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Kainate receptors presynaptically downregulate GABAergic inhibition in the rat hippocampus.

Using microcultured neurons and hippocampal slices, we found that under conditions that completely block AMPA receptors, kainate induces a reduction in the effectiveness of GABAergic synaptic inhibition. Evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) were decreased by kainate by up to 90%, showing a bell-shaped dose-response curve similar to that of native kainate-selective receptors. The down-regulation of GABAergic inhibition was not affected by antagonism of metabotropic receptors, while it was attenuated by CNQX. Kainate increased synaptic failures and reduced the frequency of miniature IPSCs, indicating a presynaptic locus of action. In vivo experiments using brain dialysis demonstrated that kainate reversibly abolished recurrent inhibition and induced an epileptic-like electroencephalogram (EEG) activity. These results indicate that kainate receptor activation down-regulates GABAergic inhibition by modulating the reliability of GABA synapses.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

Glutamate-mediated extrasynaptic inhibition: direct coupling of NMDA receptors to Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels.

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) typically contribute to excitatory synaptic transmission in the CNS. While Ca(2+) influx through NMDARs plays a critical role in synaptic plasticity, direct actions of NMDAR-mediated Ca(2+) influx on neuronal excitability have not been well established. Here we show that Ca(2+) influx through NMDARs is directly coupled to activation of BK-type Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels in outside-out membrane patches from rat olfactory bulb granule cells. Repetitive stimulation of glutamatergic synapses in olfactory bulb slices evokes a slow inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC) in granule cells that requires both NMDARs and BK channels. The slow IPSC is enhanced by glutamate uptake blockers, suggesting that extrasynaptic NMDARs underlie the response. These findings reveal a novel inhibitory action of extrasynaptic NMDARs in the brain.

Animals↗

Analysis of the kinetics of synaptic inhibition points to a reduction in GABA release in area CA1 of the genetically epileptic mouse, El.

In order to determine whether changes in synaptic inhibition are involved in chronic models of epilepsy, it is necessary to understand the factors which determine the kinetics of fast gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inhibition. For this purpose, we analyzed the decaying phase of isolated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSC) in rats CA1 pyramidal cells. Reduction of GABA release (by reducing [Ca2+]o or paired-pulse stimulation) or blockade of GABA uptake (with tiagabine) led to the conclusion that small changes in the amount of GABA available for postsynaptic binding have little effect on the peak amplitude, but have marked effect on the duration of the IPSC. We then studied isolated GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition in area CA1 of the El mouse strain, which is genetically predisposed to epilepsy. Results were compared with the non-epileptogenic mother strain, ddY. Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in El mice (IPSPEl) were not significantly different in amplitude of those from ddY mice (IPSPddY). However, the rise-time and duration of IPSPEl were respectively about 25% and 50% shorter than those of IPSPddY. With appropriate pharmacological manipulation of GABA release or uptake, IPSPEl could be made to resemble the IPSPddY and vice versa. It is concluded that the synaptic release of GABA in area CA1 of the El mouse is decreased compared to that of the ddY mouse.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

Inhibitory function in two models of chronic epileptogenesis.

Although drug-induced disinhibition is a potent method for producing acute epileptogenesis, data with respect to possible disorders of GABAergic inhibitory function in models of chronic epilepsy are incomplete and inconsistent. We examined rat models of cortical post-traumatic epilepsy, and epileptogenic cortical microgyri. Results suggest enhanced rather than decreased inhibitory function in cortical networks in these preparations. In brain slices from epileptogenic chronically isolated cortex, the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) and miniature (m)IPSCs in layer V pyramidal neurons is increased compared to control. In the epileptogenic zone adjacent to the microgyrus, both spontaneous and stimulus-induced IPSCs are larger in amplitude than control, and the frequency of sIPSCs is more dependent upon glutamatergic excitation of interneurons than in control layer V neurons of homotopic cortex. Immunocytochemical studies show that there is enhanced immunoreactivity for several proteins in GABAergic interneurons of chronic cortical isolations, and suggest that there may be sprouting of GABAergic axons in the area of injury. This conclusion is supported by anatomic data showing an approximate doubling of the number of presumed inhibitory synapses on somata of layer V pyramidal neurons. These anatomic findings are consistent with the increased frequency of mIPSCs on these neurons. Inhibition is robust in both of these chronic models of epileptogenesis. Increased inhibitory electrogenesis might be pictured as part of the epileptogenic process, e.g. a mechanism for synchronizing the discharge of pyramidal neurons, or as a compensatory mechanism that might prevent the development of abnormal activities in some cases, or limit the intensity of epileptogenesis in others.

Animals↗

Cyclic AMP-regulated GABA release at inhibitory synapses in rat cerebellar slices.

We have investigated the effects of agents interfering with the cAMP pathway on the rate of miniature IPSCs in cerebellar slices. Noradrenaline and group II glutamate metabotropic receptor agonists respectively enhance and reduce the rate of miniature IPSCs, presumably because they respectively increase and decrease the presynaptic concentration of cAMP.

Adenine↗

Kindling alters entorhinal cortex-hippocampal interaction by increased efficacy of presynaptic GABA(B) autoreceptors in layer III of the entorhinal cortex.

We studied the effect of kindling, a model of temporal lobe epilepsy, on the frequency-dependent information transfer from the entorhinal cortex to the hippocampus in vitro. In control rats repetitive synaptic activation of layer III projection cells resulted in a frequency dependent depression of the synaptic transfer of action potentials to the hippocampus. One-to-two-days after kindling this effect was strongly reduced. Although no substantial change in synaptic inhibition upon single electrical stimulation was detected in kindled rats, there was a significant depression in the prolonged inhibition following high frequency stimulation. In kindled animals, paired-pulse depression (PPD) of stimulus-evoked IPSCs in layer III neurons was significantly stronger than in control rats. The increase of PPD is most likely caused by an increased presynaptic GABA(B) receptor-mediated autoinhibition. In kindled animals activation of presynaptic GABA(B) receptors by baclofen (10 microM) suppressed monosynaptic IPSCs significantly more than in control rats. In contrast, activation of postsynaptic GABA(B) receptors by baclofen was accompanied by comparable changes of the membrane conductance in both animal groups. Thus, in kindled animals activation of the layer III-CA1 pathway is facilitated by an increased GABA(B) receptor-mediated autoinhibition leading to an enhanced activation of the monosynaptic EC-CA1 pathway.

Action Potentials↗

Voltage-clamp recordings of postsynaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa neurons in vitro and its applications to assess synaptic transmission.

We describe here procedures for recording postsynaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa neurons on a transverse spinal cord slice preparation with an attached dorsal root. At the holding potential of -70 mV, glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and dorsal root (A delta and/or C fiber) stimulation-evoked EPSCs could be observed. Whereas at the holding potential of 0 mV, spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) and dorsal root A delta fiber stimulation-evoked IPSCs could be encountered. The methods make it possible to evaluate synaptic transmission by analysing the postsynaptic currents on dorsal root attached spinal cord slice.

Animals↗

AMPA receptor kinetics limit retinal amacrine cell excitatory synaptic responses.

Amacrine cells that respond transiently to maintained illumination are thought to mediate transient inhibitory input to ganglion cells. The excitation of these transient amacrine cells is thought to be limited by inhibitory feedback to bipolar cells. We investigated the possibility that desensitizing AMPA and/or kainate (KA) receptors on amacrine cells might also limit the duration of amacrine cell excitation. To determine how these receptors might affect amacrine cell input and output, we made whole-cell recordings from amacrine and ganglion cells in the salamander retinal slice. The specific AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI-53655 blocked non-NMDA receptor-mediated amacrine cell excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and kainate puff-elicited currents, indicating that AMPA, and not KA, receptors mediated the responses. Cyclothiazide, an agent that reduces AMPA receptor desensitization, increased the amplitude and duration of amacrine cell EPSCs. To measure the output of transient amacrine cells, we recorded glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) from ganglion cells, and found that these were also enhanced by cyclothiazide. Thus, prolongation of amacrine cell AMPA receptor activation enhanced amacrine cell output. Current responses elicited by puffing glycine onto ganglion cell dendrites were not affected by cyclothiazide, indicating that the enhancement of glycinergic IPSCs was not due to a direct effect on glycine receptors. These data suggest that rapid AMPA receptor desensitization and/or deactivation limits glycinergic amacrine cell excitation and the resulting inhibitory synaptic output.

Animals↗

Astrocyte activation of presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors modulates hippocampal inhibitory synaptic transmission.

In the CNS, fine processes of astrocytes often wrap around dendrites, axons and synapses, which provides an interface where neurons and astrocytes might interact. We have reported previously that selective Ca(2+) elevation in astrocytes, by photolysis of caged Ca(2+) by o-nitrophenyl-EGTA (NP-EGTA), causes a kainite receptor-dependent increase in the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (sIPSCs) in neighboring interneurons in hippocampal slices. However, tetrodotoxin (TTX), which blocks action potentials, reduces the frequency of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) in interneurons during Ca(2+) uncaging by an unknown presynaptic mechanism. In this study we investigate the mechanism underlying the presynaptic inhibition. We show that Ca(2+) uncaging in astrocytes is accompanied by a decrease in the amplitude of evoked IPSCs (eIPSCs) in neighboring interneurons. The decreases in eIPSC amplitude and mIPSC frequency are prevented by CPPG, a group II/III metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) antagonist, but not by the AMPA/kainate and NMDA receptor antagonists CNQX/CPP. Application of either the group II mGluR agonist DCG IV or the group III mGluR agonist L-AP4 decreased the amplitude of eIPSCs by a presynaptic mechanism, and both effects are blocked by CPPG. Thus, activation of mGluRs mediates the effects of Ca(2+) uncaging on mIPSCs and eIPSCs. Our results indicate that Ca(2+)-dependent release of glutamate from astrocytes can activate distinct classes of glutamate receptors and differentially modulate inhibitory synaptic transmission in hippocampal interneurons.

Journal Article↗

Synaptic activation of kainate receptors on hippocampal interneurons.

Although kainate receptor activation has been known to evoke epileptiform activity, little is known about the role of kainate receptors in synaptic transmission. Here we report that kainate (KA) receptors are present on interneurons and, when activated, cause a large increase in the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) driven by action potentials. Stimulation of excitatory afferents generates a pharmacologically identifiable synaptic current mediated by KA receptors in interneurons. This synaptic current is similar to that mediated by AMPA receptors in its response to short stimulus trains, current-voltage relations and coefficient of variation, but it is much smaller in peak amplitude and much slower. KA application also considerably depresses evoked IPSCs. This depression seems to be in large part an indirect consequence of the repetitive firing evoked by the activation of the interneuronal somatic/dendritic KA receptors.

Animals↗

Kainate receptor-dependent axonal depolarization and action potential initiation in interneurons.

Kainate receptor agonists are powerful chemoconvulsants and excitotoxins. These properties are in part explained by depolarization of hippocampal principal neurons. However, kainate also depresses evoked inhibitory signals in pyramidal neurons, and promotes spontaneous GABA release from interneurons. The mechanisms underlying these phenomena are not fully understood, nor are the consequences for the inhibitory traffic among interneurons. We report that both the amplitude and the frequency of spontaneous IPSCs recorded in interneurons were enhanced by low concentrations of kainate, but action potential-independent IPSCs were unaffected. In the presence of GABA(A) receptor antagonists, kainate lowered the threshold for antidromic action potential generation, suggesting that interneuron axons are directly depolarized; this effect was mimicked by synaptically released glutamate. Kainate application also induced spontaneous antidromic action potentials. Axonal receptors are thus important in initiating the intense interneuronal activity triggered by kainate, which in turn influences inhibitory signaling to principal cells.

Action Potentials↗

A mouse model of episodic ataxia type-1.

Episodic ataxia type-1 (EA1) is a dominant human neurological disorder characterized by stress-induced attacks of ataxia. EA1 is caused by mutations in the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.1, and affected individuals are heterozygous. Here we introduced the V408A EA1 mutation into mice using homologous recombination. In contrast to Kv1.1 null mice, homozygous V408A/V408A mice died after embryonic day 3 (E3). V408A/+ mice showed stress-induced loss of motor coordination that was ameliorated by acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that minimizes EA1 symptoms in human patients. We made electrophysiological recordings from cerebellar Purkinje cells in both V408A/+ mice and their wild-type littermates. V408A/+ mice showed a greater frequency and amplitude of spontaneous GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) than did wild type; however, the amplitude or frequency of miniature IPSCs and the basket cell firing frequency did not differ between groups. The stress-induced motor dysfunction in V408A mice is similar to that of family members harboring the EA1 allele, and our findings suggest that these behavioral changes are linked to changes in GABA release.

Acetazolamide↗

SSR180711, a novel selective alpha7 nicotinic receptor partial agonist: (1) binding and functional profile.

In this paper, we report on the pharmacological and functional profile of SSR180711 (1,4-Diazabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane-4-carboxylic acid, 4-bromophenyl ester), a new selective alpha7 acetylcholine nicotinic receptor (n-AChRs) partial agonist. SSR180711 displays high affinity for rat and human alpha7 n-AChRs (K(i) of 22+/-4 and 14+/-1 nM, respectively). Ex vivo (3)[H]alpha-bungarotoxin binding experiments demonstrate that SSR180711 rapidly penetrates into the brain (ID(50)=8 mg/kg p.o.). In functional studies performed with human alpha7 n-AChRs expressed in Xenopus oocytes or GH4C1 cells, the compound shows partial agonist effects (intrinsic activity=51 and 36%, EC(50)=4.4 and 0.9 microM, respectively). In rat cultured hippocampal neurons, SSR180711 induced large GABA-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents and small alpha-bungarotoxin sensitive currents through the activation of presynaptic and somato-dendritic alpha7 n-AChRs, respectively. In mouse hippocampal slices, the compound increased the amplitude of both glutamatergic (EPSCs) and GABAergic (IPSCs) postsynaptic currents evoked in CA1 pyramidal cells. In rat and mouse hippocampal slices, a concentration of 0.3 muM of SSR180711 increased long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 field. Null mutation of the alpha7 n-AChR gene totally abolished SSR180711-induced modulation of EPSCs, IPSCs and LTP in mice. Intravenous administration of SSR180711 strongly increased the firing rate of single ventral pallidum neurons, extracellularly recorded in anesthetized rats. In microdialysis experiments, administration of the compound (3-10 mg/kg i.p.) dose-dependently increased extracellular acetylcholine (ACh) levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of freely moving rats. Together, these results demonstrate that SSR180711 is a selective and partial agonist at human, rat and mouse alpha7 n-AChRs, increasing glutamatergic neurotransmission, ACh release and LTP in the hippocampus.

Animals↗

GABAB-receptor-mediated control of GABAergic inhibition in rat histaminergic neurons in vitro.

The onset of slow wave sleep may require an inhibition of histaminergic neurons by GABAergic afferents from the ventrolateral preoptic area. We have utilized electrophysiological methods in an in vitro brain slice preparation to examine the role of GABAB receptor activation in GABAergic synaptic inhibition in histaminergic neurons of the tuberomammillary nucleus. Tetrodotoxin blocked evoked GABAergic IPSPs but not miniature IPSPs or IPSCs. Evoked IPSPs varied in amplitude and exhibited failures of transmission. Baclofen reduced the amplitude of evoked IPSPs in all experiments and often caused an increase in failures of transmission. Responses elicited by application of exogenous GABA were insensitive to baclofen treatment. The action of baclofen was blocked by CGP-35348 (100 microm), a GABAB receptor antagonist, which also enhanced the amplitude of evoked IPSPs. The frequency of spontaneous and miniature IPSPs and IPSCs was reduced by baclofen. However, the amplitude distribution of mIPSCs was not altered. We conclude that GABA release onto TM neurons is under presynaptic control via GABAB receptors. This presynaptic control of transmission to tuberomammillary neurons may reduce inhibition, increasing histamine release and enhancing wakefulness.

Animals↗

The extracellular matrix molecule tenascin-R and its HNK-1 carbohydrate modulate perisomatic inhibition and long-term potentiation in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

Perisomatic inhibition of pyramidal cells regulates efferent signalling from the hippocampus. The striking presence of HNK-1, a carbohydrate expressed by neural adhesion molecules, on perisomatic interneurons and around somata of CA1 pyramidal neurons led us to apply monoclonal HNK-1 antibodies to acute murine hippocampal slices. Injection of these antibodies decreased GABAA receptor-mediated perisomatic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (pIPSCs) but did not affect dendritic IPSCs or excitatory postsynaptic currents. The decrease in the mean amplitude of evoked pIPSCs by HNK-1 antibodies was accompanied by an increase in the coefficient of variation of pIPSC amplitude, number of failures and changes in frequency but not amplitude of miniature IPSCs, suggesting that HNK-1 antibodies reduced efficacy of evoked GABA release. HNK-1 antibodies did not affect pIPSCs in knock-out mice deficient in the extracellular matrix molecule tenascin-R which carries the HNK-1 carbohydrate as analysed by immunoblotting in synaptosomal fractions prepared from the CA1 region of the hippocampus. For control, HNK-1 antibody was applied to acute sections of mice deficient in the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM, another potential carrier of HNK-1, and resulted in decrease of pIPSCs as observed in wild-type mice. Reduction in perisomatic inhibition is expected to promote induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) by increasing the level of depolarization during theta-burst stimulation. Indeed, LTP was increased by HNK-1 antibody applied before stimulation. Moreover, LTP was reduced by an HNK-1 peptide mimic, but not control peptide. These results provide first evidence that tenascin-R and its associated HNK-1 carbohydrate modulate perisomatic inhibition and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.

Animals↗

The effect of bilateral deafness on excitatory and inhibitory synaptic strength in the inferior colliculus.

The consequences of deafness on the central auditory nervous system have been examined at many levels, from molecular to functional. However, there has never been a direct and selective measurement of excitatory synaptic function following total hearing loss. In the present study, gerbils were deafened at postnatal day 9, an age at which there is no deafferentation-induced cell death of ventral cochlear nucleus neurons. One to five days after bilateral cochlear ablation, the amplitude of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC) was measured with whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings in an inferior colliculus (IC) brain slice preparation in response to electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral lateral lemniscus (LL) or the commissure of the inferior colliculus (CIC). Deafness resulted in larger LL- and CIC-evoked EPSC amplitudes and durations. This result was observed at a depolarized holding potential. In addition, deafness caused a decrease in excitatory neurotransmitter release at the LL pathway, as assessed with a paired-pulse stimulation protocol. In contrast to its effect on excitatory synapses, bilateral cochlear ablation reduced inhibitory synaptic strength in IC neurons. The effects included a postsynaptic decrease in IPSC conductance, a 25-mV depolarization in the IPSC equilibrium potential and a decrease of neurotransmitter release. Thus normal innervation differentially affects excitatory and inhibitory synaptic strength in IC neurons, and these changes may contribute to alterations in auditory coding properties following sensory deprivation.

Animals↗

BDNF up-regulates evoked GABAergic transmission in developing hippocampus by potentiating presynaptic N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels signalling.

Chronic application of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) induces new selective synthesis of non-L-type Ca2+ channels (N, P/Q, R) at the soma of cultured hippocampal neurons. As N- and P/Q-channels support neurotransmitter release in the hippocampus, this suggests that BDNF-treatment may enhance synaptic transmission by increasing the expression of presynaptic Ca2+ channels as well. To address this issue we studied the long-term effects of BDNF on miniature and stimulus-evoked GABAergic transmission in rat embryo hippocampal neurons. We found that BDNF increased the frequency of miniature currents (mIPSCs) by approximately 40%, with little effects on their amplitude. BDNF nearly doubled the size of evoked postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) with a marked increase of paired-pulse depression, which is indicative of a major increase in presynaptic activity. The potentiation of eIPSCs was more relevant during the first two weeks in culture, when GABAergic transmission is depolarizing. BDNF action was mediated by TrkB-receptors and had no effects on: (i) the amplitude and dose-response of GABA-evoked IPSCs and (ii) the number of GABA(A) receptor clusters and the total functioning synapses, suggesting that the neurotrophin unlikely acted postsynaptically. In line with this, BDNF affected the contribution of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels mediating evoked GABAergic transmission. BDNF drastically increased the fraction of evoked IPSCs supported by N- and P/Q-channels while it decreased the contribution associated with R- and L-types. This selective action resembles the previously observed up-regulatory effects of BDNF on somatic Ca2+ currents in developing hippocampus, suggesting that potentiation of presynaptic N- and P/Q-channel signalling belongs to a manifold mechanism by which BDNF increases the efficiency of stimulus-evoked GABAergic transmission.

Animals↗

Postsynaptic M1 and M3 receptors are responsible for the muscarinic enhancement of retrograde endocannabinoid signalling in the hippocampus.

The cholinergic system is crucial for higher brain functions including learning and memory. These functions are mediated primarily by muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) that consist of five subtypes (M(1)-M(5)). A recent study suggested a novel role of acetylcholine as a potent enhancer of endocannabinoid signalling that acts retrogradely from postsynaptic to presynaptic neurons. In the present study, we further investigated the mechanisms of this cholinergic effect on endocannabinoid signalling. We made paired whole-cell recordings from cultured hippocampal neurons, and monitored inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs). The postsynaptic depolarization induced a transient suppression of IPSCs (DSI), a phenomenon known to involve retrograde signalling by endocannabinoids. The cholinergic agonist carbachol (CCh) markedly enhanced DSI at 0.01-0.3 microM without changing the presynaptic cannabinoid sensitivity. The facilitating effect of CCh on DSI was mimicked by the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine-M, whereas it was eliminated by the muscarinic antagonist atropine. It was also blocked by a non-hydrolizable analogue of GDP (GDP-beta-S) that was applied intracellularly to postsynaptic neurons. The muscarinic enhancement of DSI persisted to a substantial degree in the neurons prepared from M1-knockout and M3-knockout mice, but was virtually eliminated in the neurons from M1/M3-compound-knockout mice. CCh still enhanced DSI significantly under the blockade of postsynatpic K(+) conductance, and did not significantly influence the depolarization-induced Ca(2+) transients. These results indicate that the activation of postsynaptic M1 and M3 receptors facilitates the depolarization-induced release of endocannabinoids.

Animals↗