Article
Anesthesiology
Tyler J. Browne, Kelly M. Smith, Mark A. Gradwell, Jacqueline A. Iredale, Christopher V. Dayas, Robert J. Callister, David I. Hughes, Brett A. Graham
Summary: Projection neurons in the spinal dorsal horn play a crucial role in relaying sensory information to higher brain centres, receiving inputs from the periphery, brain, and local circuits. Recent studies in transgenic mice have provided insights into dorsal horn circuitry, while information on projection neurons is mainly based on previous studies in monkey, cat, and rat. The study on mouse spinoparabrachial projection neurons identified distinct subpopulations in lamina I based on electrophysiological properties, suggesting different sensory signalling features. Additionally, the research revealed novel information on deeper lamina SPBNs, showing different sensory codes destined for the PBN and their contribution to excitatory input in dorsal horn circuits.
Article
Neurosciences
Paolo Scalmani, Rosina Paterra, Massimo Mantegazza, Massimo Avoli, Marco de Curtis
Summary: Single-unit recordings in temporal lobe epilepsy patients and models of temporal lobe seizures showed that interneurons are active during focal seizure onset. This study performed simultaneous patch-clamp and field potential recordings in entorhinal cortex slices of mice to analyze the activity of specific interneuron (IN) subpopulations during acute seizure-like events (SLEs) induced by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). The results revealed that entorhinal cortex INs are highly active at the onset and during the progression of 4-AP-induced SLEs.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gokhan Unlu, Benjamin Prizer, Ranya Erdal, Hsi-Wen Yeh, Erol C. Bayraktar, Kivanc Birsoy
Summary: This study identifies SLCO2B1 as a plasma membrane heme importer predominantly expressed in microglia, which plays a vital role in iron utilization under restriction conditions. SLCO2B1 mediates heme analog import to provide sufficient iron for cell proliferation through heme oxygenases. The study also highlights the metabolic limitations under stress conditions and provides a genetic platform for further exploration.
Article
Neurosciences
Noemi Binini, Francesca Talpo, Paolo Spaiardi, Claudia Maniezzi, Matteo Pedrazzoli, Francesca Raffin, Niccolo Mattiello, Antonio N. Castagno, Sergio Masetto, Yuchio Yanagawa, Clayton T. Dickson, Stefano Ramat, Mauro Toselli, Gerardo Rosario Biella
Summary: The perirhinal cortex (PRC) acts as a gateway between cortical areas and hippocampus, with its neurons being able to amplify output signals and coordinate network activity in the brain through resonance. This resonance ability is crucial for information transmission and memory enhancement between neocortex and hippocampus.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kaori Takahashi, Kentaro Araki, Hideo Miyamoto, Rikimaru Shirakawa, Takashi Yoshida, Minoru Wakamori
Summary: The TRPV1 channel plays a crucial role in pain sensation, being regulated by capsaicin and protons, showing strong voltage dependency, and having specific activation characteristics.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Stefano Varani, Dania Vecchia, Stefano Zucca, Angelo Forli, Tommaso Fellin
Summary: In the barrel field of rodent primary somatosensory cortex, excitatory cells in layer 2/3 display sparse firing but reliable subthreshold response during whisker stimulation. The canonical model suggests that layer 4 drives layer 2/3, but this study demonstrates that other regions also provide excitatory inputs to layer 2/3 during whisker stimulation.
Article
Neurosciences
Rajkamalpreet S. Mann, Brian L. Allman, Susanne Schmid
Summary: Disruptions in the CNTNAP2 gene are associated with language impairments and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Knocking out this gene in rodents leads to ASD-like symptoms, including auditory processing deficits. This study found that CNTNAP2 is crucial for maintaining intrinsic neuronal properties and synaptic wiring in the developing auditory cortex.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
C. S. Barz, P. M. Garderes, D. A. Ganea, S. Reischauer, D. Feldmeyer, F. Haiss
Summary: Using two-photon calcium imaging, researchers identified a subset of highly active neurons in layer L2/3 of the mouse primary somatosensory cortex that responded strongly to principal whisker vibrotactile stimulation. These high responders exhibited increased stimulus-evoked and spontaneous activity, elevated noise and spontaneous pairwise correlations, and stronger coupling to the population response compared to less responsive neurons. The intrinsic excitability of the high responders was reduced, suggesting that network connectivity may play a larger role in determining neuron participation in stimulus encoding than cellular structure and function.
Article
Immunology
Avishay Dolitzky, Guy Shapira, Sharon Grisaru-Tal, Inbal Hazut, Shmulik Avlas, Yaara Gordon, Micahl Itan, Noam Shomron, Ariel Munitz
Summary: Eosinophils are multifunctional leukocytes involved in regulating tissue homeostasis, host defense, and cancer responses. They can respond to both Type 1 and Type 2 inflammatory stimuli based on recent RNA sequencing data, exhibiting distinct transcription profiles. These findings suggest that eosinophils exhibit heterogeneity and transcriptional differences between Type 1 and Type 2 cells, influencing their diverse activities in various disease settings.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xin Rui Lim, Eamonn Bradley, Caoimhin S. Griffin, Mark A. Hollywood, Gerard P. Sergeant, Keith D. Thornbury
Summary: This study revealed fast, voltage-dependent sodium currents in mouse CCSM and showed that stimulation of these currents increased contractility of CCSM in vitro, suggesting a potential role in erectile dysfunction. Further research is needed to define the exact involvement of these currents.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Vincent R. Graziano, Mia Madel Alfajaro, Cameron O. Schmitz, Renata B. Filler, Madison S. Strine, Jin Wei, Leon L. Hsieh, Megan T. Baldridge, Timothy J. Nice, Sanghyun Lee, Robert C. Orchard, Craig B. Wilen
Summary: The study used murine norovirus to explore the cell receptor and tropism of human norovirus, revealing the crucial role of specific cell types in virus infection.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Olga A. Sergeeva, Karolina Mazur, David Reiner-Link, Kiril Lutsenko, Helmut L. Haas, Mercedes Alfonso-Prieto, Holger Stark
Summary: Researchers have found that Nα-oleoylhistamine (OLHA) can modulate the activity of histaminergic (HA) neurons in mice. OLHA has different effects on HA neuron firing depending on its concentration. The excitatory and rise in intracellular calcium caused by OLHA are influenced by specific receptors and inhibitors, possibly related to fatty acid metabolism and the PKA pathway. PPAR-alpha and H3 receptors play important roles in this process.
Article
Anesthesiology
Jie Li, Elizabeth K. Serafin, Mark L. Baccei
Summary: This study investigated the intrinsic and synaptic properties of lamina I spino-PAG neurons and their modulation by neonatal injury. The results showed that the firing of spino-PAG neurons is mainly governed by their intrinsic membrane properties and is resistant to the influence of neonatal tissue damage.
Article
Ecology
Jianxin Yang, Wenwu Tang, Jian Gong, Rui Shi, Minrui Zheng, Yunzhe Dai
Summary: This study proposes a new urban cellular automata (CA) modeling framework that incorporates a spatiotemporally explicit urban demand modeling scheme. The framework uses spatiotemporal Gaussian-based models to represent the heterogeneity of urban demand. The application of the framework to Wuhan, China demonstrates the ability to capture the wave-shaped propagation pattern of new urban land demand and improve model performance at both macro and micro levels.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jianxin Yang, Wenwu Tang, Jian Gong, Rui Shi, Minrui Zheng, Yunzhe Dai
Summary: This study proposes a new urban cellular automata modeling framework that incorporates spatiotemporally explicit urban demand modeling to guide micro-level urban land allocation for simulating urban expansion. The results demonstrate that this framework can capture urban dynamics at both macro and micro levels, improving model performance.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Nannan Sun, Chuangpeng Shen, Lei Zhang, Xiaojie Wu, Yuanyuan Yu, Xiaoying Yang, Chen Yang, Chong Zhong, Zhao Gao, Wei Miao, Zehong Yang, Weihang Gao, Ling Hu, Kevin Williams, Changhui Liu, Yongsheng Chang, Yong Gao
Summary: The transcription factor KLF16 plays a crucial role in hepatic lipid metabolism by regulating fatty acid oxidation and improving mitochondrial stress and oxidative stress, thus reducing hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ji Su Sun, Dong Joo Yang, Ann W. Kinyua, Seul Gi Yoon, Je Kyung Seong, Juwon Kim, Seok Jun Moon, Dong Min Shin, Yun-Hee Choi, Ki Woo Kim
Summary: The dysfunction of primary cilia in the ventromedial hypothalamus is linked to impaired energy and skeletal homeostasis, resulting in obesity and increased bone density. Dysfunction of VMH primary cilia leads to decreased sympathetic activation and central leptin resistance, impacting energy expenditure and bone metabolism.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Linh V. Nguyen, Khoa D. A. Nguyen, Chi-Thanh Ma, Quoc-Thai Nguyen, Huong T. H. Nguyen, Dong-Joo Yang, Trung Le Tran, Ki Woo Kim, Khanh V. Doan
Summary: p-Coumaric acid potentially activates peripheral AMPK and improves glucose metabolism, while showing inhibitory effects on central AMPK activity. This differential effect enhances hypothalamic leptin sensitivity and improves whole-body glucose homeostasis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anita Kabahizi, Briana Wallace, Linh Lieu, Dominic Chau, Yanbin Dong, Eun-Sang Hwang, Kevin W. Williams
Summary: GLP-1 acts through humoral and neural pathways to regulate satiety, gastric motility, and pancreatic endocrine function, with therapeutic potential in glycaemic regulation and chronic weight management. Research on neural circuits reveals the effects of GLP-1 and its receptor agonists on energy balance and glucose metabolism.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Parvin Valiulahi, Vincencius Vidyawan, Lesly Puspita, Youjin Oh, Virginia Blessy Juwono, Panida Sittipo, Gilgi Friedlander, Dayana Yahalomi, Jong-Woo Sohn, Yun Kyung Lee, Jeong Kyo Yoon, Jae-Won Shim
Summary: This study introduces a novel strategy to generate hindbrain 5-HT neurons from human pluripotent stem cells, achieving successful conversion of 30%-40% of cells. By utilizing a caudalizing agent, the majority of cells acquired a caudal identity. The research also optimized the differentiation system to generate organoid cultures enriched with 5-HT neurons.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zhenyan He, Linh Lieu, Yanbin Dong, Sadia Afrin, Dominic Chau, Anita Kabahizi, Briana Wallace, Jianhong Cao, Eun-Sang Hwang, Ting Yao, Yiru Huang, Jennifer Okolo, Bo Cheng, Yong Gao, Ling Hu, Kevin W. Williams
Summary: The study showed that PERK deficiency in POMC neurons in male mice may protect against diet-induced obesity, while attenuating the improvements in leptin sensitivity and energy balance induced by celastrol.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anish Ashok Adpaikar, Sushan Zhang, Hyun-Yi Kim, Ki Woo Kim, Seok Jun Moon, Jong-Min Lee, Han-Sung Jung
Summary: In this study, a suspension-culture method was established to fine-tune taste bud organoids by altering their apicobasal polarity, enabling the accessible localization of taste receptor cells. These suspension-cultured organoids showed comparable differentiation and renewal rates to those of taste buds in vivo, and exhibited functional taste receptor cells and cycling progenitor cells. This method provides an efficient model for taste research, including taste bud development, regeneration, and transplantation.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Li Li, Steven C. Wyler, Luis A. Leon-Mercado, Baijie Xu, Youjin Oh, Swati, Xiameng Chen, Rong Wan, Amanda G. Arnold, Lin Jia, Guanlin Wang, Katherine Nautiyal, Rene Hen, Jong-Woo Sohn, Chen Liu
Summary: Li et al. demonstrate the appetite-suppressing effect of a class of commonly prescribed antimigraine drugs in mice and elucidate the underlying neural pathway. They find that triptans can reduce food intake and body weight in mice, and this anorectic effect is dependent on the serotonin 1B receptor. By manipulating Htr1b in different brain regions, they show that Htr1b engages in spatiotemporally segregated neural pathways to regulate growth and food intake. Furthermore, they discover the involvement of Htr1b in AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus in the hypophagic effects of HTR1B agonists.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hong Phuong Nguyen, Seungheon Shin, Kyung-Ju Shin, Phuong Hoa Tran, Hyungsun Park, Quang De Tran, Mi-Hyun No, Ji Su Sun, Ki Woo Kim, Hyo-Bum Kwak, Seongju Lee, Steve K. Cho, Su-Geun Yang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of microgravity on retinal function in ARPE19 cells. The findings showed that microgravity conditions led to the formation of multicellular spheroids and significantly decreased cell migration in ARPE19 cells. It was also observed that microgravity increased intracellular reactive oxygen species and caused mitochondrial dysfunction. Activation of autophagic pathways and ciliogenesis were also observed under microgravity conditions. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that mitophagy activation was triggered via the mTOR-ULK1-BNIP3 signaling axis. TPP-Niacin was shown to effectively mitigate microgravity-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro. Further investigations are needed to understand the physiological functions and biological efficacies of TPP-Niacin in primary human retinal cells, in vivo models, and target identification.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Sang Hyeon Ju, Hyeonju Yun, Youjin Oh, Yeeun Choi, Jong -Woo Sohn
Summary: The study found that MC4Rs regulate sympathetic preganglionic neurons by activating the TRPV1 channel, affecting blood pressure regulation without impacting the appetite regulation by MC4Rs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jimin Jeon, Hyemi Lee, Min-Seung Jeon, Seok-Jung Kim, Cham Choi, Ki Woo Kim, Dong Joo Yang, Sangho Lee, Yong-Soo Bae, Won Il Choi, Juyeon Jung, Seong-il Eyun, Siyoung Yang
Summary: The upregulation of ACVR2B and its assembly play a role in osteoarthritic cartilage destruction. Activin A, the ligand for ACVR2B, regulates catabolic factor expression in OA development. The ACVR2B assembly, consisting of Activin A, ACVR2B, ACVR1B, Nox4, and AP-1-induced HIF-2 alpha, accelerates OA development.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Eunsang Hwang, Bryan Portillo, Kyle Grose, Teppei Fujikawa, Kevin W. Williams
Summary: Exercise-induced neuroplasticity plays a crucial role in metabolic homeostasis, particularly in the hypothalamus. Various factors induced by exercise regulate energy balance and glucose metabolism through actions within the hypothalamus and the central nervous system.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Seul Ki Kim, Le Trung Tran, Cherl NamKoong, Hyung Jin Choi, Hye Jin Chun, Yong-ho Lee, MyungHyun Cheon, ChiHye Chung, Junmo Hwang, Hyun-Ho Lim, Dong Min Shin, Yun-Hee Choi, Ki Woo Kim
Summary: Small humanin-like peptide 2 (SHLP2), a mitochondrial-derived peptide, plays a crucial role in energy homeostasis. The study demonstrates that SHLP2 can protect mice from high-fat diet-induced obesity and improve insulin sensitivity. It activates pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the hypothalamus, which suppresses food intake and promotes thermogenesis. The researchers also discover that SHLP2 binds to and activates chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7).
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Le Trung Tran, Sohee Park, Seul Ki Kim, Jin Sun Lee, Ki Woo Kim, Obin Kwon
Summary: The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in controlling energy expenditure and metabolism, influencing lean to fatty tissue ratio, gender-based metabolic differences, activity levels, and weight gain in response to food intake. Further research is needed to unravel cause-and-effect relationships and genetic factors involved in metabolic regulation.
EXPERIMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Carmelo Quarta, Marc Claret, Lori M. Zeltser, Kevin W. Williams, Giles S. H. Yeo, Matthias H. Tschoep, Sabrina Diano, Jens C. Bruening, Daniela Cota
Summary: The study discusses the impact of different subpopulations of POMC neurons on appetite, whole-body metabolic physiology, and the development of obesity, proposing a conceptual framework that integrates POMC neuronal heterogeneity with appetite regulation, whole-body metabolic physiology, and obesity development. It highlights the emerging evidence of how POMC neurons respond to distinct combinations of interoceptive signals and food-related cues, indicating their developmental plasticity.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Liujun Chen, Lisha Li, Donghong Cui, Yiheng Huang, Haibin Tong, Haleh Zabihi, Shuxia Wang, Yadan Qi, Ted Lakowski, Lin Leng, Suixin Liu, Hong Wu, Lawrence H. Young, Richard Bucala, Dake Qi
Summary: Attenuation of adipose hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) may impair lipolysis and exacerbate obesity. Cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays a role in regulating adipose HSL and adipocyte hypertrophy. Both intracellular and extracellular MIF have opposing effects on HSL, but extracellular action predominates to downregulate HSL and exacerbate obesity development during high-fat diet (HFD).
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2024)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Mengyang Tang, Yi Zhang, Rong Zhang, Yuemei Zhang, Jiangfei Zheng, Daixi Wang, Xinyu Wang, Jing Yan, Cheng Hu
Summary: This study aimed to explore the role of GPSM1 in POMC neurons and the underlying mechanisms in metabolic homeostasis. Through various molecular, biochemical, immunofluorescent, immunohistochemical analyses, and cell culture studies, the study revealed the pathophysiological role of GPSM1 in POMC neurons and its regulation of POMC neuron activity.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2024)