Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiong Liu, Kailin Zhang, Yunhee Kang, Yangping Li, Penghui Deng, Yujing Li, Yun Tian, Qiying Sun, Yu Tang, Keqin Xu, Yao Zhou, Jun-Ling Wang, Jifeng Guo, Jia-Da Li, Kun Xia, Qingtuan Meng, Emily G. Allen, Zhexing Wen, Ziyi Li, Hong Jiang, Lu Shen, Ranhui Duan, Bing Yao, Beisha Tang, Peng Jin, Yongcheng Pan
Summary: This study established transgenic mouse and human neural progenitor cell models that faithfully mimic the clinical and pathological features of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID). The results suggest that the dysfunction of hnRNPM, an RNA binding protein known as an alternative splicing regulator, may play an important role in the molecular pathogenesis of NIID.
Article
Cell Biology
Chenhui Ji, Yalin Tang, Yanyan Zhang, Xiaoyan Huang, Congcong Li, Yuhong Yang, Qihui Wu, Xiaohua Xia, Qingyuan Cai, Xin-Rui Qi, Jialin C. Zheng
Summary: An abnormal glutamate signaling pathway has been found in the mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the involvement of alterations of glutaminase 1 (GLS1) in the pathophysiology of ASD is less known. This study shows that the transcript level of GLS1 is significantly decreased in the postmortem frontal cortex and peripheral blood of ASD subjects. Mice lacking Gls1 in CamKIIa-positive neurons display ASD-like behaviors, synaptic excitatory and inhibitory imbalance, higher spine density, and compromised expression pattern of genes involved in synapse pruning.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuhua Huang, Hehai Jiang, Qiyu Zheng, Albert Hiu Ka Fok, Xiaoyang Li, C. Geoffrey Lau, Cora Sau Wan Lai
Summary: The study found that repeated exposure to the NMDAR antagonist MK801 during adolescence disrupts the balance of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic structures, which can be ameliorated by environmental enrichment. Additionally, the activity of PVINs in the FrA plays a crucial role in regulating synaptic structural dynamics and animal behaviors, providing a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia treatment.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Tao Wang, Wenjing Feng, Mengwei Ju, Huiyan Yu, Zhiting Guo, Xuejing Sun, Kexin Yang, Miao Liu, Rong Xiao
Summary: Our study found that there was an enhanced level of 27-OHC in the serum of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The balance of Th17-related cytokines was altered, with increased levels of IL-17A, IL-12p70, IL-23, GM-CSF, MIP-3 alpha, and TNF-alpha, but decreased levels of IL-13, IL-28A, and TGF-beta 1. Further experiments showed that 27-OHC induced higher immunogenicity, leading to an increase in Th17 cells and a decrease in Treg cells. The amyloidosis was aggravated, cognitive deficits occurred, and the learning and memory performance were worsened in mice treated with 27-OHC. However, by inhibiting ROR gamma t in 27-OHC-loaded mice, the balance of Th17/Treg cells was restored, the amyloidosis was decreased, and the learning and memory decline was improved.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Rena I. Kosti, Thomas Tsiampalis, Matina Kouvari, Ioannis Gketsios, Aikaterini Kanellopoulou, Venetia Notara, George Antonogeorgos, Andrea Paola Rojas-Gil, Ekaterina N. Kornilaki, Areti Lagiou, Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos
Summary: A Greek epidemiological study was conducted on 1728 10-12-year-old students and their parents to identify clusters of physical activity and sedentariness among preadolescents and investigate their association with sources of stress. Three clusters of children's physical activity/sedentariness were revealed: Inactive-Non sedentary, Active-Non-screen sedentary, and Inactive-Sedentary. Parental expectations were found to be associated with physical activity patterns, with children in the second and third clusters having lower odds of being stressed due to parental requirements compared to their counterparts in the first cluster.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
James M. McNally, David D. Aguilar, Fumi Katsuki, Leana K. Radzik, Felipe L. Schiffino, David S. Uygun, James T. McKenna, Robert E. Strecker, Karl Deisseroth, Kevin M. Spencer, Ritchie E. Brown
Summary: This study shows that optogenetic manipulation of an ascending arousal system can affect cortical broadband gamma power, cognition, and behavior. Constant optogenetic stimulation increases gamma frequency power and locomotor activity, impairing novel object recognition. Conversely, optogenetic inhibition can partially rescue the elevated gamma power induced by ketamine.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuan Zhang, Li Yao, Xiang Li, Meizhen Meng, Ziwei Shang, Qin Wang, Jiaying Xiao, Xiang Gu, Zhiheng Xu, Xiaohui Zhang
Summary: Deficiency of Crmp2 accelerates the maturation of cortical inhibitory transmission and induces premature critical period plasticity in the primary visual cortex, leading to impaired sensory perception and binocular depth perception in adulthood.
Article
Biology
Mazbahul G. Ahamad, Fahian Tanin
Summary: Three major concerns related to experimental design and implementation were identified, including the balance between treatment and control groups, the treatment group's willingness to adopt suggested behaviors, and the type, length, frequency, intensity, and sequence of treatments. To address these concerns, a mental model-based repeated multifaceted (MRM) intervention design framework was proposed to improve health education and promotional programs. This framework provides a step-by-step method for experimental and treatment design and outcome analysis, addressing potential implementation challenges.
BMC RESEARCH NOTES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hongsheng Wang, Wanpeng Cui, Wenbing Chen, Fang Liu, Zhaoqi Dong, Guanglin Xing, Bin Luo, Nannan Gao, Wen-Jun Zou, Kai Zhao, Hongsheng Zhang, Xiao Ren, Zheng Yu, Heath L. Robinson, Zhipeng Liu, Wen-Cheng Xiong, Lin Mei
Summary: This study reveals the critical role of NRG1-ErbB4 signaling in regulating stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Inhibiting the activity of ErbB4 can attenuate hyperactivity of dopamine neurons after stress and expression of depression-like behaviors.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Chun-Hui He, Lei Zhang, Ning-Ning Song, Wan-Ying Mei, Jia-Yin Chen, Ling Hu, Qiong Zhang, Yu-Bing Wang, Yu-Qiang Ding
Summary: Soma spacing and dendritic arborization are crucial for the establishment of proper neural circuitry and function during brain development. This study reveals the involvement of transcription factor Satb2 in regulating these processes. Satb2 is shown to be necessary for the regionalization of retrosplenial cortex, the determination of callosal neuron fate, and the regulation of soma spacing and dendritic self-avoidance of cortical pyramidal neurons. The study also identifies EphA7 as a downstream effector of Satb2, with Satb2 directly suppressing the expression of EphA7. These findings provide new insights into the transcriptional regulation of cerebral cortex morphogenesis.
Article
Neurosciences
Hongsheng Wang, Wenbing Chen, Zhaoqi Dong, Guanglin Xing, Wanpeng Cui, Lingling Yao, Wen-Jun Zou, Heath L. Robinson, Yaoyao Bian, Zhipeng Liu, Kai Zhao, Bin Luo, Nannan Gao, Hongsheng Zhang, Xiao Ren, Zheng Yu, James Meixiong, Wen-Cheng Xiong, Lin Mei
Summary: A study has identified ErBB4 as a marker for heat-sensitive spinal neurons in mice, which receive inputs from nociceptors and form excitatory synapses onto target neurons. Activation of these neurons enhances heat response, while inhibition reduces it. NRG1 regulates this process by promoting glutamatergic transmission through the dynamic activity of the tyrosine kinase. This research reveals the spinal neuron connection and regulatory mechanism of heat sensation involving the NRG1-ErBB4 signaling.
Article
Psychiatry
Ling Hu, Bing-Yao Zhou, Cui-Ping Yang, Da-Yun Lu, Yun-Chao Tao, Lin Chen, Lei Zhang, Jun-Hui Su, Ying Huang, Ning-Ning Song, Jia-Yin Chen, Li Zhao, Yi Chen, Chun-Hui He, Yu-Bing Wang, Bing Lang, Yu-Qiang Ding
Summary: This study identifies a potential association between Ulk4 deficiency and schizophrenia, and demonstrates this association through experiments on mice. The study also finds that Ulk4 may regulate downstream signaling pathways through modulating GSK-3 signaling.
SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Meagan M. Kitt, Nobuko Tabuchi, W. Clay Spencer, Heath L. Robinson, Xinrui L. Zhang, Brent A. Eastman, Katherine J. Lobur, Jerry Silver, Lin Mei, Evan S. Deneris
Summary: This study reveals a specialized transcriptional program in adult-stage neurons that ensures the preservation of neuronal connectivity. The transcription factors Lmx1b and Pet1 switch their function from controlling embryonic axonal growth to sustaining a transcriptomic signature of serotonin (5-HT) connectivity in adult-stage. Deficiency of Lmx1b and Pet1 in adulthood leads to progressive degeneration of 5-HT synapses and axons, increased susceptibility of axons to neurotoxic injury, and abnormal stress responses. These findings suggest that maintaining connectivity transcriptomes protects neuronal connectivity and the decay of such transcriptomes may contribute to age-related brain circuitry diseases.
Article
Cell Biology
Ling Hu, Guan-Yu Jiang, Ying-Ping Wang, Zhi-Bin Hu, Bing-Yao Zhou, Lei Zhang, Ning-Ning Song, Ying Huang, Guo-Dong Chai, Jia-Yin Chen, Bing Lang, Lin Xu, Jun-Ling Liu, Yong Li, Qing-Xiu Wang, Yu-Qiang Ding
Summary: PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene that plays a crucial role in brain development. This study reveals that PTEN is also involved in processing itch and thermal information in adult mice. PTEN deletion leads to pathological itch and enhanced itch responses, as well as enhanced thermal stimulation.
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Ling Hu, Lei Zhang
Summary: Schizophrenia is a devastating and complex mental disorder, and understanding the role of adult neural stem cells in its pathogenesis and treatment is crucial for uncovering the etiology and developing therapeutic approaches.
WORLD JOURNAL OF STEM CELLS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Han-Qing Pan, Xiao-Xuan Liu, Ye He, Jin Zhou, Cai-Zhi Liao, Wen-Jie You, Si-Ying Jiang, Xia Qin, Wen-Bing Chen, Er-Kang Fei, Wen-Hua Zhang, Bing-Xing Pan
Summary: This study reveals the unconventional and permissive role of extrasynaptic GABA(A) receptors in fear extinction through a route relying on nonsynaptic plasticity. The expression and function of GABA(A)(δ)R in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are positively correlated with fear extinction, and knockdown of GABA(A)(δ)R in the mPFC impairs fear extinction. Mechanistically, GABA(A)(δ)R enables the extinction-evoked plastic regulation of neuronal excitability in mPFC projection neurons.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dong Lin, Luhui Li, Wen-Bing Chen, Jiang Chen, Dongyan Ren, Zhi-Heng Zheng, Changqin Zhao, Yanzi Zhong, Bin Luo, Hongyang Jing, Peng Chen, Suqi Zou, Xinsheng Lai, Tian Zhou, Ning Ding, Lei Li, Bing-Xing Pan, Erkang Fei
Summary: This study reveals that LHPP in the medial prefrontal cortex plays a critical role in preventing stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Genetic deletion of LHPP enhances depressive behaviors in mice under chronic social defeat stress, while overexpression of LHPP increases resilience. LHPP deficiency leads to increased levels of histidine kinases in the cortex and decreased glutamatergic transmission, contributing to stress-related depression.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rangjuan Cao, Peng Chen, Hongsheng Wang, Hongyang Jing, Hongsheng Zhang, Guanglin Xing, Bin Luo, Jinxiu Pan, Zheng Yu, Wen-Cheng Xiong, Lin Mei
Summary: This study reveals the important role of LRP4 in sensory terminal formation and maintenance, and its deficiency affects sensory synapses and movement coordination. LRP4 is critical for muscle spindle formation and maintenance, and its expression can alleviate the impairment in sensory terminals of aged mice. These observations shed light on the unexpected regulation of LRP4 in muscle spindle formation and maintenance and provide insights into the pathological mechanisms of abnormal muscle proprioception.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shan Yao, Min-Dong Xu, Ying Wang, Shen-Ting Zhao, Jin Wang, Gui-Fu Chen, Wen-Bing Chen, Jian Liu, Guo-Bin Huang, Wen-Juan Sun, Yan-Yan Zhang, Huan-Li Hou, Lei Li, Xiang-Dong Sun
Summary: The authors report a glycolytic deficit in mice under social stress, which is associated with depressive-like behaviors. They demonstrate that astrocytic LDHA affects neuronal excitability and the production of L-lactate, and this plays a role in preventing depressive-like behaviors. Mechanistic studies reveal that L-lactate promotes neuronal excitability through MCT2 and by inhibiting BK channels.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dongyan Ren, Bin Luo, Peng Chen, Lulu Yu, Mingtao Xiong, Zhiqiang Fu, Tian Zhou, Wen-Bing Chen, Erkang Fei
Summary: DGCR2 gene is upregulated during neurodevelopment and enriched in postsynaptic densities. Deficiency of DGCR2 leads to decreased spine formation, glutamatergic transmission, and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, resulting in abnormal behaviors. This study provides insight into the pathophysiological mechanism of DGCR2 in 22q11DS and related mental disorders, highlighting DGCR2 as a novel cell adhesion molecule required for spine development and synaptic plasticity.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2023)