Up-regulation of the transient A-type K+ current (IA) in the differentiation of neural stem cells of the early postnatal rat hippocampus

Background Neural stem cells （NSCs） not only are essential to cell replacement therapy and transplantation in clinical settings, but also provide a unique model for the research into neurogenesis and epigenesis. However, little attention has been paid to the electrophysiological characterization of NSC development. This work aimed to identify whether the morphological neuronal differentiation process in NSCs included changes in the electrophysiological properties of transient A-type K^＋ currents （IA）. Methods NSCs were isolated from early postnatal rat hippocampus and were multiplied in basic serum-free medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor. Potassium currents were investigated and compared using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques and one-way analysis of variance （ANOVA）, respectively. Results Compared with NSC-derived neurons, cloned NSCs （cNSCs） had a more positive resting membrane potential, a higher input resistance, and a lower membrane capacitance. Part of cNSCs and NSC-derived neurons possessed both delayed-rectifier K^＋ currents （IDR） and IA, steady-state activation of IA in cNSCs （half-maximal activation at （21.34=L-4.37） mV） occurred at a more positive voltage than in NSC-derived neurons at 1-6 days in vitro （half-maximal activation at （12.85=L-4.19） mV）. Conclusions Our research revealed a developmental up-regulation of the IA component during differentiation of postnatal NSCs. Together with the marked developmental up-regulation of IDR in vitro neuronal differentiation we have previously found, the voltage-gated potassium channels may participate in neuronal maturation process.     

Whole-cell recordings of voltage-gated Calcium, Potassium and Sodium currents in acutely isolated hippocampal pyramidal neurons

Objective:To record Calcium, Potassium and Sodium currents in acutely isolated hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Methods:Hip-pocampal CA3 neurons were freshly isolated by 1 mg protease/3 ml SES and mechanical trituration with polished pipettes of progressively smaller tip diameters. Patch clamp technique in whole-cell mode was employed to record voltage-gated channel currents. Results:The procedure dissociated hippocampal neurons, preserving apical dendrites and several basal dendrites, without impairing the electrical characteristics of the neurons. Whole-cell patch clamp configuration was successfully used to record voltage-gated Ca2+ currents, delayed rectifier K+ current and voltage-gated Na+ currents. Conclusion:Protease combined with mechanical trituration may be used for the dissociation of neurons from rat hippocampus. Voltage-gated channels currents could be recorded using a patch clamp technique.     

发育过程中视神经节细胞的膜特性和突触稳定性

目的视神经节细胞(RGC)的膜特性和突触稳定性在发育过程中的变化。方法运用全细胞膜片钳技术,分别记录出生后 7、15和40d3个年龄段的SD大鼠视神经节细胞的动作电位及微小兴奋性突触后电流（mEPSC）,通过Patchmaster软件数据采集 分析神经节细胞的膜特性和突触稳定性。膜特性从主动和被动两方面来分析,突触稳定性从mEPSC的幅度、频率、上升时间和 下降时间等方面来分析。结果通过比较不同年龄段新生SD大鼠RGC的电生理反应特性,发现在发育过程中存在显著改变： 主动膜特性中P15组SD大鼠动作电位发放频率相较于P7组明显变大,动作电位半峰宽变小（P<0.01）,但比较P15组和P40组 的大鼠动作电位发放频率、半峰宽（P=0.086）并无统计学差异;被动膜特性中膜时间常数在发育过程中随着年龄的增加逐渐降 低（P<0.01）。突触稳定性中SD大鼠mEPSCs的频率随着年龄的增加逐渐增大（P<0.01）,但比较P15组和P40组时频率并无明 显统计学差异（P=0.302）。结论发育过程中,RGC的膜特性和突触稳定性发生了规律性改变,并出现了一个关键期,关键期前 RGC的电生理特性变化显著,之后逐渐趋于稳定,这种发育电生理变化是RGC对视觉信号处理的基础特性,有助于了解RGC 在视觉信息中发挥的内在机制。     

2-花生四烯酸甘油对海人酸诱导损伤的大鼠尾状核神经元电压门控钠电流的调制作用

目的 探讨内源性大麻素2-花生四烯酸甘油（2-AG）对海人酸（KA）损伤的大鼠尾状核神经元电压门控钠通道电流（INa）的调制作用及其分子机制。方法 原代培养大鼠尾状核神经元,分为空白对照组、KA组、2-AG+KA组、RIM（CB1受体拮抗剂）+2-AG+KA组。培养7 d后,各组细胞于培养基中处理12 h;其中,2-AG+KA组和RIM+2-AG+KA组在添加2-AG、RIM 30 min后添加KA。应用全细胞膜片钳技术检测大鼠尾状核神经元电压门控钠通道电流：包括各组电流密度的变化、通道的电流-电压特性、通道的激活动力学特性和失活动力学特性。结果 在培养的大鼠尾状核神经元中,与对照组相比,KA显著增加神经元电压门控钠通道电流密度（P=0.009）;并使VGSCs的激活电压曲线向超极化方向偏移,半激活电压绝对值明显增大（P=0.008）。与KA组相比,直接给与2-AG提高2-AG水平可阻止KA诱导的钠电流密度增加（P=0.009）和钠电流激活曲线超极化方向移动（P=0.009）,且2-AG的这种作用是通过CB1受体依赖性途径介导的。2-AG本身对尾状核神经元电压门控钠通道电流密度、激活及失活等电流特性均不产生效应。结论 2-AG可通过CB1受体途径调控尾状核神经元VGSCs电流朋而起到神经保护作用。     

发育期大鼠视皮层锥体神经元自发兴奋性突触后电流变化

目的：研究发育过程中大鼠视皮层2／3层锥体神经元的白发兴奋性突触后电流（sEPSCs）变化,以及在生后早期自发性突触活动情况,探讨视觉经验在视皮层发育过程中对神经元突触的修饰作用。方法：应用红外微分干涉相差显微镜（m—DIC）结合电荷耦合式摄像机（CCD—Camera）可视法膜片钳全细胞记录生后2—7、8～14、15-21、22-28d各组sEPSCs变化。同时于电极内液中加入虫荧光黄,对所记录细胞进行染色观察形态学改变。结景：视皮层神经元sEPSCs幅值随发育逐渐升高（单因素方差分析P〈0．01）。视皮层神经元sEPSCs频率随发育逐渐提高（单因素方差分析P〈0．01）。但2～7d组与8—14d组差异无统计学意义（两独立样本t检验P〉0．05）。视皮层2,3层神经元胞体及突起以及生物电学特性随发育逐渐成熟。结论：大鼠视皮层锥体神经元突触后膜AMPA受体功能表达随发育逐渐成熟,生后早期突触并非完全处于静息状态,具有一定的早期白发突触功能活动。     

电压门控性钾通道与三叉神经痛

电压门控性钾通道维持神经元静息膜电位,参与细胞兴奋性的改变。在三叉神经痛发病过程中,三叉神经节神经元作为初级感觉神经元,在痛觉的传导和传递过程中起重要作用。电压门控性钾通道的多种类型在三叉神经节神经元中均有表达,激活时产生不同类型的钾电流。电压门控性钾通道功能的改变,及其与多种神经递质、炎性介质和受体间的相互作用,在三叉神经痛的发病过程中起到了重要作用。     

电压门控钠离子通道与口面部疼痛的研究进展

电压门控钠离子通道,在动作电位的产生和传导中至关重要,这种离子通道的生物物理性质决定伤害感受器对有害刺激的应答和最终经历的疼痛水平。钠离子通道可能会影响其他离子通道(如钾离子通道、钙离子通道)的激活和失活,改变神经元对刺激的应答,因而钠离子通道是用于治疗神经性疼痛的潜在目标。了解离子通道的表达对控制神经兴奋性、治疗疼痛具有重要意义。     

Altered action potential of myocardial cells from mouse fetuses with trisomy 16: a model of Down syndrome

BACKGROUND: Trisomy 21 in humans and trisomy 16 in mice (a model of Down syndrome) are associated with increases in rates of depolarization and repolarization and decreases in duration of action potential of neurons, due to overexpressing protein subunits of Na(+) and K(+) channels in a gene dose-dependent manner. These chromosomes also have genes for voltage-gated Na(+) and K(+) channels expressed by myocardial cells. Thus, it would be expected that heart cells would have alterations in their action potentials similar to those found in neurons in both aneuploidies. METHODS: Myocardial cells from normal and trisomy 16 mouse fetuses were compared in relation to their electrical membrane properties using intracellular microelectrodes. RESULTS: At 13 and 17 days of gestation, trisomic cells, as compared with control cells, had higher amplitude and rates of depolarization and repolarization, with lower duration of plateau of action potential at 25, 50, and 75% of repolarization. This suggests that Ca(2)+ influx is reduced in trisomic cells, which could impair Ca(2)+-dependent fetal myocardial functions (i.e., contractility or matrix secretion). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial cells of Ts-16 mice showed electrophysiologic alterations qualitatively similar to those observed in trisomic neurons, in agreement with the gene dose-dependent hypothesis (see Introduction).     

An increase in intracelluar free calcium ions modulated by cholinergic receptors in rat facial nucleus

Background Ca^2＋ in the central nervous system plays important roles in brain physiology, including neuronal survival and regeneration in rats with injured facial motoneurons. The present research was to study the modulations of intracellular free Ca^2＋ concentrations by cholinergic receptors in rat facial nucleus, and the mechanisms of the modulations.
Methods The fluorescence intensity of facial nucleus in Fluo-3 AM loaded acute brainstem slices was detected by applying intracellular free Ca^2＋ measurement technique via confocal laser scanning microscope. The changes of fluorescence intensity of facial nucleus indicate the average changes of intracellular free Ca^2＋ levels of the neurons.
Results Acetylcholine was effective at increasing the fluorescence intensity of facial nucleus. Muscarine chloride induced a marked increase of fluorescence intensity in a concentration dependent fashion. The enhancement of fluorescence intensity by muscarine chloride was significantly reduced by thapsigargin （depletor of intracellular Ca^2＋ store; P 〈0.01）, rather than Ca^2＋ free artifical cerebrospinal fluid or EGTA （free Ca^2＋ chelator; P〉0.05）. And the increase of fluorescence intensity was also significantly inhibited by pirenzepine （M1 subtype selective antagonist; P 〈0.01） and 4-DAMP （M3 subtype selective antagonist; P 〈0.01）. In addition, fluorescence intensity was markedly increased by nicotine. The enhancement of fluorescence intensity by nicotine was significantly reduced by EGTA, nifedipine （L-type voltage-gated Ca^2＋ channel blocker）, dihydro-β-erythroidine （α4β2 subtype selective antagonist）, and in Ca^2＋ free artificial cerebrospinal fluid （P 〈0.01）, but not in the presence of mibefradil （M-type voltage-gated Ca^2＋ channel blocker） or thapsigargin （P〉0.05）.
Conclusions The data provide the evidence that muscarinic receptors may induce the increase of intracellular free Ca^2＋ levels through the Ca^2＋ release of intracellular Ca^2＋ stores, in a manner related to M1 and M3 subtypes of muscarinic receptors in rat facial nucleus. Nicotine may increase intracellular free Ca^2＋ concentrations via the influx of extracellular Ca^2＋ mainly across L-type voltacle-clated Ca^2＋ channels, in a manner related to the α4β2 subtype of nicotinic receptors.     

胎儿黑质发育的电镜观察

本实验应用透射电镜观察了水囊引产的４～９月正常胎儿黑质发育的特征。结果如下：①黑质神经元在胎龄第４月表现为不成熟细胞的超微结构特征。随着进一步发育，神经元核异染色质逐渐减少，细胞质和细胞器逐渐增多，至胎龄第９月，黑质神经元的超微结构已接近生后细胞的特征；②在胎龄第４月的黑质标本中未见突触结构，随着发育在某些相邻细胞突起的相对膜增厚，但尚未见明显的突触活性点，至第９月时可见典型的突触结构，且大部分为对称型突触，含有圆形清亮囊泡和明显的突触活性点。以上结果提示，胎儿黑质在第４月发育尚不成熟，至第９月已接近成熟。     

L－精氨酸对自体移植猪小肠粘膜Na^＋－K^＋－ATP酶活力的影响

目的：探讨L-精氨酸对自体移植小肠粘膜ATP酶的影响。方法：在建立幼猪自体小肠移植模型的基础上，再灌注期间静脉滴注L-精氨酸150mg／kg。观察再灌注24、48及72h时肠粘膜Na^ -K^ -ATP酶活力的变化。结果：实验组、假手术组和对照组术后48h，实验组术后72h肠粘膜Na^ -K^ -ATP酶活性较正常对照值明显增高；假手术组术后72h较24、48h，术后48h较24h的肠粘膜Na^ -K^ -ATP酶活性值显著增高。实验组与假手术组及对照组间各时相比较，无显著性差异。结论：幼猪小肠冷缺血再灌注操作后肠粘膜ATP酶活性有不同程度的增高，但应用L-精氨酸并未明显增加ATP酶的活性。应用L-精氨酸预防移植小肠再灌注损伤粘膜的作用尚待进一步探讨。     

Modulation of BmKAS-1 and BmK1-3-2 to sodium channel in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Objective To investigate what effects BmKAS-1 (a polypeptide purified from the Chinese sc orpion Buthus martensi Karsch ［BmK］ and named as BmK activator of skeletal -muscle ryanodine receptor) and its upstream mixture BmK1-3-2 have on Na(+) c hannels in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) small diameter neurons.Methods The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to investigate the effects of BmKAS-1 and BmK1-3-2 on Na(+) current in rat small diameter DRG neurons.Results About 50% peak Na(+) current was suppressed by 10 μg/ml of BmK1- 3-2. 1.62 μg/ml of BmKAS-1 also blocked 50% peak Na(+) cu rrent, and there was an obvious dose-dependent relationship.Conclusion Both BmK1-3-2 and BmKAS-1 have a blocking effect on Na(+) channels, and this may one of the mechanisms for the analgetic effect of BmK1-3-2 and BmKAS-1.     

大鼠视皮层神经元突触后电流的发育变化

目的：揭示大鼠发育过程中视皮层神经元的突触后电流的发育特性。方法：对出生后7—28d龄大鼠进行脑片膜片钳全细胞记录，并根据输入阻抗的大小对神经元进行分类，以及分析其突触后电流的特性。结果：随着输入阻抗减小，视皮层神经元的突触后电流的峰值、上升时间和下降时间增大。结论：在大鼠生后早期的发育过程中，视觉经验调制视皮层神经元的突触可塑性。     

水杨酸钠抑制大鼠螺旋神经节神经元电压门控钠通道的研究

目的：研究大鼠螺旋神经节神经元电压门控钠通道在水杨酸钠致听力下降过程中所起的作用。方法：采用全细胞记录膜片钳技术研究水杨酸钠对急性分离大鼠螺旋神经节神经元电压门控钠通道的影响。结果：水杨酸钠（10～1000μmol／L）作用于大鼠螺旋神经节神经元电压门控钠通道后,钠电流（Ina）的电流幅度随着浓度的增加而减小,该作用具有可逆性。水杨酸钠不改变INa的电压门控特性和稳态激活曲线。结论：水杨酸钠对大鼠螺旋神经节神经元INa具有可逆性抑制作用,但不改变钠通道激活的电压依赖特性,这可能与水杨酸钠致听力下降有关。     

大鼠海马神经干细胞外向电压门控性钾通道的电生理特性

目的 研究大鼠海马源神经干细胞(NSC)外向电压门控性钾通道(Kv)的电生理特性.方法 利用无血清培养、单细胞克隆技术,体外培养SD大鼠海马组织源NSC.以免疫细胞化学方法对NSC及其分化后的子代神经细胞进行鉴定.应用膜片钳技术全细胞模式记录不同外向Kv通道的电生理特性.结果 体外培养SD大鼠海马组织源NSC表达巢蛋白(nestin),在体外可诱导分化产生分别表达Tuj1和GFAP的细胞.全细胞膜片钳可记录到三种外向Kv通道:一种缓慢激活的、对四乙基胺(TEA)敏感的延迟整流钾电流(IDR);一种快速激活和失活、可被4-氨基吡啶(4-AP)阻断的外向瞬时钾电流(IA),其在+20 mV和+50 mV的电流密度分别为11 pA/pF±3 pA/pF和29 pA/pF ±7 pA/pF(标本数=11);一种可被iberiotoxin(IbIX)抑制的大电导钙激活钾通道(BKCa),钳制电位+80mV时,加入100 nM IbTX前后的电流密度分别为56 pA/pF ±4 pA/pF和45 pA/pF±4 pA/pF(标本数=6.P＜0.05).结论 体外培养的未分化状态下SD大鼠海马源NSC至少含有IDR、IA和BKCa三种外向Kv通道.     

Electrophysiological properties of delayed rectifier outward K+ currents in the differentiation and development of hippocampal neural stem cells

OBJECTIVE: To study the developmental electrophysiological properties of delayed rectifier outward K+ currents (IDR) in undifferentiated NSC and NSC-derived neurons at various time points of adult SD rat hippocampus in vitro. METHODS: Neural stem cells were isolated from the hippocampus of adult SD rats with serum-free incubation and single-cell cloning technique. Electrophysiological recordings of IDR were performed using whole-cell patch clamp. RESULTS: The current density of IDR increased in NSC-derived neurons DIV 0-6 d whereas remained constant in DIV > 6 d. The current density of IDR at +50 mV was 45 pA/pF +/- 4 pA/pF and 56 pA/pF +/- 10 pA/pF in undifferentiated NSCs and NSC-derived neurons DIV 0-6 d respectively (n = 9). The activation process of IDR was also altered in DIV 0-6 d whereas remained constant in DIV > 6 d. The positive shift in steady-state activation curve of IDR revealed an increase of V1/2, however the slope factors K remained unchanged. V1/2 was 9 mV +/- 3 mV and 12 mV +/- 3 mV in undifferentiated NSCs and NSC-derived neurons DIV 0-6 d respectively (n = 9, P < 0.05). The inactivation properties of IDR were not altered before and after differentiation. CONCLUSION: Electrophysiological characteristics of IDR were all altered in DIV 0-6 d, suggesting the essential role of IDR in neurogenesis and early stage of differentiation/development process is very important for the functional mature of neuron.     

严重腹腔感染时胃粘膜Na+-K+-ATPase活性与电位差的相关性研究

目的：探讨严重腹腔感染状态下大鼠胃粘膜Na^ -K^ -ATPase活性变化对胃粘膜电位差(GTPD)的影响。方法：利用大鼠盲肠结扎穿孔造成腹腔严重感染动物模型，应用电生理记录仅检测穿孔前和穿孔后3h、6h、12h、24h、48hGTPD变化；应用生化法到定了各时相大鼠胃粘膜Na^ -K^ -ATPase活性。结果：盲肠穿孔后Na^ -K^ -ATPase活性显著降低(P＜0．05)，12h降至最低(P＜0．01)，仅为对照组的48．5％，48h仍未恢复正常。GTPD伤后6h显著下降(P＜0．05)，12h降至最低(P＜0.01)，24h和48h仍显著低于对照组(P＜0.05，P＜0．05)。结论：严重腹腔感染状态下胃粘膜Na^ -K^ -ATPase活性降低可能是引起胃粘膜屏障功能受损的主要原因。     

自发性高血压大鼠孤束核超微结构

目的：观察与比较ＳＨＲ大鼠和ＷＫＹ大鼠孤束核神经元超微结构的特点。方法：用常规电镜技术。结果：孤束核神经元的内质网、高尔基复合体、神经微丝微管ＳＨＲ比ＷＫＹ发达；ＳＨＲ有少量处于异染色质状态的细胞核；神经毡内有各类突触，ＳＨＲ突触活性点的接触面变宽，ＷＫＹ突触前膨大内含较多致密突触小泡。结论：ＳＨＲ孤束核内细胞的功能状态不平衡，蛋白质合成旺盛，但仍有功能不活跃的细胞，而ＷＫＹ孤束核功能状态相对比较稳定，孤束核内去甲肾上腺素类的神经递质维持生理性血压。     

急性脑缺血后脑隔——视前区内性功能调节相关神经元的变化

目的探讨急性脑缺血后出现性功能障碍的机理。方法应用蒙古沙土鼠急性脑缺血再灌注模型，对脑隔—视前区内性功能调节相关神经元光镜和电镜下的病理组织学和超微结构改变进行了观察。结果缺血５分钟再灌注造成的神经元密度和亚细胞水平的结构变化是暂时的，可在２周内恢复，１０分钟脑缺血再灌注后神经元的损害加重，且在２周后尚未恢复，损害主要为膜结构如线粒体、内质网等破坏。结论神经元损伤程度与缺血时间及再灌注时间长短密切相关，脑隔—视前区内神经元的病理损害是引起性功能障碍的重要形态学依据。     

Effect of etomidate on voltage-dependent potassium currents in rat isolated hippocampal pyramidal neurons

Background Previous studies demonstrated general anesthetics affect potassium ion channels, which may be one of the mechanisms of general anesthesia. Because the effect of etomidate on potassium channels in rat hippocampus which is involved in memory function has not been studied, we investigated the effects of etomidate on both delayed rectifier potassium current （IK（DR）） and transient outward potassium current （I_K（A）） in acutely dissociated rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons.Methods Single rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons from male Wistar rats of 7-10 days were acutely dissociated by enzymatic digestion and mechanical dispersion according to the methods of Kay and Wong with slight modification. Voltage-clamp recordings were performed in the whole-cell patch clamp configuration. Currents were recorded with a List EPC-10 amplifier and data were stored in a computer using Pulse 8.5. Student＇s paired two-tail t test was used for data analysis. Results At the concentration of 100 μmol/L, etomidate significantly inhibited IK（DR） by 49.2% at ＋40 mV when depolarized from -110 mV （P 〈0.01, n=8）, while did not affect IK（A） （/1=8, P 〉0.05）. The IC50value of etomidate for blocking IK（DR）was calculated as 5.4 μmol/L, with a Hill slope of 2.45. At the presence of 10 μmol/L etomidate, the V1/2 of activation curve was shifted from （17.3±1.5） mV to （10.7±9.9） mV （n=8, P 〈0.05）, the V1/2 of inactivation curve was shifted from （-18.3±2.2） mV to （-45.3±9.4） mV （n=8, P 〈0.05）. Etomidate 10 μmol/L shifted both the activation curve and inactivation curve of IK（DR））to negative potential, but mainly affected the inactivation kinetics.Conclusions Etomidate potently inhibited IK（DR） but not IK（A） in rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons. IK（DR） was inhibited by etomidate in a concentration-dependent manner, while IK（A） remained unaffected.