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Seo Y, Han S, Song BW, Chang JW, Na YC, Chang WS. Endogenous Neural Stem Cell Activation after Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound-Induced Blood–Brain Barrier Modulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065712. [PMID: 36982785 PMCID: PMC10056062 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous neural stem cells (eNSCs) in the adult brain, which have the potential to self-renew and differentiate into functional, tissue-appropriate cell types, have raised new expectations for neurological disease therapy. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS)-induced blood–brain barrier modulation has been reported to promote neurogenesis. Although these studies have reported improved behavioral performance and enhanced expression of brain biomarkers after LIFUS, indicating increased neurogenesis, the precise mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated eNSC activation as a mechanism for neurogenesis after LIFUS-induced blood–brain barrier modulation. We evaluated the specific eNSC markers, Sox-2 and nestin, to confirm the activation of eNSCs. We also performed 3′-deoxy-3′[18F] fluoro-L-thymidine positron emission tomography ([18F] FLT-PET) to evaluate the activation of eNSCs. The expression of Sox-2 and nestin was significantly upregulated 1 week after LIFUS. After 1 week, the upregulated expression decreased sequentially; after 4 weeks, the upregulated expression returned to that of the control group. [18F] FLT-PET images also showed higher stem cell activity after 1 week. The results of this study indicated that LIFUS could activate eNSCs and induce adult neurogenesis. These results show that LIFUS may be useful as an effective treatment for patients with neurological damage or neurological disorders in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younghee Seo
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangheon Han
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong-Wook Song
- Department for Medical Science, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangwon-do, Gangneung City 25601, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Woo Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Cheol Na
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, International St. Mary’s Hospital, Seo-gu, Incheon Metropolitan City 22711, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.C.N.); (W.S.C.)
| | - Won Seok Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.C.N.); (W.S.C.)
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Guadagno AH, Medina SH. The manifold role of octapeptide repeats in prion protein assembly. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2023; 115:e24303. [PMID: 37153755 PMCID: PMC10162500 DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Prion protein misfolding is associated with fatal neurodegenerative disorders such as kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and several animal encephalopathies. While the C-terminal 106-126 peptide has been well studied for its role in prion replication and toxicity, the octapeptide repeat (OPR) sequence found within the N-terminal domain has been relatively under explored. Recent findings that the OPR has both local and long-range effects on prion protein folding and assembly, as well as its ability to bind and regulate transition metal homeostasis, highlights the important role this understudied region may have in prion pathologies. This review attempts to collate this knowledge to advance a deeper understanding on the varied physiologic and pathologic roles the prion OPR plays, and connect these findings to potential therapeutic modalities focused on OPR-metal binding. Continued study of the OPR will not only elucidate a more complete mechanistic model of prion pathology, but may enhance knowledge on other neurodegenerative processes underlying Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy H. Guadagno
- Nanomedicine, Intercollegiate Degree Program, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Scott H. Medina
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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