Article
Neurosciences
Chitra Mohinder Singh Singal, Paritosh Jaiswal, Anuradha Mehta, Kanza Saleem, Pankaj Seth
Summary: The study demonstrates that HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) B increases ephrinA3 expression, decreases EAAT1 and EAAT2 expression, leading to neuronal death, while knocking down ephrinA3 can reverse this neurotoxic effect.
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Xin-Yi Dai, Lin Liu, Fan-He Song, Shao-Jie Gao, Jia-Yi Wu, Dan-Yang Li, Long-Qing Zhang, Dai-Qiang Liu, Ya-Qun Zhou, Wei Mei
Summary: Chronic pain is a significant health concern due to its common occurrence, long-lasting nature, and associated mental stress. The JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway has been found to play a crucial role in different stages of chronic pain, and inhibitors targeting this pathway show therapeutic potential. Activation of JAK2/STAT3 triggers chronic pain by interacting with microglia and astrocytes, releasing proinflammatory cytokines, inhibiting anti-inflammatory cytokines, and affecting synaptic plasticity. Retrospective analysis of pharmacological inhibitors for JAK2/STAT3 reveals their promising effect in treating different types of chronic pain.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Steven A. Hill, Marissa Fu, A. Denise R. Garcia
Summary: Astrocytes are complex cells performing essential functions in the nervous system. The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating the molecular identity and functional properties of astrocytes, and is active in specific subpopulations of these cells throughout the brain.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Weizhuo Lu, Zhiwu Chen, Jiyue Wen
Summary: Ischemic stroke, a common and undertreated cerebral disease with high mortality and disability rate, involves various intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate the progression. Astrocytes, as an integral part of the neuronal glia system, play crucial roles in neuronal survival after ischemic stroke. The RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway and astrocytes have significant impact on neurological function and tissue repair after brain injury caused by ischemic stroke.
METABOLIC BRAIN DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alina Siddiqui, Celestine He, Gina Lee, Alex Figueroa, Alexander Slaughter, Jessica Robinson-Papp
Summary: The article summarizes the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of neurological injuries associated with HIV in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. Molecular pathways relevant for possible therapeutic targets or advancements are emphasized. Gaps in knowledge and current challenges in therapeutic design are also discussed.
EXPERT OPINION ON THERAPEUTIC TARGETS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John M. Barbaro, Simone Sidoli, Ana Maria Cuervo, Joan W. Berman
Summary: HIV-NCI is a debilitating condition that affects people with HIV, and the use of methamphetamine can worsen the neurocognitive impairment. Meth inhibits phagocytosis and dysregulates autophagy in HIV-infected macrophages, leading to increased neurotoxicity. Despite the limited effects of commonly used ART drugs, targeting differentially expressed proteins may provide new intervention strategies for improving neurocognition in HIV-NCI patients using meth.
Article
Immunology
Lu-Ying Wang, Xu-Peng Wang, Jin-Meng Lv, Yu-Dong Shan, Shi-Yan Jia, Zhi-Fang Yu, Hui-Tao Miao, Yue Xin, Dong-Xue Zhang, Li-Min Zhang
Summary: This study found that surgery and anesthesia can induce neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits, which are linked to the activation of the NLRP3-GABA pathway in the hippocampus of aged mice. The use of an NLRP3 inhibitor, selegiline, was shown to improve these conditions.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nail Benallegue, Hania Kebir, Richa Kapoor, Alexis Crockett, Cen Li, Lara Cheslow, Mohamed S. Abdel-Hakeem, James Gesualdi, Miles C. Miller, E. John Wherry, Molly E. Church, M. Andres Blanco, Jorge Alvarez
Summary: The study reveals the previously unrecognized role of the endogenous hedgehog signaling pathway in regulating pathogenic inflammation within the central nervous system. By targeting CD4 T cells and modulating the production of inflammatory cytokines, the hedgehog pathway shows potential as a therapeutic strategy to limit the progression of ongoing neuroinflammation. Systemic administration of a hedgehog agonist after disease onset effectively halts disease progression and reduces neuroinflammation and associated neuropathology.
Article
Immunology
Vanessa Chilunda, Jessica Weiselberg, Samuel Martinez-Meza, Lwidiko E. Mhamilawa, Laura Cheney, Joan W. Berman
Summary: HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (HIV-NCI) persists in a significant percentage of people with HIV despite effective antiretroviral therapy. Using RNA-sequencing, this study found that methamphetamine increases the infiltration of mature monocytes into the central nervous system, leading to dysregulated inflammatory responses and viral reservoir establishment and persistence, both of which contribute to neuronal damage. The study highlights potential molecules that may be targeted for therapy to limit the effects of meth on HIV neuropathogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenjie Ding, Zixuan Zhao, Yudan Zheng, Rui Wang, Zeyao Zhang, Ziyang Zhang, Xiangdong Wang, Shali Yu, Lei Liu, Rongrong Huang, Xinyuan Zhao, Qiyun Wu
Summary: In this study, SCCP exposure was shown to induce astrocyte proliferation and activation via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. These findings contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying SCCP-induced neurotoxicity.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maheshkumar Kannan, Sridharan Jayamohan, Rajesh Kannan Moorthy, Siva Chander Chabattula, Mathan Ganeshan, Antony Joseph Velanganni Arockiam
Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading malignancy worldwide, causing high mortality in adults and children. This study explored the expression and function of the miR-221/AEG-1 axis in HCC. The silencing of the miR-221/AEG-1 axis induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest, inhibited cellular proliferation and angiogenesis in HCC cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Junni Yan, Fuping Zhang, Le Niu, Xiaonan Wang, Xinxin Lu, Chaoyue Ma, Chencheng Zhang, Jinggui Song, Zhaohui Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on depression using a rat model. The results showed that rTMS treatment improved depression-like behavior, reduced neural apoptosis, and reversed the reduction of astrocytes. The study hypothesized that the therapeutic action of rTMS is linked to the activation of the FGF2/FGFR1/p-ERK signaling pathway.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Saravanan Gunaseelan, Mohammed Zacky Ariffin, Sanjay Khanna, Mong How Ooi, David Perera, Justin Jang Hann Chu, John Jia En Chua
Summary: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) caused by Human Enterovirus A71 (HEVA71) infection is typically benign, but can lead to severe neuropathology and even fatality in some cases. Research shows that infected astrocytes release CXCL1, activating neuronal CXCR2 to cause neuropathogenesis in HEVA71-infected individuals. Studies suggest that targeting the CXCL1-CXCR2 signaling pathway could be a potential treatment against HFMD neurologic complications.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Nahal Ebrahimy, Natalie Gasterich, Victoria Behrens, Javad Amini, Athanassios Fragoulis, Cordian Beyer, Weiyi Zhao, Nima Sanadgol, Adib Zendedel
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the interplay between inflammation-related miRNAs and the Nrf2 pathway in an animal model of spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that the expression of miRNA145-5p increased in the early phase of SCI, which negatively regulated astrocyte proliferation and induced the expression of antioxidant response element (ARE). These findings suggest a potential interaction between Nrf2 and miRNA145-5p in neuroprotection.
Article
Cell Biology
Beatrice Vignoli, Marco Canossa
Summary: This study assessed the contribution of BDNF to synaptic strengthening by deleting TrkB in cortical astrocytes. The results showed that TrkB signaling in astrocytes is not essential for transducing BDNF activity for synaptic potentiation.
