Enhancement Of Synaptic Transmission Research Articles

Prophylactic Effects of n-Acethylcysteine on Inflammation-induced Depression-like Behaviors in Mice

Depression, affecting individuals worldwide, is a prevalent mental disease, with an increasing incidence. Numerous studies have been conducted on depression, yet its pathogenesis remains elusive. Recent advancements in research indicate that disturbances in synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, and reduced neurotrophic factor expression significantly contribute to depression's pathogenesis. In our study, we utilized adult male C57BL/6J mice. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce both chronic and acute depression-like symptoms in mice, a widely used model for studying depression associated with inflammation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) exhibits anti-inflammatory and ameliorative effects on depressive symptoms. This study sought to determine whether NAC use could mitigate inflammatory depressive behavior through the enhancement of synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, and increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In this study, we discovered that in mice modeled with depression-like symptoms, the expression levels of dendrites, BDNF, and miniature excitatory postsynaptic potential (mEPSC) in glutamatergic neurons, as well as the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid glutamate receptors (AMPARs) GluA1 and GluA2 subunits, were significantly decreased. These findings suggest an impairment in the synaptic transmission of glutamatergic neurons. Following treatment with NAC, the previously mentioned levels improved, indicating an enhancement in both synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. Our results suggest that NAC exerts a protective effect on mouse models of inflammatory depression, potentially through the enhancement of synaptic transmission and plasticity, as well as the restoration of neurotrophic factor expression. These findings offer vital animal experimental evidence supporting NAC's role in mitigating inflammatory depressive behaviors.

Analysis of the action mechanisms and targets of herbal anticonvulsants highlights opportunities for therapeutic engagement with refractory epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by spontaneous and recurring seizures. It poses significant therapeutic challenges due to diverse etiology, pathobiology, and pharmacotherapy-resistant variants. The anticonvulsive effects of herbal leads with biocompatibility and toxicity considerations have attracted much interest, inspiring mechanistic analysis with the view of their use for engagement of new targets and combination with antiseizure pharmacotherapies. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the key molecular players and putative action mechanisms of the most common antiepileptic herbals demonstrated in tissue culture and preclinical models. From the review of the literature, it emerges that their effects are mediated via five distinct mechanisms: (1) reduction of membrane excitability through inhibition of cation channels, (2) improvement of mitochondrial functions with antioxidant effects, (3) enhancement in synaptic transmission mediated by GABAA receptors, (4) improvement of immune response with anti-inflammatory action, and (5) suppression of protein synthesis and metabolism. While some of the primary targets and action mechanisms of herbal anticonvulsants (1, 3) are shared with antiseizure pharmacotherapies, herbal leads also engage with distinct mechanisms (2, 4, and 5), suggesting new drug targets and opportunities for their integration with antiseizure medications. Addressing outstanding questions through research and in silico modeling should facilitate the future use of herbals as auxiliary therapy in epilepsy and guide the development of treatment of pharmacoresistant seizures through rigorous trials and regulatory approval.

Engineering memory with an extrinsically disordered kinase.

Synaptic plasticity plays a crucial role in memory formation by regulating the communication between neurons. Although actin polymerization has been linked to synaptic plasticity and dendritic spine stability, the causal link between actin polymerization and memory encoding has not been identified yet. It is not clear whether actin polymerization and structural changes in dendritic spines are a driver or a consequence of learning and memory. Using an extrinsically disordered form of the protein kinase LIMK1, which rapidly and precisely acts on ADF/cofilin, a direct modifier of actin, we induced long-term enlargement of dendritic spines and enhancement of synaptic transmission in the hippocampus on command. The activation of extrinsically disordered LIMK1 in vivo improved memory encoding and slowed cognitive decline in aged mice exhibiting reduced cofilin phosphorylation. The engineered memory by an extrinsically disordered LIMK1 supports a direct causal link between actin-mediated synaptic transmission and memory.

Dysfunction of inhibitory interneurons contributes to synaptic plasticity via GABABR-pNR2B signaling in a chronic migraine rat model.

According to our previous study, the loss of inhibitory interneuron function contributes to central sensitization in chronic migraine (CM). Synaptic plasticity is a vital basis for the occurrence of central sensitization. However, whether the decline in interneuron-mediated inhibition promotes central sensitization by regulating synaptic plasticity in CM remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to explore the role of interneuron-mediated inhibition in the development of synaptic plasticity in CM. A CM model was established in rats by repeated dural infusion of inflammatory soup (IS) for 7 days, and the function of inhibitory interneurons was then evaluated. After intraventricular injection of baclofen [a gamma-aminobutyric acid type B receptor (GABABR) agonist] or H89 [a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor), behavioral tests were performed. The changes in synaptic plasticity were investigated by determining the levels of the synapse-associated proteins postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), synaptophysin (Syp) and synaptophysin-1(Syt-1)]; evaluating the synaptic ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy (TEM); and determining the density of synaptic spines via Golgi-Cox staining. Central sensitization was evaluated by measuring calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), c-Fos and substance P (SP) levels. Finally, the PKA/Fyn kinase (Fyn)/tyrosine-phosphorylated NR2B (pNR2B) pathway and downstream calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII)/c-AMP-responsive element binding protein (pCREB) signaling were assessed. We observed dysfunction of inhibitory interneurons, and found that activation of GABABR ameliorated CM-induced hyperalgesia, repressed the CM-evoked elevation of synapse-associated protein levels and enhancement of synaptic transmission, alleviated the CM-triggered increases in the levels of central sensitization-related proteins, and inhibited CaMKII/pCREB signaling via the PKA/Fyn/pNR2B pathway. The inhibition of PKA suppressed the CM-induced activation of Fyn/pNR2B signaling. These data reveal that the dysfunction of inhibitory interneurons contributes to central sensitization by regulating synaptic plasticity through the GABABR/PKA/Fyn/pNR2B pathway in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) of CM rats. Blockade of GABABR-pNR2B signaling might have a positive influence on the effects of CM therapy by modulating synaptic plasticity in central sensitization.

Muscle 4EBP1 activation modifies the structure and function of the neuromuscular junction in mice

Dysregulation of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) activity drives neuromuscular junction (NMJ) structural instability during aging; however, downstream targets mediating this effect have not been elucidated. Here, we investigate the roles of two mTORC1 phosphorylation targets for mRNA translation, ribosome protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1), in regulating NMJ structural instability induced by aging and sustained mTORC1 activation. While myofiber-specific deletion of S6k1 has no effect on NMJ structural integrity, 4EBP1 activation in murine muscle induces drastic morphological remodeling of the NMJ with enhancement of synaptic transmission. Mechanistically, structural modification of the NMJ is attributed to increased satellite cell activation and enhanced post-synaptic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) turnover upon 4EBP1 activation. Considering that loss of post-synaptic myonuclei and reduced NMJ turnover are features of aging, targeting 4EBP1 activation could induce NMJ renewal by expanding the pool of post-synaptic myonuclei as an alternative intervention to mitigate sarcopenia.

NX210c Peptide Promotes Glutamatergic Receptor-Mediated Synaptic Transmission and Signaling in the Mouse Central Nervous System.

NX210c is a disease-modifying dodecapeptide derived from the subcommissural organ-spondin that is under preclinical and clinical development for the treatment of neurological disorders. Here, using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we demonstrate that NX210c increased α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR)- and GluN2A-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (GluN2A-NMDAR)-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents in the brain. Accordingly, using extracellular field excitatory postsynaptic potential recordings, an enhancement of synaptic transmission was shown in the presence of NX210c in two different neuronal circuits. Furthermore, the modulation of synaptic transmission and GluN2A-NMDAR-driven signaling by NX210c restored memory in mice chronically treated with the NMDAR antagonist phencyclidine. Overall, by promoting glutamatergic receptor-related neurotransmission and signaling, NX210c represents an innovative therapeutic opportunity for patients suffering from CNS disorders, injuries, and states with crippling synaptic dysfunctions.

Acute cannabinoids impair association learning via selectively enhancing synaptic transmission in striatonigral neurons

BackgroundCannabinoids and their derivatives attract strong interest due to the tremendous potential of their psychoactive effects for treating psychiatric disorders and symptoms. However, their clinical application is restricted by various side-effects such as impaired coordination, anxiety, and learning and memory disability. Adverse impact on dorsal striatum-dependent learning is an important side-effect of cannabinoids. As one of the most important forms of learning mediated by the dorsal striatum, reinforcement learning is characterized by an initial association learning phase, followed by habit learning. While the effects of cannabinoids on habit learning have been well-studied, little is known about how cannabinoids influence the initial phase of reinforcement learning.ResultsWe found that acute activation of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) by the synthetic cannabinoid HU210 induced dose-dependent impairment of association learning, which could be alleviated by intra-dorsomedial striatum (DMS) injection of CB1R antagonist. Moreover, acute exposure to HU210 elicited enhanced synaptic transmission in striatonigral “direct” pathway medium spiny neurons (MSNs) but not indirect pathway neurons in DMS. Intriguingly, enhancement of synaptic transmission that is also observed after learning was abolished by HU210, indicating cannabinoid system might disrupt reinforcement learning by confounding synaptic plasticity normally required for learning. Remarkably, the impaired response-reinforcer learning was also induced by selectively enhancing the D1-MSN (MSN that selectively expresses the dopamine receptor type 1) activity by virally expressing excitatory hM3Dq DREADD (designer receptor exclusively activated by a designer drug), which could be rescued by specifically silencing the D1-MSN activity via hM4Di DREADD.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate dose-dependent deleterious effects of cannabinoids on association learning by disrupting plasticity change required for learning associated with the striatal direct pathway, which furthers our understanding of the side-effects of cannabinoids and the underlying mechanisms.

Neuroprotective effect of taurine on human neuroblastoma under induced stress

AbstractBackgroundHigh concentrations of hydrocortisone is known to cause oxidative stress in neural cell, impairing damage repair and, consequently, triggering cell death. This represents one of the mechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). To prevent oxidative stress, novel studies have demonstrated neuroprotective effects of taurine in specific concentrations, regulating brain activity, maintaining the integrity of neural membrane and controlling calcium homeostasis, thus preventing cell death by preventing oxidative stress.MethodFirst, SH‐SY5Y (human neuroblastoma) cells were incubated with different concentrations of taurine (0.25 to 1 mg/mL), then, after 24h, cells were exposed to 200 µM of hydrocortisone for another 24h (a stablished concentration that reduces SH‐SY5Y viability and induces oxidative stress). Cell viability was evaluated by crystal violet technique. Cells not exposed to hydrocortisone or taurine were used as control.ResultA concentration curve of taurine was performed (0.25 to 1 mg/mL), demonstrating that the compound stimulates SH‐SY5Y cell growth at 0.5 mg/mL (p = 0.0457) (Figure 1A). This concentration was stablished as protective. To verify the neuroprotective potential, cells were pre‐treated with 0.5 mg/mL of taurine and then exposed to 200 µM of hydrocortisone. Importantly, cytoviability was not only preserved but also statistically improved, compared to the control group (p < 0.0001) (Figure 1B).ConclusionIn high concentration (200 µM), hydrocortisone induces oxidative stress in SH‐SY5Y, an important pathway observed in AD. Once cells are pre‐incubated with 0.5 mg/mL of taurine followed by 200 µM of hydrocortisone exposure, cytoviability is preserved and stimulated, representing a considerable step to further evaluate taurine as a significant neuroprotective tool for AD. (1) Moraes, C.D.G.O. et al. Genotoxic effects of photodynamic therapy in laryngeal cancer cells–An in vitro study. Experimental Biology and Medicine, v. 244, n. 3, p. 262‐271, 2019. (2) Salles, G.N. et al. Prolonged Drug‐Releasing Fibers Attenuate Alzheimer’s Disease‐like Pathogenesis. ACS applied materials & interfaces, v.10, n.43, p.36693‐36702, 2018. (3) Sergeeva, O.A. et al. Taurine‐induced long‐lasting enhancement of synaptic transmission in mice: Role oftransporters. The Journal of physiology, v.550, n.3, p.911‐919, 2003. (4) ROSSATO, R.C. et al. Hydrocortisone cytorestores oxidative stress‐induced neuroblastoma. Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 15(7), p.642, 2019.

Neurotropic and modulatory effects of insulin-like growth factor II in Aplysia

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) enhances memory in rodents via the mannose-6-phosphate receptor (M6PR), but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We found that human IGF2 produces an enhancement of both synaptic transmission and neurite outgrowth in the marine mollusk Aplysia californica. These findings were unexpected since Aplysia lack the mammal-specific affinity between insulin-like ligands and M6PR. Surprisingly, this effect was observed in parallel with a suppression of neuronal excitability in a well-understood circuit that supports several temporally and mechanistically distinct forms of memory in the defensive withdrawal reflex, suggesting functional coordination between excitability and memory formation. We hypothesize that these effects represent behavioral adaptations to feeding that are mediated by the endogenous Aplysia insulin-like system. Indeed, the exogenous application of a single recombinant insulin-like peptide cloned from the Aplysia CNS cDNA replicated both the enhancement of synaptic transmission, the reduction of excitability, and promoted clearance of glucose from the hemolymph, a hallmark of bona fide insulin action.

Identification of raw as a regulator of glial development.

Glial cells perform numerous functions to support neuron development and function, including axon wrapping, formation of the blood brain barrier, and enhancement of synaptic transmission. We have identified a novel gene, raw, which functions in glia of the central and peripheral nervous systems in Drosophila. Reducing Raw levels in glia results in morphological defects in the brain and ventral nerve cord, as well as defects in neuron function, as revealed by decreased locomotion in crawling assays. Examination of the number of glia along peripheral nerves reveals a reduction in glial number upon raw knockdown. The reduced number of glia along peripheral nerves occurs as a result of decreased glial proliferation. As Raw has been shown to negatively regulate Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling in other developmental contexts, we examined the expression of a JNK reporter and the downstream JNK target, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (mmp1), and found that raw knockdown results in increased reporter activity and Mmp1 levels. These results are consistent with previous studies showing increased Mmp levels lead to nerve cord defects similar to those observed upon raw knockdown. In addition, knockdown of puckered, a negative feedback regulator of JNK signaling, also causes a decrease in glial number. Thus, our studies have resulted in the identification of a new regulator of gliogenesis, and demonstrate that increased JNK signaling negatively impacts glial development.

Loss of CDKL5 in Glutamatergic Neurons Disrupts Hippocampal Microcircuitry and Leads to Memory Impairment in Mice.

Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by epileptic seizures, severe intellectual disability, and autistic features. Mice lacking CDKL5 display multiple behavioral abnormalities reminiscent of the disorder, but the cellular origins of these phenotypes remain unclear. Here, we find that ablating CDKL5 expression specifically from forebrain glutamatergic neurons impairs hippocampal-dependent memory in male conditional knock-out mice. Hippocampal pyramidal neurons lacking CDKL5 show decreased dendritic complexity but a trend toward increased spine density. This morphological change is accompanied by an increase in the frequency of spontaneous miniature EPSCs and interestingly, miniature IPSCs. Using voltage-sensitive dye imaging to interrogate the evoked response of the CA1 microcircuit, we find that CA1 pyramidal neurons lacking CDKL5 show hyperexcitability in their dendritic domain that is constrained by elevated inhibition in a spatially and temporally distinct manner. These results suggest a novel role for CDKL5 in the regulation of synaptic function and uncover an intriguing microcircuit mechanism underlying impaired learning and memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the CDKL5 gene. Although Cdkl5 constitutive knock-out mice have recapitulated key aspects of human symptomatology, the cellular origins of CDKL5 deficiency-related phenotypes are unknown. Here, using conditional knock-out mice, we show that hippocampal-dependent learning and memory deficits in CDKL5 deficiency have origins in glutamatergic neurons of the forebrain and that loss of CDKL5 results in the enhancement of synaptic transmission and disruptions in neural circuit dynamics in a spatially and temporally specific manner. Our findings demonstrate that CDKL5 is an important regulator of synaptic function in glutamatergic neurons and serves a critical role in learning and memory.

Biphasic modulation of parallel fibre synaptic transmission by co-activation of presynaptic GABAA and GABAB receptors in mice.

Many excitatory synapses co-express presynaptic GABAA and GABAB receptors, despite their opposing actions on synaptic transmission. It is still unclear how co-activation of these receptors modulates synapse function. We measured presynaptic GABA receptor function at parallel fibre synapses onto stellate cells in the cerebellum using whole-cell patch-clamp recording and photolytic uncaging of RuBi-GABA. Activation of presynaptic GABA receptors results in a transient (∼100ms) enhancement of synaptic transmission (mediated by GABAA receptors) followed by a long lasting (>500ms) inhibition of transmission (mediated by GABAB receptors). When activated just prior to high-frequency trains of stimulation, presynaptic GABAA and GABAB receptors work together to reduce short-term facilitation/enhance depression, altering the filtering properties of synaptic transmission. Inhibition of synaptic transmission by GABAB receptors is more sensitive to GABA than enhancement by GABAA receptors, suggesting GABAB receptors may be activated by ambient GABA or release from greater distances. GABAA and GABAB receptors are co-expressed at many presynaptic terminals in the central nervous system. Previous studies have shown that GABAA receptors typically enhance vesicle release while GABAB receptors inhibit release. However, it is not clear how the competing actions of these receptors modulate synaptic transmission when co-activated, as is likely in vivo. We investigated this question at parallel fibre synapses in the cerebellum, which co-express presynaptic GABAA and GABAB receptors. In acute slices from C57BL/6 mice, we find that co-activation of presynaptic GABA receptors by photolytic uncaging of RuBi-GABA has a biphasic effect on EPSC amplitudes recorded from stellate cells. Synchronous and asynchronous EPSCs evoked within ∼100ms of GABA uncaging were increased, while EPSCs evoked ∼300-600ms after GABA uncaging were reduced compared to interleaved control sweeps. We confirmed these effects are presynaptic by measuring the paired-pulse ratio, variance of EPSC amplitudes, and response probability. During trains of high-frequency stimulation GABAA and GABAB receptors work together (rather than oppose one another) to reduce short-term facilitation when GABA is uncaged just prior to the onset of stimulation. We also find that GABAB receptor-mediated inhibition can be elicited by lower GABA concentrations than GABAA receptor-mediated enhancement of EPSCs, suggesting GABAB receptors may be selectively activated by ambient GABA or release from more distance synapses. These data suggest that GABA, acting through both presynaptic GABAA and GABAB receptors, modulate the amplitude and short-term plasticity of excitatory synapses, a result not possible from activation of either receptor type alone.

The Role of Glutamate Receptors, Synaptic Ion Channels, and Trkb Receptor in Learning and Memory

Introduction: Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a generic term that applies to a form of activity-dependent plasticity that induced by high-frequency or theta burst stimulation and results in enhancement of synaptic transmission. LTP has a key role in learning and memory. Different types of LTP have been observed in distinctive areas of the central nervous system. Hippocampal CA1 area is vital for the formation of long-term memory. Conclusion: Several studies have been shown the importance of signaling pathways in the development of memory and learning. In this review is intended to present an overview of the role of synaptic ion channels, ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors as well as TrkB receptor in LTP formation of learning and memory.

Contribution of estrogen receptor subtypes, ERα, ERβ, and GPER1 in rapid estradiol-mediated enhancement of hippocampal synaptic transmission in mice.

Estradiol rapidly modulates hippocampal synaptic plasticity and synaptic transmission; however, the contribution of the various estrogen receptors to rapid changes in synaptic function is unclear. This study examined the effect of estrogen receptor selective agonists on hippocampal synaptic transmission in slices obtained from 3-5-month-old wild type (WT), estrogen receptor alpha (ERαKO), and beta (ERβKO) knockout female ovariectomized mice. Hippocampal slices were prepared 10-16 days following ovariectomy and extracellular excitatory postsynaptic field potentials were recorded from CA3-CA1 synaptic contacts before and following application of 17β-estradiol-3-benzoate (EB, 100 pM), the G-protein estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) agonist G1 (100 nM), the ERα selective agonist propyl pyrazole triol (PPT, 100 nM), or the ERβ selective agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN, 1 µM). Across all groups, EB and G1 increased the synaptic response to a similar extent. Furthermore, prior G1 application occluded the EB-mediated enhancement of the synaptic response and the GPER1 antagonist, G15 (100 nM), inhibited the enhancement of the synaptic response induced by EB application. We confirmed that the ERα and ERβ selective agonists (PPT and DPN) had effects on synaptic responses specific to animals that expressed the relevant receptor; however, PPT and DPN produced only a small increase in synaptic transmission relative to EB or the GPER1 agonist. We demonstrate that the increase in synaptic transmission is blocked by inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity. Furthermore, EB was able to increase ERK activity regardless of genotype. These results suggest that ERK activation and enhancement of synaptic transmission by EB involves multiple estrogen receptor subtypes.

Enhancement of morphological plasticity in hippocampal neurons by a physically modified saline via phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase.

Increase of the density of dendritic spines and enhancement of synaptic transmission through ionotropic glutamate receptors are important events, leading to synaptic plasticity and eventually hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory formation. Here we have undertaken an innovative approach to upregulate hippocampal plasticity. RNS60 is a 0.9% saline solution containing charge-stabilized nanobubbles that are generated by subjecting normal saline to Taylor-Couette-Poiseuille (TCP) flow under elevated oxygen pressure. RNS60, but not NS (normal saline), PNS60 (saline containing a comparable level of oxygen without the TCP modification), or RNS10.3 (TCP-modified normal saline without excess oxygen), stimulated morphological plasticity and synaptic transmission via NMDA- and AMPA-sensitive calcium influx in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons. Using mRNA-based targeted gene array, real-time PCR, immunoblot, and immunofluorescence analyses, we further demonstrate that RNS60 stimulated the expression of many plasticity-associated genes in cultured hippocampal neurons. Activation of type IA, but not type IB, phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI-3) kinase by RNS60 together with abrogation of RNS60-mediated upregulation of plasticity-related proteins (NR2A and GluR1) and increase in spine density, neuronal size, and calcium influx by LY294002, a specific inhibitor of PI-3 kinase, suggest that RNS60 upregulates hippocampal plasticity via activation of PI-3 kinase. Finally, in the 5XFAD transgenic model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), RNS60 treatment upregulated expression of plasticity-related proteins PSD95 and NR2A and increased AMPA- and NMDA-dependent hippocampal calcium influx. These results describe a novel property of RNS60 in stimulating hippocampal plasticity, which may help AD and other dementias.

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 Mediates Hypotonicity‐Induced Enhancement of Synaptic Transmission in Hippocampal Slices

Changes in cerebrospinal fluid osmotic pressure modulate brain excitability. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), which is sensitive to hypotonic stimulation, is expressed in hippocampus. The present study investigated the effect of hypotonic stimulation on hippocampal synaptic transmission and the role of TRPV4 in hypotonicity-action using electrophysiological recording and pharmacological technique. Accompanied with the decrease in paired pulse facilitation, field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) was enhanced by hypotonicity and TRPV4 agonist 4α-PDD in hippocampal slices, which was sensitive to TRPV4 antagonist HC-067047. Hypotonicity-induced increase in fEPSP was blocked by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist, but not N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor or N- or P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel antagonist. High voltage-gated calcium current (ICa ) in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons was not affected by hypotonicity. AMPA-activated current (IAMPA ) in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons was increased by hypotonicity and 4α-PDD, which was attenuated by HC-067047. Inhibition of protein kinase C or protein kinase A markedly attenuated hypotonicity-increased IAMPA , whereas antagonism of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II had no such effect. TRPV4 is involved in hypotonicity-induced enhancement of hippocampal synaptic transmission, which may be mediated through promoting presynaptic glutamate release and increasing postsynaptic AMPA receptor function.

Spike-Driven Glutamate Electrodiffusion Triggers Synaptic Potentiation via a Homer-Dependent mGluR-NMDAR Link

SummaryElectric fields of synaptic currents can influence diffusion of charged neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, in the synaptic cleft. However, this phenomenon has hitherto been detected only through sustained depolarization of large principal neurons, and its adaptive significance remains unknown. Here, we find that in cerebellar synapses formed on electrically compact granule cells, a single postsynaptic action potential can retard escape of glutamate released into the cleft. This retardation boosts activation of perisynaptic group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), which in turn rapidly facilitates local NMDA receptor currents. The underlying mechanism relies on a Homer-containing protein scaffold, but not GPCR- or Ca2+-dependent signaling. Through the mGluR-NMDAR interaction, the coincidence between a postsynaptic spike and glutamate release triggers a lasting enhancement of synaptic transmission that alters the basic integrate-and-spike rule in the circuitry. Our results thus reveal an electrodiffusion-driven synaptic memory mechanism that requires high-precision coincidence detection suitable for high-fidelity circuitries.

Nicotine uses neuron-glia communication to enhance hippocampal synaptic transmission and long-term memory.

Nicotine enhances synaptic transmission and facilitates long-term memory. Now it is known that bi-directional glia-neuron interactions play important roles in the physiology of the brain. However, the involvement of glial cells in the effects of nicotine has not been considered until now. In particular, the gliotransmitter D-serine, an endogenous co-agonist of NMDA receptors, enables different types of synaptic plasticity and memory in the hippocampus. Here, we report that hippocampal long-term synaptic plasticity induced by nicotine was annulled by an enzyme that degrades endogenous D-serine, or by an NMDA receptor antagonist that acts at the D-serine binding site. Accordingly, both effects of nicotine: the enhancement of synaptic transmission and facilitation of long-term memory were eliminated by impairing glial cells with fluoroacetate, and were restored with exogenous D-serine. Together, these results show that glial D-serine is essential for the long-term effects of nicotine on synaptic plasticity and memory, and they highlight the roles of glial cells as key participants in brain functions.

Long‐term enhancement of synaptic transmission between antennal lobe and mushroom body in cultured Drosophila brain

In Drosophila, the mushroom body (MB) is a critical brain structure for olfactory associative learning. During aversive conditioning, the MBs are thought to associate odour signals, conveyed by projection neurons (PNs) from the antennal lobe (AL), with shock signals conveyed through ascending fibres of the ventral nerve cord (AFV). Although synaptic transmission between AL and MB might play a crucial role for olfactory associative learning, its physiological properties have not been examined directly. Using a cultured Drosophila brain expressing a Ca(2+) indicator in the MBs, we investigated synaptic transmission and plasticity at the AL-MB synapse. Following stimulation with a glass micro-electrode, AL-induced Ca(2+) responses in the MBs were mediated through Drosophila nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (dnAChRs), while AFV-induced Ca(2+) responses were mediated through Drosophila NMDA receptors (dNRs). AL-MB synaptic transmission was enhanced more than 2 h after the simultaneous 'associative-stimulation' of AL and AFV, and such long-term enhancement (LTE) was specifically formed at the AL-MB synapses but not at the AFV-MB synapses. AL-MB LTE was not induced by intense stimulation of the AL alone, and the LTE decays within 60 min after subsequent repetitive AL stimulation. These phenotypes of associativity, input specificity and persistence of AL-MB LTE are highly reminiscent of olfactory memory. Furthermore, similar to olfactory aversive memory, AL-MB LTE formation required activation of the Drosophila D1 dopamine receptor, DopR, along with dnAChR and dNR during associative stimulations. These physiological and genetic analogies indicate that AL-MB LTE might be a relevant cellular model for olfactory memory.

Ischemia-induced synaptic plasticity drives sustained expression of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors in the hippocampus

Long lasting enhancement of synaptic transmission can be triggered by brief bursts of afferent stimulation, underlying long-term potentiation (LTP), and also by brief ischemia in a process known as i-LTP. The extent to which LTP and i-LTP rely on comparable cellular mechanisms remains unclear. Under physiological conditions, LTP induction drives transient expression of calcium-permeable AMPARs (CP-AMPARs) at synapses, whose ability to undergo plasticity is primed by endogenous activation of adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs). The present work thus addressed the contribution of CP-AMPARs and A2ARs to i-LTP, which was induced in rat hippocampal slices by brief (10 min) oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD). The amplitude of afferent-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) recorded from CA1 pyramidal neurons was decreased during OGD but gradually recovered toward values significantly above (157 ± 17%) the baseline (100%) 40–50 min after re-oxygenation. This i-LTP was precluded by CP-AMPAR blockade (internal spermine (500 μM) or extracellular NASPM (20 μM) application) as well as by A2AR blockade with a selective antagonist (SCH 58261, 100 nM). OGD prompted sustained (>70 min) facilitation of mEPSC amplitude and frequency, and decreased mEPSC decay time, all of which were prevented by SCH 58261 (100 nM). The ability of NASPM (20 μM) to acutely inhibit EPSCs 1 h after OGD, but not in control conditions nor in OGD-challenged slices when in the presence of SCH 58261 (100 nM), further supports sustained CP-AMPAR recruitment by i-LTP in an A2AR-dependent way. We propose that although i-LTP may initially mimic LTP, failure of auto-regulated CP-AMPAR removal from synapses could constitute an early divergent event between these forms of plasticity.