Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emilie Werner, Silvana Pinna, Robert J. Mayer, Joseph Moran
Summary: Researchers have discovered that adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in the presence of certain metals can promote phosphorylation reactions in water, leading to the formation of nucleotide triphosphates (NTPs). This sheds light on why adenosine derivatives are commonly used for this purpose in biology. The ADP-metal complexes also enable phosphorylation of ribonucleoside monophosphates (NMPs) to a lesser extent. This study provides insights into nucleotide phosphorylation in the prebiotic chemistry and highlights the significance of ADP-metal complexes in the process.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Desiree Forstner, Jacqueline Guettler, Beatrice A. Brugger, Freya Lyssy, Lena Neuper, Christine Daxboeck, Gerhard Cvirn, Julia Fuchs, Kristin Kraeker, Alina Frolova, Daniela S. Valdes, Christina Stern, Birgit Hirschmugl, Herbert Fluhr, Christian Wadsack, Berthold Huppertz, Olivia Nonn, Florian Herse, Martin Gauster
Summary: Tissue insults in response to inflammation, hypoxia and ischemia cause the release of ATP, which modulates various pathological processes. CD39 and CD73 are two major enzymes that convert extracellular ATP into adenosine. This study investigated the expression of CD39 and CD73 in placental tissue and their regulation in response to platelet-derived factors and oxygen conditions. The results showed that placental CD39 expression increased in preeclampsia and platelet-derived factors led to deregulated CD39 expression. CD39 overexpression decreased extracellular ATP levels and abolished the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta. These findings suggest that increased placental CD39 could be an important anti-coagulant defense mechanism of the placenta.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Nadine Mundt, Lina Kenzler, Marc Spehr
Summary: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is not only the essential source of cellular energy, but also functions as an extracellular signal that activates purinergic receptors. Purinergic signaling plays a crucial role in male reproductive system functions, particularly in spermatogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Estefaniia Delgado-Pinar, Matilde Medeiros, Telma Costa, J. Sergio Seixas de Melo
Summary: Chemical derivatives of PEI with either TPA or Cou can form stable complexes with adenine and guanine nucleotides in water based on noncovalent interactions such as pi-pi stacking and hydrogen bonding. PEI-TPA acts as a chemosensor with recognition based on AIE and pi-pi interaction, while the Cou derivative relies on electrostatic interaction. The study provides valuable insights into designing receptors for selective recognition of nucleotides in water.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jack Greiner, Thomas Glonek
Summary: The lens and muscle tissues have high concentrations of ATP despite low metabolic requirements, suggesting a non-metabolic function of ATP in cellular and tissue function evolution.
Article
Neurosciences
Yaru Xu, Ge Gao, Xiaoru Sun, Qidong Liu, Cheng Li
Summary: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a major complication after surgery with general anesthesia, and the neurotoxicity of general anesthetics plays a key role. Sevoflurane, a common general anesthetic, is shown to induce inflammatory response and caspase-3 activation through upregulation of ATPIF1 in microglia. ATP supplementation may be a potential therapeutic strategy for alleviating sevoflurane-induced POD.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Duo Wang, Zirui Zeng, Mengyue Shen, Ryuji Okazaki, Hironori Miyata, Tomo Yonezawa, Yasuhiro Yoshida
Summary: Neutrophil endocytosis is closely related to ATP-centered energy metabolism. Inhibition of dynamin inhibits ATP consumption triggered by neutrophil endocytosis, while inhibition of ATP synthase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase suppresses neutrophil endocytosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Qiushi Wang, Ruijun He, Lianwan Chen, Qi Zhang, Jin Shan, Peng Wang, Xia Wang, Yanmei Zhao
Summary: In nematodes, MIG-23 regulates sperm migration by modulating extracellular ATP levels, which is essential for major sperm protein dynamics and sperm motility.
Article
Microbiology
Jia-Peng Zhou, Yu-Qing Tan, Zi-Hao Chen, Wei Zhao, Tong Liu
Summary: Protein lysine acetylation can occur through nonenzymatic acetylation mediated by acetyl-CoA or acetyl phosphate, as well as enzymatic acetylation. However, the acetylation levels of most sites are very low. In this study, it was found that ATP can inhibit both nonenzymatic and enzymatic acetylation processes, suggesting a regulatory role for ATP in acetylation. Furthermore, ADP and AMP were found to enhance acetylation mediated by acetyl phosphate, but had no evident inhibition on enzymatic acetylation.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Justyna Suwara, Ewa Radzikowska-Cieciura, Arkadiusz Chworos, Roza Pawlowska
Summary: ATP is a crucial molecule for nucleic acids biosynthesis and intracellular energy storage, but it also functions as a signaling molecule. This article summarizes the latest data on the role of ATP in intra- and extracellular signaling pathways, including purinergic signaling, MAP kinase pathway, mTOR, and calcium signaling. The importance of ATP-dependent processes in maintaining the proper functioning of various systems and the potential pathological consequences of ATP imbalance are discussed, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, cancers, and immune pathogenesis.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Tania Paola Mendoza-Tinoco, Victor Sanchez-Vazquez, Maria del Carmen Fajardo-Ortiz, Ignacio Gonzalez, Ricardo Beristain-Cardoso
Summary: This review focuses on the biochemical aspects of anaerobic digestion (AD) and the influence of a low-magnitude electric field (LMEF) on metabolisms during wastewater treatment and methane production enhancement.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Renjie Pan, Kejia Zhang, Cheng Cen, Xinyan Zhou, Jia Xu, Jiajia Wu, Xiaogang Wu
Summary: The study shows that switching to improved water quality may initially lead to bacteria release in the distribution system, but after 42 days, the biofilm gradually stabilizes, leading to an improvement in water quality.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Victory Fiifi Dsane, Sumin An, Taeseok Oh, Jiyun Hwang, Yuri Choi, Younggyun Choi
Summary: Through a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor dominated by freshwater anammox bacteria, the study investigated the performance and stress index of the bacteria under various saline conditions. The research found an irrefutable correlation between anammox stress index, NaCl concentration, microbial community, and a significant decrease in Specific Anammox activity under high salinity.
Review
Microbiology
Jack W. F. Nicholls, Jason P. Chin, Tom A. Williams, Timothy M. Lenton, Vincent O'Flaherty, John W. McGrath
Summary: Energy metabolism in extant life is centered around ATP, which relies on complex enzymes and autocatalytic requirements. Primordial alternatives to ATP may have utilized phosphorylated compounds, but the scarcity of bioavailable phosphate on early Earth raises doubts. A overlooked phosphorus redox cycle might have played a key role in early energy metabolism, and the review discusses the evolutionary history of bioenergetics and the importance of phosphorus in early biology.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yunshuo Zhao, Xiaotong Chen, Zhe Ding, Chuanjie He, Guanfei Gao, Sifan Lyu, Yanfeng Gao, Jiangfeng Du
Summary: This study successfully identified a CD39 inhibitor through a combination of methods, demonstrating its effectiveness in inhibiting CD39 enzyme activity and suppressing tumor cell proliferation. Understanding the binding mode and mechanism of action of the inhibitor can potentially lead to further optimization and exploration of its anticancer activity in vivo.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Richard J. Siegert, Ajit Narayanan, Joanna Dipnall, Lisa Gossage, Wendy Wrapson, Alexander Sumich, Fabrice Merien, Michael Berk, Janis Paterson, El-Shadan Tautolo
Summary: This study examined the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness among young Pacific adults living in Auckland, New Zealand during the 2020/2021 COVID-19 pandemic and identified potential protective factors. The findings showed that approximately 25% of the participants scored in the moderate to severe range for anxiety, and 10% for depression. Additionally, around 40% of the sample reported finding the first lockdown very stressful. Self-compassion and Pacific Identity were moderately negatively correlated with anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and perceived stress.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Anna L. Wrobel, Samantha E. Russell, Anuradhi Jayasinghe, Bianca E. Kavanagh, Mojtaba Lotfaliany, Alyna Turner, Olivia M. Dean, Sue M. Cotton, Claudia Diaz-Byrd, Anastasia K. Yocum, Elizabeth R. Duval, Tobin J. Ehrlich, David F. Marshall, Michael Berk, Melvin G. McInnis
Summary: This study found that personality traits may mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and the severity of bipolar depression; the indirect effect through neuroticism was significant in the mediation model. The results suggest that an individual's personality structure is an important factor to consider in therapeutic plans for individuals with bipolar disorder who have a history of childhood trauma.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Greg Roebuck, Mojtaba Lotfaliany, Bruno Agustini, Malcolm Forbes, Mohammadreza Mohebbi, John McNeil, Robyn L. Woods, Christopher M. Reid, Mark R. Nelson, Raj C. Shah, Joanne Ryan, Anne B. Newman, Alice Owen, Rosanne Freak-Poli, Nigel Stocks, Michael Berk
Summary: Late-life depression (LLD) may be a common and important risk factor for shortened healthspan. This study found that LLD was associated with lower disability-free survival in both female and male participants. Subthreshold depression was also associated with lower disability-free survival in both sexes.
ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Wolfgang Marx, Sam H. Manger, Mark Blencowe, Greg Murray, Fiona Yan-Yee Ho, Sharon Lawn, James A. Blumenthal, Felipe Schuch, Brendon Stubbs, Anu Ruusunen, Hanna Demelash Desyibelew, Timothy G. Dinan, Felice Jacka, Arun Ravindran, Michael Berk, Adrienne O'Neil
Summary: This study aims to provide clinicians with evidence-based recommendations and implementation considerations for lifestyle-based mental health care for adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The study conducted systematic literature searches and formed nine recommendations, including physical activity, relaxation techniques, work-directed interventions, sleep, and mindfulness-based therapies. The study also emphasized the importance of implementing this approach with input from allied health professionals and support networks, and delivering interventions using a biopsychosocial-cultural framework.
WORLD JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Elena Koning, Alexandra McDonald, Alexander Bambokian, Fabiano A. Gomes, Jacob Vorstman, Michael Berk, Jennifer Fabe, Roger S. McIntyre, Roumen Milev, Rodrigo B. Mansur, Elisa Brietzke
Summary: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mental disorder characterized by depressive and manic episodes, circadian rhythm disruption, and changes in energetic metabolism. Metabolic jet lag is considered a core component of BD pathophysiology, associated with irregular eating rhythms and circadian desynchronization of energetic metabolism.
Article
Substance Abuse
Rebecca McKetin, Philip J. Clare, David Castle, Alyna Turner, Peter J. Kelly, Dan I. Lubman, Shalini Arunogiri, Victoria Manning, Michael Berk
Summary: This study aimed to determine whether the risk of psychotic symptoms during methamphetamine use was dependent on, increased by, or independent of having a family history of psychosis. The findings showed that both methamphetamine use and family history of psychosis were independently associated with psychotic symptoms in the past week, and the joint risk was even larger when they occurred together. There was no significant interaction between family history of psychosis and methamphetamine use in predicting psychotic symptoms, but family history of psychosis was an independent risk factor for the absolute risk of psychotic symptoms in this population.
Editorial Material
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Harris A. Eyre, Robert Lundin, Veronica Podence Falcao, Michael Berk, Tadeusz Hawrot, Marion Leboyer, Frederic Destrebecq, Zoltan Sarnyai, Charles Reynolds, Helen Lavretsky, Kavitha Kolappa, Jeffrey Cummings
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jason Yuen, Abhinav Goyal, Aaron E. Rusheen, Abbas Z. Kouzani, Michael Berk, Jee Hyun Kim, Susannah J. Tye, Osama A. Abulseoud, Tyler S. Oesterle, Charles D. Blaha, Kevin E. Bennet, Kendall H. Lee, Yoonbae Oh, Hojin Shin
Summary: Opioids are the leading cause of overdose death in the United States, with nearly 70,000 deaths in 2020. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising treatment for substance use disorders. This study investigated the modulation of dopaminergic and respiratory effects of oxycodone by DBS of the ventral segmental area (VTA) in rodents. The results demonstrated that DBS reduced baseline dopamine levels and alleviated the increase in dopamine levels and respiratory depression induced by oxycodone.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Samantha E. Russell, David R. Skvarc, Mohammadreza Mohebbi, David Camfield, Linda K. Byrne, Alyna Turner, Melanie M. Ashton, Michael Berk, Seetal Dodd, Gin S. Malhi, Sue M. Cotton, Ashley I. Bush, Olivia M. Dean
Summary: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a therapeutic agent with multiple mechanisms of action in the central nervous system, and it has shown potential in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). A 12-week randomized controlled trial found no significant improvement at the primary endpoint but did see improvements at a later interview. The study also used a mixed methods approach to explore factors that may determine individual responses to NAC treatment.
CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sourav Khanra, Preethi Reddy, Anna Gimenez-Palomo, Chun Hui J. Park, Bruna Panizzutti, Madeleine McCallum, Shyam Sundar Arumugham, Shreekantiah Umesh, Monojit Debnath, Basudeb Das, Ganesan Venkatasubramanian, Melanie Ashton, Alyna Turner, Olivia M. Dean, Ken Walder, Eduard Vieta, Lakshmi N. Yatham, Isabella Pacchiarotti, Y. C. Janardhan Reddy, Nishant Goyal, Muralidharan Kesavan, Lluc Colomer, Michael Berk, Jee Hyun Kim
Summary: The core feature of bipolar disorder is pathological disturbances in mood, along with disrupted thinking and behavior. Due to its complex and heterogeneous etiology, a range of genetic and environmental factors are involved. This complexity and poorly understood neurobiology make it challenging to develop drugs, resulting in limited treatment options, especially for bipolar depression. Therefore, novel approaches are needed, such as investigating the potential of trimetazidine as a treatment option for bipolar depression.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Michael Berk, Vincent Van den Eynde, Karthikeyan Ganapathy, Chittaranjan Andrade, Tom Birkenhager, J. Alexander Bodkin, David Nutt, Brian Barnett, Simeon Shalom Feinberg, Gordon Parker, Eric Ruhe, Michele Fornaro, Charles Redhead, Lila Godet, Peter Kenneth Gillman
Summary: Experienced clinicians and academics from the International MAOI Expert Group provide comments on the use of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) pharmacotherapy for depression. They emphasize the importance of good pharmacological practice, starting with a low dose and making changes slowly and gradually. The comments also discuss issues related to augmentation and drug combinations, and highlight the unique ability of MAOIs to improve dopamine function.
PSYCHIATRIC ANNALS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Shilpa Aggarwal, Michael Berk, Nilesh Shah, Anokhi Shah, Dimple Kondal, George Patton, Vikram Patel
Summary: ATMAN, a contextually adapted psychological intervention developed in India, was delivered to a group of young people who self-harm. The results showed that ATMAN was acceptable and led to significant improvements in psychological measures. This suggests that ATMAN has the potential to be implemented at all levels of healthcare settings to reduce the burden of suicide in young people. However, further randomized controlled trials are needed to identify key competencies for training and supervision, as well as quality assurance measures for effective implementation of ATMAN.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
Elisa Brietzke, Elena Koning, Mohammad Alsuwaidan, Vicent Balanza-Martinez, Michael Berk, Jess Fiedorowicz, Mark Frye, Manuel Gardea-Resendez, Fabiano Gomes, Ana Gonzalez-Pinto, Rodrigo Mansur, Wolfgang Marx, Roumen Milev, Lucas Neves, Andrew Nierenberg, Andrew Olagunju, Gayatri Saraf, Marco Solmi, Beny Lafer
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
Fernanda Carramaschi Gabriel, Michael Berk, Elisa Brietzke, Felice Jacka, Beny Lafer
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
Elysha Ringin, David Dunstan, Roger S. McIntyre, Neville Owen, Michael Berk, Susan Rossell, Mats Hallgren, Tamsyn Van Rheenen
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)