Production, regulation and role of nitric oxide in glial cells

Nanomaterials alleviating redox stress in neurological diseases: mechanisms and applications

Overproduced reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species (RONS) in the brain are involved in the pathogenesis of several neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, and stroke, as they attack neurons and glial cells, triggering cellular redox stress. Neutralizing RONS, and, thus, alleviating redox stress, can slow down or stop the progression of neurological diseases. Currently, an increasing number of studies are applying nanomaterials (NMs) with anti-redox activity and exploring the potential mechanisms involved in redox stress-related neurological diseases. In this review, we summarize the anti-redox mechanisms of NMs, including mimicking natural oxidoreductase activity and inhibiting RONS generation at the source. In addition, we propose several strategies to enhance the anti-redox ability of NMs and highlight the challenges that need to be resolved in their application. In-depth knowledge of the mechanisms and potential application of NMs in alleviating redox stress will help in the exploration of the therapeutic potential of anti-redox stress NMs in neurological diseases.

L-Arginine Depletion Improves Spinal Cord Injury via Immunomodulation and Nitric Oxide Reduction

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) elicits robust neuroinflammation that eventually exacerbates the initial damage to the spinal cord. L-arginine is critical for the responsiveness of T cells, which are important contributors to neuroinflammation after SCI. Furthermore, L-arginine is the substrate for nitric oxide (NO) production, which is a known inducer of secondary damage. Methods: To accomplish systemic L-arginine depletion, repetitive injections of recombinant arginase-1 (rArg-I) were performed. Functional recovery and histopathological parameters were analyzed. Splenic immune responses were evaluated by flow cytometry. Pro-inflammatory gene expression and nitrite concentrations were measured. Results: We show for the first time that systemic L-arginine depletion improves locomotor recovery. Flow cytometry and immunohistological analysis showed that intraspinal T-cell infiltration was reduced by 65%, and peripheral numbers of Th1 and Th17 cells were suppressed. Moreover, rArg-I treatment reduced the intraspinal NO production by 40%. Histopathological analyses revealed a 37% and 36% decrease in the number of apoptotic neurons and neuron-macrophage/microglia contacts in the spinal cord, respectively. Conclusions: Targeting detrimental T-cell responses and NO-production via rArg-I led to a reduced neuronal cell death and an improved functional recovery. These findings indicate that L-arginine depletion holds promise as a therapeutic strategy after SCI.

Opposite Effects of Neuroprotective Cannabinoids, Palmitoylethanolamide, and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol on Function and Morphology of Microglia

Various studies performed in cultured cells and in in vivo models of neuronal damage showed that cannabinoids exert a neuroprotective effect. The increase in cannabinoids and cannabinoid like substances after stroke has been postulated to limit the content of neuronal injury. As well-accepted, inflammation, and neuronal damage are coupled processes and microglial cells as the main intrinsic immunological effector within the brain play a central role in their regulation. Treatment with the endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) or the endocannabinoid-like substance, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) affected microglial cells and led to a decrease in the number of damaged neurons after excitotoxical lesion in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSC). 2-AG activated abnormal cannabidiol (abn-CBD) receptor, PEA was shown to mediate neuroprotection via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α. Despite the known neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, the potential synergistic effect, namely possible entourage effect after treatment with the combination of these two protective cannabinoids has not been examined yet. After excitotoxical lesion OHSC were treated with PEA, 2-AG or a combination of both and the number of damaged neurons was evaluated. To investigate the role of microglial cells in PEA and 2-AG mediated protection, primary microglial cell cultures were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 2-AG, PEA or a combination of those. Thereafter, we measured NO production, ramification index, proliferation and PPARα distribution in microglial cells. While PEA or 2-AG alone were neuroprotective, their co-application vanished the protective effect. This behavior was independent of microglial cells. Furthermore, PEA and 2-AG had contrary effects on ramification index and on NO production. No significant changes were observed in the proliferation rate of microglial cells after treatment. The expression of PPARα was not changed upon stimulation with PEA or 2-AG, but the distribution was significantly altered. 2-AG and PEA mediated neuroprotection was abolished when co-applied. Both cannabinoids exert contrary effects on morphology and function of microglial cells. Co-application of both cannabinoids with different targets did not lead to a positive additive effect as expected, presumably due to the contrary polarization of microglial cells.

The Ameliorative Effects of the Ethyl Acetate Extract of Salicornia europaea L. and Its Bioactive Candidate, Irilin B, on LPS-Induced Microglial Inflammation and MPTP-Intoxicated PD-Like Mouse Model

Hyperactivation of microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the central nervous system, exacerbates various neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Parkinson's disease is generally characterized by a severe loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway, with substantial neuroinflammation and motor deficits. This was experimentally replicated in animal models, using neurotoxins, i.e., LPS (lipopolysaccharides) and MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine). Salicornia europaea L. (SE) has been used as a dietary supplement in Korea and Europe for several years, due to its nutritional and therapeutic value. In this study, we intend to investigate the antineuroinflammatory and anti-PD-like effects of the bioactive fraction/candidate of the SE extract. Initially, we screened various fractions of SE extract using an in vitro antioxidant assay. The optimal fraction was investigated for its in vitro antineuroinflammatory potential in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells and in vivo anti-PD-like potential in MPTP-intoxicated mice. Subsequently, to identify the potential candidate responsible for the elite therapeutic potential of the optimal fraction, we conducted antioxidant activity-guided isolation and purification; the bioactive candidate was structurally characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chromatographic techniques and further investigated for its in vitro antioxidative and antineuroinflammatory potential. The results of our study indicate that SE-EA and its bioactive candidate, Irilin B, effectively alleviate the deleterious effect of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and promote antioxidative effects. Thus, they exhibit potential as therapeutic candidates against neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress-mediated PD-like neurodegenerative complications.

Chronic Isolation Stress Affects Subsequent Crowding Stress-Induced Brain Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) Isoforms and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Responses

The nitric oxide (NO) pathway in the brain is involved in response to psychosocial stressors. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of nNOS and iNOS in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HIP), and hypothalamus (HYPO) during social isolation stress (IS), social crowding stress (CS), and a combined IS + CS. In the PFC, 3 days of CS increased iNOS but not nNOS protein level. In the HIP and HYPO, the levels of nNOS and iNOS significantly increased after 3 days of CS. In the PFC, IS alone (11 days) enhanced iNOS protein level following 3 days of CS and increased nNOS level in the HIP and HYPO after 14 days of CS. By contrast, in the HIP, IS abolished the subsequent CS-induced increase in nNOS in the HIP and strongly elevated iNOS level after 7 days of CS. In the HYPO, prior IS inhibited nNOS protein level induced by subsequent CS for 3 days, but increased nNOS protein level after longer exposure times to CS. Isolation stress strongly upregulated plasma interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels while corticosterone (CORT) level declined. We show that the modulatory action of the NO pathway and ACTH/CORT adaptation to chronic social isolation stress is dependent on the brain structure and nature and duration of the stressor. Our results indicate that isolation is a robust natural stressor in social animals; it enhances the NO pathway in the PFC and abolishes subsequent social CS-induced NOS responses in the HIP and HYPO.

E3 Ubiquitin Ligases Neurobiological Mechanisms: Development to Degeneration

Cells regularly synthesize new proteins to replace old or damaged proteins. Deposition of various aberrant proteins in specific brain regions leads to neurodegeneration and aging. The cellular protein quality control system develop various defense mechanisms against the accumulation of misfolded and aggregated proteins. The mechanisms underlying the selective recognition of specific crucial protein or misfolded proteins are majorly governed by quality control E3 ubiquitin ligases mediated through ubiquitin-proteasome system. Few known E3 ubiquitin ligases have shown prominent neurodevelopmental functions, but their interactions with different developmental proteins play critical roles in neurodevelopmental disorders. Several questions are yet to be understood properly. How E3 ubiquitin ligases determine the specificity and regulate degradation of a particular substrate involved in neuronal proliferation and differentiation is certainly the one, which needs detailed investigations. Another important question is how neurodevelopmental E3 ubiquitin ligases specifically differentiate between their versatile range of substrates and timing of their functional modulations during different phases of development. The premise of this article is to understand how few E3 ubiquitin ligases sense major molecular events, which are crucial for human brain development from its early embryonic stages to throughout adolescence period. A better understanding of these few E3 ubiquitin ligases and their interactions with other potential proteins will provide invaluable insight into disease mechanisms to approach toward therapeutic interventions.

Computational modeling of cytokine signaling in microglia

Neuroinflammation due to glial activation has been linked to many CNS diseases. We developed a computational model of a microglial cytokine interaction network to study the regulatory mechanisms of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. We established a literature-based cytokine network, including TNFα, TGFβ, and IL-10, and fitted a mathematical model to published data from LPS-treated microglia. The addition of a previously unreported TGFβ autoregulation loop to our model was required to account for experimental data. Global sensitivity analysis revealed that TGFβ- and IL-10-mediated inhibition of TNFα was critical for regulating network behavior. We assessed the sensitivity of the LPS-induced TNFα response profile to the initial TGFβ and IL-10 levels. The analysis showed two relatively shifted TNFα response profiles within separate domains of initial condition space. Further analysis revealed that TNFα exhibited adaptation to sustained LPS stimulation. We simulated the effects of functionally inhibiting TGFβ and IL-10 on TNFα adaptation. Our analysis showed that TGFβ and IL-10 knockouts (TGFβ KO and IL-10 KO) exert divergent effects on adaptation. TFGβ KO attenuated TNFα adaptation whereas IL-10 KO enhanced TNFα adaptation. We experimentally tested the hypothesis that IL-10 KO enhances TNFα adaptation in murine macrophages and found supporting evidence. These opposing effects could be explained by differential kinetics of negative feedback. Inhibition of IL-10 reduced early negative feedback that results in enhanced TNFα-mediated TGFβ expression. We propose that differential kinetics in parallel negative feedback loops constitute a novel mechanism underlying the complex and non-intuitive pro- versus anti-inflammatory effects of individual cytokine perturbations.

Quantitative Analysis of Psoralea corylifolia Linne and its Neuroprotective and Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects in HT22 Hippocampal Cells and BV-2 Microglia

The seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. (P. corylifolia), also known as “Bo-Gol-Zhee” in Korea, are used in a traditional herbal medicine for treating various skin diseases. In the present study, we performed quantitative analyses of the seven standard components of P. corylifolia: psoralen, angelicin, neobavaisoflavone, psoralidin, isobavachalcone, bavachinin, and bakuchiol, using high-performance liquid chromatography. We also investigated the neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammation effects of P. corylifolia and its standard components in the hippocampal cell line HT22 and microglia cell line BV-2. A 70% ethanol extract of P. corylifolia was prepared and the seven standard components were separated using C-18 analytical columns by gradient solvents with acetonitrile and water, and ultraviolet detection at 215, 225 and 275 nm. The analytical method showed high linearity, with a correlation coefficient of ≥0.9999. The amounts of the standard components ranged from 0.74 to 11.71 mg/g. Among the components, bakuchiol (11.71 mg/g) was the most potent phytochemical component of P. corylifolia. Furthermore, we analyzed the inhibitory effects of the components from P. corylifolia to determine the bioactive compound needed to regulate neuronal cell changes. Angelicin, isobavachalcone, and bakuchiol suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitric oxide production in LPS-treated BV-2 microglia more significantly than did the other components. In HT22 hippocampal cells, neobavaisoflavone and bakuchiol had more potent inhibitory activity against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death. Taken together of the quantification and efficacy analyses, bakuchiol appeared to be the most potent bioactive phytochemical component of P. corylifolia for the potential treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

1400W, a highly selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor is a potential disease modifier in the rat kainate model of temporal lobe epilepsy

Status epilepticus (SE) initiates epileptogenesis to transform normal brain to epileptic state which is characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS). Prior to SRS, progressive changes occur in the brain soon after SE, for example, loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, neuronal hyper-excitability (epileptiform spiking), neuroinflammation [reactive gliosis, high levels of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS)], neurodegeneration and synaptic re-organization. Our hypothesis was that modification of early epileptogenic events will alter the course of disease development and its progression. We tested the hypothesis in the rat kainate model of chronic epilepsy using a novel disease modifying drug, 1400W, a highly selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS/NOS-II). In an in vitro mouse brain slice model, using a multi-electrode array system, co-application of 1400W with kainate significantly suppressed kainate-induced epileptiform spiking. In the rats, in vivo, 4h after the induction of SE with kainate, 1400W (20mg/kg, i.p.) was administered twice daily for three days to target early events of epileptogenesis. The rats were subjected to continuous (24/7) video-EEG monitoring, remotely, for six months from epidurally implanted cortical electrodes. The 1400W treatment significantly reduced the epileptiform spike rate during the first 12-74h post-SE, which resulted in >90% reduction in SRS in long-term during the six month period when compared to the vehicle-treated control group (257±113 versus 19±10 episodes). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of brain sections at seven days and six months revealed a significant reduction in; reactive astrogliosis and microgliosis (M1 type), extravascular serum albumin (a marker for BBB leakage) and neurodegeneration in the hippocampus, amygdala and entorhinal cortex in the 1400W-treated rats when compared to the vehicle control. In the seven day group, hippocampal Western blots revealed downregulation of inwardly-rectifying potassium (Kir 4.1) channels and glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) levels in the vehicle group, and 1400W treatment partially reversed Kir 4.1 levels, however, GLT-1 levels were unaffected. In the six month group, a significant reduction in mossy fiber staining intensity in the inner molecular layer of the dentate gyrus was observed in the 1400W-treated group. Overall these findings demonstrate that 1400W, by reducing the epileptiform spike rate during the first three days of post-insult, potentially modifies epileptogenesis and the severity of chronic epilepsy in the rat kainate model of TLE.

Some hormone, cytokine and chemokine levels that change across lifespan vary by cognitive status in male Fischer 344 rats

We trained and tested young (6-8months; n=13), middle-aged (12-14months; n=41), and aged (22-24months; n=24) male Fischer 344 rats in a rapid acquisition water maze task and then quantified 27 stress hormones, cytokines and chemokines in their serum, hippocampi and frontal cortices using bead assay kits and xMAP technology. Middle-aged and aged rats learned the location of the hidden platform over training trials more slowly than their young counterparts. After training, young rats outperformed middle-aged and aged rats on both immediate and 24h retention probe trials and about half of the middle-aged and aged (aging) rats exhibited impaired performances when tested on the retention probe trial 24h later. The concentrations of many serum, hippocampal and cortical analytes changed with age often in networks that may represent age-sensitive signaling pathways and the concentrations of some of these analytes correlated with water maze learning and/or memory scores. Serum GRO/KC and RANTES levels, hippocampal GM-CSF levels and cortical IL-9 and RANTES levels were significantly higher in rats categorized as memory-impaired versus elite agers based upon their 24h probe trial performances. Our data add to the emerging picture of how age-related changes in immune and neuroimmune system signaling impacts cognition.

Gaseous modulators in the control of the hypothalamic neurohypophyseal system

Nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are gaseous molecules produced by the brain. Within the hypothalamus, gaseous molecules have been highlighted as autocrine and paracrine factors regulating endocrine function. Therefore, in the present review, we briefly discuss the main findings linking NO, CO, and H2S to the control of body fluid homeostasis at the hypothalamic level, with particular emphasis on the regulation of neurohypophyseal system output.

A review of flux considerations for in vivo neurochemical measurements

The mass transport or flux of neurochemicals in the brain and how this flux affects chemical measurements and their interpretation is reviewed. For all endogenous neurochemicals found in the brain, the flux of each of these neurochemicals exists between sources that produce them and the sites that consume them all within μm distances. Principles of convective-diffusion are reviewed with a significant emphasis on the tortuous paths and discrete point sources and sinks. The fundamentals of the primary methods of detection, microelectrodes and microdialysis sampling of brain neurochemicals are included in the review. Special attention is paid to the change in the natural flux of the neurochemicals caused by implantation and consumption at microelectrodes and uptake by microdialysis. The detection of oxygen, nitric oxide, glucose, lactate, and glutamate, and catecholamines by both methods are examined and where possible the two techniques (electrochemical vs. microdialysis) are compared. Non-invasive imaging methods: magnetic resonance, isotopic fluorine MRI, electron paramagnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography are also used for different measurements of the above-mentioned solutes and these are briefly reviewed. Although more sophisticated, the imaging techniques are unable to track neurochemical flux on short time scales, and lack spatial resolution. Where possible, determinations of flux using imaging are compared to the more classical techniques of microdialysis and microelectrodes.

Interrelation of oxidative stress and inflammation in neurodegenerative disease: role of TNF

Neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction are common features of chronic neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system. Both conditions can lead to increased oxidative stress by excessive release of harmful reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS), which further promote neuronal damage and subsequent inflammation resulting in a feed-forward loop of neurodegeneration. The cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a master regulator of the immune system, plays an important role in the propagation of inflammation due to the activation and recruitment of immune cells via its receptor TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). Moreover, TNFR1 can directly induce oxidative stress by the activation of ROS and RNS producing enzymes. Both TNF-induced oxidative stress and inflammation interact and cooperate to promote neurodegeneration. However, TNF plays a dual role in neurodegenerative disease, since stimulation via its second receptor, TNFR2, is neuroprotective and promotes tissue regeneration. Here we review the interrelation of oxidative stress and inflammation in the two major chronic neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and discuss the dual role of TNF in promoting neurodegeneration and tissue regeneration via its two receptors.

The role of oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD). Disruptions in the physiologic maintenance of the redox potential in neurons interfere with several biological processes, ultimately leading to cell death. Evidence has been developed for oxidative and nitrative damage to key cellular components in the PD substantia nigra. A number of sources and mechanisms for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are recognized including the metabolism of dopamine itself, mitochondrial dysfunction, iron, neuroinflammatory cells, calcium, and aging. PD causing gene products including DJ-1, PINK1, parkin, alpha-synuclein and LRRK2 also impact in complex ways mitochondrial function leading to exacerbation of ROS generation and susceptibility to oxidative stress. Additionally, cellular homeostatic processes including the ubiquitin-proteasome system and mitophagy are impacted by oxidative stress. It is apparent that the interplay between these various mechanisms contributes to neurodegeneration in PD as a feed forward scenario where primary insults lead to oxidative stress, which damages key cellular pathogenetic proteins that in turn cause more ROS production. Animal models of PD have yielded some insights into the molecular pathways of neuronal degeneration and highlighted previously unknown mechanisms by which oxidative stress contributes to PD. However, therapeutic attempts to target the general state of oxidative stress in clinical trials have failed to demonstrate an impact on disease progression. Recent knowledge gained about the specific mechanisms related to PD gene products that modulate ROS production and the response of neurons to stress may provide targeted new approaches towards neuroprotection.

Effect of L-tyrosine in vitro and in vivo on energy metabolism parameters in brain and liver of young rats

Tyrosinemia is a rare disease caused by a single mutation to the gene that code for the enzyme responsible for tyrosine catabolism. Because the mechanisms underlying the neurological dysfunction in hypertyrosinemic patients are poorly understood, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo effect of L-tyrosine on the activities of the enzymes citrate synthase, malate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and complexes of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in the brains and livers of young rats. Thirty-day-old Wistar rats were killed by decapitation, and the brains and livers were harvested. L-Tyrosine (0.1, 1.0, 2.0 or 4.0 mM) was added to the reaction medium. For in vivo studies, Wistar rats were killed 1 h after a single intraperitoneal injection of either tyrosine (500 mg/kg) or saline. The activities of energy metabolism enzymes were evaluated. In this research, we demonstrated in vitro that L-tyrosine inhibited citrate synthase activity in the posterior cortex and that succinate dehydrogenase was increased in the posterior cortex, hippocampus, striatum and liver. The complex I activity was only inhibited in the hippocampus, whereas complex II activity was inhibited in the hippocampus, cortex and liver. Complex IV activity decreased in the posterior cortex. The acute administration of L-tyrosine inhibited enzyme malate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase and complexes II, II-III and IV in the posterior cortex and liver. The enzyme succinate dehydrogenase and complex I activity were inhibited in the posterior cortex and increased in the striatum. These results suggest impairment in energy metabolism that is likely mediated by oxidative stress.

The plant phenolic diterpene carnosol suppresses sodium nitroprusside-induced toxicity in c6 glial cells

Carnosol, a naturally occurring bioactive phenolic diterpene originating from rosemary and sage, has been shown to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined possible protective effects of carnosol on sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced cytotoxicity in C6 glial cells. Carnosol (1-10 microM) dose-dependently attenuated SNP (100 microM)-induced cell death and NO production. SNP-induced apoptotic characteristics, including DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation, and c-jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, were significantly suppressed by carnosol (10 microM). In addition, carnosol pretreatment restored the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), which was diminished by SNP treatment. Although both SNP (100 microM) and carnosol (10 microM) stimulated the HO-1 expression time-dependently, SNP caused a temporal increase in HO-1 in early time periods (3-6 h) before cell death occurred. In contrast, carnosol induced the sustained expression of HO-1 until a late time point (24 h). The addition of 1 microM zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), a specific HO inhibitor, with SNP or carnosol further reduced cell viability. Also, the addition of ZnPP inhibited the protective effect of carnosol against SNP-induced cytotoxicity in C6 cells. These results suggest that carnosol possesses abilities to inhibit SNP-mediated glial cell death through modulation of apoptotic events and induction of HO-1 expression.

Increased chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan expression in denervated brainstem targets following spinal cord injury creates a barrier to axonal regeneration overcome by chondroitinase ABC and neurotrophin-3

Increased chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) expression in the vicinity of a spinal cord injury (SCI) is a primary participant in axonal regeneration failure. However, the presence of similar increases of CSPG expression in denervated synaptic targets well away from the primary lesion and the subsequent impact on regenerating axons attempting to approach deafferented neurons have not been studied. Constitutively expressed CSPGs within the extracellular matrix and perineuronal nets of the adult rat dorsal column nuclei (DCN) were characterized using real-time PCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. We show for the first time that by 2 days and through 3 weeks following SCI, the levels of NG2, neurocan and brevican associated with reactive glia throughout the DCN were dramatically increased throughout the DCN despite being well beyond areas of trauma-induced blood brain barrier breakdown. Importantly, regenerating axons from adult sensory neurons microtransplanted 2 weeks following SCI between the injury site and the DCN were able to regenerate rapidly within white matter (as shown previously by Davies et al. [Davies, S.J., Goucher, D.R., Doller, C., Silver, J., 1999. Robust regeneration of adult sensory axons in degenerating white matter of the adult rat spinal cord. J. Neurosci. 19, 5810-5822]) but were unable to enter the denervated DCN. Application of chondroitinase ABC or neurotrophin-3-expressing lentivirus in the DCN partially overcame this inhibition. When the treatments were combined, entrance by regenerating axons into the DCN was significantly augmented. These results demonstrate both an additional challenge and potential treatment strategy for successful functional pathway reconstruction after SCI.

Cyclosporine A-increased nitric oxide production in the rat dorsal hippocampus mediates convulsions

To test whether nitric oxide (NO) participates in cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced neurotoxicity including convulsions, we examined the effect of an NO synthase inhibitor on convulsions induced by combined treatment with CsA and bicuculline in mice and the effect of CsA on NO production in the dorsal hippocampus using an in vivo microdialysis method in rats. CsA (200 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased the intensity of convulsions induced by an intracerebroventricular injection of bicuculline (25 pmol) in mice. This facilitation was blocked by N omega -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor, but not by N omega -nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (D-NAME), an inactive form of L-NAME (10 mg/kg, i.p.). CsA (20-50 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently increased NO 2 - levels in dialysates obtained with microdialysis in the rat dorsal hippocampus. This enhanced NO 2 - formation was blocked by L-NAME but not by D-NAME (50 mg/kg, i.p.). These findings suggest that CsA stimulates NO production and induces convulsions as a result of an interaction between NO and the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system in the hippocampus.

Aberrant expression of NOS isoforms in Alzheimer's disease is structurally related to nitrotyrosine formation

Various isoforms of the nitric oxide (NO) producing enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are elevated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) indicating a critical role for NO in the pathomechanism. NO can react with superoxide to generate peroxynitrite, a process referred to as oxidative stress, which is likely to play a role in AD. Peroxynitrite in turn, nitrates tyrosine residues to form nitrotyrosine which can be identified immunohistochemically. To study the potential structural link between the increased synthesis of NO and the deposition of nitrotyrosine in AD, we analyzed the expression of neuronal NOS (nNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) in AD and control brain, and compared the localization with the distribution of nitrotyrosine. Nitrotyrosine was detected in neurons, astrocytes and blood vessels in AD cases. Aberrant expression of nNOS in cortical pyramidal cells was highly co-localized with nitrotyrosine. Furthermore, iNOS and eNOS were highly expressed in astrocytes in AD. In addition, double immunolabeling studies revealed that in these glial cells iNOS and eNOS are co-localized with nitrotyrosine. Therefore, it is suggested that increased expression of all NOS isoforms in astrocytes and neurons contributes to the synthesis of peroxynitrite which leads to generation of nitrotyrosine. In view of the wide range of isoform-specific NOS inhibitors, the determination of the most responsible isoform of NOS for the formation of peroxynitrite in AD could be of therapeutic importance in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Neuroprotective effects of prostaglandin E2 or cAMP against microglial and neuronal free radical mediated toxicity associated with inflammation

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), a product of the cyclooxygenation of arachidonic acid released from membrane phospholipids, plays a critical role in inflammatory neurodegenerative conditions. Despite its classic role as a proinflammatory molecule, exogenous PGE(2) was suggested to have protective roles against neuronal death, although the exact protective mechanisms of PGE(2) are not yet defined. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of exogenous PGE(2) on inflammatory neurotoxicity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced neuronal toxicity, which was associated with terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive neuronal death with increased caspase-3 activity. In neuron-glial coculture, LPS markedly induced inducible nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (iNOS/NO) release from microglial cells, but not from neurons; however, LPS-induced oxidative stress such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), measured with 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate oxidation, was increased in neurons, but not in microglial cells. Exogenous PGE(2) (1 microg/ml) rescued the neurons, reducing iNOS/NO release from microglial cells and ROS formation from neurons. PGE(2) has been known to increase intracelluar cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. In this study, we found that intracellular cAMP elevating agents, forskolin, and cAMP analogue, dbcAMP and 8-Br-cAMP, also prevented LPS-induced neuronal death. Thus, these results indicate that exogenous PGE(2) protects against LPS-induced neuronal apoptotic cell death through the intracellular cAMP system, and is associated with the modulation of NO from microglial cells and ROS production from neurons.

Zaprinast, an inhibitor of cGMP-selective phosphodiesterases, enhances the secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta and the expression of iNOS and MHC class II molecules in rat microglial cells

Proinflammatory cytokines produced by activated glial cells may in turn augment the immune/inflammatory reactions of glial cells through autocrine and paracrine routes. The NO/cGMP signaling represents one of the reactions of activated glial cells. We investigated whether the production of proinflammatory cytokines by glial cells is affected by NO-dependent downstream cGMP signaling. In primary cultures of mixed astrocytes and microglial cells, zaprinast (0.1 mM), an inhibitor of cGMP-selective phosphodiesterases, enhanced the basal and LPS (1.0 microg/ml)-induced secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Zaprinast also enhanced NO production induced by LPS or IFN-gamma (100 U/ml), and in microglial cell cultures, but not in astrocyte cultures, zaprinast enhanced the basal and the IFN-gamma-induced production of the cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, and of NO. This upregulation by zaprinast was partially inhibited by KT5823 (1.0 microM), an inhibitor of protein kinase G. The LPS-induced production of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and NO was inhibited by ODQ (50 microM), an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase, and by KT5823. Immunohistochemical analysis of mixed glial cell cultures showed that LPS/IFN-gamma-induced iNOS expression and the enhanced expression of iNOS by zaprinast were restricted to microglial cells. Zaprinast enhanced the IFN-gamma (200 U/ml)-induced expression of MHC Class II molecules in astrocytes and microglial cells in mixed cultures, but did not enhance this IFN-gamma-induced expression in pure astrocytes, which lacked paracrine TNF-alpha from microglial cells. Summarizing, zaprinast, which is associated with cGMP/protein kinase G signaling, may augment central immune/inflammatory reactions, possibly via the increased production of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta by activated microglial cells.

Phenotypic and functional changes in glial cells as a function of age

Both in vivo and in vitro investigations point to an important role for the immune system in the development of age-related neurodegeneration. Microglia isolated from aged female F344 rats, 18-20 months, show a higher percentage of cells with an ameboid morphology indicative of activation, whereas, astrocytes had a quiescent morphology. The ability of astrocytes and microglia to attenuate toxin-induced neuronal injury was examined. Post-natal day 1-3 pup cells optimally rescued neurons from Abeta-induced toxicity, whereas mixed glial cells from 18-20 month old rats were unable to rescue neurons from Abeta-induced toxicity. Our results suggested the appearance of a neurotoxic co-factor, therefore we investigated the basal level of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines to determine if altered levels of immune mediators play a role in the toxicity. Mitogen-stimulated nitric oxide production increased 10 fold with age of donor, whereas, only the pup cells expressed an increase in TNF-alpha production. Basal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as measured by RNA protection assays, increased with age. In particular, IL-1beta was increased 2 fold between adult and aged glial cells. The elevated cytokine expression may contribute to enhanced susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases.

Expression of endothelial and inducible NOS-isoforms is increased in Alzheimer's disease, in APP23 transgenic mice and after experimental brain lesion in rat: evidence for an induction by amyloid pathology

The nitric oxide-synthesizing enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is present in the mammalian brain in three different isoforms, two constitutive enzymes (i.e., neuronal, nNOS, and endothelial eNOS) and one inducible enzyme (iNOS). All three isoforms are aberrantly expressed in Alzheimer's disease giving rise to elevated levels of nitric oxide apparently involved in the pathogenesis of this disease by various different mechanisms including oxidative stress and activation of intracellular signalling mechanisms. It still is a matter of debate, however, whether the abnormal expression of NOS isoforms has some primary importance in the pathogenetic chain and might thus be a potential therapeutic target or only reflects a secondary effect that occurs at more advanced stages of the disease process. To tackle this question, we analysed the expression of both eNOS and iNOS in patients with sporadic AD, in transgenic mice expressing human amyloid precursor protein (APP) with the Swedish double mutation under control of the Thy1 promotor (APP23 mice), and after electrolytic cortical lesion in rat, an experimental paradigm associated with elevated expression of APP. In all three conditions, an astrocytosis was induced accompanied by a strong increase of both iNOS and eNOS. Both NOS isoforms were frequently though not always colocalized. Thus, based on the expression pattern of NOS isoforms three types of astrocytes, expressing only one of the two isoforms or both together could be distinguished. In both AD and transgenic mice eNOS-expressing astrocytes exceeded iNOS-expressing astrocytes in number. Astrocytes with elevated levels of iNOS or eNOS were constantly seen in direct association with Abeta-deposits in AD and transgenic mice and were found in the vicinity of the lesion site in the rat cortex. The results of the present study show that expression of both iNOS and eNOS is increased in activated astrocytes under experimental conditions associated with elevated expression of APP (electrolytic brain lesion) or Abeta-deposition (APP23 transgenic mice). Therefore, it is suggested that altered expression of these NOS isoforms being part of AD pathology is secondary to the amyloid pathology and might not be primarily involved in the pathogenetic chain though it might contribute to the maintenance, self-perpetuation and progression of the neurodegenerative process.

Nitric oxide synthase isoenzymes during in vitro development of rat neuronal and human non-neuronal cells

We studied the expression of neuronal (n), endothelial (e) and inducible (i) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in cell cultures of rat mesencephalic neurons (embryonic day 14), human keratinocytes from juvenile epidermis, human endothelial cells from juvenile coronary arteries, and human osteoblasts. All cell types were cultured for 5, 10 or 15 days. During proliferation (round cells without processes), the intracellular distribution and the intracellular amount of the calcium-dependent NOS isoforms (n- and e-NOS) did not change whereas the calcium-independent i-NOS changed from a cytosolic distribution pattern to compartmentalized distribution. A striking decrease of i-NOS immunoreactivity was measured by means of image analysis. Our results support the opinion that i-NOS acts as a switch between proliferation and differentiation of cells.

Involvement of glial cells in cyclosporine-increased permeability of brain endothelial cells

1. To test whether astrocytes participate in cyclosporine-induced dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier, we examined the effects of cyclosporine on the permeability of the mouse brain endothelial (MBEC4) cells cocultured with C6 glioma cells, each cell layer placed on the top and bottom of the insert membrane, respectively. 2. The presence of C6 cells remarkably aggravated cyclosporine-increased permeability of MBEC4 cells to sodium fluorescein. 3. In light of these findings, the possibility that astroglial cells could contribute to the occurrence of cyclosporine-induced dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier triggering neurotoxicity should be considered.

Cyclosporine enhances alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated nitric oxide production in C6 glioma cells

The present study was aimed at elucidating the effect of cyclosporine on phenylephrine-evoked nitric oxide (NO) production in C6 glioma cells using direct electrochemical NO monitoring. Phenylephrine (0.1-10 microM) dose-dependently stimulated NO production (0.8-12.9 microM) and this was blocked by NO synthase inhibitor, prazosin, Ca2+-depletion and Xestospongin C (a blocker of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor), suggesting that the alpha1-adrenoceptor signaling pathway mediates NO production in C6 cells. Cyclosporine (approximately 10 microM) failed to evoke NO production but increased phenylephrine-evoked NO production by 20-120% of phenylephrine alone in a dose-dependent manner (1-5 microM). Xestospongin C, at a concentration which showed no effect on phenylephrine-induced NO production, significantly inhibited the cyclosporine-enhanced phenylephrine response. This finding suggests that cyclosporine may increase phenylephrine-induced NO production by accelerating IP3 receptor function in the alpha1-adrenoceptor signaling pathway in C6 cells. This enhanced NO production in glial cells may be operative for the occurrence of cyclosporine neurotoxicity including convulsions and encephalopathy.

Involvement of interleukin-1 in glial responses to lipopolysaccharide: endogenous versus exogenous interleukin-1 actions

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) participates in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Its mechanisms of action are not fully understood, but appear to involve complex interactions between neurons and glia. The objective of this study was to determine the involvement of endogenous IL-1beta in inflammatory responses to LPS in cultured mouse glial cells, and compare this to the effects of exogenous IL-1beta. Activation of primary mixed glial cultures by incubation with LPS (1 microgram/ml, 24 h), caused marked (approximately ten-fold) increases in release of NO, twenty-fold increases in PGE(2) and ninety-fold increases of IL-6 release. Incubation with human recombinant IL-1beta (100 ng/ml) also stimulated NO and IL-6 release to a similar extent to LPS, but IL-1beta (1 or 100 ng/ml) caused only modest increases (approximately seven-fold) in PGE(2) release. Co-incubation with IL-1ra inhibited the effects of LPS on NO release (-65%) and IL-6 production (-30%), but failed to reduce PGE(2) release. These results indicate that exogenous IL-1beta induces release of NO, PGE(2) and IL-6 in mixed glial cultures, and that endogenous IL-1beta mediates inflammatory actions of LPS on NO and to a lesser extent IL-6, but not on PGE(2) release in mixed glial cultures. Indeed endogenous IL-1beta appears to inhibit LPS-induced PGE(2) release.

Selective upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines in microglia: in vitro and in vivo studies

A role for free radicals has been proposed in infectious brain disease, where resident microglia cells upregulate the inducible nitric oxide synthase isoform (iNOS), and thus are capable of producing nitric oxide at enhanced rates. Using the constitutively expressed NADPH oxidase, microglial cells can generate superoxide, which reacts with nitric oxide to form the powerful oxidant peroxynitrite. In a mixed cell culture system of astrocytes and microglial cells, nitrite levels, used as an indicator of nitric oxide production, were elevated after the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines. Immunohistochemistry and the NADPH diaphorase technique demonstrated selective localization of the iNOS protein in microglial cells, whereas no iNOS protein or NADPH diaphorase activity was detected in astrocytes. A similar cellular distribution was observed in vivo following injection of LPS and cytokines into the rat striatum. By contrast, LPS and interferon-gamma led to translocation of NF-kappaB in microglia and in astrocytes, demonstrating that both cell types are responsive to the stimulus. Therefore, downstream control in iNOS expression is cell type-specific.

nNOS expression in reactive astrocytes correlates with increased cell death related DNA damage in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex in Alzheimer's disease

The immunocytochemical distribution of the neuronal form of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) was compared with neuropathological changes and with cell death related DNA damage (as revealed by in situ end labeling, ISEL) in the hippocampal formation and entorhinal cortex of 12 age-matched control subjects and 12 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Unlike controls, numerous nNOS-positive reactive astrocytes were found in AD patients around beta-amyloid plaques in CA1 and subiculum and at the places of clear and overt neuron loss, particularly in the entorhinal cortex layer II and CA4. This is the first evidence of nNOS-like immunoreactivity in reactive astrocytes in AD. In contrast to controls, in all but one AD subject, large numbers of ISEL-positive neuronal nuclei and microglial cells were found in the CA1 and CA4 regions and subiculum. Semiquantitative analysis showed that neuronal DNA fragmentation in AD match with the distribution of nNOS-expressing reactive astroglial cells in CA1 (r = 0.74, P < 0.01) and CA4 (r = 0.58, P < 0.05). A portion of the nNOS-positive CA2/CA3 pyramidal neurons was found to be spared even in the most affected hippocampi. A significant inverse correlation between nNOS expression and immunoreactivity to abnormally phosphorylated tau proteins (as revealed by AT8 monoclonal antibody) in perikarya of these CA2/3 neurons (r = -0.85, P < 0.01) suggests that nNOS expression may provide selective resistance to neuronal degeneration in AD. In conclusion, our results imply that an upregulated production of NO by reactive astrocytes may play a key role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Citrulline immunohistochemistry for demonstration of NOS activity in vivo and in vitro

Nitric oxide (NO), a biomolecule with major cytotoxic potency, is generated by NO synthases (NOS) utilizing l-arginine as substrate and citrulline is formed as a "side product." In brain tissue, citrulline is considered to be produced exclusively by NOS, due to the incomplete urea cycle in the brain. We aimed to characterize NOS activity by citrulline immunostaining in different cell types of the brain under in situ conditions and in slice and culture experiments. NOS-positive neurons and activated microglial cells were the most prominent citrulline-positive structures. Lack of citrulline immunoreaction in neurons of nNOS knockout mice emphasizes the dependency of citrulline positivity on NOS activity, and likewise there was no citrulline staining after application of the NOS inhibitors 7-nitroindazole and NIL. Interestingly, only a portion of NOS-containing neurons costained for citrulline. The inhibition of argininosuccinate synthetase by alpha-methyl-dl-aspartate increased the number of citrulline-positive cells, apparently due to reduction of the turnover rate of citrulline. Cells positive for NOS but negative for citrulline may indicate that the enzyme is either not activated or inhibited by cellular control mechanisms. The fact that not all citrulline-positive cells were NOS positive may be explained by an insufficient detection sensitivity or by disparate sites of citrulline production and recycling. The present results show that citrulline immunocytochemistry offers a viable and convenient means for studying NOS activity at the single-cell level to elicit its posttranslational control under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Functional differentiation of multiple perilesional zones after focal cerebral ischemia

Transient and permanent focal cerebral ischemia results in a series of typical pathophysiologic events. These consequences evolve in time and space and are not limited to the lesion itself, but they can be observed in perilesional (penumbra) and widespread ipsi- and sometimes contralateral remote areas (diaschisis). The extent of these areas is variable depending on factors such as the type of ischemia, the model, and the functional modality investigated. This review describes some typical alterations attributable to focal cerebral ischemia using the following classification scheme to separate different lesioned and perilesional areas: (1) The lesion core is the brain area with irreversible ischemic damage. (2) The penumbra is a brain region that suffers from ischemia, but in which the ischemic damage is potentially, or at least partially, reversible. (3) Remote brain areas are brain areas that are not directly affected by ischemia. With respect to the etiology, several broad categories of remote changes may be differentiated: (3a) remote changes caused by brain edema; (3b) remote changes caused by waves of spreading depression; (3c) remote changes in projection areas; and (3d) remote changes because of reactive plasticity and systemic effects. The various perilesional areas are not necessarily homogeneous; but a broad differentiation of separate topographic perilesional areas according to their functional state and sequelae allows segregation into several signaling cascades, and may help to understand the functional consequences and adaptive processes after focal brain ischemia.

Different nitric oxide synthase inhibitors cause rapid and differential alterations in the ligand-binding capacity of transmitter receptors in the rat cerebral cortex

Inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis reduce postlesional neuronal death during reperfusion injury by reducing the NO-mediated increase in excitatory neurotransmitter-release. The protective effects of various NO-synthase (NOS) inhibitors differ due to their isoform selectivity. The effects of NO-mediated excessive neurotransmitter supply are transmitted via specific neurotransmitter receptors expressed by the target cells. We report changes in the ligand-binding of different excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter-receptors studied by in vitro receptor autoradiography after in vivo-application of NOS-inhibitors. Since the constitutively expressed neuronal NOS-I is area-specifically distributed within the rat cortex, numerous cortical areas were studied in non-lesioned rats, in order to analyze the area-specific effects of NOS-inhibitors. The results showed that the NOS-I-specific inhibitor 7-nitroindazole increased binding of 3H-muscimol, 3H-pirenzepine and 3H-kainate, whereas the less isoform-specific, general NOS-inhibitor L-nitroarginine increased binding of 3H-muscimol and 3H-AMPA in most cortical areas, leaving 3H-kainate binding almost unchanged. The water soluble L-nitroarginine-methylester caused similar effects to those of L-nitroarginine which changed over a period of chronic treatment. The inhibitory GABAA-receptors were increased after NOS-inhibition in most cortical areas, whereas binding of 3H-Oxotremorine-M (acetylcholine receptors), 3H-MK-801 (NMDA-receptors) and 3H-AMPA (AMPA receptors) was affected differently among the cortical areas. Strongest alterations of ligand-binding capacity after administration of NOS-inhibitors were seen in cortical areas known to contain the highest packing densities of NOS-I-positive interneurons such as the piriform and entorhinal cortices, indicating that, in normal animals, neurotransmission and probably cognitive information processing would be affected by the pharmacological modulation of nitric oxide production.