Review
Neurosciences
Daniel Reyes-Haro
Summary: Anorexia is a common eating disorder, especially among adolescent females, characterized by a fear of gaining weight due to body image distortion, leading to reduced food intake and severe weight loss. Glial cells may play a significant role in anorexia.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Ping-Heng Tan, Jasmine Ji, Chun-Chang Yeh, Ru-Rong Ji
Summary: IFNs exert antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory actions, with type-I IFNs like IFN-alpha and IFN-beta used in treating diseases such as hepatitis and multiple sclerosis. Emerging evidence indicates non-genomic regulation by IFN-alpha and IFN-beta in addition to canonical transcriptional regulations, leading to rapid suppression of neuronal activity and synaptic transmission. Type-I and type-II IFNs modulate pain and infection via neuro-immune interactions, with IFN-gamma inducing central sensitization and microglia activation in persistent pain. Insights into IFN signaling in nociceptors and their roles in distinct physiological vs. pathological conditions will enhance pain treatments after surgeries, traumas, and infections.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Fang-Ling Xuan, Ling Yan, Yanli Li, Fengmei Fan, Hu Deng, Mengzhuang Gou, Keerthana Chithanathan, Indrek Heinla, Liang Yuan, Kadri Seppa, Alexander Zharkovsky, Anti Kalda, L. Elliot Hong, Guo-Fu Hu, Yunlong Tan, Li Tian
Summary: Stress is a trigger for the development of psychiatric disorders, and the differences in stress traits in schizophrenia patients are still unclear. Plexins and its ligands semaphorins play important roles in both brain function and immune activation. Plxnb2 has been discovered to be involved in stress response and regulates amygdala-dependent stress responses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Bhanu P. P. Tewari, Lata Chaunsali, Courtney E. E. Prim, Harald Sontheimer
Summary: The extracellular matrix (ECM) and perineuronal nets (PNNs) serve as structural scaffolds in the central nervous system (CNS) with diverse functions, including neurogenesis, cell migration and differentiation, axonal growth, and synaptic stability. Glial cells play a key role in regulating the malleability of ECM and PNNs, impacting their functions in both health and diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Litwiniuk, Grzegorz Roman Juszczak, Adrian Mateusz Stankiewicz, Kaja Urbanska
Summary: Although the mechanism underlying the development of Alzheimer's disease is still not fully understood, impaired autophagy in glial cells is believed to play a role. Dysfunction in autophagy leads to accumulation of abnormal proteins, activation of microglia and astrocytes, and ultimately death of neurons. Pharmacological activation of autophagy can rescue these pathologic effects, highlighting the potential for new therapeutic strategies. However, further research is needed to understand the regulation of autophagy in different types of neuroglia.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Samuel C. Woodburn, Justin L. Bollinger, Eric S. Wohleb
Summary: Emerging evidence suggests that males and females exhibit different neurobiological responses to chronic stress, with males showing dendritic atrophy and synapse loss in the prefrontal cortex. Chronic stress also leads to microglia-mediated neuronal remodeling and astrocyte dystrophy, contributing to behavioral consequences primarily in male mice initially. Male mice display behavioral and cognitive deficits after 14 days of chronic stress, with perturbations of neuroimmune factors in the prefrontal cortex, while both male and female mice show impairments after 28 days. Limited changes in neuroimmune function are observed in both sexes after 28 days, but dendritic spine deficits persist in male mice.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF STRESS
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
F. Ahmad Rahman, Joe Quadrilatero
Summary: Mitophagy, the degradation of damaged mitochondria, is essential for maintaining cellular function, especially in tissues with high energy demands. Skeletal muscle, a tissue requiring precise turnover of mitochondria, undergoes changes in mitophagy-related signaling during exercise, aging, and disease. However, the direct role of mitophagy in different skeletal muscle conditions remains unclear.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Osvaldo M. Basmadjian, Victoria B. Occhieppo, Natalia A. Marchese, M. Jazmin Silvero C., Maria Cecilia Becerra, Gustavo Baiardi, Claudia Bregonzio
Summary: The study found that pretreatment with the AT(1)-R blocker candesartan can prevent the negative effects of AMPH on acute oxidative stress, long-term glial reactivity, and working memory in the prefrontal cortex of rats. Furthermore, AMPH induces transient angiogenesis in the PFC via AT(1)-R, but does not affect short-term memory.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Michael P. Wiggs, Anna G. Beaudry, Michelle L. Law
Summary: Cancer cachexia is a syndrome that causes progressive weight loss and muscle wasting in advanced cancer patients, leading to impaired quality of life and increased mortality. This review focuses on the cardiac changes occurring in cachexia and discusses the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms that contribute to cachexia-induced cardiomyopathy. Understanding the specific effects of cachexia on the heart may lead to the identification of unique therapeutic targets and improve clinical management for cancer cachexia patients.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Anna Picca, Evelyn Ferri, Riccardo Calvani, Helio J. Coelho-Junior, Emanuele Marzetti, Beatrice Arosio
Summary: Aging leads to significant remodeling of glia, impairing their functions and exacerbating neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Antioxidant supplementation-based strategies may help alleviate these processes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katherine Picard, Marie-Kim St-Pierre, Haley A. Vecchiarelli, Maude Bordeleau, Marie-Eve Tremblay
Summary: Microglia are resident macrophages of the central nervous system that can adjust their functions according to physiological needs. Chronic stress may alter the functions of microglia, leading to their involvement in neurological disorders.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lindsey R. Conroy, Tara R. Hawkinson, Lyndsay E. A. Young, Matthew S. Gentry, Ramon C. Sun
Summary: N-linked glycosylation is a complex process that connects metabolism to signaling in almost all cells, playing important roles in the brain. Aberrant N-linked glycosylation may potentially drive neurological disorders.
TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Shutian Zhang, Yufeng Yan, Yongze Wang, Zhaodong Sun, Chengzhi Han, Xinyi Qian, Xiaorong Ren, Yi Feng, Jian Cai, Chunmei Xia
Summary: This study demonstrated that inhibiting MALT1 can modulate glial endoplasmic reticulum stress and alleviate neuroinflammation in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for this condition.
JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Entesar Yaseen Abdo Qaid, Zuraidah Abdullah, Rahimah Zakaria, Idris Long
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of minocycline and memantine on the expression of microglia and astrocytes, as well as oxidative stress levels in the medial prefrontal cortex of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injected rats.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Yongfeng Lao, Zewen Li, Yanan Bai, Weijia Li, Jian Wang, Yanan Wang, Qingchao Li, Zhilong Dong
Summary: Glial cells play an important role in CP/CPPS and are closely related to pain and psychosocial symptoms. Only microglia and astrocytes have been studied in animal models, and they were found to be associated with pain and psychosocial symptoms of CP/CPPS.
PAIN RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Wan-Ju Cheng, Hong-Mo Shih, Kuan-Pin Su, Po-Ren Hsueh
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Felipe Kenji Sudo, Talita P. Pinto, Fernanda G. Q. Barros-Aragao, Ivanei Bramati, Theo F. Marins, Marina Monteiro, Fernanda Meireles, Rejane Soares, Pilar Erthal, Victor Calil, Naima Assuncao, Natalia Oliveira, Joana Bondarovsky, Camila Lima, Beatriz Chagas, Alana Batista, Julia Lins, Thais L. Pinheiro, Felippe Mendonca, Andrea Silveira de Souza, Fernanda C. Rodrigues, Gabriel R. de Freitas, Pedro Kurtz, Paulo Mattos, Erika C. Rodrigues, Fernanda G. De Felice, Fernanda Tovar-Moll
Summary: Post-COVID-19 Condition (PCC) is a multisystemic syndrome that persists for months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, affecting cognitive function and neuropsychiatric features. A study on COVID-19 survivors in Brazil found that these patients experienced significant difficulties in overall cognition, memory, working memory, and inhibitory control, as well as fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. In addition, elevated levels of inflammatory markers in the blood were associated with brain microstructural damage and cognitive impairments.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Letter
Immunology
Tieh-Cheng Fu, Juei-Chao Chen, Ching-Mao Chang
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Aastha Dheer, Dale B. Bosco, Jiaying Zheng, Lingxiao Wang, Shunyi Zhao, Koichiro Haruwaka, Min-Hee Yi, Abhijeet Barath, Dai-Shi Tian, Long-Jun Wu
Summary: Microglial activation plays a crucial role in the pathology of epilepsy, with both acute and prolonged activation affecting seizure severity and neuronal loss.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Julie B. Rosenberg, Jens Richardt Mollegaard Jepsen, Parisa Mohammadzadeh, Astrid Sevelsted, Rebecca Vinding, Mikkel E. Sorensen, David Horner, Kristina Aagaard, Birgitte Fagerlund, Susanne Brix, Nilofar Folsgaard, Ann -Marie M. Schoos, Jakob Stokholm, Bo Chawes, Christos Pantelis, Soren Dalsgaard, Birte Y. Glenthoj, Niels Bilenberg, Klaus Bonnelykke, Bjorn H. Ebdrup
Summary: Clinical data demonstrates a strong association between prenatal maternal inflammation assessed by hs-CRP and a diagnosis of ADHD by age 10. Maternal inflammation is also associated with ADHD symptom load in the entire cohort.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Suzanne M. Green-Fulgham, Michael J. Lacagnina, Kendal F. Willcox, Jiahe Li, Michael E. Harland, Adriano Polican Ciena, Igor R. Correia Rocha, Jayson B. Ball, Renee A. Dreher, Younus A. Zuberi, Joseph M. Dragavon, Marucia Chacur, Steven F. Maier, Linda R. Watkins, Peter M. Grace
Summary: Regular aerobic activity, specifically voluntary wheel running, can reduce the risk of chronic pain by inhibiting MAC and preserving myelin integrity at the site of peripheral nerve injury.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
India Boyton, Stella M. Valenzuela, Lyndsey E. Collins-Praino, Andrew Care
Summary: Neuronanomedicine is a multidisciplinary field that aims to develop innovative nanotechnologies for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Nanoparticles are an important component of neuronanomedicine, as they can improve drug properties and enhance safety and delivery across the blood-brain barrier. However, a major challenge for neuronanomedicine translation is the poor understanding of bio-nano interactions, partly due to inconsistent reporting in published works. This review provides specific recommendations to guide researchers in harnessing the unique properties of nanoparticles for breakthrough treatments of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Celine De Looze, Cathal McCrory, Aisling O'Halloran, Silvia Polidoro, Rose Anne Kenny, Joanne Feeney
Summary: Our study found that subjective measures of stress and biological metrics may be independently associated with cognitive function over time in older adults, hinting at potential different underlying mechanisms.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Beatrice Bravi, Elisa Maria Teresa Melloni, Marco Paolini, Mariagrazia Palladini, Federico Calesella, Laura Servidio, Elena Agnoletto, Sara Poletti, Cristina Lorenzi, Cristina Colombo, Francesco Benedetti
Summary: Depressed patients show changes in immune-inflammatory markers in their blood and cerebrospinal fluid. The Choroid Plexus, located at the base of the brain ventricles, plays a key role in regulating the exchange of substances between the brain and immune cells. Patients with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder have larger Choroid Plexus volumes compared to healthy controls. Age and levels of circulating cytokines are associated with Choroid Plexus volumes in the clinical groups.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Mingxuan Zheng, Huaiyu Ye, Xiaoying Yang, Lijun Shen, Xuemei Dang, Xiaoli Liu, Yuying Gong, Qingyuan Wu, Li Wang, Xing Ge, Xiaoli Fang, Benchi Hou, Peng Zhang, Renxian Tang, Kuiyang Zheng, Xu-Feng Huang, Yinghua Yu
Summary: Obesity is linked to cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative disease. The connection between the gut microbiota and the brain is altered in obesity. The probiotic Clostridium butyricum can improve cognitive impairment caused by obesity and prevent gut microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Edward Drydale, Phalguni Rath, Katie Holden, Gregory Holt, Laurissa Havins, Thomas Johnson, James Bancroft, Lahiru Handunnetthi
Summary: This study created a novel three-dimensional neurosphere assay using induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation and live cell imaging techniques to investigate the effect of a simulated viral infection on cortical development. The findings demonstrated that the infection led to reduced radial glial growth and neural migration.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Yuancheng Weng, Ningting Chen, Rui Zhang, Jian He, Xukai Ding, Guo Cheng, Qianqian Bi, Ying-mei Lu, Xiao Z. Shen, Shu Wan, Peng Shi
Summary: This study reveals that microglia is the primary cellular source of PDGFB in adults, and microglial PDGFB is crucial for maintaining BBB integrity in adult mice.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Evan A. Bordt, Haley A. Moya, Young Chan Jo, Caitlin T. Ravichandran, Izabella M. Bankowski, Alexis M. Ceasrine, Christopher J. Mcdougle, William A. Carlezon Jr, Staci D. Bilbo
Summary: There is a strong male bias in many neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, but the mechanisms behind this bias are unknown. Infection during the perinatal period increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Using a mouse model, researchers found that early-life immune activation only induced deficits in social behaviors in male mice. These behavioral changes were associated with alterations in microglial immune signaling, mitochondrial morphology, gene expression, and function specifically in microglia, the brain's innate immune cells. Furthermore, the vulnerability to early-life immune activation and its effects on behavior and microglial mitochondria were programmed by the male-typical perinatal gonadal hormone surge. These findings highlight the role of microglia-specific mechanisms shaped by early developmental events in regulating male social behavior throughout lifespan.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Maria Amalia Di Castro, Stefano Garofalo, Alessandro Mormino, Laura Carbonari, Erika Di Pietro, Eleonora De Felice, Myriam Catalano, Laura Maggi, Cristina Limatola
Summary: Cytokines, such as interleukin-15 (IL-15), play important roles in modulating the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, the authors found that exposure to IL-15 enhances GABA release and reduces glutamatergic currents in hippocampal slices. Chronic treatment with IL-15 has negative effects on memory formation. Serotonin is involved in mediating these effects, as a selective 5-HT3A receptor antagonist prevents the effects on inhibitory neurotransmission and improves performance in a memory test.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Nikhitha Sreenivas, Michael Maes, Hansashree Padmanabha, Apoorva Dharmendra, Priyanka Chakkera, Saptamita Paul Choudhury, Fazal Abdul, Thrinath Mullapudi, Vykuntaraju K. Gowda, Michael Berk, John Vijay Sagar Kommu, Monojit Debnath
Summary: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a spectrum of conditions with both common and differing characteristics in terms of phenome, symptomatome, neuropathology, risk factors and underlying mechanisms. This study investigates the possibility of a shared immune etiology among three early-onset NDDs, namely Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Intellectual Disability Disorder (IDD).
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)