Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Niuben Cao, Xiaomeng Liu, Yubo Hou, Yu Deng, Yu Xin, Xirui Xin, Xinchen Xiang, Xinchan Liu, Weixian Yu
Summary: In this study, it was found that 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) alleviates oxidative damage in periodontal tissues by inhibiting the Cx43/JNK/NF-κB pathway, thus reducing the progression of periodontitis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Irene Sargiannidou, Violetta Christophidou-Anastasiadou, Andreas Hadjisavvas, George A. Tanteles, Kleopas A. Kleopa
Summary: Oculodentodigital dysplasia syndrome is linked to pathogenic variants in GJA1 gene. A new in-frame deletion (p.Lys134del) was identified in a patient with typical dysmorphic features. Functional study showed reduction in gap junction plaques in cells, with many retained inside.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sin Hang Crystal Chan, Jarred M. Griffin, Connor A. Clemett, Margaret A. Brimble, Simon J. O'Carroll, Paul W. R. Harris
Summary: Peptide5 is a mimetic peptide with 12 amino acids that plays an important role in cell-to-cell communication. In order to improve its activity and stability, twenty-five novel mimetics were designed and synthesized. The results showed that one variant, H-VDCFLSRPTE-N-MeKT-OH, exhibited good activity and stability.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yi Zhu, Na Li, Mingyang Huang, Xi Chen, Yu A. An, Jianping Li, Shangang Zhao, Jan-Bernd Funcke, Jianhong Cao, Zhenyan He, Qingzhang Zhu, Zhuzhen Zhang, Zhao Wang, Lin Xu, Kevin W. Williams, Chien Li, Kevin Grove, Philipp E. Scherer
Summary: Adipose tissue is a potential target for treating obesity and metabolic diseases. By connecting adipocytes via connexin43 gap junctions, the efficacy of pharmacological agents can be improved. This finding suggests that the mechanism of connecting adipocytes can enhance the effectiveness of drugs targeting adipose tissue.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Kiss, Carolin Fischer, Jan-Mischa Sauter, Jinmeng Sun, Nina D. Ullrich
Summary: The technology of producing novel cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-cardiomyocytes) holds promise for future clinical applications in cardiac disease therapy. However, the immature phenotype of iPSC-cardiomyocytes currently limits their medical use. This review focuses on the role of gap junction function and the potential of connexin 43 to improve cell-cell communication and electrical signal propagation in iPSC-cardiomyocytes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Qing Gao, Yingying Zhang, Xiaoying Wang, Rui Wang, Limei Zhang
Summary: The mechanism of pain symptoms in Parkinson's disease is unclear, and this study aims to investigate the effect of NE on the activation of brain cells and regulate the nociception threshold in a PD animal model. It was found that changes in NE content can affect the activation of glial cells and participate in the regulation of nociception in PD rats. Both adrenergic a2 receptor agonist and central presynaptic membrane a2 receptor blocker can improve hyperalgesia.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Peyton B. Sandroni, Kelsey H. Fisher-Wellman, Brian C. Jensen
Summary: This article reviews recent studies demonstrating the differential regulation of cardiac contractility by alpha 1- and beta-ARs in cardiomyocytes, with evidence suggesting that alpha 1-ARs may mitigate the deleterious effects of chronic beta-AR activation.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jiju Wang, Yunhui Tang, Songcun Wang, Liyuan Cui, Dajin Li, Meirong Du
Summary: This study found that excess norepinephrine inhibits endometrial decidualization by upregulating the alpha 1b-adrenergic receptor, affecting embryo and fetal development in a normal pregnancy model. The findings suggest a potential mechanism through which stress-related norepinephrine exposure could impact female reproductive health.
JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Hekai Li, Bin Yu, Pingzhen Yang, Jie Zhan, Xianglin Fan, Peier Chen, Xu Liao, Caiwen Ou, Yanbin Cai, Minsheng Chen
Summary: The study developed a hybrid gold nanoparticle-hyaluronic acid hydrogel matrix encapsulating hiPS-CMs to improve the immature phenotype and function of the cells for heart tissue regeneration post-myocardial infarction. The transplanted AuNP-HA-hydrogel-encapsulated-hiPS-CMs showed enhanced gap junction formation and electrical conduction in the infarcted mice heart, as well as stronger angiogenic effects contributing to the recovery process. This research provides insights into constructing an injectable biomimetic for structural and functional renovation of the injured heart.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lisa-Marie Walther, Roland von Kaenel, Nadja Heimgartner, Claudia Zuccarella-Hackl, Guido Stirnimann, Petra H. Wirtz
Summary: This study investigated the role of alpha-adrenergic receptors (alpha-AR) in cardiovascular reactivity to norepinephrine (NE) in individuals with essential hypertension. The results showed that alpha-AR mediate diastolic blood pressure (DBP) hyperreactivity to NE infusion in essential hypertension, while the functioning of alpha-AR seems to be impaired in systolic blood pressure (SBP) hyperreactivity.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mustapha Najih, Audrey Basque, Ha Tuyen Nguyen, Mariama Diawara, Luc J. Martin
Summary: Gap junctions, mainly formed by Gja1, are important in the regulation of spermatogonia proliferation and differentiation. The expression of Gja1 is regulated through various processes, including gene transcription, mRNA maturation, protein synthesis, post-translational modifications, plasma membrane integration, and protein degradation. Abnormal decrease in Gja1 expression is observed in testicular germ cell tumors, suggesting a loss of cooperation between AP-1 factors. Jun and Fosl2 cooperate to activate the Gja1 promoter, and protein kinase A and calcium-calmodulin protein kinase I improve the cooperation between AP-1 factors.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jing-Jun Zhao, Zheng-Hui Wang, Ying-Jie Zhang, Wen-Jing Wang, Ai-Fang Cheng, Pei-Jing Rong, Chun-Lei Shan
Summary: This study investigated the impact of auricular vagus nerve stimulation on the recovery of locomotor function in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The findings suggested that the stimulation can promote recovery by altering the secretion of acetylcholine and inflammatory factors, as well as the phosphorylation of connexin 43.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra K. Brooke, Daniel P. Murrow, Kaejaren C. N. Caldwell, Colby E. Witt, Ashley E. Ross
Summary: The communication between the nervous and immune systems is crucial for regulating immune cell function and inflammatory responses. This study investigates the role of norepinephrine (NE), released by sympathetic neurons, in immune cell physiology and cytokine production. The study demonstrates the importance of using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) to measure NE release and provides insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying sympathetic-immune interactions.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David A. Hernandez-Espinosa, Rocio Alcantara-Hernandez, K. Helivier Solis, J. Adolfo Garcia-Sainz
Summary: By substituting phosphorylation sites with non-phosphorylatable amino acids, the function of the alpha(1B)-adrenergic receptor phosphorylation sites in mediating receptor function was evaluated. The results showed that phosphorylation sites in the IL3 and Ctail domains play a significant role in regulating receptor function and mediating desensitization in response to phorbol ester.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Arlene Koerner, Matias Mosqueira, Markus Hecker, Nina D. Ullrich
Summary: The stiffness of the cell environment plays a crucial role in influencing the structural and functional properties of iPSC-CMs, with substrates in the physiological range promoting maturation and improving intercellular coupling in these cells.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Katrine Lauridsen Gisselo, Ingrid Maria Cecilia Rubin, Maja Sondergaard Knudsen, Michelle From-Hansen, Marie Stangerup, Christiane Pahl Kavalaris, Mette Pinholt, Sarah Mollerup, Henrik Westh, Mette Damkjaer Bartels, Andreas Munk Petersen
Summary: In this study, the duration of VREfm outbreaks was investigated, and the additional impact of infection control bundle strategies for curbing COVID-19 spread on VREfm outbreaks was studied. The findings showed a significant decrease in the number of VREfm outbreak patients and a substantial reduction in outbreak duration during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Serhii Kostrikov, Kasper B. Johnsen, Thomas H. Braunstein, Johann M. Gudbergsson, Frederikke P. Fliedner, Elisabeth A. A. Obara, Petra Hamerlik, Anders E. Hansen, Andreas Kjaer, Casper Hempel, Thomas L. Andresen
Summary: Kostrikov et al. identify a problem with transcardial perfusion in brain tumor vasculature, leading to inaccurate drug extravasation measurements. They demonstrate the use of optical tissue clearing to overcome this limitation, along with the development of two machine learning-based image analysis workflows for detailed quantitative characterization of compound extravasation patterns and tumor angioarchitecture in large three-dimensional datasets.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Julie Teresa Shapiro, Sarah Mollerup, Randi Holm Jensen, Jill Katharina Olofsson, Nam-phuong D. Nguyen, Thomas Arn Hansen, Lasse Vinner, Ara Monadjem, Robert A. McCleery, Anders J. Hansen
Summary: The study revealed that 18% of bats in northeastern Eswatini were found to have evidence of coronaviruses. Full or near-full-length genomes were recovered from two bat species. All bats with detected coronaviruses were captured leaving buildings or near human settlements, emphasizing the importance of continued surveillance in bats to understand prevalence, diversity, and potential risks for spillover.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sarah A. Egan, Nicole L. Kavanagh, Anna C. Shore, Sarah Mollerup, Jose A. Samaniego Castruita, Brian O'Connell, Brenda A. McManus, Grainne Brennan, Mette Pinholt, Henrik Westh, David C. Coleman
Summary: This study investigated the population structure of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) in Ireland and analyzed the vanA transposon region, revealing the diversity of Irish VREfm. The isolates showed a highly polyclonal population structure, and most VREfm carried a characteristic vanA region with multiple IS1216E insertions, which may facilitate its spread.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Lars J. Jensen, Morten A. Lund, Max Salomonsson, Jens Peter Goetze, Thomas E. Jonassen, Niels-Henrik Holstein-Rathlou, Lene N. Axelsen, Charlotte M. Sorensen
Summary: The mechanisms behind diet-induced hypertension are still unclear, but it is not caused by an increase in renal vascular resistance. The pathophysiological mechanisms may involve altered signaling in the renin-angiotensin system and increased central sympathetic output, as well as reduced baroreceptor sensitivity leading to increased renal vasoconstrictor responses.
MICROVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biology
Dmitry Postnov, Donald J. Marsh, Will A. Cupples, Niels-Henrik Holstein-Rathlou, Olga Sosnovtseva
Summary: Internephron interaction is essential for kidney function, and previous studies have shown that nephrons can signal and synchronize with each other. However, the presence of synchronized clusters in the renal system has not been confirmed due to technological limitations. In this study, a high-resolution laser speckle imaging approach was introduced to estimate the frequency and phase differences of rat kidney microcirculation under different conditions. The analysis revealed the spatial and temporal evolution of synchronized blood flow clusters, including the formation of large and long-lived clusters that were locked at the frequency of the tubular glomerular feedback mechanism. The administration of vasoactive agents significantly affected the synchronization patterns and cooperative dynamics of the nephrons, indicating the importance of vascular network condition and blood pressure in the synchronization of renal microcirculatory blood flow.
Article
Physiology
Amina Nardo-Marino, Thomas H. H. Braunstein, Jesper Petersen, John N. N. Brewin, Mathis N. N. Mottelson, Thomas N. N. Williams, Jorgen A. L. Kurtzhals, David C. C. Rees, Andreas Glenthoj
Summary: The spleen plays a vital role in defending the body against bacterial infections. This study proposes an automated method for counting pitted red blood cells (RBCs) using deep neural network analysis and evaluates the durability of fixed RBCs. The results show that the automated counts are comparable to manual counts and that fixed samples can be stored for long periods without affecting the measurement.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ingrid Maria Cecilia Rubin, Sarah Mollerup, Christa Broholm, Signe Boye Knudsen, Adam Baker, Morten Helms, Mona Katrine Alberthe Holm, Thomas Kallemose, Henrik Westh, Jenny Dahl Knudsen, Mette Pinholt, Andreas Munk Petersen
Summary: This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) supplementation for 4 weeks in eliminating the gastrointestinal carrier state of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) in hospitalized adults. The study found no significant effect of LGG in eradicating VREfm and observed a high natural clearance rate. Microbiome analysis showed no significant difference in diversity between the LGG and placebo groups.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Amina Nardo-Marino, Andreas Glenthoj, John N. Brewin, Jesper Petersen, Thomas H. Braunstein, Jorgen A. L. Kurtzhals, Thomas N. Williams, David C. Rees
Summary: This study examined spleen size and function in children with sickle cell anemia. The results showed a high prevalence of spleen dysfunction, which was not related to hemoglobin F levels or hydroxyurea treatment. Additionally, there was a strong association between erythrocyte deformability, spleen size, and function.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ingrid Maria Cecilia Rubin, Sarah Mollerup, Christa Broholm, Adam Baker, Mona Katrine Alberthe Holm, Martin Schou Pedersen, Mette Pinholt, Henrik Westh, Andreas Munk Petersen
Summary: This study investigates the potential of synbiotic intervention with probiotics and prebiotic fiber in healthy volunteers and tracks the changes in the ingested probiotic strain. The results show that there are no significant changes in the gut microbiome after the intervention, but the abundance of probiotics increases and the probiotic strain can be detected in fecal samples.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Hematology
Amina Nardo-Marino, Andreas Glenthoj, John N. Brewin, Jesper Petersen, Thomas H. Braunstein, Jorgen A. L. Kurtzhals, Thomas N. Williams, David C. Rees
Review
Physiology
Morten S. Nielsen, Chantal J. M. van Opbergen, Toon A. B. van Veen, Mario Delmar
Summary: The intercalated disc (ID) is a specialized structure that connects cardiomyocytes via mechanical and electrical junctions. Recent studies have revealed the complex nanostructure and molecular composition of the ID, highlighting the fact that it is not just a simple cell-to-cell coupling junction but rather an interacting molecular complex. Understanding the physiological implications of the ID architecture and the local intermolecular interactions is crucial for understanding normal cardiac conduction and the pathophysiology of arrhythmias.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sarah Mollerup, Peder Worning, Andreas Petersen, Mette Damkjaer Bartels
Summary: The study shows that WGS-based spa typing is highly accurate when the best assembly program is used. The use of SKESA program in de novo assembly resulted in the highest accuracy compared to Sanger sequencing.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Olga M. Rusiecka, Filippo Molica, Morten S. Nielsen, Axel Tollance, Sandrine Morel, Maud Frieden, Marc Chanson, Kerstin Boengler, Brenda R. Kwak
Summary: This study found that deletion of the Pannexin1 (Panx1) gene in cardiac endothelial cells can alleviate cardiac ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and improve left ventricular function recovery. This cardioprotective effect seems to be mediated through its influence on cardiac mitochondria rather than reducing the inflammatory response. Therefore, Panx1 may represent a new target for controlling cardiac reperfusion damage.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sarah Mollerup, Christine Elmeskov, Mette Pinholt, Tobias S. Sejersen, Martin S. Pedersen, Peder Worning, Dorte Frees, Henrik Westh
Summary: This study revealed genomic alterations and altered cell wall structure in daptomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, and identified changes in cell morphology and cell wall structure linked to daptomycin resistance.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)