Previous work from the same labs suggested that the mechanism by which stem cells salvage neurons requires cell-to-cell contact (see ARF related news story on Li et al., 2006), and similar results have been reported in a primate model of Parkinson disease (Redmond et al., 2007). To get a glimpse at the earliest stages of stem cell-host cell contact, first authors Johan Jäderstad and Linda Jäderstad used an in vitro system where they added green fluorescent protein-labeled mouse neural stem cells to rodent striatal slice cultures. After one month, two-thirds of the stem cells displayed membrane Na+/K+ channel activity indicative of a neuronal phenotype, but none of them showed repetitive action potentials characteristic of mature neurons. Nonetheless, the engrafted cells underwent spontaneous calcium fluctuations in concert with host neurons, suggesting they had integrated into neural networks.

Because there was no evidence of synaptic connections between the new and old cells, the researchers looked for other means of communication. A prime candidate was gap junctions, clusters of connexin proteins that form channels on the plasma membrane, link the cytosols of coupled cells, and allow the exchange of small (<1 kDa) molecules. The Jäderstads found that engrafted stem cells upregulated the connexin proteins Cx43 and Cx26, and furthermore, they detected functional gap junctions between stem cells and host cells within two to 18 hours after grafting. The junctions accounted for the network integration of the stem cells, as blocking the channels with either of two pharmacological inhibitors prevented coupled calcium transients between new and old cells. The stem cells also displayed a developmental shift in the makeup of gap junctions, similar to that seen during normal neuronal development. Initially, the stem cells expressed mostly connexin43, but as they adopted a more neuronal phenotype, they expressed more connexin26.

The results suggested that gap junctions were responsible for early cell-cell communication and network formation, but was that contact beneficial for the host neurons? The answer appears to be yes. Culturing striatal slices normally results in a level of neuron death and gliosis, but adding stem cells was able to reduce this damage. However, blocking gap junction formation with connexin43 siRNA, or blocking channel function with inhibitors, resulted in a return to normal levels of neuronal damage and death.

The same effect was seen in vivo in two different mouse models of neurodegeneration. In SCA1 mice, loss of the protein ataxin-1 leads to degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje neurons and ataxia, which can be prevented by transplanting neural stem cells. In those mice, both histological rescue of neurons and functional improvements occurred even though none of the stem cells differentiated into mature Purkinje neurons. Instead, the transplanted cells made extensive gap junction connections with host neurons. In the second model, the “nervous” mutant mouse, it was known that transplanting stem cells rescues neurons by reducing pathologically high levels of cerebellar tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). In this case, the investigators found that stem cells that did not express connexin43 were unable to form gap junctions or to rescue neurons.

The results indicate that gap junctions are a critical early step in both the integration of grafted neurons into host circuits and in protection of neurons from death. The authors propose that intracellular networks formed via gap junctions are “an early form of communication that precedes and sets the stage for later electrochemical synapses and ‘traditional’ electrophysiological communication between grafted and host cells, mimicking the connexin-mediated interaction of endogenous progenitors with their neighboring cells during CNS development.” In support of this idea, they show evidence that a similar coupling occurs upon transplantation of neuronal stem cells after spinal cord injury in rats, suggesting that their results with striatal and cerebellar neurons may be more generally applicable.—Pat McCaffrey.

Reference:
Jaderstad J, Jaderstad LM, Li J, Chintawar S, Salto C, Pandolfo M, Ouredniik V, Teng YD, Sidman RL, Arenas E, Snyder EY, Herlenius E. Communication via gap junctions underlies early functional and beneficial interactions between grafted neural stem cells and the host. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Feb 10. Abstract