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Ferro-Gallego P, Vila-Sanjurjo A, Valderrama Pereira AK, Porres Pérez G, Domínguez-Gerpe L. Circular PCR as an efficient and precise umbrella of methods for the generation of circular dsDNA with staggered nicks: Mechanism and types. Biol Methods Protoc 2024; 9:bpae051. [PMID: 39139995 PMCID: PMC11319657 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we introduce the highly versatile circular polymerase chain reaction (CiPCR) technique, propose a mechanism of action, and describe a number of examples demonstrating the versatility of this technique. CiPCR takes place between two fragments of dsDNA with two homologous regions, as long as one of the fragments carries said regions at its 3'- and 5'-ends. Upon hybridization, elongation by a polymerase occurs from all 3'-ends continuously until a 5'-end is reached, leading to stable circular dsDNA with staggered nicks. When both dsDNA fragments carry the homology at their 3'- and 5'-ends (Type I CiPCR), all four 3'-ends effectively prime amplification of the intervening region and CiPCR products can function as template during the reaction. In contrast, when only one of the two dsDNA fragments carries the homologous regions at its 3'- and 5'-ends and the other carries such regions internally (Type II CiPCR), only two 3'-ends can be amplified and CiPCR products possess no template activity. We demonstrate the applicability of both CiPCR types via well-illustrated experimental examples. CiPCR is well adapted to the quick resolution of most of the molecular cloning challenges faced by the biology/biomedicine laboratory, including the generation of insertions, deletions, and mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Ferro-Gallego
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
- Present Address: IBIMA, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica y Plataforma en Nanomedicina, BIONAND, Málaga, 29590, Spain
| | - Antón Vila-Sanjurjo
- Grupo GIBE, Biology Department of the School of Sciences & Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology (CICA), Universidade da Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Andrea Katherine Valderrama Pereira
- Chemistry Department of the School of Sciences & Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology (CICA), Universidade da Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Porres Pérez
- Grupo GIBE, Biology Department of the School of Sciences & Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology (CICA), Universidade da Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Lourdes Domínguez-Gerpe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
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Guo X, Akanda N, Fiorino G, Nimbalkar S, Long CJ, Colón A, Patel A, Tighe PJ, Hickman JJ. Human IPSC-Derived PreBötC-Like Neurons and Development of an Opiate Overdose and Recovery Model. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300276. [PMID: 37675827 PMCID: PMC10921423 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300276] [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: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Opioid overdose is the leading cause of drug overdose lethality, posing an urgent need for investigation. The key brain region for inspiratory rhythm regulation and opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) is the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC) and current knowledge has mainly been obtained from animal systems. This study aims to establish a protocol to generate human preBötC neurons from induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs) and develop an opioid overdose and recovery model utilizing these iPSC-preBötC neurons. A de novo protocol to differentiate preBötC-like neurons from human iPSCs is established. These neurons express essential preBötC markers analyzed by immunocytochemistry and demonstrate expected electrophysiological responses to preBötC modulators analyzed by patch clamp electrophysiology. The correlation of the specific biomarkers and function analysis strongly suggests a preBötC-like phenotype. Moreover, the dose-dependent inhibition of these neurons' activity is demonstrated for four different opioids with identified IC50's comparable to the literature. Inhibition is rescued by naloxone in a concentration-dependent manner. This iPSC-preBötC mimic is crucial for investigating OIRD and combating the overdose crisis and a first step for the integration of a functional overdose model into microphysiological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufang Guo
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Nesar Akanda
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Gabriella Fiorino
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Siddharth Nimbalkar
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Christopher J Long
- Hesperos Inc, 12501 Research Parkway, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Alisha Colón
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Aakash Patel
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
| | - Patrick J Tighe
- College of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - James J Hickman
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
- Hesperos Inc, 12501 Research Parkway, Suite 100, Orlando, FL, 32826, USA
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Li K, Gu L, Cai H, Lu HC, Mackie K, Guo F. Human brain organoids for understanding substance use disorders. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2024; 58:101031. [PMID: 39146603 DOI: 10.1016/j.dmpk.2024.101031] [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: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex mental health conditions involving a problematic pattern of substance use. Challenges remain in understanding their neural mechanisms, which are likely to lead to improved SUD treatments. Human brain organoids, brain-like 3D in vitro cultures derived from human stem cells, show unique potential in recapitulating the response of a developing human brain to substances. Here, we review the recent progress in understanding SUDs using human brain organoid models focusing on neurodevelopmental perspectives. We first summarize the background of SUDs in humans. Moreover, we introduce the development of various human brain organoid models and then discuss current progress and findings underlying the abuse of substances like nicotine, alcohol, and other addictive drugs using organoid models. Furthermore, we review efforts to develop organ chips and microphysiological systems to engineer better human brain organoids for advancing SUD studies. Lastly, we conclude by elaborating on the current challenges and future directions of SUD studies using human brain organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangle Li
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Longjun Gu
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Hongwei Cai
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Hui-Chen Lu
- Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Ken Mackie
- Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States.
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Hampsey E, Jelen L, Young AH. Aticaprant: (a κ-opioid receptor antagonist) for major depressive disorder. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38682267 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2024.2345645] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Major depression is a common, disabling mental health condition associated with the highest disease burden for any neuropsychiatric disorder worldwide, according to the WHO. Due to the imperfect efficacy and tolerability profiles of existing treatments, investigational compounds in novel treatment classes are needed. Opioid-receptor antagonists are a potential new class of treatments currently under investigation. AREAS COVERED Major depressive disorder is first overviewed. Existing treatments, both their mechanisms of action and their place within the antidepressant space, are discussed herein. Then, the profile of Aticaprant and the wider context of kappa-opioid antagonism for depression are discussed in focus. EXPERT OPINION Early evidence indicates that Aticaprant may possess desirable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. A lack of convincing efficacy data at the time of writing precludes any definitive statement on its potential as an antidepressant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot Hampsey
- Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Luke Jelen
- Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Allan H Young
- Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Morales-Medina JC, Pugliese N, Di Cerbo A, Zizzadoro C, Iannitti T. Evidence for Endogenous Opioid Dependence Related to Latent Sensitization in a Rat Model of Chronic Inflammatory Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032812. [PMID: 36769126 PMCID: PMC9917357 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies performed in a mouse model of chronic inflammatory pain induced by intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) have shown that constitutive activation of the endogenous opioid signaling, besides serving as a mechanism of endogenous analgesia that tonically represses pain sensitization, also generates a state of endogenous opioid dependence. Since species-related differences concerning pain biology and addictive behaviors occur between mice and rats, the present study explored whether the coexistence of endogenous opioid analgesia and endogenous opioid dependence also characterizes a homologous rat model. To this aim, CFA-injured Wistar rats were treated with either 3 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg of the opioid receptor inverse agonist naltrexone (NTX) during the pain remission phase and monitored for 60 min for possible withdrawal behaviors. At 3 mg/kg, NTX, besides inducing the reinstatement of mechanical allodynia, also caused a distinct appearance of ptosis, with slight but nonsignificant changes to the occurrence of teeth chatters and rearing. On the other hand, 10 mg/kg of NTX failed to unmask pain sensitization and induced significantly lower levels of ptosis than 3 mg/kg. Such an NTX-related response pattern observed in the rat CFA model seems to differ substantially from the pattern previously described in the mouse CFA model. This supports the knowledge that mice and rats are not identical in terms of pharmacological response and stresses the importance of choosing the appropriate species for preclinical pain research purposes depending on the scientific question being asked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio César Morales-Medina
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala, AP 62, Tlaxcala 90000, Mexico
| | - Nicola Pugliese
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Di Cerbo
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62024 Matelica, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.D.C.); (C.Z.)
| | - Claudia Zizzadoro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.D.C.); (C.Z.)
| | - Tommaso Iannitti
- Section of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Frías-De-León MG, Espinosa-Hernández VM, Bonifaz A, Martínez-Herrera E. Onychomycosis Due to Aspergillus spp.: a Current Review. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12281-018-0319-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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