Role of chloride channels in nitric oxide-induced rat hippocampal neuronal apoptosis In vitro

BACKGROUND:Chloride channels participate in non-neuronal apoptosis.However,it remains unclear whether chloride channels are involved in ischemic neuronal apoptosis.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS),two chloride channel blockers,on the hippocampal neuronal apoptosis induced by 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) based on the nitric oxide toxicity theory of neuronal apoptosis following ischemic brain injury.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:Comparative observation and in vitro experiments were performed at the laboratory of Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical College from January to May 2009.MATERIALS:SIN-1,SITS,and DIDS were purchased from Sigma,USA.METHODS:Hippocampal neurons from Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 1 day,were cultured In vitro for 12 days and randomly assigned to control,SIN-1,or chloride channel blocker groups.SIN-1 group neurons were induced by SIN-1 for 18 hours to establish a model of ischemic neuronal apoptosis.Neurons in chloride channel blocker groups were treated with SITS or DIDS plus SIN-1 for 18 hours.The controls were cultured in DMEM/Ham's F12 complete medium alone.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The apoptotic neurons and nuclear appearance were detected by Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining; neuronal viability was quantitatively determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis.Caspase-3 activity was analyzed by Western blot.RESULTS:SIN-1 (1 mmol/L) dramatically induced apoptosis (50%-60%).SITS and DIDS inhibited nitric oxide-induced neuronal injury in a dose-dependent manner,suppressed caspase-3 activation,reduced neuronal apoptosis,and improved neuronal survival.CONCLUSION:Chloride channel blockers can protect against neuronal injury induced by NO.Chloride channels might be involved in neuronal apoptosis following cerebral ischemia.     

钙通道在SIN-1诱导大鼠海马神经元凋亡中的作用

摘要 背景 氯通道参与SIN-1引起的大鼠海马神经元凋亡过程已有报道,而钙通道在这种类型的凋亡中的作用目前未见报道。目的 探讨钙通道在SIN-1诱导大鼠海马神经元凋亡中的作用。方法 方法 离体培养12天的SD大鼠海马神经元,随机分为正常对照组、3-吗啉斯德酮胺(SIN-1)处理组: (SIN-1 1.0 mmol •L-1）、SIN-1处理后加4-4-二异硫氰基苯-2,2’-二磺酸（DIDS,0.1 mmol •L-1）、4-乙酰氨基-4’-异氰酸芪-2,2’-二磺酸(SITS, 1.0 mmol •L-1)、SIN-1处理后加氯化镉（CdCl2）、SIN-1处理后加SITS和CdCl2及SIN-1处理后加DIDS和CdCl2。药物作用时间为18h。DNA荧光染色观察神经元形态及检测凋亡数目的变化,MTT法检测神经元的生存率。结果 SIN-1可以诱导42.32±1.34%的神经元死亡,与正常对照组相比有显著差异（P<0.05）,SIN-1处理的神经元若用氯通道阻断剂SITS或DIDS,生存率分别为87.33±2.03%和83.23±1.01%。SIN-1处理的神经元单独用CdCl2或CdCl2与SITS或DIDS合并使用时,细胞生存率分别为：66.39±2.09%、88.15±1.13%和83.16±2.00%。DNA荧光染色显示,SIN-1处理的神经元若用氯通道阻断剂可以明显减少凋亡百分数,而钙通道阻断剂CdCl2没有明显的抗凋亡作用。结论 氯通道可能参与了SIN-1诱导的大鼠海马神经元凋亡,而钙通道的作用不大。     

Chloride channel blocker 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2’-disulfonic acid inhibits nitric oxide-induced apoptosis in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

Apoptosis in cultured rat hippocampal neurons was induced using the nitric oxide donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine, and cells were treated with the chloride channel blocker, 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2’-disulfonic acid. Results showed that the survival rate of neurons was significantly increased after treatment with 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2’-disulfonic acid, and the rate of apoptosis decreased. In addition, the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose)polymerase-1 and apoptosis-inducing factor were significantly reduced. Our experimental findings indicate that the chloride channel blocker 4,4- diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2’-disulfonic acid can antagonize apoptotic cell death of hippocampal neurons by inhibiting the expression of the apoptosis-related proteins poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose)polymerase-1 and apoptosis-inducing factor.     

Anion channel blockers attenuate delayed neuronal cell death induced by transient forebrain ischemia

Chloride efflux is known to be involved in the progression of apoptosis in various cell types. We have recently shown that the volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying (VSOR) anion channel serves as the pathway for apoptotic chloride efflux in some cells. In the present study, we tested the neuroprotective effects of drugs that can block the VSOR anion channel, on delayed neuronal death (DND) induced by transient forebrain ischemia. The functional expression of the VSOR anion channel was first examined in hippocampal neurons in both primary culture and hippocampal slice preparations, by the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. We then tested the channel's sensitivity to an anion channel blocker, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), and a tyrosine kinase blocker, genistein. By histological examinations and cytochrome c release assessments, the protective effects of these drugs on the DND of hippocampal CA1 neurons in mice subjected to transient ischemia were examined. Drugs were administered via the jugular vein prior to ischemic treatment and into the peritoneal cavity after reperfusion. Hippocampal neurons were found to express the volume-sensitive Cl(-) channel, which exhibits outward rectification and is sensitive to DIDS and genistein. Administration of DIDS or genistein reduced cytochrome c release and the number of damaged neurons in the CA1 region after transient forebrain ischemia. This fact suggests that the DND induction mechanism involves the activity of the VSOR anion channel and that this channel may provide a therapeutic target for the treatment of stroke.     

氯通道在一氧化氮诱导离体大鼠海马神经元凋亡中的作用

目的 观察氯通道阻断剂SITS和DIDS对NO诱导的大鼠离体海马神经元凋亡的效应,探讨氯通道在缺血性脑损伤中的作用。方法 离体培养12天的SD大鼠海马神经元,随机分为正常对照组、NO处理组、NO处理后使用氯通道阻断剂组,对各组神经元分别在相应的时间点进行Hoechst荧光染色观察凋亡细胞数和MTT实验定量检测神经元的存活率,western blot 分析凋亡信号分子caspase-3的变化。结果 SITS和DIDS呈剂量依赖性地抑制NO诱导的神经元损伤,并能抑制损伤所引起的caspase-3的激活,提高神经元的存活率。结论 氯通道阻断剂对NO诱导的大鼠海马神经元凋亡有一定的保护作用。     

癫痫发作大鼠海马神经元凋亡与caspase-3 mRNA表达的研究

目的 :研究癫大鼠海马神经元凋亡与caspase 3mRNA表达的关系。方法 :采用大鼠红藻氨酸 (KA)致模型 ,以原位末端标记 (TUNEL)检测癫后不同时间海马神经元凋亡 ;RT PCR检测caspase 3mRNA的表达。结果 :KA致后 1d ,海马CA1、CA3及CA4区开始出现凋亡细胞 ,3d时明显增多 ,7d时最多。KA致后 6h ,海马组织caspase 3mRNA表达显著增高 ,1、3、7d仍持续高水平表达。结论 :癫大鼠海马神经元凋亡与caspase 3mRNA的表达密切相关 ,caspase 3在神经元凋亡过程中起着重要的作用     

Caspase3基因克隆及在癫痫样放电海马神经元中的表达

目的 探讨海马神经元癫痫样放电引起神经元丢失的机制。方法 采用RT—PCR法克隆大鼠全长Caspase3cDNA，然后采用原位杂交和流式细胞技术检测了海马神经元癫痫模型中Caspase3基因表达和神经元凋亡情况。结果 得到了大鼠的全长Caspase3cDNA，发现海马神经元癫痫样放电后出现Caspase3基因表达和神经元凋亡的现象。结论 癫痫样放电启动Caspase3表达，继而介导神经元凋亡。     

Caspase3基因克隆及在癫痫样放电海马神经元中的表达

目的 探讨海马神经元癫痫样放电引起神经元丢失的机制。方法 采用RT-PCR法克隆大鼠全长Caspase3 cDNA，然后采用原位杂交和流式细胞技术检测了海马神经元癫痫模型中Caspase3基因表达和神经元凋亡情况。结果 获得了大鼠的全长CasPase3工业cDNA．发现海马神经元癫痫样放电后出现Caspase3基因表达和神经元凋亡的现象。结论 癫痫样放电启动Caspase3表达，继而介导神经元凋亡。     

从缺血的病理生化改变探讨神经元损伤的机理

目的：探讨缺血性神经元损伤的机理。方法：用体培养海马神经元建立缺血模型，通过检测神经元致死率以及观察由缺血引起的细胞内生化代谢改变所致的神经元功能障碍，探讨缺血性神经元损伤的机理，结果：发现缺血组、缺葡萄糖组元致死率最高，且通过检测细胞膜表面磷脂酰丝氨酸的变化证实此二组神经元凋亡率也最高。缺血可引起元细胞骨架结构改变，使神经元功能遭到破坏，最终导致神经元不可逆损伤。结论：缺血的是生化改变通过不同的     

Caspase-3在H2O2诱导神经细胞凋亡中的作用

目的研究caspase-3在H2O2诱发神经细胞凋亡中的作用,以探讨氧化应激损伤诱导神经细胞凋亡的机制。方法用海马神经细胞原代培养技术,采用1mmol/L H2O2诱导建立细胞氧化损伤模型,并观察细胞形态学变化,采用TUNEL法检测H2O2诱导大鼠海马神经元凋亡率;采用RT-PCR法检测caspase-3 mRNA的表达。结果形态学观察结果显示模型组比海马组细胞损伤程度较严重;与对照组比较,模型组细胞凋亡率及caspase-3 mRNA的表达显著增高（P〈0.01）。结论本结果提示,caspase-3可能参与了氧化应激损伤诱导的神经细胞凋亡过程。     

Bcl2 enhances survival of newborn neurons in the normal and ischemic hippocampus

Neuronal progenitors in the adult hippocampus continually proliferate and differentiate to the neuronal lineage, and ischemic insult promotes hippocampal neurogenesis. However, newborn neurons show a progressive reduction in numbers during the initial few weeks, therefore, enhanced survival of newborn neurons seems to be essential for therapeutic strategy. Bcl-2 is a crucial regulator of programmed cell death in CNS development and in apoptotic and necrotic cell death. Therefore, we tested whether Bcl-2 overexpression enhances survival of newborn neurons in the adult mouse hippocampus under normal and ischemic conditions. Many newborn neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus undergo apoptosis. Human Bcl-2 expression in NSE-bcl-2 transgenic mice began at the immature neuronal stage and remained constant in surviving mature neurons. Bcl-2 significantly increased survival of newborn neurons under both conditions, but particularly after ischemia, with decreased cell death of newborn neurons in NSE-bcl-2 transgenic mice. We also clarified the effect by Bcl-2 overexpression of enhanced survival of newborn neurons in primary hippocampal cultures with BrdU labeling. These findings suggest that Bcl-2 plays a crucial role in adult hippocampal neurogenesis under normal and ischemic conditions.     

红藻氨酸致痫大鼠海马神经元凋亡及其与caspase-3关系的研究

目的　研究大鼠癫痫发作后海马神经元凋亡及其与天冬氨酸特异性半胱氨酸蛋白酶 -3 (cysteinylasparate-specific proteinase,caspase-3 )表达的关系。方法　采用红藻氨酸 (kainic acid,KA)诱导大鼠癫痫模型 ,以原位末端标记 (TUNEL)及透射电镜检测癫痫发作后 6h及 1、3、7d海马神经元凋亡 ;半定量 RT-PCR及免疫组化法检测 caspase-3 m RNA及 caspase-3阳性表达。结果　KA致痫后 1 d,海马 CA1、CA3及 CA4区开始出现凋亡细胞 ,3 d时明显增多 ,7d时最多。 3个时间组相应区域间凋亡神经元数比较差异均有显著性 (P<0 .0 0 1 )。透射电镜观察可见典型的凋亡细胞形态学改变。 RT-PCR结果显示 ,KA致痫后 6h,海马组织 caspase-3 m RNA表达较对照组显著增高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,1、3、7d caspase-3 m RNA仍持续高水平表达 (P <0 .0 5 )。免疫组化结果显示 ,KA致痫后 1 d,海马 CA1、CA3、CA4区开始出现 caspase-3阳性表达 ,3 d时阳性表达进一步增强 ,7d时表达最强。结论　凋亡参与 KA致痫大鼠癫痫发作后海马神经元迟发性死亡过程 ,caspase-3可能在癫痫后神经元凋亡过程中具重要的作用。     

Delayed neuronal death and damage of GDNF family receptors in CA1 following focal cerebral ischemia

Delayed neuronal death (DND) of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus has been extensively studied following global brain ischemia, whereas only little is known about DND in this highly vulnerable brain region after focal brain ischemia. In the present study, the distribution and time course of hippocampal neuronal apoptosis were studied following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days after the insult. In 60% of the animals, more than 90% of CA1 pyramidal neurons showed strong nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining at day 3 with fragmentation and marginalization of the nuclei in approximately 40% of these cells. The number of TUNEL-positive cells decreased within the next days, but 30 days after MCAO, some apoptotic neurons were still present. Analysis of the expression of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptors GFRalpha1, GFRalpha2, and GFRalpha3 using triple immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that in all animals showing marked hippocampal DND, the neuronal staining for GFRalpha1, GFRalpha3, and GDNF decreased prior to the onset of TUNEL staining in CA1. After 7 days, some apoptotic neurons still expressed GFRalpha3, whereas only few showed GFRalpha1 immunoreactivity, indicating that GFRalpha1 may be beneficial for the survival of hippocampal neurons. The data suggest that reduced expression of GDNF and impairment of GFRalpha1/3 may contribute to hippocampal DND after focal brain ischemia.     

亚低温对大鼠短暂全脑缺血后神经元凋亡的影响

目的 探讨亚低温对大鼠脑缺血后神经元凋亡的影响，揭示亚低温的部分神经保护机制。方法 采用“双侧颈总动脉阻断＋全身低血压”方法来建立大鼠短暂性全脑缺血模型。用神经元尼氏体亚甲兰特殊染色法观察大鼠脑缺血后海马CA1区神经元损害情况；原位细胞凋亡检测法（TUNEL染色）及电镜观察脑缺血后CA1区神经元凋亡情况。结果 与假手术组、低温缺血组相比，常温缺血组海马CA1区神经元缺失明显（P＜0．01）。常温及低温缺血组海马CA1区均存在神经元凋亡，但低温缺血组海马CA1区凋亡神经元数明显少于缺血组（P＜0．01）。结论 经“双侧颈总动脉阻断＋全身低血压”方法建立的大鼠短暂全脑缺血模型证实了亚低温的脑保护作用。全脑缺血后的迟发性神经元死亡很可能经由凋亡途径，而亚低温可通过抑制缺血性神经元凋亡而发挥一定的神经保护作用。     

Erythropoietin protects neurons against chemical hypoxia and cerebral ischemic injury by up-regulating Bcl-xL expression

Erythropoietin (EPO) promotes neuronal survival after cerebral ischemia in vivo and after hypoxia in vitro. However, the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of EPO on ischemic/hypoxic neurons are not fully understood. The present in vitro experiments showed that EPO attenuated neuronal damage caused by chemical hypoxia at lower extracellular concentrations (10(- 4)-10(-2) U/ml) than were previously considered. Moreover, EPO at a concentration of 10(-3) U/ml up-regulated Bcl-xL mRNA and protein expressions in cultured neurons. Subsequent in vivo study focused on whether EPO rescued hippocampal CA1 neurons from lethal ischemic damage and up-regulated the expressions of Bcl-xL mRNA and protein in the hippocampal CA1 field of ischemic gerbils. EPO was infused into the cerebroventricles of gerbils immediately after 3 min of ischemia for 28 days. Infusion of EPO at a dose of 5 U/day prevented the occurrence of ischemia-induced learning disability. Subsequent light microscopic examinations showed that pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 field were significantly more numerous in ischemic gerbils infused with EPO (5 U/day) than in those receiving vehicle infusion. The same dose of EPO infusion caused significantly more intense expressions of Bcl-xL mRNA and protein in the hippocampal CA1 field of ischemic gerbils than did vehicle infusion. These findings suggest that EPO prevents delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 field, possibly through up-regulation of Bcl-xL, which is known to facilitate neuron survival.     

Microglial cells prevent nitric oxide-induced neuronal apoptosis in vitro

Apoptotic neuronal death is known to occur in the developing brain and in the mature brain of patients with ischemic and degenerative disorders. Although microglial cells are known to become activated in specific conditions, it has not been elucidated whether they enhance or prevent neuronal apoptosis. The present study was intended to observe how microglial cells are involved in neuronal death. When rat primary cortical neurons were incubated with a nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 300 μM) for 10 min, neuronal death occurred 12–16 hr later. The NO-induced neuronal death was inhibited by cycloheximide, and the SNP-treated neurons were characterized by nuclear fragmentation and intact cell membrane under electron microscopy. Agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated DNA fragmentation of the SNP-treated neurons. Thus, the NO-induced neuronal death appeared to be apoptosis. When neurons were cocultured with rat primary microglial cells, the SNP treatment failed to induce the neuronal death. Because microglia-conditioned medium also prevented apoptotic neuronal death, microglial cells were considered to secrete antiapoptotic factors. The microglia-conditioned medium rescued neurons even when they were added to neuronal cultures after the SNP treatment, implying that the factors acted on neurons in a manner other than scavenging NO. Interleukin-3, interleukin-6, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor, which are known to be secreted by microglial cells, were not effective in preventing NO-induced neuronal death. Among microglia-derived substances, tumor necrosis factor α and plasminogen, which are heat-labile proteins, inhibited neuronal apoptosis. The neuroprotective action of the microglia-conditioned medium, however, still remained, even after it was heated. These findings suggest that microglial cells protect neurons against NO-induced lethal damage by secreting heat-labile and heat-stable neuroprotective factors in vitro. J. Neurosci. Res. 53:415–425, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Enhancement of dendritic branching in cultured hippocampal neurons by 17β-estradiol is mediated by nitric oxide

Both 17beta-estradiol (E2) and nitric oxide (NO) are important in neuronal development, learning and memory, and age-related memory changes. There is growing evidence that a number of estrogen receptor-mediated effects of estradiol utilize nitric oxide as an intermediary. The role of estradiol in hippocampal neuronal differentiation and function has particular implications for learning and memory.Low levels of estradiol (10nM) significantly increase dendritic branching in cultured embryonic rat hippocampal neurons (158% of control). This study investigates the hypothesis that the estrogen-stimulated increase in dendritic branching is mediated by nitric oxide. We found that nitric oxide donors also produce significantly increased dendritic branching S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP: 119%; 2,2'-(hydroxynitrosohydrazino)bis-ethanamine (NOC-18): 128% of control). We then determined that the increases in dendritic branching stimulated by estradiol or by a nitric oxide donor were both blocked by an inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase. Dendritic branching was also stimulated by a cell permeable analog of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (dibutyryl-cGMP: 173% of control). Estradiol-stimulated dendritic branching was reversed by the nitric oxide scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl imidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO). This study provides evidence that estradiol influences the development of embryonic hippocampal neurons in culture by increasing the production of nitric oxide or by increasing the sensitivity of the neurons to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide in turn stimulates dendritic branching via activation of guanylyl cyclase.     

Keratinocyte growth factor prevents ischemia-induced delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 field of the gerbil brain

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are polypeptides with various biological activities in vivo and in vitro, and their receptors are expressed in the widespread and specific neuronal populations of the brain. In this study, we asked whether keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), one of the FGF superfamily, would express in the brain, and have neuroprotective against ischemic brain injury. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that intense silver grains for KGF mRNA are observed in the neuronal cells of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and amygdala in gerbil brain. Continuous cerebroventricular infusion of KGF (20 microg) for a 7 day period to gerbils starting 2 days before temporary right carotid artery occlusion (20 min) resulted in a higher survival rate than seen in vehicle-treated ischemic animals. Subsequent histological examinations showed that KGF effectively prevented delayed neuronal death of the hippocampal CA1 region. In situ detection of DNA fragmentation (TUNEL staining) revealed that ischemic animals infused with KGF contained fewer TUNEL-positive neurons in the hippocampal CA1 field than those infused with vehicle alone at the forth and seventh day after ischemia. KGF-treated brain showed over-expression of KGF mRNA in the neuronal cells of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus only in the right hemisphere, which was the side of carotid artery occlusion, 8-10 h after ischemia. These findings suggest that KGF has a protective effect against ischemic hippocampal neuronal damage in vivo, which may provide a new therapeutic strategy in the survival and reconstruction of neurons in response to cerebral injury.     

Toll-like receptor 4-mediated signaling participates in apoptosis of hippocampal neurons

The phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway is considered important for cellsurvival and has been shown to mediate various anti-apoptotic biological effects. This ...