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Molinaro G, Bowles JE, Croom K, Gonzalez D, Mirjafary S, Birnbaum SG, Razak KA, Gibson JR, Huber KM. Female-specific dysfunction of sensory neocortical circuits in a mouse model of autism mediated by mGluR5 and estrogen receptor α. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114056. [PMID: 38581678 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Little is known of the brain mechanisms that mediate sex-specific autism symptoms. Here, we demonstrate that deletion of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-risk gene, Pten, in neocortical pyramidal neurons (NSEPten knockout [KO]) results in robust cortical circuit hyperexcitability selectively in female mice observed as prolonged spontaneous persistent activity states. Circuit hyperexcitability in females is mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) signaling to mitogen-activated protein kinases (Erk1/2) and de novo protein synthesis. Pten KO layer 5 neurons have a female-specific increase in mGluR5 and mGluR5-dependent protein synthesis. Furthermore, mGluR5-ERα complexes are generally elevated in female cortices, and genetic reduction of ERα rescues enhanced circuit excitability, protein synthesis, and neuron size selectively in NSEPten KO females. Female NSEPten KO mice display deficits in sensory processing and social behaviors as well as mGluR5-dependent seizures. These results reveal mechanisms by which sex and a high-confidence ASD-risk gene interact to affect brain function and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jacob E Bowles
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Katilynne Croom
- Graduate Neuroscience Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Darya Gonzalez
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Saba Mirjafary
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Shari G Birnbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Khaleel A Razak
- Graduate Neuroscience Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jay R Gibson
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Molinaro G, Bowles JE, Croom K, Gonzalez D, Mirjafary S, Birnbaum S, Razak KA, Gibson JR, Huber KM. Female specific dysfunction of sensory neocortical circuits in a mouse model of autism mediated by mGluR5 and Estrogen Receptor α. bioRxiv 2024:2023.08.10.552857. [PMID: 37609208 PMCID: PMC10441407 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.10.552857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Autism manifests differently in males and females and the brain mechanisms that mediate these sex-dependent differences are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that deletion of the ASD-risk gene, Pten, in neocortical pyramidal neurons (NSE Pten KO) results in robust hyperexcitability of local neocortical circuits in female, but not male, mice, observed as prolonged, spontaneous persistent activity states (UP states). Circuit hyperexcitability in NSE Pten KO mice is mediated by enhanced and/or altered signaling of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) to ERK and protein synthesis selectively in Pten deleted female neurons. In support of this idea, Pten deleted Layer 5 cortical neurons have female-specific increases in mGluR5 and mGluR5-driven protein synthesis. In addition, mGluR5-ERα complexes are elevated in female cortex and genetic reduction of ERα in Pten KO cortical neurons rescues circuit excitability, protein synthesis and enlarged neurons selectively in females. Abnormal timing and hyperexcitability of neocortical circuits in female NSE Pten KO mice are associated with deficits in temporal processing of sensory stimuli and social behaviors as well as mGluR5-dependent seizures. Female-specific cortical hyperexcitability and mGluR5-dependent seizures are also observed in a human disease relevant mouse model, germline Pten +/- mice. Our results reveal molecular mechanisms by which sex and a high impact ASD-risk gene interact to affect brain function and behavior.
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Newton SL, Franke A, Zahl A, Molinaro G, Kenwright A, Smith DJ, Ivanovic-Burmazovic I, Britton MM, Peacock AFA. Understanding the mechanism by which Gd(III) coiled coils achieve magnetic resonance relaxivity - a study into the water coordination chemistry. Dalton Trans 2023; 52:15665-15668. [PMID: 37882137 DOI: 10.1039/d3dt02909c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
A class of Gd(III) coiled coils achieve high MRI relaxivity, in part due to their slow rotational correlation time. However, extending their length is unable to further enhance performance, as the mechanism by which relaxivity is achieved is dominated by the presence of three inner sphere waters in rapid exchange, through an associative mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Newton
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK.
- PSIBS, School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK
| | - A Franke
- Department Chemie und Pharmazie, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 München, Germany
| | - A Zahl
- Department Chemie und Pharmazie, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - G Molinaro
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - A Kenwright
- School of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - D J Smith
- School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK
| | - I Ivanovic-Burmazovic
- Department Chemie und Pharmazie, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 München, Germany
| | - M M Britton
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - A F A Peacock
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, UK.
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Krishnan V, Wu J, Mazumder AG, Kamen JL, Schirmer C, Adhyapak N, Bass JS, Lee SC, Maheshwari A, Molinaro G, Gibson JR, Huber KM, Minassian BA. Clinicopathologic Dissociation: Robust Lafora Body Accumulation in Malin KO Mice Without Observable Changes in Home-cage Behavior. bioRxiv 2023:2023.09.11.557226. [PMID: 37745312 PMCID: PMC10515855 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.11.557226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Lafora Disease (LD) is a syndrome of progressive myoclonic epilepsy and cumulative neurocognitive deterioration caused by recessively inherited genetic lesions of EPM2A (laforin) or NHLRC1 (malin). Neuropsychiatric symptomatology in LD is thought to be directly downstream of neuronal and astrocytic polyglucosan aggregates, termed Lafora bodies (LBs), which faithfully accumulate in an age-dependent manner in all mouse models of LD. In this study, we applied home-cage monitoring to examine the extent of neurobehavioral deterioration in a model of malin-deficient LD, as a means to identify robust preclinical endpoints that may guide the selection of novel genetic treatments. At 6 weeks, ~6-7 months and ~12 months of age, malin deficient mice ("KO") and wild type (WT) littermates underwent a standardized home-cage behavioral assessment designed to non-obtrusively appraise features of rest/arousal, consumptive behaviors, risk aversion and voluntary wheel-running. At all timepoints, and over a range of metrics that we report transparently, WT and KO mice were essentially indistinguishable. In contrast, within WT mice compared across timepoints, we identified age-related nocturnal hypoactivity, diminished sucrose preference and reduced wheel-running. Neuropathological examinations in subsets of the same mice revealed expected age dependent LB accumulation, gliosis and microglial activation in cortical and subcortical brain regions. At 12 months of age, despite the burden of neocortical LBs, we did not identify spontaneous seizures during an electroencephalographic (EEG) survey, and KO and WT mice exhibited similar spectral EEG features. Using an in vitro assay of neocortical function, paroxysmal increases in network activity (UP states) in KO slices were more prolonged at 3 and 6 months of age, but were similar to WT at 12 months. KO mice displayed a distinct response to pentylenetetrazole, with a greater incidence of clonic seizures and a more pronounced post-ictal suppression of movement, feeding and drinking behavior. Together, these results highlight a stark clinicopathologic dissociation in a mouse model of LD, where LBs accrue substantially without clinically meaningful changes in overall wellbeing. Our findings allude to a delay between LB accumulation and neurobehavioral decline: one that may provide a window for treatment, and whose precise duration may be difficult to ascertain within the typical lifespan of a laboratory mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishnav Krishnan
- Department of Neurology, Peter Kellaway Section of Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Jun Wu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Arindam Ghosh Mazumder
- Department of Neurology, Peter Kellaway Section of Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Jessica L. Kamen
- Department of Neurology, Peter Kellaway Section of Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Catharina Schirmer
- Department of Neurology, Peter Kellaway Section of Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Nandani Adhyapak
- Department of Neurology, Peter Kellaway Section of Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - John Samuel Bass
- Department of Neurology, Peter Kellaway Section of Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Samuel C. Lee
- Department of Neurology, Peter Kellaway Section of Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Atul Maheshwari
- Department of Neurology, Peter Kellaway Section of Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Jay R. Gibson
- Department of Neuroscience University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Kimberly M. Huber
- Department of Neuroscience University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Berge A Minassian
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
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Wilkerson JR, Ifrim MF, Valdez-Sinon AN, Hahn P, Bowles JE, Molinaro G, Janusz-Kaminska A, Bassell GJ, Huber KM. FMRP phosphorylation and interactions with Cdh1 regulate association with dendritic RNA granules and MEF2-triggered synapse elimination. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 182:106136. [PMID: 37120096 PMCID: PMC10370323 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (FMRP) is necessary for experience-dependent, developmental synapse elimination and the loss of this process may underlie the excess dendritic spines and hyperconnectivity of cortical neurons in Fragile X Syndrome, a common inherited form of intellectual disability and autism. Little is known of the signaling pathways that regulate synapse elimination and if or how FMRP is regulated during this process. We have characterized a model of synapse elimination in CA1 neurons of organotypic hippocampal slice cultures that is induced by expression of the active transcription factor Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 (MEF2) and relies on postsynaptic FMRP. MEF2-induced synapse elimination is deficient in Fmr1 KO CA1 neurons, and is rescued by acute (24 h), postsynaptic and cell autonomous reexpression of FMRP in CA1 neurons. FMRP is an RNA binding protein that suppresses mRNA translation. Derepression is induced by posttranslational mechanisms downstream of metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling. Dephosphorylation of FMRP at S499 triggers ubiquitination and degradation of FMRP which then relieves translation suppression and promotes synthesis of proteins encoded by target mRNAs. Whether this mechanism functions in synapse elimination is not known. Here we demonstrate that phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of FMRP at S499 are both necessary for synapse elimination as well as interaction of FMRP with its E3 ligase for FMRP, APC/Cdh1. Using a bimolecular ubiquitin-mediated fluorescence complementation (UbFC) assay, we demonstrate that MEF2 promotes ubiquitination of FMRP in CA1 neurons that relies on activity and interaction with APC/Cdh1. Our results suggest a model where MEF2 regulates posttranslational modifications of FMRP via APC/Cdh1 to regulate translation of proteins necessary for synapse elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Wilkerson
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Marius F Ifrim
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Patricia Hahn
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jacob E Bowles
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Gary J Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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Molinaro G, Huber KM, McCullagh EA, Thomson SR. Editorial: Recent advances in mechanisms and therapeutics for Fragile X Syndrome and autism. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1187799. [PMID: 37266542 PMCID: PMC10230571 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1187799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Kimberly M. Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, O'Donnell Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. McCullagh
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Sophie R. Thomson
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Barylko B, Hedde PN, Taylor CA, Binns DD, Huang YK, Molinaro G, Huber KM, Jameson DM, Albanesi JP. Palmitoylation-regulated interactions of the pseudokinase calmodulin kinase-like vesicle-associated with membranes and Arc/Arg3.1. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2022; 14:926570. [PMID: 35965782 PMCID: PMC9371321 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.926570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Calmodulin kinase-like vesicle-associated (CaMKv), a pseudokinase belonging to the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase family, is expressed predominantly in brain and neural tissue. It may function in synaptic strengthening during spatial learning by promoting the stabilization and enrichment of dendritic spines. At present, almost nothing is known regarding CaMKv structure and regulation. In this study we confirm prior proteomic analyses demonstrating that CaMKv is palmitoylated on Cys5. Wild-type CaMKv is enriched on the plasma membrane, but this enrichment is lost upon mutation of Cys5 to Ser. We further show that CaMKv interacts with another regulator of synaptic plasticity, Arc/Arg3.1, and that the interaction between these two proteins is weakened by mutation of the palmitoylated cysteine in CamKv.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Barylko
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Per Niklas Hedde
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Clinton A. Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Derk D. Binns
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Yu-Kai Huang
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Kimberly M. Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - David M. Jameson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Joseph P. Albanesi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Joseph P. Albanesi,
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Hien A, Molinaro G, Liu B, Huber KM, Richter JD. Ribosome profiling in mouse hippocampus: plasticity-induced regulation and bidirectional control by TSC2 and FMRP. Mol Autism 2020; 11:78. [PMID: 33054857 PMCID: PMC7556950 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00384-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in TSC2 are the most common cause of tuberous sclerosis (TSC), a disorder with a high incidence of autism and intellectual disability. TSC2 regulates mRNA translation required for group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent synaptic long-term depression (mGluR-LTD) and behavior, but the identity of mRNAs responsive to mGluR-LTD signaling is largely unknown. METHODS We utilized Tsc2+/- mice as a mouse model of TSC and prepared hippocampal slices from these animals. We induced mGluR-LTD synaptic plasticity in slices and processed the samples for RNA-seq and ribosome profiling to identify differentially expressed genes in Tsc2+/- and following mGluR-LTD synaptic plasticity. RESULTS Ribosome profiling reveals that in Tsc2+/- mouse hippocampal slices, the expression of several mRNAs was dysregulated: terminal oligopyrimidine (TOP)-containing mRNAs decreased, while FMRP-binding targets increased. Remarkably, we observed the opposite changes of FMRP binding targets in Fmr1-/y hippocampi. In wild-type hippocampus, induction of mGluR-LTD caused rapid changes in the steady-state levels of hundreds of mRNAs, many of which are FMRP targets. Moreover, mGluR-LTD failed to promote phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) in TSC mice, and chemically mimicking phospho-eEF2 with low cycloheximide enhances mGluR-LTD in TSC mice. CONCLUSION These results suggest a molecular basis for bidirectional regulation of synaptic plasticity and behavior by TSC2 and FMRP. Our study also suggests that altered mGluR-regulated translation elongation contributes to impaired synaptic plasticity in Tsc2+/- mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Hien
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Botao Liu
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Joel D Richter
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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Shah S, Molinaro G, Liu B, Wang R, Huber KM, Richter JD. FMRP Control of Ribosome Translocation Promotes Chromatin Modifications and Alternative Splicing of Neuronal Genes Linked to Autism. Cell Rep 2020; 30:4459-4472.e6. [PMID: 32234480 PMCID: PMC7179797 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Silencing of FMR1 and loss of its gene product, FMRP, results in fragile X syndrome (FXS). FMRP binds brain mRNAs and inhibits polypeptide elongation. Using ribosome profiling of the hippocampus, we find that ribosome footprint levels in Fmr1-deficient tissue mostly reflect changes in RNA abundance. Profiling over a time course of ribosome runoff in wild-type tissue reveals a wide range of ribosome translocation rates; on many mRNAs, the ribosomes are stalled. Sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation of hippocampal slices after ribosome runoff reveals that FMRP co-sediments with stalled ribosomes, and its loss results in decline of ribosome stalling on specific mRNAs. One such mRNA encodes SETD2, a lysine methyltransferase that catalyzes H3K36me3. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) demonstrates that loss of FMRP alters the deployment of this histone mark. H3K36me3 is associated with alternative pre-RNA processing, which we find occurs in an FMRP-dependent manner on transcripts linked to neural function and autism spectrum disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Shah
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Botao Liu
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Ruijia Wang
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Joel D Richter
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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Liu B, Molinaro G, Shu H, Stackpole EE, Huber KM, Richter JD. Optimization of ribosome profiling using low-input brain tissue from fragile X syndrome model mice. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:e25. [PMID: 30590705 PMCID: PMC6411937 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated protein synthesis is a major underlying cause of many neurodevelopmental diseases including fragile X syndrome. In order to capture subtle but biologically significant differences in translation in these disorders, a robust technique is required. One powerful tool to study translational control is ribosome profiling, which is based on deep sequencing of mRNA fragments protected from ribonuclease (RNase) digestion by ribosomes. However, this approach has been mainly applied to rapidly dividing cells where translation is active and large amounts of starting material are readily available. The application of ribosome profiling to low-input brain tissue where translation is modest and gene expression changes between genotypes are expected to be small has not been carefully evaluated. Using hippocampal tissue from wide type and fragile X mental retardation 1 (Fmr1) knockout mice, we show that variable RNase digestion can lead to significant sample batch effects. We also establish GC content and ribosome footprint length as quality control metrics for RNase digestion. We performed RNase titration experiments for low-input samples to identify optimal conditions for this critical step that is often improperly conducted. Our data reveal that optimal RNase digestion is essential to ensure high quality and reproducibility of ribosome profiling for low-input brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Botao Liu
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Huan Shu
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Emily E Stackpole
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Joel D Richter
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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Schaefer TL, Davenport MH, Grainger LM, Robinson CK, Earnheart AT, Stegman MS, Lang AL, Ashworth AA, Molinaro G, Huber KM, Erickson CA. Acamprosate in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome: modulation of spontaneous cortical activity, ERK1/2 activation, locomotor behavior, and anxiety. J Neurodev Disord 2017; 9:6. [PMID: 28616095 PMCID: PMC5467053 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-017-9184-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) occurs as a result of a silenced fragile X mental retardation 1 gene (FMR1) and subsequent loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) expression. Loss of FMRP alters excitatory/inhibitory signaling balance, leading to increased neuronal hyperexcitability and altered behavior. Acamprosate (the calcium salt of N-acetylhomotaurinate), a drug FDA-approved for relapse prevention in the treatment of alcohol dependence in adults, is a novel agent with multiple mechanisms that may be beneficial for people with FXS. There are questions regarding the neuroactive effects of acamprosate and the significance of the molecule's calcium moiety. Therefore, the electrophysiological, cellular, molecular, and behavioral effects of acamprosate were assessed in the Fmr1-/y (knock out; KO) mouse model of FXS controlling for the calcium salt in several experiments. METHODS Fmr1 KO mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates were utilized to assess acamprosate treatment on cortical UP state parameters, dendritic spine density, and seizure susceptibility. Brain extracellular-signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation was used to investigate this signaling molecule as a potential biomarker for treatment response. Additional adult mice were used to assess chronic acamprosate treatment and any potential effects of the calcium moiety using CaCl2 treatment on behavior and nuclear ERK1/2 activation. RESULTS Acamprosate attenuated prolonged cortical UP state duration, decreased elevated ERK1/2 activation in brain tissue, and reduced nuclear ERK1/2 activation in the dentate gyrus in KO mice. Acamprosate treatment modified behavior in anxiety and locomotor tests in Fmr1 KO mice in which control-treated KO mice were shown to deviate from control-treated WT mice. Mice treated with CaCl2 were not different from saline-treated mice in the adult behavior battery or nuclear ERK1/2 activation. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that acamprosate, and not calcium, improves function reminiscent of reduced anxiety-like behavior and hyperactivity in Fmr1 KO mice and that acamprosate attenuates select electrophysiological and molecular dysregulation that may play a role in the pathophysiology of FXS. Differences between control-treated KO and WT mice were not evident in a recognition memory test or in examination of acoustic startle response/prepulse inhibition which impeded conclusions from being made about the treatment effects of acamprosate in these instances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tori L Schaefer
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Matthew H Davenport
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Lindsay M Grainger
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Chandler K Robinson
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Anthony T Earnheart
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Melinda S Stegman
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA.,Present address: Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Anna L Lang
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA.,Present address: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202 USA
| | - Amy A Ashworth
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA.,Present address: BlackbookHR, Cincinnati, OH 45202 USA
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Craig A Erickson
- Division of Psychiatry, MLC 7004, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
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12
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Harrington AJ, Raissi A, Rajkovich K, Berto S, Kumar J, Molinaro G, Raduazzo J, Guo Y, Loerwald K, Konopka G, Huber KM, Cowan CW. MEF2C regulates cortical inhibitory and excitatory synapses and behaviors relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27779093 PMCID: PMC5094851 DOI: 10.7554/elife.20059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous genetic variants associated with MEF2C are linked to autism, intellectual disability (ID) and schizophrenia (SCZ) – a heterogeneous collection of neurodevelopmental disorders with unclear pathophysiology. MEF2C is highly expressed in developing cortical excitatory neurons, but its role in their development remains unclear. We show here that conditional embryonic deletion of Mef2c in cortical and hippocampal excitatory neurons (Emx1-lineage) produces a dramatic reduction in cortical network activity in vivo, due in part to a dramatic increase in inhibitory and a decrease in excitatory synaptic transmission. In addition, we find that MEF2C regulates E/I synapse density predominantly as a cell-autonomous, transcriptional repressor. Analysis of differential gene expression in Mef2c mutant cortex identified a significant overlap with numerous synapse- and autism-linked genes, and the Mef2c mutant mice displayed numerous behaviors reminiscent of autism, ID and SCZ, suggesting that perturbing MEF2C function in neocortex can produce autistic- and ID-like behaviors in mice. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.20059.001 Abnormal development of the brain contributes to intellectual disability, as well as to a number of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism. As the brain develops, neurons establish connections with one another called synapses, which are either excitatory or inhibitory. At excitatory synapses, an electrical signal in the first cell increases the likelihood that the second cell will also produce an electrical signal. At inhibitory synapses, electrical activity in the first cell reduces the chances of the second cell producing an electrical signal. An imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory activity is one of the factors thought to give rise to neurodevelopmental disorders. Many individuals with schizophrenia, autism or intellectual disability possess mutations in, or near, a gene called MEF2C. This gene, which is active in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons, encodes a protein that regulates the activity of many other genes during brain development. Harrington, Raissi et al. therefore hypothesized that alterations in MEF2C might predispose individuals to neurodevelopmental disorders by disrupting the balance of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the developing brain. To test this idea, Harrington, Raissi et al. generated mice that lack the Mef2c gene in a large proportion of their neurons throughout development. As predicted, the animals showed an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the brain’s outer layer, the cortex. They also displayed changes in behavior like those seen in autism. These included a loss of interest in social interaction and a reduction in vocalizations, suggesting impaired communication. Other behavioral changes included hyperactivity, repetitive movements and severe learning impairments: all features commonly observed in human neurodevelopmental disorders. The next challenge is to understand when, where and how MEF2C acts in the cortex to shape the balance of excitatory and inhibitory connections. Once this is known, further studies can test whether disrupting these processes leads directly to behaviors characteristic of autism, schizophrenia and intellectual disability. This may lead to the development of new drugs that can reverse or improve the symptoms of these conditions in affected individuals. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.20059.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Harrington
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States
| | - Aram Raissi
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States
| | - Kacey Rajkovich
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Stefano Berto
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Jaswinder Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States.,Medical Scientist Training Program, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Jonathan Raduazzo
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States
| | - Yuhong Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States
| | - Kris Loerwald
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Genevieve Konopka
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Christopher W Cowan
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, United States
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13
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Mola-Schenzle E, Staffler A, Klemme M, Pellegrini F, Molinaro G, Parhofer KG, Messner H, Schulze A, Flemmer AW. Clinically stable very low birthweight infants are at risk for recurrent tissue glucose fluctuations even after fully established enteral nutrition. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2015; 100:F126-31. [PMID: 25381093 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2014-306168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In previous cases, we have observed occasional hypoglycaemic episodes in preterm infants after initial intensive care. In this prospective study, we determined the frequency and severity of abnormal tissue glucose (TG) in clinically stable preterm infants on full enteral nutrition. METHODS Preterm infants born at <1000 g (n=23; G1) and birth weight 1000-1500 g (n=18; G2) were studied at a postmenstrual age of 32±2 weeks (G1) and 33±2 weeks (G2). Infants were fed two or three hourly, according to a standard bolus-nutrition protocol, and continuous subcutaneous glucose measurements were performed for 72 h. Normal glucose values were assumed at ≥2.5 mmol/L (45 mg/dL) and ≤8.3 mmol/L (150 mg/dL). Frequency, severity and duration of glucose values beyond normal values were determined. RESULTS We observed asymptomatic low TG values in 39% of infants in G1 and in 44% in G2. High TG values were detected in 83% in G1 and 61% in G2. Infants in G1 experienced prolonged and more severe low TG episodes, and also more frequent and severe high TG episodes. In G1 and G2, 87% and 67% of the infants, respectively, showed glucose fluctuations characterised by rapid glucose increase followed by a rapid glucose drop after feeds. In more mature infants, glucose fluctuations were less pronounced and less dependent on enteral feeds. CONCLUSIONS Clinically stable well-developing preterm infants beyond their initial period of intensive care show interstitial glucose instabilities exceeding values as low as 2.5 mmol/L and as high as 8.3 mmol/L. This novel observation may play an important role for the susceptibility of these high-risk infants for the development of the metabolic syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER German trial registration number DRKS00004590.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Mola-Schenzle
- Division of Neonatology, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital and Perinatal Center, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich-Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - A Staffler
- Division of Neonatology, Regional Hospital Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - M Klemme
- Division of Neonatology, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital and Perinatal Center, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich-Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - F Pellegrini
- Division of Neonatology, Regional Hospital Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - G Molinaro
- Division of Neonatology, Regional Hospital Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - K G Parhofer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich-Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - H Messner
- Division of Neonatology, Regional Hospital Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - A Schulze
- Division of Neonatology, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital and Perinatal Center, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich-Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - A W Flemmer
- Division of Neonatology, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital and Perinatal Center, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich-Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
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14
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Battaglia G, Riozzi B, Bucci D, Di Menna L, Molinaro G, Pallottino S, Nicoletti F, Bruno V. Activation of mGlu3 metabotropic glutamate receptors enhances GDNF and GLT-1 formation in the spinal cord and rescues motor neurons in the SOD-1 mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 74:126-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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15
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Orlando R, Borro M, Motolese M, Molinaro G, Scaccianoce S, Caruso A, di Nuzzo L, Caraci F, Matrisciano F, Pittaluga A, Mairesse J, Simmaco M, Nisticò R, Monn JA, Nicoletti F. Levels of the Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor (GDI) are altered in the prenatal restrain stress mouse model of schizophrenia and are differentially regulated by the mGlu2/3 receptor agonists, LY379268 and LY354740. Neuropharmacology 2014; 86:133-44. [PMID: 25063582 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
LY379268 and LY354740, two agonists of mGlu2/3 metabotropic glutamate receptors, display different potencies in mouse models of schizophrenia. This differential effect of the two drugs remains unexplained. We performed a proteomic analysis in cultured cortical neurons challenged with either LY379268 or LY354740. Among the few proteins that were differentially influenced by the two drugs, Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor-β (Rab GDIβ) was down-regulated by LY379268 and showed a trend to an up-regulation in response to LY354740. In cultured hippocampal neurons, LY379268 selectively down-regulated the α isoform of Rab GDI. Rab GDI inhibits the activity of the synaptic vesicle-associated protein, Rab3A, and is reduced in the brain of schizophrenic patients. We examined the expression of Rab GDI in mice exposed to prenatal stress ("PRS mice"), which have been described as a putative model of schizophrenia. Rab GDIα protein levels were increased in the hippocampus of PRS mice at postnatal days (PND)1 and 21, but not at PND60. At PND21, PRS mice also showed a reduced depolarization-evoked [(3)H]d-aspartate release in hippocampal synaptosomes. The increase in Rab GDIα levels in the hippocampus of PRS mice was reversed by a 7-days treatment with LY379268 (1 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.), but not by treatment with equal doses of LY354740. These data strengthen the validity of PRS mice as a model of schizophrenia, and show for the first time a pharmacodynamic difference between LY379268 and LY354740 which might be taken into account in an attempt to explain the differential effect of the two drugs across mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosamaria Orlando
- IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria S.S., Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Enna, Italy
| | - Marina Borro
- NESMOS Department, Advanced Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Sapienza University, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Sergio Scaccianoce
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Caruso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi di Nuzzo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria S.S., Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Enna, Italy; Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Anna Pittaluga
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Jerome Mairesse
- Neural Plasticity Team, Université Lille 1, International Associated Laboratory (LIA), France
| | - Maurizio Simmaco
- NESMOS Department, Advanced Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Sapienza University, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert Nisticò
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - James A Monn
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
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Pignatelli M, Feligioni M, Piccinin S, Molinaro G, Nicoletti F, Nisticò R. Synaptic plasticity as a therapeutic target in the treatment of autism-related single-gene disorders. Curr Pharm Des 2014; 19:6480-90. [PMID: 23432715 DOI: 10.2174/1381612811319360008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The term "Autism Spectrum" is often used to describe disorders that are currently classified as Pervasive Developmental Disorders. These disorders are typically characterized by social deficits, communication difficulties, stereotyped or repetitive behaviors and/or cognitive delays or mental retardation; sometimes they present high comorbidity rates with epilepsy. Although these diagnoses share some common features, individuals with these disorders are thought to be "on the spectrum" because of differences in severity across these domains. Recent advances in the genetics of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are offering new valuable insights into molecular and cellular mechanisms of pathology. Of particular interest are transgenic technologies that allowed the engineering of several mouse models mimicking different kinds of monogenic heritable forms of ASDs. These transgenic models provide excellent opportunities to explore in detail cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathology and to identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Increasing evidence suggests that the pathophysiological core of the murine model is primarily due to changes in normal synaptic transmission and plasticity. Here, we will extensively review the synaptic alterations across different animal models of ASDs and recapitulate the pharmacological strategies aimed at rescuing hippocampal plasticity phenotypes. We describe how pharmacological modulation of mGlu5 receptor, through the use of positive or negative allosteric modulators (depending on the specific disorder), may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for ASDs treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pignatelli
- Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome; Italy.
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Jakkamsetti V, Tsai NP, Gross C, Molinaro G, Collins KA, Nicoletti F, Wang KH, Osten P, Bassell GJ, Gibson JR, Huber KM. Experience-induced Arc/Arg3.1 primes CA1 pyramidal neurons for metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent long-term synaptic depression. Neuron 2013; 80:72-9. [PMID: 24094104 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A novel experience induces the Arc/Arg3.1 gene as well as plasticity of CA1 neural networks. To understand how these are linked, we briefly exposed GFP reporter mice of Arc transcription to a novel environment. Excitatory synaptic function of CA1 neurons with recent in vivo Arc induction (ArcGFP+) was similar to neighboring noninduced neurons. However, in response to group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation, ArcGFP+ neurons preferentially displayed long-term synaptic depression (mGluR-LTD) and robust increases in dendritic Arc protein. mGluR-LTD in ArcGFP+ neurons required rapid protein synthesis and Arc, suggesting that dendritic translation of Arc underlies the priming of mGluR-LTD. In support of this idea, novelty exposure increased Arc messenger RNA in CA1 dendrites and promoted mGluR-induced translation of Arc in hippocampal synaptoneurosomes. Repeated experience suppressed synaptic transmission onto ArcGFP+ neurons and occluded mGluR-LTD ex vivo. mGluR-LTD priming in neurons with similar Arc activation history may contribute to encoding a novel environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Jakkamsetti
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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Spampinato SF, Merlo S, Molinaro G, Battaglia G, Bruno V, Nicoletti F, Sortino MA. Dual effect of 17β-estradiol on NMDA-induced neuronal death: involvement of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1. Endocrinology 2012; 153:5940-8. [PMID: 23077075 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Pretreatment with 10 nm 17β-estradiol (17βE2) or 100 μm of the metabotropic glutamate 1 receptor (mGlu1R) agonist, dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), protected neurons against N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) toxicity. This effect was sensitive to blockade of both estrogen receptors and mGlu1R by their respective antagonists. In contrast, 17βE2 and/or DHPG, added after a low-concentration NMDA pulse (45 μm), produced an opposite effect, i.e. an exacerbation of NMDA toxicity. Again this effect was prevented by both receptor antagonists. In support of an interaction of estrogen receptors and mGlu1R in mediating a neurotoxic response, exacerbation of NMDA toxicity by 17βE2 disappeared when cultures were treated with DHPG prior to NMDA challenge, and conversely, potentiation of NMDA-induced cell death by DHPG was prevented by pretreatment with 17βE2. Addition of calpain III inhibitor (10 μm), 2 h before NMDA, prevented the increased damage induced by the two agonists, an affect that can be secondary to cleavage of mGlu1R by calpain. Accordingly, NMDA stimulation reduced expression of the full-length (140 kDa) mGluR1, an effect partially reversed by calpain inhibitor. Finally, in the presence of NMDA, the ability of 17βE2 to stimulate phosphorylation of AKT and ERK was impaired. Pretreatment with calpain inhibitor prevented the reduction of phosphorylated ERK but had no significant effect on phosphorylated AKT. Accordingly, the inhibition of ERK signaling by U0126 (1 μm) counteracted the effect of calpain inhibition on 17βE2-induced exacerbation of NMDA toxicity. The present data confirm the dual role of estrogens in neurotoxicity/neuroprotection and highlight the role of the timing of exposure to estrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Federica Spampinato
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Section of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
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19
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Busceti CL, Bucci D, Molinaro G, Di Pietro P, Zangrandi L, Gradini R, Moratalla R, Battaglia G, Bruno V, Nicoletti F, Fornai F. Lack or inhibition of dopaminergic stimulation induces a development increase of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase-positive interneurons. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44025. [PMID: 23028485 PMCID: PMC3445593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Accepted: 08/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the role of endogenous dopamine (DA) in regulating the number of intrinsic tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH(+)) striatal neurons using mice at postnatal day (PND) 4 to 8, a period that corresponds to the developmental peak in the number of these neurons. We adopted the strategy of depleting endogenous DA by a 2-day treatment with α-methyl-p-tyrosine (αMpT, 150 mg/kg, i.p.). This treatment markedly increased the number of striatal TH(+) neurons, assessed by stereological counting, and the increase was highly correlated to the extent of DA loss. Interestingly, TH(+) neurons were found closer to the clusters of DA fibers after DA depletion, indicating that the concentration gradient of extracellular DA critically regulates the distribution of striatal TH(+) neurons. A single i.p. injection of the D1 receptor antagonist, SCH23390 (0.1 mg/kg), the D2/D3 receptor antagonist, raclopride (0.1 mg/kg), or the D4 receptor antagonist, L-745,870 (5 mg/kg) in mice at PND4 also increased the number of TH(+) neurons after 4 days. Treatment with the D1-like receptor agonist SKF38393 (10 mg/kg) or with the D2-like receptor agonist, quinpirole (1 mg/kg) did not change the number of TH(+) neurons. At least the effects of SCH23390 were prevented by a combined treatment with SKF38393. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that striatal TH(+) neurons expressed D2 and D4 receptors, but not D1 receptors. Moreover, treatment with the α4β2 receptor antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE) (3.2 mg/kg) also increased the number of TH(+) neurons. The evidence that DHβE mimicked the action of SCH23390 in increasing the number of TH(+) neurons supports the hypothesis that activation of D1 receptors controls the number of striatal TH(+) neurons by enhancing the release of acetylcholine. These data demonstrate for the first time that endogenous DA negatively regulates the number of striatal TH(+) neurons by direct and indirect mechanisms mediated by multiple DA receptor subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Roberto Gradini
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University “Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
| | - Rosario Moratalla
- Department of Functional and Systems Neurobiology, Istituto Cajal CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Valeria Bruno
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University “Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University “Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco Fornai
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Human Morphology and Applied Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Pignatelli M, Vollmayr B, Richter SH, Middei S, Matrisciano F, Molinaro G, Nasca C, Battaglia G, Ammassari-Teule M, Feligioni M, Nisticò R, Nicoletti F, Gass P. Enhanced mGlu5-receptor dependent long-term depression at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapse of congenitally learned helpless rats. Neuropharmacology 2012; 66:339-47. [PMID: 22709946 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Revised: 05/19/2012] [Accepted: 05/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alterations of the glutamatergic system have been implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of major depression. In order to investigate the expression and function of mGlu5 receptors in an animal model for treatment-resistant depression we used rats bred for congenital learned helplessness (cLH) and the control strain, bred for resistance against inescapable stress, congenitally. not learned helpless rats (cNLH). Western blot analysis showed an increased expression of mGlu5 (but not mGlu1a) receptors in the hippocampus of cLH rats, as compared with control cNLH rats. We also examined mGlu1/5 receptor signaling by in vivo measurement of DHPG-stimulated polyphosphoinositides hydrolysis. Stimulation of (3)H-inositolmonophosphate formation induced by i.c.v. injection of DHPG was enhanced by about 50% in the hippocampus of cLH rats. Correspondingly, DHPG-induced long-term depression (LTD) at Schaffer collateral/CA1 pyramidal cell synapses was amplified in hippocampal slices of cLH rats, whereas LTD induced by low frequency stimulation of the Schaffer collaterals did not change. Moreover, these effects were associated with decreased basal dendritic spine density of CA1 pyramidal cell in cLH rats. These data raise the attractive possibility that changes in the expression and function of mGlu5 receptors in the hippocampus might underlie the changes in synaptic plasticity associated with the depressive-like phenotype of cLH rats. However, chronic treatment of cLH rats with MPEP did not reverse learned helplessness, indicating that the enhanced mGlu5 receptor function is not the only player in the behavioral phenotype of this genetic model of depression. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pignatelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome "La Sapienza", 00185 Rome, Italy.
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D'Amore V, Santolini I, van Rijn CM, Biagioni F, Molinaro G, Prete A, Conn PJ, Lindsley CW, Zhou Y, Vinson PN, Rodriguez AL, Jones CK, Stauffer SR, Nicoletti F, van Luijtelaar G, Ngomba RT. Potentiation of mGlu5 receptors with the novel enhancer, VU0360172, reduces spontaneous absence seizures in WAG/Rij rats. Neuropharmacology 2012; 66:330-8. [PMID: 22705340 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Revised: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Absence epilepsy is generated by the cortico-thalamo-cortical network, which undergoes a finely tuned regulation by metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors. We have shown previously that potentiation of mGlu1 receptors reduces spontaneous occurring spike and wave discharges (SWDs) in the WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy, whereas activation of mGlu2/3 and mGlu4 receptors produces the opposite effect. Here, we have extended the study to mGlu5 receptors, which are known to be highly expressed within the cortico-thalamo-cortical network. We used presymptomatic and symptomatic WAG/Rij rats and aged-matched ACI rats. WAG/Rij rats showed a reduction in the mGlu5 receptor protein levels and in the mGlu5-receptor mediated stimulation of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in the ventrobasal thalamus, whereas the expression of mGlu5 receptors was increased in the somatosensory cortex. Interestingly, these changes preceded the onset of the epileptic phenotype, being already visible in pre-symptomatic WAG/Rij rats. SWDs in symptomatic WAG/Rij rats were not influenced by pharmacological blockade of mGlu5 receptors with MTEP (10 or 30 mg/kg, i.p.), but were significantly decreased by mGlu5 receptor potentiation with the novel enhancer, VU0360172 (3 or 10 mg/kg, s.c.), without affecting motor behaviour. The effect of VU0360172 was prevented by co-treatment with MTEP. These findings suggest that changes in mGlu5 receptors might lie at the core of the absence-seizure prone phenotype of WAG/Rij rats, and that mGlu5 receptor enhancers are potential candidates to the treatment of absence epilepsy. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors'.
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Affiliation(s)
- V D'Amore
- I.R.C.C.S., NEUROMED, Neuropharmacology Unit, Parco Tecnologico, Località Camerelle 86077, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
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22
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Panaccione I, King R, Molinaro G, Riozzi B, Battaglia G, Nicoletti F, Bashir ZI. Constitutively active group I mGlu receptors and PKMzeta regulate synaptic transmission in developing perirhinal cortex. Neuropharmacology 2012; 66:143-50. [PMID: 23357951 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2012] [Revised: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic transmission is essential for early development of the central nervous system. However, the mechanisms that regulate early synaptic transmission in the cerebral cortex are unclear. PKMζ is a kinase essential for the maintenance of LTP. We show for the first time that inhibition of PKMζ produces a profound depression of basal synaptic transmission in neonatal, but not adult, rat perirhinal cortex. This suggests that synapses in early development are in a constitutive LTP-like state. Furthermore, basal synaptic transmission in immature, but not mature, perirhinal cortex relies on persistent activity of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptor, PI3Kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Thus early in development, cortical synapses exist in an LTP-like state maintained by tonically active mGlu receptor-, mTOR- and PKMζ- dependent cascades. These results provide new understanding of the molecular mechanisms that control synapses during development and may aid our understanding of developmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Panaccione
- MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, Department of Anatomy, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
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23
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Fazio F, Lionetto L, Molinaro G, Bertrand HO, Acher F, Ngomba RT, Notartomaso S, Curini M, Rosati O, Scarselli P, Di Marco R, Battaglia G, Bruno V, Simmaco M, Pin JP, Nicoletti F, Goudet C. Cinnabarinic acid, an endogenous metabolite of the kynurenine pathway, activates type 4 metabotropic glutamate receptors. Mol Pharmacol 2012; 81:643-56. [PMID: 22311707 DOI: 10.1124/mol.111.074765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cinnabarinic acid is an endogenous metabolite of the kynurenine pathway that meets the structural requirements to interact with glutamate receptors. We found that cinnabarinic acid acts as a partial agonist of type 4 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu4) receptors, with no activity at other mGlu receptor subtypes. We also tested the activity of cinnabarinic acid on native mGlu4 receptors by examining 1) the inhibition of cAMP formation in cultured cerebellar granule cells; 2) protection against excitotoxic neuronal death in mixed cultures of cortical cells; and 3) protection against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine toxicity in mice after local infusion into the external globus pallidus. In all these models, cinnabarinic acid behaved similarly to conventional mGlu4 receptor agonists, and, at least in cultured neurons, the action of low concentrations of cinnabarinic acid was largely attenuated by genetic deletion of mGlu4 receptors. However, high concentrations of cinnabarinic acid were still active in the absence of mGlu4 receptors, suggesting that the compound may have off-target effects. Mutagenesis and molecular modeling experiments showed that cinnabarinic acid acts as an orthosteric agonist interacting with residues of the glutamate binding pocket of mGlu4. Accordingly, cinnabarinic acid did not activate truncated mGlu4 receptors lacking the N-terminal Venus-flytrap domain, as opposed to the mGlu4 receptor enhancer, N-phenyl-7-(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxamide (PHCCC). Finally, we could detect endogenous cinnabarinic acid in brain tissue and peripheral organs by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Levels increased substantially during inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide. We conclude that cinnabarinic acid is a novel endogenous orthosteric agonist of mGlu4 receptors endowed with neuroprotective activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Fazio
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
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24
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Spampinato SF, Molinaro G, Merlo S, Iacovelli L, Caraci F, Battaglia G, Nicoletti F, Bruno V, Sortino MA. Estrogen Receptors and Type 1 Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Are Interdependent in Protecting Cortical Neurons against β-Amyloid Toxicity. Mol Pharmacol 2011; 81:12-20. [DOI: 10.1124/mol.111.074021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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Berrade L, Aisa B, Ramirez MJ, Galiano S, Guccione S, Moltzau LR, Levy FO, Nicoletti F, Battaglia G, Molinaro G, Aldana I, Monge A, Perez-Silanes S. Novel Benzo[b]thiophene Derivatives as New Potential Antidepressants with Rapid Onset of Action. J Med Chem 2011; 54:3086-90. [DOI: 10.1021/jm2000773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Berrade
- Unidad en Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos, Centro de Investigación en Farmacobiología Aplicada (CIFA), University of Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 1, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, University of Catania, V. le Andrea Doria 6 Ed, 2 Città Universitaria, I-95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Bárbara Aisa
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 1, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - María J. Ramirez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 1, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Silvia Galiano
- Unidad en Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos, Centro de Investigación en Farmacobiología Aplicada (CIFA), University of Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 1, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Salvatore Guccione
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, University of Catania, V. le Andrea Doria 6 Ed, 2 Città Universitaria, I-95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Lise Román Moltzau
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Finn Olav Levy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- I.R.C.C.S. Instituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Localitá Camerelle, 86077 Pozzilli (IS), Italy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Battaglia
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Italy
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome Sapienza, Italy
| | - Ignacio Aldana
- Unidad en Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos, Centro de Investigación en Farmacobiología Aplicada (CIFA), University of Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 1, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Antonio Monge
- Unidad en Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos, Centro de Investigación en Farmacobiología Aplicada (CIFA), University of Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 1, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Silvia Perez-Silanes
- Unidad en Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos, Centro de Investigación en Farmacobiología Aplicada (CIFA), University of Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 1, 31080 Pamplona, Spain
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Matrisciano F, Busceti CL, Bucci D, Orlando R, Caruso A, Molinaro G, Cappuccio I, Riozzi B, Gradini R, Motolese M, Caraci F, Copani A, Scaccianoce S, Melchiorri D, Bruno V, Battaglia G, Nicoletti F. Induction of the Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-1 is involved in stress-induced hippocampal damage. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16447. [PMID: 21304589 PMCID: PMC3029367 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2010] [Accepted: 12/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of mechanisms that mediate stress-induced hippocampal damage may shed new light into the pathophysiology of depressive disorders and provide new targets for therapeutic intervention. We focused on the secreted glycoprotein Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1), an inhibitor of the canonical Wnt pathway, involved in neurodegeneration. Mice exposed to mild restraint stress showed increased hippocampal levels of Dkk-1 and reduced expression of β-catenin, an intracellular protein positively regulated by the canonical Wnt signalling pathway. In adrenalectomized mice, Dkk-1 was induced by corticosterone injection, but not by exposure to stress. Corticosterone also induced Dkk-1 in mouse organotypic hippocampal cultures and primary cultures of hippocampal neurons and, at least in the latter model, the action of corticosterone was reversed by the type-2 glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone. To examine whether induction of Dkk-1 was causally related to stress-induced hippocampal damage, we used doubleridge mice, which are characterized by a defective induction of Dkk-1. As compared to control mice, doubleridge mice showed a paradoxical increase in basal hippocampal Dkk-1 levels, but no Dkk-1 induction in response to stress. In contrast, stress reduced Dkk-1 levels in doubleridge mice. In control mice, chronic stress induced a reduction in hippocampal volume associated with neuronal loss and dendritic atrophy in the CA1 region, and a reduced neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. Doubleridge mice were resistant to the detrimental effect of chronic stress and, instead, responded to stress with increases in dendritic arborisation and neurogenesis. Thus, the outcome of chronic stress was tightly related to changes in Dkk-1 expression in the hippocampus. These data indicate that induction of Dkk-1 is causally related to stress-induced hippocampal damage and provide the first evidence that Dkk-1 expression is regulated by corticosteroids in the central nervous system. Drugs that rescue the canonical Wnt pathway may attenuate hippocampal damage in major depression and other stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Domenico Bucci
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Rosamaria Orlando
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University “Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Caruso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University “Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Riozzi
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Roberto Gradini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University “Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
| | - Marta Motolese
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agata Copani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sergio Scaccianoce
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University “Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
| | - Daniela Melchiorri
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University “Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
- Istituto San Raffaele Pisana, Roma, Italy
| | - Valeria Bruno
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University “Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University “Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- * E-mail:
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27
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Ngomba RT, Santolini I, Biagioni F, Molinaro G, Simonyi A, van Rijn CM, D'Amore V, Mastroiacovo F, Olivieri G, Gradini R, Ferraguti F, Battaglia G, Bruno V, Puliti A, van Luijtelaar G, Nicoletti F. Protective role for type-1 metabotropic glutamate receptors against spike and wave discharges in the WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy. Neuropharmacology 2011; 60:1281-91. [PMID: 21277877 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2010] [Revised: 12/24/2010] [Accepted: 01/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Eight-month old WAG/Rij rats, which developed spontaneous occurring absence seizures, showed a reduced function of mGlu1 metabotropic glutamate receptors in the thalamus, as assessed by in vivo measurements of DHPG-stimulated polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis, in the presence of the mGlu5 antagonist MPEP as compared to age-matched non-epileptic control rats. These symptomatic 8-month old WAG/Rij rats also showed lower levels of thalamic mGlu1α receptors than age-matched controls and 2-month old (pre-symptomatic) WAG/Rij rats, as detected by immunoblotting. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analysis indicated that the reduced expression of mGlu1 receptors found in symptomatic WAG/Rij rats was confined to an area of the thalamus that excluded the ventroposterolateral nucleus. No mGlu1 receptor mRNA was detected in the reticular thalamic nucleus. Pharmacological manipulation of mGlu1 receptors had a strong impact on absence seizures in WAG/Rij rats. Systemic treatment with the mGlu1 receptor enhancer SYN119, corresponding to compound RO0711401, reduced spontaneous spike and wave discharges spike-wave discharges (SWDs) in epileptic rats. Subcutaneous doses of 10 mg/kg of SYN119 only reduced the incidence of SWDs, whereas higher doses (30 mg/kg) also reduced the mean duration of SWDs. In contrast, treatment with the non-competitive mGlu1 receptor antagonist, JNJ16259685 (2.5 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the incidence of SWDs. These data suggest that absence epilepsy might be associated with a reduction of mGlu1 receptors in the thalamus, and that compounds that amplify the activity of mGlu1 receptors might be developed as novel anti-absence drugs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Trends in neuropharmacology: in memory of Erminio Costa'.
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Affiliation(s)
- R T Ngomba
- Neuromed Institute, Neuropharmacology Unit, Parco Technologico, Località Camerelle 86077, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy.
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Caraci F, Molinaro G, Battaglia G, Giuffrida ML, Riozzi B, Traficante A, Bruno V, Cannella M, Merlo S, Wang X, Heinz BA, Nisenbaum ES, Britton TC, Drago F, Sortino MA, Copani A, Nicoletti F. Targeting group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors for the treatment of psychosis associated with Alzheimer's disease: selective activation of mGlu2 receptors amplifies beta-amyloid toxicity in cultured neurons, whereas dual activation of mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptors is neuroprotective. Mol Pharmacol 2010; 79:618-26. [PMID: 21159998 DOI: 10.1124/mol.110.067488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dual orthosteric agonists of metabotropic glutamate 2 (mGlu2) and mGlu3 receptors are being developed as novel antipsychotic agents devoid of the adverse effects of conventional antipsychotics. Therefore, these drugs could be helpful for the treatment of psychotic symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In experimental animals, the antipsychotic activity of mGlu2/3 receptor agonists is largely mediated by the activation of mGlu2 receptors and is mimicked by selective positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of mGlu2 receptors. We investigated the distinct influence of mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptors in mixed and pure neuronal cultures exposed to synthetic β-amyloid protein (Aβ) to model neurodegeneration occurring in AD. The mGlu2 receptor PAM, N-4'-cyano-biphenyl-3-yl)-N-(3-pyridinylmethyl)-ethanesulfonamide hydrochloride (LY566332), devoid of toxicity per se, amplified Aβ-induced neurodegeneration, and this effect was prevented by the mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist (2S,1'S,2'S)-2-(9-xanthylmethyl)-2-(2'-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (LY341495). LY566332 potentiated Aβ toxicity regardless of the presence of glial mGlu3 receptors, but it was inactive when neurons lacked mGlu2 receptors. The dual mGlu2/3 receptor agonist, (-)-2-oxa-4-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]exhane-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (LY379268), was neuroprotective in mixed cultures via a paracrine mechanism mediated by transforming growth factor-β1. LY379268 lost its protective activity in neurons grown with astrocytes lacking mGlu3 receptors, indicating that protection against Aβ neurotoxicity was mediated entirely by glial mGlu3 receptors. The selective noncompetitive mGlu3 receptor antagonist, (3S)-1-(5-bromopyrimidin-2-yl)-N-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)pyrrolidin-3-amine methanesulfonate hydrate (LY2389575), amplified Aβ toxicity on its own, and, interestingly, unmasked a neurotoxic activity of LY379268, which probably was mediated by the activation of mGlu2 receptors. These data indicate that selective potentiation of mGlu2 receptors enhances neuronal vulnerability to Aβ, whereas dual activation of mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptors is protective against Aβ-induced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Caraci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Molinaro G, Pietracupa S, Di Menna L, Pescatori L, Usiello A, Battaglia G, Nicoletti F, Bruno V. d-Aspartate activates mGlu receptors coupled to polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in neonate rat brain slices. Neurosci Lett 2010; 478:128-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.04.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2010] [Revised: 04/30/2010] [Accepted: 04/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Matrisciano F, Nasca C, Molinaro G, Riozzi B, Scaccianoce S, Raggi MA, Mercolini L, Biagioni F, Mathè AA, Sanna E, Maciocco E, Pignatelli M, Biggio G, Nicoletti F. Enhanced expression of the neuronal K+/Cl- cotransporter, KCC2, in spontaneously depressed Flinders Sensitive Line rats. Brain Res 2010; 1325:112-20. [PMID: 20153734 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2010] [Revised: 02/02/2010] [Accepted: 02/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We used Flinder Sensitive Line (FSL) rats, a genetic model of unipolar depression, to examine whether changes in central GABAergic transmission are associated with a depressed phenotype. FSL rats showed an increased behavioral response to low doses of diazepam, as compared to either Sprague Dawley (SD) or Flinder Resistant Line (FRL) rats used as controls. Diazepam at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg, i.p., induced a robust impairment of motor coordination in FSL rats, but was virtually inactive in SD or FRL rats. The increased responsiveness of FSL rats was not due to changes in the brain levels of diazepam or its active metabolites, or to increases in the number or affinity of benzodiazepine recognition sites, as shown by the analysis of [(3)H]-flunitrazepam binding in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex or cerebellum. We therefore examined whether FSL rats differed from control rats for the expression levels of the K(+)/Cl(-) cotransporter, KCC2, which transports Cl(-) ions out of neurons, thus creating the concentration gradient that allows Cl(-) influx through the anion channel associated with GABA(A) receptors. Combined immunoblot and immunohistochemical data showed a widespread increase in KCC2 expression in FSL rats, as compared with control rats. The increase was more prominent in the cerebellum, where KCC2 was largely expressed in the granular layer. These data raise the interesting possibility that a spontaneous depressive state in animals is associated with an amplified GABAergic transmission in the CNS resulting from an enhanced expression of KCC2.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Matrisciano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lymph nodal disease is one of the most common manifestations of head and neck tuberculosis and is particularly frequent in paediatric patients with an increasing incidence in the last decade. It may represent the manifestation of a systemic tuberculous disease or a clinical entity specific of the neck. Aim of this paper is to retrospectively analyse mycobacterial cervical adenopathies observed in two Paediatric European Centers between 1986 and 2004 and the outcomes of medical or surgical treatment. METHODS 353 children were examined for mycobacterial cervical lymphadenopaties since January 1986 to December 2004. Demografic data about the sample are showed. The retrospective evaluation of the sample underlined distribution according to etiologic patterns, head and neck adenopathies localization. Previous or simultaneous medical or surgical treatment were analyzed. Statistical analysis with Chi Square test was performed. RESULTS 281 (79.60%) cases showed a higher localization and 72 (20.40%) a lower localization. In relation to the etiological agent, 8 (2.27%) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and 222 (62.89%) mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) lymphadenopaties were observed in the upper localization as opposed to 21 (5.95%) MTB and 39 (11.05%) MOTT in the lower plane. Two (0.56%) were detected as upper lymph nodal tumefaction in the median line. In 86 (24.36%) cases at the MRI the so-called "iceberg effect" was noted. 163 (62.45%) patients underwent primary excisional biopsy whereas 74 (28.35%) underwent exeresis after other unsuccessfull therapies, 9 underwent only drainage, and 15 drainage with subsequent antibiotic therapy. Number of relapses after surgery was 16 (6.13%). CONCLUSIONS A not homogeneous therapeutic approach to the mycobacterial cervical adenitis arises from literature and WHO guidelines does not give indications for the treatment of the cervical pattern. A therapeutic strategy based on the etiology is mandatory. In case of MBT adenopathy the therapy of choice includes the association, in variable way, of different chemotherapic drugs; surgery is reserved to advanced cases. Conversely, in cases of MOTT adenopathy, surgery is the treatment of choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Caruso
- ENT Department, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
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Battaglia G, Molinaro G, Riozzi B, Storto M, Busceti CL, Spinsanti P, Bucci D, Di Liberto V, Mudò G, Corti C, Corsi M, Nicoletti F, Belluardo N, Bruno V. Activation of mGlu3 receptors stimulates the production of GDNF in striatal neurons. PLoS One 2009; 4:e6591. [PMID: 19672295 PMCID: PMC2719807 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2008] [Accepted: 07/08/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors have been considered potential targets
for the therapy of experimental parkinsonism. One hypothetical advantage
associated with the use of mGlu receptor ligands is the lack of the adverse
effects typically induced by ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, such as
sedation, ataxia, and severe learning impairment. Low doses of the mGlu2/3
metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, LY379268 (0.25–3 mg/kg, i.p.)
increased glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mRNA and protein
levels in the mouse brain, as assessed by in situ
hybridization, real-time PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. This
increase was prominent in the striatum, but was also observed in the cerebral
cortex. GDNF mRNA levels peaked at 3 h and declined afterwards, whereas GDNF
protein levels progressively increased from 24 to 72 h following LY379268
injection. The action of LY379268 was abrogated by the mGlu2/3 receptor
antagonist, LY341495 (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and was lost in mGlu3 receptor knockout
mice, but not in mGlu2 receptor knockout mice. In pure cultures of striatal
neurons, the increase in GDNF induced by LY379268 required the activation of the
mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathways, as
shown by the use of specific inhibitors of the two pathways. Both in
vivo and in vitro studies led to the conclusion
that neurons were the only source of GDNF in response to mGlu3 receptor
activation. Remarkably, acute or repeated injections of LY379268 at doses that
enhanced striatal GDNF levels (0.25 or 3 mg/kg, i.p.) were highly protective
against nigro-striatal damage induced by
1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine in mice, as assessed by
stereological counting of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the pars
compacta of the substantia nigra. We speculate that selective mGlu3 receptor
agonists or enhancers are potential candidates as neuroprotective agents in
Parkinson's disease, and their use might circumvent the limitations
associated with the administration of exogenous GDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gemma Molinaro
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Barbara Riozzi
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | | | | - Paola Spinsanti
- Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University “La
Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Bucci
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Mudò
- DIMES, Human Physiology Section, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
| | - Corrado Corti
- Neuroscience Centre of Excellence in Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline
Medicines Research Centre, Verona, Italy
| | - Mauro Corsi
- Neuroscience Centre of Excellence in Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline
Medicines Research Centre, Verona, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University “La
Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Natale Belluardo
- DIMES, Human Physiology Section, University of Palermo, Palermo,
Italy
| | - Valeria Bruno
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University “La
Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Molinaro G, Traficante A, Riozzi B, Di Menna L, Curto M, Pallottino S, Nicoletti F, Bruno V, Battaglia G. Activation of mGlu2/3 Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Negatively Regulates the Stimulation of Inositol Phospholipid Hydrolysis Mediated by 5-Hydroxytryptamine2A Serotonin Receptors in the Frontal Cortex of Living Mice. Mol Pharmacol 2009; 76:379-87. [DOI: 10.1124/mol.109.056580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Molinaro G, Battaglia G, Riozzi B, Di Menna L, Rampello L, Bruno V, Nicoletti F. Memantine treatment reduces the expression of the K(+)/Cl(-) cotransporter KCC2 in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, and attenuates behavioural responses mediated by GABA(A) receptor activation in mice. Brain Res 2009; 1265:75-9. [PMID: 19236854 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2009.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2009] [Revised: 02/06/2009] [Accepted: 02/11/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A 7-day treatment with memantine (25 mg/kg, i.p.), a drug that is currently prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, increased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and reduced the expression of the neuron-specific K(+)/Cl(-) co-transporter, KCC2, in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of mice. Knowing that KCC2 maintains low intracellular Cl(-) concentrations, which drive Cl(-) influx in response to GABA(A) receptor activation, we monitored the behavioural response to the GABA(A) receptor enhancer, diazepam, in mice pre-treated for 7 days with saline or 25 mg/kg of memantine. Memantine treatment substantially attenuated motor impairment induced by an acute challenge with diazepam (6 mg/kg, i.p.), as assessed by the rotarod test and the horizontal wire test. We suggest that a prolonged treatment with memantine induces changes in the activity of GABA(A) receptors that might contribute to the therapeutic and/or toxic effects of the drug.
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35
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Iacovelli L, Molinaro G, Battaglia G, Motolese M, Di Menna L, Alfiero M, Blahos J, Matrisciano F, Corsi M, Corti C, Bruno V, De Blasi A, Nicoletti F. Regulation of Group II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors by G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases: mGlu2 Receptors Are Resistant to Homologous Desensitization. Mol Pharmacol 2009; 75:991-1003. [DOI: 10.1124/mol.108.052316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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36
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Epifano F, Molinaro G, Genovese S, Ngomba RT, Nicoletti F, Curini M. Neuroprotective effect of prenyloxycoumarins from edible vegetables. Neurosci Lett 2008; 443:57-60. [PMID: 18675882 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.07.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2008] [Revised: 07/13/2008] [Accepted: 07/18/2008] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The present study is designed to investigate the effect of some natural prenyloxyphenylpropanoids as neuroprotective agents against NMDA-induced toxicity in mixed cortical cell cultures containing both neurons and astrocytes. Excitotoxicity was induced by exposure of cultures to NMDA (100microM) at room temperature in a HEPES-buffered salt solution followed by incubation at 37 degrees C for the following 24h in MEM-Eagle's supplemented with 15.8mM NaHCO(3) and 25mM glucose. Tested compounds were mixed with NMDA. Neuronal injury was measured in all experiments by examination of cultures with phase-contrast microscopy at 20x, 18-20h after the insult while neuronal damage was quantitatively assessed by counting dead neurons stained with trypan blue and by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released in the medium. Results showed that only natural prenyloxyphenylpropanoids containing a coumarin nucleus, namely 7-isopentenyloxycoumarin and auraptene, both found in nature from plants belonging to the genus Citrus and other of the family of Rutaceae, including edible ones, exerted a good dose-dependent manner protective effect against NMDA-induced neurotoxicity in particular at concentrations ranging from 1 to 10microM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Epifano
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco, Università G. D'Annunzio, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti Scalo, Italy.
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37
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Messina S, Molinaro G, Bruno V, Battaglia G, Spinsanti P, Di Pardo A, Nicoletti F, Frati L, Porcellini A. Enhanced expression of Harvey ras induced by serum deprivation in cultured astrocytes. J Neurochem 2008; 106:551-9. [PMID: 18410509 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05420.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Trophic deprivation contributes to astrocyte damage that occurs in acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Unraveling the underlying mechanisms may pave way to novel cytoprotective strategies. Cultured mouse astrocytes responded to trophic deprivation with a large and transient increase in the expression of p21(ras), which was secondary to an enhanced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) detected by cytofluorimetric analysis after preloading with 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. The increase in p21(ras) levels was largely attenuated by the reducing agent, N-acetylcysteine, which was proven to reduce ROS formation in astrocytes subjected to serum deprivation. We extended the analysis to the Ha-Ras isoform, which has been implicated in mechanisms of cytotoxicity. We found that serum deprivation enhanced the expression and activity of Ha-Ras without changing Ha-Ras mRNA levels. The increase in Ha-Ras levels was sensitive to the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, suggesting that serum deprivation increases translation of preformed Ha-Ras mRNA. The late decline in Ha-Ras levels observed after 60 min was prevented by the proteasome inhibitor, MG132, as well as by the selective mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, PD98059. Serum deprivation led to the activation of the MAPK pathway in cultured astrocytes, as shown by an increase in phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 levels after 5 and 30 min. Finally, using the siRNA technology, we found that an acute knock-down of Ha-Ras was protective against astrocyte damage induced by serum deprivation. We conclude that cultured astrocytes respond to trophic deprivation with an increased expression in Ha-Ras, which is limited by the concomitant activation of the MAPK pathway, but is nevertheless involved in the pathophysiology of cell damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Messina
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy.
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38
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Molinaro G, Battaglia G, Riozzi B, Storto M, Fucile S, Eusebi F, Nicoletti F, Bruno V. GABAergic drugs become neurotoxic in cortical neurons pre-exposed to brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Mol Cell Neurosci 2008; 37:312-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2007.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2007] [Revised: 10/12/2007] [Accepted: 10/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Corti C, Battaglia G, Molinaro G, Riozzi B, Pittaluga A, Corsi M, Mugnaini M, Nicoletti F, Bruno V. The use of knock-out mice unravels distinct roles for mGlu2 and mGlu3 metabotropic glutamate receptors in mechanisms of neurodegeneration/neuroprotection. J Neurosci 2007; 27:8297-308. [PMID: 17670976 PMCID: PMC6673047 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1889-07.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dual metabotropic glutamate 2/3 (mGlu2/3) receptor agonists have been examined with success in the clinic with positive proof of efficacy in several tests of anxiety and schizophrenia. Moreover, a large body of evidence has accumulated that these drugs have significant neuroprotective potential. An important discussion in the field deals with dissecting effects on mGlu2 versus effects on mGlu3 receptors, which is relevant for the potential use of subtype-selective agonists or allosteric activators. We addressed this issue using mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptor knock-out mice. We used mixed cultures of cortical cells in which astrocytes and neurons were plated at different times and could therefore originate from different mice. Cultures were challenged with NMDA for the induction of excitotoxic neuronal death. The mGlu2/3 receptor agonist, (-)-2-oxa-4-aminocyclo[3.1.0]hexane-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (LY379268), was equally neuroprotective in cultures containing neurons from wild-type, mGlu2-/-, or mGlu3-/- mice. Neuroprotection was instead abolished when astrocytes lacked mGlu3 receptors, unless neuronal mGlu2 receptors were also absent. The latter condition partially restored the protective activity of LY379268. Cultures in which neurons originated from mGlu2-/- mice were also intrinsically resistant to NMDA toxicity. In in vivo experiments, systemic administration of LY379268 protected striatal neurons against NMDA toxicity in wild-type and mGlu2-/- mice but not in mGlu3-/- mice. In addition, LY379268 was protective against nigrostriatal degeneration induced by low doses of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine only in mice lacking mGlu2 receptors. We conclude that neuroprotection by mGlu2/3 receptor agonists requires the activation of astrocytic mGlu3 receptors, whereas, unexpectedly, activation of mGlu2 receptors might be harmful to neurons exposed to toxic insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Corti
- Department of Biology, Psychiatry Centre of Excellence in Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | | | - Gemma Molinaro
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Barbara Riozzi
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Anna Pittaluga
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, 16148 Genova, Italy, and
| | - Mauro Corsi
- Department of Biology, Psychiatry Centre of Excellence in Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Manolo Mugnaini
- Department of Biology, Psychiatry Centre of Excellence in Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre, 37135 Verona, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome “La Sapienza,” 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Bruno
- Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome “La Sapienza,” 00185 Rome, Italy
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40
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Orlando R, Caruso A, Molinaro G, Motolese M, Matrisciano F, Togna G, Melchiorri D, Nicoletti F, Bruno V. Nanomolar concentrations of anabolic-androgenic steroids amplify excitotoxic neuronal death in mixed mouse cortical cultures. Brain Res 2007; 1165:21-9. [PMID: 17662261 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.06.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2007] [Revised: 06/19/2007] [Accepted: 06/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) in the world of sport has raised a major concern for the serious, sometimes life-threatening, side effects associated with these drugs. Most of the CNS effects are of psychiatric origin, and whether or not AASs are toxic to neurons is yet unknown. We compared the effect of testosterone with that of the AASs, 19-nortestosterone (nandrolone), stanozolol, and gestrinone, on excitotoxic neuronal death induced by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) in primary cultures of mouse cortical cells. In the most relevant experiments, steroids were applied to the cultures once daily during the 4 days preceding the NMDA pulse. Under these conditions, testosterone amplified excitotoxic neuronal death only at very high concentrations (10 muM), whereas it was protective at concentrations of 10 nM and inactive at intermediate concentrations. Low concentrations of testosterone became neurotoxic in the presence of the aromatase inhibitors, i.e. anastrozole and aminoglutethimide, suggesting that the intrinsic toxicity of testosterone was counterbalanced by its aromatization into 17beta-estradiol. As opposed to testosterone, nortestosterone, stanozolol and gestrinone amplified NMDA toxicity at nanomolar concentrations; their action was insensitive to aromatase inhibitors, but was abrogated by the androgen receptor antagonist, flutamide. None of the AASs were toxic in the absence of NMDA. These data suggest that AASs increase neuronal vulnerability to an excitotoxic insult and may therefore facilitate neuronal death associated with acute or chronic CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosamaria Orlando
- Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy
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41
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Battaglia G, Farrace MG, Mastroberardino PG, Viti I, Fimia GM, Van Beeumen J, Devreese B, Melino G, Molinaro G, Busceti CL, Biagioni F, Nicoletti F, Piacentini M. Transglutaminase 2 ablation leads to defective function of mitochondrial respiratory complex I affecting neuronal vulnerability in experimental models of extrapyramidal disorders. J Neurochem 2006; 100:36-49. [PMID: 17064362 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04140.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) represents the most ubiquitous isoform belonging to the TG family, and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of basal ganglia disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. We show that ablation of TG2 in knockout mice causes a reduced activity of mitochondrial complex I associated with an increased activity of complex II in the whole forebrain and striatum. Interestingly, TG2-/- mice were protected against nigrostriatal damage induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, which is converted in vivo into the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium ion. In contrast, TG2-/- mice were more vulnerable to nigrostriatal damage induced by methamphetamine or by the complex II inhibitor, 3-nitropropionic acid. Proteomic analysis showed that proteins involved in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, such as prohibitin and the beta-chain of ATP synthase, are substrates for TG2. These data suggest that TG2 is involved in the regulation of the respiratory chain both in physiology and pathology, contributing to set the threshold for neuronal damage in extrapyramidal disorders.
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MESH Headings
- 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/metabolism
- 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/pharmacology
- Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism
- Animals
- Basal Ganglia Diseases/genetics
- Basal Ganglia Diseases/physiopathology
- Biogenic Monoamines/metabolism
- Blotting, Western/methods
- Body Weight/drug effects
- Corpus Striatum/drug effects
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Electron Transport Complex I/metabolism
- Electron Transport Complex II/metabolism
- GTP-Binding Proteins/deficiency
- Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/metabolism
- Immunohistochemistry/methods
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mitochondria/drug effects
- Mitochondria/metabolism
- Mitochondrial Diseases/etiology
- Mitochondrial Diseases/pathology
- Neurons/pathology
- Piperazines/pharmacokinetics
- Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2
- Time Factors
- Transglutaminases/deficiency
- Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/metabolism
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42
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Molinaro G, Duan QL, Chagnon M, Moreau ME, Simon P, Clavel P, Lavaud S, Boileau G, Rouleau GA, Lepage Y, Adam A, Chanard J. Kinin-dependent hypersensitivity reactions in hemodialysis: metabolic and genetic factors. Kidney Int 2006; 70:1823-31. [PMID: 17003818 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ki.5001873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Although the association of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) with a negatively charged membrane is thought to be responsible for hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) during hemodialysis, we hypothesize that these complications are due to changes in plasma aminopeptidase P (APP) activity and genotype. To test this hypothesis, we measured plasma APP activity in 14 patients who suffered HSR (HSR+) while dialyzed with an AN69 membrane and simultaneously treated with an ACEi. APP activity was also studied in a control group (n=39) dialyzed under the same conditions, but who did not suffer any side effect (HSR-). We found significantly decreased plasma APP activity (P=0.013) in HSR+ subjects as well as altered degradation of endogenous des-Arginine(9)-bradykinin, with a significantly lower beta value (P<0.001). The same analytical approach was taken in 171 relatives of HSR+ patients. Variance component analysis suggested that genetic differences may explain 61% of the phenotypic variability of plasma APP activity (P<0.001) and the kinetic parameters that characterized kinin degradation. We also showed that the C-2399A single-nucleotide polymorphism at the XPNPEP2 locus was a significant predictor of APP activity in the 39 HSR- controls (P=0.029). Furthermore, a recessive genetic model for the A allele disclosed a significant difference in mean APP activity by genotype (P<0.001). Finally, our study defined the nonspecific inhibition of recombinant APP by some ACEis. In conclusion, this paper highlights the complexity of HSR in hemodialysis, suggesting, as with angioedema, that these rare, but life-threatening adverse events are governed by several metabolic and genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Molinaro
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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43
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Biagioni F, Busceti CL, Molinaro G, Battaglia G, Giorgi FS, Ruggieri S, Fornai F. Dopamine Stimulation via Infusion in the Lateral Ventricle. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2006; 1074:337-43. [PMID: 17105930 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1369.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Continuous dopamine (DA) stimulation is a therapeutic approach that applies to the treatment of motor fluctuations due to pulsatile DA stimulation in Parkinson's disease (PD), to cure the abuse of drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamine (which produce short-lasting peaks of extracellular DA), and as a safe therapeutic approach to avoid hedonistic homeostatic dysregulation (which sometime develops as an abuse pattern in PD patients receiving a pulsatile DA replacement therapy). However, systemic continuous delivery of DA agonists leads to a variety of side effects. In search for an alterative approach, in the present study we evaluated the possibility of delivering intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), a DA agonist: lisuride that was already shown to be effective when administered continuously subcutaneously (s.c.). In particular, we were interested in examining whether lisuride infused within the lateral ventricle was still able to stimulate DA receptor by inducing contralateral turning behavior in hemiparkinsonian rats. We found that lisuride, when infused in the lateral ventricle was effective in reducing the threshold for stimulating DA receptors. These results offer a more reliable and safe therapeutic approach to deliver continuous DA selectively in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Biagioni
- Department of Human Morphology and Applied Biology, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 55, I-56126 Pisa, Italy
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44
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Battaglia G, Busceti CL, Molinaro G, Biagioni F, Traficante A, Nicoletti F, Bruno V. Pharmacological activation of mGlu4 metabotropic glutamate receptors reduces nigrostriatal degeneration in mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. J Neurosci 2006; 26:7222-9. [PMID: 16822979 PMCID: PMC6673941 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1595-06.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined whether selective activation of mGlu4 metabotropic glutamate receptors attenuates 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced nigrostriatal damage in mice. C57BL mice were treated with a single dose of MPTP (30 mg/kg, i.p.) preceded, 30 min earlier, by a systemic injection of the mGlu4 receptor enhancer N-phenyl-7-(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxamide (PHCCC). PHCCC was injected either subcutaneously in cremophor EL or intraperitoneally in saline containing 50% DMSO. PHCCC treatment (3 or 10 mg/kg) significantly reduced MPTP toxicity, as assessed by measurements of the striatal levels of dopamine and its metabolites and by tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine transporter, and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining in the corpus striatum and substantia nigra. In another set of experiments, a higher cumulative dose of MPTP (80 mg/kg divided into four injections with 2 h of interval) was injected to mGlu4-/- mice and their Sv129/CD1 wild-type controls. A higher dose was used in these experiments because Sv129/CD1 mice are less sensitive to MPTP toxicity. Systemic administration of PHCCC was protective in wild-type mice but failed to affect nigrostriatal damage in mGlu4-/- mice. Finally, unilateral infusion of PHCCC in the external globus pallidus protected the ipsilateral nigrostriatal pathway against MPTP toxicity. These data support the view that mGlu4 receptors are potential targets for the experimental treatment of parkinsonism.
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45
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Storto M, Capobianco L, Battaglia G, Molinaro G, Gradini R, Riozzi B, Di Mambro A, Mitchell KJ, Bruno V, Vairetti MP, Rutter GA, Nicoletti F. Insulin secretion is controlled by mGlu5 metabotropic glutamate receptors. Mol Pharmacol 2006; 69:1234-41. [PMID: 16424079 DOI: 10.1124/mol.105.018390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are involved in the regulation of hormone secretion in the endocrine pancreas. We report here that endogenous activation of mGlu5 receptors is required for an optimal insulin response to glucose both in clonal beta-cells and in mice. In clonal beta-cells, mGlu5 receptors were expressed at the cell surface and were also found in purified insulin-containing granules. These cells did not respond to a battery of mGlu5 receptor agonists that act extracellularly, but instead responded to a cell-permeant analog of glutamate with an increase in [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion. Both effects were largely attenuated by the mGlu5 receptor antagonist, 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP). MPEP and its structural analog, (E)-2-methyl-6-styryl-pyridine (SIB-1893), reduced the increase in [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion induced by glucose in clonal beta-cells, whereas a mGlu1 receptor antagonist was inactive. mGlu5 knockout mice showed a defective insulin response at all times after a glucose pulse (1.5 g/kg, i.p.), whereas wild-type mice treated with MPEP (10 mg/kg, i.p.) showed a selective impairment in the late phase of insulin secretion in response to glucose challenge. Mice injected with MPEP or lacking mGlu5 receptors also showed a blunted glucagon response to an insulin challenge. We conclude that insulin secretion is under the control of mGlu5 receptors both in clonal beta-cells and in vivo. Drugs that modulate the function of mGlu5 receptors might affect glucose homeostasis by altering the secretion of pancreatic hormones.
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46
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Matrisciano F, Scaccianoce S, Del Bianco P, Panaccione I, Canudas AM, Battaglia G, Riozzi B, Ngomba RT, Molinaro G, Tatarelli R, Melchiorri D, Nicoletti F. Metabotropic glutamate receptors and neuroadaptation to antidepressants: imipramine-induced down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors in mice treated with metabotropic glutamate 2/3 receptor ligands. J Neurochem 2005; 93:1345-52. [PMID: 15934953 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03141.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Antidepressant drugs have a clinical latency that correlates with the development of neuroadaptive changes, including down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors in different brain regions. The identification of drugs that shorten this latency will have a great impact on the treatment of major depressive disorders. We report that the time required for the antidepressant imipramine to reduce the expression of beta-adrenergic receptors in the hippocampus is reduced by a co-administration with centrally active ligands of type 2/3 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu2/3) receptors. Daily treatment of mice with imipramine alone (10 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced the expression of beta-adrenergic receptors in the hippocampus after 21 days, but not at shorter times, as assessed by western blot analysis of beta1-adrenergic receptors and by the amount of specifically bound [3H]CGP-12177, a selective beta-adrenergic receptor ligand. Down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors occurred at shorter times (i.e. after 14 days) when imipramine was combined with low doses (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) of the selective mGlu2/3 receptor agonist LY379268, or with the preferential mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist LY341495 (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Higher doses of LY379268 (2 mg/kg, i.p.) were inactive. This intriguing finding suggests that neuroadaptation to imipramine--at least as assessed by changes in the expression of beta1-adrenergic receptors--is influenced by drugs that interact with mGlu2/3 receptors and stimulates further research aimed at establishing whether any of these drugs can shorten the clinical latency of classical antidepressants.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptation, Physiological
- Amino Acids/pharmacology
- Animals
- Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic/pharmacology
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/pharmacology
- Down-Regulation
- Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists/pharmacology
- Hippocampus/metabolism
- Imipramine/pharmacology
- Ligands
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred Strains
- Nervous System Physiological Phenomena
- Reaction Time/drug effects
- Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/metabolism
- Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate/administration & dosage
- Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate/agonists
- Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate/metabolism
- Xanthenes/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- F Matrisciano
- Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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47
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Battaglia G, Busceti CL, Molinaro G, Biagioni F, Storto M, Fornai F, Nicoletti F, Bruno V. Endogenous activation of mGlu5 metabotropic glutamate receptors contributes to the development of nigro-striatal damage induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine in mice. J Neurosci 2004; 24:828-35. [PMID: 14749427 PMCID: PMC6729818 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3831-03.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We combined the use of knock-out mice and subtype-selective antagonists [2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP) and (E)-2-methyl-6-(2-phenylethenyl)-pyridine (SIB1893)] to examine whether endogenous activation of mGlu5 metabotropic glutamate receptors contributes to the pathophysiology of nigro-striatal damage in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of parkinsonism. High doses of MPTP (four injections of 20 mg/kg, i.p., every 2 hr) induced a high mortality rate and a nearly total degeneration of the nigro-striatal pathway in wild-type mice. mGlu5 knock-out mice were less sensitive to MPTP toxicity, as shown by a higher survival and a milder nigro-striatal damage. Protection against MPTP (80 mg/kg) toxicity was also observed after MPEP injections (four injections of 5 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min before each MPTP injection). MPEP treatment did not further increase neuroprotection against 80 mg/kg of MPTP in mGlu5 knock-out mice, indicating that the drug acted by inhibiting mGlu5 receptors. In wild-type mice, MPEP was also neuroprotective when challenged against lower doses of MPTP (either 30 mg/kg, single injection, or four of 10 mg/kg injections). The action of MPEP was mimicked by SIB1893 but not by the mGlu1 receptor antagonist 7-hydroxyiminocyclopropan[b]chromen-1a-carboxylic acid ethyl ester. MPEP did not change the kinetics of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion formation in the striatum of mice injected with MPTP. We conclude that mGlu5 receptors act as amplifiers of MPTP toxicity and that mGlu5 receptor antagonists may limit the extent of nigro-striatal damage in experimental models of parkinsonism.
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MESH Headings
- 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/metabolism
- 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium/metabolism
- 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium/pharmacokinetics
- 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid/metabolism
- Animals
- Corpus Striatum/drug effects
- Corpus Striatum/metabolism
- Corpus Striatum/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dopamine/metabolism
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists/pharmacology
- Homovanillic Acid/metabolism
- MPTP Poisoning/chemically induced
- MPTP Poisoning/pathology
- MPTP Poisoning/prevention & control
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology
- Pyridines/pharmacology
- Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5
- Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate/genetics
- Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate/metabolism
- Substantia Nigra/drug effects
- Substantia Nigra/metabolism
- Substantia Nigra/pathology
- Survival Rate
- Synaptosomes/metabolism
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48
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Dumoulin MJ, Lamontagne D, Molinaro G, Adam A. Omapatrilat: a new tool for understanding metabolism of bradykinin at the endothelium level. Curr Hypertens Rep 2001; 3 Suppl 2:S28-30. [PMID: 11716803 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-001-0104-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
As a kallikrein-kinin system has been evidenced at the endothelium level, bradykinin released locally could be responsible, at least in part, for the vasodilatory effect of omapatrilat. To objectivate this potential role of bradykinin, it is important to understand the respective role of angiotensin-converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase in the metabolism of this vasodilatory peptide, and also to define the influence of different pathophysiologic factors on the respective role of these metallopeptidases in this metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Dumoulin
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boul. Edouard-Montpetit, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada
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49
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Blais C, Fortin D, Rouleau JL, Molinaro G, Adam A. Protective effect of omapatrilat, a vasopeptidase inhibitor, on the metabolism of bradykinin in normal and failing human hearts. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2000; 295:621-6. [PMID: 11046097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Because part of the cardioprotective effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors results from their protective effects on cardiac bradykinin (BK) metabolism, the purpose of this study was to define the metabolism of BK in normal and failing human hearts and to compare the effect of omapatrilat, a vasopeptidase inhibitor (VPI), which simultaneously inhibits both neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and ACE, with that of an ACE inhibitor. Exogenous BK at a nanomolar concentration was incubated alone, in the presence of an ACE inhibitor (ramiprilat, 36 nM), or in the presence of a VPI (omapatrilat, 61 nM) with left ventricular membranes prepared from normal donor hearts (n = 7), and hearts from patients with an ischemic (n = 11) or dilated (n = 12) cardiomyopathy (DCM). The half-lives calculated for BK alone (199 +/- 60, 224 +/- 108, and 283 +/- 122 s; P = NS) exhibited similar values for normal, ischemic, and DCM heart tissues, respectively. Ramiprilat significantly increased the half-life of BK (P <.01), but the effect was similar for the three kinds of tissues (297 +/- 104, 267 +/- 157, and 407 +/- 146 s, respectively; P = NS). The potentiating effect of the VPI omapatrilat on the kinetic parameter of BK (478 +/- 210, 544 +/- 249, and 811 +/- 349 s, respectively) was greater than that of the ACE inhibitor (P <.01). Moreover, omapatrilat had a more important potentiating effect with DCM than normal heart membranes (P <.05). These results show that not only ACE but also and mainly NEP play an important role in the degradation of BK in human heart membranes. Omapatrilat, a VPI, has a greater protective effect on BK metabolism than that of a pure ACE inhibitor. Thus, inhibition of both ACE and NEP with omapatrilat could be more cardioprotective than ACE inhibition alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Blais
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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50
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Raut R, Rouleau JL, Blais C, Gosselin H, Molinaro G, Sirois MG, Lepage Y, Crine P, Adam A. Bradykinin metabolism in the postinfarcted rat heart: role of ACE and neutral endopeptidase 24.11. Am J Physiol 1999; 276:H1769-79. [PMID: 10330262 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.1999.276.5.h1769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The respective role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP) in the degradation of bradykinin (BK) has been studied in the infarcted and hypertrophied rat heart. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced in rats by left descendant coronary artery ligature. Animals were killed, and hearts were sampled 1, 4, and 35 days post-MI. BK metabolism was assessed by incubating synthetic BK with heart membranes from sham hearts and infarcted (scar) and noninfarcted regions of infarcted hearts. The half-life (t1/2) of BK showed significant differences among the three types of tissue at 4 days [sham heart (114 +/- 7 s) > noninfarcted region (85 +/- 4 s) > infarcted region (28 +/- 2 s)] and 35 days post-MI [sham heart (143 +/- 6 s) = noninfarcted region (137 +/- 9 s) > infarcted region (55 +/- 4 s)]. No difference was observed at 1 day post-MI. The participation of ACE and NEP in the metabolism of BK was defined by preincubation of the membrane preparations with enalaprilat, an ACE inhibitor, and omapatrilat, a vasopeptidase inhibitor that acts by combined inhibition of NEP and ACE. Enalaprilat significantly prevented the rapid degradation of BK in every tissue type and at every sampling time. Moreover, omapatrilat significantly increased the t1/2 of BK compared with enalaprilat in every tissue type and at every sampling time. These results demonstrate that experimental MI followed by left ventricular dysfunction significantly modifies the metabolism of exogenous BK by heart membranes. ACE and NEP participate in the degradation of BK since both enalaprilat and omapatrilat have potentiating effects on the t1/2 of BK.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Raut
- Faculties, Departments of Mathematics and Statistics and of Biochemistry, University of Montreal, Montreal H3C 3J7, Quebec, Canada H1T 1C8
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