Age-Related Changes of GABA-Activated Chloride Channel Properties in Brain Cortex Synaptic Plasma Membrane: Evidence for Phospholipase Involvement

Abstract: Brain aging decreases binding of tert -butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS), a specific ligand for Cl⁻ channels, but has no effect on Cl⁻ influx. Detailed studies on the kinetics of TBPS dissociation allowed the characterization of Cl⁻ channel properties. Aging lowers, exclusively in the presence of GABA agonist, muscimol, the half-life of the fast phase of TBPS dissociation, indicating an opening time of receptor-dependent Cl⁻ channels shorter than that in adult brain. The half-life of the slow phase of TBPS dissociation is significantly lower in aged brain in the presence and absence of muscimol. These results suggest a sustained Cl⁻ current, including also the other channel(s) not connected with GABA_A receptor activation. The analysis of biphasic TBPS dissociation demonstrates a lowered number of binding sites resulted in the reduction of the number of Cl⁻ channels in the "open" state. This may explain an observed decrease of TBPS binding in aged brain. One of the possible factors involved in modification of GABA_A receptor behavior during aging may be arachidonic acid or diacylglycerol, known to be accumulated in aged brain. The action of these compounds on the Cl⁻ channel, observed in this study, correlates well with the effect of aging.     

NOX2 deficiency ameliorates cerebral injury through reduction of complexin II-mediated glutamate excitotoxicity in experimental stroke

Although NADPH oxidase (NOX)-mediated oxidative stress is considered one of the major mechanisms triggering the pathogenic actions of ischemic stroke and very recent studies have indicated that NADPH oxidase is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production controlling glutamate release, how neuronal NADPH oxidase activation is coupled to glutamate release is not well understood. Therefore, in this study, we used an in vivo transient middle cerebral artery occlusion model and in vitro primary cell cultures to test whether complexins, the regulators of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes necessary for vesicle fusion, are associated with NOX2-derived ROS and contribute to glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity in ischemic stroke. In this study, we first identified the upregulation of complexin II in the ischemic brain and evaluated its potential role in ischemic stroke showing that gene silencing of complexin II ameliorated cerebral injury as evidenced by reduced infarction volume, neurological deficit, and neuron necrosis accompanied by decreased glutamate levels, consistent with the results from NOX2^−/− mice with ischemic stroke. We further demonstrated that complexin II expression was mediated by NOX2 in primary cultured neurons subjected to oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) and contributed to OGD-induced glutamate release and neuron necrosis via SNARE signaling. Taken together, these findings for the first time provide evidence that complexin II is a central target molecule that links NADPH oxidase-derived ROS to glutamate-mediated neuronal excitotoxicity in ischemic stroke.     

Crystal Structure of CCM3, a Cerebral Cavernous Malformation Protein Critical for Vascular Integrity

CCM3 mutations are associated with cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM), a disease affecting 0.1–0.5% of the human population. CCM3 (PDCD10, TFAR15) is thought to form a CCM complex with CCM1 and CCM2; however, the molecular basis for these interactions is not known. We have determined the 2.5 Å crystal structure of CCM3. This structure shows an all α-helical protein containing two domains, an N-terminal dimerization domain with a fold not previously observed, and a C-terminal focal adhesion targeting (FAT)-homology domain. We show that CCM3 binds CCM2 via this FAT-homology domain and that mutation of a highly conserved FAK-like hydrophobic pocket (HP1) abrogates CCM3-CCM2 interaction. This CCM3 FAT-homology domain also interacts with paxillin LD motifs using the same surface, and partial CCM3 co-localization with paxillin in cells is lost on HP1 mutation. Disease-related CCM3 truncations affect the FAT-homology domain suggesting a role for the FAT-homology domain in the etiology of CCM.     

Overexpression of Human Apolipoprotein A-I Preserves Cognitive Function and Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer Disease

To date there is no effective therapy for Alzheimer disease (AD). High levels of circulating high density lipoprotein (HDL) and its main protein, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Clinical studies show that plasma HDL cholesterol and apoA-I levels are low in patients with AD. To investigate if increasing plasma apoA-I/HDL levels ameliorates AD-like memory deficits and amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, we generated a line of triple transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing mutant forms of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) as well as human apoA-I (AI). Here we show that APP/PS1/AI triple Tg mice have a 2-fold increase of plasma HDL cholesterol levels. When tested in the Morris water maze for spatial orientation abilities, whereas APP/PS1 mice develop age-related learning and memory deficits, APP/PS1/AI mice continue to perform normally during aging. Interestingly, no significant differences were found in the total level and deposition of Aβ in the brains of APP/PS1 and APP/PS1/AI mice, but cerebral amyloid angiopathy was reduced in APP/PS1/AI mice. Also, consistent with the anti-inflammatory properties of apoA-I/HDL, glial activation was reduced in the brain of APP/PS1/AI mice. In addition, Aβ-induced production of proinflammatory chemokines/cytokines was decreased in mouse organotypic hippocampal slice cultures expressing human apoA-I. Therefore, we conclude that overexpression of human apoA-I in the circulation prevents learning and memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice, partly by attenuating neuroinflammation and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. These findings suggest that elevating plasma apoA-I/HDL levels may be an effective approach to preserve cognitive function in patients with AD.     

愤怒情绪模型大鼠不同脑区γ氨基丁酸B2受体表达的变化

目的通过检测愤怒情绪模型大鼠顶区皮质和海马γ氨基丁酸B2受体（GABABR2）表达的变化,探索愤怒情绪与GABABR2的关系,以及中药经前平颗粒的干预机制。方法采用居住入侵的方法复制愤怒情绪模型大鼠,然后用RT-PCR和Western Blot的方法检测GABABR2 mRNA和蛋白的表达差异。结果与正常组相比,模型组大鼠GABABR2 mRNA和蛋白的表达都明显降低;与模型组相比,经前平给药组大鼠GABABR2 mRNA和蛋白的表达都显著升高。结论大鼠顶区皮质和海马GABABR2表达降低可能是影响大鼠愤怒情绪的重要机制之一;中药经前平颗粒可对GABABR2表达异常变化起到调节作用。     

神经功能损伤评分在大鼠脑缺血实验中的应用

脑梗塞发病率逐年增高,它严重影响了患者的生活质量。临床上,神经功能损伤评分是诊断和疗效评价的重要指标。在临床前研究中,神经功能损伤评分也越来越受到重视,是判断药效的最重要指标之一。本文介绍了评价神经功能损伤的几种常见试验和评分标准,并认为在中医药治疗脑梗塞临床前研究中,应更加重视神经功能评分,充分体现中医药的优势。     

ABRA在正常成年大鼠大脑皮质和海马区的表达

目的观察ABRA(Actin binding Rho activator)在成年大鼠大脑皮质和海马中的表达。方法制备成年大鼠脑的冰冻切片,采用共聚焦免疫荧光技术和免疫荧光强度测量检测ABRA在大鼠大脑皮质和海马区的表达。结果 ABRA在神经元的胞核、胞浆、突起内可见,其中胞核着色最强。在大脑皮质,ABRA阳性的神经元胞体和突起广泛分布于皮质的分子层、外颗粒层、外锥体细胞层、内颗粒层、内锥体细胞层、多形细胞层,其免疫荧光强度分别为129.22±16.94、125.39±29.83、117.67±22.50、105.85±17.65、103.90±18.00、100.23±20.38,ABRA阳性细胞率分别为0.51±0.01、0.69±0.02、0.64±0.03、0.58±0.05、0.65±0.09、0.63±0.01。在海马,ABRA均匀分布于海马各部,阳性神经元集中于锥体细胞层,而其阳性突起弥散分布于海马分子层和多形层。海马锥体细胞层、分子层、多形层免疫荧光强度分别为141.19±35.48、53.19±10.38、43.32±9.59,ABRA阳性细胞率分别为0.62±0.04、0.27±0.07、0.25±0.03。结论 ABRA广泛表达于大鼠大脑皮质和海马各层,提示ABRA可能在大鼠这些部位的神经细胞功能活动方面起重要作用。     

线栓法插线深度对大鼠脑梗死模型制备的影响

目的比较不同栓线插线深度对线栓法制作大鼠脑梗死模型的影响。方法按照栓线深度将大鼠分为4组:(1)0.8 cm组;(2)1.3 cm组;(3)1.8 cm组;(4)2.2 cm组。模型前、模型后24 h和48 h分别称量体重和行神经损伤严重程度评分;模型后48 h计算各组大鼠存活率,处死大鼠行2,3,5-三苯氯化四氮唑(TTC)染色并计算脑梗死体积。结果 0.8 cm组和1.3 cm组大鼠症状不明显,TTC染色未见脑梗死;1.8 cm组和2.2 cm组大鼠出现典型偏瘫症状,但2.2 cm组大鼠梗死范围过大,存活率较1.8 cm组显著下降(P<0.05)。结论线栓法制作大鼠MCAO模型需要选择合适的插线深度;过浅模型易制作失败;过深则模型症状偏重,存活率降低;最佳深度为栓线头端置于大脑中动脉起始处。