Review
Cell Biology
Geraldine Zimmer-Bensch, Hans Zempel
Summary: Tauopathies, including Alzheimer's Disease, are common neurological disorders that primarily affect the aging population, but can also impact children and young adults. Characterized by cognitive dysfunction and movement abnormalities, these diseases can lead to severe neurological deficits and premature death. Genetic and epigenetic factors play a role in the etiology of tauopathies, with potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanan Zhu, Lauren Gandy, Fuming Zhang, Jian Liu, Chunyu Wang, Laura J. Blair, Robert J. Linhardt, Lianchun Wang
Summary: This review summarizes the current understanding of the functions and modulated molecular pathways of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in tauopathies, as well as the potential of targeting heparan sulfate proteoglycan-tau interaction as a novel therapeutic option.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Randall J. Eck, Rebecca L. Kow, Aristide H. Black, Nicole F. Liachko, Brian C. Kraemer
Summary: The pathological accumulation of the microtubule binding protein tau is the main cause of age-related neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies. A study using a Caenorhabditis elegans model found that the toxicity of tau depends on the nuclear E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor protein SPOP. Loss of function mutations in the spop-1 gene improved behavioral deficits in tau transgenic animals, while overexpression of SPOP-1 worsened these deficits. Furthermore, loss of spop-1 rescued various tau-related phenotypes, including tau protein accumulation, neurodegeneration, and shortened lifespan.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Kayo Yukawa, Satomi Yamamoto-Mcguire, Louis Cafaro, Christine Hong, Fredrik Kamme, Tsuneya Ikezu, Seiko Ikezu
Summary: TTBK1 is an attractive therapeutic target in the early stages of AD, as it can delay the progression of tau pathology by suppressing the expression of phosphorylated tau.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Preetpal Kaur, Alisha Khera, Hema K. Alajangi, Akanksha Sharma, Pradeep K. Jaiswal, Gurpal Singh, Ravi P. Barnwal
Summary: Several protein kinases and phosphatases regulate tau protein phosphorylation, and an imbalance in their activity leads to tau hyper-phosphorylation. Aberrant tau phosphorylation causes it to dissociate from microtubules and form neurofibrillary tangles, contributing to neurodegenerative disorders. Restorative approaches targeting hyperphosphorylated tau protein are being explored, and drug delivery systems based on nanocarriers provide a potential solution for the limited transport of drugs to the central nervous system. This review discusses tau protein, regulation of its phosphorylation, drugs in use or under clinical trials, and treatment strategies for tauopathies based on the role of tau hyperphosphorylation in disease pathogenesis.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Laura Vidal-Palencia, Cristina Font, Agustin Rebollada-Merino, Gabriel Santpere, Pol Andres-Benito, Isidro Ferrer, Marti Pumarola
Summary: Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of tau protein in cells. This study reports the first case of primary tauopathy in a cat, providing insights into the disease's clinical and pathological features.
Review
Neurosciences
Paulino Ramirez, Gabrielle Zuniga, Wenyan Sun, Adrian Beckmann, Elizabeth Ochoa, Sarah L. DeVos, Bradley Hyman, Gabriel Chiu, Ethan R. Roy, Wei Cao, Miranda Orr, Virginie Buggia-Prevot, William J. Ray, Bess Frost
Summary: The study reveals that transposable elements are activated in the context of brain aging and tauopathy in mice, with endogenous retrovirus (ERV) class of retrotransposons being particularly enriched. Protein encoded by Intracisternal A-particle is found to be elevated in tau transgenic mouse brains. The research also suggests increased DNA copy number of transposable elements in the brains of tau transgenic mice, indicating potential retrotransposition activity in the context of tauopathy.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Holper, Rosie Watson, Nawaf Yassi
Summary: The advances in tau detection have revolutionized the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, offering improved diagnostic accuracy and potential as a predictor of clinical progression and drug therapy response.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Kristian F. Odfalk, Kevin F. Bieniek, Sarah C. Hopp
Summary: This article reviews the intersection between microglia and tau from the perspectives of neuropathology, neuroimaging, genetics, transcriptomics, and molecular biology. Microglia play both positive and negative roles in regulating tau pathology, with the ability to mitigate tau spread by degrading internalized tau seeds, but detrimental consequences occur when these seeds cannot be degraded.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aiko Robert, Michael Scholl, Thomas Vogels
Summary: Recent research has shown that injecting purified tau aggregates from human tauopathy patients can replicate the structural features and cell type specificity of the original tau pathology. These models may have unique translational value in studying the functional consequences of tau pathology, tau-based diagnostics, and tau-targeting therapeutics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Kyle R. Christensen, Benjamin Combs, Collin Richards, Tessa Grabinski, Mohammed M. Alhadidy, Nicholas M. Kanaan
Summary: Our understanding of the tau protein's role as a scaffolding protein involved in signaling regulation has implications for Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Pseudophosphorylation of tau disrupts normal axonal transport through a PP1-dependent pathway. Interaction between tau and PP1 gamma, as well as tau phosphorylation at S199-T205, leads to axonal transport impairment.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Nastaran Karimi, Feyza Bayram Catak, Ebru Arslan, Amene Saghazadeh, Nima Rezaei
Summary: Tau, a protein associated with more than 25 neurological disorders, has been the target of research for finding novel therapeutic agents. This article reviews the latest animal and clinical studies on tau-based immunotherapies and drugs for Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Sarah Houben, Megane Homa, Zehra Yilmaz, Karelle Leroy, Jean-Pierre Brion, Kunie Ando
Summary: AHN plays a critical role in sustaining hippocampal functions such as learning and memory, and impaired AHN in AD patients may contribute to cognitive deficits. NFTs and amyloid plaques are key neuropathological hallmarks of AD, with abnormal tau protein accumulation impacting AHN. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between tau pathology and AHN.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Imlirenla Pongener, Conor O'Shea, Hannah Wootton, Michael Watkinson, Gavin J. Miller
Summary: This review focuses on the chemical approaches and methodology improvements for the synthesis of heparin and heparan sulfate since 2015, including advances in accessing the pentasaccharide anticoagulant and targets for heparan sulfate synthesis. It also discusses key building block synthesis, oligosaccharide construction, chemical sulfation techniques, and technological improvements to traditional solution-phase synthesis approaches.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Courtney J. Mycroft-West, Anthony J. Devlin, Lynsay C. Cooper, Scott E. Guimond, Patricia Procter, Marco Guerrini, Gavin J. Miller, David G. Fernig, Edwin A. Yates, Marcelo A. Lima, Mark A. Skidmore
Summary: Currently, there are only palliative therapeutic options for Alzheimer's Disease with no successful new drug candidates developed in over 15 years. Heparin has potential therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's Disease, but its repurposing is limited due to its strong anticoagulant activity. A non-anticoagulant glycosaminoglycan extract from shrimp was found to inhibit the key neuronal beta-secretase BACE1, showing a more favorable therapeutic ratio compared to pharmaceutical heparin.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alexander Tenorio, Brandon B. Holmes, Adib A. Abla, Matthew Amans, Karl Meisel
Summary: Isolated posterior spinal artery aneurysms are rare and may present with abdominal pain, back pain, and lower extremity weakness. Treatment strategies include conservative management, endovascular treatment, or surgical resection. Immediate surgical intervention is crucial for symptomatic cord compression patients.
Article
Medical Informatics
Hung S. Luu, Laura M. Filkins, Jason Y. Park, Dinesh Rakheja, Jefferson Tweed, Christopher Menzies, Vincent J. Wang, Vineeta Mittal, Christoph U. Lehmann, Michael E. Sebert
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic caused shortages of critical resources, leading to challenges in resource management. Leveraging EHR functionality and CDS algorithms can decrease order entry errors and properly flag patients for further observation.
JMIR MEDICAL INFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Guanglu Shi, Jing Xu, Shirelle F. Barnes, Midhat S. Farooqi, Hung S. Luu, Garrett Gotway, Jason Y. Park
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Barbara E. Stopschinski, Kelly Del Tredici, Sandi-Jo Estill-Terpack, Estifanos Ghebremdehin, Fang F. Yu, Heiko Braak, Marc I. Diamond
Summary: Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of tau aggregates in the brain. A study on sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) revealed that tau seeding assays can detect pathology in regions not identified by traditional staining methods like AT8, shedding light on previously unrecognized sites of tau deposition. The variation in seeding sites among individuals may contribute to differences in the clinical presentation and progression of AD.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Pathology
Abdullah Alsuwaidan, Prasad Koduru, Franklin Fuda, Jesse Manuel Jaso, Mingyi Chen, Flavia Rosado, Hung S. Luu, Nathan Sweed, Rolando Garcia, Meggie Doucet, Neil B. Desai, Kiran A. Kumar, Farrukh T. Awan, Praveen Ramakrishnan Geethakumari, Weina Chen
Summary: The study found that CD38bright and/or MYC >= 55% is highly predictive of DTHL, and the combined FC and IHC method is superior in predicting DTHL compared to individual markers. Restricting FISH testing to a certain percentage of LBCL based on CD38bright and/or MYC >= 55% can effectively detect DTHL.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Olga K. Weinberg, Jake Dennis, Hamid Zia, Pu Chen, Andrew Chu, Prasad Koduru, Hung S. Luu, Franklin Fuda, Weina Chen
Summary: This study investigated the clinical significance of adult B/myeloid MPAL(isoMPO) using the 2016 WHO classification. The results suggest that B/myeloid MPAL(isoMPO) behaves more similarly to B-ALL than to other MPAL subtypes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Rolando Garcia, Charles Timmons, Hung Luu, Valerie Miller, Franklin Fuda, Weina Chen, Prasad Koduru
Summary: Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is characterized by the presence of Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells. This study identified a genetic aberration (t(11;14)/CCND1::IGH) in cHL and analyzed its potential signaling pathways. The findings suggest the development of cHL and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) from a transformed precursor cell through genetic evolution and deregulated pathways.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Kwame O. Adjepong, Sara C. LaHue, Deborah Ha, Brandon B. Holmes
Summary: Jugular foramen syndrome is a lower cranial neuropathy syndrome characterized by dysphonia and dysphagia. This case presents a healthy adult man who developed the syndrome secondary to atypical presentation of Varicella Zoster meningitis and was promptly diagnosed and treated with successful symptom resolution. Detailed structural evaluation and consideration for infection are highlighted as important factors in early identification and treatment.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Elisa Lin, Franklin Fuda, Hung S. Luu, Andrew M. Cox, Fengqi Fang, Junlin Feng, Mingyi Chen
Summary: Digital pathology plays a crucial role in diagnostic pathology and is becoming increasingly essential in the field. By integrating digital slides, advanced algorithms, and computer-aided techniques, pathologists can extend their view beyond microscopic slides and integrate knowledge and expertise. Artificial intelligence (AI) holds great potential for breakthroughs in pathology and hematopathology. This review discusses the use of machine learning in diagnosis, classification, and treatment guidelines of hematolymphoid disease, as well as recent progress in AI-based flow cytometric analysis. Adoption of new technologies like CellaVision and Morphogo allows pathologists to streamline workflow and achieve faster diagnoses of hematological diseases.
SEMINARS IN DIAGNOSTIC PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mihail Firan, Charles F. Timmons, Jason Y. Park, Midori Mitui Mha, Hung S. Luu
Summary: Hemoglobinopathies are common genetic disorders, with variations influenced by ancestry and geography. This study evaluated hemoglobinopathies in patients from Texas hospitals and found that 67% of Hispanic patients had a beta-globin chain variant.
Article
Hematology
Elisa Lin, Ellen Araj, John Markantonis, Hung Luu, Mingyi Chen
Summary: This review summarizes data from COVID-19 patients requiring ICU admission, focusing on morphological anomalies in peripheral blood smears and hematologic abnormalities associated with disease severity and mortality. The study found previously unreported abnormal morphology and identified factors such as lymphopenia, neutrophilia, acute hemolysis, hematologic malignancies, and increased LDH as indicators of poor clinical outcome.
HEMATOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Brandon B. Holmes, Amber Nolan, Charmian Wong, Chung-Huan Sun
Summary: Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare and life-threatening disease associated with viral triggers. We presented a case of a pregnant woman who developed ANE and progressed to brain death within 36 hours of symptom onset, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Leigh A. Stubbs, Michael Price, Daniel Noland, Jennifer Fuchs, Laura Filkins, Erin McElvania, Hung S. Luu, Michael Sebert, Ami Waters, Michelle S. Hsiang
Summary: Transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) is rare but potentially fatal in non-endemic settings, and should be considered in children, especially sickle cell patients, with fever following multiple transfusions. Supply donor screening using questionnaires may have errors.
JOURNAL OF THE PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES SOCIETY
(2021)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Khushbu Patel, Martha E. Lyon, Hung S. Luu
Summary: Providing a positive patient experience for transgender individuals requires collecting and documenting detailed sex and gender information in EMR and LIS systems. While integrating sexual orientation and gender identity data may be challenging, it is necessary for inclusive care for transgender individuals.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED LABORATORY MEDICINE
(2021)