title: KCC3 deficiency-induced disruption of paranodal loops and impairment of axonal excitability in the peripheral nervous system.
abstract: The autosomal recessive Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (HMSN/ACC) is associated with the dysfunction of the K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter type 3 (KCC3), which is an electroneutral cotransporter. We previously found that the inhibition of KCC3 cotransporter activity reduces the propagation of action potentials in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). However, the pathogenesis by which KCC3 deficiency impairs peripheral nerve function remains to be examined. Thus, we conducted imaging and electrophysiological studies in the peripheral nerves of KCC3(-/-) mice at various ages. Analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed an age-dependent progressive swelling of microvilli and disorganization of paranodal loops in KCC3(-/-) nerves. Yet, no mislocated voltage-dependent channels were observed between the nodes and juxtaparanodes of KCC3(-/-) nerves. However, electrophysiological studies using the threshold tracking technique indicated a reduced stimulus-response curve slope with an elevated rheobase, a decreased strength-duration time constant, diminished persistent Na(+) currents, and an outward deviation of threshold electrotonus in KCC3(-/-) nerves compared to wild-type nerves. These functional changes indicate an overall reduction in axonal excitability and suggest an increase in paranodal conductance, which was relevant to the pathology at the paranode. Altogether, our findings highlight the importance of KCC3 in maintaining paranodal integrity and in optimizing the propagation of action potentials along peripheral nerves.
authors: Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan; Advanced Optoelectronic Technology Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Dou-Liou Branch, Yun-Lin 640, Taiwan.
authors: Yuan-Ting
authors: YT
authors: Sun
authors: Department of Life Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan.
authors: Shun-Fen
authors: SF
authors: Tzeng
authors: Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan.
authors: Thy-Sheng
authors: TS
authors: Lin
authors: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan.
authors: Kuei-Sen
authors: KS
authors: Hsu
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Delpire
authors: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan 704, Taiwan. Electronic address: mrshen@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
authors: Meng-Ru
authors: MR
authors: Shen
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D005838:Genotype; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D027981:Symporters / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D000096922:K Cl- Cotransporters
chemical_list: D027981:Symporters; C492280:Slc12a6 protein, mouse; D000096922:K Cl- Cotransporters
keywords: Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum; axon excitability; impulse conduction; neuropathy; potassium chloride cotransporter; threshold tracking