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Leal H, Carvalhas-Almeida C, Álvaro AR, Cavadas C. Modeling hypothalamic pathophysiology in vitro for metabolic, circadian, and sleep disorders. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2024; 35:505-517. [PMID: 38307813 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2024.01.001] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The hypothalamus, a small and intricate brain structure, orchestrates numerous neuroendocrine functions through specialized neurons and nuclei. Disruption of this complex circuitry can result in various diseases, including metabolic, circadian, and sleep disorders. Advances in in vitro models and their integration with new technologies have significantly benefited research on hypothalamic function and pathophysiology. We explore existing in vitro hypothalamic models and address their challenges and limitations as well as translational findings. We also highlight how collaborative efforts among multidisciplinary teams are essential to develop relevant and translational experimental models capable of replicating intricate neural circuits and neuroendocrine pathways, thereby advancing our understanding of therapeutic targets and drug discovery in hypothalamus-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Leal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina Carvalhas-Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Álvaro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Cavadas
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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2
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Bhalla K, Rosier K, Monnens Y, Meulemans S, Vervoort E, Thorrez L, Agostinis P, Meier DT, Rochtus A, Resnick JL, Creemers JWM. Similar metabolic pathways are affected in both Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome-22 and Prader-Willi Syndrome. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167175. [PMID: 38626828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167175] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Loss of prolyl endopeptidase-like (PREPL) encoding a serine hydrolase with (thio)esterase activity leads to the recessive metabolic disorder Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome-22 (CMS22). It is characterized by severe neonatal hypotonia, feeding problems, growth retardation, and hyperphagia leading to rapid weight gain later in childhood. The phenotypic similarities with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) are striking, suggesting that similar pathways are affected. The aim of this study was to identify changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in mouse models for both disorders and to examine mitochondrial function in skin fibroblasts of patients and knockout cell lines. We have demonstrated that Prepl is downregulated in the brains of neonatal PWS-IC-p/+m mice. In addition, the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is similarly affected in both Prepl-/- and PWS-IC-p/+m mice resulting in defective orexigenic signaling and growth retardation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that mitochondrial function is altered in PREPL knockout HEK293T cells and can be rescued with the supplementation of coenzyme Q10. Finally, PREPL-deficient and PWS patient skin fibroblasts display defective mitochondrial bioenergetics. The mitochondrial dysfunction in PWS fibroblasts can be rescued by overexpression of PREPL. In conclusion, we provide the first molecular parallels between CMS22 and PWS, raising the possibility that PREPL substrates might become therapeutic targets for treating both disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Bhalla
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karen Rosier
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yenthe Monnens
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandra Meulemans
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ellen Vervoort
- Laboratory for Cell Death Research & Therapy, VIB, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieven Thorrez
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven Campus Kulak, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Patrizia Agostinis
- Laboratory for Cell Death Research & Therapy, VIB, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniel T Meier
- Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Rochtus
- Department of Development and Regeneration, UZ Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - James L Resnick
- Department of Molecular genetics & Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - John W M Creemers
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Soeda S, Ito D, Ogushi T, Sano Y, Negoro R, Fujita T, Saito R, Taniura H. Defects in early synaptic formation and neuronal function in Prader-Willi syndrome. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12053. [PMID: 37491450 PMCID: PMC10368700 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39065-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), which is a complex epigenetic disorder caused by the deficiency of paternally expressed genes in chromosome 15q11-q13, is associated with several psychiatric dimensions, including autism spectrum disorder. We have previously reported that iPS cells derived from PWS patients exhibited aberrant differentiation and transcriptomic dysregulation in differentiated neural stem cells (NSCs) and neurons. Here, we identified SLITRK1 as a downregulated gene in NSCs differentiated from PWS patient iPS cells by RNA sequencing analysis. Because SLITRK1 is involved in synaptogenesis, we focused on the synaptic formation and function of neurons differentiated from PWS patient iPS cells and NDN or MAGEL2 single gene defect mutant iPS cells. Although βIII tubulin expression levels in all the neurons were comparable to the level of differentiation in the control, pre- and postsynaptic markers were significantly lower in PWS and mutant neurons than in control neurons. PSD-95 puncta along βIII tubulin neurites were also decreased. Membrane potential responses were measured while exposed to high K+ stimulation. The neuronal excitabilities in PWS and mutant neurons showed significantly lower intensity than that of control neurons. These functional defects in PWS neurons may reflect phenotypes of neurodevelopmental disorders in PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Soeda
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan.
| | - Daiki Ito
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Tomoe Ogushi
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Yui Sano
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Negoro
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Takuya Fujita
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Ryo Saito
- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Kamoshida, Aoba, Yokohama, 227-0033, Japan
| | - Hideo Taniura
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
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Butler MG, Victor AK, Reiter LT. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in Prader-Willi syndrome. Clin Auton Res 2023; 33:281-286. [PMID: 36515769 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-022-00909-7] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prader-Willi syndrome is a complex neurodevelopmental genetic disorder due to lack of paternal expression of critical imprinted genes in the 15q11.2-q13.1 chromosomal region, generally from a paternal deletion. Predominant features include infantile hypotonia, a poor suck with failure to thrive, craniofacial features, and developmental and behavioral problems including self-injury and childhood onset of obesity. In addition to severe obesity, patients with PWS present with other symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction. METHODS We examined the features seen in Prader-Willi syndrome and searched the literature for evidence of autonomic nervous system involvement in this rare obesity-related disorder and illustrative findings possibly due to autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Additionally, we reviewed the literature in relation to childhood obesity syndromes and compared those syndromes to the syndromic obesity found in Prader-Willi syndrome. RESULTS We report autonomic nervous system-related symptoms associated with childhood obesity impacting features seen in Prader-Willi syndrome and possibly other obesity-related genetic syndromes. We compiled evidence of both an autonomic route for the obesity seen in PWS and other autonomic nervous system-related dysfunctions. These include decreased salvation, sleep disordered breathing, increased pain and thermal threshold instability, delayed gastric emptying, altered blood pressure readings, and pupillary constriction responses as evidence of autonomic nervous system involvement. CONCLUSIONS We summarized and illustrated findings of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in Prader-Willi syndrome and other obesity-related syndromes and genetic factors that may play a causative role in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlin G Butler
- Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
| | - A Kaitlyn Victor
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
- IPBS Program, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
| | - Lawrence T Reiter
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Anatomy & Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA
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Victor AK, Hedgecock T, Donaldson M, Johnson D, Rand CM, Weese-Mayer DE, Reiter LT. Analysis and comparisons of gene expression changes in patient- derived neurons from ROHHAD, CCHS, and PWS. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1090084. [PMID: 37234859 PMCID: PMC10206321 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1090084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) syndrome is an ultra-rare neurocristopathy with no known genetic or environmental etiology. Rapid-onset obesity over a 3-12 month period with onset between ages 1.5-7 years of age is followed by an unfolding constellation of symptoms including severe hypoventilation that can lead to cardiorespiratory arrest in previously healthy children if not identified early and intervention provided. Congenital Central Hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have overlapping clinical features with ROHHAD and known genetic etiologies. Here we compare patient neurons from three pediatric syndromes (ROHHAD, CCHS, and PWS) and neurotypical control subjects to identify molecular overlap that may explain the clinical similarities. Methods Dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) from neurotypical control, ROHHAD, and CCHS subjects were differentiated into neuronal cultures for RNA sequencing (RNAseq). Differential expression analysis identified transcripts variably regulated in ROHHAD and CCHS vs. neurotypical control neurons. In addition, we used previously published PWS transcript data to compare both groups to PWS patient-derived DPSC neurons. Enrichment analysis was performed on RNAseq data and downstream protein expression analysis was performed using immunoblotting. Results We identified three transcripts differentially regulated in all three syndromes vs. neurotypical control subjects. Gene ontology analysis on the ROHHAD dataset revealed enrichments in several molecular pathways that may contribute to disease pathology. Importantly, we found 58 transcripts differentially expressed in both ROHHAD and CCHS patient neurons vs. control neurons. Finally, we validated transcript level changes in expression of ADORA2A, a gene encoding for an adenosine receptor, at the protein level in CCHS neurons and found variable, although significant, changes in ROHHAD neurons. Conclusions The molecular overlap between CCHS and ROHHAD neurons suggests that the clinical phenotypes in these syndromes likely arise from or affect similar transcriptional pathways. Further, gene ontology analysis identified enrichments in ATPase transmembrane transporters, acetylglucosaminyltransferases, and phagocytic vesicle membrane proteins that may contribute to the ROHHAD phenotype. Finally, our data imply that the rapid-onset obesity seen in both ROHHAD and PWS likely arise from different molecular mechanisms. The data presented here describes important preliminary findings that warrant further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Kaitlyn Victor
- IPBS Program, Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Tayler Hedgecock
- IPBS Program, Neuroscience Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Martin Donaldson
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Daniel Johnson
- Molecular Bioinformatics Core, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Casey M. Rand
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Autonomic Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Debra E. Weese-Mayer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Autonomic Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Lawrence T. Reiter
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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Ferraguti G, Terracina S, Micangeli G, Lucarelli M, Tarani L, Ceccanti M, Spaziani M, D'Orazi V, Petrella C, Fiore M. NGF and BDNF in pediatrics syndromes. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 145:105015. [PMID: 36563920 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.105015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neurotrophins (NTs) as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) play multiple roles in different settings including neuronal development, function and survival in both the peripheral and the central nervous systems from early stages. This report aims to provide a summary and subsequent review of evidences on the role of NTs in rare and non-common pediatric human diseases associated with changes in neurodevelopment. A variety of diseases has been analyzed and many have been linked to NTs neurobiological effects, including chronic granulomatous disease, hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, Angelman syndrome, fragile X syndrome, trisomy 16, Williams-Beuren syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, WAGR syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, Down syndrome and Klinefelter Syndrome. NTs alterations have been associated with numerous pathologic manifestations including cognitive defects, behavioral abnormalities, epilepsy, obesity, tumorigenesis as well as muscle-skeletal, immunity, bowel, pain sensibility and cilia diseases. In this report, we discuss that further studies are needed to clear a possible therapeutic role of NTs in these still often uncurable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Terracina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ginevra Micangeli
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Lucarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Tarani
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Ceccanti
- SITAC, Società Italiana per il Trattamento dell'Alcolismo e le sue Complicanze, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Spaziani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio D'Orazi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy.
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Ryan NM, Heron EA. Evidence for parent-of-origin effects in autism spectrum disorder: a narrative review. J Appl Genet 2023; 64:303-317. [PMID: 36710277 PMCID: PMC10076404 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-022-00742-8] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of early-onset neurodevelopmental disorders known to be highly heritable with a complex genetic architecture. Abnormal brain developmental trajectories that impact synaptic functioning, excitation-inhibition balance and brain connectivity are now understood to play a central role in ASD. Ongoing efforts to identify the genetic underpinnings still prove challenging, in part due to phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity.This review focuses on parent-of-origin effects (POEs), where the phenotypic effect of an allele depends on its parental origin. POEs include genomic imprinting, transgenerational effects, mitochondrial DNA, sex chromosomes and mutational transmission bias. The motivation for investigating these mechanisms in ASD has been driven by their known impacts on early brain development and brain functioning, in particular for the most well-documented POE, genomic imprinting. Moreover, imprinting is implicated in syndromes such as Angelman and Prader-Willi, which frequently share comorbid symptoms with ASD. In addition to other regions in the genome, this comprehensive review highlights the 15q11-q13 and 7q chromosomal regions as well as the mitochondrial DNA as harbouring the majority of currently identified POEs in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh M Ryan
- Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elizabeth A Heron
- Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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Abstract
A major issue in studying human neurogenetic disorders, especially rare syndromes affecting the nervous system, is the ability to grow neuronal cultures that accurately represent these disorders for analysis. Although there has been some success in generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from both skin and blood, there are still limitations to the collection, production and use of iPSC derived neurons. We have had significant success in collecting and growing human dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) from exfoliated teeth sent directly to our laboratory by the parents of children with a variety of rare neurogenetic syndromes. This protocol outlines our current methods for the growth and expansion of DPSC from exfoliated (baby) teeth. These DPSC can be differentiated into a variety of cell types including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and mixed neuron and glial cultures. Here we provide our protocol for the differentiation of early passage DPSC cultures into neurons for molecular and cellular studies. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Collection and transportation of exfoliated teeth Basic Protocol 2: Dental pulp extraction Basic Protocol 3: Passage, freezing, and thawing of DPSC cultures Basic Protocol 4: Differentiation of DPSC into mixed neuronal cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarita Goorha
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - A. Kaitlyn Victor
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- IPBS Program, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Lawrence T. Reiter
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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