Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zuzana Krupova, Christine Leroux, Christine Pechoux, Claudia Bevilacqua, Patrice Martin
Summary: miRNAs in milk are mainly found in extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are released by cells for communication. Most previous studies focused on human and cow's milk, so this study aimed to profile miRNAs in purified EVs from healthy goats and compare them to healthy cows at early lactation. The EVs were characterized and confirmed to be free of milk protein contamination. The size distribution and concentration of EVs from both goats and cows were similar. RNA-sequencing identified a total of 295 miRNAs, providing the first-time validation of goat miRNome using cow miRNomes.
Article
Cell Biology
Wenqian Zhang, Jun Hong, Hanwen Zhang, Wencheng Zheng, Ying Yang
Summary: The study found that astrocyte-derived exosomes can protect against traumatic brain injury-induced oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ying Zhang, Hai-Yan Yin, Patrizia Rubini, Peter Illes, Yong Tang
Summary: There is a dispute about whether CNS neurons possess ATP-sensitive P2X7 receptors. By genetically deleting P2X7 receptors in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, it was found that these receptors indirectly modulate the neuronal input to neighboring neurons.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ashish Kumar, Susy Kim, Yixin Su, Mitu Sharma, Pawan Kumar, Sangeeta Singh, Jingyun Lee, Cristina M. Furdui, Ravi Singh, Fang-Chi Hsu, Jeongchul Kim, Christopher T. Whitlow, Michael A. Nader, Gagan Deep
Summary: The study found that long-term oxycodone use led to a significant decrease in gray matter volumes in specific lobes of the monkey brain, as well as an increase in neurodegenerative biomarker expression correlated with changes in brain volumes. Additionally, oxycodone use had a significant impact on specific miRNA and protein loading associated with neurocognitive disorders.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica Zilli, Anne Schaenzer, Kathrin Buettner, Monika Kressin, Martin J. Schmidt
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate normal reference values of cellular densities and the cytoarchitecture of the feline hippocampus, in order to lay the foundation for a standardized, systematic classification and diagnosis of hippocampal sclerosis in cats. The findings revealed significant differences in neuronal density and layer thickness throughout the hippocampus, while astrocyte density did not differ. Reference ranges for these parameters were defined in different layers of the hippocampus.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Wen Li, Shanshan Wang, Hui He, Jianbing Qin, Xiang Cheng, Heyan Zhao, Meiling Tian, Xinhua Zhang, Guohua Jin
Summary: Our study showed that exosomes from denervated hippocampus promoted neural stem cells differentiation into neurons, with nudE neurodevelopment protein 1-like 1 being significantly upregulated and highly expressed in the nervous system. Furthermore, miR-107-3p was found to regulate neural stem cell differentiation by targeting Ndel1. These findings suggest a potential for new treatments for central nervous system diseases based on stimulating neurogenesis.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Diego de Almeida Miranda, Juliana Araripe, Nara G. de Morais Magalhaes, Lucas Silva de Siqueira, Cintya Castro de Abreu, Patrick Douglas Correa Pereira, Ediely Pereira Henrique, Pedro Arthur Campos da Silva Chira, Mauro A. D. de Melo, Pericles Sena do Rego, Daniel Guerreiro Diniz, David Francis Sherry, Cristovam W. P. Diniz, Cristovam Guerreiro-Diniz
Summary: This study explores the association between the morphological complexity of hippocampal astrocytes in long-distance migratory birds and their migratory distances, as well as the size of the ADCYAP1 gene. Significant differences were found among different bird species in terms of astrocyte numbers and complexity, as well as the size of ADCYAP1 microsatellites. The study also revealed significant associations between the size of ADCYAP1 microsatellites, migratory distances, and the degree of astrocyte morphological complexity.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Sara G. Dosil, Sheila Lopez-Cobo, Ana Rodriguez-Galan, Irene Fernandez-Delgado, Marta Ramirez-Huesca, Paula Milan-Rois, Milagros Castellanos, Alvaro Somoza, Manuel Jose Gomez, Hugh T. Reyburn, Mar Vales-Gomez, Francisco Sanchez Madrid, Lola Fernandez-Messina
Summary: NK cells and their secreted EVs have immunomodulatory roles, promoting Th1 responses and activating monocytes and moDCs. MicroRNAs of NK-EVs target molecules involved in Th1 responses and partially recapitulate their effects in mice.
Review
Oncology
Chenbin Liu, Han Wu, Yinqi Mao, Wei Chen, Shuying Chen
Summary: Exosomal microRNAs play a crucial role in hepatocellular carcinoma, holding significant value in the early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mary Jasmin Ang, Sueun Lee, Mai Wada, Poornima D. E. Weerasinghe-Mudiyanselage, Sung-Ho Kim, Taekyun Shin, Tae-Il Jeon, Seung-Soon Im, Changjong Moon
Summary: Changes in the structural and functional neuroplasticity of the hippocampus due to SREBP-1c deficiency may underlie the memory impairment and altered behaviors observed in mice, highlighting the critical role of SREBP-1c in hippocampal functioning.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Angel Earle, Madison Bessonny, Josh Benito, Kun Huang, Hannah Parker, Emily Tyler, Brittany Crawford, Nabeeha Khan, Bridget Armstrong, Alexis Stamatikos, Sudha Garimella, Alyssa Clay-Gilmour
Summary: The early detection of chronic kidney disease is crucial, and there is growing interest in finding new biomarkers. Currently, there is no single effective biomarker, but there is evidence supporting the use of urinary exosomal microRNAs as biomarkers for kidney fibrosis.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Degang Song, Xiaomin Chen, Na Zhou, Yi Yuan, Shuo Geng, Cong Zhang, Zhe Zhao, Xingran Wang, Xinran Bao, Xifa Lan, Xiangjian Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on vascular dementia (VaD) and its relationship with Fndc5/irisin. The results showed that LIPUS could increase the levels of Fndc5/irisin in the hippocampus and provide neurorestorative stimulation against VaD. Therefore, targeting hippocampal Fndc5/irisin signaling may be a promising strategy for VaD treatment.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dai Shi, Jaime K. Y. Wong, Kaichuan Zhu, Peter G. Noakes, Gerhard Rammes
Summary: It has been suggested that inhalational anesthetics like isoflurane may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease, while xenon exhibits neuroprotective properties. The phagocytic receptor MEGF10 has been found to assist in the elimination of synapses by astrocytes. This study investigated the interaction between beta-amyloid peptide 1-42, isoflurane, xenon, and MEGF10-dependent synapse elimination.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrei Sorop, Diana Constantinescu, Florentina Cojocaru, Anca Dinischiotu, Dana Cucu, Simona Olimpia Dima
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer globally and is often detected late due to its high clinical and biological heterogeneity. Small nanoparticles with an endosomal origin are valuable biomarkers or carriers for novel treatments in HCC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Angelo Forli, Michael M. Yartsev
Summary: This article examines hippocampal activity in groups of bats engaged in collective spatial behavior and finds that many hippocampal neurons are tuned to key features of group dynamics. Social responses are anatomically distributed and robustly represented at the population level.
Article
Cell Biology
Miguel V. Guerra, Matias I. Caceres, Andrea Herrera-Soto, Sebastian B. Arredondo, Manuel Varas-Godoy, Brigitte van Zundert, Lorena Varela-Nallar
Summary: This study investigates the role of H3K9 methylation and its methyltransferases Suv39h1 and Suv39h2 in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. The results show that H3K9me3 and H3K9me2 are enriched during early stages of neurogenesis and the expression of Suv39h1 and Suv39h2 is high at these stages. Inhibition of these enzymes reduces neuronal differentiation while increasing proliferation, and knockdown of these enzymes impairs neuronal differentiation in the adult dentate gyrus. These findings highlight the critical involvement of H3K9me3 and its methyltransferases in the regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sergio Vicencio-Jimenez, Mario Villalobos, Pedro E. Maldonado, Rodrigo C. Vergara
Summary: This article explores the Free Energy Principle (FEP) and Energy Homeostasis Principle (EHP) as two approaches to explaining the emergence of behavior and understanding. The authors further develop the EHP as a complementary vision to FEP and propose a teleology-free framework for behavior and understanding. They also discuss the role of neural processing and present an evolutionary perspective on non-goal-oriented behavior.
FRONTIERS IN SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Bassam Khoury, Rodrigo C. Vergara, Isabel Sadowski, Christina Spinelli
Summary: Recently developed mindfulness scales have included the body in their measurements, unlike other existing scales. However, these scales have focused only on body awareness and have not fully incorporated the body into mindfulness. The proposed Embodied Mindfulness Questionnaire aims to address this gap by grounding mindfulness in five dimensions, each representing a set of skills that can be cultivated through training and practice. The questionnaire has been developed through consultations with experts and has been supported by various studies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Songbai Zhang, Ayako Miyakawa, Malin Wickstrom, Cecilia Dyberg, Lauri Louhivuori, Manuel Varas-Godoy, Kati Kemppainen, Shigeaki Kanatani, Dagmara Kaczynska, Ivar Dehnisch Ellstrom, Lotta Elfman, Pauliina Kronqvist, Heli Repo, Katsuhiko Mikoshiba, Cecilia Sahlgren, John Inge Johnsen, Per Uhlen
Summary: This study reveals the negative regulation role of G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein 1 (GIT1) in the Notch signaling pathway and tumor growth in estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer. GIT1 inhibits the translocation of Notch ICD to the nucleus, thus modulating the Notch signaling and acting as a guardian against breast cancer growth.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Layla Simon, Sofia Sanhueza, Belen Gaete-Ramirez, Manuel Varas-Godoy, Andrew F. G. Quest
Summary: Advances in cancer biology have led to different treatments for improving patients' survival rates. However, relapse and recurrence remain common due to therapy resistance in residual cancer cells, which is influenced by the inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME) and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Inflammatory conditions alter the release and composition of EVs within the TME, affecting tumor cells' response to cancer therapies.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Gabriela Vargas, Omar Cortes, Eloisa Arias-Munoz, Sergio Hernandez, Cristobal Cerda-Troncoso, Laura Hernandez, Alexis E. Gonzalez, Michael H. Tatham, Hianara A. Bustamante, Claudio Retamal, Jorge Cancino, Manuel Varas-Godoy, Ronald T. Hay, Alejandro Rojas-Fernandez, Viviana A. Cavieres, Patricia V. Burgos
Summary: Macroautophagy and the ubiquitin proteasome system are interconnected in maintaining cellular homeostasis. HERPUD1, a protein regulated by proteasomal degradation, stabilizes ER and lysosomal network and negatively regulates autophagy, promoting cell survival under stress conditions.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Julia Rubione, Paula S. Perez, Alejandro Czernikier, Gabriel A. Duette, Federico Pehuen Pereyra Gerber, Jimena Salido, Martina P. Fabiano, Yanina Ghiglione, Gabriela Turk, Natalia Laufer, Alejandro J. Cagnoni, Juan M. Perez Saez, Joaquin P. Merlo, Carla Pascuale, Juan C. Stupirski, Omar Sued, Manuel Varas-Godoy, Sharon R. Lewin, Karina Marino, Gabriel A. Rabinovich, Matias Ostrowski
Summary: This study identifies the role of Galectin-1 (Gal-1) in reversing HIV-1 latency and linking inflammation with HIV persistence in cART-treated individuals through activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B).
Article
Neurosciences
Antonella Zirotti Rosenberg, Maxs Mendez-Ruette, Mario Gorziglia, Benjamin Alzerreca, Javiera Cabello, Sofia Kaufmann, Lukas Rambousek, Andres Iturriaga Jofre, Ursula Wyneken, Carlos A. Lafourcade
Summary: This study examined the effects of the synthetic cannabinoid WIN on seizure events and the levels of CB1R and beta-Arrestin2 in female and male adolescent rats. The results showed that exogenous administration of WIN prevented moderate seizures and increased the phosphorylated CaMKII levels in the hippocampus.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ignacio Niechi, Jose I. Erices, Diego Carrillo-Beltran, Atenea Uribe-Ojeda, Angelo Torres, Jose Dellis Rocha, Daniel Uribe, Maria A. Toro, Karla Villalobos-Nova, Belen Gaete-Ramirez, Gabriel Mingo, Gareth I. I. Owen, Manuel Varas-Godoy, Lilian Jara, Francisco Aguayo, Veronica A. Burzio, Claudia Quezada-Monras, Julio C. C. Tapia
Summary: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common and aggressive brain tumor characterized by high recurrence rates. Glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), which are highly resistant to anti-cancer drugs, play a key role in GBM recurrence. This study investigated the role of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE1) in promoting GSC-like traits in GBM. The researchers found that a phosphorylated variant of ECE1c (ECE1c(K6R)) increased self-renewal and stem-like characteristics in GBM cells, as well as enhanced resistance to chemotherapy drugs and invasiveness. These findings suggest that phosphorylated ECE1c may serve as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for GBM.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Carlos A. Lafourcade, Fraser T. Sparks, Angelique Bordey, Ursula Wyneken, Michael H. Mohammadi
Summary: The hippocampal formation is crucial in the development of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), a disease characterized by recurrent, unprovoked epileptic discharges. The hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) acts as a filter to prevent excessive excitation and is considered critical in the progression of epileptogenesis. Endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) play a central role in regulating neuronal activity in the DG circuit. This review summarizes recent findings on the role of the DG in controlling hyperexcitability and discusses the potential therapeutic interventions using cannabinoids.
Article
Neurosciences
Cristobal Moenne-Loccoz, Alfredo Hernandez, Camila Larraguibel, Gustavo Lam, Enrique Lorca-Ponce, Rodrigo Montefusco-Siegmund, Pedro Maldonado, Rodrigo C. Vergara
Summary: Playing specific genres of video games has been found to improve cognitive skills related to attentional phenomena. This study suggests that the amount of coordination required between movement and perception, known as sensorimotor demand, is a key factor in these cognitive improvements. Two studies were conducted to support this hypothesis.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alejandro Luarte, Gino Nardocci, Ankush Chakraborty, Luis Federico Batiz, Karina Pino-Lagos, Ursula Wyneken
Summary: Life stressors can cause major depressive disorder (MDD) and current treatments are not effective enough. Recent research suggests that astrocytes release extracellular vesicles (ADEVs) to coordinate the inflammatory response, and these ADEVs have the potential to modulate immune cells and contribute to MDD. Understanding the immunomodulatory role of ADEVs and their impact on immune cell activity, particularly their microRNA composition, may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for mood disorders.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Alvaro I. Langer, Esteban Solano, Leonardo D. D. Bacigalupe, Betsabe Soto, Angie Asenjo, Ariel Cifuentes, Ibeth Navarrete, Rodrigo C. C. Vergara, Christoph Steinebach
Summary: Urban life leads to high stress and anxiety, which increases the prevalence of mental disorders. University students, a vulnerable group, are likely to develop anxiety and substance abuse related mental pathologies. Forest bathing is a nature-oriented intervention that aims to improve physical and psychological well-being by reducing anxiety and stress. In this study, we evaluated the impact of forest bathing on stress and anxiety levels of undergraduate students. Our results showed that a short session of forest bathing can effectively reduce anxiety in university students.
JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
T. Koning, F. Cordova, G. Aguilar, J. Sarmiento, G. A. Mardones, M. Boric, M. Varas-Godoy, A. Lladser, W. N. Duran, P. Ehrenfeld, F. A. Sanchez
Summary: Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by different isoforms of nitric oxide synthases and activates two signaling pathways, one dependent on soluble guanylate cyclase and protein kinase G, and the other involving post-translational modification of proteins through S-nitrosylation. High levels of NO have been detected in blood of breast cancer patients, suggesting a positive correlation between NO biosynthesis, malignancy, and metastasis. The study shows that S-nitrosylation in the endothelium enhances VCAM-1 surface localization, promoting leukocyte and tumor cell adhesion and extravasation, potentially contributing to breast cancer metastasis.
BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Rodrigo C. C. Vergara, Pedro Zitko, Andrea Slachevsky, Consuelo San Martin, Carolina Delgado
Summary: The projected incidence of dementia in Latin America and the Caribbean in the coming decades is alarming. Analyzing data from the 2016-2017 Chilean National Health Survey, this study examines the population attributable fraction (PAF) of nine modifiable risk factors for dementia, stratified by sex. The results show that the overall PAF for modifiable risk factors is 45.8%, with lower education, high blood pressure, hearing loss, and obesity being the major contributors. Women have a higher overall PAF compared to men, primarily due to physical inactivity and depression.
ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA: DIAGNOSIS, ASSESSMENT & DISEASE MONITORING
(2022)