischemia/reperfusion. Three days after ischemia/reperfusion, iba-1-immunoreactive cells had well-ramified processes, which projected to the stratum pyramidale of the CA1 region. Seven days after ischemia/reperfusion, iba-1 immunoreactivity and level were highest in the CA1 region, whereas they significantly decreased in the CA1 region 10 days after ischemia/reperfusion. Iba-1-immunoreactive cells in the ischemic CA1 region were co-localized with OX-42, a microglia marker. In brief, iba-1-immunoreactive cells change morphologically and iba-1 immunoreactivity alters in the CA1 region with time after ischemia/reperfusion. These may be associated with the delayed neuronal death of CA1 pyramidal cells in the gerbil ischemic hippocampus.     

Time-Course Change of Redd1 Expressions in the Hippocampal CA1 Region Following Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion

Redd1, also known as RTP801/Dig2/DDIT4, is a stress-induced protein and marked changes of Redd1 expression occurs in response to hypoxia or cerebral ischemia. In the present study, we examined the time-course changes in Redd1 protein expressions in the rat hippocampal CA1 region following chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) induced by permanent bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (2VO). Redd1 immunoreactivity in the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region was increased at 7 days after 2VO surgery, and then the immunoreactivity was decreased with time. Especially, very weak Redd1 immunoreactivity was observed in the hippocampal CA1 region at 28 days after 2VO surgery. Western blot analysis showed that Redd1 level in the hippocampal CA1 region was significantly increased at 7 days following CCH and significantly decreased at 28 days after 2VO surgery, compared with that of the sham-operated group. These results indicate that Redd1 expressions is markedly changed in the hippocampal CA1 region following CCH and that change of Redd1 expression may be associated with the CCH-induced neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 region.     

GM1 Ganglioside Potentiates Trimethyltin-Induced Expression of Interleukin-1Beta and the Nerve Growth Factor in Reactive Astrocytes in the Rat Hippocampus: An Immunocytochemical Study

This study demonstrates potentiation by GM1 ganglioside treatment of trimethyltin (TMT) induced reactivity of astrocytes, and the expression of astroglial interleukin-lbeta (IL-1beta) and nerve growth factor (NGF) immunoreactivities in the rat hippocampus. GM1 treatment also results in an increase of the number of IL-1beta and NGF immunoreactive astrocytes. Both the intensity of gliosis and stimulation of IL-1beta and NGF expression in astrocytes mostly occurs in the regions of heaviest neurodegeneration in the hippocampus (CA4/CA3c and CA1). It is tempting to assume that enhancement of astroglial NGF expression by GM1 ganglioside may play a role in the protective action of GM1 against neurotoxic insult.