Survival Of Cerebellar Granule Neurons Research Articles

An Essential Role for Rac/Cdc42 GTPases in Cerebellar Granule Neuron Survival

Rho family GTPases are critical molecular switches that regulate the actin cytoskeleton and cell function. In the current study, we investigated the involvement of Rho GTPases in regulating neuronal survival using primary cerebellar granule neurons. Clostridium difficile toxin B, a specific inhibitor of Rho, Rac, and Cdc42, induced apoptosis of granule neurons characterized by c-Jun phosphorylation, caspase-3 activation, and nuclear condensation. Serum and depolarization-dependent survival signals could not compensate for the loss of GTPase function. Unlike trophic factor withdrawal, toxin B did not affect the antiapoptotic kinase Akt or its target glycogen synthase kinase-3beta. The proapoptotic effects of toxin B were mimicked by Clostridium sordellii lethal toxin, a selective inhibitor of Rac/Cdc42. Although Rac/Cdc42 GTPase inhibition led to F-actin disruption, direct cytoskeletal disassembly with Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin was insufficient to induce c-Jun phosphorylation or apoptosis. Granule neurons expressed high basal JNK and low p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activities that were unaffected by toxin B. However, pyridyl imidazole inhibitors of JNK/p38 attenuated c-Jun phosphorylation. Moreover, both pyridyl imidazoles and adenoviral dominant-negative c-Jun attenuated apoptosis, suggesting that JNK/c-Jun signaling was required for cell death. The results indicate that Rac/Cdc42 GTPases, in addition to trophic factors, are critical for survival of cerebellar granule neurons.

NF‐κB is involved in the survival of cerebellar granule neurons: association of IκBβ phosphorylation with cell survival

The NF-κB transcription factor consists of dimeric complexes belonging to the Rel family, which include p50, p52, p65 (RelA), RelB and c-Rel. NF-κB activity is tightly controlled by IκB proteins which bind to NF-κB preventing its translocation to the nucleus. Activation of NF-κB is most often mediated by IκB degradation, which permits NF-κB to enter the nucleus. We investigated the role of NF-κB in the survival of cerebellar granule neurons. We found that survival of these neurons in high potassium medium is blocked by three separate inhibitors of NF-κB activity: SN-50, N-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone and pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, indicating that NF-κB is required for neuronal survival. Gel-shift assays reveal three complexes that bind to the NF-κB binding site in high potassium medium. Switching these cultures to low potassium medium, a stimulus that leads to apoptotic death, causes a reduction in the level of the largest complex, which contains p65. Overexpression of p65 by transfection inhibits low potassium-induced apoptosis, whereas overexpression of IκBα promotes apoptosis even in high potassium medium. Surprisingly, however, neither the level of endogenous p65 nor that of IκBα and IκBβ is altered by low potassium treatment. Similarly, no changes are seen in the nuclear or cytoplasmic levels of p50, p52, RelB and c-Rel. Phosphorylation of p65, which can lead to its activation, is unchanged. Phosphorylation of IκBβ is, however, reduced by low potassium treatment. Besides being necessary for high potassium-mediated neuronal survival, NF-κB is also involved in the survival-promoting effects of IGF-1 and cAMP as judged by the ability of SN-50 to inhibit the actions of these survival factors and the ability of these factors to inhibit the low potassium-induced alterations in the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB. Taken together, our results show that NF-κB may represent a point of convergence in the signaling pathways activated by different survival factors and that uncommon mechanisms might be involved in NF-κB-mediated survival of cerebellar granule neurons.

NF-kappaB is involved in the survival of cerebellar granule neurons: association of IkappaBbeta phosphorylation with cell survival. CORRECTION

NF-kappaB is involved in the survival of cerebellar granule neurons: association of IkappaBbeta phosphorylation with cell survival. CORRECTION

NF-kappaB is involved in the survival of cerebellar granule neurons: association of IkappaBbeta [correction of Ikappabeta] phosphorylation with cell survival.

The NF-kappaB transcription factor consists of dimeric complexes belonging to the Rel family, which include p50, p52, p65 (RelA), RelB and c-Rel. NF-kappaB activity is tightly controlled by IkappaB proteins which bind to NF-kappaB preventing its translocation to the nucleus. Activation of NF-kappaB is most often mediated by IkappaB degradation, which permits NF-kappaB to enter the nucleus. We investigated the role of NF-kappaB in the survival of cerebellar granule neurons. We found that survival of these neurons in high potassium medium is blocked by three separate inhibitors of NF-kappaB activity: SN-50, N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone and pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, indicating that NF-kappaB is required for neuronal survival. Gel-shift assays reveal three complexes that bind to the NF-kappaB binding site in high potassium medium. Switching these cultures to low potassium medium, a stimulus that leads to apoptotic death, causes a reduction in the level of the largest complex, which contains p65. Overexpression of p65 by transfection inhibits low potassium-induced apoptosis, whereas overexpression of IkappaBalpha promotes apoptosis even in high potassium medium. Surprisingly, however, neither the level of endogenous p65 nor that of IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta is altered by low potassium treatment. Similarly, no changes are seen in the nuclear or cytoplasmic levels of p50, p52, RelB and c-Rel. Phosphorylation of p65, which can lead to its activation, is unchanged. Phosphorylation of IkappaBbeta is, however, reduced by low potassium treatment. Besides being necessary for high potassium-mediated neuronal survival, NF-kappaB is also involved in the survival-promoting effects of IGF-1 and cAMP as judged by the ability of SN-50 to inhibit the actions of these survival factors and the ability of these factors to inhibit the low potassium-induced alterations in the DNA-binding activity of NF-kappaB. Taken together, our results show that NF-kappaB may represent a point of convergence in the signaling pathways activated by different survival factors and that uncommon mechanisms might be involved in NF-kappaB-mediated survival of cerebellar granule neurons.

The role of cell density in the survival of cultured cerebellar granule neurons

The dependence for survival of cerebellar granule neurons on the cell density was examined both experimentally and theoretically. The results of batch experiments revealed that the cell survival index (CSI) was inappreciable, if cell density was below a critical level. If cell density exceeded this critical value, CSI increased with the increase in cell density. In addition, CSI was significantly increased by using a conditioned medium from the dense cultures. This suggests that not only cell density promotes survival of neurons, but also an increased concentration of growth factors produced by neurons has a direct effect on the survival of the neurons. A quantitative model describing the distribution of the growth factor at different cell densities was proposed to investigate the role of cell density in the survival of the neurons. We showed the existence of a critical level for cell density, and good agreement in the improvement of CSI was found between the theoretical prediction and the experimental result. Finally, the average concentration of growth factor necessary for cell survival based on our model was in a reasonable range compared to the practice of the addition of neurotrophic factors to the medium of cultured cerebellar granule neurons. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 52, 748–753, 2000.

The FGFR1 inhibitor PD 173074 selectively and potently antagonizes FGF-2 neurotrophic and neurotropic effects.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) promotes survival and/or neurite outgrowth from a variety of neurons in cell culture and regenerative processes in vivo. FGFs exert their effects by activating cell surface receptor tyrosine kinases. FGF receptor (FGFR) inhibitors have not been characterized on neuronal cell behaviors to date. In the present study, we show that the FGFR1 inhibitor PD 173074 potently and selectively antagonized the neurotrophic and neurotropic actions of FGF-2. Nanomolar concentrations of PD 173074 prevented FGF-2, but not insulin-like growth factor-1, support of cerebellar granule neuron survival under conditions of serum/K(+) deprivation; another FGF-2 inhibitor, SU 5402, was effective only at a 1,000-fold greater concentration. Neither PD 173074 nor SU 5402, at 100 times their IC(50) values, interfered with the survival of dorsal root ganglion neurons promoted by nerve growth factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, or glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. PD 173074 and SU 5402 displayed 1,000-fold differential IC(50) values for inhibition of FGF-2-stimulated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells and in granule neurons, and FGF-2-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (p44/42) phosphorylation. The two inhibitors failed to disturb downstream signalling stimuli of FGF-2. PD 173074 represents a valuable tool for dissecting the role of FGF-2 in normal and pathological nervous system function without compromising the actions of other neurotrophic factors.

Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Delays the Death of Photoreceptors in Mouse Models of Inherited Retinal Degenerations

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily produced by retinal pigment epithelial cells in the developing and adult retina. In vitro, it induces neuronal differentiation of retinoblastoma cells and promotes survival of cerebellar granule neurons. The pedf gene is closely linked to an autosomal-dominant locus for retinitis pigmentosa, suggesting that PEDF could be a survival factor for photoreceptors. We have investigated this possibility by injecting PEDF into the eyes of homozygous retinal degeneration (rd) and retinal degeneration slow (rds) mice, two mutants displaying apoptotic photoreceptor loss. This procedure resulted in a transient delay of photoreceptor loss in the rd mouse and a reduction in apoptotic photoreceptor profiles in the rds mouse. We conclude that PEDF can act as a survival-promoting factor for photoreceptors in vivo and could potentially be useful for the treatment of photoreceptor diseases.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protects cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons against glucose deprivation-induced apoptosis.

In the present study, cell death induced by glucose deprivation in primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons was examined. Glucose deprivation-induced apoptotic cell death was demonstrated using the terminal transferase-mediated (TdT) deoxyuridine triphosphate (d-UTP)-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and DNA fragmentation assays. When the effects of different neurotrophins on the survival of cerebellar granule neurons after glucose deprivation were assessed, BDNF, but not NT-3 or NGF, was found to protect cerebellar granule neurons against glucose deprivation-induced cell death. In addition, BDNF treatment increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the cerebellar granule neurons. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that neuronal death due to glucose deprivation has a significant apoptotic component and that neurotrophins can protect against hypoglycemic damage.

Endonucleolytic DNA fragmentation is not required for apoptosis of cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons

Depolarizing concentrations of potassium (K +) promote maturation and survival of cerebellar granule neurons in vitro. Withdrawal of potassium from differentiated neurons induces morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis, including membrane blebbing, nuclear condensation, activation of caspases, and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Significant DNA fragmentation is detectable at 6 h after K + withdrawal and slowly increases thereafter. Two observations indicate that endonucleolytic DNA degradation is neither required nor sufficient for K + withdrawal-induced apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons: (i) neurons are rescued from apoptosis by readdition of K + up to 8 h after K + withdrawal, when DNA fragmentation has already occured. (ii) The endonuclease inhibitor, aurintricarboxylic acid, inhibits DNA fragmentation as assessed by quantitative DNA fluorometry, TUNEL staining, and DNA gel electrophoresis, but not cell death or chromatin condensation induced by K + withdrawal.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and cycloheximide inhibit Li + protection of cerebellar granule neurons switched to non-depolarizing medium

Recently, it has been shown that Li + robustly enhances the survival of cerebellar granule neurons acutely switched to non-depolarizing medium after maturing in vitro, a condition which elicits massive apoptotic death in this cell type. Tyrosine protein phosphorylation is known to underlie the activity of a number of trophic factors. This prompted us to investigate whether specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors could modulate the Li + protection of cultured granule neurons switched to non-depolarizing medium. Genistein and herbimycin A dose dependently abolished the Li + effect. Furthermore, this effect was substantially prevented by the translational inhibitor cycloheximide, suggesting that it requires de novo protein synthesis. Overall, these results suggest that Li + protection of cerebellar granule neurons switched to non-depolarizing medium involves tyrosine kinases and transcriptional activation.

Maturation‐dependent Modulation of Apoptosis in Cultured Cerebellar Granule Neurons by Cytokines and Neurotrophins

Immature cerebellar granule neurons die by apoptosis within 1 week in vitro unless maintained in depolarizing (high) concentrations of potassium (25 mM K+). Neurons allowed to survive and differentiate in high K+ medium for several days in vitro are still induced to undergo apoptosis when switched back to physiological (low) concentrations of K+ (5 mM). Here we have investigated the effects of various cytokines and growth factors in these two well-defined paradigms of neuronal apoptosis. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha, leukaemia inhibitory factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, interleukin-10 and interleukin-13 delayed apoptosis and prolonged survival of cerebellar granule neurons maintained in low K+ medium. The effect observed required continuous exposure of the cultures to the cytokines and appeared not to involve modulation of Bcl-2 protein expression. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor accelerated neuronal death in low K+ medium. In contrast, when apoptosis of the neurons was precipitated by switching mature high K+ neurons to low K+ medium, neither tumour necrosis factor-alpha, leukaemia inhibitory factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, interleukin-10 nor interleukin-13 prevented apoptosis. When testing the cytokines and growth factors for their capacity to alter N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated excitotoxicity of differentiated cerebellar granule neurons, no significant effect was observed. These data appear to define a maturation-dependent modulation of cerebellar granule cell survival by cytokines and neurotrophic factors that are expressed in a developmental pattern in the mammalian brain.

Characterization of [3H]MK-801 binding to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons and involvement in glutamate-mediated toxicity.

The conditions required for growth and survival of cerebellar granule neurons in vitro are known to alter the developmental regulation of NMDA receptor subunit mRNA. In the present report, we have examined the functional and pharmacological characteristics of NMDA receptors on cerebellar granule neurons at 12 days in culture (12 DIC). Under open-channel conditions in extensively washed membranes, [3H]MK-801 labeled a uniform population of sites (Kd = 3.2 +/- 0.3 nM) in a saturable manner (Bmax = 416 +/- 18 fmol/mg); however, biexponential association and dissociation kinetics indicated the possible existence of at least two NMDA receptor populations that differ in pharmacological properties. The kinetically derived equilibrium dissociation constants for the high- and low-affinity binding components were 0.56 and 771 nM, respectively. The equilibrium competition analysis of MK-801 and other channel-blocking compounds as displacers of [3H]MK-801 revealed the presence of high- and low-affinity binding sites with relative apportionments of 70% and 30%, respectively. The rank-order potency profile of competitor binding at the high-affinity site was (+)-MK-801 > TCP > dextrorphan > dextromethorphan > (+)-ketamine. When tested for the ability to protect 12 DIC cerebellar granule neurons from acute glutamate-induced toxicity, the neuroprotective rank-order potency of these compounds was MK-801 > TCP > dextrorphan > (+)-ketamine > dextromethorphan, which correlated significantly with the high-affinity competition binding profile and thus established the role of NMDA receptors in glutamate toxicity. The findings of these experiments indicate that NMDA receptors on 12 DIC cerebellar granule neurons are a heterogenous population that functionally mediate glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. The heterogenous [3H]MK-801 binding sites may represent NMDA receptor channels composed of different subunits.

Opposing effects of thapsigargin on the survival of developing cerebellar granule neurons in culture

Elevated levels of potassium (K +) promote maturation and survival of cerebellar granule neurons in culture. When switched from a culture medium containing high K + (25 mM) to one with low K + (5 mM) mature granule neurons undergo death by apoptosis. The mechanism by which high K + promotes neuronal survival and conversely inhibits apoptosis) is unclear. Several pieces of evidence indicate that an increase in intracellular calcium (Ca 2+) resulting from depolarization mediated-influx of extracellular Ca 2+ is necessary. We examined the effect of thapsigargin on granule neuron cultures. Thapsigargin is an inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticular Ca 2+ ATPase causing a depletion of Ca 2+ from internal stores. this treatment would therefore be expected to raise intracellular cytosolic Ca 2+ without membrane depolarization. We find that treatment of mature neurons with thapsigargin at doses ⩾5 nM inhibits death resulting from the lowering of extracellular K +. The survival effect of thapsigargin was not affected by inhibitors of extracellular Ca 2+ influx including nifedipine, verapamil, methoxyverapamil, Mg 2+, and Ni 2+, nor was it inhibited by the NMDA receptor antagonist, MK801. We have further examined whether thapsigargin could substitute for elevated K + during the maturation of granule cells. Unexpectedly, treatment of younger (immature) neuronal cultures with the same dose of thapsigargin (5 nM) induced cell death. DNA fragmentation analysis suggested that death was due to apoptosis and not toxicity. As observed with the survival effect on mature neurons, the lethal effect of thapsigargin on immature granule cells was not prevented by inhibitors of Ca 2+ influx.

Depolarization or glutamate receptor activation blocks apoptotic cell death of cultured cerebellar granule neurons

Cerebellar granule neurons can be readily maintained in culture if depolarized with high concentrations of K + or subtoxic concentrations of various excitatory amino acids. We now report that these depolarizing stimuli promote cerebellar granule neuron survival by blocking their programmed death via apoptosis. Cerebellar granule neurons maintained in depolarizing conditions and then changed to non-depolarizing conditions, exhibit the morphological and biochemical features of apoptosis, including cytoplasmic blebbing, condensation and aggregation of nuclear chromatin internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Inhibitors of RNA or protein synthesis greatly attenuate cell death induced by non-depolarizing culture conditions. In contrast, cerebellar granule neurons, when exposed to fresh serum-containing medium or to high concentrations of glutamate, exhibit a delayed-type of neurotoxicity which is non-apoptotic in nature. Given the actions of excitatory amino acid receptor agonists in preventing apoptosis of cultured cerebellar granule neurons, we hypothesize that the functional innervation of postmigratory granule neurons during cerebellar development may prevent further elimination of these neurons by blocking their programmed death.

Lithium Induces Apoptosis in Immature Cerebellar Granule Cells but Promotes Survival of Mature Neurons

Lithium (Li+) has been used in the treatment of manic—depressive disorders for several decades. More recently, Li+ has been shown to affect the signaling pathway of various neurotransmitters and growth/neurotrophic factors. We examined the effect of Li+ on the survival of cerebellar granule neurons in culture. Treatment of immature granule cells with Li+ resulted in programmed cell death (apoptosis). The death process is accompanied by DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis. Following maturation in vitro, granule neurons are dependent on elevated concentrations of extracellular potassium ([K+]o) for survival. Lowering of [K+]o to physiological levels induces apoptosis. Surprisingly, Li+ prevents death of mature neurons caused by low [K+]o. Moreover, the concentration range at which Li+ exerts its protective effect is the same as that at which it induces apoptosis in immature neurons. Thus, a single agent under similar extracellular conditions has opposing effects on survival, depending on the developmental status of the neuron.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can support their survival of cerebellar granule neurons in vitro

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can support their survival of cerebellar granule neurons in vitro

Induction of apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons by low potassium: inhibition of death by insulin-like growth factor I and cAMP.

High levels of extracellular K+ ensure proper development and prolong survival of cerebellar granule neurons in culture. We find that when switched from a culture medium containing high K+ (25 mM) to one containing a low but more physiological K+ concentration (5 mM), differentiated granule neurons degenerate and die. Death induced by low K+ is due to apoptosis (programmed cell death), a form of cell death observed extensively in the developing nervous system and believed to be necessary for proper neurogenesis. The death process is accompanied by cleavage of genomic DNA into internucleosome-sized fragments, a hallmark of apoptosis. Inhibitors of transcription and translation suppress apoptosis induced by low K+, suggesting the necessity for newly synthesized gene products for activation of the process. Death can be prevented by insulin-like growth factor I but not by several other growth/neurotrophic factors. cAMP but not the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate can also support survival in low K+. In view of the large numbers of granule neurons that can be homogeneously cultured, our results offer the prospect of an excellent model system to study the mechanisms underlying apoptosis in the central nervous system and the suppression of this process by survival factors such as insulin-like growth factor I.