Proteomic Analysis of Primary Cultured Rat Cortical Neurons in Chemical Ischemia

To elucidate the molecular events involved in early ischemic neuronal death, we performed two-dimensional proteome profiling of primary cultures of rat cortical neurons following chemical ischemia induced by the administration of sodium azide under glucose-free conditions. Using a lactic dehydrogenase assay and Western blot analysis of dephosporylation of the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv2.1, we determined duration of chemical ischemia of 2 h to be the relevant time-point for early ischemic neuronal death. Sixty-one proteins were differentially expressed, and 26 different proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF with Mascot database searching. The proteome data indicated that chemical ischemia altered the expression of 20 proteins that are involved in stress response/chaperone, brain development, cytoskeletal/structural proteins, metabolic enzymes, and calcium ion homeostasis. Western blotting and immunocytochemical studies of the 6-most functionally significant proteins showed that, in the ischemia-treated group, the expression of glucose-related protein 78, heat shock protein 90 alpha, and α-enolase was significantly increased, while the expression of inositol triphosphate receptor 1 and ATP synthase beta subunit was decreased. In addition, the expression of dihydropyrimidinase-like 3 showed a truncated pattern in the ischemia group. The changes in the expression of these proteins might be significant indicators of early ischemic neuronal death.     

Single Cell Ganglioside Catabolism in Primary Cerebellar Neurons and Glia

Cell-to-cell heterogeneity in ganglioside catabolism was determined by profiling fluorescent tetramethylrhodamine-labeled GM1 (TMR-GM1) breakdown in individual primary neurons and glia from the rat cerebellum. Cells isolated from 5 to 6 day old rat cerebella were cultured for 7 days, and then incubated for 14 h with TMR-GM1. Intact cells were recovered from cultures by mild proteolysis, paraformaldehyde fixed, and subjected to single cell analysis. Individual cells were captured in a capillary, lysed, and the released single-cell contents analyzed by capillary electrophoresis with quantitative laser-induced fluorescent detection of metabolites. Non-neuronal cells on average took up much more exogenous TMR-GM1 than neuronal cells, and catabolized it more extensively. After 14 h of incubation, non-neuronal cells retained only 14% of the TMR products as GM1 and GM2, compared to >50% for neurons. On average, non-neuronal cells contained 74% of TMR-labeled product as TMR-ceramide, compared to only 42% for neurons. Non-neuronal cells retained seven times as much TMR-GM3 (7%) compared to neuronal cells (1%). To confirm the observed single cell metabolomics, we lysed and compared TMR-GM1 catabolic profiles from mixed neuron/glial cell cultures and from cultures depleted of non-neuronal cells by treatment with the antimitotic agent cytosine arabinoside. The lysed culture catabolic profiles were consistent with the average profiles of single neurons and glia. We conclude that the ultrasensitive analytic methods described accurately reflect single cell ganglioside catabolism in different cell populations from the brain.     

Respiration in Primary Cultured Cerebellar Granule Neurons and Cerebral Cortical Neurons

Respiration was measured polarographically in primary cultures enriched with cerebellar granule neurons or cerebral cortical neurons. The basal respiratory rate, measured on the sixth day after culturing, was 12.00 natom equiv. O/mg protein/min for the cortical neurons and 12.70 natom equiv. O/mg protein/min for the granule neurons. Maximal stimulation by 2,4-dinitrophenol produced a 20-40% increase over the basal rate for both neuronal types. Oligomycin inhibited neuronal basal respiration by 45%. These respiratory rates in neurons from primary culture are markedly lower than those measured in astrocytes grown under similar conditions.     

Inhibitory Effects of Carvone Isomers on the GABAA Receptor in Primary Cultures of Rat Cortical Neurons

Carvone is a natural terpene which can be purified as R‐(?) or S‐(+) enantiomers. There are many reports about its antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticide activities, and also of some effects on the nervous system, where both enantiomers showed different potencies. Considering that the GABA_A receptor is a major insecticide target, we studied the pharmacological activity of both carvone enantiomers, and of thujone as a reference compound acting on the receptor, on native GABA_A by determining their effects on benzodiazepine recognition sites using primary neuronal cultures. Both isomers were able to inhibit the GABA‐induced stimulation of [³H]flunitrazepam binding, suggesting their interaction with the GABA_A receptor as negative allosteric modulators. Their activity was comparable to that described for thujone in the present article, with the R‐(?)‐carvone being the more similar and potent stereoisomer. The different configuration of the isopropenyl group in position 5 thus seems to be significant for receptor interaction and the bicycle structure not to be critical for receptor recognition. The concentrations necessary to induce negative modulation of the receptor were not cytotoxic in a murine neuron culture system. These results confirm that, at least partially, the reported insecticidal activity of carvones may be explained by their interaction with the GABA_A receptor at its noncompetitive blocker site. Chirality 26:368–372, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Curcumin Protects Microglia and Primary Rat Cortical Neurons against HIV-1 gp120-Mediated Inflammation and Apoptosis

Curcumin is a molecule found in turmeric root that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties and has been widely used as both an herbal drug and a food additive to treat or prevent neurodegenerative diseases. To explore whether curcumin is able to ameliorate HIV-1-associated neurotoxicity, we treated a murine microglial cell line (N9) and primary rat cortical neurons with curcumin in the presence or absence of neurotoxic HIV-1 gp120 (V3 loop) protein. We found that HIV-1 gp120 profoundly induced N9 cells to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). HIV-1 gp120 also induced apoptosis of primary rat cortical neurons. Curcumin exerted a powerful inhibitory effect against HIV-1 gp120-induced neuronal damage, reducing the production of ROS, TNF-α and MCP-1 by N9 cells and inhibiting apoptosis of primary rat cortical neurons. Curcumin may exert its biological activities through inhibition of the delayed rectification and transient outward potassium (K⁺) current, as curcumin effectively reduced HIV-1 gp120-mediated elevation of the delayed rectification and transient outward K⁺ channel current in neurons. We conclude that HIV-1 gp120 increases ROS, TNF-α and MCP-1 production in microglia, and induces cortical neuron apoptosis by affecting the delayed rectification and transient outward K⁺ channel current. Curcumin reduces production of ROS and inflammatory mediators in HIV-1-gp120-stimulated microglia, and protects cortical neurons against HIV-1-mediated apoptosis, most likely through inhibition of HIV-1 gp120-induced elevation of the delayed rectification and transient outward K⁺ current.     

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.     

Endothelins Induce Fos Expression in Neurons and Glia in Organotypic Cultures of Rat Cerebellum

Abstract: Endothelins (ETs) and their receptors are present in high levels in the brain and have been proposed to act as neuromodulators or neurotransmitters. However, neither their role nor their precise mechanism of action in the brain is understood. In this study, c- fos expression was used as a marker of neuronal activation in organotypic cultures of rat cerebellum. ETs induced Fos protein expression in both granule cells and glia but not in Purkinje cells. Granule cells and glia were both very sensitive to ETs, but different receptor subtypes appeared to be involved, because granule cells did not respond to ET-3. However, they did respond to the ET_B-selective agonist BQ3020, suggesting the possible existence of a novel neuronal ET_B-like receptor. The induction of Fos in granule cells was independent of extracellular calcium ion concentration, but the ryanodine receptor antagonist dantrolene significantly inhibited the response to ETs, suggesting that the mobilisation of calcium ions from intracellular stores is important. These data support previous evidence that ETs act directly on neurones and show that the intracellular pathways after ET receptor activation are complex. It appears likely that ETs play an important neuromodulatory role in the cerebellum.     

Nucleofection and Primary Culture of Embryonic Mouse Hippocampal and Cortical Neurons

Hippocampal and cortical neurons have been used extensively to study central nervous system (CNS) neuronal polarization, axon/dendrite outgrowth, and synapse formation and function. An advantage of culturing these neurons is that they readily polarize, forming distinctive axons and dendrites, on a two dimensional substrate at very low densities. This property has made them extremely useful for determining many aspects of neuronal development. Furthermore, by providing glial conditioning for these neurons they will continue to develop, forming functional synaptic connections and surviving for several months in culture. In this protocol we outline a technique to dissect, culture and transfect embryonic mouse hippocampal and cortical neurons. Transfection is accomplished by electroporating DNA into the neurons before plating via nucleofection. This protocol has the advantage of expressing fluorescently-tagged fusion proteins early in development (~4-8hrs after plating) to study the dynamics and function of proteins during polarization, axon outgrowth and branching. We have also discovered that this single transfection before plating maintains fluorescently-tagged fusion protein expression at levels appropriate for imaging throughout the lifetime of the neuron (> 2 months in culture). Thus, this methodology is useful for studying protein localization and function throughout CNS development with little or no disruption of neuronal function.     

Polysaccharides from Wolfberry Antagonizes Glutamate Excitotoxicity in Rat Cortical Neurons

Glutamate excitotoxicity is involved in many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Attenuation of glutamate toxicity is one of the therapeutic strategies for AD. Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) is a common ingredient in oriental cuisines. A number of studies suggest that wolfberry has anti-aging properties. In recent years, there is a trend of using dried Wolfberry as food supplement and health product in UK and North America. Previously, we have demonstrated that a fraction of polysaccharide from Wolfberry (LBA) provided remarkable neuroprotective effects against beta-amyloid peptide-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons. To investigate whether LBA can protect neurons from other pathological factors such as glutamate found in Alzheimer brain, we examined whether it can prevent neurotoxicity elicited by glutamate in primary cultured neurons. The glutamate-induced cell death as detected by lactate dehydrogenase assay and caspase-3-like activity assay was significantly reduced by LBA at concentrations ranging from 10 to 500 μg/ml. Protective effects of LBA were comparable to memantine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist. LBA provided neuroprotection even 1 h after exposure to glutamate. In addition to glutamate, LBA attenuated N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced neuronal damage. To further explore whether LBA might function as antioxidant, we used hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as oxidative stress inducer in this study. LBA could not attenuate the toxicity of H₂O₂. Furthermore, LBA did not attenuate glutamate-induced oxidation by using NBT assay. Western blot analysis indicated that glutamate-induced phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was reduced by treatment with LBA. Taken together, LBA exerted significant neuroprotective effects on cultured cortical neurons exposed to glutamate.     

Quinolinic Acid Stimulates Somatostatin Gene Expression in Cultured Rat Cortical Neurons

Striatal atrophy in Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by selective preservation of a subclass of neurons colocalizing NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d), somatostatin (SS), and neuropeptide Y (NPY), which have been reported to show three- to fivefold increases in SS-like immunoreactivity (SSLI) and NPY content. Since HD brain is capable of producing excessive quantities of the excitotoxin quinolinic acid (Quin), an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist, and since experimental Quin lesions show neuronal loss with sparing of NADPH-d/SS/NPY neurons, it has been suggested that Quin may be important in the pathogenesis of HD. In the present study we determined whether Quin stimulates SS gene function in cultured cortical cells known to be rich in NADPH-d/SS/NPY neurons. Cultures of dispersed fetal rat cortical cells were exposed to Quin (1 and 10 mM) with or without (-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV; 0.5 mM), an NMDA receptor antagonist, NMDA (0.2 and 0.5 mM), and glutamate (Glu; 0.5 mM). Medium and cellular SSLI was determined by radioimmunoassay and SS mRNA by Northern analysis with a cRNA probe. Quin induced significant (p less than 0.01) 1.6- and 2.5-4 fold increases in SSLI and SS mRNA accumulation, respectively, which were abolished by APV. Release of SSLI into the culture medium was stimulated two- to fivefold by Quin over a 2- to 20-h period. The increase in SS mRNA produced by Quin was time and dose dependent. A similar dose-dependent increase in SS mRNA comparable with that observed with Quin was induced by NMDA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

原代大鼠海马神经元的高效转染

用原代大鼠海马神经元为模型,对新型电转染方法Nucleofector^TM与脂质体DOTAP和Lipofectaimine^TM的转染效率和转染前后细胞存活率进行比较研究,探讨Nucleofector^TM的高效性与可靠性。从E18胎鼠海马中取出神经元进行体外培养,并用神经微丝(NF)抗体进行免疫细胞化学染色鉴定细胞类型。分别用DOTAP,Lipofectamine^TM and Nucleofector^TM包裹pCMV-eGFP质粒转染原代大鼠海马神经元。神经元的存活率用流式细胞仪检测。实验结果表明：DOTAP和Lipofectamine^TM的基因转染效率仅为1．55％和2．45％,而Nucleofector^TM的转染效率则超过20％;细胞转染前后的存活率在DOTAP组分别为98．37％和88．35％,Lipofectamine^TM组分别为98．37％和90．11％,而在Nucleofector^TM组中分别为98．37％和51．82％。上述实验数据表明：Nucleofector^TM转染技术能高效并安全地转染原代大鼠海马神经元,但死亡率较高。     

Differential Expression of NeuroD in Primary Cultures of Cerebral Cortical Neurons

We have investigated the expression patterns of a basic helix–loop–helix regulatory gene,neuroD,in primary cultures of murine cerebral cortical neurons. The differentiation states of neurons in primary cultures were determined by the sensitivity of neurons to glutamate toxicity and the expression of specific proteins such as the phosphorylated form of a 200-kDa neurofilament, HPC-1/syntaxin 1A, and cell adhesion molecule L1. The expression of neuroD was determined by RT-PCR analysis andin situhybridization. The experimental results thus obtained revealed that neuronal maturation is initiated between Day 7 and Day 11 in the culture as already known, and that the expression of neuroD decreases with increasing days in culture. Based on these findings, it was concluded that neuroD is expressed in immature neurons but not in mature ones.     

Phosphorylation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Cultured Rat Cortical Glia by Stimulation of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors

Abstract: Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in glia results in significant physiological effects for both the glia and the neighboring neurons; but in many cases, the mGluR subtypes and signal transduction mechanisms mediating these effects have not been determined. In this study, we report that mGluR activation in primary cultures of rat cortical glia results in tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, including p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinases, also referred to as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2). Incubation of glial cultures with the general mGluR agonist 1-aminocyclopentane-1 S ,3 R -dicarboxylate and the mGluR group I-selective agonists ( RS )-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) and l -quisqualate resulted in increased tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK1/2. The group II-selective agonist (2 S ,2' R ,3' R )-2-(2',3'-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine and group III-selective agonist l (+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid had no effect on tyrosine phosphorylation. DHPG-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation could be inhibited by an antagonist that acts at group I or group II mGluRs but not by antagonists for group II and group III mGluRs. Protein kinase C (PKC) activators also induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, but the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I did not inhibit DHPG-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation at a concentration that inhibited the response to phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. These data suggest that mGluR activation of ERK1/2 in cultured glia is mediated by group I mGluRs and that this effect is independent of PKC activation. Furthermore, immunoblots with antibodies against various mGluR subtypes show expression of mGluR5, but no other mGluRs in our cultures. Taken together, these results suggest that mGluR5 stimulation results in tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and other glial proteins.     

Comparative Action of Cardiotonic Steroids on Intracellular Processes in Rat Cortical Neurons

Binding to Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, cardiotonic steroids (CTS) activate intracellular signaling cascades that affect gene expression and regulation of proliferation and apoptosis in cells. Ouabain is the main CTS used for studying these processes. The effects of other CTS on nervous tissue are practically uncharacterized. Previously, we have shown that ouabain affects the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) ERK1/2, p38, and JNK. In this study, we compared the effects of digoxin and bufalin, which belong to different subclasses of CTS, on primary culture of rat cortical cells. We found that CTS toxicity is not directly related to the degree of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase inhibition, and that bufalin and digoxin, like ouabain, are capable of activating ERK1/2 and p38, but with different concentration and time profiles. Unlike bufalin and ouabain, digoxin did not decrease JNK activation after long-term incubation. We concluded that the toxic effect of CTS in concentrations that inhibit less than 80% of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity is related to ERK1/2 activation as well as the complex profile of MAP kinase activation. A direct correlation between Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase inhibition and the degree of MAP kinase activation is only observed for ERK1/2. The different action of the three CTS on JNK and p38 activation may indicate that it is associated with intracellular signaling cascades triggered by protein–protein interactions between Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and various partner proteins. Activation of MAP kinase pathways by these CTS occurs at concentrations that inhibit Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase containing the α1 subunit, suggesting that these signaling cascades are realized via α1. The results show that the signaling processes in neurons caused by CTS can differ not only because of different inhibitory constants for Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase.     

Quantification of Filamentous Actin (F-actin) Puncta in Rat Cortical Neurons

Filamentous actin protein (F-actin) plays a major role in spinogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and synaptic stability. Changes in dendritic F-actin rich structures suggest alterations in synaptic integrity and connectivity. Here we provide a detailed protocol for culturing primary rat cortical neurons, Phalloidin staining for F-actin puncta, and subsequent quantification techniques. First, the frontal cortex of E18 rat embryos are dissociated into low-density cell culture, then the neurons grown in vitro for at least 12-14 days. Following experimental treatment, the cortical neurons are stained with AlexaFluor 488 Phalloidin (to label the dendritic F-actin puncta) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2; to validate the neuronal cells and dendritic integrity). Finally, specialized software is used to analyze and quantify randomly selected neuronal dendrites. F-actin rich structures are identified on second order dendritic branches (length range 25-75 µm) with continuous MAP2 immunofluorescence. The protocol presented here will be a useful method for investigating changes in dendritic synapse structures subsequent to experimental treatments.     

大鼠生后发育过程中听皮层神经元特征频率的可塑性

应用常规电生理学技术,以神经元的特征频率和频率调谐曲线为指标,分别在生后2、3、4、5、6和8周龄SD大鼠上,研究生后发育过程中,听皮层神经元特征频率的可塑性.结果表明,在给予条件刺激频率和神经元特征频率相差1.0kHz范围内,条件刺激都可诱导各年龄组神经元特征频率向频率调谐曲线的低频端、高频端或调谐曲线的两端相应的偏移.特征频率偏移的概率与年龄相关.随着年龄的增长,特征频率偏移的比例下降,而不偏移的比例则上升.随着年龄增长,那些Q10-dB值大和频率调谐曲线对称指数大于零的神经元,特征频率偏移到频率调谐曲线高频端的比例增加更为明显(P<0.01).诱导特征频率完全偏移的时程和特征频率恢复的时程也与动物的年龄相关,随着年龄增长,诱导和恢复时程都明显延长(P<0.05).结果提示,大鼠听皮层神经元特征频率的可塑性与生后年龄相关,为深入研究中枢神经元功能活动可塑性的机制提供了重要实验资料.     

Sensitivity of Rat Cortical Neurons in Distinguishing Taste Qualities by Individual and Correlative Activities

To examine the possibility that different taste qualities arerepresented by the correlative activity of cortical gustatoryneurons, we made simultaneous recordings of neuron pairs duringapplication of four basic tastes into the oral cavity of anesthetizedrats and the following observations were made: (i) in 30 of67 pairs of taste responsive neurons, peaks (troughs in a fewcases) were produced in the cross-correlograms (CCs) duringstimulation with some tastants; (ii) the correlative dischargesoccupied 6–8% of the total spikes discharged by individualneurons during taste stimulation and occurred, in a considerablenumber of cases, even during stimulation with tastants to whichone or both of the component neurons of a pair were apparentlynon-responding (often sucrose and quinine); (iii) the numberof tastants to which a neuron pair responded with a significantcorrelative activity was often greater than the number of tastantsto which the component neurons of the same pair responded withsignificant changes in discharge rate; (iv) there was no significantdifference between the correlative (formation of peaks or troughsin the CC) and individual (change in discharge rate of individualneurons) ways of coding in the sensitivity to distinguish betweentwo taste qualities ranked to be adjacent on the basis of thenumber of spikes composing the response; and (v) the peaks ortroughs appearing in two CCs during stimulations with two kindsof tastants were compared with regard to overlapping of theirdelay ranges and widths. The spikes in the non-overlapping portionof each peak (suppressed spike number in the case of troughs)are supposed to be able to contribute to two-taste discrimination:the correlated discharges occurring with a delay time that correspondsto the overlapping portion can in no way be judged differently,but the spikes falling in the non-overlapping portion may contributeto the differentiation. The ratio of the non-overlapping portionto the entire peak (or trough) was 0.35 on average. It is concludedthat temporal coding of taste qualities seems to operate effectivelyin the gustatory cortex. Chem. Senses 22: 363–373, 1997.