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Bio

Bio

Mehrdad received his doctoral degree from the Wallenberg Neuroscience Center of Lund University in Sweden. He held several positions at biopharmaceutical companies in San Francisco Bay Area with extensive focus on CNS drug discovery and preclinical development. In 2008, Mehrdad joined Stanford University to establish the Behavioral and funcitonal neuroscience laboratory and his research laboratory with a focus on understanding normal and pathological brain functions for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), stroke, and autism.

Efforts are currently directed towards targets involved in neurodegenerative pathways responsible for Selective Neuronal Vulnerability of sensitive nuclei in brain in these disorders. Through these investigations, My team and I are aiming to understand the processes leading to the functional and behavioral malfunction in these disorders and develop therapeutics for these disorders. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the translation of these experimental discoveries into novel therapeutic approaches, to improve the quality of life for patients with brain disorders.

Academic Appointments

Administrative Appointments

  • Program Director, Institute of Neuro-Innovation and Translational Neurosciences (2008 - 2013)
  • Director, Behavioral and Functional Neuroscience Laboratory (2007 - Present)

Professional Education

  • MS, Medical School, University of Lund, Sweden, BioMedical (1998)
  • Ph.D., Faculty of Medicine, Univesity of Lund, Sweden (Wallenberg Neuroscience Research Center), Medical Science (1999)

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Research & Scholarship

Current Research and Scholarly Interests

My laboratory aims to better understand normal and pathological brain function so that we can contribute to the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches for neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease, stroke and autism. We have focused our efforts on targets involved in neurodegenerative pathways responsible for Selective Neuronal Vulnerability of sensitive nuclei in brain in these disorders.

We have identified Beta adrenergic system as one of key player in brain function in these disorders. Beta adrenergic modulation of the inflammation, cognition and pathological progression of CNS dieases are key projects in the lab. We are studying the mechansitic basis for modulation of inflammation, pathlogy and cognition in these disorsds.

Teaching

2018-19 Courses

Stanford Advisees

Publications

All Publications

  • Early adolescent Rai1 reactivation reverses transcriptional and social interaction deficits in a mouse model of Smith-Magenis syndrome. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Huang, W., Wang, D. C., Allen, W. E., Klope, M., Hu, H., Shamloo, M., Luo, L. 2018

    Abstract

    Haploinsufficiency of Retinoic Acid Induced 1 (RAI1) causes Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS), a syndromic autism spectrum disorder associated with craniofacial abnormalities, intellectual disability, and behavioral problems. There is currently no cure for SMS. Here, we generated a genetic mouse model to determine the reversibility of SMS-like neurobehavioral phenotypes in Rai1 heterozygous mice. We show that normalizing the Rai1 level 3-4 wk after birth corrected the expression of genes related to neural developmental pathways and fully reversed a social interaction deficit caused by Rai1 haploinsufficiency. In contrast, Rai1 reactivation 7-8 wk after birth was not beneficial. We also demonstrated that the correct Rai1 dose is required in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons for proper social interactions. Finally, we found that Rai1 heterozygous mice exhibited a reduction of dendritic spines in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and that optogenetic activation of mPFC neurons in adults improved the social interaction deficit of Rai1 heterozygous mice. Together, these results suggest the existence of a postnatal temporal window during which restoring Rai1 can improve the transcriptional and social behavioral deficits in a mouse model of SMS. It is possible that circuit-level interventions would be beneficial beyond this critical window.

    View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.1806796115

    View details for PubMedID 30275311

  • Interaction of mitochondrial fission factor with dynamin related protein 1 governs physiological mitochondrial function in vivo. Scientific reports Kornfeld, O. S., Qvit, N., Haileselassie, B., Shamloo, M., Bernardi, P., Mochly-Rosen, D. 2018; 8 (1): 14034

    Abstract

    Mitochondria form a dynamic network governed by a balance between opposing fission and fusion processes. Because excessive mitochondrial fission correlates with numerous pathologies, including neurodegeneration, the mechanism governing fission has become an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, targeting fission is a double-edged sword as physiological fission is necessary for mitochondrial function. Fission is trigged by Drp1 anchoring to adaptors tethered to the outer mitochondrial membrane. We designed peptide P259 that distinguishes physiological from pathological fission by specifically inhibiting Drp1's interaction with the Mff adaptor. Treatment of cells with P259 elongated mitochondria and disrupted mitochondrial function and motility. Sustained in vivo treatment caused a decline in ATP levels and altered mitochondrial structure in the brain, resulting in behavioral deficits in wild-type mice and a shorter lifespan in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. Therefore, the Mff-Drp1 interaction is critical for physiological mitochondrial fission, motility, and function in vitro and in vivo. Tools, such as P259, that differentiate physiological from pathological fission will enable the examination of context-dependent roles of Drp1 and the suitability of mitochondrial fission as a target for drug development.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41598-018-32228-1

    View details for PubMedID 30232469

  • Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Learning and Memory Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease-Like Neuropathology in the PS19 and APP(Swe) Mouse Models of Tauopathy and Amyloidosis. eNeuro Briggs, D. I., Defensor, E., Memar Ardestani, P., Yi, B., Halpain, M., Seabrook, G., Shamloo, M. ; 4 (4)

    Abstract

    Emerging evidence suggests that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, pharmacological modulation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2 (eIF2α) pathway was achieved using an integrated stress response inhibitor (ISRIB). While members of this signaling cascade have been suggested as potential therapeutic targets for neurodegeneration, the biological significance of this pathway has not been comprehensively assessed in animal models of AD. The present study investigated the ER stress pathway and its long-term modulation utilizing in vitro and in vivo experimental models of tauopathy (MAPT P301S)PS19 and amyloidosis (APP(Swe)). We report that thapsigargin induces activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4) in primary cortical neurons (PCNs) derived from rat and APP(Swe) nontransgenic (nTg) and transgenic (Tg) mice. ISRIB mitigated the induction of ATF4 in PCNs generated from wild-type (WT) but not APP(Swe) mice despite partially restoring thapsigargin-induced translational repression in nTg PCNs. In vivo, C57BL/6J and PS19 mice received prolonged, once-daily administration of ISRIB. While the compound was well tolerated by PS19 and C57BL/6J mice, APP(Swe) mice treated per this schedule displayed significant mortality. Thus, the dose was reduced and administered only on behavioral test days. ISRIB did not improve learning and memory function in APP(Swe) Tg mice. While ISRIB did not reduce tau-related neuropathology in PS19 Tg mice, no evidence of ER stress-related dysfunction was observed in either of these Tg models. Taken together, the significance of ER stress and the relevance of these models to the etiology of AD require further investigation.

    View details for DOI 10.1523/ENEURO.0025-17.2017

    View details for PubMedID 28721361

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5510086

  • Activity-dependent modulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity via PirB and endocannabinoids. Molecular psychiatry Djurisic, M., Brott, B. K., Saw, N. L., Shamloo, M., Shatz, C. J. 2018

    Abstract

    The threshold for Hebbian synaptic plasticity in the CNS is modulated by prior synaptic activity. At adult CA3-CA1 synapses, endocannabinoids play a role in this process, but how activity engages and maintains this retrograde signaling system is not well understood. Here we show that conditional deletion of Paired Immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PirB) from pyramidal neurons in adult mouse hippocampus results in deficient LTD at CA3-CA1 synapses over a range of stimulation frequencies, accompanied by an increase in LTP. This finding can be fully explained by the disengagement of retrograde endocannabinoid signaling selectively at excitatory synapses. In the absence of PirB, the NMDAR-dependent regulation of endocannabinoid signaling is lost, while CB1R-dependent and group I mGluR-dependent regulation are intact. Moreover, mEPSC frequency in mutant CA1 pyramidal cells is elevated, consistent with a higher density of excitatory synapses and altered synapse pruning. Mice lacking PirB also perform better than WT in learning and memory tasks. These observations suggest that PirB is an integral part of an NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic mechanism that maintains bidirectional Hebbian plasticity and learning via activity-dependent endocannabinoid signaling.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41380-018-0034-4

    View details for PubMedID 29670176

  • Modulation of neuroinflammation and pathology in the 5XFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease using a biased and selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor partial agonist. Neuropharmacology Ardestani, P. M., Evans, A. K., Yi, B., Nguyen, T., Coutellier, L., Shamloo, M. 2017; 116: 371-386

    Abstract

    Degeneration of noradrenergic neurons occurs at an early stage of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The noradrenergic system regulates arousal and learning and memory, and has been implicated in regulating neuroinflammation. Loss of noradrenergic tone may underlie AD progression at many levels. We have previously shown that acute administration of a partial agonist of the beta-1 adrenergic receptor (ADRB1), xamoterol, restores behavioral deficits in a mouse model of AD. The current studies examined the effects of chronic low dose xamoterol on neuroinflammation, pathology, and behavior in the pathologically aggressive 5XFAD transgenic mouse model of AD. In vitro experiments in cells expressing human beta adrenergic receptors demonstrate that xamoterol is highly selective for ADRB1 and functionally biased for the cAMP over the β-arrestin pathway. Data demonstrate ADRB1-mediated attenuation of TNF-α production with xamoterol in primary rat microglia culture following LPS challenge. Finally, two independent cohorts of 5XFAD and control mice were administered xamoterol from approximately 4.0-6.5 or 7.0-9.5 months, were tested in an array of behavioral tasks, and brains were examined for evidence of neuroinflammation, and amyloid beta and tau pathology. Xamoterol reduced mRNA expression of neuroinflammatory markers (Iba1, CD74, CD14 and TGFβ) and immunohistochemical evidence for microgliosis and astrogliosis. Xamoterol reduced amyloid beta and tau pathology as measured by regional immunohistochemistry. Behavioral deficits were not observed for 5XFAD mice. In conclusion, chronic administration of a selective, functionally biased, partial agonist of ADRB1 is effective in reducing neuroinflammation and amyloid beta and tau pathology in the 5XFAD model of AD.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.01.010

    View details for PubMedID 28089846

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5385159

  • Discovery of novel brain permeable and G protein-biased beta-1 adrenergic receptor partial agonists for the treatment of neurocognitive disorders. PloS one Yi, B., Jahangir, A., Evans, A. K., Briggs, D., Ravina, K., Ernest, J., Farimani, A. B., Sun, W., Rajadas, J., Green, M., Feinberg, E. N., Pande, V. S., Shamloo, M. 2017; 12 (7): e0180319

    Abstract

    The beta-1 adrenergic receptor (ADRB1) is a promising therapeutic target intrinsically involved in the cognitive deficits and pathological features associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence indicates that ADRB1 plays an important role in regulating neuroinflammatory processes, and activation of ADRB1 may produce neuroprotective effects in neuroinflammatory diseases. Novel small molecule modulators of ADRB1, engineered to be highly brain permeable and functionally selective for the G protein with partial agonistic activity, could have tremendous value both as pharmacological tools and potential lead molecules for further preclinical development. The present study describes our ongoing efforts toward the discovery of functionally selective partial agonists of ADRB1 that have potential therapeutic value for AD and neuroinflammatory disorders, which has led to the identification of the molecule STD-101-D1. As a functionally selective agonist of ADRB1, STD-101-D1 produces partial agonistic activity on G protein signaling with an EC50 value in the low nanomolar range, but engages very little beta-arrestin recruitment compared to the unbiased agonist isoproterenol. STD-101-D1 also inhibits the tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) both in vitro and in vivo, and shows high brain penetration. Other than the therapeutic role, this newly identified, functionally selective, partial agonist of ADRB1 is an invaluable research tool to study mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptor signal transduction.

    View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0180319

    View details for PubMedID 28746336

  • A novel pharmacological tool blocks physiological mitochondrial fission through specifically inhibiting the Mff-Drp1 protein-protein interaction. Kornfeld, O. S., Qvit, N., Monbureau, M., Halpain, M., Shamloo, M., Mochly-Rosen, D. AMER SOC CELL BIOLOGY. 2017

    View details for Web of Science ID 000426664303340

  • The Golgi Outpost Protein TPPP Mediates Uniform Microtubule Polarity and Branching in Oligodendrocytes. Fu, M., Oses-Prieto, J. A., Lee, C., Saw, N. L., Shi, R., Nori, M., Shamloo, M., Burlingame, A., Barres, B. A. AMER SOC CELL BIOLOGY. 2017

    View details for Web of Science ID 000426660800188

  • A small molecule p75NTR ligand normalizes signalling and reduces Huntington's disease phenotypes in R6/2 and BACHD mice. Human molecular genetics Simmons, D. A., Belichenko, N. P., Ford, E. C., Semaan, S., Monbureau, M., Aiyaswamy, S., Holman, C. M., Condon, C., Shamloo, M., Massa, S. M., Longo, F. M. 2016; 25 (22): 4920-4938

    View details for DOI 10.1093/hmg/ddw316

    View details for PubMedID 28171570

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5418739

  • Potential biomarkers to follow the progression and treatment response of Huntington's disease. journal of experimental medicine Disatnik, M., Joshi, A. U., Saw, N. L., Shamloo, M., Leavitt, B. R., Qi, X., Mochly-Rosen, D. 2016

    Abstract

    Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare genetic disease caused by expanded polyglutamine repeats in the huntingtin protein resulting in selective neuronal loss. Although genetic testing readily identifies those who will be affected, current pharmacological treatments do not prevent or slow down disease progression. A major challenge is the slow clinical progression and the inability to biopsy the affected tissue, the brain, making it difficult to design short and effective proof of concept clinical trials to assess treatment benefit. In this study, we focus on identifying peripheral biomarkers that correlate with the progression of the disease and treatment benefit. We recently developed an inhibitor of pathological mitochondrial fragmentation, P110, to inhibit neurotoxicity in HD. Changes in levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and inflammation markers in plasma, a product of DNA oxidation in urine, mutant huntingtin aggregates, and 4-hydroxynonenal adducts in muscle and skin tissues were all noted in HD R6/2 mice relative to wild-type mice. Importantly, P110 treatment effectively reduced the levels of these biomarkers. Finally, abnormal levels of mtDNA were also found in plasma of HD patients relative to control subjects. Therefore, we identified several potential peripheral biomarkers as candidates to assess HD progression and the benefit of intervention for future clinical trials.

    View details for PubMedID 27821553

  • Novel, selective EPO receptor ligands lacking erythropoietic activity reduce infarct size in acute myocardial infarction in rats PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH Kiss, K., Csonka, C., Paloczi, J., Pipis, J., Goerbe, A., Kocsis, G. F., Murlasits, Z., Sarkoezy, M., Szucs, G., Holmes, C. P., Pan, Y., Bhandari, A., Csont, T., Shamloo, M., Woodburn, K. W., Ferdinandy, P., Bencsik, P. 2016; 113: 62-70

    Abstract

    Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to protect the heart against acute myocardial infarction in pre-clinical studies, however, EPO failed to reduce infarct size in clinical trials and showed significant safety problems. Here, we investigated cardioprotective effects of two selective non-erythropoietic EPO receptor ligand dimeric peptides (AF41676 and AF43136) lacking erythropoietic activity, EPO, and the prolonged half-life EPO analogue, darbepoetin in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rats. In a pilot study, EPO at 100U/mL significantly decreased cell death compared to vehicle (33.8±2.3% vs. 40.3±1.5%, p<0.05) in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes subjected to simulated ischemia/reperfusion. In further studies (studies 1-4), in vivo AMI was induced by 30min coronary occlusion and 120min reperfusion in male Wistar rats. Test compounds and positive controls for model validation (B-type natriuretic peptide, BNP or cyclosporine A, CsA) were administered iv. before the onset of reperfusion. Infarct size (IS) was measured by standard TTC staining. In study 1, 5000U/kg EPO reduced infarct size significantly compared to vehicle (45.3±4.8% vs. 59.8±4.5%, p<0.05). In study 2, darbepoetin showed a U-shaped dose-response curve with maximal infarct size-reducing effect at 5μg/kg compared to the vehicle (44.4±5.7% vs. 65.9±2.7%, p<0.01). In study 3, AF41676 showed a U-shaped dose-response curve, where 3mg/kg was the most effective dose compared to the vehicle (24.1±3.9% vs. 44.3±2.5%, p<0.001). The positive control BNP significantly decreased infarct size in studies 1-3 by approximately 35%. In study 4, AF43136 at 10mg/kg decreased infarct size, similarly to the positive control CsA compared to the appropriate vehicle (39.4±5.9% vs. 58.1±5.4% and 45.9±2.4% vs. 63.8±4.1%, p<0.05, respectively). This is the first demonstration that selective, non-erythropoietic EPO receptor ligand dimeric peptides AF41676 and AF43136 administered before reperfusion are able to reduce infarct size in a rat model of AMI. Therefore, non-erythropoietic EPO receptor peptide ligands may be promising cardioprotective agents.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.08.013

    View details for Web of Science ID 000389086800006

  • Molecular and Neural Functions of Rai1, the Causal Gene for Smith-Magenis Syndrome. Neuron Huang, W., Guenthner, C. J., Xu, J., Nguyen, T., Schwarz, L. A., Wilkinson, A. W., Gozani, O., Chang, H. Y., Shamloo, M., Luo, L. 2016; 92 (2): 392-406

    Abstract

    Haploinsufficiency of Retinoic Acid Induced 1 (RAI1) causes Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS), which is associated with diverse neurodevelopmental and behavioral symptoms as well as obesity. RAI1 encodes a nuclear protein but little is known about its molecular function or the cell types responsible for SMS symptoms. Using genetically engineered mice, we found that Rai1 preferentially occupies DNA regions near active promoters and promotes the expression of a group of genes involved in circuit assembly and neuronal communication. Behavioral analyses demonstrated that pan-neural loss of Rai1 causes deficits in motor function, learning, and food intake. These SMS-like phenotypes are produced by loss of Rai1 function in distinct neuronal types: Rai1 loss in inhibitory neurons or subcortical glutamatergic neurons causes learning deficits, while Rai1 loss in Sim1(+) or SF1(+) cells causes obesity. By integrating molecular and organismal analyses, our study suggests potential therapeutic avenues for a complex neurodevelopmental disorder.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.09.019

    View details for PubMedID 27693255

  • A small molecule p75NTR ligand normalizes signalling and reduces Huntington's disease phenotypes in R6/2 and BACHD mice. Human molecular genetics Simmons, D. A., Belichenko, N. P., Ford, E. C., Semaan, S., Monbureau, M., Aiyaswamy, S., Holman, C. M., Condon, C., Shamloo, M., Massa, S. M., Longo, F. M. 2016

    Abstract

    Decreases in the ratio of neurotrophic versus neurodegenerative signaling play a critical role in Huntington's disease (HD) pathogenesis and recent evidence suggests that the p75 neurotrophin receptor (NTR) contributes significantly to disease progression. p75(NTR) signaling intermediates substantially overlap with those promoting neuronal survival and synapse integrity and with those affected by the mutant huntingtin (muHtt) protein. MuHtt increases p75(NTR)-associated deleterious signaling and decreases survival signaling suggesting that p75(NTR) could be a valuable therapeutic target. This hypothesis was investigated by examining the effects of an orally bioavailable, small molecule p75(NTR) ligand, LM11A-31, on HD-related neuropathology in HD mouse models (R6/2, BACHD). LM11A-31 restored striatal AKT and other pro-survival signaling while inhibiting c-Jun kinase (JNK) and other degenerative signaling. Normalizing p75(NTR) signaling with LM11A-31 was accompanied by reduced Htt aggregates and striatal cholinergic interneuron degeneration as well as extended survival in R6/2 mice. The p75(NTR) ligand also decreased inflammation, increased striatal and hippocampal dendritic spine density, and improved motor performance and cognition in R6/2 and BACHD mice. These results support small molecule modulation of p75(NTR) as an effective HD therapeutic strategy. LM11A-31 has successfully completed Phase I safety and pharmacokinetic clinical trials and is therefore a viable candidate for clinical studies in HD.

    View details for PubMedID 27638888

  • An 8-week, open-label, dose-finding study of Nimodipine for the treatment of progranulin insufficiency from GRN gene mutations Sha, S., Miller, Z., Min, S., Zhou, Y., Mitic, L., Karydas, A., Koestler, M., Tsai, R., Corbetta-Rastelli, C., Lin, S., Hare, E., Brown, J., Fitch, R., Powers, R., Martens, L. H., Shamloo, M., Fagan, A., Farese, R., Seeley, W., Pearlman, R., Miller, B., Gan, L., Boxer, A. WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2016: 255–56

    View details for Web of Science ID 000382568400089

  • Critical role of acetylation in tau-mediated neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits. Nature medicine Min, S., Chen, X., Tracy, T. E., Li, Y., Zhou, Y., Wang, C., Shirakawa, K., Minami, S. S., Defensor, E., Mok, S. A., Sohn, P. D., Schilling, B., Cong, X., Ellerby, L., Gibson, B. W., Johnson, J., Krogan, N., Shamloo, M., Gestwicki, J., Masliah, E., Verdin, E., Gan, L. 2015; 21 (10): 1154-1162

    Abstract

    Tauopathies, including frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), are neurodegenerative diseases in which tau fibrils accumulate. Recent evidence supports soluble tau species as the major toxic species. How soluble tau accumulates and causes neurodegeneration remains unclear. Here we identify tau acetylation at Lys174 (K174) as an early change in AD brains and a critical determinant in tau homeostasis and toxicity in mice. The acetyl-mimicking mutant K174Q slows tau turnover and induces cognitive deficits in vivo. Acetyltransferase p300-induced tau acetylation is inhibited by salsalate and salicylate, which enhance tau turnover and reduce tau levels. In the PS19 transgenic mouse model of FTD, administration of salsalate after disease onset inhibited p300 activity, lowered levels of total tau and tau acetylated at K174, rescued tau-induced memory deficits and prevented hippocampal atrophy. The tau-lowering and protective effects of salsalate were diminished in neurons expressing K174Q tau. Targeting tau acetylation could be a new therapeutic strategy against human tauopathies.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/nm.3951

    View details for PubMedID 26390242

  • Drug-controllable protein tags for the selective visualization or selective shutoff of newly synthesized proteins of interest in mammalian cells and in vivo Jacobs, C., Geng, Y., Badiee, R., Nguyen, T., Evans, A., Chung, H., Yang, Y., Shamloo, M., Tsien, R. Y., Lin, M. Z. WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2015: 230

    View details for Web of Science ID 000363658100386

  • Utilizing a novel peptide Inhibitor to modulate mitochondrial dynamics and investigate Drp1's physiological roles. Kornfeld, O. S., Qvit, N., Disatnik, M., Monbureau, M., Halpain, M., Evans, A., Shamloo, M., Rosen, D. AMER SOC CELL BIOLOGY. 2015

    View details for Web of Science ID 000209928600345

  • A death receptor 6-amyloid precursor protein pathway regulates synapse density in the mature CNS but does not contribute to Alzheimer's disease-related pathophysiology in murine models. journal of neuroscience Kallop, D. Y., Meilandt, W. J., Gogineni, A., Easley-Neal, C., Wu, T., Jubb, A. M., Yaylaoglu, M., Shamloo, M., Tessier-Lavigne, M., Scearce-Levie, K., Weimer, R. M. 2014; 34 (19): 6425-6437

    Abstract

    Recent studies implicate death receptor 6 (DR6) in an amyloid precursor protein (APP)-dependent pathway regulating developmental axon pruning, and in a pruning pathway operating during plastic rearrangements in adult brain. DR6 has also been suggested to mediate toxicity in vitro of Aβ peptides derived from APP. Given the link between APP, Aβ, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), these findings have raised the possibility that DR6 contributes to aspects of neurodegeneration in AD. To test this possibility, we have used mouse models to characterize potential function(s) of DR6 in the adult CNS and in AD-related pathophysiology. We show that DR6 is broadly expressed within the adult CNS and regulates the density of excitatory synaptic connections onto pyramidal neurons in a genetic pathway with APP. DR6 knock-out also gives rise to behavioral abnormalities, some of which are similar to those previously documented in APP knock-out animals. However, in two distinct APP transgenic models of AD, we did not observe any alteration in the formation of amyloid plaques, gliosis, synaptic loss, or cognitive behavioral deficits with genetic deletion of DR6, though we did observe a transient reduction in the degree of microglial activation in one model. Our results support the view that DR6 functions with APP to modulate synaptic density in the adult CNS, but do not provide evidence for a role of DR6 in the pathophysiology of AD.

    View details for DOI 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4963-13.2014

    View details for PubMedID 24806669

  • ß1-adrenergic receptor activation enhances memory in Alzheimer's disease model. Annals of clinical and translational neurology Coutellier, L., Ardestani, P. M., Shamloo, M. 2014; 1 (5): 348-360

    Abstract

    Deficits in social recognition and learning of social cues are major symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we studied the role of β1-noradrenergic signaling in cognitive function to determine whether it could be used as a potential therapeutic target for AD.Using pharmacological, biochemical and behavioral tools, we assessed social recognition and the β1-adrenergic receptor (ADR) and its downstream PKA/phospho-CREB (pCREB) signaling cascade in the medial amygdala (MeA) in Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+)(APP) mouse model of AD.Our results demonstrated that APP mice display a significant social recognition deficit which is dependent on the β1-adrenergic system. Moreover, betaxolol, a selective β1-ADR antagonist, impaired social but not object/odor learning in C57Bl/6 mice. Our results identifies activation of the PKA/pCREB downstream of β1-ADR in MeA as responsible signaling cascade for learning of social cues in MeA. Finally, we found that xamoterol, a selective β1-ADR partial agonist, rescued the social recognition deficit of APP mice by increasing nuclear pCREB.Our data indicate that activation of β1-ADR in MeA is essential for learning of social cues, and that an impairment of this cascade in AD may contribute to pathogenesis and cognitive deficits. Therefore, selective activation of β1-ADR may be used as a therapeutic approach to rescue memory deficits in AD. Further safety and translational studies will be needed to ensure the safety of this approach.

    View details for PubMedID 24883337

  • the Basal Ganglia of a Mouse Model of 16p11.2 Deletion Syndrome CELL REPORTS Portmann, T., Yang, M., Mao, R., Panagiotakos, G., Ellegood, J., Dolen, G., Bader, P. L., Grueter, B. A., Goold, C., Fisher, E., Clifford, K., Rengarajan, P., Kalikhman, D., Loureiro, D., Saw, N. L., Zhou Zhengqui, Z. Q., Miller, M. A., Lerch, J. P., Henkelman, R. M., Shamloo, M., Malenka, R. C., Crawley, J. N., Dolmetsch, R. E. 2014; 7 (4): 1077-1092

    Abstract

    A deletion on human chromosome 16p11.2 is associated with autism spectrum disorders. We deleted the syntenic region on mouse chromosome 7F3. MRI and high-throughput single-cell transcriptomics revealed anatomical and cellular abnormalities, particularly in cortex and striatum of juvenile mutant mice (16p11(+/-)). We found elevated numbers of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) expressing the dopamine D2 receptor (Drd2(+)) and fewer dopamine-sensitive (Drd1(+)) neurons in deep layers of cortex. Electrophysiological recordings of Drd2(+) MSN revealed synaptic defects, suggesting abnormal basal ganglia circuitry function in 16p11(+/-) mice. This is further supported by behavioral experiments showing hyperactivity, circling, and deficits in movement control. Strikingly, 16p11(+/-) mice showed a complete lack of habituation reminiscent of what is observed in some autistic individuals. Our findings unveil a fundamental role of genes affected by the 16p11.2 deletion in establishing the basal ganglia circuitry and provide insights in the pathophysiology of autism.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.03.036

    View details for Web of Science ID 000336495700018

  • Small molecule p75NTR ligands reduce pathological phosphorylation and misfolding of tau, inflammatory changes, cholinergic degeneration, and cognitive deficits in AßPP(L/S) transgenic mice. Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD Nguyen, T. V., Shen, L., Vander Griend, L., Quach, L. N., Belichenko, N. P., Saw, N., Yang, T., Shamloo, M., Wyss-Coray, T., Massa, S. M., Longo, F. M. 2014; 42 (2): 459-483

    Abstract

    The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is involved in degenerative mechanisms related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, p75NTR levels are increased in AD and the receptor is expressed by neurons that are particularly vulnerable in the disease. Therefore, modulating p75NTR function may be a significant disease-modifying treatment approach. Prior studies indicated that the non-peptide, small molecule p75NTR ligands LM11A-31, and chemically unrelated LM11A-24, could block amyloid-β-induced deleterious signaling and neurodegeneration in vitro, and LM11A-31 was found to mitigate neuritic degeneration and behavioral deficits in a mouse model of AD. In this study, we determined whether these in vivo findings represent class effects of p75NTR ligands by examining LM11A-24 effects. In addition, the range of compound effects was further examined by evaluating tau pathology and neuroinflammation. Following oral administration, both ligands reached brain concentrations known to provide neuroprotection in vitro. Compound induction of p75NTR cleavage provided evidence for CNS target engagement. LM11A-31 and LM11A-24 reduced excessive phosphorylation of tau, and LM11A-31 also inhibited its aberrant folding. Both ligands decreased activation of microglia, while LM11A-31 attenuated reactive astrocytes. Along with decreased inflammatory responses, both ligands reduced cholinergic neurite degeneration. In addition to the amelioration of neuropathology in AD model mice, LM11A-31, but not LM11A-24, prevented impairments in water maze performance, while both ligands prevented deficits in fear conditioning. These findings support a role for p75NTR ligands in preventing fundamental tau-related pathologic mechanisms in AD, and further validate the development of these small molecules as a new class of therapeutic compounds.

    View details for DOI 10.3233/JAD-140036

    View details for PubMedID 24898660

  • Alzheimer's therapeutics targeting amyloid beta 1-42 oligomers I: Abeta 42 oligomer binding to specific neuronal receptors is displaced by drug candidates that improve cognitive deficits. PloS one Izzo, N. J., Staniszewski, A., To, L., Fa, M., Teich, A. F., Saeed, F., Wostein, H., Walko, T., Vaswani, A., Wardius, M., Syed, Z., Ravenscroft, J., Mozzoni, K., Silky, C., Rehak, C., Yurko, R., Finn, P., Look, G., Rishton, G., Safferstein, H., Miller, M., Johanson, C., Stopa, E., Windisch, M., Hutter-Paier, B., Shamloo, M., Arancio, O., LeVine, H., Catalano, S. M. 2014; 9 (11)

    Abstract

    Synaptic dysfunction and loss caused by age-dependent accumulation of synaptotoxic beta amyloid (Abeta) 1-42 oligomers is proposed to underlie cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Alterations in membrane trafficking induced by Abeta oligomers mediates reduction in neuronal surface receptor expression that is the basis for inhibition of electrophysiological measures of synaptic plasticity and thus learning and memory. We have utilized phenotypic screens in mature, in vitro cultures of rat brain cells to identify small molecules which block or prevent the binding and effects of Abeta oligomers. Synthetic Abeta oligomers bind saturably to a single site on neuronal synapses and induce deficits in membrane trafficking in neuronal cultures with an EC50 that corresponds to its binding affinity. The therapeutic lead compounds we have found are pharmacological antagonists of Abeta oligomers, reducing the binding of Abeta oligomers to neurons in vitro, preventing spine loss in neurons and preventing and treating oligomer-induced deficits in membrane trafficking. These molecules are highly brain penetrant and prevent and restore cognitive deficits in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Counter-screening these compounds against a broad panel of potential CNS targets revealed they are highly potent and specific ligands of the sigma-2/PGRMC1 receptor. Brain concentrations of the compounds corresponding to greater than 80% receptor occupancy at the sigma-2/PGRMC1 receptor restore cognitive function in transgenic hAPP Swe/Ldn mice. These studies demonstrate that synthetic and human-derived Abeta oligomers act as pharmacologically-behaved ligands at neuronal receptors--i.e. they exhibit saturable binding to a target, they exert a functional effect related to their binding and their displacement by small molecule antagonists blocks their functional effect. The first-in-class small molecule receptor antagonists described here restore memory to normal in multiple AD models and sustain improvement long-term, representing a novel mechanism of action for disease-modifying Alzheimer's therapeutics.

    View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0111898

    View details for PubMedID 25390368

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4229098

  • Small Molecule p75(NTR) Ligands Reduce Pathological Phosphorylation and Misfolding of Tau, Inflammatory Changes, Cholinergic Degeneration, and Cognitive Deficits in A beta PPL/S Transgenic Mice JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE Nguyen, T. V., Shen, L., Vander Griend, L., Quach, L. N., Belichenko, N. P., Saw, N., Yang, T., Shamloo, M., Wyss-Coray, T., Massa, S. M., Longo, F. M. 2014; 42 (2): 459-483

    Abstract

    The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is involved in degenerative mechanisms related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, p75NTR levels are increased in AD and the receptor is expressed by neurons that are particularly vulnerable in the disease. Therefore, modulating p75NTR function may be a significant disease-modifying treatment approach. Prior studies indicated that the non-peptide, small molecule p75NTR ligands LM11A-31, and chemically unrelated LM11A-24, could block amyloid-β-induced deleterious signaling and neurodegeneration in vitro, and LM11A-31 was found to mitigate neuritic degeneration and behavioral deficits in a mouse model of AD. In this study, we determined whether these in vivo findings represent class effects of p75NTR ligands by examining LM11A-24 effects. In addition, the range of compound effects was further examined by evaluating tau pathology and neuroinflammation. Following oral administration, both ligands reached brain concentrations known to provide neuroprotection in vitro. Compound induction of p75NTR cleavage provided evidence for CNS target engagement. LM11A-31 and LM11A-24 reduced excessive phosphorylation of tau, and LM11A-31 also inhibited its aberrant folding. Both ligands decreased activation of microglia, while LM11A-31 attenuated reactive astrocytes. Along with decreased inflammatory responses, both ligands reduced cholinergic neurite degeneration. In addition to the amelioration of neuropathology in AD model mice, LM11A-31, but not LM11A-24, prevented impairments in water maze performance, while both ligands prevented deficits in fear conditioning. These findings support a role for p75NTR ligands in preventing fundamental tau-related pathologic mechanisms in AD, and further validate the development of these small molecules as a new class of therapeutic compounds.

    View details for DOI 10.3233/JAD-140036

    View details for Web of Science ID 000341572000012

  • Inhibition of mitochondrial fragmentation diminishes Huntington's disease-associated neurodegeneration JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION Guo, X., Disatnik, M., Monbureau, M., Shamloo, M., Mochly-Rosen, D., Qi, X. 2013; 123 (12): 5371-5388

    Abstract

    Huntington's disease (HD) is the result of expression of a mutated Huntingtin protein (mtHtt), and is associated with a variety of cellular dysfunctions including excessive mitochondrial fission. Here, we tested whether inhibition of excessive mitochondrial fission prevents mtHtt-induced pathology. We developed a selective inhibitor (P110-TAT) of the mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1). We found that P110-TAT inhibited mtHtt-induced excessive mitochondrial fragmentation, improved mitochondrial function, and increased cell viability in HD cell culture models. P110-TAT treatment of fibroblasts from patients with HD and patients with HD with iPS cell-derived neurons reduced mitochondrial fragmentation and corrected mitochondrial dysfunction. P110-TAT treatment also reduced the extent of neurite shortening and cell death in iPS cell-derived neurons in patients with HD. Moreover, treatment of HD transgenic mice with P110-TAT reduced mitochondrial dysfunction, motor deficits, neuropathology, and mortality. We found that p53, a stress gene involved in HD pathogenesis, binds to DRP1 and mediates DRP1-induced mitochondrial and neuronal damage. Furthermore, P110-TAT treatment suppressed mtHtt-induced association of p53 with mitochondria in multiple HD models. These data indicate that inhibition of DRP1-dependent excessive mitochondrial fission with a P110-TAT-like inhibitor may prevent or slow the progression of HD.

    View details for DOI 10.1172/JCI70911

    View details for Web of Science ID 000327826100040

    View details for PubMedID 24231356

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3859413

  • A Small Molecule TrkB Ligand Reduces Motor Impairment and Neuropathology in R6/2 and BACHD Mouse Models of Huntington's Disease. journal of neuroscience Simmons, D. A., Belichenko, N. P., Yang, T., Condon, C., Monbureau, M., Shamloo, M., Jing, D., Massa, S. M., Longo, F. M. 2013; 33 (48): 18712-18727

    Abstract

    Loss of neurotrophic support in the striatum caused by reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels plays a critical role in Huntington's disease (HD) pathogenesis. BDNF acts via TrkB and p75 neurotrophin receptors (NTR), and restoring its signaling is a prime target for HD therapeutics. Here we sought to determine whether a small molecule ligand, LM22A-4, specific for TrkB and without effects on p75(NTR), could alleviate HD-related pathology in R6/2 and BACHD mouse models of HD. LM22A-4 was administered to R6/2 mice once daily (5-6 d/week) from 4 to 11 weeks of age via intraperitoneal and intranasal routes simultaneously to maximize brain levels. The ligand reached levels in the R6/2 forebrain greater than the maximal neuroprotective dose in vitro and corrected deficits in activation of striatal TrkB and its key signaling intermediates AKT, PLCγ, and CREB. Ligand-induced TrkB activation was associated with a reduction in HD pathologies in the striatum including decreased DARPP-32 levels, neurite degeneration of parvalbumin-containing interneurons, inflammation, and intranuclear huntingtin aggregates. Aggregates were also reduced in the cortex. Notably, LM22A-4 prevented deficits in dendritic spine density of medium spiny neurons. Moreover, R6/2 mice given LM22A-4 demonstrated improved downward climbing and grip strength compared with those given vehicle, though these groups had comparable rotarod performances and survival times. In BACHD mice, long-term LM22A-4 treatment (6 months) produced similar ameliorative effects. These results support the hypothesis that targeted activation of TrkB inhibits HD-related degenerative mechanisms, including spine loss, and may provide a disease mechanism-directed therapy for HD and other neurodegenerative conditions.

    View details for DOI 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1310-13.2013

    View details for PubMedID 24285878

  • A Dramatic Increase of C1q Protein in the CNS during Normal Aging JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE Stephan, A. H., Madison, D. V., Mateos, J. M., Fraser, D. A., Lovelett, E. A., Coutellier, L., Kim, L., Tsai, H., Huang, E. J., Rowitch, D. H., Berns, D. S., Tenner, A. J., Shamloo, M., Barres, B. A. 2013; 33 (33): 13460-13474

    Abstract

    The decline of cognitive function has emerged as one of the greatest health threats of old age. Age-related cognitive decline is caused by an impacted neuronal circuitry, yet the molecular mechanisms responsible are unknown. C1q, the initiating protein of the classical complement cascade and powerful effector of the peripheral immune response, mediates synapse elimination in the developing CNS. Here we show that C1q protein levels dramatically increase in the normal aging mouse and human brain, by as much as 300-fold. This increase was predominantly localized in close proximity to synapses and occurred earliest and most dramatically in certain regions of the brain, including some but not all regions known to be selectively vulnerable in neurodegenerative diseases, i.e., the hippocampus, substantia nigra, and piriform cortex. C1q-deficient mice exhibited enhanced synaptic plasticity in the adult and reorganization of the circuitry in the aging hippocampal dentate gyrus. Moreover, aged C1q-deficient mice exhibited significantly less cognitive and memory decline in certain hippocampus-dependent behavior tests compared with their wild-type littermates. Unlike in the developing CNS, the complement cascade effector C3 was only present at very low levels in the adult and aging brain. In addition, the aging-dependent effect of C1q on the hippocampal circuitry was independent of C3 and unaccompanied by detectable synapse loss, providing evidence for a novel, complement- and synapse elimination-independent role for C1q in CNS aging.

    View details for DOI 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1333-13.2013

    View details for Web of Science ID 000323155700021

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3742932

  • GluN2B Antagonism Affects Interneurons and Leads to Immediate and Persistent Changes in Synaptic Plasticity, Oscillations, and Behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology Hanson, J. E., Weber, M., Meilandt, W. J., Wu, T., Luu, T., Deng, L., Shamloo, M., Sheng, M., Scearce-Levie, K., Zhou, Q. 2013; 38 (7): 1221-1233

    Abstract

    Although antagonists to GluN2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) have been widely considered to be neuroprotective under certain pathological conditions, their immediate and lasting impacts on synaptic, circuit, and cognitive functions are poorly understood. In hippocampal slices, we found that the GluN2B-selective antagonist Ro25-6981 (Ro25) reduced synaptic NMDAR responses and consequently neuronal output in a subpopulation of GABAergic interneurons, but not pyramidal neurons. Consistent with these effects, Ro25 reduced GABAergic responses in pyramidal neurons and hence could affect circuit functions by altering the excitation/inhibition balance in the brain. In slices from Ts65Dn mice, a Down syndrome model with excess inhibition and cognitive impairment, acutely applied Ro25-rescued long-term potentiation (LTP) and gamma oscillation deficits, whereas prolonged dosing induced persistent rescue of LTP. In contrast, Ro25 did not impact LTP in wild-type (wt) mice but reduced gamma oscillations both acutely and following prolonged treatment. Although acute Ro25 treatment impaired memory performance in wt mice, memory deficits in Ts65Dn mice were unchanged. Thus, GluN2B-NMDARs contribute to the excitation/inhibition balance via impacts on interneurons, and blocking GluN2B-NMDARs can alter functions that depend on this balance, including synaptic plasticity, gamma oscillations, and memory. That prolonged GluN2B antagonism leads to persistent changes in synaptic and circuit functions, and that the influence of GluN2B antagonism differs between wt and disease model mice, provide critical insight into the therapeutic potential and possible liabilities of GluN2B antagonists.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/npp.2013.19

    View details for PubMedID 23340518

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3656364

  • A pharmacological screening approach for discovery of neuroprotective compounds in ischemic stroke. PloS one Beraki, S., Litrus, L., Soriano, L., Monbureau, M., To, L. K., Braithwaite, S. P., Nikolich, K., Urfer, R., Oksenberg, D., Shamloo, M. 2013; 8 (7)

    Abstract

    With the availability and ease of small molecule production and design continuing to improve, robust, high-throughput methods for screening are increasingly necessary to find pharmacologically relevant compounds amongst the masses of potential candidates. Here, we demonstrate that a primary oxygen glucose deprivation assay in primary cortical neurons followed by secondary assays (i.e. post-treatment protocol in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures and cortical neurons) can be used as a robust screen to identify neuroprotective compounds with potential therapeutic efficacy. In our screen about 50% of the compounds in a library of pharmacologically active compounds displayed some degree of neuroprotective activity if tested in a pre-treatment toxicity assay but just a few of these compounds, including Carbenoxolone, remained active when tested in a post-treatment protocol. When further examined, Carbenoxolone also led to a significant reduction in infarction size and neuronal damage in the ischemic penumbra when administered six hours post middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. Pharmacological testing of Carbenoxolone-related compounds, acting by inhibition of 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11β-HSD1), gave rise to similarly potent in vivo neuroprotection. This indicates that the increase of intracellular glucocorticoid levels mediated by 11β-HSD1 may be involved in the mechanism that exacerbates ischemic neuronal cell death, and inhibiting this enzyme could have potential therapeutic value for neuroprotective therapies in ischemic stroke and other neurodegenerative disorders associated with neuronal injury.

    View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0069233

    View details for PubMedID 23874920

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3715457

  • FoxO6 regulates memory consolidation and synaptic function GENES & DEVELOPMENT Salih, D. A., Rashid, A. J., Colas, D., de la Torre-Ubieta, L., Zhu, R. P., Morgan, A. A., Santo, E. E., Ucar, D., Devarajan, K., Cole, C. J., Madison, D. V., Shamloo, M., Butte, A. J., Bonni, A., Josselyn, S. A., Brunet, A. 2012; 26 (24): 2780-2801

    Abstract

    The FoxO family of transcription factors is known to slow aging downstream from the insulin/IGF (insulin-like growth factor) signaling pathway. The most recently discovered FoxO isoform in mammals, FoxO6, is highly enriched in the adult hippocampus. However, the importance of FoxO factors in cognition is largely unknown. Here we generated mice lacking FoxO6 and found that these mice display normal learning but impaired memory consolidation in contextual fear conditioning and novel object recognition. Using stereotactic injection of viruses into the hippocampus of adult wild-type mice, we found that FoxO6 activity in the adult hippocampus is required for memory consolidation. Genome-wide approaches revealed that FoxO6 regulates a program of genes involved in synaptic function upon learning in the hippocampus. Consistently, FoxO6 deficiency results in decreased dendritic spine density in hippocampal neurons in vitro and in vivo. Thus, FoxO6 may promote memory consolidation by regulating a program coordinating neuronal connectivity in the hippocampus, which could have important implications for physiological and pathological age-dependent decline in memory.

    View details for DOI 10.1101/gad.208926.112

    View details for Web of Science ID 000312775700011

    View details for PubMedID 23222102

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3533081

  • A role for C1q in normal brain aging Stephan, A. H., Madison, D. V., Mateos, J., Fraser, D., Coutellier, L., Lovelett, E., Tsai, H., Huang, E., Rowitch, D., Kim, L., Tenner, A., Shamloo, M., Barres, B. A. ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG. 2012: 1133–33

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.imbio.2012.08.014

    View details for Web of Science ID 000311187800027

  • Npas4: A Neuronal Transcription Factor with a Key Role in Social and Cognitive Functions Relevant to Developmental Disorders PLOS ONE Coutellier, L., Beraki, S., Ardestani, P. M., Saw, N. L., Shamloo, M. 2012; 7 (9)

    Abstract

    Npas4 is a transcription factor, which is highly expressed in the brain and regulates the formation and maintenance of inhibitory synapses in response to excitatory synaptic activity. A deregulation of the inhibitory-excitatory balance has been associated with a variety of human developmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. However, not much is known about the role played by inhibitory synapses and inhibitory pathways in the development of nervous system disorders. We hypothesized that alterations in the inhibitory pathways induced by the absence of Npas4 play a major role in the expression of the symptoms observed in psychiatric disorders. To test this hypothesis we tested mice lacking the transcription factor (Npas4 knock-out mice (Npas4-KO)) in a battery of behavioral assays focusing on general activity, social behaviors, and cognitive functions. Npas4-KO mice are hyperactive in a novel environment, spend less time exploring an unfamiliar ovariectomized female, spend more time avoiding an unfamiliar male during a first encounter, show higher social dominance than their WT littermates, and display pre-pulse inhibition, working memory, long-term memory, and cognitive flexibility deficits. These behavioral deficits may replicate schizophrenia-related symptomatology such as social anxiety, hyperactivity, and cognitive and sensorimotor gating deficits. Immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that Npas4 expression is induced in the hippocampus after a social encounter and that Npas4 regulates the expression of c-Fos in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus after a cognitive task. Our results suggest that Npas4 may play a major role in the regulation of cognitive and social functions in the brain with possible implications for developmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism.

    View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0046604

    View details for Web of Science ID 000309973900189

    View details for PubMedID 23029555

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3460929

  • Stratification substantially reduces behavioral variability in the hypoxic-ischemic stroke model. Brain and behavior Pollak, J., Doyle, K. P., Mamer, L., Shamloo, M., Buckwalter, M. S. 2012; 2 (5): 698-706

    Abstract

    Stroke is the most common cause of long-term disability, and there are no known drug therapies to improve recovery after stroke. To understand how successful recovery occurs, dissect candidate molecular pathways, and test new therapies, there is a need for multiple distinct mouse stroke models, in which the parameters of recovery after stroke are well defined. Hypoxic-ischemic stroke is a well-established stroke model, but behavioral recovery in this model is not well described. We therefore examined a panel of behavioral tests to see whether they could be used to quantify functional recovery after hypoxic-ischemic stroke. We found that in C57BL/6J mice this stroke model produces high mortality (approximately one-third) and variable stroke sizes, but is fast and easy to perform on a large number of mice. Horizontal ladder test performance on day 1 after stroke was highly and reproducibly correlated with stroke size (P < 0.0001, R(2) = 0.7652), and allowed for functional stratification of mice into a group with >18% foot faults and 2.1-fold larger strokes. This group exhibited significant functional deficits for as long as 3 weeks on the horizontal ladder test and through the last day of testing on automated gait analysis (33 days), rotarod (30 days), and elevated body swing test (EBST) (36 days). No deficits were observed in an automated activity chamber. We conclude that stratification by horizontal ladder test performance on day 1 identifies a subset of mice in which functional recovery from hypoxic-ischemic stroke can be studied.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/brb3.77

    View details for PubMedID 23139913

  • Stratification substantially reduces behavioral variability in the hypoxic-ischemic stroke model BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR Pollak, J., Doyle, K. P., Mamer, L., Shamloo, M., Buckwalter, M. S. 2012; 2 (5): 698-706

    Abstract

    Stroke is the most common cause of long-term disability, and there are no known drug therapies to improve recovery after stroke. To understand how successful recovery occurs, dissect candidate molecular pathways, and test new therapies, there is a need for multiple distinct mouse stroke models, in which the parameters of recovery after stroke are well defined. Hypoxic-ischemic stroke is a well-established stroke model, but behavioral recovery in this model is not well described. We therefore examined a panel of behavioral tests to see whether they could be used to quantify functional recovery after hypoxic-ischemic stroke. We found that in C57BL/6J mice this stroke model produces high mortality (approximately one-third) and variable stroke sizes, but is fast and easy to perform on a large number of mice. Horizontal ladder test performance on day 1 after stroke was highly and reproducibly correlated with stroke size (P < 0.0001, R(2) = 0.7652), and allowed for functional stratification of mice into a group with >18% foot faults and 2.1-fold larger strokes. This group exhibited significant functional deficits for as long as 3 weeks on the horizontal ladder test and through the last day of testing on automated gait analysis (33 days), rotarod (30 days), and elevated body swing test (EBST) (36 days). No deficits were observed in an automated activity chamber. We conclude that stratification by horizontal ladder test performance on day 1 identifies a subset of mice in which functional recovery from hypoxic-ischemic stroke can be studied.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/brb3.77

    View details for Web of Science ID 000209174200016

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3489820

  • Deficits in Cognition and Synaptic Plasticity in a Mouse Model of Down Syndrome Ameliorated by GABA(B) Receptor Antagonists JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE Kleschevnikov, A. M., Belichenko, P. V., Faizi, M., Jacobs, L. F., Htun, K., Shamloo, M., Mobley, W. C. 2012; 32 (27): 9217-9227

    Abstract

    Cognitive impairment in Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by deficient learning and memory. Mouse genetic models of DS exhibit impaired cognition in hippocampally mediated behavioral tasks and reduced synaptic plasticity of hippocampal pathways. Enhanced efficiency of GABAergic neurotransmission was implicated in those changes. We have recently shown that signaling through postsynaptic GABA(B) receptors is significantly increased in the dentate gyrus of Ts65Dn mice, a genetic model of DS. Here we examined a role for GABA(B) receptors in cognitive deficits in DS by defining the effect of selective GABA(B) receptor antagonists on behavior and synaptic plasticity of adult Ts65Dn mice. Treatment with the GABA(B) receptor antagonist CGP55845 restored memory of Ts65Dn mice in the novel place recognition, novel object recognition, and contextual fear conditioning tasks, but did not affect locomotion and performance in T-maze. The treatment increased hippocampal levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, equally in 2N and Ts65Dn mice. In hippocampal slices, treatment with the GABA(B) receptor antagonists CGP55845 or CGP52432 enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the Ts65Dn DG. The enhancement of LTP was accompanied by an increase in the NMDA receptor-mediated component of the tetanus-evoked responses. These findings are evidence for a contribution of GABA(B) receptors to changes in hippocampal-based cognition in the Ts65Dn mouse. The ability to rescue cognitive performance through treatment with selective GABA(B) receptor antagonists motivates studies to further explore the therapeutic potential of these compounds in people with DS.

    View details for DOI 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1673-12.2012

    View details for Web of Science ID 000306193900011

    View details for PubMedID 22764230

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3411326

  • Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mouse model of Alzheimer's disease displays broad behavioral deficits in sensorimotor, cognitive and social function. Brain and behavior Faizi, M., Bader, P. L., Saw, N., Nguyen, T. V., Beraki, S., Wyss-Coray, T., Longo, F. M., Shamloo, M. 2012; 2 (2): 142-154

    Abstract

    Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is an age-dependent progressive neurodegenerative disorder. β-amyloid, a metabolic product of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. The Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) (line 41) transgenic mouse overexpresses human APP751 and contains the London (V717I) and Swedish (K670M/N671L) mutations. Here, we used a battery of behavioral tests to evaluate general activity, cognition, and social behavior in six-month-old male Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mice. We found hyperactivity in a novel environment as well as significant deficits in spontaneous alternation behavior. In fear conditioning (FC), Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mice did not display deficits in acquisition or in memory retrieval in novel context of tone-cued FC, but they showed significant memory retrieval impairment during contextual testing in an identical environment. Surprisingly, in a standard hidden platform water maze, no significant deficit was detected in mutant mice. However, a delayed-matching-to-place paradigm revealed a significant deficit in Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mice. Lastly, in the social novelty session of a three-chamber test, Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mice exhibited a significantly decreased interest in a novel versus a familiar stranger compared to control mice. This could possibly be explained by decreased social memory or discrimination and may parallel disturbances in social functioning in human AD patients. In conclusion, the Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mouse model of AD displayed a behavioral phenotype that resembles, in part, the cognitive and psychiatric symptoms experienced in AD patients.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/brb3.41

    View details for PubMedID 22574282

  • Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mouse model of Alzheimer's disease displays broad behavioral deficits in sensorimotor, cognitive and social function BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR Faizi, M., Bader, P. L., Saw, N., Nguyen, T. V., Beraki, S., Wyss-Coray, T., Longo, F. M., Shamloo, M. 2012; 2 (2): 142-154

    Abstract

    Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is an age-dependent progressive neurodegenerative disorder. β-amyloid, a metabolic product of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. The Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) (line 41) transgenic mouse overexpresses human APP751 and contains the London (V717I) and Swedish (K670M/N671L) mutations. Here, we used a battery of behavioral tests to evaluate general activity, cognition, and social behavior in six-month-old male Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mice. We found hyperactivity in a novel environment as well as significant deficits in spontaneous alternation behavior. In fear conditioning (FC), Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mice did not display deficits in acquisition or in memory retrieval in novel context of tone-cued FC, but they showed significant memory retrieval impairment during contextual testing in an identical environment. Surprisingly, in a standard hidden platform water maze, no significant deficit was detected in mutant mice. However, a delayed-matching-to-place paradigm revealed a significant deficit in Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mice. Lastly, in the social novelty session of a three-chamber test, Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mice exhibited a significantly decreased interest in a novel versus a familiar stranger compared to control mice. This could possibly be explained by decreased social memory or discrimination and may parallel disturbances in social functioning in human AD patients. In conclusion, the Thy1-hAPP(Lond/Swe+) mouse model of AD displayed a behavioral phenotype that resembles, in part, the cognitive and psychiatric symptoms experienced in AD patients.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/brb3.41

    View details for Web of Science ID 000209173900005

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3345358

  • Identification of a central role for complement in osteoarthritis NATURE MEDICINE Wang, Q., Rozelle, A. L., Lepus, C. M., Scanzello, C. R., Song, J. J., Larsen, D. M., Crish, J. F., Bebek, G., Ritter, S. Y., Lindstrom, T. M., Hwang, I., Wong, H. H., Punzi, L., Encarnacion, A., Shamloo, M., Goodman, S. B., Wyss-Coray, T., Goldring, S. R., Banda, N. K., Thurman, J. M., Gobezie, R., Crow, M. K., Holers, V. M., Lee, D. M., Robinson, W. H. 2011; 17 (12): 1674-U196

    Abstract

    Osteoarthritis, characterized by the breakdown of articular cartilage in synovial joints, has long been viewed as the result of 'wear and tear'. Although low-grade inflammation is detected in osteoarthritis, its role is unclear. Here we identify a central role for the inflammatory complement system in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Through proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of synovial fluids and membranes from individuals with osteoarthritis, we find that expression and activation of complement is abnormally high in human osteoarthritic joints. Using mice genetically deficient in complement component 5 (C5), C6 or the complement regulatory protein CD59a, we show that complement, specifically, the membrane attack complex (MAC)-mediated arm of complement, is crucial to the development of arthritis in three different mouse models of osteoarthritis. Pharmacological modulation of complement in wild-type mice confirmed the results obtained with genetically deficient mice. Expression of inflammatory and degradative molecules was lower in chondrocytes from destabilized joints from C5-deficient mice than C5-sufficient mice, and MAC induced production of these molecules in cultured chondrocytes. Further, MAC colocalized with matrix metalloprotease 13 (MMP13) and with activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) around chondrocytes in human osteoarthritic cartilage. Our findings indicate that dysregulation of complement in synovial joints has a key role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/nm.2543

    View details for Web of Science ID 000297978000042

    View details for PubMedID 22057346

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3257059

  • Mouse model of Timothy syndrome recapitulates triad of autistic traits PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Bader, P. L., Faizi, M., Kim, L. H., Owen, S. F., Tadross, M. R., Alfa, R. W., Bett, G. C., Tsien, R. W., Rasmusson, R. L., Shamloo, M. 2011; 108 (37): 15432-15437

    Abstract

    Autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) typically arise from a mixture of environmental influences and multiple genetic alterations. In some rare cases, such as Timothy syndrome (TS), a specific mutation in a single gene can be sufficient to generate autism or ASD in most patients, potentially offering insights into the etiology of autism in general. Both variants of TS (the milder TS1 and the more severe TS2) arise from missense mutations in alternatively spliced exons that cause the same G406R replacement in the Ca(V)1.2 L-type calcium channel. We generated a TS2-like mouse but found that heterozygous (and homozygous) animals were not viable. However, heterozygous TS2 mice that were allowed to keep an inverted neomycin cassette (TS2-neo) survived through adulthood. We attribute the survival to lowering of expression of the G406R L-type channel via transcriptional interference, blunting deleterious effects of mutant L-type channel overactivity, and addressed potential effects of altered gene dosage by studying Ca(V)1.2 knockout heterozygotes. Here we present a thorough behavioral phenotyping of the TS2-neo mouse, capitalizing on this unique opportunity to use the TS mutation to model ASD in mice. Along with normal general health, activity, and anxiety level, TS2-neo mice showed markedly restricted, repetitive, and perseverative behavior, altered social behavior, altered ultrasonic vocalization, and enhanced tone-cued and contextual memory following fear conditioning. Our results suggest that when TS mutant channels are expressed at levels low enough to avoid fatality, they are sufficient to cause multiple, distinct behavioral abnormalities, in line with the core aspects of ASD.

    View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.1112667108

    View details for Web of Science ID 000294804900085

    View details for PubMedID 21878566

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3174658

  • Autism-linked neuroligin-3 R451C mutation differentially alters hippocampal and cortical synaptic function PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Etherton, M., Foeldy, C., Sharma, M., Tabuchi, K., Liu, X., Shamloo, M., Malenka, R. C., Suedhof, T. C. 2011; 108 (33): 13764-13769

    Abstract

    Multiple independent mutations in neuroligin genes were identified in patients with familial autism, including the R451C substitution in neuroligin-3 (NL3). Previous studies showed that NL3(R451C) knock-in mice exhibited modestly impaired social behaviors, enhanced water maze learning abilities, and increased synaptic inhibition in the somatosensory cortex, and they suggested that the behavioral changes in these mice may be caused by a general shift of synaptic transmission to inhibition. Here, we confirm that NL3(R451C) mutant mice behaviorally exhibit social interaction deficits and electrophysiologically display increased synaptic inhibition in the somatosensory cortex. Unexpectedly, however, we find that the NL3(R451C) mutation produced a strikingly different phenotype in the hippocampus. Specifically, in the hippocampal CA1 region, the NL3(R451C) mutation caused an ∼1.5-fold increase in AMPA receptor-mediated excitatory synaptic transmission, dramatically altered the kinetics of NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic responses, induced an approximately twofold up-regulation of NMDA receptors containing NR2B subunits, and enhanced long-term potentiation almost twofold. NL3 KO mice did not exhibit any of these changes. Quantitative light microscopy and EM revealed that the NL3(R451C) mutation increased dendritic branching and altered the structure of synapses in the stratum radiatum of the hippocampus. Thus, in NL3(R451C) mutant mice, a single point mutation in a synaptic cell adhesion molecule causes context-dependent changes in synaptic transmission; these changes are consistent with the broad impact of this mutation on murine and human behaviors, suggesting that NL3 controls excitatory and inhibitory synapse properties in a region- and circuit-specific manner.

    View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.1111093108

    View details for Web of Science ID 000293895100079

    View details for PubMedID 21808020

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3158170

  • Comprehensive behavioral phenotyping of Ts65Dn mouse model of Down Syndrome: Activation of pradrenergic receptor by xamoterol as a potential cognitive enhancer NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE Faizi, M., Bader, P. L., Tun, C., Encarnacion, A., Kleschevnikov, A., Belichenko, P., Saw, N., Priestley, M., Tsien, R. W., Mobley, W. C., Shamloo, M. 2011; 43 (2): 397-413

    Abstract

    Down syndrome (DS) is the most prevalent form of mental retardation caused by genetic abnormalities in humans. This has been successfully modeled in mice to generate the Ts65Dn mouse, a genetic model of DS. This transgenic mouse model shares a number of physical and functional abnormalities with people with DS, including changes in the structure and function of neuronal circuits. Significant abnormalities in noradrenergic (NE-ergic) afferents from the locus coeruleus to the hippocampus, as well as deficits in NE-ergic neurotransmission are detected in these animals. In the current study we characterized in detail the behavioral phenotype of Ts65Dn mice, in addition to using pharmacological tools for identification of target receptors mediating the learning and memory deficits observed in this model of DS. We undertook a comprehensive approach to mouse phenotyping using a battery of standard and novel tests encompassing: (i) locomotion (Activity Chamber, PhenoTyper, and CatWalk), (ii) learning and memory (spontaneous alternation, delayed matching-to-place water maze, fear conditioning, and Intellicage), and (iii) social behavior. Ts65Dn mice showed increased locomotor activity in novel and home cage environments. There were significant and reproducible deficits in learning and memory tests including spontaneous alternation, delayed matching-to-place water maze, Intellicage place avoidance and contextual fear conditioning. Although Ts65Dn mice showed no deficit in sociability in the 3-chamber test, a marked impairment in social memory was detected. Xamoterol, a β1-adrenergic receptor (β1-ADR) agonist, effectively restored the memory deficit in contextual fear conditioning, spontaneous alternation and novel object recognition. These behavioral improvements were reversed by betaxolol, a selective β1-ADR antagonist. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that this mouse model of Down syndrome displays cognitive deficits which are mediated by an imbalance in the noradrenergic system. In this experimental model of Down syndrome a selective activation of β1-ADR does restore some of these behavioral deficits. Further mechanistic studies will be needed to investigate the failure of noradrenergic system and the role of β1-ADR in cognitive deficit and pathogenesis of DS in people. Restoring NE neurotransmission or a selective activation of β1)-ADR needs to be further investigated for the development of any potential therapeutic strategy for symptomatic relief of memory deficit in DS. Furthermore, due to the significant involvement of noradrenergic system in the cardiovascular function further safety and translational studies will be needed to ensure the safety and efficacy of this approach.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.nbd.2011.04.011

    View details for Web of Science ID 000292069900012

    View details for PubMedID 21527343

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3539757

  • Sex-Specific Cognitive Deficits and Regional Brain Volume Loss in Mice Exposed to Chronic, Sublethal Hypoxia PEDIATRIC RESEARCH Lan, W. J., Priestley, M., Mayoral, S. R., Tian, L., Shamloo, M., Penn, A. A. 2011; 70 (1): 15-20

    Abstract

    Male sex is an independent risk factor for long-term neurologic deficits in human preterm infants. Using a chronic, sublethal hypoxia (CSH) mouse model of preterm brain injury, we recently demonstrated acute brain volume loss with an increased male susceptibility to hippocampal volume loss and hypomyelination. We now characterize the long-term, sex-specific effects of CSH on cognition and brain growth. Neonatal mice were treated with CSH for 8 d, raised in normoxia thereafter and underwent behavioral testing at 6 wk of age. Behavioral assays sensitive to hippocampal function were chosen. CSH-treated males had impairments in associative learning, spatial memory, and long-term social memory compared with control males. In contrast, CSH-treated females were less impaired. Persistent reductions in hippocampal and cerebellar volumes were found in adult CSH-treated males, whereas regional brain volumes in adult CSH-treated females were indistinguishable from controls. Similar to human preterm infants, males exposed to hypoxia are especially vulnerable to short-term and long-term deficits in cognition and brain growth.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000292015100004

    View details for PubMedID 21436761

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3547599

  • Long-term behavioral assessment of function in an experimental model for ischemic stroke JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE METHODS Encarnacion, A., Horie, N., Keren-Gill, H., Bliss, T. M., Steinberg, G. K., Shamloo, M. 2011; 196 (2): 247-257

    Abstract

    Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats is a well-studied experimental model for ischemic stroke leading to brain infarction and functional deficits. Many preclinical studies have focused on a small time window after the ischemic episode to evaluate functional outcome for screening therapeutic candidates. Short evaluation periods following injury have led to significant setbacks due to lack of information on the delayed effects of treatments, as well as short-lived and reversible neuroprotection, so called false-positive results. In this report, we evaluated long-term functional deficit for 90 days after MCAO in two rat strains with two durations of ischemic insult, in order to identify the best experimental paradigm to assess injury and subsequent recovery. Behavioral outcomes were measured pre-MCAO followed by weekly assessment post-stroke. Behavioral tests included the 18-point composite neurological score, 28-point neuroscore, rearing test, vibrissae-evoked forelimb placing test, foot fault test and the CatWalk. Brain lesions were assessed to correlate injury to behavior outcomes at the end of study. Our results indicate that infarction volume in Sprague-Dawley rats was dependent on occlusion duration. In contrast, the infarction volume in Wistar rats did not correlate with the duration of ischemic episode. Functional outcomes were not dependent on occlusion time in either strain; however, measurable deficits were detectable long-term in limb asymmetry, 18- and 28-point neuroscores, forelimb placing, paw swing speed, and gait coordination. In conclusion, these behavioral assays, in combination with an extended long-term assessment period, can be used for evaluating therapeutic candidates in preclinical models of ischemic stroke.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2011.01.010

    View details for Web of Science ID 000290781200003

    View details for PubMedID 21256866

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3539723

  • The sigma-1 receptor enhances brain plasticity and functional recovery after experimental stroke BRAIN Ruscher, K., Shamloo, M., Rickhag, M., Ladunga, I., Soriano, L., Gisselsson, L., Toresson, H., Ruslim-Litrus, L., Oksenberg, D., Urfer, R., Johansson, B. B., Nikolich, K., Wieloch, T. 2011; 134: 732-746

    Abstract

    Stroke leads to brain damage with subsequent slow and incomplete recovery of lost brain functions. Enriched housing of stroke-injured rats provides multi-modal sensorimotor stimulation, which improves recovery, although the specific mechanisms involved have not been identified. In rats housed in an enriched environment for two weeks after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion, we found increased sigma-1 receptor expression in peri-infarct areas. Treatment of rats subjected to permanent or transient middle cerebral artery occlusion with 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine dihydrochloride, an agonist of the sigma-1 receptor, starting two days after injury, enhanced the recovery of lost sensorimotor function without decreasing infarct size. The sigma-1 receptor was found in the galactocerebroside enriched membrane microdomains of reactive astrocytes and in neurons. Sigma-1 receptor activation increased the levels of the synaptic protein neurabin and neurexin in membrane rafts in the peri-infarct area, while sigma-1 receptor silencing prevented sigma-1 receptor-mediated neurite outgrowth in primary cortical neuronal cultures. In astrocytic cultures, oxygen and glucose deprivation induced sigma-1 receptor expression and actin dependent membrane raft formation, the latter blocked by sigma-1 receptor small interfering RNA silencing and pharmacological inhibition. We conclude that sigma-1 receptor activation stimulates recovery after stroke by enhancing cellular transport of biomolecules required for brain repair, thereby stimulating brain plasticity. Pharmacological targeting of the sigma-1 receptor provides new opportunities for stroke treatment beyond the therapeutic window of neuroprotection.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/brain/awq367

    View details for Web of Science ID 000287745100010

    View details for PubMedID 21278085

  • Transplanted Stem Cell-Secreted Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Effects Poststroke Recovery, Inflammation, and Vascular Repair STEM CELLS Horie, N., Pereira, M. P., Niizuma, K., Sun, G., Keren-Gill, H., Encarnacion, A., Shamloo, M., Hamilton, S. A., Jiang, K., Huhn, S., Palmer, T. D., Bliss, T. M., Steinberg, G. K. 2011; 29 (2): 274-285

    Abstract

    Cell transplantation offers a novel therapeutic strategy for stroke; however, how transplanted cells function in vivo is poorly understood. We show for the first time that after subacute transplantation into the ischemic brain of human central nervous system stem cells grown as neurospheres (hCNS-SCns), the stem cell-secreted factor, human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF), is necessary for cell-induced functional recovery. We correlate this functional recovery to hVEGF-induced effects on the host brain including multiple facets of vascular repair and its unexpected suppression of the inflammatory response. We found that transplanted hCNS-SCns affected multiple parameters in the brain with different kinetics: early improvement in blood-brain barrier integrity and suppression of inflammation was followed by a delayed spatiotemporal regulated increase in neovascularization. These events coincided with a bimodal pattern of functional recovery, with, an early recovery independent of neovascularization, and a delayed hVEGF-dependent recovery coincident with neovascularization. Therefore, cell transplantation therapy offers an exciting multimodal strategy for brain repair in stroke and potentially other disorders with a vascular or inflammatory component.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/stem.584

    View details for Web of Science ID 000287698600011

    View details for PubMedID 21732485

  • Transplanted Stem Cell-Secreted VEGF Effects Post-Stroke Recovery, Inflammation, and Vascular Repair. Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio) Horie, N., Pereira, M. P., Niizuma, K., Sun, G., Keren-Gill, H., Encarnacion, A., Shamloo, M., Hamilton, S. A., Jiang, K., Huhn, S., Palmer, T. D., Bliss, T. M., Steinberg, G. K. 2011

    Abstract

    Cell transplantation offers a novel therapeutic strategy for stroke; however, how transplanted cells function in vivo is poorly understood. We show for the first time that after sub-acute transplantation into the ischemic brain of human central nervous system stem cells grown as neurospheres (hCNS-SCns), the stem cell-secreted factor, human VEGF (hVEGF), is necessary for cell-induced functional recovery. We correlate this functional recovery to hVEGF-induced effects on the host brain including multiple facets of vascular repair, and its unexpected suppression of the inflammatory response. We found that transplanted hCNS-SCns affected multiple parameters in the brain with different kinetics: early improvement in blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and suppression of inflammation was followed by a delayed spatio-temporal regulated increase in neovascularization. These events coincided with a bi-modal pattern of functional recovery: an early recovery independent of neovascularization, and a delayed hVEGF-dependent recovery coincident with neovascularization. Therefore, cell transplantation therapy offers an exciting multi-modal strategy for brain repair in stroke and potentially other disorders with a vascular or inflammatory component.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/stem.584

    View details for PubMedID 21240943

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3524414

  • The asparaginyl endopeptidase legumain after experimental stroke JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM Ishizaki, T., Erickson, A., Kuric, E., Shamloo, M., Hara-Nishimura, I., Inacio, A. R., Wieloch, T., Ruscher, K. 2010; 30 (10): 1756-1766

    Abstract

    Various proteases in the brain contribute to ischemic brain injury. We investigated the involvement of the asparaginyl endopeptidase legumain after experimental stroke. On the basis of gene array studies and in situ hybridizations, we observed an increase of legumain expression in the peri-infarct area of rats after transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) for 120 mins with a maximum expression at 24 and 48 h. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed the expression of legumain in Iba1(+) microglial cells and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes of the peri-infarct area in mice after MCAO. Post-stroke recovery was also studied in aged legumain-deficient mice (45 to 58 weeks old). Legumain-deficient mice did not show any differences in physiologic parameters compared with respective littermates before, during MCAO (45 mins), and the subsequent recovery period of 8 days. Moreover, legumain deficiency had no effect on mortality, infarct volume, and the neurologic deficit determined by the rotating pole test, a standardized grip strength test, and the pole test. However, a reduced number of invading CD74(+) cells in the ischemic hemisphere indicates an involvement in post-stroke inflammation. We conclude that legumain is not essential for the functional deficit after MCAO but may be involved in mechanisms of immune cell invasion.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/jcbfm.2010.39

    View details for Web of Science ID 000282382200009

    View details for PubMedID 20234379

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3023405

  • Human recombinant EPO reduces myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury Bencsik, P., Gorbe, A., Kocsis, G. F., Csonka, C., Csont, T., Shamloo, M., Woodburn, K. W., Ferdinandy, P. OXFORD UNIV PRESS. 2010: S135

    View details for Web of Science ID 000282114100421

  • Vascular Regenerative Effects of Human Neural Progenitor Cells in the Ischemic Brain: A Role in Functional Recovery Horie, N., Bliss, T., Niizuma, K., Pereira, M., Sun, G., Keren-Gill, H., Jiang, K., Encarnacion, A., Shamloo, M., Huhn, S., Steinberg, G. K. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2010: E209

    View details for Web of Science ID 000276106100097

  • Classical MHCI Molecules Regulate Retinogeniculate Refinement and Limit Ocular Dominance Plasticity NEURON Datwani, A., McConnell, M. J., Kanold, P. O., Micheva, K. D., Busse, B., Shamloo, M., Smith, S. J., Shatz, C. J. 2009; 64 (4): 463-470

    Abstract

    Major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) genes were discovered unexpectedly in healthy CNS neurons in a screen for genes regulated by neural activity. In mice lacking just 2 of the 50+ MHCI genes H2-K(b) and H2-D(b), ocular dominance (OD) plasticity is enhanced. Mice lacking PirB, an MHCI receptor, have a similar phenotype. H2-K(b) and H2-D(b) are expressed not only in visual cortex, but also in lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), where protein localization correlates strongly with synaptic markers and complement protein C1q. In K(b)D(b-/-) mice, developmental refinement of retinogeniculate projections is impaired, similar to C1q(-/-) mice. These phenotypes in K(b)D(b-/-) mice are strikingly similar to those in beta2 m(-/-)TAP1(-/-) mice, which lack cell surface expression of all MHCIs, implying that H2-K(b) and H2-D(b) can account for observed changes in synapse plasticity. H2-K(b) and H2-D(b) ligands, signaling via neuronal MHCI receptors, may enable activity-dependent remodeling of brain circuits during developmental critical periods.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.neuron.2009.10.015

    View details for Web of Science ID 000272378900005

    View details for PubMedID 19945389

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2787480

  • Restoration of Norepinephrine-Modulated Contextual Memory in a Mouse Model of Down Syndrome SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE Salehi, A., Faizi, M., Colas, D., Valletta, J., Laguna, J., Takimoto-Kimura, R., Kleschevnikov, A., Wagner, S. L., Aisen, P., Shamloo, M., Mobley, W. C. 2009; 1 (7)

    Abstract

    Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is the most common cause of mental retardation in children and leads to marked deficits in contextual learning and memory. In rodents, these tasks require the hippocampus and are mediated by several inputs, particularly those originating in the locus coeruleus. These afferents mainly use norepinephrine as a transmitter. To explore the basis for contextual learning defects in Down syndrome, we examined the Ts65Dn mouse model. These mice, which have three copies of a fragment of mouse chromosome 16, exhibited significant deficits in contextual learning together with dysfunction and degeneration of locus coeruleus neurons. However, the postsynaptic targets of innervation remained responsive to noradrenergic receptor agonists. Indeed, despite advanced locus coeruleus degeneration, we were able to reverse contextual learning failure by using a prodrug for norepinephrine called l-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine, or xamoterol, a beta(1)-adrenergic receptor partial agonist. Moreover, an increased gene dosage of App, in the context of Down syndrome, was necessary for locus coeruleus degeneration. Our findings raise the possibility that restoring norepinephrine-mediated neurotransmission could reverse cognitive dysfunction in Down syndrome.

    View details for DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.3000258

    View details for Web of Science ID 000277262200002

    View details for PubMedID 20368182

  • A Mouse Model for Studying Functional Recovery from Stroke Pollak, J., Debsi, B., Mamer, L. E., Liu, S., Doyle, K. P., Jones, B., Shamloo, M., Buckwalter, M. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2009: E214

    View details for Web of Science ID 000264709500531

  • NGF SIGNALING TO SECURE NEURONAL CIRCUITS Mobley, W., Salehi, A., Nosheny, R., Maloney, M., Zhan, K., Chial, H., Sung, K., Brown, H., Belichenko, P., Kleschevnikov, A., Shamloo, M., He, L., Valletta, J., Chen, L., Wu, C., Chu, S. WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC. 2009: 15

    View details for Web of Science ID 000263336800028

  • Restoration of Hippocampally-Mediated Contextual Memory in TS65DN Mouse Model of Down Syndrome Salehi, A., Faizi, M., Colas, D., Valletta, J., Kleschevnikov, A., Shamloo, M., Mobley, W. C. WILEY-LISS. 2009: S63

    View details for Web of Science ID 000270757700252

  • Expression and function of striatal enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase is profoundly altered in cerebral ischemia EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE Braithwaite, S. P., Xu, J., Leung, J., Urfer, R., Nikolich, K., Oksenberg, D., Lombroso, P. J., Shamloo, M. 2008; 27 (9): 2444-2452

    Abstract

    Striatal enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) acts in the central nervous system to dephosphorylate a number of important proteins involved in synaptic function including ERK and NMDA receptor subunits. These proteins are also linked to stroke, in which cerebral ischemia triggers a complex cascade of events. Here we demonstrate that STEP is regulated at both the transcriptional and the post-transcriptional levels in rat models of cerebral ischemia and that its regulation may play a role in the outcome of ischemic insults. After transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, there are profound decreases in the levels of STEP mRNA, whilst in global ischemia STEP mRNA is selectively down-regulated in areas susceptible to ischemic damage. In a neuroprotective preconditioning paradigm, and in regions of the brain that are relatively resistant to ischemic damage, STEP mRNA levels are increased. Furthermore, there is a significant processing of STEP after ischemia to generate a novel species, STEP(33), resulting in a redistribution of STEP from membrane-bound to soluble compartments. Concomitant with the cleavage of mature forms of STEP, there are changes in the phosphorylation state of ERK. We show that the cleavage of STEP leads to a catalytically active form, but this cleaved form no longer binds to and dephosphorylates its substrate pERK. Therefore, in response to ischemic insults, there are profound reductions in both the amount and the activity of STEP, its localization, as well as the activity of one of its key substrates, pERK. These changes in STEP may reflect a critical role in the outcomes of ischemic brain injury.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06209.x

    View details for Web of Science ID 000255285800024

    View details for PubMedID 18445231

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2738830

  • Npas4, a novel helix-loop-helix PAS domain protein, is regulated in response to cerebral ischemia EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE Shamloo, M., Soriano, L., Von Schack, D., Rickhag, M., Chin, D. J., Gonzalez-Zulueta, M., Gido, G., Urfer, R., Wieloch, T., Nikolich, K. 2006; 24 (10): 2705-2720

    Abstract

    Basic helix-loop-helix PAS domain proteins form a growing family of transcription factors. These proteins are involved in the process of adaptation to cellular stresses and environmental factors such as a change in oxygen concentration. We describe the identification and characterization of a recently cloned PAS domain protein termed Npas4 in ischemic rat brain. Using gene expression profiling following middle cerebral artery occlusion, we showed that the Npas4 mRNA is differentially expressed in ischemic tissue. The full-length gene was cloned from rat brain and its spatial and temporal expression characterized with in situ hybridization and Northern blotting. The Npas4 mRNA is specifically expressed in the brain and is highly up-regulated in ischemic tissues following both focal and global cerebral ischemic insults. Immunohistochemistry revealed a strong expression in the limbic system and thalamus, as well as in layers 3 and 5 in the cortex of the unchallenged brain. When overexpressed in HEK 293 cells, Npas4 appears as a protein of approximately 100 kDa. In brain samples, however, in addition to the 100 kDa band a specific 200 kDa immunoreactive band was also detected. Ischemic challenge lead to a decrease in the 200 kDa form and a simultaneous increase in the 100 kDa immunoreactivity. This could indicate a novel regulatory mechanism for activation and/or deactivation of this protein in response to ischemic brain injury.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.05172.x

    View details for Web of Science ID 000242221700003

    View details for PubMedID 17156197

  • Comprehensive regional and temporal gene expression profiling of the rat brain during the first 24 h after experimental stroke identifies dynamic ischemia-induced gene expression patterns, and reveals a biphasic activation of genes in surviving tissue JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY Rickhag, M., Wieloch, T., Gido, G., Elmer, E., Krogh, M., Murray, J., Lohr, S., Bitter, H., Chin, D. J., von Schack, D., Shamloo, M., Nikolich, K. 2006; 96 (1): 14-29

    Abstract

    In order to identify biological processes relevant for cell death and survival in the brain following stroke, the postischemic brain transcriptome was studied by a large-scale cDNA array analysis of three peri-infarct brain regions at eight time points during the first 24 h of reperfusion following middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat. K-means cluster analysis revealed two distinct biphasic gene expression patterns that contained 44 genes (including 18 immediate early genes), involved in cell signaling and plasticity (i.e. MAP2K7, Sprouty2, Irs-2, Homer1, GPRC5B, Grasp). The first gene induction phase occurred at 0-3 h of reperfusion, and the second at 9-15 h, and was validated by in situ hybridization. Four gene clusters displayed a progressive increase in expression over time and included 50 genes linked to cell motility, lipid synthesis and trafficking (i.e. ApoD, NPC1, G3P-dehydrogenase1, and Choline kinase) or cell death-regulating genes such as mitochondrial CLIC. We conclude that a biphasic transcriptional up-regulation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways occurs in surviving tissue, concomitant with a progressive and persistent activation of cell proliferation signifying tissue regeneration, which provide the means for cell survival and postischemic brain plasticity.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03508.x

    View details for Web of Science ID 000233829900002

    View details for PubMedID 16300643

  • Death-associated protein kinase is activated by dephosphorylation in response to cerebral ischemia JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY Shamloo, M., Soriano, L., Wieloch, T., Nikolich, K., Urfer, R., Oksenberg, D. 2005; 280 (51): 42290-42299

    Abstract

    Death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) is a calcium calmodulin-regulated serine/threonine protein kinase involved in ischemic neuronal death. In situ hybridization experiments show that DAPK mRNA expression is up-regulated in brain following a global ischemic insult and down-regulated in ischemic tissues after focal ischemia. DAPK is inactive in normal brain tissues, where it is found in its phosphorylated state and becomes rapidly and persistently dephosphorylated and activated in response to ischemia in vivo. A similar dephosphorylation pattern is detected in primary cortical neurons subjected to oxygen glucose deprivation or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced toxicity. Both a calcineurin inhibitor, FK506, and a selective NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, inhibit the dephosphorylation of DAPK after in vitro ischemia. This indicates that DAPK could be activated by NMDA receptor-mediated calcium flux, activation of calcineurin, and subsequent DAPK dephosphorylation. Moreover, concomitantly to dephosphorylation, DAPK is proteolytically processed by cathepsin after ischemia. Furthermore, a selective DAPK inhibitor is neuroprotective in both in vitro and in vivo ischemic models. These results indicate that DAPK plays a key role in mediating ischemic neuronal injury.

    View details for DOI 10.1074/jbc.M505804200

    View details for Web of Science ID 000233992700058

    View details for PubMedID 16204252

  • Protein kinase C-gamma and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-alpha are persistently translocated to cell membranes of the rat brain during and after middle cerebral artery occlusion JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM Matsumoto, S., Shamloo, M., Matsumoto, E., Isshiki, A., Wieloch, T. 2004; 24 (1): 54-61

    Abstract

    The levels of protein kinase C-gamma (PKC-gamma ) and the calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II-alpha (CaMKII-alpha) were measured in crude synaptosomal (P2), particulate (P3), and cytosolic (S3) fractions of the neocortex of rats exposed to 1-hour and 2-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and 2-hour MCAO followed by 2-hour reperfusion. During MCAO, PKC levels increased in P2 and P3 in the most severe ischemic areas concomitantly with a decrease in S3. In the penumbra, PKCgamma decreased in S3 without any significant increases in P2 and P3. Total PKC-gamma also decreased in the penumbra but not in the ischemic core, suggesting that the protein is degraded by an energy-dependent mechanism, possibly by the 26S proteasome. The CaMKII-alpha levels increased in P2 but not P3 during ischemia and reperfusion in all ischemic regions, particularly in the ischemic core. Concomitantly, the levels in S3 decreased by 20% to 40% in the penumbra and by approximately 80% in the ischemic core. There were no changes in the total levels of CaMKII-alpha during MCAO. The authors conclude that during and after ischemia, PKC and CaMKII-alpha are translocated to the cell membranes, particularly synaptic membranes, where they may modulate cellular function, such as neurotransmission, and also affect cell survival. Drugs preventing PKC and/or CaMKII-alpha translocation may prove beneficial against ischemic cell death.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/01.WCB.0000095920.70924.F5

    View details for Web of Science ID 000187577500006

    View details for PubMedID 14688616

  • Uncoupling protein-2 prevents neuronal death and diminishes brain dysfunction after stroke and brain trauma NATURE MEDICINE Mattiasson, G., Shamloo, M., Gido, G., Mathi, K., Tomasevic, G., Yi, S. L., Warden, C. H., Castilho, R. F., Melcher, T., Gonzalez-Zulueta, M., Nikolich, K., Wieloch, T. 2003; 9 (8): 1062-1068

    Abstract

    Whereas uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) is clearly involved in thermogenesis, the role of UCP-2 is less clear. Using hybridization, cloning techniques and cDNA array analysis to identify inducible neuroprotective genes, we found that neuronal survival correlates with increased expression of Ucp2. In mice overexpressing human UCP-2, brain damage was diminished after experimental stroke and traumatic brain injury, and neurological recovery was enhanced. In cultured cortical neurons, UCP-2 reduced cell death and inhibited caspase-3 activation induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation. Mild mitochondrial uncoupling by 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) reduced neuronal death, and UCP-2 activity was enhanced by palmitic acid in isolated mitochondria. Also in isolated mitochondria, UCP-2 shifted the release of reactive oxygen species from the mitochondrial matrix to the extramitochondrial space. We propose that UCP-2 is an inducible protein that is neuroprotective by activating cellular redox signaling or by inducing mild mitochondrial uncoupling that prevents the release of apoptogenic proteins.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/nm903

    View details for Web of Science ID 000184484900031

    View details for PubMedID 12858170

  • Persistent phosphorylation of synaptic proteins following middle cerebral artery occlusion JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM Matsumoto, S., Shamloo, M., Isshiki, A., Wieloch, T. 2002; 22 (9): 1107-1113

    Abstract

    Transient cerebral ischemia following 1 to 2 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in the rat leads to infarction, which can be diminished by synaptic transmission modulators, implying aberrant cell signaling in the pathogenetic process. The authors report here changes in the levels of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins (PTyr) and calcium calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) phosphorylation of Thr 286, in synaptosomal, particulate, and cytosolic fractions of different cortical areas following 1 or 2 hours of MCAO, or 2 hours of MCAO followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. At the end of 2-hour MCAO, PTyr, and in particular the pp180, indicative of NR2A/B subunit, increased in the synaptosomal fraction in less ischemic areas while it decreased in more severe ischemic regions. During reperfusion, phosphorylation increased at least 2-fold in all reperfused areas. During 2 hours of MCAO, the phosphorylation of CaMKII increased 8- to 10-fold in the synaptosomal fraction in all ischemic brain regions. During reperfusion, the phospho-CaMKII levels remained elevated by approximately 300% compared with the contralateral hemisphere (control). There was no increase in phospho-CaMKII in the cytosolic fraction at any time during or following ischemia in any of the brain regions examined. The authors conclude that both tyrosine kinase coupled pathways, as well as CaMKII-mediated cellular processes associated with synaptic activity, are strongly activated during and particularly following MCAO. These results support the hypothesis that aberrant cell signaling may contribute to ischemic cell death and dysfunction, and that selective modulators of cell signaling may be targets for pharmacological intervention against ischemic brain damage.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000177919400008

    View details for PubMedID 12218416

  • Subcellular distribution and autophosphorylation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-alpha in rat hippocampus in a model of ischemic tolerance NEUROSCIENCE Shamloo, M., Kamme, F., Wieloch, T. 2000; 96 (4): 665-674

    Abstract

    A brief period of sublethal ischemia induces resistance to a subsequent, otherwise lethal, ischemic insult, a process named ischemic tolerance or preconditioning. A persistently disturbed cell signaling during reperfusion after cerebral ischemia has been proposed to contribute to ischemic cell death. Here, we report on the effect of ischemic preconditioning on the levels of the regulatory alpha-subunit of calcium/calmodulin protein kinase II and its phosphorylation in the hippocampal CA1 region. We found that during and following lethal cerebral ischemia, calcium/calmodulin protein kinase II-alpha is persistently translocated to cell membranes, where it becomes phosphorylated at threonine 286. In contrast, in the preconditioned brains the translocation and phosphorylation are transient and return to preischemic values after one day of reperfusion. At this time of reperfusion, the total level of calcium/calmodulin protein kinase II-alpha is significantly lower in preconditioned animals compared to the sham and non-conditioned animals. After one day of reperfusion, the level of calcium/calmodulin protein kinase II-alpha messenger RNA decreases in the non-conditioned brains, whereas it is unchanged in preconditioned brains. We conclude that, during and after ischemia, calcium/calmodulin protein kinase II-alpha is translocated to cell membranes and becomes phosphorylated at threonine 286. This could detrimentally influence cell survival by changing receptor function and ion channel conductance. Ischemic preconditioning prevents the persistent presence of calcium/calmodulin protein kinase II-alpha at cell membranes, presumably by enhancing its degradation, which could be part of a neuroprotective mechanism of ischemic tolerance.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000086204000003

    View details for PubMedID 10727785

  • Activation of p53 and its target genes p21(WAF1/Cip1) PAG608/Wig-1 in ischemic preconditioning MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH Tomasevic, G., Shamloo, M., Israeli, D., Wieloch, T. 1999; 70 (2): 304-313

    Abstract

    A brief, 3 min period of global forebrain ischemia in the rat, induced by bilateral common carotid occlusion combined with hypotension, confers resistance to hippocampal pyramidal neurons against a subsequent 10 min ischemia, which is normally lethal to these cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying this ischemic preconditioning, or tolerance, are poorly understood. The tumor suppressor p53 is a transcription factor implicated in neuronal death following various insults, including cerebral ischemia. p53 is activated in response to cellular stress, e.g. hypoxia and DNA damage. Using in situ hybridization, we investigated the hippocampal mRNA expression of p53, and two of its target genes, p21(WAF1/Cip1) and the recently cloned PAG608/Wig-1, in a two-vessel occlusion model of ischemic preconditioning. We also evaluated changes in the protein levels of p53 and PAG608/Wig-1 using immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels of all three genes increased in the ischemia sensitive CA1 region both following 3 min (non-lethal) preconditioning and 10 min of (lethal) nonconditioned ischemia. In contrast, after 10 min of ischemia preconditioned by a 3 min ischemic insult 48 h earlier, no upregulation of these genes was detected in the CA1. Following 10 min of nonconditioned ischemia, increased neuronal immunostaining of p53 and PAG608/Wig-1 was observed in the hippocampus, which was less pronounced following 3 min of preconditioning ischemia and 10 min of preconditioned ischemia. Our results demonstrate that activation of p53 and its response genes p21(WAF1/Cip1) and PAG608/Wig-1 occurs in the brain following lethal as well as non-lethal ischemic insults, and that ischemic preconditioning markedly diminishes this activation.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000081514900015

    View details for PubMedID 10407180

  • Rapid decline in protein kinase C gamma levels in the synaptosomal fraction of rat hippocampus after ischemic preconditioning NEUROREPORT Shamloo, M., Wieloch, T. 1999; 10 (5): 931-935

    Abstract

    Neurons can be preconditioned against ischemic damage by a brief sublethal period of ischemia, applied several days before the second insult. Here we report on changes in the distribution and the levels of protein kinase Cgamma (PKCgamma) in nonconditioned and preconditioned rat hippocampal CA1 and neocortex regions after a 9 min ischemic episode induced by two-vessel occlusion ischemia. At the end of the second ischemia we found significantly lower levels of PKCgamma in the CA1 region but not neocortex of preconditioned brains than in non-conditioned brains. Protein kinase Cgamma levels in both CA1 and neocortex decrease simultaneously in the cytosolic fractions. We conclude that PKCgamma is translocated to cell membranes during ischemia and is rapidly removed or degraded during the second otherwise lethal ischemic insult in preconditioned brains. The data suggest that ischemic preconditioning enhances downregulation of cell signaling mediated by PKCgamma and may thereby provide neuroprotection.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000079904900009

    View details for PubMedID 10321462

  • Changes in protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the rat brain after cerebral ischemia in a model of ischemic tolerance JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM Shamloo, M., Wieloch, T. 1999; 19 (2): 173-183

    Abstract

    A brief period of sublethal cerebral ischemia, followed by several days of recovery, renders the brain resistant to a subsequent lethal ischemic insult, a phenomenon termed ischemic preconditioning or tolerance. Ischemic tolerance was established in the rat two-vessel occlusion model of ischemia, induced by occlusion of both carotid arteries in combination with hypotension. Ischemic preconditioning (3 minutes) provided maximal neuroprotection when induced 2 days prior to a lethal ischemic insult of 9-minute duration. Neuroprotection persisted for at least 8 weeks. Since neurotransmission has been implicated in ischemic cell death, the effect of ischemic preconditioning on tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins and on the levels of glutamate receptor subunits in hippocampus and neocortex was studied. Regional levels of tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in general and the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR2 in particular are markedly enhanced after ischemia in nonconditioned brains, in both the synaptosomal fraction and the whole-tissue homogenate of rat neocortex and hippocampus, but recover to control levels only in the preconditioned brain. Ischemic preconditioning selectively induces a decrease in the levels of the NR2A and NR2B subunits and a modest decrease in the levels of NR1 subunit proteins in the synaptosomal fraction of the neocortex but not hippocampus after the second lethal ischemia. It was concluded that ischemic preconditioning prevents a persistent change in cell signaling as evidenced by the tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins after the second lethal ischemic insult, which may abrogate the activation of detrimental cellular processes leading to cell death.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000079669300009

    View details for PubMedID 10027773

  • Activation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase cascade in the hippocampal CA1 region in a rat model of global cerebral ischemic preconditioning NEUROSCIENCE Shamloo, M., Rytter, A., Wieloch, T. 1999; 93 (1): 81-88

    Abstract

    A short period of sublethal preconditioning ischemia (3 min) followed by two days of reperfusion provides almost complete protection against ischemic cell death induced by a second (9 min) lethal ischemic episode. Here, we have investigated the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, two kinases known to activate gene transcription and to be of importance for cell survival, after sublethal preconditioning ischemia in the rat hippocampal CA1 region. The activation levels of these two kinases were also studied after a second ischemic episode both in preconditioned and nonconditioned brains. An increased phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase was found in neuronal cell bodies, particularly in the nucleus, 30 min, 4 h and two days of reperfusion after preconditioning ischemia. Two days after preconditioning ischemia both extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase were markedly phosphorylated. During the early reperfusion period (30 min) after the second ischemic insult the phosphorylation levels of these two kinases were increased in both nonconditioned and preconditioned brains. In the late reperfusion time (one day), the phosphorylation levels of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase were decreased in preconditioned brains, but remained elevated in nonconditioned brains. We conclude that phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase after sublethal ischemia correlates with the neuroprotection induced by preconditioning, possibly by transcriptional activation of neuroprotective genes. Also, preconditioning enhances normalization of the disturbed cell signaling through the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase cascade induced by lethal ischemia.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000081196200007

    View details for PubMedID 10430472

  • Regional selective neuronal degeneration after protein phosphatase inhibition in hippocampal slice cultures: Evidence for a MAP kinase-dependent mechanism JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE Runden, E., SEGLEN, P. O., Haug, F. M., Ottersen, O. P., Wieloch, T., Shamloo, M., Laake, J. H. 1998; 18 (18): 7296-7305

    Abstract

    The regional selectivity and mechanisms underlying the toxicity of the serine/threonine protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) were investigated in hippocampal slice cultures. Image analysis of propidium iodide-labeled cultures revealed that okadaic acid caused a dose- and time-dependent injury to hippocampal neurons. Pyramidal cells in the CA3 region and granule cells in the dentate gyrus were much more sensitive to okadaic acid than the pyramidal cells in the CA1 region. Electron microscopy revealed ultrastructural changes in the pyramidal cells that were not consistent with an apoptotic process. Treatment with okadaic acid led to a rapid and sustained tyrosine phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1 and ERK2 (p44/42(mapk)). The phosphorylation was markedly reduced after treatment of the cultures with the microbial alkaloid K-252a (a nonselective protein kinase inhibitor) or the MAP kinase kinase (MEK1/2) inhibitor PD98059. K-252a and PD98059 also ameliorated the okadaic acid-induced cell death. Inhibitors of protein kinase C, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, or tyrosine kinase were ineffective. These results indicate that sustained activation of the MAP kinase pathway, as seen after e.g., ischemia, may selectively harm specific subsets of neurons. The susceptibility to MAP kinase activation of the CA3 pyramidal cells and dentate granule cells may provide insight into the observed relationship between cerebral ischemia and dementia in Alzheimer's disease.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000075893000023

    View details for PubMedID 9736650

  • Sublethal in vitro glucose-oxygen deprivation protects cultured hippocampal neurons against a subsequent severe insult NEUROREPORT Khaspekov, L., Shamloo, M., Victorov, I., Wieloch, T. 1998; 9 (7): 1273-1276

    Abstract

    Rat and gerbil hippocampus exposed to a sublethal period of ischemia becomes resistant to a subsequent period of lethal ischemia induced several days later, a phenomenon referred to as ischemic preconditioning. Here we describe ischemic preconditioning induced in vitro in cultured hippocampal neurons. Mixed neuroglial hippocampal cell cultures of 14-17 DIV were exposed to a combined glucose and oxygen deprivation (GOD). Cultures subjected to 90 min, but not 60 min, of GOD showed extensive degeneration after a 1 day recovery period. An episode of 60 min of preconditioning GOD followed 1 and 2 days later by 90 min of GOD resulted in 40-60% protection. The data demonstrate that ischemic preconditioning can be mimicked in an in vitro hippocampal cell culture system.

    View details for Web of Science ID 000074000000004

    View details for PubMedID 9631411

  • Preconditioning depresses excitatory cell signaling following the second ischemic insult 2nd International Workshop on the Maturation Phenomenon in Cerebral Ischemia - Neuronal Recovery and Plasticity Shamloo, M., Wieloch, T. SPRINGER-VERLAG BERLIN. 1997: 77–84

    View details for Web of Science ID A1997BH47B00010

  • Effects of preischemic hyperglycemia on brain damage incurred by rats subjected to 2.5 or 5 minutes of forebrain ischemia STROKE Li, P. A., Kristian, T., Shamloo, M., Siesjo, B. K. 1996; 27 (9): 1592-1601

    Abstract

    The objective of this study was to explore whether preischemic hyperglycemia, which is known to aggravate brain damage due to transient global or forebrain ischemia of intermediate duration (10 to 20 minutes), increases the density of selective neuronal necrosis, as observed primarily in the CA1 sector of the hippocampus after brief periods of forebrain ischemia in rats (2.5 and 5 minutes).Anesthetized rats were subjected to two-vessel forebrain ischemia of 2.5- or 5-minute duration. Normoglycemic or hyperglycemic rats were either allowed a recovery period of 7 days for histopathological evaluation of neuronal necrosis in the hippocampus, isocortex, thalamus, and substantia nigra or were used for recording of extracellular concentrations of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c), K+, or H+, together with the direct current (DC) potential.Ischemia of 2.5- or 5-minute duration gave rise to similar damage in the CA1 sector of the hippocampus in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic groups (10% to 15% and 20% to 30% of the total population, respectively). However, in hyperglycemic animals subjected to 2.5 minutes of ischemia, CA1 neurons never depolarized and [Ca2+]c did not decrease. In the 5-minute groups, the total period of depolarization was 2 to 3 minutes shorter in hyperglycemic than in normoglycemic groups. This fact and results showing neocortical, thalamic, and substantia nigra damage in hyperglycemic animals after 5 minutes of ischemia demonstrate that although hyperglycemia delays the onset of ischemic depolarization and hastens repolarization and extrusion of Ca2+, it aggravates neuronal damage due to ischemia.These results reinforce the concept that hyperglycemia exaggerates brain damage due to transient ischemia and prove that this exaggeration is observed at the neuronal level. The results also suggest that the concept of the duration of an ischemic transient should be qualified, particularly if ischemia is brief, ie. < 10 minutes in duration.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996VF03200027

    View details for PubMedID 8784135

  • THE INFLUENCE OF INSULIN-INDUCED HYPOGLYCEMIA ON THE CALCIUM TRANSIENTS ACCOMPANYING REVERSIBLE FOREBRAIN ISCHEMIA IN THE RAT EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH Li, P. A., Kristian, T., Katsura, K. I., Shamloo, M., Siesjo, B. K. 1995; 105 (3): 363-369

    Abstract

    The primary objective of this study was to explore why preischemic hypoglycemia, which restricts tissue acidosis during the ischemic insult, does not ameliorate cell damage incurred as a result of transient ischemia. The question arose whether hypoglycemia (plasma glucose concentration 2-3 mM) delays resumption of extrusion of Ca2+ from cells during recirculation. Measurements of extracellular Ca2+ concentration during forebrain ischemia of 15 min duration proved that this was the case. Thus, normoglycemic animals resumed Ca2+ extrusion upon recirculation after a delay of 1.5-2.0 min, and hypoglycemic ones after an additional delay which could amount to 3-4 min. We attempted to explore the cause of this delay. At first sight, the results suggested that resumption of oxidative phosphorylation upon recirculation was substrate limited. However, glucose infusion during ischemia or just after recirculation failed to accelerate Ca2+ extrusion from the cells. A comparison between non-injected and insulin-injected animals at equal plasma glucose concentrations suggested that insulin was responsible for the delay. On analysis, the delay proved to be related to a sluggish recovery of cerebral blood flow. The results suggest that when cell damage is evaluated after transient ischemia in hypo- and normoglycemic subjects, attention should be directed to the period of cell calcium 'overload'. Unobserved differences in the duration of the calcium transient may also confound interpretation of data on the effects of insulin.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1995RT05500003

    View details for PubMedID 7498390

  • CRITICAL-VALUES FOR PLASMA-GLUCOSE IN AGGRAVATING ISCHEMIC BRAIN-DAMAGE - CORRELATION TO EXTRACELLULAR PH NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE Li, P. A., Shamloo, M., Katsura, K., Smith, M. L., Siesjo, B. K. 1995; 2 (2): 97-108

    Abstract

    The objective of the present experiments was to characterize conditions under which pre-ischaemic hyperglycaemia aggravates brain damage following transient forebrain ischaemia. Specifically, we wished to explore whether accentuated damage is a threshold function of plasma glucose concentration or pH, as assessed by measurements of extracellular pH (pHe). Forebrain ischaemia of 10 min duration was induced in rats at varying degrees of hyperglycaemia, with continuous measurements of pHe, and the animals were allowed to survive for 7 days before histopathological evaluation of the density and distribution of brain damage. Ischaemic brain damage appeared as a threshold function of plasma glucose concentration. At values of 4-6 mM virtually no damage was observed in any other structure than the CA1 sector of the hippocampus and, even in that structure, damage was variable. At glucose concentrations of 8-12 mM moderate damage was observed infrequently in caudoputamen, parietal cortex, and thalamus. At values above 12 mM, damage increased dramatically in these areas, and additional structures were recruited in the damage process (cingulate cortex, the CA3 sector of the hippocampus, and substantia nigra). Measurements of pHe in parietal cortex showed a threshold for seizure induction at values of 6.4-6.5, probably corresponding to intracellular pH values of 6.2-6.3. The threshold for aggravation of histopathological damage was similar. It is concluded that a moderate increase in plasma glucose in the threshold range predisposes the tissue to aggravated damage, probably by activating biochemical reactions or pathophysiological events with a steep pH dependence.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1995TA63500004

    View details for PubMedID 8980013

  • THE INFLUENCE OF PLASMA-GLUCOSE CONCENTRATIONS ON ISCHEMIC BRAIN-DAMAGE IS A THRESHOLD FUNCTION NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS Li, P. A., Shamloo, M., Smith, M. L., Katsura, K., Siesjo, B. K. 1994; 177 (1-2): 63-65

    Abstract

    To investigate whether aggravation of damage in hyperglycemic subjects is a continuous function of changes in intra- and extracellular pH during ischemia or whether there is a threshold value, preischemic plasma glucose was varied from 8.3-20.0 mM. 10 min forebrain ischemia was induced. The results showed that no animal with plasma glucose of < 13 mM developed seizures, and that all animals with glucose of > 16 mM died in status epilepticus. Half of the animals with plasma glucose in the range of 13-16 mM showed seizures and 50% of these died. In surviving animals, histological brain damage occurred in the hippocampal CA3 sector, cingulate cortex, thalamic nuclei and substantia nigra, structures normally not injured by 10 min ischemia. The data demonstrate that there is a glucose threshold of 10-13 mM, above which seizures develop and additional damage appears, and another one (> 16 mM), above which seizures are invariably fatal.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1994PE81000016

    View details for PubMedID 7824184