Review
Cell Biology
Tereza Cindrova-Davies, Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri
Summary: The placenta plays a critical role in the health of the fetus and its mother. However, our understanding of placental development is limited due to ethical restrictions and lack of suitable models. This review discusses current knowledge of early human placental development, emphasizing the role of the maternal endometrium and fetal-maternal dialogue, and introduces the latest cell models.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Joe Yasa, Claudia E. Reed, Adam M. Bournazos, Frances J. Evesson, Ignatius Pang, Mark E. Graham, Jesse R. Wark, Brunda Nijagal, Kim H. Kwan, Thomas Kwiatkowski, Rachel Jung, Noah Weisleder, Sandra T. Cooper, Frances A. Lemckert
Summary: CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing was used to knock out the 40a exon of murine Dysf gene, to study its role in membrane repair and the development of dysferlinopathy. The results showed that calpain cleavage within the 40a exon is not necessary for membrane repair, and 10-20% expression of wild-type dysferlin protein is sufficient to maintain the muscle lipidome, proteome, and membrane repair capacity to prevent the development of dysferlinopathy.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Mariana Astiz, Henrik Oster
Summary: The circadian clock system adapts physiology and behavior to daily recurring changes in the environment. Recent findings suggest that the embryo/fetal molecular clock machinery is present and functional in several tissues early during gestation, entrained by maternal rhythmic signals. This highlights the complex interaction and coordination between maternal, placental, and embryo/fetal clocks in regulating the circadian system's development and response to external perturbations during critical times.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Eleanor J. Ward, Serena Bert, Silvia Fanti, Kerri M. Malone, Robert T. Maughan, Christina Gkantsinikoudi, Fabrice Prin, Lia Karina Volpato, Anna Paula Piovezan, Gerard J. Graham, Neil P. Dufton, Mauro Perretti, Federica M. Marelli-Berg, Suchita Nadkarni
Summary: In this study, we demonstrate that neutrophil-driven placental inflammation leads to inadequate placental development and loss of barrier function. This results in maternal inflammatory monocyte migration to the embryonic heart, altering the composition of cardiac macrophages and tissue structure. This cardiac impairment continues into postnatal life, hindering normal tissue architecture and function.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Esteban Salazar-Petres, Daniela Pereira Carvalho, Jorge Lopez-Tello, Amanda Nancy Sferruzzi-Perri
Summary: In normal mouse pregnancy, placental structure, function, and mitochondrial phenotype respond differently to the growth of female and male fetuses. This study may provide design references for sex-specific therapies for placental insufficiency and fetal growth abnormalities, which could benefit the offspring throughout their lives.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bao Ngoc Tran, Lucie Valek, Annett Wilken-Schmitz, Dominik Christian Fuhrmann, Dimitry Namgaladze, Ilka Wittig, Irmgard Tegeder
Summary: The study showed that Nucleoredoxin plays a crucial role in neuronal function, impacting neuronal plasticity and synaptic protein activity. Mice deficient in synaptic protein Nestin-NXN-/- displayed normal behavior in tests, but showed reduced interest in rewards.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
M. Ruiz-Estevez, A. T. Crane, P. Rodriguez-Villamil, F. L. Ongaratto, Yun You, A. R. Steevens, C. Hill, T. Goldsmith, D. A. Webster, L. Sherry, S. Lim, N. Denman, W. C. Low, D. F. Carlson, J. R. Dutton, C. J. Steer, O. Gafni
Summary: Blastocyst complementation is an innovative technology that can potentially rescue loss of liver development in HHEX knockout embryos in both mice and pigs, laying the foundation for generating human liver cells, tissues, and potentially complete organs for clinical transplantation.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Yu Han, Meng Zhang, Jiahui Duan, Leyi Li, Jinge Du, Hui Cheng, Sheng Zhang, Yanhui Zhai, Xinglan An, Qi Li, Xueming Zhang, Ziyi Li, Bo Tang
Summary: Maternal exposure to 5-HT before pregnancy may affect fetal development, leading to reduced hormonal secretion and placental inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Tina Napso, Samantha C. Lean, Minhui Lu, Emily J. Mort, Michelle Desforges, Ali Moghimi, Beverly Bartels, Tatiana El-Bacha, Abigail L. Fowden, Emily J. Camm, Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri
Summary: The study found that maternal obesity has a sex-dependent impact on placental phenotype, affecting fetal growth and substrate supply. These findings have implications for the design of personalized interventions or therapies for obese pregnant women.
Article
Biology
Ling Liu, Shengnan Wang, Wenjie Tian, Cheng Xu, Chengjie Wei, Kai Cui, Lin Jiang, Dandan Wang
Summary: Zbed6 single-allele knockout promotes an increase in skeletal muscle weight and muscle fiber area in mice by regulating another target gene.
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaodong Jiao, Zhiwei Ma, Jingqi Lei, Pinghu Liu, Xiaoyu Cai, Pawan K. Shahi, Chi-Chao Chan, Robert Fariss, Bikash R. Pattnaik, Lijin Dong, J. Fielding Hejtmancik
Summary: By constructing knockout and conditional knockout mice for KCNJ13, this study provides insights into the pathology of Snowflake Vitreoretinal Degeneration (SVD) and Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and offers a potential model system for gene therapy trials.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Gavin M. Douglas, Molly G. Hayes, Morgan G. Langille, Elhanan Borenstein
Summary: This article introduces a software package called POMS for more robust identification of enriched microbial functions. By combining functional and taxonomic information, the package can consistently identify functions enriched in sample groups across multiple taxonomic lineages. Results from simulated and real-world data show that the package accurately identifies gene families with selective advantages compared to commonly used tools.
Article
Cell Biology
Haibo Zhu, Hao Sun, Dawei Yu, Tianda Li, Tang Hai, Chao Liu, Ying Zhang, Yurong Chen, Xiangpeng Dai, Ziyi Li, Wei Li, Ruizhi Liu, Guihai Feng, Qi Zhou
Summary: The transcriptome and DNA methylation profiles of ROSI-derived E11.5 mouse fetuses and placentas were comparable with those in the other two groups, but some abnormally expressed genes in the ROSI group warrant further investigation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Jensen H. C. Yiu, Samson W. M. Cheung, Jieling Cai, Kam-Suen Chan, Jing Chen, Lai Yee Cheong, Hau-Tak Chau, Aimin Xu, Raymond H. W. Li, Connie W. Woo
Summary: The study revealed the crucial role of TLR5 in early placental development in mice, with high transcription levels during placenta-forming and functional phases. Deletion of TLR5 led to smaller placental labyrinthine zone and embryo weight, along with decreased abundances of key proteins in the placenta-forming phase.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucie Valek, Bao Ngoc Tran, Irmgard Tegeder
Summary: The study found that nucleoredoxin (NXN) plays an important role in regulating thermal sensation and nociception. The loss of NXN in neurons leads to increased sensitivity to cold temperature and heightened heat nociception in mice. These abnormal responses are associated with changes in calcium influx, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased density of neurite trees in sensory neurons.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jerilynn C. Prior, Lisa Langsetmo, Brian C. Lentle, Claudie Berger, David Goltzman, Christopher S. Kovacs, Stephanie M. Kaiser, Jonathan D. Adachi, Alexandra Papaioannou, Tassos Anastassiades, Tanveer Towheed, Robert G. Josse, Jacques P. Brown, William D. Leslie, Nancy Kreiger
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Christopher S. Kovacs, Veeraswamy Seshiah, Ludwig Merker, Anita Vedel Christiansen, Flavien Roux, Afshin Salsali, Gabriel Kim, Peter Stella, Hans-Juergen Woerle, Uli C. Broedl
CLINICAL THERAPEUTICS
(2015)
Review
Physiology
Christopher S. Kovacs
PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2016)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
C. Berger, O. Almohareb, L. Langsetmo, D. A. Hanley, C. S. Kovacs, R. G. Josse, J. D. Adachi, J. C. Prior, T. Towheed, K. S. Davison, S. M. Kaiser, J. P. Brown, D. Goltzman
CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2015)
Editorial Material
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Brittany A. Ryan, Christopher S. Kovacs
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2019)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Guowei Li, William D. Leslie, Christopher S. Kovacs, Jerilynn Prior, Robert G. Josse, Tanveer Towheed, K. Shawn Davison, Lehana Thabane, Alexandra Papaioannou, Mitchell A. H. Levine, David Goltzman, Jie Zeng, Yong Qi, Junzhan Tian, Jonathan D. Adachi
JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH
(2020)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
B. A. Ryan, C. S. Kovacs
Summary: During pregnancy, both maternal and fetal mineral needs are met independently of vitamin D, with maternal mineral and bone metabolism adapting without relying on vitamin D, while fetal mineral metabolism and skeletal development are protected from vitamin D deficiency and genetic disorders. These observations are based on key data from animal models and human studies regarding the role of vitamin D and calcitriol during pregnancy and fetal development.
JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Andrew Arnold, Elaine Dennison, Christopher S. Kovacs, Michael Mannstadt, Rene Rizzoli, Maria Luisa Brandi, Bart Clarke, Rajesh V. Thakker
Summary: This article discusses the physiological and pathological aspects of hormonal regulation of biomineralization, emphasizing the importance of mineral intake, serum concentrations of mineral, and hormonal regulators in this process. It also highlights the crucial role of biomineralization in providing rigidity and flexibility to the skeleton, and the balance required for proper skeletal metabolism.
NATURE REVIEWS ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Christopher S. Kovacs, Catherine Chaussain, Philip Osdoby, Maria Luisa Brandi, Bart Clarke, Rajesh V. Thakker
Summary: The major mineralized tissues, bone and teeth, share mechanisms governing their development and mineralization, including hormonal regulation and gene control. Systemic disorders and treatments can affect both bone and teeth similarly, with teeth experiencing more permanent effects due to lack of remodeling after formation. Understanding these shared mechanisms is crucial for screening and treating disorders affecting both bone and teeth.
NATURE REVIEWS ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Niloufar Ansari, Tsuyoshi Isojima, Blessing Crimeen-Irwin, Ingrid J. Poulton, Narelle E. McGregor, Patricia W. M. Ho, Mark R. Forwood, Christopher S. Kovacs, Evdokia Dimitriadis, Jonathan H. Gooi, T. John Martin, Natalie A. Sims
Summary: PTHrP is a pleiotropic regulator of tissue homeostasis, with significant impact on bone development. The study found that parental genotype plays a crucial role in influencing bone size and strength in offspring under the same experimental conditions, indicating a maternal influence on skeletal size.
JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alexia Hawkey-Noble, Justin A. Pater, Roshni Kollipara, Meriel Fitzgerald, Alexandre S. Maekawa, Christopher S. Kovacs, Terry-Lynn Young, Curtis R. French
Summary: This study identifies the gene foxl1 as playing a crucial role in otosclerosis and osteoporosis, demonstrating its regulation of collagen gene expression and its potential implications for the development of otosclerosis. The zebrafish model established in this study provides valuable insights into the role of foxl1 in bone diseases.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Brittany A. Ryan, Narelle E. McGregor, Beth J. Kirby, Abdelkhayoum Al-Tilissi, Ingrid J. Poulton, Natalie A. Sims, Christopher S. Kovacs
Summary: Recovery from lactation-induced bone loss in mice lacking VDR is not possible without a calcium-enriched diet. These mice are unable to fully restore cortical thickness and mechanical strength after weaning, and exhibit an increase in low-density bone mass instead. It is concluded that either calcitriol or a calcium-enriched diet is required for mineralization of immature bone in the postweaning period.
JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
E. Michael Lewiecki, Teresita Bellido, John P. Bilezikian, Jacques P. Brown, Azeez Farooki, Christopher S. Kovacs, Brendan Lee, William D. Leslie, Michael R. McClung, Mark L. Prasarn, Deborah E. Sellmeyer
Summary: The 23rd annual Santa Fe Bone Symposium brought together attendees from various states and countries to discuss topics related to osteoporosis and other bone diseases. The event included plenary presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and oral presentations of research abstracts.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL DENSITOMETRY
(2023)
Letter
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Christopher S. Kovacs
OSTEOPOROSIS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
K. Berit Sellars, Brittany A. Ryan, Sarah A. Hartery, Beth J. Kirby, Christopher S. Kovacs
Summary: FGF23 appears to play no role in fetal phosphorus metabolism before birth, but maternal phosphate loading can induce a fetal FGF23 response without affecting fetal serum phosphorus levels.