Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li Huang, Meltem Kutluer, Elisa Adani, Antonella Comitato, Valeria Marigo
Summary: Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited retinal degenerative disease characterized by primary rod photoreceptor cell death followed by cone loss. A new in vitro model was developed using genetically modified 661W cells to study RP at a molecular level. The 661W-A11 cells show potential as a new model for molecular studies and drug screening related to RP.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Merry Gunawan, Choonbing Low, Kurt Neo, Siawey Yeo, Candice Ho, Veluchamy A. Barathi, Anita Sookyee Chan, Najam A. Sharif, Masaaki Kageyama
Summary: This study showed that autophagy may not be an effective intrinsic protective mechanism for retinal damage induced by insults, including impaired proteasomal activity. Activation of autophagy beyond normal levels is required to alleviate the cytotoxic effect of proteasomal inhibition, suggesting the need for further research on the precise roles of different forms of autophagy in rescuing retinal neurons under various pathological conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Abdullah Al Mamun, Conelius Ngwa, Shaohua Qi, Pedram Honarpisheh, Saumil Datar, Romana Sharmeen, Yan Xu, Louise D. McCullough, Fudong Liu
Summary: The study found that neuronal CD200 can inhibit proinflammatory responses and has a protective effect against stroke injury. Knockout of neuronal CD200 resulted in larger infarct volumes and more severe behavioral deficits after middle cerebral artery occlusion. In CD200 knockout mice, increased lymphocytic infiltration and enhanced microglial proinflammatory responses were observed at 3 and 7 days post-stroke, accompanied by increased microglial phagocytosis activity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martial Mbefo, Adeline Berger, Karine Schouwey, Xavier Gerard, Corinne Kostic, Avigail Beryozkin, Dror Sharon, Helene Dolfuss, Francis Munier, Hoai Viet Tran, Maarten van Lohuizen, William A. Beltran, Yvan Arsenijevic
Summary: This research investigates the important roles of PRC1 and PRC2 in the degenerative process of multiple forms of IRD, revealing that the hyperactivity of EZH2 is closely associated with cell death processes and the absence of the H3K27me3 mark can serve as a biomarker for gene therapy treatment efficacy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania Vernazza, Francesco Oddone, Sara Tirendi, Anna Maria Bassi
Summary: Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease that causes damage to retinal ganglion cells and results in permanent vision loss. While Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP) is the main therapeutic target, other pathological conditions and neuroprotective therapeutic approaches also play important roles in the disease progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Pablo Ramos Ferrer, Sangamithra Vardhan, Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert
Summary: The goal of this study was to design a polymer-based platform for localized, long-term delivery of neurotrophic factors using an affinity-based approach. HA-mF hydrogels were synthesized to provide sustained release of NT-3, a growth factor promoting axon growth, for 28 days. These hydrogels can be polymerized in the presence of cells and growth factors, and demonstrate bioactivity and support cell growth, making them an excellent platform for neural growth factor delivery.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lays Fernanda Nunes Dourado, Lucas Gomes Oliveira, Carolina Nunes da Silva, Cibele Rodrigues Toledo, Silvia Ligorio Fialho, Rodrigo Jorge, Armando Silva-Cunha Junior
Summary: The study demonstrates that ketamine is safe for intravitreal use up to a dose of 0.118 mmol.L-1. It shows particular efficiency in protecting the retina from ischemic injury, reducing cell death, and promoting recovery of retinal function within safe dosage range.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Viviana Nociti, Marina Romozzi
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, and degenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of MS, with both beneficial and detrimental effects. The release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) by immune cells and glial cells may provide neuroprotection and modulate neuroinflammation in MS. Understanding the relationship between inflammation and BDNF could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for MS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Henk A. Vink, Dyan Ramekers, Hans G. X. M. Thomeer, Huib Versnel
Summary: Severe hearing loss or deafness can be mitigated by cochlear implantation and treatment with neurotrophins such as BDNF and NT-3. This study found that the combination of BDNF and NT-3 (Cocktail) treatment showed the highest cell preservation and neural responsiveness to electrical stimulation, followed by BDNF treatment alone. NT-3 treatment alone provided the least protection. Therefore, the Cocktail treatment is recommended over BDNF alone for better outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alizee Arnoux, Estelle Ayme-Dietrich, Stephane Dieterle, Marc-Antoine Goy, Stephan Schann, Melanie Frauli, Laurent Monassier, Luc Dupuis
Summary: Degeneration of brainstem serotonin neurons is linked to the development of spasticity in ALS patients and mouse models. Involvement of central serotonin pathways, particularly the upregulation of 5-HT2B receptor, may have implications for ALS disease outcome and microglial degeneration. Despite promising pharmacological properties, the 5-HT2BR agonist BW did not show significant improvement in motor neuron degeneration in a fast-progressing ALS mouse model.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hiromitsu Kunimi, Deokho Lee, Mari Ibuki, Yusaku Katada, Kazuno Negishi, Kazuo Tsubota, Toshihide Kurihara
Summary: In this study, using retina-specific Hif-1 alpha conditional knockout (cKO) mice revealed that the reduction of Hif-1 alpha can lead to a decrease in inner retinal neurodegeneration. Experiments showed that depletion of Bnip3 in retinal neurons can have neuroprotective effects, supporting the critical role of the HIF-1 alpha/BNIP3 pathway in inner retinal neurodegeneration.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mirja Koch, Constanze Scheel, Hongwei Ma, Fan Yang, Michael Stadlmeier, Andrea F. Glueck, Elisa Murenu, Franziska R. Traube, Thomas Carell, Martin Biel, Xi-Qin Ding, Stylianos Michalakis
Summary: Mutations in the CNGA3 gene lead to total colour blindness, and in a mouse model of achromatopsia, the cGMP-dependent protein kinase 2 (Prkg2) was found to be crucial in the degeneration of cones. Inhibiting Prkg2 could slow down degeneration and preserve cone numbers, possibly through modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Martinez-Vacas, Johnny Di Pierdomenico, Alejandro Gallego-Ortega, Francisco J. Valiente-Soriano, Manuel Vidal-Sanz, Serge Picaud, Maria Paz Villegas-Perez, Diego Garcia-Ayuso
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of taurine administration in dystrophic rats with retinal degeneration. The results showed that taurine treatment increased taurine plasma levels and photoreceptor survival, improved retinal function, reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, and enhanced retinal pigment epithelium function. These findings indicate that taurine has potential neuroprotective effects in retinal degeneration.
Article
Neurosciences
Selena Gonzalez, Tyne L. M. McHugh, Tao Yang, Wassim Syriani, Stephen M. Massa, Frank M. Longo, Danielle A. Simmons
Summary: The study identified a new drug, PTX-BD10-2, that can help restore symptomatic neuron degeneration in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model and has neuroprotective effects on neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Puneet Agarwal, Renu Agarwal
Summary: Adenosine receptors play a significant role in neuroprotection, but their potential as therapeutic targets in protecting against RGC apoptosis in glaucoma needs further investigation. This review explores the distribution of adenosine receptors in the retina, their cellular functions, and their modulation of pathophysiological mechanisms involved in glaucomatous RGC loss. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential of adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists for preserving RGCs in glaucoma.
EXPERT OPINION ON THERAPEUTIC TARGETS
(2021)