PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Makoto Tsuda

Publications and source records attributed to Makoto Tsuda.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Retinoic acids increase P2X2 receptor expression through the 5'-flanking region of P2rx2 gene in rat phaeochromocytoma PC-12 cells.

The P2X2 receptor is a subtype of ionotropic ATP receptor and plays a significant role in regulating fast synaptic transmission in the nervous system. Because the expression level of the P2X2 receptor is known to determine its channel properties and functional interactions with other neurotransmitter channels, elucidating the mechanisms underlying the regulation of P2X2 receptor expression in neuronal cells is important. Here, we identified three motifs that correspond to the retinoic acid response element in the 5'-flanking region of the rat P2X2 gene. In rat pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells, treatment with 9-cis-retinoic acid as well as all-trans-retinoic acid significantly increased the mRNA and protein level of P2X2 receptor. In addition, in PC-12 cells transiently transfected with a luciferase reporter gene driven by the promoter region of the rat P2X2 gene, both 9-cis-retinoic acid and all-trans-retinoic acid increased the luciferase activity, whereas their effects were diminished by truncation of the retinoic acid response elements in the promoter. Furthermore, 9-cis-retinoic acid enhanced the ATP-evoked whole cell currents and intracellular Ca2+- and ATP-evoked dopamine release, indicating the up-regulation of functional P2X2 receptors on the plasma membrane. These results provide the molecular mechanism underlying the transcriptional regulation of P2X2 receptors and suggest that retinoid is an important factor in regulating P2X2 receptors in the nervous system.

5' Flanking Region↗
PubMed2006

Direct excitation of deep dorsal horn neurones in the rat spinal cord by the activation of postsynaptic P2X receptors.

ATP mediates somatosensory transmission in the spinal cord through the activation of P2X receptors. Nonetheless, the functional significance of postsynaptic P2X receptors in spinal deep dorsal horn neurones is still not yet well understood. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we investigated whether the activation of postsynaptic P2X receptors can modulate the synaptic transmission in lamina V neurones of postnatal day (P) 9-12 spinal cord slices. At a holding potential of -70 mV, ATPgammaS (100 microm), a nonhydrolysable ATP analogue, generated an inward current, which was resistant to tetrodotoxin (1 microm) in 61% of the lamina V neurones. The ATPgammaS-induced inward current was accompanied by a significant increase in the frequency of glutamatergic miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in the majority of lamina V neurones. The ATPgammaS-induced inward current was not reproduced by P2Y receptor agonists, UTP (100 microm), UDP (100 microm), and 2-methylthio ADP (100 microm), and it was also not affected by the addition of guanosine-5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDPbetaS) into the pipette solution, thus suggesting that ionotropic P2X receptors were activated by ATPgammaS instead of metabotropic P2Y receptors. On the other hand, alpha,beta-methylene ATP (100 microm) did not change any membrane current, but instead increased the mEPSC frequency in the majority of lamina V neurones. The ATPgammaS-induced inward current was suppressed by pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS) (10 microm), but not by trinitrophenyl-ATP (TNP-ATP) (1 microm). Furthermore, we found that ATPgammaS (100 microm) produced a clear inward current which was observed in all lamina V neurones over P16 spinal cord slices, in contrast to P9-12. These results indicate that distinct subtypes of P2X receptors were functionally expressed at the post- and presynaptic sites in lamina V neurones, both of which may contribute to the hyperexcitability of lamina V in a different manner. In addition, the data relating to the developmental increase in the functional P2X receptors suggest that purinergic signalling may thus be more common in somatosensory transmission with maturation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2006

Possible involvement of increase in spinal fibronectin following peripheral nerve injury in upregulation of microglial P2X4, a key molecule for mechanical allodynia.

We have recently demonstrated that the P2X4 receptor, an ATP-gated cation channel, in spinal microglia is a key molecule that mediates the mechanical allodynia induced by peripheral nerve injury. Although microglial P2X4 receptor expression is increased after peripheral nerve injury, the molecular mechanism(s) underlying its upregulation remains largely unknown. Fibronectin is a member of the extracellular matrix molecules and is actively produced in response to injury and diseases in the CNS. Here, we describe the influence of fibronectin on P2X4 receptor expression in microglia and the upregulation of fibronectin after peripheral nerve injury. Microglia that were cultured on fibronectin-coated dishes showed a marked increase in P2X4 receptor expression, both at the mRNA and protein levels, as compared to those cultured on control dishes. Fibronectin also enhanced the microglial Ca2+ responses mediated by P2X4 receptors. Moreover, Western blot examination of the spinal cord from a rat with spinal nerve injury indicated that fibronectin was upregulated on the ipsilateral side. Interestingly, intrathecal injection of ATP-stimulated microglia to the rat lumber spinal cord revealed that microglia cultured on fibronectin-coated dishes was more effective in the induction of allodynia than microglia cultured on control dishes. Taken together, our results suggest that spinal fibronectin is elevated after the peripheral nerve injury and it may be involved in the upregulation of the P2X4 receptor in microglia, which leads to the induction of neuropathic pain.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2006

[Role of molecules expressed in spiral microglia in neuropathic pain].

Physiological pain is an essential experience that alerts us to the presence of external or internal stimuli that are damaging or are potentially tissue-damaging. By contrast, pathological pain is not tied to the presence of tissue-damaging stimuli. One type of pathological pain-neuropathic pain--is often a consequence of nerve injury or of diseases such as diabetes, HIV AIDS or cancer, that damage peripheral nerves. Neuropathic pain can be agonizing, persistent over long periods, and, unfortunately, is often resistant to known pain-killers. Recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms producing neuropathic pain have been made by defining causal roles of spinal microglia in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain as several molecules including P2X4 receptors, which are present in activated microglia, have been found to be required molecular mediators. We expect that understanding the key roles of these molecules in spinal microglia may lead to new strategies for the management of neuropathic pain, strategies not previously anticipated by a neuron-centric view of pain plasticity in the dorsal horn.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

BDNF from microglia causes the shift in neuronal anion gradient underlying neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain that occurs after peripheral nerve injury depends on the hyperexcitability of neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Spinal microglia stimulated by ATP contribute to tactile allodynia, a highly debilitating symptom of pain induced by nerve injury. Signalling between microglia and neurons is therefore an essential link in neuropathic pain transmission, but how this signalling occurs is unknown. Here we show that ATP-stimulated microglia cause a depolarizing shift in the anion reversal potential (E(anion)) in spinal lamina I neurons. This shift inverts the polarity of currents activated by GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid), as has been shown to occur after peripheral nerve injury. Applying brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mimics the alteration in E(anion). Blocking signalling between BDNF and the receptor TrkB reverses the allodynia and the E(anion) shift that follows both nerve injury and administration of ATP-stimulated microglia. ATP stimulation evokes the release of BDNF from microglia. Preventing BDNF release from microglia by pretreating them with interfering RNA directed against BDNF before ATP stimulation also inhibits the effects of these cells on the withdrawal threshold and E(anion). Our results show that ATP-stimulated microglia signal to lamina I neurons, causing a collapse of their transmembrane anion gradient, and that BDNF is a crucial signalling molecule between microglia and neurons. Blocking this microglia-neuron signalling pathway may represent a therapeutic strategy for treating neuropathic pain.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2005

Neuropathic pain and spinal microglia: a big problem from molecules in "small" glia.

Neuropathic pain is a common and severely disabling state that affects millions of people worldwide. Such pain can be experienced after nerve injury or as part of diseases that affect peripheral nerve function, such as diabetes and AIDS; it can also be a component of pain in other conditions, such as cancer. Following peripheral nerve injury, microglia in the spinal cord become activated. Recent evidence indicates that activated microglia are key cellular intermediaries in the pathogenesis of nerve injury-induced pain hypersensitivity because P2X(4) purinoceptors and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, which are present in activated microglia, are required molecular mediators. It is important to establish how these molecules are activated in spinal microglia following nerve injury and how they cause signaling to neurons in the dorsal horn pain transmission network. Answers to these questions could lead to new strategies that assist in the diagnosis and management of neuropathic pain--strategies not previously anticipated by a neuron-centric view of pain plasticity in the dorsal horn.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Long-lasting change in brain dynamics induced by methamphetamine: enhancement of protein kinase C-dependent astrocytic response and behavioral sensitization.

It is well known that long-term exposure to psychostimulants induces neuronal plasticity. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that astrocytes may actively participate in synaptic plasticity. In this study, we found that in vitro treatment of cortical neuron/glia co-cultures with either methamphetamine (METH) or morphine (MRP) caused the activation of astrocytes via protein kinase C (PKC). Purified astrocytes were markedly activated by METH, whereas MRP had no such effect. METH, but not MRP, caused a long-lasting astrocytic activation in cortical neuron/glia co-cultures. Furthermore, MRP-induced behavioral sensitization to hyper-locomotion was reversed by 2 months of withdrawal following intermitted MRP administration, whereas behavioral sensitization to METH-induced hyper-locomotion was maintained even after 2 months of withdrawal. Consistent with this cell culture study, in vivo treatment with METH, which was associated with behavioral sensitization, caused a PKC-dependent astrocytic activation in the cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens of mice. These findings provide direct evidence that METH induces a long-lasting astrocytic activation and behavioral sensitization through the stimulation of PKC in the rodent brain. In contrast, MRP produced a reversible activation of astrocytes via neuronal PKC and a reversibility of behavioral sensitization. This information can break through the definition of drugs of abuse and the misleading of concept that morphine produces a long-lasting neurotoxicity.

Amphetamine-Related Disorders↗
PubMed2004

Ca2+ waves in keratinocytes are transmitted to sensory neurons: the involvement of extracellular ATP and P2Y2 receptor activation.

ATP acts as an intercellular messenger in a variety of cells. In the present study, we have characterized the propagation of Ca2+ waves mediated by extracellular ATP in cultured NHEKs (normal human epidermal keratinocytes) that were co-cultured with mouse DRG (dorsal root ganglion) neurons. Pharmacological characterization showed that NHEKs express functional metabotropic P2Y2 receptors. When a cell was gently stimulated with a glass pipette, an increase in [Ca2+]i (intracellular Ca2+ concentration) was observed, followed by the induction of propagating Ca2+ waves in neighbouring cells in an extracellular ATP-dependent manner. Using an ATP-imaging technique, the release and diffusion of ATP in NHEKs were confirmed. DRG neurons are known to terminate in the basal layer of keratinocytes. In a co-culture of NHEKs and DRG neurons, mechanical-stimulation-evoked Ca2+ waves in NHEKs caused an increase in [Ca2+]i in the adjacent DRG neurons, which was also dependent on extracellular ATP and the activation of P2Y2 receptors. Taken together, extracellular ATP is a dominant messenger that forms intercellular Ca2+ waves in NHEKs. In addition, Ca2+ waves in NHEKs could cause an increase in [Ca2+]i in DRG neurons, suggesting a dynamic cross-talk between skin and sensory neurons mediated by extracellular ATP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2004

Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in spinal hyperactive microglia contributes to pain hypersensitivity following peripheral nerve injury.

Neuropathic pain is an expression of pathological operation of the nervous system, which commonly results from nerve injury and is characterized by pain hypersensitivity to innocuous stimuli, a phenomenon known as tactile allodynia. The mechanisms by which nerve injury creates tactile allodynia have remained largely unknown. We report that the development of tactile allodynia following nerve injury requires activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), a member of the MAPK family, in spinal microglia. We found that immunofluorescence and protein levels of the dually phosphorylated active form of p38MAPK (phospho-p38MAPK) were increased in the dorsal horn ipsilateral to spinal nerve injury. Interestingly, the phospho-p38MAPK immunofluorescence in the dorsal horn was found exclusively in microglia, but not in neurons or astrocytes. The level of phospho-p38MAPK immunofluorescence in individual microglial cells was much higher in the hyperactive phenotype in the ipsilateral dorsal horn than the resting one in the contralateral side. Intrathecal administration of the p38MAPK inhibitor, 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole (SB203580), suppresses development of the nerve injury-induced tactile allodynia. Taken together, our results demonstrate that nerve injury-induced pain hypersensitivity depends on activation of the p38MAPK signaling pathway in hyperactive microglia in the dorsal horn following peripheral nerve injury.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[ATP receptors in pain sensation].

We reported that activation of P2X2/3 heteromeric channels in A delta-DRG neurons causes tactile allodynia and activation of P2X3 in C-fiber causes nocifensive behavior. We also found that tactile allodynia under the chronic pain state requires an activation of P2X4 ionotropic ATP receptor and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in spinal microglia.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

ATP- and adenosine-mediated signaling in the central nervous system: chronic pain and microglia: involvement of the ATP receptor P2X4.

We have been studying the role of ATP receptors in pain and already reported that activation of P2X(2/3) heteromeric channel/receptor in primary sensory neurons causes acutely tactile allodynia, one hallmark of neuropathic pain. We report here that tactile allodynia under the chronic pain state requires an activation of the P2X(4) ionotropic ATP receptor and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in spinal cord microglia. Two weeks after L5 spinal nerve injury, rats displayed a marked mechanical allodynia. In the rats, activated microglia were detected in the injured side of the dorsal horn and the level of the dually-phosphorylated active form of p38MAPK (phospho-p38MAPK) in these microglia was increased. Moreover, intraspinal administration of a p38MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, suppressed the allodynia. We also found that the expression level of P2X(4) was increased strikingly in spinal cord microgila after nerve injury and that pharmacological blockade or inhibition of the expression of P2X(4) reversed the allodynia. Taken together, our results demonstrate that activation of P2X(4) or p38MAPK in spinal cord microglia is necessary for tactile allodynia after nerve injury.

Adenosine↗
PubMed2004

Chronic pain and microglia: the role of ATP.

Pain following nerve damage is an expression of pathological operation of the nervous system, one hallmark of which is tactile allodynia. We have been studying the role of ATP receptors in pain, and have already reported that activation of the P2X2/3 heteromeric channel/receptor in primary sensory neurons causes acutely tactile allodynia. We report here that tactile allodynia under chronic pain states requires an activation of the P2X4 ionotropic ATP receptor and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in spinal cord microglia. Two weeks after L5 spinal nerve injury, rats displayed a marked mechanical allodynia. In the rats, activated microglia were detected in the injury side of the dorsal horn where the level of the dually phosphorylated active form of p38MAPK (phospho-p38MAPK) was increased. We performed the double-immunostaining analysis using cell-type specific markers and found that phospho-p38MAPK-positive cells were microglia. Moreover, intraspinal administration of p38MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, suppressed the allodynia. We also found that the expression level of P2X4 was increased strikingly in spinal cord microgila after nerve injury and that pharmacological blockade of P2X4 reversed the allodynia. Intraspinal administration of P2X4 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) reduced induction of P2X4 and suppressed tactile allodynia. Taken together our results demonstrate that activation of P2X4 or p38 MAPK in spinal cord microglia is necessary for tactile allodynia following nerve injury.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2003

Signaling of ATP receptors in glia-neuron interaction and pain.

ATP causes the activation of p38 or ERK1/2, mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) resulting in the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) from microglia. We examined the effect of TNF and IL-6 on the protection from PC12 cell death by serum deprivation. When PC12 cells were incubated with serum-free medium for 32 hr, their viability decreased to 30 %. IL-6 alone slightly protected the death of PC12 cells, whereas TNF alone did not show any protective effect. In the meanwhile, when PC12 cells were pretreated with TNF for 6 hr and then incubated with IL-6 under the condition of serum-free, the viability of PC12 cells dramatically increased. TNF induced an increase of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) expression in PC12 cells at 4-6 hr. These data suggested that 6 hr pretreatment with TNF increased IL-6R expression in PC12 cells, leading to an enhancement of IL-6-induced neuroprotective action.To elucidate the role of p38 in pathological pain, we investigated whether p38 is activated in the spinal cord of the neuropathic pain model. In the rats displaying a marked allodynia, the level of phospho-p38 was increased in the microglia of injury side in the dorsal horn. Intraspinal administration of p38 inhibitor suppressed the allodynia. These results demonstrate that neuropathic pain hypersensitivity depends upon the activation of p38 signaling pathway in microglia in the dorsal horn following peripheral nerve injury.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Dynamic inhibition of excitatory synaptic transmission by astrocyte-derived ATP in hippocampal cultures.

Originally ascribed passive roles in the CNS, astrocytes are now known to have an active role in the regulation of synaptic transmission. Neuronal activity can evoke Ca2+ transients in astrocytes, and Ca2+ transients in astrocytes can evoke changes in neuronal activity. The excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate has been shown to mediate such bidirectional communication between astrocytes and neurons. We demonstrate here that ATP, a primary mediator of intercellular Ca2+ signaling among astrocytes, also mediates intercellular signaling between astrocytes and neurons in hippocampal cultures. Mechanical stimulation of astrocytes evoked Ca2+ waves mediated by the release of ATP and the activation of P2 receptors. Mechanically evoked Ca2+ waves led to decreased excitatory glutamatergic synaptic transmission in an ATP-dependent manner. Exogenous application of ATP does not affect postsynaptic glutamatergic responses but decreased presynaptic exocytotic events. Finally, we show that astrocytes exhibit spontaneous Ca2+ waves mediated by extracellular ATP and that inhibition of these Ca2+ responses enhanced excitatory glutamatergic transmission. We therefore conclude that ATP released from astrocytes exerts tonic and activity-dependent down-regulation of synaptic transmission via presynaptic mechanisms.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2003

P2X4 receptors induced in spinal microglia gate tactile allodynia after nerve injury.

Pain after nerve damage is an expression of pathological operation of the nervous system, one hallmark of which is tactile allodynia-pain hypersensitivity evoked by innocuous stimuli. Effective therapy for this pain is lacking, and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we report that pharmacological blockade of spinal P2X4 receptors (P2X4Rs), a subtype of ionotropic ATP receptor, reversed tactile allodynia caused by peripheral nerve injury without affecting acute pain behaviours in naive animals. After nerve injury, P2X4R expression increased strikingly in the ipsilateral spinal cord, and P2X4Rs were induced in hyperactive microglia but not in neurons or astrocytes. Intraspinal administration of P2X4R antisense oligodeoxynucleotide decreased the induction of P2X4Rs and suppressed tactile allodynia after nerve injury. Conversely, intraspinal administration of microglia in which P2X4Rs had been induced and stimulated, produced tactile allodynia in naive rats. Taken together, our results demonstrate that activation of P2X4Rs in hyperactive microglia is necessary for tactile allodynia after nerve injury and is sufficient to produce tactile allodynia in normal animals. Thus, blocking P2X4Rs in microglia might be a new therapeutic strategy for pain induced by nerve injury.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗