Topochemical localization of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase in mouse brain

Dopaminergic and serotonergic changes in rabbit fetal brain upon repeated gestational exposure to diesel engine exhaust

Limited studies in humans and in animal models have investigated the neurotoxic risks related to a gestational exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) on the embryonic brain, especially those regarding monoaminergic systems linked to neurocognitive disorders. We previously showed that exposure to DEP alters monoaminergic neurotransmission in fetal olfactory bulbs and modifies tissue morphology along with behavioral consequences at birth in a rabbit model. Given the anatomical and functional connections between olfactory and central brain structures, we further characterized their impacts in brain regions associated with monoaminergic neurotransmission. At gestational day 28 (GD28), fetal rabbit brains were collected from dams exposed by nose-only to either a clean air or filtered DEP for 2 h/day, 5 days/week, from GD3 to GD27. HPLC dosage and histochemical analyses of the main monoaminergic systems, i.e., dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), and serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites were conducted in microdissected fetal brain regions. DEP exposure increased the level of DA and decreased the dopaminergic metabolites ratios in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), together with sex-specific alterations in the hippocampus (Hp). In addition, HVA level was increased in the temporal cortex (TCx). Serotonin and 5-HIAA levels were decreased in the fetal Hp. However, DEP exposure did not significantly modify NA levels, tyrosine hydroxylase, tryptophan hydroxylase or AChE enzymatic activity in fetal brain. Exposure to DEP during fetal life results in dopaminergic and serotonergic changes in critical brain regions that might lead to detrimental potential short-term neural disturbances as precursors of long-term neurocognitive consequences.

3-(Benzyloxy)-1-(5-[18F]fluoropentyl)-5-nitro-1H-indazole: a PET radiotracer to measure acetylcholinesterase in brain

Aim: Noninvasive studies of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) level in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients can contribute to a better understanding of the disease and its therapeutic. We propose 3-(benzyloxy)-1-(5-[18F]fluoropentyl)-5-nitro-1H-indazole, [18F]-IND1, structurally related to the AChE-inhibitor CP126,998, as a new positron emission tomography-radiotracer. Experimental: Radiosynthesis, with 18F, stability, lipophilicity and protein binding of [18F]-IND1 were studied. In vivo behavior, in normal mice and on AD mice models, were also analyzed. Results: [18F]-IND1 was obtained in good radiochemical yield, was stable for at least 2 h in different conditions, and had adequate lipophilicity for blood–brain barrier penetration. Biodistribution studies, in normal mice, showed that [18F]-IND1 was retained in the brain after 1 h. In vivo tacrine-blocking experiments indicated this uptake could be specifically due to AChE interaction. Studies in transgenic AD mice showed differential, compared with normal mice, binding in many brain regions. Conclusion: [18F]-IND1 can be used to detect AChE changes in AD patients.

Localization of pre- and postsynaptic cholinergic markers in rodent forebrain: a brief history and comparison of rat and mouse

Rat and mouse models are widely used for studies in cognition and pathophysiology, among others. Here, we sought to determine to what extent these two model species differ for cholinergic and cholinoceptive features. For this purpose, we focused on cholinergic innervation patterns based on choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunostaining, and the expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) detected immunocytochemically. In this brief review we first place cholinergic and cholinoceptive markers in a historic perspective, and then provide an overview of recent publications on cholinergic studies and techniques to provide a literature survey of current research. Next, we compare mouse (C57Bl/J6) and rat (Wistar) cholinergic and cholinoceptive systems simultaneously stained, respectively, for ChAT (analyzed qualitatively) and mAChRs (analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively). In general, the topographic cholinergic innervation patterns of both rodent species are highly comparable, with only considerable (but region specific) differences in number of detectable cholinergic interneurons, which are more numerous in rat. In contrast, immunolabeling for mAChRs, detected by the monoclonal antibody M35, differs markedly in the forebrain between the two species. In mouse brain, basal levels of activated and/or internalized mAChRs (as a consequence of cholinergic neurotransmission) are significantly higher. This suggests a higher cholinergic tone in mouse than rat, and hence the animal model of choice may have consequences for cholinergic drug testing experiments.

Regional acetylcholinesterase activity and its correlation with behavioral performances in 15-month old transgenic mice expressing the human C99 fragment of APP

In addition to Abeta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by increased brain levels of APP C-terminal fragments. In the present investigation, the cholinergic innervation in forebrain regions of transgenic mice (Tg13592) expressing the human betaAPP C99 fragment was compared to that of non-transgenic controls by measuring the activity of the non-specific catabolic enzyme, acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The AchE activity of Tg13592 mice was altered in several regions implicated in the functional loop of regulation between septum and hippocampus, vulnerable in Alzheimer pathology and critically involved in cognitive functions. In particular, AChE activity was upregulated in three basal forebrain regions containing cholinergic cell bodies, prelimbic cortex, anterior subiculum, and paraventricular thalamus, but downregulated in lateral septum and reticular thalamus. The increased activity in medial septum and anterior subiculum was linearly correlated with poor performances in a spatial learning task, possibly due to cell stress mechanisms. Because of some similarities in terms of neurochemistry and behavior, this mouse model may be of use for studying prodromal AD.

Differential cholinergic activation of G proteins in rat and mouse brainstem: relevance for sleep and nociception

Murine models are increasingly used for investigations of sleep, yet no previous studies have characterized cholinergic activation of guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) in mouse brainstem nuclei known to regulate sleep. This study used in vitro [(35)S]guanylyl-5'-O-(gamma-thio)-triphosphate ([(35)S]GTPgammaS) autoradiography to test the hypothesis that muscarinic cholinergic receptors activate G proteins in C57BL/6J (B6) mouse brainstem. The nuclei studied are homologous to those known in rat and cat to modulate sleep and nociception. In B6 mouse, carbachol significantly increased specific binding of [(35)S]GTPgammaS in the pontine reticular nucleus, caudal part (79%); pontine reticular nucleus, oral part (131%); laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (56%); pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (86%); dorsal raphe nucleus (53%); dorsal medial periaqueductal gray (54%); and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (52%) when compared with basal binding. Carbachol-induced G protein activation was concentration-dependent and blocked by atropine, demonstrating mediation by muscarinic receptors. G protein activation by carbachol was heterogeneous across B6 mouse brainstem nuclei. Comparison of [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding between mouse and rat revealed different magnitudes of G protein activation in the pontine reticular formation. In the same pontine reticular formation area of B6 mouse where in vitro treatment with carbachol activates G proteins, in vivo microinjection of cholinomimetics causes a rapid eye movement sleep-like state. These data provide the first direct measurement of muscarinic receptor-activated G proteins in B6 mouse brainstem nuclei known in other species to regulate sleep.

Stable beta-secretase activity and presynaptic cholinergic markers during progressive central nervous system amyloidogenesis in Tg2576 mice

We examined presynaptic cholinergic markers and beta-secretase activity during progressive central nervous system amyloidogenesis in Tg2576 Alzheimer mice (transgenic for human amyloid precursor protein Swedish mutation; hAPPswe). At 14, 18, and 23 months of age there were no significant differences between wild-type and transgenic mice in four distinct central nervous system cholinergic indices--choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activities, and binding to vesicular acetylcholine transporter and Na(+)-dependent high-affinity choline uptake sites. A novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measuring only the secreted human beta-secretase cleavage product (APPsbetaswe) of APPswe also revealed no change with aging in Tg2576 mouse brain. In contrast, transgenic but not wild-type mice exhibited an age-dependent increase in soluble Abeta40 and Abeta42 levels and progressive amyloid deposition in brain. Thus, aging Tg2576 mice exhibited presynaptic cholinergic integrity despite progressively increased soluble Abeta40 and Abeta42 levels and amyloid plaque density in brain. Older Tg2576 mice may best resemble preclinical or early stages of human Alzheimer's disease with preserved presynaptic cholinergic innervation. Homeostatic APPsbetaswe levels with aging suggest that progressive amyloid deposition in brain results not from increased beta-secretase cleavage of APP but from impaired Abeta/amyloid clearance mechanisms.

Syntheses and biological evaluation of (18)F-labeled 3-(1-benzyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)propan-1-ones for in vivo mapping of acetylcholinesterase

We synthesized novel (18)F-labeled acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, 3-[1-(3- and 4-[(18)F]fluoromethylbenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]-1-(1-methyl-1H-i ndol-3-yl )propan-1-ones ([(18)F]1 and [(18)F]2) and 3-[1-(4-[(18)F]fluorobenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]-1-(1-methyl-1H-i ndol-3-yl )propan-1-one ([(18)F]3) in high yields (decay-corrected, 25%-40%) and with high effective specific activities (>37 GBq/micromol). Tissue distribution studies of the [(18)F]1 and the [(18)F]3 in mice showed the nonspecific bindings in brain regions, with metabolic defluorination of the [(18)F]1. The result suggests that these radioligands may not be suitable agents for in vivo mapping of AChE, despite their potent in vitro anti-AChE activities.

Synthesis and evaluation of 6-[11C]methoxy-3-[2-[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]ethyl]-1,2- benzisoxazole as an in vivo radioligand for acetylcholinesterase

6-Methoxy-3-[2-[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]ethyl]-1,2-benzisoxazole is a high affinity (K(i) = 8.2 nM) reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The carbon-11 labeled form was prepared in high (>97%) radiochemical purity and with specific activities of 37+/-20 GBq/micromol at end of synthesis, by the alkylation of the desmethyl precursor with [11C]methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate in N,N-dimethyl-formamide at room temperature. In vivo studies in mice demonstrated good blood brain permeability but essentially uniform regional brain distribution. Thus, despite in vitro and in vivo activity as an AChE inhibitor, 6-[11C]methoxy-3-[2-[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]ethyl]-1,2-benzis oxa zole does not appear to be a good candidate for in vivo imaging studies of AChE in the mammalian brain.

Vesamicol receptor mapping of brain cholinergic neurons with radioiodine-labeled positional isomers of benzovesamicol

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive cerebral cholinergic neuronal degeneration. Radiotracer analogs of benzovesamicol, which bind with high affinity to the vesamicol receptor located on the uptake transporter of acetylcholine storage vesicles, may provide an in vivo marker of cholinergic neuronal integrity. Five positional isomers of racemic iodobenzovesamicol (4'-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-IBVM) were synthesized, exchange-labeled with iodine-125, and evaluated as possible in vivo markers for central cholinergic neurons. Only two isomers, 5-IBVM (5) and 6-IBVM (10), gave distribution patterns in mouse brain consistent with cholinergic innervation: striatum >> hippocampus > or = cortex > hypothalamus >> cerebellum. The 24-h tissue-to-cerebellum concentration ratios for 5-IBVM (5) were 3-4-fold higher for striatum, cortex, and hippocampus than the respective ratios for 6-IBVM (10). Neither 8-IBVM (16) nor 4'-IBVM (17) exhibited selective retention in any of the brain regions examined. In the heart, only 5-IBVM (5) exhibited an atria-to-ventricles concentration ratio consistent with high peripheral cholinergic neuronal selectivity. The 7-IBVM (14) isomer exhibited an anomalous brain distribution pattern, marked by high and prolonged retention in the five brain regions, most notably the cerebellum. This isomer was screened for binding in a series of 26 different biological assays; 7-IBVM (14) exhibited affinity only for the delta-receptor with an IC50 of approximately 30 nM. Drug-blocking studies suggested that brain retention of 7-IBVM (14) reflects high-affinity binding to both vesamicol and delta-receptors. Competitive binding studies using rat cortical homogenates gave IC50 values for binding to the vesamicol receptor of 2.5 nM for 5-IBVM (5), 4.8 nM for 6-IBVM (10), and 3.5 nM for 7-IBVM (14). Ex vivo autoradiography of rat brain after injection of (-)-5-[125I]IBVM ((-)-[125I]5) clearly delineated small cholinergic-rich areas such as basolateral amygdala, interpeduncular nucleus, and facial nuclei. Except for cortex, regional brain levels of (-)-5-[123I]IBVM ((-)-[123I]5) at 4 h exhibited a linear correlation (r2 = 0.99) with endogenous levels of choline acetyltransferase.

CONCLUSION

Vesamicol receptor mapping of cholinergic nerve terminals in murine brain can be achieved with 5-IBVM (5) and less robustly with 6-IBVM (10), whereas the brain localization of 7-IBVM (14) reflects high-affinity binding to both vesamicol and delta-receptors.

Synthesis of carbon-11- and fluorine-18-labeled 1-methyl-4-piperidyl-4'-fluorobenzoate and their biodistribution in mice

Carbon-11- and fluorine-18-labeled forms of 1-methyl-4-piperidyl-4'-fluorobenzoate were prepared as potential in vivo substrates for brain acetylcholinesterase. The 1-methyl-4-piperidyl-4'-[18F]fluorobenzoate was prepared by aromatic nucleophilic substitution using the nitro precursor and no-carrier added [18F]fluoride ion. The 1-[11C]methyl-4-piperidyl-4'-fluorobenzoate was synthesized by N-[11C]methylation of the appropriate nor-methyl precursor. Biodistribution studies in mice showed high brain uptake of these radiotracers followed by a fast washout with no significant retention of radioactivity in areas of high acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activity. This is contrasted with 1-[11C]methyl-4-piperidylacetate, which is rapidly trapped in brain tissues through hydrolysis by AChE. Further in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that 1-methyl-4-piperidyl-4'-fluorobenzoate was not a substrate for AChE, and thus not suitable as an in vivo radiotracer for studying this enzyme in the brain.

In vivo studies of acetylcholinesterase activity using a labeled substrate, N-[11C]methylpiperdin-4-yl propionate ([11C]PMP)

Two esters, N-[11C]methylpiperidyl acetate ([11C]AMP) and N-[11C]methylpiperidyl propionate ([11C]PMP), were synthesized in no-carrier-added forms and evaluated as in vivo substrates for brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE). After peripheral injection in mice, each ester showed rapid penetration into the brain and a regional retention of radioactivity (striatum > cortex, hippocampus > cerebellum) reflecting known levels of AChE activity in the brain. Regional brain distributions after [11C]PMP administration showed better discrimination between regions of high, intermediate, and low AChE activities. Chromatographic analysis of blood and brain tissue extracts showed rapid and nearly complete hydrolysis of [11C]PMP within 10 min after injection. For both [11C]AMP and [11C]PMP, retention of radioactivity in all regions was reduced by pretreatment with diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), a specific irreversible AChE inhibitor. DFP treatment also significantly increased the proportions of unhydrolyzed ester in both blood and brain. Radioactivity localization in brain after peripheral injection was thus dependent on AChE-catalyzed hydrolysis to the hydrophilic product N-[11C]methylpiperidinol. PET imaging of [11C]AMP or [11C]PMP distributions in monkey brain showed clear accumulation of radioactivity in areas of highest AChE activity (striatum, cortex). These esters are thus in vivo substrates for brain AChE, with potential applications as in vivo imaging agents of enzyme action in the human brain. [11C]PMP, the ester with a slower rate of hydrolysis, appears to be the better candidate radiotracer for further development.

Evolution of neurotransmitter-related markers in the vertebrate telencephalon. Comparative microchemical study in discrete brain regions of a frog and a turtle

1. Neurochemical markers related to cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic/aspartatergic neurotransmission have been measured in telencephalic areas obtained by microdissection from frog (Rana esculenta) and turtle (Pseudemys scripta elegans) brain. 2. In both species, pallial areas showed remarkably higher levels of synaptosomal D-3H-aspartate high affinity uptake than basal regions. Conversely, striatal and septal areas possessed higher levels of the GABAergic marker glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) than the pallium. 3. A differential distribution of GAD was noticed in striatal regions, highest levels of the enzyme being present in the ventral striatum, followed by the nucleus accumbens and the dorsal striatum. 4. Cholinergic markers choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were rather uniformly distributed in the frog telencephalon, while, in the turtle, cholinergic markers were several-fold higher in the basal telencephalon, particularly in the striatum, than in the pallium. 5. The turtle dorsal ventricular ridge possessed ChAT levels more similar to the striatal than to the cortical ones. On the contrary, D-3H-aspartate uptake in the dorsal ventricular ridge was close to the highest levels found in cortical areas. 6. The quantitative neurochemical approach adopted for the present study appears to be a useful tool to investigate the problem of homologies and to gain new information on the evolution of neuron populations and neuronal connections in the vertebrate telencephalon.

Is ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion a specific cholinergic neurotoxin?

The histopathologic effects of different doses of ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion infused into the caudate-putamen complex or nucleus basalis were evaluated in rats. Although no non-specific tissue damage was observed at the lowest doses of ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion examined--0.01 nmol in 1-microliter vehicle and 0.02 nmol in 2-, 5-, and 10-microliters vehicle in both the striatum and nucleus basalis--minimal but definite non-selective pathology, characterized by gliosis and loss of all neuronal elements in the region affected by the nitrogen mustard, was observed in both targets at a dose of 0.02 nmol 1 microliter and more severely at all doses containing 0.05 and 0.1 nmol ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion. At doses of ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion containing 0.2 nmol of the cytotoxin and greater amounts, non-specific cell loss in intact tissue and extensive cavitation became increasingly the most prominent histologic features of drug action. No statistically significant effects of ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion on striatal choline acetyltransferase activities were found until doses of 0.4 nmol/1 microliter or greater were injected, concentrations of the cytotoxin at which appreciable non-specific pathology was also observed. Levels of dopamine in the caudate-putamen nucleus were reduced by comparatively greater amounts than choline acetyltransferase at doses of 2.5 nmol/2 microliters, 5.0 nmol/2 microliters and 10 nmol/2 microliters cytotoxin, but a significant effect of ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion on striatal L-glutamate decarboxylase activity was found only at a dose of 10 nmol/2 microliters. As no dose of ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion was found that reduced choline acetyltransferase without producing considerable non-specific tissue destruction, the usefulness of the cytotoxin in studying the behavioral and physiological consequences of selective cholinergic hypofunction in the brain must be questioned.

Divergent changes in D-1 and D-2 dopamine binding sites in human brain during aging

The density of D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptors in human caudate nucleus and putamen, obtained postmortem, were studied throughout the adult lifespan using [3H]fluphenazine as the dopamine receptor ligand. The D-1 subtype increased progressively with age in both regions, while the D-2 subtype declined in caudate nucleus. The ratio of D-1/D-2 Bmax in both regions increased from approximately 1 at age 20 to 2 by age 75. The dopamine content in putamen declined with age and was inversely correlated with D-1 receptor density. We suggest that D-1 receptor density is up-regulated by loss of dopamine during aging. The D-2 receptor density in caudate nucleus was positively correlated with choline acetyltransferase activity, suggesting that loss of intrastriatal neurons with age may contribute to the decrease in D-2 sites. These divergent changes in dopamine receptor subtypes with age result in an altered complement of dopamine receptors in older humans and may provide a basis for selective pharmacotherapy in disorders of the basal ganglia.