Increased CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, and IL-1ß cytokine concentration in piriform cortex, hippocampus, and neocortex after pilocarpine-induced seizures.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines and chemokines play an important role in the neuroinflammatory response to an initial precipitating injury such as status epilepticus (SE). These signaling molecules participate in recruitment of immune cells, including brain macrophages (microglia), as well as neuroplastic changes, deterioration of damaged tissue, and epileptogenesis. This study describes the temporal and brain region pattern expression of numerous cytokines, including chemokines, after pilocarpine-induced seizures and discusses them in the larger context of their potential involvement in the changes that precede the development of epilepsy. FINDINGS: Adult rats received pilocarpine to induce SE and 90 min after seizure onset were treated with diazepam to mitigate seizures. Rats were subsequently deeply anesthetized and brain regions (hippocampus, piriform cortex, neocortex, and cerebellum) were freshly dissected at 2, 6, and 24 h or 5 days after seizures. Using methodology identical to our previous studies, simultaneous assay of multiple cytokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, interleukin IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was performed and compared to control rats. These proteins were selected based on existing evidence implicating them in the epileptogenic progression. A robust increase in CCL2 and CCL3 concentrations in the hippocampus, piriform cortex, and neocortex was observed at all time-points. The concentrations peaked with a ~200-fold increase 24 h after seizures and were two orders of magnitude greater than the significant increases observed for CCL5 and IL-1ß in the same brain structures. TNF-α levels were altered in the piriform cortex and neocortex (24 h) and in the hippocampus (5 days) after SE. CONCLUSIONS: Pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus causes a rapid increase of multiple cytokines in limbic and neocortical regions. Understanding the precise spatial and temporal pattern of cytokines and chemokine changes could provide more viable therapeutic targets to reduce, reverse, or prevent the development of epilepsy following a precipitating injury.

Vascular reactivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide is enhanced in subtotal nephrectomy-salt induced hypertension.

In subtotal nephrectomy (SN)- and salt-induced hypertension, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a compensatory role to attenuate the blood pressure increase in the absence of an increase in the neuronal synthesis and release of this peptide. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether the mechanism of this antihypertensive activity is through enhanced sensitivity of the vasculature to the dilator actions of this neuropeptide. Hypertension was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by SN and 1% saline drinking water. Control rats were sham-operated and given tap water to drink. After 11 days, rats had intravenous (drug administration) and arterial (continuous mean arterial pressure recording) catheters surgically placed and were studied in a conscious unrestrained state. Baseline mean arterial pressure was higher in the SN-salt rats (157 ± 5 mmHg) compared with controls (128 ± 3 mmHg). Administration of CGRP (and adrenomedullin) produced a significantly greater dose-dependent decrease in mean arterial pressure in SN-salt rats compared with controls (∼2.0-fold for both the low and high doses). Interestingly, isolated superior mesenteric arterioles from SN-salt rats were significantly more responsive to the dilator effects of CGRP (but not adenomedullin) than the controls (pEC(50), SN-salt, 14.0 ± 0.1 vs. control, 12.0 ± 0.1). Analysis of the CGRP receptor proteins showed that only the receptor component protein was increased significantly in arterioles from SN-salt rats. These data indicate that the compensatory antihypertensive effects of CGRP result from an increased sensitivity of the vasculature to dilator activity of this peptide. The mechanism may be via the upregulation of receptor component protein, thereby providing a more efficient coupling of the receptor to the signal transduction pathways.

Chemokine CCL2 and its receptor CCR2 are increased in the hippocampus following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus.

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation occurs after seizures and is implicated in epileptogenesis. CCR2 is a chemokine receptor for CCL2 and their interaction mediates monocyte infiltration in the neuroinflammatory cascade triggered in different brain pathologies. In this work CCR2 and CCL2 expression were examined following status epilepticus (SE) induced by pilocarpine injection. METHODS: SE was induced by pilocarpine injection. Control rats were injected with saline instead of pilocarpine. Five days after SE, CCR2 staining in neurons and glial cells was examined using imunohistochemical analyses. The number of CCR2 positive cells was determined using stereology probes in the hippocampus. CCL2 expression in the hippocampus was examined by molecular assay. RESULTS: Increased CCR2 was observed in the hippocampus after SE. Seizures also resulted in alterations to the cell types expressing CCR2. Increased numbers of neurons that expressed CCR2 was observed following SE. Microglial cells were more closely apposed to the CCR2-labeled cells in SE rats. In addition, rats that experienced SE exhibited CCR2-labeling in populations of hypertrophied astrocytes, especially in CA1 and dentate gyrus. These CCR2+ astroctytes were not observed in control rats. Examination of CCL2 expression showed that it was elevated in the hippocampus following SE. CONCLUSION: The data show that CCR2 and CCL2 are up-regulated in the hippocampus after pilocarpine-induced SE. Seizures also result in changes to CCR2 receptor expression in neurons and astrocytes. These changes might be involved in detrimental neuroplasticity and neuroinflammatory changes that occur following seizures.

Increased substance P content in nerve fibers associated with mesenteric veins from deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats.

This study examined sensory nerves associated with mesenteric arteries and veins in sham and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. Reactivity of arteries and veins to substances released from sensory nerves was also studied in vitro using computer-assisted video microscopy. Co-localization of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactivity (ir) was used to evaluate perivascular sensory nerves. Radioimmunoassay was used to quantify SP- and CGRP-ir content. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a plexus of SP/CGRP-ir nerves associated with arteries and veins. The intensity of SP-ir, but not CGRP-ir labeling was greater in arteries and veins from DOCA-salt compared to sham rats. RIA measurements revealed that the CGRP-ir content of arteries and veins was higher than the SP-ir content but there was a significant increase in SP-ir, but not CGRP-ir, content in arteries and veins from DOCA-salt rats. SP (0.03-1 microM) contracted veins and the NK-3 receptor agonist, senktide, mimicked this effect. There were no differences in SP or senktide reactivity of veins from sham or DOCA-salt rats. SP, but not senktide, relaxed KCl (40 mM) preconstricted arteries. CGRP (0.3 microM), acetylcholine (10 microM) and capsaicin (1 microM) relaxed KCl-preconstricted arteries and veins. The NK-1 receptor agonist, substance P methyl ester relaxed arteries but not veins. These data indicate that DOCA-salt hypertension is associated with upregulation of SP content in perivascular nerves. NK-3 receptors mediate venoconstriction which is unchanged in DOCA-salt hypertension. Increased release of SP from perivenous nerves might contribute to the increased venomotor tone in DOCA-salt hypertension.

Early TBI-Induced Cytokine Alterations are Similarly Detected by Two Distinct Methods of Multiplex Assay.

Annually, more than a million persons experience traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the US and a substantial proportion of this population develop debilitating neurological disorders, such as, paralysis, cognitive deficits, and epilepsy. Despite the long-standing knowledge of the risks associated with TBI, no effective biomarkers or interventions exist. Recent evidence suggests a role for inflammatory modulators in TBI-induced neurological impairments. Current technological advances allow for the simultaneous analysis of the precise spatial and temporal expression patterns of numerous proteins in single samples which ultimately can lead to the development of novel treatments. Thus, the present study examined 23 different cytokines, including chemokines, in the ipsi and contralateral cerebral cortex of rats at 24 h after a fluid percussion injury (FPI). Furthermore, the estimation of cytokines were performed in a newly developed multiplex assay instrument, MAGPIX (Luminex Corp), and compared with an established instrument, Bio-Plex (Bio-Rad), in order to validate the newly developed instrument. The results show numerous inflammatory changes in the ipsi and contralateral side after FPI that were consistently reported by both technologies.

Small mouse cholangiocytes proliferate in response to H1 histamine receptor stimulation by activation of the IP3/CaMK I/CREB pathway.

Cholangiopathies are characterized by the heterogeneous proliferation of different-sized cholangiocytes. Large cholangiocytes proliferate by a cAMP-dependent mechanism. The function of small cholangiocytes may depend on the activation of inositol trisphosphate (IP(3))/Ca(2+)-dependent signaling pathways; however, data supporting this speculation are lacking. Four histamine receptors exist (HRH1, HRH2, HRH3, and HRH4). In several cells: 1) activation of HRH1 increases intracellular Ca(2+) concentration levels; and 2) increased [Ca(2+)](i) levels are coupled with calmodulin-dependent stimulation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) and activation of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB). HRH1 agonists modulate small cholangiocyte proliferation by activation of IP(3)/Ca(2+)-dependent CaMK/CREB. We evaluated HRH1 expression in cholangiocytes. Small and large cholangiocytes were stimulated with histamine trifluoromethyl toluidide (HTMT dimaleate; HRH1 agonist) for 24-48 h with/without terfenadine, BAPTA/AM, or W7 before measuring proliferation. Expression of CaMK I, II, and IV was evaluated in small and large cholangiocytes. We measured IP(3), Ca(2+) and cAMP levels, phosphorylation of CaMK I, and activation of CREB (in the absence/presence of W7) in small cholangiocytes treated with HTMT dimaleate. CaMK I knockdown was performed in small cholangiocytes stimulated with HTMT dimaleate before measurement of proliferation and CREB activity. Small and large cholangiocytes express HRH1, CaMK I, and CaMK II. Small (but not large) cholangiocytes proliferate in response to HTMT dimaleate and are blocked by terfenadine (HRH1 antagonist), BAPTA/AM, and W7. In small cholangiocytes, HTMT dimaleate increased IP(3)/Ca(2+) levels, CaMK I phosphorylation, and CREB activity. Gene knockdown of CaMK I ablated the effects of HTMT dimaleate on small cholangiocyte proliferation and CREB activation. The IP(3)/Ca(2+)/CaMK I/CREB pathway is important in the regulation of small cholangiocyte function.

Knockout of alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide reduces cholangiocyte proliferation in bile duct ligated mice.

The role of sensory innervation in the regulation of liver physiology and the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver disease are undefined. Biliary proliferation has been shown to be coordinately controlled by parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation of the liver. The aim of our study was to address the role of the sensory neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (alpha-CGRP) in the regulation of cholangiocyte proliferation during cholestasis induced by extrahepatic bile duct obstruction (BDL). Our study utilized a knockout (KO) mouse model, which lacks the sensory neuropeptide alpha-CGRP. Wild-type (WT) and alpha-CGRP KO mice were subjected to sham surgery or BDL for 3 and 7 days. In addition, immediately after BDL, WT and KO mice were administered the CGRP receptor antagonist (CGRP(8-37)) for 3 and 7 days by osmotic minipumps. Liver sections and isolated cholangiocytes were evaluated for proliferation markers. Isolated WT BDL (3 days) cholangiocytes were stimulated with alpha- and beta-CGRP and evaluated for proliferation and cAMP-mediated signaling. Lack of alpha-CGRP inhibits cholangiocyte proliferation induced by BDL at both 3 and 7 days. BDL-induced cholangiocyte proliferation in WT mice was associated with increases of circulating alpha-CGRP levels. In vitro, alpha- and beta-CGRP stimulated proliferation in purified BDL cholangiocytes, induced elevation of cAMP levels, and stimulated the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A and cAMP response element binding protein DNA binding. In conclusion, sensory innervation of the liver and biliary expression of alpha-CGRP play an important role in the regulation of cholangiocyte proliferation during cholestasis.

Anthrax toxins induce shock in rats by depressed cardiac ventricular function.

Anthrax infections are frequently associated with severe and often irreversible hypotensive shock. The isolated toxic proteins of Bacillus anthracis produce a non-cytokine-mediated hypotension in rats by unknown mechanisms. These observations suggest the anthrax toxins have direct cardiovascular effects. Here, we characterize these effects. As a first step, we administered systemically anthrax lethal toxin (LeTx) and edema toxin (EdTx) to cohorts of three to twelve rats at different doses and determined the time of onset, degree of hypotension and mortality. We measured serum concentrations of the protective antigen (PA) toxin component at various time points after infusion. Peak serum levels of PA were in the microg/mL range with half-lives of 10-20 minutes. With doses that produced hypotension with delayed lethality, we then gave bolus intravenous infusions of toxins to groups of four to six instrumented rats and continuously monitored blood pressure by telemetry. Finally, the same doses used in the telemetry experiments were given to additional groups of four rats, and echocardiography was performed pretreatment and one, two, three and twenty-four hours post-treatment. LeTx and EdTx each produced hypotension. We observed a doubling of the velocity of propagation and 20% increases in left ventricular diastolic and systolic areas in LeTx-treated rats, but not in EdTx-treated rats. EdTx-but not LeTx-treated rats showed a significant increase in heart rate. These results indicate that LeTx reduced left ventricular systolic function and EdTx reduced preload. Uptake of toxins occurs readily into tissues with biological effects occurring within minutes to hours of serum toxin concentrations in the microg/mL range. LeTx and EdTx yield an irreversible shock with subsequent death. These findings should provide a basis for the rational design of drug interventions to reduce the dismal prognosis of systemic anthrax infections.

Role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in hypertension-induced renal damage.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide, a potent vasodilator neuropeptide, is localized in perivascular sensory nerves. We have reported that alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide knockout mice have elevated baseline blood pressure and enhanced hypertension-induced renal damage compared with wild-type controls. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the mechanism and functional significance of this increased hypertension-induced renal damage. We previously demonstrated by telemetric recording that the deoxycorticosterone-salt protocol produces a 35% increase in mean arterial pressure in both alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide knockout and wild-type mice. Both strains of mice were studied at 0, 14, and 21 days after deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertension. Renal sections from hypertensive wild-type mice showed no pathological changes at any time point studied. However, on days 14 and 21, hypertensive knockout mice displayed progressive increases in glomerular proliferation, crescent formation, and tubular protein casts, as well as the inflammatory markers intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular adhesion molecule-1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. There was a significant increase in 24-hour urinary isoprostane, a marker of oxidative stress-induced lipid peroxidation, levels at days 14 and 21 in the hypertensive knockout compared with hypertensive wild-type mice. Urinary microalbumin was significantly higher (2-fold) at day 21 and creatinine clearance was significantly decreased 4-fold in the hypertensive knockout compared with hypertensive wild-type mice. Therefore, in the absence of alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide, deoxycorticosterone-salt hypertension induces enhanced oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal histopathologic damage, resulting in reduced renal function. Thus, sensory nerves, via alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide, appear to be renoprotective against hypertension-induced damage.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide protects against hypertension-induced heart and kidney damage.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide is a potent vasodilator neuropeptide that is localized in perivascular sensory nerves. To determine whether alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide possesses protective activity against hypertension-induced end organ damage, hypertension was induced in alpha-calcitonin gene-related/calcitonin peptide knockout and wild-type mice by uninephrectomy, deoxycorticosteroid administration, and 0.9% saline drinking water. These mice were instrumented previously for long-term telemetric blood pressure recording. Control groups were sham-operated and given tap water. Mean arterial pressures were determined, and 3 weeks after initiation of each protocol, tissues were taken for histopathologic studies. The deoxycorticosteroid-salt protocol produced a significant 35% mean arterial pressure increase in both mouse strains. No pathological changes were observed in sections of aortas and femoral arteries from any of the groups studied. Likewise, heart and kidney sections from the hypertensive wild-type mice showed no pathological changes compared with their normotensive counterparts. In contrast, marked vasculitis was seen in the heart sections from the deoxycorticosteroid-salt-treated alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide knockout mice with thickening and inflammation of the vessel walls. In addition, myocarditis and focal epicarditis with areas of myocardial necrosis were present. Kidneys of these mice exhibited prominent glomerular changes including congestion of the capillary loops, focal mesangial and crescent proliferation, and focal histocytic infiltration. Urinary microalbumin was significantly higher in the hypertensive alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide knockout compared with hypertensive wild-type mice. These data suggest that deletion of the alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide gene makes the heart and kidneys more vulnerable to hypertension-induced end organ damage.

Substance P in subtotal nephrectomy-salt hypertension.

We have previously demonstrated that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a counterregulatory role in subtotal nephrectomy-salt (SN-salt) hypertension through an increase in vascular responsiveness to the dilator activity of this neuropeptide. Substance P (SP) is often co-localized with CGRP in perivascular sensory nerves. To determine the role and mechanism of action of SP in SN-salt hypertension, we induced hypertension in 4- to 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=8) by subtotal nephrectomy and 1% saline drinking water. Sham-operated rats were given either tap water (n=9) or 1% saline to drink (n=9). Eleven to 13 days after each protocol, all rats had intravenous (for drug administration) and arterial (for continuous monitoring of mean arterial pressure [MAP]) catheters surgically implanted and were studied in the conscious and unrestrained state. Baseline MAP was significantly elevated in the SN-salt rats (157 +/- 6 mm Hg) compared with tap water--fed controls (128 +/- 3 mm Hg) and 1% saline--fed controls (132 +/- 5 mm Hg). Vehicle administration did not alter the MAP in any group. In contrast, administration of spantide-II (0.2 micromol/L in saline), an SP receptor antagonist, significantly elevated the MAP in SN-salt rats (13.9 +/- 0.8 mm Hg) compared with the tap water (1.7 +/- 1.7 mm Hg) and 1% saline controls (2.0 +/- 1.9 mm Hg). SP mRNA and peptide levels in dorsal root ganglia were not significantly different between the 3 groups. Administration of exogenous SP (12 and 24 nmol center dot L(-1) center dot kg(-1) intravenously) resulted in a significantly greater decrease in MAP in the SN-salt rats compared with both control groups. Taken together, these data suggest that in SN-salt hypertension, SP plays a counterregulatory role in the absence of an increase in its neuronal expression, thereby suggesting that one possible mechanism of this compensatory vasodilator response is enhanced vascular reactivity to SP.