海马CA1锥体神经元NMDA及非NMDA受体介导的兴奋性突触后电流的生后变化

应用盲法脑片膜片钳记录方法,研究了幼年大鼠（生后6～21d）及成年大鼠（生后56～70d）离体海马脑片CA1锥体神经元N-甲基-D-门冬氨酸（NMDA）及非NMDA受体介导的兴奋性突触后电流（EPSCs）的生后发育变化。为阻断γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）能抑制性突触活动,灌注液中常规应用GABAA受体拮抗剂荷包牡丹碱（50umol/L）。局部刺激海马辐射层（0.05～0.1Hz）可引起EPSCs。结果显示NMDA受体拮抗剂AP5可减小EPSCs的幅值,减小的程度以幼年大鼠为显著。进一步灌注a-氨基-3羧基-5-甲基异恶唑-4丙酸（AMPA）受体拮抗剂CNQX（20umol/L）可完全阻断残余EPSCs。分析给予AP5前、后EPSCs幅值的大小,可得到NMDA及非NMDA受体介导EPSCs,显示非NMDA受体介导的EPSCs随着发育明显增加,而NMDA万分则降低。上述研究结果表明海马CA1神经元的兴奋性突触活动是由NMDA及非NMDA受体介导的,并且在生后一周内以NMDA成分为主,因此在发育的早期NMDA受体可能更多参与对发育的调节作用。     

荧光金逆行示踪观察匹罗卡品致痫大鼠CA1区锥体细胞突触联系变化的研究

目的通过荧光金(FG)逆行示踪观察氯化锂-匹罗卡品致痫模型大鼠慢性自发发作期海马CA1区锥体细胞之间的突触联系变化。方法 SD大鼠2 0只随机分为实验组和对照组。癫痫持续状态后6 0 d左右,利用立体定位仪在活体内注射逆行性示踪剂FG至海马CA1区,术后常规喂养5~7 d后灌注取材。激光扫描共聚焦显微镜下观察FG的分布。结果 7只实验组大鼠中有5只可见有FG标记的锥体细胞,对照组未见。实验组中有2只大鼠在海马下托亦可见有FG标记的锥体细胞,而对照组未见。结论颞叶癫痫大鼠海马CA1区锥体细胞之间和下托至CA1区有异常兴奋性突触联系,其可能是构成异常兴奋性回路的解剖学基础。     

NMDA受体介导的eEPSC在皮质发育障碍动物模型海马CA1区的改变

目的:研究皮质发育障碍(DCD)大鼠模型海马CA1区N-甲基-D-门冬氨酸(NMDA)受体及a-氨基-3-羧基-5-甲基异恶唑-4-丙酸(AmPA)受体介导的兴奋性突触后电流(eEPSC)的变化,探讨DCD大鼠模型的致(癎)机制.方法:选取出生10-20dDCD幼鼠模型和正常对照组,应用可视法脑片膜片钳记录方法,记录大...     

颅脑创伤后大鼠海马CA1锥体细胞内在电生理和兴奋性突触传递特性的变化

目的 在细胞及突触水平探讨外伤后癫痫的发病机制.方法 自由落体致伤法制备大鼠颅脑创伤模型,采用膜片钳技术监测海马CA1区锥体细胞内在电生理特性和局部突触兴奋性的变化.结果 颅脑创伤后,大鼠CA1锥体细胞膜输入阻抗和时间常数增加,动作电位的阈电流降低;给予配对刺激后,海马CA1区兴奋性突触后电流表现为配对脉冲比率的降低及配对脉冲易化向配对脉冲抑制的转变.结论 颅脑创伤后海马CA1区神经元内在兴奋性和突触传递功能增强,这些改变可能是外伤后癫痫发病的重要原因.     

成年小鼠癫痫发作早期突触内、外N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体介导的电流变化

在癫痫疾病的发生和反复发作的过程中,N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸（NMDA）型谷氨酸受体（NMDA受体）起着重要的作用。近年来的研究发现,突触内和突触外的NMDA受体在包括突触可塑性和细胞死亡的信号通路中起着不同的甚至是截然相反的作用。因此,我们在本研究中探讨了突触内、外NMDA受体介导的兴奋性突触后电流在癫痫发病的病理过程中的变化。我们利用氯化锂联合匹罗卡品（pilocarpine, PILO）诱导了成年癫痫小鼠模型,并在癫痫发作24小时后制作了急性海马切片,利用膜片钳全细胞记录法对CA1区锥体神经元的突触内、外NMDA受体电流进行了记录。我们发现,1）突触内NMDA受体电流的上升时间及衰减时间与对照组比较均无统计学差异;2）突触外NMDA受体电流的兴奋性电流峰值、面积峰值比、以及上升时间亦无统计学差异;3）但突触外电流的衰减时程相对于对照组加快。以上结果提示突触外NMDA受体可能参与癫痫的发病机制。     

脑源性神经生长因子对mir124表达及兴奋性电流的影响

目的探讨BDNF对海马miRNA-124表达及齿状回颗粒细胞兴奋性突触后电流(s EPSCs)的影响,以明确BDNF对颞叶内侧癫痫(MTLE)发病机制的影响。方法选取哈尔滨医科大学附属第一临床医院神经外科2008年4月-2010年10月手术治疗的MTLE患者12例。RT-pcr技术检测BDNF孵育后MTLE患者海马组织mir-124表达、膜片钳技术检测BDNF对海马颗粒细胞s EPSCs的影响。结果 (1)BDNF降低了颞叶癫痫海马miRNA-124的表达(P0.01);(2)BDNF增加了颗粒细胞sEPSCs的频率和幅度(P0.01)。结论 BDNF降低了颞叶癫痫海马mir-124的表达,提高颗粒细胞sEPSCs的频率和幅度,从而可能对人类MTLE的发病起到促进作用。     

吗啡戒断性焦虑大鼠海马突触界面结构及突触素表达变化

目的 探讨吗啡依赖戒断焦虑行为与海马CA1、CA3区突触界面结构和突触素表达变化之间的相关性.方法 剂量递增法建立大鼠吗啡依赖模型,高架十字迷宫检测焦虑行为,透射电镜技术结合图像分析系统、免疫组织化学比较对照组、模型组和治疗组(各6只)大鼠海马CA1、CA3区突触界面结构和突触素(P38)的表达.结果 (1)行为学:模型组开放臂的次数和时间均少于对照组和治疗组[最小有意义差异t检验(下同),P＜0.01或P＜0.05).(2)突触界面结构:模型组CA1区突触后致密物厚度[(10.7±0.9)nm]、突触活性区长度[(45±4)am]、突触间隙宽度[(3.80±0.30)nm]和突触界面曲率(1.37±0.12)均高于对照组和治疗组(P＜0.01或P＜0.05);模型组CA3区突触后致密物厚度[(12.7±1.1)nm]、突触活性区长度[(53±8)nm]、突触间隙宽度[(3.81 ±0.59)nm]、突触界面曲率(1.39±0.30)亦均高于对照组和治疗组(P＜0.01或P＜0.05).(3)突触素表达:模型组CA1、CA3区突触素吸光度(A)值分别为(0.42±0.06)和(0.43±0.05),显著高于对照组(0.2±0.02,0.25±0.03)和治疗组(0.27±0.04,0.26±0.03).结论吗啡戒断焦虑行为与海马CA1、CA3区突触形态结构可塑性及突触素表达水平有一定的相关性.     

单侧液压脑损伤对大鼠双侧海马GFAP表达和CA1区突触传递的影响

目的研究单侧液压脑损伤(FPI)对大鼠双侧海马区胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)表达和CA1区突触传递的影响。方法建立大鼠单侧液压脑损伤模型,脑标本分为对照组(包括正常对照和假手术对照)、FPI损伤同侧组和FPI损伤对侧组。免疫组化法检测海马水平切片GFAP表达,对海马CA1区锥体神经元进行细胞内记录。结果FPI大鼠双侧海马齿状回门区和CA1区GFAP表达均比对照组明显增强。FPI损伤同侧组兴奋性输入-输出关系曲线的斜率比其他两组显著增大(P<0.05);FPI损伤同侧组和对侧组双脉冲易化(PPF)比值和抑制性突触后电位(IPSP)幅值均比对照组显著减小(P<0.05);FPI损伤同侧组和对侧组双脉冲抑制(PPD)比值均比对照组显著增大(P<0.05)。结论大鼠单侧液压脑损伤对双侧海马均可产生影响,导致双侧海马CA1区兴奋性突触传递增强,抑制性突触传递减弱。     

慢性应激抑郁大鼠海马CA1神经元突触可塑性研究

目的 探讨慢性轻度不可预见应激(chronic unpredictable mild stress,CUMS)抑郁模型大鼠海马CA1区神经元的突触可塑性改变.方法 将20只雄性Sprague-Dawley (SD)大鼠随机等分为CUMS组和对照组,前者连续28天每天随机接受不同的应激,对照组同样条件下饲养但不给应激,至第28天进行行为测评后处死,在日立(H7500)透射电镜下测量海马CA1神经元突触界面结构参数.结果 CUMS抑郁大鼠海马CA1神经元突触活性区长度(216.64±20.19 nm)及突触后致密物厚度(42.4±5.23 nm)显著小于对照组(321.58±12.27nm,69.6±4.77 nm),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),突触界面曲率及宽度与对照组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 慢性应激性抑郁大鼠存在海马CA1区神经元突触可塑性的改变.这提示抑郁症的发病机制可能与海马神经元突触可塑性相关.     

脑白质损害新生大鼠的电镜超微结构观察

目的：应用Han方法建立脑白质损害（WMD）新生大鼠模型,电镜观察大鼠脑内髓鞘成熟度及突触超微结构改变。方法：2日龄新生SD大鼠39只,随机分为对照组(n=12)、假手术组(n=12)及WMD组(n=15)。WMD组大鼠在乙醚麻醉下行右颈总动脉结扎术,术后吸含6%氧气的氮氧混合气4h,制作新生大鼠WMD模型。各组均正常饲养至1月龄时经灌注固定后行电镜检查,同时行HE染色观察。 结果：电镜观察可见WMD组患侧海马CA1区胶质细胞受损及髓鞘形成延迟。WMD组大鼠海马CA1区突触活性区长度、突触间隙宽度、突触后致密物厚度及突触界面曲率与对照组及假手术组无显著性差异（P>0.05）;HE染色可见实验组白质疏松。结论 从超微结构方面观察,此方法对新生大鼠脑白质损害特异性高,突触损害轻微,模型效果可靠。     

Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 2‐expressing primary afferents stimulates synaptic transmission in the deep dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord and elicits mechanical hyperalgesia

Probenecid, an agonist of transient receptor vanilloid (TRPV) type 2, was used to evaluate the effects of TRPV2 activation on excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn (DH) of the rat spinal cord and on nociceptive reflexes induced by thermal heat and mechanical stimuli. The effects of probenecid were compared with those of capsaicin, a TRPV1 agonist. Calcium imaging experiments on rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and DH cultures indicated that functional TRPV2 and TRPV1 were expressed by essentially non‐overlapping subpopulations of DRG neurons, but were absent from DH neurons and DH and DRG glial cells. Pretreatment of DRG cultures with small interfering RNAs against TRPV2 suppressed the responses to probenecid. Patch‐clamp recordings from spinal cord slices showed that probenecid and capsaicin increased the frequencies of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in a subset of laminae III–V neurons. In contrast to capsaicin, probenecid failed to stimulate synaptic transmission in lamina II. Intrathecal or intraplantar injections of probenecid induced mechanical hyperalgesia/allodynia without affecting nociceptive heat responses. Capsaicin induced both mechanical hyperalgesia/allodynia and heat hyperalgesia. Activation of TRPV1 or TRPV2 in distinct sets of primary afferents increased the sEPSC frequencies in a largely common population of DH neurons in laminae III–V, and might underlie the development of mechanical hypersensitivity following probenecid or capsaicin treatment. However, only TRPV1‐expressing afferents facilitated excitatory and/or inhibitory transmission in a subpopulation of lamina II neurons, and this phenomenon might be correlated with the induction of thermal heat hyperalgesia.     

Imbalance between excitation and inhibition among synaptic connections of CA3 pyramidal neurons in cultured hippocampal slices

A fundamental property of small neuronal ensembles is their ability to be selectively activated by distinct stimuli. One cellular mechanism by which neurons achieve this input selectivity is by modulating the temporal dynamics of excitation and inhibition. We explored the interplay of excitation and inhibition in synapses between pyramidal neurons of cornu ammonis field 3 of the hippocampal formation (CA3) in cultured rat hippocampal slices, where activation of a single excitatory cell can readily recruit local interneurons. Simultaneous whole-cell recordings from pairs of CA3 pyramidal neurons revealed that the strength of connections was neither uniform nor balanced. Rather, stimulation of presynaptic neurons elicited distinct combinations of excitatory postsynaptic current–inhibitory postsynaptic current (EPSC–IPSC) amplitudes in the postsynaptic neurons. EPSC–IPSC sequences with small EPSCs had large IPSCs and sequences that contained large EPSCs had small IPSCs. In addition to differences in the amplitudes of the responses, the kinetics of the EPSCs were also different, creating distinct temporal dynamics of excitation and inhibition. Weaker EPSCs had significantly slower kinetics and were efficiently occluded by IPSCs, thereby further limiting their contribution to depolarizing the postsynaptic membrane. Our data suggest that hippocampal pyramidal cells may use an imbalance between excitation and inhibition as a filter to enhance selectivity toward preferential excitatory connections.     

Neuroprotective effect of amantadine on corticosterone‐induced abnormal glutamatergic synaptic transmission of CA3‐CA1 pathway in rat's hippocampal slices

Depression is a psychiatric disorder and chronic stress, leading to altered glucocorticoid secretion patterns, is one of the factors that induce depression. Our previous study showed that amantadine significantly attenuated the impairments of synaptic plasticity and cognitive function a rat model of CUS. However, little is known regarding the underlying mechanism. In the present study, the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique was applied to examine the protection effect of amantadine on the hippocampus CA3‐CA1 pathway. Evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs), miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), paired‐pulse ratio (PPR) and the action potentials of CA3 neurons were recorded. Our data showed that corticosterone increased the amplitude of eEPSCs and decreased the value of paired‐pulse ratio (PPR), but both of them were significantly reversed by amantadine. In addition, the frequency of mEPSC was considerably increased by corticosterone, but it was reduced by amantadine. Moreover, we used the Fluo‐3/AM image to detect the Ca²⁺ influx in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. The results showed that the intracellular calcium levels were significantly decreased by amantadine in the corticosterone treated neurons. Additionally, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were reduced by corticosterone, while they were enhanced by either amantadine or low‐calcium artificial cerebral spinal fluid (ACSF). These results suggest that amantadine significantly improves corticosterone‐induced abnormal glutamatergic synaptic transmission of CA3‐CA1 synapses presynaptically and alleviates the activities of antioxidant enzymes via regulating the calcium influx.     

Inhibition of GABAergic neurotransmission in the ventral tegmental area by cannabinoids

It was shown recently that Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, like several other drugs eliciting euphoria, stimulates dopaminergic neurons projecting from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens. The aim of the present work was to clarify the mechanism of this stimulatory effect. Our hypothesis was that cannabinoids depress the GABAergic inhibition of dopaminergic neurons in the VTA. Electrophysiological properties of VTA neurons in rat coronal midbrain slices were studied with the patch-clamp technique. GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) were evoked by electrical stimulation in the vicinity of the recorded neurons. The amplitude of IPSCs was depressed by the synthetic mixed CB1/CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55212-2 (10(-6) and 10(-5) m). The CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716A (10(-6) m) prevented the inhibition produced by WIN55212-2 (10(-5) m). Two observations showed that IPSCs were depressed with a presynaptic mechanism. WIN55212-2 (10(-5) m) did not change the amplitude of miniature IPSCs recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin. Currents evoked by pressure ejection of muscimol from a pipette were also not changed by WIN55212-2 (10(-5) m). The results indicate that activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors inhibits GABAergic neurotransmission in the VTA with a presynaptic mechanism. Depression of the GABAergic inhibitory input of dopaminergic neurons would increase their firing rate in vivo. Accordingly, dopamine release in the projection region of VTA neurons, the nucleus accumbens, would also increase.     

Interactions between superficial and deep dorsal horn spinal cord neurons in the processing of nociceptive information

In acute rat spinal cord slices, the application of capsaicin (5 μm , 90 s), an agonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptors expressed by a subset of nociceptors that project to laminae I–II of the spinal cord dorsal horn, induced an increase in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory and spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in about half of the neurons in laminae II, III–IV and V. In the presence of tetrodotoxin, which blocks action potential generation and polysynaptic transmission, capsaicin increased the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in only 30% of lamina II neurons and had no effect on the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in laminae III–V or on the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in laminae II–V. When the communication between lamina V and more superficial laminae was interrupted by performing a mechanical section between laminae IV and V, capsaicin induced an increase in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current frequency in laminae II–IV and an increase in spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current frequency in lamina II that were similar to those observed in intact slices. However, in laminae III–IV of transected slices, the increase in spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current frequency was virtually abolished. Our results indicate that nociceptive information conveyed by transient receptor potential vanilloid 1‐expressing nociceptors is transmitted from lamina II to deeper laminae essentially by an excitatory pathway and that deep laminae exert a ‘feedback’ control over neurons in laminae III–IV by increasing inhibitory synaptic transmission in these laminae. Moreover, we provide evidence that laminae III–IV might play an important role in the processing of nociceptive information in the dorsal horn.     

Mechanism of GABA receptor-mediated inhibition of spontaneous GABA release onto cerebellar Purkinje cells

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)(B) receptor-mediated modulation of spontaneous GABA release onto Purkinje cells was investigated in cerebellar slices from 3- to 5-week-old mice. The GABA(B) receptor agonists baclofen and CGP 44533 each reduced the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs), with no significant effect on mIPSC amplitude; together, consistent with a presynaptic site of action. The GABA(B) receptor antagonist CGP 55845 blocked baclofen-induced inhibition. The sulphydryl alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide occluded baclofen effects, implicating G(i/o) subunits in mediating a GABA(B) G protein-coupled receptor pathway. Baclofen-induced inhibition persisted in the presence of Ba(2+), a blocker of K(+) channels, and Cd(2+), a blocker of Ca(2+) channel-mediated GABA release. Application of nominally Ca(2+)-free extracellular solutions reduced mIPSC frequency and amplitude; however, baclofen produced a significant inhibition in mIPSC frequency, further suggesting that this pathway was independent of Ca(2+) influx. Spontaneous GABA release was increased by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, and the phorbol ester, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. However, baclofen-induced inhibition was not significantly changed in either condition. Baclofen action was also not affected by the adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ 22536 or the protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine chloride. Baclofen still reduced mIPSC frequency in the presence of the polyvalent cation ruthenium red, which acts as a secretagogue here; however, baclofen-induced inhibition was reduced significantly. Furthermore, baclofen produced no clear inhibition during high-frequency mIPSCs bursts induced by the potent secretagogue alpha-Latrotoxin. Together, these results suggest that GABA(B) inhibition occurs downstream of Ca(2+) influx and may be mediated, in part, by an inhibition of the vesicular release mechanism.     

Developmental changes in localization of NMDA receptor subunits in primary cultures of cortical neurons

Immunoblot analysis, using antibodies against distinct N-methyl-d -aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor subunits, illustrated that the NR2A and NR2B subunit proteins have developmental profiles in cultured cortical neurons similar to those seen in vivo. NR1 and NR2B subunits display high levels of expression within the first week. In contrast, the NR2A subunit is barely detectable at 7 days in vitro (DIV) and then gradually increased to mature levels at DIV21. Immunocytochemical analysis indicated that NMDA receptor subunits cluster in the dendrites and soma of cortical neurons. Clusters of NR1 and NR2B subunits were observed as early as DIV3, while NR2A clusters were rarely observed before DIV10. At DIV18, NR2B clusters partially co-localize with those of NR2A subunits, but NR2B clusters always co-localize with those of NR1 subunits. Synapse formation, as indicated by the presence of presynaptic synaptophysin staining, was observed as early as 48–72 h after plating. However, in several neurons at ages less than DIV5 where synapses were scarce, NR2B and NR1 clusters were abundant. Furthermore, while NR2B subunit clusters were seen both at synaptic and extrasynaptic sites, NR2A clusters occurred almost exclusively in front of synaptophysin-labelled boutons. This result was supported by electrophysiological recording of NMDA-mediated synaptic activity [NMDA-excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs)] in developing neurons. At DIV6, but not at DIV12, CP101, 606, a NR1/NR2B receptor antagonist, antagonized spontaneously occurring NMDA-EPSCs. Our data indicate that excitatory synapse formation occurs when NMDA receptors comprise NR1 and NR2B subunits, and that NR2A subunits cluster preferentially at synaptic sites.     

Two modes of activity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels in sympathetic neurons

Spectral analysis of acetylcholine (ACh) noise was performed in voltage-clamped neurons of the isolated rabbit superior cervical ganglion at 34–37°C and at membrane potential −80 mV. Two modes of activity were found in the ionic channels of nicotinic ACh receptors, with mean channel life-times of τ_f = 1.1 ± 0.1 ms for fast-operating channels and τ_s = 5.6 ± 0.6 ms for slow-operating channels. Excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) decays exponentially with a time constant which is very close to τ_s, indicating that the slow-operating channel activity determines the duration of EPSC. The mean value of conductance of single nicotinic ACh-receptor channel is 36 ± 3 pS.     

Functional mapping of GABA A receptor subtypes in the amygdala

The physiological significance of the large diversity of GABA A receptors is poorly understood. Using mice, which carry a point mutation that renders specific subtypes of GABA A receptors diazepam insensitive, it was recently discovered that particular types of GABA A receptors are involved in specific, behaviorally relevant signaling pathways. We have used these mice to study inhibitory synaptic transmission in the amygdala. GABA A receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) per se were not affected by the point mutations. Their modulation by diazepam, however, was altered depending on the genotype of the mice studied. Based on the different responses to diazepam, we found that IPSCs in the lateral/basolateral amygdala were mediated by both alpha2- and alpha1-subunit-containing GABA A receptors whereas those in the central amygdala were mediated only by alpha2-subunit-containing GABA A receptors. Immunohistochemical staining corroborated these findings at a morphological level. To investigate a possible link between interneuron and receptor diversity, we selectively depressed release from the subset of GABAergic terminals carrying type 1 cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are known to modulate amygdala-mediated behavior. Application of a type 1 cannabinoid receptor agonist resulted in a selective reduction of inhibitory current mediated by alpha1-subunit-containing GABA A receptors. Mice with specific diazepam-insensitive GABA A receptor subtypes therefore provide a novel tool to investigate GABA A receptor distribution and the organization of inhibitory circuits at a functional level. The crucial role of the amygdala for the mediation of anxiety is in agreement with the part that alpha2-subunit-containing GABA A receptors play in anxiolysis and their important function in this area of the brain.