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Brain glycogen metabolism is known to be involved in the learning and memory processes. Protein targeting to glycogen (PTG) is a crucial molecule for glycogenesis, and its expression level is shown to be increased in the dorsal hippocampus during fear memory acquisition and recall, suggesting that PTG may contribute to the memory process. However, its detailed role in the dorsal hippocampus remains unclear. Therefore, we knocked down the expression of PTG in the dorsal hippocampus and attempted to analyze its function behaviorally. PTG expression was found to be enriched in astrocytes. Furthermore, short hairpin RNA against PTG suppressed the expression of PTG in astrocytes. Mice with knockdown of PTG in the dorsal hippocampus showed suppressed alternation behavior in the Y-maze test and reduced memory recall at the first hour after acquisition in the passive avoidance test. Knockdown of mouse dorsal hippocampal astrocyte-specific PTG also impaired working memory in the Y-maze test. GluR1, GluR2, and NR2a subunits expressions were significantly down-regulated in the dorsal hippocampus of mice in which PTG was knocked down. These results indicate that PTG in the dorsal hippocampal astrocytes may contribute to working and short-term memories by maintaining the expression of glutamate receptor subunits.

We have previously shown that spinal pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)/PACAP type 1 (PAC1) receptor signaling triggered long-lasting nociceptive behaviors through astroglial activation in mice. Since astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS) could be essential for long-term synaptic facilitation, we aimed to elucidate a possible involvement of spinal ANLS in the development of the PACAP/PAC1 receptor-induced nociceptive behaviors. A single intrathecal administration of PACAP induced short-term spontaneous aversive behaviors, followed by long-lasting mechanical allodynia in mice. These nociceptive behaviors were inhibited by 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-d-arabinitol (DAB), an inhibitor of glycogenolysis, and this inhibition was reversed by simultaneous L-lactate application. In the cultured spinal astrocytes, the PACAP-evoked glycogenolysis and L-lactate secretion were inhibited by DAB. In addition, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor attenuated the PACAP-induced nociceptive behaviors as well as the PACAP-evoked glycogenolysis and L-lactate secretion. Finally, an inhibitor for the monocarboxylate transporters blocked the L-lactate secretion from the spinal astrocytes and inhibited the PACAP- and spinal nerve ligation-induced nociceptive behaviors. These results suggested that spinal PAC1 receptor-PKC-ANLS signaling contributed to the PACAP-induced nociceptive behaviors. This signaling system could be involved in the peripheral nerve injury-induced pain-like behaviors.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) plays an essential role in the modulation of astrocyte functions. Although lactate secretion from astrocytes contributes to many forms of neuronal plasticity in the central nervous system, including fear learning and memory, the role of PACAP in lactate secretion from astrocytes is unclear. The amygdala and hippocampus of PACAP (+ / +) and PACAP (−/−) mice were acquired 1 h after memory acquisition and recall in the passive avoidance test. The concentration of glycogen and lactate in these regions was measured. The concentration of lactate in the hippocampus's extracellular fluid was also measured by microdialysis during memory acquisition or intracerebroventricular administration of PACAP. We observed that memory acquisition caused a significant decrease in glycogen concentration and increased lactate concentration in the PACAP (+ / +) mice's hippocampus. However, memory acquisition did not increase in the lactate concentration in PACAP (−/−) mice's hippocampus. Further, memory retrieval evoked lactate production in the amygdala and the hippocampus of PACAP (+ / +) mice. Still, there was no significant increase in lactate concentration in the same regions of PACAP (−/−) mice. In vivo microdialysis in rats revealed that the hippocampus's extracellular lactate concentration increased after a single PACAP intracerebroventricular injection. Additionally, the hippocampus's extracellular lactate concentration increased with the memory acquisition in PACAP (+ / +) mice, but not in PACAP (−/−) mice. PACAP may enhance lactate production and secretion in astrocytes during the acquisition and recall of fear memories.

We have previously shown that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) enhances feeding during the dark cycle and after fasting, and inhibits feeding during the light cycle. On the other hand, galanin is highly expressed in the hypothalamus and has been reported to be involved in feeding regulation. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the VMH-PACAP to the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH)-galanin signaling in the regulation of feeding. Galanin expression in the hypothalamus was significantly increased with fasting, but this increment was canceled in PACAP-knockout (KO) mice. Furthermore, overexpression of PACAP in the VMH increased the expression of galanin, while knockdown (KD) of PACAP in the VMH decreased the expression of galanin, indicating that the expression of galanin in the hypothalamus might be regulated by PACAP in the VMH. Therefore, we expressed the synaptophysin-EGFP fusion protein (SypEGFP) in PACAP neurons in the VMH and visualized the neural projection to the hypothalamic region where galanin was highly expressed. A strong synaptophysin-EGFP signal was observed in the DMH, indicating that PACAP-expressing cells of the VMH projected to the DMH. Furthermore, galanin immunostaining in the DMH showed that galanin expression was weak in PACAP-KO mice. When galanin in the DMH was knocked down, food intake during the dark cycle and after fasting was decreased, and food intake during the light cycle was increased, as in PACAP-KO mice. These results indicated that galanin in the DMH may regulate the feeding downstream of PACAP in the VMH.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychological disorder worldwide. However, one-third of patients with MDD are resistant to the present antidepressant medicine which regulates monoamine contents in the brain. Thus, another drug target is strongly required. Much evidence strongly suggests that sirtuin1, which is the key factor to regulate mitochondrial activity, may be implicated in MDD. Objective: Since it is suggested that royal jelly (RJ) ameliorated depressive-like behavior and affected mitochondrial activity in mice, we hypothesized RJ could be an alternative medicine against MDD which acts via sirtuin1 signaling to improve mitochondrial activity. Methods: In the present study, we applied a mouse model of MDD to investigate the effect of RJ on the depressive-like behavior and the sirtuin1 signaling on mitochondrial activity. Results: Our results indicated that either the oral administration of RJ for 12 days or single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection decreased the duration of immobility in the tail suspension test, which suggested that RJ had an antidepressant-like effect. Moreover, sirtuin1 protein expression increased in mice following RJ treatment in the amygdala region, but not in the other brain regions. Similarly, the expressions of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) related proteins increased in the amygdala regions, but not in the hippocampal regions. Conclusion: The increase of sirtuin1 and OXPHOS protein expression may at least in part contribute to the antidepressant-like effect of the RJ pathway, and RJ may have the potential to be a novel antidepressant drug.

Nociception is important perception that has harmful influence on daily life of humans. As to main pain management system, some descending pathways are called descending antinociceptive systems (DAS). As main pathways of DAS, it is well known that dorsal raphe (B6/B7) - rostral ventromedial medulla (B3) - spinal dorsal horn includes serotonergic system. However, possible role of supralemniscal (B9) serotonin (5-HT) cell group in pain management is still open question. In this study, we measured activities of B9 5-HT neuronal cell bodies and B9 5-HT neuron-derived axons located in the locus coeruleus (LC) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), which are also main players of pain management, using fiber photometry system. We introduced the G-CaMP6 in B9 5-HT neurons using transgenic mice carrying a tetracycline-controlled transactivator transgene (tTA) under the control of a tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) promoter and site-specific injection of adeno associated virus (AAV-TetO(3G)-G-CaMP6). After confirmation of specific expression of G-CaMP6 in the target population, G-CaMP6 fluorescence intensity in B9 group and LC/VTA groups was measured in awake mice exposed to acute tail pinch and heat stimuli. G-CaMP6 fluorescence intensity rapidly increased by both stimuli in all groups, but not significantly reacted by nonnociceptive control stimuli. The present results clearly indicate that acute nociceptive stimuli cause a rapid increase in the activities of B9-LC/B9-VTA 5-HTergic pathways, suggesting that B9 5-HT neurons play important roles in nociceptive processing.

Fractalkine is one of the CX3C chemokine family, and it is widely expressed in the brain including the hypothalamus. In the brain, fractalkine is expressed in neurons and binds to a CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) in microglia. The hypothalamus regulates energy homeostasis of which dysregulation is associated with obesity. Therefore, we examined whether fractalkine-CX3CR1 signalling involved in regulating food intake and hypothalamic inflammation associated with obesity pathogenesis. In the present study, fractalkine significantly reduced food intake induced by several experimental stimuli and significantly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression in the hypothalamus. Moreover, tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) antagonist impaired fractalkine-induced anorexigenic actions. In addition, compared with wild-type mice, CX3CR1-deficient mice showed a significant increase in food intake and a significant decrease in BDNF mRNA expression in the hypothalamus. Mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks showed hypothalamic inflammation and reduced fractalkine mRNA expression in the hypothalamus. Intracerebroventricular administration of fractalkine significantly suppressed HFD-induced hypothalamic inflammation in mice. HFD intake for 4 weeks caused hypothalamic inflammation in CX3CR1-deficient mice, but not in wild-type mice. These findings suggest that fractalkine-CX3CR1 signalling induces anorexigenic actions via activation of the BDNF-TrkB pathway and suppresses HFD-induced hypothalamic inflammation in mice.

Lactate was initially thought of as a fatigue substance. In recent years, however, lactate not only functions as an energy carrier and contributes to ATP production, but also its role as a signal transmitter has been attracting attention due to the identification of lactate receptors. Lactate is synthesized from glucose and glycogen through the glycolytic system. The central nervous system is a major organ of glucose metabolism and is rich in glycogen. Therefore, this review summarizes the recent findings on the contribution of lactate to the pathophysiology of the central nervous system.

Mitochondrial functional abnormalities or quantitative decreases are considered to be one of the most plausible pathogenic mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Thus, mitochondrial complex inhibitors are often used for the development of experimental PD. In this study, we used rotenone to create in vitro cell models of PD, then used these models to investigate the effects of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose (1,5-AF), a monosaccharide with protective effects against a range of cytotoxic substances. Subsequently, we investigated the possible mechanisms of these protective effects in PC12 cells. The protection of 1,5-AF against rotenone-induced cytotoxicity was confirmed by increased cell viability and longer dendritic lengths in PC12 and primary neuronal cells. Furthermore, in rotenone-treated PC12 cells, 1,5-AF upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) expression and enhanced its deacetylation, while increasing AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation. 1,5-AF treatment also increased mitochondrial activity in these cells. Moreover, PGC-1α silencing inhibited the cytoprotective and mitochondrial biogenic effects of 1,5-AF in PC12 cells. Therefore, 1,5-AF may activate PGC-1α through AMPK activation, thus leading to mitochondrial biogenic and cytoprotective effects. Together, our results suggest that 1,5-AF has therapeutic potential for development as a treatment for PD.

The free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1) is suggested to function as a G protein-coupled receptor (GPR40) for medium-to-long-chain free fatty acids. Previous studies on the expression of FFAR1 revealed that the nigrostriatal region is one of the areas which express abundant FFAR1 mRNA/protein in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the role of FFAR1 in the CNS has been still largely unclarified. Here, we examined a possible functional role of FFAR1 in the control of extracellular concentrations of striatal monoamines and cocaine-induced locomotor activity. Microdialysis analysis revealed that the basal level of extracellular dopamine (DA) was significantly elevated, while the basal serotonin (5-HT) level tended to be reduced in the striatum of FFAR1 knockout (−/−) mice. Interestingly, local application of a FFAR1 agonist, GW9508, markedly augmented the striatal 5-HT release in FFAR1 wild-type (+/+) mice, whereas topical application of a FFAR1 antagonist, GW1100, significantly reduced the 5-HT release. However, the enhanced 5-HT release was completely lost in −/− mice. Although acute administration of cocaine enhanced the locomotor activity in both +/+ and −/− mice, the magnitude of the enhancement was significantly reduced in −/− mice. In addition, intraperitoneal injection of GW1100 significantly decreased the cocaine-induced locomotor enhancement. These results suggest that FFAR1 has a facilitatory role in striatal 5-HT release, and the evoked 5-HT release might contribute to enhance cocaine-induced locomotor activity.

We have previously showed that spinal pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)/PACAP type 1 (PAC1) receptor signaling triggered long-lasting nociceptive behaviors through astroglial activation in mice. Since astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS) could be essential for long-term synaptic facilitation, we aimed to elucidate a possible involvement of spinal ANLS in the development of the PACAP/PAC1 receptor-induced nociceptive behaviors. A single intrathecal administration of PACAP induced short-term spontaneous aversive behaviors, followed by long-lasting mechanical allodynia in mice. These nociceptive behaviors were inhibited by 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-d-arabinitol (DAB), an inhibitor of glycogenolysis, and this inhibition was reversed by simultaneous L-lactate application. In the cultured spinal astrocytes, the PACAP-evoked glycogenolysis and lactate secretion were inhibited by DAB. In addition, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor attenuated the PACAP-induced nociceptive behaviors as well as the PACAP-evoked glycogenolysis and lactate secretion. Finally, an inhibitor for the monocarboxylate transporters blocked the lactate secretion from the spinal astrocytes and inhibited the PACAP- and spinal nerve ligation-induced nociceptive behaviors. These results suggested that spinal PAC1 receptor-PKC-ANLS signaling contributed to the PACAP-induced nociceptive behaviors. This signaling system could be involved in the peripheral nerve injury-induced pain-like behaviors.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) plays an essential role in the modulation of astrocyte functions. Although lactate secretion from astrocytes contributes to many forms of neuronal plasticity in the central nervous system, including fear learning and memory, the role of PACAP in lactate secretion from astrocytes is unclear.The amygdala and hippocampus of PACAP (+ / +) and PACAP (-/-) mice were acquired 1 h after memory acquisition and recall in the passive avoidance test. The concentration of glycogen and lactate in these regions was measured. The concentration of lactate in the hippocampus's extracellular fluid was also measured by microdialysis during memory acquisition or intracerebroventricular administration of PACAP.We observed that memory acquisition caused a significant decrease in glycogen concentration and increased lactate concentration in the PACAP (+ / +) mice's hippocampus. However, memory acquisition did not increase in the lactate concentration in PACAP (-/-) mice's hippocampus. Further, memory retrieval evoked lactate production in the amygdala and the hippocampus of PACAP (+ / +) mice. Still, there was no significant increase in lactate concentration in the same regions of PACAP (-/-) mice. In vivo microdialysis in rats revealed that the hippocampus's extracellular lactate concentration increased after a single PACAP intracerebroventricular injection. Additionally, the hippocampus's extracellular lactate concentration increased with the memory acquisition in PACAP (+ / +) mice, but not in PACAP (-/-) mice.PACAP may enhance lactate production and secretion in astrocytes during the acquisition and recall of fear memories.

In the central nervous system, the A6 noradrenaline (NA) and the B3 serotonin (5-HT) cell groups are well-recognized players in the descending antinociceptive system, while other NA/5-HT cell groups are not well characterized. A5/A7 NA and B2 5-HT cells project to the spinal horn and form descending pathways. We recorded G-CaMP6 green fluorescence signal intensities in the A5/A7 NA and the B2 5-HT cell groups of awake mice in response to acute tail pinch stimuli, acute heat stimuli, and in the context of a non-noxious control test, using fiber photometry with a calcium imaging system. We first introduced G-CaMP6 in the A5/A7 NA or B2 5-HT neuronal soma, using transgenic mice carrying the tetracycline-controlled transactivator transgene under the control of either a dopamine β-hydroxylase or a tryptophan hydroxylase-2 promoters and by the site-specific injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV-TetO(3G)-G-CaMP6). After confirming the specific expression patterns of G-CaMP6, we recorded G-CaMP6 green fluorescence signals in these sites in awake mice in response to acute nociceptive stimuli. G-CaMP6 fluorescence intensity in the A5, A7, and B2 cell groups was rapidly increased in response to acute nociceptive stimuli and soon after, it returned to baseline fluorescence intensity. This was not observed in the non-noxious control test. The results indicate that acute nociceptive stimuli rapidly increase the activities of A5/A7 NA or B2 5-HT neurons but the non-noxious stimuli do not. The present study suggests that A5/A7 NA or B2 5-HT neurons play important roles in nociceptive processing in the central nervous system. We suggest that A5/A7/B2 neurons may be new therapeutic targets. All performed procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Use Committee of Kagoshima University (MD17105) on February 22, 2018.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is abundantly expressed in the hypothalamus and contributes to hypothalamic functions, including appetite regulation. Although food intake is suggested to be decreased in PACAP (−/−) mice, the detailed mechanisms are still being discussed. We sought to investigate this link. The food consumption at 8 h after refeeding in the (−/−) mice who had fasted for 2 days was significantly lower than in the PACAP (+/+) mice. The nocturnal and daily food intake of (−/−) mice was significantly lower than those of (+/+) mice, but the diurnal food intake showed a tendency to increase. mRNA expression levels of agouti-related peptide (AgRP) were decreased, but those of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) were increased in the hypothalamus of (−/−) mice 4 h after refeeding. Furthermore, intracerebroventricular administration of a PACAP receptor antagonist, PACAP6–38 (1 nmol/4 μL/mouse), decreased food intake and body weight 1, 2, and 4 h after refeeding, as well as expression levels of AgRP at 4 h after refeeding in (+/+) mice. The selective overexpression of PACAP by the infection of an adeno-associated virus in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) resulted in an increase in food intake and AgRP expression in the nocturnal period in addition to the increased food intake at 8 h after refeeding. These results suggest that food intake behavior in mice is triggered by the increase in PACAP expression in the VMH via modulation of AgRP expression in the hypothalamus, pointing to PACAP inhibition as a potential strategy for the development of anti-obesity drugs.

Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) induces long-lasting nociceptive behaviors for more than 60 min in mice, while the involvement of PACAP type1 receptor (PAC1-R) has not been clarified yet. The present study investigated signaling mechanisms of the PACAP-induced prolonged nociceptive behaviors. Single i.t. injection of a selective PAC1-R agonist, maxadilan (Max), mimicked nociceptive behaviors in a dose-dependent manner similar to PACAP. Pre- or post-treatment of a selective PAC1-R antagonist, max.d.4, significantly inhibited the nociceptive behaviors by PACAP or Max. Coadministration of a protein kinase A inhibitor, Rp-8-Br-cAMPS, a mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase inhibitor, PD98059 or a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor, SP600125, significantly inhibited the nociceptive behaviors by Max. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting analysis revealed that spinal administration of Max-induced ERK phosphorylation and JNK phosphorylation, and also augmented an astrocyte marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein in mouse spinal cord. Furthermore, an astroglial toxin, l-α-aminoadipate, significantly attenuated the development of the nociceptive behaviors and ERK phosphorylation by Max. These results suggest that the activation of spinal PAC1-R induces long-lasting nociception through the interaction of neurons and astrocytes.

Transfer of lactate from astrocytes to neurons is activated when synaptic activity is increased, and this mechanism is now known as the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS), that could account for the coupling between synaptic activity and energy delivery. Many lines of evidence suggested that ANLS contributes to neuronal activation or synaptic plasticity at the cellular level as well as learning/memory and cocaine addiction at the behavioral level. However, the candidate neurotransmitters which evoke ANLS activation are still under discussion. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neurotransmitter which distributed widely in central nervous system. Since PACAP might activate ANLS from very low concentration in cultured forebrain astrocytes, PACAP might be one of the candidates for the endogenous ANLS activator. In the present study, we investigated the potential relevance of PACAP/ANLS signaling in the learning/memory and spinal nociceptive transmission. In this study, we made the following findings: 1) PACAP could be an endogenous inducer for ANLS activation in central nervous system; 2) ANLS activation by PACAP/PAC1 receptor signaling contributed to learning/memory and induced long-lasting nociceptive behaviors; 3) PKC activation played an important role in the PACAP/PAC1 receptor-evoked ANLS.

Previously, we showed that spinal pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)/PAC1 receptor signaling triggers long-lasting pain behaviors through astroglial activation. Since astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS) could be essential for long-term synaptic facilitation, we aimed to elucidate a possible involvement of spinal ANLS in the development of the PACAP/PAC1 receptor-induced pain behaviors. A single intrathecal administration of PACAP induced short-term spontaneous aversive behaviors, followed by long-lasting mechanical allodynia. These pain behaviors were inhibited by DAB, an inhibitor of glycogenolysis, and this inhibition was reversed by simultaneous L-lactate application. In the cultured spinal astrocytes, the PACAP-evoked glycogenolysis and lactate secretion were inhibited by a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, and the PKC inhibitor attenuated the PACAP-induced pain behaviors. Finally, an inhibitor for the monocarboxylate transporters blocked the lactate secretion from the spinal astrocytes and inhibited the PACAP-induced pain behaviors. These results suggested that PAC1 receptor-PKC-ANLS signaling is involved in the PACAP-induced pain behaviors.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and it is a common psychological disorder in the world. Present antidepressants modulate monoamine systems directly or indirectly, because MDD is classically considered as a neurochemical disease, in which monoamine systems are perturbed including serotonin, noradrenaline or dopamine systems.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is abundant in brain and is reported to exert autocrine function in vascular cells, but its effect on blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability has not been clarified yet. Here, we examined this effect. Transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) of in vitro BBB model, composed of bovine brain microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes, was significantly dose dependently decreased by CNP (1, 10, and 100 nmol/L). C-type natriuretic peptide treatment reduced both the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expressions of tight junction (TJ) protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). The effects on TEER, mRNA, and protein expressions of ZO-1 were mimicked by cyclic GMP (cGMP) analog 8-bromo-cGMP (1 μmol/L) and reversed by protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor Rp-8-CPT-cGMPS (100 μmol/L), thus implying the role of PKG and cGMP signaling in BBB function. Transcription factor JunD knockdown by small interfering RNA resulted in no change of permeability by CNP. In vivo study of mouse brain by fluorimetric analysis with intravenous administration of sodium fluorescein (40 mg/kg) also showed a significant increase in BBB permeability by CNP (10 nmol/kg, intravenously). These findings suggest that CNP modulates the BBB permeability by altering ZO-1 expression.

Three types of bi-functionalized copolymers (P1FAz, P2FAz, and P3FAz) with different numbers of fluorene units and an azobenzene unit were synthesized and characterized using UV–vis and polarized absorption spectroanalysis. The trans-cis photoisomerization was conformed under 400 nm light irradiation for all copolymers in chloroform. However, in the film state, only the trans-cis photoisomerization occurred by mono-fluorene attached copolymer poly[(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-4,4′-azobenzene)] (P1FAz). Photo-induced alignment was achieved using the P1FAz film after irradiation with linear polarized 400 nm light and subsequent annealing at 60 °C. Surface orientation of a spin-coating film of poly(9,9-didodecylfluorene) (F12) was achieved using the photo-induced alignment layer of the P1FAz film after annealing at 90 °C. The photo-induced alignment layer of P1FAz has potential application to the surface orientation technique for appropriate polymers, which will be useful for the fabrication of optoelectronics devices. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) increases neurite outgrowth, although signaling via its receptor PACAP-specific receptor (PAC1R) has not been fully characterized. Because mitochondria also play an important role in neurite outgrowth, we examined whether mitochondria contribute to PACAP-mediated neurite outgrowth. When mouse primary hippocampal neurons and Neuro2a cells were exposed to PACAP, neurite outgrowth and the mitochondrial membrane potential increased in both cell types. These results were reproduced using the PAC1R-specific agonist maxadilan and the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin, whereas the protein kinase A inhibitor H89 and mitochondrial uncoupling agent carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) inhibited these effects. Expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (Pgc1α), a master regulator of mitochondrial activation, and its downstream effectors, such as cytochrome C and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4, increased in response to PACAP. Knocking down Pgc1α expression using small interfering RNA or treatment with CCCP significantly attenuated neurite outgrowth and reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential in PACAP-treated cells. These data suggest that mitochondrial activation plays a key role in PACAP-induced neurite outgrowth via a signaling pathway that includes PAC1R, PKA, and Pgc1α.

N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly), a member of lipoamino acids, was reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in experimental ear edema or peritonitis. However the underlying mechanisms have not been clarified so far. In this study, we attempt to investigate the effects of NAGly on macrophages, including the relevant signaling pathways. NAGly potently induced apoptosis in mouse macrophage-derived cell line, RAW264.7. Pretreatment with inhibitors for MEK and p38 MAPK prevented the apoptosis induced by NAGly, although NAGly activated ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK. Further, we focused on implication of GPR18, one of the orphan G protein-coupled receptors, because NAGly has been reported as a candidate ligand for GPR18. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin or siRNA to knock down the expression of GPR18 significantly attenuated the apoptosis induced by NAGly. In mouse peritoneal macrophages, the expression of GPR18 mRNA was elevated in proinflammatory stimulated macrophages but not in anti-inflammatory stimulated macrophages; consistently, NAGly remarkably reduced cell viability of the former, as compared to the latter. These results suggest that NAGly might be involved in function of macrophages through GPR18.

We have previously shown that mitochondrial membrane potential disruption is involved in mechanisms underlying differential vulnerabilities to the excitotoxicity mediated by N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors between primary cultured neurons prepared from rat cortex and hippocampus. To further elucidate the role of mitochondria in the excitotoxicity after activation of NMDA receptors, neurons were loaded with the fluorescent dye calcein diffusible in the cytoplasm and organelles for determination of the activity of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) responsible for the leakage of different mitochondrial molecules. The addition of CoCl 2 similarly quenched the intracellular fluorescence except mitochondria in both cultured neurons, while further addition of NMDA led to a leakage of the dye into the cytoplasm in hippocampal neurons only. An mPTP inhibitor prevented the NMDA-induced loss of viability in hippocampal neurons, while an activator of mPTP induced a similarly potent loss of viability in cortical and hippocampal neurons. Although NMDA was more effective in increasing rhodamine-2 fluorescence as a mitochondrial calcium indicator in hippocampal than cortical neurons, a mitochondrial calcium uniporter inhibitor significantly prevented the NMDA-induced loss of viability in hippocampal neurons. Expression of mRNA was significantly higher for the putative uniporter uncoupling protein-2 in hippocampal than cortical neurons. These results suggest that mitochondrial calcium uniporter would be at least in part responsible for the NMDA neurotoxicity through a mechanism relevant to promotion of mPTP orchestration in hippocampal neurons.

We have previously shown differential vulnerabilities to glutamate (Glu) excitotoxicity mediated by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) between rat cortical and rat hippocampal neurons in culture. In this study, we evaluated the possible induced tolerance to NMDA neurotoxicity in cultured rat striatal neurons with prior sustained activation of NMDAR. Brief exposure to Glu or NMDA for 1 hr led to a significant decrease in cellular vitality determined 24 hr later in cultured rat striatal neurons, whereas no marked loss was seen in cellular survival after exposure to Glu or NMDA in striatal neurons previously cultured with Glu or NMDA. Sustained culture with Glu or NMDA invariably led to a significant decrease in protein levels of NR2, but not NR1, subunits without affecting their mRNA levels. Similar induced tolerance was seen to the excitotoxicity of NMDA in hippocampal neurons in a manner sensitive to an NMDAR antagonist. Prior culture with NMDA induced less effective alterations in both intracellular free Ca2+ levels and mitochondrial membrane potentials after the addition of NMDA in striatal neurons. However, calpain inhibitor-I significantly prevented the decreased NR2B and NR2C protein levels in striatal neurons cultured with NMDA. These results suggest that prior tonic activation of NMDAR would induce tolerance to the excitotoxicity mediated by NMDAR through a mechanism related to calpain-induced down-regulation of particular NR2 subunits in rat striatal neurons. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Pharmacological properties were evaluated for the antidiarrheic wood creosote ingredient 2-methoxy-4-ethylphenol (2M4EP), which was shown to be protective against neurotoxicity of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), to modulate Ca2+ influx across acquired and native NMDA receptor (NMDAR) channels. NMDA markedly increased intracellular free Ca2+ levels in HEK293 cells transfected with the expression vector of either NR2A or NR2B subunit together with the essential NR1 subunit vector. Further addition of dizocilpine inhibited the increase by NMDA in intracellular Ca2+ levels in both types of acquired NMDAR channels, while 2M4EP and the NR2B-subunit–selective antagonist ifenprodil were more effective in inhibiting the increase by NMDA in HEK293 cells expressing NR1/NR2B subunits than in those with NR1/NR2A subunits. 2M4EP significantly prevented the increased intracellular Ca2+ levels by NMDA in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Brief exposure to NMDA led to a drastic decrease in cellular viability 24 h later in cultured hippocampal neurons, while 2M4EP significantly prevented the loss of cellular vitality by NMDA. Similarly, 2M4EP more efficiently protected HEK293 cells with NR1/NR2B subunits than those with NR1/NR2A subunits. These results suggest that 2M4EP may protect neurons from excitotoxicity through inhibition of Ca2+ influx across NMDAR channels composed of NR1/ NR2B, rather than NR1/NR2A, subunits. Keywords:: antidiarrheic, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor, Ca2+ influx, acquired channel, hippocampal neuron

We have previously shown that particular phenolic antidiarrheic ingredients, including 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol (2M4MP) and 2-methoxy-4-ethyphenol (2M4EP), but not 2-methoxyphenol (2MP), significantly inhibit cellular maturation and differentiation of the bone-resorbing osteoclasts with concomitant protection of the bone-forming osteoblasts against oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). In the present study, we evaluated the pharmacological actions of these three major phenolic antidiarrheic ingredients on the cellular viability in cultured astrocytes and neurons of the rat brain in vitro . Both 2M4MP and 2M4EP induced more efficient prevention of cell death induced by the brief exposure to 0.1 mM H 2 O 2 for 2 h than 2MP upon simultaneous exposure in cultured rat cortical astrocytes. Similarly, both 2M4MP and 2M4EP were more effective than 2MP in significantly protecting the cytotoxicity by brief exposure to 0.1 mM H 2 O 2 for 6 h in cultured rat hippocampal neurons, with concomitant suppression of the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in neurons exposed to H 2 O 2 . Moreover, the three ingredients not only significantly prevented cell death in hippocampal neurons exposed to 0.1 mM glutamate for 1 h when determined 48 h after the brief exposure, but also inhibited the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and the elevation of intracellular Ca 2+ ions in neurons exposed to glutamate. These results suggest that particular phenolic antidiarrheic ingredients may prevent cell death through a mechanism related to diminution of the neurotoxicity of glutamate in neurons, in addition to eliciting cytoprotection against oxidative stress in astrocytes and neurons, in the rat brain.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and it is a common psychological disorder in the world. Present antidepressants modulat monoamine systems directly or indirectly, because MDD is classically considered as a neurochemical disease, in which monoamine systems are perturbed including serotonin, noradrenaline or dopamine systems. However, recent evidences suggest that MDD is associated with the impairments of synaptic plasticity or cellular resilience to stress. Cellular resilience is maintained by mitochondria with the supplying cellular fuel or ATP. In addition, it is suggested that mitochondrial functions in neurons influence synaptic plasticity. Therefore, impairment of mitochondrial function can be the cause of the MDD. The present review article summarizes the recent evidences about the association between mitochondrial impairment and MDD, and it suggests that improvement of mitochondrial function become a potential drug target for MDD.

Although c-Fos expression in mitochondria is known to increase under excitatory injury via kainic acid or N-methyl-D-aspartate injection, the authentic function of c-Fos in mitochondria remains unknown. We found that c-Fos expression in the mitochondria of neuroblastoma Neuro2a cells was augmented by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), which is a common in vitro model for brain ischemia. Then we demonstrated that Neuro2a cells stably expressing c-Fos exclusively in the mitochondria were more vulnerable to stressors such as OGD, rotenone (which is known to induce mitochondrial dysfunction) and hydrogen peroxide (a reactive oxygen species). Since mitochondrial dysfunction and the generation of reactive oxygen species are known to be caused by OGD, our findings indicate that mitochondrial c-Fos increases neuronal vulnerability to brain ischemia. This suggests that mitochondrial c-Fos play a potential role in inducing neuronal death on, and can therefore act as a potential drug target for brain ischemia.

In rat hippocampal neurons cultured with the antagonist for N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors dizocilpine (MK-801) for 8 days in vitro (DIV), a significant decrease was seen in the expression of microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) as well as mRNA for both brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43), in addition to decreased viability. MK-801 not only decreased the expression of the NR1 subunit of NMDA receptors but also increased NR2A expression, without affecting NR2B expression. Repetitive daily exposure to static magnetic fields at 100 mT for 15 min led to a decrease in the expression of MAP-2, without significantly affecting cell viability or the expression of neuronal nuclei (NeuN) and GAP-43. However, the repetitive magnetism prevented decreases in both BDNF mRNA and MAP-2 and additionally increased the expression of NR2A subunit, without altering NR1 expression in neurons cultured in the presence of MK-801. Repetitive magnetism was also effective in preventing the decrease by MK-801 in the ability of NMDA to increase intracellular free Ca2+ ions, without affecting the decrease in the maximal response. These results suggest that repetitive magnetism may at least in part counteract the neurotoxicity of MK-801 through modulation of the expression of particular NMDA receptor subunits in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are composed of an assembly between at least seven alpha (alpha2-alpha7, alpha9) and three beta (beta2-beta4) subunits in mammals. The addition of 50 mM KCl or 1 mM nicotine immediately increased the number of cells with high fluorescence intensity in rat cortical astrocytes on fluo-3 fluorescence measurement. Nicotine was effective at increasing the fluorescence intensity in astrocytes cultured for 2 days after replating, but not in those used 1 or 5 days after replating, without markedly affecting the cellular viability irrespective of the exposure period. Nicotine markedly increased the fluorescence intensity in a concentration-dependent manner at a concentration range of 10-100 microM in cultured astrocytes when analyzed on a responsive single cell. In these responsive single cells, the increase by nicotine was significantly prevented by the heteromeric alpha4/beta2 subtype antagonist dihydro-beta-erythroidine and the homomeric alpha7 subtype antagonist methyllycaconitine, as well as by nifedipine and EGTA but not thapsigargin. Methyllycaconitine failed to inhibit further the increase by nicotine in the presence of nifedipine, however, whereas the expression of mRNA was seen for all mammalian neuronal nAChR subunits in cultured rat cortical astrocytes as well as neurons. These results suggest that nicotine may increase intracellular free Ca2+ through the influx of extracellular Ca2+ across L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels rather than Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, in a manner related to the alpha4/beta2 and/or alpha7 nAChR channels functionally expressed in cultured rat cortical astrocytes.

Many evidences strongly suggest that a mitochondrial deficit is implicated in major depression. A mitochondrial deficit leads to mitochondrial stress responses, including the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), which is associated with certain brain disorders such as spastic paraplegia and Parkinson's disease. However, there is no evidence regarding the relationship between depressive disorder and UPRmt. Mice treated with chronic restraint stress showed significant depressive-like behaviors in the tail suspension and forced swim tests, decreased oxygen consumption rate, and increased levels of molecules associated with UPRmt such as Hspa9, Hspd1, Ubl5, Abcb10, and ClpP. All of the UPRmt-related molecules were significantly correlated with depressive-like behavior in the forced swim test. Thus, the present study is to reveal a relationship between the UPRmt and depressive disorder, suggesting that the UPRmt is a potential drug target for depressive disorders.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) functions as a neuroprotective factor through the PACAP type 1 receptor, PAC1. In a previous work, we demonstrated that nerve growth factor augmented PAC1 gene expression through the activation of Sp1 via the Ras/MAPK pathway. We also observed that PAC1 expression in Neuro2a cells was transiently suppressed during in vitro ischemic conditions, oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Because endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is induced by ischemia, we attempted to clarify how ER stress affects the expression of PAC1. Tunicamycin, which induces ER stress, significantly suppressed PAC1 gene expression, and salubrinal, a selective inhibitor of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase signaling pathway of ER stress, blocked the suppression. In luciferase reporter assay, we found that two Sp1 sites were involved in suppression of PAC1 gene expression due to tunicamycin or OGD. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that OGD-induced transglutaminase 2 (TG2) expression was suppressed by salubrinal or cystamine, a TG activity inhibitor. Further, the OGD-induced accumulation of cross-linked Sp1 in nuclei was suppressed by cystamine or salubrinal. Together with cystamine, R283, TG2-specific inhibitor, and siRNA specific for TG2 also ameliorated OGD-induced attenuation of PAC1 gene expression. These results suggest that Sp1 cross-linking might be crucial in negative regulation of PAC1 gene expression due to TG2 in OGD-induced ER stress.

Conventional N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) is a heteromeric complex between the essential NR1 subunit and one of NR2A-D subunits toward functional channels permeable to Ca(2+) rather than Na(+) ions. Although recent studies identified dominant negative NR3A and NR3B subunits, whether these subunits inhibit Ca(2+) mobilization through NMDAR channels into mitochondria is not clarified so far. In this study, we investigated Ca(2+) influx across acquired NMDAR channels composed of different NR subunits artificially expressed in HEK293 cells. The addition of NMDA markedly increased intracellular free Ca(2+) levels determined by Fluo-3 in cells transfected with either NR2A or NR2B subunit together with NR1 subunit. Further addition of dizocilpine completely inhibited the increase by NMDA in both types of acquired channels, while the NR2B subunit selective antagonist ifenprodil drastically inhibited the increase by NMDA in cells expressing NR1/NR2B, but not NR1/NR2A, subunits. Similar pharmacological profiles were invariably seen with cell death by NMDA. Introduction of both NR3A and NR3B subunits significantly inhibited the increase by NMDA in intracellular free Ca(2+) levels in both acquired channels, while introduction of either NR3A or NR3B alone was ineffective. Co-expression of both NR3A and NR3B subunits was also required for the prevention of increased mitochondrial free Ca(2+) levels determined by Rhod-2, as well as decreased cellular viability, in cells expressing NR1/NR2A or NR1/NR2B subunits upon exposure to NMDA. These results suggest that co-expression of both NR3A and NR3B subunits is essential for the dominant negative properties on Ca(2+) mobilization through acquired functional NMDAR channels into mitochondria.

In our previous studies, particular phenolic ingredients, such as 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol (2M4MP), of the antidiarrheic drug wood creosote significantly prevented cell death by both hydrogen peroxide and glutamate in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. In this study, we further evaluated the pharmacological properties of 2M4MP on Ca2+ influx across native and acquired N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) channels. The addition of 2M4MP significantly prevented the loss of cellular viability and the increase in intracellular free Ca2+ levels as determined by Fluo-3 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons briefly exposed to NMDA. Brief exposure to NMDA also led to a marked increase in mitochondrial free Ca2+ levels determined by Rhod-2, in addition to intracellular free Ca2+ levels, in HEK293 cells expressing either NR1/NR2A or NR1/NR2B subunit channels. The further addition of the general NMDAR channel blocker dizocilpine similarly inhibited the increase of intracellular Ca2+ levels by NMDA in both types of acquired NMDAR channels, whereas the NR2B subunit selective antagonist ifenprodil drastically inhibited the increase by NMDA in HEK293 cells expressing NR1/NR2B, but not NR1/NR2A, subunits. Similarly, 2M4MP significantly and selectively inhibited the NMDA-induced influx of Ca2+ across acquired NR1/NR2B channels in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, prior daily oral administration of 2M4MP significantly reduced the infarct volume in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion 1 day after reperfusion. These results suggest that 2M4MP may protect neurons from excitotoxicity through preferential inhibition of Ca2+ influx across NMDAR channels composed of NR1/NR2B subunits. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Notoginsenoside R1 (NTR1) is the main active ingredient in Panax notoginseng, a herbal medicine widely used in Asia for years. The purpose of this study was to investigate pharmacological properties of NTR1 on neurotoxicity of glutamate (Glu) in primary cultured mouse cortical neurons along with its possible mechanism of action. Wefound that NTR1 significantly protected neurons from the loss of cellular viability caused by brief exposure to 10 μM Glu for 1 hr in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations from 0.1 to 10 μM, without affecting the viability alone. NTR1 significantly inhibited the increased number of cells positive to propidium iodide (PI) staining, increase of intracellular free Ca2+ ions, overproduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential in cultured neurons exposed to Glu, in addition to blocking decreased Bcl-2 and increased Bax expression levels. We further evaluated the target site at which NTR1 protects neurons from Glu toxicity by using the acquired expression strategy of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. We found that 10 μM NTR1 protected NR1/NR2B subunit expressing cells from cell death by 100 μM NMDA, but not cells expressing NR1/NR2A subunits, when determined by PI staining. These results suggest that NTR1 may preferentially protect neurons from Glu excitotoxicity mediated by NMDA receptor composed of an NR1/NR2B subunit assembly in the brain. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

We have investigated the role of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors type A (GABA(A)Rs) at an early stage of P19 neuronal differentiation. The subunit expression was profiled in 24-hour intervals with RT-PCR and functionality of the receptors was verified via fluo-3 imaging of Ca(2+) dynamics in the immature P19 neurons showing that both NMDA and GABA excite neuronal bodies, but only polyamine-site sensitive NMDAR stimulation leads to enhanced Ca(2+) signaling in the growth cones. Inhibition of NR1/NR2B NMDARs by 1 muM ifenprodil severely impaired P19 neurite extension and fasciculation, and this negative effect was fully reversible by polyamine addition. In contrast, GABA(A)R antagonism by a high dose of 200 microM bicuculline had no observable effect on P19 neuronal differentiation and fasciculation. Except for the differential NMDAR and GABA(A)R profiles of Ca(2+) signaling within the immature P19 neurons, we have also shown that inhibition of NR1/NR2B NMDARs strongly decreased mRNA level of NCAM-180, which has been previously implicated as a regulator of neuronal growth cone protrusion and neurite extension. Our data thus suggest a critical role of NR1/NR2B NMDARs during the process of neuritogenesis and fasciculation of P19 neurons via differential control of local growth cone Ca(2+) surges and NCAM-180 signaling.

We have attempted to elucidate mechanisms underlying differential vulnerability to glutamate (Glu) using cultured neurons prepared from discrete structures of embryonic rat brains. Brief exposure to Glu led to a significant decrease in the mitochondrial activity in hippocampal neurons cultured for 9 or 12 days at 10 muM to 1 mM with an apoptosis-like profile, without markedly affecting that in cortical neurons. Brief exposure to Glu also increased lactate dehydrogenase release along with a marked decrease in the number of cells immunoreactive for a neuronal marker protein in hippocampal, but not cortical, neurons. Similar insensitivity was seen to the cytotoxicity by NMDA, but not to that by tunicamycin, 2,4-dinitrophenol, hydrogen peroxide or A23187, in cortical neurons. However, NMDA was more efficient in increasing intracellular free Ca2+ levels in cortical neurons than in hippocampal neurons. Antagonists for neuroprotective metabotropic Glu receptors failed to significantly affect the insensitivity to Glu, while NMDA was more effective in disrupting mitochondrial membrane potentials in hippocampal than cortical neurons. These results suggest that cortical neurons would be insensitive to the apoptotic neurotoxicity mediated by NMDA receptors through a mechanism related to mitochondrial membrane potentials, rather than intracellular free Ca2+ levels, in the rat brain.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is a calcium-permeable ionotropic glutamate receptor and plays a role in many neurologic disorders such as brain ischemia through its involvement in excitotoxicity. We have performed differential display PCR to identify changes in gene expression that occur in the hippocampus of the mouse brain after intraperitoneal injection of NMDA and identified a gene, Tex261 as an inducible gene by NMDA stimulation in vivo. Tex261 mRNA was gradually induced in response to NMDA and reached about 4.5-fold at 24 h. When HEK 293 cells are transfected with NMDA receptors, the cells die in a manner that mimics excitotoxicity in neurons. HEK 293 cells transfected with the combination of Tex261 and the NMDA receptors NR1/NR2A produced the greater cell death compared with the cells transfected with the NMDA receptors alone. These findings suggest that Tex261 modulates the excitotoxic cell death induced by NMDA receptor activation.