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
Oncology
Tianchang Tao, Ningda Xu, Jiarui Li, Mingwei Zhao, Xiaoxin Li, Lvzhen Huang
Summary: Studies have found a correlation between the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). By knocking out the Ube3d gene in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of mice, researchers observed retinal degeneration, vascular system attenuation, and decline in photoreceptor function. The RPE-specific Ube3d knockout mice also showed morphological changes similar to human AMD, suggesting a role of UPS dysfunction in the pathology of AMD. The loss of Ube3d also resulted in aberrant molecular characterizations associated with autophagy-lysosomal pathway, oxidative stress damage, and cell-cycle regulation.
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jingmin Liu, Xinrui Ma, Xiaofang Hu, Jinkun Wen, Haowen Zhang, Jiawei Xu, Ye He, Xianghai Wang, Jiasong Guo
Summary: Our study found that RhoA knockdown or inhibition can alleviate the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of Schwann cells. In this study, we developed two lines of conditional RhoA knockout (cKO) mice to investigate the role of RhoA in Schwann cells during nerve injury and repair. Our results indicate that RhoA cKO in Schwann cells can accelerate axonal regrowth and remyelination after sciatic nerve injury, promoting the recovery of nerve conduction and hindlimb gait. Mechanistic studies revealed that RhoA cKO facilitates Schwann cell dedifferentiation via the JNK pathway, subsequently promoting Wallerian degeneration and stimulating the production of neurotrophins.
Article
Pathology
Xinjun Lu, Baogang Peng, Ge Chen, Mario G. Pes, Silvia Ribback, Cindy Ament, Hongwei Xu, Rajesh Pal, Pedro M. Rodrigues, Jesus M. Banales, Matthias Evert, Diego F. Calvisi, Xin Chen, Biao Fan, Jingxiao Wang
Summary: The simultaneous activation of Notch1 and YAP is common in human cholangiocarcinogenesis, promoting iCCA formation by activating the mTORC1 pathway. Inhibition of mTORC1 by genetic deletion of Raptor suppresses iCCA development in mice. Elevated expression of Notch1, YAP, amino acid transporters, and mTORC1 pathway components in human iCCA specimens is associated with a poor patient outcome.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Renita Maria Martis, Luis James Knight, Monica L. Acosta, Joanna Black, Robert Ng, Lilian Chen Lian Ji, Paul James Donaldson, Julie Ching-Hsia Lim
Summary: This study examined the role of the cystine/glutamate antiporter on retinal structure and function using xCT knockout mice. The findings showed the presence of retinal spots and increased GFAP labeling in the knockout mice, indicating retinal stress. Focal changes in retinal function were also observed in areas where the spots were present. Overall, these results suggest that the xCT knockout mice exhibit features of accelerated aging and may serve as a useful model for studying the cellular pathways involved in retinal aging.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jiawei Xu, Jinkun Wen, Lanya Fu, Liqiang Liao, Ying Zou, Jiaqi Zhang, Junyao Deng, Haowen Zhang, Jingmin Liu, Xianghai Wang, Daming Zuo, Jiasong Guo
Summary: The depletion of RhoA in macrophages has a negative impact on Wallerian degeneration and nerve regeneration, mainly due to impaired migration and phagocytosis of macrophages resulting from disrupted RhoA/ROCK/MLCK pathway. Since previous research has shown that RhoA inhibition in neurons promotes axonal regeneration, the study highlights the importance of considering cellular specificity of RhoA-targeted drugs in future applications for treating peripheral nerve injuries.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yafei Deng, Qinglan Yang, Yao Yang, Yana Li, Hongyan Peng, Shuting Wu, Shuju Zhang, Baige Yao, Shuhui Li, Yuan Gao, Xiaohui Li, Liping Li, Youcai Deng
Summary: The study reveals the critical role of ROR gamma t-expressing cells in the brain, with Tsc1(ROR gamma t) mice displaying spontaneous seizures and death between 4 and 6 weeks of age. Additionally, cortical neuron defects, hippocampal structural abnormalities, and over-activation of neurons and astrogliosis were observed in the brains of these mice.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sreelakshmi Vasudevan, Ivy S. Samuels, Paul S. -H. Park
Summary: GPR75 is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor expressed in the retina and plays an important role in maintaining the health of cone photoreceptor cells. Knockout mice lacking Gpr75 gene display mild progressive retinal degeneration accompanied by oxidative stress, although oxidative stress is not the primary cause of the observed retinal degeneration.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Consiglia Trotta, Sami Gharbia, Hildegard Herman, Bianca Mladin, Andrei Hermenean, Cornel Balta, Coralia Cotoraci, Victor Eduard Peteu, Carlo Gesualdo, Francesco Petrillo, Marilena Galdiero, Roberto Alfano, Mihaela Gherghiceanu, Michele D'Amico, Settimio Rossi, Anca Hermenean
Summary: The study found that aged mice had decreased endogenous levels of RvD1 in the retina, as well as sex-related differences in neuroinflammation and apoptosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Zhu, Qingling Yang, Hui Li, Yujiao Wang, Yuqing Jiang, Huan Wang, Luping Cong, Jianmin Xu, Zhaoyang Shen, Wenhui Chen, Xinxin Zeng, Mengchen Wang, Min Lei, Yingpu Sun
Summary: SIRT3 plays a critical role in maintaining the ovarian follicle reserve and oocyte quality in aging mice, but its role in the testis remains unclear.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hong-jin Chen, Xiao-xi Pan, Li-li-qiang Ding, Cheng-chao Ruan, Ping-jin Gao
Summary: Cardiac remodeling is a pathological process in many heart diseases, with fibroblasts playing a key role in this transformation. The absence of PGC-1α in fibroblasts induces cardiac remodeling, especially fibrosis, while AngII exacerbates cardiac fibrosis accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Meng Ye, Jingqiu Huang, Qianxue Mou, Jing Luo, Yuanyuan Hu, Xiaotong Lou, Ke Yao, Bowen Zhao, Qiming Duan, Xing Li, Hong Zhang, Yin Zhao
Summary: The study demonstrates that CD82 plays a neuroprotective role in glaucoma treatment, offering potential therapeutic strategies for the disease by promoting optic nerve regeneration and ameliorating axon degeneration.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ye Jin Kim, Byong Seo Park, Nuri Song, Thai Hien Tu, Sewon Lee, Jae Kwang Kim, Jae Geun Kim
Summary: This study used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate changes in hypothalamic metabolites during the aging process. The results showed a significant decrease in multiple metabolites and neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus of aged mice. Additionally, there was an increase in genes related to monocarboxylate production and utilization, indicating metabolic activity to produce alternative nutrient sources. Reduced astrocyte activity and nutrient availability in the hypothalamus were also observed in aged mice. Overall, this study suggests that metabolic dysfunction in the hypothalamus may be a primary cause and/or outcome of age-related metabolic diseases.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mariaurea Matias Sarandy, Silvania Mol Pelinsari, Lorena Miranda de Souza, Romulo Dias Novaes, Virginia Vinha Zanuncio, Reggiani Vilela Goncalves
Summary: We evaluated the healing of cutaneous wounds in male wild type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice (iNOS) after supplementation with L-citrulline (CIT) and L-arginine (ARG). The wound area was smaller and the contraction rate was higher with ARG and CIT in WT and KO. ARG and CIT accelerated healing and tissue repair at morphological, histological and biochemical levels.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Salma Ferdous, Kristie L. Liao, Isabelle D. Gefke, Vivian R. Summers, Wenfei Wu, Kevin J. Donaldson, Yong-Kyu Kim, Jana T. Sellers, Jendayi A. Dixon, Debresha A. Shelton, Shanu Markand, Somin M. Kim, Nan Zhang, Jeffrey H. Boatright, John M. Nickerson
Summary: As mice age, there is a significant reduction in both a- and b-wave ERG amplitudes, total retina and outer nuclear layer thickness, with an increase in auto-fluorescence at the photoreceptor-RPE interface. Future studies should investigate the exact mechanisms behind these gradual declines.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Wenchuan Zhou, Yutong Zhou, Jing Li
Summary: In this meta-analysis, an association between increased CSF sTREM2 level and neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) was found. The highest increase in CSF sTREM2 level was observed in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), indicating its potential as a biomarker and therapy target for NDDs.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)