HDAC inhibitor protects chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and oxygen‐glucose deprivation injuries via H3K14 and H4K5 acetylation‐mediated BDNF expression

Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common cause of dementia, but the treatment is still lacking. Although many studies have reported that histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) confer protective effects against ischemic and hypoxic injuries, their role in VaD is still uncertain. Previous studies shown, one HDACi protected against cognitive decline in animals with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH). However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we tested several 10,11‐dihydro‐5H‐dibenzo[b,f]azepine hydroxamates, which act as HDACis in the CCH model (in vivo), and SH‐SY5Y (neuroblastoma cells) with oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD, in vitro). We identified a compound 13, which exhibited the best cell viability under OGD. The compound 13 could increase, in part, the protein levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). It increased acetylation status on lysine 14 residue of histone 3 (H3K14) and lysine 5 of histone 4 (H4K5). We further clarified which promoters (I, II, III, IV or IX) could be affected by histone acetylation altered by compound 13. The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation and Q‐PCR analysis indicate that an increase in H3K14 acetylation leads to an increase in the expression of BDNF promoter II, while an increase in H4K5 acetylation results in an increase in the activity of BDNF promoter II and III. Afterwards, these cause an increase in the expression of BDNF exon II, III and coding exon IX. In summary, the HDACi compound 13 may increase BDNF specific isoforms expression to rescue the ischemic and hypoxic injuries through changes of acetylation on histones.     

慢性脑低灌注大鼠焦虑样行为与海马区域炎性细胞因子水平的相关性分析

目的:分析慢性脑低灌注(CCH)大鼠模型焦虑样行为和海马和血清炎性细胞因子水平的相关性。方法:将成年雄性Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠(200-220 g)分为两组(假手术(sham)和双侧颈总动脉结扎(BCCAO)组,每组N=40),分别给予BCCAO或者假手术。造模4周后,通过旷场实验和高架十字迷宫测试大鼠焦虑样行为;间接免疫荧光(Iba1和GFAP染色)和酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)分别测定海马CA1区胶质细胞激活和血清及海马区域白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、细胞粘附分子-1(ICAM-1)和血管细胞粘附分子-1(VCAM-1))水平。结果:旷场实验结果表明相比sham组,BCCAO组总穿行距离、中央区穿行距离和停留时间明显增多(P<0.05),高架十字迷宫实验中BCCAO组开臂停留时间和访问次数明显增加(P<0.05),闭臂停留时间显著缩短(P<0.05)。另外,相比sham组,BCCAO组大鼠海马CA1区胶质细胞明显激活,海马以及血清中炎性因子的表达水平均显著上调。Pearson相关性分析显示海马区域而非血清ICAM-1和VCAM-1水平与CCH大鼠焦虑样行为(中央区和开臂的停留时间)呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。结论:海马区域ICAM-1和VCAM-1升高与CCH大鼠焦虑样行为显著相关,可能参与CCH慢性期焦虑样行为的发生。     

Effect of HDAC Inhibitors on Neuroprotection and Neurite Outgrowth in Primary Rat Cortical Neurons Following Ischemic Insult

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi)—valproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA) promote neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection. In this study, we investigated whether VPA and TSA promote post-ischemic neuroprotection and neuronal restoration in rat primary cortical neurons. On 6 days in vitro (DIV), cortical neurons were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation for 90 min. Cells were returned to normoxic conditions and cultured for 1, 3, or 7 days with or without VPA and TSA. Control cells were cultured in normoxic conditions only. On 7, 9, and 13 DIV, cells were measured neurite outgrowth using the Axiovision program and stained with Tunel staining kit. Microtubule associated protein-2 immunostaining and tunel staining showed significant recovery of neurite outgrowth and post-ischemic neuronal death by VPA or TSA treatment. We also determined levels of acetylated histone H3, PSD95, GAP 43 and synaptophysin. Significant increases in all three synaptic markers and acetylated histone H3 were observed relative to non-treated cells. Post-ischemic HDACi treatment also significantly raised levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and secreted BDNF. Enhanced BDNF expression by HDACi treatment might have been involved in the post-ischemic neuroprotection and neuronal restorative effects. Our findings suggest that both VPA and TSA treatment during reoxygenation after ischemia may help post-ischemic neuroprotection and neuronal regeneration via increased BDNF expression and activation.     

Upregulation of BACE1 and β-Amyloid Protein Mediated by Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion Contributes to Cognitive Impairment and Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) increases the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) through several biologically plausible pathways, but the relationship between CCH and the development of AD remains uncertain. To investigate expression of APP, BACE1 and Aβ in the hippocampus of BCCAO rats and study pathophysiological mechanism of AD from CCH. CCH rat model was established by chronic bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). Behavior was evaluated after BCCAO with Morris water maze and open-field task. Expression of Aβ was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). β-Amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme 1 (BACE1) and β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) were tested by ELISA, Western blotting and RT-PCR. Cognitive impairment occurred with CCH by Morris water maze test and open-field task. The BACE1 and Aβ level in BCCAO rats was more increased than sham-operation control rats (P < 0.01) but APP had no difference(P > 0.05). The expression of BACE1 and Aβ has no inter-grouop difference in BCCAO rats (P > 0.05). The level of BACE1 and Aβ had positive correlation with cognitive impairment (P < 0.01) while no correlation was observed between APP and cognitive impairment. Chronic cerebral ischemia contributes to cognitive impairment and vascular pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease that chronic cerebral hypoperfusion increases BACE1 and Aβ level in brain.     

Neuropeptide cycloprolylglycine is an endogenous positive modulator of AMPA receptors

We have previously shown that neuropeptide cycloprolylglycine (CPG) increases the content of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the culture of neuronal cells under normal conditions and in pathology. This is the first study to show that CPG at a physiological concentration of 10^–6 M significantly enhances the transmembrane AMPA currents in rat cerebellar Purkinje cells. Thus, CPG is a positive endogenous modulator of AMPA receptors. It was assumed that the neuropsychotropic effects of CPG are implemented as a result of BDNF accumulation after the activation of AMPA receptors by this neuropeptide.     

Persistent Inflammation-induced Up-regulation of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Promotes Synaptic Delivery of α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid Receptor GluA1 Subunits in Descending Pain Modulatory Circuits

The enhanced AMPA receptor phosphorylation at GluA1 serine 831 sites in the central pain-modulating system plays a pivotal role in descending pain facilitation after inflammation, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We show here that, in the rat brain stem, in the nucleus raphe magnus, which is a critical relay in the descending pain-modulating system of the brain, persistent inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) can enhance AMPA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents and the GluA2-lacking AMPA receptor-mediated rectification index. Western blot analysis showed an increase in GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser-831 but not at Ser-845. This was accompanied by an increase in distribution of the synaptic GluA1 subunit. In parallel, the level of histone H3 acetylation at bdnf gene promoter regions was reduced significantly 3 days after CFA injection, as indicated by ChIP assays. This was correlated with an increase in BDNF mRNA levels and BDNF protein levels. Sequestering endogenous extracellular BDNF with TrkB-IgG in the nucleus raphe magnus decreased AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission and GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser-831 3 days after CFA injection. Under the same conditions, blockade of TrkB receptor functions, phospholipase C, or PKC impaired GluA1 phosphorylation at Ser-831 and decreased excitatory postsynaptic currents mediated by GluA2-lacking AMPA receptors. Taken together, these results suggest that epigenetic up-regulation of BDNF by peripheral inflammation induces GluR1 phosphorylation at Ser-831 sites through activation of the phospholipase C-PKC signaling cascade, leading to the trafficking of GluA1 to pain-modulating neuronal synapses.     

The AMPA receptor subunits GluR-A and GluR-B reciprocally modulate spinal synaptic plasticity and inflammatory pain

Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors are densely expressed in the spinal dorsal horn, but their functional significance in pain processing is not understood. By disrupting the genes encoding GluR-A or GluR-B, we generated mice exhibiting increased or decreased numbers of Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that AMPA receptors are critical determinants of nociceptive plasticity and inflammatory pain. A reduction in the number of Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors and density of AMPA channel currents in spinal neurons of GluR-A-deficient mice is accompanied by a loss of nociceptive plasticity in vitro and a reduction in acute inflammatory hyperalgesia in vivo. In contrast, an increase in spinal Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors in GluR-B-deficient mice facilitated nociceptive plasticity and enhanced long-lasting inflammatory hyperalgesia. Thus, AMPA receptors are not mere determinants of fast synaptic transmission underlying basal pain sensitivity as previously thought, but are critically involved in activity-dependent changes in synaptic processing of nociceptive inputs.     

NMDA receptor dysfunction contributes to impaired brain‐derived neurotrophic factor‐induced facilitation of hippocampal synaptic transmission in a Tau transgenic model

While the spatiotemporal development of Tau pathology has been correlated with occurrence of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's patients, mechanisms underlying these deficits remain unclear. Both brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB play a critical role in hippocampus‐dependent synaptic plasticity and memory. When applied on hippocampal slices, BDNF is able to enhance AMPA receptor‐dependent hippocampal basal synaptic transmission through a mechanism involving TrkB and N‐methyl‐d‐Aspartate receptors (NMDAR). Using THY‐Tau22 transgenic mice, we demonstrated that hippocampal Tau pathology is associated with loss of synaptic enhancement normally induced by exogenous BDNF. This defective response was concomitant to significant memory impairments. We show here that loss of BDNF response was due to impaired NMDAR function. Indeed, we observed a significant reduction of NMDA‐induced field excitatory postsynaptic potential depression in the hippocampus of Tau mice together with a reduced phosphorylation of NR2B at the Y1472, known to be critical for NMDAR function. Interestingly, we found that both NR2B and Src, one of the NR2B main kinases, interact with Tau and are mislocalized to the insoluble protein fraction rich in pathological Tau species. Defective response to BDNF was thus likely related to abnormal interaction of Src and NR2B with Tau in THY‐Tau22 animals. These are the first data demonstrating a relationship between Tau pathology and synaptic effects of BDNF and supporting a contribution of defective BDNF response and impaired NMDAR function to the cognitive deficits associated with Tauopathies.     

Dcf1 Affects Memory and Anxiety by Regulating NMDA and AMPA Receptors

The hippocampus is critical for memory and emotion and both N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl- 4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors are known to contribute for those processes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. We have previously found that mice undergo memory decline upon dcf1 deletion through ES gene knockout. In the present study, a nervous system-specific dcf1 knockout (NKO) mouse was constructed, which was found to present severely damaged neuronal morphology. The damaged neurons caused structural abnormalities in dendritic spines and decreased synaptic density. Decreases in hippocampal NMDA and AMPA receptors of NKO mice lead to abnormal long term potentiation (LTP) at DG, with significantly decreased performance in the water maze, elevated- plus maze, open field and light and dark test. Investigation into the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed that dendritic cell factor 1 (Dcf1) contributes for memory and emotion by regulating NMDA and AMPA receptors. Our results broaden the understanding of synaptic plasticity’s role in cognitive function, thereby expanding its known list of functions.

     

Histone deacetylase inhibitors suppress natural killer cell cytolytic activity

Treatment of transformed cells from leukemia or solid tumors with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) was shown to increase their sensitivity to NK cell lysis. In this study, treatment of IL-2-activated NK cells with HDACi including suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid and valproic acid was studied. Both drugs at therapeutic concentrations inhibited NK cell cytotoxicity on human leukemic cells. This inhibition was associated with decreased expression and function of NK cell activating receptors NKp46 and NKp30 as well as impaired granule exocytosis. NFkappaB activation in IL-2-activated NK cells was inhibited by both HDACi. Pharmacologic inhibition of NFkappaB activity resulted in similar effects on NK cell activity like those observed for HDACi. These results demonstrate for the first time that HDACi prevent NK cytotoxicity by downregulation of NK cell activating receptors probably through the inhibition of NFkappaB activation.     

L-Stepholidine rescues memory deficit and synaptic plasticity in models of Alzheimer's disease via activating dopamine D1 receptor/PKA signaling pathway

It is accepted that amyloid β-derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs) have a prominent role in triggering the early cognitive deficits that constitute Alzheimer''s disease (AD). However, there is still no effective treatment for preventing or reversing the progression of the disease. Targeting α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor trafficking and its regulation is a new strategy for AD early treatment. Here we investigate the effect and mechanism of L-Stepholidine (L-SPD), which elicits dopamine D1-type receptor agonistic activity, while acting as D2-type receptor antagonist on cognition and synaptic plasticity in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) double-transgenic (APP/PS1) mice, and hippocampal cultures or slices treated with ADDLs. L-SPD could improve the hippocampus-dependent memory, surface expression of glutamate receptor A (GluA1)-containing AMPA receptors and spine density in hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice. L-SPD not only rescued decreased phosphorylation and surface expression of GluA1 in hippocampal cultures but also protected the long-term potentiation in hippocampal slices induced by ADDLs. Protein kinase A (PKA) agonist Sp-cAMPS or D1-type receptor agonist {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"SKF81297","term_id":"1156277425"}}SKF81297 had similar effects, whereas PKA antagonist Rp-cAMPS or D1-type receptor antagonist {"type":"entrez-protein","attrs":{"text":"SCH23390","term_id":"1052733334","term_text":"SCH23390"}}SCH23390 abolished the effect of L-SPD on GluA1 trafficking. This was mediated mainly by PKA, which could phosphorylate serine residue at 845 of the GluA1. L-SPD may be explored as a potential therapeutic drug for AD through a mechanism that improves AMPA receptor trafficking and synaptic plasticity via activating D1/PKA signaling pathway.Alzheimer''s disease (AD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative disorder, which likely begins with deficits in synaptic transmission in brain regions such as the hippocampus. Now it is accepted that amyloid β-derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs) have a key role in synapse dysfunction and early memory loss in AD.^{1, 2} Excitatory synaptic transmission is tightly regulated by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors. Regulation of AMPA receptor trafficking in and out of excitatory synapses is important for controlling the strength of excitatory synapses in long-term potentiation (LTP), long-term depression and other forms of synaptic plasticity.^{3, 4, 5} Regulation of AMPA receptor trafficking depends on receptor subunit composition. In the hippocampus, most AMPA receptors are either glutamate receptor A (GluA)1/GluA2 (~80%) or GluA2/GluA3 (~20%) hetero-oligomers.^{6, 7} GluA1-containing receptors are delivered in an activity-dependent manner during LTP.⁸ In hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, LTP involves insertion of AMPA receptors into excitatory synapses. GluA1-containing AMPA receptor phosphorylation regulates AMPA receptor exocytosis and subsequent insertion at synapses.^{3, 9}Recent studies have shown that Aβ oligomers could alter AMPA receptor trafficking by modulating relevant protein kinases or protein phosphatases.¹⁰ However, the mechanisms through which ADDLs modify AMPA receptor trafficking and synaptic plasticity, as well as cognitive deficits, are not fully known.Protein kinase A (PKA) activation strongly increases exocytosis of AMPA receptors by direct phosphorylation of AMPA receptors.¹¹ Dopamine receptors have been grouped into two families, D1 type and D2 type. The D1 type comprises D1 and D5 receptor subtypes, which couple to Gα_s/cyclic AMP (cAMP), leading to activation of PKA, whereas the D2 type comprises D2, D3 and D4 receptor subtypes, which couple to Gα_i/cAMP, leading to inactivation of PKA. Our previous works have demonstrated that brief activation of D1-type receptor accelerates GluA1 externalization at extrasynaptic sites through a PKA-dependent pathway in hippocampal pyramidal neurons.¹² Another study has shown that activation of D1-type dopamine receptors protects neurons from synapse dysfunction induced by amyloid-β oligomers.¹³ Thus, L-Stepholidine (L-SPD), one of the active ingredients of the Chinese herb Stephania intermedia belonging to the tetrahydroprotoberberines (THPBs), which elicits dopamine D1-type receptor agonistic activity, while acting as D2-type receptor antagonist,^{14, 15} may have potential therapeutic effect on AD by improving AMPA receptor trafficking and synaptic plasticity.In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that L-SPD improved the impaired memory that was correlated with decreased phosphorylation and surface expression of GluA1-containing AMPA receptors, as well as spine loss in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) double-transgenic (APP/PS1) mice. In addition, L-SPD prevented ADDL-induced dysfunction of AMPA receptor trafficking in cultured hippocampal neurons and the inhibition of LTP in hippocampal slices through activation of D1/PKA signaling pathway.     

Phosphorylation of AMPA receptors

The ionotropic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor is densely distributed in the mammalian brain and is primarily involved in mediating fast excitatory synaptic transmission. Recent studies in both heterologous expression systems and cultured neurons have shown that the AMPA receptor can be phosphorylated on their subunits (GluR1, GluR2, and GluR4). All phosphorylation sites reside at serine, threonine, or tyrosine on the intracellular C-terminal domain. Several key protein kinases, such as protein kinase A, protein kinase C, Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, and tyrosine kinases (Trks; receptor or nonreceptor family Trks) are involved in the site-specific regulation of the AMPA receptor phosphorylation. Other glutamate receptors (N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors) also regulate AMPA receptors through a protein phosphorylation mechanism. Emerging evidence shows that as a rapid and short-term mechanism, the dynamic protein phosphorylation directly modulates the electrophysiological, morphological (externalization and internalization trafficking and clustering), and biochemical (synthesis and subunit composition) properties of the AMPA receptor, as well as protein-protein interactions between the AMPA receptor subunits and various intracellular interacting proteins. These modulations underlie the major molecular mechanisms that ultimately affect many forms of synaptic plasticity.     

AMPA receptor-dependent clustering of synaptic NMDA receptors is mediated by Stargazin and NR2A/B in spinal neurons and hippocampal interneurons

Under standard conditions, cultured ventral spinal neurons cluster AMPA- but not NMDA-type glutamate receptors at excitatory synapses on their dendritic shafts in spite of abundant expression of the ubiquitous NMDA receptor subunit NR1. We demonstrate here that the NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B are not routinely expressed in cultured spinal neurons and that transfection with NR2A or NR2B reconstitutes the synaptic targeting of NMDA receptors and confers on exogenous application of the immediate early gene product Narp the ability to cluster both AMPA and NMDA receptors. The use of dominant-negative mutants of GluR2 further showed that the synaptic targeting of NMDA receptors is dependent on the presence of synaptic AMPA receptors and that synaptic AMPA and NMDA receptors are linked by Stargazin and a MAGUK protein. This system of AMPA receptor-dependent synaptic NMDA receptor localization was preserved in hippocampal interneurons but reversed in hippocampal pyramidal neurons.     

Adenosine A(2A) receptors are required for normal BDNF levels and BDNF-induced potentiation of synaptic transmission in the mouse hippocampus

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of neurotrophin family, enhances synaptic transmission and regulates neuronal proliferation and survival. Both BDNF and its tyrosine kinase receptors (TrkB) are highly expressed in the hippocampus, where an interaction with adenosine A_2A receptors (A_2ARs) has been recently reported. In the present paper, we evaluated the role of A_2ARs in mediating functional effects of BDNF in hippocampus using A_2AR knock-out (KO) mice. In hippocampal slices from WT mice, application of BDNF (10 ng/mL) increased the slope of excitatory post-synaptic field potentials (fEPSPs), an index of synaptic facilitation. This increase of fEPSP slope was abolished by the selective A_2A antagonist ZM 241385. Similarly, genetic deletion of the A_2ARs abolished BDNF-induced increase of the fEPSP slope in slices from A_2AR KO mice The reduced functional ability of BDNF in A_2AR KO mice was correlated with the reduction in hippocampal BDNF levels. In agreement, the pharmacological blockade of A₂Rs by systemic ZM 241385 significantly reduced BDNF levels in the hippocampus of normal mice. These results indicate that the tonic activation of A_2ARs is required for BDNF-induced potentiation of synaptic transmission and for sustaining a normal BDNF tone in the hippocampus.     

乌灵菌粉水提物对MCAO小鼠海马结构及BDNF,GABA水平的影响

目的:探讨乌灵菌粉(xylaria nigripes,XN)水提物对脑缺血再灌注模型小鼠海马形态和高分子量神经丝蛋白(neurofilament high molecular weight,NF-H)表达以及脑源性神经营养因子(brain derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF)和γ氨基丁酸(γ-aminobutyric acid,GABA)的影响。方法:将32只昆明小鼠随机分为对照组(sham)、模型组(MCAO)和乌灵菌粉水提物低、高剂量组,即XN(L)和XN(H)。sham组进行假手术(皮肤切开,分离颈动脉),模型组(MCAO)及乌灵菌粉组进行大脑中动脉闭塞(middle cerebral artery occlusion,MCAO),sham组和MCAO组术后即刻腹腔注射生理盐水,乌灵菌粉组则注射不同剂量的乌灵菌粉水提物(0.3 g/kg和0.6 g/kg),术后24 h,通过尼氏染色、免疫组化染色和酶联免疫吸附实验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,Elisa)分别观察海马结构和NF-H的表达情况以及BDNF和GABA水平。结果:(1)模型组小鼠海马出现大量的空洞样改变,细胞排列不整齐,XN(H)组空洞样改变减少;(2)模型组NF-H染色的积分光密度显著低于对照组和XN(H)组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);(3)Elisa检测显示,模型组海马BDNF和GABA水平显著低于对照组和XN(H)组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.01),而且模型组与XN(L)组的GABA水平之间也存在显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:乌灵菌粉水提物对MCAO模型小鼠海马结构具有保护作用,这一作用可能与其调节GABA和BDNF水平有关。     

Activation of D1 dopamine receptors increases surface expression of AMPA receptors and facilitates their synaptic incorporation in cultured hippocampal neurons

Considerable evidence indicates that neuroadaptations leading to addiction involve the same cellular processes that enable learning and memory, such as long-term potentiation (LTP), and that psychostimulants influence LTP through dopamine (DA)-dependent mechanisms. In hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, LTP involves insertion of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptors into excitatory synapses. We used dissociated cultures to test the hypothesis that D1 family DA receptors influence synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons by modulating AMPA receptor trafficking. Brief exposure (5 min) to a D1 agonist increased surface expression of glutamate receptor (GluR)1-containing AMPA receptors by increasing their rate of externalization at extrasynaptic sites. This required the secretory pathway but not protein synthesis, and was mediated mainly by protein kinase A (PKA) with a smaller contribution from Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Prior D1 receptor stimulation facilitated synaptic insertion of GluR1 in response to subsequent stimulation of synaptic NMDA receptors with glycine. Our results support a model for synaptic GluR1 incorporation in which PKA is required for initial insertion into the extrasynaptic membrane whereas CaMKII mediates translocation into the synapse. By increasing the size of the extrasynaptic GluR1 pool, D1 receptors may promote LTP. Psychostimulants may usurp this mechanism, leading to inappropriate plasticity that contributes to addiction-related behaviors.     

Slow modulation of synaptic transmission by brain-derived neurotrophic factor leads to the central sensitization associated with neuropathic pain

Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the rat sciatic nerve increases the dorsal horn excitability. This “central sensitization” leads to behavioral manifestations analogous to those related to human neuropathic pain. We found, using whole-cell recording from acutely isolated spinal cord slices, that 7-to 10-day-long CCI increases excitatory synaptic drive to putative excitatory “delay”-firing neurons in the substantia gelatinosa but attenuates that to putative inhibitory “tonic”-firing neurons. A defined-medium organotypic culture (DMOTC) system was used to investigate the long-term actions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a possible instigator of these changes. When all five neuronal types found in the substantia gelatinosa were considered, BDNF and CCI produced similar patterns, or “footprints,” of changes across the whole population. This pattern was not seen with another putative “pain mediator,” interleukin 1β. Thus, BDNF decreased synaptic drive to “tonic” neurons and increased synaptic drive to “delay” neurons. Actions of BDNF on “delay” neurons were presynaptic and involved increased mEPSC frequency and amplitude without changes in the function of postsynaptic AMPA receptors. By contrast, BDNF exerted both pre-and post-synaptic actions on “ tonic” cells to reduce the mEPSC frequency and amplitude. These differential actions of BDNF on excitatory and inhibitory neurons contributed to a global increase in the dorsal horn network excitability as assessed by the amplitude of depolarization-induced increases in the intracellular [Ca²⁺]. Experiments with the BDNF-binding protein TrkB-d5 provided additional evidence for BDNF as a harbinger of neuropathic pain. Thus, the cellular processes altered by BDNF likely contribute to “central sensitization” and hence to the onset of neuropathic pain. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 39, Nos. 4/5, pp. 315–326, July–October, 2007.     

AMPA protects cultured neurons against glutamate excitotoxicity through a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent activation in extracellular signal-regulated kinase to upregulate BDNF gene expression

The signal transduction and molecular mechanisms underlying alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA)-mediated neuroprotection are unknown. In the present study, we determined a major AMPA receptor-mediated neuroprotective pathway. Exposure of cerebellar granule cells to AMPA (500 microM) + aniracetam (1 microM), a known blocker of AMPA receptor desensitization, evoked an accumulation of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) in the culture medium and enhanced TrkB-tyrosine phosphorylation following the release of BDNF. AMPA also activated the src-family tyrosine kinase, Lyn, and the downstream target of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) pathway, Akt. Extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), a component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, was also activated. K252a, a selective inhibitor of neurotrophin signaling, blocked the AMPA-mediated neuroprotection. The involvement of BDNF release in protecting neurons by AMPA was confirmed using a BDNF-blocking antibody. AMPA-mediated neuroprotection is blocked by PP1, an inhibitor of src family kinases, LY294002, a PI3-K inhibitor, or U0126, a MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor. Neuroprotective concentrations of AMPA increased BDNF mRNA levels that was blocked by the AMPA receptor antagonist, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-nitro-2,3-dioxo-benzo[f]quinoxaline-7-sulfonamide (NBQX). The increase in BDNF gene expression appeared to be the downstream target of the PI3-K-dependent activation of the MAPK cascade since MEK or the PI3-K inhibitor blocked the AMPA receptor-mediated increase in BDNF mRNA. Thus, AMPA receptors protect neurons through a mechanism involving BDNF release, TrkB receptor activation, and a signaling pathway involving a PI3-K dependent activation of MAPK that increases BDNF expression.