Akihito Okabe

Cl− uptake promoting depolarizing GABA actions in immature rat neocortical neurones is mediated by NKCC1

GABA is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mature brain, but during early postnatal development the elevated [Cl−]i in immature neocortical neurones causes GABAA receptor activation to be depolarizing. The molecular mechanisms underlying this intracellular Cl− accumulation remain controversial. Therefore, the GABA reversal potential (EGABA) or [Cl−]i in early postnatal rat neocortical neurones was measured by the gramicidin‐perforated patch‐clamp method, and the relative expression levels of the cation−Cl− cotransporter mRNAs (in the same cells) were examined by semiquantitative single‐cell multiplex RT‐PCR to look for statistical correlations with [Cl−]i. The mRNA expression levels were positively (the Cl− accumulating Na+,K+−2Cl− cotransporter NKCC1) or negatively (the Cl− extruding K+−Cl− cotransporter KCC2) correlated with [Cl−]i. NKCC1 mRNA expression was high in early postnatal days, but decreased during postnatal development, whereas KCC2 mRNA expression displayed the opposite pattern. [Cl−]i and NKCC1 mRNA expression were each higher in cortical plate (CP) neurones than in the presumably older layer V/VI pyramidal neurones in a given slice. The pharmacological effects of bumetanide on EGABA were consistent with the different expression levels of NKCC1 mRNA. These data suggest that NKCC1 may play a pivotal role in the generation of GABA‐mediated depolarization in immature CP cells, while KCC2 promotes the later maturation of GABAergic inhibition in the rat neocortex.

The differential expression patterns of messenger RNAs encoding K-Cl cotransporters (KCC1,2) and Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC1) in the rat nervous system

Cation-chloride cotransporters have been considered to play pivotal roles in controlling intracellular and extracellular ionic environments of neurons and hence controlling neuronal function. We investigated the total distributions of K-Cl cotransporter 1 (KCC1), KCC2 (KCC2), and Na-K-2Cl cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) messenger RNAs in the adult rat nervous system using in situ hybridization histochemistry. KCC2 messenger RNA was abundantly expressed in most neurons throughout the nervous system. However, we could not detect KCC2 messenger RNA expression in the dorsal root ganglion and mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, where primary sensory neurons show depolarizing responses to GABA, suggesting that the absence of KCC2 is necessary for this phenomenon. Furthermore, KCC2 messenger RNA was also not detected in the dorsolateral part of the paraventricular nucleus, dorsomedial part of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and ventromedial part of the supraoptic nucleus where vasopressin neurons exist, and in the reticular thalamic nucleus. As vasopressin neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and neurons in the reticular thalamic nucleus produce their intrinsic rhythmicity, the lack of KCC2 messenger RNA expression in these regions might be involved in the genesis of rhythmicity through the control of intracellular chloride concentration. The expression levels of KCC1 and NKCC1 messenger RNAs were relatively low, however, positive neurons were observed in several regions, including the olfactory bulb, hippocampus, and in the granular layer of the cerebellum. In addition, positive signals were seen in the non-neuronal cells, such as choroid plexus epithelial cells, glial cells, and ependymal cells, suggesting that KCC1 and NKCC1 messenger RNAs were widely expressed in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the nervous system. These results clearly indicate a wide area- and cell-specific variation of cation chloride cotransporters, emphasizing the central role of anionic homeostasis in neuronal function and communication.

Developmental changes in KCC1, KCC2, and NKCC1 mRNA expressions in the rat brain.

We investigated the expressions of KCC1, KCC2 and NKCC1 mRNAs in the developing rat brain. The neuroepithelium showed abundant KCC1 and NKCC1 mRNA expressions, while KCC2 mRNA was not detected there. In contrast, KCC2 mRNA was preferentially expressed in postmitotic mature neurons. These results suggest that the appearance of KCC2 expression mainly depends on the maturation of individual neurons.

Kinetic Properties of Cl− Uptake Mediated by Na+-Dependent K+-2Cl− Cotransport in Immature Rat Neocortical Neurons

GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult nervous system, evokes depolarizing membrane responses in immature neurons, which are crucial for the generation of early network activity. Although it is well accepted that depolarizing GABA actions are caused by an elevated intracellular Cl− concentration ([Cl−]i), the mechanisms of Cl− accumulation in immature neurons are still a matter of debate. Using patch-clamp, microfluorimetric, immunohistochemical, and molecular biological approaches, we studied the mechanism of Cl− uptake in Cajal-Retzius (CR) cells of immature [postnatal day 0 (P0) to P3] rat neocortex. Gramicidin-perforated patch-clamp and 6-methoxy-N-ethylquinolinium-microfluorimetric measurements revealed a steady-state [Cl−]i of ∼30 mm that was reduced to values close to passive distribution by bumetanide or Na+-free solutions, suggesting a participation of Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransport isoform 1 (NKCC1) in maintaining elevated [Cl−]i. Expression of NKCC1 was found in CR cells on the mRNA and protein levels. To determine the contribution of NKCC1 to [Cl−]i homeostasis in detail, Cl− uptake rates were analyzed after artificial [Cl−]i depletion. Active Cl− uptake was relatively slow (47.2 ± 5.0 μm/s) and was abolished by bumetanide or Na+-free solution. Accordingly, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed a low Cl− conductance in CR cells. The low capacity of NKCC1-mediated Cl− uptake was sufficient to maintain excitatory GABAergic membrane responses, however, only at low stimulation frequencies. In summary, our results demonstrate that NKCC1 is abundant in CR cells of immature rat neocortex and that the slow Cl− uptake mediated by this transporter is sufficient to maintain high [Cl−]i required to render GABA responses excitatory.

Kindling induces neuropsin mRNA in the mouse brain

Neuropsin mRNA expression was analyzed and mapped in the mouse brains after kindling epileptogenesis by using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Dynamic increases of the neuropsin mRNA were observed in the layer II of prelimbic, somatosensory, auditory, perirhinal, entorhinal, and piriform cortices in an activity-dependent manner, though no neuropsin gene was expressed in these areas in control mice. In addition to the confirmation of our previous studies showing increases of mRNA in the hippocampus and amygdaloid complex, there were also remarkable increases of the neuropsin mRNA in the limbic areas, such as the accessory olfactory nucleus, the medial and lateral septal nucleus, the nucleus of diagonal band, the substantia innominata and the zona incerta. The dynamic activity-dependent changes of the gene expression and the site-specificity of neuropsin localization are suggesting that this molecule is implicated in cortical- and limbic-specific neuronal reorganization.

Depolarizing glycine responses in Cajal-Retzius cells of neonatal rat cerebral cortex

We investigated the properties of glycine-induced responses in Cajal-Retzius cells, a neuronal cell type essential for the establishment of neocortical lamination. Whole-cell and gramicidin-perforated patch-clamp recordings were performed on visually identified Cajal-Retzius cells in tangential slices from neonatal rat cortex (postnatal days 0-3). With a pipette Cl(-) concentration of 50 mM, bath application of 1 mM glycine induced a membrane depolarization of 32.8+/-7.4 mV and a massive decrease in membrane resistance by 88+/-1.4%. The membrane depolarization was abolished in the presence of the glycinergic antagonists strychnine (30 microM) and phenylbenzene-omega-phosphono-alpha-amino acid (100 microM), while the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline (100 microM) and the glutamatergic antagonist (+/-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentatonic acid (60 microM) were without effect, suggesting that the glycine-induced membrane responses were mediated exclusively by the strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor. The EC(50) for activation of glycine receptors was 0.54 mM, 1.62 mM and 2.41 mM, for the glycinergic agonists glycine, beta-alanine and taurine, respectively. Since the reversal potential of the glycine-induced currents showed a strong dependency on the intracellular chloride concentration and was virtually unaffected under HCO(3)(-)-free conditions, the activation of glycine receptors was probably linked to Cl(-) fluxes with little contribution of HCO(3)(-) ions. Perforated patch recordings from Cajal-Retzius cells demonstrated that glycine elicited depolarizing responses mediated by Cl(-) currents which reversed at -41+/-3.7 mV. In summary, from these results we suggest that Cajal-Retzius cells of the neonatal rat cerebral cortex express functional strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors that mediate depolarizing membrane responses via Cl(-) efflux.

Differential development of cation-chloride cotransporters and Cl− homeostasis contributes to differential GABAergic actions between developing rat visual cortex and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

A recent study suggested that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays differential roles in activity-dependent plasticity between the visual cortex (VC) and the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). In the present study, to investigate differential GABAergic functions in postnatal visual system development, the development of [Cl(-)](i), cation-Cl(-) cotransporter expression, and the [Ca(2+)](i) responses evoked by GABA were compared between VC and dLGN during the early stages of development. Using rat brain slices from postnatal days (P) 0-17, GABA-evoked [Ca(2+)](i) responses and resting [Cl(-)](i) were measured by means of optical imaging of Ca(2+) and Cl(-), respectively. Changes in the expression of cation-Cl(-) cotransporters (viz. the outwardly-directed K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter, KCC2, and the inwardly-directed Na(+),K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter, NKCC1) were examined in VC and dLGN by in situ hybridization. At birth, the excitatory actions of GABA were powerful in VC, but missing in dLGN (as indicated by neuronal [Ca(2+)](i) transients), and the resting [Cl(-)](i) was significantly higher in VC than in dLGN. Signals for KCC2 mRNA expression were significantly higher in dLGN than in VC at P0. This suggests that extrusion of Cl(-) from neurons is stronger in dLGN than in VC at P0, so that a GABAergic excitatory effect was not observed in dLGN because of more negative equilibrium potential for Cl(-). The present study indicates clear differences in the molecular and physiological bases of Cl(-) homeostasis and GABA actions between the developing VC and dLGN. Such differential GABAergic actions may underlie the distinct mechanisms involved in VC and dLGN development within the visual system.

Amygdala kindling induces upregulation of mRNA for NKCC1, a Na+, K+–2Cl− cotransporter, in the rat piriform cortex

GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, elicits a hyperpolarizing response by activation of the GABA(A)-receptor/chloride-channel complex under conditions of normal Cl(-) homeostasis. Thus the pathogenesis of epilepsy could involve an impairment of GABA(A)-receptor-mediated inhibition due to a collapse of the Cl(-) gradient. We examined the expression patterns of Cl(-) transporters and a Cl(-) channel in a rat amygdala-kindling model. Activity-dependent increases were observed in the mRNA for NKCC1, an inwardly-directed Cl(-) transporter, in the piriform cortex. This suggests that an increase in [Cl(-)](i) and a resultant reduction in GABAergic inhibition may occur in the kindled piriform cortex.

Diversity of Neuron-specific K+-Cl−Cotransporter Expression and Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential Depression in Rat Motoneurons

Motoneurons receive a robust recurrent synaptic inhibition by γ-aminobutyric acid and glycine, which activate Cl− channels. Thus, Cl− homeostasis determines the efficacy of synaptic inhibition in the motoneurons.In situ hybridization reveals that the neuronal K+-Cl− cotransporter isoform 2 (KCC2), a major mechanism in maintaining a low Cl− concentration in neurons, is abundantly expressed in the facial, hypoglossal (XII), and spinal motoneurons innervating striated muscle, whereas the dorsal vagal motoneurons (DMVs) controlling smooth muscle exhibited little expression of KCC2. This raises a general interest in the correlation between KCC2 expression and inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) performance in the native circuits. Intracellular and whole-cell patch recordings revealed that an activity-dependent depression of IPSPs and positive shift of IPSP reversal potentials were more prominent in the DMV than in the XII. Cl− influx through Cl− channels was extruded more potently in the XII than in the DMV, suggesting that differences in Cl−extrusion account for these dynamic differences of IPSP. Cl− extrusion was inhibited by either furosemide or an increase in extracellular potassium concentrations. Thus, the rigid maintenance of IPSP and rapid Cl− extrusion in the XII reflects an intense expression of KCC2. KCC2 expression may strongly influence the IPSP depression and functional properties of the motoneurons innervating striated muscles.

Changes in chloride homeostasis-regulating gene expressions in the rat hippocampus following amygdala kindling

In a rat kindling model, we examined expression patterns of NKCC1, KCC1, KCC2, and CLC-2. In the dentate granule cell layer, there was an activity-dependent increase in NKCC1 mRNA but significant decreases in KCC1 and CLC-2 mRNAs. In addition, CLC-2 mRNA expression was markedly decreased in CA1 pyramidal layer. These results suggest that an increase in [Cl-]i and a resultant reduction in GABAergic inhibition may occur in hippocampus of epileptic rats.