Linking epileptic phenotypes and neural extracellular matrix remodeling signatures in mouse models of epilepsy.

Epilepsies are multifaceted neurological disorders characterized by abnormal brain activity, e.g. caused by imbalanced synaptic excitation and inhibition. The neural extracellular matrix (ECM) is dynamically modulated by physiological and pathophysiological activity and critically involved in controlling the brain's excitability. We used different epilepsy models, i.e. mice lacking the presynaptic scaffolding protein Bassoon at excitatory, inhibitory or all synapse types as genetic models for rapidly generalizing early-onset epilepsy, and intra-hippocampal kainate injection, a model for acquired temporal lobe epilepsy, to study the relationship between epileptic seizures and ECM composition. Electroencephalogram recordings revealed Bassoon deletion at excitatory or inhibitory synapses having diverse effects on epilepsy-related phenotypes. While constitutive Bsn mutants and to a lesser extent GABAergic neuron-specific knockouts (BsnDlx5/6cKO) displayed severe epilepsy with more and stronger seizures than kainate-injected animals, mutants lacking Bassoon solely in excitatory forebrain neurons (BsnEmx1cKO) showed only mild impairments. By semiquantitative immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry we show model-specific patterns of neural ECM remodeling, and we also demonstrate significant upregulation of the ECM receptor CD44 in null and BsnDlx5/6cKO mutants. ECM-associated WFA-binding chondroitin sulfates were strongly augmented in seizure models. Strikingly, Brevican, Neurocan, Aggrecan and link proteins Hapln1 and Hapln4 levels reliably predicted seizure properties across models, suggesting a link between ECM state and epileptic phenotype.

Amisulpride as a potential disease-modifying drug in the treatment of tauopathies.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau cause the development of tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We recently uncovered a causal link between constitutive serotonin receptor 7 (5-HT7R) activity and pathological tau aggregation. Here, we evaluated 5-HT7R inverse agonists as novel drugs in the treatment of tauopathies. METHODS: Based on structural homology, we screened multiple approved drugs for their inverse agonism toward 5-HT7R. Therapeutic potential was validated using biochemical, pharmacological, microscopic, and behavioral approaches in different cellular models including tau aggregation cell line HEK293 tau bimolecular fluorescence complementation, primary mouse neurons, and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons carrying an FTD-associated tau mutation as well as in two mouse models of tauopathy. RESULTS: Antipsychotic drug amisulpride is a potent 5-HT7R inverse agonist. Amisulpride ameliorated tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation in vitro. It further reduced tau pathology and abrogated memory impairment in mice. DISCUSSION: Amisulpride may be a disease-modifying drug for tauopathies.

Mice deficient in synaptic protease neurotrypsin show impaired spaced long-term potentiation and blunted learning-induced modulation of dendritic spines.

Neurotrypsin (NT) is a neuronal trypsin-like serine protease whose mutations cause severe mental retardation in humans. NT is activated in vitro by Hebbian-like conjunction of pre- and postsynaptic activities, which promotes the formation of dendritic filopodia via proteolytic cleavage of the proteoglycan agrin. Here, we investigated the functional importance of this mechanism for synaptic plasticity, learning, and extinction of memory. We report that juvenile neurotrypsin-deficient (NT-/-) mice exhibit impaired long-term potentiation induced by a spaced stimulation protocol designed to probe the generation of new filopodia and their conversion into functional synapses. Behaviorally, juvenile NT-/- mice show impaired contextual fear memory and have a sociability deficit. The latter persists in aged NT-/- mice, which, unlike juvenile mice, show normal recall but impaired extinction of contextual fear memories. Structurally, juvenile mutants exhibit reduced spine density in the CA1 region, fewer thin spines, and no modulation in the density of dendritic spines following fear conditioning and extinction in contrast to wild-type littermates. The head width of thin spines is reduced in both juvenile and aged NT-/- mice. In vivo delivery of adeno-associated virus expressing an NT-generated fragment of agrin, agrin-22, but not a shorter agrin-15, elevates the spine density in NT-/- mice. Moreover, agrin-22 co-aggregates with pre- and postsynaptic markers and increases the density and size of presynaptic boutons and presynaptic puncta, corroborating the view that agrin-22 supports the synaptic growth.

Rescue of synaptic and cognitive functions in polysialic acid-deficient mice and dementia models by short polysialic acid fragments.

Dysregulated cortical expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and deficits of its associated polysialic acid (polySia) have been found in Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. However, the functional role of polySia in cortical synaptic plasticity remains poorly understood. Here, we show that acute enzymatic removal of polySia in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) slices leads to increased transmission mediated by the GluN1/GluN2B subtype of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), increased NMDAR-mediated extrasynaptic tonic currents, and impaired long-term potentiation (LTP). The latter could be fully rescued by pharmacological suppression of GluN1/GluN2B receptors, or by application of short soluble polySia fragments that inhibited opening of GluN1/GluN2B channels. These treatments and augmentation of synaptic NMDARs with the glycine transporter type 1 (GlyT1) inhibitor sarcosine also restored LTP in mice deficient in polysialyltransferase ST8SIA4. Furthermore, the impaired performance of polySia-deficient mice and two models of Alzheimer's disease in the mPFC-dependent cognitive tasks could be rescued by intranasal administration of polySia fragments. Our data demonstrate the essential role of polySia-NCAM in the balancing of signaling through synaptic/extrasynaptic NMDARs in mPFC and highlight the therapeutic potential of short polySia fragments to restrain GluN1/GluN2B-mediated signaling.

Aging-Associated Changes in Cognition, Expression and Epigenetic Regulation of Chondroitin 6-Sulfotransferase Chst3.

Understanding changes in the expression of genes involved in regulating various components of the neural extracellular matrix (ECM) during aging can provide an insight into aging-associated decline in synaptic and cognitive functions. Hence, in this study, we compared the expression levels of ECM-related genes in the hippocampus of young, aged and very aged mice. ECM gene expression was downregulated, despite the accumulation of ECM proteoglycans during aging. The most robustly downregulated gene was carbohydrate sulfotransferase 3 (Chst3), the enzyme responsible for the chondroitin 6-sulfation (C6S) of proteoglycans. Further analysis of epigenetic mechanisms revealed a decrease in H3K4me3, three methyl groups at the lysine 4 on the histone H3 proteins, associated with the promoter region of the Chst3 gene, resulting in the downregulation of Chst3 expression in non-neuronal cells. Cluster analysis revealed that the expression of lecticans-substrates of CHST3-is tightly co-regulated with this enzyme. These changes in ECM-related genes were accompanied by an age-confounded decline in cognitive performance. Despite the co-directional impairment in cognitive function and average Chst3 expression in the studied age groups, at the individual level we found a negative correlation between mRNA levels of Chst3 and cognitive performance within the very aged group. An analysis of correlations between the expression of ECM-related genes and cognitive performance in novel object versus novel location recognition tasks revealed an apparent trade-off in the positive gene effects in one task at the expense of another. Further analysis revealed that, despite the reduction in the Chst3 mRNA, the expression of CHST3 protein is increased in glial cells but not in neurons, which, however, does not lead to changes in the absolute level of C6S and even results in the decrease in C6S in perineuronal, perisynaptic and periaxonal ECM relative to the elevated expression of its protein carrier versican.

Neddylation-dependent protein degradation is a nexus between synaptic insulin resistance, neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome is a consequence of modern lifestyle that causes synaptic insulin resistance and cognitive deficits and that in interaction with a high amyloid load is an important risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. It has been proposed that neuroinflammation might be an intervening variable, but the underlying mechanisms are currently unknown. METHODS: We utilized primary neurons to induce synaptic insulin resistance as well as a mouse model of high-risk aging that includes a high amyloid load, neuroinflammation, and diet-induced obesity to test hypotheses on underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: We found that neddylation and subsequent activation of cullin-RING ligase complexes induced synaptic insulin resistance through ubiquitylation and degradation of the insulin-receptor substrate IRS1 that organizes synaptic insulin signaling. Accordingly, inhibition of neddylation preserved synaptic insulin signaling and rescued memory deficits in mice with a high amyloid load, which were fed with a 'western diet'. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, the data suggest that neddylation and degradation of the insulin-receptor substrate is a nodal point that links high amyloid load, neuroinflammation, and synaptic insulin resistance to cognitive decline and impaired synaptic plasticity in high-risk aging.

Amelioration of Tau pathology and memory deficits by targeting 5-HT7 receptor.

Tauopathies comprise a heterogeneous family of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by pathological accumulation of hyperphosphorylated Tau protein. Pathological changes in serotonergic signaling have been associated with tauopathy etiology, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we studied the role of the serotonin receptor 7 (5-HT7R), in a mouse model of tauopathy induced by overexpressing the human Tau[R406W] mutant associated with inherited forms of frontotemporal dementia. We showed that the constitutive 5-HT7R activity is required for Tau hyperphosphorylation and formation of highly bundled Tau structures (HBTS) through G-protein-independent, CDK5-dependent mechanism. We also showed that 5-HT7R physically interacts with CDK5. At the systemic level, 5-HT7R-mediated CDK5 activation induces HBTS leading to neuronal death, reduced long-term potentiation (LTP), and impaired memory in mice. Specific blockade of constitutive 5-HT7R activity in neurons that overexpressed Tau[R406W] prevents Tau hyperphosphorylation, aggregation, and neurotoxicity. Moreover, 5-HT7R knockdown in the prefrontal cortex fully abrogates Tau[R406W]-induced LTP deficits and memory impairments. Thus, 5-HT7R/CDK5 signaling emerged as a new, promising target for tauopathy treatments.

The matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor IPR-179 has antiseizure and antiepileptogenic effects.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are synthesized by neurons and glia and released into the extracellular space, where they act as modulators of neuroplasticity and neuroinflammatory agents. Development of epilepsy (epileptogenesis) is associated with increased expression of MMPs, and therefore, they may represent potential therapeutic drug targets. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry, we studied the expression of MMPs and their endogenous inhibitors tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in patients with status epilepticus (SE) or temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and in a rat TLE model. Furthermore, we tested the MMP2/9 inhibitor IPR-179 in the rapid-kindling rat model and in the intrahippocampal kainic acid mouse model. In both human and experimental epilepsy, MMP and TIMP expression were persistently dysregulated in the hippocampus compared with in controls. IPR-179 treatment reduced seizure severity in the rapid-kindling model and reduced the number of spontaneous seizures in the kainic acid model (during and up to 7 weeks after delivery) without side effects while improving cognitive behavior. Moreover, our data suggest that IPR-179 prevented an MMP2/9-dependent switch-off normally restraining network excitability during the activity period. Since increased MMP expression is a prominent hallmark of the human epileptogenic brain and the MMP inhibitor IPR-179 exhibits antiseizure and antiepileptogenic effects in rodent epilepsy models and attenuates seizure-induced cognitive decline, it deserves further investigation in clinical trials.

A new species of the Chinese endemic genus Sinhomidia (Collembola: Entomobryinae) described and the first description of amale of Sinhomidia bicolor.

We describe the male of Sinhomidia bicolor for the first time noting a morphological difference from the female. A new species, Sinhomidia guangxiensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The new species differs from S. bicolor by the appendages lacking scales, the mucronal basal spine reaching the apex of subapical tooth, the number of chaetae on the trochanteral organ and the distribution of macrochaetae on Th. II, Abd I and Abd II. A key to Sinhomidia species and a diagnostic table to separate male and female S. bicolor and the new species are provided.

Cholinergic Potentiation of Restoration of Visual Function after Optic Nerve Damage in Rats.

Enhancing cortical plasticity and brain connectivity may improve residual vision following a visual impairment. Since acetylcholine plays an important role in attention and neuronal plasticity, we explored whether potentiation of the cholinergic transmission has an effect on the visual function restoration. To this end, we evaluated for 4 weeks the effect of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil on brightness discrimination, visually evoked potentials, and visual cortex reactivity after a bilateral and partial optic nerve crush in adult rats. Donepezil administration enhanced brightness discrimination capacity after optic nerve crush compared to nontreated animals. The visually evoked activation of the primary visual cortex was not restored, as measured by evoked potentials, but the cortical neuronal activity measured by thallium autometallography was not significantly affected four weeks after the optic nerve crush. Altogether, the results suggest a role of the cholinergic system in postlesion cortical plasticity. This finding agrees with the view that restoration of visual function may involve mechanisms beyond the area of primary damage and opens a new perspective for improving visual rehabilitation in humans.

[Central-adenosine A1 receptor involved in the thermal regulation effect of YZG-330, a N6-substituted adenosine derivative, in mice].

Adenosine receptors (AR) play an important role in the regulation processes for body temperature and vigilance states. During our previous studies, we noticed that aminophylline (a non-selective, blood-brain-barrier penetrably AR antagonist) could attenuate the effects of YZG-330 [(2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl-5-(6-(((R)-1-phenylpropyl)amino)-9H-purin-9-yl)tetrahydrofuran-3, 4-diol] on lowering the body temperature. Hereby, we focused ourselves on the character of thermal regulation effect of YZG-330 in mice and tried to specify the receptor subtype via giving typical adenosine receptor antagonists. The results showed that both of the magnitude and lasting time of the effect that YZG-330 played on decreasing body temperature are in a dose-dependent manner: within the next 3 hour after intragastric administration (ig) of 0.25, 1 or 4 mg . kg-1 YZG-330, the extreme values on body temperature decreasing were (1.2 ± 0.3) °C, (3.6 ± 0.4) °C (P<0.001) and (7.4±0.5) °C (P<0.001), separately; whereas the duration that body temperature below 34 °C were 0, (10±5) and (153±4) min, separately. Adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) antagonist (DPCPX) could effectively reverse YZG-330's effect on decreasing body temperature, with intraperitoneal administration of DPCPX (5 mg . kg-1) 20 min prior than YZG-330 (4 mg.kg-1, ig), the extreme value on body temperature decreasing was (3.5 ± 0.7) °C (P<0.001), the duration that body temperature below 34 °C was (8±6) min (P<0.001). However, adenosine A2a receptor antagonist, SCH-58261, did not show any influence on the effects of YZG-330 at all. Combined with the fact that 8-SPT (a non-selective, blood-brain-barrier impenetrably AR antagonist) did not reverse the effect of YZG-330, we come to the conclusion that central-adenosine A, receptor plays a significant role on the thermal regulation effect of YZG-330.

Ambient mass spectrometry imaging metabolomics method provides novel insights into the action mechanism of drug candidates.

Elucidation of the mechanism of action for drug candidates is fundamental to drug development, and it is strongly facilitated by metabolomics. Herein, we developed an imaging metabolomics method based on air-flow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI) under ambient conditions. This method was subsequently applied to simultaneously profile a novel anti-insomnia drug candidate, N(6)-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-adenosine (NHBA), and various endogenous metabolites in rat whole-body tissue sections after the administration of NHBA. The principal component analysis (PCA) represented by an intuitive color-coding scheme based on hyperspectral imaging revealed in situ molecular profiling alterations in response to stimulation of NHBA, which are in a very low intensity and hidden in massive interferential peaks. We found that the abundance of six endogenous metabolites changed after drug administration. The spatiotemporal distribution indicated that five altered molecules­including neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid, neurotransmitter precursors choline and glycerophosphocholine, energy metabolism-related molecules adenosine (an endogenous sleep factor), and creatine­are closely associated with insomnia or other neurological disorders. These findings not only provide insights into a deep understanding on the mechanism of action of NHBA, but also demonstrate that the AFADESI-MSI-based imaging metabolomics is a powerful technique to investigate the molecular mechanism of drug action, especially for drug candidates with multitarget or undefined target in the preclinical study stage.

Sedative and hypnotic activity of N(6)-(3-methoxyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) adenine riboside (B2), an adenosine analog.

N(6)-(3-methoxyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) adenine riboside (B2) is an N(6)-substitued adenosine analog. Previous studies have shown that B2 binds to the adenosine A1 and A2A receptors with moderate affinity and produces protective effects on serum deprivation-induced cell damage. However, central nervous system effects of B2 have not been studied. We aimed to investigate the sedative and hypnotic effects and the mechanism of action of B2 in mice. Our behavioral studies showed that oral administration of B2 decreased spontaneous locomotor activity and potentiated the hypnotic effect of pentobarbital in mice. Sleep architecture analyses revealed that B2 decreased wakefulness and increased non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in both normal mice and mice with caffeine-induced insomnia. Using immunohistochemistry, we showed that B2 increased c-Fos expression, a cellular marker for neuronal activity, in the ventrolateral preoptic (VLPO) area, a sleep center in the anterior hypothalamus. Altogether, these results indicate that oral administration of B2 produces sedative and hypnotic effects. Furthermore, the activation of VLPO neurons may be involved in the central depressant effects of B2.

The antidepressant effect of Cynanchum auriculatum in mice.

CONTEXT: Antidepressant effects of various plants are generally attributed to their anti-inflammation and antioxidant activities. Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight (Asclepiadaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant in China and India used for immunological regulation, anti-inflammation, and antioxidant purposes. However knowledge about its antidepressant activity has been poorly investigated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antidepressant activities of the total glycosides of C. auriculatum (TGC) and its CHCl3/MeOH (10:1) fractions (TGC-D and TGC-E) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TGC, TGC-D and TGC-E (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) were intragastrically administered to mice twice a day for 5 days. The tail suspension test, forced swimming test, and locomotor activity test in mice were used to evaluate the effect of C. auriculatum. The inhibition of [³H]-serotonin reuptake in rat brain synaptosomes was detected to investigate their mechanism. RESULTS: TGC, TGC-D and TGC-E (80 mg/kg) decreased the immobility time by 61.7, 64.5, and 61.9% in tail suspension test. TGC (80 mg/kg), TGC-D (80 mg/kg) and TGC-E (20 mg/kg) decreased the immobility time by 32.6, 47.3, and 48.7% in forced swimming test. TGC (80 mg/kg) and TGC-E (20 and 40 mg/kg) decreased the crossing distances by 28.8, 29.5, and 36.2% in locomotor activity test. TGC, TGC-D and TGC-E (10 mg/L) inhibited serotonin reuptake by 7.4, 4.5, and 71.1% in rat brain synaptosomes, and IC50 value of TGC-E was 5.2 mg/L. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: TGC, TGC-D and TGC-E have potential antidepressant activities. The antidepressive effect of TGC-E maybe attributed partly by the inhibiting effect on serotonin reuptake.