Multiple kinase pathways mediate the early sciatic ligation-associated activation of CREB in the rat spinal dorsal horn

Phosphorylation of the cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the spinal dorsal horn may critically contribute to chronic pain following peripheral nerve injury. We employed inhibitors and activators of protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) to examine whether these kinases individually or in concert mediate the increase in CREB phosphorylation that is evident as early as 2 h after loose ligation of the sciatic nerve. Specific inhibitors of each kinase significantly attenuated the ligation-associated CREB phosphorylation when compared to saline-treated animals. Combined application of the ERK1/2 and CaMKII inhibitors also attenuated the ligation-associated CREB activation but not to a greater extent than either inhibitor alone. Specific activators of PKA, PKC and ERK1/2 elicited significant increases in CREB phosphorylation 2 h after drug application in the spinal dorsal horn of control, peripherally uninjured animals. Pre-treatment of animals with the ERK1/2 inhibitor abolished the increases elicited by either the PKA or the PKC activator. Significant increases in ERK1/2 phosphorylation were also detected 2 h after sciatic ligation confirming a role for the ERK pathway in injury-related responses in the dorsal horn. Each kinase inhibitor significantly attenuated the ligation-associated activation of ERK1/2 as well. These data suggest that early, sciatic ligation-elicited phosphorylation of CREB in the spinal dorsal horn is mediated by multiple kinase pathways, and that PKA, PKC and CaMKII activate CREB at least in part by way of the ERK pathway.     

Loose ligation of the sciatic nerve in rats elicits transient up-regulation of Homer1a gene expression in the spinal dorsal horn

Changes in the expression of many genes underlie injury-elicited plasticity in the spinal dorsal horn. Homer1 is a recently identified gene that appears to play a critical role in the expression of synaptic plasticity in several brain regions, including the hippocampus. In this study we investigated the early consequences of chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve on Homer1 gene expression in the spinal dorsal horn. Significant increases in Homer1a mRNA levels in the ipsilateral dorsal horn were detected at 4h post-ligation, and these levels remained elevated at 8h before returning to baseline values by 24h after the ligation. In contrast, the levels of Homer1b/c mRNA did not change at any of these selected post-ligation times. The ligation-associated induction of Homer1a was dependent on activation of NMDA receptors and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway. The non-competitive NMDA-receptor antagonist, MK-801, and a specific inhibitor of the ERK1/2 pathway, U0126, significantly attenuated the injury-elicited increases in Homer1a mRNA when compared to saline-treated animals. These data provide the first evidence for a potential role of Homer1a in peripheral nerve injury-elicited plasticity in the spinal dorsal horn. These data also imply that the early and transient up-regulation of Homer1a gene expression may be an important contributor to the eventual development of neuropathic pain.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor-elicited or sciatic ligation-associated phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein in the rat spinal dorsal horn is reduced by block of tyrosine kinase receptors

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) may critically contribute to injury-associated plasticity and thus to the development of persistent pain. In the present study we examined the potential interaction between CREB and BDNF in the spinal dorsal horn. Significant CREB phosphorylation was elicited by local application of BDNF (1 microg) onto the spinal dorsal horn of control, uninjured animals. The degree of phosphorylation was similar to that elicited by loose ligation of the sciatic nerve. The tyrosine kinase (Trk) blocker K252a (2 microg) significantly reduced the CREB phosphorylation elicited either by BDNF or the sciatic ligation. These data provided further support for the notion that at least some of the injury-associated activation of CREB in the spinal dorsal horn may be dependent upon BDNF-mediated activation of Trk receptors.     

An inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase induces behavioural and neurological antidepressant-like effects in rats

Although it is well established that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling via cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)within neurons plays an important role in depression and antidepressant treatment, the importance of several newly discovered targets that function independently from PKA, such as exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac), remains unexplored in this regard. In this study we used a cAMP analogue that inhibits PKA but not Epac (Rp-8-Br-cAMP), to explore the modifying actions of these two targets on immobility in the forced swim test (FST) and cerebellar cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in rats. In addition, we assessed central cAMP and cGMP levels and investigated the involvement of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) on any observed effects by using a selective PKG inhibitor (Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS).Interestingly, Rp-8-Br-cAMPS strongly reduced immobility in the FST and induced an increase in the phosphorylation of CREB in the cerebellum, effects that were unaltered by the co-administration of Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS. Furthermore, Rp-8-Br-cAMPS increased the accumulation of cAMP and cGMP in the hippocampus, frontal cortex and cerebellum of these rats. Together, these results suggest that in addition to activating PKA, elevated cAMP may also stimulate other targets that mediate antidepressant activity. According to the pharmacodynamic profile of Rp-8-Br-cAMPS and taking into consideration what has recently been discovered regarding the cAMP signalling system, a likely candidate is the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, Epac.     

Rescuing prefrontal cAMP-CREB pathway reverses working memory deficits during withdrawal from prolonged alcohol exposure

Both human and animal studies indicate that alcohol withdrawal following chronic alcohol consumption (CAC) impairs many of the cognitive functions which rely on the prefrontal cortex (PFC). A candidate signaling cascade contributing to memory deficits during alcohol withdrawal is the protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP-responsive element binding (CREB) cascade, although the role of PKA/CREB cascade in behavioral and molecular changes during sustained withdrawal period remains largely unknown. We demonstrated that 1 week (1W) or 6 weeks (6W) withdrawal after 6-month CAC impairs working memory (WM) in a T-maze spontaneous alternation task and reduces phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) in the PFC but not the dorsal CA1 region (dCA1) of the hippocampus compared with CAC and water conditions. In contrast, both CAC-unimpaired and withdrawn-impaired mice exhibited decreased pCREB in dCA1 as well as reduced histone H4 acetylation in PFC and dCA1, compared with water controls. Next, we showed that enhancing CREB activity through rolipram administration prior to testing improved WM performance in withdrawn mice but impaired WM function in water mice. In addition, WM improvement correlates positively with increased pCREB level selectively in the PFC of withdrawn mice. Results further indicate that direct infusion of the PKA activator (Sp-cAMPS) into the PFC significantly improves or impairs, respectively, WM performance in withdrawn and water animals. In contrast, Sp-cAMPS had no effect on WM when infused into the dCA1. Collectively, these results provide strong support that dysregulation of PKA/CREB-dependent processes in prefrontal neurons is a critical molecular signature underlying cognitive decline during alcohol withdrawal.     

N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase are required for cAMP-dependent cyclase response element binding protein and Elk-1 phosphorylation in the striatum

In vivo cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-induced N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation was investigated in the dorsal striatum by semiquantitative immunocytochemistry. Intracerebroventricular infusion of 8-bromo-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate, Sp isomer (Sp-8-Br-cAMPS), increased phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element binding protein, phosphorylated Elk-1 and Fos immunoreactivity in a dose-dependent manner. Intracerebroventricular infusion of the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, MK801, decreased, but tetrodotoxin or the mitogen-activated extracellular-regulated kinase inhibitor, PD98059, did not affect Sp-8-Br-cAMPS-induced phosphorylated c-AMP-responsive element binding protein, phosphorylated Elk-1, phosphorylated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase and Fos immunoreactivity. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor, SB203580, decreased the Sp-8-Br-cAMPS-induced increase in all markers, except phosphorylated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase, in a dose-dependent manner.We suggest that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors couple c-AMP to phosphorylation events and immediate early gene induction in the nucleus of striatal medium spiny neurons. These events are mediated by crosstalk between protein kinase A and mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades in vivo.     

外周注射福尔马林诱导大鼠前扣带皮层中ERK-CREB的激活

目的研究外周福尔马林刺激诱导的大鼠前扣带皮层中细胞外信号调节激酶（ERK）和cAMP反应元件结合蛋白（CREB）的激活。方法大鼠单侧足底皮下注射5％的福尔马林,在刺激后的不同时间点将大鼠进行灌注固定或直接取前扣带皮层组织,用免疫组织化学和Western blotting方法观察前扣带皮层中磷酸化ERK和磷酸化CREB的激活情况。结果单侧足底皮下注射福尔马林能诱导双侧前扣带皮层中ERK和CREB的磷酸化。磷酸化的ERK和磷酸化CREB的表达高峰分别在刺激后的3min和30min。非磷酸化的CREB和ERK没有显著变化。结论大鼠前扣带皮层能够接受外周伤害性信息的传人,激活的ERK和CREB可能与疼痛的原发性不愉快有关。     

CCK-8及其受体拮抗剂对吗啡戒断大鼠额叶皮质及海马CREB与pCREB表达的影响

 目的：观察八肽胆囊收缩素（CCK-8）及其受体拮抗剂对吗啡戒断大鼠额叶皮质和海马cAMP反应元件结合蛋白（CREB）表达及其磷酸化（pCREB）的影响,初步探讨CCK-8调节吗啡戒断大鼠的受体后机制。方法：建立大鼠吗啡慢性依赖及纳络酮催促戒断模型,并给予CCK-8、CCK1受体拮抗剂L-364718和CCK2受体拮抗剂LY-288513慢性干预,应用Western blotting和免疫组织化学技术观察额叶皮质和海马CREB与pCREB 表达的变化。结果：（1） 正常组大鼠额叶皮质神经元胞浆、胞核均表达CREB蛋白,pCREB蛋白则仅在胞核中高表达;海马CA1区锥体细胞层神经元中,CREB蛋白在胞浆中高表达,胞核低表达,pCREB蛋白则仅在胞核中表达。（2） 慢性吗啡作用后CREB无明显变化,pCREB增加;急性纳洛酮催促戒断后CREB仍无明显变化,pCREB进一步升高。（3） 与戒断组相比,CCK-8、L-364718和LY-288513慢性干预对吗啡依赖戒断大鼠额叶皮质CREB蛋白表达无明显影响,pCREB蛋白表达均明显降低;L-364718和LY-288513慢性干预后,海马CREB与pCREB表达均明显降低,而CCK-8慢性干预对CREB蛋白表达无明显影响,仅pCREB蛋白表达明显降低。结论：CCK-8及其受体拮抗剂可能通过调节核转录因子CREB减轻吗啡戒断症状,并具有脑区特异性。     

Age-related impairments in memory and in CREB and pCREB expression in hippocampus and amygdala following inhibitory avoidance training

This experiment examined whether age-related changes in CREB and pCREB contribute to the rapid forgetting seen in aged animals. Young (3-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) Fischer-344 rats received inhibitory avoidance training with a low (0.2 mA, 0.4 s) or moderate (0.5 mA, 0.5 s) foot shock; memory was measured 7 days later. Other rats were euthanized 30 min after training, and CREB and pCREB expression levels were examined in the hippocampus, amygdala, and piriform cortex using immunohistochemistry. CREB levels decreased with age in the hippocampus and amygdala. After training with either shock level, young rats exhibited good memory and increases in pCREB levels in the hippocampus and amygdala. Aged rats exhibited good memory for the moderate but not the low shock but did not show increases in pCREB levels after either shock intensity. These results suggest that decreases in total CREB and in pCREB activation in the hippocampus and amygdala may contribute to rapid forgetting in aged rats. After moderate foot shock, the stable memory in old rats together with absence of CREB activation suggests either that CREB was phosphorylated in a spatiotemporal pattern other than analyzed here or that the stronger training conditions engaged alternate mechanisms that promote long-lasting memory.     

ERK integrates PKA and PKC signaling in superficial dorsal horn neurons. II. Modulation of neuronal excitability

Protein kinases belonging to the protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) families have been identified as key players in modulating nociception at the level of the spinal cord dorsal horn, yet little is known about the effects of these kinases on membrane properties of the dorsal horn neurons. PKA, PKC, and ERK exert inhibitory effects on transient potassium currents (A-type currents or IA) in mouse superficial dorsal horn neurons (Hu et al. 2003). Here we aimed to determine the effects of these kinases on action potential firing and membrane properties of these neurons to evaluate the impact of the modulation of IA (and other conductances) in these neurons. We found that activating PKC and PKA has dramatic effects on action potential firing, reflecting an increase in the excitability of superficial dorsal horn neurons. In addition, we found that inhibitors of both PKC and ERK signaling decrease the excitability of dorsal horn neurons, suggesting that these kinases exert a tonic excitation of these cells. Consistent with our findings that these kinases inhibit A-type currents, we found that PKA, PKC, and ERK act to shorten the first-spike latency after depolarization induced by current injection. In addition, activation of these kinases increases spike frequency and action potential amplitude of dorsal horn neurons. Interestingly, we found that the effects of PKA and PKC activators are blocked by inhibitors of ERK signaling, suggesting that PKA and PKC may exert their actions by activation of ERKs.     

脊髓背角长时程增强中CaMKⅡ磷酸化水平的变化

目的探讨长时程增强诱导和维持过程中脊髓背角钙/钙调蛋白依赖性蛋白激酶Ⅱ(CaMKⅡ)磷酸化水平的变化。方法(1)细胞外记录脊髓腰膨大部背角浅层神经元C-纤维诱发电位;(2)免疫组化技术观察脊髓背角CaMKⅡ磷酸化水平的变化。结果(1)LTP30min、LTP3h脊髓背角CaMKⅡThr286的磷酸化水平明显高于对照组;(2)强直刺激前30min脊髓局部给予KN-93(CaMKⅡ选择性抑制剂,100μmol/L),LTP的诱导被完全阻断,CaMKⅡ磷酸化水平与对照组无明显差别;(3)强直刺激后30min给予KN-93,明显抑制LTP,CaMKⅡ的磷酸化水平也显著降低;(4)LTP3h后给予KN-93,LTP幅度和CaMKⅡ磷酸化水平与用药前相比,差异没有统计学意义。结论CaMKⅡ磷酸化可能在脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位长时程增强诱导和早期维持中发挥重要作用。     

PKA参与脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位LTP的诱导和早期维持

目的: 探讨环一磷酸腺苷依赖的蛋白激酶 (PKA) 在脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位长时程增强(LTP)的诱导和维持中的作用。方法:细胞外记录技术在脊髓腰膨大部记录背角浅层神经元C-纤维诱发电位。 结果:(1) 8-Br-cAMP诱发脊髓背角C-纤维诱发电位LTP,且8-Br-cAMP-诱导的 LTP 遮蔽强直刺激诱导的LTP。(2) PKA的选择性抑制剂Rp-CPT-cAMPS阻断C-纤维诱发电位LTP的诱导和时间依赖性翻转C-纤维诱发电位LTP。(3)蛋白质合成抑制剂茴香霉素彻底阻断8-Br-cAMP诱发的 LTP。(4)MAPK选择性抑制剂PD98059阻断8-Br-cAMP诱发的LTP。 结论:脊髓背角神经元存在PKA信号途径,并参与脊髓背角C-纤维诱发LTP的诱导和早期维持。     

Activation of fibres in rat sciatic nerve alters phosphorylation state of connexin-43 at astrocytic gap junctions in spinal cord: evidence for junction regulation by neuronal-glial interactions

Intercellular communication via gap junction channels composed of connexin-43 is known to be regulated by phosphorylation of this protein. We investigated whether connexin-43 at astrocytic gap junctions is similarly regulated in response to neural activation. The effect of peripheral nerve stimulation on connexin-43 phosphorylation state in the spinal cord of rats was examined with a monoclonal antibody (designated 13-8300) shown previously to recognize selectively a dephosphorylated form of connexin-43. Immunolabelling with 13-8300 was absent in the lumbar spinal cord in control animals, but was induced in the dorsal horn ipsilateral to sciatic nerve electrical stimulation for 15min or 1h at a frequency of 1 or 100Hz. Immunorecognition of connexin-43 by a polyclonal anti-connexin-43 antibody, shown previously to undergo epitope masking under various conditions, was reduced in the dorsal horn on the stimulated side. These responses were abolished by local anaesthetic or tetrodotoxin application proximal to the site of nerve stimulation. Selective electrical stimulation of A-fibres or activation of cutaneous C-fibres by capsaicin evoked labelling with 13-8300 in deep and superficial laminae of the dorsal horn, respectively. Nerve stimulation increased the number of 13-8300-positive astrocytic gap junctions, as well as the levels of dephosphorylated connexin-43 in the dorsal horn on the stimulated side. Sciatic nerve transection produced results similar to those seen after C-fibre activation with capsaicin.Thus, peripheral nerve stimulation evokes astrocytic connexin-43 dephosphorylation in the spinal cord dorsal horn, suggesting that gap junctional coupling between astrocytes in vivo is subject to regulation by neuronal-glial interactions following neural activation.