PACAP promotes sensory neuron differentiation: blockade by neurotrophic factors

Shared and independent roles of CGRP and PACAP in migraine pathophysiology

The neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) have emerged as mediators of migraine pathogenesis. Both are vasodilatory peptides that can cause migraine-like attacks when infused into people and migraine-like symptoms when injected into rodents. In this narrative review, we compare the similarities and differences between the peptides in both their clinical and preclinical migraine actions. A notable clinical difference is that PACAP, but not CGRP, causes premonitory-like symptoms in patients. Both peptides are found in distinct, but overlapping areas relevant to migraine, most notably with the prevalence of CGRP in trigeminal ganglia and PACAP in sphenopalatine ganglia. In rodents, the two peptides share activities, including vasodilation, neurogenic inflammation, and nociception. Most strikingly, CGRP and PACAP cause similar migraine-like symptoms in rodents that are manifested as light aversion and tactile allodynia. Yet, the peptides appear to act by independent mechanisms possibly by distinct intracellular signaling pathways. The complexity of these signaling pathways is magnified by the existence of multiple CGRP and PACAP receptors that may contribute to migraine pathogenesis. Based on these differences, we suggest PACAP and its receptors provide a rich set of targets to complement and augment the current CGRP-based migraine therapeutics.

Wiring the ocular surface: A focus on the comparative anatomy and molecular regulation of sensory innervation of the cornea

The cornea is richly innervated with sensory nerves that function to detect and clear harmful debris from the surface of the eye, promote growth and survival of the corneal epithelium and hasten wound healing following ocular disease or trauma. Given their importance to eye health, the neuroanatomy of the cornea has for many years been a source of intense investigation. Resultantly, complete nerve architecture maps exist for adult human and many animal models and these maps reveal few major differences across species. Interestingly, recent work has revealed considerable variation across species in how sensory nerves are acquired during developmental innervation of the cornea. Highlighting such species-distinct key differences, but also similarities, this review provides a full, comparative anatomy analysis of sensory innervation of the cornea for all species studied to date. Further, this article comprehensively describes the molecules that have been shown to guide and direct nerves toward, into and through developing corneal tissue as the final architectural pattern of the cornea's neuroanatomy is established. Such knowledge is useful for researchers and clinicians seeking to better understand the anatomical and molecular basis of corneal nerve pathologies and to hasten neuro-regeneration following infection, trauma or surgery that damage the ocular surface and its corneal nerves.

Protective Effects of PACAP in a Rat Model of Diabetic Neuropathy

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with a widespread occurrence and diverse effects. PACAP has well-documented neuro- and cytoprotective effects, proven in numerous studies. Among others, PACAP is protective in models of diabetes-associated diseases, such as diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy. As the neuropeptide has strong neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions, we aimed at investigating the effects of PACAP in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy, another common complication of diabetes. Rats were treated with PACAP1-38 every second day for 8 weeks starting simultaneously with the streptozotocin injection. Nerve fiber morphology was examined with electron microscopy, chronic neuronal activation in pain processing centers was studied with FosB immunohistochemistry, and functionality was assessed by determining the mechanical nociceptive threshold. PACAP treatment did not alter body weight or blood glucose levels during the 8-week observation period. However, PACAP attenuated the mechanical hyperalgesia, compared to vehicle-treated diabetic animals, and it markedly reduced the morphological signs characteristic for neuropathy: axon–myelin separation, mitochondrial fission, unmyelinated fiber atrophy, and basement membrane thickening of endoneurial vessels. Furthermore, PACAP attenuated the increase in FosB immunoreactivity in the dorsal spinal horn and periaqueductal grey matter. Our results show that PACAP is a promising therapeutic agent in diabetes-associated complications, including diabetic neuropathy.

GIP receptor suppresses PAC1receptor-mediated neuronal differentiation via formation of a receptor heterocomplex

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) receptor (PAC1R) is a class B Gprotein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is widely expressed in the human body and is involved in neuronal differentiation. As class B GPCRs are known to form heterocomplexes with family members, we hypothesized that PAC1R mediates neuronal differentiation through interaction with a class B GPCR. We used the BRET assay to identify potential interactions between PAC1R and 11 class B GPCRs. Gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR) and secretin receptor were identified as putative binding partners of PAC1R. The effect of heterocomplex formation by PAC1R on receptor activation was evaluated with the cyclic (c)AMP, luciferase reporter, and calcium signaling assays; and the effects on receptor internalization and subcellular localization were examined by confocal microscopy. The results suggested he PAC1R/GIPR heterocomplex suppressed signaling events downstream of PAC1R, including cAMP production, serum response element and calcium signaling, and β-arrestin recruitment. Protein-protein interaction was analyzed in silico, and induction of neuronal differentiation by the PAC1R heterocomplex was assessed in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells by measure the morphological changes and marker genes expression by real-time quantitative PCR and western blot. Over-expression of GIPR suppressed PACAP/PAC1R-mediated neuronal differentiation and the differentiation markers expression in SH-SY5Y cells. GIPR regulates neuronal differentiation through heterocomplex formation with PAC1R.

PAC1R agonist maxadilan enhances hADSC viability and neural differentiation potential

Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a structurally endogenous peptide with many biological roles. However, little is known about its presence or effects in human adipose‐derived stem cells (hADSCs). In this study, the expression of PACAP type I receptor (PAC1R) was first confirmed in hADSCs. Maxadilan, a specific agonist of PAC1R, could increase hADSC proliferation as determined by Cell Counting Kit‐8 and cell cycle analysis and promote migration as shown in wound‐healing assays. Maxadilan also showed anti‐apoptotic activity in hADSCs against serum withdrawal‐induced apoptosis based on Annexin V/propidium iodide analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential assays. The anti‐apoptotic effects of maxadilan correlated with the down‐regulation of Cleaved Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 as well as up‐regulation of Bcl‐2. The chemical neural differentiation potential could be enhanced by maxadilan as indicated through quantitative PCR, Western blot and cell morphology analysis. Moreover, cytokine neural redifferentiation of hADSCs treated with maxadilan acquired stronger neuron‐like functions with higher voltage‐dependent tetrodotoxin‐sensitive sodium currents, higher outward potassium currents and partial electrical impulses as determined using whole‐cell patch clamp recordings. Maxadilan up‐regulated the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway associated with dimer‐dependent activity of PAC1R, promoting cell viability that was inhibited by XAV939, and it also activated the protein kinase A (PKA) signalling pathway associated with ligand‐dependent activity of PAC1R, enhancing cell viability and neural differentiation potential that was inhibited by H‐89. In summary, these results demonstrated that PAC1R is present in hADSCs, and maxadilan could enhance hADSC viability and neural differentiation potential in neural differentiation medium.

Stimulatory effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 6-38, M65 and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide 6-28 on trigeminal sensory neurons

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) acts on G protein-coupled receptors: the specific PAC1 and VPAC1/VPAC2 receptors. PACAP6-38 was described as a potent PAC1/VPAC2 antagonist in several models, but recent studies reported its agonistic behaviors proposing novel receptorial mechanisms. Since PACAP in migraine is an important research tool, we investigated the effect of PACAP and its peptide fragments on trigeminal primary sensory neurons. Effect of the peptides was studied with ratiometric Ca-imaging technique using the fluorescent indicator fura-2 AM on primary cultures of rat and mouse trigeminal ganglia (TRGs) neurons. Specificity testing was performed on PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptor-expressing cell lines with both fluorescent and radioactive Ca-uptake methods. Slowly increasing intracellular free calcium concentration [Ca(2+)]i was detected after PACAP1-38, PACAP1-27, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and the selective PAC1 receptor agonist maxadilan administration on TRG neurons, but interestingly, PACAP6-38, VIP6-28 and the PAC1 receptor antagonist M65 also caused similar activation. The VPAC2 receptor agonist BAY 55-9837 induced similar activation, while the VPAC1 receptor agonist Ala(11,22,28)VIP had no significant effect on [Ca(2+)]i. It was proven that the Ca(2+)-influx originated from intracellular stores using radioactive calcium-45 uptake experiment and Ca-free solution. On the specific receptor-expressing cell lines the antagonists inhibited the stimulating actions of the respective agonists, but had no effects by themselves. PACAP6-38, M65 and VIP6-28, which were described as antagonists in numerous studies in several model systems, act as agonists on TRG primary sensory neurons. Currently unknown receptors or splice variants linked to distinct signal transduction pathways might explain these differences.

PACAP enhances axon outgrowth in cultured hippocampal neurons to a comparable extent as BDNF

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts neurotrophic activities including modulation of synaptic plasticity and memory, hippocampal neurogenesis, and neuroprotection, most of which are shared with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare morphological effects of PACAP and BDNF on primary cultured hippocampal neurons. At days in vitro (DIV) 3, PACAP increased neurite length and number to similar levels by BDNF, but vasoactive intestinal polypeptide showed much lower effects. In addition, PACAP increased axon, but not dendrite, length, and soma size at DIV 3 similarly to BDNF. The PACAP antagonist PACAP6–38 completely blocked the PACAP-induced increase in axon, but not dendrite, length. Interestingly, the BDNF-induced increase in axon length was also inhibited by PACAP6–38, suggesting a mechanism involving PACAP signaling. K252a, a TrkB receptor inhibitor, inhibited axon outgrowth induced by PACAP and BDNF without affecting dendrite length. These results indicate that in primary cultured hippocampal neurons, PACAP shows morphological actions via its cognate receptor PAC₁, stimulating neurite length and number, and soma size to a comparable extent as BDNF, and that the increase in total neurite length is ascribed to axon outgrowth.

Influence of terminal differentiation and PACAP on the cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor secretion of mammary epithelial cells

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a neuropeptide with trophic and cytoprotective effects, has been shown to affect cell survival, proliferation, and also differentiation of various cell types. The high PACAP level in the milk and its changes during lactation suggest a possible effect of PACAP on the differentiation of mammary epithelial cells. Mammary cell differentiation is regulated by hormones, growth factors, cytokines/chemokines, and angiogenic proteins. In this study, differentiation was hormonally induced by lactogenic hormones in confluent cultures of HC11 mouse mammary epithelial cells. We investigated the effect of PACAP on mammary cell differentiation as well as release of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Differentiation was assessed by expression analysis of the milk protein β-casein. Differentiation significantly decreased the secretion of interferon gammainduced protein (IP)-10, "regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted" (RANTES), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP)-3 and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and amphiregulin (AREG). The changes in the levels of IP-10 and RANTES may be relevant for the alterations in homing of T cells and B cells at different stages of mammary gland development, while the changes of the EGFR ligands may facilitate the switch from proliferative to lactating stage. PACAP did not modulate the expression of β-casein or the activity of hormone-induced pathways as determined by the analysis of phosphorylation of Akt, STAT5, and p38 MAPK. However, PACAP decreased the release of EGF and AREG from non-differentiated cells. This may influence the extracellular signal-related transactivation of EGFR in the non-differentiated mammary epithelium and is considered to have an impact on the modulation of oncogenic EGFR signaling in breast cancer.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide induces postsynaptically expressed potentiation in the intra-amygdala circuit

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide expressed in the brain, where it may act as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter contributing to different behavioral processes and stress responses. PACAP is highly expressed in the amygdala, a subcortical brain area involved in both innate and learned fear, suggesting a role for PACAP-mediated signaling in fear-related behaviors. It remains unknown, however, whether and how PACAP affects neuronal and synaptic functions in the amygdala. In this study, we focused on neurons in the lateral division of the central nucleus (CeL), where PACAP-positive presynaptic terminals were predominantly found within the amygdala. In our experiments on rat brain slices, exogenous application of PACAP did not affect either resting membrane potential or membrane excitability of CeL neurons. PACAP enhanced, however, excitatory synaptic transmission in projections from the basolateral nucleus (BLA) to the CeL, while inhibitory transmission in the same pathway was unaffected. PACAP-induced potentiation of glutamatergic synaptic responses persisted after the washout of PACAP and was blocked by the VPAC1 receptor antagonist, suggesting that VPAC1 receptors might mediate synaptic effects of PACAP in the CeL. Moreover, potentiation of synaptic transmission by PACAP was dependent on postsynaptic activation of protein kinase A and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, as well as synaptic targeting of GluR1 subunit-containing AMPA receptors. Thus, PACAP may upregulate excitatory neurotransmission in the BLA-CeL pathway postsynaptically, consistent with the known roles of PACAP in control of fear-related behaviors.

IKAP/Elp1 is required in vivo for neurogenesis and neuronal survival, but not for neural crest migration

Familial Dysautonomia (FD; Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathy; HSAN III) manifests from a failure in development of the peripheral sensory and autonomic nervous systems. The disease results from a point mutation in the IKBKAP gene, which encodes the IKAP protein, whose function is still unresolved in the developing nervous system. Since the neurons most severely depleted in the disease derive from the neural crest, and in light of data identifying a role for IKAP in cell motility and migration, it has been suggested that FD results from a disruption in neural crest migration. To determine the function of IKAP during development of the nervous system, we (1) first determined the spatial-temporal pattern of IKAP expression in the developing peripheral nervous system, from the onset of neural crest migration through the period of programmed cell death in the dorsal root ganglia, and (2) using RNAi, reduced expression of IKBKAP mRNA in the neural crest lineage throughout the process of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) development in chick embryos in ovo. Here we demonstrate that IKAP is not expressed by neural crest cells and instead is expressed as neurons differentiate both in the CNS and PNS, thus the devastation of the PNS in FD could not be due to disruptions in neural crest motility or migration. In addition, we show that alterations in the levels of IKAP, through both gain and loss of function studies, perturbs neuronal polarity, neuronal differentiation and survival. Thus IKAP plays pleiotropic roles in both the peripheral and central nervous systems.

PACAP: a master regulator of neuroendocrine stress circuits and the cellular stress response

The neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is released from stress-transducing neurons. It exerts postsynaptic effects required to complete the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) and hypothalamo-sympatho-adrenal (HSA) circuits activated by psychogenic and metabolic stressors. Upon activation of these circuits, PACAP-responsive (in cell culture models) and PACAP-dependent (in vivo) transcriptomic responses in the adrenal gland, hypothalamus, and pituitary have been identified. Gene products produced in response circuits during stress include additional neuropeptides, neurotransmitter biosynthetic enzymes, and neuroprotective factors. Major portions of HPA and HSA stress responses are abolished in PACAP-deficient mice. This deficit occurs at the level of both the hypothalamus (HPA axis) and the adrenal medulla (HSA axis). PACAP-dependent transcriptional stress responses are conveyed through noncanonical cyclic AMP- and calcium-initiated signaling pathways within the HSA circuit. PACAP transcriptional regulation of the HPA axis, in the hypothalamus, is likely to be mediated via canonical cyclic AMP signaling through protein kinase A.

PACAP up-regulates the expression of apolipoprotein D in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. DRG/3T3-L1 co-cultures study

The existence of a cross-talk between nerves and fatty tissue is increasingly recognized. Using co-cultures of dorsal root ganglion (DRG)-derived cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we have previously shown that the presence of fat cells enhances neurite outgrowth and number of synapses. Vice versa, neural cells induced expression of neurotrophic adipokines apolipoprotein D and E (ApoD, ApoE) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) by adipocytes. Here, we tested whether pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), which is released by sensory fibres and causes Ca(2+) influx into fat cells, is involved in ApoD induction. Using 3T3-L1 cell cultures, we found that PACAP at a dose of 1 nM up-regulated the expression of ApoD protein and mRNA approx. 2.5 fold. This effect was driven by ERK1/2 acting upon PAC1/VPAC2 receptors. In turn, PACAP-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes in co-cultures with DRG cells enhanced neurite ramification of neurofilament 200 (NF200)-positive neurons (measured using fluorescence microscopy) and neurofilament 68 protein levels (measured using Western blot analysis). This effect could be blocked using the PAC1/VPAC2 antagonist PACAP(6-38). Scanning cytometry revealed PACAP/ApoD induced low density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR) and ApoE receptor 2 (apoER2) in NF200-positive cells. Thus, a bidirectional loop seems to exist regulating the innervation of fatty tissues: PACAP released from sensory fibres might stimulate fat cells to synthesize neurotrophic adipokines, which, in turn, support peripheral innervation.

Chronic stress increases pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST): roles for PACAP in anxiety-like behavior

Exposure to chronic stress has been argued to produce maladaptive anxiety-like behavioral states, and many of the brain regions associated with stressor responding also mediate anxiety-like behavior. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) and its specific G protein-coupled PAC(1) receptor have been associated with many of these stress- and anxiety-associated brain regions, and signaling via this peptidergic system may facilitate the neuroplasticity associated with pathological affective states. Here we investigated whether chronic stress increased transcript expression for PACAP, PAC(1) receptor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) in several nuclei. In rats exposed to a 7 days chronic variate stress paradigm, chronic stress enhanced baseline startle responding induced by handling and exposure to bright lights. Following chronic stress, quantitative transcript assessments of brain regions demonstrated dramatic increases in PACAP and PAC(1) receptor, BDNF, and TrkB receptor mRNA expression selectively in the dorsal aspect of the anterolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dBNST). Related vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and VPAC receptor, and other stress peptide transcript levels were not altered compared to controls. Moreover, acute PACAP38 infusion into the dBNST resulted in a robust dose-dependent anxiogenic response on baseline startle responding that persisted for 7 days. PACAP/PAC(1) receptor signaling has established trophic functions and its coordinate effects with chronic stress-induced dBNST BDNF and TrkB transcript expression may underlie the maladaptive BNST remodeling and plasticity associated with anxiety-like behavior.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) regulate murine neural progenitor cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NPC) have gained wide interest over the last decade from their therapeutic potential, either through transplantation or endogenous replacement, after central nervous system (CNS) disease and damage. Whereas several growth factors and cytokines have been shown to promote NPC survival, proliferation, or differentiation, the identification of other regulators will provide much needed options for NPC self-renewal or lineage development. Although previous studies have shown that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)/vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) can regulate stem/progenitor cells, the responses appeared variable. To examine the direct roles of these peptides in NPCs, postnatal mouse NPC cultures were withdrawn from epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblastic growth factor (FGF) and maintained under serum-free conditions in the presence or absence of PACAP27, PACAP38, or VIP. The NPCs expressed the PAC1(short)null receptor isoform, and the activation of these receptors decreased progenitor cell apoptosis more than 80% from TUNEL assays and facilitated proliferation more than fivefold from bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) analyses. To evaluate cellular differentiation, replicate control and peptide-treated cultures were examined for cell fate marker protein and transcript expression. In contrast with previous work, PACAP peptides downregulated NPC differentiation, which appeared consistent with the proliferation status of the treated cells. Accordingly, these results demonstrate that PACAP signaling is trophic and can maintain NPCs in a multipotent state. With these attributes, PACAP may be able to promote endogenous NPC self-renewal in the adult CNS, which may be important for endogenous self-repair in disease and ageing processes.

Role of PACAP in the physiology and pathology of the sympathoadrenal system

Sympathetic neurons and chromaffin cells derive from common sympathoadrenal precursors which arise from the neural crest. Cells from this lineage migrate to their final destination and differentiate by acquiring a catecholaminergic phenotype in response to different environmental factors. It has been shown that the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and its PAC1 receptor are expressed at early stages of sympathetic development, and participate to the control of neuroblast proliferation and differentiation. PACAP also acts as a neurotransmitter to stimulate catecholamine and neuropeptide biosynthesis and release from sympathetic neurons and chromaffin cells, during development and in adulthood. In addition, PACAP and its receptors have been described in neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma, and the neuropeptide regulates the differentiation and activity of sympathoadrenal-derived tumoral cell lines, suggestive of an important role in the pathophysiology of the sympathoadrenal lineage. Transcriptome studies uncovered genes and pathways of known and unknown roles that underlie the effects of PACAP in the sympathoadrenal system.

Altered cerebellar development in mice lacking pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide

Previous studies have demonstrated that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts trophic effects during neurodevelopment. In particular, the occurrence of PACAP and its receptors in the cerebellum during pre- and postnatal periods suggests that it could play a crucial role in ontogenesis of this structure. To test this hypothesis, we compared the histogenesis of cerebellar cortex in wild-type and PACAP-knockout (PACAP-/-) mice at postnatal days (P)4 and 7. Morphometric analysis of PACAP-/- mice revealed a significant reduction in the thickness of the external granule cell layer at P4 and of the internal granule cell layer at P7. Expression of nestin, a neural precursor marker, and synaptophysin, a mature neuronal marker, was quantified by real-time PCR and Western blot. No modification of nestin expression was noticed between wild-type and PACAP-/- mice, but a substantial decrease in synaptophysin expression was observed in PACAP-/- mice at P4 and P7. Immunohistochemistry revealed a reduction in synaptophysin labelling in the molecular and internal granule cell layers of PACAP-/- mice at P7. Caspase-3 activation was significantly increased in PACAP-/- mice at P4 and P7. Autoradiographic studies revealed no difference in PACAP binding site distributions and PACAP was effective at stimulating cAMP production in both wild-type and PACAP-/- cultured granule cells. This study demonstrates that disruption of the PACAP gene induces alteration of the immature cerebellum. Neuronal differentiation of granule cells was delayed whereas cell death that naturally occurs during ontogeny was increased in PACAP-/- mice. These data provide the first evidence of a physiological role for PACAP during cerebellar development.

Neurotrophins modulate neuron-glia interactions at a vertebrate synapse

Neurotrophins are important modulators of synaptic function at both developing and mature synapses in the CNS and PNS. At the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), neurotrophins, as well as perisynaptic Schwann cells (PSCs) are critical for the long-term maintenance and stability of the synapse. Considering this correlation and the acute interactions that occur at the synapse between PSCs and the nerve terminal, we wondered if neurotrophins could also be involved in neuron-glia signalling. To test if neurotrophins were able to signal to PSCs we used brief applications of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), brain-derived neurotophic factor (BDNF) or nerve growth factor (NGF; 100 ng/mL). Soleus muscles of mice were incubated with the Ca(2+) indicator Fluo-4AM and Ca(2+) responses in PSCs were elicited through nerve stimulation (50 Hz, 30 s). Our results indicate that acute application of both NT-3 and BDNF, but not NGF, increased PSC Ca(2+) responses. Investigation of the mechanisms involved in these increases revealed distinct pathways for BDNF and NT-3. BDNF increased PSC responsiveness through potentiation of ATP responses while NT-3 modulated muscarinic acetylcholine receptor signalling. Using local applications of the neurotrophins, we found that both neurotrophins were able to elicit Ca(2+) responses in PSCs where BDNF used a phospholipase C-inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (PLC-IP(3)) mechanism, while NT-3 required extracellular Ca(2+). Our results demonstrate a neurotrophin-dependent modulation of neuron-glia signalling through differential mechanisms employed by NT-3 and BDNF. Hence, neurotrophins precisely and differentially regulate PSC functions through modulation of either purinergic or cholinergic signalling pathways.

NT-3 and CNTF exert dose-dependent, pleiotropic effects on cells in the immature dorsal root ganglion: Neuregulin-mediated proliferation of progenitor cells and neuronal differentiation

Neurons in the nascent dorsal root ganglia are born and differentiate in a complex cellular milieu composed of postmitotic neurons, and mitotically active glial and neural progenitor cells. Neurotrophic factors such as NT-3 are critically important for promoting the survival of postmitotic neurons in the DRG. However, the factors that regulate earlier events in the development of the DRG such as the mitogenesis of DRG progenitor cells and the differentiation of neurons are less defined. Here we demonstrate that both NT-3 and CNTF induce distinct dose-dependent responses on cells in the immature DRG: at low concentrations, they induce the proliferation of progenitor cells while at higher concentrations they promote neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, the mitogenic response is indirect; that is, NT-3 and CNTF first bind to nascent neurons in the DRG--which then stimulates those neurons to release mitogenic factors including neuregulin. Blockade of this endogenous neuregulin activity completely blocks the CNTF-induced proliferation and reduces about half of the NT-3-mediated proliferation. Thus, the genesis and differentiation of neurons and glia in the DRG are dependent upon reciprocal interactions among nascent neurons, glia, and mitotically active progenitor cells.

Localization and ontogeny of damage-induced neuronal endopeptidase mRNA-expressing neurons in the rat nervous system

Neuropeptides are crucial mediators in nervous and endocrine systems. Processing and degradation, the major regulatory mechanisms, of enzymes are essential for the control of these peptidergic intercellular signaling systems. Damage-induced neuronal endopeptidase (or endothelin converting enzyme-like1), a member of the neprilysin family, has recently been identified as an M13 zinc metalloprotease. Damage-induced neuronal endopeptidase mRNA expression is strikingly restricted to neurons, and is remarkably induced in response to various types of neuronal injuries, although its function and substrate remain unknown. To clarify the role of damage-induced neuronal endopeptidase, we examined the localization and ontogeny of damage-induced neuronal endopeptidase mRNA expression in the rat nervous system using in situ hybridization. Damage-induced neuronal endopeptidase mRNA was detected at embryonic day 12, and its expression restricted to the ventral region of the neural tube. Subsequently, expression was also apparent in primordia of the striatum, hypothalamus, and cranial motor nuclei during neural development. This specific distribution was relatively maintained in the adult brain, although expression levels became weaker. Expression of damage-induced neuronal endopeptidase was absent in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. In addition to prominent expression in CNS, intestinal and sensory ganglia and retina demonstrated transient intense damage-induced neuronal endopeptidase mRNA expression during the embryonic period that then declined, and disappeared after birth. The results indicated that damage-induced neuronal endopeptidase might play an important role in embryonic neural development, in particular in peripheral ganglia derived from the neural crest, and in some neurons originating from the basal plate such as the hypothalamus and cranial motor neurons.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) induces differentiation in the neuronal F11 cell line through a PKA-dependent pathway

PACAP is a peptide with neuroprotective activity, which induces adenylate cyclase and protein kinase A (PKA) activity. PACAP has also been shown to induce neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Here, we report that exogenous PACAP38 promotes neurite outgrowth in the F11 neuroblastoma/dorsal DRG hybrid cell line. Using an automated microscopy system, we show that PACAP38 induces a 170-fold increase in neurite length, with an EC50 of 3.1 nM, compared to 3.7 microM for forskolin and 143.4 microM for dibutyril cyclic AMP (dbcAMP). PACAP38 induced a 4-fold increase in the level of phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) in F11 cells with an EC50 of 130 pM. In contrast a peptide related to PACAP, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) failed to induce CREB phosphorylation or neurite outgrowth in F11 cells. Addition of the nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX) increased the potency of PACAP at inducing neurite outgrowth by ten-fold. The PKA inhibitor, H89, was a potent inhibitor of PACAP38-induced neurite outgrowth. The delta-opioid receptor agonist, SNC 80, did not inhibit PACAP-induced neurogenesis even though it did reduce CREB phosphorylation. In contrast to previous studies in PC12 cells, PACAP38 failed to show MEK1 activation in F11 cells. PACAP is upregulated in DRG neurons as a result of injury, and F11 cells provide an easily accessible in vitro model for understanding mechanisms underlying PACAP differentiation and neurogenesis.

The neuropeptide PACAP promotes ?‐secretase pathway for processing Alzheimer amyloid precursor protein

The neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has neurotrophic as well as anti-apoptotic properties and is involved in learning and memory processes. Its specific G protein-coupled receptor PAC1 is expressed in several central nervous system (CNS) regions, including the hippocampal formation. Here we examined the effect of PAC1 receptor activation on alpha-secretase cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the production of secreted APP (APPsalpha). Stimulation of endogenously expressed PAC1 receptors with PACAP in human neuroblastoma cells increased APPsalpha secretion, which was completely inhibited by the PAC1 receptor specific antagonist PACAP-(6-38). In HEK cells stably overexpressing functional PAC1 receptors, PACAP-27 and PACAP-38 strongly stimulated alpha-secretase cleavage of APP. The PACAP-induced APPsalpha production was dose dependent and saturable. This increase of alpha-secretase activity was completely abolished by hydroxamate-based metalloproteinase inhibitors, including a preferential ADAM 10 inhibitor. By using several specific protein kinase inhibitors, we show that the MAP-kinase pathway [including extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and ERK2] and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase mediate the PACAP-induced alpha-secretase activation. Our findings provide evidence for a role of the neuropeptide PACAP in stimulation of the nonamyloidogenic pathway, which might be related to its neuroprotective properties.