Investigation into the role of gap junction modulation of intracortical connectivity in mouse neocortical brain slices

2014 ◽  
Vol 1553 ◽  
pp. 24-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Logan J. Voss ◽  
Emelie Gauffin ◽  
Alexandra Ringqvist ◽  
James W. Sleigh
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junction ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Intracortical Connectivity

The role of angiotensin in electrophysiological gap junction remodeling in human atrial fibrillation

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (S 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Dhein ◽  
A Boldt ◽  
J Garbade ◽  
L Polontchouk ◽  
U Wetzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Human Atrial Fibrillation

scholarly journals Role of Gap Junction Protein Connexin43 in Astrogliosis Induced by Brain Injury

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e47311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Theodoric ◽  
John F. Bechberger ◽  
Christian C. Naus ◽  
Wun-Chey Sin
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Junction Protein ◽  
Gap Junction Protein

scholarly journals The role of Ca2+ in the protoveratrine-induced release of γ-aminobutyrate from rat brain slices

1980 ◽  
Vol 190 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
M C W Minchin
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Rat Brain ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Transmitter Release ◽  
Response Curve ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Veratrum Alkaloids ◽  
Similar Dose ◽  
22Na Uptake

1. Protoveratrine A increased the release of gamma-amino[3H]butyrate from small slices of rat cerebral cortex. This effect increased with increasing protoveratrine concentration, reaching a maximum at 100 microM. 2. Removal of Ca2+ from the superfusing medium did not change the increase in release due to 10 microM-protoveratrine; however, the Ca2+ antagonists, compound D-600, La3+, Mn2+, Mg2+ and also high Ca2+ concentration inhibited the effect of the alkaloid, as did procaine. 3. Protoveratrine A increased the uptake of 22Na+ into the slices with a similar dose-response curve to that found for gamma-aminobutyrate release. For the most part, the substances that inhibited protoveratrine-stimulated gamma-aminobutyrate release also inhibited 22Na+ uptake, although the correlation was not perfect. 4. Although extracellular Ca2+ is not required for protoveratrine-induced gamma-aminobutyrate release, an increase in Na+ influx that is susceptible to inhibition by some Ca2+ antagonists does appear to be associated with this phenomenon. However, the possibility remains that changes in the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration may be important for transmitter release induced by depolarizing veratrum alkaloids.

Neuroprotection by propofol in acute mechanical injury: role of GABAergic inhibition

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 2412-2422 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Hollrigel ◽  
K. Toth ◽  
I. Soltesz
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Gabaa Receptor ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Neuronal Survival ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Mechanical Injury ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
General Anesthetic ◽  
Gabaa Receptor Antagonist

1. Whole cell patch-clamp and extracellular field recordings were obtained from granule cells of the dentate gyrus in 400-microns-thick brain slices of the adult rat to determine the actions of the intravenous general anesthetic 2,6-diisopropylphenol (propofol) on acute neuronal survival and preservation of synaptic integrity after amputation of dendrites (dendrotomy), and to determine the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA)-receptor-mediated inhibition in the neuroprotective effects of propofol. The actions of propofol were compared with those exerted by another widely used intravenous general anesthetic, 5-ethyl-5-[1-methylbutyl]-2-thiobarbituric acid (thiopental). 2. Propofol (10 microM) increased the frequency (control: 5.9 +/- 0.9 Hz, mean +/- SE; propofol: 10.5 +/- 1.3 Hz) and the single-exponential decay time constant (tau D) (control: 4.5 +/- 0.2 ms; propofol: 15.3 +/- 1.5 ms) of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) recorded in control neurons. Thiopental (25 microM) also increased the tau D (14.3 +/- 0.9 ms) of mISPCs, but had no effect on mIPSC frequency. Both anesthetics potentiated mIPSCs at low concentrations (propofol: 5 microM; thiopental: 1 microM). Propofol and thiopental did not change the peak amplitude and rise times of mIPSCs. 3. Propofol (10 microM) was able to depress the excitability of control granule cells, as determined by the reduction in the amplitude of the orthodromic population spikes. This depression could be prevented by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (50 microM), indicating that propofol reduces excitability via GABAA receptor functions. 4. Propofol and thiopental were neuroprotectant (assessed by antidromic population responses 2-5 h after injury) if present before and during the amputation of the granule cell dendrites. The protective actions were dose dependent, and at high doses (propofol: 200 microM; thiopental: 400 microM) the anesthetics were as neuroprotective against dendrotomy-induced cell death as 2-amino 5-phosphovaleric acid (APV) and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3 dione (CNQX). The protective effects of the anesthetics were completely blocked with the GABAA receptor antagonists picrotoxin or bicuculline, and were mimicked by the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol (100 microM). 5. Propofol, in contrast to APV and CNQX, could not prevent the dendrotomy-induced Ca(2+)-dependent and long-lasting changes in mIPSC decay kinetics (appearance of a double-exponential, prolonged decay). 6. The protective effects of the anesthetics and those of APV and CNQX on neuronal survival were not significant when the drugs were applied after dendrotomy, indicating that dendrotomy carried out 150-200 microns from the soma without neuroprotective agents rapidly induces irreversible acute degeneration in most injured neurons. The failure to rescue cells from dendrotomy-induced injury did not result from a decreased sensitivity of the GABAA receptors to the anesthetics, because the potentiating effects of the anesthetics on mIPSCs from control and dendrotomized neurons were not different. 7. These data indicate that propofol potentiates synaptic inhibition pre- and postsynaptically, and, when present during dendrotomy, it can protect neurons from acute mechanical-injury induced cell death via potentiation of GABAA receptor functions. However, propofol fails to provide neuroprotection against dendrotomy-induced changes in synaptic physiology.

Protective Effect of Ifenprodil Against Spreading Depression in the Mouse Entorhinal Cortex

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 2610-2614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Coutinho Faria ◽  
Istvan Mody
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Entorhinal Cortex ◽  
Spreading Depression ◽  
Ion Homeostasis ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Nmda Receptor Antagonist ◽  
Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽  
Nr2b Receptor Subunit ◽  
Nr2b Receptor

In the brain, spreading depression (SD) is characterized by a large extracellular DC shift, a massive failure of ion homeostasis and a transient cessation of neuronal function. Clinically, SD is believed to be involved in various neurological disorders including migraine and cerebrovascular diseases. The propagation of cortical SD requires the release of glutamate, and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a crucial role in this process. Here, we have isolated the NMDA receptor-mediated component of extracellularly recorded field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in layers 2–3 of the entorhinal cortex of murine brain slices. In the absence of GABAA and AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission, stimulation of layer 6 afferents every 15–90 s elicited spontaneous SD on average within 18.5 min after the start of the stimulation. In the presence of ifenprodil, an NR2B receptor subunit-selective NMDA receptor antagonist, the occurrence of SD was nearly abolished. Our results are consistent with an important role of NR2B subunits in triggering SD in the entorhinal cortex.

scholarly journals A novel role of gap junction connexin46 protein to protect breast tumors from hypoxia

2010 ◽  
pp. NA-NA ◽  
Author(s):  
Debarshi Banerjee ◽  
Gunjan Gakhar ◽  
Dan Madgwick ◽  
Amy Hurt ◽  
Dolores Takemoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junction ◽  
Breast Tumors

GABAA and GABAC Receptors Have Contrasting Effects on Excitability in Superior Colliculus

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 2020-2023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Pasternack ◽  
Mathias Boller ◽  
Belinda Pau ◽  
Matthias Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Superior Colliculus ◽  
Receptor Agonist ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Superficial Layer ◽  
Field Potentials ◽  
Competitive Antagonist ◽  
Postsynaptic Potential ◽  
Late Potential ◽  
Receptor Agonists And Antagonists

We have recently found that GABAC receptor subunit transcripts are expressed in the superficial layers of rat superior colliculus (SC). In the present study we used immunocytochemistry to demonstrate the presence of GABAC receptors in rat SC at protein level. We also investigated in acute rat brain slices the effect of GABAA and GABAC receptor agonists and antagonists on stimulus-evoked extracellular field potentials in SC. Electrical stimulation of the SC optic layer induced a biphasic, early and late, potential in the adjacent superficial layer. The late component was completely inhibited by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione or CoCl2, indicating that it was generated by postsynaptic activation. Muscimol, a potent GABAA and GABAC receptor agonist, strongly attenuated this postsynaptic potential at concentrations >10 μM. In contrast, the GABAC receptor agonist cis-aminocrotonic acid, as well as muscimol at lower concentrations (0.1–1 μM) increased the postsynaptic potential. This increase was blocked by (1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-4-yl)methylphosphinic acid, a novel competitive antagonist of GABAC receptors. Our findings demonstrate the presence of functional GABAC receptors in SC and suggest a disinhibitory role of these receptors in SC neuronal circuitry.

scholarly journals Relaxin induces rapid, transient vasodilation in the microcirculation of hamster skeletal muscle

2013 ◽  
Vol 218 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan M Willcox ◽  
Alastair J S Summerlee ◽  
Coral L Murrant
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Fourth Order ◽  
Peripheral Resistance ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Systemic Resistance ◽  
Transient Nature ◽  
Channel Dependent ◽  
Synthase Inhibitor

Relaxin produces a sustained decrease in total peripheral resistance, but the effects of relaxin on skeletal muscle arterioles, an important contributor to systemic resistance, are unknown. Using the intact, blood-perfused hamster cremaster muscle preparationin situ, we tested the effects of relaxin on skeletal muscle arteriolar microvasculature by applying 10−10 M relaxin to second-, third- and fourth-order arterioles and capillaries. The mechanisms responsible for relaxin-induced dilations were explored by applying 10−10 M relaxin to second-order arterioles in the presence of 10−5 M N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor), 10−5 M glibenclamide (GLIB, ATP-dependent potassium (K+) channel inhibitor), 10−3 M tetraethylammonium (TEA) or 10−7 M iberiotoxin (IBTX, calcium-associated K+channel inhibitor). Relaxin caused second- (peak change in diameter: 8.3±1.7 μm) and third (4.5±1.1 μm)-order arterioles to vasodilate transiently while fourth-order arterioles did not (0.01±0.04 μm). Relaxin-induced vasodilations were significantly inhibited byl-NAME, GLIB, TEA and IBTX. Relaxin stimulated capillaries to induce a vasodilation in upstream fourth-order arterioles (2.1±0.3 μm), indicating that relaxin can induce conducted responses vasodilation that travels through blood vessel walls via gap junctions. We confirmed gap junction involvement by showing that gap junction uncouplers (18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid (40×10−6 M) or 0.07% halothane) inhibited upstream vasodilations to localised relaxin stimulation of second-order arterioles. Therefore, relaxin produces transient NO- and K+channel-dependent vasodilations in skeletal muscle arterioles and stimulates capillaries to initiate conducted responses. The transient nature of the arteriolar dilation brings into question the role of skeletal muscle vascular beds in generating the sustained systemic haemodynamic effects induced by relaxin.

scholarly journals Modified Sawhorse Waveform for the Voltammetric Detection of Oxytocin

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Favian Liu ◽  
Negar Ghasem Ardabili ◽  
Izaiah Brown ◽  
Harmain Rafi ◽  
Clarice Cook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Slices ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Peptide Hormone ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry ◽  
The Past ◽  
Voltammetric Detection ◽  
Carbon Fiber Microelectrodes

Abstract Carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) have been used to detect neurotransmitters and other biomolecules using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) for the past few decades. This technique measures neurotransmitters such as dopamine and, more recently, physiologically relevant neuropeptides. Oxytocin, a pleiotropic peptide hormone, is physiologically important for adaptation, development, reproduction, and social behavior. This neuropeptide functions as a stress-coping molecule, an anti-inflammatory agent, and serves as an antioxidant with protective effects especially during adversity or trauma. Here, we measure tyrosine using the Modified Sawhorse Waveform (MSW), enabling enhanced electrode sensitivity for the amino acid and oxytocin peptide. Applying the MSW, decreased surface fouling and enabled codetection with other monoamines. As oxytocin contains tyrosine, the MSW was also used to detect oxytocin. The sensitivity of oxytocin detection was found to be 3.99 ± 0.49 nA/µM, (n=5). Additionally, we demonstrate that applying the MSW on CFMEs allows for real time measurements of exogenously applied oxytocin on rat brain slices. These studies may serve as novel assays for oxytocin detection in a fast, sub-second timescale with possible implications for in vivo measurements and further understanding of the physiological role of oxytocin.

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