Larval pufferfish protected by maternal tetrodotoxin

Marine pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin (TTX), an extremely potent neurotoxin. All species of the genus Takifugu accumulate TTX in the liver and ovaries, although the tissue(s) in which it is localized can differ among species. TTX is the major defense strategy the pufferfish appears to use against predators. TTX is also used as a male-attracting pheromone during spawning. Here we demonstrate an additional (and unexpected) use of maternal TTX in the early larval stages of the Takifugu pufferfish. Predation experiments demonstrated that juveniles of all the species of fish used as predators ingested pufferfish larvae, but spat them out promptly. Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MSMS) analysis revealed that the pufferfish larvae contain a small quantity of TTX, which is not enough to be lethal to the predators. Immunohistochemical analysis with anti-TTX monoclonal antibody revealed that the TTX is primarily localized in the body surface of the larvae as a layer of protection. Our study showed the female parent of the Takifugu pufferfish vertically transfers TTX to the larvae through its accumulation in the ovaries, and subsequent localization on the body surface of the larvae

Importance of rostral ventrolateral medulla neurons in determining efferent sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure

Accentuated sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) is a risk factor for cardiovascular events. In this review, we investigate our working hypothesis that potentiated activity of neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is the primary cause of experimental and essential hypertension. Over the past decade, we have examined how RVLM neurons regulate peripheral SNA, how the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems are correlated and how the sympathetic system can be suppressed to prevent cardiovascular events in patients. Based on results of whole-cell patch-clamp studies, we report that angiotensin II (Ang II) potentiated the activity of RVLM neurons, a sympathetic nervous center, whereas Ang II receptor blocker (ARB) reduced RVLM activities. Our optical imaging demonstrated that a longitudinal rostrocaudal column, including the RVLM and the caudal end of ventrolateral medulla, acts as a sympathetic center. By organizing and analyzing these data, we hope to develop therapies for reducing SNA in our patients. Recently, 2-year depressor effects were obtained by a single procedure of renal nerve ablation in patients with essential hypertension. The ablation injured not only the efferent renal sympathetic nerves but also the afferent renal nerves and led to reduced activities of the hypothalamus, RVLM neurons and efferent systemic sympathetic nerves. These clinical results stress the importance of the RVLM neurons in blood pressure regulation. We expect renal nerve ablation to be an effective treatment for congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease, such as diabetic nephropathy

Monosynaptic excitatory connection from the rostral ventrolateral medulla to sympathetic preganglionic neurons revealed by simultaneous recordings

To directly investigate whether a monosynaptic connection exists between neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPNs), we used simultaneous extracellular recordings of RVLM neurons and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of SPNs at the Th2 level and analyzed them by spike-triggered averaging. We averaged 200 sweeps of membrane potentials in SPN triggered by the spikes in the RVLM neuron. No clear postsynaptic potentials were detected in the averaged wave of SPNs before angiotensin II (Ang II) superfusion, whereas during superfusion with Ang II (6 micromol/L) on the medulla oblongata side alone excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) were clearly found in the SPN of 3 out of 10 pairs at 40 +/- 1 ms after the averaged triggering spike in the RVLM neuron. We consider them to be monosynaptic EPSPs, because 1) the averaged EPSPs exhibited a sharp rise time, 2) the onset latency of the averaged EPSPs in the SPNs after the trigger spike in the RVLM was the same as the latency of the antidromic action potentials in the RVLM neurons in response to electrical stimulation of the SPNs, and 3) the amplitude of the averaged EPSPs was over 2 mV. In summary, combining simultaneous recording and spike-triggered averaging allowed us to demonstrate a monosynaptic excitatory connection between a single RVLM neuron and a single SPN in the thoracic spinal cord. Such connections provide the basis for the maintenance of sympathetic tone and the integrative reflex that relays through the RVLM. The results explain the mechanism by which Ang II in the RVLM area increases peripheral sympathetic activity and blood pressure.10 page(s