Regulated neuronal neuromodulation via spinal cord expression of the gene for the inwardly rectifying potassium channel 2.1 (Kir2.1).

BACKGROUND: Neuromodulation is used to restore neural function in disorders that stem from an imbalance in the activity of specific neural networks when they prove refractory to pharmacological therapy. The Kir2.1 gene contributes to stabilizing the resting potential below the threshold of activation of voltage-gated sodium channels and action potentials. Therefore, the delivery of the Kir2.1 gene to neuronal cells could reduce the probability of action potential generation, inhibiting excessive neural activity. OBJECTIVE: To address the hypothesis that overexpression of the inwardly rectifying potassium channel 2.1 (Kir2.1) gene could inhibit motor neuron activity and therefore be therapeutically used in gene-based neuromodulation. METHODS: To induce expression of Kir2.1, the inducible RheoSwitch promoter was used and controlled by ligand. In vivo gene expression was accomplished by an adenoviral vector to deliver unilaterally into the lumbar spinal cord of rats. RESULTS: Behavioral assays demonstrated that neuromuscular inhibition was exclusive to rats that received the ligand. Histological analysis also showed evidence of some motor neuron loss in these animals. Behavioral effects of Kir2.1 expression were completely reversible, arguing that the behavioral effect did not result from motor neuron death. CONCLUSION: Delivery of the gene for Kir2.1 inhibits neurons by resisting depolarization to the action potential threshold. Regulated neuronal expression of Kir2.1 may provide an elegant means for neuromodulation in a selected neuronal population.

A conditioning lesion provides selective protection in a rat model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is neurodegenerative disease characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy due to progressive motoneuron loss. The death of motoneuron is preceded by the failure of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and axonal retraction. Thus, to develop an effective ALS therapy you must simultaneously preserve motoneuron somas, motor axons and NMJs. A conditioning lesion has the potential to accomplish this since it has been shown to enhance neuronal survival and recovery from trauma in a variety of contexts. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To test the effects of a conditioning lesion in a model of familial ALS we administered a tibial nerve crush injury to presymptomatic fALS(G93A) rats. We examined its effects on motor function, motoneuron somas, motor axons, and NMJs. Our experiments revealed a novel paradigm for the conditioning lesion effect. Specifically we found that the motor functional decline in fALS(G93A) rats that received a conditioning lesion was delayed and less severe. These improvements in motor function corresponded to greater motoneuron survival, reduced motor axonopathy, and enhanced NMJ maintenance at disease end-stage. Furthermore, the increased NMJ maintenance was selective for muscle compartments innervated by the most resilient (slow) motoneuron subtypes, but was absent in muscle compartments innervated by the most vulnerable (fast fatigable) motoneuron subtypes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These findings support the development of strategies aimed at mimicking the conditioning lesion effect to treat ALS as well as underlined the importance of considering the heterogeneity of motoneuron sub-types when evaluating prospective ALS therapeutics.