Quantitative analysis of axon collaterals of single pyramidal cells of the anterior piriform cortex of the guinea pig.

BACKGROUND: The role of the piriform cortex (PC) in olfactory information processing remains largely unknown. The anterior part of the piriform cortex (APC) has been the focus of cortical-level studies of olfactory coding, and associative processes have attracted considerable attention as an important part in odor discrimination and olfactory information processing. Associational connections of pyramidal cells in the guinea pig APC were studied by direct visualization of axons stained and quantitatively analyzed by intracellular biocytin injection in vivo. RESULTS: The observations illustrated that axon collaterals of the individual cells were widely and spatially distributed within the PC, and sometimes also showed a long associational projection to the olfactory bulb (OB). The data showed that long associational axons were both rostrally and caudally directed throughout the PC, and the intrinsic associational fibers of pyramidal cells in the APC are omnidirectional connections in the PC. Within the PC, associational axons typically followed rather linear trajectories and irregular bouton distributions. Quantitative data of the axon collaterals of two pyramidal cells in the APC showed that the average length of axonal collaterals was 101 mm, out of which 79 mm (78% of total length) were distributed in the PC. The average number of boutons was 8926 and 7101, respectively, with 79% of the total number of boutons being distributed in the PC. The percentage of the total area of the APC and the posterior piriform cortex occupied by the average distribution region of the axon collaterals of two superficial pyramidal (SP) cells was about 18 and 5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that omnidirectional connection of pyramidal cells in the APC provides a substrate for recurrent processes. These findings indicate that the axon collaterals of SP cells in the PC could make synaptic contacts with all granule cells in the OB. This study provides the morphological evidence for understanding the mechanisms of information processing and associative memory in the APC.

Electroacupuncture Reduces the Effects of Acute Noxious Stimulation on the Electrical Activity of Pain-Related Neurons in the Hippocampus of Control and Neuropathic Pain Rats.

To study the effects of acupuncture analgesia on the hippocampus, we observed the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor on pain-excited neurons (PENs) and pain-inhibited neurons (PINs) in the hippocampal area CA1 of sham or chronic constrictive injury (CCI) rats. The animals were randomly divided into a control, a CCI, and a U0126 (MEK1/2 inhibitor) group. In all experiments, we briefly (10-second duration) stimulated the sciatic nerve electrically and recorded the firing rates of PENs and PINs. The results showed that in both sham and CCI rats brief sciatic nerve stimulation significantly increased the electrical activity of PENs and markedly decreased the electrical activity of PINs. These effects were significantly greater in CCI rats compared to sham rats. EA treatment reduced the effects of the noxious stimulus on PENs and PINs in both sham and CCI rats. The effects of EA treatment could be inhibited by U0126 in sham-operated rats. The results suggest that EA reduces effects of acute sciatic nerve stimulation on PENs and PINs in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of both sham and CCI rats and that the ERK (extracellular regulated kinase) signaling pathway is involved in the modulation of EA analgesia.

Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) mediates potent inhibitory effects on eosinophils.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) protects against allergic responses via binding to prostanoid receptor EP4, which inhibits eosinophil migration in a PI3K/PKC-dependent fashion. The phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) is known to act as a downstream effector in PI3K signaling and has been implicated in the regulation of neutrophil migration. Thus, here we elucidate whether PDK1 mediates inhibitory effects of E-type prostanoid receptor 4 (EP4) receptors on eosinophil function. Therefore, eosinophils were isolated from human peripheral blood or differentiated from mouse BM. PDK1 signaling was investigated in shape change, chemotaxis, CD11b, respiratory burst, and Ca(2+) mobilization assays. The specific PDK1 inhibitors BX-912 and GSK2334470 prevented the inhibition by prostaglandin E2 and the EP4 agonist ONO-AE1-329. Depending on the cellular function, PDK1 seemed to act through PI3K-dependent or PI3K-independent mechanisms. Stimulation of EP4 receptors caused PDK1 phosphorylation at Ser396 and induced PI3K-dependent nuclear translocation of PDK1. EP4-induced inhibition of shape change and chemotaxis was effectively reversed by the Akt inhibitor triciribine. In support of this finding, ONO-AE1-329 induced a PI3K/PDK1-dependent increase in Akt phosphorylation. In conclusion, our data illustrate a critical role for PDK1 in transducing inhibitory signals on eosinophil effector function. Thus, our results suggest that PDK1 might serve as a novel therapeutic target in diseases involving eosinophilic inflammation.

EP4 receptor stimulation down-regulates human eosinophil function.

Accumulation of eosinophils in tissue is a hallmark of allergic inflammation. Here we observed that a selective agonist of the PGE(2) receptor EP4, ONO AE1-329, potently attenuated the chemotaxis of human peripheral blood eosinophils, upregulation of the adhesion molecule CD11b and the production of reactive oxygen species. These effects were accompanied by the inhibition of cytoskeletal rearrangement and Ca(2+) mobilization. The involvement of the EP4 receptor was substantiated by a selective EP4 antagonist, which reversed the inhibitory effects of PGE(2) and the EP4 agonist. Selective kinase inhibitors revealed that the inhibitory effect of EP4 stimulation on eosinophil migration depended upon activation of PI 3-kinase and PKC, but not cAMP. Finally, we found that EP4 receptors are expressed by human eosinophils, and are also present on infiltrating leukocytes in inflamed human nasal mucosa. These data indicate that EP4 agonists might be a novel therapeutic option in eosinophilic diseases.

Endothelium-derived prostaglandin I(2) controls the migration of eosinophils.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced eosinophil migration from the blood into the tissue is a hallmark of allergic diseases. Prostaglandin (PG) I(2) is the major prostanoid released by endothelial cells. Mice deficient in PGI(2) receptors (IPs) show exaggerated eosinophilic inflammation in response to allergen. OBJECTIVE: We set out to determine the role of PGI(2) in eosinophil trafficking. METHODS: Human lung microvascular endothelial cells and purified human eosinophils were used to study adhesion and transendothelial migration. Morphologic studies were performed with fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: PGI(2) markedly attenuated the migration of eosinophils through cell-free filters but had no effect on neutrophil migration. The inhibitory effect of PGI(2) on eosinophils was prevented by the IP antagonist Cay10441 and the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22536. Similarly, PGI(2) prevented the adhesion of eosinophils to fibronectin and the rapid upregulation and activation of the adhesion molecule CD11b. IP expression on eosinophils was confirmed by means of flow cytometry and Western blotting. Furthermore, when endothelial cells were treated with the COX inhibitor diclofenac to abolish PGI(2) production, adhesion of eosinophils to endothelial monolayers and subsequent transendothelial migration were markedly enhanced. Similarly, the IP antagonist enhanced eosinophil adhesion to endothelial cells. Inhibition of PGI(2) biosynthesis decreased the electrical resistance of endothelial monolayers and compromised the texture of adherent junctions, as visualized by means of VE-cadherin and F-actin staining. CONCLUSION: We propose that endothelium-derived PGI(2) might be fundamental for the maintenance of the endothelial barrier function against infiltrating cells. These results suggest that selective IP agonists might have beneficial effects in allergic inflammation.

Prostaglandin E2 inhibits eosinophil trafficking through E-prostanoid 2 receptors.

The accumulation of eosinophils in lung tissue is a hallmark of asthma, and it is believed that eosinophils play a crucial pathogenic role in allergic inflammation. Prostaglandin (PG) E(2) exerts anti-inflammatory and bronchoprotective mechanisms in asthma, but the underlying mechanisms have remained unclear. In this study we show that PGE(2) potently inhibits the chemotaxis of purified human eosinophils toward eotaxin, PGD(2), and C5a. Activated monocytes similarly attenuated eosinophil migration, and this was reversed after pretreatment of the monocytes with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. The selective E-prostanoid (EP) 2 receptor agonist butaprost mimicked the inhibitory effect of PGE(2) on eosinophil migration, whereas an EP2 antagonist completely prevented this effect. Butaprost, and also PGE(2), inhibited the C5a-induced degranulation of eosinophils. Moreover, selective kinase inhibitors revealed that the inhibitory effect of PGE(2) on eosinophil migration depended upon activation of PI3K and protein kinase C, but not cAMP. In animal models, the EP2 agonist butaprost inhibited the rapid mobilization of eosinophils from bone marrow of the in situ perfused guinea pig hind limb and prevented the allergen-induced bronchial accumulation of eosinophils in OVA-sensitized mice. Immunostaining showed that human eosinophils express EP2 receptors and that EP2 receptor expression in the murine lungs is prominent in airway epithelium and, after allergen challenge, in peribronchial infiltrating leukocytes. In summary, these data show that EP2 receptor agonists potently inhibit eosinophil trafficking and activation and might hence be a useful therapeutic option in eosinophilic diseases.

The role of the prostaglandin D2 receptor, DP, in eosinophil trafficking.

Prostaglandin (PG) D2 is a major mast cell product that acts via two receptors, the D-type prostanoid (DP) and the chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) receptors. Whereas CRTH2 mediates the chemotaxis of eosinophils, basophils, and Th2 lymphocytes, the role of DP has remained unclear. We report in this study that, in addition to CRTH2, the DP receptor plays an important role in eosinophil trafficking. First, we investigated the release of eosinophils from bone marrow using the in situ perfused guinea pig hind limb preparation. PGD2 induced the rapid release of eosinophils from bone marrow and this effect was inhibited by either the DP receptor antagonist BWA868c or the CRTH2 receptor antagonist ramatroban. In contrast, BWA868c did not inhibit the release of bone marrow eosinophils when this was induced by the CRTH2-selective agonist 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGD2. In additional experiments, we isolated bone marrow eosinophils from the femoral cavity and found that these cells migrated toward PGD2. We also observed that BWA868c inhibited this response to a similar extent as ramatroban. Finally, using immunohistochemistry we could demonstrate that eosinophils in human bone marrow specimens expressed DP and CRTH2 receptors at similar levels. Eosinophils isolated from human peripheral blood likewise expressed DP receptor protein but at lower levels than CRTH2. In agreement with this, the chemotaxis of human peripheral blood eosinophils was inhibited both by BWA868c and ramatroban. These findings suggest that DP receptors comediate with CRTH2 the mobilization of eosinophils from bone marrow and their chemotaxis, which might provide the rationale for DP antagonists in the treatment of allergic disease.

Nociceptive transmitter release in the dorsal spinal cord by capsaicin-sensitive fibers after noxious gastric stimulation.

Little is known about transmitters that encode noxious gastric stimuli in the spinal cord. The release of glutamate, substance P, and CGRP from the spinal cord was therefore investigated in response to acid injury of the gastric mucosa. Dorsal halves of the caudal thoracic spinal cord (T7-T13) were removed 6 h after oral application of 0.5 M HCl or saline, transferred to a superfusion chamber, and the basal and capsaicin-stimulated (3.3 microM) transmitter release was determined. After acid injury, basal glutamate release increased 134% as compared to saline-treated animals. Capsaicin-stimulated release of CGRP and SP was 48% and 58% lower in acid- than in saline-treated animals, indicating that capsaicin-sensitive fibers in the dorsal spinal cord were already partially depleted by acid treatment. Capsaicin denervation reduced basal glutamate release by 33% after acid injury as compared to non-denervated acid-treated animals. Gastric origin and capsaicin sensitivity of glutamatergic, CGRP- and SP-containing primary afferents in thoracic dorsal root ganglia were then determined by retrograde tracing with True Blue and immunohistochemical labeling with the vanilloid receptor TRPV1. About 65% of True Blue-labeled cells were glutamatergic and more than 73% of this population expressed the TRPV1 receptor. Nearly all True Blue/CGRP (85%)- and True Blue/SP-positive cells (97%) coexpressed TRPV1. We conclude that noxious gastric stimulation with acid induces release of glutamate, SP, and CGRP from capsaicin-sensitive sensory afferents in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord where they may play an important role in gastric nociception and hyperalgesia.

Increased expression of TRPV1 receptor in dorsal root ganglia by acid insult of the rat gastric mucosa.

It is still unknown which receptors of peripheral sensory pathways encode and integrate an acid-induced nociceptive event in the gastric mucosa. The transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) and the acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) are two nociception-related receptors. Here we investigated (i) to what extent these receptors are distributed in stomach-innervating neurons of dorsal root and nodose ganglia, using immunohistochemistry and retrograde tracing, and (ii) whether their expression is altered in response to a noxious acid challenge of the stomach. We also explored the presence of TRPV1 in the gastric enteric nervous system because of its possible expression by intrinsic sensory neurons. Most stomach-innervating neurons in nodose ganglia were immunoreactive for TRPV1 (80%) and ASIC3 (75%), these results being similar in the dorsal root ganglia (71 and 82%). RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed up to 6 h after oral application of 0.5 m HCl to conscious rats. TRPV1 protein was increased in dorsal root but not in nodose ganglia whereas TRPV1 and ASIC3 mRNAs remained unchanged. TRPV1 mRNA was detected in longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus preparations of control stomachs and was not altered by the acid challenge. Combined vagotomy and ganglionectomy abolished expression of TRPV1, indicating that it may derive from an extrinsic source. In summary, noxious acid challenge of the stomach increased TRPV1 protein in spinal but not vagal or intrinsic sensory afferents. The TRPV1 receptor may be a key molecule in the transduction of acid-induced nociception of the gastric mucosa and a mediator of visceral hypersensitivity.

Immunocytochemical characterization of rat brainstem neurons with vagal afferent input from the stomach challenged by acid or ammonia.

Exposure of the gastric mucosa to backdiffusing acid is signalled to the brainstem via vagal afferents. This study examined whether exposure of the Sprague-Dawley rat stomach to hydrochloric acid (HCl) or ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), a noxious chemical produced by Helicobacter pylori, activates different vagal afferent pathways as reflected by different circuitries in the medullary brainstem. Two hours after intragastric treatment with HCl or NH4OH the activation of neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii at the rostrocaudal extension of the area postrema (NTSAP) was visualized by c-Fos immunohistochemistry and their chemical coding characterized by double-labelling immunohistochemistry. Exposure of the rat gastric mucosa to HCl (0.15-0.5 M) or NH4OH (0.1-0.3 M) led to a concentration-dependent expression of c-Fos in the NTSAP. The number and distribution of NTSAP neurons activated by 0.35 M HCl and 0.3 M NH4OH were similar; the highest number of activated neurons occurring in the medial part of the NTSAP. Some 60% of the NTSAP neurons activated by intragastric HCl and NH4OH stained for the high affinity glutamate transporter EAAC1, while some 30% contained calbindin or neuropeptide Y. Glutamate receptors of the N-methyl-D-aspartate type were found on approximately 50% of the c-Fos-positive cells in the NTSAP, whereas tachykinin NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors were present on 5-10% of the activated neurons. The similar number and distribution of c-Fos-expressing neurons within the NTSAP and their identical chemical coding indicate that exposure of the rat stomach to backdiffusing concentrations of HCl and NH4OH activates the same vagal afferent-NTSAP pathway.