Microglia promote learning-dependent synapse formation through brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Microglia are the resident macrophages of the CNS, and their functions have been extensively studied in various brain pathologies. The physiological roles of microglia in brain plasticity and function, however, remain unclear. To address this question, we generated CX3CR1(CreER) mice expressing tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase that allow for specific manipulation of gene function in microglia. Using CX3CR1(CreER) to drive diphtheria toxin receptor expression in microglia, we found that microglia could be specifically depleted from the brain upon diphtheria toxin administration. Mice depleted of microglia showed deficits in multiple learning tasks and a significant reduction in motor-learning-dependent synapse formation. Furthermore, Cre-dependent removal of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from microglia largely recapitulated the effects of microglia depletion. Microglial BDNF increases neuronal tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B phosphorylation, a key mediator of synaptic plasticity. Together, our findings reveal that microglia serve important physiological functions in learning and memory by promoting learning-related synapse formation through BDNF signaling.

SorCS2 is required for social memory and trafficking of the NMDA receptor.

Social memory processing requires functional CA2 neurons, however the specific mechanisms that regulate their activity are poorly understood. Here, we document that SorCS2, a member of the family of the Vps10 family of sorting receptors, is highly expressed in pyramidal neurons of CA2, as well as ventral CA1, a circuit implicated in social memory. SorCS2 specifically localizes to the postsynaptic density and endosomes within dendritic spines of CA2 neurons. We have discovered that SorCS2 is a selective regulator of NMDA receptor surface trafficking in hippocampal neurons, without altering AMPA receptor trafficking. In addition, SorCS2 regulates dendritic spine density in CA2 neurons where SorCS2 expression is enriched, but not in dorsal CA1 neurons, which normally express very low levels of this protein. To specifically test the role of SorCS2 in behavior, we generated a novel SorCS2-deficient mouse, and identify a significant social memory deficit, with no change in sociability, olfaction, anxiety, or several hippocampal-dependent behaviors. Mutations in sorCS2 have been associated with bipolar disease, schizophrenia, and attention deficient-hyperactivity disorder, and abnormalities in social memory are core components of these neuropsychiatric conditions. Thus, our findings provide a new mechanism for social memory formation, through regulating synaptic receptor trafficking in pyramidal neurons by SorCS2.

Autocrine BDNF-TrkB signalling within a single dendritic spine.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB are crucial for many forms of neuronal plasticity, including structural long-term potentiation (sLTP), which is a correlate of an animal's learning. However, it is unknown whether BDNF release and TrkB activation occur during sLTP, and if so, when and where. Here, using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based sensor for TrkB and two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, we monitor TrkB activity in single dendritic spines of CA1 pyramidal neurons in cultured murine hippocampal slices. In response to sLTP induction, we find fast (onset < 1 min) and sustained (>20 min) activation of TrkB in the stimulated spine that depends on NMDAR (N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor) and CaMKII signalling and on postsynaptically synthesized BDNF. We confirm the presence of postsynaptic BDNF using electron microscopy to localize endogenous BDNF to dendrites and spines of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Consistent with these findings, we also show rapid, glutamate-uncaging-evoked, time-locked BDNF release from single dendritic spines using BDNF fused to superecliptic pHluorin. We demonstrate that this postsynaptic BDNF-TrkB signalling pathway is necessary for both structural and functional LTP. Together, these findings reveal a spine-autonomous, autocrine signalling mechanism involving NMDAR-CaMKII-dependent BDNF release from stimulated dendritic spines and subsequent TrkB activation on these same spines that is crucial for structural and functional plasticity.

Detection of p75NTR Trimers: Implications for Receptor Stoichiometry and Activation.

The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) is a multifunctional receptor that participates in many critical processes in the nervous system, ranging from apoptosis to synaptic plasticity and morphological events. It is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, whose members undergo trimeric oligomerization. Interestingly, p75(NTR) interacts with dimeric ligands (i.e., proneurotrophins or mature neurotrophins), but several of the intracellular adaptors that mediate p75(NTR) signaling are trimeric (i.e., TNFR-associated factor 6 or TRAF6). Consequently, the active receptor signaling unit remains uncertain. To identify the functional receptor complex, we evaluated its oligomerization in vitro and in mice brain tissues using a combination of biochemical techniques. We found that the most abundant homotypic arrangement for p75(NTR) is a trimer and that monomers and trimers coexist at the cell surface. Interestingly, trimers are not required for ligand-independent or ligand-dependent p75(NTR) activation in a growth cone retraction functional assay. However, monomers are capable of inducing acute morphological effects in neurons. We propose that p75(NTR) activation is regulated by its oligomerization status and its levels of expression. These results indicate that the oligomeric state of p75(NTR) confers differential responses and offers an explanation for the diverse and contradictory actions of this receptor in the nervous system. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) regulates a wide range of cellular functions, including apoptosis, neuronal processes remodeling, and synaptic plasticity. The goal of our work was to inquire whether oligomers of the receptor are required for function. Here we report that p75(NTR) predominantly assembles as a trimer, similar to other tumor necrosis factor receptors. Interestingly, monomers and trimers coexist at the cell surface, but trimers are not required for p75(NTR) activation in a functional assay. However, monomers are capable of inducing acute morphological effects in neurons. Identification of the oligomerization state of p75(NTR) begins to provide insights to the mechanisms of signal initiation of this noncatalytic receptor, as well as to develop therapeutic interventions to diminish its activity.

Astrocyte-derived BDNF supports myelin protein synthesis after cuprizone-induced demyelination.

It is well established that BDNF may enhance oligodendrocyte differentiation following a demyelinating lesion, however, the endogenous sources of BDNF that may be harnessed to reverse deficits associated with such lesions are poorly defined. Here, we investigate roles of astrocytes in synthesizing and releasing BDNF. These cells are known to express BDNF following injury in vivo. In culture, they increase BDNF synthesis and release in response to glutamate metabotropic stimulation. Following cuprizone-elicited demyelination in mice, astrocytes contain BDNF and increase levels of metabotropic receptors. The metabotropic agonist, trans-(1S,3R)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (ACPD), was therefore injected into the demyelinating lesion. Increases in BDNF, as well as myelin proteins, were observed. Effects of ACPD were eliminated by coinjection of trkB-Fc to locally deplete BDNF and by deletion of astrocyte-derived BDNF. The data indicate that astrocyte-derived BDNF may be a source of trophic support that can be used to reverse deficits elicited following demyelination.

Mir-592 regulates the induction and cell death-promoting activity of p75NTR in neuronal ischemic injury.

The neurotrophin receptor p75(NTR) has been implicated in mediating neuronal apoptosis after injury to the CNS. Despite its frequent induction in pathologic states, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms that regulate p75(NTR) expression after injury. Here, we show that after focal cerebral ischemia in vivo or oxygen-glucose deprivation in organotypic hippocampal slices or neurons, p75(NTR) is rapidly induced. A concomitant induction of proNGF, a ligand for p75(NTR), is also observed. Induction of this ligand/receptor system is pathologically relevant, as a decrease in apoptosis, after oxygen-glucose deprivation, is observed in hippocampal neurons or slices after delivery of function-blocking antibodies to p75(NTR) or proNGF and in p75(NTR) and ngf haploinsufficient slices. Furthermore, a significant decrease in infarct volume was noted in p75(NTR)-/- mice compared with the wild type. We also investigated the regulatory mechanisms that lead to post-ischemic induction of p75(NTR). We demonstrate that induction of p75(NTR) after ischemic injury is independent of transcription but requires active translation. Basal levels of p75(NTR) in neurons are maintained in part by the expression of microRNA miR-592, and an inverse correlation is seen between miR-592 and p75(NTR) levels in the adult brain. After cerebral ischemia, miR-592 levels fall, with a corresponding increase in p75(NTR) levels. Importantly, overexpression of miR-592 in neurons decreases the level of ischemic injury-induced p75(NTR) and attenuates activation of pro-apoptotic signaling and cell death. These results identify miR-592 as a key regulator of p75(NTR) expression and point to a potential therapeutic candidate to limit neuronal apoptosis after ischemic injury.

Selective reduction of striatal mature BDNF without induction of proBDNF in the zQ175 mouse model of Huntington's disease.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by massive loss of medium spiny neurons in the striatum. However, the mechanisms by which mutant huntingtin leads to this selective neuronal death remain incompletely understood. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to be neuroprotective on HD striatal neurons both in vitro and in vivo. ProBDNF, the precursor of mature BDNF (mBDNF), also can be secreted but promotes apoptosis of neurons expressing p75(NTR) and sortilin receptors. Although a reduction of total striatal BDNF protein has been reported in HD patients and mouse models, it remains unclear whether conversion of proBDNF to mBDNF is altered in HD, and whether the proBDNF receptors, p75(NTR) and sortilin are dysregulated, leading to impaired striatal neuron survival. To test these hypotheses, we generated bdnf-HA knock-in (KI) mice on the zQ175 HD background to accurately quantitate the levels of both proBDNF and mBDNF in the HD striatum. In aged zQ175 HD mice, we observed a significant loss of mBDNF and decreased TrkB activation, but no increase of proBDNF or p75(NTR) levels either in the sensorimotor cortex or the striatum. However, immunoreactivities of p75(NTR) and sortilin receptor are both increased in immature striatal oligodendrocytes, which associate with significant myelin defects in the HD striatum. Taken together, the present study indicates that diminished mature BDNF trophic signaling through the TrkB receptor, rather than an induction in proBDNF, is a main contributing factor to the vulnerability of striatal neurons in the zQ175 HD mouse model.

Effects of the BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism on Anxiety-Like Behavior Following Nicotine Withdrawal in Mice.

INTRODUCTION: Nicotine withdrawal is characterized by both affective and cognitive symptoms. Identifying genetic polymorphisms that could affect the symptoms associated with nicotine withdrawal are important in predicting withdrawal sensitivity and identifying personalized cessation therapies. In the current study we used a mouse model of a non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism in the translated region of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene that substitutes a valine (Val) for a methionine (Met) amino acid (Val66Met) to examine the relationship between the Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism and nicotine dependence. METHODS: This study measured proBDNF and the BDNF prodomain levels following nicotine and nicotine withdrawal and examined a mouse model of a common polymorphism in this protein (BDNF(Met/Met)) in three behavioral paradigms: novelty-induced hypophagia, marble burying, and the open-field test. RESULTS: Using the BDNF knock-in mouse containing the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism we found: (1) blunted anxiety-like behavior in BDNF(Met/Met) mice following withdrawal in three behavioral paradigms: novelty-induced hypophagia, marble burying, and the open-field test; (2) the anxiolytic effects of chronic nicotine are absent in BDNF(Met/Met) mice; and (3) an increase in BDNF prodomain in BDNF(Met/Met) mice following nicotine withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to examine the effect of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on the affective symptoms of withdrawal from nicotine in mice. In these mice, a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the translated region of the BDNF gene can result in a blunted withdrawal, as measured by decreased anxiety-like behavior. The significant increase in the BDNF prodomain in BDNF(Met/Met) mice following nicotine cessation suggests a possible role of this ligand in the circuitry remodeling after withdrawal.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: Three Ligands, Many Actions.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of a family of neurotrophins which include nerve growth factor, neurotrophin 3, and neurotrophin 4. Studies over the last three decades have identified mature BDNF as a key regulator of neuronal differentiation, structure, and function; actions mediated by the TrkB receptor. More recently identified isoforms which are translated from the bdnf gene, including the uncleaved precursor, pro-BDNF, and the cleaved prodomain, have been found to elicit opposing functions in neurons through the activation of distinct receptors. This work emphasizes the critical roles for all three isoforms of BDNF in modulating neuronal activity that impact complex human behaviors including memory, anxiety, depression, and hyperphagia.

Role of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF) to mature BDNF conversion in activity-dependent competition at developing neuromuscular synapses.

Formation of specific neuronal connections often involves competition between adjacent axons, leading to stabilization of the active terminal, while retraction of the less active ones. The underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. We show that activity-dependent conversion of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF) to mature (m)BDNF mediates synaptic competition. Stimulation of motoneurons triggers proteolytic conversion of proBDNF to mBDNF at nerve terminals. In Xenopus nerve-muscle cocultures, in which two motoneurons innervate one myocyte, proBDNF-p75(NTR) signaling promotes retraction of the less active terminal, whereas mBDNF-tyrosine-related kinase B (TrkB) p75NTR (p75 neurotrophin receptor) facilitates stabilization of the active one. Thus, proBDNF and mBDNF may serve as potential "punishment" and "reward" signals for inactive and active terminals, respectively, and activity-dependent conversion of proBDNF to mBDNF may regulate synapse elimination.

Vps10 family proteins and the retromer complex in aging-related neurodegeneration and diabetes.

Members of the vacuolar protein sorting 10 (Vps10) family of receptors (including sortilin, SorL1, SorCS1, SorCS2, and SorCS3) play pleiotropic functions in protein trafficking and intracellular and intercellular signaling in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Interactions have been documented between Vps10 family members and the retromer coat complex, a key component of the intracellular trafficking apparatus that sorts cargo from the early endosome to the trans-Golgi network. In recent years, genes encoding several members of the Vps10 family of proteins, as well as components of the retromer coat complex, have been implicated as genetic risk factors for sporadic and autosomal dominant forms of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and Parkinson's disease, with risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. In addition to their functions in protein trafficking, the Vps10 family proteins modulate neurotrophic signaling pathways. Sortilin can impact the intracellular response to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) by regulating anterograde trafficking of Trk receptors to the synapse and direct control of BDNF levels, while both sortilin and SorCS2 function as cell surface receptors to mediate acute responses to proneurotrophins. This mini-review and symposium will highlight the emerging data from this rapidly growing area of research implicating the Vps10 family of receptors and the retromer in physiological intracellular trafficking signaling by neurotrophins and in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration.

NRH2 is a trafficking switch to regulate sortilin localization and permit proneurotrophin-induced cell death.

Proneurotrophins mediate neuronal apoptosis using a dual receptor complex of sortilin and p75(NTR). Although p75(NTR) is highly expressed on the plasma membrane and accessible to proneurotrophin ligands, sortilin is primarily localized to intracellular membranes, limiting the formation of a cell surface co-receptor complex. Here, we show that the mammalian p75(NTR) homologue NRH2 critically regulates the expression of sortilin on the neuronal cell surface and promotes p75(NTR) and sortilin receptor complex formation, rendering cells responsive to proneurotrophins. This is accomplished by interactions between the cytoplasmic domains of NRH2 and sortilin that impair lysosomal degradation of sortilin. In proneurotrophin-responsive neurons, acute silencing of endogenous NRH2 significantly reduces cell surface-expressed sortilin and abolishes proneurotrophin-induced neuronal death. Thus, these data suggest that NRH2 acts as a trafficking switch to impair lysosomal-dependant sortilin degradation and to redistribute sortilin to the cell surface, rendering p75(NTR)-expressing cells susceptible to proneurotrophin-induced death.

BDNF protects human vascular endothelial cells from TNFα-induced apoptosis.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) enhances periodontal tissue regeneration. Tissue regeneration is characterized by inflammation that directs the quality of tissue repair. In this study, we investigated the anti-apoptotic effect of BDNF against the toxicity of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), which is known for its pro-apoptotic action in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs). We demonstrate that BDNF attenuates TNFα-increased Annexin V-positive cells, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) mRNA and cleaved caspase-3 expression. In addition, biochemical analyses indicate that TNFα increases phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression; however, it decreases phosphorylated PTEN. BDNF did not affect PTEN expression, but it did increase the phosphorylation of PTEN. BDNF-induced Akt phosphorylation was inhibited by TNFα. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay showed that the PTEN inhibitor bpV(pic) rescues HMVECs from TNFα-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, BDNF protects HMVECs from toxicity of TNFα through the regulation of the PTEN/Akt pathway.

Immune activation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor: implications in neuroinflammation.

Despite structural similarity with other tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) members, the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR, TNFR16) mediates pleiotropic biological functions not shared with other TNFRs. The high level of p75NTR expression in the nervous system instead of immune cells, its utilization of co-receptors, and its interaction with soluble dimeric, rather than soluble or cell-tethered trimeric ligands are all characteristics which distinguish it from most other TNFRs. Here, we compare these attributes to other members of the TNFR superfamily. In addition, we describe the recent evolutionary adaptation in B7-1 (CD80), an immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily member, which allows engagement to neuronally-expressed p75NTR. B7-1-mediated binding to p75NTR occurs in humans and other primates, but not lower mammals due to specific sequence changes that evolved recently in primate B7-1. This discovery highlights an additional mechanism by which p75NTR can respond to inflammatory cues and trigger synaptic elimination in the brain through engagement of B7-1, which was considered to be immune-restricted. These observations suggest p75NTR does share commonality with other immune co-modulatory TNFR family members, by responding to immunoregulatory cues. The evolution of primate B7-1 to bind and elicit p75NTR-mediated effects on neuronal morphology and function are discussed in relationship to immune-driven modulation of synaptic actions during injury or inflammation.

Impairment of select forms of spatial memory and neurotrophin-dependent synaptic plasticity by deletion of glial aquaporin-4.

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the major water channel in the CNS and is primarily expressed in astrocytes. Little is known about the potential for AQP4 to influence synaptic plasticity, although many studies have shown that it regulates the response of the CNS to injury. Therefore, we evaluated long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) in AQP4 knock-out (KO) and wild-type mice. KO mice exhibited a selective defect in LTP and LTD without a change in basal transmission or short-term plasticity. Interestingly, the impairment in LTP in KO mice was specific for the type of LTP that depends on the neurotrophin BDNF, which is induced by stimulation at theta rhythm [theta-burst stimulation (TBS)-LTP], but there was no impairment in a form of LTP that is BDNF independent, induced by high-frequency stimulation. LTD was also impaired in KO mice, which was rescued by a scavenger of BDNF or blockade of Trk receptors. TrkB receptors, which mediate effects of BDNF on TBS-LTP, were not altered in KO mice, but p75NTR, the receptor that binds all neurotrophins and has been implicated in some types of LTD, was decreased. The KO mice also exhibited a cognitive defect, which suggests a new role for AQP4 and astrocytes in normal cognitive function. This defect was evident using a test for location-specific object memory but not Morris water maze or contextual fear conditioning. The results suggest that AQP4 channels in astrocytes play an unanticipated role in neurotrophin-dependent plasticity and influence behavior.

Neuronal brain-derived neurotrophic factor is synthesized in excess, with levels regulated by sortilin-mediated trafficking and lysosomal degradation.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates neuronal differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and morphology, and modest changes in BDNF levels results in complex behavioral phenotypes. BDNF levels and intracellular localization in neurons are regulated by multiple mechanisms, including use of distinct promoters, mRNA and protein transport, and regulated cleavage of proBDNF to mature BDNF. Sortilin is an intracellular chaperone that binds to the prodomain of BDNF to traffic it to the regulated secretory pathway. However, sortilin binds to numerous ligands and plays a major role in mannose 6-phosphate receptor-independent transport of lysosomal hydrolases utilizing motifs in the intracellular domain that mediate trafficking from the Golgi and late endosomes. Sortilin is modified by ectodomain shedding, although the biological implications of this are not known. Here we demonstrate that ADAM10 is the preferred protease to cleave sortilin in the extracellular stalk region, to release the ligand binding sortilin ectodomain from the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. We identify sortilin shedding at the cell surface and in an intracellular compartment. Both sortilin and BDNF are trafficked to and degraded by the lysosome in neurons, and this is dependent upon the sortilin cytoplasmic tail. Indeed, expression of the sortilin ectodomain, which corresponds to the domain released after shedding, impairs lysosomal targeting and degradation of BDNF. These findings characterize the regulation of sortilin shedding and identify a novel mechanism by which sortilin ectodomain shedding acts as a regulatory switch for delivery of BDNF to the secretory pathway or to the lysosome, thus modulating the bioavailability of endogenous BDNF.

Neurotrophic actions initiated by proNGF in adult sensory neurons may require peri-somatic glia to drive local cleavage to NGF.

The nerve growth factor (NGF) precursor, proNGF, is implicated in various neuropathological states. ProNGF signals apoptosis by forming a complex with the receptors p75 and sortilin, however, it can also induce neurite growth, proposed to be mediated by the receptor of mature NGF, tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA). The way in which these dual effects occur in adult neurons is unclear. We investigated the neurotrophic effects of proNGF on peptidergic sensory neurons isolated from adult mouse dorsal root ganglia and found that proNGF stimulated neurite extension and branching, requiring p75, sortilin and TrkA. Neurite growth rarely occurred in sortilin-expressing neurons but was commonly observed in TrkA-positive, sortilin-negative neurons that associated closely with sortilin-positive glia. ProNGF was unable to induce local trophic effects at growth cones where sortilin-positive glia was absent. We propose that in adult sensory neurons the neurotrophic response to proNGF is mediated by NGF and TrkA, and that peri-somatic glia may participate in sortilin- and p-75 dependent cleavage of proNGF. The potential ability of local glial cells to provide a targeted supply of NGF may provide an important way to promote trophic (rather than apoptotic) outcomes under conditions where regeneration or sprouting is required.

Control of extracellular cleavage of ProBDNF by high frequency neuronal activity.

Pro- and mature neurotrophins often elicit opposing biological effects. For example, mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) is critical for long-term potentiation induced by high-frequency stimulation, whereas proBDNF facilitate long-term depression induced by low-frequency stimulation. Because mBDNF is derived from proBDNF by endoproteolytic cleavage, mechanisms regulating the cleavage of proBDNF may control the direction of BDNF regulation. Using methods that selectively detect proBDNF or mBDNF, we show that low-frequency stimulation induced predominant proBDNF secretion in cultured hippocampal neurons. In contrast, high-frequency stimulation preferentially increased extracellular mBDNF. Inhibition of extracellular, but not intracellular cleavage of proBDNF greatly reduced high-frequency stimulation-induced extracellular mBDNF. Moreover, high-frequency, but not low-frequency stimulation selectively induced the secretion of tissue plasminogen activator, a key protease involved in extracellular proBDNF to mBDNF conversion. Thus, high-frequency neuronal activity controls the ratio of extracellular proBDNF/mBDNF by regulating the secretion of extracellular proteases. Our study demonstrates activity-dependent control of extracellular proteolytic cleavage of a secretory protein, and reveals an important mechanism that controls diametrically opposed functions of BDNF isoforms.

Human immunomodulatory ligand B7-1 mediates synaptic remodeling via the p75 neurotrophin receptor.

Cell surface receptors, ligands, and adhesion molecules underlie development, circuit formation, and synaptic function of the central nervous system and represent important therapeutic targets for many neuropathologies. The functional contributions of interactions between cell surface proteins of neurons and nonneuronal cells have not been fully addressed. Using an unbiased protein-protein interaction screen, we showed that the human immunomodulatory ligand B7-1 (hB7-1) interacts with the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and that the B7-1:p75NTR interaction is a recent evolutionary adaptation present in humans and other primates, but absent in mice, rats, and other lower mammals. The surface of hB7-1 that engages p75NTR overlaps with the hB7-1 surface involved in CTLA-4/CD28 recognition, and these molecules directly compete for binding to p75NTR. Soluble or membrane-bound hB7-1 altered dendritic morphology of cultured hippocampal neurons, with loss of the postsynaptic protein PSD95 in a p75NTR-dependent manner. Abatacept, an FDA-approved therapeutic (CTLA-4-hFc fusion) inhibited these processes. In vivo injection of hB7-1 into the murine subiculum, a hippocampal region affected in Alzheimer's disease, resulted in p75NTR-dependent pruning of dendritic spines. Here, we report the biochemical interaction between B7-1 and p75NTR, describe biological effects on neuronal morphology, and identify a therapeutic opportunity for treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases.

ProNGF induces PTEN via p75NTR to suppress Trk-mediated survival signaling in brain neurons.

Proneurotrophins and mature neurotrophins activate different signaling pathways with distinct effects on their target cells: proneurotrophins can induce apoptotic signaling via p75(NTR), whereas mature neurotrophins activate Trk receptors to influence survival and differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that the PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) phosphatase represents a novel switch between the survival and apoptotic signaling pathways in rat CNS neurons. Simultaneous activation of p75(NTR) by proNGF and TrkB signaling by BDNF elicited apoptosis despite TrkB phosphorylation. Apoptosis induced by p75(NTR) required suppression of TrkB-induced phosphoinositide-3 kinase signaling, mediated by induction of PTEN, for apoptosis to proceed. Inhibition of PTEN restored the ability of BDNF to phosphorylate Akt and protect cultured basal forebrain neurons from proNGF-induced death. In vivo, inhibition or knockdown of PTEN after pilocarpine-induced seizures protected CNS neurons from p75(NTR)-mediated death, demonstrating that PTEN is a crucial factor mediating the balance between p75(NTR)-induced apoptotic signaling and Trk-mediated survival signaling in brain neurons.