Stress differentially regulates the effects of voluntary exercise on cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of mice

It has been well-established that cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the adult mouse dentate gyrus (DG) can be regulated by voluntary exercise. Recent evidence has suggested that the effects of voluntary exercise can in turn be influenced by environmental factors that regulate the amount of stress an animal is exposed to. In this study, we use bromodeoxyuridine and proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistochemistry to show that voluntary exercise produces a significant increase in cell proliferation in the adult mouse DG in both isolated and socially housed mice. This effect on proliferation translates into an increase in neurogenesis and neuronal branching of new neurons in the mice that exercised. Although social condition did not regulate proliferation in young adult mice, an effect of social housing could be observed in mice exposed to acute restraint stress. Surprisingly, only exercising mice housed in isolated conditions showed an increase in cellular proliferation following restraint stress, whereas socially housed, exercising mice, failed to show a significant increase in proliferation. These findings indicate that social housing may increase the effects of any stressful episodes on hippocampal neurogenesis in the mouse DG.     

A cell adhesion molecule mimetic, FGL peptide, induces alterations in synapse and dendritic spine structure in the dentate gyrus of aged rats: a three-dimensional ultrastructural study

The FGL peptide is a neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) mimetic comprising a 15-amino-acid-long sequence of the FG loop region of the second fibronectin type III module of NCAM. It corresponds to the binding site of NCAM for the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1. FGL improves cognitive function through enhancement of synaptic function. We examined the effect of FGL on synaptic and dendritic structure in the brains of aged (22-month-old) rats that were injected subcutaneously (8 mg/kg) at 2-day intervals until 19 days after the start of the experiment. Animals were perfused with fixative, brains removed and coronal sections cut at 50 µm. The hippocampal volume was measured, tissue embedded and ultrathin sections viewed in a JEOL 1010 electron microscope. Analyses were made of synaptic and dendritic parameters following three-dimensional reconstruction via images from a series of ∼100 serial ultrathin sections. FGL affected neither hippocampal volume nor spine or synaptic density in the middle molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. However, it increased the ratio of mushroom to thin spines, number of multivesicular bodies and also increased the frequency of appearance of coated pits. Three-dimensional analysis showed a significant decrease in both post-synaptic density and apposition zone curvature of mushroom spines following FGL treatment, whereas for thin spines the convexity of the apposition zone increased. These data indicate that FGL induces large changes in the fine structure of synapses and dendritic spines in hippocampus of aged rats, complementing data showing its effect on cognitive processes.     

冬南瓜醇提物干预雄性大鼠齿状回细胞增殖和空间学习功能的变化

Previous studies reported that some plants,including butternut squash,exert positive effects on the brain.However,few studies have examined the effects of butternut squash on learning,memory,and neurogenesis.This study studied the effects of butternut squash extract on spatial learning and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of healthy male rats.Thirty-five male Wistar rats were intrap-eritoneally injected with 0,50,100,200 and 400 mg/kg butternut squash extract once daily for 2 months.After the last administration,rat’s spatial memory was studied using the Morris water maze.Finally,rats were sacrificed and hippocampal sections were prepared for light microscopy and bromodeoxyuridine immunohistochemistry studies.The results revealed that escape latency and swim distance decreased in all treatment groups compared with the control rats,and that the number of bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells in the dentate gyrus was significantly increased in the treatment groups compared with the controls.These findings suggest that butternut squash extract improves the learning and memory abilities of male rats,and increases the proliferation of dentate gyrus cells.     

PTEN knockdown alters dendritic spine/protrusion morphology,not density

Mutations in phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) are implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders including autism. Previous studies report that PTEN knockdown in neurons in vivo leads to increased spine density and synaptic activity. To better characterize synaptic changes in neurons lacking PTEN, we examined the effects of shRNA knockdown of PTEN in basolateral amygdala neurons on synaptic spine density and morphology by using fluorescent dye confocal imaging. Contrary to previous studies in the dentate gyrus, we find that knockdown of PTEN in basolateral amygdala leads to a significant decrease in total spine density in distal dendrites. Curiously, this decreased spine density is associated with increased miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency and amplitude, suggesting an increase in number and function of mature spines. These seemingly contradictory findings were reconciled by spine morphology analysis demonstrating increased mushroom spine density and size with correspondingly decreased thin protrusion density at more distal segments. The same analysis of PTEN conditional deletion in the dentate gyrus demonstrated that loss of PTEN does not significantly alter total density of dendritic protrusions in the dentate gyrus, but does decrease thin protrusion density and increases density of more mature mushroom spines. These findings suggest that, contrary to previous reports, PTEN knockdown may not induce de novo spinogenesis, but instead may increase synaptic activity by inducing morphological and functional maturation of spines. Furthermore, behavioral analysis of basolateral amygdala PTEN knockdown suggests that these changes limited only to the basolateral amygdala complex may not be sufficient to induce increased anxiety‐related behaviors. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:1171–1190, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Axo-somatic synapses in the normal and X-irradiated dendate gyrus: Factors affecting the density of afferent innervation

The density of synaptic input to the somata of dentate gyrus granule cells was examined utilizing quantitative electron microscopic techniques. In control (non-irradiated) material, greater numbers of axo-somatic synapses were observed in the superficial, earlier-generated cells as compared to the deep, later-generated cells. We further studied the X-irradiated dendate gyrus, in which the majority of granule cells were destroyed during postnatal genesis. The surviving cells displayed a density of innervation on their somata which exceeded that observed in either layer of the control material. These data are discussed in terms of the possible contribution of afferent-target cell interactions to the regulation of the density of synaptic innervation.     

Effects of exercise on neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and ability of learning and memory after hippocampus lesion in adult rats

Objective To explore the effects of exercise on dentate gyrus （DG） neurogenesis and the ability of learning and memory in hippocampus-lesioned adult rats. Methods Hippocampus lesion was produced by intrabippocampal microinjection of kainic acid （KA）. Bromodeoxyuridine （BrdU） was used to label dividing cells. Y maze test was used to evaluate the ability of learning and memory. Exercise was conducted in the form of forced running in a motor-driven running wheel. The speed of wheel revolution was regulated at 3 kinds of intensity： lightly running, moderately running, or heavily running. Results Hippocampus lesion could increase the number of BrdU-labeled DG cells, moderately running after lesion could further enhance the number of BrdU-labeled cells and decrease the error number （EN） in Y maze test, while neither lightly running, nor heavily running had such effects. There was a negative correlation between the number of DG BrdU-labeled cells and the EN in the Y maze test after running. Conclusion Moderate exercise could enhance the DG neurogenesis and ameliorate the ability of learning and memory in hippocampus-lesioned rats.     

Effects of exercise on neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and ability of learning and memory after hippocampus lesion in adult rats

Objective To explore the effects of exercise on dentate gyrus (DG) neurogenesis and the ability of learning and memory in hippocampus-lesioned adult rats. Methods Hippocampus lesion was produced by intrahippocampal microinjection of kainic acid (KA). Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was used to label dividing cells. Y maze test was used to evaluate the ability of learning and memory. Exercise was conducted in the form of forced running in a motor-driven running wheel. The speed of wheel revolution was regulated at 3 kinds of intensity: lightly running, moderately running, or heavily running. Results Hippocampus lesion could increase the number of BrdU-labeled DG cells, moderately running after lesion could further enhance the number of BrdU-labeled cells and decrease the error number (EN) in Y maze test, while neither lightly running, nor heavily running had such effects. There was a negative correlation between the number of DG BrdU-labeled cells and the EN in the Y maze test after running. Conclusion Moderate exercise could enhance the DG neurogenesis and ameliorate the ability of learning and memory in hippocampus-lesioned rats.     

Stress inhibits the proliferation of granule cell precursors in the developing dentate gyrus

The granule cell population of the dentate gyrus is produced predominantly during the postnatal period in rats. Previous studies have shown that experimental increases in the levels of adrenal steroids suppress the proliferation of granule cell precursors during the first postnatal week, the time of maximal neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. These findings raise the possibility that stressful experiences that elevate adrenal steroid levels may inhibit the production of granule neurons, and thus alter the development of the dentate gyrus. To test this possibility, we exposed naive rat pups to the odors of a known predator, adult male rats, and examined both plasma corticosterone levels and the number of [3]H-thymidine labeled cells in the dentate gyrus. A single exposure of rat pups to adult male rat odor elevated corticosterone levels immediately and diminished the number of [3]H-thymidine labeled cells in the granule cell layer by 24 h later. These results suggest that stressful experiences suppress the production of granule neurons in the developing dentate gyrus.     

Ovarian steroids influence cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of the adult female rat in a dose- and time-dependent manner

In previous work, we have demonstrated that cell proliferation in the adult hippocampal formation is regulated by estrogen under both natural and experimental conditions. To determine the extent to which this regulation is affected by the dose or schedule of hormone treatment, or progesterone administration, we examined the impact of different acute and chronic ovarian hormone replacement regimens on cell production using the S-phase marker bromodeoxyuridine. Additionally, we investigated the long-term impact of surgical ovarian hormone depletion on the capacity of estrogen to stimulate cell proliferation and the production of new cells that express either TuJ1 (a marker of neuronal phenotype) or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; a marker of astroglial phenotype). Acute treatment with a moderate, but not a low or a high, dose of estrogen rapidly increased cell proliferation in ovariectomized (OVX) animals, an effect that was reversed by the administration of progesterone. In contrast, OVX animals that were chronically replaced with either estrogen alone (continuous or cyclic) or estrogen plus progesterone (cyclic) did not exhibit an estrogen-induced increase in cell proliferation 3 weeks following the onset of hormone replacement. In animals that were subjected to a prolonged absence of ovarian hormones, acute treatment with the moderate dose of estrogen failed to stimulate cell proliferation, and a decrease in the number of new cells expressing a neuronal phenotype was evident. Collectively, these results indicate that a prolonged reduction in ovarian hormones results in 1) a diminished responsiveness to estrogen over time in this system and 2) a decrease in neuron production that is unlikely to be reversible by standard regimens of hormone replacement.     

Apoptosis and autophagy control cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus following hippocampal lesion

Brain injuries often result in the promotion of cell proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus(DG),but the number of newborn cells declines with time.However,the cause of this decline remains poorly understood.Elucidation of the fate of these newborn cells will further the understanding of the pathological process and treatment of brain injury.In the present study,the number of newborn cells was quantitatively analyzed using an unbiased stereological method following hippocampal lesion by kainic acid,i...     

Granule cell proliferation and axon terminal degradation in the dentate gyrus of gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) during maturation, adulthood and aging

Summary. The objective of the present study was to examine both naturally occurring degrading events in axon terminals of the dentate gyrus and granule cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) throughout postnatal life. For that purpose, (1) a selective silver staining technique was applied to analyze neuronal lysosome accumulation (LA), indicating synaptic degradation during development. LA was quantified by counting silver grains in the inner third and outer two thirds of the molecular layer, granular layer, subgranular layer and the hilus of the dentate gyrus. (2) Proliferation of granule cells was identified by in-vivo labeling with 5-bromo-2′-desoxyuridine (BrdU). BrdU-labeled granule cell nuclei were identified in consecutive horizontal slices along the mid-septotemporal axis of the hippocampus and light-microscopically quantified 4 h after the BrdU-labeling. It was found (1) that in young animals LA significantly increased within all layers and reached adult levels after about 3 months. During subsequent development LA kept on this level throughout aging with highest values within the inner molecular layer. (2) There was a highly significant temporal gradient in granule cell proliferation with numbers of BrdU-labeled cells exponentially declining during juvenile life. Nevertheless, granule cell proliferation occurred throughout adult life and aging. The present results are discussed (1) with concepts of ongoing neuroplasticity and remodeling of neuronal networks in the developing and adult brain, and (2) with regard to pharmacologically induced neuromorphogenesis. Received May 28, 1999; accepted August 18, 1999     

Suppression of reactive glial proliferation in the denervated dentate gyrus of the rat: effects on the pattern of acetylcholinesterase staining in the molecular layer

It is well known that glial cells proliferate in denervated neural tissue shortly after lesion. The elimination of this glial response by means of the antimitotic agent methotrexate has no apparent effect on the postlesion reorganization of the cholinergic fibers in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus in the rat.     

Progesterone promotes the survival of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus of adult male mice

This study investigated the effects of progesterone (P4) on the production and survival of neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of adult male mice. The administration of P4 (4 mg/kg) for 3 consecutive days beginning on the 0–2nd day after the first BrdU‐injection (BrdU‐D_0–2) produced an approximately twofold increase in the number of 28‐ and 56‐day‐old BrdU⁺ cells in comparison to the controls, whereas it did not alter the number of 24/48‐h‐old BrdU⁺ cells. P4 preferentially promoted the survival of newborn neurons when administered at BrdU‐D_5–7, but not at BrdU‐D_10–12 and BrdU‐D_15–17. Androstenedione (Ad), testosterone (TE), or estradiol (E2) at the same‐dose of P4, when administered at BrdU‐D_0–2, could not replicate the effect of P4, while the inhibition of 5α‐reductase by finasteride did not affect the P4‐action, indicating that the P4‐effect is exerted by P4 itself but not by its metabolites. On the other hand, the P4R antagonist RU486 partially suppressed the P4‐effect, while inhibitors for Src, MEK, or PI3K totally suppressed the P4‐effect. Finally, the P4‐enhanced survival of newborn neurons was accompanied by a potentiation of spatial learning and memory, which was P4R‐dependent. These findings suggest that P4 enhances the survival of newborn neurons through P4R and/or the Src‐ERK and PI3K pathways independent of its influence on cell proliferation, which is well correlated with the potentiated spatial cognitive function of P4‐treated animals. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The process of reinnervation in the dentate gyrus of the adult rat: A quantitative electron microscopic analysis of terminal proliferation and reactive synaptogenesis

The present study defined the time course of terminal proliferation (the growth of presynaptic processes) and reactive Synaptogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the adult rat. Quantitative electron microscopic analyses were carried out in the dentate gyrus 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 days and 7 months after destruction of the ipsilateral entorhinal cortex and in the contralateral (control) dentate gyrus. At each survival interval, counts were made from photographic montages of (1) terminals (presynaptic processes with or without contacts with postsynaptic elements), (2) intact synapses, (3) degenerating synapses, (4) degeneration (degenerating presynaptic processes), and (5) multiple synapses (terminals making more than one synaptic contact). Terminal density was initially reduced to about 13% of control in the middle molecular layer at 2 and 4 days postlesion, and to about 26% of control in the outer. The density of terminals began to increase between 4 and 6 days postlesion, reaching a plateau by day 12. Synapse density was reduced to about 8% and 12% of control in the middle and outer molecular layer respectively. Synapse density increased about 5-fold between 8 and 12 days postlesion, but continued to increase in the period between 14 days and 7 months postlesion. At 2 days postlesion, the number of intact terminals that are lost corresponds to the number of degenerating presynaptic processes. This correspondence is not present at 4 days postlesion, however, suggesting a rapid removal of degenerating terminals. In contrast, even at 2 days post-lesion, the number of intact synapses that are lost does not correspond to the number of degenerating synapses. Between 2 and 10 days postlesion, the number of postsynaptic specializations is about 60% of control, but recovers slightly by 12-14 days postlesion. Qualitative and quantitative evidence suggested a collapse of spines into configurations that resembled shaft synapses. There appeared to be a deformation of degenerating presynaptic processes resulting in the appearance of multiple synapse configurations prior to reinnervation. The combined results suggest that terminal proliferation precedes reactive Synaptogenesis in the dentate gyrus by 2-4 days, that terminal proliferation is essentially complete by 12 days while reactive Synaptogenesis continues, and that multiple synapses arise at least in part as a result of a deformation of degenerating presynaptic processes rather than as a consequence of the induction of additional contacts on existing presynaptic terminals.     

Long-lasting potentiation of the dentate gyrus population spike by norepinephrine

The effects of iontophoretically applied norepinephrine (NE) on the dentate gyrus field potential evoked by perforant path stimulation were examined. NE potentiated the population spike by 20–400%, whereas the population EPSP was rarely increased. At 39% of the potentiated sites NE application resulted in long-lasting potentiation (LLP) suggesting a role for NE in long-term hippocampal plasticity.     

The glutamate receptor 2 subunit controls post-synaptic density complexity and spine shape in the dentate gyrus

In adult brain the majority of AMPA glutamate receptor (GluR) subunits contain GluR2. In knock-out (KO) mice the absence of GluR2 results in consequences for synaptic plasticity including cognitive impairments. Here the morphology of dendritic spines and their synaptic contacts was analysed via three-dimensional reconstruction of serial electron micrographs from dentate gyrus (DG) of adult wild type (WT) and GluR2 KO mice. Pre-embedding immunocytochemical staining was used to examine the distribution and subcellular localization of AMPA receptor GluR1 and N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor NR1 subunits. There were no significant changes in synapse density in the DG of GluR2 KO compared with WT mice. However, in GluR2 KO mice there was a significant decrease in the percentage of synapses on mushroom spines but an increase in synapses on thin spines. There was also a large decrease in the proportion of synapses with complex perforated/segmented post-synaptic densities (PSDs) (25 vs. 78% in WT) but an increase in synapses with macular PSDs (75 vs. 22%). These data were coupled in GluR2 KO mice with significant decreases in volume and surface area of mushroom spines and their PSDs. In both GluR2 KO and WT mice, NR1 and GluR1 receptors were present in dendrites and spines but there was a significant reduction in NR1 labelling of spine membranes and cytoplasm in GluR2 KO mice, and a small decrease in GluR1 immunolabelling in membranes and cytoplasm of spines in GluR2 KO compared with WT mice. Our data demonstrate that the absence of GluR2 has a significant effect on both DG synapse and spine cytoarchitecture and the expression of NR1 receptors.     

Role of apoptosis and autophagy in the control of cell proliferation in dentate gyrus after hippocampal lesion

研究背景：很多病理情况下都可以引起神经发生（新的神经元产生）,新生细胞的命运和这些疾病的预后有着直接的关系。实验证明脑损伤往往导致海马齿状回神经发生区细胞增殖的增加,新生细胞的数量随着时间的推移逐渐减少,但是新生细胞减少的原因尚不知。阐明这些新生细胞的命运将增加对脑损伤病理过程和治疗手段的理解。 目的：本文研究凋亡和自噬这两种程序性细胞死亡在海马损伤诱导的海马齿状回细胞增殖后新生细胞减少中的作用。 设计、时间和设定：海马齿状回细胞增殖的动物实验于2008年2月至2009年3月在苏州大学医学部神经生物学系进行。 材料：成年雄性SD大鼠通过微量注射海人酸(购自美国Sigma公司)建立海马损伤模型。 方法：5-溴脱氧嘧啶核苷（BrdU）用于标记增殖细胞,海马损伤后齿状回的不同时间点BrdU阳性细胞用免疫组织化学方法鉴定,阳性细胞的数量采用无偏差体视学(Stereology)方法进行定量。凋亡相关蛋白caspase-3、Bcl-2、p53和自噬相关蛋白LC3、Beclin1通过免疫荧光和蛋白质印迹(Western blot）的方法进行检测。 主要结果检测：凋亡和自噬的检测,是在海马损伤后不同时间点,在激光共聚焦显微镜下观察BrdU阳性细胞共表达BrdU/caspase-3、BrdU/LC3和BrdU/Beclin 1。同时, 还用Western blot的方法检测齿状回凋亡相关蛋白和自噬相关蛋白的改变。 结果：定量分析显示海马损伤组在连续3天注射BrdU后的第1天有最多的BrdU阳性细胞,BrdU阳性细胞随着时间的推移逐渐减少。海马颗粒细胞层和门区发现BrdU/cleaved caspase-3双标细胞,海马损伤后的各个时间点未发现BrdU/LC3、BrdU/Beclin 1双标细胞。但Western blot结果显示海马损伤后LC3Ⅱ、Beclin 1、p53的表达上调,pro-caspase-3和Bcl-2的表达下调。 结论：成年大鼠海马损伤后能导致齿状回显著的细胞增殖,这些增殖细胞随着时间的推移逐渐减少,凋亡和自噬可能参与海马损伤后增殖细胞的减少。     

次声对成年大鼠齿状回神经前体细胞增殖的影响

目的研究次声对成年大鼠海马齿状回神经前体细胞增殖的影响。方法大鼠随机等分为正常对照组、假次声组和次声组（每组16只）。次声组暴露于8Hz、130dB次声环境7d（2h／d），暴露结束后第1、3、7、14d处死，采用抗5-溴脱氧尿嘧啶尿苷（BrdU）免疫组化方法，观察齿状回BrdU阳性细胞数的变化。结果次声作用结束后第1d，齿状回BrdU阳性细胞数与假次声组和正常对照组相比均无统计学差异；第3d及第7d，BrdU阳性细胞数减少（P〈0．05），第14d恢复正常水平。结论8Hz、130dB次声可抑制正常成年大鼠海马神经前体细胞增殖，可能与次声引起大鼠脑内微环境改变有关。     

Effects of exercise on NMDA receptor subunit contributions to bidirectional synaptic plasticity in the mouse dentate gyrus

We examined synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus in vitro in juvenile C57Bl6 mice (28-40 days of age), housed in control conditions with minimal enrichment (Controls) or with access to an exercise wheel (Runners). LTP expression was significantly greater in slices from Runners than in those from Controls, but could be blocked by APV in both groups. LTP was significantly reduced by NR2B subunit antagonists in both groups. NVP-AAM077, an antagonist with a higher preference for NR2A subunits over NR2B subunits, blocked LTP in slices from Runners and produced a slight depression in Control animals. LTD in the DG was also blocked by APV, but not by either of the NR2B specific antagonists. Strikingly, NVP-AAM077 prevented LTD in Runners, but not in Control animals, suggesting an increased involvement of NR2A subunits in LTD in animals that exercise. NVP-AAM077 did not block LTD in NR2A Knock Out (KO) animals that exercised, as expected. In an attempt to discern whether NMDA receptors located at extrasynaptic sites could play a role in the induction of LTD, DL-TBOA was used to block excitatory amino acid transport and increase extracellular glutamate levels. Under these conditions, LTD was not blocked by the co-application of a specific NR2B subunit antagonist in either group, but NVP-AAM077 again blocked LTD selectively in Runners. These results indicate that NR2A and NR2B subunits play a significant role in LTP in the DG, and that exercise can significantly alter the contribution of NMDA NR2A subunits to LTD.