Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Suyeong Seo, Chi-Hoon Choi, Kyung Sik Yi, Seung U. Kim, Kangwon Lee, Nakwon Choi, Hong Jun Lee, Sang-Hoon Cha, Hong Nam Kim
Summary: The neurovascular unit (NVU) is composed of various types of brain cells that play important roles in maintaining the molecular transport barrier and brain tissue homeostasis. Dysfunction of the NVU has been associated with several disorders of the central nervous system, highlighting the importance of developing in vitro models for studying and understanding NVU-related mechanisms.
Review
Neurosciences
Samantha Schaeffer, Costantino Iadecola
Summary: Schaeffer and Iadecola reviewed the heterogeneity of the neurovasculature and discussed the limitations of the neurovascular unit concept and the molecular diversity of cerebrovascular cells. They proposed the concept of a 'neurovascular complex' composed of segmentally diverse functional modules that implement coordinated vascular responses to central and peripheral signals.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sunhong Moon, Mi-Sook Chang, Seong-Ho Koh, Yoon Kyung Choi
Summary: This review discusses the partial repair of functional neural circuits in the central nervous system after an ischemic stroke, as well as the potential of stem cells and gaseous molecules in neuroprotection and regeneration. Shared molecular mechanisms involving the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and related factors play a role in therapeutic effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Dhanashri Deshmukh, Ya Fen Hsu, Chien-Chih Chiu, Mahendra Jadhao, Sodio C. N. Hsu, Shao-Yang Hu, Shu-Hui Yang, Wangta Liu
Summary: This study evaluated the antiangiogenic effects of Lepista nuda water extract on zebrafish development and in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation. Bioactive components such as ergothioneine, eritadenine, and adenosine were identified and quantified. The results suggest that L. nuda could be a potential inhibitor of angiogenesis limiting cancer progression.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kotaro Sugimoto, Naoki Ichikawa-Tomikawa, Keisuke Nishiura, Yasuto Kunii, Yasuteru Sano, Fumitaka Shimizu, Akiyoshi Kakita, Takashi Kanda, Tetsuya Imura, Hideki Chiba
Summary: Our research found that 5-HT1A receptors are expressed in brain microvascular endothelial cells and mural cells in the normal prefrontal cortex, and that PKA is aberrantly activated in both cell types in the schizophrenic PFC. Additionally, serotonin/5-HT1A signaling enhances endothelial CLDN5 expression in BMVECs under two-dimensional co-culture conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Taiwei Dong, Min Li, Feng Gao, Peifeng Wei, Jian Wang
Summary: The neurovascular unit, which plays a crucial role in the health and disease of blood vessels and nerves in the central nervous system, has attracted significant research interest. This review summarizes the composition of neurovascular units, investigates the efficacy of different stem cells and cell culture methods in constructing neurovascular unit models, and assesses the progress of imaging methods used for observing neurovascular units and their role in studying various central nervous system diseases.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luis O. Soto-Rojas, Mar Pacheco-Herrero, Paola A. Martinez-Gomez, B. Berenice Campa-Cordoba, Ricardo Apatiga-Perez, Marcos M. Villegas-Rojas, Charles R. Harrington, Fidel de la Cruz, Linda Garces-Ramirez, Jose Luna-Munoz
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, characterized by neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid beta accumulation. Vascular risk factors may lead to dysregulation of the neurovascular unit, contributing to A beta accumulation and neurodegeneration. Therapeutic approaches targeting abnormal A beta levels have had limited success in improving cognition.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Elisabeth C. Kugler, John Greenwood, Ryan B. MacDonald
Summary: The neurovascular unit is a complex multi-cellular structure consisting of various cell types such as endothelial cells, neurons, glia, smooth muscle cells, and pericytes. While neurovascular coupling is a key function of the NVU, the unit's functionality extends beyond this coupling to include signaling, metabolism, and homeostasis across different components. Glial cells have gained increased attention within the NVU and play central roles in its functionality and disease pathogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tam Thuy Lu Vo, Dain Shin, Eunyoung Ha, Ji Hae Seo
Summary: This review examines the harmful effects of drug abuse on the blood-brain barrier (BBB), with a focus on the mechanisms through which it damages the neurovascular unit (NVU). Understanding the relationships between drug abuse, BBB integrity, and NVU function may lead to the discovery of new therapeutic strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Guoqiang Li, Lei Duan, Fengbiao Yang, Liang Yang, Yajun Deng, Yue Yu, Yanlong Xu, Yinian Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates the protective effect of curcumin on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its molecular mechanisms involving the p38/MAPK signaling pathway. Curcumin ameliorates secondary brain injury and inflammation associated with TBI, indicating its potential as a therapeutic approach for TBI-related inflammation.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Natalie Hudson, Matthew Campbell
Summary: The homeostatic balance of the brain and retina is maintained by the blood-brain and inner blood-retinal barrier, which are specialized barriers formed by interconnected endothelial cells with tight junctions. Disruption of the tight junction complex can lead to detrimental effects on brain and retinal pathology by allowing harmful substances to enter neural tissues.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Grazia Maugeri, Claudio Bucolo, Filippo Drago, Settimio Rossi, Michelino Di Rosa, Rosa Imbesi, Velia D'Agata, Salvatore Giunta
Summary: The study showed that DMF provides significant protection against high glucose-induced damage in RPE cells by inhibiting p38 MAPK and downregulating VEGF levels. This suggests that DMF is a promising candidate for diabetic retinopathy treatment.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Qian Xie, Danni Lu, Jianmei Yuan, Mihong Ren, Yong Li, Jiajun Wang, Rong Ma, Jian Wang
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the cerebral protective effects of l-borneol on neurovascular units (NVU) in the subacute phase after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (t-MCAO). The results showed that l-borneol significantly reduced cerebral infarction rate, alleviated pathological injury, and inhibited inflammation reaction. Additionally, it activated the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, inhibited cell apoptosis, and maintained BBB integrity.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Yoshimichi Sato, Jaime Falcone-Juengert, Teiji Tominaga, Hua Su, Jialing Liu
Summary: The neurovascular unit (NVU) depicts the relationship between brain cells and the vascular structure, regulating cerebral blood flow and maintaining brain homeostasis. Dysregulation of the NVU is a key pathological feature underlying neurological disorders. Understanding NVU dysfunction and remodeling is crucial for targeted therapy design and relevant research progress.
Review
Neurosciences
Amir Rattner, Yanshu Wang, Jeremy Nathans
Summary: This review discusses the mechanisms by which signals from neurons and glia control the vascular development in the central nervous system (CNS). The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and beta-catenin (canonical Wnt) signaling are highlighted as the two best-understood systems that regulate CNS vascular development. The review emphasizes foundational discoveries, interactions between different signaling systems, the integration of genetic and cell biological studies, advances that are of clinical relevance, and provides questions for future research.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jia-Lin Mo, Qi Liu, Zeng-Wei Kou, Kun-Wei Wu, Ping Yang, Xian-Hua Chen, Feng-Yan Sun
Article
Neurosciences
Kun-Wei Wu, Ling-Ling Lv, Yu Lei, Cheng Qian, Feng-Yan Sun
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Zeng-Wei Kou, Jia-Lin Mo, Kun-Wei Wu, Mei-Hong Qiu, Ya-Lin Huang, Feng Tao, Yu Lei, Ling-Ling Lv, Feng-Yan Sun
Article
Neurosciences
Jun Li, Wenyan Han, Kunwei Wu, Yuping Derek Li, Qun Liu, Wei Lu
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenyan Han, Jun Li, Kenneth A. Pelkey, Saurabh Pandey, Xiumin Chen, Ya-Xian Wang, Kunwei Wu, Lihao Ge, Tianming Li, David Castellano, Chengyu Liu, Ling-Gang Wu, Ronald S. Petralia, Joseph W. Lynch, Chris J. McBain, Wei Lu
Article
Neurosciences
Thien A. Nguyen, Kunwei Wu, Saurabh Pandey, Alexander W. Lehr, Yan Li, Michael A. Bemben, John D. Badger, Julie L. Lauzon, Tongguang Wang, Kareem A. Zaghloul, Audrey Thurm, Mahim Jain, Wei Lu, Katherine W. Roche
Article
Cell Biology
Marta Mota Vieira, Thien A. Nguyen, Kunwei Wu, John D. Badger, Brett M. Collins, Victor Anggono, Wei Lu, Katherine W. Roche
Article
Cell Biology
Kunwei Wu, Wenyan Han, Qingjun Tian, Yan Li, Wei Lu
Summary: Shisa7 plays a critical role in regulating tonic inhibition in hippocampal neurons by influencing alpha 5-GABA(A)R exocytosis, which requires the involvement of PKA and is essential for activity-dependent regulation and oscillations during the sleep/wake cycle.
Article
Psychiatry
Dongsheng Zhou, Chun Xie, Xingxing Li, Nan Song, Zengwei Kou, Tongtong Zhang, Ti-Fei Yuan
Summary: This study suggests that autoantibodies against NMDARs or GABAARs may only affect a small proportion of patients with schizophrenia, and the rates of these autoantibodies are lower than previously reported. Further studies with psychotic disorders are needed to determine whether NMDAR or GABAAR autoantibodies can be used as biomarkers, providing new avenues for immunomodulatory therapy.
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Kunwei Wu, David Castellano, Qingjun Tian, Wei Lu
Summary: The study reveals distinct roles of GluN2A and GluN2B-NMDA receptors in regulating tonic inhibition in hippocampal neurons, with NMDAR subunit-specific mechanisms at play. Tonic inhibition is modulated by various factors in both physiological and pathological conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Kunwei Wu, Ryan David Shepard, David Castellano, Wenyan Han, Qingjun Tian, Lijin Dong, Wei Lu
Summary: A phosphorylation site on Shisa7 was found to be critical for GABA(A)R trafficking, and it contributes to the behavioral endophenotypes displayed in neurodevelopmental disorders.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yue Zeng, Yueming Zheng, Tongtong Zhang, Fei Ye, Li Zhan, Zengwei Kou, Shujia Zhu, Zhaobing Gao
Summary: This study developed an efficient method to discover modulators of GluN3-containing NMDARs and identified WZB117 as a novel allosteric inhibitor of GluN1/GluN3 receptors.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
David Castellano, Kunwei Wu, Angelo Keramidas, Wei Lu
Summary: This study demonstrates that Shisa7 regulates the single-channel properties of GABAARs, reducing the frequency of openings and accelerating their deactivation by governing the time spent between close and open states. These findings shed light on the temporal dynamics of GABAergic transmission.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kunwei Wu, Wenyan Han, Wei Lu
Summary: Sleep is an essential process for memory consolidation, and this study reveals the daily rhythmic alterations of GABAergic synapses in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Wake promotes tonic inhibition and inhibits phasic inhibition compared to sleep. The study also demonstrates that inhibitory inputs from parvalbumin-expressing interneurons contribute to dynamic iLTP during sleep and wake. Additionally, synaptic insertion of alpha 5-GABA(A) receptors is found to underlie the wake-specific enhancement of iLTP at parvalbumin synapses, independent of the time of the day.