Orientador: Elenice Aparecida de Moraes Ferrari / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T18:07:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Faria_RodolfoSouza_D.pdf: 4131498 bytes, checksum: 19063a2cb7dfffa9e3e542eeb3359cfc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: O Fator Neurotrófico Derivado do Cérebro (BDNF) participa de processos de plasticidade sináptica subjacentes à aprendizagem e memória. A ação do BDNF no hipocampo e na amígdala é necessária para à formação de memória emocionais, incluindo a memória de medo. Além disso, foi demonstrado em roedores que a persistência da memória aversiva depende um pico tardio na expressão de BDNF-maduro que ocorre no hipocampo. Contudo, ainda são necessárias investigações sobre o papel do BDNF-maduro na plasticidade sináptica e processos de memória em aves. Neste estudo o Experimento 1 investigou se o condicionamento som-choque induz um ciclo tardio de expressão do BDNF-maduro no hipocampo e amígdala de pombos. Pombos adultos receberam implante bilateral de microcânula intra-hipocampal e, sete dias após foram treinados com três pareamentos som-choque e designados para um dos três grupos: condicionamento e anisomicina (CondANI) , condicionado e salina (CondSAL) e condicionado não tratado (Cond). O grupo NAIVE não teve tratamento ou condicionamento. O Experimento 2 investigou se o bloqueio da ação do BDNF-maduro por infusão intra-hipocampal de anisomicina, e do antagonista do receptor TrkB, K252a, interferem na persistência da memória de medo condicionado ao contexto e ao som. Foram usados grupos de pombos que receberam infusão intra-hipocampal 11 h após o treino de salina (CondSAL2 e CondSAL7), anisomicina (CondANI2 e CondANI7), ou K252a (CondK2 e CondK7), e também controles não tratados (Cond2 e Cond7). Os animais foram testados ao contexto e a som 2 ou 7 dias após treino. No Experimento 1 a análise por Western blotting indicou que os valores de BDNF-maduro no hipocampo dos pombos Cond e CondSAL foram maiores do que nos pombos CondANI e NAIVE (p < 0,05). Os valores de BDNF-maduro na amígdala não diferiram entre os grupos condicionados (p > 0,05). No Experimento II não houve diferenças significativas entre grupos no teste ao contexto realizado 2 dias após o treino (p > 0,05), mas no quando testados 7 dias após o treino os grupos CondANI7 e CondK7 apresentaram menor ocorrência de congelamento do que Cond7 e CondSAL7 (p < 0,05). Não houve diferenças significativas entre grupos nos testes ao som realizados 2 e 7 dias após o condicionamento (p > 0,05). Os dados do Experimento I indicaram que o treino em condicionamento clássico aversivo induziu o aumento tardio da expressão BDNF-maduro no hipocampo e na amígdala, enquanto que os dados do Experimento 2 demostraram que a infusão intra-hipocampal de anisomicina e de K252a prejudicaram a persistência da memória de medo condicionado ao contexto, mas não a memória de medo condicionado ao som. Esses resultados estariam relacionados com uma dissociação entre o hipocampo e amígdala no processamento das informações contextuais e sonoras no medo condicionado. Em conjunto nossos dados evidenciam que a experiência do condicionamento ativa uma série de eventos moleculares que levam ao aumento da expressão do BDNF-maduro no hipocampo e na amígdala, garantindo a regulação fina da plasticidade neuronal necessária para a memória / Abstract: The Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) participates in processes of synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory. The action of BDNF in the hippocampus and amygdala is necessary for the formation of emotional memory, including fear memory. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that rodent aversive memory depends on persistence of a late peak in the expression of mature BDNF, which occurs in the hippocampus. However, we still need further investigations on the role of mature BDNF in synaptic plasticity and memory processes in birds. In this study, Experiment 1 investigated whether the tone-shock conditioning induces a late cycle-expression of mature - BDNF in the hippocampus and amygdala of pigeons. Adult pigeons underwent bilateral implantation of intra-hippocampal microcanullae and seven days later were trained with three tone-shock pairings and assigned to one of three groups: conditioning and anisomycin (CondANI), conditioning and saline (CondSAL) and untreated conditioning (Cond). The NAIVE group had no treatment or conditioning. Experiment 2 investigated whether blockade of the action of mature-BDNF with intra-hippocampal infusion of anisomycin or of TrkB receptor antagonist, K252a, interferes with the persistence of memory of conditioned contextual fear and conditioned tone fear. Groups of birds that at 11 h after the training received intra-hippocampal infusion of saline (CondSAL2 and CondSAL7) anisomycin (CondANI2 and CondANI7) or K252a (CondK2 and CondK7) as well as untreated controls (COND2 and Cond7) were used. Tests to the context and to the tone were conducted 2 days or 7 days after training. In Experiment 1 analysis by Western blotting indicated values of mature-BDNF in the hippocampus of pigeons and Cond CondSAL that were higher than in CondANI and NAIVE pigeons (p < 0.05). The values of mature-BDNF in the amygdala did not differ between the conditioned groups (p > 0.05). In Experiment II there were no significant differences between groups in the context test conducted 2 days after training (p > 0.05), but when tested 7 days after training both the CondANI7 and CondK7 groups showed lower occurrence of freezing than Cond7 and CondSAL7 (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups in the tests to the tone conducted 2 or 7 days after conditioning (p > 0.05). The data of Experiment I indicated that training in classical aversive conditioning induced increase in late expression of mature-BDNF in the hippocampus and amygdala, whereas the data from Experiment 2 showed that intra-hippocampal infusion of anisomycin and K252a disrupted persistence of the memory of contextual fear conditioning, but not of fear memory to the tone. These results could be related to a dissociation between the hippocampus and amygdala in processing auditory and contextual information in fear conditioning. Taken together our data show that the conditioning experience activates a series of molecular events that lead to increased expression of mature-BDNF in hippocampus, and amygdala, which guarantee regulation of neuronal plasticity required for memory / Doutorado / Fisiologia / Doutor em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe psychiatric illness with a consistent genetic influence, involving complex interactions between numerous genes and environmental factors. Immediate early genes (IEGs) are activated in the brain in response to environmental stimuli, such as stress. The potential to translate environmental stimuli into long-term changes in brain has led to increased interest in a potential role for these genes influencing risk for psychiatric disorders. Our recent finding using network-based approach has shown that the regulatory unit of early growth response gene 3 (EGR3) of IEGs family was robustly repressed in postmortem prefrontal cortex of BD patients. As a central transcription factor, EGR3 regulates an array of target genes that mediate critical neurobiological processes such as synaptic plasticity, memory and cognition. Considering that EGR3 expression is induced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that has been consistently related to BD pathophysiology, we suggest a link between BDNF and EGR3 and their potential role in BD. A growing body of data from our group and others has shown that peripheral BDNF levels are reduced during mood episodes and also with illness progression. In this same vein, BDNF has been proposed as an important growth factor in the impaired cellular resilience related to BD. Taken together with the fact that EGR3 regulates the expression of the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR and may also indirectly induce BDNF expression, here we propose a feed-forward gene regulatory network involving EGR3 and BDNF and its potential role in BD.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the oldest and most effective treatments for depression; however, its biological underpinnings are poorly understood. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are two chemical messenger systems implicated in the antidepressant action and cognitive side effects of ECT. The Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) strain is a genetic model of depression that shows biological, cognitive, behavioural, and treatment-response abnormalities, making it potentially a useful model in which to investigate the underpinnings of the action of electroconvulsive stimulus (ECS: the amimal model of ECT). In addition, the WKY presents a potentially useful model for translational research on depression. The WKY strain is particularly valuable for the measurement of serum BDNF protein, for which the association with antidepressant treatments is much less clear (mostly stemming from investigations in humans) than that between brain BDNF and antidepressant treatments in rodent studies. The three studies presented add insight into the biological and behavioural effects of ECS. The first study (chapter 2) found no evidence of increased (R)-[11C]rolipram binding (an indirect marker of cyclic-adenosine monophosphate, cAMP) in the brain, despite significant increases of brain BDNF protein expression after repeated ECS. The second study (chapter 3) demonstrated the validity of the WKY strain in the investigation of ECS. Relative to Wistar controls, WKY showed similar antidepressant and cognitive effects (despite some abnormal behavioural responses), immediate but not sustained increases in brain BDNF protein, and a novel finding of increased extra-hypothalamic CRF after 5 daily ECS. The final study (chapter 4) demonstrated baseline strain differences in serum (WKY < Wistar) but not brain BDNF and, in both strains, no change in serum BDNF despite significant changes in brain BDNF after repeated ECS treatment. Preliminary results from a human pilot study investigating similar measures in a small group of people receiving ECT for depression are also presented. The results of this body of work advance our understanding of the activation and role of brain and serum measures of BDNF and the HPA axis in ECS/ECT, and raise important issues in the translation of research from basic science to the human condition of depression.

Introdução: A cefaleia do tipo tensional crônica (CTTC) é caracterizada por dor de cabeça quase diária e sensibilização central. A acupuntura tem sido estudada no tratamento de diversos tipos de cefaleia, porém os resultados são controversos e apenas sugerem maior eficácia em relação ao placebo. A eletroacupuntura (EA) modula algumas das funções do sistema nervoso central (SNC), podendo modificar a neuroplasticidade. A plasticidade do SNC pode ser rastreada através dos níveis séricos do fator neurotrófico derivado do cérebro (BDNF), um mediador de neuroplasticidade. Objetivo: Este estudo testou a hipótese de que a analgesia pela EA na CTTC estaria relacionada à neuroplasticidade, avaliada através dos níveis séricos de BDNF. Métodos: Foram recrutadas mulheres, com idades entre 18-60 anos, portadoras de CTTC, para um ensaio clinico randomizado, cegado, controlado por placebo-sham. Foram aplicadas 10 sessões de EA, durante 30 minutos (2- 10 Hz, com intensidade conforme a tolerância) na cervical e áreas autonômicas, duas vezes por semana, que foram comparadas com placebosham. Os períodos de tratamento foram separados por duas semanas de intervalo. Avaliou-se dor (através de escala análoga visual (VAS) de 10 cm) e níveis séricos de BDNF como desfechos primários. Resultados: Trinta e quatro pacientes foram randomizadas e vinte e nove completaram o protocolo. Os escores da VAS foram menores durante o tratamento com EA, do que no tratamento com placebo-sham. (2.38±1.77, 3.02±2.49 respectivamente, P=0.005). Os escores de dor variaram conforme a sequência de intervenção, demonstrando efeito de carreamento (P<0.05). Utilizando regressão múltipla, os níveis séricos de BDNF foram ajustados para a escala de depressão de Hamilton e VAS (r-squared= 0.07, standard β coefficients= -0.2, -0.14, respectivamente). Ao final do período da primeira intervenção os valores de BDNF ajustados, foram maiores no grupo EA, (29.31±3.24, 27.53±2.94 ng/mL) a magnitude de efeito mensurada pela diferença na media padronizada expressou um efeito moderado (Cohen´s d= 0.55). Conclusão: A analgesia produzida pela EA pode estar relacionada à neuroplasticidade, avaliada através do BDNF ajustado para dor e depressão. A modulação pela EA na dor e BDNF depende da condição do SNC, uma vez que está relacionada à depressão e depende do momento da aplicação da intervenção. / Background: Chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) is characterized by almost daily headaches and central sensitization. Electroacupunture (EA) is effective for this condition and modules some central nervous system (CNS) functions. CNS plasticity could be tracked in serum using the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neuroplasticity mediator. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that EA analgesia in CTTH would be related to neuroplasticity indexed by the BDNF. Patients and methods: We enrolled females aging 18-60 with CTTH in a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial, comparing ten EA sessions applied during 30 minutes (2-10 Hz, intensity by tolerance) in cervical and autonomic areas twice per week, vs. placebo-sham (PS). Treatment periods were separated by two washout weeks. Pain on the 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) and serum BDNF were assessed as primary outcomes. Results: Thirty-four subjects underwent randomization, twenty-nine completed the protocol. VAS during EA period was lower than during PS (2.38±1.77, 3.02±2.49 respectively, P=0.005). VAS differed according to intervention sequence demonstrating carry-over effect (P<0.05). Using multiple regression serum BDNF was adjusted for the Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) and VAS (r-squared=0.07, standard β coefficients=-0.2, -0.14, respectively; omnibus-test P<0.001). At the end of the first intervention period the adjusted BDNF was higher in the EA cohort (29.31±3.24, 27.53±2.94 ng/mL, Cohen´s d= 0.55). Conclusion: EA analgesia may relate to neuroplasticity indexed by the adjusted BDNF. EA modulation on pain and BDNF depends on the situation of the CNS, as is related to depression and depends on the timing of the intervention.

Nicotine sensitization and levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were analyzed in adolescent beta-arrestin-2 knockout (betaA-2 KO) and wild type (WT) mice. The beta-arrestin-2 protein has been shown to be important in G-protein hydrolysis and receptor internalization. Four- to five-week-old adolescent betaA-2 KO and WT C57/Bl6 mice were administered either nicotine (0.5 mg/kg free base) or saline 10 min before being placed into a locomotor arena on each of 7 (Experiment 1) or 14 (Experiment 2) consecutive days. A nicotine challenge was given 7 days after sensitization was complete. In Experiment 1, betaA-2 KO mice administered nicotine or saline and WT mice administered nicotine demonstrated significant hypoactivity during early in testing, and neither WT nor betaA-2 KO mice administered nicotine demonstrated sensitization. On the nicotine challenge, WT mice administered nicotine demonstrated significantly higher activity levels compared to all groups, and this same group demonstrated significantly higher levels of accumbal BDNF compared to all groups. In Experiment 2, betaA-2 KO mice were again hypoactive compared to WT mice, whereas WT mice administered nicotine demonstrated significant hypoactivity during initial testing and significantly higher levels of activity compared to all other groups late in testing. On the nicotine challenge, WT mice that received nicotine demonstrated a significant increase in activity compared to all groups, and showed increased accumbal BDNF compared to all groups. These results show that the beta-arrestin-2 protein is important in induction and expression of nicotine sensitization as well as nicotine's effects on accumbal BDNF.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(人間健康科学) / 甲第23426号 / 人健博第93号 / 新制||人健||6(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科人間健康科学系専攻 / (主査)教授 山田 重人, 教授 林 悠, 教授 森本 尚樹 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Human Health Sciences / Kyoto University / DFAM

This review provides a short historical background to the field of axonal regeneration and discusses the advances made in over 100 studies between 2007 and 2012 in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the conditioning lesion and regeneration of primary sensory axons in the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. Treatment strategies to stimulate axon growth and reinnervation of the spinal cord through the dorsal root entry zone and of the dorsal column nuclei in the medulla are highlighted. Major breakthroughs have been made, e.g., reinnervating the nucleus gracilis in the medulla using neurotrophic factor gradients and grafts as relays and identifying chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan receptors. The experimental accessibility of the dorsal column axons has also resulted in new technological advances, including live imaging. Last, future directions are discussed, including some challenges of translation to humans.

Background/Aims: Neonatal quinpirole (NQ) treatment to rats increases dopamine D2 (DAD2) receptor sensitivity in adult animals. We investigated if increased DAD2 sensitivity would be passed to the next (F1) generation, and if these animals demonstrated sensorimotor gating deficits and enhanced behavioral responses to nicotine. Methods: Male and female rats were intraperitoneal (IP) administered quinpirole (1 mg/kg) or saline (NS) from postnatal day (P)1–21. Animals were either behaviorally tested (F0) or raised to P60 and mated, creating F1 offspring. Results: Experiment 1 revealed that F1 generation animals that were the offspring of at least one NQ-treated founder increased yawning behavior, a DAD2-mediated behavioral event, in response to acute quinpirole (0.1 mg/kg). F1 generation rats also demonstrated increased striatal β arrestin-2 and decreased phospho-AKT signaling, consistent with increased G-protein independent DAD2 signaling, which was equal to F0 NQ-treated founders, although this was not observed in all groups. RNA-Seq analysis revealed significant gene expression changes in the F1 generation that were offspring of both NQ-treated founders compared to F0 NQ founders and controls, with enrichment in sensitivity to stress hormones and cell signaling pathways. In Experiment 2, all F1 generation offspring demonstrated sensorimotor gating deficits compared to controls, which were equivalent to F0 NQ-treated founders. In Experiment 3, all F1 generation animals demonstrated enhanced nicotine behavioral sensitization and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein. Further, F1 generation rats demonstrated enhanced adolescent nicotine conditioned place preference equivalent to NQ-treated founders conditioned with nicotine. Conclusions: This represents the first demonstration of transgenerational effects of increased DAD2 sensitivity in a rodent model.

No description available.

Murine models have become increasingly popular to study various aspects of cardiovascular diseases due to their ease of genetic manipulation. Unfortunately, there has been little effort put into describing the distribution of autonomic nerves in the mouse heart, making it difficult to compare current findings from clinical and experimental models related to cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, determination of the requirements for the development of this system and its maintenance in adult mice remains largely unexplored. This study represents the first detailed mapping of cholinergic neuroanatomy of the mouse heart based on immunohistochemical staining using true cholinergic markers. We found cholinergic innervation of the mouse heart to be largely focused in the atrium and conducting system. We investigated the involvement of the neurotrophic factor neurturin (NRTN) in the development of cholinergic innervation, because there was indirect evidence that implicated it as a crucial factor. Results from our work definitively demonstrate that NRTN plays a major role in the development of cardiac parasympathetic ganglia and cholinergic innervation of the mouse heart. Adult NRTN knockout mice exhibited a drastic reduction in the number of intracardiac neurons with decreased atrial acetylcholine, cholinergic nerve density at the sinoatrial node and negative chronotropic responses to vagal stimulation. The presence of NRTN and its receptors in hearts from adult wild-type mice suggests that this neurotrophic factor might also be required for maintenance of cardiac cholinergic innervation. Finally, we wanted to determine how intracardiac neurons and their processes change during diseased states, specifically type 1 diabetes. This work has shown that the cardiac cholinergic nervous system in the mouse undergoes structural and functional remodeling when challenged with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Cholinergic nerves in diabetic hearts undergo extensive sprouting at the sinoatrial node with no change in the number of intracardiac neurons. Cholinergic function appears to be enhanced in diabetic mice, based on pharmacological testing, despite decreased response to direct vagal nerve stimulation. Evidence also suggests that diabetic mice have an imbalance in autonomic control of heart rate. The latter findings suggest that disruption of central input into intrinsic cardiac ganglia also contributes to the neuropathology of type 1 diabetes.