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Biomedical subjects

U Heinemann

Publications and source records attributed to U Heinemann.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Glutathione levels and nerve cell loss in hippocampal cultures from trisomy 16 mouse--a model of Down syndrome.

The tripeptide glutathione (reduced state, GSH) is an important intracellular free radical scavenger protecting cells against oxidative stress. The trisomy 16 mouse is a model of the human trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). Here we demonstrate that cultured hippocampal neurons from trisomy 16 mouse exhibit decreased GSH levels and augmented cell death when compared to diploid cells. Additional lowering of GSH levels led to enhanced cell death in trisomy 16 cells. Based on these results we suggest that a GSH level which is decreased under a specific threshold by increased consumption, reduced synthesis or lack in precursor contributes to cell loss and neurodegeneration in Down syndrome.

Animals↗

Large-conductance cation channels in the envelope of nuclei from rat cerebral cortex.

Eucaryotic nuclei are surrounded by a double-membrane system enclosing a central cisterna which is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum and serves as a calcium store for intracellular signaling. The envelope regulates protein and nucleic acid traffic between the nucleus and the cytoplasm via nuclear pores. These protein tunnels cross through both nuclear membranes and are permeable for large molecules. Surprisingly, patch clamp recordings from isolated nuclei of different cell species have revealed a high resistance of the envelope, enabling tight seals and the resolution of single ion channel activity. Here we present for the first time single-channel recordings from nuclei prepared from neuronal tissue. Nuclei isolated from rat cerebral cortex displayed spontaneous long-lasting large conductances in the nucleus-attached mode as well as in excised patches. The open times are in the range of seconds and channel activity increases with depolarization. The single-channel conductance in symmetrical K+ is 166 pS. The channels are selective for cations with PK/PNa = 2. They are neither permeable to, nor gated by Ca2+. Thus, neuronal tissue nuclei contain a large conductance ion channel selective for monovalent cations which may contribute to ionic homeostasis in the complex compartments surrounding these organelles.

Animals↗

Developmental changes of inward rectifier currents in neurons of the rat entorhinal cortex.

A slice preparation was used to investigate inward rectifier currents (I(H)) of entorhinal cortex (EC) neurons. Using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique, I(H) was studied in pyramidal cells from layer IV of the rat EC and in stellate cells from layer II of the EC. Inward rectifier currents were analyzed in neurons of newborn (P1-3), juvenile (P8-14) and adult (>P28) rats. Pyramidal cells of juvenile rats possessed a significantly larger current density of I(H) than pyramidal cells of newborn rats, whereas no differences in the current density of I(H) were found between pyramidal neurons of juvenile and of adult animals. In contrast, the current density of I(H) of stellate cells was significantly increased in juvenile rats compared with newborn rats as well as in adult rats compared with juvenile rats. Moreover, in adult rats the current density of I(H) was larger in stellate cells than in pyramidal cells, whereas opposite data were obtained in juvenile animals.

Age Factors↗

Optical imaging of low Mg(2+)-induced spontaneous epileptiform activity in combined rat entorhinal cortex-hippocampal slices.

A reproducible increase in transmission of infrared light was observed during spontaneous seizure-like events (SLEs) induced by low Mg2+ solutions in combined rat entorhinal cortex-hippocampal slices. Comparison of half maxima of transmission change in different regions indicated propagation of SLEs from the medial entorhinal cortex towards the temporal cortex suggesting spread along existing anatomical pathways. Thus, optical imaging of spontaneous epileptiform activity is possible and may improve the assessment of spread patterns. The optical signal outlasted both SLEs and associated K+ signals. In contrast, the tetraethylammonium signal, indicating changes of the extracellular space (ECS) volume, had a longer time course than the transmission changes. ECS volume changes are widely held to be responsible for transmission change. Our data suggest that other mechanisms may also contribute to increased light transmission during epileptiform activity.

Animals↗

Distinct soluble astrocytic factors induce expression of outward K+ currents and ramification of brain macrophages.

Isolated cultured murine brain macrophages (BM) were treated with supernatants of enriched astrocytic cultures. The astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) induced ramification of BM. In parallel, BM expressed voltage-gated outward K+ currents (I(K)) during the first 2 days after the application of ACM. However, in ramified BM which were treated once with ACM, I(K) disappeared 5 days after that treatment. In contrast, BM expressed I(K) over a period of more than 5 days when cells were treated daily with ACM. A blockade of I(K) by charybdotoxin or by kaliotoxin did not inhibit ramification of the cells. Furthermore, after application of low-concentrated ACM BM exhibited I(K) but did not change their morphology. It is suggested that in murine BM the ramification and the expression of I(K) are induced by distinct soluble factors derived from astrocytes.

Animals↗

Losigamone decreases spontaneous synaptic activity in cultured hippocampal neurons.

Losigamone is a new antiepileptic drug with an unknown mechanism of action. Here we report on the effects of losigamone on the synaptic activity in a network of cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Losigamone dose dependently reduced the frequency of spontaneous synaptic events without affecting the mean current amplitude. The drug affected equally the isolated inhibitory as well as excitatory postsynaptic currents. Miniature postsynaptic currents were not altered by losigamone, suggesting that the mechanism of action depends on functional Na+ channels. Consistent with these findings, the drug decreased the frequency of spontaneous action potentials and suppressed repetitive firing of neurons. Thus, losigamone generally depresses synaptic activity in a neuronal network without selectively modulating a specific postsynaptic receptor type. We conclude that losigamone acts via a presynaptic mechanism reducing neuronal excitability.

Action Potentials↗

Impaired Ca-signaling in astrocytes from the Ts16 mouse model of Down syndrome.

The trisomy 16 mouse model of Down syndrome has been used to compare calcium (Ca)-homeostasis and Ca-signaling in astrocytes from trisomic mice and from diploid littermates. Ratio calcium-imaging of Fura-2/AM loaded primary astroglial cultures prepared from the hippocampus shows that resting Ca levels are on average significantly higher in trisomic than in the control astrocytes (280 vs. 120 nM). Serotonin (3 microM) and glutamate (30-300 microM) evoked transient Ca-increases from 400 to 600 nM in euploid but from only 20 to 150 nM in trisomic astrocytes. Imaging of ATP-driven Ca-accumulation in cellular organelles revealed a significantly stronger uptake of Ca in trisomic astrocytes that might buffer cytosolic Ca-increases. Our results demonstrate major disturbances in Ca-signaling in trisomic astrocytes that are likely to be of pathophysiological relevance.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Systemic administration of the phencyclidine compound MK-801 affects stimulus-induced field potentials selectively in layer III of rat medial entorhinal cortex.

Phencyclidine and related compounds such as MK-801 produce psychotic symptoms, which closely resemble schizophrenia. MK-801 causes lesions in different corticolimbic regions including the medial entorhinal cortex (mEC). Using electrophysiological recordings in brain slices we tested whether several hours of systemic administration of MK-801 affect stimulus-induced field potentials (FPs) in the mEC. Stimulus-induced FPs were selectively reduced in layer III, but not in layers II and V of the mEC. In contrast, MK-801 applied acutely over the bath in low concentration had no significant effect on evoked FPs. Since the principal cells of layer III project directly to area CA1 and the subiculum, the selective effects of MK-801 may have implications for the transfer of information to the hippocampus.

Animals↗

Potassium currents in acutely isolated human hippocampal dentate granule cells.

1. Properties of voltage- and Ca(2+)-dependent K+ currents were investigated in thirty-four dentate granule cells acutely isolated from the resected hippocampus of eleven patients with therapy-refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). 2. When intracellular Ca2+ was strongly buffered with 11.5 mM EGTA-1 mM Ca2+ in the recording pipette, K+ currents (IK) with a slow activation and biexponential time-dependent decay could be elicited, which showed a threshold for activation around -30 mV. 3. A contribution of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ currents became apparent with intracellular solution containing 1 mM BAPTA-0.1 mM Ca2+. Superfusion of low-Ca2+ extracellular solution blocked 43% of outward currents in this recording configuration. Outward current components could also be blocked by substituting 5 mM Ba2+ for extracellular Ca2+ (78%), or by application of 100 microM Cd2+ (25%). 4. The Ca(2+)-dependent K+ currents could be pharmacologically subdivided into two components. One component was sensitive to 500 microM tetraethylammmonium (TEA; 41%) and 10 nM charybdotoxin (CTX; 47.2%). The blocking effects of 10 nM CTX and 500 microM TEA were not additive, suggesting that both agents block the same conductance. A second, smaller outward current component was blocked by 50 nM apamin (13%). 5. A transient A-type K+ current could be observed in six neurones and showed a fast monoexponential time-dependent inactivation with a steady-state voltage dependence that was distinct from that of IK. The A-type current was blocked by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) but not by TEA or low-Ca2+ solution. 6. We conclude that outward currents in human hippocampal dentate granule cells can be separated into at least four types by their kinetic and pharmacological properties. These include at least one voltage-dependent current similar to those observed in mammalian hippocampal neurones, and two Ca(2+)-dependent K+ currents that most probably correspond to SK- and BK-type currents. A classical A-type current could be detected in some patients with Ammon's horn sclerosis (AHS) but not in patients with lesion-associated TLE.

Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe↗

Pharmacological properties of Ca2+-activated K+ currents of ramified murine brain macrophages.

Using the whole-cell configuration of the patch clamp technique, calcium-activated potassium currents (I(K,Ca)) were investigated in ramified murine brain macrophages. In order to induce I(K,Ca) the intracellular concentration of nominal free Ca2+ was adjusted to 1 microM. The Ca2+-activated K+ current of brain macrophages did not show any voltage dependence at test potentials between -120 and +30 mV. A tenfold change in extracellular K+ concentration shifted the reversal potential of I(K,Ca) by 51 mV. The bee venom toxin apamin applied at concentrations of up to 1 microM did not affect I(K,Ca). Ca2+-activated K+ currents of ramified brain macrophages were highly sensitive to extracellularly applied charybdotoxin (CTX). The half-maximal effective concentration of CTX was calculated to be 4.3 nM. In contrast to CTX, the scorpion toxin kaliotoxin did not inhibit I(K,Ca) at concentrations between 1 and 50 nM. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) blocked 8.0% of I(K,Ca) at a concentration of 1 mM, whereas 31.4% of current was blocked by 10 mM TEA. Several inorganic polyvalent cations were tested at a concentration of 2 mM for their ability to block I(K,Ca). La3+ reduced I(K,Ca) by 72.8%, whereas Cd2+ decreased I(K,Ca) by 17.4%; in contrast, Ni2+ did not have any effect on I(K,Ca). Ba2+ applied at a concentration of 1 mM reduced I(K,Ca) voltage-dependently at hyperpolarizing potentials.

Animals↗

Serotonin blocks different patterns of low Mg2+-induced epileptiform activity in rat entorhinal cortex, but not hippocampus.

Low Mg2+-induced epileptiform activity in the entorhinal cortex is characterized by an initial expression of seizure-like events followed by late recurrent discharges. Both these forms of activity as well as the transition between them were blocked by serotonin. In contrast, serotonin had little effect upon the epileptiform activity in areas CA3 and CA1 of the hippocampus. Both forms of epileptiform activity in the entorhinal cortex are sensitive to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists and it is shown here that serotonin blocked both types of epileptiform activity through an effective concentration-dependent reduction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials in deep layer entorhinal cortex cells. Serotonin also prolonged or even prevented the transition between the two types of epileptiform activity and we suggest that this may be through activation of the Na+/K+-ATPase. The resistance of epileptiform activity in CA1 and CA3 to serotonin was most likely related to the inability of serotonin to reduce Schaffer collateral-evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials. Given the strong serotonergic inputs to both the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, the differential sensitivity of the two regions to serotonin suggests functional differences. In addition since the late recurrent discharges in the entorhinal cortex are resistant to all clinically used anticonvulsants, serotonin may open new avenues for the development of novel anticonvulsant compounds.

Animals↗

Effects of glutamate receptor agonists and antagonists on Ca2+ uptake in rat hippocampal slices lesioned by glucose deprivation or by kainate.

The functional relevance of presynaptic glutamate receptors in controlling presynaptic Ca2+ influx and thereby transmitter release is unknown. To test if presynaptic Ca2+ entry in the hippocampus is controlled by glutamate autoreceptors, we created a hippocampal slice preparation for investigation of presynaptic Ca2+ signals with Ca(2+)-sensitive microelectrodes after lesioning of neurons by glucose deprivation or kainate. Stratum radiatum and alveus stimulation-induced postsynaptic field potential components were irreversibly abolished in areas CA1 and CA3 of lesioned slices, whereas stratum radiatum stimulation still evoked afferent volleys. Repetitive stimulation of the stratum radiatum still induced decreases in extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Repetitive stimulation of the alveus no longer induced decreases in extracellular Ca2+ concentration, suggesting complete damage of pyramidal cells. The stratum radiatum stimulation-induced decreases in extracellular Ca2+ concentration in lesioned slices were comparable to those elicited during application of the glutamate antagonists 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione and L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate. In lesioned slices the stimulus-induced presynaptic Ca2+ influx was reversibly reduced by kainate. RS-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA), N-methyl-D-aspartate and glutamate without effects on afferent volleys. The kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate effects on presynaptic Ca2+ signals were partly sensitive to 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulphamoyl-benzo(f)quinoxaline and L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate, respectively, while the AMPA effects were not significantly affected by 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulphamoyl-benzo(f)quinoxaline, suggesting involvement of a novel glutamate receptor subtype. The involvement of a novel glutamate receptor subtype was supported by our findings that ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists also reduce presynaptic Ca2+ influx under conditions of blocked synaptic transmission by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione and L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate. 1-Aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid had no significant effect on presynaptic Ca2+ entry. Also, the presynaptic Ca2+ influx was not influenced by the glutamate receptor antagonists 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulphamoyl-benzo(f)quinoxaline and L-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate when applied alone. Low kainate concentrations (5 microM) reduced presynaptic Ca2+ signals in area CA3 but not in area CA1, demonstrating the higher affinity of presynaptic kainate receptors on mossy fibre terminals.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

Morphological and electrophysiological characterization of layer III cells of the medial entorhinal cortex of the rat.

Entorhinal cortex layer III cells send their axons into hippocampal area CA1, forming the less well studied branch of the perforant path. Using electrophysiological and morphological techniques within a slice preparation, we can classify medial entorhinal cortex layer III cells into four different types. Type 1 and 2 cells were projection cells. Type 1 cells fired regularly and possessed high input resistances and long membrane time constants. Electrical stimulation of the lateral entorhinal cortex revealed a strong excitation by both N-methyl-D-aspartate and non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials. Type 2 cells accommodated strongly, had lower input resistances, faster time constants and featured prominent synaptic inhibition. Type 1 and 2 cells responded to repetitive synaptic stimulation with a prolonged hyperpolarization. We identified the two other, presumed local circuit, cell types whose axons remained within the entorhinal cortex. Type 3 cells were regular firing, had high input resistances and slow membrane time constants, while type 4 cells fired at higher frequencies and possessed a faster time constant and lower input resistance than type 3 neurons. Type 3 cells presented long-lasting excitatory synaptic potentials. Type 4 neurons were the only ones with different responses to stimulation from different sites. Upon lateral entorhinal cortex stimulation they responded with an excitatory postsynaptic potential, while a monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potential was evoked from deep layer stimulation. In contrast to type 1 and 2 neurons, none of the local circuit cells could be antidromically activated from deep layers, and prolonged hyperpolarizations following synaptic repetitive stimulation were also absent in these cells. Together, the complementing morphology and the electrophysiological characteristics of all the cells can provide the controlled flexibility required during the transfer of cortical information to the hippocampus.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

The glutathione level of retinal Müller glial cells is dependent on the high-affinity sodium-dependent uptake of glutamate.

The dependence of intracellular glutathione, an important radical scavenger, on the extracellular glutamate and cystine concentration and the velocity of the high affinity sodium/glutamate transporter was studied in freshly-isolated Müller glial cells of the guinea-pig, kept in vitro for up to 11 h. To this end the relative Müller cell glutathione levels were measured using the fluorescent dye monochlorobimane, using different concentrations of glutamate and cystine in Ringer solution. In some experiments L-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine, a blocker of glutathione synthesis, or L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid and L-alpha-aminoadipic acid, inhibitors of glutamate uptake, were added. The Müller cells maintained about 80% of the normal glutathione level when maintained in Ringer solution containing 100 microM glutamate for 11 h. When under these conditions 100 microM cystine was added, the glutathione level increased to values, which were even higher than those at the beginning of the incubation period. Addition of cystine without glutamate caused a run down of the glutathione level to about 45% of the normal level, which is comparable to the run down in pure Ringer solution. Likewise, application of L-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine (5 mM) lead to a strong run down of the glutathione level even in glutamate/cystine (100 microM)-containing solution. A similar suppressing effect was observed using L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid and L-alpha-aminoadipic acid in the presence of 100 microM cystine and glutamate. We conclude that the intracellular glutamate concentration of the Müller cells is determined by the extracellular glutamate concentration and the velocity of the sodium/glutamate uptake. Consequently, cystine uptake into Müller cells, which is performed by the cystine/glutamate antiporter, is fueled by the sodium/glutamate transporter with intracellular glutamate. Both glutamate and cystine are also substrates for glutathione synthesis. The glutathione level is logically limited by the capacity of the sodium/glutamate transporter to provide glutamate intracellularly for, first, cystine uptake and, second, direct insertion into glutathione. Accordingly, the glutathione level is reduced when the sodium/glutamate transporter is blocked. Thus, a diminution of the glutathione level should be taken into consideration when the effects of sodium/glutamate uptake failure and reduced intracellular glutamate concentrations are discussed.

2-Aminoadipic Acid↗

Prolonged inhibitory potentials in layer III projection cells of the rat medial entorhinal cortex induced by synaptic stimulation in vitro.

The entorhinal cortex projects via layer III neurons directly to the hippocampal area CA1 and the subiculum. We studied the functional properties of the medial entorhinal cortex projection cells in horizontal hippocampal-entorhinal cortex combined slices. These cells displayed, upon single-shock synaptic stimulation, an excitatory postsynaptic potential followed by a fast and/or slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential. Short train repetitive stimulation subthreshold for generation of action potentials induced a slow hyperpolarization of up to 20 s. Pharmacological analysis shows that the slow hyperpolarization could be divided into three components: i) the first component, which lasted 1 s, was sensitive to GABA(B) receptor antagonists; ii) the second component lasting for about 6 s was sensitive to atropine, suggesting muscarinic acetylcholinergic nature of these responses; iii) a late component lasting for up to 20 s was sensitive to naloxone, suggesting a role for opioids in its generation. The finding that layer III projection neurons to the hippocampus proper develop long-lasting hyperpolarizations suggests possible control mechanisms for the output functions of the entorhinal cortex.

Animals↗

Effects of AWD 140-190 on stimulus-induced field potentials and on different patterns of epileptiform activity induced by low calcium or low magnesium in rat entorhinal cortex hippocampal slices.

AWD 140-190 a potent new anticonvulsant was tested on several types of epileptiform activities in entorhinal cortex hippocampal slices. AWD 140-190 suppressed completely and in a dose-dependent manner spontaneous seizure-like events induced by lowering extracellular Ca2+. In the low magnesium model, AWD 140-190 applied with 200 microM reduced recurrent short discharges in area CA1 by 48.1 +/- 14.7%, while in the entorhinal cortex seizure-like events were not depressed. Late recurrent discharges were increased in frequency to 213.8 +/- 78.1 and reduced in amplitude by 50.1 +/- 14.4%. Responses to paired pulse stimuli with intervals ranging from 20 to 150 ms were reduced both with alvear and stratum radiatum stimulation. Decreases in [Ca2+]0 and associated slow field potentials evoked by repetitive stimulation of stratum radiatum were also depressed in a dose-dependent manner. AWD 140-190 also reduced stimulus-induced rises in [K+]0. AWD 140-190 200 microM diminished the amplitude of slow field potentials observed during high K(+)-induced spreading depression by about 17% in CA1 and 34% in entorhinal cortex without any significant effect on SD-associated rises in [K+]0. These results suggest that AWD 140-190 has an anticonvulsant effect presumably by interfering with repetitive generation of action potentials. AWD 140-190 may also possess modulatory effects on glial cells as suggested by the strong depression of SD-associated slow negative potential shifts.

Animals↗

Age-dependent variations in potassium sensitivity of A-currents in rat hippocampal neurons.

Hippocampal pyramidal neurons were either cultured from prenatal rats or acutely isolated from the brain of newborn and juvenile rats. The influence of lowering the concentration of the extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) on isolated fast transient outward K+ currents (I(A)) was studied in these neurons using the patch clamp technique in the whole cell configuration. With respect to the response of I(A) to lowering [K+]o, three types of cells were observed. The first subpopulation of neurons was characterized by a complete suppression of I(A) over the whole voltage range under potassium-free solutions (type A neurons). A second proportion of cells showed an increase of I(A) at test pulses below -0 mV and a decrease of I(A) at voltages above -0 mV (type B neurons). In a third group of neurons, amplitudes of I(A) increased at all potentials tested during omission of potassium ions from the extracellular superfusate (type C neurons). Whereas type A and type B neurons were preferentially found in freshly plated cultures and newborn rats, the majority of type C cells was detected in long-term cultures and in animals of older ages. Thus, hippocampal A-currents lose their sensitivity to extracellular potassium ions during early ontogenesis.

Aging↗

Properties of voltage-activated Ca2+ currents in acutely isolated human hippocampal granule cells.

Properties of Ba2+ currents through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (IBa) were investigated in 61 dentate granule cells acutely isolated from the resected hippocampus of nine patients with therapy-refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Currents with a high threshold of activation (HVA) peaked at 0 mV, and showed some time-dependent inactivation and a voltage of half-maximal steady-state inactivation (V1/2inact) of -16.4 mV. Application of saturating doses of omega-conotoxin (omega-CgTx) GVIA or nifedipine distinguished characteristic N-type (38%) and L-type (62% of HVA currents) Ca2+ currents. Combined application of both agents blocked HVA currents by > 95%. In a 10-mo-old child but not in adult patients, an omega-agatoxin IVA (omega-AgaTxIVA)-sensitive but omega-CgTx MVIIC-insensitive, noninactivating component of HVA currents (approximately 24%) was present that most probably corresponds to a P-type current. A T-type Ca2+ current could be separated from HVA components on the basis of its steady-state voltage-dependent inactivation (V1/2inact = -71.0 mV). The T-type Ca2+ current isolated by subtraction peaked at more negative potentials (-10 mV), showed a significantly more rapid time-dependent inactivation, and could be selectively blocked by low concentrations of Ni2+. It was insensitive to nifedipine and omega-CgTx GVIA. We conclude that L-, N-, and T-type currents are present in adult human dentate granule cells and an additional P-type current is present in neurons from a 10-mo-old patient. These data may provide a basis for comparison with animal models of epilepsy and for the elucidation of mechanisms of action of drugs intended for use in human disease.

Adult↗