Conditional self‐discrimination enhances dendritic spine number and dendritic length at prefrontal cortex and hippocampal neurons of rats

We studied conditional self‐discrimination (CSD) in rats and compared the neuronal cytoarchitecture of untrained animals and rats that were trained in self‐discrimination. For this purpose, we used thirty 10‐week‐old male rats were randomized into three groups: one control group and two conditioning groups: a comparison group (associative learning) and an experimental group (self‐discrimination). At the end of the conditioning process, the experimental group managed to discriminate their own state of thirst. After the conditioning process, dendritic morphological changes in the pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus were evaluated using Golgi‐Cox stain method and then analyzed by the Sholl method. Differences were found in total dendritic length and spine density. Animals trained in self‐discrimination showed an increase in the dendritic length and the number of dendritic spines of neurons of the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus. Our data suggest that conditional self‐discrimination improves the connectivity of the prefrontal cortex and dorsal CA1, which has implications for memory and learning processes. Synapse 69:543–552, 2015 . © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Parallel expression of neurotrophic factors and their receptors in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

The mRNA levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were examined in sural nerves of 22 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). The mRNAs for NGF, GDNF, LIF, and IL-6 were upregulated, whereas CNTF mRNA was downregulated significantly in the nerves. The NGF, GDNF, and CNTF, but not LIF mRNA expressions were parallel to those of the cognate receptors, suggesting that these cognate soluble receptors effectively present these factors to maintain and regenerate the axons. Furthermore, IL-6 mRNA expression was significantly parallel to both binding and signal-transducing receptor expression, implying a role of the IL-6 signal for non-neuronal cells in CIDP. These findings indicate that multiple neurotrophic growth factors and cytokines are expressed cooperatively with their concomitant receptors in the nerve lesions of CIDP and play an important role particularly in nerve repair.     

Protein kinase C: Its role in activity-dependent purkinje cell dendritic development and plasticity

The cerebellum is a central organ in the control of motor learning and performance. In this respect, the cellular plasticity model systems of multiple climbing fiber elimination and long-term depression have been intensively studied. The signalling pathways involved in these plastic changes are now well understood on a molecular level and protein kinase C (PKC) activity appears to be crucially involved in both processes. Furthermore, as shown in recent studies, Purkinje cell dendritic development also critically depends on the activity of PKC. Thereby, the Ca(2+)-dependent PKC subtypes, activated by synaptic inputs through metabotropic glutamate receptors, trigger functional changes as well as long-term anatomical maturation of the Purkinje cell dendritic tree during cerebellar development at different time levels. This review summarizes these findings and forwards the hypothesis of a link between the functional mechanisms underlying LTD and the differentiation of Purkinje cell dendrites.     

Protein kinase C activation causes neurite retraction via cyclinD1 and p60‐katanin increase in rat hippocampal neurons

Neurons are differentiated postmitotic cells residing in G₀ phase of the cell cycle and are unable to proceed through G₁ phase, in which cyclinD1 needs to be up‐regulated for initiation. Yet, a growing body of evidence has shown that cell cycle re‐activation via cyclinD1 up‐regulation drives neurons into apoptosis. By contrast, there is also evidence demonstrating cell cycle proteins playing roles in neuronal differentiation. cyclinD1 has been shown to be differently regulated by protein kinase C alpha (PKC‐α) in various mitotic cells. Based on these different effects, we investigated the role of PKC‐α on cyclinD1 regulation in hippocampal neurons. Neurons were treated with PKC activator, PMA, and analysed for subcellular distributions of PKC‐α and cyclinD1. Remarkably, PMA treatment increased nuclear PKC‐α and cyclinD1, but not PKC‐ε in hippocampal neurons. Increases in nuclear PKC‐α and cyclinD1 were accompanied by microtubule re‐organisation via increases in tau and retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation levels. Increased p60‐katanin and p53 changed the neuronal morphology into neurons with shorter, but increased number of side branches. Since up‐regulation of cell cycle is associated with apoptosis in neurons, we also analysed changes in Bax, Bcl‐2 early and PARP (poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase), caspase3 late apoptotic markers. However, we did not observe any indication of apoptosis. These data suggest that in addition to their previously known roles in mitotic cells on cell cycle regulation, PKC‐α and cyclinD1 seem to be important for differentiation, and nuclear PKC‐α and cyclinD1 interfere with differentiation by promoting microtubule re‐organisation through PKC signaling without triggering apoptosis.     

Effects of ginsenoside on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine kinase B mRNA expression in the hippocampal formation of aged rats*☆

BACKGROUND： There are a limited number of studies involving the effects of ginsenosides, the active component of ginseng, on expression of hippocampal TrkB mRNA in aged rats.
OBJECTIVE： To observe expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and tyrosine kinase B （TrkB） mRNA in the hippocampal formation of aged rats, as well as changes after ginsenoside administrated.
DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled experiment was performed at the Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University in March 2005.
MATERIALS： A total of 39 female, Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups （n = 13 each）： young （3-5 months old）, aged （27 months old）, and ginsenoside group （received 25mg/kg/d ginsenoside in the drinking water between 17 and 27 months of age）.
METHODS： Following anesthesia, the rats were exsanguinated and perfused transcardially with chilled, heparinized, 0.9% saline. The brains were removed and post-fixed in 40 g/L paraformaldehyde/phosphate buffer for 20 minutes, and further incubated in 30% sucrose/phosphate buffer overnight.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： In situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis were used to investigate expression of BDNF and TrkB mRNA in the hippocampal formation. RESULTS： The expression levels of BDNF in the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 of aged rats was significantly less than the young group （t = 2.879, 1.814, 1.984, P 〈 0.05）. BDNF expression was significantly greater in the dentate gyrus of the ginsenoside group, compared with the aging group （t = 1.943, P 〈 0.01）. The expression of TrkB mRNA in the hippocampal CA3, CA1, and dentate gyrus of aged rats was less than the young group （t = 3.540, 3.629, 17.905, P 〈 0.01）. TrkB mRNA expression in the CA3 region and dentate gyrus of the ginsenoside group was significantly greater compared with the aging group （t = 1.293, 3.386, P 〈 0.05, 0.01 ）.
CONCLUSION： BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression in the hipp     

Effects of ginsenoside on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine kinase B mRNA expression in the hippocampal formation of aged rats

BACKGROUND:There are a limited number of studies involving the effects of ginsenosides,the active component of ginseng,on expression of hippocampal TrkB mRNA in aged rats.OBJECTIVE:To observe expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB)mRNA in the hippocampal formation of aged rats,as well as changes after ginsenoside administrated.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A randomized,controlled experiment was performed at the Department of Anatomy,College of Basic Medical Sciences,China Medical University in March 2005.MATERIALS:A total of 39 female,Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=13 each):young (3-5 months old),aged(27 months old),and ginsenoside group(received 25mg/kg/d ginsenoside in the drinking water between 17 and 27 months of age).METHODS:Following anesthesia,the rats were exsanguinated and perfused transcardially with chilled,heparinized,0.9% saline.The brains were removed and post-fixed in 40 g/L paraformaldehyde/phosphate buffer for 20 minutes,and further incubated in 30% sucrose/phosphate buffer overnight.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:In situ hybridization,immunohistochemistry,and image analysis were used to investigate expression of BDNF and Trk(B mRNA in the hippocampal formation.RESULTS:The expression levels of BDNF in the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 of aged rats was significantly less than the young group(t=2.879,1.814,1.984,P<0.05).BDNF expression was significantly greater in the dentate gyrus of the ginsenoside group,compared with the aging group(t=1.943,P<0.01).The expression of TrkB mRNA in the hippocampal CA3,CA1,and dentate gyrus of aged rats was less than the young group(t=3.540,3.629,17.905,P<0.01).TrkB mRNA expression in the CA3 region and dentate gyrus of the ginsenoside group was significantly greater compared with the aging group(t=1.293,3.386,P<0.05.0.01).CONCLUSION:BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression in the hippocampal formation were reduced in the aged group.However,ginsenosides can increase BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression in the hippocampal formation.     

Galantamine enhancement of long‐term potentiation is mediated by calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II and protein kinase C activation

Galantamine, a novel Alzheimer's drug, is known to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity and potentiate nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in the brain. We previously reported that galantamine potentiates the NMDA‐induced currents in primary cultured rat cortical neurons. We now studied the effects of galantamine on long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the rat hippocampal CA1 regions. The field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) were induced by stimulation of the Schaffer collateral/commissural pathways in the hippocampal CA1 region. Treatment with 0.01–10 μM galantamine did not affect the slope of fEPSPs in the CA1 region. Galantamine treatment increased calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and protein kinase Cα (PKCα) activities with a bell‐shaped dose–response curve peaked at 1 μM, thereby increasing the phosphorylation of AMPA receptor, myristoylated alanine‐rich protein kinase C, and NMDA receptor as downstream substrates of CaMKII and/or PKCα. By contrast, galatamine treatment did not affect protein kinase A activity. Consistent with the bell‐shaped CaMKII and PKCα activation, galantamine treatment enhanced LTP in the hippocampal CA1 regions with the same bell‐shaped dose–response curve. Furthermore, LTP potentiation induced by galantamine treatment at 1 μM was closely associated with both CaMKII and PKC activation with concomitant increase in phosphorylation of their downstream substrates except for synapsin I. In addition, the enhancement of LTP by galantamine was accompanied with α7‐type nAChR activation. These results suggest that galantamine potentiates NMDA receptor‐dependent LTP through α7‐type nAChR activation, by which the postsynaptic CaMKII and PKC are activated. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Histone deacetylase inhibitors promote neurosteroid‐mediated cell differentiation and enhance serotonin‐stimulated brain‐derived neurotrophic factor gene expression in rat C6 glioma cells

Progesterone treatment has previously been reported to promote the differentiation of glial cells probably through the production of 5α‐reduced neurosteroids, resulting in the enhancement of serotonin‐stimulated brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression, which is considered to contribute to the survival, regeneration, and plasticity of neuronal cells in the brain and hence has been suggested to improve mood disorders and other symptoms in depressive patients. Based on these previous observations, the effects on glial cells of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which are known as agents promoting cell differentiation, were examined using rat C6 glioma cells as a model for in vitro studies. Consequently, trichostatin A (TSA), sodium butyrate (NaB), and valproic acid (VPA) stimulated glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene expression, and their stimulatory effects on GFAP gene expression were inhibited by treatment of these cells with finasteride, an inhibitor of the enzyme producing 5α‐reduced neurosteroids. In addition, HDAC inhibitors enhanced serotonin‐stimulated BDNF gene expression, the enhancement of which could be abolished by the inhibition of 5α‐reduced neurosteroid production in the glioma cells. These results suggest that HDAC inhibitors may be able to promote the differentiation of rat C6 glioma cells through the production of 5α‐reduced neurosteroids, resulting in the enhancement of serotonin‐stimulated BDNF gene expression as a consequence of promoting their differentiation, indicating the possibility that differentiated glial cells may be implicated in preserving the integrity of neural networks as well as improving the function of neuronal cells in the brain. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Protein kinase CK2 enhances Mcl‐1 gene expression through the serum response factor‐mediated pathway in the rat hippocampus

The protein kinase CK2 (casein kinase 2) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine protein kinase that suppresses apoptosis. CK2 is composed of catalytic and regulatory subunits, and CK2‐dependent phosphorylation is a global mechanism in the inhibition of caspase signaling pathways. The serum response factor (SRF) is an important regulator of cell growth and differentiation. Although CK2 has been shown to phosphorylate SRF in vitro, the biological relevance of this interaction remains largely unclear. We observed increased SRF phosphorylation and increased Mcl‐1 gene expression in hippocampal CA1 neurons following transfection with a plasmid expressing the wild‐type CK2α (CK2αWT) protein, whereas transfection with a plasmid expressing a catalytically inactive mutant of CK2α (CK2α156A) reduced Mcl‐1 gene expression. Cotransfection with a plasmid expressing the inactive SRF99A mutant inhibited the CK2αWT‐induced upregulation of Mcl‐1 gene expression. The expression of either the CK2α156A or the SRF99A mutant also inhibited the glutamate‐induced upregulation of Mcl‐1 protein expression in PC12 cells. Our results suggest that CK2‐mediated signaling represents a cellular mechanism that may aid in the development of alternative therapeutic strategies to attenuate apoptosis in hippocampal neurons. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Astragalus injection inhibits c-Jun N terminal kinase mRNA expression following oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction in rat hippocampal neurons

BACKGROUND： In studies concerning cell injury induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, current experiments have primarily focused on altered protein levels. In addition, the apoptotic proteins Bax and Bcl-2 have been thoroughly studied with regard to initiating neuronal apoptosis. OBJECTIVE： To establish an in vitro model of oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction in the rat hippocampus to simulate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury; to observe c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 （JNK3） mRNA expression in hippocampal neurons following Astragalus injection; and thus to determine changes in the signaling and downstream pathways of neuronal apoptosis at the cellular and molecular level. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, cellular and molecular experiment was performed at the Department of Central Laboratory, Chengde Medical College from February to June 2008. MATERIALS： Astragalus injection, the main ingredient of astragaloside, was purchased from Chengdu Di＇ao Jiuhong Pharmaceutical Manufactory, China. JNK3 mRNA probe and in situ hybridization kit were purchased from Tianjin Haoyang Biological Technology, China, and JNK3 RT-PCR primers were designed by Shanghai Bio-engineering, China. METHODS： Primary cultures of hippocampal neurons derived from Sprague Dawley rats, aged 1 2 days, were established. After 8 days, the hippocampal neurons were assigned to the following interventions： model group, Astragalus group, and vehicle control group, cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose reintroduction after oxygen-glucose deprivation for 30 minutes in sugar-free Earle＇s solution and a hypoxia device, which contained high-purity nitrogen. The normal control group was subjected to primary culture techniques and was not treated using above-mentioned interventions. In addition, the Astragalus and vehicle control groups were treated with Astragalus injection （0.5 g/L raw drug） or sterile, deionized water at 2 hours prior to oxygen-glucose deprivation, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： JNK3 mRNA expression was measured by in situ hybridization and RT-PCR at 0, 0.5, 2, 6, 24, 72, and 120 hours after oxygen-glucose reintroduction. RESULTS： Hippocampal neuronal morphology was normal in the normal control group. Hippocampal neurons exhibited apparent apoptosis-like pathological changes in the model, as well as the vehicle control, groups. The apoptosis-like pathological changes in the hippocampal neurons were less in the Astragalus group. Results from in situ hybridization and RT-PCR showed that JNK3 mRNA expression significantly increased in hippocampal neurons from model group, as well as the vehicle control group, compared with the normal control group （P 〈 0.05）. In addition, JNK3 mRNA expression significantly decreased in hippocampal neurons of the Astragalus group, compared with the model group and vehicle control group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Astragalus injection inhibited apoptosis-related JNK3 mRNA expression following oxygen-glucose deprivation and reintroduction, and accordingly played a role in inhibiting hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.     

Protein kinase C epsilon contributes to basal and sensitizing responses of TRPV1 to capsaicin in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Phosphorylation of the vanilloid receptor (TRPV1) by protein kinase C epsilon (PKCepsilon) plays an important role in the development of chronic pain. Here, we employ a highly defective herpes simplex virus vector (vHDNP) that expresses dominant negative PKCepsilon (DNPKCepsilon) as a strategy to demonstrate that PKCepsilon is essential for: (i) maintenance of basal phosphorylation and normal TRPV1 responses to capsaicin (CAPS), a TRPV1 agonist and (ii) enhancement of TRPV1 responses by phorbol esters. Phorbol esters induced translocation of endogenous PKCepsilon to the plasma membrane and thereby enhanced CAPS currents. These results were extended to an in-vivo pain model in which vHDNP delivery to dorsal root ganglion neurons caused analgesia in CAPS-treated, acutely inflamed rat hind paws. These findings support the conclusion that in addition to receptor sensitization, PKCepsilon is essential for normal TRPV1 responses in vitro and in vivo.     

Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on expression of neurotrophic factors in C6 glial cells in culture

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants that affect nervous system function. Glial cells are among the first lines of defense in the nervous system and are involved in activities, including production of neurotrophic factors, which maintain an environment optimally suited for neuronal function. In this study, we investigated the effects of a commercial mixture of PCBs, Aroclor 1254 (A1254), on neurotrophic factor secretion by C6 cells in culture. C6 cells were exposed to medium containing 10 ppm A1254, 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO=vehicle), or normal culture medium. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) protein were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. GDNF mRNA was measured by real-time RT-PCR. The role of protein kinase C (PKC) signaling in A1254 effects was investigated using bisindolylmaleimide, a PKC antagonist. Exposure to A1254 increased NGF (8.8x10(-5)+/-8.2x10(-6)pg NGF/cell) and GDNF (1.0x10(-4)+/-6.7x10(-6)pg GDNF/cell) secretion compared to DMSO treated controls (5.0x10(-5)+/-7.5x10(-6)pg NGF/cell and 6.2x10(-5)+/-3.1x10(-6)pg GDNF/cell). The effect of A1254 was long-lived, as GDNF secretion was elevated following 5 days of exposure (4.1x10(-5)+/-1.7x10(-6)pg GDNF/cell in A1254 exposed cells vs. 2.9x10(-5)+/-2.3x10(-6)pg GDNF/cell in DMSO exposed cells). GDNF mRNA expression was also elevated following exposure to A1254 (1.14+/-0.07 gene expression units in A1254 exposed cells vs. 0.8+/-0.07 gene expression units in DMSO exposed cells). Bisindolylmaleimide was able to block the effects of A1254 on GDNF secretion. Thus, one potential mechanism by which PCBs may alter nervous system function is via disruption of neurotrophic factor expression by glial cells. The observation that neurotrophic factor expression was increased following exposure to PCB may suggest that glial cells increase expression of neuroprotective genes following exposure to potentially damaging agents such as PCBs.     

Intracerebroventricular oxytocin administration in rats enhances object recognition and increases expression of neurotrophins,microtubule‐associated protein 2, and synapsin I

Brain oxytocin regulates a variety of social and affiliative behaviors and affects also learning and memory. However, mechanisms of its action at the level of neuronal circuits are not fully understood. The present study tests the hypothesis that molecular factors required for memory formation and synaptic plasticity, including brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, neural growth factor, nestin, microtubule‐associated protein 2 (MAP2), and synapsin I, are enhanced by central administration of oxytocin. We also investigated whether oxytocin enhances object recognition and acts as anxiolytic agent. Therefore, male Wistar rats were infused continuously with oxytocin (20 ng/µl) via an osmotic minipump into the lateral cerebral ventricle for 7 days; controls were infused with vehicle. The object recognition test, open field test, and elevated plus maze test were performed on the sixth, seventh, and eighth days from starting the infusion. No significant effects of oxytocin on anxious‐like behavior were observed. The object recognition test showed that oxytocin‐treated rats significantly preferred unknown objects. Oxytocin treatment significantly increased gene expression and protein levels of neurotrophins, MAP2, and synapsin I in the hippocampus. No changes were observed in nestin expression. Our results provide the first direct evidence implicating oxytocin as a regulator of brain plasticity at the level of changes of neuronal growth factors, cytoskeletal proteins, and behavior. The data support assumption that oxytocin is important for short‐term hippocampus‐dependent memory. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Downregulated hippocampal expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine kinase B in a rat model of comorbid epilepsy and depression

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) protein in the hippocampus of model rats of comorbid epilepsy and depression.

Methods: A rat model of epilepsy was established using lithium chloride.pilocarpine. Among these epileptic rats, those with comorbid depression were selected by a battery of behavioral tests starting on the 14th day after establishing the epilepsy model. A depression group was established by unpredicted chronic mild stress (UCMS) and separate housing. These treatment groups were compared to an untreated control group. Thirteen rats per group were examined by immuno?uorescence staining with optical density quantitation to determine the distribution of BDNF- and TrkB-positive cells in the hippocampus and by western blotting to estimate total protein expression levels during the 4th week after establishing the models. Immuno?uorescence staining for NeuN was also conducted in hippocampus to evaluate neuronal survival. Depression-like behaviors were also assessed.

Results: Compared to the untreated control group and the epilepsy alone group, the comorbid group exhibited lower average optical densities of BDNF- and TrkB-immunopositive cells as well as lower total BDNF and TrkB protein expression levels (all P = 0.000). The comorbid group exhibited lower behavioral scores compared to all other groups (all P=0.000). Numbers of NeuN–positive cells were lower in the hippocampus of all three experimental groups compared to the untreated control group (all P = 0.000).

Conclusions: These results suggest that hypofunctional BDNF-TrkB signaling may contribute to depression in epilepsy.

Abbreviations: BDNF: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; TrkB: tyrosine kinase B; UCMS: unpredicted chronic mild stress; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; HS: Hippocampal sclerosis     

Biological characterization and optical imaging of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-green fluorescent protein suggest an activity-dependent local release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in neurites of cultured hippocampal neurons

To visualize the release dynamics of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) involved in neural plasticity, we constructed a plasmid encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused with BDNF. First, several biological studies confirmed that this fusion protein (BDNF-GFP) mimics the biological functions and the release kinetics of unfused (native) BDNF. Second, when BDNF-GFP was expressed in cultured hippocampal neurons, we observed that this protein formed striking clusters in the neurites of mature neurons and colocalized with the PSD-95 immunoreactivity. Such a clustered BDNF-GFP rapidly disappeared in response to depolarization with KCl, as revealed by confocal microscopic studies. These data suggest that BDNF is locally and rapidly released at synaptic sites in an activity-dependent manner. Optical studies using BDNF-GFP may provide important evidence regarding the participation of BDNF in synaptic plasticity.