Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Young-Eun Kim, Jae-Hyun Lee, Eun-Ju Lee, Do Hoon Kim, Mi Ryeong Jeong, Seokchan Hong, Chang-Keun Lee, Bin Yoo, Jeehee Youn, Eun-Ju Chang, Yong-Gil Kim
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of smoking on immune cells and peripheral arthritis in curdlan-administered SKG mice, a murine model of spondyloarthropathy (SpA). The results showed an increase in alpha 7 nAChR+ cells in the joint tissue of the mice exposed to cigarette smoke, as well as lower peripheral arthritis and synovial inflammation scores. This suggests that smoking may have an anti-arthritic effect in curdlan-administered SKG mice.
Article
Neurosciences
Melissa A. Tapia, Xiao-Tao Jin, Brenton R. Tucker, Leanne N. Thomas, Noah B. Walker, Veronica J. Kim, Steven E. Albertson, Naresh Damuka, Ivan Krizan, Seby Edassery, Jeffrey N. Savas, Kiran Kumar Solingapuram Sai, Sara R. Jones, Ryan M. Drenan
Summary: This study investigated the behavior and neurobiological effects of intermittent nicotine intake in rats. The results suggest that intermittent nicotine intake may lead to increased craving and enhanced response to nicotine-associated cues. Additionally, intermittent nicotine intake also caused increased nicotine binding in the brain and specific changes in the proteome of certain neural structures.
Article
Neurosciences
Xiao-Tao Jin, Ryan M. Drenan
Summary: The interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) is involved in nicotine dependence and regulation of fear responses, affective states, and novelty processing. Neurons in the IPN express nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) and receive cholinergic innervation. Studies have shown that IPL neurons express Chrna7 (alpha 7 nAChR subunit) and are sensitive to acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of cholinergic modulation in the IPN.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhe-Qi Xu, Jing-Jing Zhang, Ni Kong, Guang-Yu Zhang, Ping Ke, Ting Han, Ding-Feng Su, Chong Liu
Summary: The study investigated the role of autophagy in the neuroprotective effect of α7 nAChR activation in ischemic stroke. Results showed that activation of α7 nAChR enhanced autophagy and promoted neuronal survival. The AMPK-mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway was found to be involved in α7 nAChR activation-mediated neuroprotection.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tao Yang, Dawei Wang, Xiangyi Chen, Yingkui Liang, Feng Guo, Chunxiao Wu, Liujun Jia, Zhihui Hou, Wenliang Li, ZuoXiang He, Xin Wang
Summary: The study confirmed F-18-ASEM as a radiotracer with good imaging properties for precise identification of atherosclerotic diseases.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Omar Alijevic, Oihane Jaka, Ainhoa Alzualde, Diana Maradze, Wenhao Xia, Stefan Frentzel, Andrew N. Gifford, Manuel C. Peitsch, Julia Hoeng, Kyoko Koshibu
Summary: This study examined the neuropharmacological effects of natural alkaloids, including nicotine, cotinine, and anatabine. Nicotine showed anxiolytic-like behavioral effects in mice and zebrafish, while cotinine and anatabine had no detectable effects. Nicotine stimulated the release of norepinephrine and dopamine, while cotinine and anatabine mainly stimulated dopamine release. These findings suggest that natural nicotine alkaloids can induce an anxiolytic-like behavior in nonclinical animal models, which may depend on the activation of various nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and regulation of neurotransmitter systems.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Janna K. Moen, Anna M. Lee
Summary: Alcohol and nicotine, the two most widely used and misused drugs globally, show significant sex differences in their rewarding properties, yet most preclinical studies on their mechanisms utilize only male rodents. Understanding the influence of sex and sex hormones on alcohol and nicotine reward is crucial for developing therapies to reduce drug consumption.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anne Havermans, Edwin P. Zwart, Hans W. J. M. Cremers, Maarten D. M. van Schijndel, Romy S. Constant, Maja Meskovic, Laura X. Worutowicz, Jeroen L. A. Pennings, Reinskje Talhout, Leo T. M. van der Ven, Harm J. Heusinkveld
Summary: Tobacco use is the main cause of preventable death globally, with nicotine being the primary addictive compound. The zebrafish embryo has shown to be an effective model for studying the effects of nicotine, where acute nicotine exposure decreased ZFE activity in a dose-dependent manner. Pre-treatment with nicotine can reverse this effect and may lead to decreased potency of acute nicotine exposure, indicating the induction of tolerance.
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Xiaoying Tan, Kent Vrana, Zheng-Ming Ding
Summary: This review summarizes the potential role of cotinine as a neuroactive metabolite of nicotine and discusses the available evidence regarding its effects. Preclinical findings show that cotinine interacts with both nAChRs and non-nAChRs in the nervous system, producing neuropharmacological and behavioral effects. Clinical studies suggest that cotinine is psychoactive in humans, but there is a lack of consensus on the mechanisms underlying its effects. Further research is needed to provide a better understanding of cotinine's actions and its contribution to tobacco addiction.
FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lina Jankauskaite, Mantas Malinauskas, Ausra Snipaitiene
Summary: Since early 2020, SARS-CoV-2-induced infection has caused global pandemics with high morbidity, especially in adults. COVID-19 is associated with a highly prothrombotic condition and platelets are believed to play a crucial role in COVID-19-associated thrombosis. Platelets' role in inflammation and immunity, as well as their ability to release soluble factors and degrade pathogens, have been widely studied. This review focuses on the role of platelets in COVID-19-associated thrombosis and their involvement in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Hyperactivated platelets have been observed in COVID-19 patients, and the presence of acetylcholine and α7nAchR on platelets suggests their involvement in platelet function. The stimulation of α7nAchR has anti-inflammatory effects and has been associated with better outcomes in COVID-19 patients. The inhibition of platelet activation and aggregation through the release of NO and blocking of the e p-38 pathway by acetylcholine may contribute to the platelet's role in COVID-19 thrombotic events. The similarity between SARS-CoV-2 proteins and neurotoxins suggests a potential mechanism for the interference with acetylcholine action.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Yusei Makino, Yuuki Hiradate, Kohei Umezu, Kenshiro Hara, Kentaro Tanemura
Summary: The study revealed the localization of AChRe in murine testes and spermatozoa, and suggested that AChRe may act as a regulator of mammalian sperm AR.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
He Peng-Fei, A-Ru-Na, Chen Hui, Wei Hong-Yu, Cao Jin-Shan
Summary: The study demonstrates that activation of the ?7-nACh receptor can significantly suppress mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors in bovine endometrial tissues and inhibit LPS-induced inflammation through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway and potential COX-2-derived PGE2.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Sabrina Brockmoeller, Thomas Seeger, Franz Worek, Simone Rothmiller
Summary: This study presents a stable and functional cell line that expresses the human muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). The use of chemical chaperones, such as nicotine, can further increase the protein yield of this receptor without affecting cell viability.
CELL STRESS & CHAPERONES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zelong Gong, Xuefeng Gao, Yubin Li, Jinhu Zou, Jingxian Lun, Jie Chen, Chengxing Zhou, Xiaolong He, Hong Cao
Summary: Excessive antibiotic treatments for bacterial sepsis and meningitis in children may have adverse outcomes. The alpha 7nAChR/CISH/JAK2/STAT5 axis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of E. coli-induced brain microvascular leakage and blood-brain barrier disruptions. Alpha 7nAChR antagonists show potential in protecting against HBMECs injuries and BBB disruptions.
Article
Cell Biology
Irida Papapostolou, Daniela Ross-Kaschitza, Florian Bochen, Christine Peinelt, Maria Constanza Maldifassi
Summary: Nicotine in tobacco induces tumor-promoting effects and chemotherapy resistance through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). This study investigates the role of a5 subunit in nicotine-induced cancer cell proliferation and migration in breast, colon, and prostate cancer cells. The results show that nicotine-induced proliferation and migration are mediated by a5.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Guendel, Thu Hang Lai, Sladjana Dukic-Stefanovic, Rodrigo Teodoro, Winnie Deuther-Conrad, Magali Toussaint, Klaus Kopka, Rares-Petru Moldovan, Peter Boknik, Britt Hofmann, Ulrich Gergs, Joachim Neumann, Peter Brust
Summary: This study aims to investigate the potential use of the PET radiotracer [F-18]FLUDA for non-invasive assessment of A(2A)-AR as a marker for cardiac pathologies. The results show that [F-18]FLUDA exhibits high specific binding to A(2A)-AR and can be used for non-invasive diagnosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Katina C. Calakos, Aleksandra Rusowicz, Brian Pittman, Jean-Dominique Gallezot, Marc N. Potenza, Kelly P. Cosgrove, David Matuskey
Summary: Social factors are associated with psychiatric outcomes and brain function. This study found that living in a populous area with fewer educational resources may lead to higher availability of dopamine D2/3 receptors. This suggests that the social environment has an impact on an individual's brain function.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Franziska Mitrach, Maximilian Schmid, Magali Toussaint, Sladjana Dukic-Stefanovic, Winnie Deuther-Conrad, Heike Franke, Alexander Ewe, Achim Aigner, Christian Woelk, Peter Brust, Michael C. Hacker, Michaela Schulz-Siegmund
Summary: Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is introduced as a concept in cancer treatment to generate high concentrations of anticancer drugs locally and overcome limited diffusion, particularly in the brain. This study investigates calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP-NPs) as carriers for CED application of siRNA. By introducing a new terpolymer (o14PEGMA(1:1:2.5) NH3) for stabilization of CaP-NPs, successful stabilization of NPs with desired properties is achieved. The terpolymer shows high affinity to CaP and efficient binding of siRNA to NPs, resulting in effective siRNA silencing in brain cancer cells.
Article
Substance Abuse
Kelly Smart, Patrick D. Worhunsky, Dustin Scheinost, Gustavo A. Angarita, Irina Esterlis, Richard E. Carson, John H. Krystal, Stephanie S. O'Malley, Kelly P. Cosgrove, Ansel T. Hillmer
Summary: This study examined the relationship between resting brain connectivity and mGlu5 receptor availability in individuals with AUD at two time points early in abstinence. Preliminary findings suggest alterations in global and network connectivity during the first month of abstinence may reflect the loss of efficient network function, potentially linked with glutamatergic relationship with network coherence.
ALCOHOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Hannah D. Shi, Sherry A. McKee, Kelly P. Cosgrove
Summary: The study found that although the use of pejorative and outdated terms has decreased over time, the term "alcoholic" is still used in a stigmatizing manner in research and reviews published by ACER. This stigmatizing language may perpetuate negative biases against individuals with alcohol use disorder.
ALCOHOL-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valerie Weber, Lucie Arnaud, Sladjana Dukic-Stefanovic, Barbara Wenzel, Valerie Roux, Jean-Michel Chezal, Thu-Hang Lai, Rodrigo Teodoro, Klaus Kopka, Elisabeth Miot-Noirault, Winnie Deuther-Conrad, Aurelie Maisonial-Besset
Summary: This study developed new radioiodinated and radiofluorinated analogues for noninvasive imaging of mIDH1 up- and dysregulation in tumors. The radiotracers showed stability in vitro and in vivo, providing potential for further evaluations in future studies.
Review
Neurosciences
Sophie E. Holmes, Chadi Abdallah, Irina Esterlis
Summary: Major depressive disorder is a common and heterogeneous illness, with treatment resistance observed in at least 50% of patients. Initial research focused on the monoamine system, but recent studies have explored other mechanisms, including synaptic involvement in depression. This article discusses reductions in synaptic density, dendritic spines, boutons, and glia associated with stress and depression, as well as the potential of drugs like ketamine to restore or generate synapses. Neuroimaging techniques, such as MRI and PET, are valuable tools for assessing these synaptic changes in vivo and monitoring synaptic restoration after ketamine administration. While more research is needed, these techniques enhance our understanding of depression and contribute to the development of targeted and effective treatments.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Ruth H. Asch, Santosh Pothula, Takuya Toyonaga, Krista Fowles, Stephanie M. Groman, Rolando Garcia-Milian, Ralph J. DiLeone, Jane R. Taylor, Irina Esterlis
Summary: Clinical investigations have shown that metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) is involved in the pathophysiology of fear learning in trauma-related disorders. This study used a 4-day fear learning paradigm combined with positron emission tomography (PET) to examine the relationship between mGluR5 availability and the response of rats to repeated footshock exposure. The results suggest that increased mGluR5 availability following footshock exposure may be related to greater contextual fear memory, and there are sex differences in the molecular response to footshock, including differential involvement of mGluR5-related molecular networks.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Sophie E. Holmes, Ruth H. Asch, Margaret T. Davis, Nicole DellaGioia, Neha Pashankar, Jean-Dominique Gallezot, Nabeel Nabulsi, David Matuskey, Gerard Sanacora, Richard E. Carson, Hilary P. Blumberg, Irina Esterlis
Summary: This study measured the availability of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) using positron emission tomography. The results showed significant differences in mGluR5 availability between BD, MDD, and healthy control groups, suggesting a potential role of mGluR5 as a treatment target for depressive symptoms in MDD and cognitive alterations in both disorders.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Aarti Sawant-Basak, Laigao Chen, Peter Lockwood, Tracey Boyden, Angela C. Doran, Jessica Mancuso, Kenneth Zasadny, Timothy McCarthy, Evan D. Morris, Richard E. Carson, Irina Esterlis, Yiyun Huang, Nabeel Nabulsi, Beata Planeta, Terence Fullerton
Summary: PF-05212377 is a potent and selective 5-HT6 antagonist that was previously developed for Alzheimer's disease treatment. Species differences were observed in its brain penetration, with a higher ratio in non-human primates compared to rats. Pre-clinical and clinical evidence confirmed the similarity of PF-05212377's brain penetration and target engagement between non-human primates and humans, suggesting that non-human primates are more suitable for predicting human brain penetration for this drug.
BIOPHARMACEUTICS & DRUG DISPOSITION
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaotian T. Fang, Tommaso Volpi, Sophie E. Holmes, Irina Esterlis, Richard E. Carson, Patrick D. Worhunsky
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the associations between resting-state network (RSN) connectivity and synaptic density. The findings showed that higher synaptic density in the medial prefrontal cortex was associated with greater fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in the anterior default-mode, posterior default-mode, and executive-control networks. Additionally, higher synaptic density in the striatum was associated with greater fALFF in the anterior default-mode and salience networks. These results provide initial evidence of a neurophysiological link between RSN activity and local synaptic density, which may be relevant in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Monica Cations, Joan M. M. Cook, Brandon Nichter, Irina Esterlis, Robert H. H. Pietrzak
Summary: A study found that subjective cognitive difficulties (SCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) play important roles in predicting suicidal ideation and current suicidal intent in middle-aged and older US veterans. The interaction between SCD and PTSD increases the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Veterans with subjective memory and concentration difficulties are more likely to report suicidal intent.
INTERNATIONAL PSYCHOGERIATRICS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Robin Bonomi, Mika Naganawa, Marcella Mignosa, Patrick Skosnik, Irina Esterlis, Nabeel Nabulsi, Marc Potenza, Richard Carson, Kelly Cosgrove, Robert Malison, Gustavo Angarita-Africano
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Neurosciences
Ruth Asch, Ryan Cool, Sophie Holmes, Margaret Davis, Richard Carson, Patrick Worhunsky, Hilary Blumberg, Irina Esterlis
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Endocrinology & Metabolism
X. Fang, S. Holmes, I. Esterlis, R. Carson, P. Worhunsky
JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM
(2022)
