Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eun Seon Pak, Lak Shin Jeong, Xiyan Hou, Sushil K. Tripathi, Jiyoun Lee, Hunjoo Ha
Summary: The synthesized dual-acting ligand LJ-4459, functioning as an A(2A)AR agonist and an A(3)AR antagonist, exhibits potential in preventing the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. LJ-4459 showed improvements in kidney morphology, reductions in tubular injury markers, and attenuation of fibrosis. Additionally, LJ-4459 inhibited inflammation, oxidative stress, and macrophage infiltration in the obstructed kidney tissue.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Gwenaelle Laverne, Jonathan Pesce, Ana Reynders, Etienne Combrisson, Eduardo Gascon, Christophe Melon, Lydia Kerkerian-Le Goff, Nicolas Maurice, Corinne Beurrier
Summary: Striatal cholinergic interneurons (CINs) play an important regulatory role in cortico-striatal transmission and striatal-dependent motor-skill learning, which is dependent on the integrity of dopaminergic inputs.
Article
Anesthesiology
Lou Cathenaut, Benjamin Leonardon, Robin Kuster, Perrine Inquimbert, Remy Schlichter, Sylvain Hugel
Summary: The networks in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord play a crucial role in processing nociceptive information and shaping pain perception. Short-term plasticity of inhibitory connections, particularly in lamina II, can modulate the balance between excitation and inhibition, thus influencing pain transmission. This study showed that GABAergic interneurons in lamina II had target-specific and frequency-specific plasticity, with connections onto eGFP+ (putative excitatory) interneurons showing frequency-dependent depression and connections onto eGFP- (putative inhibitory) interneurons displaying limited frequency-dependent changes. These findings suggest that the modulation of inhibitory connections may be a potential target for pain relief strategies.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Elisabetta Coppi, Alasdair J. Gibb
Summary: The study revealed that A(2A) receptor antagonist SCH58261 can attenuate neuronal depolarization caused by hypoxia, and A(2A) receptor agonist CGS21680 and K+ channel blocker Ba2+ can prevent the decrease in glutamate release. Adenosine may exacerbate cell damage during hypoxia by activating A(2A) receptors.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Daniela Madeira, Catia R. Lopes, Ana P. Simoes, Paula M. Canas, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Paula Agostinho
Summary: The study found that silencing the A(2A)R gene in astrocytes leads to deficits in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory. Astrocytic A(2A)R control astrocytic morphology and influence hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory in adult mice.
Article
Biology
Stephanie C. Gantz, Maria M. Ortiz, Andrew J. Belilos, Khaled Moussawi
Summary: The study found that the inhibitory function of PSAM(4)-GlyR on D1-MSNs is not as expected, but instead enhances their activity, highlighting potential issues with using chloride conductances to inhibit neurons.
Article
Neurosciences
Martina Brofiga, Marietta Pisano, Mariateresa Tedesco, Anna Boccaccio, Paolo Massobrio
Summary: The brain is a complex organ composed of billions of neurons. Its structure, which exhibits a modular topological organization, is influenced by network heterogeneity and the topological properties of the underlying connectivity. This study explores the functional and structural connections between interconnected subpopulations of cortical and hippocampal neurons, and their impact on the patterns of electrophysiological activity. The results reveal the differences in connectivity and activity patterns between the two types of neurons, and the influence of the physical environment on the development and maturation of neuronal networks.
Article
Neurosciences
Francois Cinotti, Mark D. Humphries
Summary: This study presents a Bayesian approach to mapping neuron connectivity in the striatum. By applying it to the mouse striatum, two asymmetries in the circuit were discovered: a selective asymmetry of projection neuron connections and a length-scale asymmetry. The Bayesian approach can also evaluate evidence for wiring changes, making it significant for understanding the function and dysfunction of the striatum.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Yaxin Miao, Xuhao Chen, Feng You, Manli Jia, Ting Li, Ping Tang, Ruyi Shi, Shisi Hu, Liping Zhang, Jiang-Fan Chen, Ying Gao
Summary: Synapse pruning is crucial for brain development and the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders, but effective pharmacological regulation is currently lacking. A study showed that A(2A)R antagonist can promote synaptic pruning in the visual pathway, suggesting a potential novel pharmacological strategy for regulating synaptic pruning and treating neurodevelopmental disorders associated with pruning dysfunction.
Article
Biology
Mean-Hwan Kim, Cristina Radaelli, Elliot R. Thomsen, Deja Monet, Thomas Chartrand, Nikolas L. Jorstad, Joseph T. Mahoney, Michael J. Taormina, Brian Long, Katherine Baker, Trygve E. Bakken, Luke Campagnola, Tamara Casper, Michael Clark, Nick Dee, Florence D'Orazi, Clare Gamlin, Brian E. Kalmbach, Sara Kebede, Brian R. Lee, Lindsay Ng, Jessica Trinh, Charles Cobbs, Ryder P. Gwinn, C. Dirk Keene, Andrew L. Ko, Jeffrey G. Ojemann, Daniel L. Silbergeld, Staci A. Sorensen, Jim Berg, Kimberly A. Smith, Philip R. Nicovich, Tim Jarsky, Hongkui Zeng, Jonathan T. Ting, Boaz P. Levi, Ed Lein
Summary: The study investigates synaptic properties between excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the human cortex, finding that the short-term plasticity of synaptic connections depends on the molecular identity of inhibitory neurons. This indicates the existence of target cell-specific synaptic properties and suggests evolutionary conservation of connectivity principles.
Article
Biology
Mean-Hwan Kim, Cristina Radaelli, Elliot R. Thomsen, Deja Monet, Thomas Chartrand, Nikolas L. Jorstad, Joseph T. Mahoney, Michael J. Taormina, Brian Long, Katherine Baker, Trygve E. Bakken, Luke Campagnola, Tamara Casper, Michael Clark, Nick Dee, Florence D'Orazi, Clare Gamlin, Brian E. Kalmbach, Sara Kebede, Brian R. Lee, Lindsay Ng, Jessica Trinh, Charles Cobbs, Ryder P. Gwinn, C. Dirk Keene, Andrew L. Ko, Jeffrey G. Ojemann, Daniel L. Silbergeld, Staci A. Sorensen, Jim Berg, Kimberly A. Smith, Philip R. Nicovich, Tim Jarsky, Hongkui Zeng, Jonathan T. Ting, Boaz P. Levi, Ed Lein
Summary: This study investigates the synaptic properties between excitatory pyramidal neurons and inhibitory PVALB- vs. SST-positive interneurons in the human cortex. The results show robust molecular differences in synapse-associated genes between these neuron types and heterogeneous synaptic dynamics in different postsynaptic cell types. The findings suggest the existence of target cell-specific synaptic properties in the human cortex, similar to rodents, indicating an evolutionary conservation of local circuit connectivity motifs from excitatory to inhibitory neurons and their synaptic dynamics.
Article
Neurosciences
Liliana Dias, Catia R. Lopes, Francisco Q. Goncalves, Ana Nunes, Daniela Pochmann, Nuno J. Machado, Angelo R. Tome, Paula Agostinho, Rodrigo A. Cunha
Summary: This study demonstrated the functional interaction between P2X7R and A(2A)R in regulating microglia reactivity in response to repeated stress, indicating a potential cooperation between these two purinergic systems in controlling brain function. The results show that antagonists of P2X7R and A(2A)R can attenuate the behavioral modifications caused by repeated stress, and their effects on calcium levels in microglial cells suggest a complex interplay between these two receptors.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Gabriele Giua, Olivier Lassalle, Leila Makrini-Maleville, Emmanuel Valjent, Pascale Chavis, Olivier J. J. Manzoni
Summary: This study examines how the absence of FMRP affects the cellular properties of SPN subtypes and provides valuable insights into the pathophysiology of Fragile X syndrome (FXS).
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Catia R. Lopes, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Paula Agostinho
Summary: Astrocytes play a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease by regulating synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions through bidirectional communication with neurons. Changes in astrocytes at early and later stages of AD impact their function, with potential involvement of adenosine receptors like A(2A)R. Understanding the role of A(2A)R in astrocyte function could lead to novel therapeutic strategies against AD, given the increased levels of these receptors in the AD brain.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Rukoyatkina, Valentina Shpakova, Alina Bogoutdinova, Alexandra Kharazova, Igor Mindukshev, Stepan Gambaryan
Summary: This study identified two new molecular mechanisms by which curcumin inhibits platelet activation: activation of adenosine A(2A) receptor, which stimulates protein kinase A activation and phosphorylation of Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein; and potentiation of the inhibitory effect of ADP receptor P2Y12 antagonist cangrelor, which may be partly explained by the activation of adenosine A(2A) receptor.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Andres Carrasco, Atsushi Tamura, Stefan Pommer, Julie A. Chouinard, Kiyoto Kurima, Paolo Barzaghi, Jeffery R. Wickens
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Christopher G. Perk, Jeffery R. Wickens, Brian Hyland
Summary: The study found that pMSN in GH rats were more sensitive to auditory signals in the context indicating no-reward, which may contribute to a specific deficit in instrumental behavior observed in GH rats. In addition, pFSI also responded to auditory signals, but with longer latency compared to pMSN, suggesting a task-specific difference in timing of activity between the two populations.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Emi Furukawa, Raquel Quimas Molina da Costa, Patricia Bado, Sebastian Hoefle, Paula Vigne, Myriam Monteiro, Jeff R. Wickens, Jorge Moll, Gail Tripp, Paulo Mattos
Article
Neurosciences
Mayank Aggarwal, Yumiko Akamine, Andrew W. Liu, Jeffery R. Wickens
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Bianca Sieveritz, Gordon W. Arbuthnott
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2020)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Mayank Aggarwal, Jeffery R. Wickens
Summary: This study reviews the expression of blocking in sign trackers and goal trackers during appetitive classical conditioning, using a qualitative model with two parallel learning processes to reconcile the opposing predictions of psychological theory and the neurophysiological correlates of appetitive classical conditioning. These models provide a better framework for understanding the psychological associative structures acquired during learning, their interactions contributing to the conditioned response, and how they affect subsequent learning and the expression of the Kamin blocking effect.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Violeta G. Lopez-Huerta, Jai A. Denton, Yoko Nakano, Omar Jaidar, Marianela Garcia-Munoz, Gordon W. Arbuthnott
Summary: The research shows that D1 and D2 neurons have different roles in controlling motor behavior, with D1 neurons having a greater impact on overall kinematics results and D2 neurons being more involved in controlling target accuracy. Practice of movements changes synaptic patterns between neurons.
Editorial Material
Biology
Mayank Aggarwal, Jeffery R. Wickens
PHYSICS OF LIFE REVIEWS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Gordon W. Arbuthnott
Summary: As part of a large effort to understand motor systems in the brain related to Parkinson's disease, the focus is on potentially halting or preventing cell death with the power of modern genetics. Although the disease symptoms can be slightly modified currently, dopamine neurons still die and the progression continues. Accessible human neuron assemblies in organoids may provide a better understanding of neuronal demise.
Article
Neurosciences
Stefan Pommer, Yumiko Akamine, Serge N. Schiffmann, Alban de Kerchove D'Exaerde, Jeffery R. Wickens
Summary: Research shows that serotonin modulates lateral inhibition among neurons in the striatum by acting on 5-HT1B receptors, while the activation of 5-HT1B receptors does not have a significant impact on the inhibitory effects caused by fast-spiking interneurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Hong-Yan Geng, Gordon Arbuthnott, Wing-Ho Yung, Ya Ke
Summary: This study mapped all long-range monosynaptic inputs to M1 deep output neurons in layer 5 (L5) and revealed that most upstream areas innervate both dendritic compartments concurrently. The dichotomous inputs arise mostly from spatially segregated neuronal subpopulations within an upstream nucleus, indicating a previously unknown and highly intricate synaptic input pattern of M1L5 neurons.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dvyne Nosaka, Jeffery R. Wickens
Summary: Cholinergic interneurons of the striatum play a role in signaling by releasing acetylcholine. The prevailing theory suggests that these interneurons transmit signals through volume transmission rather than rapid synaptic transmission, as supported by evidence and mathematical modeling. The temporospatial distribution of acetylcholine is found to be short-range and short-lived, dominated by diffusion. The signaling is consistent with point-to-point transmission and allows faithful transmission of spike timing to the postsynaptic cell. Further evidence is needed for a better understanding of synaptic transmission by cholinergic interneurons in the striatum.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Takashi Nakano, Shakila B. Rizwan, David M. A. Myint, Jason Gray, Sean M. Mackay, Paul Harris, Christopher G. Perk, Brian I. Hyland, Ruth Empson, Eng Wui Tan, Keshav M. Dani, John N. J. Reynolds, Jeffery R. Wickens
Summary: This study demonstrates a novel drug delivery system based on hollow-gold nanoparticles tethered to liposomes, which can release drugs in high concentration to inhibit neurons and suppress seizure activity when activated by optical or acoustic stimulation. The system allows precise temporal control over drug exposure.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John N. J. Reynolds, Riccardo Avvisati, Paul D. Dodson, Simon D. Fisher, Manfred J. Oswald, Jeffery R. Wickens, Yan-Feng Zhang
Summary: Dopamine-dependent long-term plasticity is a cellular mechanism underlying reinforcement learning. The coincidence of phasic dopamine activation and pauses in striatal cholinergic interneuron firing plays a critical role in long-term potentiation of corticostriatal synapses.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sean M. Mackay, David Mo Aung Myint, Richard A. Easingwood, Dylan Y. Hegh, Jeffery R. Wickens, Brian Hyland, Guy N. L. Jameson, John N. J. Reynolds, Eng Wui Tan
COMMUNICATIONS CHEMISTRY
(2019)