Article
Neurosciences
Isabella Palazzo, Levi J. Todd, Thanh V. Hoang, Thomas A. Reh, Seth Blackshaw, Andy J. Fischer
Summary: Muller glia (MG) in mammalian retinas are incapable of regenerating neurons after damage, whereas the MG in lower vertebrates regenerate functional neurons. Identification of cell signaling pathways and gene regulatory networks that regulate MG-mediated regeneration is key to harnessing the regenerative potential of MG. In this study, NFkB signaling was found to play a crucial role in regulating immune cell accumulation and suppressing the neurogenic potential of MG after damage. Inhibition of NFkB enhanced the reprogramming of MG into neuron-like cells. Additionally, TGF beta 2 signaling and suppression of NFI and Id transcription factors were coordinated with NFkB signaling to regulate MG-mediated regeneration.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ya-Qun Zhou, Xue-Bi Tian, Yu-Ke Tian, Wei Mei, Dai-Qiang Liu, Da-Wei Ye
Summary: Despite advancements in therapeutic pharmacological interventions, chronic pain remains a challenging healthcare concern. Aberrant activation of Wnt signaling pathways has been found in animal models of chronic pain and blocking them has shown potential in attenuating pain behaviors. This review summarizes the therapeutic potential of pharmacological inhibitors of Wnt signaling in preclinical studies for chronic pain.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gaia Piccioni, Dalila Mango, Amira Saidi, Massimo Corbo, Robert Nistico
Summary: This review focuses on the emerging roles of microglia in the brain, particularly in synaptic plasticity in health and disease. Evidence suggests that maintaining the ramified state of microglia is crucial for normal synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. Inflammatory signals associated with diseases like Alzheimer's can alter the morphology of microglia and lead to synaptic loss and cognitive impairment, highlighting potential targets for disease-modifying therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew Irving, Jenni Harvey
Summary: Recent advances have shown that leptin has multiple functions in the brain, beyond its role in hypothalamic control of energy balance. Leptin affects synaptic efficacy in the hippocampus, enhancing cognitive performance in memory tasks. Aging leads to reduced hippocampal responsiveness to leptin, potentially impacting cognitive function negatively.
PROGRESS IN LIPID RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wensi Wu, Xiaojun Zhang, Jiaxin Zhou, Hongmei Yang, Junjun Chen, Le Zhao, Junying Zhong, Wei-Jye Lin, Zhi Wang
Summary: Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) leads to cognitive deterioration, especially in older patients, and demyelination is related to its pathogenesis. Clemastine, a drug known for its potency in remyelination, has shown potential therapeutic effects on PND by reducing inflammatory factors and enhancing remyelination.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francois Maingret, Laurent Groc
Summary: The study shows that GABA(A)Rs and D5Rs form dynamic surface clusters in the hippocampus, and disrupting their interaction affects receptor diffusion and synaptic GABA(A)R levels. This rapid lateral redistribution leads to a significant depression in GABAergic currents and alters the timing of long-term potentiation at glutamatergic synapses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Pojeong Park, Heather Kang, John Georgiou, Min Zhuo, Bong-Kiun Kaang, Graham L. Collingridge
Summary: The study demonstrates that calcium-permeable AMPA receptors are crucial for heterosynaptic metaplasticity. Results show that significant metaplasticity occurs when a strong TBS precedes a weak TBS, and pausing stimulation can largely eliminate this metaplasticity.
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaoli Cui, Ruijin Zhang, Ye Yang, Erzhong Wu, Yiheng Tang, Zhihua Zhao, Chao Li, Lei Yang, Xueyi Teng, Yanzhen Ye, Ya Cui, Feng Xu, Zewen Su, Dongpeng Wang, Dongdong Zhang, Yan Yang, Jianyuan Sun, Jianjun Luo, Shuli Zhang, Runsheng Chen, Jianzhong Jeff Xi
Summary: Carip, a previously uncharacterized long non-coding RNA, regulates the phosphorylation of AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits through its interaction with CaMKIIb, thereby modulating long-term synaptic plasticity and spatial learning and memory in mice.
Review
Neurosciences
Chuan Tang, Ye Jin, Huan Wang
Summary: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a common complication of sepsis that can lead to increased mortality and poor outcomes. Neurological dysfunction is a major feature, and patients may experience cognitive impairment even after hospital discharge. This review outlines the pathophysiological changes of SAE and summarizes the synaptic dysfunction it causes. The findings contribute to a better understanding of synaptic dysfunction associated with SAE and provide important insights for exploring potential therapeutic targets.
FRONTIERS IN SYNAPTIC NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liu Xiao, Wang Kaiyue, Wei Xing, Xie Tian, Lv Bin, Zhou Qian, Wang Xiaoying
Summary: This review summarizes the important neuropathological features of Alzheimer's disease and the two signaling pathways related to neuroinflammation and pathological changes. Additionally, it briefly introduces preliminary screening of potential therapeutic drugs for AD.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Michela Campolo, Giovanna Casili, Marika Lanza, Alessia Filippone, Marika Cordaro, Alessio Ardizzone, Sarah Adriana Scuderi, Salvatore Cuzzocrea, Emanuela Esposito, Irene Paterniti
Summary: The study demonstrates that mTOR inhibitors, especially KU0063794, have significant benefits for cognitive and motor recovery after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, reducing lesion volumes and alleviating neuroinflammation and neuronal death.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Meishar Shahoha, Ronni Cohen, Yoav Ben-Simon, Uri Ashery
Summary: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a key second messenger involved in synaptic plasticity. In the hippocampal mossy fiber (MF) synapse, cAMP mediates long-term changes to synaptic efficacy through the activation of the protein kinase A (PKA) cascade. This review summarizes the current knowledge on cAMP catalysts, PKA-dependent molecular cascades, and non-canonical cAMP-dependent but PKA-independent pathways in MF terminals. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying MF plasticity could provide insights into the relationship between transcriptional and computational levels in different brain regions.
FRONTIERS IN SYNAPTIC NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Casey N. Barber, Hana L. Goldschmidt, Brendan Lilley, Alexei M. Bygrave, Richard C. Johnson, Richard L. Huganir, Donald J. Zack, Daniel M. Raben
Summary: Phosphatidic acid is a crucial signaling molecule involved in exocytosis and neurotransmission. However, confusion in the literature regarding the expression of PLD isoforms in the mammalian brain has hindered our understanding of their roles in neurons. By generating epitope-tagged PLD1 and PLD2 knockin mice using CRISPR/Cas9, this study reveals that PLD1 and PLD2 are localized at synapses, with higher expression of PLD2 in glial cells and predominant expression of PLD1 in neurons. Interestingly, only PLD1 is expressed in the mouse retina, specifically in the synaptic plexiform layers. These findings provide critical insights into the localization and potential functions of PLDs in the central nervous system.
JOURNAL OF LIPID RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Junli Zhao, Sangsu Bang, Kenta Furutani, Aidan Mcginnis, Changyu Jiang, Alexus Roberts, Christopher R. Donnelly, Qianru He, Michael L. James, Miles Berger, Mei-Chuan Ko, Haichen Wang, Richard D. Palmiter, Ru-Rong Ji
Summary: Neuronal PD-1 signaling plays a crucial role in regulating learning and memory, and inhibiting PD-1 or reducing PD-L1 levels may enhance memory function.
Article
Neurosciences
Graham L. L. Collingridge, Daniel T. T. Monaghan
Summary: 40 years ago, Watkins and Evans published a review on excitatory amino acids that had a significant impact on the field of neurobiology, particularly in the study of NMDA receptors. They established the three receptor scheme for excitatory amino acids and developed tools that laid the foundation for studying NMDA receptors. This Special Issue commemorates their contributions and provides updates on the understanding of NMDARs.