Eriko Furube

Astrocytic TRPV1 ion channels detect blood-borne signals in the sensory circumventricular organs of adult mouse brains

The circumventricular organs (CVOs), including the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), subfornical organ (SFO), and area postrema (AP) sense a variety of blood‐borne molecules because they lack typical blood‐brain barrier. Though a few signaling pathways are known, it is not known how endogenous ligands for transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 ion channel (TRPV1) are sensed in the CVOs. In this study, we aimed to examine whether or not astrocytic TRPV1 senses directly blood‐borne molecules in the OVLT, SFO, and AP of adult mice. The reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and Western analysis revealed the expression of TRPV1 in the CVOs. Confocal microscopic immunohistochemistry further showed that TRPV1 was localized prominently at thick cellular processes of astrocytes rather than fine cellular processes and cell bodies. TRPV1‐expressing cellular processes of astrocytes surrounded the vasculature to constitute dense networks. The expression of TRPV1 was also found at neuronal dendrites but not somata in the CVOs. The intravenous administration of a TRPV1 agonist resiniferatoxin (RTX) prominently induced Fos expression at astrocytes in the OVLT, SFO, and AP and neurons in adjacent related nuclei of the median preoptic nuclei (MnPO) and nucleus of the solitary tract (Sol) of wild‐type but not TRPV1‐knockout mice. The intracerebroventricular infusion of RTX induced Fos expression at both astrocytes and neurons in the CVOs, MnPO, and Sol. Thus, this study demonstrates that blood‐borne molecules are sensed directly by astrocytic TRPV1 of the CVOs in adult mammalians.

Astrocytic TLR4 expression and LPS-induced nuclear translocation of STAT3 in the sensory circumventricular organs of adult mouse brain.

The sensory circumventricular organs (CVOs) comprise the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), subfornical organ (SFO), and area postrema (AP) and lack the blood-brain barrier. The expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was seen at astrocytes throughout the sensory CVOs and at microglia in the AP and solitary nucleus around the central canal. The peripheral and central administration of lipopolysaccharide induced a similar pattern of nuclear translocation of STAT3. A microglia inhibitor minocycline largely suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced astrocytic nuclear translocation of STAT3 in the OVLT and AP, but its effect was less in the SFO.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-dependent angiogenesis and dynamic vascular plasticity in the sensory circumventricular organs of adult mouse brain

The sensory circumventricular organs (CVOs), which comprise the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), the subfornical organ (SFO) and the area postrema (AP), lack a typical blood–brain barrier (BBB) and monitor directly blood-derived information to regulate body fluid homeostasis, inflammation, feeding and vomiting. Until now, almost nothing has been documented about vascular features of the sensory CVOs except fenestration of vascular endothelial cells. We therefore examine whether continuous angiogenesis occurs in the sensory CVOs of adult mouse. The angiogenesis-inducing factor vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and the VEGF-A-regulating transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1α were highly expressed in neurons of the OVLT and SFO and in both neurons and astrocytes of the AP. Expression of the pericyte-regulating factor platelet-derived growth factor B was high in astrocytes of the sensory CVOs. Immunohistochemistry of bromodeoxyuridine and Ki-67, a nuclear protein that is associated with cellular proliferation, revealed active proliferation of endothelial cells. Moreover, immunohistochemistry of caspase-3 and the basement membrane marker laminin showed the presence of apoptosis and sprouting of endothelial cells, respectively. Treatment with the VEGF receptor-associated tyrosine kinase inhibitor AZD2171 significantly reduced proliferation and filopodia sprouting of endothelial cells, as well as the area and diameter of microvessels. The mitotic inhibitor cytosine-b-D-arabinofuranoside reduced proliferation of endothelial cells and the vascular permeability of blood-derived low-molecular-weight molecules without changing vascular area and microvessel diameter. Thus, our data indicate that continuous angiogenesis is dependent on VEGF signaling and responsible for the dynamic plasticity of vascular structure and permeability.

Characterization of neural stem cells and their progeny in the sensory circumventricular organs of adult mouse

Although evidence has accumulated that neurogenesis and gliogenesis occur in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and subgranular zone (SGZ) of adult mammalian brains, recent studies indicate the presence of neural stem cells (NSCs) in adult brains, particularly the circumventricular regions. In the present study, we aimed to determine characterization of NSCs and their progenitor cells in the sensory circumventricular organs (CVOs), including organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, subfornical organ, and area postrema of adult mouse. There were two types of NSCs: tanycyte-like ependymal cells and astrocyte-like cells. Astrocyte-like NSCs proliferated slowly and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) actively divided. Molecular marker protein expression of NSCs and their progenitor cells were similar to those reported in the SVZ and SGZ, except that astrocyte-like NSCs expressed S100β. These circumventricular NSCs possessed the capacity to give rise to oligodendrocytes and sparse numbers of neurons and astrocytes in the sensory CVOs and adjacent brain regions. The inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling by using a VEGF receptor-associated tyrosine kinase inhibitor AZD2171 largely suppressed basal proliferation of OPCs. A single systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide attenuated proliferation of OPCs and induced remarkable proliferation of microglia. The present study indicates that sensory circumventricular NSCs provide new neurons and glial cells in the sensory CVOs and adjacent brain regions.

VEGF-dependent and PDGF-dependent dynamic neurovascular reconstruction in the neurohypophysis of adult mice

Hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS) releases arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) from axonal terminals of the neurohypophysis (NH) into blood circulation for controlling body fluid homeostasis and lactation. Chronic osmotic and suckling stimulations have been shown to cause neurovascular and neuroglial reconstruction in the NH of adult mammals and no study has been reported for vascular dynamics. The aim of this study was to elucidate the occurrence of continuous angiogenesis and growth factor-dependent neurovascular reconstruction in the NH of adult mice. Active proliferation of endothelial cells and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) was observed using the immunohistochemistry of bromodeoxyuridine and Ki-67. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2 (KDR)) were highly expressed at pituicytes and endothelial cells respectively. Moreover, prominent expression of platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB) and PDGF receptor beta was observed at OXT-containing axonal terminals and pericytes respectively. Administration of the selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor AZD2171 for VEGFRs and STI571 for PDGFRs significantly decreased proliferation of endothelial cells and OPCs. Moreover, AZD2171 treatment decreased vascular density by facilitating apoptosis of endothelial cells and the withdrawal of its treatment led to remarkable rebound proliferation of endothelial cells, so that vascular density rapidly returned to normal levels. AZD2171 decreased the density of both AVP- and OXT-containing axonal terminals, whereas STI571 selectively decreased the density of AVP-containing ones. Thus, this study demonstrates that the signaling pathways of VEGF and PDGF are crucial mediators for determining proliferation of endothelial cells and OPCs and the density of AVP- and OXT-containing axonal terminals in the HNS.

TRPV1 is crucial for proinflammatory STAT3 signaling and thermoregulation-associated pathways in the brain during inflammation.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) is a non-selective cation channel that is stimulated by heat (>43 °C), mechanical/osmotic stimuli, and low pH. The importance of TRPV1 in inflammatory responses has been demonstrated, whereas its participation in brains remains unclear. In the present study, the intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of the TRPV1 agonist resiniferatoxin (RTX) induced the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in circumventricular organs (CVOs) and thermoregulation-associated brain regions with a similar patttern to the peripheral and icv administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). With the peripheral and icv LPS stimuli, STAT3 activation was significantly lower in Trpv1−/− mice than in Trpv1+/+ mice. The icv administration of RTX induced transient hypothermia, whereas that of the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine enhanced the magnitude and period of LPS-induced hyperthermia. These results indicate that TRPV1 is important for activating proinflammatory STAT3 signaling and thermoregulation-associated brain pathways in the brain.

Robust increase of microglia proliferation in the fornix of hippocampal axonal pathway after a single LPS stimulation

Microglia are resident immunocompetent cells having important roles in innate immunity in the brains. In the present study, we found that a single lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration significantly increased microglial proliferation in the fornix and dentate gyrus (DG) but not the cerebral cortex and corpus callosum of adult mice. LPS-induced microglial proliferation was especially robust at the white matter of the fornix. The density of microglia increased in the fornix and DG for roughly one week and returned to basal levels at least 20days after a single LPS administration. Consecutive LPS administration did not induce such dramatic increase of microglial proliferation in the fornix. The inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor signaling by AZD2171 largely suppressed LPS-induced increase of microglial proliferation in the fornix. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the hippocampal neuronal system has a higher proliferative microglial capability against LPS-induced inflammatory administration compared with other brain regions.

Brain Region-dependent Heterogeneity and Dose-dependent Difference in Transient Microglia Population Increase during Lipopolysaccharide-induced Inflammation

Numerous studies have reported the importance of microglial activation in various pathological conditions, whereas little attention has been given to the point for dynamics of microglial population under infection-induced inflammation. In the present study, the single systemic stimulation of 100 μg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced robust microglial proliferation only in the circumventricular organs (CVOs) and their neighboring brain regions. More than half of microglia similarly showed proliferative activity in the CVOs and their neighboring brain regions after 1 mg/kg LPS stimulation, while this stimulation expanded microglia-proliferating brain regions including the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, and limbic system. Microglia proliferation resulted in a transient increase of microglial density, since their density almost returned to basal levels within 3 weeks. Divided microglia survived at the same rate as non-divided ones. Proliferating microglia frequently expressed a resident microglia marker Tmem119, indicating that increase of microglia density is due to the proliferation of resident microglia. Thus, the present study demonstrates that transient increase in microglia density depends on the brain region and dose of LPS during infection-induced inflammation and could provide a new insight on microglia functions in inflammation and pathogenesis of brain diseases.

Antidepressant-induced vascular dynamics in the hippocampus of adult mouse brain

New neurons are continuously added to hippocampal circuitry involved with spatial learning and memory throughout life. These new neurons originate from neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus (DG). Recent studies indicate that vascular reconstruction is closely connected with neurogenesis, but little is known about its mechanism. We have examined vascular reconstruction in the hippocampus of adult mouse brain after the administration of the antidepressant fluoxetine, a potent inducer of hippocampal neurogenesis. The immunohistochemistry of laminin and CD31 showed that filopodia of endothelial cells sprouted from existing thick microvessels and often formed a bridge between two thick microvessels. These filopodia were frequently seen at the molecular layer and dentate hilus of the DG, the stratum lacunosum-moleculare of the CA1, and the stratum oriens of the CA3. The filopodia were exclusively localized along cellular processes of astrocytes, but such intimate association was not seen with cell bodies and processes of NSPCs. The administration of fluoxetine significantly increased vascular density by enlarging the luminal size of microvessels and eliminating the filopodia of endothelial cells in the molecular layer and dentate hilus. Treatment with fluoxetine increased the number of proliferating NSPCs in the granule cell layer and dentate hilus, and that of endothelial cells in the granule cell layer. Thus, antidepressant-induced vascular dynamics in the DG are possibly attributable to the alteration of the luminal size of microvessels rather than to proliferation of endothelial cells.

Structural Reconstruction of the Perivascular Space in the Adult Mouse Neurohypophysis During an Osmotic Stimulation

Oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) neuropeptides in the neurohypophysis (NH) control lactation and body fluid homeostasis, respectively. Hypothalamic neurosecretory neurones project their axons from the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei to the NH to make contact with the vascular surface and release OXT and AVP. The neurohypophysial vascular structure is unique because it has a wide perivascular space between the inner and outer basement membranes. However, the significance of this unique vascular structure remains unclear; therefore, we aimed to determine the functional significance of the perivascular space and its activity‐dependent changes during salt loading in adult mice. The results obtained revealed that pericytes were the main resident cells and defined the profile of the perivascular space. Moreover, pericytes sometimes extended their cellular processes or ‘perivascular protrusions’ into neurohypophysial parenchyma between axonal terminals. The vascular permeability of low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) molecules was higher at perivascular protrusions than at the smooth vascular surface. Axonal terminals containing OXT and AVP were more likely to localise at perivascular protrusions than at the smooth vascular surface. Chronic salt loading with 2% NaCl significantly induced prominent changes in the shape of pericytes and also increased the number of perivascular protrusions and the surface area of the perivascular space together with elevations in the vascular permeability of LMW molecules. Collectively, these results indicate that the perivascular space of the NH acts as the main diffusion route for OXT and AVP and, in addition, changes in the shape of pericytes and perivascular reconstruction occur in response to an increased demand for neuropeptide release.