Review
Neurosciences
Forshing Lui, Jessa Alcaide, Stella Knowlton, Michael Ysit, Ning Zhong
Summary: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common cause of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage in the elderly and is pathologically associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). While the deposition of amyloid beta fibrils (Aβ) in the neurites of AD is relatively well-understood, the pathogenesis of CAA remains largely unknown.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Jenny I. Szu, Devin K. Binder
Summary: This review evaluates the role of AQP4 dysregulation and mislocalization in epilepsy, highlighting their significant impact on neuronal hyperexcitability. Research has shown that the mislocalization of AQP4 can greatly affect the excitability of neurons, playing a crucial role in the development of epilepsy.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Yijian Yang, Chuansen Wang, Rui Chen, Yuchang Wang, Changwu Tan, Jingping Liu, Qinghua Zhang, Gelei Xiao
Summary: In this review, we summarize the astrocyte reactivity induced by hydrocephalus and their corresponding functions. We also discuss the therapeutic effects of regulating astrocytes in hydrocephalus.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felix Deffner, Corinna Gleiser, Ulrich Mattheus, Andreas Wagner, Peter H. Neckel, Petra Fallier-Becker, Bernhard Hirt, Andreas F. Mack
Summary: This study found the expression of AQP4 in the choroid plexus epithelium, which was previously unknown. The expression level of AQP4 was significantly increased in old mice, suggesting its association with age-related changes. These findings provide new evidence for the production of cerebrospinal fluid and age-related changes in the brain.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kevin Akeret, Raphael M. Buzzi, Bart R. Thomson, Nina Schwendinger, Jan Klohs, Nadja Schulthess-Lutz, Livio Baselgia, Kerstin Hansen, Luca Regli, Florence Vallelian, Michael Hugelshofer, Dominik J. Schaer
Summary: This study reveals the spatiotemporal dynamics of inflammatory processes after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The early inflammatory response in the choroid plexus (CP) precedes the inflammation and leukocyte infiltration at the lesion site. This early response is dependent on TLR4-MyD88 signaling. Targeting the early CP activation may modulate the development of secondary brain injury after ICH.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Mauricio dos Santos Pereira, Bruna Maitan Santos, Rocio Gimenez, Francisco Silveira Guimaraes, Rita Raisman-Vozari, Elaine Del Bel, Patrick Pierre Michel
Summary: Research found that 4'-F-CBD and HU-910, two synthetic cannabinoids, have anti-inflammatory potential and may have therapeutic utility in treating neuroinflammatory conditions.
Review
Neurosciences
Jill M. M. Lawrence, Kayla Schardien, Brian Wigdahl, Michael R. R. Nonnemacher
Summary: In the contexts of aging, injury, or neuroinflammation, activated microglia induce neurotoxic astrocytes that downregulate supportive functions and secrete neurotoxic factors, complement components, and chemokines, which may facilitate immune cell recruitment. The proportion of pro-inflammatory reactive astrocytes increases with age and is particularly abundant in neurodegenerative disorders. As the identification of astrocyte phenotypes progress, their molecular and cellular effects are characterized in a growing array of neuropathologies.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose Luis Trillo-Contreras, Juan Jose Toledo-Aral, Javier Villadiego, Miriam Echevarria
Summary: Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the principal water channel in the brain, playing a crucial role in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) homeostasis and hydrocephalus. The study found that alterations associated with hydrocephalic state may not be permanent, as some symptoms can be reversed by reexposure to normoxia, but deficits in CSF outflow and ventricular distensibility persist.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Marina Herwerth, Selin Kenet, Martina Schifferer, Anne Winkler, Melanie Weber, Nicolas Snaidero, Mengzhe Wang, Melanie Lohrberg, Jeffrey L. Bennett, Christine Stadelmann, Bernhard Hemmer, Thomas Misgeld
Summary: Researchers have identified a distinct form of immune-mediated axonal injury in a model of neuromyelitis optica, which can be prevented by microtubule stabilization. These findings suggest a promising strategy for neuroprotection in NMO and related diseases.
Review
Immunology
Yu Chen, Fu Peng, Ziwei Xing, Junren Chen, Cheng Peng, Dan Li
Summary: Neuroinflammation is an immune response in the central nervous system that is involved in various brain diseases. Flavonoids can alleviate neuroinflammation by inhibiting inflammatory mediators, promoting anti-inflammatory factors, and modulating glial cell polarization. They have therapeutic potential for brain disorders associated with neuroinflammation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
You Jung Kang, Yen N. Diep, Minh Tran, Van Thi Ai Tran, Ghuncha Ambrin, Huyen Ngo, Hansang Cho
Summary: This article describes a protocol for fabricating a microfluidic device and using it in three-dimensional human neural cultures to study neuron-glia interactions in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The device can replicate pathological features of major neurological disorders and reveal the mechanisms of neuro-glia interactions. The protocol requires training in basic molecular biology techniques.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qi Lu, Jun Xiong, Yuan Yuan, Zhanwei Ruan, Yu Zhang, Bo Chai, Lei Li, Shufang Cai, Jian Xiao, Yanqing Wu, Peng Huang, Hongyu Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates that minocycline can improve the functional recovery of traumatic brain injury (TBI) by reducing the levels of aquaporin-4 (AQP4). Minocycline treatment effectively reduces neuronal apoptosis, ameliorates brain edema and blood-brain barrier disruption in TBI. The expression of tight junction proteins and the morphology of astrocytes are also optimized by minocycline administration. AQP4 may be an important therapeutic target for minocycline treatment of TBI.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Julia Sala-Jarque, Elisa Garcia-Lara, Paula Carreras-Dominguez, Chunfang Zhou, Neus Rabaneda-Lombarte, Carme Sola, Jose M. Vidal-Taboada, Adam Feiler, Ninnie Abrahamsson, Elena N. Kozlova, Josep Saura
Summary: This study analyzed the responses of two types of brain cells, astrocytes and microglia, to mesoporous silica particles (MSPs), and found that MSPs can be effectively internalized into microglial cells without affecting cell viability or morphology, but significantly increase extracellular levels of proinflammatory mediators when used in combination with lipopolysaccharide. These results suggest that MSPs could be a novel tool for specific drug delivery to microglial cells.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania Della Vecchia, Maria Marchese, Filippo Maria Santorelli
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the role of glial cells in Lafora disease (LD). The findings suggest that glial cells accumulate polyglucosan bodies (PBs) in LD and contribute to neurodegeneration and epilepsy. Future research should consider glial cells as a potential therapeutic target.
Article
Cell Biology
Fernando Lopez Alvez, Natalia Pontes Bona, Nathalia Stark Pedra, Daniel Schuch da Silva, Wilson Joao Cunico, Francieli Moro Stefanello, Cinthia Melazzo de Andrade, Mayara Sandrielly Pereira Soares, Roselia Maria Spanevello
Summary: The study investigated the effect of DS27 on lipopolysaccharide-treated astrocytes. The findings showed that DS27 can reverse cellular damage induced by LPS and improve neuroinflammation.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Marcus Alonso Cee Williams, Devin B. Mair, Wonjae Lee, Esak Lee, Deok-Ho Kim
Summary: Heart disease poses a significant burden on global health, but engineered three-dimensional vascularized cardiac tissues show promise in rescuing cardiac function. Advancements in creating tissue models for predicting preclinical responses, modeling diseases, and rescuing cardiac function are pushing the field of cardiac tissue engineering forward.
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jaehyun Lee, Cort B. Breuer, Esak Lee
Summary: Leukocytes continuously circulate in the body to detect invaders or abnormalities and protect the body. Researchers utilize bioengineered in vitro models to study leukocyte interactions in complex microenvironments, aiming to uncover the mechanisms of leukocyte migration and immune-related diseases.
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Soojin Cha, Esak Lee, Hong-Hee Won
Summary: Metastasis is the major cause of death in breast cancer patients and identifying genetic alterations specific to metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is crucial. This study integrated clinical and mutation data of 261 genes from MBC and PBC patients to identify MBC-enriched genetic alterations across various metastatic sites. Several novel genes were found to be frequently altered in MBC samples, with specific mutations associated with different metastatic sites.
Article
Hematology
Aria R. Henderson, Isabelle S. Ilan, Esak Lee
Summary: The study constructed a lymphatic vessel-on-chip model to investigate lymphatic barrier function, revealing integrin alpha 5 as a regulator of the barrier function. This model provides a platform for studying lymphatic barrier function in various conditions.
Review
Hematology
Samantha E. Kraus, Esak Lee
Summary: Lymphatic vessels play a crucial role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies have shown that RA can cause lymphatic dysfunction, leading to the retention of immune cells in the synovium. However, current research has not yet identified the biological and biophysical factors responsible for this lymphatic dysfunction in RA, and in vitro models of the synovium in RA have not incorporated the contributions of lymphatic vessels.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Anna M. M. Kolarzyk, Gigi Wong, Esak Lee
Summary: The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance and immune function, and research and applications in lymphatic tissue and organ engineering are expected to bring significant advances in therapeutic strategies.
COLD SPRING HARBOR PERSPECTIVES IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Andres Wu, Renhao Lu, Esak Lee
Summary: AMD is a progressive disease that leads to severe visual loss, specifically in the elderly population. It can be categorized into dry and wet types, with the wet form being more advanced. Currently, there is no effective treatment for dry AMD, while anti-angiogenic therapies have been successful in treating wet AMD. The mechanisms of dry AMD are poorly understood due to limitations in existing in vivo models. In this review, the biological background of AMD, key cells and structures involved, and various models and approaches for studying AMD are discussed.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryann M. Fame, Peter N. Kalugin, Boryana Petrova, Huixin Xu, Paul A. Soden, Frederick B. Shipley, Neil Dani, Bradford Grant, Aja Pragana, Joshua P. Head, Suhasini Gupta, Morgan L. Shannon, Fortunate F. Chifamba, Hannah Hawks-Mayer, Amanda Vernon, Fan Gao, Yong Zhang, Michael J. Holtzman, Myriam Heiman, Mark L. Andermann, Naama Kanarek, Jonathan O. Lipton, Maria K. Lehtinen
Summary: In this study, a platform was developed to analyze diurnal variations in the choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid of male mice. The ribosome profiling of epithelial cells in the choroid plexus revealed diurnal differences in the translatome related to metabolism, secretion, and barrier components. The study also identified diurnal variations in secretion of transthyretin, which correlated with cerebrospinal fluid thyroid hormone levels.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Isabelle S. Ilan, Aria R. Yslas, Yansong Peng, Renhao Lu, Esak Lee
Summary: This study developed a new human lymphatic vessel model that can simulate four different flow conditions and revealed the roles of interstitial flow and VEGF-A/C in lymphatic sprouting and discontinuous junction formation.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yansong Peng, Esak Lee
Summary: Cancer immunotherapy utilizes patients' adaptive immune systems to fight against cancer. Though many immunotherapy products have been approved by FDA for cancer treatment, they still face challenges such as resistance and inconsistent responses due to genetic mutations and tumor immune microenvironment variations. Microfluidics-based organ-on-a-chip technologies provide a promising approach for personalized immunotherapy screening and studying tumor-immune interactions in a patient-specific manner. They offer more realistic 3D microenvironments with better control, reproducibility, and physiological relevance compared to traditional drug screening methods.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Samantha Kraus, Esak Lee
Summary: This study developed a human lymphatic vessel chip to investigate the effects of acute and chronic inflammation on primary lymphatic valve function. The results showed that acute inflammation impeded lymphatic drainage, while chronic inflammation increased lymphatic permeability. This study reveals distinct mechanisms of primary lymphatic valve dysfunction in acute and chronic inflammation.