scholarly journals BDNF downregulates β-adrenergic receptor-mediated hypotensive mechanisms in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus

2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (6) ◽  
pp. H1258-H1271
Author(s):  
Daniella Thorsdottir ◽  
Nicholas C. Cruickshank ◽  
Zachary Einwag ◽  
Grant W. Hennig ◽  
Benedek Erdos
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Paraventricular Nucleus ◽  
Adrenergic Receptor ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Bdnf Expression ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is upregulated in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in response to hypertensive stimuli such as stress and hyperosmolality, and BDNF acting in the PVN plays a key role in elevating sympathetic activity and blood pressure. However, downstream mechanisms mediating these effects remain unclear. We tested the hypothesis that BDNF increases blood pressure, in part by diminishing inhibitory hypotensive input from nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) catecholaminergic neurons projecting to the PVN. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received bilateral PVN injections of viral vectors expressing either green fluorescent protein (GFP) or BDNF and bilateral NTS injections of vehicle or anti-dopamine-β-hydroxylase-conjugated saporin (DSAP), a neurotoxin that selectively lesions noradrenergic and adrenergic neurons. BDNF overexpression in the PVN without NTS lesioning significantly increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) in awake animals by 18.7 ± 1.8 mmHg. DSAP treatment also increased MAP in the GFP group, by 9.8 ± 3.2 mmHg, but failed to affect MAP in the BDNF group, indicating a BDNF-induced loss of NTS catecholaminergic hypotensive effects. In addition, in α-chloralose-urethane-anesthetized rats, hypotensive responses to PVN injections of the β-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline were significantly attenuated by BDNF overexpression, whereas PVN injections of phenylephrine had no effect on blood pressure. BDNF treatment was also found to significantly reduce β1-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression in the PVN, whereas expression of other adrenergic receptors was unaffected. In summary, increased BDNF expression in the PVN elevates blood pressure, in part by downregulating β-receptor signaling and diminishing hypotensive catecholaminergic input from the NTS to the PVN. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We have shown that BDNF, a key hypothalamic regulator of blood pressure, disrupts catecholaminergic signaling between the NTS and the PVN by reducing the responsiveness of PVN neurons to inhibitory hypotensive β-adrenergic input from the NTS. This may be occurring partly via BDNF-mediated downregulation of β1-adrenergic receptor expression in the PVN and results in an increase in blood pressure.

BDNF shifts excitatory-inhibitory balance in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus to elevate blood pressure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniella Thorsdottir ◽  
Zachary Einwag ◽  
Benedek Erdos
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Paraventricular Nucleus ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Bdnf Expression ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Inhibitory Signaling ◽  
Signaling Components

Presympathetic neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) play a key role in cardiovascular regulation. We have previously shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), acting in the PVN, increases sympathetic activity and blood pressure and serves as a key regulator of stress-induced hypertensive responses. BDNF is known to alter glutamatergic and GABA-ergic signaling broadly in the central nervous system, but whether BDNF has similar actions in the PVN remains to be investigated. Here, we tested the hypothesis that increased BDNF expression in the PVN elevates blood pressure by enhancing NMDA receptor (NMDAR)- and inhibiting GABAA receptor (GABAAR)-mediated signaling. Sprague Dawley rats received bilateral PVN injections of AAV2 viral vectors expressing GFP or BDNF. Three weeks later, cardiovascular responses to PVN injections of NMDAR and GABAAR agonists and antagonists were recorded under α-chloralose-urethane anesthesia. Additionally, expressions of excitatory and inhibitory signaling components in the PVN were assessed using immunofluorescence. Our results showed that NMDAR inhibition led to a greater decrease in blood pressure in the BDNF vs GFP group, while GABAAR inhibition led to greater increases in blood pressure in the GFP group compared to BDNF. Conversely, GABAAR activation decreased blood pressure significantly more in GFP vs BDNF rats. In addition, immunoreactivity of NMDAR1 was upregulated, while GABAAR-a1 and K+/Cl- cotransporter 2 were downregulated by BDNF overexpression in the PVN. In summary, our findings indicate that hypertensive actions of BDNF within the PVN are mediated, at least in part, by augmented NMDAR and reduced GABAAR signaling.

scholarly journals Systemic AAV6-synapsin-GFP administration results in lower liver biodistribution, compared to AAV1&2 and AAV9, with neuronal expression following ultrasound-mediated brain delivery

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Weber-Adrian ◽  
Rikke Hahn Kofoed ◽  
Joseph Silburt ◽  
Zeinab Noroozian ◽  
Kairavi Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Delivery ◽  
Intravenous Injection ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Focused Ultrasound ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Gfp Expression ◽  
Peripheral Organs ◽  
Neuronal Expression ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
The Brain

AbstractNon-surgical gene delivery to the brain can be achieved following intravenous injection of viral vectors coupled with transcranial MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRIgFUS) to temporarily and locally permeabilize the blood–brain barrier. Vector and promoter selection can provide neuronal expression in the brain, while limiting biodistribution and expression in peripheral organs. To date, the biodistribution of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) within peripheral organs had not been quantified following intravenous injection and MRIgFUS delivery to the brain. We evaluated the quantity of viral DNA from the serotypes AAV9, AAV6, and a mosaic AAV1&2, expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the neuron-specific synapsin promoter (syn). AAVs were administered intravenously during MRIgFUS targeting to the striatum and hippocampus in mice. The syn promoter led to undetectable levels of GFP expression in peripheral organs. In the liver, the biodistribution of AAV9 and AAV1&2 was 12.9- and 4.4-fold higher, respectively, compared to AAV6. The percentage of GFP-positive neurons in the FUS-targeted areas of the brain was comparable for AAV6-syn-GFP and AAV1&2-syn-GFP. In summary, MRIgFUS-mediated gene delivery with AAV6-syn-GFP had lower off-target biodistribution in the liver compared to AAV9 and AAV1&2, while providing neuronal GFP expression in the striatum and hippocampus.

scholarly journals Microglia is a Key Player in the Reduction of Stroke Damage Promoted by the New Antithrombotic Agent Ticagrelor

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 979-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Gelosa ◽  
Davide Lecca ◽  
Marta Fumagalli ◽  
Dorota Wypych ◽  
Alice Pignieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Artery Occlusion ◽  
Cerebral Injury ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Antithrombotic Agent ◽  
Fluorescent Reporter ◽  
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 ◽  
Proinflammatory Mediators ◽  
Green Fluorescent

The ADP-responsive P2Y12 receptor is expressed on both platelets and microglia. Clinical data show that ticagrelor, a direct-acting, reversibly binding P2Y12-receptor antagonist, reduces total cardiovascular events, including stroke. In our present study, we investigated the expression of P2Y12 receptors and the effects of ticagrelor on brain injury in Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to a permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Rats were treated per os with ticagrelor 3 mg/kg or vehicle at 10 minutes, 22, and 36 hours after MCAo and killed after 48 hours. Immunofluorescence analysis showed an ischemia-related modulation of the P2Y12 receptor, which is constitutively expressed in Iba1+ resting microglia. After MCAo, activated microglia was mainly concentrated around the lesion, with fewer cells present inside the ischemic core. Ticagrelor significantly attenuated the evolution of ischemic damage—evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 2, 24, and 48 hours after MCAo—, the number of infiltrating cells expressing the microglia/monocyte marker ED-1, the cerebral expression of proinflammatory mediators (interleukin 1 (IL-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)) and the associated neurologic impairment. In transgenic fluorescent reporter CX3CR1-green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice, 72 hours after MCAo, ticagrelor markedly reduced GFP+ microglia and both early and late infiltrating blood-borne cells. Finally, in primary cultured microglia, ticagrelor fully inhibited ADP-induced Chemotaxis ( P<0.01). Our results show that ticagrelor is protective against ischemia-induced cerebral injury and this effect is mediated, at least partly, by inhibition of P2Y12-mediated microglia activation and Chemotaxis.

Abstract 3880: GRK2 Inhibition Prevents Development Of Cardiac Insulin Resistance And Impaired Glucose Uptake In Post Ischemic Heart Failure

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Ciccarelli ◽  
Giuseppe Rengo ◽  
Kurt Chuprun ◽  
Gaetano Santulli ◽  
Bruno Trimarco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Glucose Uptake ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Myocardial Glucose Uptake ◽  
Akt Phosphorylation ◽  
Neonatal Cardiomyocytes ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
And Function

The beta adrenergic receptor (βAR) kinase, GRK2, is upregulated and participates to the evolution of heart failure (HF) through downregulation and desensitization of βARs. Recent studies showed that this molecule affects insulin signaling and reduce glucose uptake in hepatocytes and adipocytes. We hypothesized that in HF, GRK2 reduces cardiac performance also through inhibition of cardiac glucose metabolism. In 12 week old Sprague/Dawley rats, we measured cardiac glucose uptake by PET 3 days, 3 and 6 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI). Function and cardiac dimensions were measured by echocardiography. We observed that glucose uptake was reduced in animal post-MI at 3 and 6 weeks respect to healthy animals (3 rd week: 1.3±0.22 vs 2.1±0.3; 6 th week: 1±0.1 vs 2.4±0.2, ml/min/g, p<0.05). No difference was observed in glucose uptake acutely after surgery. Echo showed cardiac dilation and reduced function at 6 weeks (LVD: 9.2± 0.3 vs 7.2± 0.4 mm; EF: 42%±1.1 vs 66%±2.2, p<0.05, Sham vs MI). To inhibit GRK2 in the heart during post-ischemic HF, we delivered the GRK2 inhibitor βARKct by adeno-associated type 6 virus (AAV6) to the left ventricle before induction of the MI. As a control we treated rats with AAV6 encoding for the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Cardiac dilation and function were preserved after 6 weeks post MI in AAV6 βARKct respect to AAV6GFP rats (LVD: 7.73 ±0.25 vs 9.9 ±0.8 mm; EF: 55%±2.25 vs 44%±2, p<0.05). Glucose uptake was better preserved in AAV6βARKct rats after 3 and 6 weeks post MI respect to AAV6GFP group (3rd week: 2.3±0.3 vs 1.2±0.2; 6th week: 1.8±0.2 vs 1.1±0.05, ml/min/g, p<0.05). Since Akt mediates most of the anabolic effects of insulin in cells, we evaluated the effects of GRK2 overexpression by adenovirus (ADGRK2) in neonatal cardiomyocytes (NRVMs) on Akt phosphorylation later on insulin stimulation (ins, 10 – 6 M). As control we induced overexpression of GFP by adenovirus (ADGFP). We observed reduced activation of Akt in presence of GRK2 overexpression as compared to the ADGFP treated cells (1.2±0.2- vs. 3.5±0.4- fold activation over basal, p<0.05). Our data show that post MI, impaired glucose extraction precedes development of HF, and that early GRK2 inhibition prevents impaired myocardial glucose uptake and HF development.

scholarly journals Knockdown of tyrosine hydroxylase in the nucleus of the solitary tract reduces elevated blood pressure during chronic intermittent hypoxia

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (9) ◽  
pp. R1031-R1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandra Sekhar Bathina ◽  
Anuradha Rajulapati ◽  
Michelle Franzke ◽  
Kenta Yamamoto ◽  
J. Thomas Cunningham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tyrosine Hydroxylase ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Intermittent Hypoxia ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Nucleus Tractus Solitarius ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
Ventrolateral Medulla ◽  
Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Noradrenergic A2 neurons in nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) respond to stressors such as hypoxia. We hypothesize that tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) knockdown in NTS reduces cardiovascular responses to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), a model of the arterial hypoxemia observed during sleep apnea in humans. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters and adeno-associated viral constructs with green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter having either short hairpin RNA (shRNA) for TH or scrambled virus (scRNA) were injected into caudal NTS. Virus-injected rats were exposed to 7 days of CIH (alternating periods of 10% O2 and of 21% O2 from 8 AM to 4 PM; from 4 PM to 8 AM rats were exposed to 21% O2). CIH increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) during the day in both the scRNA ( n = 14, P < 0.001 MAP and HR) and shRNA ( n = 13, P < 0.001 MAP and HR) groups. During the night, MAP and HR remained elevated in the scRNA rats ( P < 0.001 MAP and HR) but not in the shRNA group. TH immunoreactivity and protein were reduced in the shRNA group. FosB/ΔFosB immunoreactivity was decreased in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of shRNA group ( P < 0.001). However, the shRNA group did not show any change in the FosB/ΔFosB immunoreactivity in the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Exposure to CIH increased MAP which persisted beyond the period of exposure to CIH. Knockdown of TH in the NTS reduced this CIH-induced persistent increase in MAP and reduced the transcriptional activation of PVN. This indicates that NTS A2 neurons play a role in the cardiovascular responses to CIH.

Splicing signals and factors in plant intron removal

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. S. Brown ◽  
C. G. Simpson ◽  
G. Thow ◽  
G. P. Clark ◽  
S. N. Jennings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Splicing Factors ◽  
Small Nuclear Rna ◽  
Intron Removal ◽  
Arabidopsis Proteins ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Constitutive splicing of the potato invertase miniexon 2 (9 nt long) requires a branchpoint sequence positioned around 50 nt upstream of the 5′ splice site of the adjacent intron and a U11 element found just downstream of the branchpoint in the upstream intron [Simpson, Hedley, Watters, Clark, McQuade, Machray and Brown (2000) RNA 6, 422–433]. The sensitivity of this in vivo plant splicing system has been used to demonstrate exon scanning in plants, and to characterize plant intronic elements, such as branchpoint and poly-pyrimidine tract sequences. Plant introns differ from their vertebrate and yeast couterparts in being UA- or U-rich (up to 85% UA). One of the key differences in splicing between plants and other eukaryotes lies in early intron recognition, which is thought to be mediated by UA-binding proteins. We are adopting three approaches to studying the RNA-protein interactions in plant splicing. First, overexpression of plant splicing factors and, in particular, UA-binding proteins, in conjunction with a range of mini-exon mutants. Secondly, the sequences of around 65% of vertebrate and yeast splicing factors have high-quality matches to Arabidopsis proteins, opening the door to identification and analysis of gene knockouts. Finally, to discover plant-specific proteins involved in splicing and in, for example, rRNA or small nuclear RNA processing, green fluorescent protein-cDNA fusion libraries in viral vectors are being screened.

scholarly journals Ren1d and Ren2 cooperate to preserve homeostasis: evidence from mice expressing GFP in place of Ren1d

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELLEN S. PENTZ ◽  
MARIA LUISA S. SEQUEIRA LOPEZ ◽  
HYUNG-SUK KIM ◽  
OSCAR CARRETERO ◽  
OLIVER SMITHIES ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Kidney Development ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Secretory Granules ◽  
Acute Administration ◽  
Major Mechanism ◽  
Blood Pressure Homeostasis ◽  
Severe Hypotension ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Losartan Treatment

To distinguish the contributions of Ren1d and Ren2 to kidney development and blood pressure homeostasis, we placed green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of the Ren1d renin locus by homologous recombination in mice. Homozygous Ren1d-GFP animals make GFP mRNA in place of Ren1d mRNA in the kidney and maintain Ren2 synthesis in the juxtaglomerular (JG) cells. GFP expression provides an accurate marker of Ren1d expression during development. Kidneys from homozygous animals are histologically normal, although with fewer secretory granules in the JG cells. Blood pressure and circulating renin are reduced in Ren1d-GFP homozygotes. Acute administration of losartan decreases blood pressure further, suggesting a role for Ren2 protein in blood pressure homeostasis. These studies demonstrate that, in the absence of Ren1d, Ren2 preserves normal kidney development and prevents severe hypotension. Chronic losartan treatment results in compensation via recruitment of both Ren1d- and Ren2-expressing cells along the preglomerular vessels. This response is achieved by metaplastic transformation of arteriolar smooth muscle cells, a major mechanism to control renin bioavailability and blood pressure homeostasis.

scholarly journals Rab38 targets to lamellar bodies and normalizes their sizes in lung alveolar type II epithelial cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (4) ◽  
pp. L461-L477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linghui Zhang ◽  
Kevin Yu ◽  
Kyle W. Robert ◽  
Kristine M. DeBolt ◽  
Nankang Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Lamellar Body ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Alveolar Type ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Lung Epithelial ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Rab38 is a rat Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome gene that plays an important role in surfactant homeostasis in alveolar type II (ATII) pneumocytes. We examined Rab38 function in regulating lamellar body (LB) morphology in ATII cells. Quantitative electron microscopy revealed that LBs in ATII cells were ∼77% larger in Rab38-null fawn-hooded hypertension (FHH) than control Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Rab38 protein expression was restricted in lung epithelial cells but was not found in primary endothelial cells. In SD ATII cells, Rab38 protein level gradually declined during 5 days in culture. Importantly, endogenous Rab38 was present in LB fractions purified from SD rat lungs, and transiently expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged Rab38 labeled only the limiting membranes of a subpopulation (∼30%) of LBs in cultured ATII cells. This selective targeting was abolished by point mutations to EGFP-Rab38 and was not shared by Rab7 and Rab4b, which also function in the ATII cells. Using confocal microscopy, we established a method for quantitative evaluation of the enlarged LB phenotype temporally preserved in cultured FHH ATII cells. A direct causal relationship was established when the enlarged LB phenotype was reserved and then rescued by transiently reexpressed EGFP-Rab38 in cultured FHH ATII cells. This rescuing effect was associated with dynamic EGFP-Rab38 targeting to and on LB limiting membranes. We conclude that Rab38 plays an indispensible role in maintaining LB morphology and surfactant homeostasis in ATII pneumocytes.

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