Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhi-Bin Wang, Jian Qu, Pan Xie, Zhi-Quan Yang, Chen-Xue Mao, Ying Zhang, Zheng-Wen He, Zhuan-Yi Yang, Xiao-Yuan Mao, Zhao-Qian Liu
Summary: This study investigated the potential pathogenic mechanism of glioma-related epilepsy (GRE) by analyzing the expression profiles of miRNA/mRNA/lncRNA in brain tissues of glioma patients. The results identified differentially expressed miRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs that play a crucial role in the development of GRE. A regulatory network involving lncRNA-microRNA-Gene with structural and functional significance was also constructed. These findings provide a fresh perspective on the brain network changes induced by GRE.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catia R. Lopes, Antonio C. Silva, Henrique B. Silva, Paula M. Canas, Paula Agostinho, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Joao Pedro Lopes
Summary: In mice, injection of amyloid peptides (A beta) leads to memory deficits and hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) within 15 days. The upregulation of adenosine A(2)A receptors (A(2)AR) in hippocampal synapses before the onset of memory deficits supports the hypothesis that A(2)AR overfunction could be a trigger of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Article
Neurosciences
G. France, R. Volianskis, R. Ingram, N. Bannister, R. Rotharmel, M. W. Irvine, G. Fang, E. S. Burnell, K. Sapkota, B. M. Costa, D. A. Chopra, S. M. Dravid, A. T. Michael-Titus, D. T. Monaghan, J. Georgiou, Z. A. Bortolotto, D. E. Jane, G. L. Collingridge, A. Volianskis
Summary: This passage discusses how different types of memory rely on different types of synaptic plasticity and the potential use of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of NMDA receptors as cognitive enhancers. It also presents experimental findings that show PAMs can differently regulate distinct forms of NMDAR-dependent synaptic plasticity based on their subtype selectivity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jian Zhong, Xujia Wu, Yixin Gao, Junju Chen, Maolei Zhang, Huangkai Zhou, Jia Yang, Feizhe Xiao, Xuesong Yang, Nunu Huang, Haoyue Qi, Xiuxing Wang, Fan Bai, Yu Shi, Nu Zhang
Summary: The MET signalling pathway is crucial for maintaining glioblastoma (GBM) stem cells. Researchers have discovered a circular RNA from the MET gene (circMET) that produces a MET variant protein (MET404), which directly activates the MET receptor and promotes GBM tumorigenesis. This study uncovers hidden mechanisms of MET signalling in GBM and provides a potential therapeutic strategy for GBM patients.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Chung Hyo Kang, Yeongrin Kim, Da Yeon Lee, Sang Un Choi, Heung Kyoung Lee, Chi Hoon Park
Summary: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology has shown promise in cancer treatment, and the development of anti c-Met CAR T cells demonstrated selective killing of c-Met overexpressed gastric cancer cells, offering a potential effective therapy for gastric cancer patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xun Tu, Anant Jain, Paula Parra Bueno, Helena Decker, Xiaodan Liu, Ryohei Yasuda
Summary: The insulin superfamily plays crucial roles in homeostasis, neuronal plasticity, learning, and memory. In this study, the researchers found that insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF1 and IGF2) are expressed differently in hippocampal neurons and released in an activity-dependent manner. Through the use of a new fluorescence resonance energy transfer sensor, they discovered that IGF1 triggers local autocrine activation of the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) on the same spine and nearby dendrites, regulating the plasticity of pyramidal neurons in CA1. In CA3 neurons, IGF2 is responsible for IGF1R autocrine activation and synaptic plasticity. This research reveals the cell type-specific roles of IGF1 and IGF2 in hippocampal plasticity and a plasticity mechanism mediated by the synthesis and autocrine signaling of IGF peptides in pyramidal neurons.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuting Guo, Xia Peng, Yinchun Ji, Yitong Zhang, Jian Ding, Zhengsheng Zhan, Jing Ai, Wenhu Duan
Summary: The synthesized compound 8 was found to have potent antitumor activity by forming two canonical hydrogen bonds and a pi-pi stacking interaction with the ATP binding site of c-Met kinase domain.
MOLECULAR DIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Donovan M. Ashby, Stan B. Floresco, Anthony G. Phillips, Alexander McGirr, Jeremy K. Seamans, Yu Tian Wang
Summary: Hippocampal LTD plays a critical role in the acute formation and maintenance of place fields, regulating the dynamics and stability of novel spatial information in adult rats.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Taha Gul Shaikh, Syeda Fatima Saba Hasan, Hiba Ahmed, Amal Iqbal Kazi, Ruhma Mansoor
Summary: Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease affecting millions of people worldwide. While anti-seizure drugs are commonly used, they fail to be effective in about one third of patients. This has led to the exploration of new treatments, such as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), in reducing neuronal over-excitation in epilepsy. A review of existing literature suggests that ARBs have a high potential in treating epilepsy, particularly in patients who are unresponsive to conventional treatment options. However, further human-based trials are needed to draw definitive conclusions, and monitoring for adverse effects is crucial when using ARBs in epilepsy patients.
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ming Wang, Gwangho Yoon, Juhyun Song, Jihoon Jo
Summary: Studies have shown that GLP-1 and its receptor agonists have neuroprotective effects in improving cognitive function and brain insulin resistance in metabolic-imbalanced mice, particularly demonstrating positive results in synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Sarah B. Scheinman, Steve Zaldua, Adedoyin Dada, Kateryna Krochmaliuk, Katherine Dye, Felecia M. Marottoli, Gregory R. J. Thatcher, Leon M. Tai
Summary: Evidence suggests that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) could be beneficial for Alzheimer's disease patients, particularly in terms of neuroinflammation. Studies on mice expressing the human APOE4 gene showed that female E4FAD- and E4FAD+ mice exhibited improved memory-related behavior and higher hippocampal presynaptic protein levels after treatment with the ARB prodrug candesartan.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yan Yu, Xiao-Dan Peng, Xiao-Jun Qian, Kai-Ming Zhang, Xiang Huang, Yu-Hong Chen, Yun-Tian Li, Gong-Kan Feng, Hai-Liang Zhang, Xue-Lian Xu, Shun Li, Xuan Li, Jia Mai, Zhi-Ling Li, Yun Huang, Dong Yang, Li-Huan Zhou, Zhuo-Yan Zhong, Jun-Dong Li, Rong Deng, Xiao-Feng Zhu
Summary: MET receptor tyrosine kinase plays a critical role in tumor growth by regulating mitochondrial activities to promote cancer metastasis. The study revealed a direct phosphorylation of outer mitochondrial membrane protein Fis1 by MET, which facilitated mitochondrial fission and cell migration in hepatocellular carcinoma. This novel pathway provides a potential therapeutic target for metastatic HCC.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Feiyi Yang, Qian Zhang, Qiuyan Guo, Qingshan Pan, Chunping Wen, Xinya Lv, Wufu Zhu, Pengwu Zheng
Summary: A class of 4-phenoxy-pyridine/pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as potent dual VEGFR-2/c-Met inhibitors. Among them, compound 23k showed excellent anti-cancer cell proliferative activity and low toxicity. Further studies demonstrated that compound 23k induced apoptosis and blocked the cell cycle. Molecular docking and simulation revealed the binding modes of 23k to VEGFR-2 and c-Met.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hang-Ping Yao, Xiang-Min Tong, Ming-Hai Wang
Summary: Aberrant expression of the MET receptor has led to the development of SMKIs and TmAbs for targeted cancer therapy. While SMKIs have been approved for clinical application, conventional anti-MET TmAbs have faced setbacks and raised uncertainty about their usefulness. Novel MET targeted biotherapeutics, such as bispecific antibodies and ADCs, show great potential for cancer therapy in the future, according to evidence from preclinical and clinical studies.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Michael Ouk, Che-Yuan Wu, Jennifer S. Rabin, Aaron Jackson, Jodi D. Edwards, Joel Ramirez, Mario Masellis, Richard H. Swartz, Nathan Herrmann, Krista L. Lanctot, Sandra E. Black, Walter Swardfager
Summary: Among individuals with Alzheimer's disease who do not carry the APOEε4 gene, the use of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) was found to be associated with better preservation of delayed recall memory and attention/psychomotor processing speed over time compared to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) that do not cross the blood-brain barrier.
ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
An Buckinx, Dimitri De Bundel, Ron Kooijman, Ilse Smolders
Summary: Epilepsy is a neurological disease that affects over 50 million individuals worldwide. Despite the availability of various drugs for treatment, 30% of patients still suffer from pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Ghrelin receptor (ghrelin-R) has emerged as a promising new therapeutic target with anticonvulsant effects.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Colemonts-Vroninks Haaike, Norman P. Brendan, Van Laere Sven, Davison S. Andrew, Marcelis Lionel, Casimir Georges, Goyens Philippe, Claes Paul, De Bundel Dimitri, Martens Geert, Ranganath Lakshminarayan Rao, Vanhaecke Tamara, A. Gallagher James, De Kock Joery
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marie-Laure Custers, Maxime Vande Vyver, Lea Kaltenbock, Kurt Barbe, Maria Bjerke, Ann Van Eeckhaut, Ilse Smolders
Summary: In the management of epilepsy, the discovery of new biomarkers is important for improving diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating treatment responsiveness. This study investigates the potential of neurofilament light chain (NfL) as a diagnostic and response fluid biomarker for epilepsy.
Review
Neurosciences
Jo Bossuyt, Yana Van Den Herrewegen, Liam Nestor, An Buckinx, Dimitri De Bundel, Ilse Smolders
Summary: Insights into the roles of astrocytes and microglia in normal and diseased brain functioning have been greatly expanded in recent years, thanks to the emergence of chemogenetic tools. These cutting-edge techniques enable precise manipulation of specific glial cell types, leading to significant advances in our understanding of how glial cells contribute to various central nervous system functions and diseases. This article discusses the latest findings in glial cell functions using chemogenetics, focusing on the manipulation of intracellular signaling pathways in astrocytes and microglia induced by designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs). The potential limitations and translational prospects of this technology are also explored.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jana Bongaerts, Dimitri De Bundel, Ilse Smolders, Debby Mangelings, Yvan Vander Heyden, Ann Van Eeckhaut
Summary: Neuromedin U (NmU) and neuromedin S (NmS) are neuropeptides belonging to the neuro-medin family. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the preferred analytical technique for peptide quantification, but quantification limits for these peptides in biological samples remain challenging due to nonspecific binding. This study focuses on solving the adsorption problem and improving the sensitivity of the LC-MS/MS method for NmU and NmS.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mireia Medrano, Wissal Allaoui, Mathias Van Bulck, Sofie Thys, Leila Makrini-Maleville, Eve Seuntjens, Winnok H. De Vos, Emmanuel Valjent, Balazs Gaszner, Ann Van Eeckhaut, Ilse Smolders, Dimitri De Bundel
Summary: Neuromedin U (NMU) is an evolutionarily conserved neuropeptide that plays a role in various processes. A knock-in mouse model expressing Cre recombinase under the Nmu promoter has been generated, allowing a comprehensive characterization of NMU-expressing neurons in the brain. The model has been validated using multiple approaches, and the results suggest that it is a powerful and sensitive tool for studying the role of NMU neurons in mice.
Article
Psychiatry
Eva Maria Fritz, Anouk Pierre, Dimitri De Bundel, Nicolas Singewald
Summary: The hunger hormone ghrelin can modulate anxiety- and fear-related behaviors, and its dysregulation may be linked to psychiatric illness. Therefore, researchers have suggested targeting the ghrelin system to facilitate fear extinction. However, the effectiveness of this approach has not been tested in individuals with difficulties in fear extinction.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Yangfeng Xu, Kathelijne Peremans, Sofie Salden, Kurt Audenaert, Andre Dobbeleir, Ann Van Eeckhaut, Dimitri De Bundel, Jimmy H. H. Saunders, Chris Baeken
Summary: This study investigated the direct and delayed effects of five sessions of aHF-rTMS on the dopamine transporter and dopamine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid. The results showed that active aHF-rTMS significantly reduced striatal dopamine transporter binding index at 1 day and 1 month post-stimulation, indicating immediate and delayed effects on the brain dopaminergic system.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Thomas J. Scheinok, Miguel D'Haeseleer, Guy Nagels, Dimitri De Bundel, Jeroen Van Schependom
Summary: Oligodendrocytes are responsible for myelinating CNS axons for rapid electrical transmission. In multiple sclerosis (MS), demyelination occurs due to an inflammatory cascade. Therapies promoting remyelination, such as modulation of neuronal activity through non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), have shown promising results. However, the mechanisms behind NIBS and its effect on oligodendrogenesis and myelination are not fully understood.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Maxime Vande Vyver, Louise Daeninck, Gino De Smet, Najat Aourz, Surajit Sahu, Sebastiaan Engelborghs, Kris Pauwels, Dimitri De Bundel, Ilse Smolders
Summary: We investigated the impact of A beta(1-42) oligomers on seizure susceptibility in mice and found no effect after intracerebral injection. Despite confirming the presence of A beta(1-42) oligomers, it remains unclear whether our findings or previous studies best represent the role of these oligomers in seizures in AD.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Psychiatry
Yangfeng Xu, Mitchel Kappen, Kathelijne Peremans, Dimitri De Bundel, Ann Van Eeckhaut, Nick Van Laeken, Filip De Vos, Andre Dobbelei, Jimmy H. Saunders, Chris Baeken
PSYCHIATRIA DANUBINA
(2022)
