Expression of messenger molecules and receptors in rat and human sphenopalatine ganglion indicating therapeutic targets

Background: Migraine and Cluster Headache (CH) are two primary headaches with severe disease burden. The disease expression and the mechanisms involved are poorly known. In some attacks of migraine and in most attacks of CH, there is a release of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) originating from parasympathetic cranial ganglia such as the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG). Patients suffering from these diseases are often deprived of effective drugs. The aim of the study was to examine the localization of the botulinum toxin receptor element synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV-2A) and the vesicular docking protein synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25) in human and rat SPG. Additionally the expression of the neurotransmitters pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP-38), nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), VIP and 5-hydroxttryptamine subtype receptors (5-HT1B,1D,1F) were examined. Methods: SPG from adult male rats and from humans, the later removed at autopsy, were prepared for immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies against neurotransmitters, 5-HT1B,1D,1F receptors, and botulinum toxin receptor elements. Results: We found that the selected neurotransmitters and 5-HT receptors were expressed in rat and human SPG. In addition, we found SV2-A and SNAP25 expression in both rat and human SPG. We report that all three 5-HT receptors studied occur in neurons and satellite glial cells (SGCs) of the SPG. 5-HT1B receptors were in addition found in the walls of intraganglionic blood vessels. Conclusions: Recent focus on the SPG has emphasized the role of parasympathetic mechanisms in the pathophysiology of mainly CH. The development of next generation’s drugs and treatment of cranial parasympathetic symptoms, mediated through the SPG, can be modulated by treatment with BoNT-A and 5-HT receptor agonists

Enhanced Endothelin-1 Mediated Vasoconstriction of the Ophthalmic Artery May Exacerbate Retinal Damage after Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia in Rat

Cerebral vasculature is often the target of stroke studies. However, the vasculature supplying the eye might also be affected by ischemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate if the transient global cerebral ischemia (GCI) enhances vascular effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and 5-hydroxytryptamine/serotonin (5-HT) on the ophthalmic artery in rats, leading to delayed retinal damage. This was preformed using myography on the ophthalmic artery, coupled with immunohistochemistry and electroretinogram (ERG) to assess the ischemic consequences on the retina. Results showed a significant increase of ET-1 mediated vasoconstriction at 48 hours post ischemia. The retina did not exhibit any morphological changes throughout the study. However, we found an increase of GFAP and vimentin expression at 72 hours and 7 days after ischemia, indicating Müller cell mediated gliosis. ERG revealed significantly decreased function at 72 hours, but recovered almost completely after 7 days. In conclusion, we propose that the increased contractile response via ET-1 receptors in the ophthalmic artery after 48 hours may elicit negative retinal consequences due to a second ischemic period. This may exacerbate retinal damage after ischemia as illustrated by the decreased retinal function and Müller cell activation. The ophthalmic artery and ET-1 mediated vasoconstriction may be a valid and novel therapeutic target after longer periods of ischemic insults

Stabilizing Histamine Release in Gut Mast Cells Mitigates Peripheral and Central Inflammation After Stroke

Stroke is the most common cause of long-term disability and places a high economic burden on the global healthcare system. Functional outcomes from stroke are largely determined by the extent of ischemic injury, however, there is growing recognition that systemic inflammatory responses also contribute to outcomes. Mast cells (MCs) rapidly respond to injury and release histamine (HA), a pro-inflammatory neurotransmitter that enhances inflammation. The gut serves as a major reservoir of HA. We hypothesized that cromolyn, a mast cell stabilizer that prevents the release of inflammatory mediators, would decrease peripheral and central inflammation, reduce MC trafficking to the brain, and improve stroke outcomes. We used the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of ischemic stroke in aged (18 mo) male mice to investigate the role of MC in neuroinflammation post-stroke. After MCAO we treated mice with 25 mg/kg body weight of cromolyn (MC stabilizer) by oral gavage. Cromolyn was administered at 3 h, 10 h, 24 h and every 24 h for 3 days post-stroke. Three control groups were used. One group underwent a sham surgery and was treated with cromolyn, one received sham surgery with PBS vehicle and the third underwent MCAO with PBS vehicle. Mice were euthanized at 24 h and 3 days post-stroke. Cromolyn administration significantly reduced MC numbers in the brain at both 24 h and 3 days post-stroke. Infarct volume was not significantly different between groups, however improved functional outcomes were seen at 3 days post-stroke in mice that received cromolyn. Treatment with cromolyn reduced plasma histamine and IL-6 levels in both the 24-h and 3-day cohorts. Gut MCs numbers were significantly reduced after cromolyn treatment at 24 h and 3 days after stroke. To determine if MC trafficking from the gut to the brain occurred after injury, GFP+MCs were adoptively transferred to c-kit−/− MC knock-out animals prior to MCAO. 24 h after stroke, elevated MC recruitment was seen in the ischemic brain. Preventing MC histamine release by cromolyn improved gut barrier integrity and an improvement in stroke-induced dysbiosis was seen with treatment. Our results show that preventing MC histamine release possesses prevents post-stroke neuroinflammation and improves neurological and functional outcomes

Bioinformatics and molecular modeling in glycobiology

The field of glycobiology is concerned with the study of the structure, properties, and biological functions of the family of biomolecules called carbohydrates. Bioinformatics for glycobiology is a particularly challenging field, because carbohydrates exhibit a high structural diversity and their chains are often branched. Significant improvements in experimental analytical methods over recent years have led to a tremendous increase in the amount of carbohydrate structure data generated. Consequently, the availability of databases and tools to store, retrieve and analyze these data in an efficient way is of fundamental importance to progress in glycobiology. In this review, the various graphical representations and sequence formats of carbohydrates are introduced, and an overview of newly developed databases, the latest developments in sequence alignment and data mining, and tools to support experimental glycan analysis are presented. Finally, the field of structural glycoinformatics and molecular modeling of carbohydrates, glycoproteins, and protein–carbohydrate interaction are reviewed

Abstracts from the 8th International Conference on cGMP Generators, Effectors and Therapeutic Implications

This work was supported by a restricted research grant of Bayer AG

Distribution of CGRP and its receptor components CLR and RAMP1 in the rat retina

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37 amino acid neuropeptide with several functions including vasodilation, the perception of painful stimuli, and inflammation. The CGRP receptor consists of two main components; calcitonin-like receptor (CLR) and receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1). While there is a growing recognition that CGRP plays a key role in migraine, the function of CGRP in the retina has not been fully established. This study aims to investigate the distribution of CGRP and its two receptor components in the rat retina, visually by immunohistochemistry and quantitatively using flow cytometry. CGRP immunoreactivity was found in the Müller cells while CLR/RAMP1 was located in the nerve fiber layer. Furthermore, since almost all RAMP1 immunoreactive cells co-express CLR, we propose that RAMP1 expression in the retina reflects functional CGRP receptors

Increased endothelin-1-mediated vasoconstriction after organ culture in rat and pig ocular arteries can be suppressed with MEK/ERK1/2 inhibitors

PURPOSE: Even though retinal vascular changes following ischaemia have been poorly understood, the upregulation of vasoconstrictive endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptors (ETA/ETB) following global cerebral ischaemia has been described. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the MEK/ERK1/2 pathway is involved in the observed upregulation and whether specific MEK/ERK1/2 inhibitors U0126 and trametinib can prevent it.METHODS: The aim was also to localize ETAand ETBreceptors using immunohistochemistry in both fresh rat ophthalmic arteries and after 24-hr organ culture and study the receptors functionally using myography. Pig retinal arteries also underwent 24-hr organ culture to validate similar responses across species and the retinal vasculature.RESULTS: Results showed that following organ culture there is a significant increase in ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction, in particular via the ETBreceptor. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry revealed a clear increase in pERK in the smooth muscle cells of rat ophthalmic artery. U0126 and trametinib were successful in attenuating the functional vasoconstriction in both rat and pig, as well as restoring immunofluorescence of pERK to fresh levels and counteracting ETBexpression in the smooth muscle cells of the rat ophthalmic artery.CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show that the MEK/ERK1/2 pathway in responsible for the increase in functional vasoconstriction via ET-1 receptor in rat ophthalmic and pig retinal arteries. Furthermore, this study is the first to suggest a way of inhibiting and preventing such an increase. With these results, we suggest a novel approach in retinal ischaemia therapy

MEK/ERK/1/2 sensitive vascular changes coincide with retinal functional deficit, following transient ophthalmic artery occlusion

Retinal ischemia remains a major cause of blindness in the world with few acute treatments available. Recent emphasis on retinal vasculature and the ophthalmic artery's vascular properties after ischemia has shown an increase in vasoconstrictive functionality, as previously observed in cerebral arteries following stroke. Specifically, endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptor-mediated vasoconstriction regulated by the MEK/ERK1/2 pathway. In this study, the ophthalmic artery of rats was occluded for 2 h with the middle cerebral artery occlusion model. MEK/ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 was administered at 0, 6, and 24 h following reperfusion and the functional properties of the ophthalmic artery were evaluated at 48 h post reperfusion. Additionally, retinal function was evaluated at day 1, 4, and 7 after reperfusion. Occlusion of the ophthalmic artery led to a significant increase of endothelin-1 mediated vasoconstriction which can be attenuated by U0126 treatment, most evident at higher ET-1 concentrations of 10−7 M (Emax151.0 ± 22.0% of 60 mM K+), vs non-treated ischemic arteries Emax 212.1 ± 14.7% of 60 mM K+). Retinal function also deteriorated following ischemia and was improved with treatment with a-wave amplitudes of 725 ± 36 μV in control, 560 ± 21 μV in non-treated, and 668 ± 73 μV in U0126 treated at 2 log cd*s/m2 luminance in the acute stages (1 days post-ischemia). Full spontaneous retinal recovery was observed at day 7 regardless of treatment. In conclusion, this is the first study to show a beneficial in vivo effect of U0126 on vascular contractility following ischemia in the ophthalmic artery. Coupled with the knowledge obtained from cerebral vasculature, these results point towards a novel therapeutic approach following ischemia-related injuries to the eye