Triggering of apoptosis is not sufficient to induce human immunodeficiency virus gene expression

We examined whether there is any causative link between apoptosis and HIV gene expression elicited in response to ultraviolet light (UV) and ionizing radiation (IR). We found that both UV and IR activate HIV gene expression in human T lymphoblastoid 1G5 (HIVluc) cells, but with different kinetics and magnitudes. Treatment with either type of radiation resulted in increased apoptosis, which correlated closely with HIV gene expression. The involvement of caspases in the IR response was demonstrated by using zVAD-FMK and zDEVD-FMK caspase inhibitors; both apoptosis and HIV gene expression were inhibited to similar extent. Surprisingly, treatment of 1G5 cells with FAS antibody triggered apoptosis but did not increase HIV gene expression. A correlation between increased apoptosis and gene expression was also demonstrated in human carcinoma HIVcat/A549 cells with UV whereas IR triggered apoptosis but did not activate HIV gene expression. Most significantly, UV activation of HIV gene expression, and NF-kappa-B and p38 MAP kinase, both important for efficient HIV gene expression, were not affected by treatment with the zVAD-FMK and zDEVD-FMK inhibitors. Treatment of HIVcat/A549 cells with staurosporine or scrape-loading of cells with cytochrome c resulted in apoptosis but no increase in HIV gene expression. Altogether, a direct correlation exists between apoptosis and HIV gene expression in T-cells in response to both UV and IR but this is not the case in carcinoma cells. Triggering of apoptosis per se in either cell type does not necessarily result in increased HIV gene expression. Most importantly, the apoptotic and HIV gene expression responses elicited by UV are different to some extent and can be separated.     

缺糖缺氧对体外培养海马神经元的影响

目的：观察缺糖缺氧诱导的培养海马神经元损伤。方法：取培养12d的海马神经元,在缺糖缺氧条件下分别培养0．5～4h后取出,换原神经元培养液在常氧条件下继续培养24h。用0．4％台盼蓝染色,检测神经元坏死,并用TUNEL法检测神经元凋亡,计算存活、坏死和凋亡神经元所占百分率。同时用图像分析仪测定存活、坏死和凋亡神经元的胞体面积、周长和等园直径。结果：培养的海马神经元急性缺糖缺氧后0．5～4h,随缺糖缺氧时间的延长,坏死神经元逐渐增多,缺糖缺氧后0．5～2h再恢复糖和氧供应后24h,凋亡神经元明显增多。图像分析的结果表明,坏死神经元的胞体面积、周长和等园直径均明显大于凋亡神经元。结论：缺糖缺氧可引起海马神经元严重损伤,在急性缺糖缺氧后0．5～4h引起的神经元死亡以坏死为多见,但在缺糖缺氧后0．5～2h再恢复糖和氧供应后24,神经元死亡则以凋亡为多见。     

Distribution of single-channel conductances in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

1. The nonhomogeneous spatial distribution of ionic channels in neurons has been implied from intracellular recordings at somatic and dendritic locations. These reports indicate that Na- and Ca-dependent regenerative currents are distributed differently throughout the neuron. Although a variety of K conductances and a noninactivating Na conductance have been described in intracellular studies, little is known about the spatial distribution of inward and outward currents throughout different regions of the neuron. 2. We recorded from cell-attached patches from cultured hippocampal cells from 1-day-old rats. The cells were cultured for 3-21 days. The spatial distribution of a variety of ionic channels was determined by comparing the conductances from somatic and dendritic membranes. Single-channel currents obtained from cell-attached patches were identified by the time course of ensemble (averaged) responses, voltage dependence, and the effect of channel blocking agents. 3. We consistently observed that only the rapidly inactivating inward current was localized to the soma. The other channel types that we studied, including an inward noninactivating, delayed rectifier and transient A-type currents, were observed in both the somatic and dendritic regions. 4. We suggest that the distribution of ionic conductances that we have observed may be functional in limiting excitability during development of neurons.     

Aluminum neurotoxicity is reduced by dantrolene and dimethyl sulfoxide in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

Cell death was reduced in cultured rat hippocampal cells treated with aluminum chloride by dantrolene and dimethylsulfoxide, indicating aluminum toxicity may be mediated through release of calcium from intracellular stores and oxidative stress. Cell death was reduced to a lesser degree by cycloheximide and actinomycin D, indicating some evidence for apoptosis, however apoptosis did not appear to be a major cause of cell death from aluminum toxicity.     

缺氧/复氧对培养的大鼠海马神经元Fos、Jun表达和神经元凋亡的影响

目的：观察缺氧／复氧对体外培养的海马神经元Fos和Jun表达和神经元凋亡的影响。方法：取培养12d的海马神经元,置2000cm^3的恒温（36℃）密闭容器内,连续充以无氧气体（90％N2、10％CO2）,在缺氧条件下继续培养2、4h后取出,置含10％CO2和空气的培养箱内复氧培养24h和72h。于不同时间取出,观察神经元存活数,分别用抗Fos和抗Jun抗血清进行免疫组织化学染色,计数Fos和Jun表达阳性神经元百分率,并用原位末端标记（TUNEL）法和流式细胞术分别观察和测定缺氧／复氧对体外培养海马神经元凋亡的影响。结果：缺氧／复氧后Fos和Jun表达阳性神经元百分率和凋亡神经元百分率的显著增加。结论：缺氧／复氧后即早反应基因fos在神经元中的持续表达可引起神经元凋亡,原癌基因jun的表达与神经元凋亡的发生有关。     

Reversine inhibits spontaneous synaptic transmission in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

The dedifferentiation agent "reversine" [2-(4-morpholinoanilino)-N6-cyclohexyladenine 2], which can induce myogenic lineage-committed cells to become multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells, was discovered by Shuibing Chen et al. in 2003. But its effects on neurons were unknown. Using patch-clamp technique, we found that reversine inhibits spontaneous synaptic transmission in cultured rat hippocampal neurons without influencing the dynamics function of potassium, sodium and calcium channels. This result suggests that reversine may also act as a dedifferentiation agent in neurons, and inhibiting the synaptic transmission maybe the early step of neuronal dedifferentiation.     

Zinc reverses glycine-dependent inactivation of NMDARs in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

In the presence of glutamate and co-agonists, e.g., glycine, the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) plays an important role in physiological and pathophysiological brain processes. Previous studies indicate glycine could inhibit NMDAR responses induced by high concentration of NMDA in hippocampal neurons. The mechanism underlying this inhibitory impact, however, has been unclear. In this study, the whole-cell patch-clamp recording and Ca²⁺ imaging with Fluo-3/AM under laser scanning confocal microscope were used to analyze the possible involvement of NMDAR subunits in this effect. We found that the peak current of NMDARs and Ca²⁺ influx induced by high concentration of NMDA were reduced by treatment of glycine (0.03?C10 ??mol L^?1) in a dose-dependent manner, and that the glycine-dependent inhibition of NMDAR responses, which were induced at 300 ??mol L^?1 NMDA, was reversed by ZnCl₂ through the blocking of the NR2A subunit of NMDARs, but was less influenced by ifenprodil, a NR2B inhibitor. Our results suggest that the glycine-dependent inactivation of NMDARs is potentially modulated by the regulatory subunit NR2A.     

Estrogen is essential but not sufficient to induce endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disorder of unknown aetiology. Among the several factors, estrogen has been implicated as a causative factor in endometriosis. In the present study using mouse model, we assessed the role of estrogen in the initial implantation and growth of endometrium in ectopic locations. Uterine tissues from green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice were transplanted in to the peritoneum of wild type mice in presence and absence of estrogen. As compared to untreated controls, the implantation of uterine tissue at ectopic locations was higher when estrogen was administered to both host and donor animals. However, this effect was not sustained as lesions regressed within 14 days of treatment. Irrespective of the treatment, peritoneal adipose was the most preferred site of lesion establishment. The lesions did not have typical features of the endometriosis (presence of glands and stroma) even after estrogen treatment and the ectopic tissue underwent regression by apoptosis irrespective of treatment. Since estrogen promotes implantation of endometrial tissue to ectopic locations but failure of these ectopic lesions to grow and sustain even in high estrogenic environment we propose that estrogen is necessary but not sufficient to sustain endometriosis.     

Presynaptic CaMKII is necessary for synaptic plasticity in cultured hippocampal neurons

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a multifunctional enzyme that is very critical for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the role of postsynaptic CaMKII in synaptic plasticity, very little is known about its presynaptic function during plasticity changes. Here we report that KN-93, a membrane-permeable CaMKII inhibitor, blocked glutamate-induced increases in the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) and the number of presynaptic functional boutons in cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons. In addition, presynaptic injection of the membrane-impermeable CaMKII inhibitor peptide 281-309 blocked synaptic plasticity induced by tetanus, glutamate, or NO/cGMP pathway activation as expressed by long-lasting increases in EPSC amplitude and functional presynaptic boutons. Presynaptic injection of CaMKII itself coupled with weak tetanus produced an immediate and long-lasting enhancement of EPSC amplitude. Thus, the present results conclusively prove that presynaptic CaMKII is essential for synaptic plasticity in cultured hippocampal neurons.     

重组人白细胞介素-6对缺氧-复氧后大鼠海马培养神经元Bcl-2、Bax 表达和神经元凋亡的影响

实验在培养的大鼠海马神经元中观察了重组人白细胞介素-6（recombinant human interleukin-6,rhIL-6）对缺氧-复氧后Bcl-2、Bax表达和神经元凋亡的影响。把培养12d的大鼠海马神经元分为对照组和rhIL-6组,同时于缺氧环境（90% N2 10% CO2）中培养2、4h后,再于常氧培养箱内复氧培养24和72h。于不同时间取出,分别用抗Bcl-2和Bax抗血清进行免疫组织化学染色,观察缺氧-复氧后大鼠海马培养神经元Bcl-2和Bax的表达,并用原位末端标记（TUNEL）法和流式细胞术分别检测缺氧-复氧对体外培养海马神经元凋亡的影响。结果可见,与缺氧前相比,缺氧-复氧后24和72h,海马神经元Bal-2表达明显减弱,Bax表达明显增强,凋亡神经元明显增多。经rhIL-6预处理的海马神经元与对照组相比,缺氧-复氧后24和72h,Bcl-2表达明显增强,Bax神经明显减弱,凋亡神经元明显减少。本实验结果提示,rhIL-6对海马神经元缺氧-复氧损伤具有一定的保护作用。     

Long-term potentiation in cultured hippocampal neurons

Studies performed on low-density primary neuronal cultures have enabled dissection of molecular and cellular changes during N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP). Various electrophysiological and chemical induction protocols were developed for the persistent enhancement of excitatory synaptic transmission in hippocampal neuronal cultures. The characterisation of these plasticity models confirmed that they share many key properties with the LTP of CA1 neurons, extensively studied in hippocampal slices using electrophysiological techniques. For example, LTP in dissociated hippocampal neuronal cultures is also dependent on Ca(2+) influx through post-synaptic NMDA receptors, subsequent activation and autophosphorylation of the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and an increase in alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptor insertion at the post-synaptic membrane. The availability of models of LTP in cultured hippocampal neurons significantly facilitated the monitoring of changes in endogenous postsynaptic receptor proteins and the investigation of the associated signalling mechanisms that underlie LTP. A central feature of LTP of excitatory synapses is the recruitment of AMPA receptors at the postsynaptic site. Results from the use of cell culture-based models started to establish the mechanism by which synaptic input controls a neuron's ability to modify its synapses in LTP. This review focuses on key features of various LTP induction protocols in dissociated hippocampal neuronal cultures and the applications of these plasticity models for the investigation of activity-induced changes in native AMPA receptors.     

Underlying mechanism of hypoxic preconditioning decreasing apoptosis induced by anoxia in cultured hippocampal neurons

It is known that hypoxic preconditioning (HP, a brief period of sublethal hypoxia) provides neuroprotection against subsequent severe anoxia, but the mechanisms of this increased tolerance have not been fully elucidated. A hypoxic preconditioning model was established by exposing a 4-day hippocampal culture to 1% O(2) for 20 min/day for 8 days. The preconditioning significantly decreased the number of apoptotic neurons at reoxygenation 24 h after 4 h of severe anoxia (0% O(2)). Further study demonstrated that the degradation of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was greatly inhibited and the expression of B-cell lymphoma protein-2 (Bcl-2) was increased considerably after severe anoxia in the HP groups. These results indicate that the increased anoxic tolerance, which is induced by HP in cultured hippocampal cells, may be correlated with Bcl-2 overexpression and enhanced stability of MMP, which ultimately reduces apoptosis 24 h after reoxygenation.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor protects cultured rat hippocampal neurons from aluminum maltolate neurotoxicity

Aluminum is environmentally abundant but not an essential trace element. Although there is increasing evidence suggesting the implication of aluminum in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, it is still controversial. We found and report here that aluminum maltolate, a stable and hydrophilic aluminum complex, causes death of primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Degenerated neurons were TUNEL-positive. Immunohistochemical detection of synapsin I and microtubule associated protein 2 revealed the synapse loss between neurons intoxicated by aluminum maltolate. To explore the mechanism underlying its neurotoxicity, we administered various pharmacological compounds prior to the application of aluminum maltolate, and found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) markedly attenuated the neurotoxicity. Furthermore, aluminum maltolate inhibited the elevation of intracellular calcium levels caused by BDNF. Our results suggest the involvement of BDNF in the molecular mechanism underlying neurotoxicity induced by aluminum maltolate.     

Wnt4 is not sufficient to induce lobuloalveolar mammary development

Background  

Brisken et al (2000) showed that Wnt4 null mammary glands were deficient in early lobuloalveolar mammary outgrowth during pregnancy, and implicated Wnt4 as an effector for the progesterone-induced mammary growth program. Though ectopic Wnt1 signaling is known to be mitogenic and oncogenic, no endogenously expressed Wnt ligands have ever been directly implicated in mammary growth and morphogenesis. Therefore, we generated conditional transgenic mice to test whether Wnt4 can stimulate mammary epithelial cell growth.     

Differential neurite outgrowth is required for axon specification by cultured hippocampal neurons

Formation of an axon is the first morphological evidence of neuronal polarization, visible as a profound outgrowth of the axon compared with sibling neurites. One unsolved question on the mechanism of axon formation is the role of axon outgrowth in axon specification. This question was difficult to assess, because neurons freely extend their neurites in a conventional culture. Here, we leveraged surface nano/micro‐modification techniques to fabricate a template substrate for constraining neurite lengths of cultured neurons. Using the template, we asked (i) Do neurons polarize even if all neurites cannot grow sufficiently long? (ii) Would the neurite be fated to become an axon if only one was allowed to grow long? A pattern with symmetrical short paths (20 μm) was used to address the former question, and an asymmetrical pattern with one path extended to 100 μm for the latter. Axon formation was evaluated by tau‐1/MAP2 immunostaining and live‐cell imaging of constitutively‐active kinesin‐1. We found that (1) neurons cannot polarize when extension of all neurites is restricted and that (2) when only a single neurite is permitted to grow long, neurons polarize and the longest neurite becomes the axon. These results provide clear evidence that axon outgrowth is required for its specification.