Enhanced Hypoxia Susceptibility in Hippocampal Slices From a Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome

2009 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 1016-1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Fischer ◽  
Julia Reuter ◽  
Florian J. Gerich ◽  
Belinda Hildebrandt ◽  
Sonja Hägele ◽  
...  

Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the X-chromosomal MECP2 gene encoding for the transcriptional regulator methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Rett patients suffer from episodic respiratory irregularities and reduced arterial oxygen levels. To elucidate whether such intermittent hypoxic episodes induce adaptation/preconditioning of the hypoxia-vulnerable hippocampal network, we analyzed its responses to severe hypoxia in adult Rett mice. The occurrence of hypoxia-induced spreading depression (HSD)—an experimental model for ischemic stroke—was hastened in Mecp2− /y males. The extracellular K+ rise during HSD was attenuated in Mecp2− /y males and the input resistance of CA1 pyramidal neurons decreased less before HSD onset. CA1 pyramidal neurons were smaller and more densely packed, but the cell swelling during HSD was unaffected. The intrinsic optical signal and the propagation of HSD were similar among the different genotypes. Basal synaptic function was intact, but Mecp2− /y males showed reduced paired-pulse facilitation and higher field potential/fiber volley ratios, but no increased seizure susceptibility. Synaptic failure during hypoxia was complete in all genotypes and the final degree of posthypoxic synaptic recovery indistinguishable. Cellular ATP content was normal in Mecp2− /y males, but their hematocrit was increased as was HIF-1α expression throughout the brain. This is the first study showing that in Rett syndrome, the susceptibility of telencephalic neuronal networks to hypoxia is increased; the underlying molecular mechanisms apparently involve disturbed K+ channel function. Such an increase in hypoxia susceptibility may potentially contribute to the vulnerability of male Rett patients who are either not viable or severely disabled.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyowon Chung ◽  
Kyerl Park ◽  
Hyun Jae Jang ◽  
Michael M Kohl ◽  
Jeehyun Kwag

AbstractAbnormal accumulation of amyloid β oligomers (AβO) is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which leads to learning and memory deficits. Hippocampal theta oscillations that are critical in spatial navigation, learning and memory are impaired in AD. Since GABAergic interneurons, such as somatostatin-positive (SST+) and parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons, are believed to play key roles in the hippocampal oscillogenesis, we asked whether AβO selectively impairs these SST+ and PV+ interneurons. To selectively manipulate SST+ or PV+ interneuron activity in mice with AβO pathologyin vivo, we co-injected AβO and adeno-associated virus (AAV) for expressing floxed channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) into the hippocampus of SST-Cre or PV-Cre mice. Local field potential (LFP) recordingsin vivoin these AβO–injected mice showed a reduction in the peak power of theta oscillations and desynchronization of spikes from CA1 pyramidal neurons relative to theta oscillations compared to those in control mice. Optogenetic-activation of SST+ but not PV+ interneurons in AβO–injected mice fully restored the peak power of theta oscillations and resynchronized the theta spike phases to a level observed in control mice.In vitrowhole-cell voltage-clamp recordings in CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices treated with AβO revealed that short-term plasticity of SST+ interneuron inhibitory inputs to CA1 pyramidal neurons at theta frequency were selectively disrupted while that of PV+ interneuron inputs were unaffected. Together, our results suggest that dysfunction in inputs from SST+ interneurons to CA1 pyramidal neurons may underlie the impairment of theta oscillations observed in AβO-injected micein vivo.Our findings identify SST+ interneurons as a target for restoring theta-frequency oscillations in early AD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 1310-1313
Author(s):  
Brenda M. Milla

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized a spectrum of phenotypes affecting neuronal and glial populations. Recent work by Dong et al. (Dong Q, Kim J, Nguyen L, Bu Q, Chang Q. J Neurosci 40: 6250–6261, 2020) suggests that augmented GABA uptake by astrocytes diminishes tonic inhibition in the hippocampus and contributes to increased seizure propensity in RTT. Here, I will review evidence supporting this possibility and critically evaluate how increased expression of a GABA transporter might contribute to this mechanism.


2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aren J. Borgdorff ◽  
George G. Somjen ◽  
Wytse J. Wadman

Previous studies have shown that exposing hippocampal slices to low osmolarity (πo) or to low extracellular NaCl concentration ([NaCl]o) enhances synaptic transmission and also causes interstitial calcium ([Ca2+]o) to decrease. Reduction of [Ca2+]o suggests cellular uptake and could explain the potentiation of synaptic transmission. We measured intracellular calcium activity ([Ca2+]i) using fluorescent indicator dyes. In CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons in tissue slices, lowering πo by ∼70 mOsm caused “resting” [Ca2+]i as well as synaptically or directly stimulated transient increases of calcium activity (Δ[Ca2+]i) to transiently decrease and then to increase. In dissociated cells, lowering πo by ∼70 mOsm caused [Ca2+]i to almost double on average from 83 to 155 nM. The increase of [Ca2+]i was not significantly correlated with hypotonic cell swelling. Isoosmotic (mannitol- or sucrose-substituted) lowering of [NaCl]o, which did not cause cell swelling, also raised [Ca2+]i. Substituting NaCl with choline-Cl or Na-methyl-sulfate did not affect [Ca2+]i. In neurons bathed in calcium-free medium, lowering πo caused a milder increase of [Ca2+]i, which was correlated with cell swelling, but in the absence of external Ca2+, isotonic lowering of [NaCl]o triggered only a brief, transient response. We conclude that decrease of extracellular ionic strength (i.e., in both low πo and low [NaCl]o) causes a net influx of Ca2+ from the extracellular medium whereas cell swelling, or the increase in membrane tension, is a signal for the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.


1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 3252-3256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Pedarzani ◽  
Michael Krause ◽  
Trude Haug ◽  
Johan F. Storm ◽  
Walter Stühmer

Pedarzani, Paola, Michael Krause, Trude Haug, Johan F. Storm, and Walter Stühmer. Modulation of the Ca2+-activated K+ current s I AHP by a phosphatase-kinase balance under basal conditions in rat CA1 pyramidal neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 3252–3256, 1998. The slow Ca2+-activated K+ current, s I AHP, underlying spike frequency adaptation, was recorded with the whole cell patch-clamp technique in CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal slices. Inhibitors of serine/threonine protein phosphatases (microcystin, calyculin A, cantharidic acid) caused a gradual decrease of s I AHP amplitude, suggesting the presence of a basal phosphorylation-dephosphorylation turnover regulating s I AHP. Because selective calcineurin (PP-2B) inhibitors did not affect the amplitude of s I AHP, protein phosphatase 1 (PP-1) or 2A (PP-2A) are most likely involved in the basal regulation of this current. The ATP analogue, ATP-γ-S, caused a gradual decrease in the s I AHP amplitude, supporting a role of protein phosphorylation in the basal modulation of s I AHP. When the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphorothioate, Rp-isomer (Rp-cAMPS) was coapplied with the phosphatase inhibitor microcystin, it prevented the decrease in the s I AHP amplitude that was observed when microcystin alone was applied. Furthermore, inhibition of PKA by Rp-cAMPS led to an increase in the s I AHP amplitude. Finally, an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor (SQ22,536) and adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate-specific type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitors (Ro 20–1724 and rolipram) led to an increase or a decrease in the s I AHP amplitude, respectively. These findings suggest that a balance between basally active PKA and a phosphatase (PP-1 or PP-2A) is responsible for the tonic modulation of s I AHP, resulting in a continuous modulation of excitability and firing properties of hippocampal pyramidal neurons.


2002 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Ireland ◽  
Wickliffe C. Abraham

Previous studies have implicated phospholipase C (PLC)-linked Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in regulating the excitability of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. We used intracellular recordings from rat hippocampal slices and specific antagonists to examine in more detail the mGluR receptor subtypes and signal transduction mechanisms underlying this effect. Application of the Group I mGluR agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) suppressed slow- and medium-duration afterhyperpolarizations (s- and mAHP) and caused a consequent increase in cell excitability as well as a depolarization of the membrane and an increase in input resistance. Interestingly, with the exception of the suppression of the mAHP, these effects were persistent, and in the case of the sAHP lasting for more than 1 h of drug washout. Preincubation with the specific mGluR5 antagonist, 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP), reduced but did not completely prevent the effects of DHPG. However, preincubation with both MPEP and the mGluR1 antagonist LY367385 completely prevented the DHPG-induced changes. These results demonstrate that the DHPG-induced changes are mediated partly by mGluR5 and partly by mGluR1. Because Group I mGluRs are linked to PLC via G-protein activation, we also investigated pathways downstream of PLC activation, using chelerythrine and cyclopiazonic acid to block protein kinase C (PKC) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-(IP3)-activated Ca2+ stores, respectively. Neither inhibitor affected the DHPG-induced suppression of the sAHP or the increase in excitability nor did an inhibitor of PLC itself, U-73122. Taken together, these results argue that in CA1 pyramidal cells in the adult rat, DHPG activates mGluRs of both the mGluR5 and mGluR1 subtypes, causing a long-lasting suppression of the sAHP and a consequent persistent increase in excitability via a PLC-, PKC-, and IP3-independent transduction pathway.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Xu ◽  
Mike T. Lin ◽  
Xiang-ming Zha

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.


2008 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Medrihan ◽  
E. Tantalaki ◽  
G. Aramuni ◽  
V. Sargsyan ◽  
I. Dudanova ◽  
...  

Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the transcriptional repressor methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and represents the leading genetic cause for mental retardation in girls. MeCP2-mutant mice have been generated to study the molecular mechanisms of the disease. It was suggested that an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission is responsible for the behavioral abnormalities, although it remained largely unclear which synaptic components are affected and how cellular impairments relate to the time course of the disease. Here, we report that MeCP2 KO mice present an imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission in the ventrolateral medulla already at postnatal day 7. Focusing on the inhibitory synaptic transmission we show that GABAergic, but not glycinergic, synaptic transmission is strongly depressed in MeCP2 KO mice. These alterations are presumably due to both decreased presynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release with reduced levels of the vesicular inhibitory transmitter transporter and reduced levels of postsynaptic GABAA-receptor subunits α2 and α4. Our data indicate that in the MeCP2 −/y mice specific synaptic molecules and signaling pathways are impaired in the brain stem during early postnatal development. These observations mandate the search for more refined diagnostic tools and may provide a rationale for the timing of future therapeutic interventions in Rett patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1274-1288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Ju ◽  
Yuru Li ◽  
Xiaoran Wang ◽  
Lifeng Xiao ◽  
Li Jiang ◽  
...  

Background: Streptozotocin (STZ) has served as an agent to generate an Alzheimer's disease (AD) model in rats, while edaravone (EDA), a novel free radical scavenger, has recently emerged as an effective treatment for use in vivo and vitro AD models. However, to date, these beneficial effects of EDA have only been clearly demonstrated within STZ-induced animal models of AD and in cell models of AD. A better understanding of the mechanisms of EDA may provide the opportunity for their clinical application in the treatment of AD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of STZ and EDA as assessed upon electrophysiological alterations in CA1 pyramidal neurons of rat hippocampal slices. Methods: Through measures of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs), AMPAR-mediated eEPSCs (eEPSCsAMPA), evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs), evoked excitatory postsynaptic current paired pulse ratio (eEPSC PPR) and evoked inhibitory postsynaptic current paired pulse ratio (eIPSC PPR), it was possible to investigate mechanisms as related to the neurotoxicity of STZ and reductions in these effects by EDA. Results: Our results showed that STZ (1000 µM) significantly inhibited peak amplitudes of eEPSCs, eEPSCsAMPA and eIPSCs, while EDA (1000 µM) attenuated these STZ-induced changes at holding potentials ranging from -60mV to +40 mV for EPSCs and -60mV to +20 mV for IPSCs. Our work also indicated that mean eEPSC PPR were substantially altered by STZ, effects which were partially restored by EDA. In contrast, no significant effects upon eIPSC PPR were obtained in response to STZ and EDA. Conclusion: Our data suggest that STZ inhibits glutamatergic transmission involving pre-synaptic mechanisms and AMPAR, and that STZ inhibits GABAergic transmission by post-synaptic mechanisms within CA1 pyramidal neurons. These effects are attenuated by EDA.


2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 4121-4130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Kang ◽  
Jun Xu ◽  
Qiwu Xu ◽  
Maiken Nedergaard ◽  
Jian Kang

A paroxysmal depolarization shift (PDS) has been suggested to be a hallmark for epileptic activity in partial-onset seizures. By monitoring membrane potentials and currents in pairs of pyramidal neurons and astrocytes with dual patch-clamp recording and exocytosis of vesicles from astrocytes with two-photon laser scanning microscopy in hippocampal slices, we found that infusion of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) into astrocytes by patch pipettes induced astrocytic glutamate release that triggered a transient depolarization (TD) and epileptiform discharges in CA1 pyramidal neurons. The TD is due to a tetrodotoxin (TTX)-insensitive slowly decaying transient inward current (STC). Astrocytic glutamate release simultaneously triggers both the STC in pyramidal neurons and a transport current (TC) in astrocytes. The neuronal STC is mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors leading to the TD and epileptiform discharges; while the astrocytic TC is a glutamate reuptake current resulting from transporting released glutamate into the patched astrocyte. Fusion of a large vesicle in astrocytes was immediately followed by an astrocytic TC, suggesting that the fused vesicle contains glutamate. Both fusion of large vesicles and astrocytic TCs were blocked by tetanus toxin (TeNT), suggesting that astrocytic glutamate release is via SNARE-dependent exocytosis of glutamate-containing vesicles. In the presence of TTX, the epileptogenic reagent, 4-AP, also induced similar neuronal STCs and astrocytic TCs, suggesting that astrocytic glutamate release may play an epileptogenic role in initiation of epileptic seizures under pathological conditions. Our study provides a novel mechanism, astrocytic release of glutamate, for seizure initiation.


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