Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhihui Lei, Shun Chen, Wendong Liu, Peng Tao, Wen Shang, Benwei Fu, Cuilan Hou, Chengyi Song, Tao Deng
Summary: We have developed a lyophilization-free method to fabricate conductive polymer (PEDOT:PSS) foams with adjustable density and mechanical properties. By employing asymmetric acid treatment, we created a PEDOT:PSS scaffold with asymmetric light absorptivity, which exhibited asymmetric photo-thermo-electrical conversion under simple global illumination. The different doping states achieved through asymmetric acid treatment were found to be responsible for the distinct light absorptivity along the scaffold. Noninvasive photo-thermo-electrical stimulation induced significant expressions of genes related to neural differentiation in just 30 minutes under an illumination intensity of 240 mW/cm2. This research not only provides a new approach to fabricate conductive polymer foams but also demonstrates the potential for using global illumination to provoke the photo-thermo-electrical effect of conductive polymers with asymmetric light absorptivity for therapeutic purposes in tissue engineering.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ting Liu, Ming Zheng, Li Jia, Mingyuan Wang, Longhai Tang, Zhenke Wen, Miaojia Zhang, Fenghong Yuan
Summary: Elevated circulating leptin levels in SLE patients are inversely associated with disease activity. Leptin inhibits Tfh cell differentiation through AMPK activation. Leptin receptor deficiency in SLE patients impairs the inhibitory effect of leptin on Tfh cell differentiation, resulting in the coexistence of high leptin levels and increased Tfh cell frequencies in SLE patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Yong Han, Yang He, Lauren Harris, Yong Xu, Qi Wu
Summary: This study demonstrates the role of GABAergic neural circuit in regulating food intake and energy balance through the leptin-responsive neural circuit, providing a new avenue for therapeutic interventions in the treatment of obesity and associated comorbidities.
Editorial Material
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Nikolai P. Jaschke, Sophie Paehlig, Tilman D. Rachner
Summary: Soluble mediators secreted by skeletal muscles, known as myokines, signal to distant organs and play a role in protecting the central nervous system against pathological protein accumulation in response to stress. Rai et al. have uncovered a muscle-to-central nervous system signaling axis that is engaged during proteostatic stress.
TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Dominique Ameroso, Alice Meng, Stella Chen, Jennifer Felsted, Chris G. Dulla, Maribel Rios
Summary: This study reveals the role of astrocytic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in regulating energy and glucose homeostasis through TrkB.T1 receptor signaling. Depletion of BDNF in ventromedial hypothalamus astrocytes affects neuronal activity and synaptic glutamate clearance, leading to changes in response to energy status and metabolic regulators.
Article
Cell Biology
Yu Zhang, Moises Hernandez, Jonathan Gower, Nolan Winicki, Xena Morataya, Sebastian Alvarez, Jason X-J Yuan, John Shyy, Patricia A. Thistlethwaite
Summary: This study found that the NOTCH3 pathway plays a crucial role in controlling vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and differentiation in the pulmonary arterial tree. In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients, JAGGED-1 is overexpressed in small pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and selectively activates NOTCH3 signaling, leading to increased cellular proliferation. On the other hand, DELTA-LIKE 4 inhibits NOTCH3 signaling and retards smooth muscle cell proliferation. A new monoclonal antibody was developed to block JAGGED-1-induced cleavage of NOTCH3 and successfully reversed pulmonary hypertension in animal models without toxic side effects. Targeting JAGGED-1 activation of NOTCH3 may be an effective and safe strategy for treating PAH.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vicente Barrios, Santiago Guerra-Cantera, Alvaro Martin-Rivada, Sandra Canelles, Ana Campillo-Calatayud, Eduardo Arilla-Ferreiro, Laura M. Frago, Julie A. Chowen, Jesus Argente
Summary: Leptin is involved in regulating insulin signaling and lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues. This study found that leptin activates insulin signaling and reduces muscle inflammation parameters, while decreasing the levels of non-esterified fatty acids.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lady Christine Ong Sio, Brian Hom, Shuchita Garg, Alaa Abd-Elsayed
Summary: Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has been widely used for treating chronic pain, although its mechanism of action remains largely unknown. The gate control theory proposed by Melzack and Wall in the 1960s has been the mainstay for understanding its mechanism. This review article discusses the mechanism of action, safety, and effectiveness of PNS in treating chronic pain, as well as current PNS devices available in the market.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vicente Barrios, Ana Campillo-Calatayud, Santiago Guerra-Cantera, Sandra Canelles, Alvaro Martin-Rivada, Laura M. Frago, Julie A. Chowen, Jesus Argente
Summary: Leptin modulates insulin signaling through Akt pathway in a tissue-specific manner, with changes in inflammatory environment affecting cytokine synthesis. Chronic central leptin infusion in rats led to increased phosphorylation of JNK and NFkB in inguinal fat, with a pro-inflammatory profile, while liver showed reduced activation of JNK and NFkB with an anti-inflammatory pattern.
Article
Immunology
Adri Chakraborty, Raghavendra Upadhya, Timaj A. Usman, Ashok K. Shetty, Joseph M. Rutkowski
Summary: The study investigated the impact of chronic VEGFR-3 signaling on adipose neuro-connections and neuroprotection in neurons both in vivo and in vitro. Results showed that chronic VEGFR-3 activation in adipose tissue decreased dendrite length, terminal branches, and volume, but increased dendrite branching. Furthermore, VEGFR-3 signaling provided neuroprotection in challenged neurons and improved dendritic arbor complexity, suggesting a synergistic impact on neurosensitization and neuroprotection during stress.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria E. Casado, Sandra Canelles, Eduardo Arilla-Ferreiro, Laura M. M. Frago, Vicente Barrios
Summary: Leptin can regulate lipid metabolism and reduce adipose tissue stores by inhibiting food intake and altering adipocyte sensitivity to insulin. This study investigated the effects of chronic central leptin administration on lipid metabolism and inflammatory- and insulin-signaling pathways in epididymal adipose tissue. Changes were observed in the expression of key enzymes involved in lipid metabolism, as well as insulin-signaling targets and inflammatory markers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Miguel Angel Villasis-Keever, Jessie Nallely Zurita-Cruz, Claudia Zepeda-Martinez, Gabriela Alegria-Torres, Juana Serret-Montoya, Maria de Jesus Estrada-Loza, Beatriz Carolina Hernandez-Hernandez, Sara Alonso-Flores, Monica Zavala-Serret
Summary: The study found that adipokines may have an impact on cardiac function in children undergoing kidney replacement therapy, especially in the long term. Free leptin, leptin, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at the beginning of follow-up were associated with the decrease in LVEF at the 24-month follow-up.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maciej Wojcik, Agata Krawczynska, Dorota Anna Zieba, Hanna Antushevich, Andrzej Przemyslaw Herman
Summary: This study aimed to determine the influence of leptin on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic (HPS) axis. The research showed that the photoperiod and leptin sensitivity play important roles in regulating HPS axis activity in seasonal ewes. Leptin influences the release of growth hormone in a season-dependent manner, with its effect targeted at the posttranscriptional stages of GH secretion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Sheng-Dean Luo, Hsin-Ting Tsai, Chung-Feng Hwang, Tai-Jan Chiu, Shau-Hsuan Li, Ya-Ling Hsu, Chang-Chun Hsiao, Chang-Han Chen
Summary: Leptin is highly expressed in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, promoting cell growth and invasion by regulating cell cycle, glycolysis, and EGFR signaling. miR-874-3p influences the progression of NPC by modulating Leptin expression, affecting cell growth, motility, and metabolism.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Helena Knotkova, Clement Hamani, Eellan Sivanesan, Maria Francisca Elgueta Le Beuffe, Jee Youn Moon, Steven P. Cohen, Marc A. Huntoon
Summary: Neuromodulation encompasses various electrical therapies, with spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation being key components, although the efficacy and indications of these therapies remain controversial.
Article
Cell Biology
Jan van der Laden, Ulf Soppa, Walter Becker
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2015)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ulf Soppa, Walter Becker
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Hannes Falke, Apirat Chaikuad, Anja Becker, Nadege Loaec, Olivier Lozach, Samira Abu Jhaisha, Walter Becker, Peter G. Jones, Lutz Preu, Knut Baumann, Stefan Knapp, Laurent Meijer, Conrad Kunick
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2015)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Walter Becker
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sarah S. Darwish, Mohammad Abdel-Halim, Mohamed Salah, Ashraf H. Abadi, Walter Becker, Matthias Engel
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rosanna Meine, Walter Becker, Hannes Falke, Lutz Preu, Nadege Loaec, Laurent Meijer, Conrad Kunick
Article
Biology
Esti Wahyu Widowati, Sabrina Ernst, Ralf Hausmann, Gerhard Mueller-Newen, Walter Becker
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sarah S. Darwish, Mohammad Abdel-Halim, Ahmed K. ElHady, Mohamed Salah, Ashraf H. Abadi, Walter Becker, Matthias Engel
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Florian Glenewinkel, Michael J. Cohen, Cason R. King, Sophie Kaspar, Simone Bamberg-Lemper, Joe S. Mymryk, Walter Becker
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2016)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samira Abu Jhaisha, Esti W. Widowati, Isao Kii, Rie Sonamoto, Stefan Knapp, Chrisovalantis Papadopoulos, Walter Becker
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2017)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anne Wurzlbauer, Katharina Rueben, Ece Guerdal, Apirat Chaikuad, Stefan Knapp, Wolfgang Sippl, Walter Becker, Franz Bracher
Article
Oncology
Stefan Tillmann, Kathrin Olschok, Sarah K. Schroeder, Marlena Buetow, Julian Baumeister, Milena Kalmer, Vera Preussger, Barbora Weinbergerova, Kim Kricheldorf, Jiri Mayer, Blanka Kubesova, Zdenek Racil, Martina Wessiepe, Joerg Eschweiler, Susanne Isfort, Tim H. Brummendorf, Walter Becker, Mirle Schemionek, Ralf Weiskirchen, Steffen Koschmieder, Nicolas Chatain
Summary: Lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a proinflammatory mediator, is involved in the pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). The overexpression of LCN2 in MPN is strongly correlated with driver oncogenes BCR-ABL and JAK2V617F, as well as with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Targeting the IRE1-JNK-NF-kappa B-C/EBP axis may represent a promising novel therapeutic approach in MPN.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Youssef Aboushady, Moustafa Gabr, Ahmed K. ElHady, Mohamed Salah, Ashraf H. Abadi, Gerrit Wilms, Walter Becker, Mohammad Abdel-Halim, Matthias Engel
Summary: Multiple factors are involved in the progression of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The study optimized Dyrk1A inhibitors, leading to the development of a novel compound with triple inhibitory effects against Dyrk1A kinase activity and aggregation of tau and alpha-syn oligomers. Efficacy was demonstrated in cellular models of neurotoxic mechanisms relevant to neurodegenerative diseases.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yasmeen T. AlNajjar, Moustafa Gabr, Ahmed K. ElHady, Mohamed Salah, Gerrit Wilms, Ashraf H. Abadi, Walter Becker, Mohammad Abdel-Halim, Matthias Engel
Summary: The study found that dual inhibitors with higher selectivity for Dyrk1A and inhibition of alpha-synuclein aggregation present a potential novel therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease. Compound b27, displaying the highest inhibitory potency and selectivity, could be a promising drug candidate for PD treatment.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marco Papenfuss, Svenja Luetzow, Gerrit Wilms, Aaron Babendreyer, Maren Flasshoff, Conrad Kunick, Walter Becker
Summary: This study reveals the differences between two closely related protein kinases during initial folding and as mature kinases. DYRK1B has a weaker capacity for autonomous maturation compared to DYRK1A in a bacterial expression system. This difference is mainly attributed to the divergent sequences of the C-terminal lobes of the catalytic domain. Additionally, the mature kinase domain of DYRK1B shows lower thermal stability than that of DYRK1A under heat challenge.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)