Review
Cell Biology
Ying-Zhe Cui, Xiao-Yong Man
Summary: Melanocytes, specialized cells responsible for pigment production, play important roles in embryonic development and maintaining skin homeostasis. By reviewing the role of melanocytes in skin biology, this paper may open new avenues for researching the prevention and treatment of skin disorders.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Emma L. Wilkinson, Lorna Ashton, Jemma G. Kerns, Sarah L. Allinson, Richard L. Mort
Summary: The study utilizes Raman spectroscopy to fingerprint and differentiate various cell types, revealing the potential of this technique in determining the differentiation status of melanocyte lineage cells. The research also describes the immediate and temporal biochemical changes in cells exposed to UV radiation, showing differing responses depending on cell type, differentiation status, and melanin synthesis capability.
EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Samir Arbache, Nilceo S. Michalany, Hiram L. de Almeida Jr, Sergio H. Hirata
Summary: This study aimed to assess the microscopic structure of idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) lesions and the possible interaction between melanocytes and the subjacent dermis. The results showed the presence of superficial dermal fibrosis and previously unreported keratinocyte cytoplasmic changes in IGH cases. These findings contribute to a better understanding of melanocyte biology and the pathogenesis of other achromic lesions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Emma L. Wilkinson, Louise C. Brennan, Olivia J. Harrison, Zoe Crane-Smith, Philippe Gautier, Margaret A. Keighren, Peter Budd, Karthic Swaminathan, Laura M. Machesky, Sarah L. Allinson, Ian J. Jackson, Richard L. Mort
Summary: Genetic approaches are crucial for studying melanocytes and melanoma. Current methods for labeling melanocytes in mice have limitations, but researchers have successfully generated a targeted multicistronic allele using homologous recombination in mouse embryonic stem cells, allowing specific labeling and live imaging of melanocytes. This transgenic allele has been demonstrated to be useful in embryonic and adult tissues.
PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Aron Szabo, Gabor Juhasz
Summary: In the nervous system, macrophages or glia play a role in removing dead cell-derived material caused by injuries and neurodegeneration through phagocytosis. The process involves the capture of engulfed material into phagosomes, and the maturation and fusion of these vesicles with lysosomes may utilize the LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) pathway.
Review
Neurosciences
Artem Sinegubov, Daria Andreeva, Nikita Burzak, Maria Vasyutina, Lada Murashova, Vyacheslav Dyachuk
Summary: This review highlights the heterogeneity of peripheral glial cell populations, covering the origin of the first glial precursors from neural crest cells to the diversity of embryonic glia and adult glial populations. The communication of glial cells with axons of neurons and potential therapeutic strategies for neurodiseases are also discussed.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Sujin Hyung, Ji-Hye Park, Kyuhwan Jung
Summary: Optogenetic techniques, combining optics and genetics, offer cell-specific targeting and precise control of excitable cells, providing valuable insights into the complex nervous system. The activation of neurons through optogenetics allows for the regulation of information processing and nerve structure development. Recent advancements in optogenetic glial manipulation have shown the potential for coordinating neuron-glia communication and supporting nerve fibers. Further research is needed to optimize the technique and explore its therapeutic applications.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Aubrey G. A. Howard, Aaron C. Nguyen, Joshua Tworig, Priya Ravisankar, Eileen W. Singleton, Can Li, Grayson Kotzur, Joshua S. Waxman, Rosa A. Uribe
Summary: Neural crest cells (NCCs) are migratory and multipotent stem cells essential to vertebrate embryonic development. This study identifies the gene Hoxb5b as a regulator of NCC development, demonstrating that elevated Hoxb5b levels promote expansion of zebrafish NCCs and specifically expand expression domains of vagal NCC markers. The study also shows that early increase in vagal NCCs leads to supernumerary enteric neural progenitors, but these fail to properly expand into enterically fated neurons in the gut tissue.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Evan A. Brown, Koichi Kawakami, Sarah Kucenas
Summary: This article introduces a new zebrafish genetic tool for studying the role of glia in development, providing a new resource for investigating glial cells.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Gregoire Bonnamour, Baptiste Charrier, Sephora Sallis, Elizabeth Leduc, Nicolas Pilon
Summary: This study found that upregulation of the Nr2f1 gene can lead to abnormal development of inner ear and skin melanocytes. In the trunk, excessive Nr2f1 forces melanoblasts to adopt a Schwann cell precursor fate and prevents other cells from adopting a melanoblast fate. In the head, the upregulation of Nr2f1 is not uniform, which may explain why certain melanocytes can reach the cochlea while others cannot reach the vestibule.
PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Homa Majd, Sadaf Amin, Zaniar Ghazizadeh, Andrius Cesiulis, Edgardo Arroyo, Karen Lankford, Alireza Majd, Sina Farahvashi, Angeline K. Chemel, Mesomachukwu Okoye, Megan D. Scantlen, Jason Tchieu, Elizabeth L. Calder, Valerie Le Rouzic, Bradley Shibata, Abolfazl Arab, Hani Goodarzi, Gavril Pasternak, Jeffery D. Kocsis, Shuibing Chen, Lorenz Studer, Faranak Fattahi
Summary: We developed a strategy to derive Schwann cells (SCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), allowing for comprehensive studies of SC development, physiology, and disease. These hPSC-derived SCs recapitulate the molecular features of primary SCs and can myelinate in vitro and in vivo. By using this model, we discovered that the antidepressant drug bupropion can counteract glucotoxicity in SCs and prevent sensory dysfunction, SC death, and myelin damage in hyperglycemic mice. Retrospective analysis also showed that bupropion treatment is associated with a lower incidence of neuropathy in diabetic patients.
Article
Cell Biology
Nathalia C. Oliveira, Fabiele B. Russo, Patricia Beltrao-Braga
Summary: This study aimed to establish a method for differentiating sensory neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED), which have the same embryonic origin as the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The protocol successfully differentiated neural crest and PNS cells from SHED-derived iPSCs, providing a platform for future studies on PNS pathologies.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marie A. Lefevre, Rodolphe Soret, Nicolas Pilon
Summary: This review provides an updated overview of the cellular diversity and functions of the enteric nervous system (ENS), focusing on the important role of enteric glial cells (EGCs) in regulating bowel functions. It highlights the current research gap in understanding EGCs and their potential in regenerative medicine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kyung Hee Lee, Myeounghoon Cha, Bae Hwan Lee
Summary: This article discusses the role of glia in protecting neurons from oxidative injury and maintaining antioxidant defense mechanisms in the brain, as well as the essential crosstalk between glia and neurons to maintain redox balance for protection against oxidative stress.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Parnia Azimian Zavareh, Praneeth Silva, Nuwanthika Gimhani, Devi Atukorallaya
Summary: Zebrafish is an important animal model for studying the effects of alcohol on embryonic development. This study investigates the impact of alcohol on early zebrafish embryonic development and finds that alcohol affects tooth size and shape, the size and cell arrangement of the ethmoid bone, and the developmental process of skin melanocytes.