Journal of neurochemistry
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Journal of neurochemistry · Dec 2005
Consequence of the presence of two different beta subunit isoforms in a GABA(A) receptor.
The major isoforms of GABA(A) receptors are thought to be composed of two alpha, two beta and one gamma subunit(s). GABA(A) receptors containing two beta1 subunits respond differently to the anticonvulsive compound loreclezole and the general anaesthetic etomidate than receptors containing two beta2 subunits. Receptors containing beta2 subunits show a much larger allosteric stimulation by these agents than those containing beta1 subunits. ⋯ To answer this question, subunits were fused at the DNA level to form dimeric and trimeric subunits. Concatenated receptors (alpha1-beta1-alpha1/gamma2-beta1, alpha1-beta2-alpha1/gamma2-beta1, alpha1-beta1-alpha1/gamma2-beta2 and alpha1-beta2-alpha1/gamma2-beta2) were expressed in Xenopus ooctyes and functionally compared in their response to the agonist GABA and to the positive allosteric modulators, loreclezole and etomidate. We have shown that (I) in the presence of both beta1 and beta2 subunits in the same pentamer (mixed receptors) direct gating by etomidate is similar to exclusively beta1 containing receptors; (II) In mixed receptors, stimulation by etomidate assumed characteristics intermediate to exclusively beta1 or beta2 containing receptors, but the values for the concentrations < 10 microM were always much closer to those observed in alpha1-beta1-alpha1/gamma2-beta1 receptors; and (III) mixed receptors show no positional effects.
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Journal of neurochemistry · Nov 2005
Comparative StudyConstitutive expression of CCR2 chemokine receptor and inhibition by MCP-1/CCL2 of GABA-induced currents in spinal cord neurones.
In the CNS, immune-like competent cells (microglia and astrocytes) were first described as potential sites of chemokine synthesis, but more recent evidence has indicated that neurones might also express chemokines and their receptors. The aim of the present work was to investigate further, both in vivo and in vitro, CC Chemokine Family Receptor 2 (CCR2) expression and functionality in rat spinal cord neurones. First, we demonstrated by RT-PCR and western blot analysis that CCR2 mRNA and protein were present in spinal extracts. ⋯ Finally, patch-clamp recording of cultured spinal neurones was used to investigate whether MCP-1/CCL2 could modulate their electrophysiological properties. MCP-1 alone did not affect the electrical properties of spinal neurones, but potently and efficiently inhibited GABA(A)-mediated GABAergic responses in these neurones. These data constitute the first demonstration of a modulatory role of MCP-1 on GABAergic neurotransmission and contribute to our understanding of the roles of CCR2 and MCP-1/CCL2 in spinal cord physiology, in particular with respect to nociceptive transmission, as well as the implication of this chemokine in neuronal adaptation or dysfunction during neuropathy.
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Journal of neurochemistry · Nov 2005
Comparative StudyTranscriptional profiling of spinal cord injury-induced central neuropathic pain.
Central neuropathic pain (CNP) is an important problem following spinal cord injury (SCI), because it severely affects the quality of life of SCI patients. As in the patient population, the majority of rats develop significant allodynia (CNP rats) after moderate SCI. However, about 10% of SCI rats do not develop allodynia, or develop significantly less allodynia than CNP rats (non-CNP rats). ⋯ We also found that GFAP, S100beta and AQP4 protein elevation persisted for at least 9 months throughout contused spinal cords, consistent with the chronic nature of CNP. Thus, we hypothesize that CNP development results, in part, from dysfunctional, chronically "over-activated" astrocytes. Although, it has been shown that activated astrocytes are associated with peripheral neuropathic pain, this has not previously been demonstrated in CNP after SCI.
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Journal of neurochemistry · Oct 2005
Aquaporin-4 gene deletion in mice increases focal edema associated with staphylococcal brain abscess.
Brain abscess is associated with local vasogenic edema, which leads to increased intracranial pressure and significant morbidity. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a water channel expressed in astroglia at the blood-brain and brain-CSF barriers. To investigate the role of AQP4 in brain abscess-associated edema, live Staphylococcus aureus (10(5) colony-forming units) was injected into the striatum to create a focal abscess. ⋯ However, at 3 days the AQP4 null mice had significantly higher intracranial pressure (mean +/- SEM 27 +/- 2 vs. 17 +/- 2 mmHg; p < 0.001) and brain water content (81.0 +/- 0.3 vs. 79.3 +/- 0.5 % water by weight in the abscess-containing hemisphere; p < 0.01) than wild-type mice. Reactive astrogliosis was found throughout the abscess-containing hemisphere; however, only a subset of astrocytes in the peri-abscess region of wild-type mice had increased AQP4 immunoreactivity. Our findings demonstrate a protective effect of AQP4 on brain swelling in bacterial abscess, suggesting that AQP4 induction may reduce vasogenic edema associated with cerebral infection.
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Journal of neurochemistry · Oct 2005
Modulation of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor in microglial cells in response to inflammatory stimuli.
The cannabinoid system is known to be important in neuronal regulation, but is also capable of modulating immune function. Although the CNS resident microglial cells have been shown to express the CB2 subtype of cannabinoid receptor during non-immune-mediated pathological conditions, little is known about the expression of the cannabinoid system during immune-mediated CNS pathology. To examine this question, we measured CB2 receptor mRNA expression in the CNS of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and, by real-time PCR, found a 100-fold increase in CB2 receptor mRNA expression during EAE onset. ⋯ To determine the signals required for the up-regulation of the CB2 receptor, we cultured microglial cells with combinations of gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) and granulocyte) macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which both promote microglial cell activation and are expressed in the CNS during EAE, and found that they synergized, resulting in an eight to 10-fold increase in the CB2 receptor. We found no difference in the amount of the CB2 receptor ligand, 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), in the spinal cord during EAE. These data demonstrate that microglial cell activation is accompanied by CB2 receptor up-regulation, suggesting that this receptor plays an important role in microglial cell function in the CNS during autoimmune-induced inflammation.