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Cervetto C, Averna M, Vergani L, Pedrazzi M, Amato S, Pelassa S, Giuliani S, Baldini F, Maura G, Mariottini P, Marcoli M, Cervelli M. Reactive Astrocytosis in a Mouse Model of Chronic Polyamine Catabolism Activation. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1274. [PMID: 34572487 PMCID: PMC8467798 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the brain, polyamines are mainly synthesized in neurons, but preferentially accumulated in astrocytes, and are proposed to be involved in neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory disorders and neuron injury. A transgenic mouse overexpressing spermine oxidase (SMOX, which specifically oxidizes spermine) in the neocortex neurons (Dach-SMOX mouse) was proved to be a model of increased susceptibility to excitotoxic injury. METHODS To investigate possible alterations in synapse functioning in Dach-SMOX mouse, both cerebrocortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes) and astrocytic processes (gliosomes) were analysed by assessing polyamine levels, ezrin and vimentin content, glutamate AMPA receptor activation, calcium influx, and catalase activity. RESULTS The main findings are as follows: (i) the presence of functional calcium-permeable AMPA receptors in synaptosomes from both control and Dach-SMOX mice, and in gliosomes from Dach-SMOX mice only; (ii) reduced content of spermine in gliosomes from Dach-SMOX mice; and (iii) down-regulation and up-regulation of catalase activity in synaptosomes and gliosomes, respectively, from Dach-SMOX mice. CONCLUSIONS Chronic activation of SMOX in neurons leads to major changes in the astrocyte processes including reduced spermine levels, increased calcium influx through calcium-permeable AMPA receptors, and stimulation of catalase activity. Astrocytosis and the astrocyte process alterations, depending on chronic activation of polyamine catabolism, result in synapse dysregulation and neuronal suffering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cervetto
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (C.C.); (S.A.); (S.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Monica Averna
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Laura Vergani
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.V.); (F.B.)
| | - Marco Pedrazzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Sarah Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (C.C.); (S.A.); (S.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Simone Pelassa
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (C.C.); (S.A.); (S.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Stefano Giuliani
- Department of Science, University of Rome “Roma Tre”, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.G.); (P.M.)
| | - Francesca Baldini
- Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (L.V.); (F.B.)
| | - Guido Maura
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (C.C.); (S.A.); (S.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Paolo Mariottini
- Department of Science, University of Rome “Roma Tre”, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.G.); (P.M.)
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy; (C.C.); (S.A.); (S.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Manuela Cervelli
- Department of Science, University of Rome “Roma Tre”, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy; (S.G.); (P.M.)
- Neurodevelopment, Neurogenetics and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
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