13 research outputs found
Glucocerebrosidase expression patterns in the non-human primate brain
Glucocerebrosidase (GCase) is a lysosomal
enzyme encoded by the GBA1 gene. Mutations in GBA1
gene lead to Gaucher’s disease, the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder. GBA1 mutations reduce GCase
activity, therefore promoting the aggregation of alphasynuclein, a common neuropathological finding underlying
Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies.
However, it is also worth noting that a direct link between
GBA1 mutations and alpha-synuclein aggregation indicating cause and effect is still lacking, with limited experimental evidence to date. Bearing in mind that a number of
strategies increasing GCase expression for the treatment of
PD are currently under development, here we sought to
analyze the baseline expression of GCase in the brain of
Macaca fascicularis, which has often been considered as
the gold-standard animal model of PD. Although as with
other lysosomal enzymes, GCase is expected to be ubiquitously expressed, here a number of regional variations
have been consistently found, together with several specific
neurochemical phenotypes expressing very high levels of
GCase. In this regard, the most enriched expression of
GCase was constantly found in cholinergic neurons from
the nucleus basalis of Meynert, dopaminergic cells in the
substantia nigra pars compacta, serotoninergic neurons
from the raphe nuclei, as well as in noradrenergic neurons
located in the locus ceruleus. Moreover, it is also worth
noting that moderate levels of expression were also found
in a number of areas within the paleocortex and archicortex, such as the entorhinal cortex and the hippocampal
formation, respectively
Mitochondrial angiotensin receptors in dopaminergic neurons. Role in cell protection and aging-related vulnerability to neurodegeneration
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was initially considered as a circulating humoral system controlling blood pressure, being kidney the key control organ. In addition to the \u27classical\u27 humoral RAS, a second level in RAS, local or tissular RAS, has been identified in a variety of tissues, in which local RAS play a key role in degenerative and aging-related diseases. The local brain RAS plays a major role in brain function and neurodegeneration. It is normally assumed that the effects are mediated by the cell-surface-specific G-protein-coupled angiotensin type 1 and 2 receptors (AT1 and AT2). A combination of in vivo (rats, wild-type mice and knockout mice) and in vitro (primary mesencephalic cultures, dopaminergic neuron cell line cultures) experimental approaches (confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, laser capture microdissection, transfection of fluorescent-tagged receptors, treatments with fluorescent angiotensin, western blot, polymerase chain reaction, HPLC, mitochondrial respirometry and other functional assays) were used in the present study. We report the discovery of AT1 and AT2 receptors in brain mitochondria, particularly mitochondria of dopaminergic neurons. Activation of AT1 receptors in mitochondria regulates superoxide production, via Nox4, and increases respiration. Mitochondrial AT2 receptors are much more abundant and increase after treatment of cells with oxidative stress inducers, and produce, via nitric oxide, a decrease in mitochondrial respiration. Mitochondria from the nigral region of aged rats displayed altered expression of AT1 and AT2 receptors. AT2-mediated regulation of mitochondrial respiration represents an unrecognized primary line of defence against oxidative stress, which may be particularly important in neurons with increased levels of oxidative stress such as dopaminergic neurons. Altered expression of AT1 and AT2 receptors with aging may induce mitochondrial dysfunction, the main risk factor for neurodegeneratio
Nigral and striatal regulation of angiotensin receptor expression by dopamine and angiotensin in rodents: implications for progression of Parkinson's disease
The basal ganglia have a local renin-angiotensin system and it has been shown that the loss of dopaminergic neurons induced by neurotoxins is amplified by local angiotensin II (AII) via angiotensin type 1 receptors (AT1) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) complex activation. Recent studies have revealed a high degree of counter-regulatory interactions between dopamine and AII receptors in non-neural cells such as renal proximal tubule cells. However, it is not known if this occurs in the basal ganglia. In the striatum and nigra, depletion of dopamine with reserpine induced a significant increase in the expression of AT1, angiotensin type 2 receptors (AT2) and the NADPH subunit p47(phox) , which decreased as dopamine function was restored. Similarly, 6-hydroxydopamine-induced chronic dopaminergic denervation induced a significant increase in expression of AT1, AT2 and p47(phox) , which decreased with L-dopa administration. A significant reduction in expression of AT1 mRNA was also observed after administration of dopamine to cultures of microglial cells. Transgenic rats with very low levels of brain AII showed increased AT1, decreased p47 (phox) and no changes in AT2 expression, whereas mice deficient in AT1 exhibited a decrease in the expression of p47 (phox) and AT2. The administration of relatively high doses of AII (100 nm) decreased the expression of AT1, and the increased expression of AT2 and p47(phox) in primary mesencephalic cultures. The results reveal an important interaction between the dopaminergic and local renin-angiotensin system in the basal ganglia, which may be a major factor in the progression of Parkinson's disease
Estrogen and angiotensin interaction in the substantia nigra. Relevance to postmenopausal Parkinson's disease
Epidemiological studies have reported that the incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD) is higher in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women of similar age. Several laboratory observations have revealed that estrogen has protective effects against dopaminergic toxins. The mechanism by which estrogen protects dopaminergic neurons has not been clarified, although estrogen-induced attenuation of the neuroinflammatory response plays a major role. We have recently shown that activation of the nigral renin-angiotensin system (RAS), via type 1 (AT1) receptors, leads to NADPH complex and microglial activation and induces dopaminergic neuron death. In the present study we investigated the effect of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement on the nigral RAS and on dopaminergic degeneration induced by intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA. We observed a marked loss of dopaminergic neurons in ovariectomized rats treated with 6-OHDA, which was significantly reduced by estrogen replacement or treatment with the AT1 receptor antagonist candesartan. We also observed that estrogen replacement induces significant downregulation of the activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme as well as downregulation of AT1 receptors, upregulation of AT2 receptors and downregulation of the NADPH complex activity in the substantia nigra in comparison with ovariectomized rats. The present results suggest that estrogen-induced down-regulation of RAS and NADPH activity may be associated with the reduced risk of PD in premenopausal women, and increased risk in conditions causing early reduction in endogenous estrogen, and that manipulation of brain RAS system may be an efficient approach for the prevention or coadjutant treatment of PD in estrogen-deficient women
Estrogen and angiotensin interaction in the substantia nigra. Relevance to postmenopausal Parkinson's disease
Epidemiological studies have reported that the incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD) is higher in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women of similar age. Several laboratory observations have revealed that estrogen has protective effects against dopaminergic toxins. The mechanism by which estrogen protects dopaminergic neurons has not been clarified, although estrogen-induced attenuation of the neuroinflammatory response plays a major role. We have recently shown that activation of the nigral renin-angiotensin system (RAS), via type 1 (AT1) receptors, leads to NADPH complex and microglial activation and induces dopaminergic neuron death. In the present study we investigated the effect of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement on the nigral RAS and on dopaminergic degeneration induced by intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA. We observed a marked loss of dopaminergic neurons in ovariectomized rats treated with 6-OHDA, which was significantly reduced by estrogen replacement or treatment with the AT1 receptor antagonist candesartan. We also observed that estrogen replacement induces significant downregulation of the activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme as well as downregulation of AT1 receptors, upregulation of AT2 receptors and downregulation of the NADPH complex activity in the substantia nigra in comparison with ovariectomized rats. The present results suggest that estrogen-induced down-regulation of RAS and NADPH activity may be associated with the reduced risk of PD in premenopausal women, and increased risk in conditions causing early reduction in endogenous estrogen, and that manipulation of brain RAS system may be an efficient approach for the prevention or coadjutant treatment of PD in estrogen-deficient women
Location of prorenin receptors in primate substantia nigra: effects on dopaminergic cell death
Angiotensin II acts via angiotensin type 1 receptors and is a major inducer of inflammation and oxidative stress. Local renin-angiotensin systems play a major role in the development of age-related disorders in several tissues. These processes are delayed, but not totally abolished, by blockade of angiotensin signaling. A specific receptor for renin and its precursor prorenin has recently been identified. We previously showed that neurotoxin-induced dopaminergic (DA) cell loss is decreased by inhibition of angiotensin receptors, but the location and functional effects of prorenin receptor (PRR) in the brain, including the DA system, are unknown. In the substantia nigra of Macaca fascicularis and in rat primary mesencephalic cultures, double immunofluorescence analysis revealed PRR immunoreactivity in neurons (including DA neurons) and microglia, but not in astrocytes. Administration of the PRR blocker, handle region peptide, led to a significant decrease in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced DA cell death in the cultures,whereas administration of renin with simultaneous blockade of angiotensin receptors led to an increase in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell death. These results suggest that active agent angiotensin II-independent PRR intracellular signaling may contribute to exacerbation of DA cell death in vivo. Therefore, potential neuroprotective strategies for DA neurons in Parkinson disease should address both angiotensin and PRR signaling
Location of prorenin receptors in primate substantia nigra: effects on dopaminergic cell death
Angiotensin II acts via angiotensin type 1 receptors and is a major inducer of inflammation and oxidative stress. Local renin-angiotensin systems play a major role in the development of age-related disorders in several tissues. These processes are delayed, but not totally abolished, by blockade of angiotensin signaling. A specific receptor for renin and its precursor prorenin has recently been identified. We previously showed that neurotoxin-induced dopaminergic (DA) cell loss is decreased by inhibition of angiotensin receptors, but the location and functional effects of prorenin receptor (PRR) in the brain, including the DA system, are unknown. In the substantia nigra of Macaca fascicularis and in rat primary mesencephalic cultures, double immunofluorescence analysis revealed PRR immunoreactivity in neurons (including DA neurons) and microglia, but not in astrocytes. Administration of the PRR blocker, handle region peptide, led to a significant decrease in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced DA cell death in the cultures,whereas administration of renin with simultaneous blockade of angiotensin receptors led to an increase in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell death. These results suggest that active agent angiotensin II-independent PRR intracellular signaling may contribute to exacerbation of DA cell death in vivo. Therefore, potential neuroprotective strategies for DA neurons in Parkinson disease should address both angiotensin and PRR signaling
Glucocerebrosidase expression patterns in the non-human primate brain
Glucocerebrosidase (GCase) is a lysosomal
enzyme encoded by the GBA1 gene. Mutations in GBA1
gene lead to Gaucher’s disease, the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder. GBA1 mutations reduce GCase
activity, therefore promoting the aggregation of alphasynuclein, a common neuropathological finding underlying
Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies.
However, it is also worth noting that a direct link between
GBA1 mutations and alpha-synuclein aggregation indicating cause and effect is still lacking, with limited experimental evidence to date. Bearing in mind that a number of
strategies increasing GCase expression for the treatment of
PD are currently under development, here we sought to
analyze the baseline expression of GCase in the brain of
Macaca fascicularis, which has often been considered as
the gold-standard animal model of PD. Although as with
other lysosomal enzymes, GCase is expected to be ubiquitously expressed, here a number of regional variations
have been consistently found, together with several specific
neurochemical phenotypes expressing very high levels of
GCase. In this regard, the most enriched expression of
GCase was constantly found in cholinergic neurons from
the nucleus basalis of Meynert, dopaminergic cells in the
substantia nigra pars compacta, serotoninergic neurons
from the raphe nuclei, as well as in noradrenergic neurons
located in the locus ceruleus. Moreover, it is also worth
noting that moderate levels of expression were also found
in a number of areas within the paleocortex and archicortex, such as the entorhinal cortex and the hippocampal
formation, respectively
Expression of the mRNA coding the cannabinoid receptor 2 in the pallidal complex of Macaca fascicularis
The putative presence of the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB(2)-R) in the central nervous system is still a matter of debate. Although first described in peripheral and immune tissues, evidence suggesting the existence of CB(2)-Rs in glial cells and even neurons has been made available more recently. By taking advantage of newly designed CB(2)-R mRNA riboprobes, we have demonstrated by in situ hybridization and PCR the existence of CB2-R transcripts in a variety of brain areas of the primate Macaca fascicularis, including the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, as well as in the external and internal divisions of the globus pallidus, both pallidal segments showing the highest abundance of CB(2)-R transcripts. In this regard, the presence of the messenger coding CB(2)-Rs within the pallidal complex highlights their consideration as potential targets for the treatment of movement disorders of basal ganglia origin
Detection of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 within basal ganglia output neurons in macaques: changes following experimental parkinsonism
Abstract Although type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1-
Rs) are expressed abundantly throughout the brain, the
presence of type 2 cannabinoid receptors (CB2Rs) in neurons
is still somewhat controversial. Taking advantage of
newly designed CB1R and CB2R mRNA riboprobes, we
demonstrate by PCR and in situ hybridization that transcripts
for both cannabinoid receptors are present within
labeled pallidothalamic-projecting neurons of control and
MPTP-treated macaques, whereas the expression is markedly
reduced in dyskinetic animals. Moreover, an in situ
proximity ligation assay was used to qualitatively assess
the presence of CB1Rs and CB2Rs, as well as CB1R–CB2R
heteromers within basal ganglia output neurons in all
animal groups (control, parkinsonian and dyskinetic
macaques). A marked reduction in the number of CB1Rs,
CB2Rs and CB1R–CB2R heteromers was found in dyskinetic
animals, mimicking the observed reduction in CB1R
and CB2R mRNA expression levels. The fact that chronic
levodopa treatment disrupted CB1R–CB2R heteromeric
complexes should be taken into consideration when
designing new drugs acting on cannabinoid receptor
heteromers