Article
Neurosciences
Busra Sengul, Erdinc Dursun, Alexei Verkhratsky, Duygu Gezen-Ak
Summary: Overexpression of human alpha-synuclein in cultured human astrocytes significantly alters the profile of growth factor production and secretion, particularly impacting EGF, PDGF, VEGF, their receptors, and IGF-related proteins. Bioinformatics analysis suggests potential interactions between alpha-synuclein and EGFR, GDNF, as well as several growth factor receptors such as EGFR, CSF1R, and PDGFRB.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Marcus Augusto-Oliveira, Gabriela P. Arrifano, Charlotte Isabelle Delage, Marie-Eve Tremblay, Maria Elena Crespo-Lopez, Alexei Verkhratsky
Summary: Microglial cells, originating from foetal macrophages, undergo phenotypic metamorphosis in response to the nervous tissue environment, displaying high plasticity and heterogeneity in gene and protein expression; their surveilling functions are crucial for maintaining homeostasis and contributing to the adaptive capacity of the central nervous system.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Palaniappan Ramasamy, Ramachandran Krishnakumar, Ravichandran Rekha, Baskaralingam Vaseeharan, K. Saraswathi, Mohan Raj, Robert E. B. Hanna, Gerard P. Brennan, Govindan Dayanithi, Sekar Vijayakumar
Summary: The unique wet and dry wound dressings derived from unprocessed human amniotic membrane (UP-HAM) were prepared with specific processes to ensure durability and stability. The processed human amniotic membrane products demonstrated effectiveness in wound healing and antibacterial properties, making them valuable for medical applications.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Alexei Verkhratsky, Alexey Semyanov
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ya-Fei Zhao, Wen-Jing Ren, Ying Zhang, Jin-Rong He, Hai-Yan Yin, Yang Liao, Patrizia Rubini, Jan M. Deussing, Alexei Verkhratsky, Zeng-Qiang Yuan, Peter Illes, Yong Tang
Summary: This study suggests that P2X7 receptors in hippocampal astrocytes are involved in the development of depressive disorder, and microglia and astrocytes respond differently to stress stimuli.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Palaniappan Ramasamy, Gajalakshmi Dakshinamoorthy, Shanmugam Jayashree, Dhamodharan Prabhu, Sundararaj Rajamanikandan, Palaniyandi Velusamy, Govindan Dayanithi, Robert E. B. Hanna
Summary: This study describes a biosensor using a dialysis membrane electrode interface disc to capture antigenic Salmonella cells. The biosensor has a highly sensitive detection limit and can reliably respond to changes in Salmonella concentrations.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexei Verkhratsky, Margaret S. Ho, Vladimir Parpura, Aleksandra Pekowska
Summary: The evolution of the nervous system involved cellular diversification and specialization of functions, with the emergence of the centralized nervous system leading to an increase in the complexity of neuroglia. In the primate brain, especially in humans, the astrocyte lineage is exceedingly complex, possibly facilitating interlayer communication and integration.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert Zorec, Alexei Verkhratsky
Summary: Astrocytes are key homeostasis providing cells in the central nervous system, and their alterations are associated with diseases caused by infectious insults. Neurotropic infections, including COVID-19 and other viruses, activate astrocytes and utilize their metabolic characteristics for viral multiplication. However, the failure of astrocyte protection in certain circumstances remains a topic for future study.
ESSAYS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Chia-Yu Yeh, Kuan-Yu Wu, Guo-Jen Huang, Alexei Verkhratsky
Summary: Adult neurogenesis is an important process that contributes to adaptive network remodelling in the brain. This review focuses on the cellular characteristics and roles of radial astrocytes (RSA) and parenchymal astrocytes in adult neurogenesis in different brain regions. The potential therapeutic applications of RSA and astrocytes in cell replacement and regeneration strategies are also discussed.
Editorial Material
Physiology
Alan Alpar, Alexei Verkhratsky
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinyu Li, Binjie Chen, Dianjun Zhang, Siman Wang, Yuliang Feng, Xiafang Wu, Lulu Cui, Ming Ji, Wenliang Gong, Alexei Verkhratsky, Maosheng Xia, Baoman Li
Summary: A novel mouse model of mania was developed by exposing mice to chronic unpredictable rhythm disturbances (CURD), including disruption of circadian rhythm, sleep deprivation, exposure to bright light, and other stressors. The CURD mice exhibited manic behaviors similar to those observed in patients with manic syndrome. Treatment with LiCl and valproic acid improved behaviors and molecular indicators in the manic mice. This environment-based model provides a valuable tool for studying the neuropathological mechanisms of mania.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Si-Si Lin, Bin Zhou, Bin-Jie Chen, Ruo-Tian Jiang, Baoman Li, Peter Illes, Alexey Semyanov, Yong Tang, Alexei Verkhratsky
Summary: This study found that electroacupuncture can prevent atrophy of astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex, and alleviate depressive-like behavior induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress. These behavioral changes are associated with morphological atrophy of astrocytes and down-regulation of the protein Ezrin.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Alexei Verkhratsky, Alexey Semyanov
Summary: Lia et al. discovered the critical role of the STIM1 ER Ca2+ sensor in the functional decline of astrocytes in AD-like pathology in PS2APP mice. The downregulation of STIM1 expression in astrocytes resulted in decreased ER Ca2+ content and impaired astrocytic Ca2+ signaling, leading to synaptic and memory deficits. Overexpression of STIM1 in astrocytes restored Ca2+ excitability and improved synaptic and memory function.
Review
Neurosciences
Chenju Yi, Alexei Verkhratsky, Jianqin Niu
Summary: Adult oligodendrocyte precursor cells (aOPCs), derived from fetal OPCs, are unique neuroglia cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and have diverse roles in neurological diseases. This review presents the physiology of aOPCs and summarizes the beneficial and detrimental effects of aOPCs in different CNS diseases. The paper discusses aOPC death, reactivity, changes during senescence, interactions with other glial cells, and pathological remodeling during disease, and outlines future perspectives for studying aOPCs in brain pathologies for potential therapeutic strategies.
TRENDS IN NEUROSCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexei Verkhratsky, Arthur Butt, Baoman Li, Peter Illes, Robert Zorec, Alexey Semyanov, Yong Tang, Michael V. Sofroniew
Summary: This article introduces the pathophysiology of astroglial cells in neurological diseases and disorders, discussing their changes and functions in different pathological states, and proposes the identification of cellular and molecular mechanisms of astroglial pathophysiology as a new frontier for finding novel therapeutic strategies.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)