• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.26.1-26.11
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• 2023

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) inhibits the catalysis of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and the degradation of substance P (SP) and bradykinin (BK). While the possible relationship between ACEi and SP in nociceptive mice was recently suggested, the effect of ACEi on signal transduction in astrocytes remains unclear. Objectives: This study examined whether ACE inhibition with captopril or enalapril modulates the levels of SP and BK in primary cultured astrocytes and whether this change modulates PKC isoforms (PKCα, PKCβI, and PKCε) expression in cultured astrocytes. Methods: Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis were performed to examine the changes in the levels of SP and BK and the expression of the PKC isoforms in primary cultured astrocytes, respectively. Results: The treatment of captopril or enalapril increased the immunoreactivity of SP and BK significantly in glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cultured astrocytes. These increases were suppressed by a pretreatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme. In addition, treatment with captopril increased the expression of the PKCβI isoform in cultured astrocytes, while there were no changes in the expression of the PKCα and PKCε isoforms after the captopril treatment. The captopril-induced increased expression of the PKCβI isoform was inhibited by a pretreatment with the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, L-733,060, the BK B1 receptor antagonist, R 715, or the BK B₂ receptor antagonist, HOE 140. Conclusions: These results suggest that ACE inhibition with captopril or enalapril increases the levels of SP and BK in cultured astrocytes and that the activation of SP and BK receptors mediates the captopril-induced increase in the expression of the PKCβI isoform.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.224-228
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• 2004

Background: The expression of BRG1 associated factors (BAF) 155 and BAF 170 in response to $IFN-{\gamma}$ or $TNF-{\alpha}$ was studied in astrocytoma cell lines and primary astrocytes. BAFs are complexed with BRG1 and are also associated with activated glucocorticoid for glucocorticoid trans-activation. Methods: $IFN-{\gamma}$ was pretreated for 18 hrs and cells were incubated with IL-1 or $TNF-{\alpha}$ for 72 hrs or 96 hrs with different concentrations of steroid. Cell death was measured by LDH assay. BAF expression was assayed by RT-PCR. Results: $IFN-{\gamma}$ increased cell death by dexamethasone in LN215 cells but not in LN319 cells. The $IFN-{\gamma}$ increased the expression of BAF 155 and BAF 170 in adult astrocytes and LN215 cells, but $IFN-{\gamma}$ decreased the expression of BAF 155/170 in LN319 cells. The effect of $IFN-{\gamma}$ on the expression of BAF was not as clear in fetal astrocytes as it was in adult astrocytes. Conclusion: Our results suggest cytokines produced during immune reaction or immunotherapy may modulate steroid susceptibility of astrocytes and astrocytoma cells by influencing the expression of BAFs.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.124-130
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• 2008

Astrocyte ion channels participate in ionic homeostasis in the brain. Inward rectifying potassium channels (Kir channels) in astrocytes have been particularly implicated in $K^+$ homeostasis because of their high open probability at resting potential and their increased conductance at high concentrations of extracellular $K^+$. We examined the expression of the Kir2.1 subunit, one of the Kir channel subunits, in the mouse brain by immunohistochemistry. Kir2.1 channels were widely distributed throughout the brain, with high expression in the olfactory bulb and the cerebellum. Interestingly, they were abundantly expressed in astrocytes of the olfactory bulb, while astrocytes in other brain regions including the hippocampus did not show any detectable expression. However, Kir2.1 channel-expressing cells were dramatically increased in the hippocampus by kainic acid-induced seizure and the cells were glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive, which confirms that astrocytes in the hippocampus express Kir2.1 channels under pathological conditions. Our results imply that Kir2.1 channels in astrocyte may be involved in buffering $K^+$ against accumulated extracellular $K^+$ caused by neuronal hyperexcitability under phathophysiological conditions.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2015

In the present study, we investigated the effect of staurosporine on the formation of cellular processes in human gingival fibroblasts and rat astrocytes. Staurosporine caused a rapid induction of process formation in human gingival fibroblasts and rat astrocytes in a concentration dependent manner. The process formation of human gingival fibroblasts and rat astrocytes was prevented by the pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine, suggesting that staurosporine-induced ROS production was responsible for the process formation. Colchicine, a microtubule depolymerizing agent, inhibited the staurosporine-induced process formation, whereas cytochalasin D, an actin filament breakdown agent, failed to suppress the formation of cellular processes. This result indicated that polymerization of microtubule, and not actin filament, was responsible for the formation of cellular processes induced by staurosporine. In support of this hypothesis, Western blot analysis was conducted using anti-tubulin antibody, and the results showed that the amount of polymerized microtubule was increased by the treatment with staurosporine while that of depolymerized beta-tubulin in soluble fraction was decreased. These results indicate that staurosporine induces ROS-mediated, microtubule-dependent formation of cellular processes in human gingival fibroblasts and rat astrocytes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.91-91
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• 2001

Nramp2, also known as DMT1 and DCT1, is a 12-transmembrane domain protein responsible for dietary iron uptake as well as metal ions such as lead, manganese, zinc, copper, nickel, cadmium, and cobalt. High expression of DMT1 increase lead uptake, and DMT1-dependent lead transport was H -dependent and inhibited by iron ions. The molecular mechanism of lead transport in CNS is as yet unknown. although interactions between iron and lead at the level of absorption have been known for some time. The process of lead uptake into astrocytes was not known yet. Nramp2 may mediate transport of heavy metal into astrocytes. We investigated whether Nramp2 mediate transport of lead into astrocytes. And we do whether Nramp2 was expressed highly by deprivation of iron in Astrocytes, and lead uptake into astrocytes was influenced by expression of Nramp2. Immortalized human fetal astrocyte(SV-FHA) cells were cultured in medium containing Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and treated with Deferoxamine. Northern blot analysis was done for determining mRNA level of DMT1 and lead uptake assay was done in incubation condition of pH 5.5 and 7.4.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.80-85
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• 2011

Ginseng, a traditional medicine in Asian countries, is known to prevent various neuropathologic diseases such as Alzheimer's. Ginseng total saponins (GTS) in particular are one of the most effective ginseng extract compounds for neuroprotection. However, their protective effects on astrocytes are rarely reported. In pathological circumstances, astroglial activation plays a pivotal role in neuroinflammation. Subsequently, neuroinflammation induced by activated astrocytes causes brain damage. The purpose of the present study was to determine the suppressive effects of GTS on astroglial activation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated rat primary astrocytes. Astrocytes treated for 24 h with LPS demonstrated suppressed glialfibrillary acidic protein expression in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of GTS. GTS reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-1${\beta}$ and inhibited the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-stimulated astrocytes. Furthermore, GTS suppressed intracellular reactive oxygen species production. These modulations due to GTS may indicate neuroprotective antiinfl ammatory properties which may in turn be related to improvements in neurological performance.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 1999

Interactions among dexamethasone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and antimycin A on the glutamate uptake and the polyamine uptake were investigated in primary cultures of rat cerebral cortical astrocytes to examine the effects of dexamethasone and DHEA on the regulatory role of astrocytes in conditions of increased extracellular concentrations of glutamate or polyamines. 1. $[^3H]Glutamate$ uptake: LPS and antimycin A decreased $V_{max},$ but both drugs had little effect on $K_m.$ Dexamethasone also decreased basal $V_{max}$ without any significant effect on $K_m.$ And dexamethasone further decreased the antimycin A-induced decrease of $V_{max}.$ DHEA did not affect the kinetics of basal glutamate uptake and the change by LPS or antimycin A. 2. $[^{14}C]Putrescine$ uptake: LPS increased $V_{max},$ and antimycin A decreased $V_{max}.$ They showed little effect on $K_m.$ Dexamethasone decreased $V_{max}$ of basal uptake and further decreased the antimycin A-induced decrease of $V_{max},$ and also decreased $V_{max}$ to less than control in LPS-treated astrocytes. DHEA did not affect $K_m$ and the change of $V_{max}$ by LPS or antimycin A. 3. $[^{14}C]Spermine$ uptake: Antimycin A decreased $V_{max},$ and LPS might increase $V_{max}.\;K_m$ was little affected by the drugs. Dexamethasone decreased basal $V_{max}$ and might further decrease the antimycin A-induced decrease of $V_{max}.$ And dexamethasone also decreased $V_{max}$ to less than control in LPS-treated astrocytes. DHEA might increase basal $V_{max}$ and $V_{max}$ of LPS-treated astrocytes. 4. $V_{max}$ of glutamate uptake by astrocytes was increased by putrescine (1000 ${\mu}M$ & 2000 ${\mu}M$) and spermidine (200 ${\mu}M,$ 500 ${\mu}M$ & 2000 ${\mu}M$). Spermine, 200 ${\mu}M$ (and 100 ${\mu}M$), also increased $V_{max},$ but a higher dose of 2000 ${\mu}M$ decreased $V_{max}.\;K_m$ of glutamate uptake was not significantly changed by these polyamines, except that higher doses of spermine showed tendency to decrease $K_m$ of glutamate uptake. In astrocytes, dexamethasone inhibited the glutamate uptake and the polyamine uptake in normal or hypoxic conditions, and the polyamine uptake might be stimulated by LPS and DHEA. Polyamines could aid astrocytes to uptake glutamate.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2004

In this study we investigated whether ATP loss was involved in the potentiated death of immunostimulated rat primary astrocytes in glucose-deprived condition. Rat primary astrocytes immunostimulated with LPS plus IFN-${\gamma}$ for 48 h underwent death upon glucose deprivation, which dependent on the production of peroxynitrite. Intracellular ATP level synergistically decreased by glucose deprivation in immunostimulated astrocytes but not in control cells, and the loss of ATP occurred well ahead of the LDH release. The synergistic cell death and ATP loss by immunostimulation and glucose deprivation were inhibited by iNOS inhibitor (L-NAME and L-NNA) or peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst (also a superoxide anion scavenger), Mn(III)tetrakis(N-methyl-4'-pyridyl)porphyrin (MnTMPyP). Exogenous addition of peroxynitrite generator, SIN-l timedependently induced ATP loss and cell death in the glucose-deprived astrocytes. Depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and dis겨ption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) were also observed under same conditions. Supply cellular ATP by the addition of exogenous adenosine or ATP during glucose deprivation inhibited ATP depletion, GSH depletion, MTP disruption and cell death in SIN-l treated or immunostimulated astrocytes. This study showed that perturbation in the regulation of intracellular ATP level in immunostimulated astrocytes might make them more vulnerable to energy challenging stimuli.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2004

Astrocytes play supportive roles for neurons in the brain. Recently, they have been accepted to have various functions in the vascular system as well as in the nervous system. We investigated the differential gene expression in rat astrocytes according to the oxygen tension, which is a crucial factor for angiogenesis. A cDNA microarray was performed to find the genes whose expression was sensitive to oxygen tension. We found 26 genes in the astrocyte were found and classified into 4 groups. In order to show the genes' relevancy to angiogenesis, seven of the 26 genes were investigated to see whether they have capabilities of interaction with angiogenesis­related factors in AngioDB. Through this investigation, we found interactions of three proteins with angiogenesis-related factors. These genes were further investigated with a new focus on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in an astrocyte based on our hypothesis that astrocytes can have effects on endothelial angiogenesis via the release of VEGF. Collectively, we identified several genes whose expressions were dependent on the oxygen concentration of the astrocyte. Furthermore, the relevancy of astrocytes to angiogenesis was investigated using preexisting information of AngioDB, and suggested a possible signaling pathway for VEGF expression in the aspects of brain endothelial angiogenesis by astrocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.283-289
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• 2019

Brain aging induces neuropsychological changes, such as decreased memory capacity, language ability, and attention; and is also associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, most of the studies on brain aging are focused on neurons, while senescence in astrocytes has received less attention. Astrocytes constitute the majority of cell types in the brain and perform various functions in the brain such as supporting brain structures, regulating blood-brain barrier permeability, transmitter uptake and regulation, and immunity modulation. Recent studies have shown that SIRT1 and SIRT2 play certain roles in cellular senescence in peripheral systems. Both SIRT1 and SIRT2 inhibitors delay tumor growth in vivo without significant general toxicity. In this study, we investigated the role of tenovin-1, an inhibitor of SIRT1 and SIRT2, on rat primary astrocytes where we observed senescence and other functional changes. Cellular senescence usually is characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest and induces senescence- associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal) activity. Tenovin-1-treated astrocytes showed increased SA-${\beta}$-gal-positive cell number, senescence-associated secretory phenotypes, including IL-6 and IL-$1{\beta}$, and cell cycle-related proteins like phospho-histone H3 and CDK2. Along with the molecular changes, tenovin-1 impaired the wound-healing activity of cultured primary astrocytes. These data suggest that tenovin-1 can induce cellular senescence in astrocytes possibly by inhibiting SIRT1 and SIRT2, which may play particular roles in brain aging and neurodegenerative conditions.