Basic fibroblast growth factor in rat brain: localization to glial gap junctions correlates with connexin43 distribution

Light and electron microscope procedures and antibodies against basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were used to study the immunohistochemical localization of bFGF in rat brain. Throughout all areas of the brain analyzed by LM including grey matter, white matter, ependyma, and leptomeninges bFGF-immunoreactivity consisted of punctate immunolabelling that had an appearance and heterogenous distribution nearly identical to that displayed by the gap junction protein connexin43. By immuno-EM, bFGF was localized to gap junctions between astrocytes. It appears that there is a physical association of bFGF with gap junctions composed of connexin43 and it is suggested that bFGF may exert a regulatory influence on intercellular communication at such junctions.     

Substance P modulation of the membrane potential of the Schwann cell of the squid giant nerve fibre.

Substance P produced a dose-dependent, long-lasting hyperpolarization of the membrane of the Schwann cells of the giant nerve fibre of the tropical squid. A survey of the effectiveness of a range of other naturally occurring tachykinin agonists suggested that the receptors present on the squid Schwann cell belong to the subtype SP-P or NK1, for which substance P is the preferred agonist. A survey of the effectiveness of a range of substance P fragments indicated that the direct hyperpolarizing effects of the substance P molecule were mediated by peptides with an intact amidated C-terminal. However, a second subset of receptors that can be activated by N-terminal fragments and analogues lacking an amidated C-terminal was also present in this preparation. The non-subtype-specific antagonist D-Arg1,D-Trp7,9,Leu11 substance P (spantide) was a potent blocker of the effects of substance P in this preparation. Activation of the substance P receptors did not interact with the effects induced by activation of either the nicotinic cholinergic receptors or octopaminergic receptors present in this preparation. However, it did potentiate the effects of activation of the receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), either in response to bath application of the peptide or due to their activation by the release of an endogenous VIP-like peptide after stimulation of the giant axon.     

Glucose-supported oxidative metabolism and evoked potentials are sensitive to fluoroacetate, an inhibitor of glial tricar☐ylic acid cycle in the olfactory cortex slice

Optical absorbance change was measured by reflectance spectrophotometry in the olfactory cortex slice prepared from the rat brain. Optical absorbance of the piriform area of the slice was increased by perifusion with an anoxic (N₂-gassed) solution. Components of the absorbance spectrum recorded from the slice in anoxia corresponded to that of cytochromes (cyt)aa₃ and c + c₁, but did not to that of cyt c. Reduction of cytochromes in anoxia coincided with decrease in the amplitude of the presynaptic potential and a slower negative wave (N-wave). The reduced state of cytochromes switched to an oxidized state when a well-oxygenated solution was reintroduced. An almost complete recovery of redox state coincided with full recovery of the evoked potential. A metabolic inhibitor, 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG) (10 mM) or iodoacetic acid (IAA) (3 mM) caused little or slight oxidation of cytochromes, but significantly decreased the amplitude of evoked potentials. Marked oxidation of cytochromes was observed only by perifusion with a solution containing 2 DG (10 mM) and IAA (3 mM). The rate of oxygen uptake was significantly lowered by these metabolic inhibitors. When the slice was perifused with a solution containing fluoroacetate (1 or 10 mM), a selective inhibitor of glial metabolism, cytochromes shifted to oxidized levels. The amplitude of evoked potentials tended to decline by a low dose (1 mM), and significantly decreased by a high dose (10 mM) of fluoroacetate. Oxygen consumption of the slice was dose-relatedly lowered by fluoroacetate.These results indicate (1) that the mitochondrial redox state becomes reduced in anoxia and the evoked potential is concomitantly suppressed, (2) that metabolic and neuronal activities are primarily supported by glucose supply, and (3) that reducing equivalents into the respiratory chain are derived from metabolic activities, which are linked to glucose metabolism, in glia as well as in neurons of the olfactory cortex slice.     

Trauma-induced proliferation of astrocytes in the brains of young and aged rats

The time-course and magnitude of astrocyte proliferation following neural trauma was evaluated in young adult (3 months) and mid-aged (16-19 months) male Fischer 344 rats. One to 4 days after a needle wound was made through the cortex and the hippocampus, rats received three intraperitoneal injections of 3H-thymidine at 8 hour intervals and were sacrificed 1 hour after the last injection. For astrocyte quantification, 3H-thymidine autoradiography was combined with immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein followed by semithin sectioning. In areas of the cortex and hippocampus adjacent to the wound, astrocytes were categorized as unlabeled or labeled with silver grains over the nuclei. Labeling index and numerical density of astrocytes were determined using stereological methods. The results showed that in both young and older rats, astrocyte proliferation is an early glial response to neural trauma, occurring during the first 4 postlesion days and contributing to an increase in astrocyte population. Regional differences in labeling index and numerical density suggest heterogeneity in the proliferative capacity of astrocyte subpopulations in the rat brain. Compared with young animals, older rats demonstrated greater labeling in the cortex but not in the hippocampus. Thus, aging is associated with region-specific increase in astrocyte reactivity to trauma possibly due to increased availability of mitogens or enhanced sensitivity of astrocytes to mitogenic signals.     

Complement in the brain

The brain is considered to be an immune privileged site, because the blood-brain barrier limits entry of blood borne cells and proteins into the central nervous system (CNS). As a result, the detection and clearance of invading microorganisms and senescent cells as well as surplus neurotransmitters, aged and glycated proteins, in order to maintain a healthy environment for neuronal and glial cells, is largely confined to the innate immune system. In recent years it has become clear that many factors of innate immunity are expressed throughout the brain. Neuronal and glial cells express Toll like receptors as well as complement receptors, and virtually all complement components can be locally produced in the brain, often in response to injury or developmental cues. However, as inflammatory reactions could interfere with proper functioning of the brain, tight and fine tuned regulatory mechanisms are warranted. In age related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), accumulating amyloid proteins elicit complement activation and a local, chronic inflammatory response that leads to attraction and activation of glial cells that, under such activation conditions, can produce neurotoxic substances, including pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxygen radicals. This process may be exacerbated by a disturbed balance between complement activators and complement regulatory proteins such as occurs in AD, as the local synthesis of these proteins is differentially regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Much knowledge about the role of complement in neurodegenerative diseases has been derived from animal studies with transgenic overexpressing or knockout mice for specific complement factors or receptors. These studies have provided insight into the potential therapeutic use of complement regulators and complement receptor antagonists in chronic neurodegenerative diseases as well as in acute conditions, such as stroke. Interestingly, recent animal studies have also indicated that complement activation products are involved in brain development and synapse formation. Not only are these findings important for the understanding of how brain development and neural network formation is organized, it may also give insights into the role of complement in processes of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection in the injured or aged and diseased adult central nervous system, and thus aid in identifying novel and specific targets for therapeutic intervention.     

Neuron-glia interactions underlie ALS-like axonal cytoskeletal pathology

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disorder involving loss of movement due to degeneration of motor neurons. Studies suggest that in ALS axonal dysfunction precedes the death of motor neurons. Pathologically, ALS is characterized by neurofilamentous swellings (spheroids) within the axons of motor neurons. However, the causes of this axonopathy and possible resulting axonal dysfunction are not known. Using a novel model of cultured mouse motor neurons, we have determined that these neurons are susceptible to proximal axonopathy, which is related to the glial environment. This axonopathy showed remarkable similarity, both morphologically and neurochemically, to spheroids that develop over months in SOD1_G93A transgenic mice. Focal ubiquitination, as well as perturbations of neurofilaments and microtubules, occurred in the axonal spheroid-like swellings in vitro, and visualization of mitochondrial dynamics demonstrated that axonopathy resulted in impaired axonal transport. These data provide strong evidence for the involvement of non-neuronal cells in axonal dysfunction in ALS. This cell culture model may be of benefit for the development of therapeutic interventions directed at axonal preservation.     

Pain behavior and spinal cell activation due to carrageenan-induced inflammation in two inbred rat strains with differential hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis reactivity

Lewis (LEW) and Fischer (FIS) inbred rats were used to study the relationship of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity with inflammation-related pain behavior. LEW rats are susceptible to the development of autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders, whereas FIS rats are resistant. Since contradictory data have previously been collected under conditions of acute inflammation, we investigated the onset and maintenance of thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and spinal activation of neurons and glia cells in a model of ongoing inflammation in both strains. Hind paw volumes and mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were measured prior to and during one week after intraplantar injection of carrageenan. The activation of nociceptive neurons (FosB), astroglia (GFAP) and microglia (OX-42) in the spinal cord of segments L5/L6 was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Inflammation increased paw volume, pain sensitivity and cell activation in both strains. FIS rats were more sensitive to sensory stimulation and developed a more severe edema on day 1, but recovered faster up to day 7 than LEW rats. At that time a higher amount of activated nociceptive neurons and corticosterone was seen in FIS rats, but microglial activation was more pronounced in LEW rats. Our results suggest a biphasic role of the HPA axis in pain behavior and spinal cell activation associated with ongoing inflammation. In the acute stage, the stronger reaction in FIS rats might be explained by an activating effect of corticosteroids on neutrophil function. Under ongoing inflammatory conditions the immunosuppressive actions of corticosteroids may dominate and lead to a quicker recovery of paw volume and pain sensitivity in FIS rats.     

Neurosteroids and epileptogenesis in the pilocarpine model: Evidence for a relationship between P450scc induction and length of the latent period

Purpose:   Cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) catalyzes the initial step in the biosynthesis of neurosteroids within the brain. We sought to determine which cells express P450cc and whether neurosteroids play a role in the regulation of epileptogenesis following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE).
Methods:   Rats experienced uninterrupted SE or SE terminated with diazepam at 60, 120, and 180 min. P450scc induction in CA3 hippocampus was determined by double immunolabeling with P450scc antiserum and monoclonal antibodies against GFAP (astrocytes), RIP (oligodendrocytes), or heme oxygenase-1 (microglia).
Results:   SE was associated with P450scc induction in many astrocytes and a small number of microglia and oligodendrocytes in the hippocampal CA3 strata radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare. The extent of P450scc induction increased with increasing SE duration. Paradoxically, increased P450scc induction in rats experiencing SE for 180 min or more was associated with the delayed onset of spontaneous recurrent seizures. Treatment with the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride (100 mg/kg/day for 25 days), which inhibits the synthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)_A receptor modulating neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone, was associated with a significant reduction in time to the onset of spontaneous seizures in rats exposed to 180-min but not 90-min SE.
Discussion:   P450scc is induced by SE in a diverse population of hippocampal glia. Induction of P450scc is associated with the delayed onset of spontaneous seizures. Conversely, inhibition of neurosteroid synthesis accelerated the onset of spontaneous seizures, but only in animals exhibiting significant increases in P450scc. These findings suggest that induction of neurosteroid synthesis in reactive glial cells is associated with delayed onset of spontaneously recurrent seizures.     

病理性疼痛的发生发展机制

疼痛不仅是一种伤害刺激引起机体的客观感觉,还是一种主观感受。所以疼痛的机制远比人们想象的要复杂。目前研究的重点在病理性疼痛,为了探究其产生及维持机制,以求找到治疗病理性疼痛的新靶点,许多学者做了深入的有成效的研究。本文就迄今为止关于病理性疼痛发生发展机制的研究进展作一综述。