scholarly journals Inhibitory synaptic transmission is impaired at higher extracellular Ca2+ concentrations in Scn1a+/− mouse model of Dravet syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kouya Uchino ◽  
Hiroyuki Kawano ◽  
Yasuyoshi Tanaka ◽  
Yuna Adaniya ◽  
Ai Asahara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Dravet Syndrome ◽  
Inhibitory Synapses ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Vesicular Release ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Proportional Increase ◽  
The Brain

AbstractDravet syndrome (DS) is an intractable form of childhood epilepsy that occurs in infancy. More than 80% of all patients have a heterozygous abnormality in the SCN1A gene, which encodes a subunit of Na+ channels in the brain. However, the detailed pathogenesis of DS remains unclear. This study investigated the synaptic pathogenesis of this disease in terms of excitatory/inhibitory balance using a mouse model of DS. We show that excitatory postsynaptic currents were similar between Scn1a knock-in neurons (Scn1a+/− neurons) and wild-type neurons, but inhibitory postsynaptic currents were significantly lower in Scn1a+/− neurons. Moreover, both the vesicular release probability and the number of inhibitory synapses were significantly lower in Scn1a+/− neurons compared with wild-type neurons. There was no proportional increase in inhibitory postsynaptic current amplitude in response to increased extracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Our study revealed that the number of inhibitory synapses is significantly reduced in Scn1a+/− neurons, while the sensitivity of inhibitory synapses to extracellular Ca2+ concentrations is markedly increased. These data suggest that Ca2+ tethering in inhibitory nerve terminals may be disturbed following the synaptic burst, likely leading to epileptic symptoms.

scholarly journals The Excitatory/Inhibitory Balance of Synaptic Transmission Is Impaired at Higher Extracellular Ca2+ Concentrations in Scn1a+/− Mouse Model of Dravet Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kouya Uchino ◽  
Hiroyuki Kawano ◽  
Yasuyoshi Tanaka ◽  
Yuna Adaniya ◽  
Ai Asahara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Dravet Syndrome ◽  
Inhibitory Synapses ◽  
Nerve Terminals ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Vesicular Release ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Proportional Increase ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Dravet syndrome (DS) is an intractable form of childhood epilepsy that occurs in infancy. More than 80% of all patients have a heterozygous abnormality in the SCN1A gene, which encodes a subunit of Na+ channels in the brain. However, the detailed pathogenesis of DS remains unclear. This study investigated the synaptic pathogenesis of this disease in terms of excitatory/inhibitory balance using a mouse model of DS. We show that excitatory postsynaptic currents were similar between Scn1a knock-in neurons (Scn1a+/− neurons) and wild-type neurons, but inhibitory postsynaptic currents were significantly lower in Scn1a+/− neurons. Moreover, both the vesicular release probability and the number of inhibitory synapses were significantly lower in Scn1a+/− neurons compared with wild-type neurons. There was no proportional increase in inhibitory postsynaptic current amplitude in response to increased extracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Our study revealed that the number of inhibitory synapses is significantly reduced in Scn1a+/− neurons, while the sensitivity of inhibitory synapses to extracellular Ca2+ concentrations is markedly increased. These data suggest that Ca2+ tethering in inhibitory nerve terminals may be disturbed following the synaptic burst, likely leading to epileptic symptoms.

scholarly journals The excitatory/inhibitory balance of synaptic transmission is impaired at higher extracellular Ca2+ concentrations in Scn1a+/− mouse model of Dravet syndrome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kouya Uchino ◽  
Hiroyuki Kawano ◽  
Yasuyoshi Tanaka ◽  
Yuna Adaniya ◽  
Ai Asahara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Dravet Syndrome ◽  
Inhibitory Synapses ◽  
Nerve Terminals ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Postsynaptic Currents ◽  
Vesicular Release ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Proportional Increase ◽  
The Brain

AbstractDravet syndrome (DS) is an intractable form of childhood epilepsy that occurs in infancy. More than 80% of all patients have a heterozygous abnormality in the SCN1A gene, which encodes a subunit of Na+ channels in the brain. However, the detailed pathogenesis of DS remains unclear. This study investigated the synaptic pathogenesis of this disease in terms of excitatory/inhibitory balance using a mouse model of DS. We show that excitatory postsynaptic currents were similar between Scn1a knock-in neurons (Scn1a+/− neurons) and wild-type neurons, but inhibitory postsynaptic currents were significantly lower in Scn1a+/− neurons. Moreover, both the vesicular release probability and the number of inhibitory synapses were significantly lower in Scn1a+/− neurons compared with wild-type neurons. There was no proportional increase in inhibitory postsynaptic current amplitude in response to increased extracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Our study revealed that the number of inhibitory synapses is significantly reduced in Scn1a+/− neurons, while the sensitivity of inhibitory synapses to extracellular Ca2+ concentrations is markedly increased. These data suggest that Ca2+ tethering in inhibitory nerve terminals may be disturbed following the synaptic burst, likely leading to epileptic symptoms.

scholarly journals Astrocyte Ca2+ Signaling is Facilitated in an Scn1a+/− Mouse Model of Dravet Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kouya Uchino ◽  
Wakana Ikezawa ◽  
Yasuyoshi Tanaka ◽  
Masanobu Deshimaru ◽  
Kaori Kubota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Sodium Channel ◽  
Epileptic Encephalopathy ◽  
Dravet Syndrome ◽  
Heterozygous Mutation ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Voltage Gated ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
The Brain

Dravet syndrome (DS) is an infantile-onset epileptic encephalopathy. More than 80% of DS patients have a heterozygous mutation in SCN1A, which encodes a subunit of the voltage-gated sodium channel, Nav1.1, in neurons. The roles played by astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell type in the brain, have been investigated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy; however, the specific involvement of astrocytes in DS has not been clarified. In this study, we evaluated Ca2+ signaling in astrocytes using genetically modified mice that have a loss-of-function mutation in Scn1a. We found that the slope of spontaneous Ca2+ spiking was increased without a change in amplitude in Scn1a+/− astrocytes. In addition, ATP-induced transient Ca2+ influx and the slope of Ca2+ spiking were also increased in Scn1a+/− astrocytes. These data indicate that perturbed Ca2+ dynamics in astrocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis of DS.

scholarly journals Breeder Diet Strategies for Generating Ttpa-Null and Wild-Type Mice with Low Vitamin E Status to Assess Neurological Outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine M Ranard ◽  
Matthew J Kuchan ◽  
John W Erdman
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Neurological Outcomes ◽  
Transfer Protein ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Vitamin E Status

ABSTRACT Studying vitamin E [α-tocopherol (α-T)] metabolism and function in the brain and other tissues requires an animal model with low α-T status, such as the transgenic α-T transfer protein (Ttpa)–null (Ttpa−/−) mouse model. Ttpa+/− dams can be used to produce Ttpa−/− and Ttpa+/+mice for these studies. However, the α-T content in Ttpa+/− dams’ diet requires optimization; diets must provide sufficient α-T for reproduction, while minimizing the transfer of α-T to the offspring destined for future studies that require low baseline α-T status. The goal of this work was to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of 2 breeding diet strategies on reproduction outcomes and offspring brain α-T concentrations. These findings will help standardize the breeding methodology used to generate the Ttpa−/− mice for neurological studies.

scholarly journals Astrocytic modulation of excitatory synaptic signaling in a mouse model of Rett syndrome

eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Rakela ◽  
Paul Brehm ◽  
Gail Mandel
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Rett Syndrome ◽  
Synaptic Activity ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Synaptic Signaling ◽  
Network Function ◽  
Mosaic Distribution ◽  
Mutant Cells ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Expression Status

Studies linking mutations in Methyl CpG Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2) to physiological defects in the neurological disease, Rett syndrome, have focused largely upon neuronal dysfunction despite MeCP2 ubiquitous expression. Here we explore roles for astrocytes in neuronal network function using cortical slice recordings. We find that astrocyte stimulation in wild-type mice increases excitatory synaptic activity that is absent in male mice lacking MeCP2 globally. To determine the cellular basis of the defect, we exploit a female mouse model for Rett syndrome that expresses wild-type MeCP2-GFP in a mosaic distribution throughout the brain, allowing us to test all combinations of wild-type and mutant cells. We find that the defect is dependent upon MeCP2 expression status in the astrocytes and not in the neurons. Our findings highlight a new role for astrocytes in regulation of excitatory synaptic signaling and in the neurological defects associated with Rett syndrome.

scholarly journals Cognitive Function Improvement in Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease Following Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 547
Author(s):  
Wang-In Kim ◽  
Jae-Young Han ◽  
Min-Keun Song ◽  
Hyeng-Kyu Park ◽  
Jihoon Jo
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Direct Current Stimulation ◽  
Induction Group ◽  
The Brain

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a painless noninvasive method that reportedly improves cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by stimulating the brain. However, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Thus, the present study investigates the cognitive effects in a 5xFAD AD mouse model using electrophysiological and pathological methods. We used male 5xFAD C57BL/6J and male C57BL/6J wild-type mice; the dementia model was confirmed through DNA sequencing. The verified AD and wild-type mice were randomly assigned into four groups of five mice each: an induced AD group receiving tDCS treatment (Stim-AD), an induced AD group not receiving tDCS (noStim-AD), a non-induction group receiving tDCS (Stim-WT), and a non-induction group not receiving tDCS (noStim-WT). In the Stim group, mice received tDCS in the frontal bregma areas at an intensity of 200 µA for 20 min. After 2 weeks of treatment, we decapitated the mice, removed the hippocampus from the brain, confirmed its neuronal activation through excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) recording, and performed molecular experiments on the remaining tissue using western blots. EPSP significantly increased in the Stim-AD group compared to that in the noStim-AD, which was comparable to that in the non-induced groups, Stim-WT and noStim-WT. There were no significant differences in cyclic amp-response element binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated CREB (pCREB), and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the Stim-AD group compared to those in the noStim-AD group. This study demonstrated that a tDCS in both frontal lobes of a transgenic 5xFAD mouse model affects long-term potentiation, indicating possible enhancement of cognitive function.

scholarly journals Brain Distribution of Dual ABCB1/ABCG2 Substrates Is Unaltered in a Beta-Amyloidosis Mouse Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 8245
Author(s):  
Thomas Wanek ◽  
Viktoria Zoufal ◽  
Mirjam Brackhan ◽  
Markus Krohn ◽  
Severin Mairinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Brain Distribution ◽  
Cancer Resistance ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Pet Scans ◽  
The Brain

Background: ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) and ABCG2 (breast cancer resistance protein) are co-localized at the blood-brain barrier (BBB), where they restrict the brain distribution of many different drugs. Moreover, ABCB1 and possibly ABCG2 play a role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by mediating the brain clearance of beta-amyloid (Aβ) across the BBB. This study aimed to compare the abundance and activity of ABCG2 in a commonly used β-amyloidosis mouse model (APP/PS1-21) with age-matched wild-type mice. Methods: The abundance of ABCG2 was assessed by semi-quantitative immunohistochemical analysis of brain slices of APP/PS1-21 and wild-type mice aged 6 months. Moreover, the brain distribution of two dual ABCB1/ABCG2 substrate radiotracers ([11C]tariquidar and [11C]erlotinib) was assessed in APP/PS1-21 and wild-type mice with positron emission tomography (PET). [11C]Tariquidar PET scans were performed without and with partial inhibition of ABCG2 with Ko143, while [11C]erlotinib PET scans were only performed under baseline conditions. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a significant reduction (by 29–37%) in the number of ABCG2-stained microvessels in the brains of APP/PS1-21 mice. Partial ABCG2 inhibition significantly increased the brain distribution of [11C]tariquidar in APP/PS1-21 and wild-type mice, but the brain distribution of [11C]tariquidar did not differ under both conditions between the two mouse strains. Similar results were obtained with [11C]erlotinib. Conclusions: Despite a reduction in the abundance of cerebral ABCG2 and ABCB1 in APP/PS1-21 mice, the brain distribution of two dual ABCB1/ABCG2 substrates was unaltered. Our results suggest that the brain distribution of clinically used ABCB1/ABCG2 substrate drugs may not differ between AD patients and healthy people.

scholarly journals Poly(Q) Expansions in ATXN7 Affect Solubility but Not Activity of the SAGA Deubiquitinating Module

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 1777-1787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianjiang Lan ◽  
Evangelia Koutelou ◽  
Andria C. Schibler ◽  
Yi Chun Chen ◽  
Patrick A. Grant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type ◽  
Nuclear Inclusions ◽  
Saga Complex ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Human Astrocytes ◽  
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
A Subunit

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease caused by expansion of a polyglutamine [poly(Q)] tract in ATXN7, a subunit of the deubiquitinase (DUB) module (DUBm) in the SAGA complex. The effects of ATXN7-poly(Q) on DUB activity are not known. To address this important question, we reconstituted the DUBmin vitrowith either wild-type ATXN7 or a pathogenic form, ATXN7-92Q NT, with 92 Q residues at the N terminus (NT). We found that both forms of ATXN7 greatly enhance DUB activity but that ATXN7-92Q NT is largely insoluble unless it is incorporated into the DUBm. Cooverexpression of DUBm components in human astrocytes also promoted the solubility of ATXN7-92Q, inhibiting its aggregation into nuclear inclusions that sequester DUBm components, leading to global increases in ubiquitinated H2B (H2Bub) levels. Global H2Bub levels were also increased in the cerebellums of mice in a SCA7 mouse model. Our findings indicate that although ATXN7 poly(Q) expansions do not change the enzymatic activity of the DUBm, they likely contribute to SCA7 by initiating aggregates that sequester the DUBm away from its substrates.

scholarly journals Rescuing epileptic and behavioral alterations in a Dravet syndrome mouse model by inhibiting eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K)

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Beretta ◽  
Laura Gritti ◽  
Luisa Ponzoni ◽  
Paolo Scalmani ◽  
Massimo Mantegazza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Behavioral Phenotype ◽  
Dravet Syndrome ◽  
Inhibitory Synapses ◽  
Type I ◽  
Behavioral Alterations ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Pharmacological Inhibition

Abstract Background Dravet Syndrome is a severe childhood pharmaco-resistant epileptic disorder mainly caused by mutations in the SCN1A gene, which encodes for the α1 subunit of the type I voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV1.1), that causes imbalance between excitation and inhibition in the brain. We recently found that eEF2K knock out mice displayed enhanced GABAergic transmission and tonic inhibition and were less susceptible to epileptic seizures. Thus, we investigated the effect of inhibition of eEF2K on the epileptic and behavioral phenotype of Scn1a ± mice, a murine model of Dravet Syndrome. Methods To elucidate the role of eEF2K pathway in the etiopathology of Dravet syndrome we generated a new mouse model deleting the eEF2K gene in Scn1a ± mice. By crossing Scn1a ± mice with eEF2K−/− mice we obtained the three main genotypes needed for our studies, Scn1a+/+ eEF2K+/+ (WT mice), Scn1a ± eEF2K+/+ mice (Scn1a ± mice) and Scn1a ± eEF2K−/− mice, that were fully characterized for EEG and behavioral phenotype. Furthermore, we tested the ability of a pharmacological inhibitor of eEF2K in rescuing EEG alterations of the Scn1a ± mice. Results We showed that the activity of eEF2K/eEF2 pathway was enhanced in Scn1a ± mice. Then, we demonstrated that both genetic deletion and pharmacological inhibition of eEF2K were sufficient to ameliorate the epileptic phenotype of Scn1a ± mice. Interestingly we also found that motor coordination defect, memory impairments, and stereotyped behavior of the Scn1a ± mice were reverted by eEF2K deletion. The analysis of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) suggested that the rescue of the pathological phenotype was driven by the potentiation of GABAergic synapses. Limitations Even if we found that eEF2K deletion was able to increase inhibitory synapses function, the molecular mechanism underlining the inhibition of eEF2K/eEF2 pathway in rescuing epileptic and behavioral alterations in the Scn1a ± needs further investigations. Conclusions Our data indicate that pharmacological inhibition of eEF2K could represent a novel therapeutic intervention for treating epilepsy and related comorbidities in the Dravet syndrome.

scholarly journals Gut Inflammation Induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium Exacerbates Amyloid-β Plaque Deposition in the App NL – G – F Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Mona Sohrabi ◽  
Heidi L. Pecoraro ◽  
Colin K. Combs
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Dextran Sulfate ◽  
Dextran Sulfate Sodium ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gut Inflammation ◽  
Plaque Deposition ◽  
Brain Changes ◽  
The Brain

Background: Although it is known that the brain communicates with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract via the well-established gut-brain axis, the influence exerted by chronic intestinal inflammation on brain changes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is not fully understood. We hypothesized that increased gut inflammation would alter brain pathology of a mouse model of AD. Objective: Determine whether colitis exacerbates AD-related brain changes. Methods: To test this idea, 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was dissolved in the drinking water and fed ad libitum to male C57BL/6 wild type and App NL - G - F mice at 6–10 months of age for two cycles of three days each. DSS is a negatively charged sulfated polysaccharide which results in bloody diarrhea and weight loss, changes similar to human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Results: Both wild type and App NL - G - F mice developed an IBD-like condition. Brain histologic and biochemical assessments demonstrated increased insoluble Aβ 1–40/42 levels along with the decreased microglial CD68 immunoreactivity in DSS treated App NL - G - F mice compared to vehicle treated App NL - G - F mice. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that intestinal dysfunction is capable of altering plaque deposition and glial immunoreactivity in the brain. This study increases our knowledge of the impact of peripheral inflammation on Aβ deposition via an IBD-like model system.

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