Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Celia Seillier, Flavie Lesept, Olivier Toutirais, Fanny Potzeha, Manuel Blanc, Denis Vivien
Summary: The article provides an overview of the functions of NMDARs in the central nervous system, their expression and modulation in different cell types, and their significance as targets for treating neurological disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Natalie Hudson, Matthew Campbell
Summary: The homeostatic balance of the brain and retina is maintained by the blood-brain and inner blood-retinal barrier, which are specialized barriers formed by interconnected endothelial cells with tight junctions. Disruption of the tight junction complex can lead to detrimental effects on brain and retinal pathology by allowing harmful substances to enter neural tissues.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Yumna El-Hakim, Shameena Bake, Kathiresh Kumar Mani, Farida Sohrabji
Summary: Brain injuries and neurological diseases can affect the gut microbiome and the gut barrier, while gut disorders like Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome can influence the development and pathology of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. This review explores the mechanisms behind how IBS can impact the risk and severity of neurological diseases.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Manuel R. Pouso, Elisa Cairrao
Summary: Retinoic acid, derived from vitamin A, maintains transcriptional activity and plays a crucial role in the development and maturation of the cerebral vascular system, as well as the integrity of the neurovascular unit. Its deficiency leads to neurodegenerative diseases and affects the prognosis after ischemic stroke.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Raphael Bernard-Valnet, Sylvain Perriot, Mathieu Canales, Beatrice Pizzarotti, Leonardo Caranzano, Mayte Castro-Jimenez, Jean-Benoit Epiney, Sergiu Vijiala, Paolo Salvioni-Chiabotti, Angelica Anichini, Alexander Salerno, Katia Jaton, Julien Vaucher, Matthieu Perreau, Gilbert Greub, Giuseppe Pantaleo, Renaud A. Du Pasquier
Summary: The study suggests that neurologic symptoms in COVID-19 patients may be related to intrathecal production of CXCL8, rather than active replication of the virus or massive inflammation in the CSF.
NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Sichao Chen, Linqian Shao, Li Ma
Summary: Brain edema is a severe complication of stroke, associated with prolonged hospitalization and poor outcomes. The swelling of brain tissues affects perfusion and can lead to transtentorial herniation. The blood-brain barrier plays a crucial role in maintaining the stable microenvironment of the CNS, and dysfunction after conditions like ischemic stroke can contribute to cerebral vasogenic edema.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Yoshimichi Sato, Jaime Falcone-Juengert, Teiji Tominaga, Hua Su, Jialing Liu
Summary: The neurovascular unit (NVU) depicts the relationship between brain cells and the vascular structure, regulating cerebral blood flow and maintaining brain homeostasis. Dysregulation of the NVU is a key pathological feature underlying neurological disorders. Understanding NVU dysfunction and remodeling is crucial for targeted therapy design and relevant research progress.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luis O. Soto-Rojas, Mar Pacheco-Herrero, Paola A. Martinez-Gomez, B. Berenice Campa-Cordoba, Ricardo Apatiga-Perez, Marcos M. Villegas-Rojas, Charles R. Harrington, Fidel de la Cruz, Linda Garces-Ramirez, Jose Luna-Munoz
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, characterized by neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid beta accumulation. Vascular risk factors may lead to dysregulation of the neurovascular unit, contributing to A beta accumulation and neurodegeneration. Therapeutic approaches targeting abnormal A beta levels have had limited success in improving cognition.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yelizhati Ruzha, Junjun Ni, Zhenzhen Quan, Hui Li, Hong Qing
Summary: VTN is a multifunctional glycoprotein that plays various physiological roles and is involved in cell attachment, migration, neural differentiation, neurogenesis, and also has neuroprotective effects on the brain. It is associated with the blood-brain barrier and neurodegenerative diseases, although its exact function in these contexts is not fully understood.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Bruno Santos-Lima, Enrica Caterina Pietronigro, Eleonora Terrabuio, Elena Zenaro, Gabriela Constantin
Summary: Neutrophil migration plays a crucial role in the development of neurological diseases with inflammatory components. These cells can damage the blood-brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, leading to significant tissue damage.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tam Thuy Lu Vo, Dain Shin, Eunyoung Ha, Ji Hae Seo
Summary: This review examines the harmful effects of drug abuse on the blood-brain barrier (BBB), with a focus on the mechanisms through which it damages the neurovascular unit (NVU). Understanding the relationships between drug abuse, BBB integrity, and NVU function may lead to the discovery of new therapeutic strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Brandon C. Smith, Rachel A. Tinkey, Benjamin C. Shaw, Jessica L. Williams
Summary: The blood-brain barrier is a barrier with selective permeability that separates the periphery from the central nervous system. The neurovascular unit, consisting of multiple cells, regulates the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Understanding the contributions of each member of the neurovascular unit can lead to novel methods for delivering neurotherapies to the central nervous system.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazuki Hatayama, Sydney Riddick, Fares Awa, Xiaodi Chen, Daniela Virgintino, Barbara S. Stonestreet
Summary: Exposure to hypoxic-ischemic insults in newborns can lead to severe neurological sequelae. This study investigated the changes in the neurovascular unit (NVU) after hypoxic-ischemic injury in neonatal rats. The findings showed increased vascular density, neurovascular remodeling, and changes in pericyte coverage and claudin-5 expression in different brain regions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Suyeong Seo, Chi-Hoon Choi, Kyung Sik Yi, Seung U. Kim, Kangwon Lee, Nakwon Choi, Hong Jun Lee, Sang-Hoon Cha, Hong Nam Kim
Summary: The neurovascular unit (NVU) is composed of various types of brain cells that play important roles in maintaining the molecular transport barrier and brain tissue homeostasis. Dysfunction of the NVU has been associated with several disorders of the central nervous system, highlighting the importance of developing in vitro models for studying and understanding NVU-related mechanisms.
Review
Neurosciences
Louis-Philippe Bernier, Clement Brunner, Azzurra Cottarelli, Matilde Balbi
Summary: The neurovascular unit (NVU) in the brain exhibits spatial heterogeneity, with variations in cellular composition and functional specialization across different brain regions. This diversity is crucial for brain function.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Francesco Fornai, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
Summary: The catecholamine-containing brainstem nuclei LC and VTA are crucial for stress responses and may contribute to neurodegeneration, especially during chronic stress. Alterations in catecholamine systems can lead to cognitive decline and potentially increase the production of toxic dopamine and norepinephrine by-products, affecting proteostasis in various brain regions. The molecular events controlling neurotransmission, neuroplasticity, and proteostasis within LC and VTA impact different brain areas, with alterations in autophagy machinery within these nuclei potentially triggering early neurodegeneration.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Livia La Barbera, Francescangelo Vedele, Annalisa Nobili, Paraskevi Krashia, Elena Spoleti, Emanuele Claudio Latagliata, Debora Cutuli, Emma Cauzzi, Ramona Marino, Maria Teresa Viscomi, Laura Petrosini, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Marcello Melone, Flavio Keller, Nicola Biagio Mercuri, Fiorenzo Conti, Marcello D'Amelio
Summary: Recent studies suggest that degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area could be one of the first events in Alzheimer's Disease. Using a mouse model, researchers found that treatment with Nilotinib could reduce phosphorylation of c-Abl, improve autophagy, lower A beta levels, and prevent degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the VTA. The drug also preserved dopamine outflow to the hippocampus and improved hippocampal-related cognitive functions.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Federica Fulceri, Francesca Biagioni, Fiona Limanaqi, Carla L. Busceti, Larisa Ryskalin, Paola Lenzi, Francesco Fornai
Summary: Spinal muscular atrophy is a heritable neuromuscular disorder characterized by a loss of the survival of motor neurons protein, leading to degeneration of lower motor neurons. Research indicates that early peripheral alterations may occur at the neuromuscular junction, muscle, and axons in SMA. Studies on a slow progressive mouse model have shown remarkable ultrastructural alterations related to early peripheral denervation in SMA, highlighting potential new anatomical targets for neuromuscular disease research.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Fiona Limanaqi, Francesca Biagioni, Alessandra Salvetti, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Paola Lenzi, Francesco Fornai
Summary: The interplay between autophagy and ubiquitin proteasome systems has been evidenced at biochemical and morphological levels, forming a novel organelle called autophagoproteasome which may serve as a catalytic organelle for cell protection. Recent findings suggest the presence of active ubiquitin proteasome subunits within autophagy vacuoles.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HISTOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gloria Lazzeri, Carla L. Busceti, Francesca Biagioni, Cinzia Fabrizi, Gabriele Morucci, Filippo S. Giorgi, Michela Ferrucci, Paola Lenzi, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Francesco Fornai
Summary: Norepinephrine (NE) offers protective effects against Meth-induced cell damage when directly applied to PC12 cells, primarily through activation of plasma membrane beta 2-adrenergic receptors (ARs) and restoration of autophagy disrupted by Meth administration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Mastroiacovo, Francesca Biagioni, Paola Lenzi, Larisa Ryskalin, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Alessandro Frati, Francesco Fornai
Summary: The heat shock protein (HSP) 70 plays a crucial role in neuronal survival in ischemic conditions, with high density found in cytosolic vacuoles and mitochondria in control conditions. However, a loss of such specific polarization is documented within the peri-infarct region, leading to depletion of HSP70 from these organelles. This may significantly impact the physiological functions of HSP70 in promoting neuronal survival.
Review
Psychiatry
Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Stefano Ruggieri, Francesco Fornai
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests the efficacy of lithium (Li+) in neuropsychiatry, indicating common dysfunctional molecular and morphological mechanisms among psychiatric and neurological disorders. The plasticity in distinct brain circuitries also overlaps in these disorders, highlighting the potential for a multi-drug strategy to target shared features.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Biagioni, Federica Mastroiacovo, Paola Lenzi, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Carla L. Busceti, Larisa Ryskalin, Rosangela Ferese, Domenico Bucci, Alessandro Frati, Ferdinando Nicoletti, Francesco Fornai
Summary: The peri-infarct region, known as the ischemic penumbra, is a critical area surrounding the irreversible ischemic stroke region where neuronal metabolic conditions are impaired. Over-expression of HSP70 is the classic biochemical marker of the penumbra, but other proteins related to cell clearing pathways are also modified in this area. LC3 and P20S are two proteins that show significant overlapping redistribution within the penumbra, with a reduction in autophagoproteasomes reported as a relevant sub-cellular alteration in this region.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Michela Ferrucci, Francesca Biagioni, Carla L. Busceti, Chiara Vidoni, Roberta Castino, Ciro Isidoro, Larisa Ryskalin, Alessandro Frati, Stefano Puglisi-Allegra, Francesco Fornai
Summary: The study investigates the role of autophagy in METH-induced toxicity of dopamine neurons, revealing that ongoing autophagy protects dopamine neurons and determines the refractoriness of cell bodies to METH-induced toxicity.
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Fiona Limanaqi, Silvia Zecchini, Borana Dino, Sergio Strizzi, Gioia Cappelletti, Olga Utyro, Claudia Vanetti, Micaela Garziano, Irma Saulle, Mario Clerici, Mara Biasin
Summary: Recent evidence shows that the SARS-CoV-2 virus inhibits immune responses through dopamine-related mechanisms. In this study, the role of dopamine in SARS-CoV-2 replication was investigated in human lung cells, revealing that dopamine can reduce viral replication and affect the expression of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors. Additionally, dopamine can upregulate the expression of ISGs and Type-I interferons, while downregulating pro-inflammatory mediators. These findings highlight the correlation between dopamine pathways and the Type-I interferon response, which may be disrupted by SARS-CoV-2 for invasion and replication in host cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Micaela Garziano, Olga Utyro, Sergio Strizzi, Claudia Vanetti, Irma Saulle, Chiara Conforti, Federica Cicilano, Francesco Ardizzone, Gioia Cappelletti, Mario Clerici, Fiona Limanaqi, Mara Biasin
Summary: This study investigates the effect of a third dose of BNT162b2 vaccine on specific immunity within the oral mucosa and its protection against different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The results show that the third dose boosts neutralizing activity and the antibody levels decline over time.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia Vanetti, Vito Lampasona, Marta Stracuzzi, Claudio Fenizia, Mara Biasin, Irma Saulle, Fiona Limanaqi, Ahmed Abdelsalam, Cristian Loretelli, Laura Paradiso, Emma Longoni, Lucia Barcellini, Lorenzo Piemonti, Ilaria Marzinotto, Stefania Dispinseri, Antonella Amendola, Clara Fappani, Elisabetta Tanzi, Mario Salvatore Clerici, Gabriella Scarlatti, Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti, Vania Giacomet, Daria Trabattoni
Summary: This study analyzed the immune profiles of 18 hospitalized children with SARS-CoV-2 infection and found that different severity levels of children cases showed different immune characteristics. Infants with severe symptoms exhibited high inflammatory response and extreme antibody response, while mild cases had lower levels of inflammation and antibodies. Overall, the immune response in children is directly correlated with the clinical severity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)