Abstract
Fasciculations are characteristic features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting abnormally increased excitability of motor axons. Previous nerve excitability studies have shown reduced axonal potassium currents in ALS patients that may contribute to the hyperexcitability and thereby generation of fasciculations. To clarify changes in axonal ion channel expression in motor axons of ALS, we performed immunohistochemistry of potassium and sodium channels in the C7 and L5 ventral/dorsal roots obtained from five autopsy cases of sporadic ALS. Compared to controls, the immunoreactivity of potassium channels (Kv1.2) was markedly reduced in the ventral roots, but normal in the dorsal roots of all the ALS patients. Nodal sodium channel expression was not significantly different in ALS patients and control subjects. Our results show prominently reduced expression of axonal potassium channels, and provide the neuropathological and biological basis for decreased accommodative potassium currents in motor axons of ALS patients. The axonal hyperexcitability would lead to generation of fasciculations, and possibly enhances motor neuron death in ALS.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 149-153 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Experimental Neurology |
| Volume | 232 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 Dec 1 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Axonal hyperexcitability
- Fasciculation
- Motor axon
- Potassium channel
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Developmental Neuroscience
Cite this
Markedly reduced axonal potassium channel expression in human sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis : An immunohistochemical study. / Shibuya, Kazumoto; Misawa, Sonoko; Arai, Kimihito; Nakata, Miho; Kanai, Kazuaki; Yoshiyama, Yasumasa; Ito, Kimiko; Isose, Sagiri; Noto, Yu ichi; Nasu, Saiko; Sekiguchi, Yukari; Fujimaki, Yumi; Ohmori, Shigeki; Kitamura, Hiroshi; Sato, Yasunori; Kuwabara, Satoshi.
In: Experimental Neurology, Vol. 232, No. 2, 01.12.2011, p. 149-153.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Markedly reduced axonal potassium channel expression in human sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
T2 - An immunohistochemical study
AU - Shibuya, Kazumoto
AU - Misawa, Sonoko
AU - Arai, Kimihito
AU - Nakata, Miho
AU - Kanai, Kazuaki
AU - Yoshiyama, Yasumasa
AU - Ito, Kimiko
AU - Isose, Sagiri
AU - Noto, Yu ichi
AU - Nasu, Saiko
AU - Sekiguchi, Yukari
AU - Fujimaki, Yumi
AU - Ohmori, Shigeki
AU - Kitamura, Hiroshi
AU - Sato, Yasunori
AU - Kuwabara, Satoshi
PY - 2011/12/1
Y1 - 2011/12/1
N2 - Fasciculations are characteristic features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting abnormally increased excitability of motor axons. Previous nerve excitability studies have shown reduced axonal potassium currents in ALS patients that may contribute to the hyperexcitability and thereby generation of fasciculations. To clarify changes in axonal ion channel expression in motor axons of ALS, we performed immunohistochemistry of potassium and sodium channels in the C7 and L5 ventral/dorsal roots obtained from five autopsy cases of sporadic ALS. Compared to controls, the immunoreactivity of potassium channels (Kv1.2) was markedly reduced in the ventral roots, but normal in the dorsal roots of all the ALS patients. Nodal sodium channel expression was not significantly different in ALS patients and control subjects. Our results show prominently reduced expression of axonal potassium channels, and provide the neuropathological and biological basis for decreased accommodative potassium currents in motor axons of ALS patients. The axonal hyperexcitability would lead to generation of fasciculations, and possibly enhances motor neuron death in ALS.
AB - Fasciculations are characteristic features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting abnormally increased excitability of motor axons. Previous nerve excitability studies have shown reduced axonal potassium currents in ALS patients that may contribute to the hyperexcitability and thereby generation of fasciculations. To clarify changes in axonal ion channel expression in motor axons of ALS, we performed immunohistochemistry of potassium and sodium channels in the C7 and L5 ventral/dorsal roots obtained from five autopsy cases of sporadic ALS. Compared to controls, the immunoreactivity of potassium channels (Kv1.2) was markedly reduced in the ventral roots, but normal in the dorsal roots of all the ALS patients. Nodal sodium channel expression was not significantly different in ALS patients and control subjects. Our results show prominently reduced expression of axonal potassium channels, and provide the neuropathological and biological basis for decreased accommodative potassium currents in motor axons of ALS patients. The axonal hyperexcitability would lead to generation of fasciculations, and possibly enhances motor neuron death in ALS.
KW - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
KW - Axonal hyperexcitability
KW - Fasciculation
KW - Motor axon
KW - Potassium channel
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80054967231&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80054967231&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.08.015
DO - 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.08.015
M3 - Article
C2 - 21906595
AN - SCOPUS:80054967231
VL - 232
SP - 149
EP - 153
JO - Experimental Neurology
JF - Experimental Neurology
SN - 0014-4886
IS - 2
ER -