Article
Biology
Fu Zeng, Adam Zaidel, Aihua Chen, Christopher R. Fetsch
Summary: The adult brain shows remarkable plasticity by recalibrating its perceptual estimates based on information from multiple sensory sources. In this study, single-neuron activity was recorded in monkeys' brains, revealing that early multisensory cortices participate in unsupervised recalibration, while the VIP area reflects a global shift in vestibular space.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peng Zeng, Qiu-hong Hua, Jun-yuan Gong, Chang-jie Shi, Xiao-ping Pi, Xin Xie, Ru Zhang
Summary: This study showed that neonatal mouse cortical astrocytes can be converted into neurons under certain conditions, with insulin playing a critical role. The converted neurons displayed typical neuronal morphologies and electrophysiological properties, and could survive and mature in the mouse brain. Only cortical astrocytes, and not astrocytes from other brain regions such as the hippocampus and cerebellum, showed potential for this conversion.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Josephine Lantoine, Anthony Proces, Agnes Villers, Sophie Halliez, Luc Buee, Laurence Ris, Sylvain Gabriele
Summary: Mechanically activated astrocytes release cytokines that affect the growth and synaptic connections of neuronal networks, with TNF-alpha playing a key role in synaptic loss. Injured astrocytes significantly modulate the balance between TNFR1 and TNFR2 receptors through the secretion of cytokines.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Lukas Konecny, Rafid Quadir, Abel Ninan, Adrian Rodriguez-Contreras
Summary: Understanding the role of neuronal activity in sensory development and its impact on angiogenesis and hypoxia-induced factors is crucial for the study of physiological and pathological responses to oxygen shortage. This article discusses the hypothesis that sensory neurons' spontaneous activity leads to intermittent tissue hypoxia, which in turn promotes the expression of hypoxia inducible transcription factors and the production of angiogenic factors. These findings have implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying oxygen-related conditions in the newborn brain.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Antonela Petrovic, Jelena Ban, Ivana Tomljanovic, Marta Pongrac, Matea Ivanicic, Sanja Mikasinovic, Miranda Mladinic
Summary: Researchers have successfully established and characterized primary dissociated neuronal cultures derived from the cortex of gray South American short-tailed opossums, which can survive for over a month. They also established mixed cultures including RGCs, as well as cultures composed of neurons, astrocytes, and microglia.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Nikolas A. Francis, Shoutik Mukherjee, Loren Kocillari, Stefano Panzeri, Behtash Babadi, Patrick O. Kanold
Summary: This study uses two-photon imaging to investigate the activity of neurons in the primary auditory cortex of mice during a pure-tone discrimination task. The findings show that these neurons encode sensory information and behavioral choices, and network structures differ depending on the behavior and stimulus tones.
Review
Immunology
Ruicheng Yang, Bo Yang, Wei Liu, Chen Tan, Huanchun Chen, Xiangru Wang
Summary: Neuroinflammation is implicated in various CNS disorders, and the activation of astrocytes and microglia plays a crucial role in defense mechanisms. However, their activation can trigger neuroinflammation, exacerbating or inducing CNS injury. Non-coding RNAs are highly expressed in astrocytes and microglia and may be mediators of neuroinflammation.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Angel Baudon, Etienne Clauss Creusot, Ferdinand Althammer, Christian P. Schaaf, Alexandre Charlet
Summary: The neuropeptide oxytocin has been studied for its effects on physiology, neuronal circuits, and behaviors, particularly sociality. Recent studies have shown the existence and importance of astroglial oxytocin receptors in various brain regions. The role of astrocytic oxytocin receptors in neuromodulation and integrated brain functions still needs further investigation.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Federica Cordella, Laura Ferrucci, Chiara D'Antoni, Silvia Ghirga, Carlo Brighi, Alessandro Soloperto, Ylenia Gigante, Davide Ragozzino, Paola Bezzi, Silvia Di Angelantonio
Summary: Homeostatic plasticity is a form of synaptic plasticity where neurons respond to chronically altered network activity to maintain healthy brain function. In this study, an in vitro human cortical model system was developed using induced pluripotent stem cells, revealing the presence of homeostatic plasticity in human neuronal networks for the first time. This platform provides a versatile model for assessing human neural plasticity under physiological and pathological conditions, particularly in patients with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Delfina M. Romero, Karine Poirier, Richard Belvindrah, Imane Moutkine, Anne Houllier, Anne-Gaelle Lemoing, Florence Petit, Anne Boland, Stephan C. Collins, Mariano Soiza-Reilly, Binnaz Yalcin, Jamel Chelly, Jean-Francois Deleuze, Nadia Bahi-Buisson, Fiona Francis
Summary: The Dlgap protein family members play a crucial role in early brain development, including cortical malformations and neuronal migration defects. DLGAP4 mutations were identified in patients with these brain abnormalities, revealing its important involvement in progenitors and migrating neurons.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Yangyang Zheng, Zhehao Huang, Jinying Xu, Kun Hou, Yifei Yu, Shuang Lv, Lin Chen, Yulin Li, Chengshi Quan, Guangfan Chi
Summary: The study identified miR-124 and three small molecules as regulators for converting rat cortical reactive astrocytes into neurons, with induced neurons displaying typical neuronal morphologies and characteristics. The gene analysis showed that induced neurons had gene expression patterns more resembling primary neurons rather than initial reactive astrocytes.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Aditi Singh, Arun Mahesh, Florian Noack, Beatriz Cardoso de Toledo, Federico Calegari, Vijay K. Tiwari
Summary: Corticogenesis is a complex process involving various events, and the interaction between Tcf12 and NeuroD1 plays a crucial role in gene expression and cell migration, contributing to proper cortical development.
Article
Cell Biology
Richard Boyce, Robin F. Dard, Rosa Cossart
Summary: A study found no difference in the structure of assembly activity in the sensorimotor cortex during awake, non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMs), or rapid eye movement sleep (REMs), despite the latter two states being associated with reduced consciousness. However, there was a significant coordination between global electroencephalogram (EEG) microstate dynamics and local cortical assembly activity during periods of wakefulness, but not during sleep.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Cristina de Oliveira Figueiredo, Bianca Maria Bondiolotti, Anthony Laugeray, Paola Bezzi
Summary: 22q11 deletion syndrome is a common microdeletion syndrome in humans that increases the likelihood of developing psychiatric disorders. Synaptic and neuronal malfunctions play a central role in the symptoms observed in patients. Mitochondrial processes and the involvement of astrocytes are important in synaptic plasticity, which is crucial to the pathophysiology of the syndrome.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lynn Bitar, Timo Uphaus, Carine Thalman, Muthuraman Muthuraman, Luzia Gyr, Haichao Ji, Micaela Domingues, Heiko Endle, Sergiu Groppa, Falk Steffen, Nabin Koirala, Wei Fan, Laura Ibanez, Laura Heitsch, Carlos Cruchaga, Jin-Moo Lee, Florian Kloss, Stefan Bittner, Robert Nitsch, Frauke Zipp, Johannes Vogt
Summary: Excess glutamate causing stroke penumbra injury is a crucial factor in determining stroke outcome, and synaptic lipid signaling plays a role in modulating glutamatergic transmission. Inhibiting LPA-related cortical excitability can improve stroke outcome.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Lucas J. A. Durieux, Sara R. J. Gilissen, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: The endocannabinoid system is associated with neurological disorders like schizophrenia, where CB1R signaling plays a crucial role in regulating cortical plasticity and the E/I balance. Modulation of elements such as neurons and astrocytes fine-tunes the E/I balance, impacting the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lise Verbruggen, Gamze Ates, Olaya Lara, Jolien De Munck, Agnes Villers, Laura De Pauw, Sigrid Ottestad-Hansen, Sho Kobayashi, Pauline Beckers, Pauline Janssen, Hideyo Sato, Yun Zhou, Emmanuel Hermans, Rose Njemini, Lutgarde Arckens, Niels C. Danbolt, Dimitri De Bundel, Joeri L. Aerts, Kurt Barbe, Benoit Guillaume, Laurence Ris, Eduard Bentea, Ann Massie
Summary: Deletion of the xCT subunit of system x(c)(-) has been found to extend lifespan and promote healthy aging in mice. Although aged xCT(-/-) mice had higher plasma cystine/cysteine ratio, it did not negatively affect their overall health status. On the contrary, the age-related priming of the innate immune system was attenuated in xCT(-/-) mice, and these mice showed preserved hippocampal function and retention of hippocampus-dependent memory.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Review
Toxicology
Jia-You Gong, Matthew G. Holt, Peter H. M. Hoet, Manosij Ghosh
Summary: Systemic exposure to nanoparticles has adverse effects on the nervous system. There is a relatively good correlation between in vitro and in vivo neurotoxic effects, such as genotoxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and pro-inflammatory effects. However, there are critical knowledge gaps regarding the underlying mechanisms, including the lack of physio-chemical characteristics of nanoparticles, cellular/tissue uptake, nanoparticle translocation across the blood-brain barrier, and the effect of exposure routes.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marika Marino, Lujia Zhou, Melvin Y. Rincon, Zsuzsanna Callaerts-Vegh, Jens Verhaert, Jerome Wahis, Eline Creemers, Lidia Yshii, Keimpe Wierda, Takashi Saito, Catherine Marneffe, Iryna Voytyuk, Yessica Wouters, Maarten Dewilde, Sandra Duque, Cecile Vincke, Yona Levites, Todd E. Golde, Takaomi C. Saido, Serge Muyldermans, Adrian Liston, Bart De Strooper, Matthew G. Holt
Summary: Single domain antibodies (VHHs) have potential therapeutic value for neurological disorders, but their use in the central nervous system is limited by the blood-brain barrier. This study proposes a gene transfer strategy using BBB-crossing AAV-based vectors to deliver VHH directly into the CNS. The results show that AAV-delivered VHH can effectively inhibit BACE1 and improve cognitive performance in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model, providing a novel therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lidia Yshii, Emanuela Pasciuto, Pascal Bielefeld, Loriana Mascali, Pierre Lemaitre, Marika Marino, James Dooley, Lubna Kouser, Stijn Verschoren, Vasiliki Lagou, Hannelore Kemps, Pascal Gervois, Antina de Boer, Oliver T. Burton, Jerome Wahis, Jens Verhaert, Samar Tareen, Carlos P. Roca, Kailash Singh, Carly E. Whyte, Axelle Kerstens, Zsuzsanna Callaerts-Vegh, Suresh Poovathingal, Teresa Prezzemolo, Keimpe Wierda, Amy Dashwood, Junhua Xie, Elien Van Wonterghem, Eline Creemers, Meryem Aloulou, Willy Gsell, Oihane Abiega, Sebastian Munck, Roosmarijn E. Vandenbroucke, Annelies Bronckaers, Robin Lemmens, Bart De Strooper, Ludo Van Den Bosch, Uwe Himmelreich, Carlos P. Fitzsimons, Matthew G. Holt, Adrian Liston
Summary: The ability of immune-modulating biologics to prevent and reverse pathology has transformed recent clinical practice. In this study, researchers identified brain interleukin 2 (IL-2) levels as a limiting factor for brain-resident T-reg cells and developed a gene-delivery approach to astrocytes to increase IL-2 production. Mice with brain-specific IL-2 delivery were protected against neuroinflammation, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Marika Marino, Matthew G. Holt
Summary: Monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives are powerful therapeutics due to their targeting specificity, but their use in Central Nervous System diseases has been slow due to limited Blood Brain Barrier permeability. However, as CNS diseases become more prevalent, there is a growing need to utilize the therapeutic potential of monoclonal antibodies. Adeno-associated virus-based vectors show promise in delivering antibodies to the CNS and could be used to target CNS proteinopathies.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ahmed S. Abdelfattah, Sapna Ahuja, Taner Akkin, Srinivasa Rao Allu, Joshua Brake, David A. Boas, Erin M. Buckley, Robert E. Campbell, Anderson Chen, Xiaojun Cheng, Tomas Cizmar, Irene Costantini, Massimo De Vittorio, Anna Devor, Patrick R. Doran, Mirna El Khatib, Valentina Emiliani, Natalie Fomin-Thunemann, Yeshaiahu Fainman, Tomas Fernandez-Alfonso, Christopher G. L. Ferri, Ariel Gilad, Xue Han, Andrew Harris, Elizabeth M. C. Hillman, Ute Hochgeschwender, Matthew G. Holt, Na Ji, Kivilcim Kilic, Evelyn M. R. Lake, Lei Li, Tianqi Li, Philipp Machler, Evan W. Miller, Rickson C. Mesquita, K. M. Naga Srinivas Nadella, U. Valentin Nagerl, Yusuke Nasu, Axel Nimmerjahn, Petra Ondrackova, Francesco S. Pavone, Citlali Perez Campos, Darcy S. Peterka, Filippo Pisano, Ferruccio Pisanello, Francesca Puppo, Bernardo L. Sabatini, Sanaz Sadegh, Sava Sakadzic, Shy Shoham, Sanaya N. Shroff, R. Angus Silver, Ruth R. Sims, Spencer L. Smith, Vivek J. Srinivasan, Martin Thunemann, Lei Tian, Lin Tian, Thomas Troxler, Antoine Valera, Alipasha Vaziri, Sergei A. Vinogradov, Flavia Vitale, Lihong Wang, Hana Uhlirova, Chris Xu, Changhuei Yang, Mu-Han Yang, Gary Yellen, Ofer Yizhar, Yongxin Zhao
Summary: This article reviews a diverse toolkit of novel methods for exploring brain function that have emerged from the BRAIN Initiative and related large-scale efforts, with a focus on neurophotonic tools applicable to animal studies. It provides an outlook for future directions in the field.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yohei Shinmyo, Kengo Saito, Toshihide Hamabe-Horiike, Narufumi Kameya, Akitaka Ando, Kanji Kawasaki, Tung Anh Dinh Duong, Masataka Sakashita, Jureepon Roboon, Tsuyoshi Hattori, Takayuki Kannon, Kazuyoshi Hosomichi, Michal Slezak, Matthew G. Holt, Atsushi Tajima, Osamu Hori, Hiroshi Kawasaki
Summary: This study reveals the important role of localized astrogenesis in gyrus formation in the mammalian brain. The findings suggest that the positive feedback loop of FGF signaling is a crucial mechanism underlying cortical folding.
Article
Cell Biology
Marie Claes, Emiel Geeraerts, Stephane Plaisance, Stephanie Mentens, Chris Van den Haute, Lies De Groef, Lut Arckens, Lieve Moons
Summary: One important aspect of glaucoma pathophysiology is axonal damage, which disrupts the connection between the retina and brain targets. Stimulation of neuronal activity in the superior colliculus has been shown to promote RGC survival in an acute glaucoma model. In this study, chronic stimulation of the superior colliculus in a murine glaucoma model resulted in similar molecular responses, but functional rescue of injured RGCs was not achieved. The complexity of chronic neuromodulation and growth factor signaling may explain this lack of neuroprotection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karl Frontzek, Marco Bardelli, Assunta Senatore, Anna Henzi, Regina R. Reimann, Seden Bedir, Marika Marino, Rohanah Hussain, Simon Jurt, Georg Meisl, Mattia Pedotti, Federica Mazzola, Giuliano Siligardi, Oliver Zerbe, Marco Losa, Tuomas Knowles, Asvin Lakkaraju, Caihong Zhu, Petra Schwarz, Simone Hornemann, Matthew G. Holt, Luca Simonelli, Luca Varani, Adriano Aguzzi
Summary: This study reveals that toxic ligands similar to prions can induce conformational changes in cellular prion proteins, leading to neurological impairment. Inhibition of the induced conformational changes can prevent prion-related neurodegeneration.
NATURE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Disha Shah, Willy Gsell, Jerome Wahis, Emma S. Luckett, Tarik Jamoulle, Ben Vermaercke, Pranav Preman, Daan Moechars, Veronique Hendrickx, Tom Jaspers, Katleen Craessaerts, Katrien Horre, Leen Wolfs, Mark Fiers, Matthew Holt, Dietmar Rudolf Thal, Zsuzsanna Callaerts-Vegh, Rudi D'Hooge, Rik Vandenberghe, Uwe Himmelreich, Vincent Bonin, Bart De Strooper
Summary: The dysfunctions of network activity and functional connectivity are early events in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the underlying mechanisms involve decreased astrocyte calcium signaling. This study demonstrates the role of astrocytes in mediating the initial features of AD and driving clinically relevant phenotypes.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Pierre Lemaitre, Samar H. K. Tareen, Emanuela Pasciuto, Loriana Mascali, Araks Martirosyan, Zsuzsanna Callaerts-Vegh, Suresh Poovathingal, James Dooley, Matthew G. Holt, Lidia Yshii, Adrian Liston
Summary: Inflammation and neurodegeneration are common pathological outcomes during aging. Recent studies have shown that T cells accumulate in the brain with age and contribute to inflammatory processes leading to cognitive decline. Researchers have successfully prevented neurological decline in aging mice by delivering IL2 specifically to the brain, restoring cognitive function and spatial learning ability.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew G. Holt
Summary: Astrocytes, a type of glial cells, play an active role in the synaptic life cycle, including synapse formation, maturation, homeostasis maintenance, and modulation of transmission. Recent studies have revealed unexpected heterogeneity in the development and function of astrocytes, suggesting their potential match with neurons to support local circuits. Therefore, understanding astrocyte heterogeneity and its implications is crucial for comprehending brain function.
ESSAYS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Jolien Van Houcke, Valerie Marien, Caroline Zandecki, Rajagopal Ayana, Elise Pepermans, Kurt Boonen, Eve Seuntjens, Geert Baggerman, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: The study found that the young African turquoise killifish has a high regenerative capacity, but loses it with advancing age, exhibiting limited forms of mammalian regeneration. Cellular senescence was identified as a potential barrier to successful neurorepair. Using a senolytic cocktail D + Q, chronic senescent cells in the aged killifish central nervous system were cleared, leading to increased neurogenic output. This research provides insights into age-related regeneration resilience and suggests a potential therapy for reviving neurogenic potential in an aged or diseased CNS.
NPJ REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Maria Joao Pereira, Rajagopal Ayana, Matthew G. G. Holt, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: Astrocytes are crucial regulators of brain development and function, playing a role in synapse formation and maturation. They express G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that activate intracellular signaling pathways and modulate synaptic transmission. Manipulating astrocyte activity through genetically engineered GPCRs shows promise in improving neuronal function and behavior in both healthy and disease models, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for managing brain disorders.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
