A 48 kilodalton intermediate filament associated protein (IFAP) in reactive-like astrocytes induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP in culture and in reactive astrocytes in situ

Dibutyryl Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Rescues the Neurons From Degeneration in Stab Wound and Excitotoxic Injury Models

Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dBcAMP), a cell-permeable synthetic analog of cAMP, has been shown to induce astrogliosis in culture. However, the exact mechanism underlying how dBcAMP exerts its function in situ is not clear. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of dBcAMP on astrogliosis and survival of neurons in stab wound and kainic acid models of brain injury. Stab wound was done in cerebral cortex of BALB/c male mice. Kainic acid lesion was induced in hippocampus by injecting 1μl kainic acid into the lateral ventricle. Animals in both models of injury were divided into L+dBcAMP and L+PBS groups and treated with dBcAMP or PBS for 3, 5, and 7 days respectively. The brain sections were stained for Cresyl violet and Fluro jade-B to assess the degenerating neurons. Immunostaining for GFAP and Iba-1 was done for assessing the astrogliosis and microglial response respectively. Expression of GFAP and BDNF levels in the tissue were estimated by Western blotting and ELISA respectively. The results showed a gradual increase in the number of both astrocytes and microglia in both injuries with a significant increase in dBcAMP-treated groups. The number of degenerating neurons significantly decreased in dBcAMP treated groups. In addition, it was found that dBcAMP stimulated the expression of GFAP and BDNF in both stab wound and kainic acid injuries. Treatment with BDNF receptor inhibitor AZ-23, showed an increase in the degenerating neurons suggesting the role of BDNF in neuroprotection. This study indicates that dBcAMP protects neurons from degeneration by enhancing the production of BDNF and may be considered for use as therapeutic agent for treatment of brain injuries.

F-actin depolymerization accelerates clasmatodendrosis via activation of lysosome-derived autophagic astroglial death

Clasmatodendrosis is an irreversible astroglial degenerative change, which includes extensive swelling and vacuolization of cell bodies and disintegrated and beaded processes. Since alteration in F-actin level influences on the formation of vacuoles/vesicles during exocytosis/endocytosis in astrocytes, we investigated whether F-actin polymerization involves clasmatodendrosis in the rat hippocampus following status epilepticus (SE). In the present study, vacuoles in clasmatodendrotic astrocytes showed LAMP-1 and LC3-II (a marker for autophagy) immunoreactivity. These findings reveal that clasmatodendrosis may be lysosome-derived autophagic astroglial death. Jasplakinolide (an F-actin stabilizer) infusion significantly decreased the size and the number of medium/large-sized vacuoles in each clasmatodendritic astrocyte accompanied by enhancement of phalloidin signals, as compared to vehicle-infusion. In contrast, latrunculin A (an F-actin-depolymerizing agent) infusion increased the size and the number of medium/large-sized vacuoles, which were dissociated adjacent to cell membrane. Therefore, our findings suggest that F-actin stabilization may inhibit lysosome-derived autophagic astroglial death during clasmatodendrosis.

Consumption of green tea alters glial fibriliary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the spinal cord astrocytes of STZ-diabetic rats

We examined the effect of green tea consumption on glial fibriliary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in spinal cord of streptozotocin (STZ) treated rats. Three groups (n = 10) were used in this study: (i) controls; (ii) STZ-induced diabetic rats given tap water; and (iii) an STZ-induced diabetic group given green tea. Immunohistochemistry showed a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in the number of GFAP immunoreactive astrocytes in spinal cord sections of diabetic rats compared to non-diabetic controls. Diabetic rats treated with green tea showed a significant (P < 0.01) increase in the number GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in all the spinal cord gray areas as compared to water-drinking diabetic rats. Immunoblotting confirmed that the diabetic spinal cord tissue expressed 71.0 +/- 7.0% less GFAP compared to non-diabetic controls and that the GFAP content in diabetic rats increased up to 86.34 +/- 18.74% compared to non-diabetic controls after 12 weeks of green tea consumption. In conclusion, consumption of green tea may represent an achievable adjunct therapy for improving changes seen in diabetic spinal cord.

Alteration of glial fibrillary acidic proteins immunoreactivity in astrocytes of the spinal cord diabetic rats

Diabetes affects retinal and nervous glial cells, especially the astrocytes. A key indicator of this response is the alteration in the level of intermediate filament glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and number of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes. To date, no study has investigated the effect of diabetes on the distribution of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in the spinal cord. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of diabetes on the number of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in the gray matter of the spinal cord of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Animals were divided into six groups (n = 7); 6 weeks and 12 weeks diabetic duration groups and their respective age-matched normal control and sham control groups. Our results demonstrated a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in the number of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in different areas of the spinal cord sections of the 6 weeks and 12 weeks long diabetic rats when compared with the spinal cord of normal and sham control groups of comparable age. The mean percentage in total number of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in the whole gray matter areas of the spinal cord of the 6 and 12 weeks diabetic groups were approximately 28% and 41% less than control groups. Furthermore, the 12 weeks diabetic group showed a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in the number of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes when compared with the 6 weeks diabetic animals. These results suggest that the induction of diabetes is associated with a reduction in GFAP-positive astrocytes in the spinal cord, which may affect the functional support and role of astrocytic cells in the nervous tissue. This in turn may contribute to the pathological changes associated with diabetic state in the central nervous system.

Potential role of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate phosphatase/chronopin in epilepsy

Changes in actin dynamics and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) metabolisms are closely related to the pathophysiological profiles of the epileptic hippocampus. Recently, it has been reported that PLP phosphatase/chronophin (PLPP/CIN) directly dephosphorylates actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin as well as PLP. In the present study, therefore, we have investigated whether PLPP/CIN is linked to the dynamics of actin filament assembly and the excitability in the rat hippocampus. In control animals, pyridoxine chloride (PNP) treatment increased PLPP/CIN immunoreactivity only in astrocytes, which did not affect electrophysiological properties. Following status epilepticus, the PLPP/CIN protein level increased in granule cells and reactive astrocytes. These changes in PLPP/CIN protein level showed an inverse correlation with phospho-ADF (pADF)/cofilin levels and F-actin content. These changes were also accompanied by alterations in the excitability ratio and paired-pulse inhibition. Transduction of PLPP/CIN by Tat-PLPP/CIN showed similar effects on pADF/cofilin levels, F-actin content and excitability ratio in normal animals. These findings suggest that PLPP/CIN-mediated actin dynamics may play an important role in the changes of morphological properties and excitability of the epileptic hippocampus.

The effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the expression of actin isoforms in astroglia

Mammalian cells contain at least 8 actin isoforms. The functional significance and the mechanisms that regulate the expression of each actin isoform are not yet known. Using immunofluorescence staining, it was found that all astroglia in tissue culture express beta-actin isoform and about 86% of astroglia express alpha-smooth muscle actin isoform. When astroglia were treated with dibutyryl cyclic AMP for 4, 7, 14 and 21 days, it was found that the number of the cells expressing alpha-smooth muscle actin isoform progressively decreased, whereas, the number of the cells expressing beta-actin isoform remained constant. The western blot experiment showed that the amount of total alpha-smooth muscle actin isoform (soluble and insoluble) and of the insoluble isoform expressed by astroglia treated with dibutyryl cAMP decreased whereas, the amount of total and insoluble beta-actin isoform expressed by the same cells did not show any significant changes. The cells treated with the cAMP failed to migrate and to close the area created by the scratch wound in monolayer culture. However, the non-treated cells migrated and closed the area created by the scratch after 3 days. This study shows that the astroglia have different mechanisms in regulating the expression of different actin isoforms and that the alpha-sm actin isoform is important in migration of astroglia.

Effect of ATP on astrocyte stellation is switched from suppressive to stimulatory during development

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) functions as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in the brain. To understand the role of ATP during brain development, we investigated the effects of ATP on morphology of cultured astrocytes obtained from the cerebral cortices of embryonic day 18 (E18) and postnatal day 2 (PN2) rats. In E18 astrocytes, ATP (10-1000 microM) alone did not affect astrocyte morphology, but significantly suppressed astrocyte stellation induced by the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol or the membrane-permeable cyclic AMP analog dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The suppressive effect of ATP in embryonic astrocytes was selectively mimicked by P2U purinoceptor agonists. ATP had no effect on stellation induced by the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol ester. It is probable that ATP, via P2U purinoceptors, suppresses cyclic AMP-dependent regulatory mechanism for stellation in embryonic astrocytes. On the other hand, PN2 astrocytes differentiated into stellate cells in response to ATP. The ATP-stimulated stellation in PN2 astrocytes was mimicked by adenosine, and blocked by P1 purinoceptor antagonists. It is probable that ATP is broken down into adenosine, which stimulates P1 purinoceptors, inducing stellation in postnatal astrocytes. These findings suggest that the effect of ATP on astrocyte stellation is switched from suppressive (P2U purinoceptor-mediated) to stimulatory (P1 purinoceptor-mediated) during late embryonic to neonatal stages. ATP may be a critical factor that determines timing of astrocyte differentiation during development.

Developmental regulation of glutamate transporters and glutamine synthetase activity in astrocyte cultures differentiated in vitro

Glutamate plays an important role in brain development, physiological function, and neurodegeneration. Astrocytes control synaptic concentration of glutamate via the high affinity glutamate transporters, GLT-1 and GLAST, and the glutamate catabolizing enzyme, glutamine synthetase. In this study we show that astrocytes cultured from rat brain in various stages of development including embryonic (E18), postnatal (P1-P21) and mature (P50), show distinct patterns of GLT-1 and GLAST expression, glutamine synthetase activity, and phenotypic changes induced by dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine monophosphate. The transcripts for GLT-1 message were detectable in embryonic astrocytes only, whereas the GLAST message was highly expressed in E18 and P1-P4 astrocyte cultures, declined in P10-P21, and was undetectable in P50 astrocytes. Uptake of 3H-glutamate correlated well with GLAST expression in astrocyte cultures of all developmental stages. Glutamine synthetase activity significantly declined from high embryonic levels in P4 astrocytes and remained low throughout postnatal maturation. Exposure of astrocyte cultures to the differentiating agent, db-cAMP (250-500 microM; 6 days), resulted in a pronounced stellation, up-regulation of GLT-1 and GLAST in E18, and GLAST in P4 cultures, while it was ineffective in P10 astrocytes. By contrast, db-cAMP induced a more pronounced stimulation of glutamine synthetase activity (up to 10-fold above basal) in P10 than in E18 cultures (up to 2 times above basal). The differences in expression/inducibility of glutamate transporters and glutamine synthetase observed in astrocyte cultures derived from various stages of fetal and postnatal development suggest that astrocytes in vivo might also respond differently to environmental or injurious stimuli during development and maturation.

Developmental changes in cyclic AMP-stimulated stellation of cultured rat cortical astrocytes

When cultured astrocytes are treated with agents that elevate intracellular cyclic AMP, they become process-bearing stellate cells. In the present study, we investigated possible developmental changes of astrocyte stellation induced by beta-adrenoceptor stimulaton. Cultured astrocytes were prepared from the cerebral cortices of embryonic day 18 (E18) and postnatal day 2 (P2) rats. Treatment with the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol induced stellation in P2 astrocytes more potently and rapidly than in E18 astrocytes. Isoproterenol-stimulated increase in cellular cyclic AMP levels was very similar in E18 and P2 astrocytes. The membrane-permeable cyclic AMP analog dibutyryl cyclic AMP induced stellation in P2 astrocytes more potently and rapidly than in E18 astrocytes. Stellation induced by the protein kinase C activator phorbol ester was not different between E18 and P2 astrocytes. These results suggest that beta-adrenoceptor-mediated astrocyte stellation increases during development and that this change is attributed to the development of mechanisms downstream from cyclic AMP production.

Upregulation of F-actin and alpha-actinin in reactive astrocytes

We have shown previously that in tissue culture stellate astrocytes downregulate F-actin and actin binding proteins (ABPs) (Abd-El-Basset et al.: J Neurosci Res 30:1-17, 1991), whereas the reactive-like astrocytes upregulate their F-actin (Fedoroff et al.: Neuroscience 22:255-266, 1987). In the present study we report that in normal brain, as in tissue culture, neither F-actin nor alpha-actinin (an ABP) could be detected in stellate astrocytes. When a stab wound was made in brain, F-actin and alpha-actinin were upregulated in reactive astrocytes. We also demonstrated that reactive-like astrocytes in tissue culture express alpha-actinin, which has a "dotted" appearance when immunostained, and is colocalized with F-actin in a specific arrangement.

Phorbol ester-stimulated stellation in primary cultures of astrocytes from different brain regions

Stellation is the process by which astrocytes change from epithelial-like to process-bearing cells. Stellation occurs following activation of either cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase C. This process occurs through tubulin-dependent rearrangement of the cytoskeleton. We have evaluated the ability of phorbol, 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA) to induce astrocyte stellation. Astrocytes from five brain regions (cerebellum, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, diencephalon, and brain-stem) were examined to determine if all astrocytes would exhibit similar responses to this activator of protein kinase C. Stellation was evaluated following cell fixation by either phase optics using conventional light microscopy, or scanning laser confocal light microscopy of cultures prepared using immunocytochemistry for tubulin and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Both the number of cells responding to PMA and the sensitivity to PMA varied for astrocytes from each brain region. PMA-induced stellation was most robust in cerebellar and brainstem astrocytes, with greater than 70% responding. Less than 40% of hippocampal and diencephalic astrocytes responded to PMA at the maximum dose (10(-5) M). PMA also induced different numbers of processes or branching patterns of processes on astrocytes from different brain regions. The protein kinase C induced stellation response in astrocytes supports the hypothesis that astrocytes contribute to neural plasticity.

Expression of the intermediate filament-associated protein related to beta-amyloid precursor protein is developmentally regulated in cultured cells

It was previously reported that a monoclonal antibody to beta-amyloid precursor protein (mab22C11; Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, IN) labels an intermediate filament-associated protein (beta APP-IFAP) in cultured human skin fibroblasts (Dooley et al.: J Neurosci Res 33:60-67, 1992). The time course of its expression and association with different classes of intermediate filaments has been assessed in neurons, Schwann cells, and astrocytes in dissociated cultures of murine brain and spinal cord-dorsal root ganglia; in primary cultures of human muscle; and in the epithelial cell line PtK1. beta APP-IFAP was expressed in all non-neuronal cell types examined. Mab22C11 immunoreactivity was minimal or absent following dissociation or subculture, but gradually increased with time. In fibroblasts, myoblasts, and epithelial cells, the distribution eventually resembled that of vimentin. With the exception of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), beta APP-IFAP was not associated with the intermediate filament proteins characteristically found in differentiated cells, i.e., desmin, the cytokeratins, and neurofilament proteins. No labeling of neurons by mab22C11 was observed at any stage of in vitro maturation. In sections of Alzheimer's brain, the antibody labeled a subpopulation of reactive astrocytes. It is suggested that beta APP-IFAP may be the product of a member of the beta APP multigene family expressed developmentally in non-neuronal cells.

Astrocytes: form, functions, and roles in disease

Astrocytes, once relegated to a mere supportive role in the central nervous system, are now recognized as a heterogeneous class of cells with many important and diverse functions. Major astrocyte functions can be grouped into three categories: guidance and support of neuronal migration during development, maintenance of the neural microenvironment, and modulation of immune reactions by serving as antigen-presenting cells. The concept of astrocytic heterogeneity is critical to understanding the functions and reactions of these cells in disease. Astrocytes from different regions of the brain have diverse biochemical characteristics and may respond in different ways to a variety of injuries. Astrocytic swelling and hypertrophy-hyperplasia are two common reactions to injury. This review covers the morphologic and pathophysiologic findings, time course, and determinants of these two responses. In addition to these common reactions, astrocytes may play a primary role in certain diseases, including epilepsy, neurological dysfunction in liver disease, neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, and demyelination. Evidence supporting primary involvement of astrocytes in these diseases will be considered.

Contact-spacing among astrocytes is independent of neighbouring structures: in vivo and in vitro evidence

We have examined the morphology of astrocytes and the arrays they form in two situations, in retinas from which ganglion cells and blood vessels have been caused to degenerate, and in vitro. These observations were made to test whether the regularity of the spacing of astrocytes within normal central nervous tissue results from interaction among astrocytes, or from interaction between astrocytes and other elements of that tissue. Both in the partially degenerated cat retina, and in cultures of astrocytes from neonatal rat cortex, astrocytes make and maintain contact with neighbouring astrocytes, yet space their somas apart, giving regularity to the arrays. These results support the hypothesis that the regularity observed in arrays of astrocytes in intact tissue results from an interaction among astrocytes, independent of neighbouring structures, and lead us to suggest that the cell-cell interactions involved in contact spacing serve to distribute astrocytes through the central nervous system, and may, in other tissues, underlie the formation of epithelia.

Molecular profile of reactive astrocytes--implications for their role in neurologic disease

The central nervous system responds to diverse neurologic injuries with a vigorous activation of astrocytes. While this phenomenon is found in many different species, its function is obscure. Understanding the molecular profile characteristic of reactive astrocytes should help define their function. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of molecules whose levels of expression differentiate activated from resting astrocytes and to use the molecular profile of reactive astrocytes as the basis for speculations on the functions of these cells. At present, reactive astrocytosis is defined primarily as an increase in the number and size of cells expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein. In vivo, this increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells reflects predominantly phenotypic changes of resident astroglia rather than migration or proliferation of such cells. Upon activation, astrocytes upmodulate the expression of a large number of molecules. From this molecular profile it becomes apparent that reactive astrocytes may benefit the injured nervous system by participating in diverse biological processes. For example, upregulation of proteases and protease inhibitors could help remodel the extracellular matrix, regulate the concentration of different proteins in the neuropil and clear up debris from degenerating cells. Cytokines are key mediators of immunity and inflammation and could play a critical role in the regulation of the blood-central nervous system interface. Neurotrophic factors, transporter molecules and enzymes involved in the metabolism of excitotoxic amino acids or in the antioxidant pathway may help protect neurons and other brain cells by controlling neurotoxin levels and contributing to homeostasis within the central nervous system. Therefore, an impairment of astroglial performance has the potential to exacerbate neuronal dysfunction. Based on the synopsis of studies presented, a number of issues become apparent that deserve a more extensive analysis. Among them are the relative contribution of microglia and astrocytes to early wound repair, the characterization of astroglial subpopulations, the specificity of the astroglial response in different diseases as well as the analysis of reactive astrocytes with techniques that can resolve fast physiologic processes. Differences between reactive astrocytes in vivo and primary astrocytes in culture are discussed and underline the need for the development and exploitation of models that will allow the analysis of reactive astrocytes in the intact organism.

Intermediate filament-associated proteins

The term intermediate filament-associated proteins refers to a growing number of proteins whose ability to interact with intermediate filaments has been either directly demonstrated or inferred from indirect evidence. Here we discuss recently published data on the identification and characterization of such proteins, with emphasis on their tissue/cell type-specific expression, subcellular distribution and possible function(s).

Effects of methotrexate on astrocytes in primary culture: light and electron microscopic studies

Recent studies on the animal model suggest that astrocytes may be a primary target for methotrexate (MTX) toxicity. To establish whether the astroglial alterations are due to a direct toxic effect of the drug, we studied the morphologic alterations, mitotic index, viability and growth rate of astrocytes in primary culture after exposure to varying concentrations of MTX in the absence or presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dBcAMP). Dense bodies and cellular debris were noted by light and electron microscopy, and became more prominent with increasing doses and greater frequency of treatment. Degenerating cells and areas of necrosis were seen at higher concentrations. These changes became less conspicuous when MTX was given concurrently with dBcAMP. Large reactive-like astrocytes were also seen after MTX administration both in the absence or presence of dBcAMP. Mitotic rate inhibition was noted at all concentrations but was not dose-related. Cell viability was reduced and remained low up to 48 h after withdrawal of MTX and correlated well with drug concentration, although growth rate did not vary significantly from the control. Our findings show that pure populations of astrocytes can be adversely affected by MTX especially in the absence of bBcAMP, while also causing reactive-like changes in some cells. This report provides further evidence that astrocytes may be a primary target for MTX toxicity and suggests that the gliosis seen in MTX encephalopathy may in part be related to MTX-induced astrocytic injury.

The relationship of expression of statin, the nuclear protein of nonproliferating cells, to the differentiation and cell cycle of astroglia in cultures and in situ

Cells in the quiescent, nonproliferative state express a protein, statin, in their nuclei. When the cells reenter the cell cycle, statin disappears and another protein, cyclin, appears. We have examined mouse astroglia at various stages of differentiation in cultures and astroglia in adult mouse brains for the presence of statin. In cultures initiated from the neopallium of newborn mice, the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)+ stellate astrocytes were statin-negative (statin-) but cyclin-positive (cyclin+). In the same cultures, large flat cells (senescent cells) were statin+ but cyclin-. In frozen sections of the brains of adult mice and in brain smears, GFAP+ astrocytes were statin-. Neither stellate astrocytes grown in cultures for 30 or more days nor astrocytes in adult mouse brain were labeled when pulsed with bromodeoxyuridine (BudR). When astroglia were treated with dibutyrl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dBcAMP), large stellate cells that closely resemble reactive astrocytes in situ formed. These cells were all statin+ from 11-62 days in vitro; however, reactive astrocytes in mouse neopallium, 4-50 days after a stab wound, were statin-. In colony cultures, senescent cells became statin+, whereas stellate astrocytes and their precursor cells remained statin-. These observations indicate that normal astrocytes both in cultures and in situ retain the potential to divide and probably progress through the cell cycle at a very slow rate.