Review
Clinical Neurology
Maria P. Mogavero, Alessandro Silvani, Giuseppe Lanza, Lourdes M. DelRosso, Luigi Ferini-Strambi, Raffaele Ferri
Summary: After describing orexins and their roles in sleep and medical disorders, the article discusses the clinical evidence on the effects of DORAs and SORAs on insomnia to provide recommendations for further assessment in personalized and precision medicine. Trials with orexin receptor antagonists have shown potential as a valid therapeutic option for insomnia in various medical conditions, but more studies are needed to determine the most suitable options for different patient populations.
NATURE AND SCIENCE OF SLEEP
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Giorgio Bergamini, Preciosa Coloma, Helene Massinet, Michel Alexander Steiner
Summary: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) commonly affect people with dementia, regardless of disease stage or etiology. These symptoms lead to disability and reduced quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. The orexin neuropeptide system plays a crucial role in modulating arousal and behavior, and may be relevant for the expression of NPS in dementia patients.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Hye Ji J. Kim, Ayat Zagzoog, Anna Maria Smolyakova, Udoka C. Ezeaka, Michael J. Benko, Teagan Holt, Robert B. Laprairie
Summary: The endocannabinoid and orexin neuromodulatory systems play key roles in regulating sleep, appetite, pain processing, and emotional behaviors related to reward. They co-localize in the brain regions and physically interact as heterodimers, particularly in the ventral striatum. Male mice show greater effects following combined treatment with cannabinoid receptor agonist and orexin receptor antagonist.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Changshuo Wei, Ke-Jia Shan, Weiguang Wang, Shuya Zhang, Qing Huan, Wenfeng Qian
Summary: The study suggests that the rapid accumulation of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant may have originated from humans jumping to mice and then back to humans, indicating an inter-species evolutionary trajectory.
JOURNAL OF GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tingting Li, Xuebin Zhang, Ping Jiang, Dandan Zhang, Luda Feng, Xinxing Lai, Mingzhen Qin, Yufei Wei, Chi Zhang, Ying Gao
Summary: This systematic literature review evaluates the clinical efficacy and safety of platelet-activating factor receptor antagonists (PAFRA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The results indicate that PAFRA-related compounds improve clinical outcomes in AIS patients and do not increase the incidence of adverse events. However, further research is needed to improve the quality of available evidence.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sara Karimi, Mohammad Ismail Zibaii, Gholam Ali Hamidi, Abbas Haghparast
Summary: The study demonstrates that blocking OX1Rs may activate or inhibit a majority of neurons in the OFC and ACC, while LH inactivation only has a stimulating effect on a portion of neurons in the PFC.
BASIC AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ran Ke, Samson I. S. Lok, Kailash Singh, Billy K. C. Chow, Leo T. O. Lee
Summary: The study identified the heterocomplex formation between PAC1R and GIPR, which suppressed downstream signaling events of PAC1R, leading to inhibition of neuronal differentiation.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ran Ke, Samson Ian Sam Lok, Kailash Singh, Billy Kwok Chong Chow, Harald Janovjak, Leo Tsz On Lee
Summary: The study reveals that the formation of heterocomplexes between Kiss1R and GPER significantly reduces Kiss1R-mediated signaling, showcasing a regulatory mechanism of hypothalamic hormone receptors through receptor cooperation and modulation of receptor sensitivity in the reproductive system.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hong Lin, Yuan Yan, Yifan Luo, Wing Yan So, Xiayun Wei, Xiaozhe Zhang, Xiaoli Yang, Jun Zhang, Yang Su, Xiuyan Yang, Bobo Zhang, Kangjun Zhang, Nan Jiang, Billy Kwok Chong Chow, Weiping Han, Fengchao Wang, Feng Rao
Summary: The study uncovers an antagonistic relationship between COP1 and CSN in glucose-induced insulin secretion, with disruption of the CRL4(COP1)-ETV5 proteolytic axis leading to hyperinsulinemia and obesity. The findings suggest that deregulation of the IP6-CSN-CRL4(COP1)-ETV5 axis underlies these pathologies, and that targeting this pathway could reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes. Furthermore, inhibition of CRL neddylation can correct these pathological phenotypes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Allergy
Karthi Duraisamy, Kailash Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Benjamin Lefranc, Elsa Bonnafe, Michel Treilhou, Jerome Leprince, Billy K. C. Chow
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism of action and immunomodulatory effects of P17 mediated through MRGPRX2. The results show that P17 activates MRGPRX2 in a dose-dependent manner and induces various immune responses, including cell migration and differentiation. These findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms of immune modulation.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Lucia Ciranna, Dora Reglodi, Billy K. Chow, David Vaudry
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lamei Xue, Juan Sun, Jinxin Liu, Chaoping Hu, Dandan Wu, Chenzhipeng Nie, Kuiliang Zhang, Yu Wang, Lei Zhao, Xihua Li, Yan Lu, Li Zhang, Duo Zhang, Mingcong Fan, Haifeng Qian, Haowen Jiang, Jiemin Wong, Yuying Li, Hao Ying, Billy K. C. Chow, Li Wang, Yan Li
Summary: Our study reveals that overnutrition downregulates the expression of secretin (SCT), a brain-gut peptide, in pregnant mice and women. Loss of maternal SCT results in undesirable phenotypes in offspring, such as obesity and attenuated browning of iWAT. Mechanistically, SCT facilitates degradation of DNMT1 through AMPK alpha activation, leading to alterations in offspring's genome methylation pattern.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jason S. W. On, Liuru Su, Hong Shen, Aloysius W. R. Arokiaraj, Joao C. R. Cardoso, Guang Li, Billy K. C. Chow
Summary: Based on anatomy and gene expression, the Hatschek's pit in the cephalochordate amphioxus is suggested to be the functional homolog of the vertebrate adenohypophysis. This study explored the distribution and potential function of the amphioxus PACAP/GCG precursor, which is the ortholog of the hypothalamic PACAP neuropeptide in vertebrates. The results support the hypothesis that the amphioxus Hatschek's pit is likely the functional homolog of the vertebrate pituitary gland.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fengwei Zhang, Sarah O. K. Mak, Yuchu Liu, Ya Ke, Feng Rao, Wing Ho Yung, Li Zhang, Billy Kwok Chong Chow
Summary: This study reveals the neural mechanism of secretin in managing thirst in the central nervous system. The results demonstrate that the local ablation of SCT receptor (SCTR) in the subfornical organ (SFO) reduces water intake in dehydrated mice, while salt intake remains unaffected. Furthermore, it is found that SCT elicits inward currents in the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (SFOnNOS) neurons via SCTR in the presence of glutamate receptor antagonists.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kailash Singh, Shaik Abdullah Nawabjan, Li Zhang, Hani El-Nezami, Rajasekar Reddy Annapureddy, Billy KC. Chow
Summary: Recent studies have identified a small compound-based Secretin receptor modulator with potential anti-hypertensive effects through structure based drug design strategy. The modulator has shown similar blood pressure lowering effect as SCT peptide, with a longer half-life and oral bioavailability.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Toxicology
S. A. Nawabjan, H. S. El-Nezami, B. K. Chow
TOXICOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ji-an Wei, Qing Han, Zhihua Luo, Linglin Liu, Jing Cui, Jiahui Tan, Billy K. C. Chow, Kwok-Fai So, Li Zhang
Summary: This study identifies secretin as a regulator of social investigation behaviors and suggests potential strategies for addressing social deficits. Secretin expression in a subset of excitatory neurons in the basolateral amygdala promotes social interest, while other neurons in this region hinder social behaviors. Exogenous secretin application effectively enhances social interest in both healthy and autism spectrum disorder model mice.
NATIONAL SCIENCE REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Mukesh Kumar, Karthi Duraisamy, Rajasekar Reddy Annapureddy, Chi Bun Chan, Billy K. C. Chow
Summary: The research team designed and synthesized a series of novel small molecule antagonists for the treatment of MRGPRX2-mediated allergies and inflammation. These small molecules showed high binding affinity and inhibitory activity in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, effectively inhibiting mast cell activation and related signaling pathways. Therefore, these small molecules may hold significant therapeutic promise for MRGPRX2-mediated allergies and inflammation.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Peder Berg, Tobias Jensen, Jesper Frank Andersen, Samuel L. Svendsen, Ida Maria Modvig, Tobias Wang, Sebastian Frische, Billy K. C. Chow, Hans Malte, Jens Juul Holst, Mads Vaarby Sorensen, Jens Leipziger
Summary: This study found that loss of SCTR impairs renal base excretion during acute metabolic alkalosis, and KO mice develop prolonged metabolic alkalosis after acute base loading. Additionally, the study found that increased blood alkalinity promotes secretin release from the small intestine and secretin is critical for bicarbonate homeostasis.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Physiology
P. Berg, T. Jensen, J. F. Andersen, M. V. Sorensen, T. Wang, H. Malte, B. K. Chow, J. Leipziger
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yujie Sun, Zhijun Wang, Chenzhipeng Nie, Lamei Xue, Yu Wang, Jinxin Liu, Mingcong Fan, Duo Zhang, Ruikun He, Xuguang Zhang, Haifeng Qian, Billy K. C. Chow, Yan Li, Li Wang
Summary: Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), the main bioactive component of safflower, triggers fast-to-slow myofiber-type shift by regulating gene expression and mitochondrial biosynthesis.