Joseph F. Margiotta

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists promote survival and reduce apoptosis of chick ciliary ganglion neurons.

The abundance, diversity, and ubiquitous expression of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) suggest that many are involved in functions other than synaptic transmission. We now report that a major AChR class promotes neuronal survival. The 10-day survival of ciliary ganglion neurons in basal culture medium (MEM) was approximately 35%, but increased to approximately 75% in MEM containing nicotine (MEM/Nic) or carbachol, an effect similar to that achieved by chronic depolarization with KCl. Pharmacological experiments revealed that agonist-enhanced survival requires activation of AChRs sensitive to alpha-bungarotoxin (alphaBgt). alphaBgt-AChRs partly support neuronal survival by limiting apoptosis since fewer apoptotic neurons were observed in MEM/Nic compared to MEM. Moreover, nicotinic survival support was not further enhanced by fibroblast growth factor, as seen for KCl, but increased to 100% by adding PACAP, a trophic neuropeptide present in the ganglion. These results indicate that alphaBgt-AChR activation regulates neuronal survival and suggest a mechanism involving reduced apoptosis and interaction with an endogenous neuropeptide growth factor.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and trkB Signaling in Parasympathetic Neurons: Relevance to Regulating α7-Containing Nicotinic Receptors and Synaptic Function

Parasympathetic neurons do not require neurotrophins for survival and are thought to lack high-affinity neurotrophin receptors (i.e., trks). We report here, however, that mRNAs encoding both brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its high-affinity receptor tropomyosin-related kinase B (trkB) are expressed in the parasympathetic chick ciliary ganglion (CG) and that BDNF-like protein is present in the ganglion and in the iris, an important peripheral target of ciliary neurons. Moreover, CG neurons express surface trkB and exogenous BDNF not only initiates trk-dependent signaling, but also alters nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expression and synaptic transmission. In particular, BDNF applied to CG neurons rapidly activates cAMP-dependent response element-binding protein (CREB), and over the long-term selectively upregulates expression of α7-subunit-containing, homomeric nAChRs (α7-nAChRs), increasing α7-subunit mRNA levels, α7-nAChR surface sites, and α7-nAChR-mediated whole-cell currents. At nicotinic synapses formed on CG neurons in culture, brief and long-term BDNF treatments also increase the frequency of spontaneous EPSCs, most of which are mediated by heteromeric nAChRs containing α3, α5, β4, and β2 subunits (α3*-nAChRs) with a minor contribution from α7-nAChRs. Our findings demonstrate unexpected roles for BDNF-induced, trk-dependent signaling in CG neurons, both in regulating expression of α7-nAChRs and in enhancing transmission at α3*-nAChR-mediated synapses. The presence of BDNF-like protein in CG and iris target coupled with that of functional trkB on CG neurons raise the possibility that signals generated by endogenous BDNF similarly influence α7-nAChRs and nicotinic synapses in vivo.

PACAP support of neuronal survival requires MAPK- and activity-generated signals

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is expressed in the parasympathetic ciliary ganglion (CG) and modulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function. PACAP also provides trophic support, promoting partial survival of CG neurons in culture and full survival when accompanied by membrane depolarization. We probed the adenylate cyclase (AC) and phospholipase-C (PLC) transduction cascades stimulated by PACAP to determine their respective roles in supporting neuronal survival and examined their interaction with signals generated by membrane activity. While PLC-dependent signaling was dispensable, AC-generated signals proved critical for PACAP to support neuronal survival. Specifically, PACAP-supported survival was mimicked by 8Br-cAMP and blocked by inhibiting either PKA or the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). The ability of PACAP to promote survival was additionally dependent on spontaneous activity as blocking Na+ or Ca2+ channel currents completely abrogated trophic effects. Our results underscore the importance of coordinated MAPK- and activity-generated signals in transducing neuropeptide-mediated parasympathetic neuronal survival.

PACAP/PAC1R signaling modulates acetylcholine release at neuronal nicotinic synapses.

Neuropeptides collaborate with conventional neurotransmitters to regulate synaptic output. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) co-localizes with acetylcholine in presynaptic nerve terminals, is released by stimulation, and enhances nicotinic acetylcholine receptor- (nAChR-) mediated responses. Such findings implicate PACAP in modulating nicotinic neurotransmission, but relevant synaptic mechanisms have not been explored. We show here that PACAP acts via selective high-affinity G-protein coupled receptors (PAC(1)Rs) to enhance transmission at nicotinic synapses on parasympathetic ciliary ganglion (CG) neurons by rapidly and persistently increasing the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous, impulse-dependent nicotinic excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs). Of the canonical adenylate cyclase (AC) and phospholipase-C (PLC) transduction cascades stimulated by PACAP/PAC(1)R signaling, only AC-generated signals are critical for synaptic modulation since the increases in sEPSC frequency and amplitude were mimicked by 8-Bromo-cAMP, blocked by inhibiting AC or cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), and unaffected by inhibiting PLC. Despite its ability to increase agonist-induced nAChR currents, PACAP failed to influence nAChR-mediated impulse-independent miniature EPSC amplitudes (quantal size). Instead, evoked transmission assays reveal that PACAP/PAC(1)R signaling increased quantal content, indicating that it modulates synaptic function by increasing vesicular ACh release from presynaptic terminals. Lastly, signals generated by the retrograde messenger, nitric oxide- (NO-) are critical for the synaptic modulation since the PACAP-induced increases in spontaneous EPSC frequency, amplitude and quantal content were mimicked by NO donor and absent after inhibiting NO synthase (NOS). These results indicate that PACAP/PAC(1)R activation recruits AC-dependent signaling that stimulates NOS to increase NO production and control presynaptic transmitter output at neuronal nicotinic synapses.

Evidence for Operation of Nicotinic and Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor-Dependent Survival Pathways in Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have recently emerged as critical players in modulation of endothelial function. In particular, studies on endothelial cells from different vascular beds have shown anti‐apoptotic actions of nicotinic stimulation, but whether there is actually activation of survival signaling downstream nAChR function has not been explored. In the present work we used human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) and a pharmacological approach to examine the impact of cholinergic stimulation on survival signaling pathways. Our findings show that cholinergic receptors promote activation of three typical survival routes: the phosphatidyl‐inositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT axis, activated downstream muscarinic and nAChRs; the JAK2/STAT3 axis, activated downstream nAChR; and ERK1/2 MAP kinases, activated by both muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) and nAChR. Based on their sensitivity to α‐bungarotoxin, nicotinic regulation of JAK2/STAT3 and ERK1/2 occurs downstream α7‐nAChRs. The present findings suggest that in HCAECs the two cholinergic receptors may act concertedly to induce an efficient survival response of coronary cells when exposed to pro‐apoptotic stimuli. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 1978–1984, 2011.

PACAP induces plasticity at autonomic synapses by nAChR-dependent NOS1 activation and AKAP-mediated PKA targeting

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide found at synapses throughout the central and autonomic nervous system. We previously found that PACAP engages a selective G-protein coupled receptor (PAC1R) on ciliary ganglion neurons to rapidly enhance quantal acetylcholine (ACh) release from presynaptic terminals via neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) and cyclic AMP/protein kinase A (PKA) dependent processes. Here, we examined how PACAP stimulates NO production and targets resultant outcomes to synapses. Scavenging extracellular NO blocked PACAP-induced plasticity supporting a retrograde (post- to presynaptic) NO action on ACh release. Live-cell imaging revealed that PACAP stimulates NO production by mechanisms requiring NOS1, PKA and Ca(2+) influx. Ca(2+)-permeable nicotinic ACh receptors composed of α7 subunits (α7-nAChRs) are potentiated by PKA-dependent PACAP/PAC1R signaling and were required for PACAP-induced NO production and synaptic plasticity since both outcomes were drastically reduced following their selective inhibition. Co-precipitation experiments showed that NOS1 associates with α7-nAChRs, many of which are perisynaptic, as well as with heteromeric α3*-nAChRs that generate the bulk of synaptic activity. NOS1-nAChR physical association could facilitate NO production at perisynaptic and adjacent postsynaptic sites to enhance focal ACh release from juxtaposed presynaptic terminals. The synaptic outcomes of PACAP/PAC1R signaling are localized by PKA anchoring proteins (AKAPs). PKA regulatory-subunit overlay assays identified five AKAPs in ganglion lysates, including a prominent neuronal subtype. Moreover, PACAP-induced synaptic plasticity was selectively blocked when PKA regulatory-subunit binding to AKAPs was inhibited. Taken together, our findings indicate that PACAP/PAC1R signaling coordinates nAChR, NOS1 and AKAP activities to induce targeted, retrograde plasticity at autonomic synapses. Such coordination has broad relevance for understanding the control of autonomic synapses and consequent visceral functions.

Abelson family tyrosine kinases regulate the function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and nicotinic synapses on autonomic neurons.

Abelson family kinases (AFKs; Abl1, Abl2) are non-receptor tyrosine kinases (NRTKs) implicated in cancer, but they also have important physiological roles that include regulating synaptic structure and function. Recent studies using Abl-deficient mice and the antileukemia drug STI571 [imatinib mesylate (Gleevec); Novartis], which potently and selectively blocks Abl kinase activity, implicate AFKs in regulating presynaptic neurotransmitter release in hippocampus and postsynaptic clustering of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in muscle. Here, we tested whether AFKs are relevant for regulating nAChRs and nAChR-mediated synapses on autonomic neurons. AFK immunoreactivity was detected in ciliary ganglion (CG) lysates and neurons, and STI571 application blocked endogenous Abl tyrosine kinase activity. With similar potency, STI571 specifically reduced whole-cell current responses generated by both nicotinic receptor subtypes present on CG neurons (α3*- and α7-nAChRs) and lowered the frequency and amplitude of α3*-nAChR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents. Quantal analysis indicated that the synaptic perturbations were postsynaptic in origin, and confocal imaging experiments revealed they were unaccompanied by changes in nAChR clustering or alignment with presynaptic terminals. The results indicate that in autonomic neurons, Abl kinase activity normally supports postsynaptic nAChR function to sustain nAChR-mediated neurotransmission. Such consequences contrast with the influence of Abl kinase activity on presynaptic function and synaptic structure in hippocampus and muscle, respectively, demonstrating a cell-specific mechanism of action. Finally, because STI571 potently inhibits Abl kinase activity, the autonomic dysfunction side effects associated with its use as a chemotherapeutic agent may result from perturbed α3*- and/or α7-nAChR function.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide induces long-term, transcription-dependent plasticity and remodeling at autonomic synapses

ABSTRACT Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a multifunctional neuropeptide, widely expressed in the nervous system (Vaudry et al., 2009; Starr and Margiotta, 2016). At neuronal synapses where transmission is mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) transient PACAP exposure increases the frequency and amplitude (FS and AS) of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) within minutes. This short‐term (ST) plasticity requires high‐affinity PACAP receptor (PAC1R) signaling via adenylate cyclase (AC), cyclic AMP (cAMP), Protein kinase A (PKA) and obligatory nAChR‐dependent stimulation of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis to retrogradely increase presynaptic ACh release (Pugh et al., 2010; Jayakar et al., 2014). Remarkably, synaptic changes persist 48 h after transient PACAP exposure, featuring a similar increase in FS and an even larger increase in AS. Pharmacological studies reveal that this long‐term (LT) plasticity requires PACAP/PAC1R signaling via AC and cAMP, but unlike ST plasticity, Phospholipase‐C and new gene transcription are also necessary, whereas PKA, nAChR, impulse and NO synthase (NOS1) activities are dispensable. In accord with the increases in FS and AS characterizing LT plasticity, miniature EPSC (mEPSC) frequency, ACh release (quantal content), and mEPSC amplitude (quantal size) all increased in parallel. Consistent with these functional changes, imaging studies reveal that LT, but not ST, PACAP‐induced plasticity is accompanied by increases in presynaptic terminal size, postsynaptic nAChR cluster size and density, and the size and density of co‐localized pre‐ and post‐synpatic sites. Thus PACAP/PAC1R signaling induces mechanistically distinct forms of synaptic plasticity, with a ST form arising from acute, membrane‐delimited processes, and a LT form arising from transcription‐dependent alterations in the function and structural arrangement of pre‐ and post‐synaptic components. HighlightsPACAP induces short‐ & long‐term (ST & LT) plasticity at nAChR‐mediated synapses.ST and LT forms of synaptic plasticity are mechanistically distinct and independent.The LT plasticity requires cAMP signaling but not protein kinase A activity.The LT synaptic plasticity requires new gene transcription.Functional and structural synaptic modifications accompany LT synaptic plasticity.

PACAP Modulates Distinct Neuronal Components to Induce Cell-Specific Plasticity at Central and Autonomic Synapses

Despite its widespread expression and diverse functional roles, PACAP is well suited to mediate and modulate synaptic transmission since it is often localized in presynaptic neuron terminals, with cognate receptors present on postsynaptic neurons. Here, we review select cases where PACAP signals via its associated receptors and intracellular pathways to induce acute or persistent changes in cellular components involved in synaptic transmission, thereby supporting its role as a neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator. Two themes that emerge are that PACAP can rapidly induce synaptic plasticity by altering the function of presynaptic and postsynaptic components, or change general membrane excitability by altering the balance of voltage-dependent Ca2+ and K+ channel contributions to action potential firing. We discuss the need to determine how these two themes are related, to extend studies to endogenous PACAP, and to determine how the synaptic modifications induced by PACAP contribute to its postulated roles in widespread behaviors and stress disorders such as PTSD.

Optogenetic activation of colon epithelium of the mouse produces high frequency bursting in extrinsic colon afferents and engages visceromotor responses

Epithelial cells of the colon provide a vital interface between the internal environment (lumen of the colon) and colon parenchyma. To examine epithelial–neuronal signaling at this interface, we analyzed mice in which channelrhodopsin (ChR2) was targeted to either TRPV1-positive afferents or to villin-expressing colon epithelial cells. Expression of a ChR2-EYFP fusion protein was directed to either primary sensory neurons or to colon epithelial cells by crossing Ai32 mice with TRPV1-Cre or villin-Cre mice, respectively. An ex vivo preparation of the colon was used for single-fiber analysis of colon sensory afferents of the pelvic nerve. Afferents were characterized using previously described criteria as mucosal, muscular, muscular-mucosal, or serosal and then tested for blue light-induced activation. Light activation of colon epithelial cells produced robust firing of action potentials, similar to that elicited by physiologic stimulation (e.g., circumferential stretch), in 50.5% of colon afferents of mice homozygous for ChR2 expression. Light-induced activity could be reduced or abolished in most fibers using a cocktail of purinergic receptor blockers suggesting ATP release by the epithelium contributed to generation of sensory neuron action potentials. Using electromyographic recording of visceromotor responses we found that light stimulation of the colon epithelium evoked behavioral responses in Vil-ChR2 mice that was similar to that seen with balloon distension of the colon. These ex vivo and in vivo data indicate that light stimulation of colon epithelial cells alone, without added mechanical or chemical stimuli, can directly activate colon afferents and elicit behavioral responses. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Abdominal pain that accompanies inflammatory diseases of the bowel is particularly vexing because it can occur without obvious changes in the structure or inflammatory condition of the colon. Pain reflects abnormal sensory neuron activity that may be controlled in part by release of substances from lining epithelial cells. In support of this mechanism we determined that blue-light stimulation of channelrhodopsin-expressing colon epithelial cells could evoke action potential firing in sensory neurons and produce changes in measures of behavioral sensitivity. Thus, activity of colon epithelial cells alone, without added mechanical or chemical stimuli, is sufficient to activate pain-sensing neurons.