Peçonhas de aranhas são uma rica fonte de moléculas, dentre as quais se destacam os peptídeos neuroativos, que atuam no tecido nervoso de insetos e mamíferos, tais como receptores colinérgicos e glutamatérgicos A retina constitui um neuroepitelio, uma das membranas do segmento posterior do olho, é uma extensão do sistema nervoso central. A lesão isquêmica nesse tecido desencadeia um processo de degeneração celular, sendo os neurônios os principais afetados. Várias patologias oculares, como o glaucoma, estão associadas a uma degeneração neuronal secundária à isquemia, na qual o excesso de L-glutamato (L-Glu) extracelular é lesivo aos neurônios. A peçonha da aranha Parawixia bistriata contém componentes com grande potencial neuroprotetor, como a Parawixina10 (Pwx10), que atua potencializando o transporte de L-Glu e glicina para o meio intracelular. Neste contexto, diante da necessidade de se buscar novas terapias para o tratamento de neuropatologias e de se entender a lesão isquêmica, a Pwx10 surge como potencial fármaco neuroprotetor. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o potencial neuroprotetor da Pwx10, em um modelo de isquemia retiniana aguda, com e sem reperfusão, em ratos Wistar. Durante os experimentos de isquemia (ISQ), a pressão intra-ocular (PIO) foi aumentada para 120 mmHg, e mantida por 45 minutos. Nos experimentos em que houve reperfusão (ISQ/REP), após a isquemia, a pressão foi reduzida aos níveis normais e mantida por mais 15 minutos, de forma a restaurar o fluxo sanguíneo e os níveis basais da PIO. As drogas utilizadas para tratamento foram injetadas por via intravitrea, 15 minutos antes do início da isquemia. Após a cirurgia foram realizados os processos histológicos que envolvem técnicas de H-E e Fluoro-Jade C. Em seguida, foram analisadas as densidades de células viáveis na camada nuclear interna (CNI) e camada de células ganglionares (CCG). Os resultados mostraram que os tratamentos com a Pwx10 protegeram as células da CNI tanto em ISQ como ISQ/REP. Comparada com o Riluzole, a Pwx10 foi mais eficaz em CCG ISQ em 15% e CNI ISQ/REP em 23%. Portanto, a Pwx10 apresenta efeitos neuroprotetores em ratos Wistar submetidos à isquemia retiniana aguda, seguida por reperfusão ou não. / Spider venoms are a rich source of molecules, among which stand out the neuroactive peptides that act on the nervous tissue of insects and mammals, such as cholinergic and glutamatergic receptors. The retina is a neuroepithelium, a membrane lining the cavity of the eyeball, it being an extension of the central nervous system. Ischemic injury that tissue triggers a cell degeneration process, and the neurons affected major. Various eye diseases such as glaucoma, are associated with neuronal degeneration secondary to ischemia in which excess L-glutamate (L-Glu) extracellular is harmful to neurons. The venom of Parawixia bistriata spider contains components with high neuroprotective potential, as Parawixina10 molecule (Pwx10), which operates enhancing the transport of L-Glu and glycine to the intracellular medium. In this context, on the need to seek new therapies for the treatment of these diseases and to understand the ischemic injury, Pwx10 emerges as potential neuroprotective drug. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of Pwx10 on an acute retinal ischemia model, with and without reperfusion in rats. During the experiments ischemia (ISC), the intraocular pressure (IOP) was increased to 120 mmHg and maintained at this level for 45 minutes. In experiments in which there was reperfusion (I/R) after the period of ischemia, the pressure was reduced to normal levels and maintained there for 15 minutes in order to restore blood flow and baseline IOP. The drugs used for the treatment were intravitreally injected 15 minutes before the onset of ischemia. After surgery were performed histological techniques involving procedures H-E and Fluoro-Jade C. Then, viable cell densities in the inner nuclear layer were analyzed (INL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL). The results showed that the treatments with Pw10 protected the INL cells both in ISC as IR. Compared with Riluzole, the Pwx10 was more effective in GCL ISC 15% and INL I/R 23%. Therefore, Pwx10 shows neuroprotective effects in Wistar rats with acute retinal ischemia followed by reperfusion or not.

Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2018-12-11T17:15:35Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) ANA PAULA CHUPROSKI.pdf: 2454041 bytes, checksum: 5a8faf5a6715ca365008970cde8b1ed7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:15:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) ANA PAULA CHUPROSKI.pdf: 2454041 bytes, checksum: 5a8faf5a6715ca365008970cde8b1ed7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-05 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A doença de Parkinson (DP) é uma desordem crônica, degenerativa e progressiva causada pela perda dos neurônios dopaminérgicos da substância negra pars compacta (SNpc) do mesencéfalo. Acompanhando ou antecedendo os sinais motores, são observadas alterações sensoriais, autonômicas e distúrbios neuropsiquiátricos como depressão, ansiedade e demência, chamados de sintomas não-motores da DP. Como o tratamento atual para a DP permanece sintomático e paliativo, busca-se terapias neuroprotetoras capazes de retardar a degeneração neuronal em fases iniciais. Entre estas substâncias estão os ácidos graxos ômega-3 (ω-3), componentes alimentares com funções estruturais, metabólicas e funcionais, cuja importância vem sendo demonstrada para o bom funcionamento do sistema nervoso, no neurodesenvolvimento e na prevenção de doenças neurodegenerativas, entre elas a DP. Apesar disso, em decorrência de mudanças do comportamento alimentar da sociedade atual, a ingestão de alimentos ricos em ω-3 vem reduzindo significativamente. O objetivo deste projeto é avaliar os efeitos da suplementação subcrônica com ω-3 em relação a um possível papel neuroprotetor para os comportamentos tipo depressivo, ansioso e déficit de memória em ratos adultos lesados pela 6-OHDA e se este efeito neuroprotetor está relacionado ao aumento da capacidade antioxidante neuronal pelos níveis de glutationa (GSH). Para realização dos experimentos, foram utilizados 49 ratos machos linhagem Wistar com peso entre 280 a 320 g, divididos em 4 grupos: SHAM/salina (n=12), SHAM/OP (n=12), 6-OHDA/salina (n=14), 6-OHDA/OP (n=11). Nos grupos OP, foi administrado via gavagem óleo de peixe (OP) contendo ácidos graxos ω-3 (50%DHA e 20% EPA) durante o período de 21 dias (2 g/kg/dia), sendo 14 dias antes e 7 dias após a lesão nigroestriatal. Os animais foram submetidos à cirurgia estereotáxica para infusão da neurotoxina 6-OHDA ou solução salina (grupos SHAM) na SNpc. Após o intervalo de três semanas, realizaram-se os testes comportamentais: campo aberto, labirinto em cruz elevado, reconhecimento de objetos, preferência à sacarose e natação forçada. Ao término dos testes, os animais foram sacrificados, sendo retiradas amostras de córtex cerebral, estriado e mesencéfalo para análise bioquímica e histológica, respectivamente. Foi realizada análise bioquímica da concentração de GSH no córtex frontal e estriado. Verificou-se que a lesão bilateral gerada pela 6-OHDA na SNpc foi capaz de provocar um comportamento tipo depressivo, sendo atenuado nos animais suplementados com ω-3. Da mesma forma, a lesão causou déficit na memória de reconhecimento, que se apresentou menos intenso nos animais suplementados com ω-3. Entretanto, não houve alteração nos níveis de GSH em decorrência da lesão, não sendo possível estabelecer uma relação entre os níveis desta enzima e a neuroproteção. Portanto, pode-se inferir que a suplementação com ácidos graxos ω-3 presentes no óleo de peixe ofereceu uma resposta neuroprotetora frente a este modelo animal de DP. / Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, degenerative and progressive disorder caused by the loss of the dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) on the midbrain. Accompanying or predating motor signals, sensorial, autonomic and neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and dementia, are observed, being called non-motor symptoms of PD. As the current treatment for PD remains symptomatic and palliative, there is a need for neuroprotective therapies capable of slowing neuronal degeneration in the early stages. Among these substances omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3) are found, food components with structural, metabolic and functional roles whose importance has been demonstrated for the proper functioning of the nervous system, neurodevelopment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. Despite this, due to last decades changes in the eating behavior, the ingestion of foods rich in ω-3 has been reducing significantly. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possible neuroprotective effects of subchronic ω-3 supplementation on depressive-like, anxiety-like and memory deficit of 6-OHDA-injured adult rats and if this neuroprotective effect is related to the improvement of the neuronal antioxidant capacity by glutathione levels (GSH). For the experiments, 49 male Wistar rats weighing between 280 and 320 g were divided into 4 groups: SHAM/saline (n=12), SHAM/OP (n=12), 6-OHDA/saline (n=14), 6-OHDA/OP (n=11). In the OP groups, fish oil containing ω-3 fatty acids (50% DHA and 20% EPA) was administered via gavage during the 21-day period (2 g/kg/day), 14 days before and 7 days after the injury. The animals were submitted to stereotaxic surgery to infuse neurotoxin 6-OHDA or saline (SHAM groups) into the SNpc. After the three-week interval, the behavioral tests were performed: open field, elevated plus maze, object recognition task, sucrose preference and forced swimming. At the end of the tests, the animals were sacrificed, and samples of cerebral cortex, striatum and midbrain were removed for biochemical and histological analysis. Biochemical analysis of the concentration of GSH in the frontal cortex and striatum was performed. It was verified that the bilateral lesion generated by 6-OHDA in SNpc was able to induce a depressive-like behavior, which was attenuated in the animals supplemented with ω-3. Similarly, the lesion caused recognition memory deficit, which was less intense in those supplemented with ω-3. There was no change in GSH levels after the lesion, and it was not possible to establish a relationship between the levels of this enzyme and neuroprotection. Therefore, it can be deduced that the supplementation with ω-3 fatty acids present in the fish oil demonstrated a possible neuroprotective response in this animal model of PD.

A hipóxia-isquemia neonatal (HI) faz parte da etiologia de diversas patologias neurológicas e é causa de graves sequelas. Os mecanismos patofisiológicos dessa lesão começam com o insulto imediato após a HI e se estendem por dias ou semanas, pelo aumento da liberação de espécies reativas de oxigênio associada a redução da defesas anti-oxidantes e reação glial, sendo a lesão secundária parte crucial no processo que culmina no dano final. A acetilcolina (ACh) é um neurotransmissor do sistema nervoso central (SNC) que parece ter uma importante ação neuroprotetora após a HI. A acetilcolinaesterase (AChE) é responsável pela degradação da ACh, inibidores dessa enzima vêm sendo utilizados para o tratamento de danos neurológicos. Sua ação positiva sobre a HI foi demonstrada em estudos realizados em nosso laboratório, onde a administração do extrato de Huperzia quadrifariata (inibidor de AChE) reduziu os déficits cognitivos e histológicos causados por essa lesão Para avaliar os efeitos das administrações pré e pós-hipóxia de galantamina, inibidor da AChE, no modelo de HI perinatal, ratos Wistar no 7º dia de vida pós-natal (DPN7) foram submetidos à combinação da oclusão unilateral da artéria carótida direita e exposição a uma atmosfera hipóxica (8% de O2) durante 60 minutos. Foram aplicadas injeções intraperitoniais de salina para os grupos Sham e HI+Salina (HIS) e de galantamina nos grupos HI+Galantamina 5 mg/kg pré-hipóxia (HIG5-Pré), HI+Galantamina 10 mg/kg pré-hipóxia (HIG10-Pré), HI+Galantamina 5 mg/kg pós-hipóxia (HIG5-Pós) e HI+Galantamina 10 mg/kg pós-hipóxia (HIG10-Pós). Os grupos Pré receberam galantamina imediatamente antes da hipóxia e os grupos Pós nos intervalos de 1, 24, 48 e 72 horas após a cirurgia. No DPN45 foi feita a análise do volume das estruturas encefálicas que demonstrou a redução do volume do hipocampo do grupo HIS em relação ao Sham e uma prevenção desse efeito no grupo HIG10-Pré, mas não nos demais grupos. Análises bioquímicas foram feitas no hipocampo ipsilesional 24 horas após a lesão e revelaram: através da citometria de fluxo uma redução na sobrevivência de neurônios no grupo HIS em relação ao Sham que foi prevenida no grupo HIG10-Pré; através de ELISA uma hipertrofia dos astrócitos no grupo HIS que foi revertida no grupo HIG10-Pré e um aumento na atividade da enzima anti-oxidante catalase. O tratamento pré-hipóxia com galantamina foi capaz de prevenir os déficits histológicos, aumentar a sobrevivência celular, reduzir a reação astrocitária e aumentar a atividade anti-oxidante em ratos submetidos à HI. / Neonatal hypoxia ischemia (HI) has a role in etiology of several neurological pathologies and causes severe sequelae. The pathophysiological mechanisms of this lesion start immediately after HI and last for days or weeks, with the secondary injury being a crucial part the process that culminates in the final damage. Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter of the central nervous system that seems to have an important neuroprotective action after HI. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) degradates ACh and inhibitors of this enzyme have been used to treat neurological damage. Its positive action on HI has been demonstrated in studies performed in our laboratory, where the administration of the alkaloid extract of Huperzia quadrifariata (An inhibitor of AChE) reduced the cognitive and histological deficits caused by this lesion. To evaluate the effects of the pre and post-hypoxia administrations of galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, in the model oh perinatal HI, Wistar rats in the post-natal day 7 (PND7) were subjected to a combination of unilateral occlusion of the right charotid artery and of exposure to a hypoxic exposure (8% O2) for 60 minutes. Intraperitoneal injections of saline in the groups Sham anf HI+Saline (HIS) and of galantamine in the groups HI+Galantamine 5 mg/kg pre-hypoxia (HIG5-Pre), HI+Galantamine 10 mg/kg pre-hypoxia (HIG10-Pre), HI+Galantamine 5 mg/kg post-hypoxia (HIG5-Post) and HI+Galantamine 10 mg/kg post-hypoxia (HIG5-Post). The Pre groups received galantamine immediately before hypoxia and the Post groups in the intervals of 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours after HI. On PND45 the analysis of the volume of brain structures showed a reduction of the volume of the ipsilesional hippocampus in the HIS group when compared to the sham and a prevention of this effect in the HIG10-Pre, but not in any other group. Biochemical analysis was performed in the ipsilesional hippocampus 24 hours after the lesion and revealed: a reduction of the number of surviving neurons in the HIS group when compared to the Sham that was prevented in the HIG10-Pre; a hypertrophy of the astrocytes in the HIS group that was prevented in the HIG10-Pre group and an increase in the activity of the anti-oxidant enzyme catalase in the HIG10-Pre group. The treatment with galantamine was able to prevent the histological deficits, increase the survival of neurons, reduce astrocytic reaction and increase the anti-oxidant activity in rats submitted to HI.

No description available.

Orientador: Mario Sergio Palma / Banca: Alexander Henning Ulrich / Banca: Maria Izabel Camargo Mathias / Resumo: As neurotoxinas são excelentes ferramentas moleculares para ativar ou bloquear seletivamente diversos componentes do sistema nervoso central (SNC) de mamíferos, incluindo neuroreceptores, neurotransmissores e canais iônicos. O conhecimento das estruturas e dos mecanismos de ação de diferentes neurotoxinas pode direcionar o desenvolvimento de drogas mais eficazes no tratamento de doenças neurológicas. Durante as décadas de 80 e 90, os compostos de baixas massas moleculares oriundos das secreções tóxicas de aranhas e vespas foram alvos de intensa investigação, as toxinas de aranhas Nephilinae, como NSTX-3 e JSTX-3 são exemplos caracterizados estrutural e funcionalmente. Estudos sobre a função dessas toxinas foram realizados in vitro em junções neuromusculares de crustáceos e em preparações de porções encefálicas de mamíferos. Já os estudos realizados in vivo contemplaram a avaliação comportamental de camundongos, usados como modelo experimental, em detrimento dos aspectos bioquímicos da ação de toxinas. Considerando-se a importância da estrutura desses compostos para a ligação a receptores de membrana e a elevada similaridade das estruturas moleculares das acilpoliaminas NSTX-3 e JSTX-3 a proposta deste trabalho foi a caracterização funcional in vivo dessas duas toxinas. Essas toxinas possuem o mesmo grupo cromóforo e uma longa cadeia de poliaminas, que se diferenciam apenas pela presença de um grupo arginil na extremidade da cadeia da NSTX-3. As acilpoliaminotoxinas NSTX-3 e JSTX-3 foram administradas no ventrículo lateral do cérebro de ratos Wistar (icv), e tiveram suas ações mapeadas no SNC pela análise da proteína Fos. A administração icv da NSTX-3 resultou na ativação de regiões encefálicas relacionadas às vias de resposta ao estresse (hipotálamo), controle das emoções (amígdala e tálamo), resposta a estímulos aversivos... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The neurotoxins are excellent tools for the selective activation or blockage of different components of the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals, including neuroreceptors, neurotransmitters and ion channels. The understanding of different neurotoxins structures and mechanisms of action can direct the development of effective drugs for the therapy of neurological diseases. Since the 80 and 90's, the compounds of low molecular masses from the toxic secretions of spiders and wasps have been one of the main targets of research in this field. The toxins of Nephilinae spiders such as NSTX-3 and JSTX-3 are examples of well known low molecular mass toxins. Studies developed to elucidate part of their actions were performed in vitro both in crustacean neuromuscular junctions and in portions of mammalian brains. Studies were performed in vivo, analyzing mice behaviors upon the effect toxin administration, as an experimental model, in detriment of the action of toxins. Considering the importance of the structure of these toxins for the binding to membrane receptors and the high structural similarity between these acylpolyamines, the goal of this study was to carry-out a comparative functional characterization in vivo of both toxins. They possess the same aromatic group and a long-chain of polyamines, which differ from each other only by the presence of an arginyl group at the end of polyamine chain of NSTX-3. The acylpolyaminetoxins NSTX-3 and JSTX- 3, were administered in lateral ventricle of rats brain (icv), and their sites of action were mapped through the detection of Fos protein. The icv administration of NSTX-3 resulted in activation of brain regions related to response to stress (hypothalamus), emotions control (amygdala and thalamus), respond to aversive stimuli (piriform cortex). Meanwhile, JSTX-3 increased Fos protein in regions of CNS related to memory and learning (hippocampus)... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

A hidrocefalia é uma síndrome complexa caracterizada pelo acúmulo de líquido cérebro-espinal no interior das cavidades ventriculares. Considerando a sua fisiopatologia de caráter multifatorial sendo um dos fatores envolvidos o estresse oxidativo desencadeado pela peroxidação lipídica e formação de radicais livres, este trabalho visa estudar o possível efeito neuroprotetor proveniente do polifenol galato de epigalocatequina (EGCG) na hidrocefalia experimental. Foram utilizados ratos da linhagem Wistar (N=56), com 7 dias de idade. Os filhotes foram submetidos à indução da hidrocefalia pelo método da injeção intracisternal de caulim a 20%. O polifenol foi administrado intraperitonealmente por 9 ou 20 dias consecutivos a partir da indução da hidrocefalia. Aferição do peso corporal diário e testes comportamentais foram realizados. Dez ou 21 dias após a indução da hidrocefalia os animais, profundamente anestesiados, foram sacrificados através da perfusão cardíaca com solução salina. Seus encéfalos foram removidos, fixados com paraformaldeído 3% em tampão fosfato 0,1M e processados para inclusão em parafina. Preparações histológicas foram realizadas para a análise por coloração hematoxilina eosina, solocromo-cianina e imunoistoquímica para GFAP e Ki67. Os diferentes parâmetros de avaliação demonstraram que os animais tratados com o polifenol por 9 dias consecutivos apresentaram redução da atividade astrocitária através da imunomarcação pelo GFAP no corpo caloso, cápsula externa e matriz germinativa; além de apresentarem corpo caloso mais espesso e mielinizado, exibindo uma tonalidade azul mais intensa evidenciada pela coloração solocromocianina. Apesar desses resultados demonstrarem um possível efeito neuroprotetor na fase inicial de instalação da doença, estudos adicionais devem ser realizados para obtenção de uma terapêutica eficiente e segura para o aprofundamento com testes clínicos. / Hydrocephalus is a complex syndrome, characterized by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in cerebral ventricles. Considering its multifactorial pathophysiology, one of the factors being the oxidative stress triggered by lipid peroxidation and free radical formation, this work aims to study the possible neuroprotective effect of the polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in experimental hydrocephalus. Seven-day old Wistar rats (N=56) were used in this study. The pups were subjected to hydrocephalus induction by kaolin 20% through intracisternal injection. The polyphenol was administered intraperitoneally for 9 or 20 days from the induction of hydrocephalus. Measurement of daily body weight and behavioral tests were performed. The animals, deeply anesthetized, were sacrificed by cardiac perfusion with saline 10 or 21 days after induction of hydrocephalus. Their brains were removed, fixed with 3% paraformaldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, and processed for paraffin embedding. Preparations were made for histological analysis by hematoxylin and eosin, solochrome-cyanine and immunohistochemistry for GFAP and Ki67. The different evaluated parameters showed that animals treated with the polyphenol for 9 consecutive days displayed reduction on the reactive astrocytes GFAP immunostaining at the corpus callosum, external capsule and germinal matrix, also having thicker and more myelinated corpus callosum exhibiting a more intense blue staining by solocromo-cyanine. Although these results demonstrate a possible neuroprotective effect at the initial onset of the disease, additional studies should be performed to obtain an effective and safe therapy for deeper studies in clinical trials.

The endogenous neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts various neuromodulatory functions in mammalian brain. Enhancement of synaptic activity, mediation of chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain, and neuroprotection in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury constitute some of the exemplary functions of PACAP. However, it remains unclear whether PACAP signaling can directly influence the function of critical voltage-gated ion channels, which could profoundly alter the excitability of neurons. Voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels are critical regulators of neuronal excitability. The major Kv channel in the dendrites of mammalian neurons, Kv4.2, contributes most of the fast-activating and rapidly-inactivating K+ currents (IA), and is a key regulator of dendritic excitability, as well as modulation of synaptic inputs. In addition, the major somatic Kv channel Kv2.1 that contributes the bulk of slow-activating and non-inactivating K+ currents (IK), acts as an integrator of neuronal inputs and limits high frequency firing in neurons. As such, it provides homeostatic control of excitability under hyperexcitable and ischemic conditions. Both these Kv channels are known to undergo extensive post-translational modifications mainly by phosphorylation that alters their localization and biophysical properties. PACAP can activate its specific receptor PAC1 that could result in downstream activation of various kinases including protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2). Therefore, I hypothesize that PACAP activation of PAC1 receptor can cause phosphorylation-dependent modulation of somatodendritic Kv4.2 and Kv2.1 channels, resulting in altered neuronal excitability. First, I identified the various PAC1 receptor isoforms expressed in rat and mouse brain and elucidated that their activation by PACAP caused downstream PKA- and PKC-dependent signaling pathways, ultimately converging on ERK1/2 activation. Further, PACAP caused reduction in IA that was mediated by phosphorylation-dependent internalization of the channel protein from the plasma membrane. These effects were mediated by direct phosphorylation of the channel by ERK1/2 at the cytoplasmic C-terminus of the channel. Although PACAP did not significantly alter the voltage-dependence of Kv4.2 channel activation/inactivation, I observed distinct ERK1/2- and PKA-dependent changes in the extent and kinetics of channel inactivation. Next, I observed that PACAP induced dephosphorylation of the Kv2.1 channel in CHN that was mediated by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), and was dependent on PKC activation but was independent of the effects of PACAP on Kv4.2 currents. Rapid but reversible dephosphorylation of Kv2.1 was also observed following induction of ischemia in neurons by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). PACAP prolonged the dephosphorylation of Kv2.1 following in vitro ischemia-reperfusion and also reduced neuronal death. My results therefore suggest a novel PACAP/PAC1-PKC-PP2A-Kv2.1 signaling axis that provides neuroprotection during ischemia reperfusion injury. In summary, my results suggest that PACAP can induce direct phosphorylation-dependent modulation of the Kv4.2 and Kv2.1 channel localization and function in mammalian brain neurons. The effect of PACAP on these two critical somatodendritic ion channels occurs via distinct signaling - convergent PKA-PKC-ERK-mediated phosphorylation of Kv4.2 channel, and PKC-PP2A-mediated dephosphorylation of the Kv2.1 channel. Such distinct modulations of these ion channels are presumably responsible for the multifarious roles of PACAP in the central nervous system.

Patients with epilepsy often suffer debilitating cognitive and psycho-affective disorders.In some cases, epilepsy is associated to neurodegenerative processes that are the targetof certain therapeutical agents. Today, erythropoietin is considered as one of the most promising neuroprotective agents. In addition, an increased body of studies provides evidence that enrichment (or complexity) of housing decreases the cerebral vulnerabilityin the context of diverse brain insults. In this thesis, we demonstrate: 1) in a model ofepilepsy with large neuronal lesions, that erythropoietin protects the most vulnerable neuronal populations to excitotoxic injury, at the only condition that neuronal expression of its receptor is optimized prior to the primary insult causing epilepsy; 2) in a model of epilepsy associated with faint neuronal lesions that: i) erythropoietin prevents anxietyand impaired spatial learning and memory, ii) enriched housing in Marlau™ cages is moreefficient than erythropoietin, and iii) erythropoietin treatment abolishes beneficial effectsof enriched housing. These results, obtained in animal models of epilepsies associatedwith cognitive disorders establish that beneficial effects of a potential therapeutic agentmay rely on quality of life

Malgré de très nombreuses études expérimentales et cliniques dans le domaine de l'arrêt circulatoire, seulement 2% à 12% des patients quittent l'hôpital avec une bonne récupération neurologique. Il est donc nécessaire de proposer de nouvelles thérapeutiques pour tenter d'augmenter la survie après un arrêt circulatoire. Pour atteindre ce but il semble indispensable d'améliorer la qualité du massage cardiaque durant la réanimation et de protéger le myocarde et le cerveau contre les phénomènes d'ischémie-reperfusion. Dans la première partie de ce travail, nous avons évalués dans une étude pré hospitalière l'utilisation d'un dispositif innovant de massage cardiaque interne par minithoracotomie et montré une amélioration de l'hémodynamique en comparaison avec le massage cardiaque standard. Dans la deuxième partie, nous avons testés les possibles effets protecteurs de l'EPO (érythropoïétine) dans deux types d'arrêt circulatoire. Dans un modèle d'arrêt cardiaque expérimental chez le rat nous avons démontré que lorsque l'EPO était injectée avant l'arrêt cardiaque, la réanimation initiale était améliorée et la survie des animaux augmentée ce qui pouvaient suggérer un effet cardio et/ou neuroprotecteur de l'EPO contre les effets délétères de l'ischémie reperfusion. Dans une étude clinique en chirurgie cardiaque sous circulation extra corporelle, nous n'avons pas pu démontré d'effet bénéfique de l'EPO ni sur l'ischémie myocardique, ni sur l'ischémie cérébrale ni sur les paramètres de l'inflammation. Sur la base de ces deux études, il est donc difficile de conclure sur le potentiel rôle bénéfique de l'EPO dans l'arrêt circulatoire. Néanmoins, sur la seule base des résultats expérimentaux, l'EPO pourrait faire partie de l'arsenal thérapeutique pour mieux protéger le myocarde et le cerveau contre les effets délétères de l'ischémie reperfusion après un arrêt cardiaque.

Adult neural precursor cells (NPCs) are a heterogeneous population of mitotically active, self-renewing multipotent cells of both adult and developing CNS. They can be expanded in vitro in the presence of mitogens. The B05 transgenic SCA1 mice, expressing human ataxin-1 with an expanded polyglutamine tract in cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs), recapitulate many pathological and behavioral characteristics of the neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), including progressive ataxia and PC loss. We transplanted neural precursor cells (NPCs) derived from the subventricular zone of GFP-expressing adult mice into the cerebellar white matter of SCA1 mice when they showed absent (5 weeks), initial (13 weeks) and significant PC loss (24 weeks). A stereological count demonstrates that mice with significant cell loss exhibit highest survival of grafted NPCs and migration to the vicinity of PCs as compared to wt and younger grafted animals. These animals showed improved motor skills as compared to sham animals. Confocal analysis and profiling shows that many of implanted cells present in the cerebellar cortex have formed gap junctions with host PCs and express connexin43. Grafted cells did not adopt characteristics of PCs, but stereological and morphometric analysis of the cerebellar cortex revealed that grafted animals had more surviving PCs and a better preserved morphology of these cells than the control groups. Perforated patch clamp recordings revealed a normalization of the PC basal membrane potential, which was abnormally depolarized in sham-treated animals. No significant increase in levels of several neurotrophic factors was observed, suggesting, along with morphological observation, that the neuroprotective effect of grafted NPCs was mediated by direct contact with the host PCs. In this study, evidence for a neuroprotective effect came, in addition to motor behavior improvement, from stereological and electrophysiological analyses and suggest that timing of stem cell delivery is important to determine its therapeutic effect. In a brain stem cell niche, NSCs reside in a complex cellular and extracellular microenvironment comprising their own progeny, ependymal cells, numerous blood vessels and various extracellular matrix molecules. Recently, it was reported that blood vessel ECs-NSCs crosstalk plays an important role in tissue homeostasis. Bloodstream offers a natural delivery vehicle especially in case of diffuse neurodegenerative diseases which require widespread distribution of exogenous cells. As NSCs are confronted with blood-brain barrier endothelial cells (BBB-ECs) before they can enter into brain parenchyma, we investigated their interaction using primary cultures in an in vitro BBB model. We isolated human fetal neural precursor cells (hfNPCs) from aborted fetal brain tissues and expanded in vitro. We showed that in an in vitro model, human BBB endothelium induces the rapid differentiation of hfNPCs and allows them to cross the endothelial monolayer, with the differentiated progeny remaining in close contact with endothelial cells. These results are not reproduced when using a non-BBB endothelium and are partly dependent on the cytokine MCP1. Our data suggest that, in the presence of attractive signals released by a damaged brain, intravascularly administered NPCs can move across an intact BBB endothelium and differentiate in its vicinity. Overall, our findings have implications for the development of cellular therapies for cerebellar degenerative diseases and understanding of the brain stem cell niche.