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Peripheral nerve section with subsequent disconnection of motor neuron (MN) cell bodies from their skeletal muscle targets leads to a rapid reactive response involving the recruitment and activation of microglia. In addition, the loss of afferent synapses on MNs occurs in concomitance with microglial reaction by a process described as synaptic stripping. However, the way in which postaxotomy‐activated microglia adjacent to MNs are involved in synaptic removal is less defined. Here, we used confocal and electron microscopy to examine interactions between recruited microglial cells and presynaptic terminals in axotomized MNs between 1 and 15 days after sciatic nerve transection in mice. We did not observe any bulk engulfment of synaptic boutons by microglia. Instead, microglial cells internalized small membranous‐vesicular fragments which originated from the acute disruption of synaptic terminals involving the activation of the necroptotic pathway. The presence of abundant extracellular vesicles in the perineuronal space after axotomy, together with the increased expression of phospho‐mixed lineage kinase domain‐like protein and, later, of extracellular vesicle markers, such as CD9, CD63, and flotillin, indicate that the vesicles mainly originated in synapses and were transferred to microglia. The upregulation of Rab7 and Rab10 in microglia interacting with injured MNs, indicated the activation of endocytosis. As activated microglia and synaptic boutons displayed positive C1q immunoreactivity, a complement‐mediated opsonization may also contribute to microglial‐mediated synaptic disruption. In addition to the relevance of our data in the context of neuroinflammation and MN disease, they should also be taken into account for understanding functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury., Main Points Early after axotomy, microglia recruited near injured motor neurons, emit processes that tend to contact their afferent synaptic terminals.Extracellular vesicles resulting from necroptotic synaptic disruption are removed by microglia.

Background The cellular mechanisms underlying the age‐associated loss of muscle mass and function (sarcopenia) are poorly understood, hampering the development of effective treatment strategies. Here, we performed a detailed characterization of age‐related pathophysiological changes in the mouse neuromuscular system. Methods Young, adult, middle‐aged, and old (1, 4, 14, and 24-30 months old, respectively) C57BL/6J mice were used. Motor behavioural and electrophysiological tests and histological and immunocytochemical procedures were carried out to simultaneously analyse structural, molecular, and functional age‐related changes in distinct cellular components of the neuromuscular system. Results Ageing was not accompanied by a significant loss of spinal motoneurons (MNs), although a proportion (~15%) of them in old mice exhibited an abnormally dark appearance. Dark MNs were also observed in adult (~9%) and young (~4%) animals, suggesting that during ageing, some MNs undergo early deleterious changes, which may not lead to MN death. Old MNs were depleted of cholinergic and glutamatergic inputs (~40% and ~45%, respectively, P < 0.01), suggestive of age‐associated alterations in MN excitability. Prominent microgliosis and astrogliosis [~93% (P < 0.001) and ~100% (P < 0.0001) increase vs. adults, respectively] were found in old spinal cords, with increased density of pro‐inflammatory M1 microglia and A1 astroglia (25‐fold and 4‐fold increase, respectively, P < 0.0001). Ageing resulted in significant reductions in the nerve conduction velocity and the compound muscle action potential amplitude (~30%, P < 0.05, vs. adults) in old distal plantar muscles. Compared with adult muscles, old muscles exhibited significantly higher numbers of both denervated and polyinnervated neuromuscular junctions, changes in fibre type composition, higher proportion of fibres showing central nuclei and lipofuscin aggregates, depletion of satellite cells, and augmented expression of different molecules related to development, plasticity, and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions, including calcitonin gene‐related peptide, growth associated protein 43, agrin, fibroblast growth factor binding protein 1, and transforming growth factor‐β1. Overall, these alterations occurred at varying degrees in all the muscles analysed, with no correlation between the age‐related changes observed and myofiber type composition or muscle topography. Conclusions Our data provide a global view of age‐associated neuromuscular changes in a mouse model of ageing and help to advance understanding of contributing pathways leading to development of sarcopenia. This work was supported by Abbott and a grant from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades cofinancedby Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (RTI2018-099278-B-I00 to J.C. and J.E.)

C-type synaptic boutons (C-boutons) provide cholinergic afferent input to spinal cord motor neurons (MNs), which display an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–related subsurface cistern (SSC) adjacent to their postsynaptic membrane. A constellation of postsynaptic proteins is clustered at C-boutons, including M2 muscarinic receptors, potassium channels, and s-1 receptors. In addition, we previously found that neuregulin (NRG)1 is associated with C-boutons at postsynaptic SSCs, whereas its ErbB receptors are located in the presynaptic compartment. Cbouton–mediated regulation of MN excitability has been implicated in MN disease, but NRG1-mediated functions and the impact of various pathologic conditions on C-bouton integrity have not been studied in detail. Here, we investigated changes inC-boutons after electrical stimulation,pharmacological treatment, and peripheral nerve axotomy. SSC-linked NRG1 clusters were severely disrupted in acutely stressedMNs and after tunicamycin-induced ER stress. In axotomized MNs, C-bouton loss occurred in concomitance with microglial recruitment and was prevented by the ER stress inhibitor salubrinal.Activatedmicroglia displayed apositive chemotaxis to C-boutons.Analysis of transgenicmice overexpressing NRG1 type I and type III isoforms in MNs indicated that NRG1 type III acts as an organizer of SSC-like structures, whereas NRG1 type I promotes synaptogenesis of presynaptic cholinergic terminals.Moreover,MN-derived NRG1 signals may regulate the activity of perineuronal microglial cells. Together, these data provide new insights into the molecular and cellular pathology of C-boutons in MN injury and suggest that distinct NRG1 isoform–mediated signaling functions regulate the complex matching between pre- and postsynaptic C-bouton elements. The authors thank Klaus A. Nave (Max-Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany) for advice and for supplying neuregulin-1–mutant mice; Jesús María López (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain), Ester Desfilis, and José Antonio Moreno for providing spinal cord samples from nonrodent animals; Anaïs Panosa and Xavier Calomarde (all from Universitat de Lleida−Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida) for technical support with confocal and electron microscopy; and the Serveis Científico-Tècnics Anima Facility of the University of Lleida for mouse care and housing. This work was supported by grants to J.E.E. and J.C. from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad cofinanced by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER; SAF2015-70801-R). S.S. holds a grant from Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura, y Deporte (FPU). M.H.S. holds a Heisenberg Fellowship from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and acknowledges funding by a DFG research grant (SCHW741/4-1). The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

This work was supported by Abbott and a grant from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades cofinanced by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (RTI2018-099278-B-I00 to JC and JE) ., Besides skeletal muscle wasting, sarcopenia entails morphological and molecular changes in distinct components of the neuromuscular system, including spinal cord motoneurons (MNs) and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs); moreover, noticeable microgliosis has also been observed around aged MNs. Here we examined the impact of two flavonoid-enriched diets containing either green tea extract (GTE) catechins or cocoa flavanols on age-associated regressive changes in the neuromuscular system of C57BL/6J mice. Compared to control mice, GTE- and cocoa-supplementation significantly improved the survival rate of mice, reduced the proportion of fibers with lipofuscin aggregates and central nuclei, and increased the density of satellite cells in skeletal muscles. Additionally, both supplements significantly augmented the number of innervated NMJs and their degree of maturity compared to controls. GTE, but not cocoa, prominently increased the density of VAChT and VGluT2 afferent synapses on MNs, which were lost in control aged spinal cords; conversely, cocoa, but not GTE, significantly augmented the proportion of VGluT1 afferent synapses on aged MNs. Moreover, GTE, but not cocoa, reduced aging-associated microgliosis and increased the proportion of neuroprotective microglial phenotypes. Our data indicate that certain plant flavonoids may be beneficial in the nutritional management of age-related deterioration of the neuromuscular system., Abbott Laboratories, Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades, European Commission RTI2018-099278-B-I00

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is characterized by the loss of α-motoneurons (MNs) with concomitant muscle denervation. MN excitability and vulnerability to disease are particularly regulated by cholinergic synaptic afferents (C-boutons), in which Sigma-1 receptor (Sig1R) is concentrated. Alterations in Sig1R have been associated with MN degeneration. Here, we investigated whether a chronic treatment with the Sig1R agonist PRE-084 was able to exert beneficial effects on SMA. We used a model of intermediate SMA, the Smn2B/− mouse, in which we performed a detailed characterization of the histopathological changes that occur throughout the disease. We report that Smn2B/− mice exhibited qualitative differences in major alterations found in mouse models of severe SMA: Smn2B/− animals showed more prominent MN degeneration, early motor axon alterations, marked changes in sensory neurons, and later MN deafferentation that correlated with conspicuous reactive gliosis and altered neuroinflammatory M1/M2 microglial balance. PRE-084 attenuated reactive gliosis, mitigated M1/M2 imbalance, and prevented MN deafferentation in Smn2B/− mice. These effects were also observed in a severe SMA model, the SMNΔ7 mouse. However, the prevention of gliosis and MN deafferentation promoted by PRE-084 were not accompanied by any improvements in clinical outcome or other major pathological changes found in SMA mice. This work was supported by grants from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad co-financed by FEDER (SAF2015-70801).

C boutons are large, cholinergic, synaptic terminals that arise from local interneurons and specifically contact spinal α-motoneurons (MNs). C boutons characteristically display a postsynaptic specialization consisting of an endoplasmic reticulum-related subsurface cistern (SSC) of unknown function. In the present work, by using confocal microscopy and ultrastructural immunolabeling, we demonstrate that neuregulin-1 (NRG1) accumulates in the SSC of mouse spinal MNs. We also show that the NRG1 receptors erbB2 and erbB4 are presynaptically localized within C boutons, suggesting that NRG1-based retrograde signaling may occur in this type of synapse. In most of the cranial nuclei, MNs display the same pattern of NRG1 distribution as that observed in spinal cord MNs. Conversely, MNs in oculomotor nuclei, which are spared in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), lack both C boutons and SSC-associated NRG1. NRG1 in spinal MNs is developmentally regulated and depends on the maintenance of nerve-muscle interactions, as we show after nerve transection experiments. Changes in NRG1 in C boutons were also investigated in mouse models of MN diseases: i.e., spinal muscular atrophy (SMNΔ7) and ALS (SOD1(G93A)). In both models, a transient increase in NRG1 in C boutons occurs during disease progression. These data increase our understanding of the role of C boutons in MN physiology and pathology.

In the chick embryo, in ovo application of NMDA from embryonic day (E) 5 to E9 results in selective damage to spinal cord motoneurons (MNs) that undergo a long-lasting degenerative process without immediate cell death. This contrasts with a single application of NMDA on E8, or later, which induces massive necrosis of the whole spinal cord. Chronic MN degeneration after NMDA implies transient incompetence to develop programmed cell death, altered protein processing within secretory pathways, and late activation of autophagy. Chronic NMDA treatment also results in an enlargement of thapsigargin-sensitive Ca(2+) stores. In particular MN pools, such as sartorius-innervating MNs, the neuropeptide CGRP is accumulated in somas, peripheral axons and neuromuscular junctions after chronic NMDA treatment, but not in embryos paralyzed by chronic administration of curare. Intramuscular axonal branching is also altered severely after NMDA: it usually increases, but in some cases a marked reduction can also be observed. Moreover, innervated muscle postsynaptic sites increase by NMDA, but to a lesser extent than by curare. Because some of these results show interesting homologies with MN pathology in human sporadic ALS, the model presented here provides a valuable tool for advancing in the understanding of some cellular and molecular processes particularly involved in this disease.

Stereological techniques using the optical disectors require estimation of final section thickness, but frozen tissue irregularities may interfere with this estimation. Cryostat slices from rodent nerve tissues (dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord, and brain), cut at 16, 40, and 50 μm, were digitized with a confocal microscope and visualized through 3D software. Geometric section thickness of tissue (Tgeom) was defined as tissue volume/area. Maximal section thicknesses (Tmax), from the top to the bottom of the section, were measured in a random sample of vertical ZX planes. Irregularities were mostly related to blood vessels traversing the tissue and neuronal somas protruding over the cut surfaces, with other neuron profiles showing a fragmented appearance. Irregularities contributed to increasing the distance between the tops and bottoms of slices sectioned in different laboratories. Significant differences were found between Tmax and Tgeom for all thickness studies and counting frames (pTgeom/Tmax average rate was 68.4–85.7% in volumes around cell profiles (∼600–1,200 μm2) and 83.3–91.8% in subcellular samples (∼25–160 μm2). Confocal microscopy may help to assess tissue irregularities, which might lead to an overestimation of tissue volume if section thickness is estimated by focusing on the top and bottom of the sections.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motoneurons (MNs). Although the motor phenotype is a hallmark for ALS, there is increasing evidence that systems other than the efferent MN system can be involved. Mutations of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene cause a proportion of familial forms of this disease. Misfolding and aggregation of mutant SOD1 exert neurotoxicity in a noncell autonomous manner, as evidenced in studies using transgenic mouse models. Here, we used the SOD1(G93A) mouse model for ALS to detect, by means of conformational-specific anti-SOD1 antibodies, whether misfolded SOD1-mediated neurotoxicity extended to neuronal types other than MNs. We report that large dorsal root ganglion (DRG) proprioceptive neurons accumulate misfolded SOD1 and suffer a degenerative process involving the inflammatory recruitment of macrophagic cells. Degenerating sensory axons were also detected in association with activated microglial cells in the spinal cord dorsal horn of diseased animals. As large proprioceptive DRG neurons project monosynaptically to ventral horn MNs, we hypothesise that a prion-like mechanism may be responsible for the transsynaptic propagation of SOD1 misfolding from ventral horn MNs to DRG sensory neurons. The authors would like to thank Montse Ortega for her technical assistance and Claudia Cervero, Alexandra Eritja and Ariadna Salvador for their help with some of the experiments in this study. This work was supported by grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia and Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad and cofinanced by FEDER (SAF2011-22908; SAF2012-31831).

During a developmental study of the expression of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) -type glutamate receptor subunits in rat spinal cord, we observed the existence of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies with positive immunoreactivity to glutamate receptor subunit 1 (GluR1) but not to other glutamate receptor subunits. GluR1-positive bodies have a diameter of between 1 and 3 microm and can be seen widely distributed throughout spinal cord gray matter, with the exception of the ventral horn region. They transiently appear within a definite developmental time-period between embryonic day 19 and postnatal day 17 and are only associated with neuronal cells. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that these inclusions were located adjacent to the nucleus and consisted of amorphous material without any limiting membrane. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that the inclusions displayed positive immunoreactivity to ubiquitin, HSP70, and 20S proteasome. All these data indicate that GluR1-containing inclusions display all the ultrastructural and immunocytochemical characteristics of the recently described structure, which have been given the name aggresomes. Further studies are needed to determine the biological significance of these normally occurring aggresome-like inclusions, because aggresomes are usually considered in a pathologic context.

Motoneurons respond to peripheral nerve transection by either regenerative or degenerative events depending on their state of maturation. Since the expression of c-Jun has been involved in the early signalling of the regenerative process that follows nerve transection in adults, we have investigated c-Jun on rat neonatal axotomized motoneurons during the period in which neuronal death is induced. Changes in levels of c-Jun protein and its mRNA were determined by means of quantitative immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. Three hours after nerve transection performed on postnatal day (P)3, c-Jun protein and mRNA is induced in axotomized spinal cord motoneurons, and high levels were reached between 1 and 10 days after. This response is associated with a detectable c-Jun activation by phosphorylation on serine 63. No changes were found in the levels of activating transcription factor -2. Most of dying motoneurons were not labelled by either a specific c-Jun antibody or a c-jun mRNA probe. However, dying motoneurons were specifically stained by a polyclonal anti c-Jun antibody, indicating that some c-Jun antibodies react with unknown epitopes, probably distinct from c-Jun p39, that are specifically associated with apoptosis. J. Neurosci. Res. 63:469–479, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

I(2)-imidazoline receptors are mainly expressed on glial cells in the rat brain. This study was designed to test the effect of treatment with the I(2)-imidazoline selective receptor ligand LSL 60101 [2-(2-benzofuranyl)imidazole] on the morphology of astrocytes in the neonate and adult rat brain, and to explore the putative neuroprotective effects of this glial response. Short-term (3 days) or chronic (7-10 days) treatment with LSL 60101 (1 mg kg(-1), i.p. every 12 h) enhanced the area covered by astroglial cells in sections of facial motor nucleus from neonate rats processed for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining. Facial motoneurons surrounded by positive glial cell processes were frequently observed in sections of LSL 60101-treated rats. A similar glial response was observed in the parietal cortex of adult rats after chronic (10 days) treatment with LSL 60101 (10 mg kg(-1), i.p. every 12 h). Western-blot detection of the specific astroglial glutamate transporter GLT-1, indicated increased immunoreactivity after LSL 60101 treatment in the pons of neonate and in the parietoccipital cortex of adult rats. In the facial motor nucleus of neonate rats, the glial response after LSL 60101 treatment was associated to a redistribution of the immunofluorescence of the basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) from the perinuclear area of motoneurons to cover most of their cytoplasm, suggesting a translocation of this mitogenic and neurotrophic factor towards secretion pathways. The neuroprotective potential of the above effects of LSL 60101 treatment was tested after neonatal axotomy of facial motor nucleus. Treatment with LSL 60101 (1 mg kg(-1), i.p. every 12 h from day 0 to day 10 after birth) significantly reduced (38%) motoneuron death rate 7 days after facial nerve axotomy performed on day 3 after birth. It is concluded that treatment with the I(2)-imidazoline selective receptor ligand LSL 60101 provokes morphological/biochemical changes in astroglia that are neuroprotective after neonatal axotomy.

We have previously reported that stimulation of astrocyte cultures by particular agonists and calcium ionophores induces cyclic GMP formation through activation of a constitutive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and that astrocytes from cerebellum show the largest response. In the present work we have used rat cerebellar astrocyteenriched primary cultures to identify and characterise the isoform of NOS expressed in these cells. The specific NOS activity in astrocyte homogenates, determined by conversion of [3H]arginine to [3H]citrulline, was ten times lower than in homogenates from cerebellar granule neurons. Upon centrifugation at 100,000 g, the astroglial activity was recovered in the supernatant, whereas in neurons around 30% of the activity remained particulate. The cytosolic NOS activities of both astrocytes and granule neurons displayed the same Km for L-arginine, dependency of calcium, and sensitivity to NOS inhibitors. Expression of NOS-I in astrocyte cytosolic fractions was revealed by Western blot with a specific polyclonal antiserum against recombinant NOS-I. Double immunofluorescence labelling using anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and anti-NOS-I antibodies revealed that a minor population of the GFAP-positive cells, usually in clusters, presented a strong NOS-I immunostaining that was predominantly located around the nuclei and had a granular appearance, indicating association with the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi system. Astrocytes of stellate morphology also showed immunoreactivity in the processes. Similar staining was observed with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex using different anti-NOS-I antisera. With this method the majority of cells showed a weak NOS-I immunoreactivity around the nuclei and cytosol. A similar pattern was observed with the NADPH-diaphorase reaction. These results demonstrate that the NOS-I expressed in astrocytes presents the same biochemical characteristics as the predominant neuronal isoform but may differ in intracellular location.

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) present important motor deficits that derive from altered motor development of infants and young children. DYRK1A, a candidate gene for DS abnormalities has been implicated in motor function due to its expression in motor nuclei in the adult brain, and its overexpression in DS mouse models leads to hyperactivity and altered motor learning. However, its precise role in the adult motor system, or its possible involvement in postnatal locomotor development has not yet been clarified. During the postnatal period we observed time-specific expression of Dyrk1A in discrete subsets of brainstem nuclei and spinal cord motor neurons. Interestingly, we describe for the first time the presence of Dyrk1A in the presynaptic terminal of the neuromuscular junctions and its axonal transport from the facial nucleus, suggesting a function for Dyrk1A in these structures. Relevant to DS, Dyrk1A overexpression in transgenic mice (TgDyrk1A) produces motor developmental alterations possibly contributing to DS motor phenotypes and modifies the numbers of motor cholinergic neurons, suggesting that the kinase may have a role in the development of the brainstem and spinal cord motor system. The laboratory of MD is supported by Departament d’Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació (DURSI) (Grups consolidats 09 2009SGR1313). This work was supported by FCT-08-0782, SAF2007-60827, SAF2010-16427, SAF2007-31093-E, Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (FIS) (PI 082038), Marató TV3, Jerome Lejeune, Reina Sofia and Areces Foundations and EU (LSHG-CT-2006-037627; CureFXS ERare-EU/FIS PS09102673). The CIBER of Enfermedades Raras is an initiative of the ISCIII. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

A detailed pathologic analysis was performed on Smn(-/-);SMN2 mice as a mouse model for human type I spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). We provide new data concerning changes in the spinal cord, neuromuscular junctions and muscle cells, and in the organs of the immune system. The expression of 10 synaptic proteins was analyzed in 3-dimensionally reconstructed neuromuscular junctions by confocal microscopy. In addition to defects in postsynaptic occupancy, there was a marked reduction in calcitonin gene-related peptide and Rab3A in the presynaptic motor terminals of some, but not all, of the skeletal muscles analyzed. Defects in the organization of presynaptic nerve terminals were also detected by electron microscopy. Moreover, degenerative changes in muscle cells, defective postnatal muscle growth, and prominent muscle satellite cell apoptosis were also observed. All of these changes occurred in the absence of massive loss of spinal cord motoneurons. On the other hand, astroglia, but not microglia, increased in the ventral horn of newborn SMA mice. In skeletal muscles, the density of interstitial macrophages was significantly reduced, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 was downregulated. These findings raise questions regarding the primary contribution of a muscle cell defect to the SMA phenotype.

We recently reported that degenerating motor neurons of superoxide dismutase mutant 1 (SOD1) rodents exhibit immunoreactivity to P2X(4) antibodies. Neurons with strong P2X(4)-like immunoreactivity (P2X(4)-LIR) do not show an apoptotic phenotype and are often associated with microglial cells that display neuronophagic activity. Western blot analysis showed that P2X(4) antibodies recognize not only the P2X(4) adenosine triphosphate receptor protein but also a hitherto unidentified low-molecular weight band. Here, we identify the molecular counterpart of the strong P2X(4)-LIR observed in association with neuronal degeneration in SOD1 animals. After matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight, we found that the low-molecular weight P2X(4)-immunoreactive protein was SOD1. Further analysis demonstrated that the P2X(4) antibody recognizes a form of misfolded mutant SOD1 that is expressed in neuronal cells undergoing degeneration but not in glial cells. Cross-reactivity could have been caused by the abnormal exposure of an epitope in the inner hydrophobic region of SOD1 that shared structural homology with the P2X(4)-immunizing peptide used for raising the antibody. No positive P2X(4) immunostaining was detected in mice overexpressing human wild-type SOD1. Intracerebral injections of affinity chromatography-isolated P2X(4)-immunoreactive SOD1 species promote microglial and astroglial activation. We conclude that neuronal SOD1 conformers with P2X(4)-LIR may have pathogenetic relevance in the promotion of neuroinflammation.

The distribution of the P2X family of ATP receptors was analyzed in a rat model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) expressing mutated human superoxide dismutase (mSOD1G93A). We showed that strong P2X4 immunoreactivity was selectively associated with degenerating motoneurons (MNs) in spinal cord ventral horn. Degenerating P2X4-positive MNs did not display apoptotic features such as chromatin condensation, positive TUNEL reaction, or active caspase 3 immunostaining. In contrast, these neurons showed other signs of abnormality, such as loss of the neuronal marker NeuN and recruitment of microglial cells with neuronophagic activity. Similar changes were observed in MNs from the cerebral cortex and brainstem in mSOD1G93A in both rat and mice. In addition, P2X4 immunostaining demonstrated the existence of neuronal degeneration in the locus coeruleus, reticular formation, and Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex. It is suggested that abnormal trafficking and proteolytic processing of the P2X4 receptor protein may underlie these changes. J. Comp. Neurol. 506:75–92, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The distribution of nitric oxide synthase on peripheral motor system was studied using a specific antibody against the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). The immunoreactivity for nNOS was detected on the sarcolemmal surface of muscle cells, in intramuscular axons and in neuromuscular synapses. At the neuromuscular junctions, ultrastructural immunolabeling demonstrated that nNOS immunoreactivity was localized mainly into the presynaptic nerve terminals as well as adjacent postsynaptic muscle membrane. Similar immunostaining pattern was present in frog muscles and Torpedo electric organs. After chronic muscle denervation, nNOS immunoreactity at endplate level decreased during the first week but it was upregulated after 30 days of denervation. In denervated endplates, nNOS immunoreactivity was localized in the terminal Schwann cells covering the degenerated neuromuscular junctions whereas nNOS was not detected in Schwann cells under normal conditions. In Torpedo synaptosomes, acetylcholine (ACh) release elicited by potassium depolarization was inhibited by NO donors such as sodium nitroprusside. In contrast, application of inhibitors of NOS activity, aminoguanidine (AMG) and N(omega)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl esther (L-NAME) increased acetylcholine release. These results indicate that nNOS is present at the motor nerve terminals in a variety of vertebrates and that it may be involved in the physiological modulation of ACh release and in the regulation of muscle response to nerve injury.