Les bourgeons du goût contiennent 50 à 100 cellules gustatives. Parmi elles, on distingue les cellules de type 2 et 3, capables d’émettre des potentiels d’action. Les cellules réceptrices (type 2), qui détectent les stimulus sapides dans la salive, ne possèdent pas de synapse. Les cellules présynaptiques (type 3), équipées d’une synapse, transmettent l’information aux neurones gustatifs. Nous avons réalisé des enregistrements électrophysiologiques (patch-clamp) de cellules de bourgeons du goût de papilles fongiformes in situ, dans un épithélium lingual isolé de souris.L’analyse des courants d’action en configuration cellule-attachée, permet de distinguer des impulsions courtes et longues. Dans ce dernier cas, la phase initiale rapide de dépolarisation est suivie d’une dépolarisation maintenue et d’une repolarisation lente. Ceci dénote l’activation de canaux dépolarisants autres que ceux réglant habituellement le décours temporel du potentiel d’action.Les enregistrements en patch-perforé gramicidine, qui n’altèrent pas le milieu intracellulaire, ont permis de perfuser l’intérieur de la cellule avec du césium, bloqueur des canaux potassiques. Le césium permet de distinguer les cellules de type 2 des cellules de type 3 par la présence d’un courant césium-résistant qui correspondrait, selon la littérature, à un courant résultant de l’ouverture d’hémicanaux permettant la sortie d’ATP. Nos observations sont globalement en accord avec les données de la littérature, mais ne supportent pas totalement la classification proposée actuellement en trois types cellulaires bien définis.Les hémicanaux joueraient donc un rôle central dans la communication intercellulaire au sein du bourgeon du goût. Nous avons, à notre connaissance pour la première fois, enregistré des canaux à grande conductance dans les cellules gustatives, en absence d’ion divalents dans la pipette d’enregistrement. Ces canaux, non spécifiques, présentent un fonctionnement complexe avec, outre l’état fermé et l’état de plus haute conductance (700pS), de nombreux états d’ouvertures intermédiaires et un état de conductance résiduel proche du niveau fermé.Au bilan, nos résultats confortent l’hypothèse de l’ouverture de canaux dont la grande conductance laisserait passer l’ATP dans les cellules réceptrices. / Taste buds contain 50 to 100 taste cells. Among those cells, type 2 and type 3 cells are able to produce action potentials. Receptor cells (type 2) detect sapid stimulus in the saliva, but do not possess synapses. Presynaptic cells (type 3) with synapse deliver information to the taste neurons. We performed electrophysiological (patch-clamp) recordings of fungiform taste bud cells in situ, from a mouse isolated lingual epithelium.Analysis of action currents in cell-attached configuration allows discrimination of short and long impulses. In the long ones, the rapid initial depolarizing phase is followed by a slow and a maintained repolarization. This suggests the activation of depolarizing channels other than the ones implied in usual action potential time decay. Gramicidin perforated-patch recordings, which do not alter the inside of the cell, allowed cells perfusion with cesium, a potassic channel blocker. Cesium allows to distinguish type 2 from type 3 cells by the presence of a cesium-resistant current, that may correspond, according to the literature, to the current flowing through hemichannels responsible for ATP release. Our observations mostly agree with data from the literature, but do not fully support the actual classification in only three defined cell types.Hemichannels have a key role in intercellular communication within the taste bud. Thus, and to our knowledge for the very first time, we recorded large conductance channels from taste cells, using a divalent-free pipet. Those non-specific channels have a complex opening mechanism, which, besides closed and upper conductance states (700pS), present many intermediate opening levels and residual states close to the closed state. Our results support the hypothesis that large conductance channels responsible for ATP release open in receptor cells.

Les plantes médicinales constituent un réservoir important de substances naturelles pour la découverte de nouvelles molécules thérapeutiques. L’intérêt de ce travail est d'explorer le potentiel thérapeutique des plantes médicinales connues pour leurs vertus neuromodulatrices et potentiellement d’intérêt pour le traitement de maladies neurologiques, y compris l’épilepsie, en étudiant leur capacité à cibler l’activité des canaux calciques de type T qui jouent un rôle important dans l’hyperexcitabilité neuronale et la physiopathologie des épilepsies. Le premier objectif de ma thèse était d’étudier l’effet des extraits de plantes méditerranéennes ; Lavandula stoechas, Rosmarinus officinalis et Peganum harmala, ainsi que leurs principes actifs ; le linalol, l’acide rosmarinique et l’harmaline, respectivement, sur des courants calciques de type T en utilisant la technique patch-clamp en configuration cellule-entière. Les enregistrements électrophysiologiques à partir de cellules HEK-293 exprimant les canaux T montrent que la lavande, le romarin et l’harmal réduisent significativement les courants de type T sur la gamme de potentiel membranaire testée. Les produits naturels arrivent à déplacer l'état stable d’inactivation vers des potentiels de membrane plus négatifs et certains (Peganum harmala) accélèrent significativement la cinétique d'inactivation des canaux T. Le deuxième objectif était d’étudier l’effet anticonvulsivant et/ou antiépileptique de ces plantes et du TTA-A2 ; un bloqueur sélectif des canaux T, sur un modèle animal d’épilepsie. Nos résultats valident le PTZ et la 4-AP comme inducteurs de crises chez le poisson zèbre, ces deux modèles permettant le criblage pour des molécules anticonvulsivantes et/ou antiépileptiques. Nos résultats montrent que le romarin, la lavande ainsi que le TTA-A2 inhibent les crises pseudo-épileptiques chez ces deux modèles. Dans l’ensemble, ce projet suggère que les canaux T seraient impliqués dans les propriétés neuroprotectrices et anticonvulsivantes des plantes médicinales étudiées et valide le rôle des plantes médicinales comme source intéressante de produits thérapeutiques. / Medicinal plants represent an interesting reservoir of natural substances for the discovery of new therapeutic molecules. The interest of this work is to explore the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, which are known for their neuromodulation effects, by studying their ability to target the activity of T-type calcium channels which play a major role in neuronal hyperexcitability and the pathophysiology of epilepsy and other neurological diseases.The first objective of my thesis was to study the effect of Mediterranean plant extracts; Lavandula stoechas, Rosmarinus officinalis and Peganum harmala and their active ingredients; linalool, rosmarinic acid and harmaline, respectively, on T-type calcium currents using the patch clamp technique in whole-cell configuration. Electrophysiological recordings from HEK-293 cells expressing T-type channels show that lavender, rosemary and Harmal significantly reduce T-type currents over the potential range tested. The natural products shifted steady-state inactivation towards more negative membrane potentials and some plants (Peganum harmala) significantly accelerate the inactivation kinetics of T-type channels. The second objective was to study the anticonvulsant / antiepileptic activity of these plants as well as TTA-A2, a selective T-type channel blocker, in an epilepsy model in zebrafish. Our results validate the PTZ and 4-AP as inducers of convulsions in zebrafish and both models could be used to screen for anticonvulsant and/or antiepileptic molecules. Our results show that rosemary, lavender and TTA-A2 inhibit seizures-like activity in these two models. Overall, this project suggests that T-type channels are involved in the neuroprotective and anticonvulsant properties of the studied medicinal plants and validates the role of medicinal plants as a valuable source of therapeutic products.

Nesse estudo investigamos os efeitos da hipóxia tecidual aguda (HA) sobre as propriedades eletrofisiológicas intrínsecas dos neurônios pré-simpáticos bulboespinhais da área rostro-ventrolateral do bulbo (RVLM) de ratos jovens adultos submetidos previamente à hipóxia crônica intermitente (HCI) e os seus respectivos controle. Para marcarmos os neurônios pré-simpáticos bulboespinhais da RVLM, ratos Wistar jovens (P19-P21) anestesiados com ketamina e xilazina, receberam microinjeções bilaterais de rodamina, um traçador fluorescente retrógrado, na coluna intermediolateral da medula espinhal (T3-T6) e 2 dias após a recuperação da cirurgia, os animais foram submetidos ao protocolo de HCI, enquanto que ratos controle foram mantidos em condições de normóxia, durante 10 dias. No décimo primeiro dia, os ratos foram novamente anestesiados para a remoção do cérebro e as fatias do tronco cerebral contendo neurônios pré-simpáticos com marcação positivas foram registrados. Utilizamos a técnica de whole cell patch-clamp para estudo das propriedades eletrofisiológicas desses neurônios. As propriedades eletrofisiológicas intrínsecas foram analisadas antes e após a HA, a qual foi produzida pela perfusão das fatias do tronco cerebral com uma solução hipóxica (95% N2 + 5% CO2) durante 2 minutos na presença de bloqueadores sinápticos excitatórios e inibitórios. Todos os neurônios pré-simpáticos apresentaram característica intrínseca de autodespolarização e a frequência de disparos basal de potenciais de ação (PAs) desses neurônios de ratos do grupo controle e HCI foram similares [Controle= 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz (n=39) vs HCI= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz (n=31); p > 0,05]. No grupo controle, a HA não alterou a frequência média de disparos de PAs (BS = 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz vs HA = 5,24 ± 0,3 Hz (n=39); p > 0,05], porém revelou diferentes perfis de disparo de PAs após 2 min de exposição à HA: i) 11 neurônios com aumento na frequência de disparos (BS = 5,1 ± 0,7 Hz vs HA = 7 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05]; ii) 21 neurônios sem alteração na frequência de disparos (BS = 4,8 ± 0,5 Hz vs HA = 5,36 ± 0,6 Hz; p > 0,05] e iii) 7 neurônios com diminuição na frequência de disparos (BS = 7,3 ± 1,1 Hz vs HA = 3,6 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05). No grupo HCI, a HA produziu aumento na frequência média de disparos (BS= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz vs HA= 7,25 ± 0,8 Hz; n=31 - p < 0,05) e na análise do perfil de disparo de PAs, a HA revelou 2 subpopulações: i) 9 neurônios com aumento na frequência de disparos (BS = 4,7 ± 0,8 Hz vs HA = 8,2 ± 1,4 Hz; p < 0,05) e ii) 22 neurônios sem alteração na frequência de disparos (BS = 7,0 ± 1,0 Hz vs HA = 6,8 ± 1,0 Hz; p > 0,05). Esse estudo nos permitiu revelar diferentes subpopulações de neurônios pré-simpáticos que responderam de forma distintas à HA. Os resultados também sugerem que a HCI teria um efeito pré- condicionante na excitabilidade intrínseca dos neurônios pré-simpáticos em resposta à HA / In this study we evaluated the effects of acute hypoxia (AH) on the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of presympathetic neurons from rostro ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of juvenile rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) or normoxic condition (control group). To label the RVLM bulbospinal presympathetic neurons, young Wistar rats (P 19 - 21) anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine, received bilateral microinjections of a fluorescent retrograde tracer (rhodamine retrobeads) were performed into the intermediolateral column of spinal cord (T3-T6) and two days after recovery of the surgery, the animals were submitted to CIH or normoxic protocol, during 10 days. On the 11th day, under anesthesia, brainstem slices were obtained and only the labeled RVLM presympathetic neurons were recorded, using whole-cell patch-clamp approach to study the electrophysiological properties of these neurons. The intrinsic electrophysiological properties were analyzed before and after AH, which was produced by slice perfusion with hypoxic solution (95% N2 and 5% CO2) during 2 min in the presence of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic antagonists. All recorded RVLM presympathetic neurons presented intrinsic pacemaker activity and the baseline firing frequency of these neurons from control and CIH group were similar [Control= 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz (n=39) vs HCI= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz (n=31); p > 0,05]. In the control group, AH do not change the firing rate (BS = 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz vs HA = 5,24 ± 0,3 Hz (n=39); p > 0,05), but revealed different pattern of firing frequency after 2 min of AH: i) 11 neurons increased the firing frequency (BS = 4,9 ± 0,9 Hz vs HA = 6,9 ± 1,0 Hz; p < 0,05) ; ii) 21 neurons do not change the firing frequency (BS = 4,8 ± 0,5 Hz vs HA = 5,36 ± 0,6 Hz; p > 0,05) and iii) 7 neurons decreased the firing frequency (BS = 7,3 ± 1,1 Hz vs HA = 3,6 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05). In the CIH group, the AH increased the firing rate comparing with basal condition (SB= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz vs AH= 7,25 ± 0,8 Hz; n=31 - p < 0,05) and analyzing the pattern of action potential, AH revealed 2 subpopulations in this group: i) 9 neurons increased the firing frequency (SB = 4,7 ± 0,8 Hz vs AH = 8,2 ± 1,4 Hz; p < 0,05) and ii) 22 neurons do not change the firing frequency (SB = 7,0 ± 1,0 Hz vs AH = 6,8 ± 1,0 Hz; p > 0,05).. The data shows that AH revealed different subpopulations of presympathetic neurons and suggest that CIH plays a preconditioning in the intrinsic excitability of presympathetic neurons in response to acute hypoxia

In der vorliegenden Habilitationsarbeit wurden die Ionenkanäle von Mikrogliazellen mit Hilfe der Patch-clamp-Technik untersucht, nachdem die Mikrogliazellen in den deaktivierten Zustand überführt worden waren. Die Deaktivierung der Mikroglia erfolgte durch die Zugabe des astrozytenkonditionierten Mediums. Nach der Deaktivierung exprimierten die Mikrogliazellen einwärts- und auswärtsgleichrichtende sowie Ca2+-aktivierte Kaliumkanäle. Der auswärtsgleichrichtende Kaliumkanal wurde erst nach Zugabe des astrozytenkonditionierten Mediums exprimiert, wobei das durch die Astrozyten freigesetzte Zytokin transformierender Wachstumsfaktor für diesen Prozeß verantwortlich gemacht werden konnte. Zusätzlich wurden Chloridkanäle an deaktivierten Mikrogliazellen nachgewiesen, die an den Ramifizierungsprozessen der Zellen, d.h. dem Übergang von der amöboiden in die ramifizierte Zellmorphologie, beteiligt waren. Die an Mikrogliazellen exprimierten Protonenkanäle spielen offensichtlich eine wichtige Rolle bei der Generierung von reaktiven Sauerstoffradikalen und wurden im Prozeß der Deaktivierung der Mikrogliazellen herunterreguliert. / The current work describes patch clamp recordings in cultured murine microglial cells, which had been deactivated following exposure to astrocyte-conditioned medium. Deactivated microglial cells expressed inwardly rectifying, outwardly rectifying and calcium-activated potassium channels. The outwardly rectifying potassium channels were upregulated following treatment of microglial cells with the astrocyte-conditioned medium. The anti-inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor was released by astrocytes and appeared to be responsible for the observed upregulation of outwardly rectifying potassium channels in deactivated microglia. In addition, deactivated microglial cells expressed chloride channels, which were found to be involved in microglial ramification, i.e., in the transformation of microglial cells from ameboid into ramified morphology. Voltage-gated proton channels, which are involved in processes of oxygen radical generation, were downregulated in deactivated microglial cells.

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:59:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1529227 bytes, checksum: de14b6706c9f0d50230f124a34766410 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-12-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Among the natural products with experimentally proven analgesic properties, the monoterpernes are of great importance, recognized as the main chemical constituents of essential oils from aromatic plants. ( )-Carvone is an example of monoterpene with antinociceptive properties, founded as the main active constituent of oils from some species of the genus Mentha. Since the peripheral antinociceptive mechanism of ( )-carvone is not well established, this study aimed to better characterize it. Initially, it was performed a structure-activity study by which was possible to demonstrate the importance of the carbonyl group into the molecule of ( )-carvone, during its blocking effect in the rat peripheral nervous excitability, as also that the replacement of that group for a hydroxyl enhanceed this effect. After shown that ( )-carvone had low cytotoxicity, we investigated the effects of this monoterpene in the voltage-gated sodium channels of (Nav) and the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), involved in peripheral nociception, using neurons from the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rats. With the technique of Whole-cell Patch-clamp it was demonstrated that ( )-carvone (1 mM) was able to reduce Na+ influx from 8.7±1.6 nA (control) to 5.3±1.1 nA (p <0.05). Later, by fluorescence microscopy assays, we observed that ( )-carvone increased the Ca2+ levels in DRG neurons, possibly via TRPV1 channels. The involvement of these channels was further confirmed by specific antagonism and heterologous expression in HEK 293 by transfecting these cells with TRPV1-cDNA of Rattus novergicus. Then we demonstrated that ( )-carvone acts in the TRPV1 channel in a concentration-dependent manner, promoting its desensitization. Additionally, it was discarded the participation of another TRP channel involved in pain, the TRPM2, during the effect of ( )-carvone. Therefore, this study showed that the replacement of a carbonyl by a hydroxyl group in the molecule of ( )-carvone could increase the efficiency of this monoterpene in reducing the peripheral nerve excitability. Such effect was demonstrated as being a result of the Nav channel blockade, as well as the activation and subsequent desensitization of TRPV1 channels, indicating the great potential of this monoterpene as a peripheral antinociceptive molecule or prototype of a novel analgesic drug. / Dentre os produtos de origem natural com propriedades analgésicas comprovadas experimentalmente, destacam-se os monoterpernos, tidos como os principais constituintes químicos dos óleos essenciais de plantas aromáticas. A ( )-carvona é um exemplo de monoterpeno com propriedades antinociceptivas, encontrada como o principal constituinte ativo dos óleos de algumas espécies do gênero Mentha. Uma vez que o mecanismo antinociceptivo periférico de ( )-carvona não está estabelecido, o presente trabalho se propõe a melhor caracterizá-lo. Inicialmente realizou-se um estudo estrutura-atividade, onde foi possível demonstrar a importância do grupo carbonila ligado à molécula de ( )-carvona, durante o seu efeito bloqueador da excitabilidade nervosa periférica de rato, e ainda, que a substituição desse grupo por uma hidroxila potencializou esse efeito. Após demonstrarmos que ( )-carvona possuía baixa citotoxicidade, investigou-se os efeitos desse monoterpeno sobre o canais de sódio dependentes de voltagem (Nav) e nos canais receptores de potencial transiente vanilóides 1 (TRPV1), envolvidos na nocicepção periférica, utilizando-se neurônios do gânglio da raiz dorsal (DRG) de rato. Por meio da técnica de Whole-cell Patch-clamp foi possível demonstrar que ( )-carvona (1 mM) foi capaz de reduzir o influxo de Na+ de 8,7±1,6 nA (controle) para 5,3±1,1 nA (p< 0,05). Posteriormente, através de ensaios de microscopia de fluorescência, observou-se que ( )-carvona aumentou os níveis de Ca2+ em neurônios DRG, possivelmente via canais TRPV1. O envolvimento desses canais foi posteriormente confirmado por antagonismo específico e por expressão heteróloga em HEK 293, por transfecção dessas células com cDNA-TRPV1 de Rattus novergicus. Em seguida, demonstrou-se que ( )-carvona atua sobre o canal TRPV1, de modo dependente de concentração, promovendo a sua dessensibilização. Adicionalmente, foi descartada a participação de outro canal TRP envolvido na dor, como o TRPM2, durante o efeito de ( )-carvona. Portanto, o presente estudo evidenciou que a substituição do grupamento carbonila por uma hidroxila na molécula de ( )-carvona poderia aumentar a eficiência desse monoterpeno na redução da excitabilidade nervosa periférica. Este efeito foi demonstrado como sendo resultante do bloqueio de canais Nav, bem como pela ativação e posterior dessensibilização de canais TRPV1, indicando a grande potencialidade deste monoterpeno como uma molécula antinociceptiva periférica ou protótipo de nova droga analgésica.

Les Récepteurs Couplés à un Canal Ionique (ICCRs) sont des canaux ioniques artificielscréés par fusion d'un Récepteur Couplé aux Protéines G (RCPG) au canal ionique Kir6.2. Dansce concept, le canal agit comme un rapporteur direct des changements conformationnels desRCPGs permettant de détecter par simple mesure de courant, la fixation d'agonistes etd'antagonistes proportionnellement à leur concentration.Le signal induit étant directement corrélé à l'activité du récepteur, indépendamment desvoies de signalisation des protéines G, nous avons exploité cet avantage pour étendre le champd'applications des ICCRs au cours de cette thèse. Nous avons développé quatre applications quisont: 1) la caractérisation fonctionnelle des RCPG optimisés pour la cristallisation par insertionde domaine du lysozyme du phage T4 dans la boucle ICL3; 2) la détection de la dépendance desRCPGs au cholestérol; 3) la détection de ligands dits "biaisés" pour faciliter leur criblage; et 4) lacartographie fonctionnelle des portes du canal Kir6.2 régulées par des protéines membranairesinteragissant par le domaine N-terminal. / Ion Channel-Coupled Receptors (ICCRs) are artificial ion channels created by the fusion of a Gprotein-coupled receptor to a Kir6.2 channel. In this concept, the channel acts a direct reporter ofthe conformational changes of the GPCRs, allowing the detection by simple current recordingsof agonists and antagonists binding in concentration-dependent manner.The signal being directly correlated to the receptor activity, independently of G protein signallingpathways, we exploited this advantage to extend the field of applications of ICCRs during thisthesis. We developed 4 applications: 1) the functional characterization of the optimized GPCRsfor crystallization by insertion of the T4 phage lysozyme domain in the ICL3 loop; 2) thedetection of a cholesterol-dependence of the GPCRs; 3) the detection of the so-called "biasedligands" to simplify their screening; and 4) the functional mapping of the Kir6.2 channel gatesunder control of membrane proteins interaction with the N-terminus domain.

Nesse estudo investigamos os efeitos da hipóxia tecidual aguda (HA) sobre as propriedades eletrofisiológicas intrínsecas dos neurônios pré-simpáticos bulboespinhais da área rostro-ventrolateral do bulbo (RVLM) de ratos jovens adultos submetidos previamente à hipóxia crônica intermitente (HCI) e os seus respectivos controle. Para marcarmos os neurônios pré-simpáticos bulboespinhais da RVLM, ratos Wistar jovens (P19-P21) anestesiados com ketamina e xilazina, receberam microinjeções bilaterais de rodamina, um traçador fluorescente retrógrado, na coluna intermediolateral da medula espinhal (T3-T6) e 2 dias após a recuperação da cirurgia, os animais foram submetidos ao protocolo de HCI, enquanto que ratos controle foram mantidos em condições de normóxia, durante 10 dias. No décimo primeiro dia, os ratos foram novamente anestesiados para a remoção do cérebro e as fatias do tronco cerebral contendo neurônios pré-simpáticos com marcação positivas foram registrados. Utilizamos a técnica de whole cell patch-clamp para estudo das propriedades eletrofisiológicas desses neurônios. As propriedades eletrofisiológicas intrínsecas foram analisadas antes e após a HA, a qual foi produzida pela perfusão das fatias do tronco cerebral com uma solução hipóxica (95% N2 + 5% CO2) durante 2 minutos na presença de bloqueadores sinápticos excitatórios e inibitórios. Todos os neurônios pré-simpáticos apresentaram característica intrínseca de autodespolarização e a frequência de disparos basal de potenciais de ação (PAs) desses neurônios de ratos do grupo controle e HCI foram similares [Controle= 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz (n=39) vs HCI= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz (n=31); p > 0,05]. No grupo controle, a HA não alterou a frequência média de disparos de PAs (BS = 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz vs HA = 5,24 ± 0,3 Hz (n=39); p > 0,05], porém revelou diferentes perfis de disparo de PAs após 2 min de exposição à HA: i) 11 neurônios com aumento na frequência de disparos (BS = 5,1 ± 0,7 Hz vs HA = 7 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05]; ii) 21 neurônios sem alteração na frequência de disparos (BS = 4,8 ± 0,5 Hz vs HA = 5,36 ± 0,6 Hz; p > 0,05] e iii) 7 neurônios com diminuição na frequência de disparos (BS = 7,3 ± 1,1 Hz vs HA = 3,6 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05). No grupo HCI, a HA produziu aumento na frequência média de disparos (BS= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz vs HA= 7,25 ± 0,8 Hz; n=31 - p < 0,05) e na análise do perfil de disparo de PAs, a HA revelou 2 subpopulações: i) 9 neurônios com aumento na frequência de disparos (BS = 4,7 ± 0,8 Hz vs HA = 8,2 ± 1,4 Hz; p < 0,05) e ii) 22 neurônios sem alteração na frequência de disparos (BS = 7,0 ± 1,0 Hz vs HA = 6,8 ± 1,0 Hz; p > 0,05). Esse estudo nos permitiu revelar diferentes subpopulações de neurônios pré-simpáticos que responderam de forma distintas à HA. Os resultados também sugerem que a HCI teria um efeito pré- condicionante na excitabilidade intrínseca dos neurônios pré-simpáticos em resposta à HA / In this study we evaluated the effects of acute hypoxia (AH) on the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of presympathetic neurons from rostro ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of juvenile rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) or normoxic condition (control group). To label the RVLM bulbospinal presympathetic neurons, young Wistar rats (P 19 - 21) anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine, received bilateral microinjections of a fluorescent retrograde tracer (rhodamine retrobeads) were performed into the intermediolateral column of spinal cord (T3-T6) and two days after recovery of the surgery, the animals were submitted to CIH or normoxic protocol, during 10 days. On the 11th day, under anesthesia, brainstem slices were obtained and only the labeled RVLM presympathetic neurons were recorded, using whole-cell patch-clamp approach to study the electrophysiological properties of these neurons. The intrinsic electrophysiological properties were analyzed before and after AH, which was produced by slice perfusion with hypoxic solution (95% N2 and 5% CO2) during 2 min in the presence of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic antagonists. All recorded RVLM presympathetic neurons presented intrinsic pacemaker activity and the baseline firing frequency of these neurons from control and CIH group were similar [Control= 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz (n=39) vs HCI= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz (n=31); p > 0,05]. In the control group, AH do not change the firing rate (BS = 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz vs HA = 5,24 ± 0,3 Hz (n=39); p > 0,05), but revealed different pattern of firing frequency after 2 min of AH: i) 11 neurons increased the firing frequency (BS = 4,9 ± 0,9 Hz vs HA = 6,9 ± 1,0 Hz; p < 0,05) ; ii) 21 neurons do not change the firing frequency (BS = 4,8 ± 0,5 Hz vs HA = 5,36 ± 0,6 Hz; p > 0,05) and iii) 7 neurons decreased the firing frequency (BS = 7,3 ± 1,1 Hz vs HA = 3,6 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05). In the CIH group, the AH increased the firing rate comparing with basal condition (SB= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz vs AH= 7,25 ± 0,8 Hz; n=31 - p < 0,05) and analyzing the pattern of action potential, AH revealed 2 subpopulations in this group: i) 9 neurons increased the firing frequency (SB = 4,7 ± 0,8 Hz vs AH = 8,2 ± 1,4 Hz; p < 0,05) and ii) 22 neurons do not change the firing frequency (SB = 7,0 ± 1,0 Hz vs AH = 6,8 ± 1,0 Hz; p > 0,05).. The data shows that AH revealed different subpopulations of presympathetic neurons and suggest that CIH plays a preconditioning in the intrinsic excitability of presympathetic neurons in response to acute hypoxia

Introdução. O transplante de células é possibilidade terapêutica promissora para muitas doenças neurológicas. Nos últimos anos, a possibilidade do isolamento de células-tronco dos tecidos adultos, por exemplo da medula-óssea, atrai a atenção da comunidade científica, estratégia que minimiza os problemas éticos relativos ao uso de tecido fetal para implantes visando ao tratamento de doenças neurológicas. Entretanto, a eficiência da transdiferenciação de células-tronco mesenquimais em neurônios, bem como os mecanismos envolvidos nesse processo, permanecem desconhecidos. A obtenção de neurônios maduros ocorreu somente em sistemas de co-cultura, o que induz a questão se a diferenciação representa um potencial das células per si, ou se é possível somente devido à fusão com neurônios maduros. Objetivos. No presente trabalho, pretendeu-se verificar o potencial de as células-tronco mesenquimais tornarem-se neurônios e esclarecer os possíveis mecanismos envolvidos nesse processo. Material e métodos. Células-tronco mesenquimais foram isoladas de 20 doadores voluntários normais e caracterizadas por análise de separação celular ativada por fluorescência. A multipotencialidade foi investigada ao se diferenciar as células em condrócitos e osteócitos. A capacidade de auto-renovação foi confirmada pelo ensaio de incorporação de BrdU. Ulteriormente, as células foram diferenciadas por uma semana em meio contendo AMPc, IBMX, ou combinação de ambos, e os resultados foram comparados com o cultivo em meio básico. Diferentes bloqueadores de Ca2+ ou inibidores de PKA foram usados como tentativa de se impedir a diferenciação, ocorrência que foi mensurada com imunocitoquímica para NF-200 (marcador de neurônios maduros). O registro eletrofisiológico por meio de patch clamp foi usado para se confirmar o fenótipo neuronal. As figuras foram configuradas em microscopia confocal. Para análise estatística foi utilizada ANOVA com teste post-hoc. Resultados. As células isoladas expressaram CD90, 105, 44 e 13 mas foram negativas para CD34 e 45. Isto significa que não são de origem hematopoiética; 98,74 ± 0,43% das células incorporaram BrdU em 24 horas. Após o isolamento, foi possível diferenciá-las em condrócitos ou osteócitos. Em situação controle, não foram evidenciadas células positivas para NF200. Por outro lado, ocorreu positividade em 10,75% ± 1,35 (p<0,0001) das células sob IBMX e, em 15,18% ± 1,12, sob a combinação cAMP e IBMX (p<0,0001). Foram registradas correntes de Na+ e K+ dependentes de voltagem, mas não potenciais de ação. A diferenciação foi inibida com PKAi (5,73% ± 0,42, p<0,0001), nifedipina (5,79% ± 0,98, p<0,0001), Ni2+ (7,06% ± 1,68, p<0,0001) e Cd2+ (0 ± 0, p<0,0001). Discussão. Isolou-se uma população de células-tronco estromais da medula-óssea de seres humanos que se mostrou multipotencial e auto-renovável. O aumento da concentração de AMPc no meio elevou a concentração de neurônios para 15%. A diferenciação parece depender da via PKA mas também envolve a concentração intracelular de Ca2+. Conclusão. O correto entendimento de como as células-tronco mesenquimais diferenciam-se pode contribuir para aumentar a eficácia do método e, talvez um dia, tornar possível o uso dessa ferramenta no campo clínico. / Introduction. Cell transplantation has been considered a promising therapeutic approach for many neurological diseases. The possibility of isolation of stem cells from adult tissues, i.e. bone marrow, has attracted the attention of the scientific community in the recent years. This strategy is interesting on avoiding the ethical issues regarding the use of fetal tissue for neural implants. Moreover, the efficiency of the transdifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into neurons, and the mechanisms involved in this process remain largely unknown. The obtention of mature neurons was described only in coculture systems, what raised the question if the differentiation is a potential of the cells itself, or if it is possible only due to fusion with mature neurons. Objectives. In the present investigation, we aimed to verify the potential of MSCs to differentiate into neurons, and also to clarify the possible mechanisms involved on it. Material and methods. MSCs were isolated from 20 healthy human subjects and characterized by FACS-analysis. Multipotentiality was addressed by differentiating them into chondrocytes and osteocytes. The self-renewal capacity was confirmed with BrdU-incorporation assay. Afterwards, cells were differentiated for 1 week in a medium containing cAMP, IBMX, or a combination of both, and the results were compared with cells treated in basal-medium condition. Different Ca2+-blockers and PKA-inhibitor peptide were used on an attempt to impair differentiation, which was quantified with NF-200 immunostaining (a marker of mature neurons). Patch-clamp recording was used to confirm neuronal phenotype. Pictures were taken in confocal microscope. For statistical analysis ANOVA with a post-hoc test was used. Results. The isolated cells expressed CD90, 105, 44, and 13, but were negative for CD34 and 45, meaning that they were non-hematopoiethic; 98.74 ± 0.43 % of them incorporated BrdU in 6hs. After isolation, they differentiated into chondrocytes and osteocytes. In a control situation, no NF200 positive cell was seen. On the other hand, 10.75% ± 1.35 (p<.0001) of positivity was seen under IBMX and 15.18% ± 1.12 in the combination of cAMP with IBMX (p<.0001). Na+ and K+-voltage gated currents were recorded. Differentiation was impaired with PKAi (5.73% ± 0.42, p<.0001), nifedipin (5.79% ± 0.98, p<.0001), Ni2+ (7.06% ± 1.68, p<.0001), and Cd2+ (0 ± 0, p<.0001). Discussion. We were able to isolate a population of stromal stem cells from the bone marrow of human subjects, since they were multipotential and self-renewable. Increasing the concentration of cAMP raised the percentage of neurons up to 15%. The differentiation seems to be dependent on the PKA pathway, but also involved the intracellular concentration of Ca2+. Conclusions. The complete understanding of how MSC differentiate can contribute to increase the efficiency of the method and thus make possible to use this powerful tool in the clinical practice.

Les ganglions de la base (GB) forment un réseau de structures sous-corticales impliquées dans la motricité volontaire, mais aussi dans des aspects plus cognitifs et motivationnels du comportement moteur. La dopamine est un neuromodulateur essentiel au bon fonctionnement de ce réseau. La synapse cortico-sous-thalamique (cortico-NST) est une synapse glutamatergique (excitatrice) transmettant les informations corticales au noyau sous-thalamique (NST), ce qui forme la première partie d’une des trois voies des GB : la voie hyperdirecte. La voie cortico-NST est impliquée dans des tâches de type « go-no-go » (arrêt d’un acte moteur débuté) et dans les effets bénéfiques de la stimulation cérébrale profonde du NST sur les symptômes de la maladie de Parkinson. Cependant, les propriétés des synapses cortico-NST ne sont pas connues. Ce manque d’informations provient, en partie, de l’anatomie particulière de cette voie, qui rend l’étude in vitro de la synapse cortico-NST difficile. L’utilisation de l’optogénétique nous a permis de contourner ce problème. En associant cette technique à l’électrophysiologie sur tranches de cerveaux de rongeur, nous avons mis en évidence un effet inhibiteur des récepteurs dopaminergiques D5 sur la transmission cortico-NST. Nous montrons également que les propriétés de plasticité à court terme de cette synapse lui permettent de réduire l’influence des messages corticaux à haute fréquence sur le NST. Les résultats obtenus au cours de cette thèse montrent que l’optogénétique est un bon moyen d’étudier la synapse cortico-NST in vitro et contribuent à améliorer la compréhension des propriétés de la cette synapse. / Basal ganglia (BG) are a group of subcortical nuclei involved in action selection and in cognitive and motivational aspects of motor behavior. Dopamine is essential for proper functioning of BG. The cortico-subthalamic (cortico-STN) synapse is a glutamatergic (excitatory) synapse involved in signal transmission from cortex to subthalamic nucleus (STN). The cortico-STN synapse is the first synapse in the hyperdirect pathway, one of the three pathways of BG. Even if the cortico-STN pathway is involved in “go-no-go” tasks (stopping of an already started motor act) and in the beneficial effects of the high frequency stimulation of the STN on Parkinsonian symptoms, properties of the cortico-STN synapse are not well described. The lack of data is due, at least in part, to the specific anatomy of the cortico-STN pathway which does not allow the use of standard methods in vitro. The use of optogenetics allowed us to circumvent this issue. By coupling this approach with electrophysiology on brain slices in rodents, we show that dopaminergic D5 receptors stimulation reduces glutamatergic transmission at cortico-STN synapses. We also show that short-term plasticity properties of this synapse reduce the influence of high frequency cortical inputs on the STN. Our findings indicate that optogenetics enables studying the cortico-STN synapse in vitro and contributes to improving our knowledge of the properties of the synapse.