Abstract TP267: Protein Kinase C Epsilon-activation Mediates Ischemic Neuroprotection by Activating an Activity-regulated Cytoskeleton-associated Protein-dependent Mechanism

Introduction: Cerebral ischemia can trigger cell death in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, an area important for memory. Protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) activation prior to ischemia protects the CA1 from injury by modulating neurotransmission. The underlying mechanism needs further study. Hypothesis: PKCε-induced neuroprotection increases latency until anoxic depolarization (AD) through an activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (arc)-dependent mechanism of regulating AMPAR currents. Results: In vivo activation of PKCε by the PKCε-activator ψε-Receptor of Activated C Kinase (ψεRACK) increased BDNF 5.99 +/- 0.11 fold and TrkB phosphorylation levels 2.94 +/- 0.32 fold (enhancers of arc protein levels) (n = 4, p < 0.005, t-test). Arc mRNA and protein was increased 143.97 +/-7.68 % and 1.91 +/- 0.22 fold (n = 9, p < 0.005, t-test). Inhibition of arc using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (arc AS ODNs) in cultured slices blocked PKCε-mediated neuroprotection against lethal oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) from 35.91 +/- 5.97 to 74.93 +/- 4.24 % cell death (n = 6, p < 0.005, ANOVA, Bonferroni). ΨεRACK decreased AMPAR-mediated mEPSC amplitude to 12.75 +/- 0.35 pA from 14.80 +/- 0.39 pA (n = 20, p < 0.01, ANOVA, Bonferroni). This effect was arc-dependent. Additionally, ψεRACK treatment increased latency until AD from 29.27 +/- 3.6 min 50.77 +/- 5.08 min (n = 13, p < 0.01, ANOVA, Bonferroni). This increase was arc-dependent, and required AMPAR internalization. Inhibiting internalization reduced AD latency from 54.5 +/- 8.40 min to 22.3 + 5.17 min (n = 6, p <0.005, t-test). Conclusion: Arc expression is necessary for neuroprotection afforded by PKCε-activation, modulates excitatory synaptic strength, and increases latency until AD. Methods: Western blot: Proteins (40 μg) were separated on a 12% SDS-PAGE gel. Immunofluorescence : 30 μm sections were incubated with 1:500 NeuN and 1:50 arc in PBS with 0.8% triton. Cultured slices preparation : sections from P9-11 rats were plated on inserts and cultured for 14 days. PI measurements of cell death : Slices were incubated in medium with 2 μg/mL PI. mEPSC measurements : Whole-cell voltage clamp was performed. AD: OGD, perfusate was switched to glucose free media, and bubbled with a 95% N 2 and 5% CO 2 gas.

A neuroprotective role for microglia in prion diseases

Microglial activation is a hallmark of most neurodegenerative disorders, and is particularly conspicuous in prion diseases. However, the role of microglia, which function as both primary immune effector cells and professional phagocytes in the central nervous system, remains contentious in the context of neurodegeneration. Here, we evaluated the effect of microglial depletion/deficiency on prion pathogenesis. We found that ganciclovir-mediated microglial ablation on tga20/CD11b-thymidine kinase of Herpes simplex virus (HSVTK) cerebellar organotypic cultured slices markedly aggravated prion-induced neurotoxicity. A similar deterioration of disease was recapitulated in in vivo microglial depletion in prion-infected tga20/CD11b-HSVTK mice. Additionally, deficiency of microglia in interleukin 34 knockout (IL34−/−) mice again resulted in significantly augmented proteinase K–resistant prion protein deposition and accelerated prion disease progression. These results provide unambiguous evidence for a general protective role of microglia in prion pathogenesis.

Evidence of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors in dendritic spines of CA1 pyramidal neurons

GluA2-lacking, calcium-permeable α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate receptors (AMPARs) have unique properties, but their presence at excitatory synapses in pyramidal cells is controversial. We have tested certain predictions of the model that such receptors are present in CA1 cells and show here that the polyamine spermine, but not philanthotoxin, causes use-dependent inhibition of synaptically evoked excitatory responses in stratum radiatum, but not s. oriens, in cultured and acute hippocampal slices. Stimulation of single dendritic spines by photolytic release of caged glutamate induced an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-independent, use- and spermine-sensitive calcium influx only at apical spines in cultured slices. Bath application of glutamate also triggered a spermine-sensitive influx of cobalt into CA1 cell dendrites in s. radiatum. Responses of single apical, but not basal, spines to photostimulation displayed prominent paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) consistent with use-dependent relief of cytoplasmic polyamine block. Responses at apical dendrites were diminished, and PPF was increased, by spermine. Intracellular application of pep2m, which inhibits recycling of GluA2-containing AMPARs, reduced apical spine responses and increased PPF. We conclude that some calcium-permeable, polyamine-sensitive AMPARs, perhaps lacking GluA2 subunits, are present at synapses on apical dendrites of CA1 pyramidal cells, which may allow distinct forms of synaptic plasticity and computation at different sets of excitatory inputs.

Long-chain fatty acids differentially alter lipogenesis in bovine and caprine mammary slices

Indirect comparisons from studies in vivo have suggested that caprine mammary tissue is less sensitive than bovine mammary tissue to the anti-lipogenic effect of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA), including specific rumen biohydrogenation (RBH) intermediates of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Our objective was to investigate the effects on lipogenesis of 18-carbon LCFA differing in the degree of unsaturation and/or double bond conformation using cultured slices of bovine and caprine mammary tissues. Mammary tissues were collected from five multiparous Holstein × Normande cows and six multiparous Alpine goats in mid lactation. The expression of genes involved in milk component synthesis was measured in tissues collected at slaughter and after slice preparation:FASN, SCD1, CD36, SREBF1andPPARG1mRNA levels were higher in bovine than caprine samples, whereas the opposite was observed forCSN2mRNA levels. Bovine and caprine mammary slices were incubated for 20 h in a medium with BSA (control), cis-9-18 : 1, 18 : 2n-6, 18 : 3n-3, cis-9, trans-11-CLA, or trans-10, cis-12-CLA (the latter at 3 increasing concentrations: C1 (0·11 mm), C2 (0·16 mm), C3 (0·37 mm)). Lipogenesis was estimated by measuring the incorporation of14C-acetate into total lipid. Significant differences of individual LCFA (P < 0·05) were observed between species: bovine tissue showed a decrease in total lipogenesis with 18 : 2n-6, 18 : 3n-3, trans-10,cis-12-CLA (C2 and C3) while caprine tissue showed an increase after treatment with 18 : 3n-3, cis-9, trans-11-CLA or trans-10, cis-12-CLA (C3). These results were not related to the mRNA abundance of our set of genes in the mammary slices after incubation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that caprine mammary slices reacted differently from bovine mammary slices to the anti-lipogenic activity of specific LCFA and suggests that regulation of lipogenesis via other genes and/or at protein level and enzyme activity may be involved.

The excitability of dorsal horn neurons is affected by cerebrospinal fluid from humans with osteoarthritis

Changes in central neural processing are thought to contribute to the development of chronic osteoarthritis pain. This may be reflected as the presence of inflammatory mediators in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). We therefore exposed organotypically cultured slices of rat spinal cord to CSF from human subjects with osteoarthritis (OACSF) at a ratio of 1 part CSF in 9 parts culture medium for 5–6 days, and measured changes in neuronal electrophysiological properties by means of whole-cell recording. Although OACSF had no effect on the membrane properties and excitability of neurons in the substantia gelatinosa, synaptic transmission was clearly altered. The frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC) in delay-firing putative excitatory neurons was increased, as was sEPSC amplitude and frequency in tonic-firing inhibitory neurons. These changes could affect sensory processing in the dorsal horn, and may affect the transfer of nociceptive information. Although OACSF also affected inhibitory synaptic transmission (frequency of spontaneous inhibitory synaptic currents; sIPSC), this may have little bearing on sensory processing by substantia gelatinosa neurons, as sEPSC frequency is >3× greater than sIPSC frequency in this predominantly excitatory network. These results support the clinical notion that changes in nociceptive processing at the spinal level contribute to the generation of chronic osteoarthritis pain.

Combined Stimulation with the Tumor Necrosis Factorαand the Epidermal Growth Factor Promotes the Proliferation of Hepatocytes in Rat Liver Cultured Slices

The culture liver slices are mainly used to investigate drug metabolism and xenobiotic-mediated liver injuries while apoptosis and proliferation remain unexplored in this culture model. Here, we show a transient increase in LDH release and caspase activities indicating an ischemic injury during the slicing procedure. Then, caspase activities decrease and remain low in cultured slices demonstrating a low level of apoptosis. The slicing procedure is also associated with the G0/G1 transition of hepatocytes demonstrated by the activation of stress and proliferation signalling pathways including the ERK1/2 and JNK1/2/3 MAPKinases and the transient upregulation of c-fos. The cells further progress up to mid-G1 phase as indicated by the sequential induction of c-myc and p53 mRNA levels after the slicing procedure and at 24 h of culture, respectively. The stimulation by epidermal growth factor induces the ERK1/2 phosphorylation but fails to activate expression of late G1 and S phase markers such as cyclin D1 and Cdk1 indicating that hepatocytes are arrested in mid-G1 phase of the cell cycle. However, we found that combined stimulation by the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factorαand the epidermal growth factor promotes the commitment to DNA replication as observedin vivoduring the liver regeneration.