Article
Neurosciences
Guneet Kaur, Pallavi Pant, Reshma Bhagat, Pankaj Seth
Summary: In this study, a physiologically relevant blood-brain barrier (BBB) model was established using human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) and astrocytes derived from human progenitors. The effects of Zika virus envelope (E) protein on the cells comprising the BBB were investigated using this model. The presence of ZIKV E protein led to decreased expression of crucial endothelial junction proteins, increased BBB permeability, and inflammatory response in astrocytes.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Leonard Radu Pinosanu, Bogdan Capitanescu, Daniela Glavan, Sanziana Godeanu, Israel Fernaundez Cadenas, Thorsten R. Doeppner, Dirk M. Hermann, Adrian-Tudor Balseanu, Catalin Bogdan, Aurel Popa-Wagner
Summary: The functions and activities of astroglia cells in brain development, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases differ. Comparing the transcriptomic activity of astroglia cells in these processes may provide new therapeutic strategies to protect the aging brain and improve clinical outcomes.
Article
Cell Biology
Dorian Dolanc, Tomaz M. Zorec, Zala Smole, Anja Maver, Anemari Horvat, Thanigaimalai Pillaiyar, Sasa Trkov Bobnar, Nina Vardjan, Marko Kreft, Helena Haque Chowdhury, Robert Zorec
Summary: This study investigated the unknown functions of GPR27, an orphan GPCR. The results showed that stimulation of GPR27 enhances aerobic glycolysis and L-lactate production in cells.
Article
Immunology
Rui-Cheng Yang, Kun Huang, Hui-Peng Zhang, Liang Li, Yu-Fei Zhang, Chen Tan, Huan-Chun Chen, Mei-Lin Jin, Xiang-Ru Wang
Summary: The study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier, increasing its permeability, which provides new insights into the neuropathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Ke Wang, Shuang Dong, Doaa Higazy, Lijing Jin, Qingcui Zou, Haowei Chen, Aakif Inayat, Sheng Hu, Min Cui
Summary: Research findings indicate that TNF-alpha treatment activates brain microvascular endothelial cells and increases the expression of multiple adhesion molecules, enhancing the adhesion between lung cancer cells and endothelial cells. These results contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying brain metastasis.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manjusha Thakar, Midrelle E. Noumbissi, Monique F. Stins
Summary: Postmortem neuropathological studies have revealed regional differences in the brain diseases, such as cerebral malaria, which shows more hemorrhagic punctae in the white matter than grey matter. The underlying cause of these differences is unclear. In this study, researchers investigated the impact of the vascular microenvironment on the expression of endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and found that EPCR expression in cerebral microvessels is heterogeneous in the white matter compared to the grey matter. Their findings provide insights into the origin of molecular phenotypic heterogeneity at the microvascular level and may contribute to a better understanding of variations in neuropathology associated with vasculature in different brain regions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Isabelle Matthiesen, Rohollah Nasiri, Alessandra Tamashiro Orrego, Thomas E. Winkler, Anna Herland
Summary: Astrocytes are crucial for brain functions and energy supply for neurons. This study compared the metabolic turnover of glucose and lactate between human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes (hiAstrocytes) and human fetal astrocytes (HFAs). The results showed that HFAs have higher levels of lactate production and glucose consumption compared to hiAstrocytes.
Article
Cell Biology
Urszula Hohmann, Christoph Walsleben, Chalid Ghadban, Frank Kirchhoff, Faramarz Dehghani, Tim Hohmann
Summary: In brain tumor, the interactions between tumor cells and glial cells have complex effects on tumor heterogeneity and progression. Phytocannabinoids can increase the size of tumor spheroids without affecting cell migration and cell death.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qiuling Liu, Tujing Song, Bing Chen, Jingjing Zhang, Wen Li
Summary: Hypoxia is crucial for the development of various disorders, especially hypoxic cerebropathy. The damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) caused by hypoxia is well known. This study explored the correlation between endothelial ferroptosis and hypoxia-induced BBB damage using in vivo zebrafish and in vitro bEnd.3 cells. The results showed that hypoxic treatment could induce BBB disruption by down-regulating claudin-5 (CLDN5) expression in both zebrafish cerebrovascular endothelial cells and bEnd.3 cells.
Review
Cell Biology
Ming Zhao, Xue-Fan Jiang, Hui-Qin Zhang, Jia-Hui Sun, Hui Pei, Li-Na Ma, Yu Cao, Hao Li
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder with no satisfying curative therapies currently available. Dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier contributes to the onset and progression of AD, yet the pathogenesis caused by BBB injury remains unclear. Glial cells play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of BBB and neuronal function.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiang Fang, Qiang Yuan, Zhuoying Du, Maoxing Fei, Quan Zhang, Lei Yang, Meihua Wang, Weijian Yang, Jian Yu, Gang Wu, Jin Hu
Summary: Ferroptosis plays an important role in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is involved in the damage of brain microvascular endothelial cells and the blood-brain barrier. In this study, they found that ferroptosis-related markers were altered in brain endothelial cells after TBI both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, inhibition of ferroptosis with Fer-1 reduced BMVECs death, BBB permeability, and tight junction loss, and exerted neuroprotective effects in the early stage of TBI.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tsong-Hai Lee, Pei-Shan Liu, Su-Jane Wang, Ming-Ming Tsai, Velayuthaprabhu Shanmugam, Hsi-Lung Hsieh
Summary: The study showed that BK can induce transdifferentiation of rat brain astrocytes into neuron-like cells mediated through the B2BKR, PKC-delta, ERK1/2, and MMP-9 pathways. BK downregulated the astrocytic marker GFAP and upregulated the neuronal markers NSE and MMP-9 via the B2BKR/PKC-delta/ERK pathway. The findings suggest that BK may play a role in reprogramming brain astrocytes into neuron-like cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Thomas Philips, Yevgeniya A. Mironova, Yan Jouroukhin, Jeannie Chew, Svetlana Vidensky, Mohamed H. Farah, Mikhail Pletnikov, Dwight E. Bergles, Brett M. Morrison, Jeffrey D. Rothstein
Summary: Loss of MCT1 in oligodendrocytes with aging may disrupt neuronal energy homeostasis, leading to axonal degeneration and hypomyelination. This suggests that MCT1 plays a crucial role in maintaining neuronal health in the aging central nervous system.
Review
Cell Biology
Marit Knoop, Marie-Laure Possovre, Alice Jacquens, Alexandre Charlet, Olivier Baud, Pascal Darbon
Summary: The neonatal period is critical for brain development, but also carries the risk of brain injuries. Brain injury can lead to long-term neurological problems and is associated with neuroinflammation. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) plays an important role in the perinatal period and has potential neuroprotective effects for early brain development.
Article
Microbiology
Ronghua Zou, Xiaoni Wu, Qiwei Chen, Xiaowei Gong, Yuefeng Chu, Fuying Zheng
Summary: In this study, it was found that the OmpA protein of R. anatipestifer is an important virulence factor mediating its invasion of duck brain microvascular endothelial cells and penetration of the blood-brain barrier. The amino acids 230-242 of OmpA represent a key domain involved in R. anatipestifer invasion.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Nina Geiger, Louise Kersting, Jan Schlegel, Linda Stelz, Sofie Faehr, Viktoria Diesendorf, Valeria Roll, Marie Sostmann, Eva-Maria Koenig, Sebastian Reinhard, Daniela Brenner, Sibylle Schneider-Schaulies, Markus Sauer, Jurgen Seibel, Jochen Bodem
Summary: The study demonstrates that fluoxetine and its derivative AKS466 can interfere with the replication of SARS-CoV-2 by inhibiting acid ceramidase activity. The findings suggest that acid ceramidase may serve as a host factor for SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Styliana Kyriakoudi, Andria Theodoulou, Louiza Potamiti, Fabian Schumacher, Margarita Zachariou, Revekka Papacharalambous, Burkhard Kleuser, Mihalis I. Panayiotidis, Anthi Drousiotou, Petros P. Petrou
Summary: This study highlights the important role of STBD1 in glucose metabolism and the integrity of hepatic MERCs. Stbd1KO mice exhibited reduced hepatic glycogen content, abnormal glucose homeostasis, and insulin resistance. Additionally, Stbd1 deficiency led to increased fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, impaired insulin signaling, and elevated liver sphingomyelin content.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ahmed A. Hasan, Carl-Friedrich Hocher, Burkhard Kleuser, Bernhard K. Kraemer, Berthold Hocher
Summary: Preclinical studies have shown that oxidation leads to the loss of biological effects for parathyroid hormone (PTH). Different forms of oxidized PTH (oxPTH) exist, with varying levels of biological activity. The presence and proportions of these different forms in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients may explain the diverse clinical findings. Current methods for PTH measurement can only distinguish between oxidized and non-oxidized PTH, but not different forms of oxidized PTH. The development of methods that can differentiate between PTH forms has the potential to improve patient care and provide insights into predicting cardiovascular events, mortality, and bone turnover.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Moritz Radbruch, Hannah Pischon, Fang Du, Rainer Haag, Fabian Schumacher, Burkhard Kleuser, Lars Mundhenk, Achim D. Gruber
Summary: The polymeric core-multishell nanocarrier (CMS) shows promise as a carrier for topical delivery of tacrolimus (TAC). However, in vivo, it does not increase TAC penetration into the skin compared to ointment. Nevertheless, the therapeutic efficacy of TAC delivered by CMS is equivalent to standard TAC ointment.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Fabian Schumacher, Alexander Carpinteiro, Michael J. Edwards, Gregory C. Wilson, Simone Keitsch, Matthias Soddemann, Barbara Wilker, Burkhard Kleuser, Katrin Anne Becker, Christian P. Mueller, Johannes Kornhuber, Erich Gulbins
Summary: This study found that ceramide-enriched exosomes in the blood plasma are increased in mice with stress-induced MDD. Genetic studies reveal that neutral sphingomyelinase 2 is required for the formation of these exosomes. Injection of microparticles from mice with MDD or injection of ceramide-loaded exosomes induce MDD-like behavior in untreated mice.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE-JMM
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Johannes Holle, Hendrik Bartolomaeus, Ulrike Loeber, Felix Behrens, Theda U. P. Bartolomaeus, Harithaa Anandakumar, Moritz I. I. Wimmer, Dai Long Vu, Mathias Kuhring, Ulrike Bruening, Andras Maifeld, Sabrina Geisberger, Stefan Kempa, Fabian Schumacher, Burkhard Kleuser, Philip Bufler, Uwe Querfeld, Stefanie Kitschke, Denise Engler, Leonard D. D. Kuhrt, Oliver Drechsel, Kai-Uwe Eckardt, Sofia K. K. Forslund, Andrea Thuermer, Victoria McParland, Jennifer A. A. Kirwan, Nicola Wilck, Dominik Mueller
Summary: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) exhibit a proinflammatory immune response, potentially associated with gut dysbiosis, leading to gut barrier dysfunction and microbial metabolite imbalance, which significantly influences susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Respiratory System
Isabell Wagenhaeuser, Julia Reusch, Alexander Gabel, Anna Hoehn, Thien-Tri Lam, Giovanni Almanzar, Martina Prelog, Lukas B. Krone, Anna Frey, Alexandra Schubert-Unkmeir, Lars Doelken, Stefan Frantz, Oliver Kurzai, Ulrich Vogel, Nils Petri, Manuel Krone
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Burkhard Kleuser, Wolfgang Baeumer
Summary: Sphingolipids are crucial molecules in the mammalian epidermis, playing important roles in the structure of the epidermal layer and regulation of immune cells. The sphingolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is involved in skin cell proliferation and differentiation, and dysregulation of its signaling pathways is associated with inflammatory skin diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Julia Reusch, Isabell Wagenhaeuser, Alexander Gabel, Annika Eggestein, Anna Hoehn, Thien-Tri Lam, Anna Frey, Alexandra Schubert-Unkmeir, Lars Doelken, Stefan Frantz, Oliver Kurzai, Ulrich Vogel, Manuel Krone, Nils Petri
Summary: This study assesses factors influencing the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike IgG after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. It finds that the number of COVID-19 vaccinations is associated with significantly increased antibody levels, and hybrid COVID-19 immunized respondents have higher antibody titers compared to convalescent only healthcare workers. Antibody levels decline with time after the second vaccination. Smoking and higher age are associated with lower antibody levels.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Angela Muench, Lorenz Weihrich, Niclas Knoblauch, Juergen Seibel
Summary: A versatile alkyne-bearing derivative of a donor-acceptor fluorophore was designed for targeted modifications. The newly synthesised photoredox catalyst exhibited unique photoelectronic and steric features, and showed effectiveness in a C-C-Coupling model reaction. This work represents a method to overcome the limitations in the flexibility of metal-free donor-acceptor fluorophores and paves the way for the design of customised catalysts with multiple functionalities.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Brenner, Nina Geiger, Jan Schlegel, Viktoria Diesendorf, Louise Kersting, Julian Fink, Linda Stelz, Sibylle Schneider-Schaulies, Markus Sauer, Jochen Bodem, Juergen Seibel
Summary: Recently, the effectiveness of C6-ceramides in suppressing viral replication by trapping the virus in lysosomes has been demonstrated. In this study, a synthetic ceramide derivative called AKS461 was evaluated for its antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. The results showed that AKS461 accumulated in lysosomes and efficiently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in different cell types. This study highlights the importance of lysosomes as the central organelle for C6-ceramides to inhibit viral replication and provides a tool for studying ceramide-associated cellular and viral pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Juergen Mut, Stephan Altmann, Sabine Reising, Jutta Meissner-Weigl, Marc D. Driessen, Regina Ebert, Juergen Seibel
Summary: Metabolic glycoengineering involves stimulating cells with functionalized monosaccharides, but commercially available derivatives may lead to random incorporation into proteins. However, chemically synthesized sialic acids can be efficiently incorporated into glycoproteins for cell surface modification. In this study, we successfully fused alkyne modified sialic acid into glycoproteins involved in signal transduction and cell junctions in human telomerase-immortalized mesenchymal stromal cells.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Iulia Zoicas, Christiane Muehle, Fabian Schumacher, Burkhard Kleuser, Johannes Kornhuber
Summary: Currently, there are no animal models available for studying specific social fear and social fear with comorbidities. This study investigated whether social fear conditioning (SFC), an animal model for social anxiety disorder (SAD), leads to comorbidities and how it affects brain sphingolipid metabolism. The results showed that SFC altered emotional behavior and brain sphingolipid metabolism in a time-dependent manner. Social fear alone did not cause changes in non-social anxiety or depressive behavior, but comorbid depression developed five weeks after SFC, accompanied by alterations in sphingolipid metabolism in various brain regions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Phuong Thao Tran, Parichat Tawornchat, Burkhard Kleuser, Silke B. Lohan, Johannes Schleusener, Martina C. Meinke, Maxim E. Darvin
Summary: Air pollution is a global problem that leads to skin damage and oxidative stress. Existing methods to detect oxidative stress in the skin have limitations. This study establishes a non-invasive and label-free method to determine the effect of cigarette smoke exposure on skin. The method measures the enhancement of autofluorescence intensities in the skin after cigarette smoke exposure. Results show that cigarette smoke exposure significantly increases autofluorescence intensities in the epidermis, indicating oxidative stress induction in the skin.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria E. Ortiz-Soto, Makarius Baier, Daniela Brenner, Malte Timm, Jurgen Seibel
Summary: This study reports the synthesis of azido-Gb3 analogs using mutants, which can be used to study the membrane organization and dynamics in Anderson-Fabry disease. The mutants generated high yields of azido-substrates and products, allowing for the synthesis of other tagged glycosphingolipids of the globoseries.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dan He, Yawen Li, Fuwen Zhao, Yuze Lin
Summary: High trap density in organic solar cells leads to localized charge carriers and reduced carrier lifetime, limiting device efficiency. This feature article summarizes the recent advances of trap suppression by material design and device engineering.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Olivier Monfort, Arshitha Madhusudhan, Martin Motola
Summary: This article presents the advantages of coupling photocatalysis and Fenton-based processes for environmental remediation and discusses their synergy. It critically examines the simultaneous triggering of these two processes and provides insights into research approaches. The study aims to enhance understanding of this complex process and highlight the potential integration of new catalysts in current wastewater treatment technology.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Manideepa Dhar, Chittaranjan Mishra, Avijit Das, Uttam Manna
Summary: An approach of 'polymerization of monomers in its aggregated form' has been introduced to tailor the water wettability of fibrous and porous substrates, achieving hydrophobicity to superhydrophobicity transition, as well as patterned wettability. This facile chemical method provides a durable coating with adjustable and patterned wettability for various potential applications.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Saswat Ranjan Bhoi, Chhanda Debnath, Shikha Gandhi
Summary: In this article, a novel catalytic reaction using Pd(0) and Bronsted acid is reported for the synthesis of biologically important imidazolidinone-fused N-heterocycles through redox-neutral intramolecular N-allylation of indoles and pyrroles with alkynes. This atom-economical method is applicable to a wide range of substrates and eliminates the need for leaving groups or oxidizing agents commonly used in traditional allylation reactions.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Longkun Chen, Mingshuai Zhang, Meichen Liu, Zhuoyuan Liu, Yuetong Qiu, Zhilai Zhang, Fuchao Yu, Jiuzhong Huang
Summary: In this study, an efficient Rh(III)-catalyzed selective mono- and dual-C-H bond functionalization/cyclization with iodonium ylide as the sole coupling partner was demonstrated. Fused benzodiazepine skeletons were obtained in excellent yields, providing an improved approach to dual C-H unsymmetrical functionalization.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alice Kennett, Sven Epple, Gabriella van der Valk, Irene Georgiou, Evelyne Gout, Romain R. Vives, Angela J. Russell
Summary: This study presents the design and synthesis of sulfated disaccharide inhibitors based on IdoA(2S)-GlcNS(6S), which showed potent inhibition of Sulf-2. The results suggest that IdoA(2S)-GlcNS(6S) is the shortest fragment size required for effective inhibition of Sulfs, and a trisulfated disaccharide is identified as the minimal fragment size of heparan sulfate for effective endosulfatase inhibition.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mauro Garbini, Andrea Brunetti, Riccardo Pedrazzani, Magda Monari, Massimo Marcaccio, Giulio Bertuzzi, Marco Bandini
Summary: The self-adaptability of galvanostatic electrolysis was found to be helpful in a multistage chemo- and diastereoselective electrochemically promoted cyclodimerization of chalcones. Through a series of reductive events, densely functionalized cyclopentanes with five contiguous stereocenters were obtained (25 examples, yields up to 95%, dr values up to >20:1). Further experimental and electrochemical investigations indicated the crucial role of dynamic kinetic resolution of the aldol intermediate in the reaction mechanism.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dhananjay S. Nipate, Neha Meena, Prakash N. Swami, Krishnan Rangan, Anil Kumar
Summary: In this study, the synthesis of functionalized benzo[a]phenazines and indazolo[2,3-a]quinolines was achieved through Rh(III)-catalyzed oxidative annulation of 2-arylquinoxalines and 2-aryl-2H-indazoles with allyl alcohols. The method showed a wide substrate scope, excellent functional group tolerance, good to high yields of annulated products, and the capability for scaled-up synthesis. A tentative mechanism of the annulation reaction was proposed based on a preliminary mechanistic investigation.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruonan Zhang, Abudukadi Tudi, Xia Yang, Xuping Wang, Zhihua Yang, Shujuan Han, Shilie Pan
Summary: A new lead tellurium borate material with a unique fundamental building block [B4O10] was synthesized and found to exhibit high birefringence. The structure-property relationship was discussed using first-principles calculations.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amresh Kumar Singh, Baishali Thakurta, Anupam Giri, Monalisa Pal
Summary: This study introduces three key concepts for the quick synthesis of large-scale high-quality 2D materials films and their utilization in device fabrication.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Reina Hagiwara, Shun Nishimura, Kosuke Okeyoshi
Summary: A copolymer-conjugated nanocatalytic system has been developed to improve electron transfer and enhance photoinduced H2 generation.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
