Article
Cell Biology
Hsing-Chun Kuo, Shiou-Lan Chen, Shu-Chen Chiu, Kam-Fai Lee, Chun-Hsien Chu
Summary: The development of microglial endotoxin tolerance (ET) plays a critical role in protecting neurons, and this study aimed to investigate the mechanisms involved. The results showed that LPS-induced TNF-a tolerance in microglia depended on LBP. Additionally, early pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS did not contribute to microglial ET. Moreover, inhibition of p38 MAPK disrupted the microglial TNF-a reduction and neuroprotection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huan Yu, Huimin Zhong, Na Li, Kaizhe Chen, Junjue Chen, Jun Sun, Lili Xu, Jing Wang, Mingui Zhang, Xiaohong Liu, Lianfu Deng, Ping Huang, Shouyue Huang, Xi Shen, Yisheng Zhong
Summary: The study found that in glaucoma, OPN promotes the proliferation and activation of retinal microglia, leading to glaucomatous optic neuropathy and eventual loss of RGCs and impairment of vision function.This effect may be mediated through the regulation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Article
Neurosciences
Yaqiong Yang, Zhifeng Chen, Rong Hu, Yu Sun, Xiang Lv, Jia Yan, Hong Jiang
Summary: Research using a rat model of cancer-induced bone pain and morphine tolerance experiments found that the EGFR signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of morphine tolerance, and inhibiting EGFR may offer a new therapeutic option for cancer-induced bone pain.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanqing Chen, Zhen Liu, Ping Gong, Haibo Zhang, Yijun Chen, Songquan Yao, Wei Li, Yan Zhang, Yang Yu
Summary: The chemerin/CMKLR1 axis is involved in the migration and recruitment of microglia to senile plaques via the p38 MAPK pathway. Activation of the chemerin/CMKLR1 axis promotes microglial polarization and protrusion formation, and regulates microglial migration and clustering through the p38 MAPK pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Josephina Rau, Lara Weise, Robbie Moore, Mabel Terminel, Kiralyn Brakel, Rachel Cunningham, Jessica Bryan, Alexander Stefanov, Michelle A. Hook
Summary: Morphine treatment after spinal cord injury (SCI) can increase pain symptoms and hinder recovery. Glial activation may contribute to morphine-induced pain and cell death. Minocycline, a drug that blocks glial activation, was not effective in preventing the negative effects of morphine and even had detrimental effects on locomotor recovery. Both morphine and minocycline altered the acute immune response and reduced locomotor recovery after SCI.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoqian Jia, Anqi Zhang, Zheng Li, Xiaoling Peng, Xuebi Tian, Feng Gao
Summary: This study found that spinal PDGFR beta in microglia promotes autophagy in GABA interneurons through activating the p38 MAPK pathway, which plays a significant role in the development of morphine tolerance.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Junjue Chen, Huimin Zhong, Huan Yu, Jun Sun, Bingqiao Shen, Xing Xu, Shouyue Huang, Ping Huang, Yisheng Zhong
Summary: IL-17A plays a significant role in the regulation of retinal immune response and retinal ganglion cell death in glaucoma by promoting retinal microglial activation via p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Suppression of IL-17A contributes to alleviate glaucoma neuropathy.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peng Su, Diya Wang, Zipeng Cao, Jingyuan Chen, Jianbin Zhang
Summary: Lead exposure induces neuroinflammation, with NLRP3 playing a role in regulating neurotoxicity. Minocycline can mitigate neurotoxicity and inhibit neuroinflammation, while blocking NLRP3 can attenuate neural alterations induced by lead.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yunnan Lu, Mingming Zhou, Yun Li, Yan Li, Ye Hua, Yi Fan
Summary: The study found that minocycline can promote microglial phenotype shift, reduce brain infarct volume, protect neurons from injury, and improve neurological functional recovery after AIS.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Houmin Lin, Steven Grant Dixon, Wei Hu, Eric D. Hamlett, Junfei Jin, Adviye Ergul, Gavin Y. Wang
Summary: Research suggests that the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the brain is a key factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study found that Aβ(1-40) oligomers stimulate the expression of IL-6 in human microglial cells. The activation of p38 MAPK is associated with this increase in IL-6. Inhibition of p38 MAPK can prevent Aβ-induced IL-6 production. These findings indicate that targeting p38 MAPK could be a potential approach to reduce neuroinflammation caused by Aβ accumulation in AD.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Xin Li, Banglian Hu, Xiaoyan Guan, Ziwei Wang, Yuhang Zhou, Hao Sun, Xian Zhang, Yanfang Li, Xiaohua Huang, Yingjun Zhao, Xin Wang, Huaxi Xu, Yun-Wu Zhang, Zhanxiang Wang, Honghua Zheng
Summary: In this study, researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology to generate a mouse model with CSF1R gene haploinsufficiency, to investigate the pathogenic mechanism of adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) and the therapeutic effects of minocycline. The study found that CSF1R deficiency leads to aberrant microglial activation, and minocycline can suppress this activation and improve behavioral and pathological defects.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaowei Ma, Yizhou Zhang, Dongyun Gou, Jingle Ma, Juan Du, Chang Wang, Sha Li, Huixian Cui
Summary: This study revealed that the EphA2/p38 MAPK pathway is involved in the release of proinflammatory cytokines in microglia induced by A beta(1-42) in AD, accompanied by metabolic reprogramming from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to glycolysis.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Anatomy & Morphology
Houan Tu, Haichen Chu, Sen Guan, Fengxi Hao, Na Xu, Zhiping Zhao, Yongxin Liang
Summary: Microglia play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cancer pain and morphine tolerance, as they acquire different activation states to regulate their function. Targeting the activation states of microglia can be an effective treatment for cancer pain and morphine tolerance by inhibiting their harmful pro-inflammatory neurotoxicity and enhancing their beneficial anti-inflammatory protective function.
Article
Immunology
Yonghe Zheng, Linfeng Fan, Siqi Xia, Qiguo Yang, Zhihua Zhang, Huaijun Chen, Hanhai Zeng, Xiongjie Fu, Yucong Peng, Chaoran Xu, Kaibo Yu, Fuyi Liu, Shenglong Cao
Summary: The study shows that the complement C1q/C3-CR3 signaling is upregulated after ICH, and the activation of this signaling pathway aggravates brain injury following ICH. Additionally, minocycline exerts neuroprotective effects on brain injury partly due to inhibition of the C1q/C3-CR3 signaling pathway.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Mahalia M. McGill, Alyssa R. Richman, Joseph R. Boyd, Bristy Sabikunnahar, Karolyn G. Lahue, Theresa L. Montgomery, Sydney Caldwell, Stella Varnum, Seth Frietze, Dimitry N. Krementsov
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, with higher prevalence in women but more severe symptoms in men. Research has shown that genetic ablation of p38 alpha MAP kinase in myeloid cells has sex-specific protective effects, suggesting that distinct cellular and molecular pathways drive autoimmunity in males and females. This indicates the potential for future sex-specific therapeutic approaches in treating MS.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Jiabin Zang, Jianwen Liang, Xiaodong Zhuang, Shaozhao Zhang, Xinxue Liao, Guifu Wu
Summary: Through analyzing the SPRINT data, the study found that intensive blood pressure treatment has a protective effect on all-cause death but may increase the risk of stroke. In patients with coronary artery disease undergoing revascularization, the systolic blood pressure target of 120mm Hg may increase the risk of stroke.
JOURNAL OF HUMAN HYPERTENSION
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yifen Lin, Xiangbin Zhong, Menghui Liu, Shaozhao Zhang, Zhenyu Xiong, Yiquan Huang, Yongqiang Fan, Xingfeng Xu, Yue Guo, Yuqi Li, Xiuting Sun, Huimin Zhou, Daya Yang, Xiaomin Ye, Xinxue Liao, Xiaodong Zhuang
Summary: A simple risk score was developed to stratify patients with HFpEF by their baseline risk of cardiovascular death. The study found that patients at very high risk derived significant benefits from spironolactone therapy.
CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS AND THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xin He, Jianming Liu, Fei Gu, Jinghai Chen, Yao Wei Lu, Jian Ding, Haipeng Guo, Mao Nie, Masaharu Kataoka, Zhiqiang Lin, Xiaoyun Hu, Huaqun Chen, Xinxue Liao, Yugang Dong, Wang Min, Zhong-Liang Deng, William T. Pu, Zhan-Peng Huang, Da-Zhi Wang
Summary: In this study, it was discovered that CIP protein participates in the regulation of dystrophic cardiomyopathy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Deletion of CIP led to dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure in young mdx mice, while overexpression of CIP reduced pathological dystrophic cardiomyopathy in old mdx mice. Transcriptome analyses revealed that fibrogenesis and oxidative stress pathways were affected by CIP, and suppression of the CnA-NFAT pathway resulted in decreased expression of Nox4, a key component in the oxidative stress pathway. Overexpression of Nox4 accelerated the development of dystrophic cardiomyopathy in mdx mice. Hence, CIP could serve as a modifier and potential therapeutic target for dystrophic cardiomyopathy.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Rihua Huang, Yifen Lin, Menghui Liu, Zhenyu Xiong, Shaozhao Zhang, Xiangbin Zhong, Xiaomin Ye, Yiquan Huang, Xiaodong Zhuang, Xinxue Liao
Summary: This study found that longer time in target range of systolic blood pressure was statistically associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular outcomes and mortality events among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This association was more significant in younger patients.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Menghui Liu, Xiaohong Chen, Shaozhao Zhang, Junfan Lin, Lichun Wang, Xinxue Liao, Xiaodong Zhuang
Summary: The study shows that even in individuals with optimal blood pressure levels, high variability in systolic blood pressure still increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. This highlights the importance of considering visit-to-visit blood pressure variability in addition to blood pressure levels for cardiovascular health.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yanchuang Han, Tailai Du, Siyao Guo, Lu Wang, Gang Dai, Tianxin Long, Ting Xu, Xiaodong Zhuang, Chen Liu, Shujuan Li, Dihua Zhang, Xinxue Liao, Yugang Dong, Kathy O. Lui, Xu Tan, Shuibin Lin, Yili Chen, Zhan-Peng Huang
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that METTL5 plays a regulatory role in cardiac hypertrophy by modulating mRNA translation. This discovery is important for understanding the mechanisms of cardiac remodeling.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Wei Li, Xian-du Liu, Yan-qiu Liu, Xiao-dong Zhuang, Zhong-kai Wu, Feng-juan Yao
Summary: In this case report, a giant coronary aneurysm with right ventricle fistula was diagnosed using contrast echocardiography. The contrast echocardiography clearly revealed one of the fistulae between the aneurysm and right ventricle.
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY-A JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ULTRASOUND AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yiquan Huang, Huimin Zhou, Shaozhao Zhang, Xiangbin Zhong, Yifen Lin, Zhenyu Xiong, Menghui Liu, Aili Yimamu, Odong Christopher, Ziwei Zhou, Xiaodong Zhuang, Xinxue Liao
Summary: The study found that exposure to higher blood pressure levels, especially diastolic blood pressure, from midlife to late life is associated with narrower retinal vessel diameters in late life. Race also moderates the association between cumulative blood pressure exposure and retinal microvasculature.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Tong Yan, Yuli Huang, Jason H. Y. Wu, Xiao-Dong Zhuang, Xiong-Fei Pan
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Zhuoming Zhou, Xiaodong Zhuang, Menghui Liu, Bohao Jian, Guangguo Fu, Xinxue Liao, Zhongkai Wu, Mengya Liang
Summary: This study conducted a post-hoc analysis to investigate the association between post-therapeutic left ventricular volume change and long-term outcomes in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy. The results showed that left ventricular volume change was significantly associated with long-term prognosis in patients treated with medical therapy alone but not in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in addition to medical therapy.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Zezhi Ke, Rihua Huang, Xinghao Xu, Wenbin Liu, Suisui Wang, Xu Zhang, Ye Guo, Xiaodong Zhuang, Liao Zhen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between long-term insulin resistance trajectories in young adults and the incidence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in midlife. The results showed that young adults with higher levels of insulin resistance were more likely to develop CAC in middle age after a 25-year follow-up.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Zhuohui Chen, Menghui Liu, Xingfeng Xu, Lixiang He, Peng Wang, Xiaojie Cai, Rihua Huang, Shaozhao Zhang, Xinghao Xu, Yuhui Lai, Yiquan Huang, Miaohong Li, Yifen Lin, Peihan Xie, Xinxue Liao, Xiaodong Zhuang, Yue Guo
Summary: This study investigated the joint association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and klotho with mortality risk in American community-dwelling adults. The results showed that vitamin D-associated mortality risk is observed only with concurrently decreasing klotho, indicating that vitamin D metabolism dysfunction increases the risk of mortality.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Zhuoshan Huang, Xiaodong Zhuang, Shaozhao Zhang, Yiquan Huang, Lianxiong Yuan, Aiwen Lin, Leile Tang, Zhenyu Xiong, Odong Christopher, Yang Chen, Bingyuan Wu, Yesheng Ling, Suhua Li, Qiang Jie, Longgen Xiong, Xiaoxian Qian, Xinxue Liao, Jinlai Liu
Summary: This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial aiming to determine whether alirocumab could reduce the incidence of type 4a MI or major periprocedural myocardial injury in patients with CHD undergoing elective PCI. The study will randomly assign 422 non-AMI CHD patients to receive standard pharmacotherapy or additional use of alirocumab. The primary outcome is the elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin above the upper reference limit within 48 hours after PCI.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Menghui Liu, Rihua Huang, Lin Xu, Shaozhao Zhang, Xiangbin Zhong, Xiaohong Chen, Yifen Lin, Zhenyu Xiong, Lichun Wang, Xinxue Liao, Xiaodong Zhuang
Summary: Intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) has varying cardiovascular effects for individuals who can maintain lower body weight after weight loss through ILI. Those who can maintain a higher percentage of weight loss experience a 45% lower risk of cardiovascular events, while those who cannot maintain significant weight loss do not see significant effects on cardiovascular risk.
Meeting Abstract
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xiaomin Ye, Yifen Lin, Xiaodong Zhuang, Xinxue Liao
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Immunology
Wan-Ju Cheng, Hong-Mo Shih, Kuan-Pin Su, Po-Ren Hsueh
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Felipe Kenji Sudo, Talita P. Pinto, Fernanda G. Q. Barros-Aragao, Ivanei Bramati, Theo F. Marins, Marina Monteiro, Fernanda Meireles, Rejane Soares, Pilar Erthal, Victor Calil, Naima Assuncao, Natalia Oliveira, Joana Bondarovsky, Camila Lima, Beatriz Chagas, Alana Batista, Julia Lins, Thais L. Pinheiro, Felippe Mendonca, Andrea Silveira de Souza, Fernanda C. Rodrigues, Gabriel R. de Freitas, Pedro Kurtz, Paulo Mattos, Erika C. Rodrigues, Fernanda G. De Felice, Fernanda Tovar-Moll
Summary: Post-COVID-19 Condition (PCC) is a multisystemic syndrome that persists for months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, affecting cognitive function and neuropsychiatric features. A study on COVID-19 survivors in Brazil found that these patients experienced significant difficulties in overall cognition, memory, working memory, and inhibitory control, as well as fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. In addition, elevated levels of inflammatory markers in the blood were associated with brain microstructural damage and cognitive impairments.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Letter
Immunology
Tieh-Cheng Fu, Juei-Chao Chen, Ching-Mao Chang
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Aastha Dheer, Dale B. Bosco, Jiaying Zheng, Lingxiao Wang, Shunyi Zhao, Koichiro Haruwaka, Min-Hee Yi, Abhijeet Barath, Dai-Shi Tian, Long-Jun Wu
Summary: Microglial activation plays a crucial role in the pathology of epilepsy, with both acute and prolonged activation affecting seizure severity and neuronal loss.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Julie B. Rosenberg, Jens Richardt Mollegaard Jepsen, Parisa Mohammadzadeh, Astrid Sevelsted, Rebecca Vinding, Mikkel E. Sorensen, David Horner, Kristina Aagaard, Birgitte Fagerlund, Susanne Brix, Nilofar Folsgaard, Ann -Marie M. Schoos, Jakob Stokholm, Bo Chawes, Christos Pantelis, Soren Dalsgaard, Birte Y. Glenthoj, Niels Bilenberg, Klaus Bonnelykke, Bjorn H. Ebdrup
Summary: Clinical data demonstrates a strong association between prenatal maternal inflammation assessed by hs-CRP and a diagnosis of ADHD by age 10. Maternal inflammation is also associated with ADHD symptom load in the entire cohort.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Suzanne M. Green-Fulgham, Michael J. Lacagnina, Kendal F. Willcox, Jiahe Li, Michael E. Harland, Adriano Polican Ciena, Igor R. Correia Rocha, Jayson B. Ball, Renee A. Dreher, Younus A. Zuberi, Joseph M. Dragavon, Marucia Chacur, Steven F. Maier, Linda R. Watkins, Peter M. Grace
Summary: Regular aerobic activity, specifically voluntary wheel running, can reduce the risk of chronic pain by inhibiting MAC and preserving myelin integrity at the site of peripheral nerve injury.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
India Boyton, Stella M. Valenzuela, Lyndsey E. Collins-Praino, Andrew Care
Summary: Neuronanomedicine is a multidisciplinary field that aims to develop innovative nanotechnologies for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Nanoparticles are an important component of neuronanomedicine, as they can improve drug properties and enhance safety and delivery across the blood-brain barrier. However, a major challenge for neuronanomedicine translation is the poor understanding of bio-nano interactions, partly due to inconsistent reporting in published works. This review provides specific recommendations to guide researchers in harnessing the unique properties of nanoparticles for breakthrough treatments of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Celine De Looze, Cathal McCrory, Aisling O'Halloran, Silvia Polidoro, Rose Anne Kenny, Joanne Feeney
Summary: Our study found that subjective measures of stress and biological metrics may be independently associated with cognitive function over time in older adults, hinting at potential different underlying mechanisms.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Beatrice Bravi, Elisa Maria Teresa Melloni, Marco Paolini, Mariagrazia Palladini, Federico Calesella, Laura Servidio, Elena Agnoletto, Sara Poletti, Cristina Lorenzi, Cristina Colombo, Francesco Benedetti
Summary: Depressed patients show changes in immune-inflammatory markers in their blood and cerebrospinal fluid. The Choroid Plexus, located at the base of the brain ventricles, plays a key role in regulating the exchange of substances between the brain and immune cells. Patients with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder have larger Choroid Plexus volumes compared to healthy controls. Age and levels of circulating cytokines are associated with Choroid Plexus volumes in the clinical groups.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Mingxuan Zheng, Huaiyu Ye, Xiaoying Yang, Lijun Shen, Xuemei Dang, Xiaoli Liu, Yuying Gong, Qingyuan Wu, Li Wang, Xing Ge, Xiaoli Fang, Benchi Hou, Peng Zhang, Renxian Tang, Kuiyang Zheng, Xu-Feng Huang, Yinghua Yu
Summary: Obesity is linked to cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative disease. The connection between the gut microbiota and the brain is altered in obesity. The probiotic Clostridium butyricum can improve cognitive impairment caused by obesity and prevent gut microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Edward Drydale, Phalguni Rath, Katie Holden, Gregory Holt, Laurissa Havins, Thomas Johnson, James Bancroft, Lahiru Handunnetthi
Summary: This study created a novel three-dimensional neurosphere assay using induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation and live cell imaging techniques to investigate the effect of a simulated viral infection on cortical development. The findings demonstrated that the infection led to reduced radial glial growth and neural migration.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Yuancheng Weng, Ningting Chen, Rui Zhang, Jian He, Xukai Ding, Guo Cheng, Qianqian Bi, Ying-mei Lu, Xiao Z. Shen, Shu Wan, Peng Shi
Summary: This study reveals that microglia is the primary cellular source of PDGFB in adults, and microglial PDGFB is crucial for maintaining BBB integrity in adult mice.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Evan A. Bordt, Haley A. Moya, Young Chan Jo, Caitlin T. Ravichandran, Izabella M. Bankowski, Alexis M. Ceasrine, Christopher J. Mcdougle, William A. Carlezon Jr, Staci D. Bilbo
Summary: There is a strong male bias in many neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, but the mechanisms behind this bias are unknown. Infection during the perinatal period increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Using a mouse model, researchers found that early-life immune activation only induced deficits in social behaviors in male mice. These behavioral changes were associated with alterations in microglial immune signaling, mitochondrial morphology, gene expression, and function specifically in microglia, the brain's innate immune cells. Furthermore, the vulnerability to early-life immune activation and its effects on behavior and microglial mitochondria were programmed by the male-typical perinatal gonadal hormone surge. These findings highlight the role of microglia-specific mechanisms shaped by early developmental events in regulating male social behavior throughout lifespan.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Maria Amalia Di Castro, Stefano Garofalo, Alessandro Mormino, Laura Carbonari, Erika Di Pietro, Eleonora De Felice, Myriam Catalano, Laura Maggi, Cristina Limatola
Summary: Cytokines, such as interleukin-15 (IL-15), play important roles in modulating the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, the authors found that exposure to IL-15 enhances GABA release and reduces glutamatergic currents in hippocampal slices. Chronic treatment with IL-15 has negative effects on memory formation. Serotonin is involved in mediating these effects, as a selective 5-HT3A receptor antagonist prevents the effects on inhibitory neurotransmission and improves performance in a memory test.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Immunology
Nikhitha Sreenivas, Michael Maes, Hansashree Padmanabha, Apoorva Dharmendra, Priyanka Chakkera, Saptamita Paul Choudhury, Fazal Abdul, Thrinath Mullapudi, Vykuntaraju K. Gowda, Michael Berk, John Vijay Sagar Kommu, Monojit Debnath
Summary: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a spectrum of conditions with both common and differing characteristics in terms of phenome, symptomatome, neuropathology, risk factors and underlying mechanisms. This study investigates the possibility of a shared immune etiology among three early-onset NDDs, namely Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Intellectual Disability Disorder (IDD).
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2024)