scholarly journals Dynamic alterations of retinal EphA5 expression in retinocollicular map plasticity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Cheng ◽  
Mark D. Graves ◽  
Sarah L. Pallas

AbstractThe topographically ordered retinocollicular projection is an excellent system for studying the mechanism of axon guidance. Gradients of EphA receptors in the retina and ephrin-As in the superior colliculus (SC) pattern the anteroposterior axis of the retinocollicular map, but whether they are involved in map plasticity after injury is unknown. Partial damage to the caudal SC at birth creates a compressed, complete retinotopic map in the remaining SC without affecting visual response properties. Previously, we found that the gradient of ephrinA expression in compressed maps is steeper than normal, suggesting an instructive role in compression (Tadesse et al., 2013). Here we measured EphA5 mRNA and protein levels after caudal SC damage in order to test the hypothesis that changes in retinal EphA5 expression occur that are complementary to the changes in collicular ephrin-A expression. We find that the nasotemporal gradient of EphA5 receptor expression steepens in the retina and overall expression levels change dynamically, especially in temporal retina, supporting the hypothesis. This change in receptor expression occurs after the change in ephrin-A ligand expression. We propose that changes in the retinal EphA5 gradient guide recovery of the retinocollicular projection from early injury. This could occur directly through the change in EphA5 expression instructing retino-SC map compression, or through ephrinA ligand signaling instructing a change in EphA5 receptor expression that in turn signals the retinocollicular map to compress. Understanding what molecular signals direct compensation for injury is essential to developing rehabilitative strategies and maximizing the potential for recovery.

2001 ◽  
Vol 356 (3) ◽  
pp. 883-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine GAMBLING ◽  
Ruth DANZEISEN ◽  
Susan GAIR ◽  
Richard G. LEA ◽  
Zehane CHARANIA ◽  
...  

Maternal iron deficiency during pregnancy induces anaemia in the developing fetus; however, the severity tends to be less than in the mother. The mechanism underlying this resistance has not been determined. We have measured placental expression of proteins involved in iron transfer in pregnant rats given diets with decreasing levels of iron and examined the effect of iron deficiency on iron transfer across BeWo cell layers, a model for placental iron transfer. Transferrin receptor expression was increased at both mRNA and protein levels. Similarly, expression of the iron-responsive element (IRE)-regulated form of the divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) was also increased. In contrast, the non-IRE regulated isoform showed no change in mRNA levels. Protein levels of DMT1 increased significantly. Iron efflux is thought to be mediated by the metal transporter protein, IREG1/ferroportin1/MTP1, and oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) prior to incorporation into fetal transferrin is carried out by the placental copper oxidase. Expression of IREG1 was not altered by iron deficiency, whereas copper oxidase activity was increased. In BeWo cells made iron deficient by treatment with desferrioxamine (‘deferioxamine’), iron accumulation from iron-transferrin increased, in parallel with increased expression of the transferrin receptor. At the same time, iron efflux also increased, showing a higher flux of iron from the apical to the basolateral side. The data show that expression of placental proteins of iron transport are up-regulated in maternal iron deficiency, resulting in an increased efficiency of iron flux and a consequent minimization of the severity of fetal anaemia.


Endocrinology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 152 (7) ◽  
pp. 2857-2869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesc X. Donadeu ◽  
Cristina L. Esteves ◽  
Lynsey K. Doyle ◽  
Catherine A. Walker ◽  
Stephanie N. Schauer ◽  
...  

Previous studies showed that under certain conditions LH can stimulate not only adenylate cyclase (AC) but also phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) signaling in target cells; however, the physiological involvement of PLCβ in LH-induced ovarian follicular cell differentiation has not been determined. To address this, ex vivo expression analyses and specific PLCβ targeting were performed in primary bovine granulosa cells. Expression analyses in cells from small (2.0–5.9 mm), medium (6.0–9.9 mm), and ovulatory-size (10.0–13.9 mm) follicles revealed an increase in mRNA and protein levels of heterotrimeric G protein subunits-αs, -αq, -α11, and -αi2 in ovulatory-size follicles, simultaneous with a substantial increase in LH receptor expression. Among the four known PLCβ isoforms, PLCβ3 (PLCB3) was specifically up-regulated in cells from ovulatory-size follicles, in association with a predominantly cytoplasmic location of PLCB3 in these cells and a significant inositol phosphate response to LH stimulation. Furthermore, RNA interference-mediated PLCB3 down-regulation reduced the ability of LH to induce hallmark differentiation responses of granulosa cells, namely transcriptional up-regulation of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 and down-regulation of both aromatase expression and estradiol production. Responses to the AC agonist, forskolin, however, were not affected. In addition, PLCB3 down-regulation did not alter cAMP responses to LH in granulosa cells, ruling out a primary involvement of AC in mediating the effects of PLCB3. In summary, we provide evidence of a physiological involvement of PLCβ signaling in ovulatory-size follicles and specifically identify PLCB3 as a mediator of LH-induced differentiation responses of granulosa cells.


2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (2) ◽  
pp. H787-H796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Maj Samuelsson ◽  
Entela Bollano ◽  
Reza Mobini ◽  
Britt-Mari Larsson ◽  
Elmir Omerovic ◽  
...  

To investigate the association between hyperinsulinemia and cardiac hypertrophy, we treated rats with insulin for 7 wk and assessed effects on myocardial growth, vascularization, and fibrosis in relation to the expression of angiotensin II receptors (AT-R). We also characterized insulin signaling pathways believed to promote myocyte growth and interact with proliferative responses mediated by G protein-coupled receptors, and we assessed myocardial insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and p110α catalytic and p85 regulatory subunits of phospatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), Akt, MEK, ERK1/2, and S6 kinase-1 (S6K1). Left ventricular (LV) geometry and performance were evaluated echocardiographically. Insulin decreased AT1a-R mRNA expression but increased protein levels and increased AT2-R mRNA and protein levels and phosphorylation of IRS-1 (Ser374/Tyr989), MEK1/2 (Ser218/Ser222), ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204), S6K1 (Thr421/Ser424/Thr389), Akt (Thr308/Thr308), and PI3K p110α but not of p85 (Tyr508). Insulin increased LV mass and relative wall thickness and reduced stroke volume and cardiac output. Histochemical examination demonstrated myocyte hypertrophy and increases in interstitial fibrosis. Metoprolol plus insulin prevented the increase in relative wall thickness, decreased fibrosis, increased LV mass, and improved function seen with insulin alone. Thus our data demonstrate that chronic hyperinsulinemia decreases AT1a-to-AT2 ratio and increases MEK-ERK1/2 and S6K1 pathway activity related to hypertrophy. These changes might be crucial for increased cardiovascular growth and fibrosis and signs of impaired LV function.


2018 ◽  
Vol 315 (5) ◽  
pp. F1329-F1335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali C. Johnson ◽  
Richard A. Zager

p21 is upregulated in renal tubules in response to acute kidney injury ( AKI). and localizes in the nucleus, where it induces cell cycle arrest (CCA). These events can mitigate early injury but can also facilitate the onset of the degenerative cell senescence/“aging” process. Hence, we asked the following: 1) can AKI-induced p21 upregulation be gauged by plasma and/or urinary p21 assay; 2) might p21 serve as an AKI/CCA biomarker; and 3) does p21 accumulate during normal renal aging, and might plasma p21 reflect this process? Mice were subjected to either ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) or nephotoxic (maleate) AKI. Renal cortical p21 expression (protein, mRNA) was assessed 2–18 h later and contrasted with plasma/urine p21 concentrations (ELISA). p21 mRNA/protein levels were also measured in aging mice (2, 12, 24 mo). AKI induced marked, progressive, increases in renal cortical p21 mRNA and protein levels. These changes were marked by acute (within 2–4 h) and profound increases (up to 200×) in both plasma and urine p21 concentrations. Renal I/R also activated p21 gene expression in extrarenal organs (heart, brain), consistent with so-called “organ cross talk”. p21 efflux from damaged cells was confirmed with studies of hypoxia-injured, isolated proximal tubules. Aging was associated with progressive renal cortical p21 expression, which correlated ( r, 0.83) with rising plasma p21 concentrations. We concluded that 1) during AKI, renal p21 increases can be gauged by either plasma or urine p21 assay, serving as potentially useful AKI/CCA biomarkers; 2) AKI can activate p21 in extrarenal organs; and 3) plasma p21 levels may provide an index of the renal/systemic aging process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy Menzel ◽  
Joakim Kosinski ◽  
Lena Uller ◽  
Hamid Akbarshahi

Abstract Macrophages play an important role in asthma pathogenesis both in the inflammatory and resolution phase of the disease. Macrophages can acquire different polarisation states dependent on their microenvironment. It is yet unclear through which mechanism the microenvironment affects the anti-viral response in macrophages. We hypothesized that the macrophage microenvironment regulates rhinovirus-induced IFNβ expression. Murine bone marrow-derived monocytes and human differentiated THP-1 cells were stimulated with M-CSF or GM-CSF and IFNγ or IL-4/IL-13, respectively, to mimic a Th1 or Th2 environment. Macrophages were infected with rhinovirus and gene and protein levels of IFNβ and pattern recognition receptor expression were measured. In subsequent experiments an IκB kinase inhibitor was used to study the involvement of NFκB. Both murine and human M1-like macrophages exhibited higher levels of IFNβ and pattern recognition receptors after rhinovirus infection than M2-like macrophages. Blockage of NFκB resulted in a lower expression of rhinovirus-induced IFNβ in human M1-like macrophages while inducing a higher expression in M2-like macrophages, suggesting that the interferon response towards viral infection was mediated by NFκB. These findings could contribute to a better understanding of mechanisms causing reduced anti-viral responses at viral-induced exacerbations in asthma.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanlan Chen ◽  
Wen Huang ◽  
Wenlin Jiang ◽  
Xianghong Wu ◽  
Biao Ye ◽  
...  

HIV-1 transactivator protein (Tat) has been shown to play an important role in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between occludin and amyloid-beta (Aβ) transfer receptors in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) in the context of HIV-1-related pathology. The protein expressions of occludin, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) in hCMEC/D3 cells were examined using western blotting and immunofluorescent staining. The mRNA levels of occludin, RAGE, and LRP1 were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. HIV-1 Tat at 1 µg/mL and the Rho inhibitor hydroxyfasudil (HF) at 30 µmol/L, with 24 h exposure, had no significant effect on hCMEC/D3 cell viability. Treatment with HIV-1 Tat protein decreased mRNA and protein levels of occludin and LRP1 and upregulated the expression of RAGE; however, these effects were attenuated by HF. These data suggest that the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway is involved in HIV-1 Tat-mediated changes in occludin, RAGE, and LRP1 in hCMEC/D3 cells. HF may have a beneficial influence by protecting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and the expression of Aβtransfer receptors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (7) ◽  
pp. 765-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin M Brown ◽  
Hsiu-Chi Lee ◽  
Shi Liu ◽  
Charles M Quick ◽  
Lorenzo M Fernandes ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Progesterone (P) resistance is a hallmark of endometriosis, but the underlying mechanism(s) for loss of P sensitivity leading to lesion establishment remains poorly understood. Objective To evaluate the association between Notch-1 signaling activation and P resistance in the progression of endometriosis. Design Case control study; archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Setting University hospitals (United States, Taiwan). Patients Women with endometriosis; human endometrial stromal cell line (HESC). Intervention Eutopic endometria (EU) and ectopic lesions (ECs) were collected from surgically diagnosed patients. Archived tissue sections of EU and ECs were identified. HESCs were treated with N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) and valproic acid (VPA) to, respectively, suppress and induce Notch-1 activation. Outcome Measures Tissues were analyzed for Notch Intra-Cellular Domain 1 (NICD1) and progesterone receptor (PGR) protein expression by immunohistochemistry and for transcript levels of NICD1 target genes HES1, PGR, and PGR-B by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. DAPT- or VPA-treated HESCs with and without P cotreatment were evaluated for cell numbers and for PGR, HES1, and PGR target gene DKK1 transcript levels. Results Nuclear-localized stromal NICD1 protein levels were inversely associated with those of total PGR in EU and ECs. Stromal ECs displayed higher HES1 and lower total PGR and PGR-B transcript levels than EU. In HESCs, DAPT reduction of NICD1 decreased cell numbers and increased PGR transcript and nuclear PGR protein levels and, with P cotreatment, maintained P sensitivity. Conversely, VPA induction of NICD1 decreased PGR transcript levels and, with P cotreatment, abrogated P-induced DKK1 and maintained HES1 transcript levels. Conclusions Aberrant Notch-1 activation is associated with decreased PGR that contributes to P resistance in endometriosis.


2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (14) ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois Rouzaud ◽  
Jean-Philippe Annereau ◽  
Julio C. Valencia ◽  
Gertrude-E. Costin ◽  
Vincent J. Hearing

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (2) ◽  
pp. L307-L314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Yao ◽  
Musa A. Haxhiu ◽  
Syed I. Zaidi ◽  
Shijian Liu ◽  
Anjum Jafri ◽  
...  

Airway hyperreactivity is one of the hallmarks of hyperoxic lung injury in early life. As neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are potent mediators of neuronal plasticity, we hypothesized that neurotrophin levels in the pulmonary system may be disturbed by hyperoxic exposure. We therefore evaluated the effects of hyperoxia on the expression of BDNF, NGF, and their corresponding high-affinity receptors, TrkB and TrkA, respectively, in the lung of rat pups. Five-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomized to hyperoxic or control groups and then continuously exposed to hyperoxia (>95% oxygen) or normoxia over 7 days. At both mRNA and protein levels, BDNF was detected in lung but not in trachea; its level was substantially enhanced in lungs from the hyperoxia-exposed rat pups. Distribution of BDNF mRNA by in situ hybridization indicates that peribronchial smooth muscle was the major source of increased BDNF production in response to hyperoxic exposure. Interestingly, hyperoxia-induced elevation of BDNF was not accompanied by any changes of NGF levels in lung. Furthermore, hyperoxic exposure increased the expression of TrkB in peribronchial smooth muscle but had no effect on the distribution of the specific NGF receptor TrkA. These findings indicate that hyperoxic stress not only upregulates BDNF at mRNA and protein levels but also enhances TrkB within peribronchial smooth muscle. However, there was no corresponding effect on NGF and TrkA receptors. We speculate that the increased level of BDNF may contribute to hyperoxia-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in early postnatal life.


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