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Qiu H, Miraucourt LS, Petitjean H, Xu M, Theriault C, Davidova A, Soubeyre V, Poulen G, Lonjon N, Vachiery-Lahaye F, Bauchet L, Levesque-Damphousse P, Estall JL, Bourinet E, Sharif-Naeini R. Parvalbumin gates chronic pain through the modulation of firing patterns in inhibitory neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2403777121. [PMID: 38916998 PMCID: PMC11228497 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2403777121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord dorsal horn inhibition is critical to the processing of sensory inputs, and its impairment leads to mechanical allodynia. How this decreased inhibition occurs and whether its restoration alleviates allodynic pain are poorly understood. Here, we show that a critical step in the loss of inhibitory tone is the change in the firing pattern of inhibitory parvalbumin (PV)-expressing neurons (PVNs). Our results show that PV, a calcium-binding protein, controls the firing activity of PVNs by enabling them to sustain high-frequency tonic firing patterns. Upon nerve injury, PVNs transition to adaptive firing and decrease their PV expression. Interestingly, decreased PV is necessary and sufficient for the development of mechanical allodynia and the transition of PVNs to adaptive firing. This transition of the firing pattern is due to the recruitment of calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels, and blocking them during chronic pain restores normal tonic firing and alleviates chronic pain. Our findings indicate that PV is essential for controlling the firing pattern of PVNs and for preventing allodynia. Developing approaches to manipulate these mechanisms may lead to different strategies for chronic pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyi Qiu
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3G 1Y6, Canada
- Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Loïs S. Miraucourt
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3G 1Y6, Canada
- Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Hugues Petitjean
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3G 1Y6, Canada
- Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Mengyi Xu
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3G 1Y6, Canada
- Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Catherine Theriault
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3G 1Y6, Canada
- Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Albena Davidova
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3G 1Y6, Canada
- Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Vanessa Soubeyre
- Institute of Functional Genomics, Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier34000, France
| | - Gaetan Poulen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, and Donation and Transplantation Coordination Unit, Montpellier University Medical Center, Montpellier34295, France
| | - Nicolas Lonjon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, and Donation and Transplantation Coordination Unit, Montpellier University Medical Center, Montpellier34295, France
| | - Florence Vachiery-Lahaye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, and Donation and Transplantation Coordination Unit, Montpellier University Medical Center, Montpellier34295, France
| | - Luc Bauchet
- Institute of Functional Genomics, Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier34000, France
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, and Donation and Transplantation Coordination Unit, Montpellier University Medical Center, Montpellier34295, France
| | | | - Jennifer L. Estall
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QCH2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Bourinet
- Institute of Functional Genomics, Montpellier University, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier34000, France
| | - Reza Sharif-Naeini
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3G 1Y6, Canada
- Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 2B4, Canada
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Ma Y, Chen J, Chen C, Wei B, Liu X. Suppression of HCN channels in the spinal dorsal horn restores KCC2 expression and attenuates diabetic neuropathic pain. Neurosci Lett 2024; 822:137626. [PMID: 38191090 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the hyperpolarized cyclic nucleotide gated (HCN) ion channels in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) might be involved in the development of diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP). Additionally, other studies have shown that the decreased potassium-chloride cotransporter 2 (KCC2) expression in the SDH promotes pain hypersensitivity. Both HCN channels and KCC2 were highly expressed in spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons. However, whether the K+ efflux induced by the activation of HCN channels in DNP modulate KCC2 function and subsequently affect the role of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)/GABA-A receptors of neurons in the SDH remains to be clarified. The purpose of this work was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of KCC2 participating in HCN channels to promote DNP. Here, we found that the analgesic role of HCN channels blocker ZD7288 was associated with the up-regulated KCC2 expression and could be prevented by DIOA, a KCC2 blocker. Furthermore, the level of GABA in DNP rats significantly increased, which was decreased by ZD72288. Moreover, DIOA pretreatment could partly block the inhibitory effect of ZD7288 on the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-protein kinase A (cAMP-PKA) signaling activation of DNP rats. Finally, inhibition of cAMP-PKA signaling alleviated allodynia and elevated KCC2 expression in DNP rats. Altogether, this study reveals that the role of cAMP-PKA signaling-regulated HCN channels in DNP associated with decreased KCC2 expression in the spinal cord and altered GABA nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiao Ma
- Department of Physiology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Ji Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Chaodong Chen
- General Surgery, Fenggang County People's Hospital, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Bangcong Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, Dushan County Mawei Central Hospital, Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, 558000, China
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- Department of Physiology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.
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Kazmierska-Grebowska P, Jankowski MM, MacIver MB. Missing Puzzle Pieces in Dementia Research: HCN Channels and Theta Oscillations. Aging Dis 2024; 15:22-42. [PMID: 37450922 PMCID: PMC10796085 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates a role of hyperpolarization activated cation (HCN) channels in controlling the resting membrane potential, pacemaker activity, memory formation, sleep, and arousal. Their disfunction may be associated with the development of epilepsy and age-related memory decline. Neuronal hyperexcitability involved in epileptogenesis and EEG desynchronization occur in the course of dementia in human Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and animal models, nevertheless the underlying ionic and cellular mechanisms of these effects are not well understood. Some suggest that theta rhythms involved in memory formation could be used as a marker of memory disturbances in the course of neurogenerative diseases, including AD. This review focusses on the interplay between hyperpolarization HCN channels, theta oscillations, memory formation and their role(s) in dementias, including AD. While individually, each of these factors have been linked to each other with strong supportive evidence, we hope here to expand this linkage to a more inclusive picture. Thus, HCN channels could provide a molecular target for developing new therapeutic agents for preventing and/or treating dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maciej M. Jankowski
- Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
- BioTechMed Center, Multimedia Systems Department, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications, and Informatics, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland.Telecommunications and Informatics, Gdansk University of Technology, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - M. Bruce MacIver
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of of Medicine, Stanford University, CA, USA.
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Veshchitskii A, Merkulyeva N. Calcium-binding protein parvalbumin in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. Neurochem Int 2023; 171:105634. [PMID: 37967669 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Parvalbumin is one of the calcium-binding proteins. In the spinal cord, it is mainly expressed in inhibitory neurons; in the dorsal root ganglia, it is expressed in proprioceptive neurons. In contrast to in the brain, weak systematization of parvalbumin-expressing neurons occurs in the spinal cord. The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic review of parvalbumin-expressing neuronal populations throughout the spinal cord and the dorsal root ganglia of mammals, regarding their mapping, co-expression with some functional markers. The data reviewed are mostly concerning rodentia species because they are predominantly presented in literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr Veshchitskii
- Neuromorphology Lab, Pavlov Institute of Physiology Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Natalia Merkulyeva
- Neuromorphology Lab, Pavlov Institute of Physiology Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
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Foster VS, Saez N, King GF, Rank MM. Acute inhibition of acid sensing ion channel 1a after spinal cord injury selectively affects excitatory synaptic transmission, but not intrinsic membrane properties, in deep dorsal horn interneurons. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289053. [PMID: 37939057 PMCID: PMC10631665 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Following a spinal cord injury (SCI), secondary damage mechanisms are triggered that cause inflammation and cell death. A key component of this secondary damage is a reduction in local blood flow that initiates a well-characterised ischemic cascade. Downstream hypoxia and acidosis activate acid sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) to trigger cell death. We recently showed that administration of a potent venom-derived inhibitor of ASIC1a, Hi1a, leads to tissue sparing and improved functional recovery when delivered up to 8 h after ischemic stroke. Here, we use whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in a spinal cord slice preparation to assess the effect of acute ASIC1a inhibition, via a single dose of Hi1a, on intrinsic membrane properties and excitatory synaptic transmission long-term after a spinal cord hemisection injury. We focus on a population of interneurons (INs) in the deep dorsal horn (DDH) that play a key role in relaying sensory information to downstream motoneurons. DDH INs in mice treated with Hi1a 1 h after a spinal cord hemisection showed no change in active or passive intrinsic membrane properties measured 4 weeks after SCI. DDH INs, however, exhibit significant changes in the kinetics of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents after a single dose of Hi1a, when compared to naive animals (unlike SCI mice). Our data suggest that acute ASIC1a inhibition exerts selective effects on excitatory synaptic transmission in DDH INs after SCI via specific ligand-gated receptor channels, and has no effect on other voltage-activated channels long-term after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria S. Foster
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- St George’s, University of London, Medical School, London, England
| | - Natalie Saez
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Glenn F. King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michelle M. Rank
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Hilscher MM, Mikulovic S, Perry S, Lundberg S, Kullander K. The alpha2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, a subunit with unique and selective expression in inhibitory interneurons associated with principal cells. Pharmacol Res 2023; 196:106895. [PMID: 37652281 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play crucial roles in various human disorders, with the α7, α4, α6, and α3-containing nAChR subtypes extensively studied in relation to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, nicotine dependence, mood disorders, and stress disorders. In contrast, the α2-nAChR subunit has received less attention due to its more restricted expression and the scarcity of specific agonists and antagonists for studying its function. Nevertheless, recent research has shed light on the unique expression pattern of the Chrna2 gene, which encodes the α2-nAChR subunit, and its involvement in distinct populations of inhibitory interneurons. This review highlights the structure, pharmacology, localization, function, and disease associations of α2-containing nAChRs and points to the unique expression pattern of the Chrna2 gene and its role in different inhibitory interneuron populations. These populations, including the oriens lacunosum moleculare (OLM) cells in the hippocampus, Martinotti cells in the neocortex, and Renshaw cells in the spinal cord, share common features and contribute to recurrent inhibitory microcircuits. Thus, the α2-nAChR subunit's unique expression pattern in specific interneuron populations and its role in recurrent inhibitory microcircuits highlight its importance in various physiological processes. Further research is necessary to uncover the comprehensive functionality of α2-containing nAChRs, delineate their specific contributions to neuronal circuits, and investigate their potential as therapeutic targets for related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus M Hilscher
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, IGP/BMC, Box 815, 751 08 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
| | - Sanja Mikulovic
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, IGP/BMC, Box 815, 751 08 Uppsala, Sweden; Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Cognition & Emotion Laboratory, Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Mental Health(DZPG), Germany
| | - Sharn Perry
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, IGP/BMC, Box 815, 751 08 Uppsala, Sweden; Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Stina Lundberg
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, IGP/BMC, Box 815, 751 08 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Klas Kullander
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, IGP/BMC, Box 815, 751 08 Uppsala, Sweden.
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Häfele M, Kreitz S, Ludwig A, Hess A, Wank I. The impact of HCN4 channels on CNS brain networks as a new target in pain development. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 3:1090502. [PMID: 37496803 PMCID: PMC10368246 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.1090502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
While it is well established that the isoform 2 of the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel (HCN2) plays an important role in the development and maintenance of pain, the role of the closely related HCN4 isoform in the processing of nociceptive signals is not known. HCN4 channels are highly expressed in the thalamus, a region important for stimulus transmission and information processing. We used a brain-specific HCN4-knockout mouse line (HCN4-KO) to explore the role of HCN4 channels in acute nociceptive processing using several behavioral tests as well as a multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach. Functional MRI (fMRI) brain responses were measured during acute peripheral thermal stimulation complemented by resting state (RS) before and after stimulation. The data were analyzed by conventional and graph-theoretical approaches. Finally, high-resolution anatomical brain data were acquired. HCN4-KO animals showed a central thermal, but not a mechanical hypersensitivity in behavioral experiments. The open field analysis showed no significant differences in motor readouts between HCN4-KO and controls but uncovered increased anxiety in the HCN4-KO mice. Thermal stimulus-driven fMRI (s-fMRI) data revealed increased response volumes and response amplitudes for HCN4-KO, most pronounced at lower stimulation temperatures in the subcortical input, the amygdala as well as in limbic/hippocampal regions, and in the cerebellum. These findings could be cross-validated by graph-theoretical analyses. Assessment of short-term RS before and after thermal stimulation revealed that stimulation-related modulations of the functional connectivity only occurred in control animals. This was consistent with the finding that the hippocampus was found to be smaller in HCN4-KO. In summary, the deletion of HCN4 channels impacts on processing of acute nociception, which is remarkably manifested as a thermal hypersensitive phenotype. This was mediated by the key regions hypothalamus, somatosensory cortex, cerebellum and the amygdala. As consequence, HCN4-KO mice were more anxious, and their brain-wide RS functional connectivity could not be modulated by thermal nociceptive stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Häfele
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Silke Kreitz
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Ludwig
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hess
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- FAU NeW—Research Center for New Bioactive Compounds, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Isabel Wank
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Kessi M, Peng J, Duan H, He H, Chen B, Xiong J, Wang Y, Yang L, Wang G, Kiprotich K, Bamgbade OA, He F, Yin F. The Contribution of HCN Channelopathies in Different Epileptic Syndromes, Mechanisms, Modulators, and Potential Treatment Targets: A Systematic Review. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:807202. [PMID: 35663267 PMCID: PMC9161305 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.807202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) current reduces dendritic summation, suppresses dendritic calcium spikes, and enables inhibitory GABA-mediated postsynaptic potentials, thereby suppressing epilepsy. However, it is unclear whether increased HCN current can produce epilepsy. We hypothesized that gain-of-function (GOF) and loss-of-function (LOF) variants of HCN channel genes may cause epilepsy. Objectives This systematic review aims to summarize the role of HCN channelopathies in epilepsy, update genetic findings in patients, create genotype–phenotype correlations, and discuss animal models, GOF and LOF mechanisms, and potential treatment targets. Methods The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, for all years until August 2021. Results We identified pathogenic variants of HCN1 (n = 24), HCN2 (n = 8), HCN3 (n = 2), and HCN4 (n = 6) that were associated with epilepsy in 74 cases (43 HCN1, 20 HCN2, 2 HCN3, and 9 HCN4). Epilepsy was associated with GOF and LOF variants, and the mechanisms were indeterminate. Less than half of the cases became seizure-free and some developed drug-resistant epilepsy. Of the 74 cases, 12 (16.2%) died, comprising HCN1 (n = 4), HCN2 (n = 2), HCN3 (n = 2), and HCN4 (n = 4). Of the deceased cases, 10 (83%) had a sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and 2 (16.7%) due to cardiopulmonary failure. SUDEP affected more adults (n = 10) than children (n = 2). HCN1 variants p.M234R, p.C329S, p.V414M, p.M153I, and p.M305L, as well as HCN2 variants p.S632W and delPPP (p.719–721), were associated with different phenotypes. HCN1 p.L157V and HCN4 p.R550C were associated with genetic generalized epilepsy. There are several HCN animal models, pharmacological targets, and modulators, but precise drugs have not been developed. Currently, there are no HCN channel openers. Conclusion We recommend clinicians to include HCN genes in epilepsy gene panels. Researchers should explore the possible underlying mechanisms for GOF and LOF variants by identifying the specific neuronal subtypes and neuroanatomical locations of each identified pathogenic variant. Researchers should identify specific HCN channel openers and blockers with high binding affinity. Such information will give clarity to the involvement of HCN channelopathies in epilepsy and provide the opportunity to develop targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Kessi
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Haolin Duan
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Hailan He
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Baiyu Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Xiong
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Lifen Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Guoli Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Karlmax Kiprotich
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Olumuyiwa A. Bamgbade
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fang He
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Yin
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Barki N, Bolognini D, Börjesson U, Jenkins L, Riddell J, Hughes DI, Ulven T, Hudson BD, Ulven ER, Dekker N, Tobin AB, Milligan G. Chemogenetics defines a short-chain fatty acid receptor gut-brain axis. eLife 2022; 11:73777. [PMID: 35229717 PMCID: PMC8887895 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Volatile small molecules, including the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), acetate and propionate, released by the gut microbiota from the catabolism of nondigestible starches, can act in a hormone-like fashion via specific G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The primary GPCR targets for these SCFAs are FFA2 and FFA3. Using transgenic mice in which FFA2 was replaced by an altered form called a Designer Receptor Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (FFA2-DREADD), but in which FFA3 is unaltered, and a newly identified FFA2-DREADD agonist 4-methoxy-3-methyl-benzoic acid (MOMBA), we demonstrate how specific functions of FFA2 and FFA3 define a SCFA-gut-brain axis. Activation of both FFA2/3 in the lumen of the gut stimulates spinal cord activity and activation of gut FFA3 directly regulates sensory afferent neuronal firing. Moreover, we demonstrate that FFA2 and FFA3 are both functionally expressed in dorsal root- and nodose ganglia where they signal through different G proteins and mechanisms to regulate cellular calcium levels. We conclude that FFA2 and FFA3, acting at distinct levels, provide an axis by which SCFAs originating from the gut microbiota can regulate central activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasja Barki
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Daniele Bolognini
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ulf Börjesson
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceutical R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Laura Jenkins
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - John Riddell
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - David I Hughes
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Trond Ulven
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Brian D Hudson
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Elisabeth Rexen Ulven
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niek Dekker
- Discovery Sciences, Biopharmaceutical R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Andrew B Tobin
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme Milligan
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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10
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Chen W, Luo B, Gao N, Li H, Wang H, Li L, Cui W, Zhang L, Sun D, Liu F, Dong Z, Ren X, Zhang H, Su H, Xiong WC, Mei L. Neddylation stabilizes Nav1.1 to maintain interneuron excitability and prevent seizures in murine epilepsy models. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:136956. [PMID: 33651714 DOI: 10.1172/jci136956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The excitability of interneurons requires Nav1.1, the α subunit of the voltage-gated sodium channel. Nav1.1 deficiency and mutations reduce interneuron excitability, a major pathological mechanism for epilepsy syndromes. However, the regulatory mechanisms of Nav1.1 expression remain unclear. Here, we provide evidence that neddylation is critical to Nav1.1 stability. Mutant mice lacking Nae1, an obligatory component of the E1 ligase for neddylation, in parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PVINs) exhibited spontaneous epileptic seizures and premature death. Electrophysiological studies indicate that Nae1 deletion reduced PVIN excitability and GABA release and consequently increased the network excitability of pyramidal neurons (PyNs). Further analysis revealed a reduction in sodium-current density, not a change in channel property, in mutant PVINs and decreased Nav1.1 protein levels. These results suggest that insufficient neddylation in PVINs reduces Nav1.1 stability and thus the excitability of PVINs; the ensuing increased PyN activity causes seizures in mice. Consistently, Nav1.1 was found reduced by proteomic analysis that revealed abnormality in synapses and metabolic pathways. Our findings describe a role of neddylation in maintaining Nav1.1 stability for PVIN excitability and reveal what we believe is a new mechanism in the pathogenesis of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbing Chen
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Bin Luo
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Nannan Gao
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Haiwen Li
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Hongsheng Wang
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanpeng Cui
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Dong Sun
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Fang Liu
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zhaoqi Dong
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Xiao Ren
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Hongsheng Zhang
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Huabo Su
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Wen-Cheng Xiong
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Lin Mei
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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11
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Sinha GP, Prasoon P, Smith BN, Taylor BK. Fast A-type currents shape a rapidly adapting form of delayed short latency firing of excitatory superficial dorsal horn neurons that express the neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor. J Physiol 2021; 599:2723-2750. [PMID: 33768539 DOI: 10.1113/jp281033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor-expressing neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord contribute to chronic pain. For the first time, we characterized the firing patterns of Y1-expressing neurons in Y1eGFP reporter mice. Under hyperpolarized conditions, most Y1eGFP neurons exhibited fast A-type potassium currents and delayed, short-latency firing (DSLF). Y1eGFP DSLF neurons were almost always rapidly adapting and often exhibited rebound spiking, characteristics of spinal pain neurons under the control of T-type calcium channels. These results will inspire future studies to determine whether tissue or nerve injury downregulates the channels that underlie A-currents, thus unmasking membrane hyperexcitability in Y1-expressing dorsal horn neurons, leading to persistent pain. ABSTRACT Neuroanatomical and behavioural evidence indicates that neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor-expressing interneurons (Y1-INs) in the superficial dorsal horn (SDH) are predominantly excitatory and contribute to chronic pain. Using an adult ex vivo spinal cord slice preparation from Y1eGFP reporter mice, we characterized firing patterns in response to steady state depolarizing current injection of GFP-positive cells in lamina II, the great majority of which expressed Y1 mRNA (88%). Randomly sampled (RS) and Y1eGFP neurons exhibited five firing patterns: tonic, initial burst, phasic, delayed short-latency <180 ms (DSLF) and delayed long-latency >180 ms (DLLF). When studied at resting membrane potential, most RS neurons exhibited delayed firing, while most Y1eGFP neurons exhibited phasic firing. A preconditioning membrane hyperpolarization produced only subtle changes in the firing patterns of RS neurons, but dramatically shifted Y1eGFP neurons to DSLF (46%) and DLLF (24%). In contrast to RS DSLF neurons, which rarely exhibited spike frequency adaptation, Y1eGFP DSLF neurons were almost always rapidly adapting, a characteristic of nociceptive-responsive SDH neurons. Rebound spiking was more prevalent in Y1eGFP neurons (6% RS vs. 32% Y1eGFP), indicating enrichment of T-type calcium currents. Y1eGFP DSLF neurons exhibited fast A-type potassium currents that are known to delay or limit action potential firing and exhibited smaller current density as compared to RS DSLF neurons. Our results will inspire future studies to determine whether tissue or nerve injury downregulates channels that contribute to A-currents, thus potentially unmasking T-type calcium channel activity and membrane hyperexcitability in Y1-INs, leading to persistent pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghanshyam P Sinha
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and the Pittsburgh Project to end Opioid Misuse, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Pranav Prasoon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and the Pittsburgh Project to end Opioid Misuse, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bret N Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Bradley K Taylor
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and the Pittsburgh Project to end Opioid Misuse, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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12
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Nakagawa T, Yasaka T, Nakashima N, Takeya M, Oshita K, Tsuda M, Yamaura K, Takano M. Expression of the pacemaker channel HCN4 in excitatory interneurons in the dorsal horn of the murine spinal cord. Mol Brain 2020; 13:127. [PMID: 32948209 PMCID: PMC7501643 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00666-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the central nervous system, hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN1–4) channels have been implicated in neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. It has been reported that HCN channels are expressed in the spinal cord, but knowledge about their physiological roles, as well as their distribution profiles, appear to be limited. We generated a transgenic mouse in which the expression of HCN4 can be reversibly knocked down using a genetic tetracycline-dependent switch and conducted genetically validated immunohistochemistry for HCN4. We found that the somata of HCN4-immunoreactive (IR) cells were largely restricted to the ventral part of the inner lamina II and lamina III. Many of these cells were either parvalbumin- or protein kinase Cγ (PKCγ)-IR. By using two different mouse strains in which reporters are expressed only in inhibitory neurons, we determined that the vast majority of HCN4-IR cells were excitatory neurons. Mechanical and thermal noxious stimulation did not induce c-Fos expression in HCN4-IR cells. PKCγ-neurons in this area are known to play a pivotal role in the polysynaptic pathway between tactile afferents and nociceptive projection cells that contributes to tactile allodynia. Therefore, pharmacological and/or genetic manipulations of HCN4-expressing neurons may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the pain relief of tactile allodynia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Nakagawa
- Department of Physiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-Machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.,Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Toshiharu Yasaka
- Department of Health and Nutrition, Niigata University of Hearth and Welfare, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Nakashima
- Department of Physiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-Machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Mitsue Takeya
- Department of Physiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-Machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Kensuke Oshita
- Department of Physiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-Machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.,Department of Anesthesiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Makoto Tsuda
- Department of Life Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Ken Yamaura
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Makoto Takano
- Department of Physiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-Machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.
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13
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Hughes DI, Todd AJ. Central Nervous System Targets: Inhibitory Interneurons in the Spinal Cord. Neurotherapeutics 2020; 17:874-885. [PMID: 33029722 PMCID: PMC7641291 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-00936-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is a percept of critical importance to our daily survival. In most cases, it serves both an adaptive function by helping us respond appropriately in a potentially hostile environment and also a protective role by alerting us to tissue damage. Normally, it is evoked by the activation of peripheral nociceptive nerve endings and the subsequent relay of information to distinct cortical and sub-cortical regions, but under pathological conditions that result in chronic pain, it can become spontaneous. Given that one in three chronic pain patients do not respond to the treatments currently available, the need for more effective analgesics is evident. Two principal obstacles to the development of novel analgesic therapies are our limited understanding of how neuronal circuits that comprise these pain pathways transmit and modulate sensory information under normal circumstances and how these circuits change under pathological conditions leading to chronic pain states. In this review, we focus on the role of inhibitory interneurons in setting pain thresholds and, in particular, how disinhibition in the spinal dorsal horn can lead to aberrant sensory processing associated with chronic pain states.
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Affiliation(s)
- David I Hughes
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.
| | - Andrew J Todd
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
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14
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Yamamuro K, Yoshino H, Ogawa Y, Okamura K, Nishihata Y, Makinodan M, Saito Y, Kishimoto T. Juvenile Social Isolation Enhances the Activity of Inhibitory Neuronal Circuits in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:105. [PMID: 32477068 PMCID: PMC7235301 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During brain development, the design of primary neural networks is primarily determined by environmental stimuli after their formation. In particular, the juvenile period is critical, during which neuronal circuits that consist of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons are remodeled by experience. Social isolation during the juvenile period profoundly affects brain development and contributes to the development of psychiatric disorders. We previously reported that 2 weeks of social isolation after weaning reduced excitatory synaptic inputs and intrinsic excitability in a subtype of layer 5 pyramidal cells, which we defined as prominent h-current (PH) cells, in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in mice. However, it remains unclear how juvenile social isolation affects inhibitory neuronal circuits that consist of pyramidal cells and interneurons. We found that 2 weeks of social isolation after weaning increased inhibitory synaptic inputs exclusively onto PH cells with a concomitant deterioration of action potential properties. Although social isolation did not alter the inhibitory synaptic release mechanisms or the number of inhibitory functional synapses on PH cells, we found that it increased the intrinsic excitability of fast-spiking (FS) interneurons with less excitatory synaptic inputs and more h-current. Our findings indicate that juvenile social isolation enhances the activity of inhibitory neuronal circuits in the mPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hiroki Yoshino
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Yoichi Ogawa
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Kazuya Okamura
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Yosuke Nishihata
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Manabu Makinodan
- Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Saito
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
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15
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Madden JF, Davis OC, Boyle KA, Iredale JA, Browne TJ, Callister RJ, Smith DW, Jobling P, Hughes DI, Graham BA. Functional and Molecular Analysis of Proprioceptive Sensory Neuron Excitability in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:36. [PMID: 32477061 PMCID: PMC7232575 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons located in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are crucial for transmitting peripheral sensations such as proprioception, touch, temperature, and nociception to the spinal cord before propagating these signals to higher brain structures. To date, difficulty in identifying modality-specific DRG neurons has limited our ability to study specific populations in detail. As the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) is a neurochemical marker for proprioceptive DRG cells we used a transgenic mouse line expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in PV positive DRGs, to study the functional and molecular properties of putative proprioceptive neurons. Immunolabeled DRGs showed a 100% overlap between GFP positive (GFP+) and PV positive cells, confirming the PVeGFP mouse accurately labeled PV neurons. Targeted patch-clamp recording from isolated GFP+ and GFP negative (GFP−) neurons showed the passive membrane properties of the two groups were similar, however, their active properties differed markedly. All GFP+ neurons fired a single spike in response to sustained current injection and their action potentials (APs) had faster rise times, lower thresholds and shorter half widths. A hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) was observed in all GFP+ neurons but was infrequently noted in the GFP− population (100% vs. 11%). For GFP+ neurons, Ih activation rates varied markedly, suggesting differences in the underlying hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (HCN) subunit expression responsible for the current kinetics. Furthermore, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed the HCN subunits 2, 1, and 4 mRNA (in that order) was more abundant in GFP+ neurons, while HCN 3 was more highly expressed in GFP− neurons. Likewise, immunolabeling confirmed HCN 1, 2, and 4 protein expression in GFP+ neurons. In summary, certain functional properties of GFP+ and GFP− cells differ markedly, providing evidence for modality-specific signaling between the two groups. However, the GFP+ DRG population demonstrates considerable internal heterogeneity when hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (HCN channel) properties and subunit expression are considered. We propose this heterogeneity reflects the existence of different peripheral receptors such as tendon organs, muscle spindles or mechanoreceptors in the putative proprioceptive neuron population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica F Madden
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivia C Davis
- Institute of Neuroscience Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kieran A Boyle
- Institute of Neuroscience Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline A Iredale
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Tyler J Browne
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert J Callister
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Douglas W Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Phillip Jobling
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - David I Hughes
- Institute of Neuroscience Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Brett A Graham
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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16
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Smith KM, Browne TJ, Davis OC, Coyle A, Boyle KA, Watanabe M, Dickinson SA, Iredale JA, Gradwell MA, Jobling P, Callister RJ, Dayas CV, Hughes DI, Graham BA. Calretinin positive neurons form an excitatory amplifier network in the spinal cord dorsal horn. eLife 2019; 8:49190. [PMID: 31713514 PMCID: PMC6908433 DOI: 10.7554/elife.49190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nociceptive information is relayed through the spinal cord dorsal horn, a critical area in sensory processing. The neuronal circuits in this region that underpin sensory perception must be clarified to better understand how dysfunction can lead to pathological pain. This study used an optogenetic approach to selectively activate spinal interneurons that express the calcium-binding protein calretinin (CR). We show that these interneurons form an interconnected network that can initiate and sustain enhanced excitatory signaling, and directly relay signals to lamina I projection neurons. Photoactivation of CR interneurons in vivo resulted in a significant nocifensive behavior that was morphine sensitive, caused a conditioned place aversion, and was enhanced by spared nerve injury. Furthermore, halorhodopsin-mediated inhibition of these interneurons elevated sensory thresholds. Our results suggest that dorsal horn circuits that involve excitatory CR neurons are important for the generation and amplification of pain and identify these interneurons as a future analgesic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, Australia.,Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States.,Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Tyler J Browne
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Olivia C Davis
- Institute of Neuroscience Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - A Coyle
- Institute of Neuroscience Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kieran A Boyle
- Institute of Neuroscience Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sally A Dickinson
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Jacqueline A Iredale
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Mark A Gradwell
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Phillip Jobling
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Robert J Callister
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Christopher V Dayas
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - David I Hughes
- Institute of Neuroscience Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Brett A Graham
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, Australia
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17
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Oyrer J, Bleakley LE, Richards KL, Maljevic S, Phillips AM, Petrou S, Nowell CJ, Reid CA. Using a Multiplex Nucleic Acid in situ Hybridization Technique to Determine HCN4 mRNA Expression in the Adult Rodent Brain. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:211. [PMID: 31555092 PMCID: PMC6724756 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels carry a non-selective cationic conductance, Ih, which is important for modulating neuron excitability. Four genes (HCN1-4) encode HCN channels, with each gene having distinct expression and biophysical profiles. Here we use multiplex nucleic acid in situ hybridization to determine HCN4 mRNA expression within the adult mouse brain. We take advantage of this approach to detect HCN4 mRNA simultaneously with either HCN1 or HCN2 mRNA and markers of excitatory (VGlut-positive) and inhibitory (VGat-positive) neurons, which was not previously reported. We have developed a Fiji-based analysis code that enables quantification of mRNA expression within identified cell bodies. The highest HCN4 mRNA expression was found in the habenula (medial and lateral) and the thalamus. HCN4 mRNA was particularly high in the medial habenula with essentially no co-expression of HCN1 or HCN2 mRNA. An absence of Ih-mediated “sag” in neurons recorded from the medial habenula of knockout mice confirmed that HCN4 channels are the predominant subtype in this region. Analysis in the thalamus revealed HCN4 mRNA in VGlut2-positive excitatory neurons that was always co-expressed with HCN2 mRNA. In contrast, HCN4 mRNA was undetectable in the nucleus reticularis. HCN4 mRNA expression was high in a subset of VGat-positive cells in the globus pallidus external. The majority of these neurons co-expressed HCN2 mRNA while a smaller subset also co-expressed HCN1 mRNA. In the striatum, a small subset of large cells which are likely to be giant cholinergic interneurons co-expressed high levels of HCN4 and HCN2 mRNA. The amygdala, cortex and hippocampus expressed low levels of HCN4 mRNA. This study highlights the heterogeneity of HCN4 mRNA expression in the brain and provides a morphological framework on which to better investigate the functional roles of HCN4 channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Oyrer
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lauren E Bleakley
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kay L Richards
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Snezana Maljevic
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - A Marie Phillips
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven Petrou
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Cameron J Nowell
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher A Reid
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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18
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HCN channel antagonist ZD7288 ameliorates neuropathic pain and associated depression. Brain Res 2019; 1717:204-213. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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19
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Hilscher MM, Nogueira I, Mikulovic S, Kullander K, Leão RN, Leão KE. Chrna2‐OLM interneurons display different membrane properties and h‐current magnitude depending on dorsoventral location. Hippocampus 2019; 29:1224-1237. [DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus M. Hilscher
- Brain InstituteFederal University of Rio Grande do Norte Natal Rio Grande do Norte Brazil
- Institute for Analysis and Scientific ComputingVienna University of Technology Vienna Austria
- Unit of Developmental Genetics, Department of NeuroscienceUppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - Ingrid Nogueira
- Brain InstituteFederal University of Rio Grande do Norte Natal Rio Grande do Norte Brazil
| | - Sanja Mikulovic
- Unit of Developmental Genetics, Department of NeuroscienceUppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - Klas Kullander
- Unit of Developmental Genetics, Department of NeuroscienceUppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - Richardson N. Leão
- Brain InstituteFederal University of Rio Grande do Norte Natal Rio Grande do Norte Brazil
- Unit of Developmental Genetics, Department of NeuroscienceUppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - Katarina E. Leão
- Brain InstituteFederal University of Rio Grande do Norte Natal Rio Grande do Norte Brazil
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20
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Günther A, Luczak V, Gruteser N, Abel T, Baumann A. HCN4 knockdown in dorsal hippocampus promotes anxiety-like behavior in mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12550. [PMID: 30585408 PMCID: PMC6850037 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hyperpolarization‐activated and cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels mediate the Ih current in the murine hippocampus. Disruption of the Ih current by knockout of HCN1, HCN2 or tetratricopeptide repeat‐containing Rab8b‐interacting protein has been shown to affect physiological processes such as synaptic integration and maintenance of resting membrane potentials as well as several behaviors in mice, including depressive‐like and anxiety‐like behaviors. However, the potential involvement of the HCN4 isoform in these processes is unknown. Here, we assessed the contribution of the HCN4 isoform to neuronal processing and hippocampus‐based behaviors in mice. We show that HCN4 is expressed in various regions of the hippocampus, with distinct expression patterns that partially overlapped with other HCN isoforms. For behavioral analysis, we specifically modulated HCN4 expression by injecting recombinant adeno‐associated viral (rAAV) vectors mediating expression of short hairpin RNA against hcn4 (shHcn4) into the dorsal hippocampus of mice. HCN4 knockdown produced no effect on contextual fear conditioning or spatial memory. However, a pronounced anxiogenic effect was evident in mice treated with shHcn4 compared to control littermates. Our findings suggest that HCN4 specifically contributes to anxiety‐like behaviors in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Günther
- Laboratory for Synaptic Molecules of Memory Persistence, Center for Brain Science, RIKEN, Saitama, Japan.,Institute of Complex Systems, Cellular Biophysics (ICS-4),Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Vincent Luczak
- Division of Biological Sciences and Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, Neurobiology Section, Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Nadine Gruteser
- Institute of Complex Systems, Cellular Biophysics (ICS-4),Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Ted Abel
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Arnd Baumann
- Institute of Complex Systems, Cellular Biophysics (ICS-4),Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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21
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Urbanska M, Kazmierska-Grebowska P, Kowalczyk T, Caban B, Nader K, Pijet B, Kalita K, Gozdz A, Devijver H, Lechat B, Jaworski T, Grajkowska W, Sadowski K, Jozwiak S, Kotulska K, Konopacki J, Van Leuven F, van Vliet EA, Aronica E, Jaworski J. GSK3β activity alleviates epileptogenesis and limits GluA1 phosphorylation. EBioMedicine 2018; 39:377-387. [PMID: 30502054 PMCID: PMC6355642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) is a key regulator of cellular homeostasis. In neurons, GSK3β contributes to the control of neuronal transmission and plasticity, but its role in epilepsy remains to be defined. METHODS Biochemical and electrophysiological methods were used to assess the role of GSK3β in regulating neuronal transmission and epileptogenesis. GSK3β activity was increased genetically in GSK3β[S9A] mice. Its effects on neuronal transmission and epileptogenesis induced by kainic acid were assessed by field potential recordings in mice brain slices and video electroencephalography in vivo. The ion channel expression was measured in brain samples from mice and followed by analysis in samples from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy or focal cortical dysplasia in correlation to GSK3β phosphorylation. FINDINGS Higher GSK3β activity decreased the progression of kainic acid induced epileptogenesis. At the biochemical level, higher GSK3β activity increased the expression of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel 4 under basal conditions and in the epileptic mouse brain and decreased phosphorylation of the glutamate α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor subunit GluA1 at Serine 831 under basal conditions. Moreover, we found a significant correlation between higher inhibitory GSK3β phosphorylation at Serine 9 and higher activating GluA1 phosphorylation at Serine 845 in brain samples from epileptic patients. INTERPRETATION Our data imply GSK3β activity in the protection of neuronal networks from hyper-activation in response to epileptogenic stimuli and indicate that the anti-epileptogenic function of GSK3β involves modulation of HCN4 level and the synaptic AMPA receptors pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Urbanska
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw 02-109, Poland; Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw 04-730, Poland.
| | - Paulina Kazmierska-Grebowska
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz 90-236, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kowalczyk
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz 90-236, Poland
| | - Bartosz Caban
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz 90-236, Poland
| | - Karolina Nader
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Barbara Pijet
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kalita
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Agata Gozdz
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw 02-109, Poland
| | - Herman Devijver
- Experimental Genetics Group - LEGTEGG, Department of Human Genetics, KULeuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Benoit Lechat
- Experimental Genetics Group - LEGTEGG, Department of Human Genetics, KULeuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Tomasz Jaworski
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Wieslawa Grajkowska
- Department of Pathology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw 04-730, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Sadowski
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw 04-730, Poland
| | - Sergiusz Jozwiak
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw 04-730, Poland; Department of Child Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02-091, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kotulska
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw 04-730, Poland
| | - Jan Konopacki
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz 90-236, Poland
| | - Fred Van Leuven
- Experimental Genetics Group - LEGTEGG, Department of Human Genetics, KULeuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Erwin A van Vliet
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro) Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, the Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro) Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, the Netherlands
| | - Jacek Jaworski
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw 02-109, Poland.
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22
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Gu Y, Servello D, Han Z, Lalchandani RR, Ding JB, Huang K, Gu C. Balanced Activity between Kv3 and Nav Channels Determines Fast-Spiking in Mammalian Central Neurons. iScience 2018; 9:120-137. [PMID: 30390433 PMCID: PMC6218699 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 08/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fast-spiking (FS) neurons can fire action potentials (APs) up to 1,000 Hz and play key roles in vital functions such as sound location, motor coordination, and cognition. Here we report that the concerted actions of Kv3 voltage-gated K+ (Kv) and Na+ (Nav) channels are sufficient and necessary for inducing and maintaining FS. Voltage-clamp analysis revealed a robust correlation between the Kv3/Nav current ratio and FS. Expressing Kv3 channels alone could convert ∼30%-60% slow-spiking (SS) neurons to FS in culture. In contrast, co-expression of either Nav1.2 or Nav1.6 together with Kv3.1 or Kv3.3, but not alone or with Kv1.2, converted SS to FS with 100% efficiency. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing-based genome-wide analysis revealed that the Kv3/Nav ratio and Kv3 expression levels strongly correlated with the maximal AP frequencies. Therefore, FS is established by the properly balanced activities of Kv3 and Nav channels and could be further fine-tuned by channel biophysical features and localization patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzheng Gu
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, 182 Rightmire Hall, 1060 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dustin Servello
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Zhi Han
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; College of Software, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Rupa R Lalchandani
- Department of Neurosurgery, and Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Jun B Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery, and Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518037, China
| | - Chen Gu
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, 182 Rightmire Hall, 1060 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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23
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Tadros MA, Zouikr I, Hodgson DM, Callister RJ. Excitability of Rat Superficial Dorsal Horn Neurons Following a Neonatal Immune Challenge. Front Neurol 2018; 9:743. [PMID: 30245664 PMCID: PMC6137193 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that neonatal exposure to a mild inflammatory challenge, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS, Salmonella enteriditis) results in altered pain behaviors later in life. To further characterize the impact of a neonatal immune challenge on pain processing, we examined the excitability of superficial dorsal horn (SDH) neurons following neonatal LPS exposure and subsequent responses to noxious stimulation at three time-points during early postnatal development. Wistar rats were injected with LPS (0.05 mg/kg i.p.) or saline on postnatal days (PNDs) 3 and 5, and later subjected to the formalin test at PNDs 7, 13, and 22. One hour after formalin injection into the plantar hindpaw, animals were euthanized (Ketamine, 100 mg/kg i.p.) and transverse slices from the lumbosacral spinal cord were prepared. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from SDH neurons (KCH3SO4-based internal, 22–24°C) on the ipsi- and contralateral sides of the spinal cord. Depolarising current steps were injected into SDH neurons to categorize action potential (AP) discharge. In both saline- and LPS-treated rats we observed age-related increases the percentage of neurons exhibiting tonic-firing, with concurrent decreases in single-spiking, between PND 7 and 22. In contrast, neonatal exposure to LPS failed to alter the proportions of AP discharge patterns at any age examined. We also assessed the subthreshold currents that determine AP discharge in SDH neurons. The rapid outward potassium current, IAr decreased in prevalence with age, but was susceptible to neonatal LPS exposure. Peak IAr current amplitude was greater in ipsilateral vs. contralateral SDH neurons from LPS-treated rats. Spontaneous excitatory synaptic currents (sEPSCs) were recorded to assess network excitability. Age-related increases were observed in sEPSC frequency and time course, but not peak amplitude, in both saline- and LPS-treated rats. Furthermore, sEPSC frequency was higher in ipsilateral vs. contralateral SDH neurons in LPS-treated animals. Taken together, these data suggest a neonatal immune challenge does not markedly affect the intrinsic properties of SDH neurons, however, it can increase the excitability of local spinal cord networks via altering the properties of rapid A-type currents and excitatory synaptic connections. These changes, made in neurons within spinal cord pain circuits, have the capacity to alter nociceptive signaling in the ascending pain pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Tadros
- Faculty of Health and Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Ihssane Zouikr
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Thalamus Development, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Deborah M Hodgson
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert J Callister
- Faculty of Health and Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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24
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Campostrini G, DiFrancesco JC, Castellotti B, Milanesi R, Gnecchi-Ruscone T, Bonzanni M, Bucchi A, Baruscotti M, Ferrarese C, Franceschetti S, Canafoglia L, Ragona F, Freri E, Labate A, Gambardella A, Costa C, Gellera C, Granata T, Barbuti A, DiFrancesco D. A Loss-of-Function HCN4 Mutation Associated With Familial Benign Myoclonic Epilepsy in Infancy Causes Increased Neuronal Excitability. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:269. [PMID: 30127718 PMCID: PMC6089338 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
HCN channels are highly expressed and functionally relevant in neurons and increasing evidence demonstrates their involvement in the etiology of human epilepsies. Among HCN isoforms, HCN4 is important in cardiac tissue, where it underlies pacemaker activity. Despite being expressed also in deep structures of the brain, mutations of this channel functionally shown to be associated with epilepsy have not been reported yet. Using Next Generation Sequencing for the screening of patients with idiopathic epilepsy, we identified the p.Arg550Cys (c.1648C>T) heterozygous mutation on HCN4 in two brothers affected by benign myoclonic epilepsy of infancy. Functional characterization in heterologous expression system and in neurons showed that the mutation determines a loss of function of HCN4 contribution to activity and an increase of neuronal discharge, potentially predisposing to epilepsy. Expressed in cardiomyocytes, mutant channels activate at slightly more negative voltages than wild-type (WT), in accordance with borderline bradycardia. While HCN4 variants have been frequently associated with cardiac arrhythmias, these data represent the first experimental evidence that functional alteration of HCN4 can also be involved in human epilepsy through a loss-of-function effect and associated increased neuronal excitability. Since HCN4 appears to be highly expressed in deep brain structures only early during development, our data provide a potential explanation for a link between dysfunctional HCN4 and infantile epilepsy. These findings suggest that it may be useful to include HCN4 screening to extend the knowledge of the genetic causes of infantile epilepsies, potentially paving the way for the identification of innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Campostrini
- Molecular Physiology and Neurobiology, The PaceLab, Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo C DiFrancesco
- Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Center, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Milan Center for Neuroscience, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Barbara Castellotti
- Unit of Genetics of Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Milanesi
- Molecular Physiology and Neurobiology, The PaceLab, Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Mattia Bonzanni
- Molecular Physiology and Neurobiology, The PaceLab, Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Bucchi
- Molecular Physiology and Neurobiology, The PaceLab, Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Baruscotti
- Molecular Physiology and Neurobiology, The PaceLab, Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrarese
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Milan Center for Neuroscience, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Silvana Franceschetti
- Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Center, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Canafoglia
- Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Center, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Ragona
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Freri
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Labate
- Institute of Neurology, Università degli Studi Magna Græcia di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Gambardella
- Institute of Neurology, Università degli Studi Magna Græcia di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Neurology Unit, Ospedale S. Maria della Misericordia, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Cinzia Gellera
- Unit of Genetics of Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Granata
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Barbuti
- Molecular Physiology and Neurobiology, The PaceLab, Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Dario DiFrancesco
- Molecular Physiology and Neurobiology, The PaceLab, Department of Biosciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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25
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Merighi A. The histology, physiology, neurochemistry and circuitry of the substantia gelatinosa Rolandi (lamina II) in mammalian spinal cord. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 169:91-134. [PMID: 29981393 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The substantia gelatinosa Rolandi (SGR) was first described about two centuries ago. In the following decades an enormous amount of information has permitted us to understand - at least in part - its role in the initial processing of pain and itch. Here, I will first provide a comprehensive picture of the histology, physiology, and neurochemistry of the normal SGR. Then, I will analytically discuss the SGR circuits that have been directly demonstrated or deductively envisaged in the course of the intensive research on this area of the spinal cord, with particular emphasis on the pathways connecting the primary afferent fibers and the intrinsic neurons. The perspective existence of neurochemically-defined sets of primary afferent neurons giving rise to these circuits will be also discussed, with the proposition that a cross-talk between different subsets of peptidergic fibers may be the structural and functional substrate of additional gating mechanisms in SGR. Finally, I highlight the role played by slow acting high molecular weight modulators in these gating mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adalberto Merighi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, I-10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy.
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26
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Lucas-Romero J, Rivera-Arconada I, Roza C, Lopez-Garcia JA. Origin and classification of spontaneous discharges in mouse superficial dorsal horn neurons. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9735. [PMID: 29950700 PMCID: PMC6021406 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27993-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Superficial laminae of the spinal cord possess a considerable number of neurons with spontaneous activity as reported in vivo and in vitro preparations of several species. Such neurons may play a role in the development of the nociceptive system and/or in the spinal coding of somatosensory signals. We have used electrophysiological techniques in a horizontal spinal cord slice preparation from adult mice to investigate how this activity is generated and what are the main patterns of activity that can be found. The results show the existence of neurons that fire regularly and irregularly. Within each of these main types, it was possible to distinguish patterns of spontaneous activity formed by single action potentials and different types of bursts according to intra-burst firing frequency. Activity in neurons with irregular patterns was blocked by a mixture of antagonists of the main neurotransmitter receptors present in the cord. Approximately 82% of neurons with a regular firing pattern were insensitive to synaptic antagonists but their activity was inhibited by specific ion channel blockers. It is suggested that these neurons generate endogenous activity due to the functional expression of hyperpolarisation-activated and persistent sodium currents driving the activity of irregular neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Lucas-Romero
- Department of Systems Biology, Universidad de Alcala, Alcala de Henares, 28871, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ivan Rivera-Arconada
- Department of Systems Biology, Universidad de Alcala, Alcala de Henares, 28871, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Roza
- Department of Systems Biology, Universidad de Alcala, Alcala de Henares, 28871, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose A Lopez-Garcia
- Department of Systems Biology, Universidad de Alcala, Alcala de Henares, 28871, Madrid, Spain.
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27
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Yang SS, Li YC, Coley AA, Chamberlin LA, Yu P, Gao WJ. Cell-Type Specific Development of the Hyperpolarization-Activated Current, Ih, in Prefrontal Cortical Neurons. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2018; 10:7. [PMID: 29867437 PMCID: PMC5958189 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2018.00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
H-current, also known as hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih), is an inward current generated by the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) cation channels. Ih plays an essential role in regulating neuronal properties, synaptic integration and plasticity, and synchronous activity in the brain. As these biological factors change across development, the brain undergoes varying levels of vulnerability to disorders like schizophrenia that disrupt prefrontal cortex (PFC)-dependent function. However, developmental changes in Ih in PFC neurons remains untested. Here, we examine Ih in pyramidal neurons vs. gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) interneurons in developing mouse PFC. Our findings show that the amplitudes of Ih in these cell types are identical during the juvenile period but differ at later time points. In pyramidal neurons, Ih amplitude significantly increases from juvenile to adolescence and follows a similar trend into adulthood. In contrast, the amplitude of Ih in PV+ interneurons decreases from juvenile to adolescence, and does not change from adolescence to adulthood. Moreover, the kinetics of HCN channels in pyramidal neurons is significantly slower than in PV+ interneurons, with a gradual decrease in pyramidal neurons and a gradual increase in PV+ cells across development. Our study reveals distinct developmental trajectories of Ih in pyramidal neurons and PV+ interneurons. The cell-type specific alteration of Ih during the critical period from juvenile to adolescence reflects the contribution of Ih to the maturation of the PFC and PFC-dependent function. These findings are essential for a better understanding of normal PFC function, and for elucidating Ih's crucial role in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha-Sha Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, College of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yan-Chun Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Austin A Coley
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Linda A Chamberlin
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ping Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, College of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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28
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Chamessian A, Young M, Qadri Y, Berta T, Ji RR, Van de Ven T. Transcriptional Profiling of Somatostatin Interneurons in the Spinal Dorsal Horn. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6809. [PMID: 29717160 PMCID: PMC5931607 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25110-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The spinal dorsal horn (SDH) is comprised of distinct neuronal populations that process different somatosensory modalities. Somatostatin (SST)-expressing interneurons in the SDH have been implicated specifically in mediating mechanical pain. Identifying the transcriptomic profile of SST neurons could elucidate the unique genetic features of this population and enable selective analgesic targeting. To that end, we combined the Isolation of Nuclei Tagged in Specific Cell Types (INTACT) method and Fluorescence Activated Nuclei Sorting (FANS) to capture tagged SST nuclei in the SDH of adult male mice. Using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), we uncovered more than 13,000 genes. Differential gene expression analysis revealed more than 900 genes with at least 2-fold enrichment. In addition to many known dorsal horn genes, we identified and validated several novel transcripts from pharmacologically tractable functional classes: Carbonic Anhydrase 12 (Car12), Phosphodiesterase 11 A (Pde11a), and Protease-Activated Receptor 3 (F2rl2). In situ hybridization of these novel genes showed differential expression patterns in the SDH, demonstrating the presence of transcriptionally distinct subpopulations within the SST population. Overall, our findings provide new insights into the gene repertoire of SST dorsal horn neurons and reveal several novel targets for pharmacological modulation of this pain-mediating population and treatment of pathological pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Chamessian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA. .,Medical Scientist Training Program, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA.
| | - Michael Young
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Yawar Qadri
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Temugin Berta
- Pain Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267, USA
| | - Ru-Rong Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
| | - Thomas Van de Ven
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710, USA
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29
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Boakye PA, Schmidt EKA, Rancic V, Kerr B, Ballanyi K, Smith PA. Characterization of Superficial Dorsal Horn Neurons from "Tamamaki" Mice and Stability of their GAD67-EGFP Phenotype in Defined-Medium Organotypic Culture. Neuroscience 2017; 372:126-140. [PMID: 29294339 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Defined medium organotypic cultures (DMOTC) containing spinal dorsal horn neurons are especially useful in studying the etiology and pharmacology of chronic pain. We made whole-cell recordings from neurons in acutely isolated mouse spinal cord slices or from those maintained in DMOTC for up to 6 weeks. In acute slices, neurons in the substantia gelatinosa exhibited 7 different firing patterns in response to 800-ms depolarizing current commands; delay (irregular), delay (tonic), tonic, regular firing, phasic, initial bursting and single spiking. Initial bursting and regular firing neurons are not found in rat substantia gelatinosa. In acute slices from "Tamamaki" mice that express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) promotor, tonic, phasic and regular firing neurons exhibited the strongest GABAergic (GAD67-EGFP+) phenotype. Delay (tonic) and delay (irregular) neurons almost never expressed GAD67 (GAD67-EGFP-) and are likely glutamatergic. All seven phenotypes were preserved in mouse spinal cord neurons in DMOTC prepared from e12 embryos and the GAD67-EGFP+ phenotype continued to associate with phasic and regular firing neurons. Only 3 out of 51 GAD67-EGFP+ neurons exhibited a delay (tonic) firing pattern. Modifications to the mouse genome thus continue to be expressed when embryonic neurons develop in vitro in DMOTC. However, analysis of the amplitude and interevent interval of spontaneous EPSCs (sEPSCs) indicated substantial re-arrangement of synaptic connections within the cultures. Despite this, the characteristics and age-dependence of asynchronous oscillatory activity, as monitored by multiphoton Ca2+ imaging, were similar in acute slices and in DMOTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Boakye
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, AB, Canada
| | - Emma K A Schmidt
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, AB, Canada
| | - Vladimir Rancic
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, AB, Canada
| | - Bradley Kerr
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, AB, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, AB, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, AB, Canada
| | - Klaus Ballanyi
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, AB, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, AB, Canada
| | - Peter A Smith
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, AB, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, AB, Canada.
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Tae HS, Smith KM, Phillips AM, Boyle KA, Li M, Forster IC, Hatch RJ, Richardson R, Hughes DI, Graham BA, Petrou S, Reid CA. Gabapentin Modulates HCN4 Channel Voltage-Dependence. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:554. [PMID: 28871229 PMCID: PMC5566583 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gabapentin (GBP) is widely used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain. There is evidence that GBP can act on hyperpolarization-activated cation (HCN) channel-mediated Ih in brain slice experiments. However, evidence showing that GBP directly modulates HCN channels is lacking. The effect of GBP was tested using two-electrode voltage clamp recordings from human HCN1, HCN2, and HCN4 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Whole-cell recordings were also made from mouse spinal cord slices targeting either parvalbumin positive (PV+) or calretinin positive (CR+) inhibitory neurons. The effect of GBP on Ih was measured in each inhibitory neuron population. HCN4 expression was assessed in the spinal cord using immunohistochemistry. When applied to HCN4 channels, GBP (100 μM) caused a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage of half activation (V1/2) thereby reducing the currents. Gabapentin had no impact on the V1/2 of HCN1 or HCN2 channels. There was a robust increase in the time to half activation for HCN4 channels with only a small increase noted for HCN1 channels. Gabapentin also caused a hyperpolarizing shift in the V1/2 of Ih measured from HCN4-expressing PV+ inhibitory neurons in the spinal dorsal horn. Gabapentin had minimal effect on Ih recorded from CR+ neurons. Consistent with this, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the majority of CR+ inhibitory neurons do not express somatic HCN4 channels. In conclusion, GBP reduces HCN4 channel-mediated currents through a hyperpolarized shift in the V1/2. The HCN channel subtype selectivity of GBP provides a unique tool for investigating HCN4 channel function in the central nervous system. The HCN4 channel is a candidate molecular target for the acute analgesic and anticonvulsant actions of GBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Shen Tae
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, ParkvilleVIC, Australia
| | - Kelly M Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, CallaghanNSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton HeightsNSW, Australia
| | - A Marie Phillips
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, ParkvilleVIC, Australia.,School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, ParkvilleVIC, Australia
| | - Kieran A Boyle
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of GlasgowGlasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Melody Li
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, ParkvilleVIC, Australia
| | - Ian C Forster
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, ParkvilleVIC, Australia
| | - Robert J Hatch
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, ParkvilleVIC, Australia
| | - Robert Richardson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, ParkvilleVIC, Australia
| | - David I Hughes
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of GlasgowGlasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Brett A Graham
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, CallaghanNSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton HeightsNSW, Australia
| | - Steven Petrou
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, ParkvilleVIC, Australia
| | - Christopher A Reid
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, ParkvilleVIC, Australia
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Peng SC, Wu J, Zhang DY, Jiang CY, Xie CN, Liu T. Contribution of presynaptic HCN channels to excitatory inputs of spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons. Neuroscience 2017; 358:146-157. [PMID: 28673721 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.06.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are pathological pain-associated voltage-gated ion channels. They are widely expressed in central nervous system including spinal lamina II (also named the substantia gelatinosa, SG). Here, we examined the distribution of HCN channels in glutamatergic synaptic terminals as well as their role in the modulation of synaptic transmission in SG neurons from SD rats and glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 (GAD67)-GFP mice. We found that the expression of the HCN channel isoforms was varied in SG. The HCN4 isoform showed the highest level of co-localization with VGLUT2 (23±3%). In 53% (n=21/40 neurons) of the SG neurons examined in SD rats, application of HCN channel blocker, ZD7288 (10μM), decreased the frequency of spontaneous (s) and miniature (m) excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) by 37±4% and 33±4%, respectively. Consistently, forskolin (FSK) (an activator of adenylate cyclase) significantly increased the frequency of mEPSCs by 225±34%, which could be partially inhibited by ZD7288. Interestingly, the effects of ZD7288 and FSK on sEPSC frequency were replicated in non-GFP-expressing neurons, but not in GFP-expressing GABAergic SG neurons, in GAD67-GFP transgenic C57/BL6 mice. In summary, our results represent a previously unknown cellular mechanism by which presynaptic HCN channels, especially HCN4, regulate the glutamate release from presynaptic terminals that target excitatory, but not inhibitory SG interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- S-C Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - J Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - D-Y Zhang
- Department of Pain Clinic, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - C-Y Jiang
- Jisheng Han Academician Workstation for Pain Medicine, Nanshan Hospital, Shenzhen 518052, China
| | - C-N Xie
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - T Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Jisheng Han Academician Workstation for Pain Medicine, Nanshan Hospital, Shenzhen 518052, China; Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China.
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32
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Albertson AJ, Bohannon AS, Hablitz JJ. HCN Channel Modulation of Synaptic Integration in GABAergic Interneurons in Malformed Rat Neocortex. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:109. [PMID: 28469560 PMCID: PMC5396479 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical malformations are often associated with pharmaco-resistant epilepsy. Alterations in hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated, non-specific cation (HCN) channels have been shown to contribute to malformation associated hyperexcitability. We have recently demonstrated that expression of HCN channels and Ih current amplitudes are reduced in layer (L) 5 pyramidal neurons of rats with freeze lesion induced malformations. These changes were associated with an increased EPSP temporal summation. Here, we examine the effects of HCN channel inhibition on synaptic responses in fast spiking, presumptive basket cells and accommodating, presumptive Martinotti, GABAergic interneurons in slices from freeze lesioned animals. In control animals, fast spiking cells showed small sag responses which were reduced by the HCN channel antagonist ZD7288. Fast spiking cells in lesioned animals showed absent or reduced sag responses. The amplitude of single evoked EPSPs in fast spiking cells in the control group was not affected by HCN channel inhibition with ZD7288. EPSP ratios during short stimulus trains at 25 Hz were not significantly different between control and lesion groups. ZD7288 produced an increase in EPSP ratios in the control but not lesion groups. Under voltage clamp conditions, ZD7288 did not affect EPSC ratios. In the control group, accommodating interneurons showed robust sag responses which were significantly reduced by ZD7288. HCN channel inhibition increased EPSP ratios and area in controls but not the lesioned group. The results indicate that HCN channels differentially modulate EPSPs in different classes of GABAergic interneurons and that this control is reduced in malformed rat neocortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asher J Albertson
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL, USA
| | - Andrew S Bohannon
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL, USA
| | - John J Hablitz
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL, USA
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Dougherty PM, Chen J. Relationship of membrane properties, spike burst responses, laminar location, and functional class of dorsal horn neurons recorded in vitro. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:1137-51. [PMID: 27334950 PMCID: PMC5013171 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00187.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The input-output and discharge properties of neurons are shaped by both passive and active electrophysiological membrane properties. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings in lamina I-III neurons in an isolated preparation of the whole spinal cord of juvenile rats with attached dorsal roots and dorsal root ganglia were used to further define which of these properties provides the most impactful classification strategy. A total of 95 neurons were recorded in segment L5 and were classified based on the responses to L4 dorsal root stimulation. The results showed that high-threshold and silent neurons had higher membrane resistance and more negative resting membrane potential than low-threshold or wide-dynamic-range neurons. Rheobase in low-threshold and wide-dynamic-range neurons was significantly lower than that of high-threshold or silent neurons. Four types of firing patterns were identified in response to depolarizing current injections. Low-threshold cells most frequently showed a phasic firing pattern characterized by a short initial burst of action potentials, single spiking or irregular firing bursts at the onset of a depolarizing pulse. High-threshold and wide-dynamic-range neurons were characterized by tonic firing with trains of spikes occurring at regular intervals throughout the current pulse. The majority of silent neurons displayed a delayed onset of firing in response to current injection. These results indicate that the passive membrane properties of spinal neurons are tuned to optimize the responses to particular subsets of afferent stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick M Dougherty
- Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pain Medicine, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; and
| | - Jinghong Chen
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Subpopulations of PKCγ interneurons within the medullary dorsal horn revealed by electrophysiologic and morphologic approach. Pain 2016; 156:1714-1728. [PMID: 25961142 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical allodynia, a cardinal symptom of persistent pain, is associated with the unmasking of usually blocked local circuits within the superficial spinal or medullary dorsal horn (MDH) through which low-threshold mechanical inputs can gain access to the lamina I nociceptive output neurons. Specific interneurons located within inner lamina II (IIi) and expressing the gamma isoform of protein kinase C (PKCγ⁺) have been shown to be key elements for such circuits. However, their morphologic and electrophysiologic features are still unknown. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and immunohistochemical techniques in slices of adult rat MDH, we characterized such lamina IIi PKCγ⁺ interneurons and compared them with neighboring PKCγ⁻ interneurons. Our results reveal that PKCγ⁺ interneurons display very specific activity and response properties. Compared with PKCγ⁻ interneurons, they exhibit a smaller membrane input resistance and rheobase, leading to a lower threshold for action potentials. Consistently, more than half of PKCγ⁺ interneurons respond with tonic firing to step current. They also receive a weaker excitatory synaptic drive. Most PKCγ⁺ interneurons express Ih currents. The neurites of PKCγ⁺ interneurons arborize extensively within lamina IIi, can spread dorsally into lamina IIo, but never reach lamina I. In addition, at least 2 morphologically and functionally different subpopulations of PKCγ⁺ interneurons can be identified: central and radial PKCγ⁺ interneurons. The former exhibit a lower membrane input resistance, rheobase and, thus, action potential threshold, and less PKCγ⁺ immunoreactivity than the latter. These 2 subpopulations might thus differently contribute to the gating of dorsally directed circuits within the MDH underlying mechanical allodynia.
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Heusser K, Tank J, Brinkmann J, Schroeder C, May M, Großhennig A, Wenzel D, Diedrich A, Sweep FCGJ, Mehling H, Luft FC, Jordan J. Preserved Autonomic Cardiovascular Regulation With Cardiac Pacemaker Inhibition: A Crossover Trial Using High-Fidelity Cardiovascular Phenotyping. J Am Heart Assoc 2016; 5:e002674. [PMID: 26764413 PMCID: PMC4859385 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.115.002674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sympathetic and parasympathetic influences on heart rate (HR), which are governed by baroreflex mechanisms, are integrated at the cardiac sinus node through hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (HCN4). We hypothesized that HCN4 blockade with ivabradine selectively attenuates HR and baroreflex HR regulation, leaving baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity intact. METHODS AND RESULTS We treated 21 healthy men with 2×7.5 mg ivabradine or placebo in a randomized crossover fashion. We recorded electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity at rest and during pharmacological baroreflex testing. Ivabradine reduced normalized HR from 65.9±8.1 to 58.4±6.2 beats per minute (P<0.001) with unaffected blood pressure and muscle sympathetic nerve activity. On ivabradine, cardiac and sympathetic baroreflex gains and blood pressure responses to vasoactive drugs were unchanged. Ivabradine aggravated bradycardia during baroreflex loading. CONCLUSIONS HCN4 blockade with ivabradine reduced HR, leaving physiological regulation of HR and muscle sympathetic nerve activity as well as baroreflex blood pressure buffering intact. Ivabradine could aggravate bradycardia during parasympathetic activation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00865917.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karsten Heusser
- Institute of Clinical PharmacologyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Jens Tank
- Institute of Clinical PharmacologyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Julia Brinkmann
- Institute of Clinical PharmacologyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | | | - Marcus May
- Institute of Clinical PharmacologyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Anika Großhennig
- Institute of BiostatisticsHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - Daniela Wenzel
- Institute of BiostatisticsHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | - André Diedrich
- Division of Clinical PharmacologyDepartment of MedicineAutonomic Dysfunction ServiceVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTN
| | - Fred C. G. J. Sweep
- Department of Laboratory MedicineRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Heidrun Mehling
- Experimental Clinical Research CenterCharité Medical Faculty and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular MedicineBerlinGermany
| | - Friedrich C. Luft
- Experimental Clinical Research CenterCharité Medical Faculty and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular MedicineBerlinGermany
| | - Jens Jordan
- Institute of Clinical PharmacologyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
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Bojovic O, Bramham CR, Tjølsen A. Stimulation-induced expression of immediate early gene proteins in the dorsal horn is increased in neuropathy. Scand J Pain 2016; 10:43-51. [PMID: 28361770 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjpain.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Peripheral neuropathic pain is described as a pain state caused by an injury or dysfunction of the nervous system, and could have clinical manifestations such as hyperalgesia, allodynia and spontaneous pain. The development of neuropathic pain may depend on long-term forms of neuronal plasticity in the spinal cord (SC). Expression of the immediate early gene proteins (IEGPs) Arc, Zif268, and c-Fos are implicated in establishment of long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by conditioning stimulation (CS) of primary afferent fibres. However, the impact of the neuropathic state (Bennett's model) on CS-induced expression of IEGPs has not been studied. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of Arc, c-Fos and Zif268 immunoreactivity prior to and after conditioning stimulation in animals with developed neuropathic pain, with sham operated, non-ligated controls. METHODS Twenty-four animals were divided equally into the neuropathic and non-neuropathic groups. Neuropathic pain was induced in all animals by conducting a loose ligation of the sciatic nerve with Chromic Catgut 4.0 sutures 7 days prior to conditioning stimulation or sham operation. The loose ligation was performed by placing sutures around the sciatic nerve compressing the nerve slightly just enough to reduce but not completely diminish the perineural circulation. A state of neuropathy was confirmed by a significant decrease in mechanical withdrawal threshold measured by von Frey's fibres. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on transverse sections obtained from the L3-L5 segments of the SC at 2 and 6h post-CS and IEGP positive cells were counted in lamina I and II of the dorsal horn. During statistical analyses, the groups were compared by means of analysis of variance (univariate general linear model). If significant differences were found, each set of animals was compared with the sham group with post hoc Tukey's multiple comparison test. RESULTS Strikingly, all IEGPs exhibited a significant increase in immunoreactivity at both time points compared to time-matched, sham operated controls. Maximal IEGP expression was found 2h after CS in neuropathic rats, and there was a smaller but still significant increase 6h after CS. The unstimulated side of the dorsal horn in stimulated animals did not show any significant change of the number of IEGP positive cells and was approximately at the same level as sham operated animals. The number of IEGP positive cells in sham operated controls (non-neuropathic and non-stimulated animals) showed same immunoreactivity in 2 and 6h post sham operation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The neurophysiological process of neuropathic pain development is complex and needs to be studied further in order to clarify its nature and components. This present study is meant to reveal a step towards further understanding the role of Arc, c-Fos and Zif268 in neuropathic pain. Moreover, this study might contribute to the knowledge base for further research on better therapeutic possibilities for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ognjen Bojovic
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009Bergen, Norway
| | - Clive R Bramham
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009Bergen, Norway
| | - Arne Tjølsen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009Bergen, Norway
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Novella Romanelli M, Sartiani L, Masi A, Mannaioni G, Manetti D, Mugelli A, Cerbai E. HCN Channels Modulators: The Need for Selectivity. Curr Top Med Chem 2016; 16:1764-91. [PMID: 26975509 PMCID: PMC5374843 DOI: 10.2174/1568026616999160315130832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, the molecular correlate of the hyperpolarization-activated current (If/Ih), are membrane proteins which play an important role in several physiological processes and various pathological conditions. In the Sino Atrial Node (SAN) HCN4 is the target of ivabradine, a bradycardic agent that is, at the moment, the only drug which specifically blocks If. Nevertheless, several other pharmacological agents have been shown to modulate HCN channels, a property that may contribute to their therapeutic activity and/or to their side effects. HCN channels are considered potential targets for developing drugs to treat several important pathologies, but a major issue in this field is the discovery of isoform-selective compounds, owing to the wide distribution of these proteins into the central and peripheral nervous systems, heart and other peripheral tissues. This survey is focused on the compounds that have been shown, or have been designed, to interact with HCN channels and on their binding sites, with the aim to summarize current knowledge and possibly to unveil useful information to design new potent and selective modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Novella Romanelli
- University of Florence, Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child's Health, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
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Petitjean H, Pawlowski SA, Fraine SL, Sharif B, Hamad D, Fatima T, Berg J, Brown CM, Jan LY, Ribeiro-da-Silva A, Braz JM, Basbaum AI, Sharif-Naeini R. Dorsal Horn Parvalbumin Neurons Are Gate-Keepers of Touch-Evoked Pain after Nerve Injury. Cell Rep 2015; 13:1246-1257. [PMID: 26527000 PMCID: PMC6038918 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.09.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a chronic debilitating disease that results from nerve damage, persists long after the injury has subsided, and is characterized by spontaneous pain and mechanical hypersensitivity. Although loss of inhibitory tone in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord is a major contributor to neuropathic pain, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this disinhibition are unclear. Here, we combined pharmacogenetic activation and selective ablation approaches in mice to define the contribution of spinal cord parvalbumin (PV)-expressing inhibitory interneurons in naive and neuropathic pain conditions. Ablating PV neurons in naive mice produce neuropathic pain-like mechanical allodynia via disinhibition of PKCγ excitatory interneurons. Conversely, activating PV neurons in nerve-injured mice alleviates mechanical hypersensitivity. These findings indicate that PV interneurons are modality-specific filters that gate mechanical but not thermal inputs to the dorsal horn and that increasing PV inter-neuron activity can ameliorate the mechanical hypersensitivity that develops following nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugues Petitjean
- Department of Physiology and Cell Information Systems Group, McGill University, Montreal, H3G0B1 QC, Canada
| | | | - Steven Li Fraine
- Department of Physiology and Cell Information Systems Group, McGill University, Montreal, H3G0B1 QC, Canada
| | - Behrang Sharif
- Department of Physiology and Cell Information Systems Group, McGill University, Montreal, H3G0B1 QC, Canada
| | - Doulia Hamad
- Department of Physiology and Cell Information Systems Group, McGill University, Montreal, H3G0B1 QC, Canada
| | - Tarheen Fatima
- Department of Physiology and Cell Information Systems Group, McGill University, Montreal, H3G0B1 QC, Canada
| | - Jim Berg
- Departments of Physiology and Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, 1550 4th Street, RH-490D, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Claire M Brown
- Department of Physiology and Cell Information Systems Group, McGill University, Montreal, H3G0B1 QC, Canada; Advanced BioImaging Facility, McGill University, H3G0B1 QC, Canada
| | - Lily-Yeh Jan
- Departments of Physiology and Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, 1550 4th Street, RH-490D, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Alfredo Ribeiro-da-Silva
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, H3G1Y6 QC, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, H3A0C7 QC, Canada
| | - Joao M Braz
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, 1550 4th Street, RH-348E, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Allan I Basbaum
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, 1550 4th Street, RH-348E, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Reza Sharif-Naeini
- Department of Physiology and Cell Information Systems Group, McGill University, Montreal, H3G0B1 QC, Canada.
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Bojovic O, Panja D, Bittins M, Bramham CR, Tjølsen A. Time course of immediate early gene protein expression in the spinal cord following conditioning stimulation of the sciatic nerve in rats. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123604. [PMID: 25860146 PMCID: PMC4393234 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term potentiation induced by conditioning electrical stimulation of afferent fibers is a widely studied form of synaptic plasticity in the brain and the spinal cord. In the spinal cord dorsal horn, long-term potentiation is induced by a series of high-frequency trains applied to primary afferent fibers. Conditioning stimulation (CS) of sciatic nerve primary afferent fibers also induces expression of immediate early gene proteins in the lumbar spinal cord. However, the time course of immediate early gene expression and the rostral-caudal distribution of expression in the spinal cord have not been systematically studied. Here, we examined the effects of sciatic nerve conditioning stimulation (10 stimulus trains, 0.5 ms stimuli, 7.2 mA, 100 Hz, train duration 2 s, 8 s intervals between trains) on cellular expression of immediate early genes, Arc, c-Fos and Zif268, in anesthetized rats. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on sagittal sections obtained from Th13- L5 segments of the spinal cord at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 h post-CS. Strikingly, all immediate early genes exhibited a monophasic increase in expression with peak increases detected in dorsal horn neurons at 2 hours post-CS. Regional analysis showed peak increases at the location between the L3 and L4 spinal segments. Both Arc, c-Fos and Zif268 remained significantly elevated at 2 hours, followed by a sharp decrease in immediate early gene expression between 2 and 3 hours post-CS. Colocalization analysis performed at 2 hours post-CS showed that all c-Fos and Zif268 neurons were positive for Arc, while 30% and 43% of Arc positive neurons were positive for c-Fos and Zif268, respectively. The present study identifies the spinal cord level and time course of immediate early gene (IEGP) expression of relevance for analysis of IEGPs function in neuronal plasticity and nociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ognjen Bojovic
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Debabrata Panja
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Margarethe Bittins
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Clive R. Bramham
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Arne Tjølsen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway
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Liu N, Zhang D, Zhu M, Luo S, Liu T. Minocycline inhibits hyperpolarization-activated currents in rat substantia gelatinosa neurons. Neuropharmacology 2015; 95:110-20. [PMID: 25777286 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Minocycline is a widely used glial activation inhibitor that could suppress pain-related behaviors in a number of different pain animal models, yet, its analgesic mechanisms are not fully understood. Hyperpolarization-activated cation channel-induced Ih current plays an important role in neuronal excitability and pathological pain. In this study, we investigated the possible effect of minocycline on Ih of substantia gelatinosa neuron in superficial spinal dorsal horn by using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. We found that extracellular minocycline rapidly decreases Ih amplitude in a reversible and concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 41 μM). By contrast, intracellular minocycline had no effect. Minocycline-induced inhibition of Ih was not affected by Na(+) channel blocker tetrodotoxin, glutamate-receptor antagonists (CNQX and D-APV), GABAA receptor antagonist (bicuculine methiodide), or glycine receptor antagonist (strychnine). Minocycline also caused a negative shift in the activation curve of Ih, but did not alter the reversal potential. Moreover, minocycline slowed down the inter-spike depolarizing slope and produced a robust decrease in the rate of action potential firing. Together, these results illustrate a novel cellular mechanism underlying minocycline's analgesic effect by inhibiting Ih currents of spinal dorsal horn neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Daying Zhang
- Department of Pain Clinic, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Mengye Zhu
- Department of Pain Clinic, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Shiwen Luo
- Center for Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China; Center for Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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Sekulić V, Chen TC, Lawrence JJ, Skinner FK. Dendritic distributions of I h channels in experimentally-derived multi-compartment models of oriens-lacunosum/moleculare (O-LM) hippocampal interneurons. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2015; 7:2. [PMID: 25774132 PMCID: PMC4343010 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2015.00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The O-LM cell type mediates feedback inhibition onto hippocampal pyramidal cells and gates information flow in the CA1. Its functions depend on the presence of voltage-gated channels (VGCs), which affect its integrative properties and response to synaptic input. Given the challenges associated with determining densities and distributions of VGCs on interneuron dendrites, we take advantage of computational modeling to consider different possibilities. In this work, we focus on hyperpolarization-activated channels (h-channels) in O-LM cells. While h-channels are known to be present in O-LM cells, it is unknown whether they are present on their dendrites. In previous work, we used ensemble modeling techniques with experimental data to obtain insights into potentially important conductance balances. We found that the best O-LM models that included uniformly distributed h-channels in the dendrites could not fully capture the “sag” response. This led us to examine activation kinetics and non-uniform distributions of h-channels in the present work. In tuning our models, we found that different kinetics and non-uniform distributions could better reproduce experimental O-LM cell responses. In contrast to CA1 pyramidal cells where higher conductance densities of h-channels occur in more distal dendrites, decreasing conductance densities of h-channels away from the soma were observed in O-LM models. Via an illustrative scenario, we showed that having dendritic h-channels clearly speeds up back-propagating action potentials in O-LM cells, unlike when h-channels are present only in the soma. Although the present results were morphology-dependent, our work shows that it should be possible to determine the distributions and characteristics of O-LM cells with recordings and morphologies from the same cell. We hypothesize that h-channels are distributed in O-LM cell dendrites and endow them with particular synaptic integration properties that shape information flow in hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav Sekulić
- Department of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network Toronto, ON, Canada ; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tse-Chiang Chen
- Department of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J Josh Lawrence
- Center for Structural and Functional Neuroscience, University of Montana Missoula, MT, USA ; Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Frances K Skinner
- Department of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network Toronto, ON, Canada ; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada ; Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
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Perry S, Gezelius H, Larhammar M, Hilscher MM, Lamotte d'Incamps B, Leao KE, Kullander K. Firing properties of Renshaw cells defined by Chrna2 are modulated by hyperpolarizing and small conductance ion currents Ih and ISK. Eur J Neurosci 2015; 41:889-900. [PMID: 25712471 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Renshaw cells in the spinal cord ventral horn regulate motoneuron output through recurrent inhibition. Renshaw cells can be identified in vitro using anatomical and cellular criteria; however, their functional role in locomotion remains poorly defined because of the difficulty of functionally isolating Renshaw cells from surrounding motor circuits. Here we aimed to investigate whether the cholinergic nicotinic receptor alpha2 (Chrna2) can be used to identify Renshaw cells (RCs(α2)) in the mouse spinal cord. Immunohistochemistry and electrophysiological characterization of passive and active RCs(α2) properties confirmed that neurons genetically marked by the Chrna2-Cre mouse line together with a fluorescent reporter mouse line are Renshaw cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed that RCs(α2) constitute an electrophysiologically stereotyped population with a resting membrane potential of -50.5 ± 0.4 mV and an input resistance of 233.1 ± 11 MΩ. We identified a ZD7288-sensitive hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih) in all RCs(α2), contributing to membrane repolarization but not to the resting membrane potential in neonatal mice. Additionally, we found RCs(α2) to express small calcium-activated potassium currents (I(SK)) that, when blocked by apamin, resulted in a complete attenuation of the afterhyperpolarisation potential, increasing cellular firing frequency. We conclude that RCs(α2) can be genetically targeted through their selective Chrna2 expression and that they display currents known to modulate rebound excitation and firing frequency. The genetic identification of Renshaw cells and their electrophysiological profile is required for genetic and pharmacological manipulation as well as computational simulations with the aim to understand their functional role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharn Perry
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Box 593, 751 24, Uppsala, Sweden
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Smith PA. BDNF: No gain without pain? Neuroscience 2014; 283:107-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Revised: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Noh S, Kumar N, Bukhanova N, Chen Y, Stemkowsi P, Smith P. The heart-rate-reducing agent, ivabradine, reduces mechanical allodynia in a rodent model of neuropathic pain. Eur J Pain 2014; 18:1139-47. [DOI: 10.1002/j.1532-2149.2014.00460.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Noh
- Department of Pharmacology and Centre for Neuroscience; University of Alberta; Edmonton Canada
| | - N. Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Centre for Neuroscience; University of Alberta; Edmonton Canada
| | - N. Bukhanova
- Department of Pharmacology and Centre for Neuroscience; University of Alberta; Edmonton Canada
| | - Y. Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Centre for Neuroscience; University of Alberta; Edmonton Canada
| | - P.L. Stemkowsi
- Department of Pharmacology and Centre for Neuroscience; University of Alberta; Edmonton Canada
| | - P.A. Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Centre for Neuroscience; University of Alberta; Edmonton Canada
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Mahan MY, Georgopoulos AP. Motor directional tuning across brain areas: directional resonance and the role of inhibition for directional accuracy. Front Neural Circuits 2013; 7:92. [PMID: 23720612 PMCID: PMC3654201 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2013.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor directional tuning (Georgopoulos et al., 1982) has been found in every brain area in which it has been sought for during the past 30-odd years. It is typically broad, with widely distributed preferred directions and a population signal that predicts accurately the direction of an upcoming reaching movement or isometric force pulse (Georgopoulos et al., 1992). What is the basis for such ubiquitous directional tuning? How does the tuning come about? What are the implications of directional tuning for understanding the brain mechanisms of movement in space? This review addresses these questions in the light of accumulated knowledge in various sub-fields of neuroscience and motor behavior. It is argued (a) that direction in space encompasses many aspects, from vision to muscles, (b) that there is a directional congruence among the central representations of these distributed “directions” arising from rough but orderly topographic connectivities among brain areas, (c) that broad directional tuning is the result of broad excitation limited by recurrent and non-recurrent (i.e., direct) inhibition within the preferred direction loci in brain areas, and (d) that the width of the directional tuning curve, modulated by local inhibitory mechanisms, is a parameter that determines the accuracy of the directional command.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Y Mahan
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Informatics and Computational Biology, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN, USA
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