Laura H. Jacobson

Differential Compartmentalization and Distinct Functions of GABAB Receptor Variants

GABAB receptors are the G protein-coupled receptors for the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Molecular diversity in the GABAB system arises from the GABAB1a and GABAB1b subunit isoforms that solely differ in their ectodomains by a pair of sushi repeats that is unique to GABAB1a. Using a combined genetic, physiological, and morphological approach, we now demonstrate that GABAB1 isoforms localize to distinct synaptic sites and convey separate functions in vivo. At hippocampal CA3-to-CA1 synapses, GABAB1a assembles heteroreceptors inhibiting glutamate release, while predominantly GABAB1b mediates postsynaptic inhibition. Electron microscopy reveals a synaptic distribution of GABAB1 isoforms that agrees with the observed functional differences. Transfected CA3 neurons selectively express GABAB1a in distal axons, suggesting that the sushi repeats, a conserved protein interaction motif, specify heteroreceptor localization. The constitutive absence of GABAB1a but not GABAB1b results in impaired synaptic plasticity and hippocampus-dependent memory, emphasizing molecular differences in synaptic GABAB functions.

Induction of cerebral beta-amyloidosis: intracerebral versus systemic Abeta inoculation.

Despite the importance of the aberrant polymerization of Aβ in the early pathogenic cascade of Alzheimers disease, little is known about the induction of Aβ aggregation in vivo. Here we show that induction of cerebral β-amyloidosis can be achieved in many different brain areas of APP23 transgenic mice through the injection of dilute Aβ-containing brain extracts. Once the amyloidogenic process has been exogenously induced, the nature of the induced Aβ-deposition is determined by the brain region of the host. Because these observations are reminiscent of a prion-like mechanism, we then investigated whether cerebral β-amyloidosis also can be induced by peripheral and systemic inoculations or by the intracerebral implantation of stainless steel wires previously coated with minute amounts of Aβ-containing brain extract. Results reveal that oral, intravenous, intraocular, and intranasal inoculations yielded no detectable induction of cerebral β-amyloidosis in APP23 transgenic mice. In contrast, transmission of cerebral β-amyloidosis through the Aβ-contaminated steel wires was demonstrated. Notably, plasma sterilization, but not boiling of the wires before implantation, prevented the induction of β-amyloidosis. Our results suggest that minute amounts of Aβ-containing brain material in direct contact with the CNS can induce cerebral β-amyloidosis, but that systemic cellular mechanisms of prion uptake and transport to the CNS may not apply to Aβ.

mGluR7 facilitates extinction of aversive memories and controls amygdala plasticity

Formation and extinction of aversive memories in the mammalian brain are insufficiently understood at the cellular and molecular levels. Using the novel metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7) agonist AMN082, we demonstrate that mGluR7 activation facilitates the extinction of aversive memories in two different amygdala-dependent tasks. Conversely, mGluR7 knockdown using short interfering RNA attenuated the extinction of learned aversion. mGluR7 activation also blocked the acquisition of Pavlovian fear learning and its electrophysiological correlate long-term potentiation in the amygdala. The finding that mGluR7 critically regulates extinction, in addition to acquisition of aversive memories, demonstrates that this receptor may be relevant for the manifestation and treatment of anxiety disorders.

The Second-Generation Active Aβ Immunotherapy CAD106 Reduces Amyloid Accumulation in APP Transgenic Mice While Minimizing Potential Side Effects

Immunization against amyloid-β (Aβ) can reduce amyloid accumulation in vivo and is considered a potential therapeutic approach for Alzheimers disease. However, it has been associated with meningoencephalitis thought to be mediated by inflammatory T-cells. With the aim of producing an immunogenic vaccine without this side effect, we designed CAD106 comprising Aβ1–6 coupled to the virus-like particle Qβ. Immunization with this vaccine did not activate Aβ-specific T-cells. In APP transgenic mice, CAD106 induced efficacious Aβ antibody titers of different IgG subclasses mainly recognizing the Aβ3–6 epitope. CAD106 reduced brain amyloid accumulation in two APP transgenic mouse lines. Plaque number was a more sensitive readout than plaque area, followed by Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels. Studies with very strong overall amyloid reduction showed an increase in vascular Aβ, which atypically was nonfibrillar. The efficacy of Aβ immunotherapy depended on the Aβ levels and thus differed between animal models, brain regions, and stage of amyloid deposition. Therefore, animal studies may not quantitatively predict the effect in human Alzheimers disease. Our studies provided no evidence for increased microhemorrhages or inflammatory reactions in amyloid-containing brain. In rhesus monkeys, CAD106 induced a similar antibody response as in mice. The antibodies stained amyloid deposits on tissue sections of mouse and human brain but did not label cellular structures containing APP. They reacted with Aβ monomers and oligomers and blocked Aβ toxicity in cell culture. We conclude that CAD106 immunization is suited to interfere with Aβ aggregation and its downstream detrimental effects.

Evaluation of the anxiolytic-like profile of the GABAB receptor positive modulator CGP7930 in rodents

There is a growing body of data to support the notion that GABA(B) receptors may be a therapeutic target for anxiety disorders. However, the application of GABA(B) receptor agonists in anxiety research and psychiatry is hampered by side effects that include motor in-coordination and hypothermia. Recently the GABA(B) receptor positive modulator GS39783 was shown to be anxiolytic in rodent models, but was devoid of accompanying side effects characteristic of full agonists. However, it is important to test whether such anxiolytic effects generalise to another chemical class of GABA(B) receptor positive modulators. We therefore aimed to investigate the anxiolytic and side-effect profile of CGP7930, the first-reported GABA(B) receptor positive modulator, in rodent models of anxiety, motor coordination and hypothermia. CGP7930 (3-300 mg/kg) showed a modest, compared to the benzodiazepine chlordiazepoxide (10mg/kg), dose-dependent anxiolytic profile in the mouse stress-induced hyperthermia (100mg/kg), staircase (100 and 300 mg/kg) and elevated zero maze tests (3-100mg/kg), but did not have any anxiolytic effects in the rat elevated plus maze. Similar to GS39783, CGP7930 also demonstrated a greatly reduced side-effect profile in comparison to the GABA(B) receptor full agonist baclofen in the mouse rotarod and traction wire tests and did not induce hypothermia. Although the effects of CGP7930 were modest, these results represent a second, structurally distinct, class of GABA(B) positive modulators showing anxiolytic activity. As such, these data support the premise that GABA(B) receptor positive modulation represents a novel therapeutic strategy for the development of anxiolytic drugs with a superior side-effect profile. The generation of more potent compounds is now warranted.

Behavioral evaluation of mice deficient in GABAB(1) receptor isoforms in tests of unconditioned anxiety

RationaleEmerging data support a role for GABAB receptors in anxiety. GABAB receptors are comprised of a heterodimeric complex of GABAB1 and GABAB2 receptor subunits. The predominant neuronal GABAB1 receptor isoforms are GABAB(1a) and GABAB(1b). Recent findings indicate specific roles for these isoforms in conditioned fear responses, although their influence on behavior in tests of unconditioned anxiety is unknown.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the role of the GABAB(1) isoforms in unconditioned anxiety.Materials and methodsMice deficient in the GABAB(1a) or GABAB(1b) receptor isoforms were examined in a battery of anxiety tests.ResultsIn most tests, genotype did not significantly affect anxious behavior, including the elevated plus maze, marble burying, and stress-induced hypothermia tests. Corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels were similarly unaffected by genotype. Female, but not male,

GABA B(1) Receptor Isoforms Differentially Mediate the Acquisition and Extinction of Aversive Taste Memories

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Discovery of Cyclic Sulfone Hydroxyethylamines as Potent and Selective β-Site APP-Cleaving Enzyme 1 (BACE1) Inhibitors: Structure-Based Design and in Vivo Reduction of Amyloid β-Peptides

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