The influence of the prolactin/vasoinhibin axis on post-stroke lesion volume, astrogliosis, and survival.

Ischemic stroke is a significant global health issue, ranking fifth among all causes of death and a leading cause of serious long-term disability. Ischemic stroke leads to severe outcomes, including permanent brain damage and neuronal dysfunction. Therefore, decreasing and preventing neuronal injuries caused by stroke has been the focus of therapeutic research. In recent years, many studies have shown that fluctuations in hormonal levels influence the prognosis of ischemic stroke. Thus, it is relevant to understand the role of hormones in the pathophysiological mechanisms of ischemic stroke for preventing and treating this health issue. Here, we investigate the contribution of the prolactin/vasoinhibin axis, an endocrine system regulating blood vessel growth, immune processes, and neuronal survival, to the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. Male mice with brain overexpression of prolactin or vasoinhibin by adeno-associated virus (AAV) intracerebroventricular injection or lacking the prolactin receptor (Prlr-/-) were exposed to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 45 min followed by 48 h of reperfusion. Overexpression of vasoinhibin or the absence of the prolactin receptor led to an increased lesion volume and decreased survival rates in mice following tMCAO, whereas overexpression of prolactin had no effect. In addition, astrocytic distribution in the penumbra was altered, glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100b mRNA expressions were reduced, and interleukin-6 mRNA expression increased in the ischemic hemisphere of mice overexpressing vasoinhibin. Of note, prolactin receptor-null mice (Prlr-/-) showed a marked increase in serum vasoinhibin levels. Furthermore, vasoinhibin decreased astrocyte numbers in mixed hippocampal neuron-glia cultures. These observations suggest that increased vasoinhibin levels may hinder astrocytes' protective reactivity. Overall, this study suggests the involvement of the prolactin/vasoinhibin axis in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke-induced brain injury and provides insights into the impact of its dysregulation on astrocyte reactivity and lesion size. Understanding these mechanisms could help develop therapeutic interventions in ischemic stroke and other related neurological disorders.

Prolactin is an Endogenous Antioxidant Factor in Astrocytes That Limits Oxidative Stress-Induced Astrocytic Cell Death via the STAT3/NRF2 Signaling Pathway.

Oxidative stress-induced death of neurons and astrocytes contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. While significant progress has been made in identifying neuroprotective molecules against neuronal oxidative damage, little is known about their counterparts for astrocytes. Prolactin (PRL), a hormone known to stimulate astroglial proliferation, viability, and cytokine expression, exhibits antioxidant effects in neurons. However, its role in protecting astrocytes from oxidative stress remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the effect of PRL against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative insult in primary cortical astrocyte cultures. Incubation of astrocytes with PRL led to increased enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), resulting in higher total antioxidant capacity. Concomitantly, PRL prevented H2O2-induced cell death, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and protein and lipid oxidation. The protective effect of PRL upon H2O2-induced cell death can be explained by the activation of both signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and NFE2 like bZIP transcription factor 2 (NRF2) transduction cascades. We demonstrated that PRL induced nuclear translocation and transcriptional upregulation of Nrf2, concurrently with the transcriptional upregulation of the NRF2-dependent genes heme oxygenase 1, Sod1, Sod2, and Gpx1. Pharmacological blockade of STAT3 suppressed PRL-induced transcriptional upregulation of Nrf2, Sod1 and Gpx1 mRNA, and SOD and GPX activities. Furthermore, genetic ablation of the PRL receptor increased astroglial susceptibility to H2O2-induced cell death and superoxide accumulation, while diminishing their intrinsic antioxidant capacity. Overall, these findings unveil PRL as a potent antioxidant hormone that protects astrocytes from oxidative insult, which may contribute to brain neuroprotection.

Contribution of chemical and electrical transmission to the low delta-like intrinsic retinal oscillation in mice: A role for daylight-activated neuromodulators.

Basal electroretinogram (ERG) oscillations have shown predictive value for modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes. However, their origin remains unknown. Here, we seek to establish the pharmacological profile of the low delta-like (δ1) wave in the mouse because it shows light sensitivity in the form of a decreased peak frequency upon photopic exposure. Applying neuropharmacological drugs by intravitreal injection, we eliminated the δ1 wave using lidocaine or by blocking all chemical and electrical synapses. The δ1 wave was insensitive to the blockade of photoreceptor input, but was accelerated when all inhibitory or ionotropic inhibitory receptors in the retina were antagonized. The sole blockade of GABAA, GABAB, GABAC, and glycine receptors also accelerated the δ1 wave. In contrast, the gap junction blockade slowed the δ1 wave. Both GABAA receptors and gap junctions contribute to the light sensitivity of the δ1 wave. We further found that the day light-activated neuromodulators dopamine and nitric oxide donors mimicked the effect of photopic exposure on the δ1 wave. All drug effects were validated through light flash-evoked ERG responses. Our data indicate that the low δ-like intrinsic wave detected by the non-photic ERG arises from an inner retinal circuit regulated by inhibitory neurotransmission and nitric oxide/dopamine-sensitive gap junction-mediated communication.

Changes in 24 h Rhythmicity of Spontaneous Locomotor Activity in the Triple Transgenic Mouse for Alzheimer's Disease (3xTg-AD) in a Jet Lag Protocol: Correlations with Retinal Sensitivity.

The progression of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in different brain areas is associated with the effects of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition to cognitive impairment, circadian alterations in locomotor activity have also been detected, but they have not been characterized in a jet lag protocol. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare 3xTg-AD and non-transgenic mice in changes of 24 h cycles of spontaneous locomotor activity in a jet lag protocol, in an environment without a running wheel, at 3 different states of neuronal damage: early, intermediate and advanced (3, 8 and 13 months, respectively). The 3xTg-AD mice at 3 months presented differences in phase angle and acrophase, and differentially increased activity after advances more than after delays. At 13 months, a shortening of the free-running period in constant darkness was also noted. 3xTg-AD mice showed a significant increase (123%) in global activity at 8 to 13 months and in nighttime activity (153%) at 13 months. In the advance protocol (ADV), 3xTg-AD mice displayed a significant increase in global activity (171%) at 8 and 13 months. The differences in masking effect were evident at 8 months. To assess a possible retinal dysfunction that could interfere with photic entrainment as part of the neurodegenerative process, we compared electroretinogram recordings. The results showed early deterioration in the retinal response to light flashes in mesopic conditions, observed in the B-wave latency and amplitude. Thus, our study presents new behavioral and pathological characteristics of 3xTg-AD mice and reveals the usefulness of non-invasive tools in early diagnosis.

Smartwatch inertial sensors continuously monitor real-world motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease.

Longitudinal, remote monitoring of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) could enable more precise treatment decisions. We developed the Motor fluctuations Monitor for Parkinson's Disease (MM4PD), an ambulatory monitoring system that used smartwatch inertial sensors to continuously track fluctuations in resting tremor and dyskinesia. We designed and validated MM4PD in 343 participants with PD, including a longitudinal study of up to 6 months in a 225-subject cohort. MM4PD measurements correlated to clinical evaluations of tremor severity (ρ = 0.80) and mapped to expert ratings of dyskinesia presence (P < 0.001) during in-clinic tasks. MM4PD captured symptom changes in response to treatment that matched the clinician's expectations in 94% of evaluated subjects. In the remaining 6% of cases, symptom data from MM4PD identified opportunities to make improvements in pharmacologic strategy. These results demonstrate the promise of MM4PD as a tool to support patient-clinician communication, medication titration, and clinical trial design.

Vasoinhibin generation and effect on neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus of late mouse embryos.

Morphological and behavioral evidence suggests that vasoinhibin is present in the central nervous system (CNS), triggering neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to stress. Moreover, vasoinhibin reduces neuronal survival and differentiation of primary sensory neurons of the peripheral nervous system. To address the functional role played by vasoinhibin at the CNS, and to better understand the underlying mechanisms involved in its actions, we treated primary cultured hippocampal neurons obtained from embryonic day 16 (E16) mice with a human recombinant vasoinhibin. We examined the resulting cellular changes, focusing on neuronal cell death, and explored the local generation of vasoinhibin within the hippocampus. Our results show that vasoinhibin significantly reduced neuronal cell density and increased immunoreactive activated caspase-3 and TUNEL-positive staining at 72, 16, and 24 h, respectively. Furthermore, vasoinhibin increased the expression of proapoptotic genes BAX, BAD, BIM, and PUMA and decreased that of the antiapoptotic gene BCL-2 at 24 h, as assessed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Vasoinhibin effects were blocked by coincubation with a vasoinhibin antibody or with prolactin. Immunoreactive bands consistent with vasoinhibin were observed in hippocampal extracts by Western blot analysis, and a prolactin standard was cleaved to vasoinhibin by a hippocampal lysate in a heat- and cathepsin D inhibitor pepstatin A-dependent fashion. Taken together, these data support the notion that vasoinhibin is locally produced by cathepsin D within the embryonic mouse hippocampus, a brain region that plays a critical role in emotional regulation, resulting in decreased neuronal cell viability via the activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway.

Prolactin mitigates deficiencies of retinal function associated with aging.

Aging causes the progressive degeneration of retinal cells leading to the eventual loss of vision. The hormone prolactin (PRL) is a neurotrophic factor able to compensate for photoreceptor cell death and electroretinogram deficits induced by light retinal damage. Here, we used adult 4-month old and aged 20-month old pigmented mice, null or not for the PRL receptor to explore whether PRL provides trophic support against age-related retinal dysfunction. Retinal functionality, apoptosis, glia activation, and neurotrophin expression were assessed by electroretinogram, TUNEL, glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 immunohistochemistry, and real-time PCR, respectively. Lack of PRL signaling in aged mice, but not in adult mice, correlated with photosensitive retinal dysfunction, increased photoreceptor apoptosis, differential expression of proapoptotic mediators, and microglia activation. We conclude that PRL is required for maintaining retinal functionality in both female and male mice during aging and has potential therapeutic value against age-related retinal disorders.

Vasoinhibin Suppresses Nerve Growth Factor-Induced Differentiation and Survival of PC12 Pheochromocytoma Cells.

BACKGROUND: Vasoinhibin, a protein derived from prolactin, regulates various vascular functions including endothelial cell survival. Of note, vasoinhibin is present in the central nervous system, where it triggers neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to stress. Moreover, vasoinhibin compromises nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in primary sensory neurons of the peripheral nervous system. Nonetheless, information on the functions of vasoinhibin in developing neurons remains limited. The present study explored whether vasoinhibin affects the neurotrophic actions of NGF by measuring the cell differentiation and survival of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. METHODS: The effects of recombinant or lentiviral vector-transduced human vasoinhibin were tested on differentiating PC12 cells. Neurite outgrowth was quantified by measuring their length and density. The MTT assay was employed to assess cell viability, and ELISA was used to quantify DNA fragmentation as an index of apoptosis. Phosphorylated Akt and ERK1/2 were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: The addition of a human recombinant vasoinhibin, and the transduction of a lentiviral vector carrying a human vasoinhibin sequence, significantly reduced NGF-induced neurite outgrowth, cell survival, and phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2, and increased DNA fragmentation and caspase 3 activation in PC12 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Vasoinhibin downregulates NGF-induced differentiation and survival of PC12 cells, blocking tropomyosin receptor kinase A-triggered signaling pathways and increasing apoptosis. These results establish that vasoinhibin interaction with NGF and other neurotrophins may be critical in mediating pathways involved in neuronal survival and differentiation.

OpenSim: Simulating musculoskeletal dynamics and neuromuscular control to study human and animal movement.

Movement is fundamental to human and animal life, emerging through interaction of complex neural, muscular, and skeletal systems. Study of movement draws from and contributes to diverse fields, including biology, neuroscience, mechanics, and robotics. OpenSim unites methods from these fields to create fast and accurate simulations of movement, enabling two fundamental tasks. First, the software can calculate variables that are difficult to measure experimentally, such as the forces generated by muscles and the stretch and recoil of tendons during movement. Second, OpenSim can predict novel movements from models of motor control, such as kinematic adaptations of human gait during loaded or inclined walking. Changes in musculoskeletal dynamics following surgery or due to human-device interaction can also be simulated; these simulations have played a vital role in several applications, including the design of implantable mechanical devices to improve human grasping in individuals with paralysis. OpenSim is an extensible and user-friendly software package built on decades of knowledge about computational modeling and simulation of biomechanical systems. OpenSim's design enables computational scientists to create new state-of-the-art software tools and empowers others to use these tools in research and clinical applications. OpenSim supports a large and growing community of biomechanics and rehabilitation researchers, facilitating exchange of models and simulations for reproducing and extending discoveries. Examples, tutorials, documentation, and an active user forum support this community. The OpenSim software is covered by the Apache License 2.0, which permits its use for any purpose including both nonprofit and commercial applications. The source code is freely and anonymously accessible on GitHub, where the community is welcomed to make contributions. Platform-specific installers of OpenSim include a GUI and are available on simtk.org.

Vasoinhibin Suppresses the Neurotrophic Effects of VEGF and NGF in Newborn Rat Primary Sensory Neurons.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Studies on the biological actions of vasoinhibins have focused mainly on endothelial cells. However, there is incipient knowledge about how vasoinhibins affect the nervous system, even if the target cells and mechanisms of action involved in these effects are unknown. METHODS: In order to determine if neurons are direct targets of vasoinhibins, we examined cellular outcomes and the intracellular pathways involved in the neuronal actions of vasoinhibins using newborn rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons as a model system. RESULTS: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or nerve growth factor (NGF) treatment for 48 h resulted in neurite outgrowth stimulation in both DRG cultured explants and isolated primary sensory neurons. Interestingly, a recombinant vasoinhibin containing the first 123 amino acids of human prolactin antagonized the VEGF- and NGF-induced stimulation of neurite outgrowth. Vasoinhibin significantly reduced the density of neurites in DRG explants and obliterated neuritogenesis in isolated DRG neurons in primary culture, supporting a direct neuronal effect of vasoinhibin. In cultures of isolated DRG cells, virtually all ß3-tubulin-labeled cells express TrkA, and the majority of these cells also express VEGFR2. Short-term VEGF or NGF treatment of DRG explants resulted in increased ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation, whereas incubation of DRG with the combination of either VEGF or NGF together with vasoinhibin resulted in blunted VEGF- or NGF-induced phosphorylation of both ERK1/2 and AKT. CONCLUSION: Our results show that primary sensory neurons are direct targets of vasoinhibin, and suggest that vasoinhibin inhibition of neurite outgrowth involves the disruption of ERK and AKT phosphorylation cascades.

Prolactin Promotes Adipose Tissue Fitness and Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Males.

Excessive accumulation of body fat triggers insulin resistance and features of the metabolic syndrome. Recently, evidence has accumulated that obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are associated with reduced levels of serum prolactin (PRL) in humans and rodents, raising the question of whether low PRL levels contribute to metabolic dysfunction. Here, we have addressed this question by investigating the role of PRL in insulin sensitivity and adipose tissue fitness in obese rodents and humans. In diet-induced obese rats, treatment with PRL delivered via osmotic mini-pumps, improved insulin sensitivity, prevented adipocyte hypertrophy, and reduced inflammatory cytokine expression in visceral fat. PRL also induced increased expression of Pparg and Xbp1s in visceral adipose tissue and elevated circulating adiponectin levels. Conversely, PRL receptor null mice challenged with a high-fat diet developed greater insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and increased adipocyte hypertrophy compared with wild-type mice. In humans, serum PRL values correlated positively with systemic adiponectin levels and were reduced in insulin-resistant patients. Furthermore, PRL circulating levels and PRL produced by adipose tissue correlated directly with the expression of PPARG, ADIPOQ, and GLUT4 in human visceral and sc adipose tissue. Thus, PRL, acting through its cognate receptors, promotes healthy adipose tissue function and systemic insulin sensitivity. Increasing the levels of PRL in the circulation may have therapeutic potential against obesity-induced metabolic diseases.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 rescues R28 retinal neurons from apoptotic death through ERK-mediated BimEL phosphorylation independent of Akt.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) can provide long-term neurotrophic support by activation of Akt, inhibition of FoxO nuclear localization and suppression of Bim gene transcription in multiple neuronal systems. However, MEK/ERK activation can also promote neuron survival through phosphorylation of BimEL. We explored the contribution of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO and MEK/ERK/BimEL pathways in IGF-1 stimulated survival after serum deprivation (SD) of R28 cells differentiated to model retinal neurons. IGF-1 caused rapid activation of Akt leading to FoxO1/3-T32/T24 phosphorylation, and prevented FoxO1/3 nuclear translocation and Bim mRNA upregulation in response to SD. IGF-1 also caused MAPK/MEK pathway activation as indicated by ERK1/2-T202/Y204 and Bim-S65 phosphorylation. Overexpression of FoxO1 increased Bim mRNA expression and amplified the apoptotic response to SD without shifting the serum response curve. Inhibition of Akt activation with LY294002 or by Rictor knockdown did not block the protective effect of IGF-1, while inhibition of MEK activity with PD98059 prevented Bim phosphorylation and blocked IGF-1 protection. In addition, knockdown of Bim expression was protective during SD, while co-silencing of FoxO1 and Fox03 expression had little effect. Thus, the PI3K/Akt/FoxO pathway was not essential for protection from SD-induced apoptosis by IGF-1 in R28 cells. Instead, IGF-1 protection was dependent on activation of the MEK/ERK pathway leading to BimEL phosphorylation, which is known to prevent Bax/Bak oligomerization and activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. These studies demonstrate the requirement of the MEK/ERK pathway in a model of retinal neuron cell survival and highlight the cell specificity for IGF-1 signaling in this response.

Prolactin protects retinal pigment epithelium by inhibiting sirtuin 2-dependent cell death.

The identification of pathways necessary for retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) function is fundamental to uncover therapies for blindness. Prolactin (PRL) receptors are expressed in the retina, but nothing is known about the role of PRL in RPE. Using the adult RPE 19 (ARPE-19) human cell line and mouse RPE, we identified the presence of PRL receptors and demonstrated that PRL is necessary for RPE cell survival via anti-apoptotic and antioxidant actions. PRL promotes the antioxidant capacity of ARPE-19 cells by reducing glutathione. It also blocks the hydrogen peroxide-induced increase in deacetylase sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) expression, which inhibits the TRPM2-mediated intracellular Ca(2+) rise associated with reduced survival under oxidant conditions. RPE from PRL receptor-null (prlr(-/-)) mice showed increased levels of oxidative stress, Sirt2 expression and apoptosis, effects that were exacerbated in animals with advancing age. These observations identify PRL as a regulator of RPE homeostasis.

Performance of an ICD algorithm to detect lead noise and reduce inappropriate shocks.

BACKGROUND: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) provide treatment for life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Failure of the pace/sense conductor of an ICD lead can cause noise on the sensing electrogram (EGM) that may be misinterpreted as ventricular activity, triggering inappropriate therapy. An algorithm based upon the confirmation of ventricular activity from a far-field EGM has been developed to reduce inappropriate therapies resulting from this type of lead failure, while ensuring that appropriate therapy is delivered. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the algorithm's ability to discriminate lead noise from ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) and to determine whether it inhibits inappropriate shocks without delaying appropriate shocks. METHODS: The algorithm was prospectively tested using near- and far-field EGM recordings from patients in three conditions: normal sinus rhythm with sustained and non-sustained lead noise via manipulation of the ICD pocket or lead system, and VT/VF induced during defibrillation threshold testing. The recordings were played through a bench-top device running the algorithm with the diagnosis, time to diagnosis, and inhibition of therapy documented. RESULTS: The algorithm detected noise and withheld inappropriate therapy in 231 of 238 recordings of sustained lead noise that would otherwise have been diagnosed as VT/VF (97.1%). Non-sustained lead noise was correctly diagnosed in 47 of the 52 recordings (90.4%). The device appropriately identified all 853 recordings of VT/VF (100%), without an increase in the time to detection (0.01 ± 0.14 s). CONCLUSIONS: The SecureSense(TM) algorithm correctly diagnosed sustained and non-sustained lead noise recordings without compromising detection of VT/VF. Use of the algorithm may reduce inappropriate shocks and alert clinicians to lead noise indicative of lead failure.

Diabetes enhances the efficacy of AAV2 vectors in the retina: therapeutic effect of AAV2 encoding vasoinhibin and soluble VEGF receptor 1.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated delivery of inhibitors of blood-retinal barrier breakdown (BRBB) offers promise for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. Here, we demonstrated a reversal of blood-retinal barrier pathology mediated by AAV type 2 (AAV2) vectors encoding vasoinhibin or soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sFlt-1) when administered intravitreally to diabetic rats. Efficacy and safety of the AAV2 vasoinhibin vector were tested by monitoring its effect on diabetes-induced changes in the retinal vascular bed and thickness, and in the electroretinogram (ERG). Also, the transduction of AAV2 vectors and expression of AAV2 receptors and co-receptors were compared between the diabetic and the non-diabetic rat retinas. AAV2 vasoinhibin or AAV2 sFlt-1 vectors were injected intravitreally before or after enhanced BRBB due to diabetes induced by streptozotocin. The BRBB was examined by the Evans blue method, the vascular bed by fluorescein angiography, expression of the AAV2 EGFP reporter vector by confocal microscopy, and the AAV2 genome, expression of transgenes, receptors, and co-receptors by quantitative PCR. AAV2 vasoinhibin and sFlt-1 vectors inhibited the diabetes-mediated increase in BRBB when injected after, but not before, diabetes was induced. The AAV2 vasoinhibin vector decreased retinal microvascular abnormalities and the diabetes-induced reduction of the B-wave of the ERG, but it had no effect in non-diabetic controls. Also, retinal thickness was not altered by diabetes or by the AAV2 vasoinhibin vector. The AAV2 genome, vasoinhibin and sFlt-1 transgenes, and EGFP levels were higher in the retinas from diabetic rats and were associated with an elevated expression of AAV2 receptors (syndecan, glypican, and perlecan) and co-receptors (fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, αvß5 integrin, and hepatocyte growth factor receptor). We conclude that retinal transduction and efficacy of AAV2 vectors are enhanced in diabetes, possibly due to their elevated cell entry. AAV2 vectors encoding vasoinhibin and sFlt-1 may be desirable gene therapeutics to target diabetic retinopathy and macular edema.

Vasoinhibins regulate the inner and outer blood-retinal barrier and limit retinal oxidative stress.

Vasoinhibins are prolactin fragments present in the retina, where they have been shown to prevent the hypervasopermeability associated with diabetes. Enhanced bradykinin (BK) production contributes to the increased transport through the blood-retina barrier (BRB) in diabetes. Here, we studied if vasoinhibins regulate BRB permeability by targeting the vascular endothelium and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) components of this barrier. Intravitreal injection of BK in male rats increased BRB permeability. Vasoinhibins prevented this effect, as did the B2 receptor antagonist Hoe-140. BK induced a transient decrease in mouse retinal and brain capillary endothelial monolayer resistance that was blocked by vasoinhibins. Both vasoinhibins and the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor L-NAME, but not the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), blocked the transient decrease in bovine umbilical vein endothelial cell (BUVEC) monolayer resistance induced by BK; this block was reversed by the NO donor DETANONOate. Vasoinhibins also prevented the BK-induced actin cytoskeleton redistribution, as did L-NAME. BK transiently decreased human RPE (ARPE-19) cell monolayer resistance, and this effect was blocked by vasoinhibins, L-NAME, and NAC. DETANONOate reverted the blocking effect of vasoinhibins. Similar to BK, the radical initiator Luperox induced a reduction in ARPE-19 cell monolayer resistance, which was prevented by vasoinhibins. These effects on RPE resistance coincided with actin cytoskeleton redistribution. Intravitreal injection of vasoinhibins reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in retinas of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, particularly in the RPE and capillary-containing layers. Thus, vasoinhibins reduce BRB permeability by targeting both its main inner and outer components through NO- and ROS-dependent pathways, offering potential treatment strategies against diabetic retinopathies.

The hormone prolactin is a novel, endogenous trophic factor able to regulate reactive glia and to limit retinal degeneration.

Retinal degeneration is characterized by the progressive destruction of retinal cells, causing the deterioration and eventual loss of vision. We explored whether the hormone prolactin provides trophic support to retinal cells, thus protecting the retina from degenerative pressure. Inducing hyperprolactinemia limited photoreceptor apoptosis, gliosis, and changes in neurotrophin expression, and it preserved the photoresponse in the phototoxicity model of retinal degeneration, in which continuous exposure of rats to bright light leads to retinal cell death and retinal dysfunction. In this model, the expression levels of prolactin receptors in the retina were upregulated. Moreover, retinas from prolactin receptor-deficient mice exhibited photoresponsive dysfunction and gliosis that correlated with decreased levels of retinal bFGF, GDNF, and BDNF. Collectively, these data unveiled prolactin as a retinal trophic factor that may regulate glial-neuronal cell interactions and is a potential therapeutic molecule against retinal degeneration.

How muscle fiber lengths and velocities affect muscle force generation as humans walk and run at different speeds.

The lengths and velocities of muscle fibers have a dramatic effect on muscle force generation. It is unknown, however, whether the lengths and velocities of lower limb muscle fibers substantially affect the ability of muscles to generate force during walking and running. We examined this issue by developing simulations of muscle-tendon dynamics to calculate the lengths and velocities of muscle fibers from electromyographic recordings of 11 lower limb muscles and kinematic measurements of the hip, knee and ankle made as five subjects walked at speeds of 1.0-1.75 m s(-1) and ran at speeds of 2.0-5.0 m s(-1). We analyzed the simulated fiber lengths, fiber velocities and forces to evaluate the influence of force-length and force-velocity properties on force generation at different walking and running speeds. The simulations revealed that force generation ability (i.e. the force generated per unit of activation) of eight of the 11 muscles was significantly affected by walking or running speed. Soleus force generation ability decreased with increasing walking speed, but the transition from walking to running increased the force generation ability by reducing fiber velocities. Our results demonstrate the influence of soleus muscle architecture on the walk-to-run transition and the effects of muscle-tendon compliance on the plantarflexors' ability to generate ankle moment and power. The study presents data that permit lower limb muscles to be studied in unprecedented detail by relating muscle fiber dynamics and force generation to the mechanical demands of walking and running.

Vasoinhibin gene transfer by adenoassociated virus type 2 protects against VEGF- and diabetes-induced retinal vasopermeability.

PURPOSE: Specific proteolytic cleavages of the hormone prolactin (PRL) generate vasoinhibins, a family of peptides (including 16-kDa PRL) that are able to inhibit the pathologic increase in retinal vasopermeability (RVP) associated with diabetes. Here the authors tested the ability of an adenoassociated virus type 2 (AAV2) vasoinhibin vector to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)- and diabetes-induced RVP. METHODS: AAV2 vectors encoding vasoinhibin, PRL, or soluble VEGF receptor 1 (soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 [sFlt-1]) were injected intravitreally into the eyes of rats. Four weeks later, either VEGF was injected intravitreally or diabetes was induced with streptozotocin. Tracer accumulation was evaluated as an index of RVP using fluorescein angiography or the Evans blue dye method. RT-PCR verified transgene expression in the retina, and the intravitreal injection of an AAV2 vector encoding green fluorescent protein revealed transduced cells in the retinal ganglion cell layer. In addition, Western blot analysis of AAV2-transduced HEK293 cells confirmed the expression and secretion of the vector-encoded proteins. RESULTS: The AAV2-vasoinhibin vector prevented the increase in tracer accumulation that occurs 24 hours after the intravitreal injection of VEGF. Diabetes induced a significant increase in tracer accumulation compared with nondiabetic controls. This increase was blocked by the AAV2-vasoinhibin vector and reduced by the AAV2-sFlt-1 vector. The AAV2-PRL vector had no effect. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that an AAV2-vasoinhibin vector prevents pathologic RVP and suggest it could have therapeutic value in patients with diabetic retinopathy.