Article
Physiology
Catherine Cheng, Junyuan Gao, Xiurong Sun, Richard T. Mathias
Summary: Studies have shown that disruption of Eph-ephrin signaling in mice without EphA2 or ephrin-A5 leads to changes in fiber cell membrane conductance and intracellular voltage despite no obvious alteration in gap junction coupling. This suggests that Eph-ephrin signaling may play a crucial role in maintaining lens transparency and regulating fiber cell conductance.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Tadas Kraujalis, Lukas Gudaitis, Lina Kraujaliene, Mindaugas Snipas, Nicolas Palacios-Prado, Vytas K. Verselis
Summary: Electrical synapses formed by the connexin36 (Cx36) gap junction (GJ) channel protein play a significant role in the mammalian central nervous system. This study investigates the impact of amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal (NT) domain of Cx36 GJs on their modulation by intracellular Mg2+. The results suggest that Mg2+ binding to and stabilization of the closed state in each hemichannel is the most likely mechanism for Mg2+ modulation of Cx36 GJ, and the NT domain may be involved in the coupling of conformational changes between the NT and extracellular E1 domains.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuefang Zhou, Thomas M. Bennett, Thomas W. White, Alan Shiels
Summary: CHMP4B is a core sub-unit of the ESCRT-III machinery involved in remodeling and scission processes of biological membranes. It has been found to associate with connexin 46 (Cx46) and connexin 50 (Cx50), and its membrane localization is dependent on Cx50 in lens fiber cells.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Hongzhi Yang, Lei Wang, Changming Zhao, Haiyang Zhang
Summary: The study investigated a phase-modulated frequency-shifting loop (PM-FSL) with an electro-optic phase modulator (EOPM) and a gain element seeded by a single-frequency laser. By detuning the modulation frequency of the EOPM, a series of sinusoidal frequency-modulated (SFM) pulse doublets with reconfigurable repetition rate and bandwidth were generated. The experiment successfully produced SFM waveforms with bandwidth above 7 GHz by tuning the input RF tone around 14.58 MHz, with the system effectively modeled using a time-delayed interference model.
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yumeng Quan, Yu Du, Yuxin Tong, Sumin Gu, Jean X. Jiang
Summary: The lens uses connexin channels to maintain its redox homeostasis, but oxidative stress may lead to dysfunction of gap junction channels and hemichannels, thereby inducing cataract formation.
Article
Neurosciences
Fan Chu, Jiaming Xu, Yong Wang, Yingjie Li, Yaling Wang, Zhijun Liu, Chuanzhou Li
Summary: X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease type 1 (CMT1X) is a common form of inherited peripheral neuropathy caused by mutations in the GJB1 gene. This study investigated four CMT families in China and identified new and previously reported variants of GJB1. Cell biological analysis revealed that all mutants showed increased expression and aggregation compared to the wild-type. The study also found that mutated GJB1 induced intracellular stress granule formation and cytotoxicity.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Yujun Wang, Yuan Jin, Qiong Zhang, Ying Xiong, Xiang Gu, Shan Zeng, Wei Chen
Summary: Hearing loss is commonly observed in individuals with mutations or deficiencies of the GJB2 gene. Previous research focused on K+ circulation defect and abnormal ATP-Ca2+ signals as the pathological mechanisms; however, recent studies indicate that cochlear developmental disorders and oxidative stress play a crucial role in GJB2-related hearing loss. This review summarizes the pathological mechanisms of GJB2-related hearing loss, including K+ circulation, developmental disorders of the organ of Corti, nutrition delivery, oxidative stress, and ATP-Ca2+ signals. Understanding the pathology of GJB2-related hearing loss can lead to the development of new prevention and treatment strategies.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nataly Hastings, Yi-Lin Yu, Botian Huang, Sagnik Middya, Misaki Inaoka, Nadia A. Erkamp, Roger J. Mason, Alejandro Carnicer-Lombarte, Saifur Rahman, Tuomas P. J. Knowles, Manohar Bance, George G. Malliaras, Mark R. N. Kotter
Summary: Astrocytes are brain cells that communicate through gap junctions and chemical transmitters. The functions of astrocytic networks in information processing in the brain are not fully understood. AstroMEA, a multi-electrode array device, can separate neuronal and astrocytic networks and study the effects of astrocytic signals on neuronal activity.
Article
Ophthalmology
Wiktor Stopka, Tom Libby, Stephanie Lin, Eddie Wang, Chun-Hong Xia, Xiaohua Gong
Summary: The study found that deletion of Cx46 protein increases lens stiffness in both young and old mice at the B6 strain background, but only in old mice at the 129 strain background. This may contribute to the development of presbyopia.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Physiology
Mauricio A. Retamal, Guillermo A. Altenberg
Summary: Connexins are proteins that can form hemichannels and gap junction channels. In the lens, connexins play important roles in metabolic cooperation between cells and their modulation is involved in cataract formation. This review focuses on the functions of Cx46 hemichannels and gap junction channels and their posttranslational modifications.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Elena Titova, Dmitry Mylnikov, Mikhail Kashchenko, Ilya Safonov, Sergey Zhukov, Kirill Dzhikirba, Kostya S. Novoselov, Denis A. Bandurin, Georgy Alymov, Dmitry Svintsov
Summary: Graphene's high carrier mobility, compatibility with on-chip waveguides and transistors, and small heat capacitance make it a promising material for the detection of terahertz (THz) radiation. However, the weak reaction of graphene's physical properties to the detected radiation is due to the absence of a band gap. This study investigates the effect of electrically induced band gap on THz detection in graphene bilayer with split-gate p-n junction, and demonstrates that the induction of a band gap leads to increased current and voltage responsivities.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Congfang Ai, Yuxiang Ma, Changfu Yuan, Zhihua Xie, Guohai Dong
Summary: The 3D non-hydrostatic model has been extended for simulating submarine-landslide-generated waves, successfully capturing a wide range of scenarios with good agreement between numerical and experimental data. This model proves to be an efficient alternative for simulating submarine-landslide-generated waves.
APPLIED MATHEMATICAL MODELLING
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haruna Suzuki-Kerr, Kerry L. Walker, Min -Hi Han, Julie C. Lim, Paul J. Donaldson
Summary: This study demonstrates that rat lenses can release ATP in response to osmotic challenge, primarily in a specific region of the outer cortex. These findings support the idea that the lens regulates its volume and optical properties through purinergic signaling pathways.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haruna Suzuki-Kerr, Kerry L. Walker, Min-Hi Han, Julie C. Lim, Paul J. Donaldson
Summary: Our study found that in response to hypotonic stress, intact rat lenses are capable of releasing ATP, which appears to be mediated via the opening of pannexin channels in a specific zone of the outer cortex of the lens.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaolong Zhu, Yan Wang, Wenya Wang, Kuan Wu, Ming Zhu, Guanyao Wang, Gang Xu, Minghong Wu, Hua-Kun Liu, Shi-Xue Dou, Chao Wu
Summary: This study reports a mixed-ion/electron-conducting interface (MIECI) layer that enables dendrite-free sodium plating/stripping in an ether-based electrolyte. The MIECI layer significantly improves the Coulombic efficiency and stability of sodium metal anodes.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Ming Yang Lee, Hong-Zhan Wang, Thomas W. White, Tony Brooks, Alan Pittman, Heerni Halai, Anastasia Petrova, Diane Xu, Stephen L. Hart, Veronica A. Kinsler, Wei-Li Di
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Virginijus Valiunas, Thomas W. White
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Eric R. Muir, Xingzheng Pan, Paul J. Donaldson, Ehsan Vaghefi, Zhao Jiang, Caterina Sellitto, Thomas W. White
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
(2020)
Article
Ophthalmology
Alyssa L. Lie, Xingzheng Pan, Thomas W. White, Paul J. Donaldson, Ehsan Vaghefi
TRANSLATIONAL VISION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Roberto Bruzzone, Thomas W. White
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter R. Brink, Virginijus Valiunas, Thomas W. White
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caterina Sellitto, Leping Li, Thomas W. White
Summary: Mutations in connexin channels genes cause various human skin diseases, including KID syndrome. In a transgenic mouse model of KID syndrome, topical application of a hemichannel inhibitor reduced skin pathology associated with the syndrome. However, discontinuation of the inhibitor allowed disease progression, suggesting potential for therapeutic intervention targeting aberrant hemichannel activity in KID syndrome.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Physiology
Adrienne A. Giannone, Leping Li, Caterina Sellitto, Thomas W. White
Summary: This article highlights the impact of aging on lens transport, which may lead to presbyopia and cataracts. Recent studies have shown that the lens hydrostatic pressure gradient can be regulated through mechanical tension and sodium transporters.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Caterina Sellitto, Leping Li, Thomas W. White
Summary: This study demonstrates the distinct effects of p110 alpha and PTEN deletion on lens growth and homeostasis. The deletion of p110 alpha leads to smaller lenses, while the deletion of PTEN causes lens rupture and cataract. The double deletion of p110 alpha and PTEN rescues the defect in lens size but exacerbates the rupture phenotype. Phosphorylated Akt levels are significantly increased in double-knockout lenses, but not as elevated as in PTEN single-knockout lenses. Overall, the integrity of the PI3K signaling pathway is essential for proper lens homeostasis but not for lens growth.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olivia E. Crouthamel, Leping Li, Michael T. Dilluvio, Thomas W. White
Summary: Mutations in the GJA1 gene encoding connexin43 (Cx43) have been linked to various rare genetic disorders, including those affecting the skin. This study investigated the functional consequences of a specific Cx43 mutation (Cx43-G38E) associated with a novel human phenotype. The research showed that the mutation increased the activity of hemichannels, suggesting a potential role in skin and skeletal disorders caused by Cx43 mutations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuefang Zhou, Thomas M. Bennett, Thomas W. White, Alan Shiels
Summary: CHMP4B is a core sub-unit of the ESCRT-III machinery involved in remodeling and scission processes of biological membranes. It has been found to associate with connexin 46 (Cx46) and connexin 50 (Cx50), and its membrane localization is dependent on Cx50 in lens fiber cells.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chiara Peres, Caterina Sellitto, Chiara Nardin, Sabrina Putti, Tiziana Orsini, Chiara Di Pietro, Daniela Marazziti, Adriana Vitiello, Arianna Calistri, Mara Rigamonti, Ferdinando Scavizzi, Marcello Raspa, Francesco Zonta, Guang Yang, Thomas W. White, Fabio Mammano
Summary: This study used AAVmAb gene transfer to treat a murine model of KID syndrome with a HC blocking antibody, resulting in reduced lesion size and thickness, inhibition of mutant HC activity, and restoration of normal keratin expression. The findings highlight the critical role of increased HC activity in the skin pathology of KID syndrome and the potential of anti-HC mAbs coupled with genetic delivery systems for treating this incurable disease. Inhibition of HC activity could be a promising therapeutic target in KID syndrome.
Article
Ophthalmology
Xingzheng Pan, Eric R. Muir, Caterina Sellitto, Kehao Wang, Catherine Cheng, Barbara Pierscionek, Paul J. Donaldson, Thomas W. White
Summary: This study used MRI and optical modeling to investigate the effects of water transport, lens curvature, and gradient refractive index (GRIN) on the power of the mouse lens as it ages. The results showed changes in lens shape, GRIN, and lens power as the mouse ages. These findings can help improve our understanding of lens power changes during development in humans.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Alyssa L. Lie, Xingzheng Pan, Thomas W. White, Ehsan Vaghefi, Paul J. Donaldson
Summary: MRI was used to measure total and free water distribution in human lenses, showing an increase in central free water content with age, potentially indicating changes in protein-water interactions leading to lens degradation and visual decline.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Nicholas A. Delamere, Mohammad Shahidullah, Richard T. Mathias, Junyuan Gao, Xiuron Sun, Caterina Sellitto, Thomas W. White
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2020)