大鼠背根神经节神经元S-型与O-型H+-门控离子通道外向电流研究

目的 在前期工作的基础上,从药理学敏感性的角度出发,初步探讨S-型与O-型H+-门控离子通道外向电流的离子成分及其药理学特性.方法 采用全细胞膜片钳技术记录急性分离的大鼠背根神经节神经元H+-门控离子通道电流,测定S-型与O-型离子通道外向电流的药理学特性,分析其成分组成.结果 高浓度的胞外K+、CsC1、BaCl2、4-氨基吡啶(4-AP)、四乙基溴化铵(TEABr)、CdCl2、阿米洛利等抑制S-型与O-型H+-门控离子通道外向电流,而Ca2+络合剂EGTA和高浓度的胞外Ca2+则增强该外向电流;胞外Na+浓度的变化对该外向电流无明显影响.结论 S-型和O-型H+-门控离子通道电流的外向电流离子成分可能为钙依赖性钾电流.     

大鼠背根神经节神经元H+-门控离子通道电流分型及其基因型组成

目的根据大鼠背根神经节（DRG）神经元所记录的天然H^＋-门控离子通道电流特征将其进行分型，并探讨各型天然H^＋-门控离子通道与其基因型组成的酸敏感离子通道（ASICs）亚基间的相关性。方法采用全细胞膜片钳技术记录急性分离的大鼠DRG神经元H^＋-门控离子通道电流，结合单细胞免疫组化方法检测其基因型组成的ASICs亚基。结果依据H^＋-门控离子通道电流的激活及失活动力学、电流形状特点、细胞直径大小、pH依赖性等及其它参数可将H^＋-门控离子通道电流分为T-型、S．型、B-型和O-型。测定了四种类型H^＋-门控离子通道电流的激活（10%-90％21升时间）与细胞直径大小的相关性，其中T-型、B-型和O-型三种类型的激活动力学与细胞直径有关（r=0．69，P〈0．01），而S-型电流与细胞直径无关（r=0．12，P〉0．05）。对S-型电流（pH5．0）的浓度一效应关系进行了分析，其阈值在pH6．0左右，最大浓度〉2．0；在pH4．5-2．5之间出现-外向电流，浓度-效应曲线呈钟形。提供了Hi门控离子通道电流表型与其基因型的关系：T-型为ASIC1，ASIC2a，ASIC3；S．型为ASIC2a，ASIC4；B-型为ASIC1，ASIC3；O-型为ASIC1．ASIC3和ASIC4。结论大鼠DRG神经元天然H^＋-门控离子通道随着其亚基组构的改变．其电流特征也发生改变，推测系通道内向移动离子的选择性发生改变所致：其中T-型、B-型和O-型受体的神经元分布与其胞体直径相关。     

P物质对大鼠新鲜分离DRG神经元NMDA及GABA激活电流的调制作用

实验应用全细胞膜片钳技术在大鼠新鲜分离的背根神经节（ＤＲＧ）神经元胞体膜上观察到Ｐ物质（ＳＰ）对ＮＭＤＡ和ＧＡＢＡ激活电流有调制作用。单独给予ＳＰ（１０－８～１０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）可在ＤＲＧ神经元记录到一幅值较小的，浓度依赖性的无明显去敏感之内向电流。预加ＳＰ３０ｓ后，其对ＮＭＤＡ和ＧＡＢＡ激活电流分别具有明显的增强和抑制作用，而且ＳＰ对ＮＭＤＡ和ＧＡＢＡ激活电流的增强和抑制作用也是剂量依赖性的。如ＳＰ浓度为１０－７ｍｏｌ／Ｌ时，可使ＮＭＤＡ激活电流较之对照增强４６．３±７．２％（ｘ±ｓ，ｎ＝８）；使ＧＡＢＡ激活电流比对照减小３８．９±７．８％（ｘ±ｓ，ｎ＝６）．ＳＰ的此种调制作用可以在同一ＤＲＧ神经元上观察到。     

由感觉和交感节神经元组成的中枢外反射弧的形态学研究

用免疫细胞化学和辣根过氧化物酶（HRP）逆行追踪法研究了感觉神经节和交感神经节中P物质（SP）样免疫反应物的分布及两种神经节之间的联系。在所有背根节出现大量SP免疫阳性神经元胞体，但在胸交感干节和腹腔-前肠系膜神经节仅有大量的SP阳性纤维和终末，而无阳性胞体。分组切断与腹腔-前肠系膜神经节相联系的神经支后，该节内的SP免疫反应物仅在切断与背根节的联系后明显减少或消失。将HRP注入腹腔神经节，在同侧C8～L3背根节出现大量标记细胞。以上结果表明．在感节中的SP纤维和终末来自背根节初级传入神经元的轴突侧支，提示由初级传人神经元与交感节主细胞在中枢外直接形成了短反射环路。     

皮质酮对大鼠背根神经节细胞钙电流的快速抑制作用

探讨了皮质酮(Corticosterone)对急性分离的大鼠背根神经节细胞(DRG神经元)上电压依赖性钙通道电流的快速作用及作用机制.实验采用全细胞膜片钳方法,结果显示三种浓度的皮质酮,10-7mol/L,10-9mol/L,10-12mol/L均可以在3～5 s的时间内,快速抑制DRG神经元上的电压敏感钙通道电流,其平均抑制的程度分别为48%,37%和25%.且这种快速抑制作用在吹药15 s后可以达到最大,停药20 s后钙电流基本恢复为原来的大小.在外液中加入500 nmol/L的PKC抑制剂BIS之后,皮质酮的对钙电流的快速抑制作用被阻断,提示这一作用可能与PKC信号转导途径有关.     

一氧化氮供体SNP和DEA对培养海马神经元L-型钙电流的影响

目的观察NO供体DEA和SNP对大鼠海马培养神经元L-型钙电流的影响并对其机理进行初步探讨。方法L-型钙电流用膜片钳的全细胞模式进行记录。结果DEA和SNP这二种NO供体的主要效应为抑制作用。3 mmol/L DEA可抑制L-型钙电流,当电压去极化至10mV时,电流被抑制了29%。SNP对通道也主要起抑制作用,并且呈现剂量依赖性。当用NEM预处理以阻断S-亚硝化通路后,SNP仍对L-型钙电流产生相似的抑制作用,表明S-亚硝化机制不参与该调控作用。用10μmol/L ODQ预处理以阻断cGMP途径后,SNP仍对通道有抑制作用,表明存在另一种非cGMP通路的抑制性机制。结论上述结果表明,NO供体DEA和SNP对海马神经元L-型钙电流具有抑制作用,其作用机理主要是通过与cGMP途径和S-亚硝化修饰无关的途径。     

缩宫素对大鼠背根神经节神经元胞体膜的作用

应用细胞内记录技术,观察了缩宫素(OXT,10 -8～10-5 mol/L)对2～3周龄大鼠背根神经节神经元的作用.在受检的92个细胞中,有71个神经元滴加缩宫素产生明显的超极化反应.在滴加10-5mol/L缩宫素后, 膜电导由平均的3.68×10-7S增加约21.43%.灌流平衡液中的NaCl以氯化胆碱置代或用C d2+阻断Ca2+通道后,OXT引起超极化反应的幅值无明显变化.当灌流平衡液中含10-2 mol/L四乙基碘化铵后,OXT引起的超极化反应幅值明显减小.     

快速老化小鼠海马神经元电压门控离子通道特点

目的:观察快速老化小鼠(Senescence-accelerated mouse,SAM)海马神经元的基本离子通道特点,并对抗快速老化亚系(SAM-resistance/1,SAMR1)与快速老化亚系(SAM-prone/8,SAMP8)的基本离子通道特点进行了比较,探讨离子通道变化在衰老中的可能角色.方法:应用全细胞记录方式,观察并比较原代培养SAMR1和SAMP8海马神经元的电压门控离子通道及膜参数.结果:原代培养SAMR1和SAMP8海马神经元电压门控Na+通道电流(INa)和电压门控延迟整流K+通道电流(Ik)的电学特点和幅度基本一致.SAMP8的电压门控Ca2+通道电流(ICa)和瞬时外向K+通道电流(IA)的幅值则大于相同培养天数的SAMR1.经膜电容校正所得的ICa电流密度也表现出增大的变化规律.结论:SAMP8与SAMR1神经元间IA和ICa的差异可能与其神经系统变异而产生的学习记忆功能下降有关.     

体外培养大鼠皮质神经元机械性损伤后代谢型谷氨酸受体1a表达规律及其竞争性拮抗剂1-氨基茚满1，5-二羧酸的保护作用

体外培养大鼠皮质神经元机械性损伤模型,伤后30min,损伤神经元存活率较正常神经元明显下降,且随损伤程度加重神经元存活率随之降低。RT-PCR结果,显示神经元重度损伤1h后代谢型谷氨酸受体1a mRNA的表达明显升高。免疫组化染色发现神经元机械性损伤后30min,代谢型谷氨酸受体1a阳性细胞较正常神经元明显增多。伤后12h,1-氨基茚满1,5-二羧酸处理的损伤神经元乳酸脱氢酶活性较单纯损伤的神经元明显降低。伤后1h后1-氨基茚满1,5-二羧酸处理的损伤神经元较单纯损伤神经元细胞内Ca2 +浓度明显降低。提示皮质神经元机械性损伤后代谢型谷氨酸受体1a表达明显增强,创伤引起的神经细胞内游离Ca2 +浓度升高可被代谢型谷氨酸受体1a 拮抗剂1-氨基茚满1,5-二羧酸阻断,说明1-氨基茚满1,5-二羧酸有显著的神经保护作用。     

去甲肾上腺素对背根神经节神经元P物质释放的调节作用(英文)

目的观察激活或抑制α-肾上腺素受体是否影响体外培养的背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)神经元P物质(substance P,SP)的释放。方法胎龄15天的Wistar大鼠DRG神经元培养2天后,分别用去甲肾上腺素(nora-drenaline,NA)(1×10-4mol/L)、α1-受体拮抗剂哌唑嗪(1×10-6mol/L)+NA(1×10-4mol/L)、α2-受体拮抗剂育亨宾(1×10-5mol/L)+NA(1×10-4mol/L)孵育4天。用RT-PCR法检测DRG神经元编码SP蛋白的PPTmRNA表达水平,用Western blot法检测DRG神经元SP蛋白的表达水平,用酶联免疫吸附测定法检测SP的基础释放量和辣椒素刺激后的释放量。结果 NA单独孵育显著增加了DRG神经元辣椒素刺激后的SP释放量,α1-受体拮抗剂哌唑嗪预处理可阻断NA的效应,而α2-受体拮抗剂育亨宾不产生此作用。在各种实验条件下,PPT mRNA水平、SP蛋白表达水平和SP的基础释放量没有显著性差异。结论 NA通过激活α1-受体增加了DRG神经元辣椒素刺激后的SP释放量,这一作用可能与去甲肾上腺素能的疼痛调...     

TGF-β1 enhances the activity of acid-sensing ion channel in rat primary sensory neurons

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is an important member of multifunctional growth factor superfamily. It has been implicated in pain signaling, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Herein, we report that TGF-β1 can exert a sustained enhancing effect on the functional activity of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. Pre-application of TGF-β1 increased the amplitude of proton-gated currents in a dose-dependent manner. Enhancement of ASIC currents lasted for more than 30 min although TGF-β1 was treated once only. This sustained enhancement by TGF-β1 could be blocked by extracellular treatment of selective TGF-β receptor I antagonist SD-208, and abolished by blockade of intracellular several non-Smad-signaling pathways. TGF-β1 also sustainedly enhanced proton-evoked spikes in rat DRG neurons. Moreover, peripheral pre-treatment with TGF-β1 dose-dependently exacerbated nociceptive behaviors evoked by intraplantar injection of acetic acid through TGF-β receptor I in rats. These results suggested that TGF-β1 potentiated ASIC-mediated electrophysiological activity and nociceptive behaviors, which revealed a novel mechanism underlying TGF-β1 implicated in peripheral pain signaling by sensitizing ASICs.     

C-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Post-Translational Regulation of Pain-Related Acid-Sensing Ion Channels 1b and 3

Neuronal proton-gated acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) participate in the detection of tissue acidosis, a phenomenon often encountered in painful pathologic diseases. Such conditions often involve in parallel the activation of various signaling pathways such as mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that ultimately leads to phenotype modifications of sensory neurons. Here, we identify one member of the MAPKs, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), as a new post-translational positive regulator of ASICs in rodent sensory neurons. Recombinant H⁺-induced ASIC currents in HEK293 cells are potently inhibited within minutes by the JNK inhibitor SP600125 in a subunit-dependent manner, targeting both rodent and human ASIC1b and ASIC3 subunits (except mouse ASIC3). The regulation by JNK of recombinant ASIC1b- and ASIC3-containing channels (homomers and heteromers) is lost on mutation of a putative phosphorylation site within the intracellular N- and the C-terminal domain of the ASIC1b and ASIC3 subunit, respectively. Moreover, short-term JNK activation regulates the activity of native ASIC1b- and ASIC3-containing channels in rodent sensory neurons and is involved in the rapid potentiation of ASIC activity by the proinflammatory cytokine TNFα. Local JNK activation in vivo in mice induces a short-term potentiation of the acid-induced cutaneous pain in inflammatory conditions that is partially blocked by the ASIC1-specific inhibitor mambalgin-1. Collectively, our data identify pain-related channels as novel physiological JNK substrates in nociceptive neurons and propose JNK-dependent phosphorylation as a fast post-translational mechanism of regulation of sensory-neuron-expressed ASIC1b- and ASIC3-containing channels that may contribute to peripheral sensitization and pain hypersensitivity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT ASICs are a class of excitatory cation channels critical for the detection of tissue acidosis, which is a hallmark of several painful diseases. Previous work in sensory neurons has shown that ASICs containing the ASIC3 or the ASIC1b subunit are important players in different pain models. We combine here functional and pharmacological in vitro and in vivo approaches to demonstrate that the MAP Kinase JNK is a potent post-translational positive regulator, probably via direct phosphorylation, of rodent and human ASIC1b- and ASIC3-containing channels. This JNK-dependent, fast post-translational mechanism of regulation of sensory-neuron-expressed ASICs may contribute to peripheral sensitization and pain hypersensitivity. These data also identify pain-related channels as direct downstream effectors of JNK in nociceptors.     

Phenylarsine oxide as a redox modulator of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 channel function

Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channels are capable of detecting and integrating noxious stimuli and play an important role in nociceptor activation and sensitization. It has been demonstrated that oxidizing agents are capable of positively modulating (sensitizing) the TRPV1 channel. The present study investigates the ability of the thiol‐oxidizing agent phenylarsine oxide (PAO) to modulate TRPV1 currents under voltage‐clamp conditions. We assessed the ability of PAO to modulate both proton‐ and capsaicin‐activated currents mediated by recombinant human TRPV1 channels as well as native rat and human TRPV1 channels in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Experiments with other oxidizing and reducing agents having various membrane‐permeating properties supported the intracellular oxidizing mechanism of PAO modulation. The PAO modulation of proton‐activated currents was consistent across the cell types studied, with an increase in current across the proton concentrations studied. PAO modulation of the capsaicin‐activated current in hTRPV1/Chinese hamster ovary cells consisted of potentiation of the current elicited with low capsaicin concentrations and inhibition of the current at higher concentrations. This same effect was seen with these recombinant cells in calcium imaging experiments and with native TRPV1 channels in rat DRG neurons. Contrary to this, currents in human DRG neurons were potentiated at all capsaicin concentrations tested after PAO treatment. These results could indicate important differences in the reduction–oxidation modulation of human TRPV1 channels in a native cellular environment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Enhancement of rat trigeminal ganglion neuron responses to piperine in a low-pH environment and block by capsazepine

Both trigeminal and spinal ganglion neurons show a strong potentiation of responses to the irritant capsaicin in an acidic environment. The present study revealed that there is also a strong interaction between protons and piperine, another vanilloid irritant. We studied the mechanism of the interaction between protons and piperine. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were performed on cultured adult rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons voltage-clamped near their resting membrane potential (−60 mV). Piperine (10 μM) caused a sustained net inward current associated with either an increase or decrease in membrane conductance. When protons and piperine were co-applied, the membrane currents evoked in piperine-sensitive TG neurons far exceeded the algebraic sum of the responses to the two stimuli applied in isolation. Capsazepine blocked the response of TG neurons to piperine at both physiological and acidic pH. In the presence of capsazepine, responses to the mixture of piperine and protons resembled the response to the low pH stimulus applied alone. Capsazepine had no effect on the sustained proton-induced current. These findings suggest that protons enhance the piperine current by altering the vanilloid receptor/channel complex or increasing the length constant of the space clamp.     

Sustained potentiation by substance P of NMDA-activated current in rat primary sensory neurons

This study aimed to explore the modulatory effect of substance P (SP) on the current response mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in rat primary sensory neurons and its time course using whole-cell patch clamp technique. The majority of neurons (179/213, 84.0%) examined were sensitive to NMDA (0.1-1000 microM) with an inward current, and a proportion of the NMDA-sensitive neurons also responded to SP (78/98, 80.0%) with an inward current. Pretreatment with SP potentiated the NMDA-activated current (INMDA) in a non-competitive manner, which is shown in that SP shifted the concentration-response curve for NMDA upwards compared with the control; the maximal value of INMDA increased fourfold, while the EC50 values for both curves were very close (28 vs. 30 microM). Furthermore, this potentiating effect was time-dependent: the amplitude of INMDA reached its maximum 20 min after SP preapplication, and thereafter maintained a steady level of about 2-3 times its control for 2 or even 3 h. This sustained potentiation by SP of INMDA could be blocked by extracellular application of WIN51708, a selective non-peptide antagonist of NK-1 receptor; and abolished by intracellular application of either BAPTA, or H-7, or KN-93. Though NMDA applied alone also induced a short-term (less than 20 min) self-potentiation of INMDA, it could be abolished by intracellular dialysis of BAPTA or KN-93 completely. As is known, the cell body of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons is generally used as an accessible model for studying the characteristics of the membrane of primary afferent terminals in the dorsal horn of spinal cord. Therefore, these results may offer a clue to the explanation of the symptoms of chronic pain.     

Cl(-)-mediated interaction between GABA and glycine currents in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

A cross-interaction between GABA- and glycine-evoked currents was found when the two transmitters were applied in sequence to cultured embryonic rat hippocampal neurons. Whole-cell GABA-current was inhibited by a previous glycine-current flowing in the same direction (inward or outward), and potentiated by a current with opposite polarity. The same effect was caused by GABA on glycine-current. Repeated applications of GABA (glycine) elicited currents of decreasing or increasing amplitude, according to a similar pattern. Transmitter interaction was independent of external Ca2+ and of all the metabolic pathways tested, but it was blocked by specific receptor antagonists, bicuculline and strychnine. The extent of both inhibition and potentiation correlated with the amount of charge flowing through the membrane during the conditioning transmitter application, indicating that cross-modulation depends on shifts of Cl- reversal potential. This finding has both functional and methodological implications, as it suggests a new mechanism of transmitter interaction in the brain, and also that patch-clamp pipettes cannot adequately perfuse cell interior.     

Substance P receptor activation induces downregulation of the AMPA receptor functionality in cortical neurons from a genetic model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Substance P (SP), a neuropeptide member of the tachykinin (TK) family, has a functional role both in physiological and pathological conditions, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis disease. One hypothesis of the selective motor neuron death in ALS involves the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, because these neurons are extremely susceptible to excessive stimulation of AMPA receptors. It has been reported that SP exerts its action against a variety of insults including excitotoxicity, and that altered levels of SP have been observed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with ALS. Here we have analyzed the interaction between SP and AMPA receptor functionality, both in Control cortical neurons in culture and in those obtained from a genetic mouse model of ALS (G93A). Our studies demonstrate that SP reduces the kainate-activated currents in Control and G93A neurons and that this reduction is significantly higher in the mutated neurons. SP effect is mediated by its receptor NK1 because GR 82334 (5 μM), a NK1 competitive antagonist, is able to suppress the current reduction. Analysis of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in Control and G93A neurons indicates that SP (200 nM) is able to significantly decrease the mEPSC amplitudes in G93A neurons, whereas it is ineffective on Control mEPSCs. Western blotting experiments in cultures and cortical tissues show a higher NK1 expression level in G93A mice compared to that of Control. This is also confirmed by immunocytochemistry experiments in cultured neurons. In addition, the amount of GluR1 subunit AMPA receptors is not modified following SP exposure, indicating a non internalization of the AMPA receptors. Finally, toxicity experiments have revealed that SP is able to rescue G93A cortical cells whereas it is ineffective on those of Control. These findings provide the first evidence of SP having a physiological and protective role in the G93A mouse model of ALS, and may suggest the possible use of SP as a clinical therapeutic treatment.     

Effects of Substance P on Medial Vestibular Nucleus Neurons in Guinea-pig Brainstem Slices

The undecapeptide substance P (SP) has been recently implicated in the control of vestibular function. In particular, it seems to be co-localized with glutamate in approximately half of the primary vestibular afferents in mammals. Using intracellular recordings in guinea-pig brainstem slices, we have investigated the effects of SP and of several agonists of the three known tachykinin receptor subtypes (NK₁, NK₂ and NK₃) on the three main types (A, B and B+LTS) of guinea-pig medial vestibular nucleus neurons (MVNn) that we had previously described. SP could induce two distinct kinds of effects on all types of MVNn. Whereas around half of them were depolarized and had their membrane resistance increased by SP, ∼ 10% of all MVNn were in contrast hyperpolarized and inhibited while their membrane resistance was decreased. Both responses persisted under conditions of blockade of synaptic transmission, and were thus due to the activation of postsynaptic binding sites. The SP-induced membrane depolarization could not be reproduced with any one of the specific agonists of the three tachykinin receptor subtypes, nor was it blocked by the specific NK₁ receptor antagonists GR 82334 and CP 99994. This effect might therefore be due to the activation of a new, pharmacologically distinct, 'NK₁-like' receptor. Only the hyperpolarizing effects, which were in contrast mimicked by the specific NK₁ receptor agonists GR 73632 and [Sar⁹, Met (O₂)¹¹]-SP, would be mediated by the few typical NK₁ receptors which have been demonstrated in the medial vestibular nucleus.     

Interactions between excitatory amino acids and tachykinins in the rat spinal dorsal horn

Whole-cell patch-clamp technique of freshly isolated rat spinal dorsal horn (DH) neurons, intracellular recording from DH neurons in a slice preparation, and high performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection of release of endogenous glutamate and aspartate from spinal cord slice following activation of primary afferent fibers were employed to investigate interactions between excitatory amino acids (EAA) and tachykinins [substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA)]. Potentiation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-, quisqualate (QA)- and α-amino 3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-, but not kainate-induced currents by SP and NKA was found. Spantide II, a claimed novel nonselective tachykinin antagonist, effectively blocked the SP (2 nM )-induced potentiation of the responses of DH neurons to NMDA. In the presence of glycine (0.1 μM), the SP-evoked increase of the NMDA-induced current was prevented. However, 7-chlorokynurenic acid (2 μM), a competitive antagonist at the glycine allosteric site of the NMDA receptor, led to the reestablishment of the SP effect. Brief high frequency electrical stimulation of primary afferent fibers produced a longlasting potentiation of presumed monosynaptic and polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials and sustained enhanced release of endogenous glutamate (218.3± 66.1 %) and aspartate (286.3 ± 58.0%). Possible functional implications of the observed phenomena are discussed in relation to transmission and integration of sensory information, including pain.