scholarly journals Brain Endothelial Cell TRPA1 Channels Initiate Neurovascular Coupling

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratish Thakore ◽  
Michael G. Alvarado ◽  
Sher Ali ◽  
Amreen Mughal ◽  
Paulo W. Pires ◽  
...  

Blood flow regulation in the brain is dynamically regulated to meet the metabolic demands of active neuronal populations. Recent evidence has demonstrated that capillary endothelial cells are essential mediators of neurovascular coupling that sense neuronal activity and generate a retrograde, propagating, hyperpolarizing signal that dilates upstream arterioles. Here, we tested the hypothesis that transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channels in capillary endothelial cells are significant contributors to functional hyperemic responses that underlie neurovascular coupling in the brain. Using an integrative ex vivo and in vivo approach, we demonstrate the functional presence of TRPA1 channels in brain capillary endothelial cells, and show that activation of these channels within the capillary bed, including the post-arteriole transitional region covered by ensheathing mural cells, initiates a retrograde signal that dilates upstream parenchymal arterioles. Notably, this signaling exhibits a unique biphasic mode of propagation that begins within the capillary network as a short-range, Ca2+ signal dependent on endothelial pannexin-1 channel/purinergic P2X receptor communication pathway and then is converted to a rapid, inward-rectifying K+ channel-mediated electrical signal in the post-arteriole transitional region that propagates upstream to parenchymal arterioles. Two-photon laser-scanning microscopy further demonstrated that conductive vasodilation occurs in vivo, and that TRPA1 is necessary for functional hyperemia within the somatosensory cortex of mice. Together, these data establish a role for endothelial TRPA1 channels as sensors of neuronal activity and show that they respond accordingly by initiating a vasodilatory response that redirects blood to regions of metabolic demand.

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratish Thakore ◽  
Michael G Alvarado ◽  
Sher Ali ◽  
Amreen Mughal ◽  
Paulo W Pires ◽  
...  

Cerebral blood flow is dynamically regulated by neurovascular coupling to meet the dynamic metabolic demands of the brain. We hypothesized that TRPA1 channels in capillary endothelial cells are stimulated by neuronal activity and instigate a propagating retrograde signal that dilates upstream parenchymal arterioles to initiate functional hyperemia. We find that activation of TRPA1 in capillary beds and post-arteriole transitional segments with mural cell coverage initiates retrograde signals that dilate upstream arterioles. These signals exhibit a unique mode of biphasic propagation. Slow, short-range intercellular Ca2+ signals in the capillary network are converted to rapid electrical signals in transitional segments that propagate to and dilate upstream arterioles. We further demonstrate that TRPA1 is necessary for functional hyperemia and neurovascular coupling within the somatosensory cortex of mice in vivo. These data establish endothelial cell TRPA1 channels as neuronal activity sensors that initiate microvascular vasodilatory responses to redirect blood to regions of metabolic demand.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 2038-2054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Anfray ◽  
Antoine Drieu ◽  
Vincent Hingot ◽  
Yannick Hommet ◽  
Mervé Yetim ◽  
...  

The increase of cerebral blood flow evoked by neuronal activity is essential to ensure enough energy supply to the brain. In the neurovascular unit, endothelial cells are ideally placed to regulate key neurovascular functions of the brain. Nevertheless, some outstanding questions remain about their exact role neurovascular coupling (NVC). Here, we postulated that the tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) present in the circulation might contribute to NVC by a mechanism dependent of its interaction with endothelial N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR). To address this question, we used pharmacological and genetic approaches to interfere with vascular tPA-dependent NMDAR signaling, combined with laser speckle flowmetry, intravital microscopy and ultrafast functional ultrasound in vivo imaging. We found that the tPA present in the blood circulation is capable of potentiating the cerebral blood flow increase induced by the activation of the mouse somatosensorial cortex, and that this effect is mediated by a tPA-dependent activation of NMDAR expressed at the luminal part of endothelial cells of arteries. Although blood molecules, such as acetylcholine, bradykinin or ATP are known to regulate vascular tone and induce vessel dilation, our present data provide the first evidence that circulating tPA is capable of influencing neurovascular coupling (NVC).


2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (17) ◽  
pp. 7612-7621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markos Leggas ◽  
Masashi Adachi ◽  
George L. Scheffer ◽  
Daxi Sun ◽  
Peter Wielinga ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The role of the multidrug resistance protein MRP4/ABCC4 in vivo remains undefined. To explore this role, we generated Mrp4-deficient mice. Unexpectedly, these mice showed enhanced accumulation of the anticancer agent topotecan in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Further studies demonstrated that topotecan was an Mrp4 substrate and that cells overexpressing Mrp4 were resistant to its cytotoxic effects. We then used new antibodies to discover that Mrp4 is unique among the anionic ATP-dependent transporters in its dual localization at the basolateral membrane of the choroid plexus epithelium and in the apical membrane of the endothelial cells of the brain capillaries. Microdialysis sampling of ventricular CSF demonstrated that localization of Mrp4 at the choroid epithelium is integral to its function in limiting drug penetration into the CSF. The topotecan resistance of cells overexpressing Mrp4 and the polarized expression of Mrp4 in the choroid plexus and brain capillary endothelial cells indicate that Mrp4 has a dual role in protecting the brain from cytotoxins and suggest that the therapeutic efficacy of central nervous system-directed drugs that are Mrp4 substrates may be improved by developing Mrp4 inhibitors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Basu ◽  
Vinod Nair ◽  
Clayton W. Winkler ◽  
Tyson A. Woods ◽  
Iain D. C. Fraser ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A key factor in the development of viral encephalitis is a virus crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB). We have previously shown that age-related susceptibility of mice to the La Crosse virus (LACV), the leading cause of pediatric arbovirus encephalitis in the USA, was associated with the ability of the virus to cross the BBB. LACV infection in weanling mice (aged around 3 weeks) results in vascular leakage in the olfactory bulb/tract (OB/OT) region of the brain, which is not observed in adult mice aged > 6–8 weeks. Thus, we studied age-specific differences in the response of brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) to LACV infection. Methods To examine mechanisms of LACV-induced BBB breakdown and infection of the CNS, we analyzed BCECs directly isolated from weanling and adult mice as well as established a model where these cells were infected in vitro and cultured for a short period to determine susceptibility to virus infection and cell death. Additionally, we utilized correlative light electron microscopy (CLEM) to examine whether changes in cell morphology and function were also observed in BCECs in vivo. Results BCECs from weanling, but not adult mice, had detectable infection after several days in culture when taken ex vivo from infected mice suggesting that these cells could be infected in vitro. Further analysis of BCECs from uninfected mice, infected in vitro, showed that weanling BCECs were more susceptible to virus infection than adult BCECs, with higher levels of infected cells, released virus as well as cytopathic effects (CPE) and cell death. Although direct LACV infection is not detected in the weanling BCECs, CLEM analysis of brain tissue from weanling mice indicated that LACV infection induced significant cerebrovascular damage which allowed virus-sized particles to enter the brain parenchyma. Conclusions These findings indicate that BCECs isolated from adult and weanling mice have differential viral load, infectivity, and susceptibility to LACV. These age-related differences in susceptibility may strongly influence LACV-induced BBB leakage and neurovascular damage allowing virus invasion of the CNS and the development of neurological disease.


1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (1) ◽  
pp. H60-H65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene D. McGahren ◽  
James M. Beach ◽  
Brian R. Duling

It has been proposed that capillaries can detect changes in tissue metabolites and generate signals that are communicated upstream to resistance vessels. The mechanism for this communication may involve changes in capillary endothelial cell membrane potentials which are then conducted to upstream arterioles. We have tested the capacity of capillary endothelial cells in vivo to respond to pharmacological stimuli. In a hamster cheek pouch preparation, capillary endothelial cells were labeled with the voltage-sensitive dye di-8-ANEPPS. Fluorescence from capillary segments (75–150 μm long) was excited at 475 nm and recorded at 560 and 620 nm with a dual-wavelength photomultiplier system. KCl was applied using pressure injection, and acetylcholine (ACh) and phenylephrine (PE) were applied iontophoretically to these capillaries. Changes in the ratio of the fluorescence emission at two emission wavelengths were used to estimate changes in the capillary endothelial membrane potential. Application of KCl resulted in depolarization, whereas application of the vehicle did not. Application of ACh and PE resulted in hyperpolarization and depolarization, respectively. The capillary responses could be blocked by including a receptor antagonist (atropine or prazosin, respectively) in the superfusate. We conclude that the capillary membrane potential is capable of responding to pharmacological stimuli. We hypothesize that capillaries can respond to changes in the milieu of surrounding tissue via changes in endothelial membrane potential.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Robey ◽  
Andrea N. Robinson ◽  
Fatima Ali-Rahmani ◽  
Lyn M. Huff ◽  
Sabrina Lusvarghi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTGiven its similarities with mammalian systems, the zebrafish has emerged as a potential model to study the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Capillary endothelial cells at the human BBB express high levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp, encoded by the ABCB1 gene) and ABCG2 (encoded by the ABCG2 gene). However, little information has been available about ATP-binding cassette transporters expressed at the zebrafish BBB. In this study, we focus on the characterization and tissue localization of two genes that are similar to human ABCB1, zebrafish abcb4 and abcb5. Cytotoxicity assays with stably-transfected cell lines revealed that zebrafish Abcb5 cannot efficiently transport the substrates doxorubicin and mitoxantrone compared to human P-gp and zebrafish Abcb4. Additionally, zebrafish Abcb5 did not transport the fluorescent probes BODIPY-ethylenediamine or LDS 751, while they were readily transported by Abcb4 and P-gp. A high-throughput screen conducted with 90 human P-gp substrates confirmed that zebrafish Abcb4 has overlapping substrate specificity with P-gp. Basal ATPase activity of zebrafish Abcb4 and Abcb5 was comparable to that of human P-gp. In the brain vasculature, RNAscope probes to detect abcb4 colocalized with staining by the P-gp antibody C219, while abcb5 was not detected. Zebrafish abcb4 also colocalized with claudin-5 expression in brain endothelial cells. Abcb4 and Abcb5 had different tissue localizations in multiple zebrafish tissues, consistent with different functions. The data suggest that zebrafish Abcb4 most closely phenocopies P-gp and that the zebrafish may be a viable model to study the role of the multidrug transporter P-gp at the BBB.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Sancho ◽  
Nicholas R. Klug ◽  
Amreen Mughal ◽  
Thomas J. Heppner ◽  
David Hill-Eubanks ◽  
...  

SUMMARYThe dense network of capillaries composed of capillary endothelial cells (cECs) and pericytes lies in close proximity to all neurons, ideally positioning it to sense neuro/glial-derived compounds that regulate regional and global cerebral perfusion. The membrane potential (VM) of vascular cells serves as the essential output in this scenario, linking brain activity to vascular function. The ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) is a key regulator of vascular VM in other beds, but whether brain capillaries possess functional KATP channels remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that brain capillary ECs and pericytes express KATP channels that robustly control VM. We further show that the endogenous mediator adenosine acts through A2A receptors and the Gs/cAMP/PKA pathway to activate capillary KATP channels. Moreover, KATP channel stimulation in vivo causes vasodilation and increases cerebral blood flow (CBF). These findings establish the presence of KATP channels in cECs and pericytes and suggest their significant influence on CBF.HIGHLIGHTSCapillary network cellular components—endothelial cells and pericytes—possess functional KATP channels.Activation of KATP channels causes profound hyperpolarization of capillary cell membranes.Capillary KATP channels are activated by exogenous adenosine via A2A receptors and cAMP-dependent protein kinase.KATP channel activation by adenosine or synthetic openers increases cerebral blood flow.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix C. Nebeling ◽  
Stefanie Poll ◽  
Lena C. Schmid ◽  
Manuel Mittag ◽  
Julia Steffen ◽  
...  

AbstractMicroglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, play a complex role in health and disease. They actively survey the brain parenchyma by physically interacting with other cells and structurally shaping the brain. Yet, the mechanisms underlying microglia motility and their significance for synapse stability, especially during adulthood, remain widely unresolved. Here we investigated the impact of neuronal activity on microglia motility and its implication for synapse formation and survival. We used repetitive two-photon in vivo imaging in the hippocampus of awake mice to simultaneously study microglia motility and their interaction with synapses. We found that microglia process motility depended on neuronal activity. Simultaneously, more dendritic spines emerged in awake compared to anesthetized mice. Interestingly, microglia contact rates with individual dendritic spines were associated with their stability. These results suggest that microglia are not only sensing neuronal activity, but participate in synaptic rewiring of the hippocampus during adulthood, which has profound relevance for learning and memory processes.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Zhang ◽  
Suelhem Mendoza ◽  
Aaron Bubolz ◽  
Makoto Suzuki ◽  
David Gutterman

Agonist-induced Ca 2+ entry in endothelial cells is important for the synthesis and release of vasoactive factors, although mechanisms of Ca 2+ entry remain largely unknown. Emerging evidence suggests that the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel, a Ca 2+ -permeant TRP channel, is expressed in endothelial cells and may be involved in the regulation of vascular tone. Here we investigated the potential role of TRPV4 channels in acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in vitro and in vivo using the TRPV4 knockout (TRPV4 −/− ) mice model. Carotid arteries were isolated and preconstricted with the thromboxane A2 mimetic U46619. Concentration-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine (10 −9 –10 −5 M) were markedly reduced in carotids of TRPV4 −/− vs. wild-type (WT) mice (maximal relaxations of 31±12% vs 53±4%, respectively; n=4 mice). There was no significant change in the ED50 for Ach. In both WT and TRPV4 −/− , acetylcholine-induced relaxations were blocked and converted to constrictions by the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME (maximal relaxations of −25±6% and −24±7%, respectively). There was no difference in papaverine-induced relaxations between WT and TRPV4 −/− mice (maximal relaxations of 93±3% vs. 90±3%, respectively). U46619 caused similar contractions in carotid arteries from those mice. We also compared in vivo vasodilator effects of acetylcholine by measuring changes in blood pressure in those animals. Intravenous administration of acetylcholine (15 ng/gm bolus) decreased blood pressure by 32±6 mmHg in WT mice (from 90±15 to 57±10 mmHg; n=6), whereas blood pressure was reduced by only 10 mmHg in TRPV4 −/− mice (from 67±6 to 56±4 mmHg; n=12). Acetylcholine caused similar reductions in heart rate in WT and TRPV4 −/− mice, with mean changes of 365±57 and 292±40 beats/min, respectively. We conclude that the endothelium-dependent vasodilator response to acetylcholine is reduced both in vitro and in vivo in TRPV4 −/− mice, and these findings may provide novel insight into the mechanisms of Ca 2+ entry evoked by chemical agonists in endothelial cells. The paradoxically lower baseline blood pressure in TRPV4 −/− mice requires further investigation.


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