Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuzuru Nakagawa, Takashi Matsui, Ryo Konno, Yusuke Kawashima, Toshiya Sato, Makoto Itakura, Yoshio Kodera
Summary: The study developed a peptide extraction method for efficient and reproducible extraction of peptides from dissected hypothalamus of a single animal. This method helps understand individual differences and tissue specificity, facilitating the discovery of new peptides and biomarkers.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sam G. Galvin, Richard G. Kay, Rachel Foreman, Pierre Larraufie, Claire L. Meek, Emma Biggs, Peter Ravn, Lutz Jermutus, Frank Reimann, Fiona M. Gribble
Summary: The study utilized LC-MS to analyze extracts from human and mouse pancreatic islets as well as plasma samples, revealing changes in peptide content and hormone encoding. It showed noticeable alterations in specific peptide segments and hormone ratios in patients with type 2 diabetes.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xin Wang, Yuning Chen, Yue Liu, Lei Ouyang, Ruonan Yao, Zhihui Wang, Yanping Kang, Liying Yan, Dongxin Huai, Huifang Jiang, Yong Lei, Boshou Liao
Summary: The spatial distribution of lipids and other key components in three peanut cultivars was investigated using the MALDI-MSI technique. The study revealed a non-homogeneous spatial distribution of metabolites, which is related to the different functions of particular tissue regions. These findings have implications for the development of oil crops with higher oil yields and improvement of food processing.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura M. Cole, Joshua Handley, Emmanuelle Claude, Catherine J. Duckett, Hardeep S. Mudhar, Karen Sisley, Malcolm R. Clench
Summary: The MALDI-MSI technique was used to image lipid and metabolite distribution in FFPE whole eye sections containing UM, highlighting LPC lipid distribution in tumor regions. LA-ICP-MS imaging on UM sections revealed increased copper in the tumor periphery and intratumoral zinc in tissue from patients with poor prognosis. These preliminary findings suggest that multi-modal MSI may offer insights into the role of trace metals in cancer metastasis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carina Kern, Christin Radon, Wolfgang Wende, Alexander Leitner, Katja Straesser
Summary: The conserved TREX complex is involved in multiple functions in gene expression and is composed of various proteins. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the endogenous TREX complex forms a dimeric structure.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Susan C. Scott, Nicole M. Anders, Morgan Scardina, Christine L. Hann, Michelle A. Rudek
Summary: Vistusertib, an orally bioavailable mTOR inhibitor under clinical trials, was quantitated using a novel LC-MS/MS method to explore exposure-response relationships accurately. The method allowed accurate quantitation of high-concentration samples through dilution, and maintained long-term frozen stability.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nhu Q. Vu, Kellen DeLaney, Lingjun Li
Summary: Neuropeptides are important endogenous peptides in the nervous system regulating physiological functions, and investigating their dysregulation is crucial for understanding their role in diseases. Mass spectrometry, especially mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), is a powerful tool for global profiling multiple neuropeptides simultaneously. Recent advancements in MSI sample preparation and instrumentation have shown improvements in neuropeptide detection, signal to noise ratio, and spatial resolution, indicating potential for clinical applications.
CURRENT PROTEIN & PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shanshan Jia, Xin Zhou, Xiaojie Yang, Xin Wang, Shao Chang, Yuqi Liu, Xingchen Huang, Hongying Zhong
Summary: Handwriting is a reflection of personal education and physical or psychological states. This study presents a chemical imaging technique called laser desorption ionization combined with post ultraviolet photo-induced dissociation (LDI-UVPD) in mass spectrometry for document evaluation. The LDI-UVPD method allows for the analysis of ink dyes in handwriting papers without the need for additional matrix materials. It provides a surface-sensitive approach that utilizes a low intensity pulsed laser to remove chemical components from the outermost surfaces of overlapped handwritings and generate fragment ions through specific cleavages of chemical bonds. LDI-UVPD not only gives a graphic representation of the chemical components but also reveals hidden dynamic features such as alterations, pressures, and aging.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Dirk R. Bulian, Sebastian Walper, Dana C. Richards, Sissy-A Schulz, Claudia S. Seefeldt, Panagiotis Thomaidis, Jurgen Meyer-Zillekens, Markus M. Heiss
Summary: This retrospective study compared postoperative pain and analgesic consumption in obese patients undergoing transvaginal hybrid NOTES cholecystectomy (NC) or traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The results showed that the NC group had less postoperative pain and lower analgesic requirements compared to the LC group.
SURGICAL ENDOSCOPY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hee Jung Kwon, Joo Yeon Oh, Kwang Seon Lee, Hyun Kyung Lim, Jisun Lee, Hye-Ran Yoon, Joohee Jung
Summary: Liver cancer metastasis is a poor prognosis and leading cause of mortality. This study investigates the distribution of lipids in metastatic lesions using MALDI-MSI, and identifies certain lipids as potential biomarkers for diagnosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Lieyan Huang, Lixing Nie, Zhong Dai, Jing Dong, Xiaofei Jia, Xuexin Yang, Lingwen Yao, Shuang-Cheng Ma
Summary: Mass spectrometry imaging is an advanced technique that allows visualization of chemicals in tissues. It has various applications in traditional Chinese medicine research, including searching for marker components, discovering new compounds, and revealing pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Naoko Tsuji, Takayuki Tsuji, Tetsushi Yamashita, Naoki Hayase, Xuzhen Hu, Peter S. T. Yuen, Robert A. Star
Summary: The pathogenesis of sepsis is complex and heterogeneous, necessitating a precision-medicine approach. Acute kidney injury is a serious complication of sepsis and can lead to higher mortality rates. The administration of BAM15, a chemical uncoupler, reduces kidney damage and splenic apoptosis by decreasing mitochondrial ROS production and the release of mitochondrial DNA.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Batuhan Yenilmez, Nicole Wetoska, Mark Kelly, Dimas Echeverria, Kyounghee Min, Lawrence Lifshitz, Julia F. Alterman, Matthew R. Hassler, Samuel Hildebrand, Chloe DiMarzio, Nicholas McHugh, Lorenc Vangjeli, Jacquelyn Sousa, Meixia Pan, Xianlin Han, Michael A. Brehm, Anastasia Khvorova, Michael P. Czech
Summary: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe liver disorder with no approved therapeutics available. In this study, RNAi-based therapy targeting the enzyme DGAT2 showed potential in improving the fatty liver phenotype, but had limited impact on inflammation and fibrosis.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ethel D. Weld, Teresa L. Parsons, Ryann Gollings, Marybeth McCauley, Beatriz Grinsztejn, Raphael J. Landovitz, Mark A. Marzinke
Summary: We developed and validated a LC-MS/MS assay for quantifying CAB and RPV from DBS, and derived conversion factors to estimate plasma concentrations from spotted blood.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Pengfei Li, Zhifang Hao, Jingyu Wu, Chen Ma, Yintai Xu, Jun Li, Rongxia Lan, Bojing Zhu, Pengyu Ren, Daidi Fan, Shisheng Sun
Summary: This study systematically investigated the protein expression profiles of M1 and M2 phenotypes in human THP-1 and mouse RAW264.7 macrophages, revealing significant divergences between the two cell lines while also identifying some common up-regulated proteins in M1 macrophages. These data serve as important resources for further studies of macrophage-associated diseases in experimental pathology using human and mouse cell line models.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eduard Bentea, Agnes Villers, Cynthia Moore, Adam J. Funk, Sinead M. O'Donovan, Lise Verbruggen, Olaya Lara, Pauline Janssen, Laura De Pauw, Noemi B. Declerck, Erica A. K. DePasquale, Madeline J. Churchill, Hideyo Sato, Emmanuel Hermans, Lutgarde Arckens, Charles K. Meshul, Laurence Ris, Robert E. McCullumsmith, Ann Massie
Summary: The study revealed that the lack of the specific subunit xCT of the system x(c)(-) in xCT(-/-) mice leads to decreased corticostriatal neurotransmission, possibly due to reduced extracellular glutamate availability rather than morphological or structural abnormalities. Additionally, the xCT(-/-) mice exhibited decreased intracellular glutamate density, aberrant presynaptic protein expression, and altered kinase network signaling in the striatum, potentially contributing to changes in postsynaptic responses and behavioral phenotypes indicative of autism spectrum disorder.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Lucas J. A. Durieux, Sara R. J. Gilissen, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: The endocannabinoid system is associated with neurological disorders like schizophrenia, where CB1R signaling plays a crucial role in regulating cortical plasticity and the E/I balance. Modulation of elements such as neurons and astrocytes fine-tunes the E/I balance, impacting the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sara R. J. Gilissen, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: Sensory loss triggers compensatory behavior and cross-modal plasticity, with individual traits and environmental factors influencing cortical functions. Understanding these processes is crucial for rehabilitation.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Jerome Wahis, Maroussia Hennes, Lutgarde Arckens, Matthew G. Holt
Summary: This article reviews recent progress in understanding the function of astrocytes and highlights their crucial role in neuronal plasticity, positioning them as indispensable central players in the process.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Jolien Van Houcke, Valerie Marien, Caroline Zandecki, Eve Seuntjens, Rajagopal Ayana, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: This review discusses the potential of using the teleost brain as a non-standard gerontology model to study the impact of aging on neurorepair, highlighting the high capacity for regeneration in teleost fish compared to mammals. The access to large mutagenesis screens in teleost species can bridge the gap between established invertebrate and rodent models, providing new opportunities for research in the neuro-gerontology field.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Jolien Van Houcke, Valerie Marien, Caroline Zandecki, Sophie Vanhunsel, Lieve Moons, Rajagopal Ayana, Eve Seuntjens, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: The research found that the impaired and incomplete brain regeneration in aged killifish is primarily due to the decline in proliferation capacity of non-glial progenitors with age, along with a high inflammatory response and glial scarring hindering the generation of new neurons.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marie Claes, Joana R. F. Santos, Luca Masin, Lien Cools, Benjamin M. Davis, Lutgarde Arckens, Karl Farrow, Lies De Groef, Lieve Moons
Summary: Research has shown that anterior chamber depth measurements and scotopic threshold response recordings in the murine microbead occlusion model are important tools for evaluating the model's success rate and recording glaucomatous damage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lise Verbruggen, Gamze Ates, Olaya Lara, Jolien De Munck, Agnes Villers, Laura De Pauw, Sigrid Ottestad-Hansen, Sho Kobayashi, Pauline Beckers, Pauline Janssen, Hideyo Sato, Yun Zhou, Emmanuel Hermans, Rose Njemini, Lutgarde Arckens, Niels C. Danbolt, Dimitri De Bundel, Joeri L. Aerts, Kurt Barbe, Benoit Guillaume, Laurence Ris, Eduard Bentea, Ann Massie
Summary: Deletion of the xCT subunit of system x(c)(-) has been found to extend lifespan and promote healthy aging in mice. Although aged xCT(-/-) mice had higher plasma cystine/cysteine ratio, it did not negatively affect their overall health status. On the contrary, the age-related priming of the innate immune system was attenuated in xCT(-/-) mice, and these mice showed preserved hippocampal function and retention of hippocampus-dependent memory.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Marie Claes, Emiel Geeraerts, Stephane Plaisance, Stephanie Mentens, Chris Van den Haute, Lies De Groef, Lut Arckens, Lieve Moons
Summary: One important aspect of glaucoma pathophysiology is axonal damage, which disrupts the connection between the retina and brain targets. Stimulation of neuronal activity in the superior colliculus has been shown to promote RGC survival in an acute glaucoma model. In this study, chronic stimulation of the superior colliculus in a murine glaucoma model resulted in similar molecular responses, but functional rescue of injured RGCs was not achieved. The complexity of chronic neuromodulation and growth factor signaling may explain this lack of neuroprotection.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Jolien Van Houcke, Valerie Marien, Caroline Zandecki, Rajagopal Ayana, Elise Pepermans, Kurt Boonen, Eve Seuntjens, Geert Baggerman, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: The study found that the young African turquoise killifish has a high regenerative capacity, but loses it with advancing age, exhibiting limited forms of mammalian regeneration. Cellular senescence was identified as a potential barrier to successful neurorepair. Using a senolytic cocktail D + Q, chronic senescent cells in the aged killifish central nervous system were cleared, leading to increased neurogenic output. This research provides insights into age-related regeneration resilience and suggests a potential therapy for reviving neurogenic potential in an aged or diseased CNS.
NPJ REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Maria Joao Pereira, Rajagopal Ayana, Matthew G. G. Holt, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: Astrocytes are crucial regulators of brain development and function, playing a role in synapse formation and maturation. They express G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that activate intracellular signaling pathways and modulate synaptic transmission. Manipulating astrocyte activity through genetically engineered GPCRs shows promise in improving neuronal function and behavior in both healthy and disease models, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for managing brain disorders.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Kerlijne Moorkens, Jo L. M. R. Leroy, Jusal Quanico, Geert Baggerman, Waleed F. A. Marei
Summary: This study investigated the changes in lipid metabolism in the oviduct of mice fed an obesogenic diet. The results showed that the obesogenic diet led to an increase in the overall lipid levels and differential regulation of specific lipids in the oviductal epithelium. These lipidomic changes may impact reproductive events in the oviduct, such as fertilization and early embryo development.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jim Clauwaert, Zahra McVey, Ramneek Gupta, Gerben Menschaert
Summary: The correct mapping of the proteome is crucial for understanding biological systems and advancing drug discovery and disease understanding. In this study, we propose TIS Transformer, a deep learning model that accurately determines translation start sites using only sequence information. Our method outperforms previous approaches and can detect key features of the translation process and multiple coding sequences on a transcript, including micropeptides encoded by short Open Reading Frames. We demonstrated the application of our method by remapping the full human proteome.
NAR GENOMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sophie Vanhunsel, Steven Bergmans, An Beckers, Isabelle Etienne, Jolien Van Houcke, Eve Seuntjens, Lut Arckens, Lies De Groef, Lieve Moons
Summary: With people globally living longer and facing an increasing prevalence of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, achieving healthy brain aging remains a challenge. The African turquoise killifish, being a short-lived vertebrate model displaying aging hallmarks similar to humans, provides insights into cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying aging in the vertebrate central nervous system, making it a promising model for target validation and drug discovery for neuroprotective therapies.
NPJ AGING AND MECHANISMS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Sara R. J. Gilissen, Karl Farrow, Vincent Bonin, Lutgarde Arckens
Summary: The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in mice is proposed to be comprised of at least six subregions, including RL, AM, and MMA. These subregions exhibit different connectivity patterns and receive inputs from different cortical areas, suggesting distinct functions for each. These anatomical findings pave the way for a deeper understanding of how the PPC and its subdivisions contribute to multisensory integration-based behavior in mice.
