急性神经损伤引起脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位长时程增强

神经损伤引起神经病性疼痛,表现为持续性痛超敏和痛觉过敏。目前对神经病性疼痛的机制尚缺乏了解。我们以往的工作表明强直电刺激坐骨神经可引起脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位的长时程增强(long-term potentiation,LTP),该LTP被认为是病理性疼痛的突触模型。本研究的目的在于探讨急性神经损伤是否能在完整动物的脊髓背角诱发出C-纤维诱发电位LTP。在以测试刺激(10～20V,0．5ms)电刺激坐骨神经的同时在脊髓背角用微电极记录C一纤维诱发电位。分别用强直刺激、剪断或夹捏坐骨神经诱导LTP。结果发现：(1)剪断或夹捏坐骨神经都可以诱导脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位的LTP,该LTP可持续到实验结束(3～9h),在剪断神经前10min用利多卡因局部阻滞坐骨神经则可完全阻断LTP的产生;(2)神经损伤诱导的LTP可被NMDA受体阻断剂AP5所阻断;(3)用单次强直刺激引起LTP后,切断坐骨神经可使LTP的幅度进一步增大,而用多次强直电刺激使LTP饱和后,损伤神经则不能使LTP进一步增大。切断神经引起LTP后,强直电刺激也不能使LTP进一步增大。这些结果表明,急性神经损伤可以诱导脊髓背角C纤维诱发电位LTP,且切断神经能更有效地诱导LTP。该试验进一步支持我们的设想,即脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位LTP可能在病理性疼痛的形成中起重要作用。     

脊髓背角Ⅱ板层长时程增强诱导及维持过程中的突触形态计量学研究

本研究和体视学方法探讨了在C纤维诱发电位长时程增强(long—-term potentiation,LTP)的诱导及维持过程中的脊髓背角Ⅱ板层的突触形念变化。结果显示(1)在LTP形成后30min,Ⅱ板层内的突触后致密物质(postsynaptic density,PSD)增厚,突触间隙增宽;(2)在LTP形成后3h,PSD厚度、突触间隙宽度及突触界面曲率都有明显增加;(3)在LTP诱导和维持全过程中,总突触的数密度比对照组有明显增高。(4)在LTP形成后3h和5h,穿孔性突触的数密度与对照组比较有明显增高。上述结果显示：PSD增厚是LTP诱导阶段的主要形态学变化。突触界面曲率增人及穿孔突触数目增多是LTP维持阶段的主要形态学基础。     

慢性铝暴露对大鼠海马神经元PKC、CaMKⅡ、Ng 的影响

通过研究慢性铝暴露对大鼠学习记忆和海马长时程增强 (long-term potentiation, LTP) 的影响,并检测海马神经元蛋白激酶Ｃ(protein kinase c, PKC) 活性及Ca²⁺钙调蛋白激酶Ⅱ(Ca²⁺calmodulin dependent protein kinase Ⅱ, CaMK Ⅱ) 和神经颗粒素(neurogranin, Ng) 蛋白表达的变化,探讨铝暴露损害学习记忆的作用机制.选用断乳后 Wistar 大鼠,以含有不同浓度 AlCl₃ 的蒸馏水进行饲养.3 个月后,测定铝暴露组大鼠脑内和血中的铝含量;测量记录大鼠海马群体峰电位(population spike,PS)LTP;用改良 Takai 法测定海马神经元 PKC 活性变化;Western 印迹法检测 CaMK Ⅱ和Ng的蛋白表达.结果显示,与对照组相比,铝暴露组的 PKC 活性降低,差异有统计学意义 (P<0.01);与对照组相比,铝暴露组的CaM Ⅱ蛋白表达降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与对照组相比,铝暴露组的 Ng 蛋白表达降低,且差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).实验结果说明：慢性铝暴露可以降低大鼠海马神经元 PKC 的活性及 Ng 和 CaMKⅡ 的蛋白表达,可能影响 Ng 磷酸化水平,从而影响 CaM 与 Ng 之间的亲和性,也影响 Ca²⁺CaM 对 CaMKⅡ 的调节,抑制 LTP 的形成,损害学习记忆的功能.     

CaMKⅡ在学习和记忆中的作用

CaMKⅡ是突触后致密物(PSD)的主要成分,在Ca++CaM作用下自身磷酸化激活后能较长时间保持不依赖Ca++的激酶活性。CaMKⅡ突变小鼠学习记忆能力严重受损并且不能诱导长时程增加(LTP);小鼠学习训练后或者诱导LTP后,CaMKⅡ活性增加,因此,CaMKⅡ可能是学习和记忆的分子基础。     

NMDA受体通道参与大鼠脊髓背角C纤维诱发电位LTP的表达

以往研究表明,激动NMDA受体是引起海马长时程增强(LTP)的必备条件,而LTP的表达主要与AMPA受体的磷酸化及其受体组装到突触后膜有关.但是,近年来有研究表明NMDA受体通道也参与了LTP的表达.为探讨NMDA受体通道是否参与了脊髓背角C纤维诱发电位LTP的表达,诱导LTP后,分别静脉或脊髓局部给予NMDA受体拮抗剂MK801或APV,观察其作用.发现静脉注射非竞争性NMDA受体MK801(0.1mg/kg)对脊髓LTP无影响,注射0.5mg/kg显著抑制LTP,但是当剂量增高到1.0mg/kg时,抑制作用并未进一步增大.脊髓局部给予MK801也能抑制脊髓背角LTP.为验证上述结果,使用了竞争性NMDA受体拮抗剂APⅤ.结果显示,脊髓局部给予50μmol/LAPⅤ对LTP无影响,100μmol/L对LTP有显著的抑制作用,当浓度升至200μmol/L时,抑制作用并未见进一步增强.因此认为,NMDA受体通道部分地参与了脊髓背角C纤维诱发电位LTP的表达.     

CaMKⅡ在大鼠异氟烷全麻机制中的作用研究

目的:探讨磷酸化钙调蛋白依赖性激酶Ⅱ(pCaMKⅡ)在异氟烷吸入全身麻醉作用中的作用及相关机制。方法:采用经侧脑室置管全脑给药,将SD大鼠随机分为溶剂对照组(control组)和CaMKⅡ抑制剂十四烷酰肉豆蔻酰-钙调蛋白自变性抑制肽(myrAIP)处理组(n=10),给药40min后行异氟烷吸入麻醉(1MAC,30min),监测动物脑电,取脑电波平稳清晰的波段,在异氟烷麻醉30min时间点进行分析,并于异氟烷麻醉30min取脑组织样本进行蛋白定量分析。结果:抑制剂组动物给药30min时脑电抑制波明显多于对照组(P<0.05);与对照组相比,抑制剂组脑组织pCaMKⅡ蛋白表达量明显降低(P<0.05)。结论:CaMKⅡ抑制剂能明显改变异氟烷全麻过程中大鼠的脑电变化及磷酸化蛋白表达变化,pCaMKⅡα参与了异氟烷全身麻醉的过程。     

NMDA对GABAA受体的抑制作用由钙-钙调素依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱ介导

应用制霉菌素(nystatin)穿孔全细胞记录方法,研究了N-甲基-D-门冬氨酸(NMDA)对新鲜分离的大鼠骶髓后连合核(SDCN)神经元γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)激活的全细胞电流的调控.实验结果如下:(ⅰ) 在无Mg2+及含1 μmol/L甘氨酸的标准细胞外液中,当钳制电位为-40 mV时,NMDA(100 μmol/L)可抑制GABA和muscimol (Mus)在SDCN神经元激活的全细胞电流(IGABA和IMus),且NMDA受体的竞争性拮抗剂D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate(APV,100 μmol/L)可完全阻断NMDA激活的电流,并可消除NMDA对IGABA的抑制作用.(ⅱ)当细胞外液中无Ca2+及待测神经元被Ca2+螯合剂BAPTA AM预处理2 h后,NMDA对IGABA的抑制作用消失;而用电压依赖性钙通道阻断剂Cd2+(10 μmol/L)或La3+(30μmol/L)预处理后,NMDA对IGABA的抑制作用仍然存在.(ⅲ) NMDA对IGABA的抑制作用可被钙-钙调素依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱ(CaMKⅡ)的抑制剂KN-62所阻断.提示在大鼠SDCN神经元,NMDA对IGABA的抑制作用为一Ca2+依赖性的过程,这一过程的"下游"机制与细胞内CaMKⅡ有关.揭示了Ca2+和CaMKⅡ分别作为细胞内第二信使和第三信使将NMDA受体和GABAA受体的功能联系起来.     

马桑内酯激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液对大鼠脑内钙调蛋白激酶Ⅱ表达的影响

目的揭示马桑内酯(coriaria lactone,CL)激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养液(astrocyte contined medium,ACM)对大鼠脑内钙调蛋白激酶Ⅱ(calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinaseⅡ,CaMKⅡ)表达的影响。方法按照McCarthy和DeVellis的方法作海马星形胶质细胞的纯化培养,然后收集对照组ACM和CL激活的ACM。取成年健康雄性SD大鼠40只,随机分为对照组(8只)和CL组(32只),对照组侧脑室注射未加任何刺激物的ACM 10μl,CL组侧脑室注射CL激活的ACM 10μl(按注射后的时间分为2h、4h、8h和12h,每个时间点8只)。观察两组大鼠的行为表现,用免疫组化检测脑内CaMKⅡ表达的变化,Western blot检测脑内CaMKⅡ含量的变化。结果CL组大鼠有痫样发作,而对照组无痫样发作;免疫组化检测结果显示,CaMKⅡ在CL组的皮质和海马表达与对照组比较无显著性差异(P>0.05);Western blot检测皮质和海马CaMKⅡ亚基含量的结果显示,α和β亚基在CL各时间组与对照组的比较,表达均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论CL激活的ACM对致痫大鼠脑内CaMKⅡ亚基α和β的表达水平无明显影响。     

内皮素-1通过L-型钙通道的Ca~(2+)内流和钙致钙释放诱导心肌细胞内[Ca~(2+)]的增加

本研究利用fura-2-AM荧光成像和膜片钳技术,发现内皮素-1(Endothelin-1,ET-1)可显著提高大鼠分离心肌细胞内钙离子水平([Ca2+]i),激活心肌细胞钙通道.ETA受体阻滞剂BQ123能够消除ET-1提高[Ca2+]i的效应,而ETB受体阻滞剂BQ788对该效应无影响.用ryanodine受体阻断剂ryanodine(10 μmol/L)预处理,可以使ET-1诱导的[Ca2+]i的增加抑制46.7%.蛋白激酶A(PKA)的抑制剂、蛋白激酶C(PKC)的抑制剂和血管紧张素Ⅱ一型受体(AT1 receptor)的抑制剂都能够抑制ET-1诱导的[Ca2+]i的增加.本研究发现ET-1能够提高全细胞L-型钙通道电流的幅度,增加L-型钙通道单通道的开放概率.并且BQ123完全阻止了ET-1诱导的L-型钙通道开放概率增加的效应.本研究证明了ET-1通过一系列机制调节钙超载,包括L-型钙通道的激活,钙致钙释放(CICR),ETA受体,PKC,PKA和血管紧张素Ⅱ一型受体也参与到了这个途径中.     

MKP-1在血管紧张素Ⅱ导致心肌肥大反应中的调控作用

本研究主要从丝裂原活化蛋白激酶磷酸酶 1(MKP 1)角度 ,研究丝裂原活化蛋白激酶 (MAPK)信号途径在血管紧张素Ⅱ介导的新生大鼠心肌细胞肥大反应中的作用及调控机制。实验以心肌细胞蛋白合成速率、蛋白含量及细胞表面积作为心肌肥大反应的指标 ,以凝胶内MBP原位磷酸化测定MAPK活性 ,以免疫印迹法 (Westernboltting)分别测定MKP 1及磷酸化p44MAPK、p42MAPK蛋白表达。结果发现 :(1)AngⅡ (10 -7mol/L)处理 48h ,心肌细胞 3H 亮氨酸掺入率、蛋白含量及细胞表面积明显增加 ,AngⅡ增加 3H 亮氨酸掺入的作用可被血管紧张素Ⅱ 1型受体 (AT1受体 )拮抗剂CV11974(10 -6mol/L)明显抑制 (抑制 85 % ) ,被MAPK激酶 (MEK)特异性抑制剂PD0 980 5 9(5× 10 -5mol/L)部分抑制 (抑制 32 5 % ) ;(2 )CV11974或PD0 980 5 9可明显抑制AngⅡ介导的磷酸化MAPK蛋白表达及MAPK酶活性 (以γ 32 P ATP掺入表示 ) ;(3)以磷酸化MAPK蛋白表达反映MAPK活性 ,可见AngⅡ处理心肌细胞5min ,MAPK活性即开始增加 ,30min左右达到高峰 ,2h后基本恢复正常 ;而MKP 1蛋白表达 30min即见增加 ,持续 2h以上 ;(4 )用放线菌素D (actinomycinD)处理心肌细胞 30min可明显抑制MKP 1的表达 ,同时使AngⅡ致磷酸化MAPK蛋白表达时间延长至 2h以上。以上结果     

Involvement of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 Signaling in Spinal Long Term Potentiation

The long-term potentiation (LTP) of spinal C-fiber-evoked field potentials is considered as a fundamental mechanism of central sensitization in the spinal cord. Accumulating evidence has showed the contribution of spinal microglia to spinal LTP and pathological pain. As a key signaling of neurons-microglia interactions, the involvement of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling in pathological pain has also been investigated extensively. The present study examined whether CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling plays a role in spinal LTP. The results showed that 10-trains tetanic stimulation (100 Hz, 2s) of the sciatic nerve (TSS) produced a significant LTP of C-fiber-evoked field potentials lasting for over 3 h in the rat spinal dorsal horn. Blockade of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling with an anti-CX3CR1 neutralizing antibody (CX3CR1 AB) markedly suppressed TSS-induced LTP. Exogenous CX3CL1 significantly potentiated 3-trains TSS-induced LTP in rats. Consistently, spinal LTP of C-fiber-evoked field potentials was also induced by TSS (100 Hz, 1s, 4 trains) in all C57BL/6 wild type (WT) mice. However, in CX3CR1^-/- mice, TSS failed to induce LTP and behavioral hypersensitivity, confirming an essential role of CX3CR1 in spinal LTP induction. Furthermore, blockade of IL-18 or IL-23, the potential downstream factors of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling, with IL-18 BP or anti-IL-23 neutralizing antibody (IL-23 AB), obviously suppressed spinal LTP in rats. These results suggest that CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling is involved in LTP of C-fiber-evoked field potentials in the rodent spinal dorsal horn.     

Ischemic preconditioning prevents I/R-induced alterations in SR calcium-calmodulin protein kinase II

Although Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) is known to modulate the function of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) under physiological conditions, the status of SR CaMK II in ischemic preconditioning (IP) of the heart is not known. IP was induced by subjecting the isolated perfused rat hearts to three cycles of brief ischemia-reperfusion (I/R; 5 min ischemia and 5 min reperfusion), whereas the control hearts were perfused for 30 min with oxygenated medium. Sustained I/R in control and IP groups was induced by 30 min of global ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion. The left ventricular developed pressure, rate of the left ventricular pressure, as well as SR Ca(2+)-uptake activity and SR Ca(2+)-pump ATPase activity were depressed in the control I/R hearts; these changes were prevented upon subjecting the hearts to IP. The beneficial effects of IP on the I/R-induced changes in contractile activity and SR Ca(2+) pump were lost upon treating the hearts with KN-93, a specific CaMK II inhibitor. IP also prevented the I/R-induced depression in Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent SR Ca(2+)-uptake activity and the I/R-induced decrease in the SR CaMK II activity; these effects of IP were blocked by KN-93. The results indicate that IP may prevent the I/R-induced alterations in SR Ca(2+) handling abilities by preserving the SR CaMK II activity, and it is suggested that CaMK II may play a role in mediating the beneficial effects of IP on heart function.     

Involvement of lysophosphatidic acid in bone cancer pain by potentiation of TRPV1 via PKCϵ pathway in dorsal root ganglion neurons

Background

Our previous study demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) contributes to long-term potentiation (LTP) of C-fiber-evoked field potentials by tetanic stimulation of the sciatic nerve in the spinal cord in vivo. Ryanodine receptor (RyR) is a downstream target for NO. The present study further explored the role of RyR in synaptic plasticity of the spinal pain pathway.

Results

By means of field potential recordings in the adult male rat in vivo, we showed that RyR antagonist reduced LTP of C-fiber-evoked responses in the spinal dorsal horn by tetanic stimulation of the sciatic nerve. Using spinal cord slice preparations and field potential recordings from superficial dorsal horn, high frequency stimulation of Lissauer's tract (LT) stably induced LTP of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs). Perfusion of RyR antagonists blocked the induction of LT stimulation-evoked spinal LTP, while Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor (IP₃R) antagonist had no significant effect on LTP induction. Moreover, activation of RyRs by caffeine without high frequency stimulation induced a long-term potentiation in the presence of bicuculline methiodide and strychnine. Further, in patch-clamp recordings from superficial dorsal horn neurons, activation of RyRs resulted in a large increase in the frequency of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs). Immunohistochemical study showed that RyRs were expressed in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Likewise, calcium imaging in small DRG neurons illustrated that activation of RyRs elevated [Ca²⁺]_i in small DRG neurons.

Conclusions

These data indicate that activation of presynaptic RyRs play a crucial role in the induction of LTP in the spinal pain pathway, probably through enhancement of transmitter release.     

Involvement of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in endothelial NO production and endothelium-dependent relaxation

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from l-arginine by the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-sensitive endothelial NO synthase (NOS) isoform (eNOS). The present study assesses the role of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) in endothelium-dependent relaxation and NO synthesis. The effects of three CaMK II inhibitors were investigated in endothelium-intact aortic rings of normotensive rats. NO synthesis was assessed by a NO sensor and chemiluminescence in culture medium of cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells stimulated with the Ca(2+) ionophore A23187 and thapsigargin. Rat aortic endothelial NOS activity was measured by the conversion of l-[(3)H]arginine to l-[(3)H]citrulline. Three CaMK II inhibitors, polypeptide 281-302, KN-93, and lavendustin C, attenuated the endothelium-dependent relaxation of endothelium-intact rat aortic rings in response to acetylcholine, A23187, and thapsigargin. None of the CaMK II inhibitors affected the relaxation induced by NO donors. In a porcine aortic endothelial cell line, KN-93 decreased NO synthesis and caused a rightward shift of the concentration-response curves to A23187 and thapsigargin. In rat aortic endothelial cells, KN-93 significantly decreased bradykinin-induced eNOS activity. These results suggest that CaMK II was involved in NO synthesis as a result of Ca(2+)-dependent activation of eNOS.     

Involvement of spinal glia in tetanically sciatic stimulation-induced bilateral mechanical allodynia in rats

The previous study showed involvement of spinal glia in tetanically sciatic stimulation-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of C-fiber-evoked field potentials in the spinal dorsal horn. In the present study, the electrophysiological recording and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) to von Frey stimulation were assessed following unilaterally tetanically sciatic stimulation in rats. Tetanic stimuli elicited LTP of both A- and C-fiber-evoked field potentials. After stimulation with the same parameter, bilateral PWTs to mechanical stimuli decreased. Intrathecal administration of fluorocitrate (1 nmol/10 microl), an astrocyte inhibitor, partially inhibited tetanic stimulation-induced reduction of bilateral PWTs. A similar effect also occurred at the contralateral side. And this bilateral inhibition of mechanical threshold lasted 8 days. Similarly, intrathecal administration of d-amino acid oxygenase (50 microg/mul, 10 microl), D-serine inhibitor, partially inhibited tetanic sciatic stimulation-induced reduction of bilateral PWTs for 24 h. The results showed that spinal glia plays an important role in bilaterally mechanical allodynia by tetanic sciatic stimulation of the sciatic nerve.     

Mechanisms of ischemic preconditioning effects on Ca(2+) paradox-induced changes in heart

The effects of ischemic preconditioning (IP) on changes in cardiac performance and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function due to Ca(2+) paradox were investigated. Isolated perfused hearts were subjected to IP (three cycles of 3-min ischemia and 3-min reperfusion) followed by Ca(2+)-free perfusion and reperfusion (Ca(2+) paradox). Perfusion of hearts with Ca(2+)-free medium for 5 min followed by reperfusion with Ca(2+)-containing medium for 30 min resulted in a dramatic decrease in the left ventricular (LV) developed pressure and a marked increase in LV end-diastolic pressure. Alterations in cardiac contractile activity due to Ca(2+) paradox were associated with depressed SR Ca(2+)-uptake, Ca(2+)-pump ATPase, and Ca(2+)-release activities as well as decreased SR protein contents for Ca(2+)-pump and Ca(2+) channels. All these changes due to Ca(2+) paradox were significantly prevented in hearts subjected to IP. The protective effects of IP on Ca(2+) paradox changes in cardiac contractile activity as well as SR Ca(2+)-pump and Ca(2+)-release activities were lost when the hearts were treated with 8-(p-sulfophenyl)-theophylline, an adenosine receptor antagonist; KN-93, a specific Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) inhibitor; or chelerythrine chloride, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. These results indicate that IP rendered cardioprotection by preventing a depression in SR function in Ca(2+) paradox hearts. Furthermore, these beneficial effects of IP may partly be mediated by adenosine receptors, PKC, and CaMK II.     

Participation of the Ca(2+)-calmodulin-activated Kinase II in the control of metaphase-anaphase transition in human cells

Treatment of HeLa S3 cells growing in suspension, and of endothelial cells ECV 304 growing as a monolayer, with the inhibitor of the Ca(2+)-calmodulin activated Kinase II KN-93, blocks cells at metaphase for 15 min (HeLa cells) and 30 min (ECV cells). Thereafter cells resume mitosis and enter anaphase. The inactive isomer KN-92 does not show such effects. The results show the involvement of the CaM K II system in the regulation of the metaphase-anaphase transition whereby the activation of the Kinase II, in particular by calmodulin appears to be affected, the residual autophosphorylation of the CaM K II system apparently sufficing after 15 to 30 min to release the cells into anaphase. The results are compared with the metaphase-blocking effects of the noble gas xenon, where the xenon-induced block can be overcome by small intracellular increases of Ca(2+), thus indicating the CaM K II system as a possible target for xenon.