Presenilin-1 is expressed in neural progenitor cells in the hippocampus of adult mice.

The functions of the presenilin-1 (PS-1) protein remain largely unknown. In adult brain PS-1 is expressed principally in neurons. However during development PS-1 is expressed more widely including in embryonic neural progenitors. To determine if PS-1 is expressed in neural progenitors in adult hippocampus we used bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling combined with immunostaining for BrdU, PS-1 and markers of neuronal or glial differentiation. Most BrdU labeled cells also expressed PS-1 at a time when few BrdU labeled cells expressed the early neuronal markers beta-III tubulin or TOAD-64 and none expressed mature neuronal (NeuN or calbindin) or astrocytic (GFAP) markers. Cells expressing PS-1 and the neural progenitor marker nestin were also found. Thus PS-1 is expressed in neural progenitor cells in adult hippocampus implying its possible role in neurogenesis in adult brain.     

Increased neurogenesis in brains of scrapie-infected mice

Persistent neurogenesis occurs in the adult brain throughout the life of all mammals. Recent studies have shown that neurogenesis was increased in adult gerbil and rat brains after ischemia. Neurogenesis has not been examined during neurodegenerative diseases such as scrapie. To investigate the regeneration of neurons after scrapie-infection, we infused 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), a DNA replication indicator, into both control and scrapie-infected mice. Mice were sacrificed at 150 days post-infection, i.e., at the start of clinical disease and a time when PrP(Sc) was readily detected in brain by both immunostaining and Western blot. We investigated expression of BrdU in each region of brain and observed cellular localization of BrdU using various cell markers such as neuronal nuclear (NeuN), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Immunohistochemically, BrdU-labeled cells were observed in the striatum, hippocampus, and brain stem of scrapie-infected brains. BrdU-labeled cells were much more prevalent in the hippocampus of scrapie-infected mice compared to hippocampus of control brains. In scrapie mice, there was more staining in hippocampus than in other brain regions. We also found that BrdU-positive cells colocalized with the neuronal markers NeuN and MAP2, whereas BrdU staining was not merged with GFAP, an astrocytic marker. Taken together, our results suggest that scrapie-infection induces region-specific increases in neuron regeneration.     

局灶性脑缺血后侧脑室室下区神经发生及其与血管内皮生长因子关系的研究

为了研究成年大鼠局灶性脑缺血后侧脑室室下区(SVZ)神经发生的情况及其与血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的关系,探讨脑缺血后神经发生及其调控机制,本研究通过大脑中动脉阻断法(MCAO)建立大鼠局灶性脑缺血模型,5-溴-2-脱氧尿核苷(BrdU)标记增殖的神经前体细胞,用免疫荧光双标记法动态检测BrdU、TuJ1、MAP-2、GFAP的表达,同时观察增殖细胞表达VEGF及其受体情况。结果显示:与对照组相比,大鼠SVZ的BrdU阳性细胞数在脑缺血后4 d组明显增加,14 d组达到高峰;Br-dU/TuJ1、BrdU/MAP-2阳性双标细胞数在脑缺血后14 d组开始增加,28 d组达到高峰;但BrdU/GFAP阳性双标细胞数则无明显变化;增殖的BrdU阳性细胞同时表达VEGF及其受体FLK-1。以上结果提示:大鼠局灶性脑缺血可激活SVZ自体神经前体细胞原位增殖、分化,且增殖的细胞同时表达VEGF及其受体可能是脑缺血后神经发生增强的调节机制之一。     

Impact of age and caloric restriction on neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of C57BL/6 mice

Age-related changes in neurogenesis and its modulation by caloric restriction (CR) were studied in C57BL/6 mice. To this end, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling was used to assess neuronal and glial precursor proliferation and survival in the granular cell layer (GCL) and the hilus of the dentate gyrus of 2-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month-old mice. For both regions, we found an age-dependent decrease in proliferation but not in survival of newborn cells. Interestingly, the reduction in proliferation occurred between 2 and 18 months of age with no additional decline between 18- and 24-month-old mice. Phenotyping of the newborn cells revealed a decrease in the neuron fraction in the GCL between 2 and 12 months of age but not thereafter. The majority of BrdU cells in the hilus colocalized with astrocytic but none with neuronal markers. CR from 3 to 11 months of age had no effect on neurogenesis in the GCL, but had a survival-promoting effect on newly generated glial cells in the hilus of the dentate gyrus. In conclusion, C57BL/6 mice reveal a substantial reduction in neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus until late adulthood with no further decline with aging. Long-term CR does not counteract this age-related decline in neurogenesis but promotes survival of hilar glial cells.     

营养不良可增加幼鼠齿状回颗粒下层的细胞增殖和神经生发(英文)

为了观察营养不良对幼鼠海马齿状回 (DG)和脑室下层 (SVZ)的细胞增殖和神经发生的影响 ,采用 5 -溴 -2 -脱氧尿苷(Brd U)标记结合免疫组织化学方法对脑切片分别进行 Brd U、Tu J1(β tubulin,β微管蛋白 )及 GFAP(胶质纤维酸性蛋白 )反应或双重反应。结果表明 ,营养不良幼鼠齿状回的细胞增殖和神经生发明显高于营养良好的幼鼠而脑室下层的细胞增殖数量在两者却无明显差异。在齿状回 ,新生的细胞中大约有 5 0 %为新生的神经元 ,10～ 2 0 %为神经胶质细胞。本文结果提示 ,幼鼠海马齿状回的细胞增殖和神经生发可能因营养不良而增加 ,这些新生的细胞可能对日后某些海马依赖性行为产生一定的影响     

Differential neurogenesis and gliogenesis by local and migrating neural stem cells in the olfactory bulb

The rostral migratory stream (RMS) is a unique forebrain structure that provides a long-distance migratory route for the neural stem cells of the periventricular region towards the olfactory bulb (OB). The purpose of the study presented here is to examine the extent of neurogenesis and gliogenesis by the neural stem cells of different origins (periventricular vs. intrabulbar) in the OB. After the RMS had been subjected to injury, the rats received intraperitoneal injections of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and were further reared for 2 weeks. Neuronal and glial differentiations of the BrdU(+) cells in the olfactory bulbar granule cell (OB-GCL) and the olfactory glomerular (OB-GL) layers were examined immunohistochemically using antibodies against neuronal (NeuN, neuronal nuclei) and glial (GFAP, glial fibrillary acidic protein) markers in the OBs with injured and uninjured (control) RMS. In the completely RMS-lesioned OB, where migration of the periventricular neural stem cells was inhibited, a small number of BrdU(+) NeuN(+) cells were found in both the OB-GCL and OB-GL. The BrdU(+) NeuN(+) cells accounted for a much higher percentage of the BrdU(+) cells on the control side (OB-GCL, 36.7%; OB-GL, 8.8%) than on the completely RMS-lesioned side (OB-GCL, 3.7%; OB-GL, 0.6%). The percentage of the BrdU(+) GFAP(+) cells relative to the BrdU(+) cells did not show any major difference between the control and completely RMS-lesioned sides. This study revealed differences in neurogenesis and gliogenesis between the local and migrating neural stem cells in the OB of the adult rodent.     

Hippocampal CA field neurogenesis after pilocarpine insult: The hippocampal fissure as a neurogenic niche

Pilocarpine model for temporal lobe epilepsy has shown aberrant neurogenesis, but mainly restricted to the dentate gyrus (DG). Herein, by using a modified protocol, combining pilocarpine with ipratropium bromide, we unexpectedly observed a heretofore-unrecognized distinct cellular population expressing the neuroprogenitor marker doublecortin (DCX) on post insult days (PID) 10, 14 and 18, mainly located in the temporal segment of the hippocampal fissure (hf). Some of these DCX+ cells possessed high morphological complexity and seemed to disperse toward the CA fields. Next, we injected bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in early (PID 2–4) and delayed (PID 5–7) fashions and killed the rats 7–35 days later for immunohistochemical and anatomical analysis. Massive increase of BrdU labeling was found in the delayed group and the neural stem cell-specific marker nestin was highly expressed in the same narrow band on PID7, so was glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Using double labeling with BrdU and a mature neuron marker NeuN, we found discrete but clear BrdU+/NeuN+ double labeled cells in the Cornu Ammonis (CA) pyramidal cell layer on PID35. Based on immunohistochemical and anatomical observations, as well as time-course analysis of BrdU, nestin, GFAP, DCX and NeuN expressions in this population of cells located in/near hf, we wish to suggest that this structure harbors neurogenic niches, in addition of the possible dispersion of neuroprogenitors from subgranular niches to CA fields also revealed by this study. Our results support the few previous reports demonstrating hippocampal CA field neurogenesis in adult rats. Mechanistic basis of the phenomenon is discussed.     

Adult neurogenesis of epidermal neural crest stem cells (EPI-NCSC) in hippocampus of Alzheimer's rat model

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterised by progressive neuronal loss in the hippocampus. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of transplanting epidermal neural crest stem cells (EPI-NCSC) into the hippocampus in vivo and to assess adult neurogenesis and total granule cell number in the hippocampus of an Alzheimer’s rat model after a single injection of EPI-NCSCs. Fourteen days after a bilateral injection of β-amyloid 1–40 into the hippocampus, 10 AD model rats received an intra-hippocampal injection of EPI-NCSCs; the cells were obtained from the vibrissa hair follicle of the rat, cultured, labelled with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and suspended in normal saline. Y-Maze and single trial passive avoidance tests were used to show any learning and memory deficit. Nestin staining was performed in vitro. Double staining of BrdU–GFAP and BrdU–β??? was undertaken to study survival and differentiation of the grafted cells. Cell proliferation and differentiation were observed in all part of hippocampus in the double-stained histological sections. Total granular cell number was estimated to be more per hippocampus in the rats receiving the transplanted cells compared to the AD control group. We observed that rats with hippocampal damage made significantly more errors than control rats on the Y-maze. We showed that transplanted EPI-NCSCs survived and differentiated into neurons and glial cells. Total granule cell number in the treatment group was equal to the control group. Cell proliferation and migration tends to end in the dentate gyrus and the other part of hippocampus. Transplantation of EPI-NCSCs into the hippocampus might differentiate into neurons or induce neurogenesis.     

穹窿海马伞切割侧海马对植入神经干细胞分化为神经元的影响

为观察成鼠神经干细胞移植入切割穹窿海马伞侧海马和正常侧海马后存活和分化为神经元的状况 ,用无血清培养和单细胞克隆技术获取成年 SD大鼠前脑室下带神经干细胞 ,进行 Brd U标记和扩增。切割 SD大鼠右侧穹窿海马伞 ,术后 2周将标记有 Brd U的神经干细胞植入双侧海马齿状回。 2月后 ,行 Nissl染色、Brd U免疫荧光、NF -2 0 0 / Brd U免疫荧光、β-tubulin- / Brd U免疫组织化学染色和 ACh E组织化学染色。结果发现 ,移植的神经干细胞在海马齿状回中存活并沿颗粒下层迁移 ,切割侧海马齿状回中有较多的 Nissl深染的大胞体神经元样细胞 ,而正常侧多为小胞体胶质样细胞。切割侧海马齿状回颗粒下层中见有数个NF-2 0 0 / Brd U、β-tubulin- / Brd U双标神经元和 ACh E阳性神经元 ,而正常侧海马中则未能见到。上述结果提示 ,移植到海马中的神经干细胞能存活、迁移 ,穹窿海马伞切割侧海马中某些物质的表达增强 ,可诱导植入其内的神经干细胞向神经元或 ACh E阳性神经元分化。     

BMP4参与海人酸损伤后成年大鼠海马齿状回颗粒细胞增殖及胶质增生

目的探讨海人酸（KA）侧脑室注射致大鼠海马损伤后骨形成蛋白-4（BMP4）的表达变化及其与颗粒细胞增殖和胶质细胞增生的关系。方法将成年大鼠分为对照组与实验组。侧脑室注射KA7d后,用尼氏染色检测海马神经元丢失,用免疫组织化学与原位杂交的方法检测海马齿状回BMP4mRNA阳性细胞与BrdU标记细胞、GFAP阳性细胞数的变化。结果正常成年大鼠BMP4mRNA阳性细胞主要分布于海马齿状回的门区、颗粒下层、CA3、CAI区。BrdU标记细胞主要分布在齿状回颗粒下层。GFAP阳性细胞主要分布在齿状回、CA3区。在KA侧脑室注射致海马损伤后7d,海马CA3、CA4区神经元丢失明显,BMP4mRNA阳性细胞与BrdU、GFAP阳性细胞均明显增加。结论KA侧脑室注射致海马损伤后,成年大鼠海马齿状回颗粒细胞增殖增强和胶质增生可能与BMP4表达增加有关。     

龟板对植入大鼠损伤脊髓内骨髓间充质干细胞分化为神经元的影响

应用密度梯度法分离大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenchymalstem cells,MSCs)进行培养,经5溴脱氧尿嘧啶(BrdU)标记和CD44(celldifferentiation protein44)染色及BrdU/CD44双标染色鉴定,将标记有BrdU的MSCs分别植入脊髓损伤体内和龟板治疗脊髓损伤体内。于移植后1周、2周、3周、4周和6周取损伤脊髓组织,对BrdU、神经丝蛋白(NF)、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)进行免疫组化染色及BrdU/NF和BrdU/GFAP双标染色检测移植后MSCs的存活和分化。结果发现:移植后1周,两组在移植区内都可见BrdU单位、BrdU/NF双标细胞,移植后2周达到高峰。龟板组可使BrdU单位和BrdU/NF双标细胞持续高表达至移植后6周,而脊髓损伤组BrdU单位和BrdU/NF双标细胞表达减少至移植后4周,组间比较差别有显著性。结果提示益肾龟板能促进脊髓损伤移植MSCs存活和分化为神经元。     

Glial activation in a pilocarpine rat model for epileptogenesis: A morphometric and quantitative analysis

In this work we examined the correlation between long-term glial resilience and slow epileptogenesis using the pilocarpine-insult rat model. We assessed, quantitatively and morphometrically, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and cell densities in hippocampus in a dose–response manner 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the pilocarpine insult. GFAP changes were correlated with observations on microglial activation. We used a commonly applied epileptogenic pilocarpine dose (380 mg/kg) and its fractions of 1/10, 1/4 and 1/2. GFAP expression evaluated at 2 weeks revealed dose-dependent cytoskeletal hypertrophy and loss of GFAP+ cell densities in hippocampus. At 4-week timepoint, recoveries of the above mentioned parameters were observed in all groups, except for the full dose group in which the astrocytic hypertrophy reached the highest level, while its density dropped to the lowest level. Strong and localized microgliosis revealed by CD11b immunoreactivity was observed in hilus in the full dose group at 2- and 4-, persisting at 8-week timepoints. Through changing pattern analysis, we conclude that the loss of astroglial resilience is likely to be a determining factor for spontaneous recurrent seizure onset.     

Altered pattern of immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the forebrain and cerebellum of the mutant spastic rat

The spastic rat is a neurological mutant of the Han-Wistar strain with prominent spasticity, tremor, and ataxia. Neurodegeneration is found in the CA3 sector of the hippocampus and in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. We examined the forebrain and cerebellum of spastic rats for glial reactions by using immunolabelling for the astrocytic marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). First, a map of the GFAP-distribution was made representing a systematic series of frontal sections in controls. Reactive astrocytes with increased GFAP should occur in the areas with established neuronal degeneration, but they could also demarcate further regions with pathology in this rat strain. Since the baseline levels of GFAP-immunoreactivity differ between brain regions, control rats and clinically normal littermates served as controls to judge relative increases in major structures. In the CA3 sector and hilus of the dorsal hippocampus, a massive gliosis was detected. In the cerebellum, a patchy increase of GFAP labelling in Bergmann glia was found. Further increases of GFAP-labelling in reactive astrocytes occurred in fiber tracts, the ventral thalamic nuclei, medial geniculate nuclei, pontine region and optic layer of the superior colliculus. Inconsistent changes were noted in cortex and pallidum. No defects of glial labelling or malformations in glial architectonics were found. The reactive changes of astroglial cells in hippocampus and cerebellum are in proportion to the neuronal degeneration. The glial reactions in the other brain regions possibly reflect a reaction to fiber degeneration and incipient neuronal degeneration or functional alterations of glial cells in response to neuronal dysfunction.     

Ischemia induces cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the gerbil hippocampus in response to neuronal death

We studied hippocampal cellular proliferation and neurogenesis processes in a model of transient global cerebral ischemia in gerbils by labelling dividing cells with 5'-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Surrounding the region of selective neuronal death (CA1 pyramidal layer of the hippocampus), an important increase in reactive astrocytes and BrdU-labelled cells was detected 5 days after ischemia. A similar result was found in the dentate gyrus (DG) 12 days after ischemia. The differentiation of the BrdU+ cells was investigated 28 days after BrdU administration by analyzing the morphology, anatomic localization and cell phenotype by triple fluorescent labelling (BrdU, adult neural marker NeuN and DNA marker TOPRO-3) using confocal laser-scanning microscopy. This analysis showed increased neurogenesis in the DG in case of ischemia and triple positive labelling in some newborn cells in CA1. Seven brain hemispheres from gerbils subjected to ischemia did not develop CA1 neuronal death; hippocampus from these hemispheres did not show any of the above mentioned findings. Our results indicate that ischemia triggers proliferation in CA1 and neurogenesis in the DG in response to CA1 pyramidal neuronal death, independently of the reduced cerebral blood flow or the cell migration from subventricular zone (SVZ).     

Effects of engrafted neural stem cells in Alzheimer's disease rats

Cell therapy is thought to have a central role in restorative therapy, which aims to restore the function of the damaged nervous system. Neural stem cells (NSCs) can differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of transplanting NSCs into rats which have the animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). NSCs from the hippocampus and NSCs-derived glial cells labeled with 5′-Bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) were transplanted into two groups of transected rat basal forebrain. Nestin staining, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining and double-labeling immunofluorescence were used to detect the engrafted cells in the basal forebrain. Immunohistochemical detection of p75^NGFR showed that the number of cholinergic neurons of the NSCs-transplanted group was significant higher than that of the glia-transplanted group in medial septum (MS) and vertical diagonal branch (VDB) (P < 0.05). Learning and memory abilities were also measured by Y-maze test. The results indicate that transplanted NSCs can differentiate into cholinergic neurons, which may play an important role in the therapeutic effects of transplanted NSCs.     

Fluctuations in cellular proliferation across the light/dark cycle in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus in the adult male Syrian hamster

A lifelong persistent neurogenesis occurs in the dentate gyrus of the mammalian hippocampus. Research in peripheral cell tissue has shown that the timing of cellular division of these cells coincide with the light/dark cycle, however it remains unclear as to whether there is an association between the time of day and cellular proliferation in the brain. The timing of cellular division can be studied through the use of a cellular proliferation marker, such as 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), which is taken up by the DNA of dividing cells during replication. The goal of this study was to determine whether the time of day affects the number of BrdU labeled cells in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus of adult male Syrian hamsters. Adult males received a single systemic injection of BrdU (300 mg/kg) at either the end of the light (ZT-13) or dark phase (ZT-23) of a 14:10 LD cycle and were sacrificed 24 h or 3 days later. Sections through the hippocampus were immunolabeled for BrdU. Cellular proliferation fluctuated across the light/dark cycle during the expansion phase rather than during initial cellular proliferation. A twofold increase in number was expected between 24 and 72 h following a single BrdU injection, but this increase was only seen in the population of cells injected at the end of the light phase.     

Partial kindling induces neurogenesis,activates astrocytes and alters synaptic morphology in the dentate gyrus of freely moving adult rats

A partial kindling procedure was used to investigate the correlation between focal seizure development and changes in dendritic spine morphology, ongoing neurogenesis and reactive astrogliosis in the adult rat dentate gyrus (DG). The processes of neurogenesis and astrogliosis were investigated using markers for doublecortin (DCX), 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Our data demonstrate that mild focal seizures induce a complex series of cellular events in the DG one day after cessation of partial rapid kindling stimulation consisting (in comparison to control animals that were electrode implanted but unkindled), firstly, of an increase in the number of postmitotic BrdU labeled cells, and secondly, an increase in the number of DCX labeled cells, mainly in subgranular zone. Ultrastructural changes were examined using qualitative electron microscope analysis and 3-D reconstructions of both dendritic spines and postsynaptic densities. Typical features of kindling in comparison to control tissue included translocation of mitochondria to the base of the dendritic spine stalks; a migration of multivesicular bodies into mushroom dendritic spines, and most notably formation of “giant” spinules originating from the head of the spines of DG neurons. These morphological alterations arise at seizure stages 2–3 (focal seizures) in the absence of signs of the severe generalized seizures that are generally recognized as potentially harmful for neuronal cells. We suggest that an increase in ongoing neurogenesis, reactive astrogliosis and dendritic spine reorganization in the DG is the crucial step in the chain of events leading to the progressive development of seizure susceptibility in hippocampal circuits.     

COX-2抑制剂对幼鼠反复痫性发作后神经发生的影响

目的：研究环氧合酶-2（COX-2）在痫性发作活化后的表达特点,探讨COX-2抑制剂塞莱昔布（eeleeoxib,Cel）对痫性活动后海马区神经发生的影响。方法：模型制作：随机将120只体重为50～60g的3周龄健康Wistar幼鼠分为匹鲁卡品致痫组（EPOnly组）（n=45）和Cel干预致痫组（EP—Cel）（n=45）和生理盐水正常对照组（NS组）（n=30）3组。随机在EP—only及EP—Cel组各取10只匹鲁卡品成功诱导急性发作幼鼠进行腹腔注射溴脱氧尿核苷（BrdU）：（1）行为学观察：根据Racine分级评价急性期和慢性期痴性发作行为;（2）形态学检测：各实验组分别在急性发作后第14天,第28天处死大鼠制备组织切片进行免疫组化检测COX-2阳性细胞在各组的表达变化趋势,以及BrdU＋神经元特异性核蛋白（NeuN）和BrdU＋星形胶质细胞胶原纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）荧光免疫双标阳性细胞的表达,观察神经前体细胞的增殖及分化在各组的差异。结果：（1）动物行为学观察：在急性期,EP-only组全身性自发反复性癫痫发作（SRS）发作率（90％）明显高于EP—Cel组（560）（P〈0．01）;EP—only组痫性发作Racine分级强度（3．7±1．3）明显高于EP—Cel组发作强度（2．5±1．1）（P〈0．05）;在慢性期,EP—Only组SRS发生率（500）明显高于EP—Cel组（30％）（P〈0．05;岔检验）;EP—Only组平均每天SRS发生的频率（1．9±0．58）明显高于EP=Cel组（0．6±0．3）（P〈0．01,t检验）;（2）形态学检测免疫组化结果：①COX-2免疫反应阳性细胞的表达：匹鲁卡品致痫第14天后,海马区COX-2阳性细胞表达在EP—Only组明显高于EP-Cel组[（158±18）vs（118±20）]（P〈0．01）;②BrdU＋NeuN和BrdU＋GFAP免疫双标结果：急性期发作第28天后,BrdU＋NeuN免疫双标阳性细胞在EP-Only组明显高于EP—Cel组[（36±4）vs（22±3）];同时EP-Only组门区有BrdU＋GFAP免疫双标阳性的新生的胶质细胞明显比EP—Cel组高[（26±3）vs（14±2）3。结论：COX-2在痂性发作后被迅速诱导表达,COX-2抑制剂Cel能抑制痫性发作激活的异常神经发生和星形胶质细胞增生,减少慢性期SRS。     

Postischemic exercise decreases neurogenesis in the adult rat dentate gyrus

Running exercise enhances neurogenesis in the normal adult and aged hippocampus. However, the effect of exercise on neurogenesis in the ischemic hippocampus is unclear. Here, we show that running exercise has different effects on ischemic and non-ischemic brain. Young (3-4-month-old) normotensive Wistar rats were used for this study. We administered bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to rats 7 days after the induction of transient forebrain ischemia or sham operation. BrdU-labeled cells were increased in the ischemic subgranular zone (SGZ) and granule cell layer (GCL) and double immunofluoresence showed approximately 80% of BrdU-labeled cells expressed neuronal markers. To assess the effect of running exercise on neurogenesis, BrdU-labeled cells in these regions were quantified after 1 day and 14 days. In sham-operated rats, the numbers of BrdU-labeled cells were significantly increased (2.2-fold) in the SGZ and GCL in response to running exercise. The numbers of BrdU-labeled cells were increased in response to ischemia, however, they were decreased 14 days after BrdU administration and running exercise accelerated the reduction in BrdU-labeled cells in ischemic rats. These findings suggest that running exercise has a negative effect on neurogenesis in the ischemic hippocampus. This may be important with respect to assessment of therapeutic approaches for functional recovery after stroke.     

Ischemic preconditioning enhances neurogenesis in the subventricular zone

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) before subsequent prolonged ischemia is considered an emerging endogenous means of ischemic brain protection. We tested whether IPC induces endogenous neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and angiogenesis in the peri-ischemic area. Middle cerebral artery occlusion was administered to rats by filament insertion for 10 min (IPC) and/or 2 h (prolonged focal ischemia [PFI]). IPC alone increased 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) (+) cells 2.5-fold in the SVZ compared with controls at 7 days. The numbers of BrdU/doublecortin (Dcx) or BrdU/neuronal nuclei (NeuN) double-labeled cells also increased, but extents of BrdU/glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) double-labeling in the SVZ were not different. The IPC+PFI group showed about a 40% reduction in infarct volume. PFI increased BrdU (+) cells in the SVZ, and this was greatly enhanced by IPC treatment. The number of BrdU/Dcx double-labeled cells was strongly increased in ischemic brains administered IPC. Differentiation into mature neurons was also enhanced at 14 and 28 days. In addition, IPC significantly promoted angiogenesis in the ischemic penumbra as indicated by von Willebrand factor (vWF) staining. Our results indicate that IPC enhances neurogenesis in the SVZ even without subsequent PFI, and also enhances neurogenesis and angiogenesis after subsequent PFI. We conclude that IPC confers neuroprotection, and also promotes endogenous neurogenesis and angiogenesis.