Article
Neurosciences
Havard Ringsevjen, Daniel Lawer Egbenya, Malte Bieler, Svend Davanger, Suleman Hussain
Summary: This study provides detailed localization information of Arc protein at hippocampal synapses and reveals its presence in both presynaptic and postsynaptic cytoplasm associated with small vesicles. The protein is also found in presynaptic active zones and postsynaptic densities. Additionally, the study observes multivesicular body-like structures positive for Arc, suggesting a potential transsynaptic transmission of the protein in the brain.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Svein Achicallende, Itziar Bonilla-Del Rio, Maitane Serrano, Amaia Mimenza, Leire Lekunberri, Ilazki Anaut-Lusar, Nagore Puente, Inmaculada Gerrikagoitia, Pedro Grandes
Summary: This study compared the use of GLAST and GFAP for the localization of CB1 receptors in astrocytes, finding that GLAST provided better visualization of astroglial area and membranes compared to GFAP. Additionally, 12% of the total CB1 receptor labeling was detected in GLAST-positive astrocytes.
HISTOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Kiranjit K. Bains, Robert D. Young, Elena Koudouna, Philip N. Lewis, Andrew J. Quantock
Summary: Imaging techniques were used to study the three-dimensional microanatomy and spatiotemporal relationships of cells, extracellular matrix, and vasculature at the corneo-scleral limbus of developing and mature chicken eyes. Results showed the development of structures similar to Palisades of Vogt, associated with characteristics of stem cells, and direct cell-cell associations between corneal epithelial and stromal cells.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marta Montero-Crespo, Marta Dominguez-Alvaro, Lidia Alonso-Nanclares, Javier DeFelipe, Lidia Blazquez-Llorca
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a common form of dementia characterized by cognitive impairment, with extracellular protein deposits and abnormal protein accumulation in neurons. Synaptic alterations were found in different stages of the disease, with more severe changes observed in late-stage cases.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marta Montero-Crespo, Marta Dominguez-Alvaro, Lidia Alonso-Nanclares, Javier DeFelipe, Lidia Blazquez-Llorca
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a common form of dementia characterized by persistent and progressive impairment of cognitive functions. Early-stage cases show normal synaptic morphology, but late-stage cases experience decreased synaptic density and morphological alterations.
Article
Physiology
Alice Dussouchaud, Julieta Jacob, Charles Secq, Jean-Marc Verbavatz, Martina Moras, Jerome Larghero, Claudio M. Fader, Mariano A. Ostuni, Sophie D. Lefevre
Summary: During human erythroblast differentiation, mitochondria are progressively cleared and lose contact with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and nucleus (NAM). The number of endosomes and multivesicular bodies (MVBs) involved in iron traffic and heme synthesis increases during differentiation, as well as autophagosomes. Glycogen accumulation is observed in the OrthoE stage.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julie Gavard
Summary: Researchers have discovered that migrasomes, enigmatic organelles with a pomegranate-like shape, release a unique type of lipid-bilayer membrane vesicles called migrasome-derived nanoparticles (MDNP). These MDNPs can be generated through both rupture and budding of migrasomes, unloading their content in the microenvironment. Migrasomes have been linked to various cellular functions, including intercellular communication and disposal of damaged cellular materials.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hui Wang, Jiayan Zhang, Daniel Toso, Shiqing Liao, Farzaneh Sedighian, Robert Gunsalus, Z. Hong Zhou
Summary: Using cellular cryogenic electron tomography, the researchers have determined the structure and organization of a proteinaceous sheath found on certain archaeal cells. The sheath cylinder is comprised of axially stacked beta-hoops, each consisting of multiple rings of beta-strand arches. The sheath encircles the outer circumference of the cell and exhibits similarities and differences to amyloid cross-beta fibril architecture.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Emma A. Gordon, Yazmyne B. Richardson, Muhammad Z. Shah, Kevin M. Burridge, Dominik Konkolewicz, Gary A. Lorigan
Summary: Despite challenges in studying membrane proteins, cryo electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) is emerging as a powerful tool for their structural analysis. Traditional systems for studying membrane proteins have limitations, but styrene-maleic acid copolymers can form nanoparticles with lipids to overcome these challenges. A new method utilizing styrene-maleic acid copolymer thin film on a TEM grid was developed to directly form and visualize lipid nanoparticles (SMALPs) for the study of membrane proteins.
ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ruohua Shi, Keyan Bi, Kai Du, Lei Ma, Fang Fang, Lingyu Duan, Tingting Jiang, Tiejun Huang
Summary: Cell membrane segmentation in electron microscopy (EM) images is an important task. Current approaches perform well on low-resolution datasets but struggle with high-resolution datasets. Through eye movement and perceptual consistency experiments, we found that humans are more sensitive to membrane structure and can tolerate misalignment. Based on these findings, we propose a computational framework that incorporates human perception characteristics, including the perceptual Hausdorff distance (PHD) evaluation metric and a PHD-guided segmentation network (PS-Net).
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristine De Paula Nascimento-Castro, Elisa C. Winkelmann-Duarte, Gianni Mancini, Priscilla Gomes Welter, Evelini Placido, Marcelo Farina, Joana Gil-Mohapel, Ana Lucia S. Rodrigues, Andreza Fabro de Bem, Patricia S. Brocardo
Summary: Huntington's disease is a genetic neurodegenerative disease that affects motor, psychiatric, and cognitive functions. Recent evidence suggests that the emotional and cognitive deficits observed in patients with HD might be associated with hippocampal dysfunction. In this study using a HD mouse model, researchers found that mice in the late symptomatic stage exhibited depressive-like behavior and cognitive deficits. Additionally, they observed degenerative changes in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, including the presence of dark neurons and structural alterations in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mladenka Malenica, Marija Vukomanovic, Mario Kurtjak, Valentina Masciotti, Simone dal Zilio, Silvio Greco, Marco Lazzarino, Vedrana Krusic, Marko Percic, Ivana Jelovica Badovinac, Karmen Wechtersbach, Ivona Vidovic, Vanja Baricevic, Srecko Valic, Pero Lucin, Nika Kojc, Kristina Grabusic
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanometric membranous structures secreted by cells and found in biofluids, with potential for diagnostic and prognostic purposes related to tissue states. Detailed characterisation through imaging techniques like atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron microscopy (EM) is essential for EV usage. This study examines EV preparation protocols for AFM and EM, highlighting challenges in imaging EVs in different environments and discussing approaches for imaging with potential benefits and drawbacks. Examples using cerebrospinal fluid illustrate the complexities of EV morphology research, aiming to improve standardisation in sample preparation and microscopy methods.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Giorgio Honsell, Greta Gaiani, Masahiro Hirama, Marco Pelin, Aurelia Tubaro, Takeshi Tsumuraya, Monica Campas
Summary: This study used immunocytochemistry to localize the presence of CTX-like compounds in G. australes. The results showed that these compounds are present in the cytoplasm and are released to cover the cell surface.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Przemyslaw Dutka, Dina Malounda, Lauren Ann Metskas, Songye Chen, Robert C. Hurt, George J. Lu, Grant J. Jensen, Mikhail G. Shapiro
Summary: Gas vesicles are protein nanostructures filled with air, used for flotation by various microorganisms and gaining interest in biotechnology applications. The diameter of gas vesicles is crucial for their mechanical stability, buoyancy function, and imaging properties. Discrepancies in reported diameters of gas vesicles can be explained by the method used for assessment, and electron microscopy techniques can provide accurate measurements of their dimensions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adrienne Wright, Orman L. Snyder, Lane K. Christenson, Hong He, Mark L. Weiss
Summary: This study assessed the effects of pre-processing storage conditions on the isolation, characterization, and function of EVs. The results showed that the characteristics of EVs were not significantly different under different storage conditions, suggesting that the conditioned medium derived from MSCs can be stored at -80 degrees C prior to EV isolation for preclinical and clinical testing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Marcus Augusto-Oliveira, Gabriela P. Arrifano, Charlotte Isabelle Delage, Marie-Eve Tremblay, Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez, Alexei Verkhratsky
Summary: Microglial cells, originating from foetal macrophages, undergo phenotypic metamorphosis in response to the nervous tissue environment, displaying high plasticity and heterogeneity in gene and protein expression; their surveilling functions are crucial for maintaining homeostasis and contributing to the adaptive capacity of the central nervous system.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Quentin Leyrolle, Fanny Decoeur, Cyril Dejean, Galadriel Briere, Stephane Leon, Ioannis Bakoyiannis, Emilie Baroux, Tony-Lee Sterley, Clementine Bosch-Bouju, Lydie Morel, Camille Amadieu, Cynthia Lecours, Marie-Kim St-Pierre, Maude Bordeleau, Veronique De Smedt-Peyrusse, Alexandran Sere, Leslie Schwendimann, Stephane Gregoire, Lionel Bretillon, Niyazi Acar, Corinne Joffre, Guillaume Ferreira, Raluca Uricaru, Patricia Thebault, Pierre Gressens, Marie-Eve Tremblay, Sophie Laye, Agnes Nadjar
Summary: Westernized dietary habits leading to reduced intake of n-3 PUFAs may be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and disruptions in brain functional connectivity. Lifelong n-3 PUFA deficiency can interfere with oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination processes, resulting in long-term detrimental effects on white matter organization and hippocampus-prefrontal functional connectivity. Promoting developmental myelination through clemastine could rescue memory deficits in n-3 PUFA deficient animals.
Article
Neurosciences
Giorgio Corsi, Katherine Picard, Maria Amalia di Castro, Stefano Garofalo, Federico Tucci, Giuseppina Chece, Claudio del Percio, Maria Teresa Golia, Marcello Raspa, Ferdinando Scavizzi, Fanny Decoeur, Clotilde Lauro, Mara Rigamonti, Fabio Iannello, Davide Antonio Ragozzino, Eleonora Russo, Giovanni Bernardini, Agnes Nadjar, Marie Eve Tremblay, Claudio Babiloni, Laura Maggi, Cristina Limatola
Summary: Microglia play a crucial role in regulating sleep by adapting their cx3cr1 expression level and modulating synaptic activity in a phase-dependent manner. The findings suggest the importance of microglial cells in the homeostasis of cerebral parenchyma and the regulation of the sleep/wake cycle.
Article
Neurosciences
Bernadette Basilico, Laura Ferrucci, Patrizia Ratano, Maria T. Golia, Alfonso Grimaldi, Maria Rosito, Valentina Ferretti, Ingrid Reverte, Caterina Sanchini, Maria C. Marrone, Maria Giubettini, Valeria De Turris, Debora Salerno, Stefano Garofalo, Marie-Kim St-Pierre, Micael Carrier, Massimiliano Renzi, Francesca Pagani, Brijesh Modi, Marcello Raspa, Ferdinando Scavizzi, Cornelius T. Gross, Silvia Marinelli, Marie-Eve Tremblay, Daniele Caprioli, Laura Maggi, Cristina Limatola, Silvia Di Angelantonio, Davide Ragozzino
Summary: The study reveals that microglia play an important role in regulating synaptic functioning in the adult brain, and their removal leads to reversible changes in the organization and activity of glutamatergic synapses.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Eva Simoncicova, Elisa Goncalves de Andrade, Haley A. Vecchiarelli, Ifeoluwa O. Awogbindin, Charlotte Delage, Marie-Eve Tremblay
Summary: Microglia, as brain resident immune cells, play a crucial role in the development, activity, and plasticity of the central nervous system. They have been identified as potential targets for new neurotherapies due to their involvement in various neurological pathologies. Current research focuses on understanding the complex heterogeneity of microglia and developing more targeted treatments. Although the current therapies have limitations, clinical investigations are underway, and the future of microglial therapeutic research looks promising.
TRENDS IN PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Marc Morissette, Melanie Bourque, Marie-Eve Tremblay, Therese Di Paolo
Summary: Inflammatory markers were found in the brains of Parkinson's disease patients. The study showed that MPEP reduced the development of L-Dopa-induced dyskinesias (LID) in MPTP-lesioned monkeys and decreased inflammatory markers in the brain. The results demonstrated increased inflammatory markers in the basal ganglia associated with LID and revealed the potential of MPEP in reducing LID and inflammatory response.
Article
Biology
Maude Bordeleau, Cesar H. Comin, Lourdes Fernandez de Cossio, Chloe Lacabanne, Moises Freitas-Andrade, Fernando Gonzalez Ibanez, Joanna Raman-Nair, Michael Wakem, Mallar Chakravarty, Luciano da F. Costa, Baptiste Lacoste, Marie-Eve Tremblay
Summary: This study uses a translational mouse model to investigate the effects of maternal high-fat diet (mHFD) on the cerebrovascular health of offspring. The results indicate that mHFD leads to cerebrovascular and microglial changes in the offspring, as well as behavioral alterations reminiscent of neurodevelopmental disorders.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Physiology
David S. Bouvier, Sonja Fixemer, Tony Heurtaux, Felicia Jeannelle, Katrin B. M. Frauenknecht, Michel Mittelbronn
Summary: Astrocytes play multiple roles in the central nervous system, but in age-related neurodegenerative diseases, they may exhibit neurotoxic phenotypes that contribute to disease progression. Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, impaired phagocytosis, and altered physiological roles are the main manifestations of astrocytic toxicity. However, the involvement of astrocytes in brain deterioration in patients with neurodegenerative diseases is still controversial due to overlapping pathologies and technical challenges in studying human brain samples. This review provides an overview of astrocyte neurotoxicity from in vitro findings to animal models and patient-related research, and discusses the role of aging in astrocytes and potential therapeutic strategies.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sonja Fixemer, Corrado Ameli, Gael Hammer, Luis Salamanca, Oihane Uriarte Huarte, Chantal Schwartz, Jean-Jacques Gerardy, Naguib Mechawar, Alexander Skupin, Michel Mittelbronn, David S. Bouvier
Summary: Cellular alterations in the hippocampus lead to memory decline, a shared symptom in AD and DLB patients. The subregional deterioration patterns differ between AD and DLB, with CA1 being more severely affected in AD. Microglial activation may play a role in selective volume loss in the hippocampus.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tony Heurtaux, David S. Bouvier, Alexandre Benani, Sergio Helgueta Romero, Katrin B. M. Frauenknecht, Michel Mittelbronn, Lasse Sinkkonen
Summary: The translation mentions that the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a pleiotropic transcription factor that regulates hundreds of genes involved in various biological functions and diseases. It also highlights the importance of NRF2 activity stability in maintaining redox balance and brain homeostasis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marie-Eve Tremblay, Zakaria A. Almsherqi, Yuru Deng
Summary: Fatty acids and phospholipids play essential roles in the structure and function of cell membranes. Recent research has focused on two subclasses of ether phospholipids, platelet activating factor (PAF) and its precursor plasmalogen, due to their association with several chronic inflammatory, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorders. Inflammatory conditions often involve an excess of PAF or decreased levels of plasmalogens. The exact mechanisms of plasmalogens in inflammation are not yet fully understood. Anti-inflammatory responses are likely mediated by the plasmalogen signaling pathway, while pro-inflammatory responses involve the release of arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids, particularly derived from the hydrolysis of plasmalogens. Changes in plasmalogen levels can affect cell membrane properties and impact signaling pathways involved in inflammatory cascades and immune responses. Plasmalogen replacement therapy shows promise as an anti-inflammatory strategy for treating chronic diseases with an inflammatory component.
Review
Developmental Biology
Sophia M. Loewen, Adriano M. Chavesa, Colin J. Murray, Marianela E. Traetta, Sophia E. Burns, Keelin H. Pekarik, Marie-Eve Tremblay
Summary: Maternal immune activation (MIA) caused by various factors such as metabolic disorders, infections, and stress, is recognized as a major risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, especially with viral infections. MIA alters fetal development and triggers neurodevelopmental consequences, with microglia playing a crucial role. Animal models suggest that MIA disrupts important processes like synaptic pruning and cell proliferation/differentiation, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have implications for neurodevelopment. This review focuses on the impact of viral mimetic poly I:C-induced MIA on microglial functions and proposes approaches to prevent or mitigate MIA consequences.
DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Haley A. Vecchiarelli, Marie-eve Tremblay
Summary: Vasek et al. demonstrate that microglia engage in protein translation in their processes, which plays a crucial role in the number of processes and the formation of phagocytic cups. These findings shed light on the rapid response of microglia to diverse local signals in specific cellular compartments.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Victor Lau, Leanne Ramer, Marie-Eve Tremblay
Summary: Alzheimer's disease primarily involves neurodegeneration and cognitive decline, with progressive memory loss. Aging and other risk factors promote the accumulation of AD pathologies and inflammation. Glial senescence, particularly senescent microglia accumulation, contributes to the perpetuation of AD pathologies, glial aging, and further senescence. Increasing glial senescence is proposed to drive individuals from healthy cognition into cognitive decline and dementia.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Haley A. Vecchiarelli, Marie-Eve Tremblay
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pei-Yang Gao, Ya-Nan Ou, Yi-Ming Huang, Zhi-Bo Wang, Yan Fu, Ya-Hui Ma, Qiong-Yao Li, Li-Yun Ma, Rui-Ping Cui, Yin-Chu Mi, Lan Tan, Jin-Tai Yu
Summary: Liver function may play a role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that as AD progressed, certain liver function markers increased while others decreased. The relationship between liver function and CSF AD biomarkers indicates a potential mediation effect on cognition.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2024)