The Rat Mammary Gland as a Novel Site of Expression of Melanin-Concentrating Hormone Receptor 1 mRNA and Its Protein Immunoreactivity.

Lactation is a complex physiological process, depending on orchestrated central and peripheral events, including substantial brain plasticity. Among these events is a novel expression of pro-melanin-concentrating hormone (Pmch) mRNA in the rodent hypothalamus, such as the ventral part of the medial preoptic area (vmMPOA). This expression reaches its highest levels around postpartum day 19 (PPD19), when dams transition from lactation to the weaning period. The appearance of this lactation-related Pmch expression occurs simultaneously with the presence of one of the Pmch products, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), in the serum. Given the relevance of the MPOA to maternal physiology and the contemporaneity between Pmch expression in this structure and the weaning period, we hypothesized that MCH has a role in the termination of lactation, acting as a mediator between central and peripheral changes. To test this, we investigated the presence of the MCH receptor 1 (MCHR1) and its gene expression in the mammary gland of female rats in different stages of the reproductive cycle. To that end, in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, RT-qPCR, nucleotide sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting were employed. Although Mchr1 expression was detected in the epidermis and dermis of both diestrus and lactating rats, parenchymal expression was exclusively found in the functional mammary gland of lactating rats. The expression of Mchr1 mRNA oscillated through the lactation period and reached its maximum in PPD19 dams. Presence of MCHR1 was confirmed with immunohistochemistry with preferential location of MCHR1 immunoreactive cells in the alveolar secretory cells. As was the case for gene expression, the MCHR1 protein levels were significantly higher in PPD19 than in other groups. Our data demonstrate the presence of an anatomical basis for the participation of MCH peptidergic system on the control of lactation through the mammary gland, suggesting that MCH could modulate a prolactation action in early postpartum days and the opposite role at the end of the lactation.

Distribution of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor binding in the mouse brain using a new, high-affinity radioligand, [125 I]-PD-Sauvagine.

The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family of peptides includes CRF and three urocortins, which signal through two distinct G-protein coupled receptors, CRF1 and CRF2 . Although the cellular distribution of CRF receptor expression has been well characterized at the mRNA level, the localization of receptor protein, and, by inference, of functional receptors, has been limited by a lack of reliable immunohistochemical evidence. Recently, a CRF-related peptide, termed PD-sauvagine, was isolated from the skin of the frog, Pachymedusa dacnicolor, and validated as a high-affinity ligand for CRF receptor studies. A radiolabeled analog, [125 I]-PD-sauvagine, with high signal-to-noise ratio, was used in autoradiographic studies to map the distribution of CRF receptor binding sites in the mouse brain. Through the use of receptor-deficient mice and subtype-specific antagonists, CRF1 and CRF2 binding sites were isolated, and found to be readily reconcilable with regional patterns of mRNA expression. Binding site distributions within a given structure sometimes differed from mRNA patterns, however, particularly in laminated structures of the isocortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, presumably reflecting the trafficking of receptors to their operational homes on neuronal (mostly dendritic) processes. Binding patterns of [125 I]-PD-sauvagine provided independent assessments of controversial receptor localizations, failing to provide support for CRF1 expression in central autonomic components of the limbic forebrain, the locus coeruleus and cerebellar Purkinje cells, or for CRF2 in any aspect of the cerebellar cortex. Though lacking in ideal resolution, in vitro binding of the PD-sauvagine radioligand currently provides the most sensitive and accurate available tool for localizing CRF receptors in rodent brain.

Pro-inflammatory immune-to-brain signaling is involved in neuroendocrine responses to acute emotional stress.

Activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by inflammatory stressors (e.g., bacterial lipopolysaccharide) is thought to involve vascular transduction of circulating cytokines, with perivascular macrophages (PVMs) along with endothelia, effecting activation of HPA control circuitry via inducible (cyclooxygenase-2- or COX-2-dependent) prostaglandin synthesis. To test the stressor-specificity of this mechanism, we examined whether ablation of PVMs or pharmacologic blockade of COX activity affected HPA responses to a representative emotional stressor, restraint. Exposing rats to a single 30min acute restraint episode provoked increased plasma levels of at least one proinflammatory cytokine, IL-6, microglial activation and multiple indices of cerebrovascular activation, including COX-2 expression and increased brain prostaglandin E2 levels at 0-2h after stress. Pretreatment with the nonselective COX inhibitor, indomethacin, either icv (10µg in 5µl) or iv (1mg/kg) significantly reduced restraint-induced Fos expression in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH) by 45%, relative to vehicle-injected controls. A 75% reduction of the PVH activational response was seen in rats exposed to acute restraint 5-7days after ablation of brain PVMs by icv injection of liposomes encapsulating the bisphosphonate drug, clodronate. Basal plasma levels of ACTH and corticosterone were not altered in clodronate liposome-injected rats, but the peak magnitude of restraint-induced HPA secretory responses was substantially reduced, relative to animals pretreated with saline-filled liposomes. These findings support an unexpectedly prominent role for inducible prostaglandin synthesis by PVMs in HPA responses to acute restraint, a prototypic emotional stressor.

Antibodies to the RNA-binding protein hnRNP A1 contribute to neurodegeneration in a model of central nervous system autoimmune inflammatory disease.

BACKGROUND: Neurodegeneration is believed to be the primary cause of permanent, long-term disability in patients with multiple sclerosis. The cause of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis appears to be multifactorial. One mechanism that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis is the targeting of neuronal and axonal antigens by autoantibodies. Multiple sclerosis patients develop antibodies to the RNA-binding protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1), which is enriched in neurons. We hypothesized that anti-hnRNP A1 antibodies would contribute to neurodegeneration in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Following induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by direct immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, mice were injected with anti-hnRNP A1 or control antibodies. Animals were examined clinically, and the central nervous system (CNS) tissues were tested for neurodegeneration with Fluoro-Jade C, a marker of degenerating neural elements. RESULTS: Injection of anti-hnRNP A1 antibodies in mice with EAE worsened clinical disease, altered the clinical disease phenotype, and caused neurodegeneration preferentially in the ventral spinocerebellar tract and deep white matter of the cerebellum in the CNS. Neurodegeneration in mice injected with hnRNP A1-M9 antibodies compared to control groups was consistent with "dying back" axonal degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that antibodies to the RNA-binding protein hnRNP A1 contribute to neurodegeneration in immune-mediated disease of the CNS.

An anterograde neuroanatomical tracing method that shows the detailed morphology of neurons, their axons and terminals: Immunohistochemical localization of an axonally transported plant lectin, Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L).

A new neuroanatomical method for tracing connections in the central nervous system based on the anterograde axonal transport of the kidney bean lectin, Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) is described. The method, for which a detailed protocol is presented, offers several advantages over present techniques. First, when the lectin is delivered iontophoretically, PHA-L injection sites as small as 50-200µm in diameter can be produced, and are clearly demarcated since the neurons within the labeled zone are completely filled. Second, many morphological features of such filled neurons are clearly demonstrated including their cell bodies, axons, dendritic arbors and even dendritic spines. Third, there is some evidence to suggest that only the neurons at the injection site that are filled transport demonstrable amounts of the tracer, raising the possibility that the effective injection site can be defined quite precisely. Fourth, even with the most restricted injections, the morphology of the labeled axons and axon terminals is clearly demonstrated; this includes boutons en passant, fine collateral branches, and various terminal specialization, all of which can be visualized as well as in the best rapid Golgi preparations. Fifth, when introduced iontophoretically, PHA-L appears to be transported preferentially in the anterograde direction; only rarely is it transported retrogradely. Sixth, PHA-L does not appear to be taken up and transported effectively by fibers of passage. Seventh, there is no discernible degradation of the transported PHA-L with survival times of up to 17 days. Finally, since the transported marker can be demonstrated with either peroxidase or fluorescent antibody techniques, it may be used in conjunction with other neuroanatomical methods. For example, double anterograde labeling experiments can be done using the autoradiographic method along with immunoperoxidase localization of PHA-L, and the retrogradely transported fluorescent dyes can be visualized in the same tissue sections as PHA-L localized with immunofluorescence techniques. © 1984. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:50th Anniversary Issue.

Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor-1 antagonism mitigates beta amyloid pathology and cognitive and synaptic deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Stress and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) have been implicated as mechanistically involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but agents that impact CRF signaling have not been carefully tested for therapeutic efficacy or long-term safety in animal models. METHODS: To test whether antagonism of the type-1 corticotropin-releasing factor receptor (CRFR1) could be used as a disease-modifying treatment for AD, we used a preclinical prevention paradigm and treated 30-day-old AD transgenic mice with the small-molecule, CRFR1-selective antagonist, R121919, for 5 months, and examined AD pathologic and behavioral end points. RESULTS: R121919 significantly prevented the onset of cognitive impairment in female mice and reduced cellular and synaptic deficits and beta amyloid and C-terminal fragment-ß levels in both genders. We observed no tolerability or toxicity issues in mice treated with R121919. DISCUSSION: CRFR1 antagonism presents a viable disease-modifying therapy for AD, recommending its advancement to early-phase human safety trials.

Evidence for involvement of a limbic paraventricular hypothalamic inhibitory network in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis adaptations to repeated stress.

Emotional stressors activate a stereotyped set of limbic forebrain cell groups implicated in constraining stress-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation by inhibiting hypophysiotropic neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH). We previously identified a circumscribed, anterior part of the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (aBST) that houses stress-sensitive, PVH-projecting, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons as representing a site of convergence of stress-inhibitory influences originating from medial prefrontal and hippocampal cortices. Here we investigate whether exaggerated HPA axis responses associated with chronic variable stress (CVS; daily exposure to different stressors at unpredictable times over 14 days, followed by restraint stress on day 15) and diminished HPA output seen following repeated (14 days) restraint-stress exposure are associated with differential engagement of the limbic modulatory network. Relative to acutely restrained rats, animals subjected to CVS showed the expected increase (sensitization) in HPA responses and diminished levels of activation (Fos) of GABAergic neurons and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) mRNA expression in the aBST. By contrast, repeated restraint stress produced habituation in HPA responses, maintained levels of activation of GABAergic neurons, and increased GAD expression in the aBST. aBST-projecting neurons in limbic sites implicated in HPA axis inhibition tended to show diminished activational responses in both repeated-stress paradigms, with the exception of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, in which responsiveness was maintained in repeatedly restrained animals. The results are consistent with the view that differential engagement of HPA inhibitory mechanisms in the aBST may contribute to alterations in HPA axis responses to emotional stress in sensitization and habituation paradigms.

Characterization of a Pachymedusa dacnicolor-Sauvagine analog as a new high-affinity radioligand for corticotropin-releasing factor receptor studies.

The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) peptide family comprises the mammalian peptides CRF and the urocortins as well as frog skin sauvagine and fish urophyseal urotensin. Advances in understanding the roles of the CRF ligand family and associated receptors have often relied on radioreceptor assays using labeled CRF ligands. These assays depend on stable, high-affinity CRF analogs that can be labeled, purified, and chemically characterized. Analogs of several of the native peptides have been used in this context, most prominently including sauvagine from the frog Phyllomedusa sauvageii (PS-Svg). Because each of these affords both advantages and disadvantages, new analogs with superior properties would be welcome. We find that a sauvagine-like peptide recently isolated from a different frog species, Pachymedusa dacnicolor (PD-Svg), is a high-affinity agonist whose radioiodinated analog, [(125)ITyr(0)-Glu(1), Nle(17)]-PD-Svg, exhibits improved biochemical properties over those of earlier iodinated agonists. Specifically, the PD-Svg radioligand binds both CRF receptors with comparably high affinity as its PS-Svg counterpart, but detects a greater number of sites on both type 1 and type 2 receptors. PD-Svg is also ∼10 times more potent at stimulating cAMP accumulation in cells expressing the native receptors. Autoradiographic localization using the PD-Svg radioligand shows robust specific binding to rodent brain and peripheral tissues that identifies consensus CRF receptor-expressing sites in a greater number and/or with greater sensitivity than its PS-Svg counterpart. We suggest that labeled analogs of PD-Svg may be useful tools for biochemical, structural, pharmacological, and anatomic studies of CRF receptors.

VTA CRF neurons mediate the aversive effects of nicotine withdrawal and promote intake escalation.

Dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are well known for mediating the positive reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse. Here we identify in rodents and humans a population of VTA dopaminergic neurons expressing corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). We provide further evidence in rodents that chronic nicotine exposure upregulates Crh mRNA (encoding CRF) in dopaminergic neurons of the posterior VTA, activates local CRF1 receptors and blocks nicotine-induced activation of transient GABAergic input to dopaminergic neurons. Local downregulation of Crh mRNA and specific pharmacological blockade of CRF1 receptors in the VTA reversed the effect of nicotine on GABAergic input to dopaminergic neurons, prevented the aversive effects of nicotine withdrawal and limited the escalation of nicotine intake. These results link the brain reward and stress systems in the same brain region to signaling of the negative motivational effects of nicotine withdrawal.

The anorectic actions of the TGFß cytokine MIC-1/GDF15 require an intact brainstem area postrema and nucleus of the solitary tract.

Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1/GDF15) modulates food intake and body weight under physiological and pathological conditions by acting on the hypothalamus and brainstem. When overexpressed in disease, such as in advanced cancer, elevated serum MIC-1/GDF15 levels lead to an anorexia/cachexia syndrome. To gain a better understanding of its actions in the brainstem we studied MIC-1/GDF15 induced neuronal activation identified by induction of Fos protein. Intraperitoneal injection of human MIC-1/GDF15 in mice activated brainstem neurons in the area postrema (AP) and the medial (m) portion of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), which did not stain with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). To determine the importance of these brainstem nuclei in the anorexigenic effect of MIC-1/GDF15, we ablated the AP alone or the AP and the NTS. The latter combined lesion completely reversed the anorexigenic effects of MIC-1/GDF15. Altogether, this study identified neurons in the AP and/or NTS, as being critical for the regulation of food intake and body weight by MIC-1/GDF15.

Immune cell trafficking from the brain maintains CNS immune tolerance.

In the CNS, no pathway dedicated to immune surveillance has been characterized for preventing the anti-CNS immune responses that develop in autoimmune neuroinflammatory disease. Here, we identified a pathway for immune cells to traffic from the brain that is associated with the rostral migratory stream (RMS), which is a forebrain source of newly generated neurons. Evaluation of fluorescently labeled leukocyte migration in mice revealed that DCs travel via the RMS from the CNS to the cervical LNs (CxLNs), where they present antigen to T cells. Pharmacologic interruption of immune cell traffic with the mononuclear cell-sequestering drug fingolimod influenced anti-CNS T cell responses in the CxLNs and modulated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) severity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Fingolimod treatment also induced EAE in a disease-resistant transgenic mouse strain by altering DC-mediated Treg functions in CxLNs and disrupting CNS immune tolerance. These data describe an immune cell pathway that originates in the CNS and is capable of dampening anti-CNS immune responses in the periphery. Furthermore, these data provide insight into how fingolimod treatment might exacerbate CNS neuroinflammation in some cases and suggest that focal therapeutic interventions, outside the CNS have the potential to selectively modify anti-CNS immunity.

Posttranslational processing of human and mouse urocortin 2: characterization and bioactivity of gene products.

Mouse (m) and human (h) urocortin 2 (Ucn 2) were identified by molecular cloning strategies and the primary sequence of their mature forms postulated by analogy to closely related members of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neuropeptide family. Because of the paucity of Ucn 2 proteins in native tissues, skin, muscle, and pancreatic cell lines were transduced with lentiviral constructs and secretion media were used to isolate and characterize Ucn 2 products and study processing. Primary structures were assigned using a combination of Edman degradation sequencing and mass spectrometry. For mUcn 2, transduced cells secreted a 39 amino acid peptide and the glycosylated prohormone lacking signal peptide; both forms were C-terminally amidated and highly potent to activate the type 2 CRF receptor. Chromatographic profiles of murine tissue extracts were consistent with cleavage of mUcn 2 prohormone to a peptidic form. By contrast to mUcn 2, mammalian cell lines transduced with hUcn 2 constructs secreted significant amounts of an 88 amino acid glycosylated hUcn 2 prohormone but were unable to further process this molecule. Similarly, WM-266-4 melanoma cells that express endogenous hUcn 2 secreted only the glycosylated prohormone lacking the signal peptide and unmodified at the C terminus. Although not amidated, hUcn 2 prohormone purified from overexpressing lines activated CRF receptor 2. Hypoxia and glycosylation, paradigms that might influence secretion or processing of gene products, did not significantly impact hUcn 2 prohormone cleavage. Our findings identify probable Ucn 2 processing products and should expedite the characterization of these proteins in mammalian tissues.

Dendritic cells and multiple sclerosis: disease, tolerance and therapy.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a devastating neurological disease that predominantly affects young adults resulting in severe personal and economic impact. The majority of therapies for this disease were developed in, or are beneficial in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of MS. While known to target adaptive anti-CNS immune responses, they also target, the innate immune arm. This mini-review focuses on the role of dendritic cells (DCs), the professional antigen presenting cells of the innate immune system. The evidence for a role for DCs in the appropriate regulation of anti-CNS autoimmune responses and their role in MS disease susceptibility and possible therapeutic utility are discussed. Additionally, the current controversy regarding the evidence for the presence of functional DCs in the normal CNS is reviewed. Furthermore, the role of CNS DCs and potential routes of their intercourse between the CNS and cervical lymph nodes are considered. Finally, the future role that this nexus between the CNS and the cervical lymph nodes might play in site directed molecular and cellular therapy for MS is outlined.

Corticotropin-releasing factor receptor-dependent effects of repeated stress on tau phosphorylation, solubility, and aggregation.

Exposure and/or sensitivity to stress have been implicated as conferring risk for development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the basis for such a link remains unclear, we previously reported differential involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor (CRFR) 1 and 2 in acute stress-induced tau phosphorylation (tau-P) and solubility in the hippocampus. Here we examined the role of CRFRs in tau-P induced by repeated stress and the structural manifestations of altered tau solubility. Robust tau-P responses were seen in WT and CRFR2 null mice exposed to repeated stress, which were sustained at even 24 h after the final stress exposure. A portion of phosphorylated tau in these mice was sequestered in detergent-soluble cellular fractions. In contrast, CRFR1 and CRFR double-KO mice did not exhibit repeated stress-induced alterations in tau-P or solubility. Similarly, treatment with CRFR1 antagonist attenuated repeated stress-induced tau-P. Using histochemical approaches in a transgenic CRFR1 reporter mouse line, we found substantial overlap between hippocampal CRFR1 expression and cells positive for phosphorylated tau after exposure to repeated stress. Ultrastructural analysis of negatively stained extracts from WT and CRFR2 null mice identified globular aggregates that displayed positive immunogold labeling for tau-P, as well as conformational changes in tau (MC1) seen in early AD. Given that repeated stress exposure results in chronic increases in hippocampal tau-P and its sequestration in an insoluble (and potentially prepathogenic) form, our data may define a link between stress and an AD-related pathogenic mechanism.

CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-δ expression by dendritic cells regulates CNS autoimmune inflammatory disease.

CCAAT enhancer binding protein-delta (C/EBPδ) is a transcription factor that regulates inflammatory processes mediating bystander neuronal injury and CNS autoimmune inflammatory disease. The mechanism of the involvement of C/EBPδ in these processes remains to be determined. Here, we examined the cellular source(s) and mechanisms by which C/EBPδ may be involved in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Mice deficient in C/EBPδ expression exhibited less severe clinical disease than wild-type littermates in response to induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by vaccination with a myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) fragment. This reduction in EAE severity was associated with a significant alteration in the complement of major CNS T-helper (Th) cell subtypes throughout disease, manifest as reduced ratios of Th17 cells to regulatory T-cells (Tregs). Studies in bone marrow chimeric mice indicated that C/EBPδ expression by peripherally derived immune cells mediates C/EBPδ involvement in EAE. Follow up in vitro and in vivo examination of dendritic cell (DC) mediated Th-cell development suggests that C/EBPδ suppresses DC expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10), favoring Th17 over Treg development. In vitro and in vivo blockade of IL-10 signaling attenuated the effect of reduced C/EBPδ expression by DCs on Th17:Treg ratios. These findings identify C/EBPδ as an important DC transcription factor in CNS autoimmune inflammatory disease by virtue of its capacity to alter the Th17:Treg balance in an IL-10 dependent fashion.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced tau phosphorylation and kinase activity--modulation, but not mediation, by corticotropin-releasing factor receptors.

Clinical studies suggest that exposure to stress can increase risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the precise links between stress and vulnerability to develop AD remain uncertain, recent animal work suggests that stress may promote susceptibility to AD pathology by activating tau kinases and inducing tau phosphorylation (tau-P). Our previous findings indicate the differential involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor receptor (CRFR) types 1 and 2 in regulating tau-P in the hippocampus induced by acute restraint, an emotional stressor. To assess the generality of CRFR involvement in stress-induced tau-P and tau kinase activity, the present study extends our investigation to a well-characterized physiological stressor, i.e. immune challenge induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Acute systemic administration of LPS (100 µg/kg) robustly increased hippocampal (but not isocortical or cerebellar) tau-P, peaking at 40-120 min postinjection and abating thereafter. Assessments of the genotype dependence of this effect yielded results that were distinct from the restraint model. Treatment with LPS increased phosphorylation in wild-type, single and double CRFR knockouts with only subtle variation, which included a reliable exaggeration of tau-P responses in CRFR1-deficient mice. Parallel analyses implicated glycogen synthase kinase-3 and cyclin-dependent kinase-5 as likely cellular mediators of LPS-induced tau-P. Conversely, our data suggest that temperature-dependent fluctuations in tau protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) may not play a role in this context. Thus, neither the strict CRFR1 dependence of restraint-induced tau-P nor the exaggeration of these responses in CRFR2 null mice generalize to the LPS model. CRFR mediation of stress-induced hippocampal tau-P may be limited to emotional stressors.

A common substrate for prefrontal and hippocampal inhibition of the neuroendocrine stress response.

A network of interconnected limbic forebrain cell groups, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampal formation (HF), is known to shape adaptive responses to emotionally stressful experiences, including output of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. While disruption of limbic HPA-inhibitory systems is implicated in stress-related psychiatric and systemic illnesses, progress in the field has been hampered by a lack of a systems-level understanding of the organization that provides for this regulation. Using rats, we first localized cell groups afferent to the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH) (the initiator of HPA responses to stress) whose engagement following acute (30 min) restraint was diminished by excitotoxin lesions of the ventral subiculum, a component of the HF. This identified a candidate relay for imparting HF influences in a circumscribed portion of the anterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (aBST), which we previously identified as a GABAergic relay subserving mPFC inhibition of the stress axis. Anatomical tracing experiments then indicated that extrinsic projections from HF and mPFC converge onto regions of aBST that contain neurons that are both stress sensitive and PVH projecting. Two final experiments provided evidence that (1) HPA-inhibitory influences of mPFC and HF are additive and (2) aBST plays a more prominent inhibitory role than ventral subiculum over stress-induced HPA endpoints. These findings support the view that stress-inhibitory influences of mPFC and HF are exerted principally via convergence onto a common relay, as opposed to a serial, parallel, or more complex multisynaptic network.

Dual roles for perivascular macrophages in immune-to-brain signaling.

Cytokines produced during infection/inflammation activate adaptive central nervous system (CNS) responses, including acute stress responses mediated by the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The mechanisms by which cytokines engage HPA control circuitry remain unclear, though stimulated release of prostanoids from neighboring vascular cells has been implicated in this regard. How specific vascular cell types, endothelial cells (ECs) versus perivascular cells (PVCs; a subset of brain-resident macrophages), participate in this response remains unsettled. We exploited the phagocytic activity of PVCs to deplete them in rats by central injection of a liposome-encapsulated proapoptotic drug. This manipulation abrogated CNS and hormonal indices of HPA activation under immune challenge conditions (interleukin-1) that activated prostanoid synthesis only in PVCs, while enhancing these responses to stimuli (lipopolysaccharide) that engaged prostanoid production by ECs as well. Thus, PVCs provide both prostanoid-mediated drive to the HPA axis and an anti-inflammatory action that constrains endothelial and overall CNS responses to inflammatory insults.

Cerebrovascular cyclooxygenase-1 expression, regulation, and role in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation by inflammatory stimuli.

Systemic injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a widely used model of immune/inflammatory challenge, which can invoke a host of CNS responses, including activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Inducible vascular prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthesis by endothelial (ECs) and/or perivascular cells (PVCs) (a macrophage-derived vascular cell type) is implicated in the engagement of HPA and other CNS responses, by virtue of their capacity to express cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and microsomal PGE(2) synthase-1. Evidence from genetic and pharmacologic studies also supports a role for the constitutively expressed COX-1 in inflammation-induced activation of the HPA axis, although histochemical evidence to support relevant localization(s) and regulation of COX-1 expression is lacking. The present experiments fill this void in showing that COX-1 immunoreactivity (IR) and mRNA are detectable in identified PVCs and parenchymal microglia under basal conditions and is robustly expressed in these and ECs 1-3 h after intravenous injection of LPS (2 microg/kg). Confocal and electron microscopic analyses indicate distinct cellular/subcellular localizations of COX-1-IR in the three cell types. Interestingly, COX-1 expression is enhanced in ECs of brain PVC-depleted rats, supporting an anti-inflammatory role of the latter cell type. Functional involvement of COX-1 is indicated by the observation that central, but not systemic, pretreatment with the selective COX-1 inhibitor SC-560 attenuated the early phase of LPS-induced increases in adrenocorticotropin and corticosterone secretion. These findings support an involvement of COX-1 in bidirectional interplay between ECs and PVCs in initiating vascular PGE(2) and downstream HPA response to proinflammatory challenges.

How T-cell-dependent and -independent challenges access the brain: vascular and neural responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide and staphylococcal enterotoxin B.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is widely used to study immune influences on the CNS, and cerebrovascular prostaglandin (PG) synthesis is implicated in mediating LPS influences on some acute phase responses. Other bacterial products, such as staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), impact target tissues differently in that their effects are T-lymphocyte-dependent, yet both LPS and SEB recruit a partially overlapping set of subcortical central autonomic cell groups. We sought to compare neurovascular responses to the two pathogens, and the mechanisms by which they may access the brain. Rats received iv injections of LPS (2 microg/kg), SEB (1mg/kg) or vehicle and were sacrificed 0.5-3h later. Both challenges engaged vascular cells as early 0.5h, as evidenced by induced expression of the vascular early response gene (Verge), and the immediate-early gene, NGFI-B. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was detected in both endothelial and perivascular cells (PVCs) in response to LPS, but only in PVCs of SEB-challenged animals. The non-selective COX inhibitor, indomethacin (1mg/kg, iv), blocked LPS-induced activation in a subset of central autonomic structures, but failed to alter SEB-driven responses. Liposome mediated ablation of PVCs modulated the CNS response to LPS, did not affect the SEB-induced activational profile. By contrast, disruptions of interoceptive signaling by area postrema lesions or vagotomy (complete or hepatic) markedly attenuated SEB-, but not LPS-, stimulated central activational responses. Despite partial overlap in their neuronal and vascular response profiles, LPS and SEB appear to use distinct mechanisms to access the brain.