Thyroid Hormone Economy in the Perinatal Mouse Brain: Implications for Cerebral Cortex Development.

Thyroid hormones (THs, T4 and the transcriptionally active hormone T3) play an essential role in neurodevelopment; however, the mechanisms underlying T3 brain delivery during mice fetal development are not well known. This work has explored the sources of brain T3 during mice fetal development using biochemical, anatomical, and molecular approaches. The findings revealed that during late gestation, a large amount of fetal brain T4 is of maternal origin. Also, in the developing mouse brain, fetal T3 content is regulated through the conversion of T4 into T3 by type-2 deiodinase (D2) activity, which is present from earlier prenatal stages. Additionally, D2 activity was found to be essential to mediate expression of T3-dependent genes in the cerebral cortex, and also necessary to generate the transient cerebral cortex hyperthyroidism present in mice lacking the TH transporter Monocarboxylate transporter 8. Notably, the gene encoding for D2 (Dio2) was mainly expressed at the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). Overall, these data signify that T4 deiodinated by D2 may be the only source of T3 during neocortical development. We therefore propose that D2 activity at the BCSFB converts the T4 transported across the choroid plexus into T3, thus supplying the brain with active hormone to maintain TH homeostasis.

Implementation of iodine biokinetic model for interpreting I-131 contamination in breast milk after the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant run by Tokyo Electric Power Company in 2011, breast milk samples obtained from volunteers living in Fukushima and neighboring prefectures were examined and small amounts of I-131 (2.2-36.3 Bq/kg) were detected in some samples. In this work, the I-131 concentrations in breast milk from nursing mothers in Ibaraki prefecture were calculated based on the iodine biokinetic model during lactation together with time-variable intake scenarios by inhalation of ambient air and ingestion of tap water, using the authors' code. The calculated I-131 concentrations in breast milk generally agreed with those measured for the volunteers. Based on the results, thyroid equivalent doses to breast-fed infants were estimated for each place of residence of the volunteers on the assumption that these infants consumed 800 ml of breast milk every day, resulting in 10-11 mSv for Mito and Kasama cities and 1.1-1.8 mSv for Tsukuba and Moriya cities. It was suggested that breast milk consumption could be a major contributor to internal dose of breast-fed infants in areas with mild I-131 pollution; however, further studies considering personal behavior surveys would be necessary to estimate individual doses.

Cerebral Blood Flow after Acute Bypass with Parent Artery Trapping in Patients with Ruptured Supraclinoid Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Bypass with parent artery trapping is an alternative treatment method for ruptured internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms when clipping or coiling is contraindicated. However, the efficacy and safety of this strategy during the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is undetermined. METHODS: A retrospective review of 955 consecutive patients presenting SAH between 2006 and 2014 identified 17 patients with ruptured ICA aneurysms treated by bypass with parent artery trapping within 72 hours after the bleeding (bypass group). The 26 cases with ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysms treated with clipping during the same period were defined as a control group (clipping group). Postoperative cerebral blood flow (CBF) was evaluated by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). We analyzed the postoperative hemodynamic status, surgical complications, and the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Postoperative rebleeding did not occur in any of the cases. CBF in the first postoperative week in the bypass group was lower than that in the clipping group (P = .0165). This CBF decrease improved in the second postoperative week and did not differ from that of the clipping group. The incidence of acute ischemic complications was significantly higher in the bypass group (P = .0284), but the incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia did not differ between the 2 groups. The incidence of favorable outcomes at 6 months was 82.4% in the bypass group and 81% in the clipping group. CONCLUSIONS: Although the transient CBF decrease with acute ischemic complications should be noted, acute bypass with parent artery trapping is safe and effective for unclippable/uncoilable ruptured ICA aneurysms.

Pituitary CRH-binding protein and stress in female mice.

The CRH-binding protein (CRH-BP) binds CRH with very high affinity and inhibits CRH-mediated ACTH release from anterior pituitary cells in vitro, suggesting that the CRH-BP functions as a negative regulator of CRH activity. Our previous studies have demonstrated sexually dimorphic expression of CRH-BP in the murine pituitary. Basal CRH-BP expression is higher in the female pituitary, where CRH-BP mRNA is detected in multiple anterior pituitary cell types. In this study, we examined stress-induced changes in CRH-BP mRNA and protein expression in mouse pituitary and assessed the in vivo role of CRH-BP in modulating the stress response. Pituitary CRH-BP mRNA was greater than 200-fold more abundant in females than males, and restraint stress increased pituitary CRH-BP mRNA by 11.8-fold in females and 3.2-fold in males as assessed by qRT-PCR. In females, restraint stress increased CRH-BP mRNA levels not only in POMC-expressing cells, but also in PRL-expressing cells. The increase in female pituitary CRH-BP mRNA following stress resulted in significant increases in CRH-BP protein 4-6h after a 30-minute restraint stress as detected by [(125)I]-CRH:CRH-BP cross-linking analyses. Based on this temporal profile, the physiological role of CRH-BP was assessed using a stressor of longer duration. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stress studies, female CRH-BP-deficient mice showed elevated levels of stress-induced corticosterone release as compared to wild-type littermates. These studies demonstrate a role for the pituitary CRH-BP in attenuating the HPA response to stress in female mice.

Valnoctamide, a non-teratogenic amide derivative of valproic acid, inhibits arachidonic acid activation in vitro by recombinant acyl-CoA synthetase-4.

OBJECTIVE: Valproic acid (VPA), a mood stabilizer used for treating bipolar disorder (BD), uncompetitively inhibits acylation of arachidonic acid (AA) by recombinant AA-selective acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (Acsl4) at an enzyme inhibition constant (Ki ) of 25 mM. Inhibition may account for VPA's ability to reduce AA turnover in brain phospholipids of unanesthetized rats and to be therapeutic in BD. However, VPA is teratogenic. We tested whether valnoctamide (VCD), a non-teratogenic amide derivative of a VPA chiral isomer, which had antimanic potency in a phase III BD trial, also inhibits recombinant Acsl4. METHODS: Rat Acsl4-flag protein was expressed in Escherichia coli. We used Michaelis-Menten kinetics to characterize and quantify the ability of VCD to inhibit conversion of AA to AA-CoA by recombinant Acsl4 in vitro. RESULTS: Acsl4-mediated activation of AA to AA-CoA by Acsl4 was inhibited uncompetitively by VCD, with a Ki of 6.38 mM. CONCLUSIONS: VCD's ability to uncompetitively inhibit AA activation to AA-CoA by Acsl4, at a lower Ki than VPA, suggests that, like VPA, VCD may reduce AA turnover in rat brain phospholipids. If so, VCD and other non-teratogenic Acsl4 inhibitors might be considered further for treating BD.

Endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation end-products inhibits amyloid-ß1-42 uptake into mouse brain.

The cell-surface receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) has been implicated in the development of diabetic vascular complications and Alzheimer's disease. RAGE has been considered to be involved in amyloid-ß1-42 (Aß1-42) uptake into brain. In the present study, we demonstrate that endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE), a decoy form of RAGE generated by alternative RNA processing, is able to inhibit Aß1-42 influx into mouse brain. Surface plasmon resonance and competitive binding assays revealed that human Aß1-42 interacted with human esRAGE within the immunoglobulin V type region. We next examined the uptake and distribution of 125I-labeled human Aß1-42 in various organs and body fluids of newly created mice overexpressing human esRAGE as well as RAGE-null and wild-type (WT) mice. The transition of the 125I-labeled Aß1-42 from circulation to brain parenchyma peaked at 30 min after the injection into WT mice, but this was significantly blunted in esRAGE-overexpressing and RAGE-null mice. Significant reduction in 125I-labeled Aß1-42-derived photo-stimulated luminescence were marked in ventricles, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, especially CA1 and CA3 regions, putamen, and thalamus. The results thus suggest the potential of esRAGE in protection against the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Dopaminergic mechanisms of target detection - P300 event related potential and striatal dopamine.

The P300 is a cortically generated event related potential (ERP) widely used in neurophysiological research since it is related to cognitive functions and central information processing. Intracerebral recordings and functional neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that this potential is generated by various brain regions including frontal, temporal and parietal cortices. Regarding the neurochemical background, clinical and genetic investigations suggest that dopaminergic neurons could be involved in the generation of the P300. However, there is no direct evidence in vivo that P300 amplitudes and latencies are related to dopaminergic parameters. The aim of this study was to further elucidate dopaminergic aspects of the P300 ERP by combining neurophysiological and nuclear medicine assessments in vivo. Patients with a major depressive episode underwent both P300 recordings and dynamic [¹²³I] IBZM SPECT for the evaluation of striatal dopamine D2/D3-receptor availability. There were statistically significant positive correlations of the striatal dopamine D2/D3-receptor status with P300 amplitudes and significant negative correlations with P300 latencies. Using this combined approach, the study presents direct evidence in vivo that the central dopaminergic system might play an important role in the generation of the P300 and that central dopaminergic activity could be involved in the modulation of P300 parameters. This association might be of relevance for the interpretation of P300 studies in psychiatric disorders.

Peripheral nerve injury alters blood-spinal cord barrier functional and molecular integrity through a selective inflammatory pathway.

Peripheral nerve lesion triggers alterations in the spinal microenvironment that contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. While neurons and glia have been implicated in these functional changes, it remains largely underexplored whether the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) is also involved. The BSCB is an important component in the CNS homeostasis, and compromised BSCB has been associated with different pathologies affecting the spinal cord. Here, we demonstrated that a remote injury on the peripheral nerve in rats triggered a leakage of the BSCB, which was independent of spinal microglial activation. The increase of BSCB permeability to different size tracers, such as Evans Blue and sodium fluorescein, was restricted to the lumbar spinal cord and prominent for at least 4 weeks after injury. The spinal inflammatory reaction triggered by nerve injury was a key player in modulating BSCB permeability. We identified MCP-1 as an endogenous trigger for the BSCB leakage. BSCB permeability can also be impaired by circulating IL-1ß. In contrast, antiinflammatory cytokines TGF-ß1 and IL-10 were able to shut down the openings of the BSCB following nerve injury. Peripheral nerve injury caused a decrease in tight junction and caveolae-associated proteins. Interestingly, ZO-1 and occludin, but not caveolin-1, were rescued by TGF-ß1. Furthermore, our data provide direct evidence that disrupted BSCB following nerve injury contributed to the influx of inflammatory mediators and the recruitment of spinal blood borne monocytes/macrophages, which played a major role in the development of neuropathic pain. These findings highlight the importance of inflammation in BSCB integrity and in spinal cord homeostasis.

Small molecule TSHR agonists and antagonists.

TSH activates the TSH receptor (TSHR) thereby stimulating the function of thyroid follicular cells (thyrocytes) leading to biosynthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones. Because TSHR is involved in several thyroid pathologies, there is a strong rationale for the design of small molecule "drug-like" ligands. Recombinant human TSH (rhTSH, Thyrogen(®)) has been used in the follow-up of patients with thyroid cancer to increase the sensitivity for detection of recurrence or metastasis. rhTSH is difficult to produce and must be administered by injection. A small molecule TSHR agonist could produce the same beneficial effects as rhTSH but with greater ease of oral administration. We developed a small molecule ligand that is a full agonist at TSHR. Importantly for its clinical potential, this agonist elevated serum thyroxine and stimulated thyroidal radioiodide uptake in mice after its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract following oral administration. Graves' disease (GD) is caused by persistent, unregulated stimulation of thyrocytes by thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAbs) that activate TSHR. We identified the first small molecule TSHR antagonists that inhibited TSH- and TSAb-stimulated signalling in primary cultures of human thyrocytes. Our results provide proof-of-principle for effectiveness of small molecule agonists and antagonists for TSHR. We suggest that these small molecule ligands are lead compounds for the development of higher potency ligands that can be used as probes of TSHR biology with therapeutic potential.

Role of astrocytic leptin receptor subtypes on leptin permeation across hCMEC/D3 human brain endothelial cells.

Astrocytic leptin receptors (ObR) can be up-regulated in conditions such as adult-onset obesity. To determine whether the levels and subtypes of astrocytic ObR modulate leptin transport, we co-cultured hCMEC/D3 human brain endothelial cells and C6 astrocytoma cells in the Transwell system, and tested leptin permeation from apical to basolateral chambers. In comparison with hCMEC alone, co-culture of C6 cells reduced the permeability of paracellular markers and leptin. Unexpectedly, ObRb over-expression in C6 cells increased leptin permeation whereas ObRa over-expression showed no effect when compared with the control group of pcDNA-transfected C6 cells. By contrast, the paracellular permeability to the sodium fluorescein control was unchanged by over-expression of ObR subtypes. Leptin remained intact after crossing the monolayer as shown by HPLC and acid precipitation, and this was not affected by C6 cell co-culture or the over-expression of different ObR subtypes. Thus, increased expression of ObRb (and to a lesser extent ObRe) in C6 cells specifically increased the permeation of leptin across the hCMEC monolayer. Consistent with the evidence that the most apparent regulatory changes of ObR during obesity and inflammation occur in astrocytes, the results indicate that astrocytes actively regulate leptin transport across the blood-brain barrier, a mechanism independent of reduction of paracellular permeability.

Ric-3 promotes alpha7 nicotinic receptor assembly and trafficking through the ER subcompartment of dendrites.

The function of Ric-3, which is required for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expression in C. elegans, is unclear. Here we found that Ric-3 can promote or inhibit cell-surface delivery of alpha-bungarotoxin-binding nAChRs (BgtRs) composed of alpha7 subunits. At low levels, Ric-3 promoted BgtR assembly, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) release, and cell-surface delivery without trafficking from the ER. At high Ric-3 levels, Ric-3 suppressed BgtR surface delivery, but not its assembly, and BgtRs were retained in the ER or in Ric-3-containing aggregates. In PC12 cells, native BgtRs trafficked to the cell surface from the ER where low levels of endogenous Ric-3 were observed. In cultured neurons, native Ric-3 levels were higher than in PC12 cells, and Ric-3 and alpha7 subunits were found in somata and dendrites, but not axons, of inhibitory interneurons. Ric-3 trafficked with alpha7 subunits in rapidly moving vesicles to dendrites, where it was restricted to the ER subcompartment. We conclude that Ric-3 has two potential functions. At low levels, Ric-3 interactions are short-lived and promote BgtR assembly and ER release. At higher levels, Ric-3 interactions are longer-lived and mediate ER retention. In neurons, Ric-3 ER retention appears to promote transport within the dendritic ER subcompartment, thereby restricting alpha7 trafficking to dendrites and preventing axonal transport.

Characterization of [(3)H]CHIBA-1001 binding to alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain from rat, monkey, and human.

Accumulating evidence suggests that the alpha7 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) plays a role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Currently, there are no suitable small molecule radioligands for alpha7 nAChRs in the brain, although [(125)I]alpha-bungarotoxin has been widely used as a radioligand for alpha7 nAChRs. In the present study, we characterized a new radioligand, 4-[(3)H]methylphenyl 2,5-diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane-2-carboxylate ([(3)H]CHIBA-1001), a derivative of the selective alpha7 nAChR agonist SSR180711, in brain membranes from rat, monkey, and human. Scatchard analysis revealed an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 193.4nM in rat brain membranes at 4 degrees C, and the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) was 346.2fmol/mg protein. The order of drugs for the inhibition of [(3)H]CHIBA-1001 binding to rat brain membranes is SSR180711>A-844606>MG624>epibatidine>DMAB>A-582941, suggesting a similarity of alpha7 nAChR pharmacological profiles. In contrast, alpha-bungarotoxin, MLA, and nicotine were found to be very weak. The distribution of [(3)H]CHIBA-1001 binding to crude membranes from dissected regions of rat, monkey, and human brain was different from that of [(125)I]alpha-bungarotoxin binding, suggesting that [(3)H]CHIBA-1001 binding sites may not be identical to [(125)I]alpha-bungarotoxin binding in the brain. In summary, [(3)H]CHIBA-1001 would be a useful radioligand for alpha7 nAChRs in the brains of rodents, non-human primates, and humans.

Vaccination with peptide 173-193 of acetylcholine receptor α7-subunit prevents memory loss in olfactory bulbectomized mice.

We studied the ability of four non-conjugated alpha7-subunit fragments of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor to induce an immune response and to protect memory in olfactory bulbectomized mice which demonstrate abnormalities similar to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Vaccination only with the alpha7-subunit fragment 173-193 was shown to rescue spatial memory, to restore the level of alpha7 acetylcholine receptors in the cortex, and to prevent an increase in the amyloid-beta (Abeta) level in brain tissue in these animals. Antibodies against the peptide 173-193 were revealed in blood serum and cerebrospinal liquid in the bulbectomized mice. Passive immunization with mouse blood sera containing antibodies to the peptide 173-193 also restored memory in bulbectomized animals. The observed positive effect of both active and passive immunization with the fragment of alpha7-subunit on memory of bulbectomized mice provides a new insight into an anti-AD drug design.

Maternal separation interferes with developmental changes in brain vasopressin and oxytocin receptor binding in male rats.

Brain vasopressin V(1A) receptors (V(1A)-R) and oxytocin receptors (OT-R) are important modulators of social behaviors. We recently showed that exposure to maternal separation (MS; 3 h daily, postnatal days 1-14) induces changes in social behaviors in juvenile and adult male rats. Here, we hypothesize that MS induces brain region-specific changes in V(1A)-R and OT-R across development, which in turn, may underlie MS-induced changes in social behaviors. We examined the effects of MS on V(1A)-R and OT-R binding in forebrain regions of juvenile (5 weeks), adolescent (8 weeks), and adult (16 weeks) male rats. Robust age-related changes were found for V(1A)-R and OT-R binding in several brain regions. For example, in the lateral septum V(1A)-R binding increased while OT-R binding decreased with age. Most notably, OT-R binding in the caudate putamen showed a 2-fold decrease while OT-R binding in the ventromedial hypothalamus showed a 4-fold increase with age. Importantly, exposure to MS interfered with these developmental changes in several brain regions. Specifically, MS significantly increased V(1A)-R binding in the piriform cortex (at adolescent and adult ages), the lateral septum (at juvenile age), the hypothalamic attack area (at adolescent age), and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (at adolescent age), and decreased V(1A)-R binding in the arcuate nucleus (at juvenile age). Moreover, OT-R binding was significantly lower in the agranular cortex (at juvenile and adolescent age), the lateral septum (at adult age) and the caudate putamen (at adult age), but higher in the medial preoptic area (at adolescent age) and ventromedial hypothalamus (at adult age) after exposure to MS. In conclusion, age-dependent changes in V(1A)-R and OT-R binding are likely associated with the maturation of behaviors, such as sexual and aggressive behaviors, while disruption of these changes by MS might contribute to previously observed changes in social behaviors after MS.

Effect of non-dopaminergic drug treatment on Levodopa induced dyskinesias in MPTP monkeys: common implication of striatal neuropeptides.

Dopamine denervation in Parkinson's disease and repeated Levodopa (L-DOPA) administration that induces dyskinesias are associated with an enhancement of basal ganglia neuropeptide transmission. Various adjunct non-dopaminergic treatments to Levodopa were shown to reduce and/or prevent dyskinesias. The aim of this study was to seek if non-dopaminergic drug treatments to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) lesioned monkeys combined with L-DOPA to prevent dyskinesia were associated with changes of striatal neuropeptides. Chronic treatment with Ro 61-8048 a kynurenine hydroxylase inhibitor, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) a polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3), naltrexone an opioidergic antagonist and CI-1041 an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist with L-DOPA prevented dyskinesias to various extents except naltrexone whereas all MPTP monkeys treated with L-DOPA alone developed dyskinesias. Striatal preproenkephalin (PPE), preprodynorphin (PPD) and preprotachykinin A (PPT-A) mRNA levels were measured by in situ hybridization. An increase of PPE and PPD mRNA levels was observed in anterior caudate nucleus of L-DOPA treated MPTP monkeys compared to controls and to Saline-treated MPTP monkeys whereas PPT-A mRNA levels were unchanged. Striatal PPE and PPD mRNA levels remained elevated in L-DOPA plus naltrexone-treated MPTP monkeys, while co-treatment with DHA, CI-1041 or Ro 61-8048 prevented their increase to various extents. Maximal dyskinesias scores of MPTP monkeys correlated significantly with striatal PPE and PPD mRNA levels but not with PPT-A mRNA levels. These results show that drugs displaying a wide range of pharmacological activities can modulate L-DOPA induced dyskinesias and this activity is correlated with striatal PPD and PPE mRNA levels suggesting a convergent mechanism.

Interaction of alpha-conotoxin ImII and its analogs with nicotinic receptors and acetylcholine-binding proteins: additional binding sites on Torpedo receptor.

alpha-Conotoxins interact with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and acetylcholine-binding proteins (AChBPs) at the sites for agonists/competitive antagonists. alpha-Conotoxins blocking muscle-type or alpha7 nAChRs compete with alpha-bungarotoxin. However, alpha-conotoxin ImII, a close homolog of the alpha7 nAChR-targeting alpha-conotoxin ImI, blocked alpha7 and muscle nAChRs without displacing alpha-bungarotoxin (Ellison et al. 2003, 2004), suggesting binding at a different site. We synthesized alpha-conotoxin ImII, its ribbon isomer (ImIIiso), 'mutant' ImII(W10Y) and found similar potencies in blocking human alpha7 and muscle nAChRs in Xenopus oocytes. Both isomers displaced [(125)I]-alpha-bungarotoxin from human alpha7 nAChRs in the cell line GH(4)C(1) (IC(50) 17 and 23 microM, respectively) and from Lymnaea stagnalis and Aplysia californica AChBPs (IC(50) 2.0-9.0 microM). According to SPR measurements, both isomers bound to immobilized AChBPs and competed with AChBP for immobilized alpha-bungarotoxin (K(d) and IC(50) 2.5-8.2 microM). On Torpedo nAChR, alpha-conotoxin [(125)I]-ImII(W10Y) revealed specific binding (K(d) 1.5-6.1 microM) and could be displaced by alpha-conotoxin ImII, ImIIiso and ImII(W10Y) with IC(50) 2.7, 2.2 and 3.1 microM, respectively. As alpha-cobratoxin and alpha-conotoxin ImI displaced [(125)I]-ImII(W10Y) only at higher concentrations (IC(50)> or = 90 microM), our results indicate that alpha-conotoxin ImII and its congeners have an additional binding site on Torpedo nAChR distinct from the site for agonists/competitive antagonists.

A novel fluorescent alpha-conotoxin for the study of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Homomeric alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are a well-established, pharmacologically distinct subtype. The more recently identified alpha9 subunit can also form functional homopentamers as well as alpha9alpha10 heteropentamers. Current fluorescent probes for alpha7 nicotinic ACh receptors are derived from alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BgTx). However, alpha-BgTx also binds to alpha9* and alpha1* receptors which are coexpressed with alpha7 in multiple tissues. We used an analog of alpha-conotoxin ArIB to develop a highly selective fluorescent probe for alpha7 receptors. This fluorescent alpha-conotoxin, Cy3-ArIB[V11L;V16A], blocked ACh-evoked alpha7 currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes with an IC(50) value of 2.0 nM. Observed rates of blockade were minute-scale with recovery from blockade even slower. Unlike FITC-conjugated alpha-BgTx, Cy3-ArIB[V11L;V16A] did not block alpha9alpha10 or alpha1beta1deltaepsilon receptors. In competition binding assays, Cy3-ArIB[V11L;V16A] potently displaced [(125)I]-alpha-BgTx binding to mouse hippocampal membranes with a K(i) value of 21 nM. Application of Cy3-ArIB[V11L;V16A] resulted in specific punctate labeling of KXalpha7R1 cells but not KXalpha3beta2R4, KXalpha3beta4R2, or KXalpha4beta2R2 cells. This labeling could be abolished by pre-treatment with alpha-cobratoxin. Thus, Cy3-ArIB[V11L;V16A] is a novel and selective fluorescent probe for alpha7 receptors.

Nur77 mRNA levels and L-Dopa-induced dyskinesias in MPTP monkeys treated with docosahexaenoic acid.

We have previously shown that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) significantly reduced L-Dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) monkeys (Samadi et al., Ann. Neurol. 59:282-288, 2006). In the present study, we measured for the first time mRNA levels of Nur77, an orphan nuclear receptor that participates to adaptive and/or aberrant dopamine-related behaviors, and retinoid X receptor gamma1 (RXRgamma1), a putative brain receptor for DHA and transcriptional partner of Nur77, in MPTP monkeys treated with L-Dopa and DHA. The RXRgamma1 mRNA is strongly expressed in monkey caudate nucleus and putamen, but no change in levels of RXRgamma1 was observed following MPTP and L-Dopa treatments. On the other hand, denervation reduced Nur77 mRNA levels, whereas chronic L-Dopa treatment strongly induced Nur77 transcripts. These modulations are taking place in substance P positive cells and are associated with both caudate-putamen matrix and striosome compartments. Interestingly, combination of L-Dopa with DHA further increases Nur77 mRNA levels in the anterior caudate-putamen, and mainly in striosomes. This is accompanied by a significant inverse correlation between Nur77 mRNA levels and dyskinetic scores. Taken together, our results show that Nur77 expression is modulated following dopamine denervation and chronic L-Dopa therapy in a non-human primate model of Parkinson's disease, and suggest that strong modulation of Nur77 expression might be linked to a reduced risk to develop LIDs.

Association between serotonin transporter availability and overall rating scores of quality of life in healthy volunteers.

Depression and impaired quality of life (QOL) are frequently observed in patients suffering from a variety of diseases. In addition, it has been reported that an enhanced degradation of the serotonin precursor tryptophan may contribute to QOL deterioration in some diseases. However, it is unclear whether the correlation between the QOL scores and the central serotonergic tone is only mediated by the severity of either the depression symptoms or the physical illness itself. The present study examined the relationship between serotonin transporter (SERT) availability and life quality as measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life brief version questionnaire (WHO-QOL) in healthy participants in order to exclude the influence of depressive mood and disease. The SERT availability in the midbrain was approximated using SPECT with [(123)I] ADAM ligand in fifty-eight healthy volunteers. The overall rating sub scores of the WHO-QOL correlated positively with serotonin transporter availability in the males. Central serotoninergic activity may play a role in the overall rating scores of the WHO-QOL.

Amygdaloid pERK1/2 in corticotropin-releasing hormone overexpressing mice under basal and acute stress conditions.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) coordinates neuroendocrine and behavioral adaptations to stress. Acute CRH administration in vivo activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in limbic brain areas, acting through the CRH receptor type 1 (CRH-R1). In the present study, we used CRH-COE-Cam mice that overexpress CRH in limbic-restricted areas, to analyze the effect of chronic CRH overexpression on ERK1/2 activation. By immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy analysis we found that pERK1/2 levels in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) were similar in control and CRH overexpressing mice under basal conditions. Acute stress caused comparably increased levels of corticosterone in both control (CRH-COEcon-Cam) and CRH overexpressing (CRH-COEhom-Cam) animals. CRH-COEhom-Cam mice after stress showed reduced pERK1/2 immunoreactivity in the BLA compared to CRH-COEhom-Cam animals under basal conditions. Radioligand binding and in situ hybridization revealed higher density of CRH-R1 in the amygdala of CRH-COEhom mice under basal conditions compared to control littermates. A significant reduction of the receptor levels was observed in this area after acute stress, suggesting that stress may trigger CRH-R1 internalization/downregulation in these CRH overexpressing mice. Chronic CRH overexpression leads to reduced ERK1/2 activation in response to acute stress in the BLA.