scholarly journals Analysis of co-isogenic prion protein deficient mice reveals behavioral deficits, learning impairment, and enhanced hippocampal excitability

BMC Biology ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Matamoros-Angles ◽  
A. Hervera ◽  
J. Soriano ◽  
E. Martí ◽  
P. Carulla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Prion Protein ◽  
Operant Conditioning ◽  
Network Formation ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Cellular Prion Protein ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Term Potentiation

Abstract Background Cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a cell surface GPI-anchored protein, usually known for its role in the pathogenesis of human and animal prionopathies. However, increasing knowledge about the participation of PrPC in prion pathogenesis contrasts with puzzling data regarding its natural physiological role. PrPC is expressed in a number of tissues, including at high levels in the nervous system, especially in neurons and glial cells, and while previous studies have established a neuroprotective role, conflicting evidence for a synaptic function has revealed both reduced and enhanced long-term potentiation, and variable observations on memory, learning, and behavior. Such evidence has been confounded by the absence of an appropriate knock-out mouse model to dissect the biological relevance of PrPC, with some functions recently shown to be misattributed to PrPC due to the presence of genetic artifacts in mouse models. Here we elucidate the role of PrPC in the hippocampal circuitry and its related functions, such as learning and memory, using a recently available strictly co-isogenic Prnp0/0 mouse model (PrnpZH3/ZH3). Results We performed behavioral and operant conditioning tests to evaluate memory and learning capabilities, with results showing decreased motility, impaired operant conditioning learning, and anxiety-related behavior in PrnpZH3/ZH3 animals. We also carried in vivo electrophysiological recordings on CA3-CA1 synapses in living behaving mice and monitored spontaneous neuronal firing and network formation in primary neuronal cultures of PrnpZH3/ZH3 vs wildtype mice. PrPC absence enhanced susceptibility to high-intensity stimulations and kainate-induced seizures. However, long-term potentiation (LTP) was not enhanced in the PrnpZH3/ZH3 hippocampus. In addition, we observed a delay in neuronal maturation and network formation in PrnpZH3/ZH3 cultures. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that PrPC promotes neuronal network formation and connectivity. PrPC mediates synaptic function and protects the synapse from excitotoxic insults. Its deletion may underlie an epileptogenic-susceptible brain that fails to perform highly cognitive-demanding tasks such as associative learning and anxiety-like behaviors.

scholarly journals Behavioral deficits, learning impairment, and enhanced hippocampal excitability in co-isogenic PrnpZH3/ZH3 mice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Matamoros-Angles ◽  
A. Hervera ◽  
J. Soriano ◽  
E. Martí ◽  
P. Carulla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Operant Conditioning ◽  
Network Formation ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Cellular Prion Protein ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Neuronal Firing ◽  
Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Primary Neuronal Cultures ◽  
Electrophysiological Recordings

AbstractThe cellular prion protein (PrPC) has been associated with numerous cellular processes, such as cell differentiation and neurotransmission. Moreover, it was recently demonstrated that some functions were misattributed to PrPC since results were obtained from mouse models with genetic artifacts. Here we elucidate the role of PrPC in the hippocampal circuitry and its related functions, like learning and memory, using the new strictly co-isogenic Prnp0/0 mouse. Behavioral and operant conditioning tests were performed to evaluate memory and learning capabilities. In vivo electrophysiological recordings were carried out at CA3-CA1 synapses in living behaving mice, and spontaneous neuronal firing and network formation were monitored in primary neuronal cultures of PrnpZH3/ZH3 vs. wild-type mice. Results showed decreased motility, impaired operant conditioning learning, and anxiety-related behavior in PrnpZH3/ZH3 animals. PrPC absence enhanced susceptibility to high-intensity stimulations and kainate-induced seizures. However, long-term potentiation (LTP) was not enhanced in the PrnpZH3/ZH hippocampus. In addition, we observed a delay in neuronal maturation and network formation in PrnpZH3/ZH3 cultures. In conclusion, PrPC mediates synaptic function and protects the synapse from excitotoxic insults. Its deletion might evoke a susceptible epileptogenic brain that would fail to perform highly cognitive-demanding tasks such as associative learning and anxiety-like behaviors.

scholarly journals GPR68 deletion impairs hippocampal long-term potentiation and passive avoidance behavior

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Xu ◽  
Mike T. Lin ◽  
Xiang-ming Zha
Keyword(s):  
Passive Avoidance ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Synaptic Cleft ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Metabotropic Receptor ◽  
Term Potentiation

Abstract Increased neural activities reduced pH at the synaptic cleft and interstitial spaces. Recent studies have shown that protons function as a neurotransmitter. However, it remains unclear whether protons signal through a metabotropic receptor to regulate synaptic function. Here, we showed that GPR68, a proton-sensitive GPCR, exhibited wide expression in the hippocampus, with higher expression observed in CA3 pyramidal neurons and dentate granule cells. In organotypic hippocampal slice neurons, ectopically expressed GPR68-GFP was present in dendrites, dendritic spines, and axons. Recordings in hippocampal slices isolated from GPR68−/− mice showed a reduced fiber volley at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses, a reduced long-term potentiation (LTP), but unaltered paired-pulse ratio. In a step-through passive avoidance test, GPR68−/− mice exhibited reduced avoidance to the dark chamber. These findings showed that GPR68 contributes to hippocampal LTP and aversive fear memory.

scholarly journals Pre- and Postnatal Propylthiouracil-Induced Hypothyroidism Impairs Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity in Area CA1 of the Neonatal Rat Hippocampus

Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (9) ◽  
pp. 4195-4203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Sui ◽  
M. E. Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Learning Deficits ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Area Ca1 ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Paired Pulse Depression

Abstract Thyroid hormones are essential for neonatal brain development. It is well established that insufficiency of thyroid hormone during critical periods of development can impair cognitive functions. The mechanisms that underlie learning deficits in hypothyroid animals, however, are not well understood. As impairments in synaptic function are likely to contribute to cognitive deficits, the current study tested whether thyroid hormone insufficiency during development would alter quantitative characteristics of synaptic function in the hippocampus. Developing rats were exposed in utero and postnatally to 0, 3, or 10 ppm propylthiouracil (PTU), a thyroid hormone synthesis inhibitor, administered in the drinking water of dams from gestation d 6 until postnatal day (PN) 30. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials and population spikes were recorded from the stratum radiatum and the pyramidal cell layer, respectively, in area CA1 of hippocampal slices from offspring between PN21 and PN30. Baseline synaptic transmission was evaluated by comparing input-output relationships between groups. Paired-pulse facilitation, paired-pulse depression, long-term potentiation, and long-term depression were recorded to examine short- and long-term synaptic plasticity. PTU reduced thyroid hormones, reduced body weight gain, and delayed eye-opening in a dose-dependent manner. Excitatory synaptic transmission was increased by developmental exposure to PTU. Thyroid hormone insufficiency was also dose-dependently associated with a reduction paired-pulse facilitation and long-term potentiation of the excitatory postsynaptic potential and elimination of paired-pulse depression of the population spike. The results indicate that thyroid hormone insufficiency compromises the functional integrity of synaptic communication in area CA1 of developing rat hippocampus and suggest that these changes may contribute to learning deficits associated with developmental hypothyroidism.

scholarly journals The AMPA receptor-associated protein Shisa7 regulates hippocampal synaptic function and contextual memory

eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne J M Schmitz ◽  
Remco V Klaassen ◽  
Marta Ruiperez-Alonso ◽  
Azra Elia Zamri ◽  
Jasper Stroeder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ampa Receptors ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Fear Memory ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Glutamatergic Synapses ◽  
Contextual Fear ◽  
Receptor Associated Protein ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Bona Fide

Glutamatergic synapses rely on AMPA receptors (AMPARs) for fast synaptic transmission and plasticity. AMPAR auxiliary proteins regulate receptor trafficking, and modulate receptor mobility and its biophysical properties. The AMPAR auxiliary protein Shisa7 (CKAMP59) has been shown to interact with AMPARs in artificial expression systems, but it is unknown whether Shisa7 has a functional role in glutamatergic synapses. We show that Shisa7 physically interacts with synaptic AMPARs in mouse hippocampus. Shisa7 gene deletion resulted in faster AMPAR currents in CA1 synapses, without affecting its synaptic expression. Shisa7 KO mice showed reduced initiation and maintenance of long-term potentiation of glutamatergic synapses. In line with this, Shisa7 KO mice showed a specific deficit in contextual fear memory, both short-term and long-term after conditioning, whereas auditory fear memory and anxiety-related behavior were normal. Thus, Shisa7 is a bona-fide AMPAR modulatory protein affecting channel kinetics of AMPARs, necessary for synaptic hippocampal plasticity, and memory recall.

scholarly journals Synaptic plasticity in multiple sclerosis and in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1633) ◽  
pp. 20130162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Nisticò ◽  
Francesco Mori ◽  
Marco Feligioni ◽  
Ferdinando Nicoletti ◽  
Diego Centonze
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Pathology ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

Approximately half of all patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience cognitive dysfunction, including learning and memory impairment. Recent studies suggest that hippocampal pathology is involved, although the mechanisms underlying these deficits remain poorly understood. Evidence obtained from a mouse model of MS, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), suggests that in the hippocampus of EAE mice long-term potentiation (LTP) is favoured over long-term depression in response to repetitive synaptic activation, through a mechanism dependent on enhanced IL-1β released from infiltrating lymphocytes or activated microglia. Facilitated LTP during an immune-mediated attack might underlie functional recovery, but also cognitive deficits and excitotoxic neurodegeneration. Having identified that pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β can influence synaptic function and integrity in early MS, it is hoped that new treatments targeted towards preventing synaptic pathology can be developed.

scholarly journals Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitor and 14,15-Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid-Facilitated Long-Term Potentiation through cAMP and CaMKII in the Hippocampus

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han-Fang Wu ◽  
Yi-Ju Chen ◽  
Su-Zhen Wu ◽  
Chi-Wei Lee ◽  
I-Tuan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Epoxide Hydrolase ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Receptor Subunit ◽  
Dependent Protein Kinase ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Dependent Protein

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are derived from arachidonic acid and metabolized by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). The role of EETs in synaptic function in the central nervous system is still largely unknown. We found that pharmacological inhibition of sEH to stabilize endogenous EETs and exogenous 14,15-EET significantly increased the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) response in the CA1 area of the hippocampus, while additionally enhancing high-frequency stimulation- (HFS-) induced long-term potentiation (LTP) and forskolin- (FSK-) induced LTP. sEH inhibitor (sEHI) N-[1-(oxopropyl)-4-piperidinyl]-N’-[4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenyl)-urea (TPPU) and exogenous 14,15-EET increased HFS-LTP, which could be blocked by an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit NR2B antagonist. TPPU- or 14,15-EET-facilitated FSK-mediated LTP can be potentiated by an A1 adenosine receptor antagonist and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, but is prevented by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor. sEHI and 14,15-EET upregulated the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and Ca2+/calmodulin- (CaM-) dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Phosphorylation of synaptic receptors NR2B andα-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor subunit GluR1 was increased by TPPU and 14,15-EET administration. These results indicated that EETs increased NMDAR- and FSK-mediated synaptic potentiation via the AC-cAMP-PKA signaling cascade and upregulated the ERKs and CaMKII, resulting in increased phosphorylation of NR2B and GluR1 in the hippocampus.

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