Dentate granule neuron apoptosis and glia activation in murine hippocampus induced by trimethyltin exposure

We investigated the effect of trimethyltin (TMT), a well-known neurotoxicant, on murine hippocampal neurons and glial cells. Three days following intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of TMT into 1-month-old Balb/c mice at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight we detected damage of the dentate gyrus granular neurons. The dying cells displayed chromatin condensation and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, which are the most characteristic features of apoptosis. To study, if prolyl oligopeptidase is engaged in neuronal apoptosis following TMT administration, we pretreated mice with the specific inhibitor--Fmoc-Pro-ProCN in doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight (i.p. injection). Three days following injection we did not observe any attenuation of neurotoxic damage, regardless of inhibitor dose, indicating the lack of prolyl oligopeptidase contribution to neuronal injury caused by TMT. The neurodegeneration was associated with reactive astrogliosis in whole hippocampus, but particularly in injured dentate gyrus. The reactive astrocytes showed an increased nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in ventral as well as dorsal hippocampal parts. NGF immunoreactivity was also augmented in neurons of CA3/CA4 areas, which were almost totally spared after TMT intoxication. It suggested a role for this neurotrophin in protection of pyramidal cells from loss of connection between CA3/CA4 and dentate gyrus fields. The granule neurons' death was accompanied by increased histochemical staining with isolectin B4, a marker of microglia, in the region of neurodegeneration. The microglial cells displayed ramified and ameboid morphology, characteristic of their reactive forms. Activated microglia were the main source of interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta). It is possible that this cytokine may participate in neurodegeneration of granule cells. Alternatively, IL-1beta elaborated by microglia could play a role in increasing NGF expression, both in astroglia and in CA3/CA4 neurons.     

Trimethyltin-evoked neuronal apoptosis and glia response in mixed cultures of rat hippocampal dentate gyrus: a new model for the study of the cell type-specific influence of neurotoxins

We investigated the effects of a potent neurotoxin, trimethyltin (TMT), on mixed neuronal/glial cultures derived from rat hippocampal dentate gyrus. We found that TMT induced neuronal cell death in a concentration dependent manner, which was estimated by microtubule degeneration, hematoxylin histological staining and the TUNEL method. This cell death is most probably of an apoptotic type as suggested by Hoechst staining. In parallel to studies the effects of TMT on neurons, its concentration dependent actions on astroglia and microglia were also examined using GFAP and GS-B4 isolectin as immunocytochemical markers, respectively. We found that neurotoxic concentrations of TMT evoked astrocytic swelling, whereas low, non-cytotoxic concentrations caused changes in microglia morphology characteristic of their active form. The combined results of our studies provide new data concerning the cell type-specific influence of TMT and indicate that the culture of dentate gyrus cells is a feasible in vitro modelforfurther studies of neuronal-glial interaction in response to toxic injury.     

IGF-1 and pAKT Signaling Promote Hippocampal CA1 Neuronal Survival Following Injury to Dentate Granule Cells

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) protects neurons from apoptosis and in vivo offers neuroprotective support to hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons following ischemia or seizure. IGF-1 signals through IGF-1 receptors activating phosphytidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt or pMAPK pathways. IGF-1 can be induced with injury and microglia and astrocytes may serve as a source of this neurotrophic factor to promote neuronal survival. An acute systemic injection of trimethyltin (TMT; 2 mg/kg, ip) to mice induces apoptosis of dentate granule neurons within 24 h and a differential response of microglia with ramified microglia present in the CA-1 region. Using this model, we studied the role of IGF-1 in the survival of CA-1 pyramidal neurons under conditions of altered synaptic input due to changes in the dentate gyrus. Within 24 h of injection, IGF-1 mRNA levels were elevated in the hippocampus and IGF-1 protein detected in both astrocytes and microglia. IGF-1 was redistributed within the CA-1 neurons corresponding with an increase in cytoplasmic pAkt, elevated PKBα/Akt protein levels, and a decrease in the antagonist, Rho. pMAPK was not detected in CA-1 neurons and ERK2 showed a transient decrease followed by a significant increase, suggesting a lack of recruitment of the pMAPK signaling pathway for neuronal survival. In mice deficient for IGF-1, a similar level of apoptosis was observed in dentate granule neurons as compared to wildtype; however, TMT induced a significant level CA-1 neuronal death, further supporting a role for IGF-1 in the survival of CA-1 neurons.     

Temporal characterization of microglia, II-1β-like immunoreactivity and astrocytes in the dentate gyrus of hippocampal organotypic slice cultures

These studies demonstrate that murine hippocampal slice cultures possess neural-immune elements that show responses parallel to comparable in vivo models of neural-immune activation. Using immunocytochemical techniques, this study characterized the phenotypes of specific glial elements and the expression of the cytokine, interleukin-1 (IL-1β), in the hippocampal dentate gyrus over a period of 10 days in vitro (DIV). Preparation of organotypic slice cultures of neonatal mouse hippocampus produced cellular damage including axotomy of afferent fibers within the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. This form of lesion-induced injury caused activation of neural-immune elements in the slice cultures. Staining with the microglial specific, biotinylated Griffonia simplicifolia B₄-isolectin revealed reactive microglia were most prevalent at 2 DIV and decreased in number from 4 to 10 DIV, whereas the initial population of resting microglia at 2 DIV increased approximately four-fold from 4 to 10 DIV. The presence of a round IL-1β-like immunophenotype closely paralleled the temporal and spatial distribution of the reactive form of microglia observed in the dentate gyrus. In addition, between 4 and 10 DIV, some IL-1β-like immunoreactive cells exhibited a stellate-like morphology with numerous branching processes, similar to resting microglia. At 2 DIV, astrocytes showed minimal labeling with antibodies directed against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), while from 4 to 10 DIV, a dramatic hypertrophic astrocytic response occurred, resulting in a gliotic scar forming over the entire dentate gyrus. We conclude that neural-immune activation in the hippocampal organotypic slice culture preparation closely parallels similar responses observed in vivo and thus slice cultures represent an excellent model for further studies of neural-immune interactions resulting from lesion-induced injury in the central nervous system.     

Effect of dexamethasone on elevated cytokine mRNA levels in chemical-induced hippocampal injury.

An acute administration of the hippocampal toxicant trimethyltin (TMT) produced a specific pattern of neuronal necrosis in dentate granule cells with accompanying astrogliosis and initiation of a cytokine response within 24 hours. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the anti-inflammatory agent, dexamethasone (DEX), on the pattern of cytokine expression and neuronal degeneration occurring after an acute TMT injection. Dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg) was administered to 21-day-old male mice 1 hour prior to an injection of TMT hydroxide (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Mice receiving 0.2 mg/kg DEX received a second injection 6 hours after TMT. Twenty-four hours later, neuronal necrosis and astrogliosis were assessed and found to be similar in animals treated with TMT, either in the presence or absence of dexamethasone. Pretreatment with dexamethasone failed to prevent the neurodegeneration and astrogliosis. The TMT-induced injury response was represented in elevations of mRNA levels for the injury-associated host response genes glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), EB22/5.3, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). The combination of DEX and TMT produced increased elevation in mRNA levels for EB22/5.3 and ICAM, while GFAP levels remained the same as with TMT alone. The injury response from TMT was accompanied by elevations in mRNA levels for the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, TNFbeta, and interleukin (IL)-1alpha. Treatment with dexamethasone prior to TMT resulted in significantly elevated levels of TNFalpha, TNFbeta, and IL-1alpha as compared to TMT alone. These data represent the inability of glucocorticoids to downregulate the injury response in rat hippocampus following a systemic injection of TMT and suggest a stimulation and "priming" of hippocampal cells by dexamethasone.     

Effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha central administration on hippocampal damage in rat induced by amyloid beta-peptide (25-35)

Male Wistar rats received unilateral intrahippocampal injections of 3 nmol (3.18 microg) aggregated Abeta(25-35), intracerebroventricular bilateral injections of 0.5 microg human recombinant TNFalpha or both (Abeta(25-35) + TNFalpha-treated animals). Seven days after the surgery brain sections were stained with cresyl violet (Nissl), for fragmented DNA (TUNEL), glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) and isolectin B4-reactive microglia. In addition, caspase-3 activity in brain regions was measured fluorometrically. The morphology of the hippocampus after the injection of Abeta(25-35) or both Abeta(25-35) and TNFalpha (but not TNFalpha alone) showed cell loss in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer. The extension of neuronal degeneration measured in the CA1 field was significantly larger in Abeta(25-35)-treated groups compared to the contralateral hemisphere of both vehicle-treated controls and animals injected with TNFalpha alone. TNFalpha augmented the Abeta(25-35)-induced damage, significantly increasing the extension of degenerating area. Administration of Abeta(25-35) caused reactive gliosis in the ipsilateral hemisphere as demonstrated by upregulation of GFAP expression and the presence of hypertrophic astrocytes in the hippocampus. This effect was much more prominent in the hippocampi of rats treated with Abeta(25-35) + TNFalpha but absent after administration of TNFalpha alone. In both Abeta(25-35)-treated groups, the damaged area of the hippocampal CA1 field and lateral band of dentate gyrus displayed many darkly stained round isolectin B4-positive phagocyte-like microglial cells. Sparse TUNEL-positive nuclei were found in the hippocampi of rats treated with Abeta(25-35) alone or together with TNFalpha, but not in the control brain sections or in brain sections of TNFalpha-injected animals. The activity of caspase-3 increased significantly in the ipsilateral hippocampus after the injection of Abeta(25-35). Surprisingly, administration of TNFalpha into the cerebral ventricles prevented this Abeta(25-35)-induced increase in hippocampal caspase-3 activity. The results are discussed from the perspective of dual (neuroprotective and neurodestructive) roles of TNF in the brain.     

Neuronal degeneration and glial cell-responses following trimethyltin intoxication in the rat

Trimethyltin (TMT) preferentially induces neuronal changes in the hippocampus and pyriform cortex. In the present study we investigated the time course of microglial and astroglial responses associated with neurodegeneration after the administration of TMT (i.p. 9 mg/kg or 12 mg/kg body weight) in the rat. At a dosage of 9 mg/kg TMT, neurodegeneration was clearly demonstrated in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus as argyrophilic (dark) neurons by day 4 using the Gallyas-Braak (G-B) impregnation method that has been shown to be sensitive and specific for neurodegeneration. Early microglial response was immunohistochemically shown with anti-microglial response factor-1 (MRF-1) antibody in the CA3 by day 1, preceding neurodegeneration morphologically detected by the G-B method. Activation of astrocytes was revealed by immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) by day 2. In parallel with the maximal neurodegeneration, large numbers of hypertrophied microglia and astrocytes were observed in the CA1 and CA3 by day 7. Numbers of degenerative neurons appeared to be closely associated with adjacent microglia by the double staining of G-B impregnation and MRF-1 immunohistochemistry. The number of reactive microglia considerably decreased to the resting state by day 14, while hypertrophied astrocytes were still prominent in the CA3 up to day 21. With the high dose of TMT, granule cells in the dentate gyrus and CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cells were significantly impregnated. After TMT treatment, accompaning neurodegeneration we observed early response of microglia and prolonged activation of astrocytes, suggesting an individual role of glial cells in maintenance and repair of damaged neurons following brain injury.     

Expression of vimentin increases in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex after entorhinal cortex lesioning and in response to transforming growth factor β 1

Entorhinal cortex lesions (ECL) that damage the perforant path to the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation were used to model the regulation of vimentin (VIM) mRNA. ECL increased VIM mRNA in the ipsilateral hippocampus and in the ipsilateral cortex including the wound cavity within 1 day. By in situ hybridization, at 4 days post-ECL, VIM mRNA increased two-fold in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. VIM protein was co-localized by immunocytochemistry to astrocytes and microglia/macrophages. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which was previously shown to increase in microglia/macrophages of the molecular layer after hippocampal deafferentation by ECL, was investigated as a regulator of VIM expression. Infusions of TGF-β1 into the lateral ventricle induced VIM mRNA with dose-dependence e.g. infusion of 100 ng TGF-β1 increased VIM mRNA three-fold. The increase in VIM mRNA was localized by in situ hybridization to astrocytes and microglia in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. These findings further implicate TGF-β1 as a regulator of cytoskeletal proteins during synaptic reorganization.     

Beneficial effect of cilostazol‐mediated neuronal repair following trimethyltin‐induced neuronal loss in the dentate gyrus

Cilostazol acts as an antiplatelet agent and has other pleiotropic effects based on phosphodiesterase‐3‐dependent mechanisms. We evaluated whether cilostazol would have a beneficial effect on neuronal repair following hippocampal neuronal damage by using a mouse model of trimethyltin (TMT)‐induced neuronal loss/self‐repair in the hippocampal dentate gyrus [Ogita et al. (2005) J Neurosci Res 82:609?621]; these mice will hereafter be referred to as impaired animals. A single treatment with cilostazol (10 mg/kg, i.p.) produced no significant change in the number of 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU)‐incorporating cells in the dentate granule cell layer (GCL) or subgranular zone on day 3 after TMT treatment. However, chronic treatment with cilostazol on days 3–15 posttreatment resulted in an increase in the number of BrdU‐incorporating cells in the dentate GCL of the impaired animals, and these cells were positive for neuronal nuclear antigen or doublecortin. Cilostazol was effective in elevating the level of phosphorylated cyclic adrenosine monophosphate response element‐binding protein (pCREB) in the dentate gyrus of impaired animals. The results of a forced swimming test revealed that the chronic treatment with cilostazol improved the depression‐like behavior seen in the impaired animals. In the cultures of hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells, exposure to cilostazol produced not only enhancement of proliferation activity but also elevation of pCREB levels. Taken together, our data suggest that cilostazol has a beneficial effect on neuronal repair following neuronal loss in the dentate gyrus through promotion of proliferation and/or neuronal differentiation of neural progenitor cells in the subgranular zone. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Regeneration of granule neurons after lesioning of hippocampal dentate gyrus: evaluation using adult mice treated with trimethyltin chloride as a model

The hippocampal dentate gyrus in adult animals is known to contain neural progenitors that proliferate and differentiate into neurons in response to brain injury. Little has been observed, however, on regeneration of the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus that has been directly injured. Using trimethyltin (TMT)-treated mice as an in vivo model, we evaluated the ability of this layer to regenerate after injury. The administration of TMT induced neuronal death in the dentate gyrus selectively 2 days later, with recovery of granule neurons on day 14 and thereafter. At an early stage (days 2-5) after the damage by TMT treatment, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation into at least two different types of cells was facilitated in the dentate gyrus: BrdU-positive/neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN)-negative cells were found predominantly in the subgranular zone and granule cell layer, whereas BrdU-positive/NeuN-positive cells were numerous in the dentate molecular layer and hilus. In addition, expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, nestin, NeuroD3, and doublecortin, which are markers for proliferating cells and neural progenitors/neuronal precursors, was extremely enhanced in the dentate gyrus at the early stage after treatment. Double staining revealed that BrdU was colocalized with nestin and doublecortin in the subgranular zone. Behavioral analysis revealed that TMT-induced cognition impairment was ameliorated by day 14 after the treatment. Taken together, our data indicate that the hippocampal dentate gyrus itself is capable of regenerating the neuronal cell layer through rapid enhancement of neurogenesis after injury.     

S100b counteracts effects of the neurotoxicant trimethyltin on astrocytes and microglia

Central nervous system degenerative diseases are often characterized by an early, strong reaction of astrocytes and microglia. Both these cell types can play a double role, protecting neurons against degeneration through the synthesis and secretion of trophic factors or inducing degeneration through the secretion of toxic molecules. Therefore, we studied the effects of S100B and trimethyltin (TMT) on human astrocytes and microglia with two glial models, primary cultures of human fetal astrocytes and a microglia cell line. After treatment with 10(-5) M TMT, astrocytes showed morphological alterations associated with an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and changes in GFAP filament organization. Administration of S100B before TMT treatment prevented TMT-induced changes in morphology and GFAP expression. A decrease in inducible nitric oxide synthase expression was observed in astrocytes treated with TMT, whereas the same treatment induced iNOS expression in microglia. In both cases, S100B prevented TMT-induced changes. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA expression in astrocytes was not modified by TMT treatment, whereas it was increased in microglia cells. S100B pretreatment blocked the TMT-induced increase in TNF-alpha expression in microglia. To trace the mechanisms involved in S100B activity, the effect of BAY 11-7082, an inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation, and of PD98059, an inhibitor of MEK-ERK1/2, were investigated. Results showed that the protective effects of S100B against TMT toxicity in astrocytes depend on NF-kappaB, but not on ERK1/2 activation. These results might help in understanding the role played by glial cells in brain injury after exposure to chemical neurotoxicants and support the view that S100B may protect brain cells in case of injury. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Beneficial effects of the phytoestrogen genistein on hippocampal impairments of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

Hippocampal neuropathology is a recognized feature of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). The hippocampal alterations associate with cognitive impairment. We have shown that hippocampal abnormalities are reversed by 17β-estradiol, a steroid binding to intracellular receptors (estrogen receptor α and β subtypes) or the membrane-located G-protein coupled estradiol receptor. Genistein (GEN) is a neuroprotective phytoestrogen which binds to estrogen receptor β and G-protein coupled estradiol receptor. Here, we investigated whether GEN neuroprotection extends to SHR. For this purpose, we treated 5-month-old SHR for 2 weeks with 10 mg kg⁻¹ daily s.c injections of GEN. We analyzed the expression of doublecortin+ neuronal progenitors, glial fibrillary acidic protein+ astrocytes and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1+ microglia in the CA1 region and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus using immunocytochemistry, whereas a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α, cyclooxygenase-2 and transforming growth factor β. We also evaluated hippocampal dependent memory using the novel object recognition test. The results showed a decreased number of doublecortin+ neural progenitors in the dentate gyrus of SHR that was reversed with GEN. The number of glial fibrillary acidic protein+ astrocytes in the dentate gyrus and CA1 was increased in SHR but significantly decreased by GEN treatment. Additionally, GEN shifted microglial morphology from the predominantly activated phenotype present in SHR, to the more surveillance phenotype found in normotensive rats. Furthermore, treatment with GEN decreased the mRNA of the pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α and cyclooxygenase-2 and increased the mRNA of the anti-inflammatory factor transforming growth factor β. Discrimination index in the novel object recognition test was decreased in SHR and treatment with GEN increased this parameter. Our results indicate important neuroprotective effects of GEN at the neurochemical and behavioral level in SHR. Our data open an interesting possibility for proposing this phytoestrogen as an alternative therapy in hypertensive encephalopathy.     

Hypothyroidism affects astrocyte and microglial morphology in type 2 diabetes

In the present study,we investigated the effects of hypothyroidism on the morphology of astrocytes and microglia in the hippocampus of Zucker diabetic fatty rats and Zucker lean control rats.To induce hypothyroidism,Zucker lean control and Zucker diabetic fatty rats at 7 weeks of age orally received the vehicle or methimazole,an anti-thyroid drug,treatment for 5 weeks and were sacrificed at 12 weeks of age in all groups for blood chemistry and immunohistochemical staining.In the methimazole-treated Zucker lean control and Zucker diabetic fatty rats,the serum circulating triiodothyronine(T3)and thyroxine(T4)levels were significantly decreased compared to levels observed in the vehicle-treated Zucker lean control or Zucker diabetic fatty rats.This reduction was more prominent in the methimazole-treated Zucker diabetic fatty group.Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactive astrocytes and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(Iba-1)-immunoreactive microglia in the Zucker lean control and Zucker diabetic fatty group were diffusely detected in the hippocampal CA1 region and dentate gyrus.There were no significant differences in the glial fibrillary acidic protein and Iba-1 immunoreactivity in the CA1 region and dentate gyrus between Zucker lean control and Zucker diabetic fatty groups.However,in the methimazole-treated Zucker lean control and Zucker diabetic fatty groups,the processes of glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactive astrocytes and Iba-1 immunoreactive microglia,were significantly decreased in both the CA1region and dentate gyrus compared to that in the vehicle-treated Zucker lean control and Zucker diabetic fatty groups.These results suggest that diabetes has no effect on the morphology of astrocytes and microglia and that hypothyroidism during the onset of diabetes prominently reduces the processes of astrocytes and microglia.     

Glucose metabolism and neurogenesis in the gerbil hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia

Recent evidence exists that glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) plays an important role in the energy metabo-lism in the brain. Most previous studies have been conducted using focal or hypoxic ischemia models and have focused on changes in GLUT3 expression based on protein and mRNA levels rather than tissue levels. In the present study, we observed change in GLUT3 immunoreactivity in the adult gerbil hippocampus at various time points after 5 minutes of transient forebrain ischemia. In the sham-operated group, GLUT3 immunoreactivity in the hippocampal CA1 region was weak, in the pyramidal cells of the CA1 region in-creased in a time-dependent fashion 24 hours after ischemia, and in the hippocampal CA1 region decreased signiifcantly between 2 and 5 days after ischemia, with high level of GLUT3 immunoreactivity observed in the CA1 region 10 days after ischemia. In a double immunolfuorescence study using GLUT3 and gli-al-ifbrillary acidic protein (GFAP), we observed strong GLUT3 immunoreactivity in the astrocytes. GLUT3 immunoreactivity increased after ischemia and peaked 7 days in the dentate gyrus after ischemia/reperfu-sion. In a double immunolfuorescence study using GLUT3 and doublecortin (DCX), we observed low level of GLUT3 immunoreactivity in the differentiated neuroblasts of the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus after ischemia. GLUT3 immunoreactivity in the sham-operated group was mainly detected in the subgran-ular zone of the dentate gyrus. These results suggest that the increase in GLUT3 immunoreactivity may be a compensatory mechanism to modulate glucose level in the hippocampal CA1 region and to promote adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus.     

Differential modulation of hippocampal chemical-induced injury response by ebselen,pentoxifylline, and TNFalpha-, IL-1alpha-, and IL-6-neutralizing antibodies

The proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been associated with various models of hippocampal damage. To examine their role in initiation of an acute hippocampal injury response, 21-day-old male CD-1 mice received an acute intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of trimethyltin hydroxide (TMT; 2.0 mg/kg) to produce necrosis of dentate granule neurons, astrocyte, and microglia reactivity. Tremors and intermittent seizures were evident at 24 hr. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), anti-apoptotic TNFalpha-inducible early response gene (A-20), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, TNFalpha, IL-1alpha, IL-6, and caspase 3 mRNA levels were significantly elevated. Pretreatment with the antioxidant, ebselen, decreased ICAM-1, A-20, and TNFbeta elevations. Pentoxifylline blocked elevations in A-20 and decreased elevations in GFAP mRNA levels. Neither prevented histopathology or behavioral effects. Intracisternal injection of TNFalpha-neutralizing antibody significantly inhibited both behavioral effects and histopathology. RNase protection assays showed that TMT-induced elevations in mRNA levels for ICAM-1, A-20, GFAP, MIP-1alpha, IL-1alpha, TNFalpha, TNFbeta, and caspase 3 were blocked by anti-TNFalpha. These data demonstrate a significant role for TNFalpha in an acute neuro-injury in the absence of contribution from infiltrating cells. The cerebellum shows limited if any damage after TMT; however, in combination with the i.c.v. injection, elevations were seen in GFAP and in EB-22, a murine acute-phase response gene homologous to the alpha (1)-antichymotrypsin gene. Elevations were similar for artificial cerebral spinal fluid and anti-IL-1alpha, and significantly increased with anti-TNFalpha, anti-IL-6, or the combination of antibodies. Responses seen in the cerebellum suggest synergistic interactions between the baseline state of the cell and manipulations in the cytokine environment. Data suggests a role for TNFalpha in the pathogenesis of hippocampal injury induced by TMT.     

Akebia saponin D acts via the PPAR-gamma pathway to reprogramme a pro-neurogenic microglia that can restore hippocampal neurogenesis in mice exposed to chronic mild stress

Background

Using drugs to modulate microglial function may be an effective way to treat disorders, such as depression, that involve impaired neurogenesis. Akebia saponin D (ASD) can cross the blood–brain barrier and exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, so we wondered whether it might influence adult hippocampal neurogenesis to treat depression.

Methods

We exposed C57BL/6 mice to chronic mild stress (CMS) as a model of depression and then gave them ASD intraperitoneally once daily for 3 weeks. We investigated the effects of ASD on microglial phenotype, hippocampal neurogenesis, and animal behavior. The potential role of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) or BDNF–TrkB pathway in the pro-neurogenesis and anti-depressant of ASD was identified using there inhibitors GW9662 and K252a, respectively. The neurogenic effects of ASD-treated microglia were evaluated using conditioned culture methods.

Results

We found that CMS upregulated pro-inflammatory factors and inhibited hippocampal neurogenesis in dentate gyrus of mice, while inducing depressive-like behaviors. Dramatically, ASD (40 mg/kg) treatment reprogrammed an arginase (Arg)-1⁺ microglial phenotype in dentate gyrus, which increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and restored the hippocampal neurogenesis, and partially ameliorated the depressive-like behaviors of the CMS-exposed mice. K252a or neurogenesis inhibitor blocked the pro-neurogenic, anti-depressant effects of ASD. Furthermore, ASD activated PPAR-γ in dentate gyrus of CMS mice as well as in primary microglial cultures treated with lipopolysaccharide. Blocking the PPAR-γ using GW9962 suppressed the ASD-reprogrammed Arg-1⁺ microglia and BDNF expression in dentate gyrus of CMS mice. Such blockade abolished the promoted effects of ASD-treated microglia on NSPC proliferation, survival, and neurogenesis. The pro-neurogenic and anti-depressant effects of ASD were blocked by GW9962.

Conclusion

These results suggested that ASD acts via the PPAR-γ pathway to induce a pro-neurogenic microglia in dentate gyrus of CMS mice that can increase BDNF expression and promote NSPC proliferation, survival, and neurogenesis.     

Involvement of microglia-neuron interactions in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha release,microglial activation,and neurodegeneration induced by trimethyltin

Trimethyltin (TMT) is a neurotoxicant known to induce early microglial activation. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role played by these microglial cells in the TMT-induced neurotoxicity. The effects of TMT were investigated in monolayer cultures of isolated microglia or in neuron-enriched cultures and in neuron-microglia and astrocyte-microglia cocultures. The end points used were morphological criteria; evaluation of cell death and cell proliferation; and measurements of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nitric oxide (NO) release in culture supernatant. The results showed that, in cultures of microglia, TMT (10(-6) M) caused, after a 5-day treatment, an increased release of TNF-alpha, without affecting microglial shape or cell viability. When microglia were cocultured with astrocytes, TNF-alpha release was decreased to undetectable levels. In contrast, in neuron-microglia cocultures, TNF-alpha levels were found to increase at lower concentrations of TMT (i.e., 10(-8) M). Moreover, at 10(-6) M of TMT, microglia displayed further morphological activation, as suggested by process retraction and by decrease in cell size. No morphological activation was observed in cultures of isolated microglial cells and in astrocyte-microglia cocultures. With regard to neurons, 10(-6) M of TMT induced about 30% of cell death, when applied to neuron-enriched cultures, whereas close to 100% of neuronal death was observed in neuron-microglia cocultures. In conclusion, whereas astrocytes may rather dampen the microglial activation by decreasing microglial TNF-alpha production, neuronal-microglial interactions lead to enhanced microglial activation. This microglial activation, in turn, exacerbates the neurotoxic effects of TMT. TNF-alpha may play a major role in such cell-cell communications.     

Neurotrophin receptor immunoreactivity in the hippocampus of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

Recent evidence supports a critical role of neurotrophins in the regulation of both neuronal survival and synaptic transmission during epileptogenesis. We have examined the immunohistochemical expression of high- (tyrosine kinase receptors, trk) and low-affinity (p75) neurotrophin receptors (NTRs) in the hippocampal specimens from 18 patients with chronic temporal lobe epilepsy [TLE; 14 patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and four with focal lesions (tumours) not involving the hippocampus proper]. Nonepileptic autopsy brains (n = 6) and surgical specimens from tumour patients without epilepsy (n = 3) were used as controls. Immunoreactivity (IR) for the trk receptors (trkA, trkB, trkC) was detected in normal human brain within the pyramidal neurones of hippocampal cornus ammoni (CA) regions and in the dentate gyrus. There were no detectable differences in the neuronal trk IR patterns in the hippocampus between control and TLE cases with HS, except for a decrease in neuronal density in regions where cell death had occurred (CA1, CA3 and CA4). In contrast, a consistent increase in trkA IR was observed in reactive astrocytes in CA1 and dentate gyrus. The low-affinity p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) was expressed in low levels in postnatal normal hippocampus. In contrast, neuronal p75(NTR) IR was detected in 10/14 cases of HS in spared neurones within the CA and hilar regions of the hippocampus. Double labelling revealed that p75(NTR)-positive neurones also contain trk receptor IR. In six cases with prominent glial activation strong p75(NTR) IR was observed in microglial cells within the sclerotic hippocampus. The present results indicate that changes in NTR expression are still detectable in the hippocampus of patients with chronic TLE and involve both glial and neuronal cells. Reactive astrocytes were immunoreactive for trkA, whereas activated microglia cells were reactive for p75(NTR), suggesting different functions for specific NTRs in the development of reactive gliosis. Moreover, the increased expression of p75(NTR) in hippocampal neurones of TLE patients may critically influence the neuronal survival during the epileptogenic process.     

Age and gender effects on microglia and astrocyte numbers in brains of mice

The morphological changes that occur during normal brain aging are not well understood. This study used modern stereology to assess the effects of age and gender on total numbers of astrocytes and microglia in the hippocampal formation in C57Bl/6NNIA (B6) mice. Astrocytes and microglia were visualized using immunocytochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and complement receptor 3 (Mac-1), respectively, and numbers of each cell type in dentate gyrus (DG) and CA1 regions were estimated using the optical fractionator method. The results reveal significantly greater ( approximately 20%) numbers of microglia and astrocytes in aged females compared to young female B6 mice. We also report that on average female B6 mice have 25-40% more astrocytes and microglia in DG and CA1 regions than age-matched male C57Bl/6J mice. Since astrocytes and microglia are thought to be targets of gonadal hormones, the effects of sex hormones and reproductive aging may be responsible for these findings.