The Irritable Bowel Syndrome: How Stress Can Affect the Amygdala Activity and the Brain-Gut Axis

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Rat pro-inflammatory cytokine and cytokine related mRNA quantification by real-time polymerase chain reaction using SYBR green

BACKGROUND: Cytokine mRNA quantification is widely used to investigate cytokine profiles, particularly in small samples. Real-time polymerase chain reaction is currently the most reliable method of quantifying low-level transcripts such as cytokine and cytokine receptor mRNAs. This accurate technique allows the quantification of a larger pattern of cytokines than quantification at the protein level, which is limited to a smaller number of proteins. RESULTS: Although fluorogenic probes are considered more sensitive than fluorescent dyes, we have developed SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR protocols to assay pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1a, IL1b and IL6, TNFa), cytokine receptors (IL1-r1, IL1-r2, IL6-r, TNF-r2) and related molecules (IL1-RA, SOCS3) mRNA in rats. This method enables normalisation against several housekeeping genes (beta-actin, GAPDH, CypA, HPRT) dependent on the specific experimental treatments and tissues using either standard curve, or comparative C(T )quantification method. PCR efficiency and sensitivity allow the assessment of; i) basal mRNA levels in many tissues and even decreases in mRNA levels, ii) mRNA levels from very small samples. CONCLUSION: Real-time RT-PCR is currently the best way to investigate cytokine networks. The investigations should be completed by the analysis of genes regulated by cytokines or involved in cytokine signalling, providing indirect information on cytokine protein expression

Evaluation de l'immuno-PCR en phage display pour la détection des toxines (application à la toxine tétanique)

LYON1-BU Santé (693882101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Selection of reference genes for real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in hippocampal structure in a murine model of temporal lobe epilepsy with focal seizures.

International audienceReference genes are often used to normalize expression of data from real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and only a validation of their stability during a given experimental paradigm leads to reliable interpretations. The present study was thus designed to validate potential reference genes in a mouse model of mesiotemporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) with focal seizures after unilateral intrahippocampal injection of kainate (KA). Ipsilateral and contralateral hippocampi were removed during nonconvulsive status epilepticus (5 hr), epileptogenesis (7 days), and the chronic period of recurrent focal seizures (21 days). Naive animals were equally studied. The stability of eight potential reference genes (hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase, Hprt1; peptidylprolyl isomerase A, Ppia; TATA box binding protein, Tbp; beta-actin, Actb; acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein P0, Arbp; glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Gapdh; ribosomal RNA 18S, 18S rRNA; and glucuronidase beta, Gusb) were determined using geNorm and NormFinder software. The first five (Hprt1, Ppia, Tbp, Actb, and Arbp) were found to be stable across the different phases of the disease and appeared adequate for normalizing RT-qPCR data in this model. This was in contrast to the other three (18S rRNA, Gapdh, and Gusb), which showed unstable expressions and should be avoided. The analysis of KA-induced changes in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (Gfap) gene resulted in various relative expressions or even a completely different pattern when unstable reference genes were used. These results highlight the absolute need to validate the reference genes for a correct interpretation of mRNA quantification

Leptin receptor-deficient obese Zucker rats reduce their food intake in response to hypobaric hypoxia.

International audienceExposure to hypoxia induces anorexia in humans and rodents, but the role of leptin remains under discussion and that of orexigenic and anorexigenic hypothalamic neuropeptides remains unknown. The present study was designed to address this issue by using obese (Lepr(fa)/Lepr(fa)) Zucker rats, a rat model of genetic leptin receptor deficiency. Homozygous lean (Lepr(FA)/Lepr(FA)) and obese (Lepr(fa)/Lepr(fa)) rats were randomly assigned to two groups, either kept at ambient pressure or exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 1, 2, or 4 days (barometric pressure, 505 hPa). Food intake and body weight were recorded throughout the experiment. The expression of leptin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes was studied in adipose tissue with real-time quantitative PCR and that of selected orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptides was measured in the hypothalamus. Lean and obese rats exhibited a similar hypophagia (38 and 67% of initial values at day 1, respectively, P < 0.01) and initial decrease in body weight during hypoxia exposure. Hypoxia led to increased plasma leptin levels only in obese rats. This resulted from increased leptin gene expression in adipose tissue in response to hypoxia, in association with enhanced VEGF gene expression. Increased hypothalamic neuropeptide Y levels in lean rats 2 days after hypoxia exposure contributed to accounting for the enhanced food consumption. No significant changes occurred in the expression of other hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in the control of food intake. This study demonstrates unequivocally that altitude-induced anorexia cannot be ascribed to anorectic signals triggered by enhanced leptin production or alterations of hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in anabolic or catabolic pathways

Bombesin receptor subtype-3 is expressed by the enteric nervous system and by interstitial cells of Cajal in the rat gastrointestinal tract.

International audienceBombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3), a G-protein-coupled orphan receptor, shares 47% and 55% homology with other known mammalian bombesin receptors. Despite the molecular characterization of BRS-3, its function remains unclear as a consequence of its low affinity for bombesin and the absence of an identified natural ligand. Although the other mammalian bombesin receptors are widely distributed in the gut and central nervous system, expression of BRS-3 in the gastrointestinal tract has not been previously described. We report the expression of BRS-3 mRNA and protein in the tunica muscularis of the rat gastrointestinal tract. The mRNA expression pattern was studied by reverse transcription followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To identify the cellular sites of expression of BRS-3, we performed immunocytochemistry by using a N-terminus-specific affinity-purified antiserum. BRS-3 was found to be widely expressed in the rat gastrointestinal tract at both the mRNA and protein levels. BRS-3-like immunoreactivity (BRS-3-LI) was localized in neurons of the myenteric and submucosal ganglia, being primarily concentrated near the neuronal plasma membrane, and in fibers distributed in the longitudinal and circular muscle layers. In addition, BRS-3-LI was observed in the cell bodies and processes of c-kit+ interstitial cells of Cajal. These data have functional applications for the effects mediated by the activation of BRS-3 on gut motility through distinct neuronal and non-neuronal pathways

Expression and effects of metabotropic CRF1 and CRF2 receptors in rat small intestine.

International audienceCorticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-like peptides mediate their effects via two receptor subtypes, CRF1 and CRF2; these receptors have functional implication in the motility of the stomach and colon in rats. We evaluated expression and functions of CRF1 and CRF2 receptors in the rat small intestine (i.e., duodenum and ileum). CRF(1-2)-like immunoreactivity (CRF(1-2)-LI) was localized in fibers and neurons of the myenteric and submucosal ganglia. CRF(1-2)-LI was found in nerve fibers of the longitudinal and circular muscle layers, in the mucosa, and in mucosal cells. Quantitative RT-PCR showed a stronger expression of CRF2 than CRF1 in the ileum, whereas CRF1 expression was higher than CRF2 expression in the duodenum. Functional studies showed that CRF-like peptides increased duodenal phasic contractions and reduced ileal contractions. CRF1 antagonists (CP-154,526 and SSR125543Q) blocked CRF-like peptide-induced activation of duodenal motility but did not block CRF-like peptide-induced inhibition of ileal motility. In contrast, a CRF2 inhibitor (astressin2-B) blocked the effects of CRF-like peptides on ileal muscle contractions but did not influence CRF-like peptide-induced activation of duodenal motility. These results demonstrate the presence of CRF(1-2) in the intestine and demonstrate that, in vitro, CRF-like peptides stimulate the contractile activity of the duodenum through CRF1 receptor while inhibiting phasic contractions of the ileum through CRF2 receptor. These results strongly suggest that CRF-like peptides play a major role in the regulatory mechanisms that underlie the neural control of small intestinal motility through CRF receptors

Quantification of low-expressed mRNA using 5' LNA-containing real-time PCR primers.

International audienceReal-time RT-PCR is the most sensitive and accurate method for mRNA quantification. Using specific recombinant DNA as a template, real-time PCR allows accurate quantification within a 7-log range and increased sensitivity below 10 copies. However, when using RT-PCR to quantify mRNA in biological samples, a stochastic off-targeted amplification can occur. Classical adjustments of assay parameters have minimal effects on such amplification. This undesirable amplification appears mostly to be dependent on specific to non-specific target ratio rather than on the absolute quantity of the specific target. This drawback, which decreases assay reliability, mostly appears when quantifying low-expressed transcript in a whole organ. An original primer design using properties of LNA allows to block off-target amplification. 5'-LNA substitution strengthens 5'-hybridization. Consequently on-target hybridization is stabilized and the probability for the off-target to lead to amplification is decreased

Effect of glucocorticoid depletion on heat-induced Hsp70, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha gene expression.

International audienceWhen exposed to heat, conscious naive rats may develop lethal heatstroke, depending on heat load, i.e., time spent at high body core temperature. The occurrence of heatstroke was hypothesized to result from a defective glucocorticoid secretion related to altered heat-stress responses. We thus investigated the potential involvement of glucocorticoids in heat tolerance and its consequences on physiological responses, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), and cytokine mRNA expressions. Two hours before heat exposure, the animals were injected either with metyrapone, an inhibitor of corticosterone synthesis, or with its vehicle. Heat exposure lasted for 15, 30, 45 or 60 min. Thereafter, the rats were distributed into three groups according to their heat load: null, moderate (without any lethal risk) and intense (with lethal risk). Physiological responses were evaluated with colonic temperature, plasma lactate and hematocrit. Brain responses were assessed in frontal cortex through Hsp70, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA expressions. The animals with a severe heat load exhibited a high hematocrit, increased plasma lactate level and enhanced brain IL-1beta and Hsp70 mRNA expressions. Independent of the heat load, Metyrapone rats showed the same thermophysiological responses and IL-1beta and Hsp70 mRNA expressions when compared with vehicle rats. However, the Metyrapone rats experiencing an intense heat load exhibited an increased TNF-alpha mRNA expression. In conclusion, these data (i) confirm that heat load is important in the calibration of the risk attached to heat exposure; and (ii) suggest that corticosterone synthesis inhibition may favor TNF-alpha mRNA expression without any effect on Hsp70 mRNA expression