Hippocampal overexpression of NOS1AP promotes endophenotypes related to mental disorders.

BACKGROUND Nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP; previously named CAPON) is linked to the glutamatergic postsynaptic density through interaction with neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). NOS1AP and its interaction with nNOS have been associated with several mental disorders. Despite the high levels of NOS1AP expression in the hippocampus and the relevance of this brain region in glutamatergic signalling as well as mental disorders, a potential role of hippocampal NOS1AP in the pathophysiology of these disorders has not been investigated yet. METHODS To uncover the function of NOS1AP in hippocampus, we made use of recombinant adeno-associated viruses to overexpress murine full-length NOS1AP or the NOS1AP carboxyterminus in the hippocampus of mice. We investigated these mice for changes in gene expression, neuronal morphology, and relevant behavioural phenotypes. FINDINGS We found that hippocampal overexpression of NOS1AP markedly increased the interaction of nNOS with PSD-95, reduced dendritic spine density, and changed dendritic spine morphology at CA1 synapses. At the behavioural level, we observed an impairment in social memory and decreased spatial working memory capacity. INTERPRETATION Our data provide a mechanistic explanation for a highly selective and specific contribution of hippocampal NOS1AP and its interaction with the glutamatergic postsynaptic density to cross-disorder pathophysiology. Our findings allude to therapeutic relevance due to the druggability of this molecule. FUNDING This study was funded in part by the DFG, the BMBF, the Academy of Finland, the NIH, the Japanese Society of Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology, the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, and the European Community

Synergistic Impairment of the Neurovascular Unit by HIV-1 Infection and Methamphetamine Use: Implications for HIV-1-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders

The neurovascular units (NVU) are the minimal functional units of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), composed of endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, neurons, and the basement membrane. The BBB serves as an important interface for immune communication between the brain and peripheral circulation. Disruption of the NVU by the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) induces dysfunction of the BBB and triggers inflammatory responses, which can lead to the development of neurocognitive impairments collectively known as HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is a frequent comorbidity among individuals infected with HIV-1. METH use may be associated not only with rapid HIV-1 disease progression but also with accelerated onset and increased severity of HAND. However, the molecular mechanisms of METH-induced neuronal injury and cognitive impairment in the context of HIV-1 infection are poorly understood. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the signaling pathways mediating synergistic impairment of the BBB and neuronal injury induced by METH and HIV-1, potentially accelerating the onset or severity of HAND in HIV-1-positive METH abusers. We also discuss potential therapies to limit neuroinflammation and NVU damage in HIV-1-infected METH abusers

Pathogenetic significance of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor gene for the development of carbohydrate metabolism disorders in obesity

Aim. To investigate the association of the GIPR gene polymorphisms rs2302382 and rs8111428 with increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and abdominal obesity. Materials and methods. The study involved 163 patients with abdominal obesity (BMI, 39.5 ± 8.3 kg/m2; age, 44.7 ± 8.9 years; men, 61; women, 102), 72 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (BMI, 43.70 ± 9.32 kg/m2; age, 46.5 ± 10.1 years; men, 29; women, 43) and 91 patients without carbohydrate metabolism disorders (BMI, 36.13 ± 6.72 kg/m2; age, 43.93 ± 8.35 years; men, 32; women 59). The control group comprised 109 relatively healthy volunteers (BMI, 22.6 ± 2.7 kg/m2; age, 39.5 ± 7.6 years; men, 66; women, 43). Genotypes were analysed by real-time PCR and serum insulin and C-peptide levels were evaluated by ELISA. Results. The AA genotype in the rs2302382 polymorphism of GIPR was associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in abdominal obesity and the CA genotype was associated with a reduced risk. In individuals with abdominal obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus carrying the CA genotype in rs2302382 polymorphism of GIPR, serum insulin and C-peptide levels were elevated to 56.27 mU/L (55.49–58.41 mU/L) and 2.04 ng/ml (1.37–2.85 ng/ml), respectively (p 0.05). In obese patients with the same genotype and without type 2 diabetes, serum insulin levels and C-peptide levels were 22.73 mU/L (19.07–25.76 mU/L) and 0.73 ng/ml (0.53–1.03 ng/ml), respectively (p 0.05). The GIPR rs8111428 polymorphism was not associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in obesity for any of the groups examined. Conclusion. Serum insulin and C-peptide levels were increased in patients with abdominal obesity who were carriers of the CA genotype in the rs2302382 polymorphism of GIPR, which is associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in obesity compared with the CC genotype

Lmx1a is a master regulator of the cortical hem

Development of the nervous system depends on signaling centers – specialized cellular populations that produce secreted molecules to regulate neurogenesis in the neighboring neuroepithelium. In some cases, signaling center cells also differentiate to produce key types of neurons. The formation of a signaling center involves its induction, the maintenance of expression of its secreted molecules, and cell differentiation and migration events. How these distinct processes are coordinated during signaling center development remains unknown. By performing studies in mice, we show that Lmx1a acts as a master regulator to orchestrate the formation and function of the cortical hem (CH), a critical signaling center that controls hippocampus development. Lmx1a co-regulates CH induction, its Wnt signaling, and the differentiation and migration of CH-derived Cajal–Retzius neurons. Combining RNAseq, genetic, and rescue experiments, we identified major downstream genes that mediate distinct Lmx1a-dependent processes. Our work revealed that signaling centers in the mammalian brain employ master regulatory genes and established a framework for analyzing signaling center development

Novel Antioxidant, Deethylated Ethoxyquin, Protects against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Apoptosis

Inflammation and an increase in antioxidant responses mediated by oxidative stress play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute liver injury (ALI). We utilized in silico prediction of biological activity spectra for substances (PASS) analysis to estimate the potential biological activity profile of deethylated ethoxyquin (DEQ) and hypothesized that DEQ exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in a rat model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced ALI. Our results demonstrate that DEQ improved liver function which was indicated by the reduction of histopathological liver changes. Treatment with DEQ reduced CCl4-induced elevation of gene expression, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (AEs), as well as the expression of transcription factors Nfe2l2 and Nfkb2. Furthermore, DEQ treatment inhibited apoptosis, downregulated gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tnf and Il6), cyclooxygenase 2 (Ptgs2), decreased glutathione (GSH) level and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in rats with ALI. Notably, DEQ treatment led to an inhibition of CCl4-induced NLRP3-inflammasome activation which was indicated by the reduced protein expression of IL-1β, caspase-1, and NLRP3 in the liver. Our data suggest that DEQ has a hepatoprotective effect mediated by redox-homeostasis regulation, NLRP3 inflammasome, and apoptosis inhibition, which makes that compound a promising candidate for future clinical studies