Article
Critical Care Medicine
Laiche Djouhri, Asad Zeidan, Mohammad Alzoghaibi, Mohammad F. Al Otaibi, Seham A. Abd El-Aleem
Summary: Peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) is a major health issue with limited drug treatment options. Studies suggest that axotomized and uninjured neurons in animal models of PNP show distinct electrophysiological changes. Uninjured neurons exhibit faster action potential kinetics, potentially contributing to the development of PNP.
JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Luciana Mendonca Barbosa, Fernanda da Valerio, Samira Luisa Apostolos Pereira, Valquiria Aparecida da Silva, Antonia Lilian de Lima Rodrigues, Ricardo Galhardoni, Lin Tchia Yeng, Jefferson Rosi Jr, Adriana Bastos Conforto, Leandro Tavares Lucato, Marcelo Delboni Lemos, Manoel Jacobsen Teixeira, Daniel Ciampi de Andrade
Summary: This study examined the relationships between symptoms and somatosensory profiles in patients with central neuropathic pain (CNP) caused by different types of lesions to the central nervous system. The results suggest that CNP of different etiologies may have different pain descriptors and somatosensory profiles, likely due to differences in lesion locations.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Xiaobin Luo, Baolong Li, Dupiao Zhang, Hongyu Chen, Xijie Zhou, Chenglun Yao, Mazhar Ali Raza, Liang Wang, Nana Tang, Guotong Zheng, Hede Yan
Summary: The application of internal nerve splinting in nerve repair effectively prevents the formation of traumatic neuroma-in-continuity and inhibits neuropathic pain without affecting nerve regeneration in rats.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zixuan Wang, Stefano Martellucci, Alicia Van Enoo, Dana Austin, Cohava Gelber, Wendy M. Campana
Summary: SP16, derived from AAT, is a bioactive peptide that can increase neurite length and regenerative gene expression in sensory neurons. It activates the Akt and ERK1/2 cell-signaling pathways in an LRP1-dependent manner. SP16 shows efficacy in attenuating nociceptive, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain in three different pain models, and also inhibits inflammatory cell recruitment and satellite cell activation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lian Xu, Zhifeng Chen, Xiaodi Li, Hui Xu, Yu Zhang, Weiwei Yang, Jing Chen, Shuqiang Zhang, Lingchi Xu, Songlin Zhou, Guicai Li, Bin Yu, Xiaosong Gu, Jian Yang
Summary: This study re-analyzed 21 RNA-seq datasets and identified 53 evolutionarily conserved injury response genes, including species-preference injury response candidates and genes related to pre-regenerative and regenerating states. Furthermore, a large sex difference in response to sciatic nerve injury was found.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Hengshuai Zhang, Xingyou Dong, Zhenxing Yang, Jiang Zhao, Qudong Lu, Jingzhen Zhu, Longkun Li, Shanhong Yi, Jie Xu
Summary: The role of CXCR4 in colon-bladder cross-organ sensitization was studied in this experiment. The results showed that treatment targeting the CXCR4/ERK pathway might provide a potential new approach for the comorbidity between the digestive system and the urinary system.
DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Francesco Ferrini, Chiara Salio, Elena M. Boggio, Adalberto Merighi
Summary: This review summarizes the role of BDNF and GDNF as modulators of synaptic transmission in the mature CNS, with a focus on their interaction in the regulation of nociceptive neurotransmission. BDNF is identified as a key player in pain modulation, whereas the full role of GDNF remains to be elucidated. These neurotrophic factors hold potential as targets for investigating and addressing chronic pain.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mario A. Acuna, Fernando Kasanetz, Paolo De Luna, Marta Falkowska, Thomas Nevian
Summary: The perception of pain is a complex experience and understanding how the brain distinguishes pain from other sensory stimuli has been a challenge. In this study, researchers used calcium imaging in mice to investigate the coding of pain in the anterior cingulate cortex. They found that population activity, rather than single-cell responses, allowed the discrimination of painful stimuli. Additionally, they discovered that chronic neuropathic pain led to changes in sensory processing, which were restored by analgesic treatment.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Simin Tang, Huan Jing, Fuhu Song, Haicheng Huang, Wenjun Li, Guiling Xie, Jun Zhou
Summary: The study explores the role of microRNAs in neuropathic pain, specifically how miR-124 reverses NP by maintaining microglia quiescent, and miR-155 promotes NP by activating microglia. These findings provide insights for basic research and potential clinical treatments for neuropathic pain.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Theresa H. Tam, Michael W. Salter
Summary: Purinergic signaling plays important roles in somatosensory and nociceptive transmission in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, mediating both physiological and pathological pain processing. Additionally, there is evidence of sexual dimorphism in the involvement of purinergic signaling in pain, with P2X4 receptors being implicated in pain hypersensitivity primarily in males.
PURINERGIC SIGNALLING
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yoki Nakamura, Ayako Fukuta, Keita Miyashita, Fang Fang Zhang, Dengli Wang, Keyue Liu, Hidenori Wake, Kazue Hisaoka-Nakashima, Masahiro Nishibori, Norimitsu Morioka
Summary: The study demonstrates that increased HMGB1 around the injured sciatic nerve may induce nociceptive hypersensitivity through the activation of spinal microglia.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Liam J. Peck, Ryan Patel, Paula Diaz, Yolanda M. Wintle, Anthony H. Dickenson, Andrew J. Todd, Margarita Calvo, David L. H. Bennett
Summary: The study looked at the expression of Kv1.6 in sensory neurons and its role in pain sensitivity, comparing two mouse models of constitutive Kv1.6 knock-out achieved by different methods. The results showed unexpected reductions in sensitivity to noxious heat stimuli in both mouse lines, with a more significant hyposensitivity in the gene trap model.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michele Fornaro, Christopher Dipollina, Darryl Giambalvo, Robert Garcia, Casey Sigerson, Harsh Sharthiya, Claire Liu, Paul F. Nealey, Kolbrun Kristjansdottir, Joshua Z. Gasiorowski
Summary: Peripheral nerve injury disrupts axons, leading to exposure to a new environment during regeneration. Strategies to enhance and control axonal regeneration often involve mimicking natural nerve environment cues, such as nano- and micropatterned substrates. By using anisotropic, groove-patterned substrates, enhanced and directed growth of sensory axons can be achieved, potentially opening new avenues for translational development in vivo.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saskia Wedel, Lisa Hahnefeld, Mohamad Wessam Alnouri, Stefan Offermanns, Felix Hausch, Gerd Geisslinger, Marco Sisignano
Summary: Neuropathic pain is a common condition with limited treatment options. This study reveals that the FKBP51 inhibitor SAFit2 restores lipid signaling and metabolism in nervous tissue, reducing inflammation and pain sensitivity, thus providing analgesic properties.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simona Capossela, Gunther Landmann, Mario Ernst, Lenka Stockinger, Jivko Stoyanov
Summary: This study evaluates the feasibility of using a multimodal pain assessment protocol for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) during rehabilitation. The protocol combines clinical workup, quantitative sensory testing, and psychosocial factors, along with molecular blood biomarkers. The findings reveal different pain trajectories, inflammatory responses, and potential biomarkers associated with SCI. The study also highlights the importance of considering recruitment settings and protocol adjustments to improve the feasibility of multimodal pain evaluation studies in SCI patients. It provides insights into early adaptive mechanisms in SCI pathophysiology and the need for further exploration of prognostic and preventive strategies for chronic pain in the SCI population.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Marc Leal-Julia, Jorge J. Vilches, Andrea Onieva, Sergi Verdes, Angela Sanchez, Miguel Chillon, Xavier Navarro, Assumpcio Bosch
Summary: This study characterized the proteome of neural tissues in a type 2 diabetes mouse model and identified differential protein expression profiles related to reduced glycolytic and TCA cycle metabolism, increased lipid catabolism, dysregulation of muscle-like proteins, altered cytoskeleton-related proteins, activation of inflammatory responses, and changes in glutathione metabolism and oxidative stress. These findings suggest that energy deficiency may play a key role in the neurodegeneration observed in diabetic neuropathy.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Miguel A. Rubio, Mireia Herrando-Grabulosa, Roser Velasco, Israel Blasco, Monica Povedano, Xavier Navarro
Summary: This study found increased levels of TDP-43 in the skin of ALS patients, which may serve as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of ALS.
Article
Neurosciences
Georgina Palomes-Borrajo, Xavier Navarro, Clara Penas
Summary: This study demonstrates that inhibiting BET proteins in macrophages can enhance axonal outgrowth and promote peripheral nerve regeneration. However, specific targeting of BET proteins to macrophages is needed for efficient functional recovery after nerve injury.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Miguel A. Rubio, Mireia Herrando-Grabulosa, Nuria Gaja-Capdevila, Jorge J. Vilches, Xavier Navarro
Summary: The loss of cutaneous small fibers, characteristic of ALS patients, has also been observed in SOD1(G93A) mice. This study aims to characterize the involvement of different somatosensory neuron populations in the mice and analyze the temporal progression of the sensory involvement. The findings suggest that cutaneous sensory axons are affected in SOD1(G93A) mice, with non-peptidergic axons being more vulnerable than peptidergic axons.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Patrick Cottilli, Nuria Gaja-Capdevila, Xavier Navarro
Summary: This study evaluated the potential effects of Sig-1R ligands on axonal regeneration in a mouse model of nerve injury. The results showed that treatment with Sig-1R ligands did not significantly alter the process of axonal regeneration, but did play a role in sensory perception and regulation of inflammatory cell infiltration.
Article
Neurosciences
Estefania Contreras, Sara Bolivar, Xavier Navarro, Esther Udina
Summary: Neurons in the peripheral nervous system have the ability to regenerate their axons after injury by triggering a complex activation response. Schwann cells (SCs) play an active role in regulating axonal programs and orchestrating Wallerian degeneration and axonal regeneration through both cell-to-cell contacts and secreted signals. The secretome, which includes proteins, cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles, facilitates communication and is essential for axonal regeneration. The use of secretome has emerged as a promising alternative to cell therapy, reducing the risks associated with cell use. In this review, the roles of SC and macrophage secretomes in peripheral nerve injury are discussed, along with the use of secretomes in experimental models to enhance nerve regeneration.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nuria Gaja-Capdevila, Neus Hernandez, Sandra Yeste, Raquel F. Reinoso, Javier Burgueno, Ana Montero, Manuel Merlos, Jose M. Vela, Mireia Herrando-Grabulosa, Xavier Navarro
Summary: The Sig-1R ligands, EST79232 and EST79376, have different effects on protecting against motor neuron degeneration, with EST79232 showing better efficacy in multiple models.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Joaquim Vives, Joaquim Hernandez, Clementine Mirabel, Maria Puigdomenech-Poch, David Romeo-Guitart, Sara Marmolejo-Martinez-Artesero, Raquel Cabrera-Perez, Jessica Jaramillo, Hatice Kumru, Joan Garcia-Lopez, Joan Vidal-Samso, Xavier Navarro, Ruth Coll-Bonet
Summary: The study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of MSC from the Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord for treating spinal cord injury in an animal model, showing early promotion of locomotion recovery.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Estefania Contreras, Sara Traserra, Sara Bolivar, Joaquim Fores, Eduard Jose-Cunilleras, Ignacio Delgado-Martinez, Felix Garcia, Esther Udina, Xavier Navarro
Summary: This study used sheep as a model to investigate the repair of long-gap peripheral nerve injuries through autograft transplantation. Functional evaluation, electromyographic and ultrasound tests were performed. The results suggest that sheep nerve repair is a useful model for studying such injuries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Estefania Contreras, Sara Traserra, Sara Bolivar, Joaquim Fores, Eduard Jose-Cunilleras, Felix Garcia, Ignacio Delgado-Martinez, Sandra Holmgren, Raimund Strehl, Esther Udina, Xavier Navarro
Summary: Decellularized nerve allografts are a viable option for repairing severe peripheral nerve injuries, as shown by successful regeneration in sheep nerves.
Article
Neurosciences
Ariadna Arbat-Plana, Sara Bolivar, Xavier Navarro, Esther Udina, Francisco J. Alvarez
Summary: Peripheral nerve injuries result in the retraction of Ia synapses from a-motoneurons, impairing functional recovery and correlating with injury severity and muscle reinnervation efficiency. This study analyzed VGluT1-labeled Ia synapses after nerve crush in 10-day-old rats and found a large loss of synapses similar to more severe injuries in adults. The mechanism of synapse loss in young animals may be associated with higher microglia synaptic pruning activity and results in greater losses after milder nerve injuries.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Simone Romeni, Elena Losanno, Elisabeth Koert, Luca Pierantoni, Ignacio Delgado-Martinez, Xavier Navarro, Silvestro Micera
Summary: Peripheral nerve interfaces have the potential to restore sensory, motor, and visceral functions. We propose an optimization workflow that can guide pre-surgical planning and determine maximally selective multisite stimulation protocols for intraneural implants. Our method utilizes hybrid models and machine learning to optimize implant geometry, insertion, and stimulation protocols, leading to high selectivity and potential for motor function restoration.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Eugenio Redolfi-Riva, Miriam Perez-Izquierdo, Ciro Zinno, Estefania Contreras, Bruno Rodriguez-Meana, Federica Iberite, Leonardo Ricotti, Silvestro Micera, Xavier Navarro
Summary: This study introduces a novel design of nerve conduit composed of a chitosan porous matrix and a 3D-printed poly-& epsilon;-caprolactone mesh. The conduits show high controllability and can support nerve regeneration, enabling the repair of long nerve defects. Animal experiments demonstrate muscle functional recovery and abundant cellularization and axon regeneration within the conduits, suggesting their potential to overcome the limitations of autograft for repairing long nerve gaps.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sergi Verdes, Mireia Herrando-Grabulosa, Ruben Guerrero-Yague, Joan Roig-Soriano, Nuria Gaja-Capdevila, Marc Leal-Julia, Andrea Onieva, Laura Rodriguez-Estevez, Javier Del Rey, Neus Hernandez, Miguel Chillon, Xavier Navarro, Assumpcio Bosch
Meeting Abstract
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
S. Verdes, M. Herrando-Grabulosa, R. Guerrero-Yague, J. Roig-Soriano, N. Gaja-Capdevila, M. Leal-Julia, A. Onieva, M. Chillon, X. Navarro, A. Bosch
HUMAN GENE THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Wenzhu Wang, Zihan Li, Yitong Yan, Shuo Wu, Xinyu Yao, Chen Gao, Lanxiang Liu, Yan Yu
Summary: This study investigated the reparative mechanisms of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and found that LIPUS promotes hippocampal neurogenesis, enhances neural electrical activity and neural plasticity, ultimately restoring neuronal function and cognitive capabilities in TBI mice.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Wenmin Yi, Fei Chen, Minghao Yuan, Chuanling Wang, Shengyuan Wang, Jie Wen, Qian Zou, Yinshuang Pu, Zhiyou Cai
Summary: The study suggests that a high-fat diet may lead to tau hyperphosphorylation and synaptic dysfunction by inhibiting the SIRT1/AMPK pathway and disrupting autophagy flux, ultimately resulting in cognitive decline.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Kim M. Hemsley, Helen Beard, Glyn Chidlow, Teresa Mammone, Leanne K. Winner, Daniel Neumann, Barbara King, Marten F. Snel, Paul J. Trim, Robert J. Casson
Summary: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive method that can be used to rapidly and quantitatively examine the integrity of the neuroretina. It has been shown that OCT can be used to observe retinal thinning in patients with childhood dementia, and to assess the improvement of retinal structure after treatment. Furthermore, OCT can provide insights into other childhood dementias based on the correlation between retinal and brain degeneration in Sanfilippo syndrome.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Qianling Jiang, Xin Ma, Gaochen Zhu, Wen Si, Lingyu He, Guan Yang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of EAE induction on thymopoiesis and T cell development, revealing changes such as increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation, and a blockade in the transition from double-negative thymocytes to double-positive cells. It was also found that positive selection was disrupted in the thymus of EAE mice, along with an increased production of regulatory T cells.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Alice McDouall, Guido Wassink, Sumudu Ranasinghe, Kelly Q. Zhou, Rashika N. Karunasinghe, Justin M. Dean, Joanne O. Davidson
Summary: This study found that blocking connexin 43 hemichannels can attenuate brain injury and promote neurodevelopment in infants with mild hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, without causing hypothermia.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Hannah Sweetman, Mahmudur Rahman, Aditya Vedantam, Kajana Satkunendrarajah
Summary: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a neurological condition characterized by chronic compression of the cervical spinal cord, leading to impaired limb function. While respiratory dysfunction is not a common symptom of DCM, it can affect the ventilatory response to respiratory challenges. Surgical decompression improves sensorimotor function in DCM, but its impact on respiratory function is unclear. This study evaluates respiratory function and adaptive ventilation in a DCM model, showing that DCM impairs acute adaptive ventilatory ability and surgical decompression does not fully restore it.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Chengmei Sun, Muhammad Saif Ur Rahman, Budbazar Enkhjargal, Jianhua Peng, Keren Zhou, Zhiyi Xie, Lingyun Wu, Tongyu Zhang, Qiquan Zhu, Jiping Tang, Yujia Zeng, John H. Zhang, Shanshan Xu
Summary: This study found that Osteopontin (OPN) can attenuate inflammatory responses after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) by promoting an anti-inflammatory microglial state. This effect may be mediated through the integrin-FAK-STAT3 and NF-kappa B signaling pathways.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Yang Yang, Xuezhu Chen, Chuanyan Yang, Mei Liu, Qianying Huang, Likun Yang, Yuhai Wang, Hua Feng, Zhongyang Gao, Tunan Chen
Summary: The study explores the effects of specific chemogenetic stimulation of intact corticospinal tract on functional recovery after stroke in mice. The findings demonstrate that combining chemogenetic activation with rehabilitation training leads to significant motor functional recovery by promoting axon sprouting and rewiring new functional circuits.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)