scholarly journals Modulation of phrenic motoneuron excitability by ATP: consequences for respiratory-related output in vitro

2002 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 1899-1910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gareth B. Miles ◽  
Marjorie A. Parkis ◽  
Janusz Lipski ◽  
Gregory D. Funk
Keyword(s):  
Pyridoxal Phosphate ◽  
Rapid Onset ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
P2x Receptor ◽  
Repetitive Firing ◽  
Burst Amplitude ◽  
Inward Currents ◽  
High Level

On the basis of the high level of P2X receptor expression found in phrenic motoneurons (MN) in rats (Kanjhan et al., J Comp Neurol407: 11–32, 1999) and potentiation of hypoglossal MN inspiratory activity by ATP (Funk et al., J Neurosci 17: 6325–6337, 1997), we tested the hypothesis that ATP receptor activation also modulates phrenic MN activity. This question was examined in rhythmically active brain stem-spinal cord preparations from neonatal rats by monitoring effects of ATP on the activity of spinal C4 nerve roots and phrenic MNs. ATP produced a rapid-onset, dose-dependent, suramin- and pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulphonic acid 4-sodium-sensitive increase in C4 root tonic discharge and a 22 ± 7% potentiation of inspiratory burst amplitude. This was followed by a slower, 10 ± 5% reduction in burst amplitude. ATPγS, the hydrolysis-resistant analog, evoked only the excitatory response. ATP induced inward currents (57 ± 39 pA) and increased repetitive firing of phrenic MNs. These data, combined with persistence of ATP currents in TTX and immunolabeling for P2X2 receptors in Fluoro-Gold-labeled C4 MNs, implicate postsynaptic P2 receptors in the excitation. Inspiratory synaptic currents, however, were inhibited by ATP. This inhibition differed from that seen in root recordings; it did not follow an excitation, had a faster onset, and was induced by ATPγS. Thus ATP inhibited activity through at least two mechanisms: 1) a rapid P2 receptor-mediated inhibition and 2) a delayed P1 receptor-mediated inhibition associated with hydrolysis of ATP to adenosine. The complex effects of ATP on phrenic MNs highlight the importance of ATP as a modulator of central motor outflows.

GAT-1 and Reversible GABA Transport in Bergmann Glia in Slices

2002 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 1407-1419 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Barakat ◽  
A. Bordey
Keyword(s):  
Gaba Receptors ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Bergmann Glia ◽  
Gaba Uptake ◽  
Induced Voltage ◽  
Nipecotic Acid ◽  
Gaba Transporters ◽  
Whole Cell Patch Clamp ◽  
Inward Currents

Although glial GABA uptake and release have been studied in vitro, GABA transporters (GATs) have not been characterized in glia in slices. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings were obtained from Bergmann glia in rat cerebellar slices to characterize carrier-mediated GABA influx and efflux. GABA induced inward currents at −70 mV that could be pharmacologically separated into GABAA receptor and GAT currents. In the presence of GABAA/B/C receptor blockers, mean GABA-induced currents measured −48 pA at −70 mV, were inwardly rectifying between −70 and +50 mV, were inhibited by external Na+ removal, and were diminished by reduction of external Cl−. Nontransportable blockers of GAT-1 (SKF89976-A and NNC-711) and a transportable blocker of all the GAT subtypes (nipecotic acid) reversibly reduced GABA-induced transport currents by 68 and 100%, respectively. A blocker of BGT-1 (betaine) had no effect. SKF89976-A and NNC-711 also suppressed baseline inward currents that likely result from tonic GAT activation by background GABA. The substrate agonists, nipecotic acid and β-alanine but not betaine, induced voltage- and Na+-dependent currents. With Na+ and GABA inside the patch pipette or intracellular GABA perfusion during the recording, SKF89976-A blocked baseline outward currents that activated at −60 mV and increased with more depolarized potentials. This carrier-mediated GABA efflux induced a local accumulation of extracellular GABA detected by GABAA receptor activation on the recorded cell. Overall, these results indicate that Bergmann glia express GAT-1 that are activated by ambient GABA. In addition, GAT-1 in glia can work in reverse and release sufficient GABA to activate nearby GABA receptors.

SCL/TAL1 Regulates Erythropoietin Receptor Expression.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1195-1195
Author(s):  
Heather M. Rogers ◽  
Xiaobing Yu ◽  
Constance Tom Noguchi
Keyword(s):  
Erythroid Differentiation ◽  
Erythropoietin Receptor ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Erythroid Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Mild Anemia ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
High Level

Abstract The basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factor SCL/TAL1, is required for erythropoiesis during development, and conditional deletion in adult hematopoiesis results in hematopoietic stem cells with a competitive repopulation disadvantage and defective erythropoiesis in vitro. However, adult mice with a conditional SCL/TAL1 deletion survive with mild anemia, suggesting defective erythroid proliferation and indicating that SCL/TAL1 is important, but not essential in mature red blood cell production. We find that during erythroid differentiation of primary human hematopoietic CD34+ cells, SCL/TAL1 expression peaks at day 8–10 following erythropoietin (EPO) stimulation, concomitant with peak expression of GATA-1 and EKLF. Treatment with SCL/TAL1 antisense oligonucleotides during erythroid differentiation markedly decreases erythroid differentiation as indicated by decreased expression of GATA-1 and both b- and g-globin expression, along with the absence of the characteristic decrease in GATA-2. Microarray analysis of erythroid cells overexpressing SCL/TAL1 indicate increased gene expression for b- and g-globin, and other genes related to erythropoiesis including EPO receptor (EPO-R), and these results are confirmed in stable cell lines with increasing SCL/TAL1 expression. Examination of EPO-R transcription regulation indicates that E-boxes in the 5′ UTR can bind SCL/TAL1 in vitro and, in addition to the GATA-1 binding motif, provide transcription activity in reporter gene assays. These data indicate that in addition to the importance of SCL/TAL1 DNA binding for proliferation of BFU-E and expression of glycophorin A and protein 4.2, SCL/TAL1 is also necessary for high level expression of EPO-R. Reduction in EPO-R expression likely contributes to the anemia associated with the conditional adult deletion of SCL/TAL1 and to the proliferative defect of erythroid cells observed in vitro. Early expression of SCL/TAL1 in hematopoietic cells may activate expression of EPO-R prior to EPO stimulation of erythropoiesis and induction of GATA-1.

scholarly journals Leukotriene Receptors: Crucial Components in Vascular Inflammation

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1422-1439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Bäck
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Vascular Smooth Muscle ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Vascular Wall ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Beneficial Effects

The accumulation of immune cells during vascular inflammation leads to formation of leukotrienes (LTs). While macrophages represent a major source of LT biosynthesis in the proximity of the vascular wall, activated T lymphocytes may, in addition, play a key regulatory role on macrophage expression of LT-forming enzymes. Within the vascular wall, LTs activate cell surface receptors of the BLT and CysLT subtypes expressed on vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. The LT receptor expression on those cells is highly dependent on transcriptional regulation by pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. LT receptor activation on vascular smooth muscle cells is associated with both directly and indirectly induced vasoconstriction, as well as intimal hyperplasia through stimulation of migration and proliferation. On the other hand, endothelial LT receptors induce vasorelaxation and leukocyte recruitment and adhesion. Results fromin vitroandin vivostudies of LT receptor antagonists indicate potential beneficial effects in atherosclerosis and other inflammatory cardiovascular diseases.

Opposing Electrophysiological Actions of 5-HT on Noncholinergic and Cholinergic Neurons in the Rat Ventral Pallidum In Vitro

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 433-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Peter Bengtson ◽  
David J. Lee ◽  
Peregrine B. Osborne
Keyword(s):  
Partial Agonist ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Cholinergic Neurons ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Dorsal Raphe ◽  
Ventral Pallidum ◽  
Inward Current ◽  
Inward Currents ◽  
Dorsal Raphé

The ventral pallidum in rat is a basal forebrain structure that contains neurons that project in the limbic striatopallidal circuitry and magnocellular cholinergic corticopetal neurons. Because 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) terminals on dorsal raphe projections form close appositions with these neurons, we made patch-clamp recordings in immature rat brain slices to determine whether they are modulated by postsynaptic 5-HT receptors. Inward currents were predominantly induced by 5-HT in noncholinergic neurons, which were distinguished from cholinergic neurons by immunohistochemical and electrophysiological criteria. The inward current induced by 5-HT was mimicked and occluded when adenylyl cyclase was stimulated with forskolin, and was almost abolished when h-currents in noncholinergic neurons were blocked with cesium. Consistent with 5-HT7 receptor activation of h-curents by cAMP in other brain regions, we found inward currents were mimicked by the mixed 5-HT1/5-HT7 agonists 5-methoxytryptamine, and by 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), which was more potent than 5-HT. In contrast, 5-HT1 preferring 8-OH-DPAT was a weak partial agonist, and the 5-HT1–selective antagonist pindolol had no effect. However, despite this profile, antagonists that bind at the 5-HT7 receptor only partly reduced the agonist inward current (SB-269970 and clozapine), or had no effect (mianserin and pimozide). We found in cholinergic neurons that 5-HT predominantly induced hyperpolarizing currents, which were carried by potassium channels, and were smaller than currents induced by 8-OH-DPAT and 5-CT. We conclude from this study that ascending 5-HT projections from the dorsal raphe could have direct and opposite effects on the activities of neurons within the limbic striatopallidal and cholinergic corticopetal circuitry in the ventral pallidum.

Insulin secretory dynamics during development of rat pancreas

1980 ◽  
Vol 239 (1) ◽  
pp. E57-E63 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. B. Rhoten
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
High Glucose ◽  
Glucose Concentration ◽  
Insulin Level ◽  
Rapid Onset ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Rat Pancreas ◽  
Insulin Levels ◽  
High Level

The dynamics of insulin secretion during development of the fetal rat pancreas were investigated. The time of onset of glucose-induced insulin secretion was of special interest. Pancreases from 15- to 22-day-old fetal rats were perifused in vitro with low (0.5 or 0.9 mg/ml) or high (5 mg/ml) concentrations of glucose in the presence or absence of arginine and leucine. Levels of insulin in the perifusate were determined by radioimmunoassay. At day 17, a significant increase in perfusate insulin level was observed in response to arginine and leucine (each at 5 mM), This response was independent of a high concentration of glucose. In addition, perifusate insulin levels were augmented when the concentration of amino acids were kept constant and the glucose concentration was changed from a high level to a low level. On day 20, a monophasic, rapid-onset short-duration rise in insulin release with a high glucose concentration was observed. This response was enhanced by acetylcholine (2.7 x 10(-9) M). At days 21 and 22, insulin levels rose rapidly in the presence of high glucose and remained elevated. The results show that there is considerable precision in the timing of the onset and maturation of the glucose-induced insulin secretory response prenatally and reaffirm that insulin secretion by the fetal beta-cell varies with the stimulus applied.

scholarly journals Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptors Induce a Long-Lasting Facilitation of Spinal Reflexes Independent of Ionotropic Receptor Activity

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 2867-2877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara L. Shay ◽  
Michael Sawchuk ◽  
David W. Machacek ◽  
Shawn Hochman
Keyword(s):  
Afferent Fiber ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Spinal Reflexes ◽  
Field Size ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Ionotropic Receptor ◽  
Sensory Afferents ◽  
Selective Blockade

Dorsal root-evoked stimulation of sensory afferents in the hemisected in vitro rat spinal cord produces reflex output, recorded on the ventral roots. Transient spinal 5-HT2C receptor activation induces a long-lasting facilitation of these reflexes (LLFR) by largely unknown mechanisms. Two Sprague–Dawley substrains were used to characterize network properties involved in this serotonin (5-HT) receptor–mediated reflex plasticity. Serotonin more easily produced LLFR in one substrain and a long-lasting depression of reflexes (LLDR) in the other. Interestingly, LLFR and LLDR were bidirectionally interconvertible using 5-HT2A/2C and 5-HT1A receptor agonists, respectively, regardless of substrain. LLFR was predominantly Aβ afferent fiber mediated, consistent with prominent 5-HT2C receptor expression in the Aβ fiber projection territories (deeper spinal laminae). Reflex facilitation involved an unmasking of polysynaptic pathways and an increased receptive field size. LLFR emerged even when reflexes were evoked three to five times/h, indicating an activity independent induction. Both the NMDA and AMPA/kainate receptor–mediated components of the reflex could be facilitated, and facilitation was dependent on 5-HT receptor activation alone, not on coincident reflex activation in the presence of 5-HT. Selective blockade of GABAA and/or glycine receptors also did not prevent reflex amplification and so are not required for LLFR. Indeed, a more robust response was seen after blockade of spinal inhibition, indicating that inhibitory processes serve to limit reflex amplification. Overall we demonstrate that the serotonergic system has the capacity to induce long-lasting bidirectional changes in reflex strength in a manner that is nonassociative and independent of evoked activity or activation of ionotropic excitatory and inhibitory receptors.

Role of Persistent Sodium and Calcium Currents in Motoneuron Firing and Spasticity in Chronic Spinal Rats

2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 767-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunru Li ◽  
Monica A. Gorassini ◽  
David J. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Spinal Injury ◽  
Sodium Current ◽  
Threshold Current ◽  
Calcium Currents ◽  
Repetitive Firing ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Inward Currents

After chronic spinal injury, motoneurons spontaneously develop two persistent inward currents (PICs): a TTX-sensitive persistent sodium current (sodium PIC) and a nimodipine-sensitive persistent calcium current (calcium PIC). In the present paper, we examined how these PICs contributed to motoneuron firing. Adult rats were spinalized at the S2 sacral level, and after 2 months intracellular recordings were made from sacrocaudal motoneurons in vitro. The PICs and repetitive firing were measured with slow triangular voltage and current ramps, respectively. The sodium PIC was examined after blocking the calcium PIC with nimodipine (20 μM; n = 12). It was always activated subthreshold, and during current ramps in nimodipine, it produced a sodium plateau that assisted in initiating and maintaining firing (self-sustained firing). The sodium PIC oscillated off and on during firing and helped initiate each spike, and near threshold this caused abnormally slow firing (2.82 ± 1.21 Hz). A low dose of TTX (0.5 μM) blocked the sodium PIC, sodium plateau, and very slow firing prior to affecting the spike itself. The calcium PIC was estimated as the current blocked by nimodipine or current remaining in TTX (2 μM; n = 13). In 59% of motoneurons, the calcium PIC was activated subthreshold to firing and produced a plateau that assisted in initiating and sustaining firing because nimodipine significantly increased the firing threshold current and decreased the self-sustained firing. In the remaining motoneurons (41%), the calcium PIC was activated suprathreshold to firing and during current ramps did not initially affect firing but eventually was activated and caused an acceleration in firing followed by self-sustained firing, which were blocked by nimodipine. The frequency-current ( F-I) slope was 3.0 ± 1.0 Hz/nA before the calcium PIC activation (primary range), 6.3 ± 3.6 Hz/nA during the calcium PIC onset (secondary range; acceleration), and 2.1 ± 1.3 Hz/nA with the calcium PIC steadily activated (tertiary range). Nimodipine eliminated the secondary and tertiary ranges, leaving a linear F-I slope of 3.7 ± 1.0 Hz/nA. A single low-threshold shock to the dorsal root evoked a many-second-long discharge, the counterpart of a muscle spasm in the awake chronic spinal rat. This long-lasting reflex was caused by the motoneuron PICs because when the activation of the voltage-dependent PICs was prevented by hyperpolarization, the same dorsal root stimulation only produced a brief excitatory postsynaptic potential (<1 s). Both the calcium and sodium PIC were involved because nimodipine only partly reduced the reflex and there remained very slow firing mediated by the sodium PIC.

Serotonergic and Nonserotonergic Dorsal Raphe Neurons Are Pharmacologically and Electrophysiologically Heterogeneous

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 3532-3537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Marinelli ◽  
Stephen A. Schnell ◽  
Stephen P. Hack ◽  
MacDonald J. Christie ◽  
Martin W. Wessendorf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Tryptophan Hydroxylase ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Dorsal Raphe ◽  
Inward Currents ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Dorsal Raphé

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) projects serotonergic axons throughout the brain and is involved in a variety of physiological functions. However, it also includes a large population of cells that contain other neurotransmitters. To clarify the physiological and pharmacological differences between the serotonergic and nonserotonergic neurons of the DRN, their postsynaptic responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) and to selective activation of 5-HT1A or 5-HT2A/C receptors and their action potential characteristics were determined using in vitro patch-clamp recordings. The slices containing these neurons were then immunostained for tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), a marker of serotonergic neurons. It was found that subpopulations of both serotonergic and nonserotonergic neurons responded to 5-HT with outward (i.e., inhibitory) and inward (i.e., excitatory) currents, responded to both 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A/C receptor activation with outward and inward currents, respectively, and displayed overlapping action potential characteristics. These findings suggest that serotonergic and nonserotonergic neurons in the DRN are both heterogeneous with respect to their individual pharmacological and electrophysiological characteristics. The findings also suggest that the activity of the different populations of DRN neurons will display heterogeneous changes when the serotonergic tone in the DRN is altered by neurological disorders or by drug treatment.

Effects of LPXRFamide peptides on chub mackerel gonadotropin secretion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirofumi Ohga ◽  
Michiya Matsuyama
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Pituitary Cells ◽  
Chub Mackerel ◽  
Thunnus Orientalis ◽  
Gonadotropin Secretion ◽  
Gene Assay ◽  
Gonadotropin Inhibitory Hormone

Abstract Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), a neuropeptide, suppresses gonadotropin (GTH) secretion in birds and mammals. In fish, the GnIH homolog LPXRFamide (LPXRFa) produces mature peptides with species-dependent effects on sexual reproduction. Here, we investigated the effects of LPXRFa on GTH secretion in the chub mackerel (cm; Scomber japonicus). We cloned cmlpxrfa (603 bp) and cmlpxrfa-r (1,416 bp). Additionally, we isolated lpxrfa from the bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) to confirm the conservation of the LPXRFa mature sequence. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the LPXRFa precursor protein produces three mature peptides, LPXRFa-1, −2, and − 3, in both species. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR revealed that cmlpxrfa is expressed in the hypothalamus and thalamus and midbrain (T.MB), and sexual differences were observed. Receptor expression was observed in the pre-optic area, hypothalamus, T.MB, and pituitary. Female hypothalamic lpxrfa expression did not change during puberty. Reporter gene assay showed that LPXRFa induced receptor activation via the CRE and SRE signaling pathways. However, in the presence of forskolin, an intracellular cyclic AMP enhancer, none of the LPXRFa could suppress receptor activity. The in vitro bioassay results showed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone-1 (GnRH1) had no effect on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion, whereas the three LPXRFa significantly increased FSH secretion in pituitary cells from male chub mackerel. Contrarily, GnRH1 and three LPXRFa significantly increased luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. The in vivo administration of LPXRFa had no effect on fshb and lhb expression in pre-pubertal and mature male chub mackerel. Overall, cmLPXRFa lacks the ability to suppress GTH secretion but can promote GTH secretion.

scholarly journals Opioid-Mediated Astrocyte–Neuron Signaling in the Nucleus Accumbens

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Corkrum ◽  
Patrick E. Rothwell ◽  
Mark J. Thomas ◽  
Paulo Kofuji ◽  
Alfonso Araque
Keyword(s):  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Opioid Receptor ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Whole Cell Patch Clamp ◽  
Inward Currents ◽  
Μ Opioid Receptor ◽  
Patch Clamp Electrophysiology

Major hallmarks of astrocyte physiology are the elevation of intracellular calcium in response to neurotransmitters and the release of neuroactive substances (gliotransmitters) that modulate neuronal activity. While μ-opioid receptor expression has been identified in astrocytes of the nucleus accumbens, the functional consequences on astrocyte–neuron communication remains largely unknown. The present study has investigated the astrocyte responsiveness to μ-opioid signaling and the regulation of gliotransmission in the nucleus accumbens. Through the combination of calcium imaging and whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology in brain slices, we have found that μ-opioid receptor activation in astrocytes elevates astrocyte cytoplasmic calcium and stimulates the release of the gliotransmitter glutamate, which evokes slow inward currents through the activation of neuronal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. These results indicate the existence of molecular mechanisms underlying opioid-mediated astrocyte–neuron signaling in the nucleus accumbens.

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