Article
Neurosciences
Sergio Hernandez-Diaz, Saurav Ghimire, Irene Sanchez-Mirasierra, Carla Montecinos-Oliva, Jef Swerts, Sabine Kuenen, Patrik Verstreken, Sandra-Fausia Soukup
Summary: Synapses are essential for neuronal communication and brain function, and autophagy plays a critical role in maintaining synaptic homeostasis. Synaptic dysfunction is a characteristic feature of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease. This study identifies Endophilin-B (EndoB) as a novel regulator of synaptic autophagy in health and disease. The findings demonstrate that EndoB is required for autophagosome biogenesis at the synapse and loss of EndoB impairs autophagy induction promoted by the PD-associated mutation LRRK2(G2019S). Furthermore, EndoB is necessary for preventing neuronal loss and it plays a role in synaptic contact formation.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Naif H. Ali, Hayder M. Al-kuraishy, Ali I. Al-Gareeb, Saud A. Alnaaim, Athanasios Alexiou, Marios Papadakis, Hebatallah M. Saad, Gaber El-Saber Batiha
Summary: Autophagy is a cellular process that helps degrade and eliminate abnormal proteins, lipids, and damaged organelles. It is regulated by the mTOR pathway. Autophagy plays a significant role in epilepsy and may be a promising therapeutic strategy.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Ankur Rakesh Dubey, Som Mohanlal Patwa, Sumit Kinger, Yuvraj Anandrao Jagtap, Prashant Kumar, Sarika Singh, Rohan Dhiman, Hem Chandra Jha, Amit Mishra
Summary: Cells synthesize new proteins after multiple molecular decisions, and protein quality control (PQC) can cope against proteostasis imbalance through alternative strategies. Accumulation of misfolded proteins is linked with neurodegenerative disorders, and understanding the abnormalities of PQC coupled molecules can help in finding biomarkers associated with neuronal disorders.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Mukhran Khundadze, Federico Ribaudo, Adeela Hussain, Henry Stahlberg, Nahal Brocke-Ahmadinejad, Patricia Franzka, Rita-Eva Varga, Milena Zarkovic, Thanakorn Pungsrinont, Miriam Kokal, Ian G. Ganley, Christian Beetz, Marc Sylvester, Christian A. Huebner
Summary: The study found that two proteins in SPG11 and SPG15 patients collectively affect motor neurons, leading to hereditary spastic paraplegia. Additionally, the PI4K2A protein plays a crucial role in this process by modulating phosphoinositide levels.
Article
Cell Biology
Milana Fraiberg, Bat-Chen Tamim-Yecheskel, Kamilya Kokabi, Nemanja Subic, Gali Heimer, Franziska Eck, Karsten Nalbach, Christian Behrends, Bruria Ben-Zeev, Oren Shatz, Zvulun Elazar
Summary: TECPR2, a large, multi-domain protein, plays a crucial role in lysosomal targeting of autophagosomes by associating with Atg8-family proteins on autophagosomes and VAMP8 on lysosomes. This protein is linked to spastic paraplegia type 49 (SPG49), where impaired autophagic flux is observed in patient fibroblasts.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Shree Padma Metur, Daniel J. Klionsky
Summary: Maintaining mitochondrial quality control is crucial for neuronal homeostasis, and dysregulation of this process has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. This study demonstrates that neurons sustain axonal mitophagy by locally translating Pink1 mRNA that is co-transported with mitochondria to the distal axons, providing a continuous supply of PINK1 protein.
Review
Cell Biology
Ya-Ping Yen, Jun-An Chen
Summary: N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is the most prevalent, conserved, and abundant RNA modification in the mRNAs of most eukaryotes, similar to epigenetic DNA modifications, it is proposed to be a critical regulator for gene expression. The installation and reversal of m(6)A modification are mediated by writers and erasers, while readers recognize and interpret the modification to affect mRNA processing and function. Studies suggest that dysregulated m(6)A methylation may be significantly correlated with neurodegenerative diseases, indicating its potential importance in neural development and disorders.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Georgios Konstantinidis, Nektarios Tavernarakis
Summary: Nucleophagy is a subtype of autophagy that specifically degrades nuclear material. It plays a critical role in cellular differentiation, development, and response to nuclear insults and cell cycle perturbations in various organisms. The dependence on the core autophagic machinery is a common feature of nucleophagy processes. Recent studies have focused on the autophagic processing of nuclear components and its implications in pathology, including neurodegeneration, cancer, DNA damage, and aging.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Olga Gomez, Giuliana Perini-Villanueva, Andrea Yuste, Jose Antonio Rodriguez-Navarro, Enric Poch, Eloy Bejarano
Summary: Autophagy is a crucial process in maintaining brain health by clearing dysfunctional cellular components, but its decline with age can lead to neurodegenerative disorders. Glycative stress, characterized by the accumulation of AGEs, negatively impacts brain health and may interfere with autophagic function. While autophagy can help remove harmful AGEs, excessive glycative stress may hinder its cytoprotective role in neurons and glial cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuchen Lei, Daniel J. Klionsky
Summary: Autophagy is a cellular process that plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by delivering intracellular components for degradation and recycling. While it has been found to help combat various human diseases, it can also contribute to the progression of certain pathologies. Researchers are actively exploring the roles of autophagy in diseases and potential therapeutic approaches, particularly in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, and metabolic disorders.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yue Zhu, Peixian Luan, Xiao Liu, Jun Bao, Qi Liu, Jingzeng Cai, Jie Yang, Ziwei Zhang
Summary: Exposure to Cd led to nerve damage in pigs through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway, activation of AMPK to enhance autophagy, and induction of apoptosis. The study provides insights into neurodegeneration in response to Cd exposure.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alan M. Henrique, Nathalia G. Gianetti, Merari F. R. Ferrari
Summary: Autophagy is a pathway crucial for various cellular functions and has been linked to the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Alterations in expression of autophagy-related proteins may play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Behzad Khoshnood, Abbe Ullgren, Jose Laffita-Mesa, Linn Oijerstedt, Kalicharan Patra, Inger Nennesmo, Caroline Graff
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of a TBK1 gene mutation on FTD and ALS in a Swedish family, finding that the mutation led to reduced TBK1 activity and changes in cellular ubiquitination even in presymptomatic stages.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jack J. Collier, Fumi Suomi, Monika Olahova, Thomas G. McWilliams, Robert W. Taylor
Summary: ATG proteins are essential for macroautophagy and play important roles beyond autophagic elimination. Dysfunction of ATG7 is associated with diseases, but the mechanisms of how it contributes to these diseases remain unclear. Further research on the relationship between ATG7 dysfunction and diseases will help develop therapies for disorders involving ATG7 deficiency and impaired autophagy.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Alexis D. Rickman, Addison Hilyard, Bradlee L. Heckmann
Summary: Neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration play important roles in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. The non-canonical autophagy pathway known as LC3-associated endocytosis (LANDO) has been found to regulate neuroinflammation. Impairment of LANDO in AD models exacerbates disease severity and leads to neurodegeneration and memory impairment.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Victoria L. M. Herrera, Aaron H. Colby, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo, David G. Coleman, Mark W. Grinstaff
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Julius L. Decano, Ann Marie Moran, Nicholas Giordano, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo, Victoria L. M. Herrera
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Victoria L. M. Herrera, Khristine A. Pasion, Ann Marie Moran, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Victoria L. Herrera, Khristine A. Pasion, Glaiza A. Tan, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Victoria L. Herrera, Khristine A. Pasion, Glaiza A. Tan, Ann Marie Moran, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Victoria L. Herrera, Lorenz R. Ponce, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo
Article
Oncology
Christopher M. Gromisch, Glaiza L. A. Tan, Khristine Amber Pasion, Ann-Marie Moran, Matthew S. Gromisch, Mark W. Grinstaff, Francis J. Carr, Victoria L. M. Herrera, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo
Summary: This study aims to test DEspR as a therapeutic target in pancreatic peritoneal carcinomatosis (PPC) and validate hu-6g8 as a potential therapeutic. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, the effects of DEspR inhibition on CSC functions, tumorigenesis, and overall survival were investigated.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joanne T. deKay, Ivette F. Emery, Jonathan Rud, Ashley Eldridge, Christine Lord, David J. Gagnon, Teresa L. May, Victoria L. M. Herrera, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo, Richard R. Riker, Douglas B. Sawyer, Sergey Ryzhov, David B. Seder
Summary: This study investigated immune cell subpopulations in patients with COVID-19 and identified a novel subset of neutrophils associated with critical-severity COVID-19 illness, suggesting potential for targeted therapy to reduce secondary tissue damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Victoria L. M. Herrera, Allan J. Walkey, Mai Q. Nguyen, Christopher M. Gromisch, Julie Z. Mosaddhegi, Matthew S. Gromisch, Bakr Jundi, Soeren Lukassen, Saskia Carstensen, Ridiane Denis, Anna C. Belkina, Rebecca M. Baron, Mayra Pinilla-Vera, Meike Mueller, W. Taylor Kimberly, Joshua N. Goldstein, Irina Lehmann, Angela R. Shih, Roland Eils, Bruce D. Levy, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo
Summary: This study identifies DEspR+CD11b+ neutrophils as a targetable subset associated with severity and mortality in ARDS and COVID-19-ARDS. Increased peripheral DEspR+CD11b+ neutrophil counts are significantly associated with the severity and mortality in ARDS and COVID-19-ARDS. DEspR+ neutrophils and monocytes are detected in the lung tissue of ARDS and COVID-19-ARDS patients, and increased neutrophil RNA levels of DEspR ligands and modulators are found in COVID-19-ARDS scRNA-seq data files. Delayed apoptosis is observed in DEspR+CD11b+ neutrophils, and it can be blocked by hu6g8 antibody in ex vivo assays.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Victoria L. M. Herrera, Courtney E. Takahashi, Mai Q. Nguyen, Julie Z. Mosaddeghi, Ridiane Denis, David M. Greer, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo
Summary: This study investigated the role of neutrophils in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, identifying specific subsets of neutrophils associated with disease severity. The findings suggest that DEspR+CD11b+ neutrophils may serve as a potential actionable biomarker in sICH patients.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Saskia Carstensen, Meike Mueller, Glaiza L. A. Tan, Khristine Amber Pasion, Jens M. Hohlfeld, Victoria L. M. Herrera, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo
Summary: The correlation of DEspR+ neutrophils with severity of hypoxemia and multi-organ failure in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) suggests that DEspR+ neutrophil-subset could be a therapeutic target in ARDS. In vivo studies in acute neutrophilic inflammation models confirmed the efficacy of DEspR inhibition as a potential therapeutic target for neutrophil-mediated secondary tissue injury.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ragnhild D. Whitaker, Julius L. Decano, Catherine Gormley, Carl A. Beigie, Cari Meisel, Glaiza A. Tan, Ann-Marie Moran, Nicholas J. Giordano, Yoonjee Park, Peng Huang, Sean Andersson, Donald Gantz, Aaron K. Grant, Nelson Ruiz-Opazo, Victoria L. M. Herrera, Joyce Y. Wong
Summary: This study reports a Janus-nanoparticle (jNP) system with multifunctional targeting, payload delivery, and targeted imaging capabilities, which shows potential breakthroughs in cancer therapy and diagnostics.