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Yang J, Wu J, Xie X, Xia P, Lu J, Liu J, Bai L, Li X, Yu Z, Li H. Perilipin-2 mediates ferroptosis in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and myelin injury after ischemic stroke. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:2015-2028. [PMID: 39254564 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202507000-00024/figure1/v/2024-09-09T124005Z/r/image-tiff Differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into mature myelin-forming oligodendrocytes contributes to remyelination. Failure of remyelination due to oligodendrocyte progenitor cell death can result in severe nerve damage. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death caused by membrane rupture induced by lipid peroxidation, and plays an important role in the pathological process of ischemic stroke. However, there are few studies on oligodendrocyte progenitor cell ferroptosis. We analyzed transcriptome sequencing data from GEO databases and identified a role of ferroptosis in oligodendrocyte progenitor cell death and myelin injury after cerebral ischemia. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that perilipin-2 (PLIN2) was involved in oligodendrocyte progenitor cell ferroptosis. PLIN2 is a lipid storage protein and a marker of hypoxia-sensitive lipid droplet accumulation. For further investigation, we established a mouse model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. We found significant myelin damage after cerebral ischemia, as well as oligodendrocyte progenitor cell death and increased lipid peroxidation levels around the infarct area. The ferroptosis inhibitor, ferrostatin-1, rescued oligodendrocyte progenitor cell death and subsequent myelin injury. We also found increased PLIN2 levels in the peri-infarct area that co-localized with oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Plin2 knockdown rescued demyelination and improved neurological deficits. Our findings suggest that targeting PLIN2 to regulate oligodendrocyte progenitor cell ferroptosis may be a potential therapeutic strategy for rescuing myelin damage after cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiang Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xueshun Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Pengfei Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jinxin Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiale Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lei Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhengquan Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haiying Li
- Department of Neurosurgery & Brain and Nerve Research Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Institute of Stroke Research, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
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2
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Xing X, Liu X, Li X, Li M, Wu X, Huang X, Xu A, Liu Y, Zhang J. Insights into spinal muscular atrophy from molecular biomarkers. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1849-1863. [PMID: 38934395 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-24-00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy is a devastating motor neuron disease characterized by severe cases of fatal muscle weakness. It is one of the most common genetic causes of mortality among infants aged less than 2 years. Biomarker research is currently receiving more attention, and new candidate biomarkers are constantly being discovered. This review initially discusses the evaluation methods commonly used in clinical practice while briefly outlining their respective pros and cons. We also describe recent advancements in research and the clinical significance of molecular biomarkers for spinal muscular atrophy, which are classified as either specific or non-specific biomarkers. This review provides new insights into the pathogenesis of spinal muscular atrophy, the mechanism of biomarkers in response to drug-modified therapies, the selection of biomarker candidates, and would promote the development of future research. Furthermore, the successful utilization of biomarkers may facilitate the implementation of gene-targeting treatments for patients with spinal muscular atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Xing
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinzhu Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiandeng Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mi Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian Wu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaohui Huang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ajing Xu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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3
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Zhang M, Xiang C, Niu R, He X, Luo W, Liu W, Gu R. Liposomes as versatile agents for the management of traumatic and nontraumatic central nervous system disorders: drug stability, targeting efficiency, and safety. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1883-1899. [PMID: 39254548 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-24-00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Various nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of neurological disorders have been widely studied. However, their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier hampers the clinical translation of these therapeutic strategies. Liposomes are nanoparticles composed of lipid bilayers, which can effectively encapsulate drugs and improve drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier and into brain tissue through their targeting and permeability. Therefore, they can potentially treat traumatic and nontraumatic central nervous system diseases. In this review, we outlined the common properties and preparation methods of liposomes, including thin-film hydration, reverse-phase evaporation, solvent injection techniques, detergent removal methods, and microfluidics techniques. Afterwards, we comprehensively discussed the current applications of liposomes in central nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and brain tumors. Most studies related to liposomes are still in the laboratory stage and have not yet entered clinical trials. Additionally, their application as drug delivery systems in clinical practice faces challenges such as drug stability, targeting efficiency, and safety. Therefore, we proposed development strategies related to liposomes to further promote their development in neurological disease research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
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4
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Aberle T, Wegner M. Like a G6-nal: transcriptional control of G-protein coupled receptors during oligodendroglial development. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:2001-2002. [PMID: 39254558 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-24-00520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Aberle
- Institut für Biochemie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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5
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Lin Z, Ying C, Si X, Xue N, Liu Y, Zheng R, Chen Y, Pu J, Zhang B. NOX4 exacerbates Parkinson's disease pathology by promoting neuronal ferroptosis and neuroinflammation. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:2038-2052. [PMID: 38993139 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202507000-00026/figure1/v/2024-09-09T124005Z/r/image-tiff Parkinson's disease is primarily caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra compacta. Ferroptosis, a novel form of regulated cell death characterized by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation, plays a vital role in the death of dopaminergic neurons. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in dopaminergic neurons have not yet been completely elucidated. NADPH oxidase 4 is related to oxidative stress, however, whether it regulates dopaminergic neuronal ferroptosis remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether NADPH oxidase 4 is involved in dopaminergic neuronal ferroptosis, and if so, by what mechanism. We found that the transcriptional regulator activating transcription factor 3 increased NADPH oxidase 4 expression in dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes in an 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's disease model. NADPH oxidase 4 inhibition improved the behavioral impairments observed in the Parkinson's disease model animals and reduced the death of dopaminergic neurons. Moreover, NADPH oxidase 4 inhibition reduced lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation in the substantia nigra of the Parkinson's disease model animals. Mechanistically, we found that NADPH oxidase 4 interacted with activated protein kinase C α to prevent ferroptosis of dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, by lowering the astrocytic lipocalin-2 expression, NADPH oxidase 4 inhibition reduced 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine-induced neuroinflammation. These findings demonstrate that NADPH oxidase 4 promotes ferroptosis of dopaminergic neurons and neuroinflammation, which contribute to dopaminergic neuron death, suggesting that NADPH oxidase 4 is a possible therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Lin
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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6
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Qi G, Tang H, Hu J, Kang S, Qin S. Potential role of tanycyte-derived neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1599-1612. [PMID: 38934388 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tanycytes, specialized ependymal cells located in the hypothalamus, play a crucial role in the generation of new neurons that contribute to the neural circuits responsible for regulating the systemic energy balance. The precise coordination of the gene networks controlling neurogenesis in naive and mature tanycytes is essential for maintaining homeostasis in adulthood. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that govern the proliferation and differentiation of tanycytes into neurons remains limited. This article aims to review the recent advancements in research into the mechanisms and functions of tanycyte-derived neurogenesis. Studies employing lineage-tracing techniques have revealed that the neurogenesis specifically originating from tanycytes in the hypothalamus has a compensatory role in neuronal loss and helps maintain energy homeostasis during metabolic diseases. Intriguingly, metabolic disorders are considered early biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, the neurogenic potential of tanycytes and the state of newborn neurons derived from tanycytes heavily depend on the maintenance of mild microenvironments, which may be disrupted in Alzheimer's disease due to the impaired blood-brain barrier function. However, the specific alterations and regulatory mechanisms governing tanycyte-derived neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease remain unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests that tanycyte-derived neurogenesis might be impaired in Alzheimer's disease, exacerbating neurodegeneration. Confirming this hypothesis, however, poses a challenge because of the lack of long-term tracing and nucleus-specific analyses of newborn neurons in the hypothalamus of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Further research into the molecular mechanisms underlying tanycyte-derived neurogenesis holds promise for identifying small molecules capable of restoring tanycyte proliferation in neurodegenerative diseases. This line of investigation could provide valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease and related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guibo Qi
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Tang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianian Hu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siying Kang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Song Qin
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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7
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Jiang Y, Qi Z, Zhu H, Shen K, Liu R, Fang C, Lou W, Jiang Y, Yuan W, Cao X, Chen L, Zhuang Q. Role of the globus pallidus in motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1628-1643. [PMID: 38845220 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The globus pallidus plays a pivotal role in the basal ganglia circuit. Parkinson's disease is characterized by degeneration of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra, which leads to dopamine deficiency in the brain that subsequently manifests as various motor and non-motor symptoms. This review aims to summarize the involvement of the globus pallidus in both motor and non-motor manifestations of Parkinson's disease. The firing activities of parvalbumin neurons in the medial globus pallidus, including both the firing rate and pattern, exhibit strong correlations with the bradykinesia and rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease. Increased beta oscillations, which are highly correlated with bradykinesia and rigidity, are regulated by the lateral globus pallidus. Furthermore, bradykinesia and rigidity are strongly linked to the loss of dopaminergic projections within the cortical-basal ganglia-thalamocortical loop. Resting tremors are attributed to the transmission of pathological signals from the basal ganglia through the motor cortex to the cerebellum-ventral intermediate nucleus circuit. The cortico-striato-pallidal loop is responsible for mediating pallidi-associated sleep disorders. Medication and deep brain stimulation are the primary therapeutic strategies addressing the globus pallidus in Parkinson's disease. Medication is the primary treatment for motor symptoms in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, while deep brain stimulation has been clinically proven to be effective in alleviating symptoms in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, particularly for the movement disorders caused by levodopa. Deep brain stimulation targeting the globus pallidus internus can improve motor function in patients with tremor-dominant and non-tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease, while deep brain stimulation targeting the globus pallidus externus can alter the temporal pattern of neural activity throughout the basal ganglia-thalamus network. Therefore, the composition of the globus pallidus neurons, the neurotransmitters that act on them, their electrical activity, and the neural circuits they form can guide the search for new multi-target drugs to treat Parkinson's disease in clinical practice. Examining the potential intra-nuclear and neural circuit mechanisms of deep brain stimulation associated with the globus pallidus can facilitate the management of both motor and non-motor symptoms while minimizing the side effects caused by deep brain stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimiao Jiang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zengxin Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institute of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huixian Zhu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kangli Shen
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ruiqi Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chenxin Fang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Weiwei Lou
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yifan Jiang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wangrui Yuan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xin Cao
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institute of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianxing Zhuang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
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8
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Zhu Y, Li X, Lei X, Tang L, Wen D, Zeng B, Zhang X, Huang Z, Guo Z. The potential mechanism and clinical application value of remote ischemic conditioning in stroke. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1613-1627. [PMID: 38845225 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Some studies have confirmed the neuroprotective effect of remote ischemic conditioning against stroke. Although numerous animal researches have shown that the neuroprotective effect of remote ischemic conditioning may be related to neuroinflammation, cellular immunity, apoptosis, and autophagy, the exact underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. This review summarizes the current status of different types of remote ischemic conditioning methods in animal and clinical studies and analyzes their commonalities and differences in neuroprotective mechanisms and signaling pathways. Remote ischemic conditioning has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for improving stroke-induced brain injury owing to its simplicity, non-invasiveness, safety, and patient tolerability. Different forms of remote ischemic conditioning exhibit distinct intervention patterns, timing, and application range. Mechanistically, remote ischemic conditioning can exert neuroprotective effects by activating the Notch1/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway, improving cerebral perfusion, suppressing neuroinflammation, inhibiting cell apoptosis, activating autophagy, and promoting neural regeneration. While remote ischemic conditioning has shown potential in improving stroke outcomes, its full clinical translation has not yet been achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Zhu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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9
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Junaid M, Lee EJ, Lim SB. Single-cell and spatial omics: exploring hypothalamic heterogeneity. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1525-1540. [PMID: 38993130 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-24-00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the complex dynamic cellular organization in the hypothalamus is critical for understanding its role in coordinating fundamental body functions. Over the past decade, single-cell and spatial omics technologies have significantly evolved, overcoming initial technical challenges in capturing and analyzing individual cells. These high-throughput omics technologies now offer a remarkable opportunity to comprehend the complex spatiotemporal patterns of transcriptional diversity and cell-type characteristics across the entire hypothalamus. Current single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing methods comprehensively quantify gene expression by exploring distinct phenotypes across various subregions of the hypothalamus. However, single-cell/single-nucleus RNA sequencing requires isolating the cell/nuclei from the tissue, potentially resulting in the loss of spatial information concerning neuronal networks. Spatial transcriptomics methods, by bypassing the cell dissociation, can elucidate the intricate spatial organization of neural networks through their imaging and sequencing technologies. In this review, we highlight the applicative value of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics in exploring the complex molecular-genetic diversity of hypothalamic cell types, driven by recent high-throughput achievements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Junaid
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Eun Jeong Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Brain Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Su Bin Lim
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
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10
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Qu W, Wu X, Wu W, Wang Y, Sun Y, Deng L, Walker M, Chen C, Dai H, Han Q, Ding Y, Xia Y, Smith G, Li R, Liu NK, Xu XM. Chondroitinase ABC combined with Schwann cell transplantation enhances restoration of neural connection and functional recovery following acute and chronic spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1467-1482. [PMID: 39075913 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202505000-00029/figure1/v/2024-07-28T173839Z/r/image-tiff Schwann cell transplantation is considered one of the most promising cell-based therapy to repair injured spinal cord due to its unique growth-promoting and myelin-forming properties. A the Food and Drug Administration-approved Phase I clinical trial has been conducted to evaluate the safety of transplanted human autologous Schwann cells to treat patients with spinal cord injury. A major challenge for Schwann cell transplantation is that grafted Schwann cells are confined within the lesion cavity, and they do not migrate into the host environment due to the inhibitory barrier formed by injury-induced glial scar, thus limiting axonal reentry into the host spinal cord. Here we introduce a combinatorial strategy by suppressing the inhibitory extracellular environment with injection of lentivirus-mediated transfection of chondroitinase ABC gene at the rostral and caudal borders of the lesion site and simultaneously leveraging the repair capacity of transplanted Schwann cells in adult rats following a mid-thoracic contusive spinal cord injury. We report that when the glial scar was degraded by chondroitinase ABC at the rostral and caudal lesion borders, Schwann cells migrated for considerable distances in both rostral and caudal directions. Such Schwann cell migration led to enhanced axonal regrowth, including the serotonergic and dopaminergic axons originating from supraspinal regions, and promoted recovery of locomotor and urinary bladder functions. Importantly, the Schwann cell survival and axonal regrowth persisted up to 6 months after the injury, even when treatment was delayed for 3 months to mimic chronic spinal cord injury. These findings collectively show promising evidence for a combinatorial strategy with chondroitinase ABC and Schwann cells in promoting remodeling and recovery of function following spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenrui Qu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Hand Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xiangbing Wu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Wei Wu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ying Wang
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yan Sun
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Lingxiao Deng
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Melissa Walker
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Chen Chen
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Heqiao Dai
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Qi Han
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ying Ding
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yongzhi Xia
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - George Smith
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Hand Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Nai-Kui Liu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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11
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Cui Y, Ma X, Wei J, Chen C, Shakir N, Guirram H, Dai Z, Anderson T, Ferguson D, Qiu S. MET receptor tyrosine kinase promotes the generation of functional synapses in adult cortical circuits. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1431-1444. [PMID: 39075910 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202505000-00026/figure1/v/2024-07-28T173839Z/r/image-tiff Loss of synapse and functional connectivity in brain circuits is associated with aging and neurodegeneration, however, few molecular mechanisms are known to intrinsically promote synaptogenesis or enhance synapse function. We have previously shown that MET receptor tyrosine kinase in the developing cortical circuits promotes dendritic growth and dendritic spine morphogenesis. To investigate whether enhancing MET in adult cortex has synapse regenerating potential, we created a knockin mouse line, in which the human MET gene expression and signaling can be turned on in adult (10-12 months) cortical neurons through doxycycline-containing chow. We found that similar to the developing brain, turning on MET signaling in the adult cortex activates small GTPases and increases spine density in prefrontal projection neurons. These findings are further corroborated by increased synaptic activity and transient generation of immature silent synapses. Prolonged MET signaling resulted in an increased α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid/N-methyl-D-aspartate (AMPA/NMDA) receptor current ratio, indicative of enhanced synaptic function and connectivity. Our data reveal that enhancing MET signaling could be an interventional approach to promote synaptogenesis and preserve functional connectivity in the adult brain. These findings may have implications for regenerative therapy in aging and neurodegeneration conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehua Cui
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Jing Wei
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Chang Chen
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Neha Shakir
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Hitesch Guirram
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Zhiyu Dai
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Trent Anderson
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Deveroux Ferguson
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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12
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Tohda C. Pharmacological intervention for chronic phase of spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1377-1389. [PMID: 38934397 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-24-00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury is an intractable traumatic injury. The most common hurdles faced during spinal cord injury are failure of axonal regrowth and reconnection to target sites. These also tend to be the most challenging issues in spinal cord injury. As spinal cord injury progresses to the chronic phase, lost motor and sensory functions are not recovered. Several reasons may be attributed to the failure of recovery from chronic spinal cord injury. These include factors that inhibit axonal growth such as activated astrocytes, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, myelin-associated proteins, inflammatory microglia, and fibroblasts that accumulate at lesion sites. Skeletal muscle atrophy due to denervation is another chronic and detrimental spinal cord injury-specific condition. Although several intervention strategies based on multiple outlooks have been attempted for treating spinal cord injury, few approaches have been successful. To treat chronic spinal cord injury, neural cells or tissue substitutes may need to be supplied in the cavity area to enable possible axonal growth. Additionally, stimulating axonal growth activity by extrinsic factors is extremely important and essential for maintaining the remaining host neurons and transplanted neurons. This review focuses on pharmacotherapeutic approaches using small compounds and proteins to enable axonal growth in chronic spinal cord injury. This review presents some of these candidates that have shown promising outcomes in basic research ( in vivo animal studies) and clinical trials: AA-NgR(310)ecto-Fc (AXER-204), fasudil, phosphatase and tensin homolog protein antagonist peptide 4, chondroitinase ABC, intracellular sigma peptide, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, matrine, acteoside, pyrvate kinase M2, diosgenin, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and fampridine-sustained release. Although the current situation suggests that drug-based therapies to recover function in chronic spinal cord injury are limited, potential candidates have been identified through basic research, and these candidates may be subjects of clinical studies in the future. Moreover, cocktail therapy comprising drugs with varied underlying mechanisms may be effective in treating the refractory status of chronic spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Tohda
- Section of Neuromedical Science, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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13
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Weng C, Groh AMR, Yaqubi M, Cui QL, Stratton JA, Moore GRW, Antel JP. Heterogeneity of mature oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1336-1349. [PMID: 38934385 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-24-00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mature oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths that are crucial for the insulation of axons and efficient signal transmission in the central nervous system. Recent evidence has challenged the classical view of the functionally static mature oligodendrocyte and revealed a gamut of dynamic functions such as the ability to modulate neuronal circuitry and provide metabolic support to axons. Despite the recognition of potential heterogeneity in mature oligodendrocyte function, a comprehensive summary of mature oligodendrocyte diversity is lacking. We delve into early 20 th -century studies by Robertson and Río-Hortega that laid the foundation for the modern identification of regional and morphological heterogeneity in mature oligodendrocytes. Indeed, recent morphologic and functional studies call into question the long-assumed homogeneity of mature oligodendrocyte function through the identification of distinct subtypes with varying myelination preferences. Furthermore, modern molecular investigations, employing techniques such as single cell/nucleus RNA sequencing, consistently unveil at least six mature oligodendrocyte subpopulations in the human central nervous system that are highly transcriptomically diverse and vary with central nervous system region. Age and disease related mature oligodendrocyte variation denotes the impact of pathological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, caution is warranted when subclassifying mature oligodendrocytes because of the simplification needed to make conclusions about cell identity from temporally confined investigations. Future studies leveraging advanced techniques like spatial transcriptomics and single-cell proteomics promise a more nuanced understanding of mature oligodendrocyte heterogeneity. Such research avenues that precisely evaluate mature oligodendrocyte heterogeneity with care to understand the mitigating influence of species, sex, central nervous system region, age, and disease, hold promise for the development of therapeutic interventions targeting varied central nervous system pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Weng
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Adam M R Groh
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Moein Yaqubi
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Qiao-Ling Cui
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jo Anne Stratton
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - G R Wayne Moore
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jack P Antel
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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14
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Wu J, Ye S, Liu X, Xu Y, Fan D. The burden of upper motor neuron involvement is correlated with the bilateral limb involvement interval in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a retrospective observational study. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1505-1512. [PMID: 39075916 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202505000-00032/figure1/v/2024-07-28T173839Z/r/image-tiff Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterized by the involvement of both upper and lower motor neurons. Early bilateral limb involvement significantly affects patients' daily lives and may lead them to be confined to bed. However, the effect of upper and lower motor neuron impairment and other risk factors on bilateral limb involvement is unclear. To address this issue, we retrospectively collected data from 586 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset diagnosed at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2020 and May 2022. A univariate analysis revealed no significant differences in the time intervals of spread in different directions between individuals with upper motor neuron-dominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and those with classic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We used causal directed acyclic graphs for risk factor determination and Cox proportional hazards models to investigate the association between the duration of bilateral limb involvement and clinical baseline characteristics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Multiple factor analyses revealed that higher upper motor neuron scores (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.09, P = 0.018), onset in the left limb (HR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.58-0.89, P = 0.002), and a horizontal pattern of progression (HR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.37-0.58, P < 0.001) were risk factors for a shorter interval until bilateral limb involvement. The results demonstrated that a greater degree of upper motor neuron involvement might cause contralateral limb involvement to progress more quickly in limb-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. These findings may improve the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset and the prediction of patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieying Wu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Ye
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yingsheng Xu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
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15
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Long Y, Liu J, Wang Y, Guo H, Cui G. The complex effects of miR-146a in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1309-1323. [PMID: 39075895 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive dysfunction and behavioral abnormalities. Neuroinflammatory plaques formed through the extracellular deposition of amyloid-β proteins, as well as neurofibrillary tangles formed by the intracellular deposition of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins, comprise two typical pathological features of Alzheimer's disease. Besides symptomatic treatment, there are no effective therapies for delaying Alzheimer's disease progression. MicroRNAs (miR) are small, non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression at the transcriptional and translational levels and play important roles in multiple physiological and pathological processes. Indeed, miR-146a, a NF-κB-regulated gene, has been extensively implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease through several pathways. Research has demonstrated substantial dysregulation of miR-146a both during the initial phases and throughout the progression of this disorder. MiR-146a is believed to reduce amyloid-β deposition and tau protein hyperphosphorylation through the TLR/IRAK1/TRAF6 pathway; however, there is also evidence supporting that it can promote these processes through many other pathways, thus exacerbating the pathological manifestations of Alzheimer's disease. It has been widely reported that miR-146a mediates synaptic dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuronal death by targeting mRNAs encoding synaptic-related proteins, mitochondrial-related proteins, and membrane proteins, as well as other mRNAs. Regarding the impact on glial cells, miR-146a also exhibits differential effects. On one hand, it causes widespread and sustained inflammation through certain pathways, while on the other hand, it can reverse the polarization of astrocytes and microglia, alleviate neuroinflammation, and promote oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation, thus maintaining the normal function of the myelin sheath and exerting a protective effect on neurons. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the involvement of miR-146a in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. We aim to elucidate the relationship between miR-146a and the key pathological manifestations of Alzheimer's disease, such as amyloid-β deposition, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, neuronal death, mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic dysfunction, and glial cell dysfunction, as well as summarize recent relevant studies that have highlighted the potential of miR-146a as a clinical diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfan Long
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajia Liu
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haidong Guo
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guohong Cui
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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16
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Wang P, Bi Y, Li M, Chen J, Wang Z, Wen H, Zhou M, Luo M, Zhang W. Cortico-striatal gamma oscillations are modulated by dopamine D3 receptors in dyskinetic rats. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1164-1177. [PMID: 38989954 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202504000-00031/figure1/v/2024-07-06T104127Z/r/image-tiff Long-term levodopa administration can lead to the development of levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Gamma oscillations are a widely recognized hallmark of abnormal neural electrical activity in levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Currently, studies have reported increased oscillation power in cases of levodopa-induced dyskinesia. However, little is known about how the other electrophysiological parameters of gamma oscillations are altered in levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Furthermore, the role of the dopamine D3 receptor, which is implicated in levodopa-induced dyskinesia, in movement disorder-related changes in neural oscillations is unclear. We found that the cortico-striatal functional connectivity of beta oscillations was enhanced in a model of Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, levodopa application enhanced cortical gamma oscillations in cortico-striatal projections and cortical gamma aperiodic components, as well as bidirectional primary motor cortex (M1) ↔ dorsolateral striatum gamma flow. Administration of PD128907 (a selective dopamine D3 receptor agonist) induced dyskinesia and excessive gamma oscillations with a bidirectional M1 ↔ dorsolateral striatum flow. However, administration of PG01037 (a selective dopamine D3 receptor antagonist) attenuated dyskinesia, suppressed gamma oscillations and cortical gamma aperiodic components, and decreased gamma causality in the M1 → dorsolateral striatum direction. These findings suggest that the dopamine D3 receptor plays a role in dyskinesia-related oscillatory activity, and that it has potential as a therapeutic target for levodopa-induced dyskinesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Wang
- Neurosurgery Center, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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17
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Chen J, Chen J, Yu C, Xia K, Yang B, Wang R, Li Y, Shi K, Zhang Y, Xu H, Zhang X, Wang J, Chen Q, Liang C. Metabolic reprogramming: a new option for the treatment of spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1042-1057. [PMID: 38989936 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injuries impose a notably economic burden on society, mainly because of the severe after-effects they cause. Despite the ongoing development of various therapies for spinal cord injuries, their effectiveness remains unsatisfactory. However, a deeper understanding of metabolism has opened up a new therapeutic opportunity in the form of metabolic reprogramming. In this review, we explore the metabolic changes that occur during spinal cord injuries, their consequences, and the therapeutic tools available for metabolic reprogramming. Normal spinal cord metabolism is characterized by independent cellular metabolism and intercellular metabolic coupling. However, spinal cord injury results in metabolic disorders that include disturbances in glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These metabolic disturbances lead to corresponding pathological changes, including the failure of axonal regeneration, the accumulation of scarring, and the activation of microglia. To rescue spinal cord injury at the metabolic level, potential metabolic reprogramming approaches have emerged, including replenishing metabolic substrates, reconstituting metabolic couplings, and targeting mitochondrial therapies to alter cell fate. The available evidence suggests that metabolic reprogramming holds great promise as a next-generation approach for the treatment of spinal cord injury. To further advance the metabolic treatment of the spinal cord injury, future efforts should focus on a deeper understanding of neurometabolism, the development of more advanced metabolomics technologies, and the design of highly effective metabolic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangjie Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jinyang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chao Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Kaishun Xia
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Biao Yang
- Qiandongnan Prefecture People's Hospital, Kaili, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Ronghao Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Kesi Shi
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yuang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Haibin Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xuesong Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingkai Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qixin Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chengzhen Liang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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18
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Jiao D, Xu L, Gu Z, Yan H, Shen D, Gu X. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of epilepsy: electromagnetic stimulation-mediated neuromodulation therapy and new technologies. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:917-935. [PMID: 38989927 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a severe, relapsing, and multifactorial neurological disorder. Studies regarding the accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and in-depth pathogenesis are crucial for the precise and effective treatment of epilepsy. The pathogenesis of epilepsy is complex and involves alterations in variables such as gene expression, protein expression, ion channel activity, energy metabolites, and gut microbiota composition. Satisfactory results are lacking for conventional treatments for epilepsy. Surgical resection of lesions, drug therapy, and non-drug interventions are mainly used in clinical practice to treat pain associated with epilepsy. Non-pharmacological treatments, such as a ketogenic diet, gene therapy for nerve regeneration, and neural regulation, are currently areas of research focus. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the pathogenesis, diagnostic methods, and treatments of epilepsy. It also elaborates on the theoretical basis, treatment modes, and effects of invasive nerve stimulation in neurotherapy, including percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain electrical stimulation, repetitive nerve electrical stimulation, in addition to non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation. Numerous studies have shown that electromagnetic stimulation-mediated neuromodulation therapy can markedly improve neurological function and reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures. Additionally, many new technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy are being explored. However, current research is mainly focused on analyzing patients' clinical manifestations and exploring relevant diagnostic and treatment methods to study the pathogenesis at a molecular level, which has led to a lack of consensus regarding the mechanisms related to the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Jiao
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lai Xu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhen Gu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hua Yan
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dingding Shen
- Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaosong Gu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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19
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Zhang L, Wei J, Liu X, Li D, Pang X, Chen F, Cao H, Lei P. Gut microbiota-astrocyte axis: new insights into age-related cognitive decline. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:990-1008. [PMID: 38989933 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
With the rapidly aging human population, age-related cognitive decline and dementia are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Aging is considered the main risk factor for cognitive decline and acts through alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and the functions of astrocytes. The microbiota-gut-brain axis has been the focus of multiple studies and is closely associated with cognitive function. This article provides a comprehensive review of the specific changes that occur in the composition of the gut microbiota and microbial metabolites in older individuals and discusses how the aging of astrocytes and reactive astrocytosis are closely related to age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. This article also summarizes the gut microbiota components that affect astrocyte function, mainly through the vagus nerve, immune responses, circadian rhythms, and microbial metabolites. Finally, this article summarizes the mechanism by which the gut microbiota-astrocyte axis plays a role in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Our findings have revealed the critical role of the microbiota-astrocyte axis in age-related cognitive decline, aiding in a deeper understanding of potential gut microbiome-based adjuvant therapy strategies for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhang
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingge Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Xilei Liu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Dai Li
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoqi Pang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Fanglian Chen
- Tianjin Neurological Institution, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hailong Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Ping Lei
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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20
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Zhu K, Wang H, Ye K, Chen G, Zhang Z. Netrin-1 signaling pathway mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:960-972. [PMID: 38989931 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Netrin-1 and its receptors play crucial roles in inducing axonal growth and neuronal migration during neuronal development. Their profound impacts then extend into adulthood to encompass the maintenance of neuronal survival and synaptic function. Increasing amounts of evidence highlight several key points: (1) Diminished Netrin-1 levels exacerbate pathological progression in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and potentially, similar alterations occur in humans. (2) Genetic mutations of Netrin-1 receptors increase an individuals' susceptibility to neurodegenerative disorders. (3) Therapeutic approaches targeting Netrin-1 and its receptors offer the benefits of enhancing memory and motor function. (4) Netrin-1 and its receptors show genetic and epigenetic alterations in a variety of cancers. These findings provide compelling evidence that Netrin-1 and its receptors are crucial targets in neurodegenerative diseases. Through a comprehensive review of Netrin-1 signaling pathways, our objective is to uncover potential therapeutic avenues for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kedong Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Hualong Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University; Brain Aging and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory of Heibei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Keqiang Ye
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guiqin Chen
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Zhaohui Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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21
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An Z, Jiang A, Chen J. Toward understanding the role of genomic repeat elements in neurodegenerative diseases. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:646-659. [PMID: 38886931 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases cause great medical and economic burdens for both patients and society; however, the complex molecular mechanisms thereof are not yet well understood. With the development of high-coverage sequencing technology, researchers have started to notice that genomic repeat regions, previously neglected in search of disease culprits, are active contributors to multiple neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we describe the association between repeat element variants and multiple degenerative diseases through genome-wide association studies and targeted sequencing. We discuss the identification of disease-relevant repeat element variants, further powered by the advancement of long-read sequencing technologies and their related tools, and summarize recent findings in the molecular mechanisms of repeat element variants in brain degeneration, such as those causing transcriptional silencing or RNA-mediated gain of toxic function. Furthermore, we describe how in silico predictions using innovative computational models, such as deep learning language models, could enhance and accelerate our understanding of the functional impact of repeat element variants. Finally, we discuss future directions to advance current findings for a better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and the clinical applications of genomic repeat elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu An
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Aidi Jiang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingqi Chen
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Shanghai, China
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22
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Gao M, Wang X, Su S, Feng W, Lai Y, Huang K, Cao D, Wang Q. Meningeal lymphatic vessel crosstalk with central nervous system immune cells in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:763-778. [PMID: 38886941 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Meningeal lymphatic vessels form a relationship between the nervous system and periphery, which is relevant in both health and disease. Meningeal lymphatic vessels not only play a key role in the drainage of brain metabolites but also contribute to antigen delivery and immune cell activation. The advent of novel genomic technologies has enabled rapid progress in the characterization of myeloid and lymphoid cells and their interactions with meningeal lymphatic vessels within the central nervous system. In this review, we provide an overview of the multifaceted roles of meningeal lymphatic vessels within the context of the central nervous system immune network, highlighting recent discoveries on the immunological niche provided by meningeal lymphatic vessels. Furthermore, we delve into the mechanisms of crosstalk between meningeal lymphatic vessels and immune cells in the central nervous system under both homeostatic conditions and neurodegenerative diseases, discussing how these interactions shape the pathological outcomes. Regulation of meningeal lymphatic vessel function and structure can influence lymphatic drainage, cerebrospinal fluid-borne immune modulators, and immune cell populations in aging and neurodegenerative disorders, thereby playing a key role in shaping meningeal and brain parenchyma immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghuang Gao
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xinyue Wang
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shijie Su
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Weicheng Feng
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yaona Lai
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kongli Huang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Dandan Cao
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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23
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Kwakowsky A, Palpagama TH. Neuroinflammation as a therapeutic target in Huntington's disease. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:817-818. [PMID: 38886953 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-24-00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kwakowsky
- Center for Brain Research and Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (Kwakowsky A, Palpagama TH)
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland (Kwakowsky A)
| | - Thulani H Palpagama
- Center for Brain Research and Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (Kwakowsky A, Palpagama TH)
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24
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Helmold BR, Ahrens A, Fitzgerald Z, Ozdinler PH. Spastin and alsin protein interactome analyses begin to reveal key canonical pathways and suggest novel druggable targets. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:725-739. [PMID: 38886938 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-02068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Developing effective and long-term treatment strategies for rare and complex neurodegenerative diseases is challenging. One of the major roadblocks is the extensive heterogeneity among patients. This hinders understanding the underlying disease-causing mechanisms and building solutions that have implications for a broad spectrum of patients. One potential solution is to develop personalized medicine approaches based on strategies that target the most prevalent cellular events that are perturbed in patients. Especially in patients with a known genetic mutation, it may be possible to understand how these mutations contribute to problems that lead to neurodegeneration. Protein-protein interaction analyses offer great advantages for revealing how proteins interact, which cellular events are primarily involved in these interactions, and how they become affected when key genes are mutated in patients. This line of investigation also suggests novel druggable targets for patients with different mutations. Here, we focus on alsin and spastin, two proteins that are identified as "causative" for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hereditary spastic paraplegia, respectively, when mutated. Our review analyzes the protein interactome for alsin and spastin, the canonical pathways that are primarily important for each protein domain, as well as compounds that are either Food and Drug Administration-approved or are in active clinical trials concerning the affected cellular pathways. This line of research begins to pave the way for personalized medicine approaches that are desperately needed for rare neurodegenerative diseases that are complex and heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R Helmold
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Angela Ahrens
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zachary Fitzgerald
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - P Hande Ozdinler
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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25
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Li Y, Xu X, Wu X, Li J, Chen S, Chen D, Li G, Tang Z. Cell polarization in ischemic stroke: molecular mechanisms and advances. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:632-645. [PMID: 38886930 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is a cerebrovascular disease associated with high mortality and disability rates. Since the inflammation and immune response play a central role in driving ischemic damage, it becomes essential to modulate excessive inflammatory reactions to promote cell survival and facilitate tissue repair around the injury site. Various cell types are involved in the inflammatory response, including microglia, astrocytes, and neutrophils, each exhibiting distinct phenotypic profiles upon stimulation. They display either proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory states, a phenomenon known as 'cell polarization.' There are two cell polarization therapy strategies. The first involves inducing cells into a neuroprotective phenotype in vitro, then reintroducing them autologously. The second approach utilizes small molecular substances to directly affect cells in vivo. In this review, we elucidate the polarization dynamics of the three reactive cell populations (microglia, astrocytes, and neutrophils) in the context of ischemic stroke, and provide a comprehensive summary of the molecular mechanisms involved in their phenotypic switching. By unraveling the complexity of cell polarization, we hope to offer insights for future research on neuroinflammation and novel therapeutic strategies for ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanwei Li
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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26
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Wu B, Liu Y, Li H, Zhu L, Zeng L, Zhang Z, Peng W. Liver as a new target organ in Alzheimer's disease: insight from cholesterol metabolism and its role in amyloid-beta clearance. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:695-714. [PMID: 38886936 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.391305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease, the primary cause of dementia, is characterized by neuropathologies, such as amyloid plaques, synaptic and neuronal degeneration, and neurofibrillary tangles. Although amyloid plaques are the primary characteristic of Alzheimer's disease in the central nervous system and peripheral organs, targeting amyloid-beta clearance in the central nervous system has shown limited clinical efficacy in Alzheimer's disease treatment. Metabolic abnormalities are commonly observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The liver is the primary peripheral organ involved in amyloid-beta metabolism, playing a crucial role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Notably, impaired cholesterol metabolism in the liver may exacerbate the development of Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we explore the underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease and elucidate the role of the liver in amyloid-beta clearance and cholesterol metabolism. Furthermore, we propose that restoring normal cholesterol metabolism in the liver could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for addressing Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Wu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Hongli Li
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lemei Zhu
- Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lingfeng Zeng
- Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Yangsheng College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
- Qinhuangdao Shanhaiguan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, China
| | - Weijun Peng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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27
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Mohseni SO, Au KM, Issa W, Ruan L, Stuve O, Wang AZ. Multiple sclerosis treatments a review of current biomedical engineering approaches. Biomaterials 2025; 313:122807. [PMID: 39241553 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition targeting the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by focal demyelination with inflammation, causing neurodegeneration and gliosis. This is accompanied by a refractory period in relapsing MS or chronic progression in primary progressive MS. Current MS treatments target disease relapses and aim to reduce further demyelination and disability. These include the treatment of acute exacerbations through global immunomodulation upon corticosteroid administration, which are accompanied by adverse reactions. Disease modifying therapies (DMTs) which provide targeted immunosuppression of T and B cells, and sequestration of leukocytes out of CNS, have led to further improvements in demyelination prevention and disease burden reduction. Despite their efficacy, DMTs are ineffective in remyelination, pathology reversal and have minimal effects in progressive MS. The advent of modern biomedical engineering approaches in combination with a better understanding of MS pathology, has led to the development of novel, regenerative approaches to treatment. Such treatments utilize neural stem cells (NSCs) and can reduce disease relapses and reverse damage caused by the disease through localized tissue regeneration. While at initial stages, pre-clinical and clinical studies utilizing NSCs and immune modulation have shown promising outcomes in tissue regeneration, creating a potential new era in MS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayyed Ourmazd Mohseni
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Kin Man Au
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Wadih Issa
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Lifu Ruan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Olaf Stuve
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Andrew Z Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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28
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Xu L, Xu H, Tang C. Aquaporin-4-IgG-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: progress of experimental models based on disease pathogenesis. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:354-365. [PMID: 38819039 PMCID: PMC11317952 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are neuroinflammatory demyelinating disorders that lead to permanent visual loss and motor dysfunction. To date, no effective treatment exists as the exact causative mechanism remains unknown. Therefore, experimental models of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are essential for exploring its pathogenesis and in screening for therapeutic targets. Since most patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are seropositive for IgG autoantibodies against aquaporin-4, which is highly expressed on the membrane of astrocyte endfeet, most current experimental models are based on aquaporin-4-IgG that initially targets astrocytes. These experimental models have successfully simulated many pathological features of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, such as aquaporin-4 loss, astrocytopathy, granulocyte and macrophage infiltration, complement activation, demyelination, and neuronal loss; however, they do not fully capture the pathological process of human neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. In this review, we summarize the currently known pathogenic mechanisms and the development of associated experimental models in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, suggest potential pathogenic mechanisms for further investigation, and provide guidance on experimental model choices. In addition, this review summarizes the latest information on pathologies and therapies for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders based on experimental models of aquaporin-4-IgG-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, offering further therapeutic targets and a theoretical basis for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Huiming Xu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Changyong Tang
- Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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29
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Piacentini R, Grassi C. Interleukin 1β receptor and synaptic dysfunction in recurrent brain infection with Herpes simplex virus type-1. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:416-423. [PMID: 38819045 PMCID: PMC11317954 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Several experimental evidence suggests a link between brain Herpes simplex virus type-1 infection and the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this association are not completely understood. Among the molecular mediators of synaptic and cognitive dysfunction occurring after Herpes simplex virus type-1 infection and reactivation in the brain neuroinflammatory cytokines seem to occupy a central role. Here, we specifically reviewed literature reports dealing with the impact of neuroinflammation on synaptic dysfunction observed after recurrent Herpes simplex virus type-1 reactivation in the brain, highlighting the role of interleukins and, in particular, interleukin 1β as a possible target against Herpes simplex virus type-1-induced neuronal dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Piacentini
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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30
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Burtscher J, Bourdillon N, Janssen Daalen JM, Patoz A, Bally JF, Kopp M, Malatesta D, Bloem BR. Movement analysis in the diagnosis and management of Parkinson's disease. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:485-486. [PMID: 38819059 PMCID: PMC11317938 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-24-00207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Burtscher
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Bourdillon
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jules M. Janssen Daalen
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Center of Expertise for Parkinson and Movement Disorders, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Medical BioSciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Aurélien Patoz
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Research and Development Department, Volodalen Swiss Sport Lab, Aigle, Switzerland
| | - Julien F. Bally
- Service of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin Kopp
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Davide Malatesta
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bastiaan R. Bloem
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Center of Expertise for Parkinson and Movement Disorders, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Medical BioSciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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31
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Yang Y, Li X, Lu J, Ge J, Chen M, Yao R, Tian M, Wang J, Liu F, Zuo C. Recent progress in the applications of presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography imaging in parkinsonism. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:93-106. [PMID: 38767479 PMCID: PMC11246150 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.391180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography, which assesses deficiencies in dopamine synthesis, storage, and transport, is widely utilized for early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of parkinsonism. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest developments in the application of presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography imaging in disorders that manifest parkinsonism. We conducted a thorough literature search using reputable databases such as PubMed and Web of Science. Selection criteria involved identifying peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5 years, with emphasis on their relevance to clinical applications. The findings from these studies highlight that presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography has demonstrated potential not only in diagnosing and differentiating various Parkinsonian conditions but also in assessing disease severity and predicting prognosis. Moreover, when employed in conjunction with other imaging modalities and advanced analytical methods, presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography has been validated as a reliable in vivo biomarker. This validation extends to screening and exploring potential neuropathological mechanisms associated with dopaminergic depletion. In summary, the insights gained from interpreting these studies are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of preclinical investigations and clinical trials, ultimately advancing toward the goals of neuroregeneration in parkinsonian disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, Department of Medical Genetics, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Neurology, National Research Center for Aging and Medicine, National Center for Neurological Disorders, and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi Li
- Department of Neurology, National Research Center for Aging and Medicine, National Center for Neurological Disorders, and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaying Lu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Center, National Center for Neurological Disorders, and National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjie Ge
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Center, National Center for Neurological Disorders, and National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingjia Chen
- Department of Neurology, National Research Center for Aging and Medicine, National Center for Neurological Disorders, and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruixin Yao
- Department of Neurology, National Research Center for Aging and Medicine, National Center for Neurological Disorders, and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Tian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Center, National Center for Neurological Disorders, and National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- International Human Phenome Institutes (Shanghai), Shanghai, China
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Neurology, National Research Center for Aging and Medicine, National Center for Neurological Disorders, and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengtao Liu
- Department of Neurology, National Research Center for Aging and Medicine, National Center for Neurological Disorders, and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuantao Zuo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Center, National Center for Neurological Disorders, and National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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32
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Sun SY, Nie L, Zhang J, Fang X, Luo H, Fu C, Wei Z, Tang AH. The interaction between KIF21A and KANK1 regulates dendritic morphology and synapse plasticity in neurons. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:209-223. [PMID: 38767486 PMCID: PMC11246154 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.391301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202501000-00029/figure1/v/2024-05-14T021156Z/r/image-tiff Morphological alterations in dendritic spines have been linked to changes in functional communication between neurons that affect learning and memory. Kinesin-4 KIF21A helps organize the microtubule-actin network at the cell cortex by interacting with KANK1; however, whether KIF21A modulates dendritic structure and function in neurons remains unknown. In this study, we found that KIF21A was distributed in a subset of dendritic spines, and that these KIF21A-positive spines were larger and more structurally plastic than KIF21A-negative spines. Furthermore, the interaction between KIF21A and KANK1 was found to be critical for dendritic spine morphogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Knockdown of either KIF21A or KANK1 inhibited dendritic spine morphogenesis and dendritic branching, and these deficits were fully rescued by coexpressing full-length KIF21A or KANK1, but not by proteins with mutations disrupting direct binding between KIF21A and KANK1 or binding between KANK1 and talin1. Knocking down KIF21A in the hippocampus of rats inhibited the amplitudes of long-term potentiation induced by high-frequency stimulation and negatively impacted the animals' cognitive abilities. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the function of KIF21A in modulating spine morphology and provide insight into its role in synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Yan Sun
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Lingyun Nie
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xue Fang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Hongmei Luo
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Chuanhai Fu
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhiyi Wei
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ai-Hui Tang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
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Jiao F, Meng L, Du K, Li X. The autophagy-lysosome pathway: a potential target in the chemical and gene therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:139-158. [PMID: 38767483 PMCID: PMC11246151 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease with movement disorders associated with the intracytoplasmic deposition of aggregate proteins such as α-synuclein in neurons. As one of the major intracellular degradation pathways, the autophagy-lysosome pathway plays an important role in eliminating these proteins. Accumulating evidence has shown that upregulation of the autophagy-lysosome pathway may contribute to the clearance of α-synuclein aggregates and protect against degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. Moreover, multiple genes associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease are intimately linked to alterations in the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Thus, this pathway appears to be a promising therapeutic target for treatment of Parkinson's disease. In this review, we briefly introduce the machinery of autophagy. Then, we provide a description of the effects of Parkinson's disease-related genes on the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Finally, we highlight the potential chemical and genetic therapeutic strategies targeting the autophagy-lysosome pathway and their applications in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengjuan Jiao
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong Province, China
- Shandong Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Behavioral Interventions of Mental Disorders, Institute of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lingyan Meng
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong Province, China
| | - Kang Du
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xuezhi Li
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong Province, China
- Shandong Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Behavioral Interventions of Mental Disorders, Institute of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong Province, China
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Roytman S, Paalanen R, Carli G, Marusic U, Kanel P, van Laar T, Bohnen NI. Multisensory mechanisms of gait and balance in Parkinson's disease: an integrative review. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:82-92. [PMID: 38767478 PMCID: PMC11246153 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the neural underpinning of human gait and balance is one of the most pertinent challenges for 21st-century translational neuroscience due to the profound impact that falls and mobility disturbances have on our aging population. Posture and gait control does not happen automatically, as previously believed, but rather requires continuous involvement of central nervous mechanisms. To effectively exert control over the body, the brain must integrate multiple streams of sensory information, including visual, vestibular, and somatosensory signals. The mechanisms which underpin the integration of these multisensory signals are the principal topic of the present work. Existing multisensory integration theories focus on how failure of cognitive processes thought to be involved in multisensory integration leads to falls in older adults. Insufficient emphasis, however, has been placed on specific contributions of individual sensory modalities to multisensory integration processes and cross-modal interactions that occur between the sensory modalities in relation to gait and balance. In the present work, we review the contributions of somatosensory, visual, and vestibular modalities, along with their multisensory intersections to gait and balance in older adults and patients with Parkinson's disease. We also review evidence of vestibular contributions to multisensory temporal binding windows, previously shown to be highly pertinent to fall risk in older adults. Lastly, we relate multisensory vestibular mechanisms to potential neural substrates, both at the level of neurobiology (concerning positron emission tomography imaging) and at the level of electrophysiology (concerning electroencephalography). We hope that this integrative review, drawing influence across multiple subdisciplines of neuroscience, paves the way for novel research directions and therapeutic neuromodulatory approaches, to improve the lives of older adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stiven Roytman
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rebecca Paalanen
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Giulia Carli
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Uros Marusic
- Institute for Kinesiology Research, Science and Research Centre Koper, Koper, Slovenia
- Department of Health Sciences, Alma Mater Europaea - ECM, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Prabesh Kanel
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Parkinson's Foundation Research Center of Excellence, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Teus van Laar
- Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nico I Bohnen
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Parkinson's Foundation Research Center of Excellence, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Neurology Service and GRECC, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Martinelli I, Mandrioli J, Ghezzi A, Zucchi E, Gianferrari G, Simonini C, Cavallieri F, Valzania F. Multifaceted superoxide dismutase 1 expression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a rare occurrence? Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:130-138. [PMID: 38767482 PMCID: PMC11246149 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neuromuscular condition resulting from the progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. While the typical clinical phenotype of ALS involves both upper and lower motor neurons, human and animal studies over the years have highlighted the potential spread to other motor and non-motor regions, expanding the phenotype of ALS. Although superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mutations represent a minority of ALS cases, the SOD1 gene remains a milestone in ALS research as it represents the first genetic target for personalized therapies. Despite numerous single case reports or case series exhibiting extramotor symptoms in patients with ALS mutations in SOD1 (SOD1-ALS), no studies have comprehensively explored the full spectrum of extramotor neurological manifestations in this subpopulation. In this narrative review, we analyze and discuss the available literature on extrapyramidal and non-motor features during SOD1-ALS. The multifaceted expression of SOD1 could deepen our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms, pointing towards a multidisciplinary approach for affected patients in light of new therapeutic strategies for SOD1-ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Martinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Ph.D. Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Ghezzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Gianferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Simonini
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Cavallieri
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Franco Valzania
- Neurology Unit, Neuromotor & Rehabilitation Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Fan S, Tang K, Chen J, Sun M, Chen Q. Overexpanded CAG repeats in ATN1 cause an Early-Onset Case of Dentatorubral-Pallidoluysian atrophy with novel phenotypes and a literature Review of Chinese patients. Gene 2024; 931:148881. [PMID: 39181274 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by CAG overexpansion (≥48 tandem copies) in ATN1. The aim of this research was to explore the genetic cause of a large Chinese DRPLA pedigree and to review the characteristics of Chinese DRPLA patients. METHODS Suspected variants were screened by high-throughput sequencing. The number of CAG repeats was assessed by polymerase chain reaction using FAM-labeled primers followed by capillary electrophoresis. Literature on previously reported DRPLA cases with overexpanded ATN1 CAG repeats in China was reviewed. RESULTS After contracting a lung infection, the proband suffered early-onset DRPLA symptoms and novel phenotypes, transitioning from insomnia to stupor. The numbers of CAG repeats in the proband, her grandfather, father, mother, brother, and aunt were 8/81, 17/54, 10/57, 8/10, 10/10, and 10/17, respectively. Possible incomplete penetrance was observed in this pedigree. CONCLUSION We described a large Chinese DRPLA pedigree in which the proband carried the largest CAG expansion reported in China. We also reviewed the characteristics of Chinese DRPLA patients and broadened the phenotypic spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Fan
- McKusick-Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Kaichen Tang
- McKusick-Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxiao Chen
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Hospital of Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Sun
- McKusick-Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, State Key Laboratory for Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Hospital of Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China.
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Khosroshahi PA, Ghanbari M. MicroRNA dysregulation in glutamate and dopamine pathways of schizophrenia: From molecular pathways to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 135:111081. [PMID: 39002925 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder, and genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in its development. Dysregulated glutamatergic and dopaminergic transmission pathways are involved in schizophrenia development. Besides genetic mutations, epigenetic dysregulation has a considerable role in dysregulating molecular pathways involved in schizophrenia. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that target specific mRNAs and inhibit their translation into proteins. As epigenetic factors, miRNAs regulate many genes involved in glutamate and dopamine signaling pathways; thereby, their dysregulation can contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Secretion of specific miRNAs from damaged cells into body fluids can make them one of the ideal non-invasive biomarkers in the early diagnosis of schizophrenia. Also, understanding the molecular mechanisms of miRNAs in schizophrenia pathogenesis can pave the way for developing novel treatments for patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we reviewed the glutamatergic and dopaminergic pathophysiology and highlighted the role of miRNA dysregulation in schizophrenia development. Besides, we shed light on the significance of circulating miRNAs for schizophrenia diagnosis and the recent findings on the miRNA-based treatment for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Ghanbari
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
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Neoh GKS, Tan X, Chen S, Roura E, Dong X, Gilbert RG. Glycogen metabolism and structure: A review. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 346:122631. [PMID: 39245499 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Glycogen is a glucose polymer that plays a crucial role in glucose homeostasis by functioning as a short-term energy storage reservoir in animals and bacteria. Abnormalities in its metabolism and structure can cause several problems, including diabetes, glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) and muscular disorders. Defects in the enzymes involved in glycogen synthesis or breakdown, resulting in either excessive accumulation or insufficient availability of glycogen in cells seem to account for the most common pathogenesis. This review discusses glycogen metabolism and structure, including molecular architecture, branching dynamics, and the role of associated components within the granules. The review also discusses GSD type XV and Lafora disease, illustrating the broader implications of aberrant glycogen metabolism and structure. These conditions also impart information on important regulatory mechanisms of glycogen, which hint at potential therapeutic targets. Knowledge gaps and potential future research directions are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galex K S Neoh
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Xinle Tan
- Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Si Chen
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Eugeni Roura
- Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Xin Dong
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Robert G Gilbert
- Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology, Agricultural College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
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Liu R, Wu Q, Wu C, Qu Y, Fang Y, De J, Fan R, Song W. Metabolic signatures of metabolites of the purine degradation pathway in human plasma using HILIC UHPLC-HRMS. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 251:116451. [PMID: 39217702 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The metabolic disorders in the purine degradation pathway have proven to be closely associated with several human diseases. However, the etiology is not yet fully understood. Profile assay of purine intermediates and uric acid involved in the metabolic pathway can provide additional insight into the nature and severity of related diseases. Purine metabolites are endogenous chemicals with high hydrophilicity, polarity, and similar structures, thus there is a great need for a specific method to quantify them directly in biological fluids with a short running time. Herein, eight purine degradation pathway metabolites, including xanthine, hypoxanthine, guanine, xanthosine, inosine, guanosine, adenosine and uric acid, in human plasma were quantitatively measured using hydrophilic interaction chromatography-tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (HILIC-HRMS) in a short running time of 10 min. The method was systematically validated for specificity, linearity of the calibration curve, the limit of detection, the limit of quantification, the lower limit of quantification, precision, accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability. The results showed that the method was linear (R2 > 0.99), accurate (the intra- and inter-day recoveries of all analytes ranged from 90.0 % to 110.0 %), and precise (the intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 6.7 % and 8.9 %, respectively) with the lower limits of quantification ranging from 3 to 10,000 ng/mL. The extraction recoveries and matrix effects were repeatable and stable. All the analytes were stable in the autosampler and could be subject to three freeze-thaw cycles. The developed method was ultimately applied to 100 plasma specimens from healthy individuals. The results showed that the concentrations of different purine metabolites varied dramatically in plasma specimens. Diet and body mass index (BMI) were the most significant factors determining purine levels, followed by drinking and sex. Age, smoking and bedtime showed a very weak correlation with purine metabolism. The findings of the present work reveal the characteristics of purine metabolism in human plasma under non-pathological conditions. The results also highlight the factors that can cause changes in purine metabolism, which are useful in developing effective treatment strategies for metabolic disorders of purines, particularly for those caused by lifestyle factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liu
- School of Public Health, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China
| | - Qingke Wu
- School of Public Health, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China
| | - Chuanlong Wu
- School of Public Health, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China
| | - Yingnan Qu
- School of Public Health, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China
| | - Yanming Fang
- School of Public Health, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China
| | - Jiyangzong De
- School of Public Health, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China
| | - Ronghua Fan
- School of Public Health, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China; Key Lab of Environmental Pollution and Microecology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang 110034, China.
| | - Wenjing Song
- School of Public Health, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 110034, China.
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Mao JQ, Cheng L, Zhang YD, Xie GJ, Wang P. Chinese formula Guben-Jiannao Ye alleviates the dysfunction of circadian and sleep rhythms in APP/PS1 mice implicated in activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 335:118696. [PMID: 39151711 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Chinese formula Guben-Jiannao Ye (GBJNY) formula has a long history of usage in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of learning and memory disorders as well as senile insomnia. This formulation is derived from Sun Simiao's five tonic pills. Furthermore, modern pharmacological investigations have revealed its ability to improve cognitive impairment and ameliorate sleep-wake circadian rhythm disorders. However, the precise mechanism underlying its efficacy remains elusive. AIM OF THE STUDY The current research explored the modulatory effects and possible mechanisms of GBJNY in circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease using transcriptome sequencing and experimental validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The LC-MS/MS tandem technology was utilized to qualitatively discern the active components present in GBJNY. The APP/PS1 mice received continuous treatment with GBJNY or Melatonin for 3 months. The learning and memory abilities of mice were assessed utilizing the Morris water maze (MWM) test, while sleep changes were studied utilizing the electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG). Concurrently, mice's hippocampus clock gene rhythmicity was investigated. Subsequently, we employed HE staining, Golgi staining, and immunofluorescence to observe GBJNY's impact on synaptic damage and neuronal loss. We performed high-throughput sequencing to analyze the mRNA expression profiles of mice, aiming to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequently, we conducted GO and KEGG enrichment analyses to explore associated signaling pathways. Furthermore, we evaluated the expression levels of proteins involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and Aβ deposition in the hippocampus of mice. Through this comprehensive approach, we sought to elucidate and validate the potential mechanisms of action of GBJNY in APP/PS1 mice. RESULTS Results showed 216 DEGs. Following this, we conducted GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses to delve deeper into the distinctions and fundamental functions of the mRNA target genes. The enrichment analysis underscored the prominence of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway as the most pivotal among them. Through in vivo experiments, it was further demonstrated that the administration of GBJNY enhanced memory and learning capacities in APP/PS1 mice. Additionally, GBJNY treatment resulted in alterations in the sleep-wake circadian rhythm, characterized by reduced wakefulness and an increase in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Moreover, alterations in the peak expression of Per1, Per2, Clock, Cry1, Cry2, and Bmal1 mRNA were noted in the hippocampus of treated mice. Particularly noteworthy were the observed reductions in amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition within the hippocampus, improvements in neuronal synaptic integrity, and upregulation of mTOR, Akt, and PI3K protein expression in the hippocampal region. These findings underscore the critical involvement of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in mitigating disturbances in sleep-wake circadian rhythms. CONCLUSIONS GBJNY enhanced the cognitive performance of APP/PS1 mice and altered clock gene expression patterns, alleviating sleep-wake circadian rhythm disruptions. The fundamental mechanism appears to be linked to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway regulation, offering a foundation for potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Qin Mao
- Basic Medicine College, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.
| | - Li Cheng
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.
| | - Yu-Dan Zhang
- Health Medical Center, Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, 445000, China.
| | - Guang-Jing Xie
- Engineering Research Center, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China; Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, 430065, China.
| | - Ping Wang
- Engineering Research Center, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China; Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, 430065, China.
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Sabbaghziarani F, Soleimani P, Eynshikh FR, Zafari F, Aali E. Reduced ischemia-reperfusion oxidative stress injury by melatonin and N-acetylcysteine in the male rat brain. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 17:131-137. [PMID: 39175643 PMCID: PMC11339246 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2024.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) is a model for inducing ischemic stroke in rodents, leading to devastating brain damage. Oxidative stress (OS) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ischemia. In this study, the effect of melatonin and N-acetylcysteine on ischemia-reperfusion-induced oxidative stress injury in the cerebral cortex of male rats was investigated. 30 male Wistar rats were divided into sham, ischemic, NAC, melatonin and NAC + melatonin groups. All groups, except the sham group, underwent MCAO on the left side, and the treatment groups received intraperitoneal injections of either 50 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or 5 mg/kg melatonin or a combination of both 24 and 48 hours later. At 24 and 72 hours after surgery, the animals were examined for sensory and motor activity. The cerebral cortex was dissected after sacrificing the rats, infarct volume estimated and the concentrations of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results indicate that the NAC + melatonin group exhibited elevated sensory-motor activity and a reduced infarct volume rate in comparison to the ischemic group (p≤ 0.05). Compared to the ischemic group, the NAC + melatonin group showed a significant increase in SOD concentration and a significant decrease in MDA (p≤ 0.05). It can therefore be concluded that the simultaneous administration of NAC and melatonin can reduce the cerebral infarction volume, and improve neurological functions by modulating SOD and MDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Sabbaghziarani
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Anatomical sciences, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Pouria Soleimani
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Farideh Rajabian Eynshikh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Anatomical sciences, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Fariba Zafari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Anatomical sciences, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Ehsan Aali
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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Zhang Y, Wu X, Yao W, Ni Y, Ding X. Advances of traditional Chinese medicine preclinical mechanisms and clinical studies on diabetic peripheral neuropathy. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2024; 62:544-561. [PMID: 38946248 PMCID: PMC11218592 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2024.2369301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) results in an enormous burden and reduces the quality of life for patients. Considering there is no specific drug for the management of DPN, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has increasingly drawn attention of clinicians and researchers around the world due to its characteristics of multiple targets, active components, and exemplary safety. OBJECTIVE To summarize the current status of TCM in the treatment of DPN and provide directions for novel drug development, the clinical effects and potential mechanisms of TCM used in treating DPN were comprehensively reviewed. METHODS Existing evidence on TCM interventions for DPN was screened from databases such as PubMed, the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register (CENTRAL), and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI). The focus was on summarizing and analyzing representative preclinical and clinical TCM studies published before 2023. RESULTS This review identified the ameliorative effects of about 22 single herbal extracts, more than 30 herbal compound prescriptions, and four Chinese patent medicines on DPN in preclinical and clinical research. The latest advances in the mechanism highlight that TCM exerts its beneficial effects on DPN by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress and improving mitochondrial function. CONCLUSIONS TCM has shown the power latent capacity in treating DPN. It is proposed that more large-scale and multi-center randomized controlled clinical trials and fundamental experiments should be conducted to further verify these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuna Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xianglong Wu
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhui Yao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yadong Ni
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuansheng Ding
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Precision Medicine Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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43
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Kew SYN, Mok SY, Goh CH. Machine learning and brain-computer interface approaches in prognosis and individualized care strategies for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review. MethodsX 2024; 13:102765. [PMID: 39286440 PMCID: PMC11403252 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons is a debilitating disease, posing substantial challenges in both prognosis and daily life assistance. However, with the advancement of machine learning (ML) which is renowned for tackling many real-world settings, it can offer unprecedented opportunities in prognostic studies and facilitate individuals with ALS in motor-imagery tasks. ML models, such as random forests (RF), have emerged as the most common and effective algorithms for predicting disease progression and survival time in ALS. The findings revealed that RF models had an excellent predictive performance for ALS, with a testing R2 of 0.524 and minimal treatment effects of 0.0717 for patient survival time. Despite significant limitations in sample size, with a maximum of 18 participants, which may not adequately reflect the population diversity being studied, ML approaches have been effectively applied to ALS datasets, and numerous prognostic models have been tested using neuroimaging data, longitudinal datasets, and core clinical variables. In many literatures, the constraints of ML models are seldom explicitly enunciated. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to provide a review of the most significant studies on the usage of ML models for analyzing ALS. This review covers a variation of ML algorithms involved in applications in ALS prognosis besides, leveraging ML to improve the efficacy of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for ALS individuals in later stages with restricted voluntary muscular control. The key future advances in individualized care and ALS prognosis may include the advancement of more personalized care aids that enable real-time input and ongoing validation of ML in diverse healthcare contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Yen Nee Kew
- Department of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Siew-Ying Mok
- Department of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Choon-Hian Goh
- Department of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
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44
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Odat RM, Alomari O, Elgenidy A. Evaluation of the gold cost criteria as a diagnostic criteria of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. eNeurologicalSci 2024; 37:100524. [PMID: 39296911 PMCID: PMC11409048 DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2024.100524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ramez M Odat
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Omar Alomari
- Hamidiye International School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
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45
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Li H, Wei J, Li M, Li Y, Zhang T, Tian J, Liu X, Li K, Lin J. Biological characteristics of Muse cells derived from MenSCs and their application in acute liver injury and intracerebral hemorrhage diseases. Regen Ther 2024; 27:48-62. [PMID: 38496012 PMCID: PMC10940801 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2024.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing interest in multilineage differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells within the field of regenerative medicine is attributed to their exceptional homing capabilities, prolonged viability in adverse conditions, and enhanced three-germ-layer differentiate ability, surpassing their parent mesenchymal stem cells. Given their abundant sources, non-invasive collection procedure, and periodic availability, human menstrual blood-derived endometrium stem cells (MenSCs) have been extensively investigated as a potential resource for stem cell-based therapies. However, there is no established modality to isolate Muse cells from MenSCs and disparity in gene expression profiles between Muse cells and MenSCs remain unknown. In this study, Muse cells were isolated from MenSCs by long-time trypsin incubation method. Muse cells expressed pluripotency markers and could realize multilineage differentiation in vitro. Compared with MenSCs, Muse cells showed enhanced homing ability and superior therapeutic efficacy in animal models of acute liver injury (ALI) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Furthermore, the RNA-seq analysis offers insights into the mechanism underlying the disparity in trypsin resistance and migration ability between Muse and MenSCs cells. This research offers a significant foundation for further exploration of cell-based therapies using MenSCs-derived Muse cells in the context of various human diseases, highlighting their promising application in the field of regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Li
- Stem Cells and Biotherapy Engineering Research Center of Henan, National Joint Engineering Laboratory of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Jinghui Wei
- Stem Cells and Biotherapy Engineering Research Center of Henan, National Joint Engineering Laboratory of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Mingzhi Li
- Stem Cells and Biotherapy Engineering Research Center of Henan, National Joint Engineering Laboratory of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Yaoqiang Li
- Stem Cells and Biotherapy Engineering Research Center of Henan, National Joint Engineering Laboratory of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Stem Cells and Biotherapy Engineering Research Center of Henan, National Joint Engineering Laboratory of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Jialu Tian
- Stem Cells and Biotherapy Engineering Research Center of Henan, National Joint Engineering Laboratory of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Xuejia Liu
- Stem Cells and Biotherapy Engineering Research Center of Henan, National Joint Engineering Laboratory of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Kangjia Li
- Stem Cells and Biotherapy Engineering Research Center of Henan, National Joint Engineering Laboratory of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Juntang Lin
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Stem Cell Medicine, School of Medical Engineering, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
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46
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Liang K, Zhang M, Liang J, Zuo X, Jia X, Shan J, Li Z, Yu J, Xuan Z, Luo L, Zhao H, Gan S, Liu D, Qin Q, Wang Q. M1-type polarized macrophage contributes to brain damage through CXCR3.2/CXCL11 pathways after RGNNV infection in grouper. Virulence 2024; 15:2355971. [PMID: 38745468 PMCID: PMC11123556 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2355971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) is the most complex system of the body. The CNS, especially the brain, is generally regarded as immune-privileged. However, the specialized immune strategies in the brain and how immune cells, specifically macrophages in the brain, respond to virus invasion remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the potential immune response of macrophages in the brain of orange-spotted groupers (Epinephelus coioides) following red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) infection. We observed that RGNNV induced macrophages to produce an inflammatory response in the brain of orange-spotted grouper, and the macrophages exhibited M1-type polarization after RGNNV infection. In addition, we found RGNNV-induced macrophage M1 polarization via the CXCR3.2- CXCL11 pathway. Furthermore, we observed that RGNNV triggered M1 polarization in macrophages, resulting in substantial proinflammatory cytokine production and subsequent damage to brain tissue. These findings reveal a unique mechanism for brain macrophage polarization, emphasizing their role in contributing to nervous tissue damage following viral infection in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaishan Liang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minlin Zhang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiantao Liang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Zuo
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianze Jia
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinhong Shan
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zongyang Li
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Yu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zijie Xuan
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liyuan Luo
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huihong Zhao
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songyong Gan
- Guangdong Marine Fishery Experiment Center, Agro-tech Extension Center of Guangdong Province, Huizhou, China
| | - Ding Liu
- Guangdong Havwii Agricultural Group Co. Ltd, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Qiwei Qin
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Fishery Institute of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Fishery Institute of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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47
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Li M, Liu X, Li J, Guo H, Xue S, Zhu L, Ma C, Chen D, Wang H, Cai Y, Shen J. Brain glycogen: A key to revealing the pathology of mental diseases. Brain Res 2024; 1844:149194. [PMID: 39182899 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Brain glycogen, which is distinct from muscle glycogen and liver glycogen, has become a crucial node linking metabolism, epigenetics, and autophagy. Recent studies have suggested that brain glycogen governs multiple neurobehavioral processes, such as memory formation and consolidation. However, the changes in brain glycogen levels in mental diseases and the associations of these changes with the disease prognosis are unknown. Here, we review the psychological functions of brain glycogen and the different characteristics of astrocytic glycogen and neuronal glycogen. In addition, we summarize the alterations in brain glycogen levels in depression, schizophrenia and sleep disorders, highlighting that brain glycogen functions as an important metabolite responsible for the development of mental diseases. In summary, brain glycogen is a key to understanding the pathology of mental diseases and deserves more attention in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Li
- Graduate School, Xi׳an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing 986 Hospital Department, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haiyun Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shanshan Xue
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Graduate School, Xi׳an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Cuicui Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dongyu Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Huaning Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanhui Cai
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Jiangpei Shen
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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48
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Pressley KR, Schwegman L, Montes De Oca Arena M, Chase Huizar C, Zamvil SS, Forsthuber TG. HLA-transgenic mouse models to study autoimmune central nervous system diseases. Autoimmunity 2024; 57:2387414. [PMID: 39167553 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2024.2387414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
It is known that certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are associated with autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), but their exact role in disease susceptibility and etiopathogenesis remains unclear. The best studied HLA-associated autoimmune CNS disease is MS, and thus will be the primary focus of this review. Other HLA-associated autoimmune CNS diseases, such as autoimmune encephalitis and neuromyelitis optica will be discussed. The lack of animal models to accurately capture the complex human autoimmune response remains a major challenge. HLA transgenic (tg) mice provide researchers with powerful tools to investigate the underlying mechanisms promoting susceptibility and progression of HLA-associated autoimmune CNS diseases, as well as for elucidating the myelin epitopes potentially targeted by T cells in autoimmune disease patients. We will discuss the potential role(s) of autoimmune disease-associated HLA alleles in autoimmune CNS diseases and highlight information provided by studies using HLA tg mice to investigate the underlying pathological mechanisms and opportunities to use these models for development of novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle R Pressley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Lance Schwegman
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Maria Montes De Oca Arena
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Carol Chase Huizar
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Scott S Zamvil
- Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Program in Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thomas G Forsthuber
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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49
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Rojas-Prats E, Martinez-Gonzalez L, Gil C, Ramírez D, Martinez A. Druggable cavities and allosteric modulators of the cell division cycle 7 (CDC7) kinase. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2024; 39:2301767. [PMID: 38205514 PMCID: PMC10786434 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2024.2301767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell division cycle 7 kinase (CDC7) has been found overexpressed in many cancer cell lines being also one of the kinases involved in the nuclear protein TDP-43 phosphorylation in vivo. Thus, inhibitors of CDC7 are emerging drug candidates for the treatment of oncological and neurodegenerative unmet diseases. All the known CDC7 inhibitors are ATP-competitives, lacking of selectivity enough for success in clinical trials. As allosteric sites are less conserved among kinase proteins, discovery of allosteric modulators of CDC7 is a great challenge and opportunity in this field.Using different computational approaches, we have here identified new druggable cavities on the human CDC7 structure and subsequently selective CDC7 inhibitors with allosteric modulation mainly targeting the pockets where the interaction between this kinase and its activator DBF4 takes place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Rojas-Prats
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas -Margarita Salas-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Loreto Martinez-Gonzalez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas -Margarita Salas-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de 13 Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas -Margarita Salas-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Ramírez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ana Martinez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas -Margarita Salas-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de 13 Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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50
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Janssen E, van Dalen JW, Cai M, Jacob MA, Marques J, Duering M, Richard E, Tuladhar AM, de Leeuw FE, Hilkens N. Visit-to-visit blood pressure variability and progression of white matter hyperintensities over 14 years. Blood Press 2024; 33:2314498. [PMID: 38477113 DOI: 10.1080/08037051.2024.2314498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Purpose: There is evidence that blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) and may therefore increase the risk of stroke and dementia. It remains unclear if BPV is associated with SVD progression over years. We examined whether visit-to-visit BPV is associated with white matter hyperintensity (WMH) progression over 14 years and MRI markers after 14 years. Materials and methods: We included participants with SVD from the Radboud University Nijmegen Diffusion tensor Magnetic resonance-imaging Cohort (RUNDMC) who underwent baseline assessment in 2006 and follow-up in 2011, 2015 and 2020. BPV was calculated as coefficient of variation (CV) of BP at all visits. Association between WMH progression rates over 14 years and BPV was examined using linear-mixed effects (LME) model. Regression models were used to examine association between BPV and MRI markers at final visit in participants. Results: A total of 199 participants (60.5 SD 6.6 years) who underwent four MRI scans and BP measurements were included, with mean follow-up of 13.7 (SD 0.5) years. Systolic BPV was associated with higher progression of WMH (β = 0.013, 95% CI 0.005 - 0.022) and higher risk of incident lacunes (OR: 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.21). There was no association between systolic BPV and grey and white matter volumes, Peak Skeleton of Mean Diffusivity (PSMD) or microbleed count after 13.7 years. Conclusions: Visit-to-visit systolic BPV is associated with increased progression of WMH volumes and higher risk of incident lacunes over 14 years in participants with SVD. Future studies are needed to examine causality of this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Janssen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Willem van Dalen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mengfei Cai
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Neuroscience Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Mina A Jacob
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - José Marques
- Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Duering
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical Image Analysis Center (MIAC AG) and qbig, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Edo Richard
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, AMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anil M Tuladhar
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank-Erik de Leeuw
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nina Hilkens
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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