Background Interferon-γ (IFN-γ, a type II IFN) is present in the central nervous system (CNS) under various conditions. Evidence is emerging that, in addition to its immunological role, IFN-γ modulates neuronal morphology, function, and development in several brain regions. Previously, we have shown that raising levels of IFN-β (a type I IFN) lead to increased neuronal excitability of neocortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons. Because of shared non-canonical signaling pathways of both cytokines, we hypothesized a similar neocortical role of acutely applied IFN-γ. Methods We used semi-quantitative RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry to analyze neuronal expression of IFN-γ receptors and performed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in layer 5 pyramidal neurons to investigate sub- and suprathreshold excitability, properties of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated current ( I h ), and inhibitory neurotransmission under the influence of acutely applied IFN-γ. Results We show that IFN-γ receptors are present in the membrane of rat’s neocortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons. As expected from this and the putative overlap in IFN type I and II alternative signaling pathways, IFN-γ diminished I h , mirroring the effect of type I IFNs, suggesting a likewise activation of protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast, IFN-γ did neither alter subthreshold nor suprathreshold neuronal excitability, pointing to augmented inhibitory transmission by IFN-γ. Indeed, IFN-γ increased electrically evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) on neocortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons. Furthermore, amplitudes of spontaneous IPSCs and miniature IPSCs were elevated by IFN-γ, whereas their frequency remained unchanged. Conclusions The expression of IFN-γ receptors on layer 5 neocortical pyramidal neurons together with the acute augmentation of inhibition in the neocortex by direct application of IFN-γ highlights an additional interaction between the CNS and immune system. Our results strengthen our understanding of the role of IFN-γ in neocortical neurotransmission and emphasize its impact beyond its immunological properties, particularly in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Background/Aims: Cationic currents (Ih) through the fast activating and relatively cAMP insensitive subtype of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, HCN1, are limited by cytosolic factors in mammalian cells. This cytosolic HCN1 break is boosted by changes in membrane voltage that are not characterized on a biophysical level, yet. Methods: We overexpressed rat (r)HCN1 in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) and recorded pharmacologically isolated Ih in cell-attached or whole-cell mode of the patch-clamp technique. Results: Recurring activation of rHCN1 reduced and slowed Ih in intact HEK293 cells (cell-attached mode). On the contrary, sustained disruption of the intracellular content (whole-cell mode) ceased activity dependence and partially enables voltage dependent hysteresis. The activity induced Ih attenuation in intact cells was independent of the main external cation, depended on the number of previous forced activations and was - at least in part - due to a shift in the voltage dependence of activation towards hyperpolarization as estimated by an adapted tail current analysis. Intracellular elevation of cAMP could not reverse the changes in Ih. Conclusion: Reduction of rHCN1 mediated Ih is use dependent and may involve the coupling of voltage sensor and pore.

Central nervous system (CNS) inflammation involves the generation of inducible cytokines such as interferons (IFNs) and alterations in brain activity, yet the interplay of both is not well understood. Here, we show that in vivo elevation of IFNs by viral brain infection reduced hyperpolarization-activated currents (Ih) in cortical pyramidal neurons. In rodent brain slices directly exposed to type I IFNs, the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide (HCN)-gated channel subunit HCN1 was specifically affected. The effect required an intact type I receptor (IFNAR) signaling cascade. Consistent with Ih inhibition, IFNs hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential, shifted the resonance frequency, and increased the membrane impedance. In vivo application of IFN-β to the rat and to the mouse cerebral cortex reduced the power of higher frequencies in the cortical electroencephalographic activity only in the presence of HCN1. In summary, these findings identify HCN1 channels as a novel neural target for type I IFNs providing the possibility to tune neural responses during the complex event of a CNS inflammation.

Background Cytokines are key players in the interactions of the immune and nervous systems. Recently, we showed that such interplay is mediated by type I interferons (IFNs), which elevate the excitability of neocortical pyramidal neurons. A line of indirect evidence suggested that modulation of multiple ion channels underlies the effect. However, which currents are principally involved and how the IFN signaling cascade is linked to the respective ion channels remains elusive. Methods We tested several single and combined ionic current modulations using an in silico model of a neocortical layer 5 neuron. Subsequently we investigated resulting predictions by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in layer 5 neurons of ex vivo neocortical rat brain slices pharmacologically reproducing or prohibiting neuronal IFN effects. Results The amount and type of modulation necessary to replicate IFN effects in silico suggested protein kinase C (PKC) activation as link between the type I IFN signaling and ion channel modulations. In line with this, PKC activation with 4β-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (4β-PMA) or Bryostatin1 augmented the excitability of neocortical layer 5 neurons comparable to IFN-β in our ex vivo recordings. In detail, both PKC activators attenuated the rheobase and increased the input-output gain as well as the input resistance, thereby augmenting the neuronal excitability. Similar to IFN-β they also left the threshold of action potential generation unaffected. In further support of PKC mediating type I IFN effects, IFN-β, 4β-PMA and Bryostatin1 reduced the amplitude of post-train after-hyperpolarizations in a similar manner. In conjunction with this finding, IFN-β reduced M-currents, which contribute to after-hyperpolarizations and are modulated by PKC. Finally, blocking PKC activation with GF109203X at the catalytic site or calphostin C at the regulatory site prevented the main excitatory effects of IFN-β. Conclusion Multiple ion channel modulations underlie the neuromodulatory effect of type I IFNs. PKC activation is both sufficient and necessary for mediating the effect, and links the IFN signaling cascade to the intrinsic ion channels. Therefore, we regard PKC activation as unitary mechanism for the neuromodulatory potential of type I IFNs in neocortical neurons.

Background/Aims: Hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide gated 1 (HCN1) channels determine neuronal excitability in several brain regions. In contrast to HCN2 and HCN4, HCN1 is less sensitive to cAMP and the number of other known modulators is limited. One of those, the protein kinase C (PKC), showed opposing effects on mouse HCN1 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Methods: In order to study PKC effects on HCN1 mediated currents in a mammalian environment we expressed rat HCN1 or human HCN1 in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells and rat HCN1 in murine neuroblastoma (N1E-115) cells. We recorded the resulting Ih before and during the application of the membrane permeable non-metabolizable PKC-activator 4βPMA in cell-attached mode of the patch-clamp technique, leaving the intracellular environment intact. Results: 4βPMA reduced maximal HCN1 mediated currents to about 60-70 % and slowed its activation, but left its voltage sensitivity unchanged. The effect was neither due to species-related differences nor restricted to HEK293 cells, because it was comparable for human and rat HCN1 in HEK293 and for rat HCN1 in N1E-115 cells. However, pre-treatment with the PKC blocker GF109203X abolished 4βPMA induced Ih changes. Disrupting the intracellular environment by recording in whole-cell mode drastically reduced the 4βPMA effect. Conclusion: PKC activation reduces and slows Ih in non-neuronal and neuronal mammalian cells transfected with rat or human HCN1 if the intracellular content remains intact.