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Melo P, S Silveira M, Mendes-Pinto I, Relvas JB. MorphoMacro for in vivo and ex vivo quantitative morphometric analysis of microglia. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 174:75-92. [PMID: 36710053 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Microglia cells dynamically survey the central nervous system microenvironment and, in response to tissue damage inflicted by radiation therapy, disease or infection, undergo morphological and functional changes that culminate in microglia activation. Cell shape transformation can be assessed descriptively or, alternatively, it can be quantified as a continuous variable for parameters including total cell size as well as protrusion length, ramification and complexity. The purpose of the MorphoMacro method is to quantitatively profile multiple and single microglia cells using the available ImageJ platform. This method outlines the required steps and ImageJ plugins to convert fluorescence and bright-field photomicrographs into representative binary and skeletonized images and to analyze them using the MorphoMacro software plugin for multiparametric and multilevel description of microglia cell morphology in vivo and ex vivo. Overall, the protocol provides a quantitative and comprehensive tool that can be used to identify, stratify, and monitor diverse microglia morphologies in homeostatic, different disease conditions and subsequent therapeutic monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Melo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana S Silveira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Inês Mendes-Pinto
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - João B Relvas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Departmento de Biomedicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Cruz A, Vieira M, Mesquita AR, Sampaio A, Mendes-Pinto I, Soares I, Freitas PP. Non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring tool of children’s mental health: A point-of-care immunosensor for IL-6 quantification in saliva samples. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:919551. [PMID: 36225733 PMCID: PMC9549322 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.919551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental disorders are commonly featured as chronic conditions with often onset during childhood. In this context, inflammation has been associated with a higher risk of developing physical and mental health problems. Interleukin (IL)-6 is a key mediator of inflammatory responses and plays a pivotal role in immune and nervous system interaction. High levels of IL-6 during childhood are associated with mental problems, indicating that the IL-6 molecular pathway may represent a new target for monitoring and treating these conditions. Here, we report the detection of IL-6 in saliva samples from children (N = 118, mean age 4.4 years old) with behavioral problems using an immunosensor based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This work demonstrates that the proposed immunosensor requires smaller sample volumes and is significantly faster and more sensitive than conventional ELISA while maintaining comparable levels of specificity and reproducibility. The point-of care immunosensor for detection of IL-6 in saliva samples presented herewith is, therefore, an attractive solution to the clinical practice as a rapid non-invasive, high-sensitive monitoring tool of mental health problems, especially in vulnerable patient populations such as children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cruz
- ProChild CoLAB Against Child Poverty and Social Exclusion, Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) Collaborative Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Andrea Cruz, ,
| | - Maria Vieira
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana R. Mesquita
- CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Adriana Sampaio
- CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | | | - Isabel Soares
- CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paulo P. Freitas
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
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Sá MJ, Soares Dos Reis R, Altintas A, Celius EG, Chien C, Comi G, Graus F, Hillert J, Hobart J, Khan G, Kissani N, Langdon D, Leite MI, Okuda DT, Palace J, Papais-Alvarenga RM, Mendes-Pinto I, Shi FD. State of the Art and Future Challenges in Multiple Sclerosis Research and Medical Management: An Insight into the 5th International Porto Congress of Multiple Sclerosis. Neurol Ther 2020; 9:281-300. [PMID: 32666470 PMCID: PMC7606370 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-020-00202-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The 5th International Porto Congress of Multiple Sclerosis took place between the 14th and 16th of February 2019 in Porto, Portugal. Its intensive programme covered a wide-range of themes-including many of the hot topics, challenges, pitfalls and yet unmet needs in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS)-led by a number of well-acknowledged world experts. This meeting review summarizes the talks that took place during the congress, which focussed on issues in MS as diverse as the development and challenges of progressive MS, epidemiology, differential diagnosis, medical management, molecular research and imaging tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Sá
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Alameda Prof. Hernáni Monteiro, Porto, Portugal.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, Rua Carlos da Maia, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Ricardo Soares Dos Reis
- Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Alameda Prof. Hernáni Monteiro, Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Ayse Altintas
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Elisabeth Gulowsen Celius
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Claudia Chien
- NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Giancarlo Comi
- Department of Neurology, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesc Graus
- Department of Neurology, August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS) Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jan Hillert
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jeremy Hobart
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
- Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Gulfaraz Khan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Najib Kissani
- Neurology Department, Marrakech University Hospital Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Marrakesh Medical School, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Dawn Langdon
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Maria Isabel Leite
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Darin T Okuda
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jacqueline Palace
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Fu-Dong Shi
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China
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Domingues HS, Falcão AM, Mendes-Pinto I, Salgado AJ, Teixeira FG. Exosome Circuitry During (De)(Re)Myelination of the Central Nervous System. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:483. [PMID: 32612996 PMCID: PMC7308472 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reciprocal neuron-glia cell communication is fundamental for the proper function of the nervous system. Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that insulate and provide trophic support to neurons. This effective interaction is crucial not only for myelination but also for long-term axonal survival and neural connectivity. In recent years, exosomes have been portrayed as key players in intercellular interaction in the context of the healthy and diseased CNS. They act as communicating vehicles, true attachés operating between neurons and glial cells. Despite the complex exosome circuitry within the nervous system, experimental evidence supports the role of exosomes in modulating myelination. Oligodendrocytes secrete exosomes in response to neuronal signals in an electric activity-dependent manner. These released exosomes are then internalized by neurons, contributing to their integrity and activity. In turn, neurons secrete exosomes to control the communication between them and with myelinating cells in order to regulate synaptic function in neuronal development, myelin maintenance, and neuroregeneration. In this review, we provide a critical view of the current understanding on how exosomes, either from CNS-resident cells or from the periphery, contribute to the formation and maintenance of myelin and, additionally, on how the differential content of exosomes in normal and pathological conditions foresees the use of these nanovesicles as putative diagnostic and/or therapeutical agents in white matter degeneration-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena S Domingues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's Associate Laboratory, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Mendanha Falcão
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's Associate Laboratory, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Inês Mendes-Pinto
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Braga, Portugal
| | - António J Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's Associate Laboratory, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Fábio G Teixeira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's Associate Laboratory, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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