Apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in organotypic slice culture models: direct effect of bacteria revisited

Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
Christian GianinazziStephen L Leib

Abstract

Neurons of the hippocampal dentate gyrus selectively undergo programmed cell death in patients suffering from bacterial meningitis and in experimental models of pneumococcal meningitis in infant rats. In the present study, a membrane-based organotypic slice culture system of rat hippocampus was used to test whether this selective vulnerability of neurons of the dentate gyrus could be reproduced in vitro. Apoptosis was assessed by nuclear morphology (condensed and fragmented nuclei), by immunochemistry for active caspase-3 and deltaC-APP, and by proteolytic caspase-3 activity. Co-incubation of the cultures with live pneumococci did not induce neuronal apoptosis unless cultures were kept in partially nutrient-deprived medium. Complete nutrient deprivation alone and staurosporine independently induced significant apoptosis, the latter in a dose-response way. In all experimental settings, apoptosis occurred preferentially in the dentate gyrus. Our data demonstrate that factors released by pneumococci per se failed to induce significant apoptosis in vitro. Thus, these factors appear to contribute to a multifactorial pathway, which ultimately leads to neuronal apoptosis in bacterial meningitis.

References

Dec 1, 1978·The Journal of Pediatrics·R S DaumA L Smith
Apr 1, 1991·Journal of Neuroscience Methods·L StoppiniD Muller
May 23, 1998·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·R U JänickeA G Porter
Nov 11, 1998·Nature Medicine·P S ErikssonF H Gage
Mar 23, 1999·Nature Medicine·J S BraunE I Tuomanen
Oct 27, 2001·The Journal of Infectious Diseases·J S BraunJ L Cleveland
Jan 10, 2002·The Journal of Clinical Investigation·Johann S BraunJoerg R Weber
Feb 11, 2003·Brain Research·Bjarne W KristensenJens Noraberg
Apr 5, 2003·Acta Neuropathologica·Christian GianinazziStephen L Leib

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Bacterial Pneumonia (ASM)

Bacterial pneumonia is a prevalent and costly infection that is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients of all ages. Here is the latest research.

Bacterial Pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia is a prevalent and costly infection that is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients of all ages. Here is the latest research.

Apoptotic Caspases

Apoptotic caspases belong to the protease enzyme family and are known to play an essential role in inflammation and programmed cell death. Here is the latest research.

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Here is the latest research.

Bacterial Meningitis (ASM)

Bacterial meningitis continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Here is the latest research.

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a specific process that leads to programmed cell death through the activation of an evolutionary conserved intracellular pathway leading to pathognomic cellular changes distinct from cellular necrosis