The role of purinergic receptors in neural repair and regeneration after spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury is a serious injury of the central nervous system that results in neurological deficits.The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying spinal cord injury,as well as the mechanisms involved in neural repair and regeneration,are highly complex.Although there have been many studies on these mechanisms,there is no effective intervention for such injury.In spinal cord injury,neural repair and regeneration is an important part of improving neurological function after injury,although the low regenerative ability of nerve cells and the difficulty in axonal and myelin regeneration after spinal cord injury hamper functional recovery.Large amounts of ATP and its metabolites are released after spinal cord injury and participate in various aspects of functional regulation by acting on purinergic receptors which are widely expressed in the spinal cord.These processes mediate intracellular and extracellular signalling pathways to improve neural repair and regeneration after spinal cord injury.This article reviews research on the mechanistic roles of purinergic receptors in spinal cord injury,highlighting the potential role of purinergic receptors as interventional targets for neural repair and regeneration after spinal cord injury.

Purinergic Receptors in Basal Ganglia Diseases:Shared Molecular Mechanisms between Huntington’s and Parkinson’s Disease

Huntington’s(HD)and Parkinson’s diseases(PD)are neurodegenerative disorders caused by the death of GABAergic and dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia leading to hyperkinetic and hypokinetic symptoms,respectively.We review here the participation of purinergic receptors through intracellular Ca^2+signaling in these neurodegenerative diseases.The adenosine A2A receptor stimulates striatopallidal GABAergic neurons,resulting in inhibitory actions on GABAergic neurons of the globus pallidus.A2A and dopamine D2 receptors form functional heteromeric complexes inducing allosteric inhibition,and A2A receptor activation results in motor inhibition.Furthermore,the A2A receptor physically and functionally interacts with glutamate receptors,mainly with the mGlu5 receptor subtype.This interaction facilitates glutamate release,resulting in NMDA glutamate receptor activation and an increase of Ca2+influx.P2X7 receptor activation also promotes glutamate release and neuronal damage.Thus,modulation of purinergic receptor activity,such as A2A and P2X7 receptors,and subsequent aberrant Ca^2+signaling,might present interesting therapeutic potential for HD and PD.

Electroacupuncture diminishes P2X_2 and P2X_3 purinergic receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia of rats with visceral hypersensitivity

Electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu （ST37） and Tianshu （ST25） can improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats. Colorectal distension was used to establish a rat model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia from rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Results demonstrated that abdominal withdrawal reflex scores obviously increased following establishment of the model, indicating visceral hypersensitivity. Simultaneously, P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression increased in dorsal root ganglia. After bilateral electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu and Tianshu, abdominal withdrawal reflex scores and P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression decreased in rats with visceral hypersensitivity. These results indicated that electroacupuncture treatment improved visceral hypersensitivity in rats with irritable bowel syndrome by reducing P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia.

P2Y1 receptor in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent form of dementia characterized by the deposition of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau.Targeting amyloid-beta plaques has been a primary direction for developing Alzheimer’s disease treatments in the last decades.However,existing drugs targeting amyloid-beta plaques have not fully yielded the expected results in the clinic,necessitating the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies.Increasing evidence unravels that astrocyte morphology and function alter in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients,with dysregulated astrocytic purinergic receptors,particularly the P2Y1 receptor,all of which constitute the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease.These receptors are not only crucial for maintaining normal astrocyte function but are also highly implicated in neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease.This review delves into recent insights into the association between P2Y1 receptor and Alzheimer’s disease to underscore the potential neuroprotective role of P2Y1 receptor in Alzheimer’s disease by mitigating neuroinflammation,thus offering promising avenues for developing drugs for Alzheimer’s disease and potentially contributing to the development of more effective treatments.

Purinergic contraction of the rat vas deferens in L-NAME-induced hypertension：effect of sildenafil

Hypertension （HTN） is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction, but its effect on vas deferens （VD） contractility and the ejaculatory response has not been delineated. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester （L-NAME）, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, was used for induction of nitric oxide （NO）-deficient HTN. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of L-NAME-induced HTN on rat VD contractility and to determine whether sildenafil affects VD contractility. A total of 36 male rats were divided into （1） control, （2）L-NAME-HTN, （3） sildenafil treated L-NAME-HTN groups. Group 2 was treated with L-NAME （40 mg kgI per day） in drinking water for 4 weeks. Group 3 received sildenafil （1.5 mg kg^-1 per day, by oral gavage） concomitantly with L-NAME. The prostatic portion of the VD was subjected to electrical field stimulation （EFS, 1-20 Hz）, and the P2X1 agonist α,β-methylene ATP （α,β meATP, 100 μmol L^-1-1 μmol L-1） and the al-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine （Phe, 100 μmol L^-1-1 mmol L^-1） were used to construct concentration-response curves. These experiments were repeated in the presence of P2X receptor antagonist, pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2＇,4＇-disulfonic acid （PPADS, 30 μmol L-1）. VD contractions in response to EFS, a,β-meATP and Phe were significantly enhanced by L-NAME. Sildenafil treatment in the L-NAME group improved the contractile response of VD to EFS （20 Hz）. In the presence of PPADS, the enhanced contractile response of VD to EFS and a,β-meATP in hypertensive rats was reversed. In the rat model of chronic NO depletion, the purinergic and adrenergic components and EFS affect VD contractility. The VD contractile response may be mediated more by the purinergic system than the adrenergic system, and sildenafil may alter the ejaculatory response in men with PE.

Changes in P2Y purinoreceptor-mediated intracellular calcium signal pathways results in inositol-1, 4, 5-triphosphate-sensitive calcium stores in rat small trigeminal ganglion neurons

BACKGROUND： Most of the currently available information on purinergic receptors （P2Rs） involved in pain transmission is based on results obtained in dorsal root ganglion or the spinal cord. However, the mechanism of P2Rs in trigeminal neuralgia remains unclear. OBJECTIVE： To investigate changes in the P2R-mediated calcium signaling pathway in nociceptive trigemJnal ganglion neurons. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： In vitro experiments were conducted at the Patch-Clamp Laboratory of Comprehensive Experiment Center of Anhui Medical University, China from September 2008 to June 2009. MATERIALS： Thapsigargin, caffeine, suramin, and adenosine 5＇-triphosphate were purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS： Using Fura-2-based microfluorimetry, intracellular calcium concentration （[Ca^2＋]i） was measured in freshly isolated adult rat small trigeminal ganglion neurons before and after drug application. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Fluorescent intensities were expressed as the ratio F340/F380 to observe [Ca^2＋]i changes. RESULTS： In normal extracellular solution and Ca^2＋-free solution, application of thapsigargin （1 μmol/L）, a sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca^2＋ pump adenosine 5＇-triphosphate inhibitor, as well as caffeine （20 mmol/L）, a ryanodine receptor agonist, triggered [Ca^2＋]i increase in small trigeminal ganglion neurons. A similar response was induced by application of adenosine 5＇-triphosphate （100 μmol/L）. In Ca^2＋-free conditions, adenosine 5＇-triphosphate-induced [Ca^2＋]i transients in small trigeminal ganglion neurons were inhibited in cells pre-treated with thapsigargin （P 〈 0.01）, but not by caffeine （P 〉 0.05）. In normal, extracellular solution, adenosine 5＇-triphosphate-induced [Ca^2＋]i transients in small trigeminal ganglion neurons were partly inhibited in cells pre-treated with thapsigargin （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Inositol-1,4, 5-triphosphate （IP3）- and ryanodine-sensitive Ca^2＋ stores exist in rat nociceptive trigeminal ganglion neurons. Two pathways are involved in the purinoreceptor-mediated [Ca^2＋]i rise observed in nociceptive trigeminal ganglion neurons. One pathway involves the metabotropic P2Y receptors, which are associated with the IP3 sensitive Ca^2＋store, and the second pathway is coupled to ionotropic P2X receptors that induce the Ca^2＋ influx.

Ecto-F_1-ATPase: A moonlighting protein complex and an unexpected apoA-I receptor

Mitochondrial ATP synthase has been recently detected at the surface of different cell types, where it is a high affinity receptor for apoA-I, the major protein component in high density lipoproteins (HDL). Cell surface ATP synthase (namely ecto-F1-ATPase) expression is related to different biological effects, such as regulation of HDL uptake by hepatocytes, endothelial cell proliferation or antitumor activity of Vγ9/Vδ2 T lymphocytes. This paper reviews the recently discovered functions and regulations of ecto-F1-ATPase. Particularly, the role of the F1-ATPase pathway(s) in HDL-cholesterol uptake and apoA-Imediated endothelial protection suggests its potential importance in reverse cholesterol transport and its regulation might represent a potential therapeutic target for HDL-related therapy for cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is timely for us to better understand how this ecto-enzyme and downstream pathways are regulated and to develop pharmacologic interventions.

THE CORRELATIVITY ANALYSIS OF SIX METHODS OF DETECTING APOPTOSIS

The aim of this study was to compare six methods of detecting apoptosis induced by extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in human leukemic lymphocytes with purinergic P2Z receptors.These methods used were electron microscopy(EM), detection of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis, autoradiographic analysis of DNA fragmentation, in situ labeling of DNA strand breaks with fluorescein dUTP and exogenous terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TUNEL), quantitation of 3 ends of DNA breaks by labeling with α 32 PdCTP(TdT assay), and quantitation of apoptotic cells with fluorescein annexin V using flow cytometry(FCA).We found EM and detection of DNA ladder pattern by agarose gel electrophoresis to be specific,but lacking in sensitivity. The combination of autoradiography and gel electrophoresis gave an increase in sensitivity of at least 50 fold although, of all the methods, the TdT assay was shown to be most sensitive. The four methods for quantifying apoptosis EM, FCA, TUNEL and TdT assay proved to be reliable and gave statistically similar results on apoptotic lymphocytes. These observations indicate it is essential to combine specific, sensitive and quantitative techniques in detecting apoptosis.

Adenosine triphosphate mediates the pain tolerance effect of manual acupuncture at Zusanli(ST36) in mice

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanisms behind the effects of acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine,we delved into the adenosine triphosphate/peripheral purinergic P2X receptor 3(ATP/P2X3)receptor signaling system as an indicator of the body's energy state,commonly referred to as"Qi".METHODS:The tail-flick test was utilized to explore the impact of acupuncture on pain tolerance threshold(PTT)in mice,while also assessing adenosine(ADO)levels and adenylate energy charge(EC)at Zusanli(ST36).The study further investigated the dose-dependent effects of acupuncture on PTT and ADO levels at Zusanli(ST36).To shed light on the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture's effects,the study examined the impact of ATP,a P2X3 receptor antagonist,and adenosine disodium on PTT following acupuncture administration.RESULTS:Acupuncture at Zusanli(ST36)led to significant improvements in PTT in mice,with the most effective interventions being twirling for 2 min and needle retention for 28 min.These interventions also resulted in significant increases in ATP levels.The effects of acupuncture were further augmented by administration of different doses of ATP at Zusanli(ST36),and pretreatment with a P2X3 receptor antagonist decreased PTT.Adenylate EC peaked at 30 min after intraperitoneal injection of ATP,and pretreatment with various doses of i.p.ATP 30 min prior to acupuncture increased PTT in a dose-dependent manner.Additionally,pretreatment with an i.p.or intramuscular injection of adenosine disodium enhanced the effects of acupuncture.CONCLUSION:This research provides compelling evidence that ATP is involved in the regulation of PTT through acupuncture,revealing new avenues for achieving enhanced clinical outcomes.

Regulatory effect of mild moxibustion on P2X3 receptors in spinal cord,anterior cingulate cortex and thalamic ventral posterolateral nucleus of rats with IBS visceral hyperalgesia

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of mild moxibustion on irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)visceral hyperalgesia model rats and its regulatory effect on P2X3 receptors in the spinal cord,anterior cingutate cortex(ACC)and thalamic ventral posterolateral nucleus(VPL).Methods Thirty 8-day-old newborn rats were randomly divided into a normal group(n=6)and a modeling group(n=24)according to the completely random number table method.Rats in the normal group were bred routinely,and those in the modeling group were subjected to preparing IBS chronic visceral hyperalgesia model using colorectal distention(CRD)in stimulation method.Rats successfully modelled were re-divided into a model group,a mild moxibustion group,a P2X3 receptor antagonist group,and a normal saline group according to the completely random number table method with 6 rats in each group.Rats in each group received corresponding interventions from the 37-day old,once a day for 7 consecutive days.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays were used to detect P2X3 protein expressions in the spinal cord,ACC and VPL of rats.Results Under different intensities of CRD stimulation,the abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR)scores of the model group were significantly increased versus the normal group(all P<0.05);the AWR scores of the mild moxibustion group and the P2X3 receptor antagonist group were significantly reduced versus the model group(all P<0.01).The P2X3 protein expressions in rat spinal cord,ACC and VPL tissues of the model group were significantly increased versus the normal group(all P<0.01);the P2X3 protein expressions in rat spinal cord,ACC and VPL tissues of the mild moxibustion group and the P2X3 receptor antagonist group were significantly reduced versus the model group(all P<0.01).Conclusion Mild moxibustion can inhibit the P2X3 receptor expressions in the spinal cord,ACC,and VPL tissues of IBS visceral hyperalgesia model rats,which may be the mechanism of mild moxibustion in relieving the central sensitization of rats with IBS visceral hyperalgesia.

高压氧后处理对神经病理性痛大鼠脊髓背角及海马P2X4受体表达的影响

目的 评价高压氧后处理对神经病理性痛大鼠脊髓背角及海马P2X4受体表达的影响.方法 雄性SD大鼠72只,8～10周龄,体重300 ～ 350 g,采用随机数字表法,将其分为3组（n=24）：假手术组（S组）、神经病理性痛组（NP组）和高压氧后处理组（H组）.采用坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤法制备大鼠神经病理性痛模型.H组于模型制备后1d时行高压氧处理,以10 kPa/min的速率向舱内加压至2个标准大气压时,保持压力60 min,随后以10 kPa/min的速率减压至正常,1次/d,连续7d.于模型制备前1d及模型制备后1、3、7、14d时测定机械缩足反应阈和热缩足反应潜伏期,测定结束后,每组取6只大鼠,取L4-6节段脊髓及海马组织,采用免疫组化法测定P2X4受体表达.结果 与S组比较,NP组和H组MWT降低,TWL缩短,脊髓背角及海马P2X4受体表达上调（P＜0.05）;与NP组比较,H组MWT升高,TWL延长,脊髓背角及海马P2X4受体表达下调（P＜0.05）.结论 高压氧后处理通过下调脊髓背角及海马P2X4受体表达,减轻大鼠神经病理性痛.

Extracellular ADP facilitates monocyte recruitment in bacterial infection via ERK signaling

As the most prominent clinical drug targets for the inhibition of platelet aggregation, P2Y12 and P2Y13 have been found to be highly expressed in both platelets and macrophages. However, the roles and function of P2Y12/13 in the regulation of macrophage-mediated innate immune responses remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP), the endogenous ligand of P2Y1, P2Y12 and P2Y13, was released both in E. coli-infected mice and from macrophages treated with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Pam3CSK4. Furthermore, the expression of P2Y13 was clearly increased in both LPS-treated macrophages and tuberculosis patients. ADP protected mice from E. coli 0111-induced peritonitis by recruiting more macrophages to the infected sites. Consistent with this, ADP and ADP-treated cell culture medium attracted more macrophages in the transwell assay by enhancing the expression of MCP-1. Nevertheless, P2Y1 is dispensable for ADP-mediated protection against bacterial infection. However, either P2Y12/P2Y13 deficiency or blocking the downstream signaling of P2Y12/P2Y13 blocked the ADP-mediated immune response and allowed more bacteria to persist in the infected mice. Furthermore, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation was clearly increased by ADP, and this type of activation could be blocked by either forskolin or analogs of cyclic AMP (cAMP) (for example, 8-bromo-cAMP). Accordingly, ADP-induced MCP-1 production and protection against bacterial infection could also be reduced by U0126, forskolin and 8-bromo-cAMP. Overall, our study reveals a relationship between danger signals and innate immune responses, which suggests the potential therapeutic significance of ADP-mediated purinergic signaling in infectious diseases.

The mechanisms of nucleotide actions in insulin resistance

Insulin resistance contributes to metabolic disorders in obesity and type 2 diabetes.In mechanisms of insulin resistance,the roles of glucose,fatty acids,and amino acids have been extensively documented in literature.However,the activities of nucleotides remain to be reviewed comprehensively in the regulation of insulin sensitivity.Nucleotides are well known for their activities in biosynthesis of DNA and RNA as well as their signaling activities in the form of c AMP and c GAMP.Their activities in insulin resistance are dependent on the derivatives and corresponding receptors.ATP and NADH,derivatives of adenosine,inhibit insulin signaling inside cells by downregulation of activities of AMPK and SIRT1,respectively.ATP,ADP and AMP,the well-known energy carriers,regulate cellular responses to insulin outside cells through the purinergic receptors in cell surface.Current evidence suggests that ATP,NADH,c GAMP,and uridine are potential biomarkers of insulin resistance.However,GTP and c GMP are likely the markers of insulin sensitization.Here,studies crossing the biomedical fields are reviewed to characterize nucleotide activities in the regulation of insulin sensitivity.The knowledge brings new insights into the mechanisms of insulin resistance.

Esculin alleviates acute kidney injury and inflammation induced by LPS in mice and its possible mechanism

Acute kidney injury(AKI)is a common clinical serious illness.Esculin(ES)is a coumarin compound of traditional Chinese medicine Cortex Fraxini.Our previous study has found that ES protects against inflammation and renal damage in diabetic rats.In the present study,we aimed to investigate the effects and the possible mechanism of ES against lipopolysaccharides(LPS)-induced AKI in mice.Renal morphology was observed by H&E staining.Renal function was evaluated by blood urea nitrogen(BUN)level and creatinine content in serum.Inflammatory factor levels were measured by ELISA assay.The inflammatory proteins were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis.The results showed that ES alleviated LPS-induced pathological injury and renal dysfunction,and decreased BUN level and creatinine content in serum.In addition,ES significantly reduced the release of pro-inflammatory factors,including IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α,chemokine MCP-1 and cell adhesion molecule ICAM-1.Furthermore,the expressions of inflammatory pathway proteins P2 X7,HMGB1,TLR4 and MyD88 both at the mRNA and protein levels were all down-regulated by ES in the kidney tissue of LPS-challenged mice.These results suggested ES protected against LPS-induced AKI through inhibiting P2 X7 expression and HMGB1/TLR4 inflammatory pathway.

Targeting GATA1 and p2x7r Locus Binding in Spinal Astrocytes Suppresses Chronic Visceral Pain by Promoting DNA Demethylation

Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder of unknown etiology characterized by widespread,chronic abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements.Increasing amounts of evidence indicate that injury and inflammation during the neonatal period have long-term effects on tissue structure and function in the adult that may predispose to gastrointestinal diseases.In this study we aimed to investigate how the epigenetic regulation of DNA demethylation of the p2x7r locus guided by the transcription factor GATA binding protein 1(GATA1)in spinal astrocytes affects chronic visceral pain in adult rats with neonatal colonic inflammation(NCI).The spinal GATA1 targeting to DNA demethylation of p2x7r locus in these rats was assessed by assessing GATA1 function with luciferase assay,chromatin immunoprecipitation,patch clamp,and interference in vitro and in vivo.In addition,a decoy oligodeoxynucleotide was designed and applied to determine the influence of GATA1 on the DNA methylation of a p2x7r CpG island.We showed that NCI caused the induction of GATA1,Ten-eleven translocation 3(TET3),and purinergic receptors(P2X7Rs)in astrocytes of the spinal dorsal horn,and demonstrated that inhibiting these molecules markedly increased the pain threshold,inhibited the activation of astrocytes,and decreased the spinal sEPSC frequency.NCI also markedly demethylated the p2x7r locus in a manner dependent on the enhancement of both a GATA1–TET3 physical interaction and GATA1 binding at the p2x7r promoter.Importantly,we showed that demethylation of the p2x7r locus(and the attendant increase in P2X7R expression)was reversed upon knockdown of GATA1 or TET3 expression,and demonstrated that a decoy oligodeoxynucleotide that selectively blocked the GATA1 binding site increased the methylation of a CpG island in the p2x7r promoter.These results demonstrate that chronic visceral pain is mediated synergistically by GATA1 and TET3 via a DNA-demethylation mechanism that controls p2x7r transcription in spinal dorsal horn astrocytes,and provide a potential therapeutic strategy by targeting GATA1 and p2x7r locus binding.

P2嘌呤受体在大鼠耳蜗发育中的差异表达及其意义

三磷酸腺苷作为一种重要的神经递质,参与耳蜗内各种细胞的生理功能,并可通过P2嘌呤受体介导的信号转导发挥作用.现就P2嘌呤受体介导的信号转导、在不同发育阶段大鼠耳蜗中的差异表达及其在耳蜗发育中的作用进行介绍,以期为研究耳蜗发育机制提供新的思路和方法.