scholarly journals Rapid Fragmentation of the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Cortical Neurons of the Mouse Brain in situ Following Cardiac Arrest

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1663-1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Kucharz ◽  
Tadeusz Wieloch ◽  
Håkan Toresson

Neuronal endoplasmic reticulum (ER), continuous from soma to dendritic spines, undergoes rapid fragmentation in response to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor stimulation in hippocampal slices and neuronal primary cultures. Here, we show that ER fragments in the mouse brain following cardiac arrest (CA) induced brain ischemia. The ER structure was assessed in vivo in cortical pyramidal neurons in transgenic mice expressing ER-targeted GFP using two-photon laser scanning microscopy with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Endoplasmic reticulum fragmentation occurred 1 to 2 minutes after CA and once induced, fragmentation was rapid (< 15 seconds). We propose that acute ER fragmentation may be a protective response against severe ischemic stress.

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 4121-4130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Kang ◽  
Jun Xu ◽  
Qiwu Xu ◽  
Maiken Nedergaard ◽  
Jian Kang

A paroxysmal depolarization shift (PDS) has been suggested to be a hallmark for epileptic activity in partial-onset seizures. By monitoring membrane potentials and currents in pairs of pyramidal neurons and astrocytes with dual patch-clamp recording and exocytosis of vesicles from astrocytes with two-photon laser scanning microscopy in hippocampal slices, we found that infusion of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) into astrocytes by patch pipettes induced astrocytic glutamate release that triggered a transient depolarization (TD) and epileptiform discharges in CA1 pyramidal neurons. The TD is due to a tetrodotoxin (TTX)-insensitive slowly decaying transient inward current (STC). Astrocytic glutamate release simultaneously triggers both the STC in pyramidal neurons and a transport current (TC) in astrocytes. The neuronal STC is mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors leading to the TD and epileptiform discharges; while the astrocytic TC is a glutamate reuptake current resulting from transporting released glutamate into the patched astrocyte. Fusion of a large vesicle in astrocytes was immediately followed by an astrocytic TC, suggesting that the fused vesicle contains glutamate. Both fusion of large vesicles and astrocytic TCs were blocked by tetanus toxin (TeNT), suggesting that astrocytic glutamate release is via SNARE-dependent exocytosis of glutamate-containing vesicles. In the presence of TTX, the epileptogenic reagent, 4-AP, also induced similar neuronal STCs and astrocytic TCs, suggesting that astrocytic glutamate release may play an epileptogenic role in initiation of epileptic seizures under pathological conditions. Our study provides a novel mechanism, astrocytic release of glutamate, for seizure initiation.


1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Jaffe ◽  
Thomas H. Brown

Jaffe, David B. and Thomas H. Brown. Calcium dynamics in thorny excrescences of CA3 pyramidal neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 10–18, 1997. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to visualize Ca2+ transients in a particular type of dendritic spine, known as a thorny excrescence, in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons. These large excrescences or thorns, which serve as the postsynaptic target for the mossy-fiber synaptic inputs, were identified on the basis of their location, frequency, and size. Whole cell recordings were made from superficial CA3 pyramidal neurons in thick hippocampal slices with the use of infrared video microscopy; cells with proximal apical dendrites close to the surface of the slice were selected. Changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels were monitored by imaging changes in fluorescence of the dyes Calcium Green-1 and Fluo-3. Dual-emission fluorescence imaging was also employed with the use of a combination of Fluo-3 and the Ca2+insensitive dye seminaphthorhodafluor-1. This method was used todecrease the potential influence of background fluorescence on the calculated changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Somatic depolarization produced increases in [Ca2+]i in both the thorn and the immediately adjacent dendrite. Changes in [Ca2+]i were time locked with the onset of depolarization and the decay began immediately after the termination of depolarization. The peak increase in the Ca2+ signal was significantly greater in the thorns than in the adjacent dendritic shafts. With the use of high-temporal-resolution methods (line scans), differences were also seen in the time course of Ca2+ signals in these two regions. The decay time constants of the Ca2+ signal were faster in thorns than in the adjacent dendritic shafts. These observations suggest that voltage-gated Ca2+ channels are localized directly on the dendritic spines receiving mossy-fiber input. Furthermore, Ca2+ homeostasis within thorny excrescences is distinct from Ca2+ regulation in the dendritic shaft, at least over brief time periods, a finding that could have important implications for synaptic plasticity and signaling.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anete Dudele ◽  
Peter Mondrup Rasmussen ◽  
Leif Østergaard

Peripheral nerve function is metabolically demanding and nerve energy failure has been implicated in the onset and development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain conditions. Distal peripheral nerve oxygen supply relies on the distribution of red blood cells (RBCs) in just a few, nearby capillary-sized vessels and is therefore technically challenging to characterize. We developed an approach to characterize distal sural nerve hemodynamics in anesthetized, adult male mice using in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy. Our results show that RBC velocities in mouse sural nerve vessels are higher than those previously measured in mouse brain, and are sensitive to hindlimb temperatures. Nerve blood flow, measured as RBC flux, however, was similar to that of mouse brain and unaffected by local temperature. Power spectral density analysis of fluctuations in RBC velocities over short time intervals suggest that the technique is sufficiently sensitive and robust to detect subtle flow oscillations over time scales from 0.1 to tens of seconds. We conclude that in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy provides a suitable approach to study peripheral nerve hemodynamics in mice, and that local temperature control is important during such measurements.


Author(s):  
M. H. Chestnut ◽  
C. E. Catrenich

Helicobacter pylori is a non-invasive, Gram-negative spiral bacterium first identified in 1983, and subsequently implicated in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal disease including gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Cytotoxic activity, manifested by intracytoplasmic vacuolation of mammalian cells in vitro, was identified in 55% of H. pylori strains examined. The vacuoles increase in number and size during extended incubation, resulting in vacuolar and cellular degeneration after 24 h to 48 h. Vacuolation of gastric epithelial cells is also observed in vivo during infection by H. pylori. A high molecular weight, heat labile protein is believed to be responsible for vacuolation and to significantly contribute to the development of gastroduodenal disease in humans. The mechanism by which the cytotoxin exerts its effect is unknown, as is the intracellular origin of the vacuolar membrane and contents. Acridine orange is a membrane-permeant weak base that initially accumulates in low-pH compartments. We have used acridine orange accumulation in conjunction with confocal laser scanning microscopy of toxin-treated cells to begin probing the nature and origin of these vacuoles.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang Lan Fan ◽  
Jose A. Rivera ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
John Peterson ◽  
Henry Haeberle ◽  
...  

AbstractUnderstanding the structure and function of vasculature in the brain requires us to monitor distributed hemodynamics at high spatial and temporal resolution in three-dimensional (3D) volumes in vivo. Currently, a volumetric vasculature imaging method with sub-capillary spatial resolution and blood flow-resolving speed is lacking. Here, using two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) with an axially extended Bessel focus, we capture volumetric hemodynamics in the awake mouse brain at a spatiotemporal resolution sufficient for measuring capillary size and blood flow. With Bessel TPLSM, the fluorescence signal of a vessel becomes proportional to its size, which enables convenient intensity-based analysis of vessel dilation and constriction dynamics in large volumes. We observe entrainment of vasodilation and vasoconstriction with pupil diameter and measure 3D blood flow at 99 volumes/second. Demonstrating high-throughput monitoring of hemodynamics in the awake brain, we expect Bessel TPLSM to make broad impacts on neurovasculature research.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3749
Author(s):  
Yingnan Si ◽  
Ya Zhang ◽  
Hanh Giai Ngo ◽  
Jia-Shiung Guan ◽  
Kai Chen ◽  
...  

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are highly aggressive and recurrent. Standard cytotoxic chemotherapies are currently the main treatment options, but their clinical efficacies are limited and patients usually suffer from severe side effects. The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate targeted liposomes-delivered combined chemotherapies to treat TNBCs. Specifically, the IC50 values of the microtubule polymerization inhibitor mertansine (DM1), mitotic spindle assembly defecting taxane (paclitaxel, PTX), DNA synthesis inhibitor gemcitabine (GC), and DNA damage inducer doxorubicin (AC) were tested in both TNBC MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Then we constructed the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) tagged liposomes and confirmed its TNBC cell surface binding using flow cytometry, internalization with confocal laser scanning microscopy, and TNBC xenograft targeting in NSG female mice using In Vivo Imaging System. The safe dosage of anti-EGFR liposomal chemotherapies, i.e., <20% body weight change, was identified. Finally, the in vivo anti-tumor efficacy studies in TNBC cell line-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft models revealed that the targeted delivery of chemotherapies (mertansine and gemcitabine) can effectively inhibit tumor growth. This study demonstrated that the targeted liposomes enable the new formulations of combined therapies that improve anti-TNBC efficacy.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 770
Author(s):  
Patrick M. Perrigue ◽  
Richard A. Murray ◽  
Angelika Mielcarek ◽  
Agata Henschke ◽  
Sergio E. Moya

Nanoformulations offer multiple advantages over conventional drug delivery, enhancing solubility, biocompatibility, and bioavailability of drugs. Nanocarriers can be engineered with targeting ligands for reaching specific tissue or cells, thus reducing the side effects of payloads. Following systemic delivery, nanocarriers must deliver encapsulated drugs, usually through nanocarrier degradation. A premature degradation, or the loss of the nanocarrier coating, may prevent the drug’s delivery to the targeted tissue. Despite their importance, stability and degradation of nanocarriers in biological environments are largely not studied in the literature. Here we review techniques for tracing the fate of nanocarriers, focusing on nanocarrier degradation and drug release both intracellularly and in vivo. Intracellularly, we will discuss different fluorescence techniques: confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, lifetime imaging, flow cytometry, etc. We also consider confocal Raman microscopy as a label-free technique to trace colocalization of nanocarriers and drugs. In vivo we will consider fluorescence and nuclear imaging for tracing nanocarriers. Positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography are used for a quantitative assessment of nanocarrier and payload biodistribution. Strategies for dual radiolabelling of the nanocarriers and the payload for tracing carrier degradation, as well as the efficacy of the payload delivery in vivo, are also discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (06) ◽  
pp. 1950012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hequn Zhang ◽  
Weisi Xie ◽  
Ming Chen ◽  
Liang Zhu ◽  
Zhe Feng ◽  
...  

Rodents are popular biological models for physiological and behavioral research in neuroscience and rats are better models than mice due to their higher genome similarity to human and more accessible surgical procedures. However, rat brain is larger than mice brain and it needs powerful imaging tools to implement better penetration against the scattering of the thicker brain tissue. Three-photon fluorescence microscopy (3PFM) combined with near-infrared (NIR) excitation has great potentials for brain circuits imaging because of its abilities of anti-scattering, deep-tissue imaging, and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this work, a type of AIE luminogen with red fluorescence was synthesized and encapsulated with Pluronic F-127 to make up form nanoparticles (NPs). Bright DCDPP-2TPA NPs were employed for in vivo three-photon fluorescent laser scanning microscopy of blood vessels in rats brain under 1550[Formula: see text]nm femtosecond laser excitation. A fine three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction up to the deepness of 600[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m was achieved and the blood flow velocity of a selected vessel was measured in vivo as well. Our 3PFM deep brain imaging method simultaneously recorded the morphology and function of the brain blood vessels in vivo in the rat model. Using this angiography combined with the arsenal of rodent’s brain disease, models can accelerate the neuroscience research and clinical diagnosis of brain disease in the future.


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