Arianna Casini - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Arianna Casini

Research paper thumbnail of Immunolocalization of choline acetyltransferase of common type in the central brain mass of Octopus vulgaris

European Journal of Histochemistry, 2012

Acetylcholine, the first neurotransmitter to be identified in the vertebrate frog, is widely dist... more Acetylcholine, the first neurotransmitter to be identified in the vertebrate frog, is widely distributed among the animal kingdom. The presence of a large amount of acetylcholine in the nervous system of cephalopods is well known from several biochemical and physiological studies. However, little is known about the precise distribution of cholinergic structures due to a lack of a suitable histochemical technique for detecting acetylcholine. The most reliable method to visualize the cholinergic neurons is the immunohistochemical localization of the enzyme choline acetyltransferase, the synthetic enzyme of acetylcholine. Following our previous study on the distribution patterns of cholinergic neurons in the Octopus vulgaris visual system, using a novel antibody that recognizes choline acetyltransferase of the common type (cChAT), now we extend our investigation on the octopus central brain mass. When applied on sections of octopus central ganglia, immunoreactivity for cChAT was detected in cell bodies of all central brain mass lobes with the notable exception of the subfrontal and subvertical lobes. Positive varicosed nerves fibers where observed in the neuropil of all central brain mass lobes.

Research paper thumbnail of Alpha-synuclein in the central nervous system of the carp (Cyprinus Carpio). Immunohistochemical study

Italian journal of anatomy and embryology, 2012

Alpha Synuclein (α-Syn) is a 140 amino acid protein, highly expressed in the central nervous syst... more Alpha Synuclein (α-Syn) is a 140 amino acid protein, highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) of different vertebrates and abnormally accumulated in Parkinson's disease and other degenerative disorders, known as synucleinopathies. Although most physiological functions of α-Syn remain elusive, this protein possesses chaperone properties and it is involved in vesicular storage and docking, neurotransmitters release and synaptic plasticity. Although non mammalian synucleins have been relatively well-characterized, present knowledge about their cellular localization is still scarce. Ciprinids have been used as piscine models for Parkinson's disease [1] and an α-Syn gene has been recently sequenced in Cyprinus carpio [2]. Through our previous study on α-Syn expression in non mammalian vertebrates [3], we have described the distribution of α-Syn immunoreactivity in the carp brain and spinal cord, by using a novel monoclonal antibody (3D5) against α-Syn [4]. 3D5 distribution was also compared with monoaminergic, cholinergic and serotoninergic pathways. Present results show that α-Syn immunoreactivity is mainly distributed in motor and reticular pathways, throughout the brainstem and the spinal cord. Moreover, α-Syn is also localized into small beaded fibers innervating the main forebrain regions including basal telencephalon, preoptic region and hypothalamus. In motor and reticular nuclei α-Syn is clearly co-distributed with ChAT. Therefore, the putative α-Syn positive neurons may represent a subpopulation of cholinergic neurons. The colocalization between α-Syn and ChAT in the same neurons needs to be verified by confocal microscopy. The knowledge of α-Syn cellular distribution in teleosts adds new prospectives to physiological roles of synucleins during evolution and neurological disorders. references

Research paper thumbnail of Loss of spinal motor neurons and alteration of alpha-synuclein immunostaining in MPTP induced Parkinsonism in mice

Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 2012

1-Methyl, 4-phenyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropiridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin, widely used to produce exp... more 1-Methyl, 4-phenyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropiridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin, widely used to produce experimental models of Parkinson Disease in rodents and primates. Although dopaminergic neurons are the most sensitive to MPTP neurotoxicity, different neuronal subtypes are affected. Among these, recent studies indicate that MPTP may produce pathological effects on spinal neurons. In fact, MPTP activates apoptotic proteins within the spinal cord and in particular within the motor neurons, suggesting commonalities between Parkinson Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In order to assess this point, in the present study we measured whether MPTP produces motor neurons loss. We chose a dose of MPTP (20 mg/kg × 3, 2 h apart), which in C57BL/6N mice was able to induce a massive nigrostriatal damage. Since both Parkinson Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis are characterized by altered alpha-synuclein immunostaining, this protein was also evaluated within spinal motor neurons, following MPTP administration. Three different monoclonal antibodies, recognizing distinct epitopes in the sequence of alpha-synuclein were used. Severe dopaminergic cell loss was quantified by stereology within the substantia nigra pars compacta, along with marked decrease of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase densitometry. The same doses of MPTP also caused a significant motor neuron loss in the spinal cord (roughly 30%). Spared motor neurons appeared often dysmorphic and vacuolated and possessed altered alpha-synuclein immunostaining. This latter finding extended to other cell types of the spinal cord. These data indicate that MPTP, apart from being a dopaminergic neurotoxin, produces also motor neuron death, thus bridging experimental Parkinsonism and motor neuron disease.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparative immunohistochemical study of the dopaminergic systems in two inbred mouse strains (C57BL/6J and DBA/2J)

Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 2007

This study investigated possible neurochemical differences in the brain of two inbred mouse strai... more This study investigated possible neurochemical differences in the brain of two inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6J (C57) and DBA/2J (DBA) that in behavioral, memorization and learning tasks under normal and experimental conditions perform differently or often in an opposite manner. The immunohistochemical study, designed to investigate the dopaminergic system, identified many differences within the midbrain A10 area and less marked differences in areas A9 and A8. The number of dopamine transporter (DAT), vesicular monoamine transporter of type 2 (VMT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive cell bodies was significantly higher in the midbrain of DBA mice than in C57 mice (on average +21.5%, P < 0.001 in A10: +9.4% in A9, P < 0.05: and +5.9% in A8, P < 0.1). The distribution patterns of nerve fibres immunoreactive for same antisera also differed significantly in the two strains, especially at prelimbic, infralimbic and anterior cingulate cortical levels. In C57 mice these fibres were scanty whereas in DBA mice they were well represented. In the nucleus accumbens, also the territorial distribution of DAT immunoreactive nerve fibres differed in the two strains. In the midbrain, the galanin immunoreactive axons were more densely distributed in DBA than in C57 mice whereas neurotensin immunoreactive axons were more densely distributed in C57 than in DBA. These distinct immunohistochemical patterns could help to explain why performance differs in the two mouse strains. #

Research paper thumbnail of Immunoreactive neurons in the brain of two mouse strains after incubation with an antiserum recognizing Asp-Val-Val-Gly.NH2 (DVVG), the C-terminal fragment of (D-Ala2)-deltorphin I

Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 2002

D-Ala(2)-deltorphin I (DADTI) is a heptapeptide amide first extracted from frog skin that display... more D-Ala(2)-deltorphin I (DADTI) is a heptapeptide amide first extracted from frog skin that displays a high selectivity and affinity for delta opioid receptors. Previous studies using a polyclonal antiserum specific for its C-terminal tetrapeptide-amide (DVVG) have already described in rat and mouse brain the presence of immunoreactive neurons, most of them belonging to the mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. C57BL/6J (C57) and DBA/2J (DBA) are two inbred strains of mice well known for showing marked genotype-dependent differences for phenotypes related to differential brain dopamine functioning. Brain specimens of both inbred mouse strains were frozen, cut and immunostained using the same antiserum. Some sections were also double immunostained with monoclonal anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). DVVG-immunoreactive neurons were observed among both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neurons. DVVG- and TH-immunoreactive neurons were observed among the dopaminergic A8, A9 and A10 mesencephalic nuclei. They were on average 21.9% more numerous in DBA than in C57 mice. DVVG-immunoreactive nerve fibres could be seen in limbic, striatal, cortical and thalamic areas. The distribution patterns of DVVG-IR and TH-IR nerve fibres differed most conspicuously within the infralimbic, prelimbic and cingulate cortices, forming a dense network in DBA but rare in C57 mice. Non-dopaminergic DVVG-immunoreactive neurons did not differ significantly in the two strains. Our finding that the number and distribution pattern of this dopaminergic neuronal subpopulation differed in the two mouse strains could provide morphological support for the known behavioural differences between the DBA and C57 strains under normal and experimental conditions.

Research paper thumbnail of Loss of spinal motor neurons and alteration of alpha-synuclein immunostaining in MPTP induced Parkinsonism in mice

Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 2012

1-Methyl, 4-phenyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropiridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin, widely used to produce exp... more 1-Methyl, 4-phenyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropiridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin, widely used to produce experimental models of Parkinson Disease in rodents and primates. Although dopaminergic neurons are the most sensitive to MPTP neurotoxicity, different neuronal subtypes are affected. Among these, recent studies indicate that MPTP may produce pathological effects on spinal neurons. In fact, MPTP activates apoptotic proteins within the spinal cord and in particular within the motor neurons, suggesting commonalities between Parkinson Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In order to assess this point, in the present study we measured whether MPTP produces motor neurons loss. We chose a dose of MPTP (20 mg/kg × 3, 2 h apart), which in C57BL/6N mice was able to induce a massive nigrostriatal damage. Since both Parkinson Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis are characterized by altered alpha-synuclein immunostaining, this protein was also evaluated within spinal motor neurons, following MPTP administration. Three different monoclonal antibodies, recognizing distinct epitopes in the sequence of alpha-synuclein were used. Severe dopaminergic cell loss was quantified by stereology within the substantia nigra pars compacta, along with marked decrease of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase densitometry. The same doses of MPTP also caused a significant motor neuron loss in the spinal cord (roughly 30%). Spared motor neurons appeared often dysmorphic and vacuolated and possessed altered alpha-synuclein immunostaining. This latter finding extended to other cell types of the spinal cord. These data indicate that MPTP, apart from being a dopaminergic neurotoxin, produces also motor neuron death, thus bridging experimental Parkinsonism and motor neuron disease.

Research paper thumbnail of Immunolocalization of choline acetyltransferase of common type in the central brain mass of Octopus vulgaris

European Journal of Histochemistry, 2012

Acetylcholine, the first neurotransmitter to be identified in the vertebrate frog, is widely dist... more Acetylcholine, the first neurotransmitter to be identified in the vertebrate frog, is widely distributed among the animal kingdom. The presence of a large amount of acetylcholine in the nervous system of cephalopods is well known from several biochemical and physiological studies. However, little is known about the precise distribution of cholinergic structures due to a lack of a suitable histochemical technique for detecting acetylcholine. The most reliable method to visualize the cholinergic neurons is the immunohistochemical localization of the enzyme choline acetyltransferase, the synthetic enzyme of acetylcholine. Following our previous study on the distribution patterns of cholinergic neurons in the Octopus vulgaris visual system, using a novel antibody that recognizes choline acetyltransferase of the common type (cChAT), now we extend our investigation on the octopus central brain mass. When applied on sections of octopus central ganglia, immunoreactivity for cChAT was detected in cell bodies of all central brain mass lobes with the notable exception of the subfrontal and subvertical lobes. Positive varicosed nerves fibers where observed in the neuropil of all central brain mass lobes.

Research paper thumbnail of Alpha-synuclein in the central nervous system of the carp (Cyprinus Carpio). Immunohistochemical study

Italian journal of anatomy and embryology, 2012

Alpha Synuclein (α-Syn) is a 140 amino acid protein, highly expressed in the central nervous syst... more Alpha Synuclein (α-Syn) is a 140 amino acid protein, highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) of different vertebrates and abnormally accumulated in Parkinson's disease and other degenerative disorders, known as synucleinopathies. Although most physiological functions of α-Syn remain elusive, this protein possesses chaperone properties and it is involved in vesicular storage and docking, neurotransmitters release and synaptic plasticity. Although non mammalian synucleins have been relatively well-characterized, present knowledge about their cellular localization is still scarce. Ciprinids have been used as piscine models for Parkinson's disease [1] and an α-Syn gene has been recently sequenced in Cyprinus carpio [2]. Through our previous study on α-Syn expression in non mammalian vertebrates [3], we have described the distribution of α-Syn immunoreactivity in the carp brain and spinal cord, by using a novel monoclonal antibody (3D5) against α-Syn [4]. 3D5 distribution was also compared with monoaminergic, cholinergic and serotoninergic pathways. Present results show that α-Syn immunoreactivity is mainly distributed in motor and reticular pathways, throughout the brainstem and the spinal cord. Moreover, α-Syn is also localized into small beaded fibers innervating the main forebrain regions including basal telencephalon, preoptic region and hypothalamus. In motor and reticular nuclei α-Syn is clearly co-distributed with ChAT. Therefore, the putative α-Syn positive neurons may represent a subpopulation of cholinergic neurons. The colocalization between α-Syn and ChAT in the same neurons needs to be verified by confocal microscopy. The knowledge of α-Syn cellular distribution in teleosts adds new prospectives to physiological roles of synucleins during evolution and neurological disorders. references

Research paper thumbnail of Loss of spinal motor neurons and alteration of alpha-synuclein immunostaining in MPTP induced Parkinsonism in mice

Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 2012

1-Methyl, 4-phenyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropiridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin, widely used to produce exp... more 1-Methyl, 4-phenyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropiridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin, widely used to produce experimental models of Parkinson Disease in rodents and primates. Although dopaminergic neurons are the most sensitive to MPTP neurotoxicity, different neuronal subtypes are affected. Among these, recent studies indicate that MPTP may produce pathological effects on spinal neurons. In fact, MPTP activates apoptotic proteins within the spinal cord and in particular within the motor neurons, suggesting commonalities between Parkinson Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In order to assess this point, in the present study we measured whether MPTP produces motor neurons loss. We chose a dose of MPTP (20 mg/kg × 3, 2 h apart), which in C57BL/6N mice was able to induce a massive nigrostriatal damage. Since both Parkinson Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis are characterized by altered alpha-synuclein immunostaining, this protein was also evaluated within spinal motor neurons, following MPTP administration. Three different monoclonal antibodies, recognizing distinct epitopes in the sequence of alpha-synuclein were used. Severe dopaminergic cell loss was quantified by stereology within the substantia nigra pars compacta, along with marked decrease of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase densitometry. The same doses of MPTP also caused a significant motor neuron loss in the spinal cord (roughly 30%). Spared motor neurons appeared often dysmorphic and vacuolated and possessed altered alpha-synuclein immunostaining. This latter finding extended to other cell types of the spinal cord. These data indicate that MPTP, apart from being a dopaminergic neurotoxin, produces also motor neuron death, thus bridging experimental Parkinsonism and motor neuron disease.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparative immunohistochemical study of the dopaminergic systems in two inbred mouse strains (C57BL/6J and DBA/2J)

Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 2007

This study investigated possible neurochemical differences in the brain of two inbred mouse strai... more This study investigated possible neurochemical differences in the brain of two inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6J (C57) and DBA/2J (DBA) that in behavioral, memorization and learning tasks under normal and experimental conditions perform differently or often in an opposite manner. The immunohistochemical study, designed to investigate the dopaminergic system, identified many differences within the midbrain A10 area and less marked differences in areas A9 and A8. The number of dopamine transporter (DAT), vesicular monoamine transporter of type 2 (VMT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive cell bodies was significantly higher in the midbrain of DBA mice than in C57 mice (on average +21.5%, P < 0.001 in A10: +9.4% in A9, P < 0.05: and +5.9% in A8, P < 0.1). The distribution patterns of nerve fibres immunoreactive for same antisera also differed significantly in the two strains, especially at prelimbic, infralimbic and anterior cingulate cortical levels. In C57 mice these fibres were scanty whereas in DBA mice they were well represented. In the nucleus accumbens, also the territorial distribution of DAT immunoreactive nerve fibres differed in the two strains. In the midbrain, the galanin immunoreactive axons were more densely distributed in DBA than in C57 mice whereas neurotensin immunoreactive axons were more densely distributed in C57 than in DBA. These distinct immunohistochemical patterns could help to explain why performance differs in the two mouse strains. #

Research paper thumbnail of Immunoreactive neurons in the brain of two mouse strains after incubation with an antiserum recognizing Asp-Val-Val-Gly.NH2 (DVVG), the C-terminal fragment of (D-Ala2)-deltorphin I

Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 2002

D-Ala(2)-deltorphin I (DADTI) is a heptapeptide amide first extracted from frog skin that display... more D-Ala(2)-deltorphin I (DADTI) is a heptapeptide amide first extracted from frog skin that displays a high selectivity and affinity for delta opioid receptors. Previous studies using a polyclonal antiserum specific for its C-terminal tetrapeptide-amide (DVVG) have already described in rat and mouse brain the presence of immunoreactive neurons, most of them belonging to the mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. C57BL/6J (C57) and DBA/2J (DBA) are two inbred strains of mice well known for showing marked genotype-dependent differences for phenotypes related to differential brain dopamine functioning. Brain specimens of both inbred mouse strains were frozen, cut and immunostained using the same antiserum. Some sections were also double immunostained with monoclonal anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). DVVG-immunoreactive neurons were observed among both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neurons. DVVG- and TH-immunoreactive neurons were observed among the dopaminergic A8, A9 and A10 mesencephalic nuclei. They were on average 21.9% more numerous in DBA than in C57 mice. DVVG-immunoreactive nerve fibres could be seen in limbic, striatal, cortical and thalamic areas. The distribution patterns of DVVG-IR and TH-IR nerve fibres differed most conspicuously within the infralimbic, prelimbic and cingulate cortices, forming a dense network in DBA but rare in C57 mice. Non-dopaminergic DVVG-immunoreactive neurons did not differ significantly in the two strains. Our finding that the number and distribution pattern of this dopaminergic neuronal subpopulation differed in the two mouse strains could provide morphological support for the known behavioural differences between the DBA and C57 strains under normal and experimental conditions.

Research paper thumbnail of Loss of spinal motor neurons and alteration of alpha-synuclein immunostaining in MPTP induced Parkinsonism in mice

Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 2012

1-Methyl, 4-phenyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropiridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin, widely used to produce exp... more 1-Methyl, 4-phenyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropiridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin, widely used to produce experimental models of Parkinson Disease in rodents and primates. Although dopaminergic neurons are the most sensitive to MPTP neurotoxicity, different neuronal subtypes are affected. Among these, recent studies indicate that MPTP may produce pathological effects on spinal neurons. In fact, MPTP activates apoptotic proteins within the spinal cord and in particular within the motor neurons, suggesting commonalities between Parkinson Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In order to assess this point, in the present study we measured whether MPTP produces motor neurons loss. We chose a dose of MPTP (20 mg/kg × 3, 2 h apart), which in C57BL/6N mice was able to induce a massive nigrostriatal damage. Since both Parkinson Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis are characterized by altered alpha-synuclein immunostaining, this protein was also evaluated within spinal motor neurons, following MPTP administration. Three different monoclonal antibodies, recognizing distinct epitopes in the sequence of alpha-synuclein were used. Severe dopaminergic cell loss was quantified by stereology within the substantia nigra pars compacta, along with marked decrease of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase densitometry. The same doses of MPTP also caused a significant motor neuron loss in the spinal cord (roughly 30%). Spared motor neurons appeared often dysmorphic and vacuolated and possessed altered alpha-synuclein immunostaining. This latter finding extended to other cell types of the spinal cord. These data indicate that MPTP, apart from being a dopaminergic neurotoxin, produces also motor neuron death, thus bridging experimental Parkinsonism and motor neuron disease.