Javier E. Stern - US grants

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Neurohumoral activation, including sympathoexcitation and increased circulating hormonal levels such as vasopressin, is a major player in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), directly influencing morbidity and mortality i this disease. While the contribution of the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei to neurohumoral activation in HF is established, a comprehensive understanding of the precise cellular mechanisms contributing to increased neuronal activity within these nuclei in HF remains elusive. Activity-dependent changes in neuronal intracellular Ca2+ levels (D[Ca2+]I)act as a critical signal influencing not only membrane excitability, but also neuroplasticity and gene expression. The excitatory transmitter glutamate, acting primarily via NMDA receptors (NMDAR), is a major source of D[Ca2+]I signaling (NMDA-DCa2+], playing an important role in the regulation of neurosecretory and presympathetic neuronal activity. Importantly, a growing body of evidence supports an exacerbated glutamate function in HF. Moreover, other signaling mechanisms that are directly linked to NMDA-DCa2+ (e.g, nitric oxide, ROS, GABA) are also altered in HF. The overall functional consequences of NMDA-DCa2+ are largely dependent on the spatiotemporal pattern of the D[Ca2+]I Thus, elucidating the precise mechanisms that influence the NMDA-DCa2+ properties, and how abnormal changes in these mechanisms may contribute to exacerbated neuronal activity in HF, is highly relevant. We have obtained exciting preliminary data supporting that mitochondria, classically viewed as static cellular power plants, are critical and dynamic organelles that actively influence NMDAR efficacy, by restraining its Ca2+-dependent coupling to other intracellular signaling pathways, influencing in turn overall SON/PVN neurosecretory and presympathetic neuronal activity. Moreover, we found that a blunted NMDAR- mitochondria crosstalk results in an enhanced NMDAR efficacy and exacerbated NMDA-DCa2+ leading to increased activation of the Ca2+- dependent family of TRP channels, and ultimately, abnormally elevated neuronal activity in HF. Here, we will test the central hypothesis that disruption of mitochondrial structurl-functional integrity results in exacerbated glutamate excitatory function, which via a strengthened coupling to Ca2+-sensitive TRPM4 channels, leads to enhanced neuronal activity in HF. This hypothesis will be tested in 3 specific aims: 1- To elucidate the role of mitochondria in shaping NMDAR-[Ca2+]i signaling in SON/PVN neurons, 2- To elucidate structural and functional mitochondrial mechanisms contributing to altered NMDAR-[Ca2+]i signaling in SON/PVN neurons HF rats, and 3- To determine the consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction on NMDAR-mediated neuronal excitability in HF rats. We expect results from this work to broaden our understanding of basic cellular mechanisms contributing to the hypothalamic regulation of neurohumoral outflows, and how changes in these mechanisms may contribute to neurohumoral activation in heart failure.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): While coordinated activities of the sympathetic and neuroendocrine systems are essential for proper maintenance of cardiovascular (CV) homeostasis, sustained sympathohumoral activation is highly detrimental, contributing to CV disorders including hypertension. Thus, elucidating mechanisms regulating sympathohumoral activation is critical for the prevention and more efficient treatment of hypertension. The hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) nucleus plays pivotal roles in the generation of sympathohumoral responses. Neuronal activity within this nucleus is controlled by a balance between intrinsic properties and extrinsic synaptic inputs. In recent studies, we showed that the A-type K+ current (IA) inhibits PVN firing activity, and that blunted IA function contributes to enhanced neuronal activity in hypertension. Another major pathogenic factor in hypertension is increased glutamate NMDA receptor function. However, whether these two distinct mechanisms are functionally and causally coupled, is at present unknown. Using a multidisciplinary approach combining in vitro and in vivo studies, we obtained exciting preliminary data supporting a causal link between extrasynaptic NMDARs and IA in mediating increased neuronal activity and sympathoumoral activation in hypertension. Moreover we found astrocytes to be pivotal players influencing the efficacy of the eNMDAR-IA coupling. In this proposal, we will test the central hypothesis that over-activation of eNMDARs and its negative coupling to IA is a major contributing factor underlying increased neuronal activity and sympathohumoral activation in hypertension. The main objective of this application is to characterize the signaling mechanisms underlying the eNMDAR-IA coupling. Moreover, we aim to elucidate the relative contribution of (a) altered glial function and (b) intrinsic neuronal mechanisms to overactivation of the eNMDAR-IA coupling, and increased neuronal activity and sympathohumoral activation in hypertensive rats. Using a renovascular hypertensive animal model, we propose the following Specific Aims: Aim 1- To characterize the functional coupling between eNMDARs and IA; Aim 2- To determine if altered glial function contributes to enhanced eNMDAR-IA coupling in hypertensive rats; and Aim 3- To determine if altered neuronal mechanisms contribute to enhanced eNMDAR-IA coupling in hypertensive rats. We expect this work to expand our knowledge on basic neurobiological principles implicated in the generation of homeostatic neurohumoral responses. More importantly, we expect to identify key pathophysiological brain mechanisms contributing to maldaptive neurohumoral responses in hypertension. We hope our work will help in the development of novel and more efficient therapeutic strategies for the treatment of hypertensive conditions. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Hypertension is a major public health problem in the USA, is characterized by increased activity of the autonomic and neuroendocrine system (neurohumoral activation), which strongly influences morbidity and mortality in these patients. However, the precise mechanisms underlying neurohumoral remain unknown. In this proposal, we will use a multidisciplinary approach to test a series of novel hypothesis that aim to elucidate signaling mechanisms within the central nervous system that contribute to neurohumoral activation in hypertension. We expect our work to provide novel information on mechanisms underlying altered neuronal function in hypertensive patients, and to help in the development of novel and more efficient therapeutic strategies for the treatment of prevalent complications in hypertension.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): While coordinated activities of the sympathetic and neuroendocrine systems are essential for proper maintenance of bodily homeostasis, sustained sympathohumoral activation is highly detrimental, contributing to several prevalent diseases, including heart failure (HF). Despite this evidence, a comprehensive understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying neurohumoral responses both in physiological and pathological conditions is still missing. The hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei play pivotal roles in the generation of sympathohumoral responses, and accumulating evidence supports elevated neuronal activity in these nuclei in animal models of HF. However, the precise underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The atypical gas neurotransmitters, particularly nitric oxide (NO), are recognized as critical inhibitory signaling molecules in the brain, mostly in areas involved in autonomic/neuroendocrine integration. In fact, a blunted NO function has been shown to contribute to sympathohumoral activation in HF. Here, we propose the gas molecule carbon monoxide (CO) as a novel signaling mechanism within the SON/PVN. We obtained preliminary results showing that in opposition to NO, CO stimulates hypothalamic neuronal function. Thus, we put forward the novel concept that a balance between two opposing gas molecules is critical in determining neurohumoral outflows from the hypothalamus. Using a multidisciplinary approach combining in vitro electrophysiology, cell imaging, tract tracing and immunohistochemistry, we will test the central hypothesis that elevated CO bioavailability contributes to exacerbated SON/PVN neuronal activity in HF, and that these effects are mediated by blunting NO inhibitory function. We will test our central hypothesis in 2 specific aims: 1 - To determine the specific cellular sources of CO within the SON/PVN in sham and HF rats. Our working hypothesis is that the CO-synthetizing enzyme heme-oxygenase (HO) is expressed in specific cell populations within the SON/PVN, and that an elevated expression occurs in HF rats. 2 - To determine the cellular targets and mechanisms of action of CO within the SON/PVN in sham and HF rats. Our working hypothesis is that CO is an excitatory gas molecule targeting both neurosecretory and presympathetic neurons. We expect results from this R21 proposal to provide the proof-of-concept that CO is endogenously produced within the SON and PVN, and that it is a functionally relevant gas molecule influencing neuronal activity in these brain regions. We will begin to understand how changes in CO/NO interactions contribute to altered neuronal activity, and consequently neurohumoral output in an animal model of HF. We believe this knowledge will broaden our understanding of basic cellular mechanisms contributing to the hypothalamic control of homeostasis, as well as how changes in these mechanisms lead to pathological process in prevalent human diseases.

Bodily homeostasis involves orchestrated activities between hypothalamic autonomic and neuroendocrine neuronal networks. Importantly, an imbalanced interaction between them constitutes the basis for maladaptive responses (?neurohumoral activation?) observed in disease conditions (stress, heart failure and the metabolic syndrome). Importantly, neurohumoral activation (which includes centrally driven sympathetic activity and elevated circulating levels of vasopressin (VP)) directly correlates with prognosis, and mortality in these diseases. Thus, understanding the mechanisms involved in autonomic and neuroendocrine integration, both in health and disease conditions, is of critical physiological and clinical significance. The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) plays a pivotal role in the generation of coordinated polymodal homeostatic responses. Still, the mechanism by which the activity of these functionally distinct neuronal populations is orchestrated during a homeostatic response remains elusive. We recently identified dendritic release of VP from magnocellular neurosecretory neurons as a novel signaling mechanism underlying ?wireless? (non- synaptic) communication between neuroendocrine and presympathetic PVN neurons. We showed this interpopulation crosstalk to play a major role coordinated neurosecretory/sympathetic homeostatic responses to an osmotic challenge (OSM+). While significant progress has been obtained in our understanding of mechanisms underlying activity-dependent release of neuropeptides from axonal terminals, limited information is available regarding mechanisms regulating dendritic release, particularly during OSM+. Thus, we implemented a highly innovative approach that enables us to quantitatively monitor dendritic VP release in real time, while studying in a mechanistic manner the main processes involved in this interpopulation homeostatic crosstalk. We obtained exciting preliminary data that supports our innovative hypothesis of a fine-tuned interplay between glutamate NMDA receptors (NMDARs), backpropagating dendritic action potentials and K+ channels in regulating dendritic VP release and neurosecretory-presympathetic signaling crosstalk in response to OSM+. Moreover, we will test the hypothesis that astrocytes, recognized as key players in CNS function, exert a pivotal influencing dendritic release of VP, its diffusing efficacy in the ECS, and ultimately, the generation of multimodal homeostatic responses. These hypotheses will be tested in 3 specific aims: 1- To elucidate mechanisms by which action potentials (APs) and NMDARs interact during OSM+ to evoke dendritic VP release. 2- To elucidate mechanisms that regulate dendritic retrograde signaling and their impact on dendritic release. 3- To elucidate mechanisms that control the diffusion of VP in the extracellular space, influencing in turn its efficacy as an interpopulation signaling. We expect results from this work to broaden our understanding of basic cellular mechanisms contributing to the hypothalamic regulation of homeostasis, and how changes in these mechanisms may contribute to neurohumoral activation during disease states.  

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Neurohumoral activation, including sympathoexcitation and increased circulating hormonal levels such as vasopressin, is a major player in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), directly influencing morbidity and mortality i this disease. While the contribution of the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei to neurohumoral activation in HF is established, a comprehensive understanding of the precise cellular mechanisms contributing to increased neuronal activity within these nuclei in HF remains elusive. Activity-dependent changes in neuronal intracellular Ca2+ levels (D[Ca2+]I)act as a critical signal influencing not only membrane excitability, but also neuroplasticity and gene expression. The excitatory transmitter glutamate, acting primarily via NMDA receptors (NMDAR), is a major source of D[Ca2+]I signaling (NMDA-DCa2+], playing an important role in the regulation of neurosecretory and presympathetic neuronal activity. Importantly, a growing body of evidence supports an exacerbated glutamate function in HF. Moreover, other signaling mechanisms that are directly linked to NMDA-DCa2+ (e.g, nitric oxide, ROS, GABA) are also altered in HF. The overall functional consequences of NMDA-DCa2+ are largely dependent on the spatiotemporal pattern of the D[Ca2+]I Thus, elucidating the precise mechanisms that influence the NMDA-DCa2+ properties, and how abnormal changes in these mechanisms may contribute to exacerbated neuronal activity in HF, is highly relevant. We have obtained exciting preliminary data supporting that mitochondria, classically viewed as static cellular power plants, are critical and dynamic organelles that actively influence NMDAR efficacy, by restraining its Ca2+-dependent coupling to other intracellular signaling pathways, influencing in turn overall SON/PVN neurosecretory and presympathetic neuronal activity. Moreover, we found that a blunted NMDAR- mitochondria crosstalk results in an enhanced NMDAR efficacy and exacerbated NMDA-DCa2+ leading to increased activation of the Ca2+- dependent family of TRP channels, and ultimately, abnormally elevated neuronal activity in HF. Here, we will test the central hypothesis that disruption of mitochondrial structurl-functional integrity results in exacerbated glutamate excitatory function, which via a strengthened coupling to Ca2+-sensitive TRPM4 channels, leads to enhanced neuronal activity in HF. This hypothesis will be tested in 3 specific aims: 1- To elucidate the role of mitochondria in shaping NMDAR-[Ca2+]i signaling in SON/PVN neurons, 2- To elucidate structural and functional mitochondrial mechanisms contributing to altered NMDAR-[Ca2+]i signaling in SON/PVN neurons HF rats, and 3- To determine the consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction on NMDAR-mediated neuronal excitability in HF rats. We expect results from this work to broaden our understanding of basic cellular mechanisms contributing to the hypothalamic regulation of neurohumoral outflows, and how changes in these mechanisms may contribute to neurohumoral activation in heart failure.