Rabphilin 3A: A novel target for the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesias.

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunit composition strictly commands receptor function and pharmacological responses. Changes in NMDAR subunit composition have been documented in brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and levodopa (L-DOPA)-induced dyskinesias (LIDs), where an increase of NMDAR GluN2A/GluN2B subunit ratio at striatal synapses has been observed. A therapeutic approach aimed at rebalancing NMDAR synaptic composition represents a valuable strategy for PD and LIDs. To this, the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms regulating the synaptic localization of different NMDAR subtypes is required. We have recently demonstrated that Rabphilin 3A (Rph3A) is a new binding partner of NMDARs containing the GluN2A subunit and that it plays a crucial function in the synaptic stabilization of these receptors. Considering that protein-protein interactions govern the synaptic retention of NMDARs, the purpose of this work was to analyse the role of Rph3A and Rph3A/NMDAR complex in PD and LIDs, and to modulate Rph3A/GluN2A interaction to counteract the aberrant motor behaviour associated to chronic L-DOPA administration. Thus, an array of biochemical, immunohistochemical and pharmacological tools together with electron microscopy were applied in this study. Here we found that Rph3A is localized at the striatal postsynaptic density where it interacts with GluN2A. Notably, Rph3A expression at the synapse and its interaction with GluN2A-containing NMDARs were increased in parkinsonian rats displaying a dyskinetic profile. Acute treatment of dyskinetic animals with a cell-permeable peptide able to interfere with Rph3A/GluN2A binding significantly reduced their abnormal motor behaviour. Altogether, our findings indicate that Rph3A activity is linked to the aberrant synaptic localization of GluN2A-expressing NMDARs characterizing LIDs. Thus, we suggest that Rph3A/GluN2A complex could represent an innovative therapeutic target for those pathological conditions where NMDAR composition is significantly altered.

Ureteral relaxation through calcitonin gene-related peptide release from sensory nerve terminals by hypotonic solution.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of hypotonic solutions on ureteral relaxation mediated by the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from intramural sensory nerve endings. METHODS: Urine osmolarity of Sprague-Dawley rats drinking water low in salt content (Fiuggi water) or a reference water for 7 days was measured. Release of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity from slices of rat ureter and urinary bladder by hypotonic solutions was assessed by an immunometric assay. The mechanism through which hypotonic solutions inhibit neurokinin A-induced phasic contractions of isolated rat ureters was evaluated by organ bath studies. RESULTS: A 7-day consumption of Fiuggi water in rats reduced urine osmolarity by ~40%. Exposure to hypotonic solutions released calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity from slices of rat ureter. This response was abated in a calcium-free medium, after capsaicin desensitization, and in the presence of the unselective transient receptor potential channel antagonist, ruthenium red. Exposure of isolated rat ureteral preparations to a hypotonic solution inhibited neurokinin A-evoked phasic contraction. This response was attenuated by capsaicin desensitization and in the presence of the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, calcitonin gene-related peptide8-37 . Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 or transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 antagonists did not affect the neurogenic and calcitonin gene-related peptide-dependent relaxation. CONCLUSION: Present data show that hypotonic solution evokes calcitonin gene-related peptide release from capsaicin-sensitive intramural sensory nerves, thus inhibiting ureteral contractility, through a transient receptor potential-dependent mechanism. However, this mechanism does not involve transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 or transient receptor potential vanilloid 4. Future studies with appropriate in vivo models should investigate the hypothesis that hypostenuric urine diffusing into the ureteral tissue might favor ureteral relaxation through this novel mechanism.

In vivo functional calcium imaging of induced or spontaneous activity in the fly brain using a GFP-apoaequorin-based bioluminescent approach.

Different optical imaging techniques have been developed to study neuronal activity with the goal of deciphering the neural code underlying neurophysiological functions. Because of several constraints inherent in these techniques as well as difficulties interpreting the results, the majority of these studies have been dedicated more to sensory modalities than to the spontaneous activity of the central brain. Recently, a novel bioluminescence approach based on GFP-aequorin (GA) (GFP: Green fluorescent Protein), has been developed, allowing us to functionally record in-vivo neuronal activity. Taking advantage of the particular characteristics of GA, which does not require light excitation, we report that we can record induced and/or the spontaneous Ca(2+)-activity continuously over long periods. Targeting GA to the mushrooms-bodies (MBs), a structure implicated in learning/memory and sleep, we have shown that GA is sensitive enough to detect odor-induced Ca(2+)-activity in Kenyon cells (KCs). It has been possible to reveal two particular peaks of spontaneous activity during overnight recording in the MBs. Other peaks of spontaneous activity have been recorded in flies expressing GA pan-neurally. Similarly, expression in the glial cells has revealed that these cells exhibit a cell-autonomous Ca(2+)-activity. These results demonstrate that bioluminescence imaging is a useful tool for studying Ca(2+)-activity in neuronal and/or glial cells and for functional mapping of the neurophysiological processes in the fly brain. These findings provide a framework for investigating the biological meaning of spontaneous neuronal activity. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 12th European Symposium on Calcium.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is downregulated in keratinocytes in human non-melanoma skin cancer.

A subgroup of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, including vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, and TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), is expressed in cutaneous peptidergic somatosensory neurons, and has been found in skin non-neuronal cells, such as keratinocytes. Different cancer cells express TRPs, where they may exert either pro- or antitumorigenic roles. Expression and function of TRPs in skin cancers have been, however, poorly investigated. Here, we have studied the distribution and expression of TRPs by immunohistochemistry and messenger RNA (mRNA) in human healthy skin and human keratinocytic tumors, including intraepidermal proliferative disorders (solar keratosis (SK) and Bowen's disease), and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC; basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas). Similar TRPV1, TRPV2, and TRPV3 staining was found in keratinocytes from healthy and tumor tissues. TRPA1 staining was increased solely in SK samples. However, the marked TRPV4 staining and TRPV4 mRNA expression, observed in healthy or inflamed skin, was abrogated both in premalignant lesions and NMSC. In a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), TRPV4 stimulation released IL-8, which in turn downregulated TRPV4 expression. Selective reduction in TRPV4 expression could represent an early biomarker of skin carcinogenesis. Whether the cytokine-dependent, autocrine pathway that results in TRPV4 downregulation contributes to NMSC mechanism remains to be determined.

The blockade of transient receptor potential ankirin 1 (TRPA1) signalling mediates antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like actions in mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) are involved in many biological processes, including nociception and hyperalgesia. Whereas the involvement of TRPV1 in psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression has been reported, little is known regarding the role of TRPA1 in these conditions. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We investigated the role of TRPA1 in mice models of depression [forced swimming test (FST)] and anxiety [elevated plus maze (EPM) test]. KEY RESULTS: Administration of the TRPA1 antagonist (HC030031, 30 nmol in 2 µL, i.c.v.) reduced immobility time in the FST. Similar results were obtained after oral administration of HC030031 (30-300 mg·kg(-1) ). The reduction in immobility time in FST induced by HC030031 (100 mg·kg(-1) ) was completely prevented by pretreatment with TRPA1 agonist, cinnamaldehyde (50 mg·kg(-1) , p.o.), which per se was inactive. In the EPM test, pretreatment with cinnamaldehyde (50 mg·kg(-1) , p.o.), which per se did not affect behaviour response, prevented the anxiolytic-like effect (increased open arm exploration) evoked by TRPA1 blockade (HC030031, 100 mg·kg(-1) , p.o.). Treatment with either cinnamaldehyde or HC030031 did not affect spontaneous ambulation. Furthermore, TRPA1-deficient mice showed anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like phenotypes in the FST and EPM test respectively. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The present findings indicate that genetic deletion or pharmacological blockade of TRPA1 produces inhibitory activity in mouse models of anxiety and depression. These results imply that TRPA1 exerts tonic control, promoting anxiety and depression, and that TRPA1 antagonism has potential as an innovative strategy for the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders.

TRPA1 receptor stimulation by hydrogen peroxide is critical to trigger hyperalgesia and inflammation in a model of acute gout.

Acute gout attacks produce severe joint pain and inflammation associated with monosodium urate (MSU) crystals leading to oxidative stress production. The transient potential receptor ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is expressed by a subpopulation of peptidergic nociceptors and, via its activation by endogenous reactive oxygen species, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), contributes to pain and neurogenic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TRPA1 in hyperalgesia and inflammation in a model of acute gout attack in rodents. Inflammatory parameters and mechanical hyperalgesia were measured in male Wistar rats and in wild-type (Trpa1(+/+)) or TRPA1-deficient (Trpa1(-/-)) male mice. Animals received intra-articular (ia, ankle) injection of MSU. The role of TRPA1 was assessed by receptor antagonism, gene deletion or expression, sensory fiber defunctionalization, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release. We found that nociceptor defunctionalization, TRPA1 antagonist treatment (via ia or oral administration), and Trpa1 gene ablation abated hyperalgesia and inflammatory responses (edema, H2O2 generation, interleukin-1ß release, and neutrophil infiltration) induced by ia MSU injection. In addition, we showed that MSU evoked generation of H2O2 in synovial tissue, which stimulated TRPA1 producing CGRP release and plasma protein extravasation. The MSU-elicited responses were also reduced by the H2O2-detoxifying enzyme catalase and the reducing agent dithiothreitol. TRPA1 activation by MSU challenge-generated H2O2 mediates the entire inflammatory response in an acute gout attack rodent model, thus strengthening the role of the TRPA1 receptor and H2O2 production as potential targets for treatment of acute gout attacks.

Steroidal and non-steroidal third-generation aromatase inhibitors induce pain-like symptoms via TRPA1.

Use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs), exemestane, letrozole and anastrozole, for breast cancer therapy is associated with severe pain symptoms, the underlying mechanism of which is unknown. The electrophilic nature of AIs suggests that they may target the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel, a major pathway in pain transmission and neurogenic inflammation. AIs evoke TRPA1-mediated calcium response and current in rodent nociceptors and human cells expressing the recombinant channel. In mice, AIs produce acute nociception, which is exaggerated by pre-exposure to proalgesic stimuli, and, by releasing sensory neuropeptides, neurogenic inflammation in peripheral tissues. AIs also evoke mechanical allodynia and decreased grip strength, which do not undergo desensitization on prolonged AI administration. These effects are markedly attenuated by TRPA1 pharmacological blockade or in TRPA1-deficient mice. TRPA1 is a major mediator of the proinflammatory/proalgesic actions of AIs, thus suggesting TRPA1 antagonists for the treatment of pain symptoms associated with AI use.

Selection of reference genes for normalization of real-time PCR data in minipig heart failure model and evaluation of TNF-α mRNA expression.

Real-time PCR is the benchmark method for measuring mRNA expression levels, but the accuracy and reproducibility of its data greatly depend on appropriate normalization strategies. Though the minipig model is largely used to study cardiovascular disease, no specific reference genes have been identified in porcine myocardium. The aim of the study was to identify and validate reference gene to be used in RT-PCR studies of failing (HF) and non-failing pig hearts. Eight candidate reference genes (GAPDH, ACTB, B2M, TBP, HPRT-1, PPIA, TOP2B, YWHAZ) were selected to compare cardiac tissue of normal (n=4) and HF (n=5) minipigs. The most stable genes resulted: HPRT-1, TBP, PPIA (right and left atrium); PPIA, GAPDH, ACTB (right ventricle); HPRT-1, TBP, GAPDH (left ventricle). The normalization strategy was tested analyzing mRNA expression of TNF-α, which is known to be up-regulated in HF and whose variations resulted more significant when normalized with the appropriately selected reference genes. The findings obtained in this study underline the importance to provide a set of reference genes to normalize mRNA expression in HF and control minipigs. The use of unvalidated reference genes can generate biased results because also their expression could be altered by the experimental conditions.