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Genetics & Heredity
Karolina Pierzynowska, Magdalena Podlacha, Dorota Luszczek, Estera Rintz, Lidia Gaffke, Zuzanna Szczudlo, Marta Tomczyk, Ryszard T. Smolenski, Grzegorz Wegrzyn
Summary: This study identified abnormal hair morphology as a potential simple marker for testing therapeutic effects or disease progression in widely used HD mouse models R6/1 and R6/2.
Article
Immunology
Wei Zhang, Eun-Koung An, Juyoung Hwang, Jun-O Jin
Summary: The study found that LPS can directly stimulate pDCs via the TLR4/MD2 pathway and promote the activation of pDCs and cDCs. cDCs may contribute to the enhancement of IFN-alpha production in pDCs.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Marc Espina, Nadia Di Franco, Martina Branas-Navarro, Irene Rodriguez Navarro, Veronica Brito, Laura Lopez-Molina, Carlos Costas-Insua, Manuel Guzman, Silvia Gines
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests that activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) due to accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER stress) is a key factor in neurodegenerative diseases. In Huntington's disease (HD), disruption of ER-associated degradation pathway and loss of ER protein homeostasis leads to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. The PERK signaling pathway, in particular, has been found to contribute to memory disturbances and synaptic plasticity deficiencies in HD.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Julien Gasser, Gaelle Gillet, Jorge S. Valadas, Laura Rouviere, Apoorva Kotian, Wenqiang Fan, James Keaney, Irena Kadiu
Summary: This study found that Huntington's disease leads to brain infiltration of peripheral lymphoid and myeloid cells, resulting in activation of microglia and enhanced phagocytic functions, which in turn contribute to synaptic loss. Similar observations were made in human Huntington's disease brains. Overall, targeting microglial functions related to synaptic surveillance and pruning may have therapeutic benefits in attenuating cognitive decline and psychiatric symptoms of Huntington's disease.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberto Speziale, Camilla Montesano, Giulia Di Pietro, Daniel Oscar Cicero, Vincenzo Summa, Edith Monteagudo, Laura Orsatti
Summary: Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic condition caused by the expansion of a specific sequence in the huntingtin gene. There is a lack of effective treatments for HD, highlighting the need for reliable mouse models for preclinical studies. This study utilized a urinary liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis to identify metabolic changes in different HD mouse models, aiming to improve our understanding of the disease and identify potential biomarkers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nan Yan, Shuai Wang, Haotian Gao, Jiaqi Chen, Jiahui Cao, Pengsheng Wei, Xue Li, Ying Yu, Yan Wang, Yalin Niu, Yijie Wang, Shuyuan Liu, Ge Jin
Summary: Aloe emodin, derived from aloe or rhubarb, has various therapeutic effects including anti-renal fibrosis, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke. In this study, aloe emodin was found to improve motor coordination and attenuate visual recognition impairment in HD R6/1 transgenic mice. It achieved this by inhibiting the phosphorylation of CaMKII and TGF-beta 1/Smad signaling, downregulating mutant huntingtin protein levels, and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis. These findings suggest that aloe emodin may be a potential therapeutic option for HD.
Review
Immunology
Kenneth K. Y. Ting, Jenny Jongstra-Bilen, Myron I. Cybulsky
Summary: Recent advances in immunometabolism have highlighted the role of metabolites in fine-tuning inflammatory responses in myeloid cells. Competition for cofactors regulates the balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways, allowing for precise control of the inflammatory response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Evelini Placido, Priscilla Gomes Welter, Ana Wink, Gabriela Duarte Karasiak, Tiago Fleming Outeiro, Alcir Luiz Dafre, Joana Gil-Mohapel, Patricia S. Brocardo
Summary: Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder without effective therapy, but evidence suggests that environmental enrichment (EE) can modulate disease progression. In this study, exposure to EE had an antidepressant-like effect and slowed motor deficits in HD mice. It also reduced monoamine levels and modulated neuronal differentiation in the hippocampus, suggesting that EE can be a therapeutic strategy for modulating neuroplasticity deficits in HD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Libin Ni, Jian Xiao, Di Zhang, Zhenxuan Shao, Chongan Huang, Sheng Wang, Yaosen Wu, Naifeng Tian, Liaojun Sun, Aimin Wu, Yifei Zhou, Xiangyang Wang, Xiaolei Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates the involvement of Irg-1 and itaconate in the recovery process of spinal cord injury (SCI). The overexpression of Irg-1 and treatment with itaconate show promising effects in suppressing inflammation and improving motor function recovery in SCI.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jae-Hun Ahn, Eun-Jung Song, Do-Hyeon Jung, Yeong-Jun Kim, In-Su Seo, Seong-Chan Park, You-Seok Jung, Eun-Seo Cho, Sang Hyun Mo, Jung Joo Hong, Jeong-Yong Cho, Jong-Hwan Park
Summary: The sesquiterpene lactone estafiatin derived from Artemisia scoparia was found to have anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-stimulated macrophages and protect mice from sepsis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wilasinee Saisorn, Pornpimol Phuengmaung, Jiraphorn Issara-Amphorn, Jiradej Makjaroen, Peerapat Visitchanakun, Kritsanawan Sae-khow, Atsadang Boonmee, Salisa Benjaskulluecha, Aleksandra Nita-Lazar, Tanapat Palaga, Asada Leelahavanichkul
Summary: This study revealed the importance of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in regulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in macrophages. Silencing of mgmt resulted in reduced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and expression of inflammatory genes in macrophages. Furthermore, MGMT deficiency caused macrophage injury and increased oxidative stress. The upregulation of mgmt only occurred in LPS-tolerant macrophages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kritsanawan Sae-khow, Pornpimol Phuengmaung, Jiraphorn Issara-Amphorn, Jiradej Makjaroen, Peerapat Visitchanakun, Atsadang Boonmee, Salisa Benjaskulluecha, Tanapat Palaga, Asada Leelahavanichkul
Summary: The absence of mgmt in macrophages resulted in less severe sepsis in the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model. However, this protective effect was lost in mice without antibiotics, indicating the importance of microbial control during sepsis immune modulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Areerat Kunanopparat, Asada Leelahavanichkul, Peerapat Visitchanakun, Patipark Kueanjinda, Pornpimol Phuengmaung, Kritsanawan Sae-khow, Atsadang Boonmee, Salisa Benjaskulluecha, Tanapat Palaga, Nattiya Hirankarn
Summary: The response of macrophages to LPS may determine the clinical manifestations of sepsis, while Ezh2 may interfere with this response. Results showed that Ezh2-deficient macrophages exhibited less severe LPS-induced inflammation and more severe LPS tolerance, partly due to the upregulation of Socs3.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pornpimol Phuengmaung, Phuriwat Khiewkamrop, Jiradej Makjaroen, Jiraphorn Issara-Amphorn, Atsadang Boonmee, Salisa Benjaskulluecha, Patcharee Ritprajak, Aleksandra Nita-Lazar, Tanapat Palaga, Nattiya Hirankarn, Asada Leelahavanichkul
Summary: The absence of Ezh2 in macrophages resulted in less severe sepsis, indicating the importance of Ezh2 in regulating the inflammatory response. Additionally, the use of an Ezh2 inhibitor might be beneficial in severe infections.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Qin Hao, Suman Kundu, Sreerama Shetty, Torry A. Tucker, Steven Idell, Hua Tang
Summary: This study reveals that the knockout of transcription factor Runx3 has a significant impact on the numbers of CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells in the lungs during influenza A virus (IAV) infection. However, it does not significantly affect viral clearance and animal survival. Interestingly, the knockout of Runx3 increases the numbers of pulmonary innate immune cells and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines during IAV infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)