Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xingxing Jian, Guihu Zhao, He Chen, Yanhui Wang, Jinchen Li, Lu Xie, Bin Li
Summary: This study utilized transcriptomics analysis to identify several hub DEGs between PD patients and normal controls, showing high correlations among these genes. A Cox model with an eight-gene signature was constructed to predict PD progression and survival successfully in an independent dataset, highlighting the clinical significance of these findings.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jay S. S. Schneider, Garima Singh
Summary: The precise mechanisms of cellular degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) are still unclear, but altered expression of genes related to gangliosides, glycosylation, sialylation, and sphingolipid synthesis and metabolism may play important roles. This study found abnormal expression of various genes related to glycosyltransferases, sphingosine-1-phosphate modulators, and polysialyltransferases in the brains of PD patients. These findings highlight the complexity of glycolipid/sphingolipid dysregulation in PD and suggest potential targets for PD therapeutics.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yunjie Rong, Zhifeng Xu, Ye Zhu, Xianhai Zhang, Lingfeng Lai, Shuyi Sun, Mingyong Gao, Pi Guo, Guohua Zhang, Yiqun Geng, Xilun Ma, Shuohua Wu, Lin Yang, Zhiwei Shen, Jitian Guan
Summary: This study identified changes in iron deposition and neural microstructure in the substantia nigra as potential indicators of early-stage Parkinson's disease.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Julio Aguila, Shangli Cheng, Nigel Kee, Ming Cao, Menghan Wang, Qiaolin Deng, Eva Hedlund
Summary: This study identified transcriptomes and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of human substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons, revealing unique gene interactions and regulation differences between the subpopulations. Analysis of Parkinson's Disease tissues showed potential biomarkers, such as down-regulated SNc markers SLIT1 and ATP2A3, distinguishing SNc and VTA dopamine neurons. These findings provide insights into modulating dopamine neuron resilience and validating cell identity of stem cell-derived dopamine neurons.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Sebastian R. Schreglmann, Tomas Goncalves, Melissa Grant-Peters, Demis A. Kia, Lilach Soreq, Mina Ryten, Nicholas W. Wood, Kailash P. Bhatia, Kazunori Tomita
Summary: Age is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, and telomere shortening with age is a known phenomenon. However, the changes in telomere length in the brain and its association with neurodegenerative diseases are still unknown.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lei Wang, Shengyu Li, Yu Jiang, Zijian Zhao, Yunjiao Shen, Junjie Zhang, Lei Zhao
Summary: Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum DP189 has a significant protective effect on the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease mice, improving behavioral abilities and increasing neurotransmitter levels.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Xue Zhang, Jing Wang, Jin-Zhao Gao, Xiao-Na Zhang, Kai-Xin Dou, Wan-Da Shi, An-Mu Xie
Summary: Inhibition of P2X4 receptor activity in Parkinson's disease may reduce symptoms and increase the expression of specific proteins, potentially alleviating the impact of the disease on the nervous system.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Tushar Kamath, Abdulraouf Abdulraouf, S. J. Burris, Jonah Langlieb, Vahid Gazestani, Naeem M. Nadaf, Karol Balderrama, Charles Vanderburg, Evan Z. Macosko
Summary: In this study, single-cell genomics was used to analyze thousands of human dopamine neurons and identify a unique population susceptible to Parkinson's disease, which was enriched for genetic risk.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tushar Kamath, Evan Z. Macosko
Summary: Parkinson's disease is characterized by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Recent advances in genomic profiling have identified specific pathways and genetic variants involved in the susceptibility of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. This provides new opportunities for understanding and developing therapies for this complex disorder.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marta Gonzalez-Sepulveda, Joan Compte, Thais Cuadros, Alba Nicolau, Camille Guillard-Sirieix, Nuria Penuelas, Marina Lorente-Picon, Annabelle Parent, Jordi Romero-Gimenez, Joana M. Cladera-Sastre, Ariadna Laguna, Miquel Vila
Summary: Neurons that accumulate the highest levels of neuromelanin with age are also the most susceptible to degeneration in Parkinson's disease. Using a neuromelanin-producing rat model, Gonzalez-Sepulveda, Compte et al. show that slowing down age-dependent neuromelanin production can help prevent Parkinson's disease-like features.
Article
Cell Biology
Rebekah G. Langston, Alexandra Beilina, Xylena Reed, Alice Kaganovich, Andrew B. Singleton, Cornelis Blauwendraat, J. Raphael Gibbs, Mark R. Cookson
Summary: Studies have found that noncoding variations related to Parkinson's disease (PD) are specifically transmitted through microglia, a type of brain cell, and not by other cell types. Regulatory chromatin regions that control the expression of the LRRK2 gene have been identified in the frontal cortex and substantia nigra of the human brain. These results were confirmed using a human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia model. The study highlights the importance of considering cell type when evaluating the role of noncoding variations in disease pathogenesis.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marta Villadoniga, Lidia Cabanes-Martinez, Laura Lopez-Vinas, Samira Fanjul, Marta del Alamo, Ignacio Regidor
Summary: Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is an efficient treatment for motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease, but its effects on gait and balance remain controversial. Researchers have considered alternative targets, such as the pedunculopontine nucleus and the pars reticulata of substantia nigra, to improve gait disorders. Compared to conventional subthalamic stimulation, combined stimulation of the substantia nigra and subthalamic nucleus leads to better outcomes in improving gait.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Guangwei Du, Ernest Wang, Christopher Sica, Hairong Chen, Sol De Jesus, Mechelle M. Lewis, Lan Kong, James Connor, Richard B. Mailman, Xuemei Huang
Summary: Higher nigral iron has been reported in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Nigral iron is lower before the start of dopaminergic medication and then increases throughout the disease until it plateaus at late stages. PD medications may have differential associations with iron accumulation that need further investigation.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Leslie C. Jellen, Mechelle M. Lewis, Guangwei Du, Xi Wang, Martha L. Escobar Galvis, Stanislaw Krzyzanowski, Colt D. Capan, Amanda M. Snyder, James R. Connor, Lan Kong, Richard B. Mailman, Patrik Brundin, Lena Brundin, Xuemei Huang
Summary: The study found that Parkinson's disease (PD) patients have lower plasma serotonin levels and higher nigral iron content. The negative correlation between plasma serotonin levels and nigral iron content is significant in PD patients, especially in those newly diagnosed.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
David J. Degnan, Kelly G. Stratton, Rachel Richardson, Daniel Claborne, Evan A. Martin, Nathan A. Johnson, Damon Leach, Bobbie-Jo M. Webb-Robertson, Lisa M. Bramer
Summary: The pmartR package is designed for QC and analysis of mass spectrometry data, specifically for proteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic datasets. It has been expanded to include nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomic data and transcriptomic data analysis using DESeq2, edgeR, and limma-voom R packages. The package also offers improved statistics and visualization capabilities, including support for paired data and integration with the trelliscopejs R package.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
K. L. Pietersz, R. M. Martier, M. S. Baatje, J. M. Liefhebber, C. C. Brouwers, S. M. Pouw, L. Fokkert, J. Lubelski, H. Petry, G. J. M. Martens, S. J. van Deventer, P. Konstantinova, B. Blits
Summary: The study evaluated the AAV5 vector system for targeting the central nervous system via different delivery routes, demonstrating various administration routes can be applied for efficient transgene expression.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Daylan A. Tzompa-Sosa, Koen Dewettinck, Paul Provijn, Jos F. Brouwers, Bruno de Meulenaer, Dennis G. A. B. Oonincx
Summary: The study analyzed the lipid composition differences among four species of crickets and found that two-spotted and banded crickets had higher lipid content than house crickets. The lipids in these crickets were high in UFA and unsaturated TAG, making them liquid at room temperature. High levels of cholesterol and various phytosterols were identified, raising concerns, while the phospholipid types showed no major differences among cricket species.
Article
Immunology
Qiuyuan Fang, Helena Xicoy, Junqing Shen, Sabina Luchetti, Di Dai, Pei Zhou, Xin-Rui Qi, Gerard J. M. Martens, Inge Huitinga, Dick F. Swaab, Chunqing Liu, Ling Shan
Summary: The study demonstrates that H4R inhibition with JNJ7777120 shows promising therapeutic effects in reversing dopaminergic cell loss in Parkinson's disease, reducing alpha-synuclein inclusions and promoting neuroinflammation. This highlights H4R in microglia as a potential target for PD treatment.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
D. A. Maas, V. D. Eijsink, J. A. van Hulten, R. Panic, P. De Weerd, J. R. Homberg, A. Valles, B. Nait-Oumesmar, G. J. M. Martens
Summary: The study found that oxidative stress may contribute to cognitive symptoms in the APO-SUS rat model of SZ, highlighting the potential of antioxidant therapy in the early phases of SZ.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Helena Xicoy, Cornelius J. H. M. Klemann, Ward De Witte, Marijn B. Martens, Gerard J. M. Martens, Geert Poelmans
Summary: The study identified a genetic overlap between Parkinson's disease (PD) and blood levels of 25 lipids, with eight lipid species showing genetic overlap with PD across both analyses. Specifically, two polyunsaturated fatty acids, four triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholine aa, and sphingomyelin were found to be genetically associated with PD. Analysis of concordance revealed a negative concordance with triacylglycerols and phosphatidylcholine, and a positive concordance with polyunsaturated fatty acids and sphingomyelin. These findings suggest that genetic variants associated with PD impact blood levels of specific lipid species, highlighting the key role of these lipids in PD pathology.
NPJ PARKINSONS DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Eric J. R. Jansen, Nick H. M. van Bakel, Bente Benedict, Nikkie F. M. Olde Loohuis, Theo G. M. Hafmans, Shek Man Chim, Jiake Xu, Sharon M. Kolk, Gerard J. M. Martens
Summary: Ac45RP, a relatively late-evolved protein, drives neuronal outgrowth by interacting with V-ATPase V0 sector, enhancing membrane expansion and cytoplasmic vesicle formation. Its brain-specific expression coincides with the peak of neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, suggesting a potential role in future neuroregenerative treatments.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aike Jeucken, Miaomiao Zhou, Marc M. S. M. Wosten, Jos F. Brouwers
Summary: n-Butanol is a versatile compound that shows promise as a biofuel, with potential applications in producing complex molecules like bioplastics. This study investigated the impact of n-butanol on E. coli lipid metabolism, identifying key lipids and pathways influencing n-butanol tolerance. The research provides new insights into bacterial lipid metabolism.
Article
Neurosciences
Ariadna Laguna, Helena Xicoy, Eduardo Tolosa, Monica Serradell, Dolores Vilas, Carles Gaig, Manel Fernandez, Oscar Yanes, Joan Santamaria, Nuria Amigo, Alex Iranzo, Miquel Vila
Summary: Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to analyze the lipoprotein and protein glycosylation profiles of iRBD patients. Differences were found in the profiles between patients with initial predominant parkinsonism or dementia. Predictive models were constructed to predict the future clinical outcomes of iRBD patients.
NPJ PARKINSONS DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mike F. Renne, Xue Bao, Margriet W. J. Hokken, Adolf S. Bierhuizen, Martin Hermansson, Richard R. Sprenger, Tom A. Ewing, Xiao Ma, Ruud C. Cox, Jos F. Brouwers, Cedric H. De Smet, Christer S. Ejsing, Anton I. P. M. de Kroon
Summary: Our study reveals the importance of ERMES and Vps39p in mediating the transfer of di-unsaturated phospholipids to mitochondria. This supports the concept that lipid flow between membranes is limited by molecular species-dependent lipid efflux and concentration gradients between membranes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kim M. A. De Kleijn, Kirsten R. Straasheijm, Wieteke A. Zuure, Gerard J. M. Martens
Summary: Neuroinflammation is crucial in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Through stimulation experiments on human cortical spheroids, transcriptomic analysis reveals that the main response induced by the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF alpha and IL-1 beta is neuroinflammation. Endothelial cells, microglia, astrocytes, and dysregulated genes encoding cytokines, chemokines, and pathway components are central in the neuroinflammatory response.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Delilah Hendriks, Jos F. Brouwers, Karien Hamer, Maarten H. Geurts, Lea Luciana, Simone Massalini, Carmen Lopez-Iglesias, Peter J. Peters, Maria J. Rodriguez-Colman, Susana Chuva de Sousa Lopes, Benedetta Artegiani, Hans Clevers
Summary: Organoid models of early liver disease, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are valuable for target discovery and drug screening. Using human fetal hepatocyte organoids, the first stage of NAFLD, steatosis, was successfully modeled with various triggers. Screening of drug candidates identified compounds that effectively resolved steatosis by repressing de novo lipogenesis. The study also introduced FatTracer, a CRISPR screening platform, to identify steatosis modulators and potential targets.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Bingjian Ren, Xiaohan Liang, Jos F. Brouwers, Rosalba Cruz Miron, Bang Shen, Nishith Gupta
Summary: A genetic and lipidomic investigation showed that depletion of ECT in Toxoplasma gondii disrupts PtdEtn synthesis and results in parasite death. T. gondii salvages ether-PtdEtn from its host cells. This study reveals the diverse mechanisms employed by T. gondii to produce different forms of PtdEtn.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Hidde P. P. van Steenwijk, Evi Winter, Edward Knaven, Jos F. F. Brouwers, Myrthe van Baardwijk, Jasper B. B. van Dalum, Teus J. C. Luijendijk, Frits H. M. van Osch, Freddy J. J. Troost, Aalt Bast, Khrystyna O. O. Semen, Alie de Boer
Summary: This study investigated the effects of broccoli sprout consumption, a source of sulforaphane, on platelet functionality. The results showed that sulforaphane can improve platelet responsiveness. This study suggests the potential clinical application of sulforaphane in regulating platelet response.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2023)