Phencyclidine-induced decrease of synaptic connectivity via inhibition of BDNF secretion in cultured cortical neurons

Extracellular high molecular weight α-synuclein oligomers induce cell death by disrupting the plasma membrane

α-Synuclein (αS), the causative protein of Parkinson's disease and other α-synucleinopathies, aggregates from a low molecular weight form (LMW-αS) to a high molecular weight αS oligomer (HMW-αSo). Aggregated αS accumulates intracellularly, induces intrinsic apoptosis, is released extracellularly, and appears to propagate disease through prion-like spreading. Whether extracellular αS aggregates are cytotoxic, damage cell wall, or induce cell death is unclear. We investigated cytotoxicity and cell death caused by HMW-αSo or LMW-αS. Extracellular HMW-αSo was more cytotoxic than LMW-αS and was a crucial factor for inducing plasma membrane damage and cell death. HMW-αSo induced reactive oxygen species production and phospholipid peroxidation in the membrane, thereby impairing calcium homeostasis and disrupting plasma membrane integrity. HMW-αSo also induced extrinsic apoptosis and cell death by activating acidic sphingomyelinase. Thus, as extracellular HMW-αSo causes neuronal injury and death via cellular transmission and direct plasma membrane damage, we propose an additional disease progression pathway for α-synucleinopathies.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Novel Dynamically Regulated Therapeutic Modulator in Neurological Disorders

The growth factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and its receptor tropomyosin-related kinase receptor type B (TrkB) play an active role in numerous areas of the adult brain, where they regulate the neuronal activity, function, and survival. Upregulation and downregulation of BDNF expression are critical for the physiology of neuronal circuits and functioning in the brain. Loss of BDNF function has been reported in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative or psychiatric disorders. This article reviews the BDNF gene structure, transport, secretion, expression and functions in the brain. This article also implicates BDNF in several brain-related disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

NX210c Peptide Promotes Glutamatergic Receptor-Mediated Synaptic Transmission and Signaling in the Mouse Central Nervous System

NX210c is a disease-modifying dodecapeptide derived from the subcommissural organ-spondin that is under preclinical and clinical development for the treatment of neurological disorders. Here, using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we demonstrate that NX210c increased α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR)- and GluN2A-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (GluN2A-NMDAR)-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents in the brain. Accordingly, using extracellular field excitatory postsynaptic potential recordings, an enhancement of synaptic transmission was shown in the presence of NX210c in two different neuronal circuits. Furthermore, the modulation of synaptic transmission and GluN2A-NMDAR-driven signaling by NX210c restored memory in mice chronically treated with the NMDAR antagonist phencyclidine. Overall, by promoting glutamatergic receptor-related neurotransmission and signaling, NX210c represents an innovative therapeutic opportunity for patients suffering from CNS disorders, injuries, and states with crippling synaptic dysfunctions.

The physiology of regulated BDNF release

The neurotrophic factor BDNF is an important regulator for the development of brain circuits, for synaptic and neuronal network plasticity, as well as for neuroregeneration and neuroprotection. Up- and downregulations of BDNF levels in human blood and tissue are associated with, e.g., neurodegenerative, neurological, or even cardiovascular diseases. The changes in BDNF concentration are caused by altered dynamics in BDNF expression and release. To understand the relevance of major variations of BDNF levels, detailed knowledge regarding physiological and pathophysiological stimuli affecting intra- and extracellular BDNF concentration is important. Most work addressing the molecular and cellular regulation of BDNF expression and release have been performed in neuronal preparations. Therefore, this review will summarize the stimuli inducing release of BDNF, as well as molecular mechanisms regulating the efficacy of BDNF release, with a focus on cells originating from the brain. Further, we will discuss the current knowledge about the distinct stimuli eliciting regulated release of BDNF under physiological conditions.

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5-Dependent BAG3 Degradation Modulates Synaptic Protein Turnover

BACKGROUND

Synaptic protein dyshomeostasis and functional loss is an early invariant feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the unifying etiological pathway remains largely unknown. Knowing that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) plays critical roles in synaptic formation and degeneration, its phosphorylation targets were reexamined in search of candidates with direct global impacts on synaptic protein dynamics, and the associated regulatory network was also analyzed.

METHODS

Quantitative phosphoproteomics and bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify top-ranked candidates. A series of biochemical assays was used to investigate the associated regulatory signaling networks. Histological, electrochemical, and behavioral assays were performed in conditional knockout, small hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown, and AD-related mice models to evaluate the relevance of CDK5 to synaptic homeostasis and functions.

RESULTS

Among candidates with known implications in synaptic modulations, BAG3 ranked the highest. CDK5-mediated phosphorylation on S297/S291 (mouse/human) destabilized BAG3. Loss of BAG3 unleashed the selective protein degradative function of the HSP70 machinery. In neurons, this resulted in enhanced degradation of a number of glutamatergic synaptic proteins. Conditional neuronal knockout of Bag3 in vivo led to impairment of learning and memory functions. In human AD and related mouse models, aberrant CDK5-mediated loss of BAG3 yielded similar effects on synaptic homeostasis. Detrimental effects of BAG3 loss on learning and memory functions were confirmed in these mice, and such effects were reversed by ectopic BAG3 reexpression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results highlight that the neuronal CDK5-BAG3-HSP70 signaling axis plays a critical role in modulating synaptic homeostasis. Dysregulation of the signaling pathway directly contributes to synaptic dysfunction and AD pathogenesis.

Perinatal administration of phencyclidine alters expression of Lingo-1 signaling pathway proteins in the prefrontal cortex of juvenile and adult rats

Postnatal administration of phencyclidine (PCP) in rodents causes major brain dysfunction leading to severe disturbances in behavior lasting into adulthood. This model is routinely employed to model psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, as it reflects schizophrenia-related brain disturbances including increased apoptosis, and disruptions to myelin and plasticity processes. Leucine-rich repeat and Immunoglobin-like domain-containing protein 1 (Lingo-1) is a potent negative regulator of both axonal myelination and neurite extension. The Nogo receptor (NgR)/tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor orphan Y (TROY) and/or p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75) complex, with no lysine (K) (WNK1) and myelin transcription factor 1 (Myt1) are co-receptors or cofactors in Lingo-1 signaling pathways in the brain. We have examined the developmental trajectory of these proteins in a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia using PCP to determine if Lingo-1 pathways are altered in the prefrontal cortex throughout different stages of life. Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with PCP (10 mg/kg) or saline on postnatal days (PN)7, 9, and 11 and killed at PN12, 5 or 14 weeks for measurement of Lingo-1 signaling proteins in the prefrontal cortex. Myt1 was decreased by PCP at PN12 (P=0.045), and at 14 weeks PCP increased Lingo-1 (P=0.037), TROY (P=0.017), and WNK1 (P=0.003) expression. This is the first study reporting an alteration in Lingo-1 signaling proteins in the rat prefrontal cortex both directly after PCP treatment in early development and in adulthood. We propose that Lingo-1 pathways may be negatively regulating myelination and neurite outgrowth following the administration of PCP, and that this may have implications for the cortical dysfunction observed in schizophrenia.

Stage-dependent remodeling of projections to motor cortex in ALS mouse model revealed by a new variant retrograde-AAV9

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of motoneurons in the primary motor cortex (pMO) and in spinal cord. However, the pathogenic process involves multiple subnetworks in the brain and functional MRI studies demonstrate an increase in functional connectivity in areas connected to pMO despite the ongoing neurodegeneration. The extent and the structural basis of the motor subnetwork remodeling in experimentally tractable models remain unclear. We have developed a new retrograde AAV9 to quantitatively map the projections to pMO in the SOD1(G93A) ALS mouse model. We show an increase in the number of neurons projecting from somatosensory cortex to pMO at presymptomatic stages, followed by an increase in projections from thalamus, auditory cortex and contralateral MO (inputs from 20 other structures remains unchanged) as disease advances. The stage- and structure-dependent remodeling of projection to pMO in ALS may provide insights into the hyperconnectivity observed in ALS patients.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Brain Disorders: Focus on Neuroinflammation

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the most studied neurotrophins in the healthy and diseased brain. As a result, there is a large body of evidence that associates BDNF with neuronal maintenance, neuronal survival, plasticity, and neurotransmitter regulation. Patients with psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders often have reduced BDNF concentrations in their blood and brain. A current hypothesis suggests that these abnormal BDNF levels might be due to the chronic inflammatory state of the brain in certain disorders, as neuroinflammation is known to affect several BDNF-related signaling pathways. Activation of glia cells can induce an increase in the levels of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species, which can lead to the modulation of neuronal function and neurotoxicity observed in several brain pathologies. Understanding how neuroinflammation is involved in disorders of the brain, especially in the disease onset and progression, can be crucial for the development of new strategies of treatment. Despite the increasing evidence for the involvement of BDNF and neuroinflammation in brain disorders, there is scarce evidence that addresses the interaction between the neurotrophin and neuroinflammation in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. This review focuses on the effect of acute and chronic inflammation on BDNF levels in the most common psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders and aims to shed some light on the possible biological mechanisms that may influence this effect. In addition, this review will address the effect of behavior and pharmacological interventions on BDNF levels in these disorders.

Antidepressant-Like Effect of Low-Intensity Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation

OBJECTIVE

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technique with good spatial resolution and deep penetration. This study aims to investigate whether TUS has antidepressant-like effect to depressed rats.

METHODS

Rats were divided into five groups, including two groups (ST-Ctr and ST-Res) for evaluating the short-term impact of restraint stress and three groups (LT-Ctr-ShamTUS, LT-Res-ShamTUS and LT-Res-TUS) for studying the long-term effects of restraint and TUS stimulation. The TUS-treated rats were subjected to 15 min TUS stimulation to the prelimbic cortex every day for 2 weeks after the restraint. Then, depressive symptoms related behavioral outcomes were estimated in ST-Ctr and ST-Res groups (1 week after restraint), as well as in the other three groups (3 weeks after restraint).

RESULTS

The 48-h-restraint stress could lead to long lasting reduction of exploratory behavior (1 and 3 weeks after restraint) and protracted anhedonia (only observed 3 weeks after restraint). TUS application successfully reversed the core depressive phenotype, anhedonia, indicated by significantly higher sucrose preference index in LT-Res-TUS group [Formula: see text] than LT-Res-ShamTUS group [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, the brain derived neurotrophic factor expression in left hippocampus was significantly promoted in LT-Res-TUS group [Formula: see text] compared to LT-Res-ShamTUS group [Formula: see text]. In addition, the histologic results of hematoxylin and eosin staining showed no TUS-induced brain tissue injury.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated that low intensity TUS had antidepressant-like effect.

SIGNIFICANCE

TUS has been speculated to have therapeutic effect in depression. This study provide evidence for the antidepressant-like effects of TUS in rats for the first time.

Effect fingerprinting of new psychoactive substances (NPS): What can we learn from in vitro data?

The use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is increasing and currently >600 NPS have been reported. However, limited information on neuropharmacological and toxicological effects of NPS is available, hampering risk characterization. We reviewed the literature on the in vitro neuronal modes of action to obtain effect fingerprints of different classes of illicit drugs and NPS. The most frequently reported NPS were selected for review: cathinones (MDPV, α-PVP, mephedrone, 4-MEC, pentedrone, methylone), cannabinoids (JWH-018), (hallucinogenic) phenethylamines (4-fluoroamphetamine, benzofurans (5-APB, 6-APB), 2C-B, NBOMes (25B-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, 25I-NBOMe)), arylcyclohexylamines (methoxetamine) and piperazine derivatives (mCPP, TFMPP, BZP). Our effect fingerprints highlight the main modes of action for the different NPS studied, including inhibition and/or reversal of monoamine reuptake transporters (cathinones and non-hallucinogenic phenethylamines), activation of 5-HT₂receptors (hallucinogenic phenethylamines and piperazines), activation of cannabinoid receptors (cannabinoids) and inhibition of NDMA receptors (arylcyclohexylamines). Importantly, we identified additional targets by relating reported effect concentrations to the estimated human brain concentrations during recreational use. These additional targets include dopamine receptors, α- and β-adrenergic receptors, GABA_Areceptors and acetylcholine receptors, which may all contribute to the observed clinical symptoms following exposure. Additional data is needed as the number of NPS continues to increase. Also, the effect fingerprints we have obtained are still incomplete and suffer from a large variation in the reported effects and effect sizes. Dedicated in vitro screening batteries will aid in complementing specific effect fingerprints of NPS. These fingerprints can be implemented in the risk assessments of NPS that are necessary for eventual control measures to reduce Public Health risks.

Rotigotine, a dopamine receptor agonist, increased BDNF protein levels in the rat cortex and hippocampus

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) critically controls the fate and function of the neuronal network and has received much attention as a target of many brain diseases. Dopaminergic system dysfunction has also been implicated in a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases. Rotigotine, a non-ergot dopamine receptor agonist, is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome. To investigate the effects of rotigotine on neuronal functions both in vivo and in vitro, rats and primary cortical neurons were administered rotigotine, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of BDNF, its receptor TrkB and downstream signaling molecules, and synaptic proteins were determined. We found that BDNF protein was increased in the cortex and hippocampus of rats after 7days of rotigotine treatment. In contrast, BDNF mRNAs were reduced 6h after rotigotine treatment in cultured neurons presumably through the transient suppression of neuronal activity. We identified differential expression of D1, D2, and D3 receptors in the rat brain and cultured neurons. The observed increase in the expression of BDNF protein in the cortex and hippocampus after subchronic administration of rotigotine suggests that it may exert its medical effect in part through improving BDNF function in the brain. In addition, our results highlight the complex relationships between rotigotine and BDNF expression, which depend on the brain region, time course, and dose of the drug.

Antidepressant Actions of Ketamine Mediated by the Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin, Nitric Oxide, and Rheb

The weeks/months it takes for traditional antidepressants to act pose an obstacle in the management of depression. Ketamine's prompt and sustained antidepressant effects constitute a major advance. Multiple studies implicate glutamatergic signaling to protein synthesis machinery and synapse formation in ketamine's antidepressant effects. Here we review evidence linking ketamine to glutamate receptor subtypes and protein homeostasis. We describe a signaling cascade wherein nitric oxide drives the formation of a ternary protein complex comprised of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, seven in absentia homolog 1, and Ras homolog enriched in brain downstream of the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Seven in absentia homolog 1 ubiquitylates and degrades Ras homolog enriched in brain leading to inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin. Ketamine inhibits this molecular cascade leading to activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin and, in turn, to antidepressant actions.

DL-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid protects primary neurons from oxygen-glucose deprivation induced injury

Cerebral infarction is a type of ischemic stroke and is one of the main causes of irreversible brain damage. Although multiple neuroprotective agents have been investigated recently, the potential of DL-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid (DL-AP3) in treating oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced neuronal injury, has not been clarified yet. This study was aimed to explore the role of DL-AP3 in primary neuronal cell cultures. Primary neurons were divided into four groups: (1) a control group that was not treated; (2) DL-AP3 group treated with 10 μM of DL-AP3; (3) OGD group, in which neurons were cultured under OGD conditions; and (4) OGD + DL-AP3 group, in which OGD model was first established and then the cells were treated with 10 μM of DL-AP3. Neuronal viability and apoptosis were measured using Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry. Expressions of phospho-Akt1 (p-Akt1) and cytochrome c were detected using Western blot. The results showed that DL-AP3 did not affect neuronal viability and apoptosis in DL-AP3 group, nor it changed p-Akt1 and cytochrome c expression (p > 0.05). In OGD + DL-AP3 group, DL-AP3 significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of OGD on neuronal viability (p < 0.001), and reduced OGD induced apoptosis (p < 0.01). Additionally, the down-regulation of p-Akt1 and up-regulation of cytochrome c, induced by OGD, were recovered to some extent after DL-AP3 treatment (p < 0.05 or p < 0.001). Overall, DL-AP3 could protect primary neurons from OGD-induced injury by affecting the viability and apoptosis of neurons, and by regulating the expressions of p-Akt1 and cytochrome c.

Neurons derived from different brain regions are inherently different in vitro: a novel multiregional brain-on-a-chip

Brain in vitro models are critically important to developing our understanding of basic nervous system cellular physiology, potential neurotoxic effects of chemicals, and specific cellular mechanisms of many disease states. In this study, we sought to address key shortcomings of current brain in vitro models: the scarcity of comparative data for cells originating from distinct brain regions and the lack of multiregional brain in vitro models. We demonstrated that rat neurons from different brain regions exhibit unique profiles regarding their cell composition, protein expression, metabolism, and electrical activity in vitro. In vivo, the brain is unique in its structural and functional organization, and the interactions and communication between different brain areas are essential components of proper brain function. This fact and the observation that neurons from different areas of the brain exhibit unique behaviors in vitro underline the importance of establishing multiregional brain in vitro models. Therefore, we here developed a multiregional brain-on-a-chip and observed a reduction of overall firing activity, as well as altered amounts of astrocytes and specific neuronal cell types compared with separately cultured neurons. Furthermore, this multiregional model was used to study the effects of phencyclidine, a drug known to induce schizophrenia-like symptoms in vivo, on individual brain areas separately while monitoring downstream effects on interconnected regions. Overall, this work provides a comparison of cells from different brain regions in vitro and introduces a multiregional brain-on-a-chip that enables the development of unique disease models incorporating essential in vivo features.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Due to the scarcity of comparative data for cells from different brain regions in vitro, we demonstrated that neurons isolated from distinct brain areas exhibit unique behaviors in vitro. Moreover, in vivo proper brain function is dependent on the connection and communication of several brain regions, underlining the importance of developing multiregional brain in vitro models. We introduced a novel brain-on-a-chip model, implementing essential in vivo features, such as different brain areas and their functional connections.

Olanzapine Prevents the PCP-induced Reduction in the Neurite Outgrowth of Prefrontal Cortical Neurons via NRG1

Accumulating evidence suggests that reducing neurite outgrowth and synaptic plasticity plays a critical role in the pathology of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist phencyclidine (PCP) can induce symptoms of schizophrenia as well as reduce dendritic spine density and neurite growth. The antipsychotic drug olanzapine may improve these deficits. This study aimed to investigate: (1) if olanzapine prevents PCP-induced suppression of neurite outgrowth and synaptic protein expression; (2) if olanzapine affects the Akt-GSK3 signaling pathway; and (3) the role of neuregulin 1 (NRG1) in this process. Immunofluorescence revealed that PCP treatment for 24 hours reduces both neurite length (28.5%) and the number of neurite branches (35.6%) in primary prefrontal cortical neuron cultures. PCP reduced protein and mRNA expressions of synaptophysin (24.9% and 23.2%, respectively) and PSD95 (31.5% and 21.4%, respectively), and the protein expression of p-Akt (26.7%) and p-GSK3β (35.2%). Olanzapine co-treatment prevented these PCP-induced effects in normal neurons but not in neurons from NRG1-knockout mice. These results indicate that NRG1 mediates the preventive effects of olanzapine on the PCP-induced impairment of neurite outgrowth and synaptic protein expression. This study provides potential targets for interventions on improving the efficacy of olanzapine on preventing cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.

Amitriptyline induces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression through ERK-dependent modulation of multiple BDNF mRNA variants in primary cultured rat cortical astrocytes and microglia

A significant role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been previously implicated in the therapeutic effect of antidepressants. To ascertain the contribution of specific cell types in the brain that produce BDNF following antidepressant treatment, the effects of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline on rat primary neuronal, astrocytic and microglial cortical cultures were examined. Amitriptyline increased the expression of BDNF mRNA in astrocytic and microglial cultures but not neuronal cultures. Antidepressants with distinct mechanisms of action, such as clomipramine, duloxetine and fluvoxamine, also increased BDNF mRNA expression in astrocytic and microglial cultures. There are multiple BDNF mRNA variants (exon I, IIA, IV and VI) expressed in astrocytes and microglia and the variant induced by antidepressants has yet to be elaborated. Treatment with antidepressants increased the expression of exon I, IV and VI in astrocyte and microglia. Clomipramine alone significantly upregulated expression of exon IIA. The amitriptyline-induced expression of both total and individual BDNF mRNA variants (exon I, IV and VI) were blocked by MEK inhibitor U0126, indicating MEK/ERK signaling is required in the expression of BDNF. These findings indicate that non-neural cells are a significant target of antidepressants and further support the contention that glial production of BDNF is crucial role in the therapeutic effect of antidepressants. The current data suggest that targeting of glial function could lead to the development of antidepressants with a truly novel mechanism of action.

Alterations of p75 neurotrophin receptor and Myelin transcription factor 1 in the hippocampus of perinatal phencyclidine treated rats

Postnatal administration of phencyclidine (PCP) in rodents causes major disturbances to neurological processes resulting in severe modifications to normal behavioral traits into adulthood. It is routinely used to model psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, producing many of the dysfunctional processes in the brain that are present in this devastating disorder, including elevated levels of apoptosis during neurodevelopment and disruptions to myelin and plasticity processes. Lingo-1 (or Leucine-rich repeat and immunoglobulin domain-containing protein) is responsible for negatively regulating neurite outgrowth and the myelination of axons. Recent findings using a postmortem human brain cohort showed that Lingo-1 signaling partners in the Nogo receptor (NgR)/p75/TNF receptor orphan Y (TROY) signaling complex, and downstream signaling partners With No Lysine (K) (WNK1) and Myelin transcription factor 1 (Myt1), play a significant part in schizophrenia pathophysiology. Here we have examined the implication of Lingo-1 and its signaling partners in a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia using PCP to determine if these pathways are altered in the hippocampus throughout different stages of neurodevelopment. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected subcutaneously with PCP (10mg/kg) or saline solution on postnatal days (PN) 7, 9, and 11. Rats (n=6/group) were sacrificed at PN12, 5weeks, or 14weeks. Relative expression levels of Lingo-1 signaling proteins were examined in the hippocampus of the treated rats. p75 and Myt1 were decreased (0.001≤p≤0.011) in the PCP treated rats at PN12. There were no significant changes in any of the tested proteins at 5weeks (p>0.05). At 14weeks, p75, TROY, and Myt1 were increased in the PCP treated rats (0.014≤p≤0.022). This is the first report of an alteration in Lingo-1 signaling proteins in the rat hippocampus, both directly after PCP treatment in early development and in adulthood. Based on our results, we propose that components of the Lingo-1 signaling pathways may be involved in the acute neurotoxicity induced by perinatal administration of PCP in rats early in development and suggest that this may have implications for the hippocampal deficits seen in schizophrenia.

Inhibition of the tyrosine phosphatase STEP61 restores BDNF expression and reverses motor and cognitive deficits in phencyclidine-treated mice

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and STriatal-Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase 61 (STEP61) have opposing functions in the brain, with BDNF supporting and STEP61 opposing synaptic strengthening. BDNF and STEP61 also exhibit an inverse pattern of expression in a number of brain disorders, including schizophrenia (SZ). NMDAR antagonists such as phencyclidine (PCP) elicit SZ-like symptoms in rodent models and unaffected individuals, and exacerbate psychotic episodes in SZ. Here we characterize the regulation of BDNF expression by STEP61, utilizing PCP-treated cortical culture and PCP-treated mice. PCP-treated cortical neurons showed both an increase in STEP61 levels and a decrease in BDNF expression. The reduction in BDNF expression was prevented by STEP61 knockdown or use of the STEP inhibitor, TC-2153. The PCP-induced increase in STEP61 expression was associated with the inhibition of CREB-dependent BDNF transcription. Similarly, both genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of STEP prevented the PCP-induced reduction in BDNF expression in vivo and normalized PCP-induced hyperlocomotion and cognitive deficits. These results suggest a mechanism by which STEP61 regulates BDNF expression, with implications for cognitive functioning in CNS disorders.

Glucocorticoid affects dendritic transport of BDNF-containing vesicles

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for neuronal survival, differentiation, and functions in the central nervous system (CNS). Because BDNF protein is sorted into secretory vesicles at the trans-Golgi network in the cell body after translation, transport of BDNF-containing vesicles to the secretion sites is an important process for its function. Here we examined the effect of dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, on BDNF-containing vesicle transport and found that DEX decreased the proportion of stationary vesicles and increased velocity of the microtubule-based vesicle transport in dendrites of cortical neurons. Furthermore, DEX increased huntingtin (Htt) protein levels via glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation, and reduction in the amount of Htt by a specific shRNA reversed the action of DEX on BDNF vesicle transport. Given that Htt protein is a positive regulator for the microtubule-dependent vesicular transport in neurons, our data suggest that glucocorticoid stimulates BDNF vesicle transport through upregulation of Htt protein levels.

The effect of deficient muscarinic signaling on commonly reported biochemical effects in schizophrenia and convergence with genetic susceptibility loci in explaining symptom dimensions of psychosis

With the advent of DSM 5 criticism has generally centered on a lack of biological validity of the diagnostic criteria. Part of the problem in describing a nosology of psychosis is the tacit assumption of multiple genetic causes each with an incremental loading on the clinical picture that fails to differentiate a clear underlying pathophysiology of high impact. The aim of this paper is to consolidate a primary theory of deficient muscarinic signaling underlying key clinical features of schizophrenia and its regulation by several important genetic associations including neuregulin, DISC and dysbindin. Secondary reductions in markers for GABAergic function and changes in the levels of interneuron calcium binding proteins parvalbumin and calbindin can be attributed to dysfunctional muscarinic transduction. A parallel association exists for cytokine production. The convergent pathway hypothesis is likewise used to model dopaminergic and glutamatergic theories of schizophrenia. The negative symptom dimension is correlated with dysfunction of Akt and ERK transduction, a major point of convergence. The present paradigm predicts the importance of a recent finding of a deletion in a copy number variant of PLCB1 and its potential use if replicated, as one of the first testable biological markers differentiating schizophrenia from bipolar disorder and further subtyping of schizophrenia into deficit and non-deficit. Potential limitations of PLCB1 as a prospective marker are also discussed.

WSKY, a traditional Chinese decoction, rescues cognitive impairment associated with NMDA receptor antagonism by enhancing BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling

Warm‑supplementing kidney yang (WSKY) is an herbal prescription that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of psychiatric conditions. A previous study by our group found that WSKY significantly improved cognitive function of schizophrenia patients. In the present study, the effects of WSKY on cognitive function and their underlying mechanisms were investigated. WSKY was administered to an MK‑801‑induced rat model of chronic schizophrenia for 14 days. Memory performance was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. The expression of brain‑derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), activation of cAMP response element binding protein (pCREB/CREB) and activation of extracellular signal‑regulated kinase (pERK/ERK) in the hippocampus was detected using western blot analysis. In the acquisition phase of the MWM test, the escape latency was significantly increased in the MK‑801‑treated group compared with the normal control group (P<0.01). Treatment with WSKY for 14 days at doses of 100 or 250 mg/kg rescued this cognitive impairment (P<0.05). In the probe test, 250 mg/kg WSKY treatment increased the time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.05) and number of platform crossings (P<0.01). Western blot analysis demonstrated that the levels of BDNF expression in the hippocampus of rats without behavioral tests were elevated following 14 days of WSKY treatment, and the effect of WSKY treatment on hippocampal BDNF expression was presented in an inverted U‑shaped dose‑response pattern. The pERK1/2 in the hippocampus was significantly enhanced following 100 mg/kg (P<0.01) and 250 mg/kg (P<0.01) WSKY treatment, while only 250 mg/kg WSKY increased the phosphorylation of CREB (P<0.01). The results of the present study indicated that WSKY enhances cognitive performance via the upregulation of BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling, and that WSKY has potential therapeutic implications for cognitive impairment of schizophrenia.

New insight in expression, transport, and secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Implications in brain-related diseases

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) attracts increasing attention from both research and clinical fields because of its important functions in the central nervous system. An adequate amount of BDNF is critical to develop and maintain normal neuronal circuits in the brain. Given that loss of BDNF function has been reported in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative or psychiatric diseases, understanding basic properties of BDNF and associated intracellular processes is imperative. In this review, we revisit the gene structure, transcription, translation, transport and secretion mechanisms of BDNF. We also introduce implications of BDNF in several brain-related diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, depression and schizophrenia.

Phosphatase-mediated intracellular signaling contributes to neuroprotection by flavonoids of Iris tenuifolia

A variety of flavonoids are suggested to be useful for the treatment of brain-related disorders, including dementia and depression. An investigation on the characteristics of the extracted compounds of Iris tenuifolia Pall. (IT) is of much interest, as this plant has been used as a traditional medicine. In the present study, we examined the effect of total flavonoids obtained from IT on cultured cortical neurons under oxidative-stress and found that pretreatment with IT flavonoids significantly inhibited H 2 O 2-induced cell death in cortical neurons. Such a survival-promoting effect by IT flavonoids was partially blocked by inhibitors for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) cascades, both of which are known as survival-promoting signaling molecules. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of Src homology-2 (SH2) domain-containing phosphatase2 (Shp2) was induced by IT flavonoids, and the protective effect of IT flavonoids was abolished by NSC87877, an inhibitor for Shp2, suggesting the involvement of Shp2-mediated intracellular signaling in flavonoid-dependent neuroprotection.

Phencyclidine rapidly decreases neuronal mRNA of brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of neurotrophin family, has been implicated in psychiatric diseases including schizophrenia. However, detailed mechanisms of its reduction in patients with schizophrenia remain unclear. Here, using cultured cortical neurons, we monitored BDNF mRNA levels following acute application of phencyclidine [PCP; an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker], which is known to produce schizophrenia-like symptoms. We found that PCP rapidly caused a reduction in total amount of BDNF transcripts without effect on cell viability, while mRNA levels of nerve growth factor was intact. Actinomycin-D (ActD), an RNA synthesis inhibitor, decreased total BDNF mRNA levels similar to PCP, and coapplication of ActD with PCP did not show further reduction in BDNF mRNA compared with solo application of each drug. Among BDNF exons I, IV, and VI, the exon IV, which is positively regulated by neuronal activity, was highly sensitive to PCP. Furthermore, PCP inactivated cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB; a regulator of transcriptional activity of exon IV). The inactivation of CREB was also achieved by an inhibitor for Ca(2+) /calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII), although coapplication with PCP induced no further inhibition on the CREB activity. It is possible that PCP decreases BDNF transcription via blocking the NMDA receptor/CaMKII/CREB signaling.

Pre- and postsynaptic twists in BDNF secretion and action in synaptic plasticity

Overwhelming evidence collected since the early 1990's strongly supports the notion that BDNF is among the key regulators of synaptic plasticity in many areas of the mammalian central nervous system. Still, due to the extremely low expression levels of endogenous BDNF in most brain areas, surprisingly little data i) pinpointing pre- and postsynaptic release sites, ii) unraveling the time course of release, and iii) elucidating the physiological levels of synaptic activity driving this secretion are available. Likewise, our knowledge regarding pre- and postsynaptic effects of endogenous BDNF at the single cell level in mediating long-term potentiation still is sparse. Thus, our review will discuss the data currently available regarding synaptic BDNF secretion in response to physiologically relevant levels of activity, and will discuss how endogenously secreted BDNF affects synaptic plasticity, giving a special focus on spike timing-dependent types of LTP and on mossy fiber LTP. We will attempt to open up perspectives how the remaining challenging questions regarding synaptic BDNF release and action might be addressed by future experiments. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'BDNF Regulation of Synaptic Structure, Function, and Plasticity'.

Recurrent deletions of ULK4 in schizophrenia: a novel gene crucial for neuritogenesis and neuronal motility

Although many pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) are associated with neuropsychiatric diseases, few of them have been functionally characterised. Here we report multiple schizophrenia cases with CNV abnormalities specific to unc-51-like kinase 4 (ULK4), a novel serine/threonine kinase gene. Deletions spanning exons 21–34 of ULK4 were present in 4 out of 3,391 schizophrenia patients from the International Schizophrenia Consortium, but absent in 3,181 controls. Deletions removing exons 33 and 34 of the large splice variant of ULK4 also were enriched in Icelandic schizophrenia and bipolar patients compared to 98,022 controls (P=0.0007 for schizophrenia plus bipolar disorder). Combining the two cohorts gives a p value less than 0.0001 for schizophrenia, or for schizophrenia plus bipolar disorder. The expression of ULK4 is neuron-specific and developmentally regulated. ULK4 modulates multiple signalling pathways including ERK, p38, PKC, and JNK, which are involved in stress responses and implicated in schizophrenia. Knockdown of ULK4 disrupts the composition of microtubules and compromises neuritogenesis and cell motility. Targeted Ulk4 deletion causes corpus callosum agenesis in mice. Our findings indicate that ULK4 is a rare susceptibility gene for schizophrenia.