scholarly journals Functional Characterization of Acetylcholine Receptors Expressed in Human Neurons Differentiated from Hippocampal Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1065-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuyuki Fukushima ◽  
Kazuto Yamazaki ◽  
Norimasa Miyamoto ◽  
Kohei Sawada
Keyword(s):  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Calcium Flux ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Human Neurons ◽  
Neural Stem Progenitor Cells

Neurotransmission mediated by acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) plays an important role in learning and memory functions in the hippocampus. Impairment of the cholinergic system contributes to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), indicating the importance of AChRs as drug targets for AD. To improve the success rates for AD drug development, human cell models that mimic the target brain region are important. Therefore, we characterized the functional expression of nicotinic and muscarinic AChRs (nAChRs and mAChRs, respectively) in human hippocampal neurons differentiated from hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells (HIP-009 cells). Intracellular calcium flux in 4-week differentiated HIP-009 cells demonstrated that the cells responded to acetylcholine, nicotine, and muscarine in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 = 13.4 ± 0.5, 6.0 ± 0.4, and 35.0 ± 2.5 µM, respectively). In addition, assays using subtype-selective compounds revealed that major AD therapeutic target AChR subtypes—α7 and α4β2 nAChRs, as well as M1 and M3 mAChRs—were expressed in the cells. Furthermore, neuronal network analysis demonstrated that potentiation of M3 mAChRs inhibits the spontaneous firing of HIP-009 neurons. These results indicate that HIP-009 cells are physiologically relevant for AD drug screening and hence are loadstars for the establishment of in vitro AD models.

scholarly journals Characterization of Human Hippocampal Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells and Their Application to Physiologically Relevant Assays for Multiple Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 1174-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuyuki Fukushima ◽  
Yoshikuni Tabata ◽  
Yoichi Imaizumi ◽  
Naohiro Kohmura ◽  
Michiko Sugawara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glutamate Receptors ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Brain Region ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors ◽  
Neural Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Neural Stem Progenitor Cells

The hippocampus is an important brain region that is involved in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer disease, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. Ionotropic glutamate receptors—namely, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptors (AMPARs), and kainic acid (KA) receptors (KARs)—are well known to be involved in these diseases by mediating long-term potentiation, excitotoxicity, or both. To predict the therapeutic efficacy and neuronal toxicity of drug candidates acting on these receptors, physiologically relevant systems for assaying brain region–specific human neural cells are necessary. Here, we characterized the functional differentiation of human fetal hippocampus–derived neural stem/progenitor cells—namely, HIP-009 cells. Calcium rise assay demonstrated that, after a 4-week differentiation, the cells responded to NMDA (EC50 = 7.5 ± 0.4 µM; n = 4), AMPA (EC50 = 2.5 ± 0.1 µM; n = 3), or KA (EC50 = 33.5 ± 1.1 µM; n = 3) in a concentration-dependent manner. An AMPA-evoked calcium rise was observed in the absence of the desensitization inhibitor cyclothiazide. In addition, the calcium rise induced by these agonists was inhibited by antagonists for each receptor—namely, MK-801 for NMDA stimulation (IC50 = 0.6 ± 0.1 µM; n = 4) and NBQX for AMPA and KA stimulation (IC50 = 0.7 ± 0.1 and 0.7 ± 0.03 µM, respectively; n = 3). The gene expression profile of differentiated HIP-009 cells was distinct from that of undifferentiated cells and closely resembled that of the human adult hippocampus. Our results show that HIP-009 cells are a unique tool for obtaining human hippocampal neural cells and are applicable to systems for assay of ionotropic glutamate receptors as a physiologically relevant in vitro model.

Functional Characterization of BAX 855, a PEGylated Recombinant FVIII

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 4359-4359
Author(s):  
Gerald Schrenk ◽  
Katalin Varadi ◽  
Herbert Gritsch ◽  
Hanspeter Rottensteiner ◽  
Hartmut J. Ehrlich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Properties ◽  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Recombinant Fviii

Abstract Abstract 4359 Baxter and Nektar have developed BAX 855, a longer-acting PEGylated form of Baxter’s recombinant FVIII (ADVATE process) using stable PEG technology from Nektar. BAX 855 was functionally characterized in vitro and its features were compared with those of the unmodified parent rFVIII. The overall hemostatic potency of BAX 855 was assessed using a thrombin generation assay. Human FVIII-deficient plasma containing less than 1% of FVIII was supplemented with different concentrations of BAX 855 and unmodified rFVIII and coagulation was triggered by adding a small amount of recombinant human tissue factor complexed with phospholipid (PL) micelles to the plasma. Similar to unmodified rFVIII, BAX 855 corrected the impaired thrombin generation of the FVIII deficient plasma in a concentration-dependent manner. The role of FVIII within the tenase complex was determined by measuring the kinetics of FXa generation with a FIXa-cofactor activity assay, using either untreated or thrombin activated BAX 855. Comparison of the kinetic parameters and the maximum FXa generated revealed similar characteristics between BAX 855 and unmodified rFVIII. A similar approach revealed that BAX 855 fully retained its ability to be activated and inactivated by thrombin. The susceptibility of BAX 855 to activated protein C (APC) inactivation was also similar for BAX 855 and unmodified rFVIII. The binding affinities for VWF were similar for unmodified rFVIII (KD 0.6 nM) and BAX 855 (KD 0.8 nM) and the binding capacity of BAX 855 was also only slightly reduced. In contrast, the binding capacity of BAX 855 to the low-density lipoprotein-receptor-related protein (LRP) clearance receptor was 55% less than that of the unmodified rFVIII. In summary, the functional properties of BAX 855 were fully retained, indicating that PEGylation did not have an impact on the functional properties of rFVIII. Disclosures: Schrenk: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Varadi:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Gritsch:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Rottensteiner:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Ehrlich:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Scheiflinger:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Turecek:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment.

scholarly journals Synedrella nodiflora Extract Depresses Excitatory Synaptic Transmission and Chemically-Induced In Vitro Seizures in the Rat Hippocampus

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Amoateng ◽  
Thomas A. Tagoe ◽  
Thomas K. Karikari ◽  
Kennedy K. E Kukuia ◽  
Dorcas Osei-Safo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Seizure Activity ◽  
Ethanolic Extract ◽  
Excitatory Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Ca1 Region ◽  
Synedrella Nodiflora

Extracts of the tropical Cinderella plant Synedrella nodiflora are used traditionally to manage convulsive conditions in the West African sub-region. This study sought to determine the neuronal basis of the effectiveness of these plant extracts to suppress seizure activity. Using the hippocampal slice preparation from rats, the ability of the extract to depress excitatory synaptic transmission and in vitro seizure activity were investigated. Bath perfusion of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella nodiflora (SNE) caused a concentration-dependent depression of evoked field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) recorded extracellularly in the CA1 region of the hippocampus with maximal depression of about 80% and an estimated IC50 of 0.06 mg/ml. The SNE-induced fEPSP depression was accompanied by an increase in paired pulse facilitation. The fEPSP depression only recovered partially after 20 min washing out. The effect of SNE was not stimulus dependent as it was present even in the absence of synaptic stimulation. Furthermore, it did not show desensitization as repeat application after 10 min washout produced the same level of fEPSP depression as the first application. The SNE effect on fEPSPs was not via adenosine release as it was neither blocked nor reversed by 8-CPT, an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist. In addition, SNE depressed in vitro seizures induced by zero Mg2+ and high K+ -containing artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) in a concentration-dependent manner. The results show that SNE depresses fEPSPs and spontaneous bursting activity in hippocampal neurons that may underlie its ability to abort convulsive activity in persons with epilepsy.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Lectin Exhibit Inhibition of ACE-I, α-amylase and α-glucosidase Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 494-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer Suresh Bhagyawant ◽  
Dakshita Tanaji Narvekar ◽  
Neha Gupta ◽  
Amita Bhadkaria ◽  
Ajay Kumar Gautam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Chickpea Lectin

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are the major health concern and alleged to be of epidemic proportions. This has made it a numero uno subject at various levels of investigation. Glucosidase inhibitor provides the reasonable option in treatment of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as it specifically targets post prandial hyperglycemia. The Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in hypertension. Therefore, inhibition of ACE in treatment of elevated blood pressure attracts special interest of the scientific community. Chickpea is a food legume and seeds contain carbohydrate binding protein- a lectin. Some of the biological properties of this lectin hitherto been elucidated. Methods: Purified by ion exchange chromatography, chickpea lectin was tested for its in vitro antioxidant, ACE-I inhibitory and anti-diabetic characteristic. Results: Lectin shows a characteristic improvement over the synthetic drugs like acarbose (oral anti-diabetic drug) and captopril (standard antihypertensive drug) when, their IC50 values are compared. Lectin significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 85.41 ± 1.21 ҝg/ml and 65.05 ± 1.2 µg/ml compared to acarbose having IC50 70.20 ± 0.47 value of µg/ml and 50.52 ± 1.01 µg/ml respectively. β-Carotene bleaching assay showed antioxidant activity of lectin (72.3%) to be as active as Butylated Hydroxylanisole (BHA). In addition, lectin demonstrated inhibition against ACE-I with IC50 value of 57.43 ± 1.20 µg/ml compared to captopril. Conclusion: Lectin demonstrated its antioxidant character, ACE-I inhibition and significantly inhibitory for α-glucosidase and α-amylase seems to qualify as an anti-hyperglycemic therapeutic molecule. The biological effects of chickpea lectin display potential for reducing the parameters of medically debilitating conditions. These characteristics however needs to be established under in vivo systems too viz. animals through to humans.

Improved Method for Obtaining of Arctigenin from Arctium Lappa L. and its Antiproliferative Effect on Human Hepatocarcinoma HepG2 Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-362
Author(s):  
Renan S. Teixeira ◽  
Paulo H.D. Carvalho ◽  
Jair A.K. Aguiar ◽  
Valquíria P. Medeiros ◽  
Ademar A. Da Silva Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antitumor Activity ◽  
Crude Extract ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Liver Carcinoma ◽  
Adhesion Assay ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Arctium Lappa ◽  
Nih 3T3

Background: Arctigenin is a lignan found in Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae) that displays anti-inflammatory activities. Previous studies showed that the crude extract of A. Lappa has antitumor activity in human liver carcinoma, lung and stomach cancer cells. The aim of this study was to obtain arctigenin from A. lappa L., as well as to evaluate its antiproliferative effects in cells of liver carcinoma (HepG2) and fibroblasts (NIH/3T3). Methods: Arctigenin was obtained from the hydrolysis of arctiin, which was isolated from the crude extract of A. lappa. The effects of arctigenin and arctiin on HepG2 cell viability and cell adhesion were analyzed by MTT method. Adhesion assay was also carried out to evaluate the antitumor activity. Results: Our results showed that the analytical process to obtain arctigenin was fast and easy. In vitro experiments showed that arctigenin (107-269 μM) decreased HepG2 cells viability and did not cause cytotoxicity on NIH/3T3 cells. Arctigenin (27-269 μM) demonstrated anti-adhesion in HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, when compared with control. Conclusion: These results suggest a promising pharmacological activity for arctigenin as an antiproliferative compound.

scholarly journals Human Neuronal Cell Lines as An In Vitro Toxicological Tool for the Evaluation of Novel Psychoactive Substances

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6785
Author(s):  
Valeria Sogos ◽  
Paola Caria ◽  
Clara Porcedda ◽  
Rafaela Mostallino ◽  
Franca Piras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽  
Neuronal Cell Lines

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthetic substances belonging to diverse groups, designed to mimic the effects of scheduled drugs, resulting in altered toxicity and potency. Up to now, information available on the pharmacology and toxicology of these new substances is very limited, posing a considerable challenge for prevention and treatment. The present in vitro study investigated the possible mechanisms of toxicity of two emerging NPS (i) 4′-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinoexanophenone (3,4-MDPHP), a synthetic cathinone, and (ii) 2-chloro-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (2-Cl-4,5-MDMA), a phenethylamine. In addition, to apply our model to the class of synthetic opioids, we evaluated the toxicity of fentanyl, as a reference compound for this group of frequently abused substances. To this aim, the in vitro toxic effects of these three compounds were evaluated in dopaminergic-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Following 24 h of exposure, all compounds induced a loss of viability, and oxidative stress in a concentration-dependent manner. 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA activates apoptotic processes, while 3,4-MDPHP elicits cell death by necrosis. Fentanyl triggers cell death through both mechanisms. Increased expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase 3 activity were observed following 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA and fentanyl, but not 3,4-MDPHP exposure, confirming the different modes of cell death.

scholarly journals The Modulation of PCSK9 and LDLR by Supercritical CO2 Extracts of Mentha longifolia and Isolated Piperitone Oxide, an In Vitro Study

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3886
Author(s):  
Stefania Sut ◽  
Irene Ferrarese ◽  
Maria Giovanna Lupo ◽  
Nicola De Zordi ◽  
Elisa Tripicchio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Hepatoma Cell ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Volatile Constituent ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Human Hepatoma Cell ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner

In the present study the ability of supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) extracts of M. longifolia L. leaves to modulate low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) expression was evaluated in cultured human hepatoma cell lines Huh7 and HepG2. Two SCO2 extracts, one oil (ML-SCO2) and a semisolid (MW-SCO2), were subjected to detailed chemical characterization by mono- and bidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (1D, 2D-NMR), gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Chemical analysis revealed significant amounts of fatty acids, phytosterols and terpenoids. ML-SCO2 was able to induce LDLR expression at a dose of 60 µg/mL in HuH7 and HepG2 cell lines. Furthermore, ML-SCO2 reduced PCSK9 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner in both cell lines. Piperitone oxide, the most abundant compound of the volatile constituent of ML-SCO2 (27% w/w), was isolated and tested for the same targets, showing a very effective reduction of PCSK9 expression. The overall results revealed the opportunity to obtain a new nutraceutical ingredient with a high amount of phytosterols and terpenoids using the SCO2 extraction of M. longifolia L., a very well-known botanical species used as food. Furthermore, for the first time we report the high activity of piperitone oxide in the reduction of PCSK9 expression.

scholarly journals Cannabidiol (CBD) Alters the Functionality of Neutrophils (PMN). Implications in the Refractory Epilepsy Treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
Claudia Taborda Gómez ◽  
Fabiana Lairion ◽  
Marisa Repetto ◽  
Miren Ettcheto ◽  
Amalia Merelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Refractory Epilepsy ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Nuclear Condensation ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Superoxide Anion Production ◽  
Excretory Function ◽  
Psychoactive Effects ◽  
Stress Damage

Cannabidiol (CBD), a lipophilic cannabinoid compound without psychoactive effects, has emerged as adjuvant of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in the treatment of refractory epilepsy (RE), decreasing the severity and/or frequency of seizures. CBD is considered a multitarget drug that could act throughout the canonical endocannabinoid receptors (CB1-CB2) or multiple non-canonical pathways. Despite the fact that the CBD mechanism in RE is still unknown, experiments carried out in our laboratory showed that CBD has an inhibitory role on P-glycoprotein excretory function, highly related to RE. Since CB2 is expressed mainly in the immune cells, we hypothesized that CBD treatment could alter the activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in a similar way that it does with microglia/macrophages and others circulating leukocytes. In vitro, CBD induced PMN cytoplasmatic vacuolization and proapoptotic nuclear condensation, associated with a significantly decreased viability in a concentration-dependent manner, while low CBD concentration decreased PMN viability in a time-dependent manner. At a functional level, CBD reduced the chemotaxis and oxygen consumption of PMNs related with superoxide anion production, while the singlet oxygen level was increased suggesting oxidative stress damage. These results are in line with the well-known CBD anti-inflammatory effect and support a potential immunosuppressor role on PMNs that could promote an eventual defenseless state during chronic treatment with CBD in RE.

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