Survival Of Cerebellar Granule Neurons Research Articles

A novel anti-apoptotic role for Cdc42/ACK-1 signaling in neurons

Neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are caused by a progressive and aberrant destruction of neurons in the brain and spinal cord. These disorders lack effective long-term treatments that impact the underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis and as a result, existing options focus primarily on alleviating symptomology. Dysregulated programmed cell death (i.e., apoptosis) is a significant contributor to neurodegeneration, and is controlled by a number of different factors. Rho family GTPases are molecular switches with recognized importance in proper neuronal development and migration that have more recently emerged as central regulators of apoptosis and neuronal survival. Here, we investigated a role for the Rho GTPase family member, Cdc42, and its downstream effectors, in neuronal survival and apoptosis. We initially induced apoptosis in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) by removing both growth factor-containing serum and depolarizing potassium from the cell medium. We then utilized both chemical inhibitors and adenoviral shRNA targeted to Cdc42 to block the function of Cdc42 or its downstream effectors under either control or apoptotic conditions. Our in vitro studies demonstrate that functional inhibition of Cdc42 or its downstream effector, activated Cdc42-associated tyrosine kinase-1 (ACK-1), had no adverse effects on CGN survival under control conditions, but significantly sensitized neurons to cell death under apoptotic conditions. In conclusion, our results suggest a key pro-survival role for Cdc42/ACK-1 signaling in neurons, particularly in regulating neuronal susceptibility to pro-apoptotic stress such as that observed in neurodegenerative disorders.

RIP2 Gates TRAF6 Interaction with Death Receptor p75NTR to Regulate Cerebellar Granule Neuron Survival

Cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) undergo programmed cell death during the first postnatal week of mouse development, coincident with sustained expression of the death receptor p75NTR. Although ablation of p75NTR does not affect CGN cell death, deletion of the downstream effector RIP2 significantly increases CGN apoptosis, resulting in reduced adult CGN number and impaired behaviors associated with cerebellar function. Remarkably, CGN death is restored to basal levels when p75NTR is deleted in RIP2-deficient mice. We find that RIP2 gates the signaling output of p75NTR by competing with TRAF6 for binding to the receptor intracellular domain. In CGNs lacking RIP2, more TRAF6 is associated with p75NTR, leading to increased JNK-dependent apoptosis. In agreement with this, pharmacological inhibition or genetic ablation of TRAF6 restores cell death levels in CGNs lacking RIP2. These results reveal an unexpected mechanism controlling CGN number and highlight how competitive interactions govern the logic of death receptor function.

Glucose deprivation stimulates Cu(2+) toxicity in cultured cerebellar granule neurons and Cu(2+)-dependent zinc release.

Copper chloride (0.01mM, 2h) did not have significant influence on the survival of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) incubated in balanced salt solution. However, CuCl2 caused severe neuronal damage by glucose deprivation (GD). The glutamate NMDA-receptors blocker MK-801 partially and antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) or Zn(2+) chelator, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) almost entirely protected CGNs from this toxic effect. Measurements of intracellular calcium ions using Fluo-4 AM, or zinc ions with FluoZin-3 AM demonstrated that 1 h-exposure to GD induced intensive increase of Fluo-4 but not FluoZin-3 fluorescence in neurons. The supplementation of solution with CuCl2 caused an increase of FluoZin-3, Fluo-4 and CellROX Green (reactive oxygen species probe) fluorescence by GD. The stimulation of Fluo-4 but not FluoZin-3 fluorescence by copper could be prevented partially by MK-801 and as well as CellROX Green fluorescence by NAC at GD. This data imply that during GD copper ions induce intense displacement zinc ions from intracellular stores, in addition free radical production, glutamate release and Ca(2+) overload of CGNs, that causes death of neurons as a result.

Role of IL-16 in CD4+ T cell-mediated regulation of relapsing multiple sclerosis

In an important article published in Nature Medicine, Liu and colleagues described a novel CD4+ FoxA1+ regulatory T (Treg) cell population as distinct regulators of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). CD4+ FoxA1+ Treg cells appear as key regulators of responsiveness to therapy with interferon beta (IFN-β) in RRMS patients. Data indicate that CD4+FoxA1+ FOXP3− Treg cells develop within the central nervous system (CNS), and a potential of cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) in generation of CD4+FoxA1+PD-L1hiFOXP3− Treg cells from encephalitogenic CD4+ T cells.A CD4 co-receptor specific ligand, IL-16, governs trafficking and biological properties of CD4+ T cells irrespective of their activation state. Functions of IL-16, relevant to Treg cells, include expansion of CD4+CD25+ T cells in long-term cultures with IL-2, de novo induction of FOXP-3 and migration of FOXP-3+ T cells. IL-16 is highly conserved across species including human and mouse. CGN and neurons in hippocampus contain neuronal-IL-16 (NIL-16), splice variant of immune IL-16, and express CD4 molecule. In a CD4-dependent manner, IL-16 supports cultured CGN survival.Concomitant studies of RRMS lesions and corresponding MOG35–55-induced relapsing EAE in (B6 × SJL)F1 (H-2b/s) mice discovered similar roles of IL-16 in regulation of relapsing disease. In RRMS and EAE relapse, peak levels of IL-16 and active caspase-3 correlated with CD4+ T cell infiltration and levels of T-bet, Stat-1(Tyr701), and phosphorylated neurofilaments of axonal cytoskeleton [NF (M + H) P], suggesting a role of locally produced IL-16 in regulation of CD4+ Th1 inflammation and axonal damage, respectively. IL-16 was abundantly present in CD4+ T cells, followed by CD20+ B, CD8+ T, CD83+ dendritic cells, and Mac-1+ microglia. Apart from lesions, bioactive IL-16 was located in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and normal-appearing grey matter (NAGM) in RRMS brain and spinal cord.A cytokine IL-16 emerges as an important regulator of relapsing MS and EAE. Better understanding of immune cell-neuron interactions mediated by IL-16 will foster development of more specific CD4+ T cell subset-targeted therapies to prevent or ameliorate progression of neuroinflammation and axonal and neuronal damage. Translational studies necessitate corresponding EAE models.

Delineating the factors and cellular mechanisms involved in the survival of cerebellar granule neurons.

Cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) constitute the most abundant neuronal population in the mammalian brain. Their postnatal generation and the feasibility to induce their apoptotic death in vitro make them an excellent model to study the effect of several neurotransmitters and neurotrophins. Here, we first review which factors are involved in the generation and proliferation of CGNs in the external granule layer (EGL) and in the regulation of their differentiation and migration to internal granule layer (IGL). Special attention was given to the role of several neurotrophins and the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptor. Then, using the paradigm of potassium deprivation in cultured CGNs, we address several extracellular factors that promote the survival of CGNs, with particular emphasis on the cellular mechanisms. The role of specific protein kinases leading to the regulation of transcription factors and recent data involving the small G protein family is also discussed. Finally, the participation of some members of Bcl-2 family and the inhibition of mitochondria-related apoptotic pathway is also considered. Altogether, these studies evidence that CGNs are a key model to understand the development and the survival of neuronal populations.

Nitric oxide show its survival role by NO-PKC pathway through cGMP-dependent or independent on the culture of cerebella granular neurons

The role of nitric oxide in the development of neurons is conflicting. In the present work, cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) were used as a model to assess the survival role of nitric oxide and to find novel signal transduction pathways related to this role. It is reported that sustained inhibition of nitric oxide production induces apoptosis in differentiated cerebellar granule neurons. The antagonist (MK-801, or ODQ)-induced decrease of cell viability, caspase-3 activated, the expression of P-PKC decreased, which were normalized by the provision of the sodium nitroprusside, an NO donor. The data show that blockade of NO production induces apoptotic death in differentiating CGC through activation of caspase-3. This study provides direct evidence that NO plays an active role in sustaining the survival of developing CGNs and that NO-PKC pathway is important for the survival of CGNs in vitro. The endogenous NO exerts its effects in cGMP-dependent manner while the exogenous NO in cGMP-independent manner.

Endogenous XIAP, but not other members of the inhibitory apoptosis protein family modulates cerebellar granule neurons survival

Programmed cell death plays a critical role during cerebellar development. In particular, it has been shown in vivo and in vitro that developing cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) die apoptotically. Apoptosis involves a series of morphological changes and the activation of caspases. Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) is implicated in negative regulation of caspase activation and apoptotic cell death. Although apoptotic death of CGN has been extensively studied, there is no information about the role of IAPs in the developing cerebellum. Here, we studied the participation of some members of IAPs in the survival of the developing rat CGN in culture and under physiological conditions. Under these conditions, we found a differential expression pattern of cIAP-1, cIAP-2, XIAP and survivin during cerebellar development in an age-dependent manner, highlighting the significant increase of XIAP levels. We also detected an interaction between XIAP and caspase 3 at postnatal day (P) 12 and 16. On the other hand, we found a significant decrease of XIAP levels in cultured CGN maintained in chronic potassium deprivation, an apoptotic condition, suggesting a possible relationship between XIAP levels and neuronal viability. Under these conditions, we also detected the interaction of XIAP with active caspase-3. The down-regulation of XIAP in CGN cultured under survival conditions (chronic potassium depolarization) induced a reduction of cell viability and an increment of apoptotic cells. These findings support the idea that IAPs could be involved in the survival of CGN and that XIAP might be critical for neuronal survival in cerebellar development and during chronic depolarization in cultured CGN through a mechanism involving caspase inhibition.

Ras Protein Activation Is a Key Event in Activity-dependent Survival of Cerebellar Granule Neurons

Neuronal activity promotes the survival of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) during the postnatal development of cerebellum. CGNs that fail to receive excitatory inputs will die by apoptosis. This process could be mimicked in culture by exposing CGNs to either a physiological concentration of KCl (5 mm or K5) plus N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) or to 25 mm KCl (K25). We have previously described that a 24-h exposure to NMDA (100 μm) or K25 at 2 days in vitro induced long term survival of CGNs in K5 conditions. Here we have studied the molecular mechanisms activated at 2 days in vitro in these conditions. First we showed that NMDA or K25 addition promoted a rapid stimulation of PI3K and a biphasic phosphorylation on Ser-473 of Akt, a PI3K substrate. Interestingly, we demonstrated that only the first wave of Akt phosphorylation is necessary for the NMDA- and K25-mediated survival. Additionally, we detected that both NMDA and K25 increased ERK activity with a similar time-course. Moreover, our results showed that NMDA-mediated activation of the small G-protein Ras is necessary for PI3K/Akt pathway activation, whereas Rap1 was involved in NMDA phosphorylation of ERK. On the other hand, Ras, but not Rap1, mediates K25 activation of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways. Because neuroprotection by NMDA or K25 is mediated by Ras (and not by Rap1) activation, we propose that Ras stimulation is a crucial event in NMDA- and K25-mediated survival of CGNs through the activation of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways.

Nectin-1 Binds and Signals through the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor

Nectins belong to a family of immunoglobulin (Ig)-like cell-adhesion molecules comprising four members, nectin-1 through nectin-4. Nectins are involved in formation of the mechanical adhesive puncta adherentia junctions of synapses. Nectins share the same overall structural topology with an extracellular region containing three Ig modules, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic region. In nectin-1, the first and second Ig module in the extracellular region are necessary for the trans-interaction with nectin-3 and formation of cis-dimers, respectively. The function of the third Ig module of nectin-1 remains unknown. We here report the structure in solution of the third, membrane-proximal Ig module of mouse nectin-1 (nectin-1 Ig3) solved by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. It belongs to the C1 set of the Ig superfamily. Nectin-1 Ig3 was produced as a recombinant protein and induced neurite outgrowth in primary cultures of hippocampal and cerebellar granule neurons, an effect abolished by treatment with the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor SU5402, or by transfection with a dominant-negative FGFR1 construct. We showed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis that nectin-1 Ig3 directly interacted with various isoforms of FGFR. Nectin-1 Ig3 induced phosphorylation of FGFR1c in the same manner as the whole nectin-1 ectodomain, and promoted survival of cerebellar granule neurons induced to undergo apoptosis. Finally, we constructed a peptide, nectide, by employing in silico modeling of various FGFR ligand-binding sites. Nectide mimicked all the effects of nectin-1 Ig3. We suggest that FGFR is a downstream signaling partner of nectin-1.

Glucose starvation stimulates Zn2+ toxicity in cultures of cerebellar granule neurons

Zinc chloride (0.02 mM, 3h) did not have any influence on the survival of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) incubated in balanced salt solution (BSS). However, in the absence of glucose ZnCl(2) caused severe neuronal damage, decreasing cell survival to 12±2%. Either the blockade of ionotropic glutamate NMDA-receptors with MK-801 or APV or supplementation the medium with ruthenium red (mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter blocker) almost entirely protected CGNs from the toxic effect of ZnCl(2) during glucose deprivation (GD). However, NBQX (AMPA/kainate glutamate receptor blocker) did not show protective effect. Measurements of intracellular calcium ions concentration using fluorescent probe (Fluo-4 AM) and zinc ions (FluoZin-3AM) demonstrated that 1.5h-exposure to GD induced intensive increase of Fluo-4 fluorescence and small increase of FluoZin-3 fluorescence in neurons. The supplementation of medium with ZnCl(2) caused equal increase of FluoZin-3 fluorescence at both GD and normoglycemia, whereas the potentiation of Fluo-4 fluorescence by zinc was observed only under GD and could be prevented by MK-801. However, neither MK-801 nor NBQX could influence [Zn(2+)](i) increase caused by zinc addition under GD, while ruthenium red did cause significant increase of [Zn(2+)](i). This data implies that zinc ions during GD induce an additional overload of CGNs with calcium ions that get transported through activated NMDA-channel. Zinc and calcium ions accumulate in mitochondria and amplify individual destructive action on these organelles leading to neuronal death.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) stimulates the expression and the release of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in neuronal cells: involvement of tPA in the neuroprotective effect of PACAP

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) play important roles in neuronal migration and survival. However, a direct link between the neurotrophic effects of PACAP and tPA has never been investigated. In this study, we show that, in PC12 cells, PACAP induced a 9.85-fold increase in tPA gene expression through activation of the protein kinase A- and protein kinase C-dependent signaling pathways. In immature cerebellar granule neurons (CGN), PACAP stimulated tPA mRNA expression and release of proteolytically active tPA. Immunocytochemical labeling revealed the presence of tPA in the cytoplasm and processes of cultured CGN. The inhibitory effect of PACAP on CGN motility was not affected by the tPA substrate plasminogen or the tPA inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. In contrast, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 significantly reduced the stimulatory effect of PACAP on CGN survival. Altogether, these data indicate that tPA gene expression is activated by PACAP in both tumoral and normal neuronal cells. The present study also demonstrates that PACAP stimulates the release of tPA which promotes CGN survival by a mechanism dependent of its proteolytic activity.

A peptide derived from the CD loop-D helix region of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) induces neuronal differentiation and survival by binding to the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) receptor and common cytokine receptor chain gp130

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) induces neuronal differentiation and promotes the survival of various neuronal cell types by binding to a receptor complex formed by CNTF receptor α (CNTFRα), gp130, and the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) receptor (LIFR). The CD loop-D helix region of CNTF has been suggested to be important for the cytokine interaction with LIFR. We designed a peptide, termed cintrofin, that encompasses this region. Surface plasmon resonance analysis demonstrated that cintrofin bound to LIFR and gp130, but not to CNTFRα, with apparent K D values of 35 nM and 1.1 nM, respectively. Cintrofin promoted the survival of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs), in which cell death was induced either by potassium withdrawal or H 2O 2 treatment. Cintrofin induced neurite outgrowth from CGNs, and this effect was inhibited by specific antibodies against both gp130 and LIFR, indicating that these receptors are involved in the effects of cintrofin. The C-terminal part of the peptide, corresponding to the D helix region of CNTF, was shown to be essential for the neuritogenic action of the peptide. CNTF and LIF induced neurite outgrowth in CGNs plated on laminin-coated slides. On uncoated slides, CNTF and LIF had no neuritogenic effect but were able to inhibit cintrofin-induced neuronal differentiation, indicating that cintrofin and cytokines compete for the same receptors. In addition, cintrofin induced the phosphorylation of STAT3, Akt, and ERK, indicating that it exerts cell signaling properties similar to those induced by CNTF and may be a valuable survival agent with possible therapeutic potential.

Genome-wide profiling of G protein-coupled receptors in cerebellar granule neurons using high-throughput, real-time PCR

BackgroundG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are major players in cell communication, regulate a whole range of physiological functions during development and throughout adult life, are affected in numerous pathological situations, and constitute so far the largest class of drugable targets for human diseases. The corresponding genes are usually expressed at low levels, making accurate, genome-wide quantification of their expression levels a challenging task using microarrays.ResultsWe first draw an inventory of all endo-GPCRs encoded in the murine genome. To profile GPCRs genome-wide accurately, sensitively, comprehensively, and cost-effectively, we designed and validated a collection of primers that we used in quantitative RT-PCR experiments. We experimentally validated a statistical approach to analyze genome-wide, real-time PCR data. To illustrate the usefulness of this approach, we determined the repertoire of GPCRs expressed in cerebellar granule neurons and neuroblasts during postnatal development.ConclusionsWe identified tens of GPCRs that were not detected previously in this cell type; these GPCRs represent novel candidate players in the development and survival of cerebellar granule neurons. The sequences of primers used in this study are freely available to those interested in quantifying GPCR expression comprehensively.

Induction of neuronal cell death by paraneoplastic Ma1 antigen

Paraneoplastic Ma1 (PNMA1) is a member of a family of proteins involved in an autoimmune disorder called paraneoplastic neurological syndrome. Although it is widely expressed in brain, nothing is known about the function of PNMA1 in neurons. We find that PNMA1 expression is highest in the perinatal brain, a period during which developmentally regulated neuronal death occurs. PNMA1 expression increases in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) induced to die by low potassium (LK) and in cortical neurons following homocysteic acid (HCA) treament. Elevated PNMA1 expression is also observed in the degenerating striatum in two separate mouse models of Huntington's disease, the R6/2 transgenic model and the 3-nitropropionic acid-induced chemical model. Suppression of endogenous PNMA1 expression inhibits LK-induced neuronal apoptosis. Ectopic expression of PNMA1 promotes apoptosis even in medium containing high potassium, a condition that normally ensures survival of CGNs. Deletion of the N-terminal half of the PNMA1 protein abrogates its apoptotic activity, whereas deletion of the C-terminal half renders the protein more toxic. Within the N-terminal half, the ability to induce neuronal death depends on the presence of a BH3-like domain. In addition to being necessary for apoptosis, the BH3-like domain is necessary for self-association of PNMA1. Apoptosis by PNMA1 expression is inhibited by overexpression of Bcl2, suggesting that PNMA1-induced neuronal death may depend on the binding of a proapoptotic member of the Bcl2 family to the BH3 domain. Taken together, our results suggest that PNMA1 is a proapoptotic protein in neurons, elevated expression of which may contribute to neurodegenerative disorders.

Peptides derived from specific interaction sites of the fibroblast growth factor 2 – FGF receptor complexes induce receptor activation and signaling

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2, bFGF) is the most extensively studied member of the FGF family and is involved in neurogenesis, differentiation, neuroprotection, and synaptic plasticity in the CNS. FGF2 executes its pleiotropic biologic actions by binding, dimerizing, and activating FGF receptors (FGFRs). The present study reports the physiologic impact of various FGF2-FGFR1 contact sites employing three different synthetic peptides, termed canofins, designed based on structural analysis of the interactions between FGF2 and FGFR1. Canofins mimic the cognate ligand interaction with the receptor and preserve the neuritogenic and neuroprotective properties of FGF2. Canofins were shown by surface plasmon resonance analysis to bind to FGFR1 and promote receptor activation. However, FGF2-induced receptor phosphorylation was inhibited by canofins, indicating that canofins are partial FGFR agonists. Furthermore, canofins were demonstrated to induce neuronal differentiation determined by neurite outgrowth from cerebellar granule neurons, and this effect was dependent on FGFR activation. Additionally, canofins acted as neuroprotectants, promoting survival of cerebellar granule neurons induced to undergo apoptosis. Our results suggest that canofins mirror the effect of specific interaction sites in FGF2 for FGFR. Thus, canofins are valuable pharmacological tools to study the functional roles of specific molecular interactions of FGF2 with FGFR.

Phosphorylation of Neuronal Survival Factor MEF2D by Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β in Neuronal Apoptosis

Glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta) has been identified to play important roles in neuronal death. Evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies indicates that increased GSK3beta activity contributes to neurodegeneration and to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. But the molecular mechanisms that underlie GSK3beta-mediated neurotoxicity remain poorly understood. We reported here that myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D), a nuclear transcription factor known to promote neuronal survival, is directly phosphorylated by GSK3beta. Our data showed that phosphorylation of MEF2D by GSK3beta at three specific residues in its transactivation domain inhibits MEF2D transcriptional activity. Withdrawal of neuronal activity in cerebellar granule neurons activated GSK3beta in the nucleus, leading to GSK3beta-dependent inhibition of MEF2 function. This inhibition contributed to GSK3beta-mediated neuronal toxicity. Overexpression of MEF2D mutant that is resistant to GSK3beta inhibition protected cerebellar granule neurons from either GSK3beta activation- or neuronal activity deprivation-induced toxicity. These results identify survival factor MEF2D as a novel downstream effector targeted by GSK3beta and define a molecular link between activation of GSK3beta and neuronal survival machinery which may underlie in part GSK3beta-mediated neurotoxicity.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein-6 Promotes Cerebellar Granule Neurons Survival by Activation of the MEK/ERK/CREB Pathway

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been implicated in the generation and postnatal differentiation of cerebellar granule cells (CGCs). Here, we examined the eventual role of BMPs on the survival of these neurons. Lack of depolarization causes CGC death by apoptosis in vivo, a phenomenon that is mimicked in vitro by deprivation of high potassium in cultured CGCs. We have found that BMP-6, but not BMP-7, is able to block low potassium-mediated apoptosis in CGCs. The neuroprotective effect of BMP-6 is not accompanied by an increase of Smad translocation to the nucleus, suggesting that the canonical pathway is not involved. By contrast, activation of the MEK/ERK/CREB pathway by BMP-6 is necessary for its neuroprotective effect, which involves inhibition of caspase activity and an increase in Bcl-2 protein levels. Other pathways involved in the regulation of CGC survival, such as the c-Jun terminal kinase and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt/PKB, were not affected by BMP-6. Moreover, failure of BMP-7 to activate the MEK/ERK/CREB pathway could explain its inability to protect CGCs from low potassium-mediated apoptosis. Thus, this study demonstrates that BMP-6 acting through the noncanonical MEK/ERK/CREB pathway plays a crucial role on CGC survival.

Agonists of fibroblast growth factor receptor induce neurite outgrowth and survival of cerebellar granule neurons

Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling is pivotal in the regulation of neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation and survival, and synaptic plasticity both during development and in adulthood. In order to develop low molecular weight agonists of FGFR, seven peptides, termed hexafins, corresponding to the beta6-beta7 loop region of the FGF 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, and 17, were synthesized. This region shares a homologous amino acid sequence with the FG-loop region of the second fibronectin Type III module of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) that binds to the FGFR. Hexafins were shown by surface plasmon resonance to bind to FGFR1-IIIc-Ig2-3 and FGFR2-IIIb-Ig2-3. The heparin analog sucrose octasulfate inhibited hexafin binding to FGFR1-IIIc-Ig2-3 indicating overlapping binding sites. Hexafin-binding to FGFR1-IIIc resulted in receptor phosphorylation, but inhibited FGF1-induced FGFR1 phosphorylation, indicating that hexafins act as partial agonists. Hexafin2, 3, 8, 10, and 17 (but not 1 or 9) induced neurite outgrowth from cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs), an effect that was abolished by two inhibitors of FGFR, SU5402 and inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) and a diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, RHC-80267. The neuritogenic effects of selected hexafins could also be inhibited by FGF1 which by itself did not induce neurite outgrowth. Moreover, hexafin1, 3, 9, 10, and 17 (but not 2 or 8) promoted survival of CGNs induced to undergo apoptosis. Thus, selected hexafins induced neuronal differentiation and survival, making them promising pharmacological tools for the study of functional FGFR regulation in development of the nervous system.

Peptides modeled after the α-domain of metallothionein induce neurite outgrowth and promote survival of cerebellar granule neurons

Metallothionein (MT) is a metal-binding protein capable of preventing oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death in the central nervous system of mammals, and hence is of putative therapeutic value in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Recently, we demonstrated that a peptide modeled after the β-domain of MT, EmtinB, induced neurite outgrowth and increased neuronal survival through binding to receptors of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family (LDLR). The present study identified two MT α-domain-derived peptide sequences termed EmtinAn and EmtinAc, each consisting of 14 amino acids, as potent stimulators of neuronal differentiation and survival of primary neurons. In addition, we show that a peptide derived from the N-terminus of the MT β-domain, EmtinBn, promotes neuronal survival. The neuritogenic and survival promoting effects of EmtinAc, similar to MT and EmtinB but not EmtinAn, were dependent on the functional integrity of LDLR. Moreover, EmtinAn and EmtinAc induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt). We suggest that multiple functional sites of MT serve to cross-link MT receptor(s), thereby transducing signals leading to an increase in neurite outgrowth and survival.

Neuron‐microglia crosstalk up‐regulates neuronal FGF‐2 expression which mediates neuroprotection against excitotoxicity via JNK1/2

Glial cells and neurons are in constant reciprocal signalling both under physiological and neuropathological conditions. Microglial activation is often associated with neuronal death during inflammation of the CNS, although microglial cells are also known to exert a neuroprotective role. In this work, we investigated the interplay between cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) and microglia in the perspective of CGN survival to an excitotoxic stimulus, quinolinic acid (QA), a catabolite of the tryptophan degradation pathway. We observed that CGN succumb to QA challenge via extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK) activation. Our data with transgenic mice expressing the natural inhibitor of calpains, calpastatin, indicate that together with cathepsins they mediate QA-induced toxicity acting downstream of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-ERK pathway. Microglial cells are not only resistant to QA but can rescue neurons from QA-mediated toxicity when they are mixed in culture with neurons or by using mixed culture-conditioned medium (MCCM). This effect is mediated via fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) present in MCCM. FGF-2 is transcriptionally up-regulated in neurons and secreted in the MCCM as a result of neuron-microglia crosstalk. The neuroprotection is associated with the retention of cathepsins in the lysosomes and with transactivation of inducible heat-shock protein 70 downstream of FGF-2. Furthermore, FGF-2 upon release by neurons activates c-jun N-terminal kinase 1 and 2 pathway which also contributes to neuronal survival. We suggest that FGF-2 plays a pivotal role in neuroprotection against QA as an outcome of neuron-microglia interaction.