Calpain I Activity and Its Relationship with Hippocampal Neuronal Death in Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus Rat Model

This study aims to establish pilocarpine-induced rat model of status epilepticus (SE), observe the activity of calpain I in the rat hippocampus and the subsequent neuronal death, and explore the relationship between calpain I activity and neuronal death in the hippocampus. Fifty-eight adult male Wistar rats were assigned randomly into either control group (n = 8) or epilepsy group (n = 50). SE was induced in the epilepsy group using pilocarpine. Before the injection, the rats were given atropine sulfate to reduce the side effect of pilocarpine. All rats in the seizure group were grouped into either SE or non-SE, depending on whether they developed convulsive seizures. The rats in SE group were treated with chloral hydrate to stop seizures after 60 min. Control animals were treated with the same dose of 0.9 % saline. All rats were monitored for seizures. At 24 h after SE, the rats’ left brain tissues were stained by HE and TUNEL. Neuronal necrosis and apoptosis in the hippocampal CA3 area were observed. Calpain I activity in the right hippocampus was also observed using western blotting. Eighty percent of the rats in the seizure group developed SE, of which 35 % died. No rat died in both the control and non-SE groups. At 24 h after SE, the number of HE-stained neurons decreased (SE group: 55.19 ± 8.23; control group: 102.13 ± 3.73; non-SE group: 101.2 ± 2.86) and the number of TUNEL-positive neurons increased (SE group: 4.91 ± 1.35; non-SE and control group: 0). No obvious changes were observed in the neurons of the control and non-SE group animals. The 76 kDa cleavage of calpain I (the average optical density ratio is 0.096 ± 0.015) emerged in the SE group. Neuronal death has a direct relationship with calpain I activity. There is high success rate and lower death rate for pilocarpine to induce SE. At 24 h after SE, activity of calpain I, neuronal necrosis and apoptosis increased in the hippocampus. Neuronal death has a direct relationship with calpain I activity, which suggests that calpain I plays an important role in neuronal damage during SE.     

锂-匹罗卡品颞叶癫模型的建立及苔藓纤维出芽的动态变化

目的研究锂-匹罗卡品颞叶癫模型大鼠致后性发作的行为学特点及海马结构病理改变的动态变化。方法将所有Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组和实验组,实验组大鼠腹腔依次注射氯化锂、匹罗卡品诱发癫持续状态（SE）后,观察其自发性癫发作（SRS）,分别于SE后1周至10周5个不同时间点取材,Nissl染色和Timm染色分别观察海马神经元损伤及苔藓纤维出芽（MFS）的变化。结果注射匹罗卡品后84%的大鼠可诱发出SE,经过10～20d的缄默期后,可观察到Ⅰ～Ⅲ级的反复SRS,病理学检查可见海马神经元的损伤及齿状回内分子层MFS。结论锂-匹罗卡品颞叶癫模型与人类颞叶癫有类似发作特点及病理改变,是一种理想的颞叶癫动物模型。     

Specific Disruption of Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Synapses in a Mouse Model of Familial Alzheimer's Disease

The earliest stages of Alzheimer''s disease (AD) are characterized by deficits in memory and cognition indicating hippocampal pathology. While it is now recognized that synapse dysfunction precedes the hallmark pathological findings of AD, it is unclear if specific hippocampal synapses are particularly vulnerable. Since the mossy fiber (MF) synapse between dentate gyrus (DG) and CA3 regions underlies critical functions disrupted in AD, we utilized serial block-face electron microscopy (SBEM) to analyze MF microcircuitry in a mouse model of familial Alzheimer''s disease (FAD). FAD mutant MF terminal complexes were severely disrupted compared to control – they were smaller, contacted fewer postsynaptic spines and had greater numbers of presynaptic filopodial processes. Multi-headed CA3 dendritic spines in the FAD mutant condition were reduced in complexity and had significantly smaller sites of synaptic contact. Significantly, there was no change in the volume of classical dendritic spines at neighboring inputs to CA3 neurons suggesting input-specific defects in the early course of AD related pathology. These data indicate a specific vulnerability of the DG-CA3 network in AD pathogenesis and demonstrate the utility of SBEM to assess circuit specific alterations in mouse models of human disease.     

Transplantation of Foetal Neural Stem Cells into the Rat Hippocampus During Trimethyltin-Induced Neurodegeneration

The present study investigates the survival and fate of neural stem cells/progenitor cells (NSC/NPCs) homografted into the hippocampus of rats treated with trimethyltin (TMT), a potent neurotoxicant considered a useful tool to obtain a well characterized model of neurodegeneration, to evaluate their possible role in the reparative mechanisms that accompany neurodegenerative events. NSC/NPCs expressing eGFP by lentivirus-mediated infection were stereotaxically grafted into the hippocampus of TMT-treated animals and controls. Two weeks after transplantation surviving NSC/NPCs were detectable in 60% of TMT-treated animals and 30% of controls, while 30 days after transplantation only 40% of TMT-treated animals showed surviving grafted cells, which were undetectable in controls. At both times investigated, while grafted NSC/NPCs differentiated into neurons or astrocytes could be observed in addition to undifferentiated NSC/NPCs, we did not find evidence of structural integration of grafted cells into the main site of hippocampal lesion leading to appreciable repair. Maria Concetta Geloso and Stefano Giannetti contributed equally to this work.     

Evidence for the Corelease of Dynorphin and Glutamate from Rat Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Terminals

Abstract: Hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) nerve endings may be isolated in a subcellular fraction (P₃) that releases both prodynorphin-derived peptides and glutamate (Glu) in a calcium-dependent manner when depolarized. However, this isolation procedure does not yield a pure preparation of MF synaptosomes. The present study evaluates the proportion of dynorphin (Dyn) and Glu that is released from synaptosomes in the P₃ fraction that are of MF origin. We have addressed this issue by determining the degree to which a selective lesion of the dentate granule cell/MF system in vivo concomitantly reduces the exocytosis of Dyn and Glu from the P₃ subcellular fraction. Unilateral injections of colchicine into the dentate gyrus resulted in a substantial and selective degeneration of the granule cell/ MF pathway in the rat hippocampal formation. The overall integrated density of the Timm-stained band, which corresponds to the position of the MF terminal field, was estimated to be reduced by 75%. After this extensive loss of MF boutons, the K⁺-evoked release of Dyn and Glu from the P₃ fraction was reduced by 95 and 51 %, respectively. The loss of Timm staining and evoked Dyn release indicate that colchicine effectively eliminated MF synaptosomes from the P₃ fraction. Those subcellular entities that were not destroyed by colchicine comprised ～50% of the protein and evoked Glu release measured by using the P₃fraction. In addition, the present results demonstrate that the inhibitory potency of the K opioid agonist U-50.488H was not altered by the elimination of MF boutons from this synaptosomal preparation. This finding indicates that U-50,488H is capable of suppressing Glu exocytosis from both MF and non-MF synaptosomes. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that Dyn peptides and Glu are coreleased from hippocampal MF terminals.     

APP5肽模拟物P165对体外培养大鼠海马神经干细胞增殖和分化的影响

目的研究一种小分子多肽─APP5肽的模拟物P165对体外培养的大鼠胚胎海马神经干细胞（neuralstem cells,NSCs）增殖和分化的影响,以期能找到一种可代替神经营养因子的小分子物质,能够促进NSCs的增殖或分化,为将来的临床应用提供理论依据。方法（1）原代培养SD大鼠胚胎脑海马NSCs;（2）利用5-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷（BrdU）和神经元、星型胶质细胞、少突胶质细胞的特异性标记物微管相关蛋白2（MAP2）、胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）、2,3-环核苷酸-3磷酸二酯酶（CNPase）对培养的NSCs进行鉴定;（3）将培养的NSCs分为对照组、血清组、APP5肽反序列组和P165组,观察各组细胞形态的变化;（4）将培养的NSCs分为对照组、APP5肽反序列组和P165组,利用细胞计数,测定干细胞克隆形成率、干细胞克隆形成大小的方法分析P165对海马NSCs增殖的影响。结果（1）海马神经干细胞呈神经球聚集生长,BrdU染色阳性;加入血清后神经球周围有细胞呈放射状向四周生长,并带有突起。染色呈MAP2、GFAP或CNPase阳性;（2）海马NSCs加入P165及其反序列后细胞形态上与对照组相比没有明显改变;（3）与对照组相比,加P165后海马NSCs数量明显增加,克隆形成率和克隆形成的直径均有明显的增加,并有统计学差异。结论P165能够促进海马NSCs的增殖,但并不促进其分化。     

Protective Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with CXCR4 Up-Regulation in a Rat Renal Transplantation Model

The homing of mesenchymal stem cells to injured tissue, which is important for the correction of conditions such as ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and immunolesions, has been performed previously, but with poor efficiency. Substantial improvements in engraftment are required to derive clinical benefits from MSC transplantation. Chemokines are the most important factors that control cellular migration. Stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is up-regulated during tissue/organ ischemia damage, and its cognate receptor, chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), is involved in stem cell migration. The aim of our study was to investigate CXCR4 expression in MSCs and to validate both its role in mediating migration to transplanted kidneys and its immunoregulatory effects in renal protection. Specifically, the present study was designed to investigate the short-term tissue homing of MSCs carrying genetically modified CXCR4 in a rat renal transplantation model. We tested the hypothesis that MSCs with CXCR4 over-expression can more efficiently regulate immunological reactions. Lentiviral vectors were used to over-express CXCR4 or to introduce a short hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA) construct targeting endogenous CXCR4 in rat MSCs. MSCs were labeled with enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). After cell sorting, recipient kidneys were regionally perfused; recipient animals were injected with transduced MSCs, native MSCs, or PBS via tail vein following renal transplantation; and the effects of MSC injection were observed.     

Resveratrol Inhibits the Proliferation of Neural Progenitor Cells and Hippocampal Neurogenesis

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin and natural phenol that is present at relatively high concentrations in peanuts and red grapes and wine. Based upon studies of yeast and invertebrate models, it has been proposed that ingestion of resveratrol may also have anti-aging actions in mammals including humans. It has been suggested that resveratrol exerts its beneficial effects on health by activating the same cellular signaling pathways that are activated by dietary energy restriction (DR). Some studies have reported therapeutic actions of resveratrol in animal models of metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the effects of resveratrol on cell, tissue and organ function in healthy subjects are largely unknown. In the present study, we evaluated the potential effects of resveratrol on the proliferation and survival of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in culture, and in the hippocampus of healthy young adult mice. Resveratrol reduced the proliferation of cultured mouse multi-potent NPCs, and activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), in a concentration-dependent manner. Administration of resveratrol to mice (1–10 mg/kg) resulted in activation of AMPK, and reduced the proliferation and survival of NPCs in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Resveratrol down-regulated the levels of the phosphorylated form of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus. Finally, resveratrol-treated mice exhibited deficits in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory. Our findings suggest that resveratrol, unlike DR, adversely affects hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function by a mechanism involving activation of AMPK and suppression of CREB and BDNF signaling.     

Transplantation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Improves Functional Recovery in Huntington's Disease Rat Model

The purpose of this study was to determine the functional recovery of the transplanted induced pluripotent stem cells in a rat model of Huntington''s disease with use of ¹⁸F-FDG microPET/CT imaging.

Methods

In a quinolinic acid-induced rat model of striatal degeneration, induced pluripotent stem cells were transplanted into the ipsilateral lateral ventricle ten days after the quinolinic acid injection. The response to the treatment was evaluated by serial ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans and Morris water maze test. Histological analyses and Western blotting were performed six weeks after stem cell transplantation.

Results

After induced pluripotent stem cells transplantation, higher ¹⁸F-FDG accumulation in the injured striatum was observed during the 4 to 6-weeks period compared with the quinolinic acid-injected group, suggesting the metabolic recovery of injured striatum. The induced pluripotent stem cells transplantation improved learning and memory function (and striatal atrophy) of the rat in six week in the comparison with the quinolinic acid-treated controls. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that transplanted stem cells survived and migrated into the lesioned area in striatum, and most of the stem cells expressed protein markers of neurons and glial cells.

Conclusion

Our findings show that induced pluripotent stem cells can survive, differentiate to functional neurons and improve partial striatal function and metabolism after implantation in a rat Huntington''s disease model.     

阿司匹林对癫痫大鼠海马苔藓纤维芽生的影响

目的：探讨阿司匹林对癫痫大鼠海马齿状回苔藓纤维芽生的影响。方法：应用氯化锂-匹罗卡品诱导癫痫大鼠模型,将大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组和阿司匹林（20mg/kg,i.p.1/d）干预组（造模终止后干预组以开始干预时间点的不同分为0h,3h和24 h三组）。20天后,通过Timm染色观察不同时间点阿司匹林干预后癫痫大鼠海马齿状回苔藓纤维芽生的情况。结果：与正常对照组相比,癫痫大鼠海马齿状回有明显的苔藓纤维芽生（P〈0.05）。阿司匹林0h干预组海马齿状回苔藓纤维芽生减少不明显（P〉0.05）,3h干预组和24h干预组海马齿状回苔藓纤维芽生明显的减少（P〈0.05）;3 h干预组和24 h干预组相比海马齿状回苔藓纤维芽生无明显的差异（P〉0.05）。结论：合适的时间窗给予阿司匹林能够明显减少苔藓纤维芽生。这对癫痫的临床治疗有一定的指导意义。     

阿司匹林对癫痫大鼠海马苔藓纤维芽生的影响

目的:探讨阿司匹林对癫痫大鼠海马齿状回苔藓纤维芽生的影响。方法:应用氯化锂-匹罗卡品诱导癫痫大鼠模型,将大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组和阿司匹林(20mg/kg,i.p.1/d)干预组(造模终止后干预组以开始干预时间点的不同分为0h,3h和24 h三组)。20天后,通过Timm染色观察不同时间点阿司匹林干预后癫痫大鼠海马齿状回苔藓纤维芽生的情况。结果:与正常对照组相比,癫痫大鼠海马齿状回有明显的苔藓纤维芽生(P<0.05)。阿司匹林0h干预组海马齿状回苔藓纤维芽生减少不明显(P>0.05),3h干预组和24h干预组海马齿状回苔藓纤维芽生明显的减少(P<0.05);3 h干预组和24 h干预组相比海马齿状回苔藓纤维芽生无明显的差异(P>0.05)。结论:合适的时间窗给予阿司匹林能够明显减少苔藓纤维芽生。这对癫痫的临床治疗有一定的指导意义。     

Neural Differentiation of Rat Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Vitro

It is reported that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) had multilineage differentiation potential, and could differentiate into neuron-like cells induced by special induction media, which may provide a new idea for restoration of erectile dysfunction (ED) after cavernous nerve injury. The aim of this research was to explore the neuronal differentiation potential of ADSCs in vitro. ADSCs isolated from inguinal adipose tissue of rat were characterized by flow cytometry, and results showed that ADSCs were positive for mesenchymal stem cell markers CD90 and CD44, but negative for hematopoietic stem cell markers. ADSCs maintained self-renewing capacity and could differentiate into adipocytes and neurocytes under special culture condition. In this research, two methods were used to induce ADSCs. In method 1, ADSCs were treated with the preinduction medium including epithelium growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) for 3?days, then with the neurogenic induction medium containing isobutylmethylxanthine, indomethacin, and insulin. While in method 2, BDNF was not used to treat ADSCs. After induction, neuronal differentiation of ADSCs was evaluated. Neuronal markers, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and ??-tubulin III (Tuj-1) were detected by immunofluorescence and Western Blot analyses. The expressions of GFAP and Tuj-1 in method 1 were obviously higher then those in method 2. In addition, the positive rate of the neuron-like cells was higher in method 1. It suggested that ADSCs are able to differentiate into neural-like cells in vitro, and the administration of BDNF in the preinduction medium may provide a new way to modify the culture method for getting more neuron-like cells in vitro.     

Tenuigenin Promotes Proliferation and Differentiation of Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells

The present study was to investigate the influence of tenuigenin, an active ingredient of Polygala tenuifolia Willd, on the proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells in vitro. Tenuigenin was added to a neurosphere culture and neurosphere growth was measured using MTT assay. The influence of tenuigenin on the proliferation of neural progenitors was examined by Clone forming assay and BrdU detection. In addition, the differentiation of neural stem cells was compared using immunocytochemistry for β III-tubulin and GFAP. The results showed that addition of tenuigenin to the neural stem cell medium increased the number of newly formed neurospheres. More neurons were also obtained when tenuigenin was added in the differentiation medium. These findings suggest that tenuigenin is involved in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells. This result may be one of the underlying reasons for tenuigenin’s nootropic and anti-aging effects.     

HCMV感染抑制人海马神经干细胞分化

研究HCMV感染对体外培养的人海马源性神经干细胞(Neural stem cells,NSCs)分化的影响。体外分离、培养人海马NSCs,应用免疫荧光方法检测其NSCs标记物-巢蛋白(Nestin)的表达。10%胎牛血清诱导NSCs贴壁分化,同时用MOI为5的HCMV AD169株感染NSCs,7d后使用激光共聚焦显微镜免疫荧光方法检测Nestin、神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)和HCMV即刻早期蛋白(IE)的表达,计算阳性细胞比率。本实验所培养的细胞(4～6代)95±8%表达Nestin;分化诱导7d后,感染组86±12%细胞表达IE,未感染组和感染组Nestin阳性率分别为50±19%和93±10%(t=6.03,P<0.01),GFAP阳性细胞率分别为81±11%和55±17%(t=3.77,P<0.01)。以上结果表明分化过程中的NSCs是HCMV的容许细胞;HCMV感染可以抑制NSCs的分化。     

神经干细胞移植对脑损伤大鼠整合素表达的影响

目的探讨神经干细胞（NSCs）移植对大鼠创伤性脑损伤（TBI）整合素（integrin）表达的影响。方法从E14大鼠胚胎分离NSCs,进行原代培养及传代培养;对NSCs进行诱导分化;采用免疫细胞化学技术对NSCs和其分化为神经元的表型进行鉴定。采用改良的Feeney法制备创伤性脑损伤模型。利用脑立体定位仪和微量注射泵进行NSCs脑内移植。采用免疫组织化学技术、免疫印迹技术和RT—PCR技术检测在移植后不同时间脑组织损伤区整合素的表达。结果在培养基中,NSCs呈球团状悬浮生长,Nestin表达阳性。用含10％胎牛血清的培养基对NSCs进行体外诱导分化后第2d,多数细胞伸出突起,以后突起逐渐延长,分支增加。分化后第5d,部分细胞呈βⅢ-微管蛋白阳性。整合素阳性产物主要表达于细胞膜,呈棕黄色。在对照组及移植组均可见阳性细胞表达。在不同时间点,NSCs移植组移植点及其周围脑组织中整合素的mRNA表达均显著高于对照组（P〈O．01）。整合素的蛋白表达结果和tuRNA表达结果相一致。结论移植NSCs至TBI大鼠损伤脑组织,在移植点周围脑组织中整合素的表达显著增加。     

成年大鼠海马神经前体细胞表达功能性的 L-型钙通道

为了建立一种能够获得高纯度成年大鼠海马神经前体细胞(HPCs)的体外贴壁培养方法,并鉴定HPCs上是否存在功能性L-型钙通道,分离Wistar成年大鼠海马组织,制成单细胞悬液,利用无血清培养技术,在添加碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)、表皮生长因子(EGF)、N2和B27 supplement的DMEM/F12培养液中进行培养.连续传代,采用细胞免疫荧光法对第六代细胞进行鉴定,呈巢蛋白(nestin)阳性的细胞可达99.9%.把培养高纯度的细胞在分化培养基中诱导分化14天后,表现为神经元和星形胶质细胞的形态,且分别呈Ⅲ型β-微管蛋白(Tujl)阳性和胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)阳性.细胞免疫荧光和免疫印迹结果显示,HPCs表达L-型钙通道的Cav1.2α1C和Cav1.3α1D亚单位,共聚焦钙成像证明了功能性L-型钙通道的存在,并且利用全细胞膜片钳技术记录到了L-型钙电流.以上结果表明成年Wistar大鼠的海马HPCs可表达功能性的L-型钙通道.     

Growth and Differentiation of Adult Hippocampal Arctic Ground Squirrel Neural Stem Cells

Arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii, AGS) are unique in their ability to hibernate with a core body temperature near or below freezing ¹. These animals also resist ischemic injury to the brain in vivo^2,3 and oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro^4,5. These unique qualities provided the impetus to isolate AGS neurons to examine inherent neuronal characteristics that could account for the capacity of AGS neurons to resist injury and cell death caused by ischemia and extremely cold temperatures. Identifying proteins or gene targets that allow for the distinctive properties of these cells could aid in the discovery of effective therapies for a number of ischemic indications and for the study of cold tolerance. Adult AGS hippocampus contains neural stem cells that continue to proliferate, allowing for easy expansion of these stem cells in culture. We describe here methods by which researchers can utilize these stem cells and differentiated neurons for any number of purposes. By closely following these steps the AGS neural stem cells can be expanded through two passages or more and then differentiated to a culture high in TUJ1-positive neurons (~50%) without utilizing toxic chemicals to minimize the number of dividing cells. Ischemia induces neurogenesis ⁶ and neurogenesis which proceeds via MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt survival signaling pathways contributes to ischemia resistance in vivo⁷ and in vitro⁸ (Kelleher-Anderson, Drew et al., in preparation). Further characterization of these unique neural cells can advance on many fronts, using some or all of these methods.