Endocannabinoids contribute to metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated inhibition of GABA release onto hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons in an isolated neuron/bouton preparation

Retrograde synaptic signaling by endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) is a recently discovered form of neuromodulation in various brain regions. In hippocampus, it is well known that endocannabinoids suppress presynaptic inhibitory neurotransmitter release in CA1 region. However, endocannabinoid signaling in CA3 region remains to be examined. Here we investigated whether presynaptic inhibition can be caused by activation of postsynaptic group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and following presynaptic cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1 receptor) using mechanically dissociated rat hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons with adherent functional synaptic boutons. Application of group I mGluR agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) reversibly suppressed spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs). In the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), frequency of miniature IPSCs was significantly reduced by DHPG, while there were no significant changes in minimum quantal size and sensitivity of postsynaptic GABA_A receptors to the GABA_A receptor agonist muscimol, indicating that this suppression was caused by a decrease in GABA release from presynaptic nerve terminals. Application of CB1 synthetic agonist WIN55212-2 (mesylate(R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[4-morpholino)methyl]pyrrolo-[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl](1-naphthyl)methanone) or endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol also suppressed the spontaneous IPSC. The inhibitory effect of DHPG on spontaneous IPSCs was abolished by SR-141716 (5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-4-methyl-N-(piperidin-1-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide), a CB1 receptor antagonist. Furthermore, postsynaptic application of GDP-βS blocked the DHPG-induced inhibition of spontaneous IPSCs, indicating the involvement of endcannabinoid-mediated retrograde synaptic signaling. These results provide solid evidence for retrograde signaling from postsynaptic group I mGluRs to presynaptic CB1 receptors, which induces presynaptic inhibition of GABA release in rat hippocampal CA3 region.     

Ethanol potentiates GABAergic synaptic transmission in a postsynaptic neuron/synaptic bouton preparation from basolateral amygdala

Interactions between ethanol and synaptic transmission mediated by gamma -amino-N-butyric acid (GABA) have been suggested to contribute to alcohol intoxication. Ethanol effects on postsynaptic GABAA receptors have been the major focus of this line of research. There is increasing evidence that ethanol potentiation of GABAergic transmission involves increased GABA release from presynaptic terminals. In the present study, a mechanically isolated neuron/bouton preparation from the basolateral amygdala was used to examine the effects of ethanol on spontaneous GABAergic synaptic currents elicited by GABA release from the presynaptic terminals. We found that ethanol application produced a rapid increase in the frequency of spontaneous GABAergic synaptic currents. An acute tolerance to ethanol was also observed, and this tolerance involved GABAB receptor activation. The ethanol-induced potentiation did not involve alterations in the function of postsynaptic GABAA receptors and was independent of presynaptic action potential firing. These findings indicate that ethanol potentiates GABA release, most likely via a direct action on presynaptic boutons.     

Chemical induction of mGluR5- and protein synthesis--dependent long-term depression in hippocampal area CA1.

Recent work has demonstrated that specific patterns of synaptic stimulation can induce long-term depression (LTD) in area CA1 that depends on activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and rapid protein synthesis. Here we show that the same form of synaptic modification can be induced by brief application of the selective mGluR agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG). DHPG-LTD 1) is a saturable form of synaptic plasticity, 2) requires mGluR5, 3) is mechanistically distinct from N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)--dependent LTD, and 4) shares a common expression mechanism with protein synthesis-dependent LTD evoked using synaptic stimulation. DHPG-LTD should be useful for biochemical analysis of mGluR5- and protein synthesis-dependent synaptic modification.     

GABA(B)-receptor modulation of short-term synaptic depression at an excitatory input to murine hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons

GABA(B) agonists inhibit excitatory transmission to hippocampal CA3 neurons during low frequency stimulation. We examined whether GABA(B) receptor activation can also enhance synaptic efficacy, when investigated at an input with high initial release probability. Short-term depression of field excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) amplitude was observed during trains of stimuli applied to associational/commissural inputs (10-50 Hz; 22 degrees C). Baclofen (10 microM) reduced the amplitude of initial EPSPs in a train, and also reduced the degree of short-term depression. EPSPs recorded late in a train were significantly larger in baclofen than those recorded in control solution. These dual effects were mimicked by another selective GABA(B) agonist (SKF 97541, 10 microM), and abolished by a GABA(B)-selective antagonist (SCH 50911, 20 microM). The effects of baclofen were similar at a higher recording temperature (32 degrees C), where short-term depression was observed at higher stimulation frequencies. These results are consistent with the idea that a reduction of transmitter release probability could increase the fidelity of high-frequency transmission at this input, an effect that could help account for excitatory effects of GABA(B) agonists in some seizure models.     

Long-term depression is not modulated by ATP receptors in the rat CA1 hippocampal region

ATP is an important extracellular messenger in the CNS. In the hippocampus, a brain structure relevant for learning and memory processes, it acts both as a modulator and as a mediator of synaptic transmission, with implications for synaptic plasticity phenomena. Recent evidence suggests that ATP modulates activity-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) of Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses. However, it remains unclear if ATP also modulates LTP counterpart's phenomenon, long-term depression (LTD), in the rat hippocampus. This study investigated the effect of ATP analogues on homosynaptic LTD, induced by low-frequency stimulation of the Schaffer collaterals (1 Hz; 900 pulses) in the CA1 region of young rat hippocampal slices. The metabolically stable ATP analogues beta,gamma-ImATP (20 microM), a P2 receptor agonist, and alpha,beta-MeATP (20 microM), a preferential P2X(1,3) receptor agonist, did not modify LTD (LTD values of 14.7+/-0.5% and 14.1+/-3% for aCSF controls and of 15.1+/-4% and 19.0+/-5.2% for beta,gamma-ImATP and alpha,beta-MeATP, respectively). The ATP analogue beta,gamma-ImATP (20 microM) did not modify LTD also in the presence of the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist DPCPX (50 nM) (21.5+/-4.2% for DPCPX only and of 23.8+/-8.9% for DPCPX plus beta,gamma-ImATP). Finally, the preferential P2X(1,3) receptor antagonist NF023 (10 microM) had also no effect on LTD (18.6+/-5.2% for aCSF and of 18.7+/-5.2% for NF023). The present results suggest that ATP does not modulate activity-dependent homosynaptic LTD in the rat CA1 hippocampal region by activating P2 receptors.     

Behavior-dependent paired-pulse responses in the hippocampal CA1 region

Summary Paired-pulses of 20–100 ms interpulse interval (IPI) were delivered to the Schaffer collaterals/commissural fibers in order to excite the apical dendrites of the hippocampal CA1 region in freely behaving rats. Significant differences were observed for the paired-pulse responses during different behavioral states. The responses recorded during awake immobility (IMM), and slow-wave sleep (SWS) were similar, but as a group, were different from those during walking (WLK) and rapid-eye-movement sleep (REM). During WLK and REM, the population spike evoked by the second pulse (P2) at IPI of 30 and 50 ms, was greatly facilitated as compared to the population spike evoked by the first pulse (P1), i.e. P2 > P1. During IMM and SWS and using moderate stimulus intensities, P2 was generally smaller than P1 (paired-pulse suppression) at IPI of 30 and 50 ms. The P2/P1 relation with behavior was not caused by the slight variations of P1 with behavior. In addition, paired-pulse facilitation of the population excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) was relatively small and not significantly dependent on behavior. Behavioral dependence of the paired-pulse responses was not generally found for IPI of 20 or 100 ms. It is concluded that paired-pulse facilitation at 30–50 ms IPI can best be explained by EPSP facilitation combined with a behaviorally dependent disinhibition.     

Astrocytes play a critical role in transient heterosynaptic depression in the rat hippocampal CA1 region

Active synapses can reduce the probability of transmitter release at neighbouring synapses. Depending on whether such heterosynaptic depression is mediated by intersynaptic diffusion of transmitter or by release of gliotransmitters, astrocytes should either hinder or promote the heterosynaptic depression. In the present study we have examined the developmental profile and astrocytic involvement in a transient heterosynaptic depression (tHeSD) in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampal slice preparation. A short stimulus burst (3 impulses at 50 Hz) to one group of synapses elicited a depression of the field EPSP evoked in another group of synapses that amounted to about 25% 0.5 s after the conditioning burst. This tHeSD was associated with an increase in the paired-pulse ratio of about 30%. The tHeSD was not present in slices from rats younger than 10 postnatal days and developed towards the adult magnitude between postnatal days 10 and 20. The tHeSD was totally prevented by the glia-specific toxin fluoroacetate (FAC), by carbenoxolone, a general blocker of connexin-based channels, and by endothelin, an endogenous peptide that has been shown to block astrocytic connexin-based channels. Antagonists to GABA_B receptors and group II/III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) abolished the tHeSD whereas antagonists to NMDA- and adenosine A1 receptors, and to group I mGluRs, did not affect the tHeSD. These results suggest that the tHeSD relies on GABA_B receptors, group II/III mGluRs and on gliotransmitter release from functionally mature astrocytes.     

Aging effects on the limits and stability of long-term synaptic potentiation and depression in rat hippocampal area CA1

Altered hippocampal synaptic plasticity may underlie age-related memory impairment. In acute hippocampal slices from aged (22-24 mo) and young adult (1-12 mo) male Brown Norway rats, extracellular excitatory postsynaptic field potentials were recorded in CA1 stratum radiatum evoked by Schaffer collateral stimulation. We used enhanced Ca(2+) to Mg(2+) ratio and paired-pulse stimulation protocol to induce maximum changes in the synaptic plasticity. Six episodes of theta-burst stimulation (TBS) or nine episodes of paired low-frequency stimulation (pLFS) were used to generate asymptotic long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), respectively. In addition, long-term depotentiation (LTdeP) or de-depression (LTdeD) from maximal LTP and LTD were examined using two episodes of pLFS or TBS. Multiple episodes of TBS or pLFS produced significant LTP or LTD in aged and young adult rats; this was not different between age groups. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the amount of LTdeP or LTdeD between aged and young adult rats. Our results show no age differences in the asymptotic magnitude of LTP or LTD, rate of synaptic modifications, development rates, reversal, or decay after postconditioning. Thus impairment of the basic synaptic mechanisms responsible for expression of these forms of plasticity is not likely to account for decline in memory function within this age range.     

Shift in induction mechanisms underlies an age-dependent increase in DHPG-induced synaptic depression at CA3 CA1 synapses

Several forms of log-term synaptic plasticity have been identified and the mechanisms for induction and expression of synaptic modifications change over development and maturation. The present study examines age-related changes in the induction of group I metabotropic receptor selective agonist (R,S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) induced long-term synaptic depression (DHPG-LTD) at CA3-CA1 synapses. The results demonstrate that the magnitude of DHPG-LTD is enhanced in male aged Fischer 344 rats compared with young adults. The role of mGluR1 in the induction of DHPG-LTD was increased with advanced age and, in contrast to young adults, induction involved a significant contribution of NMDA receptors and L-type Ca(2+) channels. Moreover, the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate significantly attenuated DHPG-LTD only in young adults. The expression of DHPG-LTD in aged animals was dependent on protein synthesis and the enhanced expression was associated with an increase in paired-pulse facilitation. The results provide evidence that DHPG-LTD is one of the few forms of synaptic plasticity that increases with advanced age and suggest that DHPG-LTD may contribute to age-related changes in hippocampal function.     

Entorhinal projections to the hippocampal CA1 region in the rat: an underestimated pathway

The projections of the entorhinal cortex to CA1 in relation to the entorhinal-dentate projections were studied in the rat, using the anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin. It was observed that the entorhinal cortex is heterogeneous with respect to the origin of these projections. Caudomedial portions of the entorhinal cortex mainly distribute fibers to the fascia dentata, whereas only a minor projection reaches CA1. Progressively more rostral and lateral parts of the entorhinal cortex project more strongly to CA1, at the expense of the number of fibers that terminate in the fascia dentata. The rostrolateral part of the entorhinal cortex, adjacent to the olfactory cortex and the amygdaloid complex, projects only to CA1.     

Proterties of large-conductance calciumactivated potassium channel in pyramidal neurons acutely isolated from hippocampal CA1 region of adult rat

<正> Properties of large-conductance Ca~(2+) -achvated K~+ (BK_(Ca)channel were studied in ex-cised patches of pyramidal neurons from adult rat hippocampal CAl region using inside-out single channel recording technique. Activity of BK_(Ca)channel was first oborved at[Ca] = l0~(-8)M with the membrane potential of + 20 mV, and the [Ca]_i at which the channel was half activated(P_0 = 0.5)was 2 x 10~(-6)M. Conductance of single BK_(Ca) channel was approx.245 pS with symmetrical 140 mM-K~+ on bo sides of the excisedmembrane,essentially independent of membrane potentials and [Ca]_i, tested. Two exponentials, with the time constants of 2.07 ma and 14.36ms at membrane potential of + 40 mV with 5×10~(-7) M-[Ca]_i,were requied to describe the observed open distrbution of BK_(Ca) channel, sug-gesting existence of two different open channel stathes with apparently normal conductance. BK_(Ca)channel occasionally entered an apparent thirdopen channel state with a single channel current amplitude about 45% the amplitude o     

海马CA1区5-HT_(1A)受体调控PTSD大鼠空间记忆的作用

目的:观察创伤后应激障碍(PTSD)大鼠海马长时程增强(LTP)的变化以及5-羟色胺1A受体(5-HT_(1A)受体)和突触后致密物蛋白95(PSD-95)的表达,探讨5-HT_(1A)受体调控PTSD大鼠空间记忆的机制。方法:健康成年SD大鼠36只,随机分为正常对照组和模型组,每组18只。模型组采用连续单一刺激构建PTSD大鼠模型。Morris水迷宫实验检测2组大鼠的学习和记忆能力,电生理实验检测强直性高频刺激对海马LTP的影响Western blot法和免疫荧光实验检测海马5-HT_(1A)受体和PSD-95蛋白的表达。结果:Morris水迷宫实验结果显示在各实验日模型组大鼠逃避平台的潜伏期较对照组显著延长(P0.05)。电生理实验结果显示在强直性高频刺激后,2组大鼠海马诱发电位的幅值明显升高,模型组诱发电位的幅值显著低于对照组(P0.01)。Westem blot实验和免疫荧光实验结果显示,与对照组比较,模型组大鼠海马CA1区5-HT_(1A)受体的表达显著增加(P0.05),但PSD-95的表达明显减少(P0.05)。结论:PTSD大鼠空间记忆能力减退,可能与海马CA1区5-HT_(1A)受体的表达增加和PSD-95的表达减少有关。     

Redox modulation of synaptic responses and plasticity in rat CA1 hippocampal neurons

Effects of redox reagents on excitatory and inhibitory synaptic responses as well as on the bidirectional plasticity of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) andN-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated synaptic responses were studied in CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal slices. The oxidizing agent 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB, 200 μM) did not affect AMPA, GABA_A or GABA_B receptor-mediated synaptic responses or the activation of presynaptic metabotropic receptors. However, DTNB irreversibly decreased (by approximately 50%) currents evoked by focal application of NMDA. DTNB also decreased the NMDA component of the EPSC. The reversal potential of NMDA currents and the Mg²⁺ block were not modified. In the presence of physiological concentrations of Mg²⁺ (1.3 mM), DTNB did not affect the NMDA receptor-dependent induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) or long-term depression (LTD) expressed by AMPA receptors. In contrast, DTNB fully prevented LTP and LTD induced and expressed by NMDA receptors. Plasticity of NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic responses could be reinstated by the reducing agenttris-(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine (TCEP, 200 μM). These results suggest that persistent, bidirectional changes in synaptic currents mediated by NMDA receptors cannot be evoked when these receptors are in an oxidized state, whereas NMDA-dependent LTP and LTD are still expressed by AMPA receptors. Our observations raise the possibility of developing therapeutic agents that would prevent persistent excitotoxic enhancement of NMDA receptor-mediated events without blocking long-term modifications of AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic responses, thought to underlie memory processes.     

Selective inhibition of homosynaptic depression in a tetanized pathway by an adenosine A1 blocker in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slice.

The involvement of adenosine A1 receptors in post-tetanic depression (PTD) of CA1, induced by 5 Hz, 20 s stimulation to the Schaffer collateral/commissural fibers was studied in the rat hippocampal slice. The tetanic stimulation induced post-tetanic depression (PTD) lasting for 5-10 min in the excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) and the population spike (PS) of the tetanized pathway (homosynaptic PTD), and of a non-tetanized pathway (heterosynaptic PTD). 8-Cyclopentyltheophylline (an adenosine A1 antagonist) blocked the induction of homosynaptic PTD, but not of heterosynaptic PTD. These results indicate that adenosine released during tetanic stimulation acts on the A1 receptor to induce the homosynaptic PTD.     

Long-term potentiation in the prefrontal cortex following stimulation of the hippocampal CA1/subicular region

We have examined single cell activity and field potentials in the prelimbic area of the prefrontal cortex of the rat to electrical stimulation of the CA1/subicular region of the temporal hippocampus. Excitatory unit responses were found in 50 out of 120 neurons recorded in the prelimbic area. Paired-pulse facilitation was found for both single cell responses and field potentials. High-frequency, tetanic stimulation of the temporal hippocampus produced a significant and persistent potentiation of prelimbic field potentials. The evidence suggests that the direct pathway from the temporal hippocampus to the prelimbic area of the prefrontal cortex in the rat is excitatory and can undergo long-term potentiation (LTP).     

Properties of subsequent induction of long-term potentiation and/or depression in one synaptic input in apical dendrites of hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro

The hippocampus is a prominent structure to study mechanisms of learning and memory at the cellular level. Long-term potentiation (LTP) as well as long-term depression (LTD) are the major cellular models which could underlie learning and memory formation. LTP and LTD consist of at least two phases, an early protein synthesis-independent transient stage (<4 h; E-LTP, E-LTD) as well as a prolonged phase (>4 h; L-LTP, L-LTD) requiring the synthesis of new proteins. It is known that during E-LTP the further induction of longer lasting LTP is precluded. However, if E-LTP is transformed into L-LTP, the same synapses now allow the induction of LTP again. We reproduced the LTP-results first and then investigated whether hippocampal LTP or LTD also prevents the establishment of subsequent LTD-induction in the same synaptic input. We show that the prior induction of LTP or LTD does not prevent a short-term depression (STD) but occludes LTD in apical dendrites of CA1 neurons in hippocampal slices in vitro during the early phase of LTP or LTD. However, LTD can again be induced in addition to STD after the establishment of L-LTP or L-LTD, that is about 4 h after the induction of the first event in the same synaptic input. We suggest that the neuronal input preserves the capacity for STD immediately after an initial potentiation or depression, but for the onset of additional longer lasting LTD in the same synaptic input, the establishment of the late plasticity form of the preceding event is critical.