From the Cover: GalR2-positive allosteric modulator exhibits anticonvulsant effects in animal models

Galanin receptors type 1 (GalR1) and/or type 2 (GalR2) represent unique pharmacological targets for treatment of seizures and epilepsy. Previous studies have shown that the endogenous peptide ligand galanin exerts powerful anticonvulsant effect through activation of these two G protein-coupled receptors, which are highly expressed in the temporal lobe of rodent brain. Here we report the characterization of a putative GalR2-positive allosteric modulator CYM2503. CYM2503 potentiated the galanin-stimulated IP1 accumulation in HEK293 cells stably expressing GalR2 receptor, whereas it exhibited no detectable affinity for the ¹²⁵I galanin–binding site of GalR2 receptor, an effect consistent with that of a positive allosteric modulator. In the rat Li-pilocarpine status epilepticus model, CYM2503, injected intraperitoneally, increased the latency to first electrographic seizure and the latency to first stage 3 behavioral seizure, decreased the latency to the establishment of status epilepticus, and dramatically decreased the mortality. In a Li-pilocarpine seizure model in mice, CYM2503 increased the latency to first electrographic seizure and decreased the total time in seizure. CYM2503 also attenuated electroshock-induced seizures in mice. Thus, CYM2503 provides a starting point for the development of anticonvulsant therapy using the galanin R2 receptor as target.     

Roles of periaqueductal gray and nucleus tractus solitarius in cardiorespiratory function in the rat brainstem

Periaqueductal gray (PAG) and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) are important centres for regulation of cardiorespiratory function in cats. We aimed to study the effects of specific PAG stimulation on cardiorespiratory parameters in the rat. Microinjection of D, L-homocysteic acid (DLH) into dorsolateral PAG of anaesthetised rats, led to: marked increases in respiratory frequency (RF) and amplitude of diaphragmatic electromyogram, decreases in inspiratory and expiratory durations, and increased blood pressure and heart rate. Following injection of propranolol (150 pmol, 30 nl), a beta-adrenergic antagonist, into the commissural subnucleus of NTS, the DLH-induced increase in RF was markedly attenuated. Inspiratory neurones (late I cells) in NTS were excited upon stimulation of PAG and their increased activity was accompanied by increased RF. The changes in activity of the late I cells in response to stimulation of dorsolateral PAG provide physiological evidence of a link, possibly noradrenergic, between the two nuclei and involvement of the NTS in control of respiratory functions orchestrated by the PAG.     

Expression of GalR1 and GalR2 galanin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in proopiomelanocortin neurons of the rat arcuate nucleus: effect of testosterone

Previous studies have shown that galanin-containing fibers make synaptic contacts with POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus. However, the ability of POMC neurons to express galanin receptors has never been assessed. The present study was designed to investigate whether POMC neurons express galanin receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) and whether testosterone could modulate galanin receptor gene expression. A dual-labeling in situ hybridization histochemistry, using 35S-labeled (galanin receptors GalR1 or GalR2) and digoxigenin-labeled (POMC) riboprobes, was performed on brain sections from intact, castrated, and testosterone-replaced adult male rats. For analysis, the arcuate nucleus was divided into four rostro-caudal areas. The results revealed that both GalR1 and GalR2 mRNAs were expressed in POMC neurons. Most POMC neurons expressing galanin receptor mRNAs were found in the rostral parts of the nucleus. Castration reduced the labeling density of galanin receptor mRNAs in POMC neurons, and testosterone prevented the effects of castration in all rostro-caudal subdivisions of the arcuate nucleus. Taken together, these data indicate that galanin can directly modulate the activity of POMC neurons, via an action on GalR1 or GalR2 receptors, particularly in the rostral-arcuate nucleus. In addition, testosterone can modulate the expression of GalR1 and GalR2. Because POMC neurons located in the rostral part of the nucleus are known to project preferentially to the preoptic area, POMC neurons expressing the galanin receptor genes may play an important role in the regulation of the GnRH neuroendocrine axis.     

运动对慢性应激所致抑郁样老年大鼠行为异常及神经内分泌的影响

目的探讨运动对慢性不可预见温和应激(CUMS)抑郁老年大鼠行为学及血清皮质醇和促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)浓度的影响。方法 50只雄性老年SD大鼠随机分为对照组、CUMS组、低强度跑台运动训练(LITT)组、中等强度跑台运动训练(MITT)组、高强度跑台运动训练(HITT)组。采用CUMS加孤养复制老年大鼠抑郁模型。采用旷场实验得分和强迫游泳实验评价各组大鼠行为学改变,分别采用ELISA和放射免疫方法检测血清皮质醇、ACTH浓度。结果与对照组比较,CUMS组大鼠血清皮质醇和ACTH浓度增高(P<0.01);与CUMS组比较,LITT组、MITT组和HITT组大鼠水平运动和垂直运动增多、清理次数增加,中央格停留时间缩短,血清皮质醇和ACTH浓度降低(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论 CUMS可使老年大鼠行为及内分泌发生异常改变,引起抑郁;适度的运动可调节CUMS引起的下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴功能亢进,具有抗抑郁及降低抑郁程度的作用。     

白藜芦醇对糖尿病大鼠肾脏叉头转录因子O1表达的影响

以链脲佐菌素诱导建立糖尿病大鼠模型,白藜芦醇治疗12周后,与糖尿病未治疗组比较,治疗组大鼠尿白蛋白、血肌酐和尿素氮明显降低(均P＜0.05),肾脏病理学变化明显改善,肾脏叉头转录因子O1( FoxO1)、过氧化氢酶mRNA表达均明显升高(P＜0.05),FoxO1蛋白磷酸化水平明显降低(P＜0.05),提示白藜芦醇可能通过调节FoxO1的表达而对糖尿病肾脏起保护作用.     

T-type channels control the opioidergic descending analgesia at the low threshold-spiking GABAergic neurons in the periaqueductal gray

Endogenous opioids generate analgesic signals in the periaqueductal gray (PAG). However, because cell types in the PAG are difficult to identify, its neuronal mechanism has remained poorly understood. To address this issue, we characterized PAG neurons by their electrical properties using differentially labeled GABAergic and output neurons in the PAG. We found that GABAergic neurons were mostly fast-spiking cells and could be further divided into two distinct classes: with or without low-threshold spikes (LTS) driven by T-type channels. In contrast, the PAG output neurons lacked LTS and showed heterogeneous firing patterns. To reveal the function of the LTS, we examined the mutant mice lacking the α1G T-type channels (α1G^−/−). The mutant mice lacked LTS in the fast-spiking GABAergic neurons of the PAG and unexpectedly showed impaired opioid-dependent analgesia; a similar phenotype was reproduced in PAG-specific α1G-knockdown mice. Electrophysiological analyses revealed functional expression of μ-opioid receptors in the low threshold-spiking GABAergic neurons. These neurons in the mutant lacking LTS showed markedly enhanced discharge activities, which led to an augmented inhibition of output neurons. Furthermore, the impaired analgesia observed in α1G^−/− mice was reversed by blocking local GABA_A receptors. These results indicate that α1G T-type channels are critical for the opioidergic descending analgesia system in the PAG.     

Receptor subtype-specific pronociceptive and analgesic actions of galanin in the spinal cord: selective actions via GalR1 and GalR2 receptors

Galanin is a 29-aa neuropeptide with a complex role in pain processing. Several galanin receptor subtypes are present in dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord with a differential distribution. Here, we describe a generation of a specific galanin R2 (GalR2) agonist, AR-M1896, and its application in studies of a rat neuropathic pain model (Bennett). The results show that in normal rats mechanical and cold allodynia of the hindpaw are induced after intrathecal infusion of low-dose galanin (25 ng per 0.5 microl/h). The same effect is seen with equimolar doses of AR-M1896 or AR-M961, an agonist both at GalR1 and GalR2 receptors. In allodynic Bennett model rats, the mechanical threshold increased dose-dependently after intrathecal injection of a high dose of AR-M961, whereas no effect was observed in the control or AR-M1896 group. No effect of either of the two compounds was observed in nonallodynic Bennett model rats. These data indicate that a low dose of galanin has a nociceptive role at the spinal cord level mediated by GalR2 receptors, whereas the antiallodynic effect of high-dose galanin on neuropathic pain is mediated by the GalR1 receptors. Thus, a selective GalR1 agonist may be used to treat neuropathic pain.     

Involvement of dopamine D2 autoreceptors in the ventral tegmental area on alcohol and saccharin intake of the alcohol-preferring P rat

BACKGROUND: The ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) system is considered to be involved in mediating the actions of ethanol (EtOH). The objective of the present study was to examine the role of VTA DA D2 receptors in regulating EtOH intake of alcohol-preferring P rats. METHODS: EtOH (10% v/v) and saccharin (SACC, 0.0125% g/v) intake during 2 hr of limited access was assessed after microinjections of the D2 agonist quinpirole and the D2 antagonist sulpiride into the anterior VTA (AVTA) of female P rats. Both EtOH-SACC alternate-day-access conditions and daily availability of EtOH and SACC solutions to separate groups of subjects were used. A second D2 agonist, quinelorane, and coadministration of 2.0 microg sulpiride with 2.0 microg quinpirole were tested in animals given limited access to EtOH. Finally, the effects of quinpirole injected 2 mm dorsal to the VTA and within the posterior VTA (PVTA) were assessed under EtOH-SACC alternate-day-access conditions. RESULTS: Microinjections of 2.0-6.0 microg quinpirole into the AVTA dose dependently decreased EtOH intake 40-80% during the first 30 min of the limited access sessions but did not alter SACC intake. Injections of 2.0-4.0 microg quinelorane into the AVTA also reduced EtOH intake in the first 30 min. Administration of 0.5-2.0 microg sulpiride into the AVTA had no effect on either EtOH or SACC intakes but did attenuate the effects of quinpirole on reducing EtOH intake. Injections of 2.0-4.0 quinpirole 2 mm dorsal to the VTA did not alter EtOH or SACC intakes. Posterior VTA injections of quinpirole decreased EtOH and SACC intakes approximately 25-30% and 60-70%, respectively, in the first 30 min. None of the treatments altered intakes during the 30-120 min period. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that DA neuronal activity within the AVTA may be important for maintaining EtOH drinking in P rats, whereas DA neuronal activity within the PVTA may be involved in regulating general drinking and/or motivational behaviors. Overall, the results confirm the involvement of mesolimbic DA in EtOH self-administration and suggest that there is functional heterogeneity within the VTA regulating drinking behavior of the P rat.     

Involvement of growth factor receptor-bound protein-2 in rat hepatocyte growth

Growth factor receptor-bound protein-2 (GRB-2) is a protein linking receptor tyrosine kinase and Sos ( Son of Sevenless gene; Ras GDP/GTP exchange protein), leading to activation of the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. So far, it remains unclear how GRB-2 plays a role in signal transduction pathways evoked by hepatotrophic factors. This study was attempted to evaluate the involvement of GRB-2 in signalling in rat hepatocyte growth. Using rat cultured hepatocytes stimulated by hepatotrophic factors and regenerating livers after partial hepatectomy (PH) we examined GRB-2-mediated linkage of hepatotrophic factor receptors to signal transducing molecules such as Sos or dynamin-II by immunoprecipitation and western blot analysis. In primary cultured hepatocytes stimulated with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) or epidermal growth factor (EGF), GRB-2 linked HGF receptor or EGF receptor, respectively, to Sos which activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. In contrast, in primary cultured hepatocytes stimulated with insulin, GRB-2 linked insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) to dynamin-II as well as Sos. In the early phase after PH, GRB-2 activated the Ras-MAPK cascade by linking HGF receptor, IRS-1, or EGF receptor to Sos. In the late phase after PH, a complex of IRS-1-GRB-2 associated with dynamin-II, indicating that GRB-2 may transduce signals from IRS-1 to dynamin-II. We conclude that GRB-2 may play a role in transmitting signals from hepatotrophic factors to not only MAPK but also to other signalling pathways in hepatocyte growth.     

Involvement of splicing factor-1 in beta-catenin/T-cell factor-4-mediated gene transactivation and pre-mRNA splicing

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: beta-Catenin is the downstream effector of the Wnt signaling pathway and is involved in the process of colorectal carcinogenesis. However, it is still uncertain whether beta-catenin exerts its oncogenic function solely by coactivating the target genes of T-cell factor-4 (TCF4). We previously reported that the beta-catenin/TCF4 complex contains several classes of RNA-binding proteins and regulates the premessenger RNA splicing reaction, but the identity of the exact effector molecule downstream of the beta-catenin/TCF4 complex has not been established. METHODS: Using isotope-coded affinity tagging and mass spectrometry, we examined more than 4000 peptides derived from colorectal cancer cells and identified that splicing factor-1 (SF1) was one of the proteins whose expression is regulated by the beta-catenin/TCF4 complex. RESULTS: The expression of SF1 was found to be correlated with the differentiation status of intestinal epithelial cells and inversely correlated with tumorigenesis. Immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that SF1 was a complex, and beta-catenin-evoked gene transactivation and cell proliferation were negatively regulated by SF1 complementary DNA transfection. SF1 was essential for the induction of alternative splicing by the beta-catenin/TCF4 complex, and SF1 complementary DNA transfection induced known cancer-related splice variants, such as Wnt-induced secreted protein-1v and fibroblast growth factor receptor-3-ATII. CONCLUSIONS: The beta-catenin/TCF4 complex regulates the level of SF1 protein expression, and, conversely, SF1 interacts with the complex and regulates its gene transactivation and premessenger RNA splicing activities. Identification of the interaction may shed light on a novel aspect of the Wnt signaling pathway.     

High-fat diet induced hippocampal CREB dysfunction,cognitive impairment and depression-like behaviors via downregulation of interleukin-2 in the mice

Metabolic Brain Disease - Inhibition of hippocampal CREB signaling contributed to obesity-induced cognitive impairment. But, the potential mechanism by which obesity inhibits hippocampal CREB...     

微小RNA-106b参与内皮细胞介导的血管新生作用机制研究

目的研究微小RNA(microRNA,miR)-106b是否参与动脉粥样硬化相关的血管新生,明确miR-106b在内皮细胞中参与血管新生的作用机制。方法内皮细胞培养并转染miR-106b,分为miR-106b组、空白对照组和阴性对照组。提取RNA、反转录及实时定量PCR检测miR-106b相对表达量以明确转染效率。观察各组内皮细胞在凝固的基质胶中管腔形成情况。TUNEL法检测转染后细胞凋亡状况并进行靶基因的预测,采用Western blot法检测筛选的蛋白相对表达量变化。结果与空白对照组和阴性对照比较,miR-106b组在基质胶中管腔形成明显减少;与阴性对照组比较,miR-106b组管腔比值、信号转导及转录激活因子3mRNA相对表达量及蛋白表达明显降低(P<0.05,P<0.01)。阴性对照组与miR-106b组细胞凋亡率比较,差异无统计学意义(1.19%vs 3.39%,P>0.05)。结论 miR-106b在内皮细胞抑制血管新生可能是通过下调信号转导及转录激活因子3,与血管内皮生长因子无直接关系。     

CDX2与DNMT1 mRNA在胃癌组织中的表达及临床意义

目的:研究尾型同源盒转录因子2(CDX2)mRNA和DNA甲基化转移酶1(DNMT1)mRNA在胃癌组织中的表达,探讨其临床意义.方法:应用实时定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测60例患者胃癌与相应远癌胃组织中CDX2与DNMT 1mRNA的表达,并分析其与胃癌临床病理特征的关系以及两者表达的相关性.结果:CDX2和DNMT1 mRNA在远癌胃组织中表达较低,在胃癌组织中表达显著升高;CDX2 mRNA的表达与胃癌的Lauren分型、临床TNM分期和淋巴结转移等因素有关(P<0.05),而DNMT1 mRNA的表达与分化程度、临床TNM分期和淋巴结转移等因素有关(P<0.05).两者在胃癌中的表达呈明显负相关(r=-0.385,P<0.05).结论:胃癌组织中CDX2表达下调与病情进展有关,DNMT1可能参与该过程的调控.