Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Taslim A. Al-Hilal, Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Ahmed Alobaida, Farzana Alam, Ali Keshavarz, Eva Nozik-Grayck, Kurt R. Stenmark, Nadezhda A. German, Fakhrul Ahsan
Summary: The study developed a hypoxia-activated prodrug of fasudil that selectively suppresses ROCK activity under hypoxic conditions, exhibiting antiproliferative effects on disease-afflicted pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. The prodrug has a long plasma half-life and does not affect systemic blood pressure.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Lite Ge, Jing Zhao, Huiyin Deng, Chunli Chen, Zhiping Hu, Liuwang Zeng
Summary: This meta-analysis study found that naive MSC(M) therapy can decrease mortality in rodent models of sepsis. However, there is significant heterogeneity among the studies and several knowledge gaps, including the lack of large animal studies and uncertainty regarding the optimal dose of MSC(M) transplantation in sepsis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Viktorija Avilkina, Damien Leterme, Guillaume Falgayrac, Jerome Delattre, Flore Miellot, Veronique Gauthier, Christophe Chauveau, Olfa Ghali Mhenni
Summary: This study demonstrates, for the first time, that the duration and severity of energy deficits are critical for changes in bone parameters, BMSC differentiation, and Sirt1 expression.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaolong Sheng, Jinyun Zhao, Miao Li, Yan Xu, Yi Zhou, Jiaqi Xu, Rundong He, Hongbin Lu, Tianding Wu, Chunyue Duan, Yong Cao, Jianzhong Hu
Summary: The study demonstrated that BMSC-Exos treatment enhances the phagocytic ability of macrophages to clear myelin debris, promoting nerve injury repair and facilitating axon regeneration and functional recovery. Additionally, the promotion of MARCO expression in macrophages by BMSC-Exos contributes to improved myelin debris clearance and tissue repair following SCI.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tetsu Kimura, Yuta Horikoshi, Chika Kuriyagawa, Yukitoshi Niiyama
Summary: Ischemic strokes (IS) and spinal cord injuries (SCI) are major causes of disability. The up-regulation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway contributes to neuronal apoptosis, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, astrogliosis, and axon growth inhibition in IS and SCI. Inhibiting the Rho/ROCK pathway with miRNAs alleviates apoptosis, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and axon growth inhibition in IS and SCI. Further studies are required to explore the significance of ncRNAs in IS and SCI and to establish new strategies for preventing and treating these devastating diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yuki Matsushita, Wanida Ono, Noriaki Ono
Summary: Bone marrow contains precursor cells for osteoblasts and adipocytes. Recent studies have identified subsets of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) that can differentiate into marrow adipocytes and possess diverse functions in homeostasis and regeneration. The trajectory of BMSCs towards marrow adipocytes is influenced by multiple modes of cell-autonomous and non-cell autonomous regulations.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
E. Giraldo, V. J. Nebot, S. Dordevic, R. Requejo-Aguilar, A. Alastrue-Agudo, O. Zagorodko, A. Arminan, B. Martinez-Rojas, M. J. Vicent, V. Moreno-Manzano
Summary: Research shows that improving the stability of fasudil by conjugating it with polymers in a bioresponsive manner can enhance its therapeutic potential in treating spinal cord injuries. The conjugate PGA-SS-F, designed based on the conditions after SCI, significantly promotes neurite elongation and axon growth, reduces early apoptosis, and enhances cell engraftment in a rat model of SCI. This synergistic therapeutic approach may offer a promising clinical strategy for SCI treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yosuke Nagai, Keiichiro Matoba, Hideji Yako, Shinji Ohashi, Kensuke Sekiguchi, Etsuko Mitsuyoshi, Kazunori Sango, Daiji Kawanami, Kazunori Utsunomiya, Rimei Nishimura
Summary: The activation of small GTPase Rho and its effector Rho-kinase (ROCK) in the diabetic kidney has been shown to play an important role in the progression of diabetic kidney disease. This study demonstrates that inhibiting the isoform ROCK1 can restore fatty acid oxidation in the glomeruli. The inhibition of ROCK1 optimizes fatty acid utilization and redox balance in mesangial cells through AMPK phosphorylation and induction of PGC-1a, suggesting ROCK1 as a promising therapeutic target for diabetic kidney disease.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Bin Lv, Xing Zhang, Jishan Yuan, Yongxin Chen, Hua Ding, Xinbing Cao, Anquan Huang
Summary: The spinal cord connects the brain to the peripheral nervous system and peripheral tissues through neurons and various types of glial cells. Neurons in the spinal cord process sensory input and control movement. Neurodegenerative disorders and traumatic injuries affecting the spinal cord result in motor deficits and loss of sensory inputs.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Ji-Le Xie, Xing-Ran Wang, Mei-Mei Li, Zi-Han Tao, Wen-Wen Teng, Saijilafu
Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction with significant economic costs. MSCs show promise as transplant cells for SCI treatment, due to their multipotency, trophic and immunomodulatory abilities, and ease of isolation. However, understanding the concept of MSCs is crucial for high-quality research in the field.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yosuke Ida, Araya Umetsu, Masato Furuhashi, Megumi Watanabe, Yuri Tsugeno, Soma Suzuki, Fumihito Hikage, Hiroshi Ohguro
Summary: This study examined the roles of ROCK1 and 2 on the spatial architecture of human corneal stroma. The results showed that ROCK2 had a more significant effect than ROCK1 on gene expression and physical properties. Additionally, ROCK1 and 2 had different impacts on the spatial structure of 3D HCSFs spheroids.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ai Takahashi, Hideaki Nakajima, Arisa Kubota, Shuji Watanabe, Akihiko Matsumine
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of adipose-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs) and determine their effectiveness in treating severe spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that AD-MSC transplantation combined with treadmill exercise training significantly improved motor function, promoted angiogenesis, and provided neuroprotection.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chengyu Xiang, Yi Yan, Dingguo Zhang
Summary: The study demonstrates that fasudil has a protective effect on doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress, DNA damage, apoptosis, and cell senescence through targeting the RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Esther Giraldo, Pablo Bonilla, Mara Mellado, Pablo Garcia-Manau, Carlota Rodo, Ana Alastrue, Eric Lopez, Elena Carreras Moratonas, Ferran Pellise, Snezana Dordevic, Maria J. Vicent, Victoria Moreno Manzano
Summary: Neural precursor cell transplantation is a promising therapy for spinal cord injuries, but its clinical translation remains challenging. A study found that priming human-fetal-spinal-cord-derived NPCs with PGA-SS-FAS improved neuronal differentiation and enhanced migration and survival of transplanted cells in the spinal cord.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Keiichiro Matoba, Kensuke Sekiguchi, Yosuke Nagai, Yusuke Takeda, Hiroshi Takahashi, Tamotsu Yokota, Kazunori Utsunomiya, Rimei Nishimura
Summary: ROCK plays a critical role in diabetic nephropathy, with its substrate MYPT1 showing increased phosphorylation in affected patients. Analysis of patients with diabetes treated with fasudil revealed a reduction in proteinuria and potential renal protective effects.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Toshihide Yamashita
Review
Clinical Neurology
Shogo Tanabe, Toshihide Yamashita
Article
Neurosciences
Moe Yamada, Yuki Fujita, Yasufumi Hayano, Hideki Hayakawa, Kousuke Baba, Hideki Mochizuki, Toshihide Yamashita
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hiroshi Tsujioka, Toshihide Yamashita
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuki Nakazato, Yuki Fujita, Masamitsu Nakazato, Toshihide Yamashita
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Naoki Sada, Yuki Fujita, Nanano Mizuta, Masaki Ueno, Takahisa Furukawa, Toshihide Yamashita
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2020)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuki Fujita, Toshihide Yamashita
Summary: Microglia, as the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, not only play important roles in pathophysiological conditions but also interact dynamically with neurons in physiological conditions, influencing their structure and function. These immune cells contact neurons at various points and support developmental functions such as neuronal survival, axon elongation, and synaptic circuit maturation. Recent findings on the functions and signaling pathways involved in the reciprocal interactions between microglia and neurons are reviewed, along with discussions on the altered interactions in disease conditions and the potential role of microglia in developmental brain disorders.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oluwaseun Fatoba, Takahide Itokazu, Toshihide Yamashita
Summary: The complement system, essential for normal brain development and function, can lead to neuroinflammatory responses, neurodegenerative processes, and cognitive impairment when its components are expressed and activated abnormally in the brain. Complement-mediated neuroinflammatory responses and complement-driven neurodegeneration are increasingly implicated in a wide range of CNS disorders as pathologic insults trigger these processes.
Article
Cell Biology
Wakana Oda, Yuki Fujita, Kousuke Baba, Hideki Mochizuki, Hitoshi Niwa, Toshihide Yamashita
Summary: Inhibiting RGMa can attenuate neuronal loss and inflammation in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, suggesting that RGMa antibodies could be a potential therapeutic option.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuka Honjo, Yuki Fujita, Hitoshi Niwa, Toshihide Yamashita
Summary: Neuropathic pain is a type of pain caused by lesions or diseases of the somatosensory nervous system, and in the maxillofacial region, it can be induced by Netrin-4 and Unc5B.
Article
Cell Biology
Hisao Miyajima, Takahide Itokazu, Shogo Tanabe, Toshihide Yamashita
Summary: Ependymal cells have the potential to enhance regeneration processes by secreting neurotrophic factors, with IL-17A negatively regulating this effect. Conditional knockout of IL-17RA in ependymal cells leads to enhanced axonal growth and functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Manipulation of ependymal cells at a molecular level could be a promising strategy for improving functional recovery.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nao Shibuya, Takahide Itokazu, Tsubasa Ueda, Toshihide Yamashita
Summary: In this study, the behavior of recruited neutrophils in the peri-infarct area after stroke was investigated using intravital imaging. Colchicine and an anti-P-selectin antibody were found to be effective in inhibiting neutrophil attachment and infiltration, with colchicine showing potential as a therapeutic strategy for acute ischemic stroke.
TRANSLATIONAL STROKE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Masahiro Sawada, Kimika Yoshino-Saito, Taihei Ninomiya, Takao Oishi, Toshihide Yamashita, Hirotaka Onoe, Masahiko Takada, Yukio Nishimura, Tadashi Isa
Summary: This study investigates the morphologic changes in the corticospinal tract (CST) after injury, and reveals that multiple reorganizations of the corticospinal projections to spinal segments contribute to the recovery of hand function after spinal cord injury.
Article
Neurosciences
Toke Jost Isaksen, Toshihide Yamashita
NEUROSCIENCE INSIGHTS
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Shin-ichiro Hiraga, Takahide Itokazu, Maki Hoshiko, Hironobu Takaya, Mariko Nishibe, Toshihide Yamashita
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaomei Lin, Tianyuyi Feng, Erheng Cui, Yunfei Li, Zhang Qin, Xiaohu Zhao
Summary: This study successfully established a rat model based on the genetic-environmental interaction, which exhibited phenotype characteristics similar to human AD in terms of cognitive function, brain microstructure, and immunohistochemistry. The genetic factor (APP mutation) and the environmental factor (acrolein exposure) accounted for 39.74% and 33.3% of the AD-like phenotypes in the model, respectively.
Article
Neurosciences
Gustavo Guimara Guerrero, Giovanna Bignoto Minhoto, Camilla dos Santos Tiburcio-Machado, Itza Amarisis Ribeiro Pinto, Claudio Antonio Federico, Marcia Carneiro Valera
Summary: The present study evaluated the influence of head and neck radiotherapy on the behavior and body weight gain in Wistar rats. The results demonstrated that different doses of radiation induced depressive behavior in the animals, and that the weight gain tended to be lower in the irradiated groups.
Article
Neurosciences
Ziwei Gao, Chao Lu, Yaping Zhu, Yuxin Liu, Yuesong Lin, Wenming Gao, Liyuan Tian, Lei Wu
Summary: This study reveals the underlying mechanisms of the rapid antidepressant effects of merazin hydrate (MH), which activates CaMKII to promote neuronal activities and proliferation in the hippocampus.
Article
Neurosciences
Kathleen E. Murray, Whitney A. Ratliff, Vedad Delic, Bruce A. Citron
Summary: Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic disorder that affects approximately 30% of Veterans deployed to the Persian Gulf. This study found that exposure to toxicants during the Gulf War resulted in long-term changes in the morphology of dentate granule cells and that treatment with Nrf2 activator could improve neuronal health in the hippocampus.
Article
Neurosciences
Jing Li, Yan Zou, Xiangchuang Kong, Yangming Leng, Fan Yang, Guofeng Zhou, Bo Liu, Wenliang Fan
Summary: This study examines the functional connectivity changes in individuals with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) at the integrity, network, and edge levels. The findings reveal reduced intranetwork connectivity strength and increased internetwork connectivity in SSNHL patients. These alterations are associated with the duration of SSNHL and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores. The study provides crucial insights into the neural mechanisms of SSNHL and the brain's network-level responses to sensory loss.
Review
Neurosciences
Didier Majou, Anne-Lise Dermenghem
Summary: In the early stages of SAD, memory impairment is strongly correlated with cortical levels of soluble amyloid-beta peptide oligomers. A beta disrupts glutamatergic synaptic function and leads to cognitive deficits. This article describes the pathogenic mechanisms underlying cerebral amyloidosis, involving amyloid precursor protein synthesis, A beta residue clearance processes, and the role of specific molecules.
Article
Neurosciences
Jing Li, Yi Shan, Xiaojing Zhao, Guixiang Shan, Peng-Hu Wei, Lin Liu, Changming Wang, Hang Wu, Weiqun Song, Yi Tang, Guo-Guang Zhao, Jie Lu
Summary: This study investigates changes in brain anatomical structures and functional network connectivity after chronic complete thoracic spinal cord injury (cctSCI) and their impact on clinical outcomes. The findings reveal alterations in gray matter volume and functional connectivity in specific brain regions, indicating potential therapeutic targets and methods for tracking treatment outcomes.
Article
Neurosciences
Anllely Fernandez, Katherine Corvalan, Octavia Santis, Maxs Mendez-Ruette, Ariel Caviedes, Matias Pizarro, Maria -Teresa Gomez, Luis Federico Batiz, Peter Landgraf, Thilo Kahne, Alejandro Rojas-Fernandez, Ursula Wyneken
Summary: This study reveals the importance of SUMOylation in modulating the protein cargo of astrocyte-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and its potential impact on neurons.
Article
Neurosciences
Anika Luettig, Stefanie Perl, Maria Zetsche, Franziska Richter, Denise Franz, Marco Heerdegen, Ruediger Koehling, Angelika Richter
Summary: This study found that changes in c-Fos activity during short-term stimulation of the entopeduncular nucleus (EPN) are associated with improvement in dystonia, and also discovered that the cerebellum may be involved in the antidystonic effects.
Article
Neurosciences
Yanlin Tao, Wei Shen, Houyuan Zhou, Zikang Li, Ting Pi, Hui Wu, Hailian Shi, Fei Huang, Xiaojun Wu
Summary: Depression has a higher incidence in women compared to men, and this study investigated the impact of sex on depressive behaviors and underlying mechanisms using a corticosterone-induced depression model in mice. The results showed sex-specific anxiety and depression behaviors in the model group, as well as differences in protein expression and neurotransmitter levels between male and female mice. These findings enhance our understanding of sex-specific differences in depression and support tailored interventions.
Review
Neurosciences
Dnyandev G. Gadhave, Vrashabh V. Sugandhi, Chandrakant R. Kokare
Summary: This article discusses the characteristics and importance of the tight junctions of endothelial cells in the CNS, which act as a biological barrier known as the blood-brain barrier (BBB). It focuses on overcoming the challenges of delivering therapeutic agents to the brain in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly multiple sclerosis, through the use of biomaterials. The article also highlights the current limitations of animal models for studying multiple sclerosis and suggests a potential future research direction.
Article
Neurosciences
Li-Min Mao, Khyathi Thallapureddy, John Q. Wang
Summary: Propofol can enhance synapsin phosphorylation and modulate synaptic transmission in the mouse brain. The study reveals the potential role of synapsin as a substrate of propofol and its effects on neurotransmitter release machinery.
Article
Neurosciences
Syed Maaz Ahmed Rizvi, Abdul Baseer Buriro, Irfan Ahmed, Abdul Aziz Memon
Summary: This study explores the effects of prolonged mask usage on the human brain by analyzing EEG and physiological parameters. The results show that the mean EEG spectral power in alpha, beta, and gamma sub-bands of individuals wearing masks is smaller than those without masks. The performances on cognitive tasks and oxygen saturation level differ between the two groups, while blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate are similar. The analysis also reveals that the occipital and frontal lobes exhibit the greatest variability in channel measurements.
Article
Neurosciences
Rui-Fang Ma, Lu-Lu Xue, Jin-Xiang Liu, Li Chen, Liu-Lin Xiong, Ting-Hua Wang, Fei Liu
Summary: This study observed changes in brain infarction and blood vessels in rats during neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (NHIE) modeling using Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography (TCD). Longer duration of hypoxia was associated with more severe nerve damage. TCD can dynamically monitor cerebral infarction after NHIE modeling, which may serve as a useful auxiliary method for evaluating animal experimental models.
Article
Neurosciences
Yuxiang Dai, Chen Yu, Lu Zhou, Longyang Cheng, Hongbin Ni, Weibang Liang
Summary: Overexpression of CXCR4 in glioma is correlated with patient survival, and its inhibition can reduce invasion and migration of glioma cells. Inhibiting Nur77 also decreases cancer progression associated with CXCR4.