Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Andrea Behanova, Ali Abdollahzadeh, Ilya Belevich, Eija Jokitalo, Alejandra Sierra, Jussi Tohka
Summary: This study introduces a Matlab-based software called gACSON for analyzing myelinated axons in 3D electron microscopy (EM) imaging of brain tissue samples. The software features a graphical user interface, automatic segmentation of axonal space and myelin sheaths, and manual segmentation and interactive correction. The results suggest a decrease in axonal diameter after traumatic brain injury.
COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Natasha Sukhanov, Anya Vainshtein, Yael Eshed-Eisenbach, Elior Peles
Summary: Cell adhesion proteins of the Cadm family play a crucial role in myelination and axonal organization. The study reveals that Cadm3 is the main axonal ligand for glial Cadm4, and the combined action of Cadm2 and Cadm1 can compensate for its absence. Genetic ablation of all three Cadm genes phenocopies the abnormalities detected in the absence of Cadm4, indicating their interplay in regulating myelination and axonal organization.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
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
Neurosciences
Jacqueline M. Ehrman, Paloma Merchan-Sala, Lisa A. Ehrman, Bin Chen, Hee-Woong Lim, Ronald R. Waclaw, Kenneth Campbell
Summary: The projection neurons of the striatum can be categorized into the striatopallidal (indirect) pathway or the striatonigral (direct) pathway. Striatonigral axons pioneer the internal capsule and cerebral peduncle and provide guidance for corticofugal and thalamocortical axons. Defects in the striatonigral pathway can disrupt internal capsule formation.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
J. Daniel Fenn, Yinyun Li, Jean-Pierre Julien, Peter Jung, Anthony Brown
Summary: Studies have shown that neurofilaments in cultured neurons move rapidly along microtubule tracks. However, the extent of this movement in vivo has been debated. This study found that the majority of neurofilaments in adult peripheral nerves are highly mobile, supporting a dynamic view of the neuronal cytoskeleton.
Article
Neurosciences
Madeline Nicholson, Rhiannon J. Wood, David G. Gonsalvez, Anthony J. Hannan, Jessica L. Fletcher, Junhua Xiao, Simon S. Murray
Summary: This study found that environmental enrichment can induce structural remodeling of myelinated axons during young adulthood and globally increase the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and pre-myelinating oligodendroglia.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Eriola Hoxha, Ilaria Balbo, Roberta Parolisi, Matteo Audano, Francesca Montarolo, Francesco Ravera, Michela Guglielmotto, Luisa Muratori, Stefania Raimondo, Eleonora DiGregorio, Annalisa Buffo, Alfredo Brusco, Barbara Borroni, Nico Mitro, Donatella Caruso, Filippo Tempia
Summary: The lack of Elovl5 may cause alterations in myelin structure and affect action potential conduction; Elovl5 plays an essential role in maintaining the structure of myelin, which is crucial for the proper functioning of myelinated nerves.
Article
Neurosciences
Junhwan Kwon, Sungho Lee, Yongjae Jo, Myunghwan Choi
Summary: This study aims to observe the activity-dependent nanostructural dynamics of myelinated axons in living brain tissue. Using a novel all-optical approach, researchers found that myelinated axons exhibit nanoscale swelling in response to neural activity, potentially contributing to the tuning of neural information transmission speed.
Article
Cell Biology
Nina Kozar-Gillan, Atanaska Velichkova, George Kanatouris, Yael Eshed-Eisenbach, Gavin Steel, Martine Jaegle, Eerik Aunin, Elior Peles, Carole Torsney, Dies N. N. Meijer
Summary: This study reveals a novel molecular pathway involving LGI3/2-ADAM23 interactions that cluster and stabilize Shaker-type voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv1) in myelinated axons. These myelin concealed Kv1 channels play a significant role in modifying axonal physiology.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Megan M. Corty, Alexandria L. Hulegaard, Jo Q. Hill, Amy E. Sheehan, Sue A. Aicher, Marc R. Freeman
Summary: This study uses Drosophila wrapping glia to investigate the development and function of non-myelinating axon ensheathment. The selective ablation of these glia severely impairs larval locomotor behavior. Through an RNA interference screen, the conserved receptor tyrosine kinase Discoidin domain receptor (Ddr) is identified as a key regulator in axon ensheathment. Loss of Ddr results in reduced ensheathment of axons and decreased axon caliber, suggesting that Ddr functions as a collagen receptor to drive axon wrapping. In adult nerves, loss of Ddr decreases long-term survival of sensory neurons and significantly reduces axon caliber without overtly affecting ensheathment.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xiaohui Chen, Xuefeng Jin, Fengtao Huang, Juntao Wang, Xuefeng Cao, Peng George Wang, Yan Feng, Faqin Jiang, Guangyu Yang
Summary: In this study, an efficient enzymatic synthetic system was developed to prepare various GM1 derivatives, and one derivative GM1 (d18:1/C16:1) was found to promote neurite outgrowth. Further analysis revealed that the promotion of nerve cell growth by GM1 (d18:1/C16:1) may involve the regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis and activation of the PI3K-mTOR pathway.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Karl Baldacchino, William J. Peveler, Leandro Lemgruber, Rebecca Sherrard Smith, Cornelia Scharler, Lorna Hayden, Lina Komarek, Susan L. Lindsay, Susan C. Barnett, Julia M. Edgar, Christopher Linington, Katja Thummler
Summary: Iron-containing haemoglobin breakdown product hemin is shown to have a cytotoxic effect on myelinated axons, resulting in targeted demyelination and axonal loss in multiple sclerosis. This effect is independent of microglial activity and does not require an inflammatory response.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Wendy Oost, Allard J. Huitema, Kim Kats, Ben N. G. Giepmans, Susanne M. Kooistra, Bart J. L. Eggen, Wia Baron
Summary: The pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) involves inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration, but the specific mechanisms of disease initiation and progression remain unknown. In lesions, there is a lack of myelin, which increases energy demand in axons and requires adaptation in mitochondria. Subtle and diffuse changes are observed in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and normal appearing grey matter (NAGM) of MS patients, including oxidative stress, reduced axon density, and alterations in myelin composition and morphology. The study used 2D scanning transmission electron microscopy to examine non-demyelinated brain tissue and found a reduced density of myelinated axons in NAWM, without a change in axon size. Small myelinated axons were less frequent and large myelinated axons were more frequent in NAWM. The g-ratio was similar in NAWM and NAGM. The researchers hypothesize that compensatory mechanisms, such as swelling of remaining myelinated axons and adjustment of myelin thickness, may help maintain the g-ratio in NAWM, but failure to adjust axonal mitochondria size could make NAWM axons and their myelin more susceptible to injury.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chuankai Dai, Xiaoming Liu, Rongyu Tang, Jiping He, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: In recent years, microfluidics has been crucial to the advancement of nerve regeneration research. Microfluidic devices accurately simulate the in vivo microenvironment for various research purposes such as analyzing growth inhibitory factors, screening drugs, evaluating nerve growth factors, and investigating neural injury and regeneration mechanisms. The platform enables precise control of cell behavior, such as neuron isolation, single-cell manipulation, neural patterning, and axon guidance, providing technical support for nerve regeneration.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Caitlin M. Rodriguez, Sophia C. Bechek, Graham L. Jones, Lisa Nakayama, Tetsuya Akiyama, Garam Kim, David E. Solow-Cordero, Stephen M. Strittmatter, Aaron D. Gitler
Summary: Gene-based therapeutic strategies to lower ataxin-2 levels are emerging for ALS and SCA2. This study identifies RTN4R as a potent modifier of ataxin-2 levels, and demonstrates that reducing RTN4R expression or using a peptide inhibitor can lower ataxin-2 protein levels. Additionally, it is found that both ataxin-2 and RTN4/NoGo-Receptor play a role in limiting axonal regeneration.