Cristina M. Bäckman

Dopaminergic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.

In this manuscript we report that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiated into dopaminergic neurons when cocultured with PA6 cells. After 3 weeks of differentiation, approximately 87% of hES colonies contained tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)–positive cells, and a high percentage of the cells in most of the colonies expressed TH. Differentiation was inhibited by exposure to BMP4 or serum.

A selective group of dopaminergic neurons express Nurr1 in the adult mouse brain.

Nurr1, an orphan receptor of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is widely expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) including brain regions where dopaminergic neurons are abundant. Recent analyses of Nurr1 null mutant mice have shown that Nurr1 is essential for the development and survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. However, other dopaminergic neuronal populations do not seem to be affected by ablation of the Nurr1 gene. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the degree of co-existence of Nurr1 mRNA and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in the brain of adult mice to better characterize the selective effects of Nurr1 on catecholaminergic neurons. Our results indicate that the majority of TH-immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra (SN; 96%), ventral tegmental area (VTA; 95%), retrorubral field (91%), olfactory bulb (85%), linear nucleus raphe (91%) and central grey (61%) express Nurr1. In contrast, dopaminergic cells of the paraventricular and periventricular hypothalamic nucleus showed only a few Nurr1/TH double labeled neurons, while TH-immunoreactive neurons in the arcuate nucleus and zona incerta did not express Nurr1 mRNA. Nurr1 expression was also excluded from (nor)adrenergic neurons of the brainstem. In conclusion, Nurr1 transcripts were not found in all CNS catecholaminergic neurons. Nurr1 expression was confined to periglomerular and midbrain dopaminergic neurons. These results suggest that within the adult mouse brain, Nurr1 may participate in dopaminergic functions of the olfactory bulb and midbrain.

Prefrontal Cortical Kappa-Opioid Receptor Modulation of Local Neurotransmission and Conditioned Place Aversion

Kappa-opioid receptors (KORs) are important for motivation and other medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)-dependent behaviors. Although KORs are present in the mPFC, their role in regulating transmission in this brain region and their contribution to KOR-mediated aversion are not known. Using in vivo microdialysis in rats and mice, we demonstrate that intra-mPFC administration of the selective KOR agonist U69,593 decreased local dopamine (DA) overflow, while reverse dialysis of the KOR antagonist nor-Binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) enhanced mPFC DA overflow. Extracellular amino-acid levels were also affected by KORs, as U69,593 reduced glutamate and GABA levels driven by the glutamate reuptake blocker, l-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate. Whole-cell recordings from mPFC layer V pyramidal neurons revealed that U69,593 decreased the frequency, but not amplitude, of glutamatergic mini EPSPs. To determine whether KOR regulation of mPFC DA overflow was mediated by KOR on DA terminals, we utilized a Cre recombinase-driven mouse line lacking KOR in DA neurons. In these mice, basal DA release or uptake was unaltered relative to controls, but attenuation of mPFC DA overflow by local U69,593 was not observed, indicating KOR acts directly on mPFC DA terminals to locally inhibit DA levels. Conditioning procedures were then used to determine whether mPFC KOR signaling was necessary for KOR-mediated aversion. U69,593-mediated conditioned place aversion was blocked by intra-mPFC nor-BNI microinjection. These findings demonstrate that mPFC KORs negatively regulate DA and amino-acid neurotransmission, and are necessary for KOR-mediated aversion.

Gene expression patterns for GDNF and its receptors in the human putamen affected by Parkinson's disease: a real-time PCR study.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, is a potent trophic factor for dopaminergic neurons of the ventral midbrain, which are known to degenerate during Parkinsons disease (PD). The neuroprotective, neurorestorative, and stimulatory properties of GDNF has prompted numerous suggestions that this trophic factor may be a potential therapeutic tool to treat PD, and it has also been widely speculated that altered GDNF expression levels may be involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. In this study, we have investigated if mRNA expression levels for GDNF and/or its receptors are altered during PD in the human putamen, a target area for dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra compacta. Expression levels were analyzed with quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase reaction (RT qPCR) in post-mortem tissues from PD patients and aged matched controls. Primer pairs specific for GDNF (isoforms I and II), and its receptor molecules, GFRalpha1 and cRET were utilized. GDNF, cRET and GFRalpha1 mRNA expression was clearly detected in the putamen of control and Parkinsons disease patients. A modest but significant upregulation of GDNF mRNA levels (Isoform I) was observed in the putamen of Parkinsons disease patients with a marked loss of nigral neurons. No significant changes were observed for the expression of cRet and GFRa1. These data suggest that the extensive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, and concomitant loss of striatal dopamine, may induce compensatory changes in the expression of target derived GDNF, but not its receptor system.

Kappa Opioid Receptors on Dopaminergic Neurons Are Necessary for Kappa-Mediated Place Aversion

Kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) agonists have dysphoric properties in humans and are aversive in rodents. This has been attributed to the activation of KORs within the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system. However, the role of DA in KOR-mediated aversion and stress remains divisive as recent studies have suggested that activation of KORs on serotonergic neurons may be sufficient to mediate aversive behaviors. To address this question, we used conditional knock-out (KO) mice with KORs deleted on DA neurons (DATCre/wt/KORloxp/loxp, or DATCre-KOR KO). In agreement with previous findings, control mice (DATCre/wt/KORwt/wt or WT) showed conditioned place aversion (CPA) to the systemically administered KOR agonist U69,593. In contrast, DATCre-KOR KO mice did not exhibit CPA with this same agonist. In addition, in vivo microdialysis showed that systemic U69,593 decreased overflow of DA in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in WT mice, but had no effect in DATCre-KOR KO mice. Intra- ventral tegmental area (VTA) delivery of KORs using an adeno-associated viral gene construct, resulted in phenotypic rescue of the KOR-mediated NAc DA response and aversive behavior in DATCre-KOR KO animals. These results provide evidence that KORs on VTA DA neurons are necessary to mediate KOR-mediated aversive behavior. Therefore, our data, along with recent findings, suggest that the neuronal mechanisms of KOR-mediated aversive behavior may include both dopaminergic and serotonergic components.

Spinal interleukin-17 promotes thermal hyperalgesia and NMDA NR1 phosphorylation in an inflammatory pain rat model

Summary IL‐17 is up‐regulated in spinal astrocytes during inflammation and facilitates behavioral hyperalgesia through promoting phosphorylation of NR1, the essential subunit of the N‐methyl d‐aspartate receptor. ABSTRACT It is known that interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) is associated with autoimmune disorders and that peripheral IL‐17 plays a role in arthritis and neuropathic pain. The present study investigated the possibility of spinal cell expression of IL‐17 during inflammatory pain and possible IL‐17 involvement in such pain. Hyperalgesia was induced by injecting complete Freund adjuvant (CFA, 0.08 mL, 40 μg Mycobacterium tuberculosis) into one hind paw of the rat. Paw withdrawal latency (PWL) was tested before (−48 h) and 2 and 24 h after CFA injection to assess hyperalgesia. IL‐17 antibody (0.2–2 μg/rat) was given intrathecally (i.t.) 24 h before CFA to block the action of basal IL‐17 and 2 h before each of 2 PWL tests to block CFA‐induced IL‐17. I.t. recombinant IL‐17 (10–400 ng per rat) was administered to naive rats to determine its effects on PWL and phosphorylated NR1 (p‐NR1). p‐NR1 modulates N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity to facilitate pain. Spinal cords were removed for IL‐17 immunostaining, double immunostaining of IL‐17/cell markers and IL‐17 receptor A (IL‐17RA)/NR1, for Western blot testing of IL‐17, p‐NR1, IL‐17RA, and GFAP, for in situ IL‐17RA hybridization, and for real time polymerase chain reaction of IL‐17RA. The data reveal that IL‐17 is up‐regulated in activated and nonactivated astrocytes; that IL‐17RA is localized in NR1‐immunoreactive neurons and up‐regulated; and that IL‐17 antibody at 2 μg/rat significantly increased PWL (P < .05) and decreased p‐NR1 and IL‐17RA compared to control in CFA‐ and IL‐17‐injected rats. The results suggest that spinal IL‐17 is produced by astrocytes and enhances p‐NR1 to facilitate pain.

Gene expression profile of neuronal progenitor cells derived from hESCs: activation of chromosome 11p15.5 and comparison to human dopaminergic neurons.

Background We initiated differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into dopamine neurons, obtained a purified population of neuronal precursor cells by cell sorting, and determined patterns of gene transcription. Methodology Dopaminergic differentiation of hESCs was initiated by culturing hESCs with a feeder layer of PA6 cells. Differentiating cells were then sorted to obtain a pure population of PSA-NCAM-expressing neuronal precursors, which were then analyzed for gene expression using Massive Parallel Signature Sequencing (MPSS). Individual genes as well as regions of the genome which were activated were determined. Principal Findings A number of genes known to be involved in the specification of dopaminergic neurons, including MSX1, CDKN1C, Pitx1 and Pitx2, as well as several novel genes not previously associated with dopaminergic differentiation, were expressed. Notably, we found that a specific region of the genome located on chromosome 11p15.5 was highly activated. This region contains several genes which have previously been associated with the function of dopaminergic neurons, including the gene for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis, IGF2, and CDKN1C, which cooperates with Nurr1 in directing the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons. Other genes in this region not previously recognized as being involved in the functions of dopaminergic neurons were also activated, including H19, TSSC4, and HBG2. IGF2 and CDKN1C were also found to be highly expressed in mature human TH-positive dopamine neurons isolated from human brain samples by laser capture. Conclusions The present data suggest that the H19-IGF2 imprinting region on chromosome 11p15.5 is involved in the process through which undifferentiated cells are specified to become neuronal precursors and/or dopaminergic neurons.

NMDA Receptors on Non-Dopaminergic Neurons in the VTA Support Cocaine Sensitization

Background The initiation of behavioral sensitization to cocaine and other psychomotor stimulants is thought to reflect N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-mediated synaptic plasticity in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) circuitry. The importance of drug induced NMDAR mediated adaptations in ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons, and its association with drug seeking behaviors, has recently been evaluated in Cre-loxp mice lacking functional NMDARs in DA neurons expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the endogenous dopamine transporter gene (NR1DATCre mice). Methodology and Principal Findings Using an additional NR1DATCre mouse transgenic model, we demonstrate that while the selective inactivation of NMDARs in DA neurons eliminates the induction of molecular changes leading to synaptic strengthening, behavioral measures such as cocaine induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference remain intact in NR1DATCre mice. Since VTA DA neurons projecting to the prefrontal cortex and amygdala express little or no detectable levels of the dopamine transporter, it has been speculated that NMDA receptors in DA neurons projecting to these brain areas may have been spared in NR1DATCre mice. Here we demonstrate that the NMDA receptor gene is ablated in the majority of VTA DA neurons, including those exhibiting undetectable DAT expression levels in our NR1DATCre transgenic model, and that application of an NMDAR antagonist within the VTA of NR1DATCre animals still blocks sensitization to cocaine. Conclusions/Significance These results eliminate the possibility of NMDAR mediated neuroplasticity in the different DA neuronal subpopulations in our NR1DATCre mouse model and therefore suggest that NMDARs on non-DA neurons within the VTA must play a major role in cocaine-related addictive behavior.

Selective Deletion of PTEN in Dopamine Neurons Leads to Trophic Effects and Adaptation of Striatal Medium Spiny Projecting Neurons

The widespread distribution of the tumor suppressor PTEN in the nervous system suggests a role in a broad range of brain functions. PTEN negatively regulates the signaling pathways initiated by protein kinase B (Akt) thereby regulating signals for growth, proliferation and cell survival. Pten deletion in the mouse brain has revealed its role in controlling cell size and number. In this study, we used Cre-loxP technology to specifically inactivate Pten in dopamine (DA) neurons (Pten KO mice). The resulting mutant mice showed neuronal hypertrophy, and an increased number of dopaminergic neurons and fibers in the ventral mesencephalon. Interestingly, quantitative microdialysis studies in Pten KO mice revealed no alterations in basal DA extracellular levels or evoked DA release in the dorsal striatum, despite a significant increase in total DA tissue levels. Striatal dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) and prodynorphin (PDyn) mRNA levels were significantly elevated in KO animals, suggesting an enhancement in neuronal activity associated with the striatonigral projection pathway, while dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) and preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA levels remained unchanged. In addition, PTEN inactivation protected DA neurons and significantly enhanced DA-dependent behavioral functions in KO mice after a progressive 6OHDA lesion. These results provide further evidence about the role of PTEN in the brain and suggest that manipulation of the PTEN/Akt signaling pathway during development may alter the basal state of dopaminergic neurotransmission and could provide a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Parkinsons disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Tetracycline-inducible expression systems for the generation of transgenic animals: a comparison of various inducible systems carried in a single vector.

The most often used tetracycline-regulated transgenic mice system requires the generation of two transgenic strains, one carrying an inducible promoter and the other a transactivator. In this study, we report the design of a universal and simplified regulatory gene delivery vector to facilitate the generation of conditional transgenic animals that integrate both the tetracycline regulatory and response elements in a single vector. The newly developed tetracycline reversed transactivator rtTA-M2 was used in all our constructs, based on its highly improved properties with respect to specificity, stability and inducibility. To minimize interference between the different tetracycline-inducible promoters used in this study (tetracycline-responsive element (TRE), TRE-tight, or Tk-tetO) and the rtTA-M2 transactivator, both elements were cloned in opposite directions and separated by a 5 kb human p53 intron. The functionality of this system was confirmed after in vitro transfection in a mammalian cell line. Overall induction by the tetracycline-responsive element promoter was significantly higher than that induced by the newly developed TRE-tight promoter. However, the TRE-tight promoter showed a significantly tighter expression with minimal background, and still maintained high induction levels. The minimal Tk-tetO promoter showed a very weak induction capacity. Our study demonstrates that this combination of elements, placed in a single vector is sufficient for delivering a functional tetracycline-inducible system to a mammalian cell line. Moreover, additional modifications to this regulatory gene delivery system, such as the introduction of specific cloning sites and selection markers, have been designed with the idea of creating a simplified and universal inducible system to facilitate the generation of conditional transgenic, knock-out, and knock-in animals.