Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matteo Haupt, Stefan T. Gerner, Mathias Baehr, Thorsten R. Doeppner
Summary: Despite significant progress in stroke therapy, ischemic stroke still imposes a high socioeconomic burden on industrialized countries. Current treatment paradigms focus on thrombolysis or thrombectomy, which are only suitable for a fraction of patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need for adjuvant therapeutic approaches like neuroprotection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhuchen Zhou, Jing Zhou, Jie Liao, Zhong Chen, Yanrong Zheng
Summary: Astrocytes contribute to maintaining cerebral homeostasis and have a significant role in various disorders through autophagy.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi-Chinn Weng, Yu-Ting Huang, I-Chen Chiang, Huai-Chia Chuang, Tsong-Hai Lee, Tse-Hua Tan, Wen-Hai Chou
Summary: Transient global cerebral ischemia (tGCI) resulting from cardiac arrest causes selective neurodegeneration in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Phosphorylation of Erk1/2 promotes cell survival in response to tGCI, while DUSP6 serves as a cytosolic phosphatase that dephosphorylates Erk1/2. DUSP6 deficiency reduces neurodegeneration and enhances the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Erk1/2, suggesting DUSP6 as a potential therapeutic target for treating neurodegeneration after tGCI.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shu-Er Yang, Jin-Cherng Lien, Chia-Wen Tsai, Chi-Rei Wu
Summary: Isoflavones, including simple O-substituted derivatives, have been extensively studied and shown to possess various pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. Simple O-substituted isoflavones, in particular, have potential therapeutic effects against cerebral ischemia reperfusion through estrogenic receptor modulation and multiple signaling pathways. However, clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy in humans.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Haiyan Li, Sijie Li, Changhong Ren, Chen Gao, Ning Li, Chunxiu Wang, Lin Wang, Wenbo Zhao, Xunming Ji, Kunlin Jin
Summary: This study found that hypoxic postconditioning (HPC) helps promote neurogenesis after ischemic stroke, increasing the proliferation and migration of neural stem cells. HPC also regulates the metabolism of neural stem cells, including reducing fatty acid oxidation and increasing glycolysis.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Teresa Jover-Mengual, Jee-Yeon Hwang, Hyae-Ran Byun, Brenda L. Court-Vazquez, Jose M. Centeno, Maria C. Burguete, R. Suzanne Zukin
Summary: This article discusses the impact of inflammatory response triggered by cerebral ischemia on neuronal death and the dual role of NF-κB in that context. NF-κB may play both protective and potentially damaging roles in cerebral ischemia, leading to conflicting observations regarding its function. Further research is needed to clarify the exact role of NF-κB in mediating inflammation and neuronal death in cerebral ischemia.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Nhi Thao Tran, Greg M. Kowalski, Anna M. Muccini, Ilias Nitsos, Nadia Hale, Rod J. Snow, David W. Walker, Stacey J. Ellery
Summary: Prophylactic creatine treatment reduces hypoxic brain injury and improves cerebral bioenergetics.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Di Santo, Daniele La Russa, Rosaria Greco, Alessandra Persico, Anna Maria Zanaboni, Giacinto Bagetta, Diana Amantea
Summary: The identification of novel targets to modulate the immune response triggered by cerebral ischemia is crucial for stroke therapeutics. This study revealed the involvement of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6) in regulating immune and stromal cell functions in acute neurodegeneration caused by ischemic stroke. The elevated levels of TSG-6 in the brain and peripheral blood indicate its potential detrimental role in the early reperfusion stage, while providing protection against brain infarct volume and neurological deficits when administered acutely. These findings highlight the important role of TSG-6 in ischemic stroke pathobiology and warrant further investigation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lu-Yuan Peng, Hai-Tao Shi, Yue-Rong Tan, Si-Yang Shen, Peng-Fei Yi, Hai-Qing Shen, Ben-Dong Fu
Summary: The study found that baicalin protected against APEC infection by modulating gut microbiota, increasing short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, especially acetate. Acetate may circulate to the lungs to activate FFAR2 to defend against APEC infection.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sergej M. Ostojic, Tonje Holte Stea, Dagrun Engeset
Summary: Male fertility decline is a global public health problem, and finding efficient biomarkers and interventions to enhance fertility is of utmost importance. Creatine, due to its role in sperm energy metabolism, has been recognized as a potential candidate for promoting male fertility.
Article
Neurosciences
Robert H. Wilson, Christian Crouzet, Mohammad Torabzadeh, Afsheen Bazrafkan, Niki Maki, Bruce J. Tromberg, Yama Akbari, Bernard Choi
Summary: This study demonstrates a multimodal technique for measuring absolute CMRO2 in the rodent brain. By using laser speckle imaging and spatial frequency domain imaging to obtain spatiotemporal maps of cerebral blood flow, tissue absorption, and tissue scattering, combined with a mathematical model, absolute CMRO2 values can be calculated. The results obtained with this method in a rat model of cardiac arrest are consistent with those obtained through magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alberto Ouro, Clara Correa-Paz, Elena Maqueda, Antia Custodia, Marta Aramburu-Nunez, Daniel Romaus-Sanjurjo, Adrian Posado-Fernandez, Maria Candamo-Lourido, Maria Luz Alonso-Alonso, Pablo Hervella, Ramon Iglesias-Rey, Jose Castillo, Francisco Campos, Tomas Sobrino
Summary: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide, and there is currently a lack of successful neuroprotective drugs and recovery strategies. Therefore, it is necessary to further study and explore new therapeutic approaches. Sphingolipid metabolism plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of stroke.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Yusuke Takahashi, Hidetaka Kioka, Shigeyoshi Saito, Shinichiro Fukuhara, Yoshihiro Asano, Seiji Takashima, Yoshichika Yoshioka, Yasushi Sakata
Summary: This study utilized CrCEST imaging to assess testicular ischemia, revealing a strong linear correlation between the decline of MTRCr** and the duration of ischemia. Testicular CrCEST imaging was found to be useful for accurately estimating the duration of testicular ischemia.
JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ran Zhang, Yun Liu, Wenhua Zhong, Zebo Hu, Chao Wu, Mengyao Ma, Yi Zhang, Xiangyun He, Lin Wang, Shu Li, Yun Hong
Summary: This study found that overexpression of SIK2 can alleviate neuronal damage and promote energy metabolism during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, which is related to the regulation of the mTOR pathway and mitochondrial autophagy.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sihang Yu, Jiaying Fu, Jian Wang, Yuanxin Zhao, Buhan Liu, Jiahang Wei, Xiaoyu Yan, Jing Su
Summary: Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is associated with inflammation caused by free mitochondrial DNA, and the pro-inflammatory activation of macrophages exacerbates the damage. By controlling the metabolic state of macrophages and targeting the mtDNA-driven inflammatory response, the possibility of injury can be reduced.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jonatan Leffler, Stephanie Trend, Natalie C. Ward, Georges E. Grau, Simon Hawke, Scott N. Byrne, Allan G. Kermode, Martyn A. French, Prue H. Hart
Summary: This study investigates the role of B cells in multiple sclerosis (MS) and reveals that MS patients exhibit dysregulation in B cell homeostasis, including increased memory B cells and decreased expression of BAFF-R. The study also demonstrates that reactivation of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) in MS patients is associated with phenotypic changes in B cells. These findings provide further insights into the pathological mechanisms of MS and the complex role of BAFF/BAFF-R signaling.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Keenan Whittle, Steven Kao, Stephen Clarke, Georges E. R. Grau, Elham Hosseini-Beheshti
Summary: This study reviewed protein data in relevant literature to investigate the role of specific proteins in lung cancer extracellular vesicles. The findings suggest that the importance of specific proteins may vary in different types of lung cancer, but there is currently limited research on extracellular vesicle proteins in some cancers.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ONCOLOGY HEMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amani M. Batarseh, Fatemeh Vafaee, Elham Hosseini-Beheshti, Azadeh Safarchi, Alex Chen, Amy Cohen, Annette Juillard, Nicholas Henry Hunt, Michael Mariani, Todd Mitchell, Georges Emile Raymond Grau
Summary: It is found that the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria can be understood by studying the specific lipid composition in the plasma. There are significant changes in lipid components in the plasma of cerebral malaria patients compared to non-cerebral malaria patients. This study provides important evidence for studying the pathophysiology of cerebral malaria.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Linda Y. Lin, Pierre Juillard, Simon Hawke, Felix Marsh-Wakefield, Georges E. Grau
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that damages the central nervous system (CNS) by destroying the myelin and forming demyelinating plaques. The migration of leukocytes across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a key factor in the development of MS. Oral cladribine has been shown to impact lymphocytes, but its effects on other leukocytes such as monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) are not well understood.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Tamkin Ahmadzada, Abhishek Vijayan, Fatemeh Vafaee, Ali Azimi, Glen Reid, Stephen Clarke, Steven Kao, Georges E. Grau, Elham Hosseini-Beheshti
Summary: In this study, we characterized different populations of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from pleural mesothelioma cell lines and identified unique cancer-specific proteomes and oncogenic cargo in each subtype. We also established a comprehensive proteomic database of cancer-associated proteins in EVs, which could serve as new targets for future biomarker studies in pleural mesothelioma.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kateryna Kostenkova, Aviva Levina, Drew A. Walters, Heide A. Murakami, Peter A. Lay, Debbie C. Crans
Summary: Two new series of complexes with pyridine-containing Schiff bases were synthesized and their chemical properties and stability were studied. One of the complexes exhibited good anti-proliferative activity in cell culture media, showing high selectivity towards glioblastoma cells and potential for drug treatment.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Serene Kuramarohit, Andria M. Yaourtis, Annie Nguyen, Michelle L. Wood, Aviva Levina, Peter A. Lay
Summary: Using IncuCyte Zoom imaging proliferation assays, it was observed that treatment with sub-toxic doses of [GaQ(3)] caused morphological changes and inhibition of cell migration in triple-negative human breast cancer cells. The addition of a trace amount of Cu(II) dramatically increased the cytotoxicity of [GaQ(3)]. The findings suggest the potential use of metal complexes in cancer therapy and the importance of ligand binding of essential metal ions for their cytotoxicity.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Aviva Levina, Canan Uslan, Heide Murakami, Debbie C. Crans, Peter A. Lay
Summary: Limited stability of transition-metal complexes in biological media has hindered their medicinal applications but also created potential for novel cancer treatments. This study found that two V(V) complexes decomposed in cell culture medium, but still showed high antiproliferative activities in breast cancer cells, with different mechanisms of action. Complex 1 is a suitable candidate for further development as an anticancer drug delivered via intratumoral injections.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jian Tan, Jemma Taitz, Ralph Nanan, Georges Grau, Laurence Macia
Summary: This review discusses the relationship between dysbiosis and various diseases, and summarizes the dysbiotic gut-derived products observed in different diseases. Dysbiotic metabolites produced by the gut microbiota may contribute to disease development, while the reduced production of beneficial metabolites may be related to the high prevalence of inflammatory diseases in western countries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Adriana A. Marin, Annette Juillard, Alejandro M. Katzin, Leonardo J. M. Carvalho, Georges E. R. Grau
Summary: This study aims to analyze the effects of POH on human brain endothelial cells. The results showed that POH can prevent the sequestration of infected red blood cells in brain microvessels and restore the structure and function of brain endothelial cells, which has potential value in the treatment of cerebral malaria.
MEMORIAS DO INSTITUTO OSWALDO CRUZ
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kartika Wardhani, Aviva Levina, Biyun Sun, Georges E. R. Grau, F. Richard Keene, J. Grant Collins, Peter A. Lay
Summary: Using a new photoluminescent polypyridylruthenium(II) stain, researchers have uncovered previously unknown interactions between extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 monocytes and the blood-brain barrier (BBB). These findings shed light on the impact of bacteria-induced immune response on BBB and provide insights into human brain diseases.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Liam J. J. Stephens, Elena Dallerba, Jenisi T. A. Kelderman, Aviva Levina, Melissa V. V. Werrett, Peter A. A. Lay, Massimiliano Massi, Philip C. C. Andrews
Summary: This study synthesized and characterized twelve Re(i) tricarbonyl diimine complexes with thiotetrazolato ligands. The tetrazolato ligand can bind to the Re(i) center through either the S atom or the N atom, with most complexes being bound to the N atom. In solution, the complexes exist as an equilibrating mixture of linkage isomers. The complexes exhibit photoluminescent properties, with emission wavelengths dependent on the nature of the diimine ligand.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Serene Kuramarohit, Andria M. Yaourtis, Annie Nguyen, Michelle L. Wood, Aviva Levina, Peter A. Lay
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential use of a metal complex, GaQ(3), in differentiation anti-cancer therapy. It also shows that the cytotoxicity of GaQ(3) is strongly linked to the binding of essential metal ions, such as Cu(II), in the medium. These findings suggest that appropriate delivery mechanisms of such complexes and their ligands could lead to a powerful new approach for cancer chemotherapy.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gaewyn Ellison, Lelinh Duong, Ashley Hollings, Daryl Howard, Connie Jackaman, Mark J. Hackett
Summary: Metal ion homeostasis in the aging brain is important for healthy brain function. This study investigates the association between elevated brain iron and brain inflammation during natural aging using various imaging techniques. The results show an accumulation of iron in the corpus callosum white matter and highlight the need for further research on different forms of iron in relation to brain metabolism and inflammation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. Jake Pushie, Nicole J. Sylvain, Huishu Hou, Mark J. Hackett, Michael E. Kelly, Samuel M. Webb
Summary: Synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy is a versatile technique for identifying trace element distribution in biological samples of various sizes. It can be used on different types of samples, including ancient fossils, fixed or fresh tissue specimens, and even live tissue and live cells. The technique can also provide chemical specificity to elemental maps, either at individual points of interest or across a large field of view. However, common sample preparation methods in biology can lead to unexpected problems, such as altered element distributions and concentrations.