Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohamad-Reza Aghanoori, Prasoon Agarwal, Evan Gauvin, Raghu S. Nagalingam, Raiza Bonomo, Vinith Yathindranath, Darrell R. Smith, Yan Hai, Samantha Lee, Corinne G. Jolivalt, Nigel A. Calcutt, Meaghan J. Jones, Michael P. Czubryt, Donald W. Miller, Vernon W. Dolinsky, Virginie Mansuy-Aubert, Paul Fernyhough
Summary: Aberrant insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling may be associated with the development of neurodegenerative disorders, and the role of endogenous IGF-1 in neuroprotection is not well established. In this study, high expression of IGF-1 was found in non-peptidergic neurons and satellite glial cells of dorsal root ganglia, and bidirectional transport of IGF-1 along sensory nerves was observed. However, IGF-1 gene expression was reduced in diabetic rats and mice, and this suppression could contribute to neuropathy. CEBP beta overexpression promoted neurite outgrowth and mitochondrial respiration, both of which were affected by IGF-1.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liron Kuznitsov-Yanovsky, Guy Shapira, Lital Gildin, Noam Shomron, Dalit Ben-Yosef
Summary: In this study, using a neural differentiation model of FX human embryonic stem cells, it was found that the absence of FMRP protein leads to delayed development and maturation of FX neurons, as well as dysregulation of genes related to the extracellular matrix and the TGF beta/BMP signaling pathway. Inhibition of the TGF beta/BMP signaling pathway can rescue the decreased neurite outgrowth in FX neurons.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mark T. Mcclendon, Wei Ji, Allison C. Greene, Hiroaki Sai, M. Hussain Sangji, Nicholas A. Sather, Charlotte H. Chen, Sungsoo S. Lee, Karina Katchko, Soyeon Sophia Jeong, Abhishek Kannan, Joseph Weiner, Ralph Cook, Adam Driscoll, Ryan Lubbe, Kevin Chang, Meraaj Haleem, Feng Chen, Ruomeng Qiu, Danielle Chun, Stuart R. Stock, Wellington K. Hsu, Erin L. Hsu, Samuel I. Stupp
Summary: A novel biomaterial containing supramolecular polymer and porous collagen microparticles has been developed, which can reduce clinical side effects, lower the cost, and expand the indications for use of BMP-2 by changing the dosage.
Article
Cell Biology
Takuya Ikeda, Keita Takahashi, Minatsu Higashi, Hiroyasu Komiya, Tetsuya Asano, Akihiro Ogasawara, Shun Kubota, Shunta Hashiguchi, Misako Kunii, Kenichi Tanaka, Mikiko Tada, Hiroshi Doi, Hideyuki Takeuchi, Kohtaro Takei, Fumiaki Tanaka
Summary: This study found that the expression of LOTUS was significantly decreased in SOD1 Tg mice and ALS patients. Overexpression of LOTUS in SOD1 Tg mice improved lifespan and motor function, prevented motor neuron loss, reduced gliosis, increased NMJ innervation, maintained cofilin phosphorylation dynamics, decreased levels of ataxin-2, and increased levels of BDNF. The reduced expression of LOTUS may enhance neurodegeneration by activating NgR1 signaling, and LOTUS overexpression significantly ameliorated ALS pathogenesis, suggesting LOTUS as a promising therapeutic target for ALS.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Shuhei Ito, Narihito Nagoshi, Yasuhiro Kamata, Kota Kojima, Satoshi Nori, Morio Matsumoto, Kohtaro Takei, Masaya Nakamura, Hideyuki Okano
Summary: The lentiviral transduction of LOTUS gene into hiPSC-NS/PCs shows promising effects in enhancing cell survival, promoting neurite extension, and improving motor function recovery in a mouse model of subacute SCI.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chelsea DeLeon, Kyle Pemberton, Michael Green, Vanja Kalajdzic, Martina Rosato, Fenglian Xu, Christopher Arnatt
Summary: This study identified 10 novel compounds with neuroprotective effects, among which one called CIFTA significantly promoted axonal and dendritic growth in neurons. Results from treating E18 hippocampal neurons showed that neurite outgrowth in response to G-1 and CIFTA originated from GPER activation.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ludwig Ruder, Riccardo Schina, Harsh Kanodia, Sara Valencia-Garcia, Chiara Pivetta, Silvia Arber
Summary: The brainstem plays a key role in controlling body movements, especially skilled forelimb movements. By studying latRM populations, researchers have found that neuronal tuning in this region can affect forelimb actions, with excitatory latRM neurons influencing recruitment of brainstem and spinal cord circuits in different ways. Additionally, optogenetic stimulation of projection-stratified latRM populations can elicit diverse forelimb movements.
Article
Anesthesiology
Ksenia Vlasov, JunZhu Pei, Christa J. Nehs, Jennifer A. Guidera, Edlyn R. Zhang, Jonathan D. Kenny, Timothy T. Houle, Gary J. Brenner, Norman E. Taylor, Ken Solt
Summary: This study suggests that GABAergic neurons in the RMTg and other brainstem regions promote sedation and facilitate sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness.
ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuel J. Ferreira-Pinto, Harsh Kanodia, Antonio Falasconi, Markus Sigrist, Maria S. Esposito, Silvia Arber
Summary: Research has shown the existence of functionally diverse neuronal populations in the mesencephalic locomotor region, with some controlling full-body behavior and others controlling forelimb behavior, stratified by projection target and exhibiting roles in action control beyond locomotion.
Editorial Material
Anesthesiology
Taylor Purvis, Jordan Newmark, Gary J. Brenner, David Brodnik, Lynn Kohan
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sherif G. Ahmed, Casey A. Maguire, Shiliang Alice Cao, Gary J. Brenner
Summary: Schwannomas are tumors derived from Schwann-lineage cells. Currently, treatment options for schwannomas are limited and associated with significant complications. Researchers have successfully reduced tumor volume and pain in experimental models using gene therapy. The safety and efficacy data support the translation of this gene therapy strategy to clinical trials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Silvia Arber, Rui M. Costa
Summary: The execution and learning of diverse movements involve neuronal networks distributed throughout the nervous system. The brainstem and basal ganglia are key structures for processing motor information, and their connectivity and communication are only just beginning to be revealed. Neuronal populations within these structures form multistep processing chains dedicated to specific movements, and are embedded into wider networks that support flexibility and learning.
NATURE REVIEWS NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sebastian Kruttner, Antonio Falasconi, Sergio Valbuena, Ivan Galimberti, Tewis Bouwmeester, Silvia Arber, Pico Caroni
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), influenced by genetic and environmental factors, can be triggered by exposure to unfamiliar environments. This study shows that in Shank3(Delta C/Delta C) ASD model mice, exposure to novel environments without familiar features leads to long-lasting lack of engagement and repetitive behaviors. Including familiar features during initial exposure can prevent enhanced dopamine transients and restore engagement control to normal levels. Environmental enrichment can prevent ASD-like phenotypes by reducing the reliance on specific brain activity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sherif G. Ahmed, Giulia Oliva, Manlin Shao, Xinhui Wang, John J. Mekalanos, Gary J. Brenner
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of Salmonella typhimurium as an immunotherapy for schwannomas. It was found that Salmonella typhimurium can control tumor growth and induce host immune responses. Intratumoral injection of Salmonella typhimurium led to tumor cell apoptosis and inhibited tumor angiogenesis. Additionally, Salmonella typhimurium treatment induced systemic antitumor immunity and reduced the growth of rechallenge tumors. Combination therapy of Salmonella typhimurium and PD-1 blockade showed enhanced suppression of schwannoma growth.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mariko Ezaka, Eizo Marutani, Yusuke Miyazaki, Eiki Kanemaru, Martin K. Selig, Sophie L. Boerboom, Katrina F. Ostrom, Anat Stemmer-Rachamimov, Donald B. Bloch, Gary J. Brenner, Etsuo Ohshima, Fumito Ichinose
Summary: This study found that glutathione trisulfide (GSSSG) can mitigate paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy by preventing axonal degeneration and mitochondrial damage in peripheral sensory nerves, providing a new approach for the treatment or prevention of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Article
Oncology
Sherif G. Ahmed, Gary J. Brenner
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of enrofloxacin antibiotic treatment on the ability of an attenuated Salmonella typhimurium strain VNP20009 to control schwannoma growth in a preclinical mouse model. The results showed that the timing of antibiotic treatment had an impact on tumor growth control, with early treatment potentially reversing VNP20009-mediated control while delayed treatment slowed tumor growth.
ANTICANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wuzhou Yang, Harsh Kanodia, Silvia Arber
Summary: The study reveals the anatomical and functional connections between the cortical regions and medulla in mice, showing that distinct cortical regions generate synaptic columns in the lateral medulla that match the positions of postsynaptic neurons tuned to specific forelimb action phases. Additionally, cortical neurons extend collaterals to other subcortical structures through a segregated channel interaction logic. The findings clarify the interaction principles between the cortical and medulla structures.
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Kevin Fidelin, Silvia Arber
Summary: In this study, the functional contribution of two molecularly distinct subpopulations of spinal-projecting midbrain neurons in adult zebrafish is investigated, providing insights into the mechanisms regulating properties of locomotion such as speed and bout duration.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Krishna Bommakanti, Richard Seist, Phanidhar Kukutla, Murat Cetinbas, Shelley Batts, Ruslan I. Sadreyev, Anat Stemmer-Rachamimov, Gary J. Brenner, Konstantina M. Stankovic
Summary: RNA-seq analysis revealed differential gene expression between patients with tinnitus and those without tinnitus, suggesting that inflammation may play a role in vestibular schwannoma-associated tinnitus.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sherif G. Ahmed, Giulia Oliva, Manlin Shao, John J. Mekalanos, Gary J. Brenner
Summary: Schwannomas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors derived from Schwann-lineage cells. Surgical resection is the standard treatment, but it has limitations and risks. Previous studies have shown that direct intratumoral injection of attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium strain VNP20009 has a potent anti-tumor effect. To meet the requirements of the US FDA, researchers developed an attenuated S. Typhimurium strain VNP20009-AF in animal-product-free media and demonstrated its efficacy in inhibiting schwannoma growth in preclinical models. These findings support the translation of bacterial schwannoma therapy into clinical trials.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Lynn Kohan, Shravani Durbhakula, Munfarid Zaidi, Christopher R. Phillips, Cody C. Rowan, Gary J. Brenner, Steven P. Cohen
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in pain medicine fellowship programs, with a shift towards online alternatives for clinical care and education. Higher state infection rates were associated with reduced clinical demand and redeployment of fellows to nonpain areas, but not with overall trainee anxiety levels. Medicine is likely to see lasting changes post-COVID-19, with a greater emphasis on telemedicine, virtual education, and increased national and international cooperation.
ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA
(2021)