Review
Neurosciences
Danping Li, Qiongfang Wu, Xiaohua Han
Summary: Excitatory projection neurons and inhibitory interneurons are the primary actors in the neural activity of the cerebral cortex, and an imbalance in excitatory-inhibitory neural networks can lead to neuropsychiatric diseases. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons mediate inhibition and the embryonic medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) is a source of GABAergic interneurons. Transplanted MGE cells can migrate, differentiate into different subtypes of GABAergic interneurons, integrate into host neural circuits, enhance synaptic inhibition, and have potential application in diseases associated with interneuron disorders.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Miglietta, Gaia Palmini, Francesca Giusti, Simone Donati, Cinzia Aurilia, Teresa Iantomasi, Maria Luisa Brandi
Summary: Hypoparathyroidism is a disorder characterized by low calcium levels, high phosphorus levels, and insufficient or absent secretion of PTH. Hormone replacement therapy with calcium and vitamin D is common, but may not always be effective long-term. Glandular autotransplantation is considered the most effective treatment, while allograft has limited success due to tissue rejection and side effects from systemic immunosuppression. Research is ongoing to discover alternative graft therapies with optimal results and minimal side effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Giorgio Ottaviano, Christos Georgiadis, Soragia Athina Gkazi, Farhatullah Syed, Hong Zhan, Annie Etuk, Roland Preece, Jan Chu, Agnieszka Kubat, Stuart Adams, Paul Veys, Ajay Vora, Kanchan Rao, Waseem Qasim
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility, safety, and therapeutic potential of CRISPR-engineered immunotherapy. By using genome editing techniques, allogeneic T cells were modified to provide off-the-shelf alternatives to autologous CAR T cell therapies, showing promising results in the treatment of B-ALL.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sergio G. Garcia, Noelia Sandoval-Hellin, Marcella Franquesa
Summary: Bregs are gaining attention in the context of kidney injury, as their restoration and balance could serve as potential therapeutic tools. Efforts are being made to identify specific markers defining Bregs as a unique cell subset, while exploring induction mechanisms for further research and applications in kidney disease.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Julie Kanter, Mark C. Walters, Lakshmanan Krishnamurti, Markus Y. Mapara, Janet L. Kwiatkowski, Stacey Rifkin-Zenenberg, Banu Aygun, Kimberly A. Kasow, Francis J. Pierciey, Melissa Bonner, Alex Miller, Xinyan Zhang, Jessie Lynch, Dennis Kim, Jean-Antoine Ribeil, Mohammed Asmal, Sunita Goyal, Alexis A. Thompson, John F. Tisdale
Summary: The LentiGlobin gene therapy for sickle cell disease showed promising results, with significant improvements in hemoglobin levels and complete resolution of severe vaso-occlusive events in 35 patients. Adverse events related to treatment were minimal and no cases of hematologic cancer were observed during the follow-up period. Preliminary findings suggest the potential therapeutic efficacy of this treatment.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jesus Paez-Mayorga, Izeia Lukin, Dwaine Emerich, Paul de Vos, Gorka Orive, Alessandro Grattoni
Summary: Beta cell replacement is an attractive alternative for type 1 diabetes management. This review focuses on micro- and macroencapsulation technologies for beta cell transplantation, and addresses challenges such as graft hypoxia and donor shortage.
TRENDS IN PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
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)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Adetola A. Kassim, Alexis Leonard
Summary: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment for SCD, but limited by the availability of matched sibling donors. Haploidentical HSCT and gene therapy show potential as alternative options, with expanded donor pool and improved outcomes.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
He Zhang, Yunxing Xue, Tuo Pan, Xiyu Zhu, Hoshun Chong, Can Xu, Fudong Fan, Hailong Cao, Bomin Zhang, Jun Pan, Qing Zhou, Gang Yang, Jiaxian Wang, Dong-Jin Wang
Summary: Cell-based transplantation using hiPSC-CMs is a promising strategy for treating HF, but its safety and efficacy in patients are still uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of epicardial injection of hiPSC-CMs during CABG surgery in patients with advanced HF.
Article
Developmental Biology
Lucia Gomez, Christelle Cadilhac, Julien Prados, Nandkishor Mule, Denis Jabaudon, Alexandre Dayer
Summary: This study reveals the developmental process and diversity of neurogliaform cells (NGCs) in the mouse cortex, as well as the crucial role of the transcription factor Tox2 in NGC development.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Harrison J. Wensley, Wendy S. Smith, Suzanne E. Holmes, Sopsamorn U. Flavell, David J. Flavell
Summary: Triterpenoid saponins enhance the cytotoxicity of saporin-based immunotoxins by promoting the endolysosomal escape of the toxin to the cytosol. Various pharmacological inhibitors of different endocytic processes were used as probes to investigate the involvement of saponins in this process, with results suggesting a potential role of clathrin-mediated endocytosis and endosomal acidification in the internalization of saponins and the escape of toxins from the endolysosomal compartment to the cytosol. The correlation with the effects of these inhibitors on cytotoxicity augmentation provides additional evidence for the importance of endolysosomal escape in driving enhancement of cytotoxicity.
Review
Neurosciences
Joseane Righes Marafiga, Scott C. Baraban
Summary: Impairment of inhibitory interneurons is a key feature of neurological disorders like epilepsy. Current treatment options involve drugs or deep brain stimulation, but a more effective strategy would be to add new inhibitory interneurons to pathological circuits. One promising approach is using MGE progenitor cells as a source of interneurons for transplantation, which has shown success in preclinical models of epilepsy. This article discusses the evolution of this therapy, particularly its adaptation for xenotransplantation in larger mammals.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Martin Field, Istvan P. Lukacs, Emily Hunter, Richard Stacey, Puneet Plaha, Laurent Livermore, Olaf Ansorge, Peter Somogyi
Summary: The study found that specific types of interneurons in the human neocortex, such as rosehip cells and layer 2-3 innervating cells, exhibit larger tonic GABA(A) receptor currents compared to other interneuron types, potentially allowing for selective modulation of cortical circuitry. Patient parameters like age, seizures, cancer type, and anticonvulsant treatment were also examined for their potential influence on tonic inhibitory currents in human neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Dong Won Baek, Joon Ho Moon, Jae Hoon Lee, Ka-Won Kang, Ho Sup Lee, Hyeon-Seok Eom, Enuyoung Lee, Ji Hyun Lee, Jeong-Ok Lee, Seong Kyu Park, Seok Jin Kim, Keon Hee Yoo, Sung-Soo Yoon, Youngil Koh, Hyoung Jin Kang, Jong-Ho Won, Chuhl Joo Lyu, Seung Min Hahn, Jung-Hee Lee, Joon Seong Park, Jae-Cheol Jo, Yeung-Chul Mun, Deok-Hwan Yang, Ga-Young Song, Sung-Nam Lim, Sang Kyun Sohn
Summary: This study investigated the benefits of autologous-stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT) and allogeneic-SCT (allo-SCT) in aggressive T-cell lymphoma patients. A total of 598 patients who underwent transplantation from 2010 to 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Auto-SCT showed better overall survival (OS) than allo-SCT, but no difference in progression-free survival (PFS). In salvage therapy, auto-SCT improved long-term survival in complete remission (CR) patients, while allo-SCT had better 3-year PFS in partial remission and relapsed/refractory disease. However, more than 50% of patients died within 1 year of allo-SCT. Up-front auto-SCT as consolidation therapy demonstrated a survival benefit.
BLOOD CANCER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fanlin Li, Huihui Zhang, Wanting Wang, Puyuan Yang, Yue Huang, Junshi Zhang, Yaping Yan, Yuan Wang, Xizhong Ding, Jie Liang, Xinyue Qi, Min Li, Ping Han, Xiaoqing Zhang, Xin Wang, Jiang Cao, Yang-Xin Fu, Xuanming Yang
Summary: The study presents a selective CAR-T cell therapy that can eradicate T cell malignancies while maintaining functional T cell-mediated immune responses. This research is of great importance for the eradication of T cell malignancies and opens up new possibilities for clinical development.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Stefani Alves Magalhaes, Maira Licia Foresti, Vanessa Novaes Barros, Luiz E. Mello
Summary: The study found that marmosets exhibit stronger neural activation and a more complex pattern of brain activation after intense stimulation compared to rats, with a wider and longer-lasting c-Fos expression. Rats showed similar patterns of c-Fos expression based on the function of different brain cortical structures, while marmosets did not exhibit clear patterns and showed a more diverse profile.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Gabriela Lazzarotto, Querusche Klippel Zanona, Kamila Cagliari Zenki, Maria Elisa Calcagnotto
Summary: The study found that memantine was unable to control PTZ-induced seizures and that the associated enhancement of PSD of gamma oscillations may contribute to the increased probability of seizure development in these animals.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Cristina Rosell-Valle, Magdalena Martinez-Losa, Elisa Matas-Rico, Estela Castilla-Ortega, Emma Zambrana-Infantes, Ana Isabel Gomez-Conde, Lourdes Sanchez-Salido, David Ladron de Guevara-Miranda, Carmen Pedraza, Pedro Jesus Serrano-Castro, Jerold Chun, Fernando Rodriguez de Fonseca, Manuel Alvarez-Dolado, Luis Javier Santin, Guillermo Estivill-Torrus
Summary: Defects in GABAergic function can lead to anxiety and depression, while therapeutic strategies involving transplantation of GABAergic interneuron progenitors from the MGE into the hippocampus have shown to reverse symptomatology in various rodent models. The LPA(1) receptor is crucial for hippocampal function, and deficits in its signaling may underlie neuropsychiatric conditions. Studies in maLPA(1)-null mice demonstrated that transplanted interneuron precursors can restore the hippocampal environment, decrease anxiety-like behaviors, and normalize coping responses without affecting motor activity.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Leticia Barbieri Caus, Mayara Vendramin Pasquetti, Bianca Seminotti, Michael Woontner, Moacir Wajner, Maria Elisa Calcagnotto
Summary: This study investigated the impact of quinolinic acid on the neurological features of GA-I, finding that Gcdh(-/-)-Lys mice showed increased susceptibility to quinolinic acid-induced seizures and enduring alterations in brain oscillation patterns.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Krislei Scienza-Martin, Fernanda Nogueira Lotz, Querusche Klippel Zanona, Fabiana Santana-Kragelund, Ana Paula Crestani, Flavia Zacouteguy Boos, Maria Elisa Calcagnotto, Jorge Alberto Quillfeldt
Summary: The endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus during memory formation. The mechanisms underlying this regulation are not well understood. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of AM404, an inhibitor of anandamide transport and metabolism, on aversive memory consolidation. They found that AM404 disrupted memory consolidation and retrieval, and abolished Long-Term Potentiation induction. The effects of AM404 were reversed by metyrapone, suggesting an interaction between glucocorticoids and endocannabinoids in memory consolidation. CB1 receptors mediated the amnestic effect caused by increased anandamide levels, while TRPV1 receptors did not. The results also suggest an interesting interaction between the endocannabinoid and cholinergic systems.
Article
Psychiatry
Luisa K. Pilz, Natividade S. Couto Pereira, Ana Paula Francisco, Alicia Carissimi, Debora B. Constantino, Leticia B. Caus, Ana Carolina O. Abreu, Guilherme R. Amando, Fernanda S. Bonatto, Paula V. V. Carvalho, Jose Cipolla-Neto, Ana Harb, Gabriela Lazzarotto, Joseane Righes Marafiga, Luciano Minuzzi, Francisco Montagner, Fernanda A. Nishino, Melissa A. B. Oliveira, Bruno G. T. dos Santos, Eduardo G. Steibel, Patrice S. Tavares, Andre C. Tonon, Nicoli B. Xavier, Querusche Klippel Zanona, Fernanda G. Amaral, Maria Elisa Calcagnotto, Benicio N. Frey, Maria Paz Hidalgo, Marco Idiart, Thais Russomano
Summary: This study assessed the adherence to evidence-based recommendations for supporting mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with depressive and anxiety symptoms. The results showed that adherence to the recommendations was significantly associated with reduced anxiety and depression symptoms. The recommendations developed in this study could be important for preventing negative mental health effects during and beyond the pandemic.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Natividade de Sa Couto Pereira, Querusche Klippel Zanona, Marcelo Pastore Bernardi, Joelma Alves, Carla Dalmaz, Maria Elisa Calcagnotto
Summary: Maternal separation in male rats can lead to resistant memory labilization in adulthood. The desynchronization between the dorsal hippocampus and the basolateral amygdala during fear memory reactivation may be responsible for this impairment.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Querusche Klippel Zanona, Gabriel Alves Marconi, Natividade de Sa Couto Pereira, Gabriela Lazzarotto, Ana Luiza Ferreira Donatti, Jose Antonio Cortes de Oliveira, Norberto Garcia-Cairasco, Maria Elisa Calcagnotto
Summary: Adding a second insult to the genetic background of mice can enhance epileptogenesis and spontaneous epileptic seizures. Experimental results showed that microgyria intensified SWD events while reducing anxiety-like behavior, suggesting that WAR-FL could be a reliable model for studying epileptogenesis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maira Licia Foresti, Eliana Garzon, Carla Cristina Gomes Pinheiro, Rafael Leite Pacheco, Rachel Riera, Luiz Eugenio Mello
Summary: This clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of biperiden as an antiepileptogenic agent in patients with TBI.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alba Vilchez-Acosta, Yasmina Manso, Adrian Cardenas, Alba Elias-Tersa, Magdalena Martinez-Losa, Marta Pascual, Manuel Alvarez-Dolado, Angus C. Nairn, Victor Borrell, Eduardo Soriano
Summary: The extracellular protein Reelin, derived from both CR cells and GABAergic interneurons, plays a crucial role in regulating the migration and positioning of cortical neurons during development. Disruptions in Reelin can lead to developmental disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marina Piquer-Gil, Sofia Domenech-Dauder, Marta Sepulveda-Gomez, Carla Machi-Camacho, Aitana Braza-Boils, Esther Zorio
Summary: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiac disorder characterized by unstable intercellular junctions and perturbed Wnt/β-catenin and Hippo signaling pathways. The study of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) may provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ACM.
Article
Neurosciences
Mellanie Fontes-Dutra, Joseane Righes Marafiga, Julio Santos-Terra, Iohanna Deckmann, Gustavo Brum Schwingel, Bruna Rabelo, Rafael Kazmierzak de Moraes, Marilia Rockenbach, Mayara Vendramin Pasquetti, Carmem Gottfried, Maria Elisa Calcagnotto
Summary: Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) leads to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but resveratrol (RSV) can prevent these impairments. This study found that prenatal VPA exposure reduced synaptic inhibition in the somatosensory area, resulting in behavioral and electroencephalogram changes. However, RSV prevented these synaptic inhibition alterations and improved behavioral and electroencephalogram abnormalities.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pedro Ozorio Brum, Camila Tiefensee Ribeiro, Daniel Opperman Peixoto, Lucas dos Santos Silva, Flavio Kessler, Carolina Saibro Girardi, Natividade de Sa Couto Pereira, Querusche Klippel Zanona, Jose Claudio Moreira Fonseca, Juciano Gasparotto, Cleiton Lopes Aguiar, Maria Elisa Calcagnotto, Daniel Pens Gelains
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Petra Lorenzo, Eugenia Martin Vazquez, Livia Lopez-Noriega, Esther Fuente-Martin, Jose M. Mellado-Gil, Jaime M. Franco, Nadia Cobo-Vuilleumier, Jose A. Guerrero Martinez, Silvana Y. Romero-Zerbo, Jesus A. Perez-Cabello, Sabrina Rivero Canalejo, Antonio Campos-Caro, Christian Claude Lachaud, Alejandra Crespo Barreda, Manuel Aguilar-Diosdado, Eduardo Garcia Fuentes, Alejandro Martin-Montalvo, Manuel Alvarez Dolado, Franz Martin, Gemma Rojo-Martinez, David Pozo, Francisco J. Bermudez-Silva, Valentine Comaills, Jose C. Reyes, Benoit R. Gauthier
Summary: The study shows that HMG20A is predominantly expressed in hypothalamic astrocytes, with its upregulation in obesity and glucose intolerant conditions playing a key role in maintaining neuronal network and glucose homeostasis. Depletion of HMG20A in astrocytes leads to impaired function, which can be reversed by ORY1001 treatment.
Review
Biology
A. C. Mosini, M. L. Calio, M. L. Foresti, R. P. S. Valeriano, E. Garzon, L. E. Mello
Summary: Recent research on preventing post-traumatic epilepsy has made significant advancements in understanding its physiopathology, including the search for biomarkers, development of new animal models, and investigation of new drugs. However, limiting the search for biomarkers and new drugs to only a few TBI models may hinder the overall understanding of this relevant yet unpreventable medical condition.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
