Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Biomedicines biomedicines	3.9	5.2	2013	14.6 Days	CHF 2600
Geriatrics geriatrics	2.1	3.3	2016	23.9 Days	CHF 1800
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	8.1	2000	16.8 Days	CHF 2900
Pharmaceuticals pharmaceuticals	4.3	6.1	2004	13.9 Days	CHF 2900
Brain Sciences brainsci	2.7	4.8	2011	15.6 Days	CHF 2200

9 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models

by Masaru Tanaka, Ágnes Szabó, László Vécsei and Lydia Giménez-Llort

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(21), 15739; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115739 - 30 Oct 2023

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5172

Revealing the underlying pathomechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders, searching for new biomarkers, and developing novel therapeutics all require translational research [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

20 pages, 2924 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Systemic Filtrating Organs in Aging and Their Potential in Rejuvenation Strategies

by Amal Kassab, Nasser Rizk and Satya Prakash

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(8), 4338; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23084338 - 14 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4436

Abstract

Advances in aging studies brought about by heterochronic parabiosis suggest that aging
might be a reversable process that is affected by changes in the systemic milieu of organs and
cells. Given the broadness of such a systemic approach, research to date has mainly [...] Read more.

Advances in aging studies brought about by heterochronic parabiosis suggest that aging
might be a reversable process that is affected by changes in the systemic milieu of organs and
cells. Given the broadness of such a systemic approach, research to date has mainly questioned the
involvement of “shared organs” versus “circulating factors”. However, in the absence of a clear
understanding of the chronological development of aging and a unified platform to evaluate the
successes claimed by specific rejuvenation methods, current literature on this topic remains scattered.
Herein, aging is assessed from an engineering standpoint to isolate possible aging potentiators via a
juxtaposition between biological and mechanical systems. Such a simplification provides a general
framework for future research in the field and examines the involvement of various factors in aging.
Based on this simplified overview, the kidney as a filtration organ is clearly implicated, for the first
time, with the aging phenomenon, necessitating a re-evaluation of current rejuvenation studies to
untangle the extent of its involvement and its possible role as a potentiator in aging. Based on these
findings, the review concludes with potential translatable and long-term therapeutics for aging while
offering a critical view of rejuvenation methods proposed to date. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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19 pages, 9746 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Xenograft of Human Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Recovery from Chronic Ischemic Stroke in Rats

by Yu-Show Fu, Chang-Ching Yeh, Pei-Ming Chu, Wen-Hsing Chang, Maan-Yuh Anya Lin and Yung-Yang Lin

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(6), 3149; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23063149 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3517

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability. In our previous study, transplantation of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) in Wharton’s jelly in the acute phase of ischemic stroke promotes recovery in rats. Unfortunately, there is no cure for chronic stroke. Patients [...] Read more.

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability. In our previous study, transplantation of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) in Wharton’s jelly in the acute phase of ischemic stroke promotes recovery in rats. Unfortunately, there is no cure for chronic stroke. Patients with chronic stroke can only be treated with rehabilitation or supportive interventions. This study aimed to investigate the potential of xenograft of HUMSCs for treating chronic stroke in rats. Rats were subjected to 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion and then reperfusion to mimic ischemic cerebral stroke. On day 14 following stroke, HUMSCs were transplanted into the damaged cerebral cortex. The motor function in rats of the Stroke + HUMSCs group exhibited significant improvement compared to that of the Stroke + Saline group, and the trend persisted until day 56 post stroke. The cerebral cortex changes were tracked using magnetic resonance imaging, showing that cerebral atrophy was found starting on day 7 and was reduced significantly in rats receiving HUMSCs compared to that in the Stroke + Saline group from day 21 to day 56. HUMSCs were found to be existed in the rats’ cerebral cortex on day 56, with signs of migration. The grafted HUMSCs did not differentiate into neurons or astrocytes and may release cytokines to improve neuroprotection, decrease inflammation and increase angiogenesis. Our results demonstrate that xeno-transplantation of HUMSCs has therapeutic benefits for chronic ischemic stroke. Most importantly, patients do not need to use their own HUMSCs, which is a gospel thing for clinical patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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33 pages, 3540 KiB

Open AccessReview

Cerebellar and Striatal Implications in Autism Spectrum Disorders: From Clinical Observations to Animal Models

by Mathieu Thabault, Valentine Turpin, Alexandre Maisterrena, Mohamed Jaber, Matthieu Egloff and Laurie Galvan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(4), 2294; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23042294 - 18 Feb 2022

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 6247

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex conditions that stem from a combination of genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences during early pre- and postnatal childhood. The review focuses on the cerebellum and the striatum, two structures involved in motor, sensory, cognitive and social functions [...] Read more.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex conditions that stem from a combination of genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences during early pre- and postnatal childhood. The review focuses on the cerebellum and the striatum, two structures involved in motor, sensory, cognitive and social functions altered in ASD. We summarize clinical and fundamental studies highlighting the importance of these two structures in ASD. We further discuss the relation between cellular and molecular alterations with the observed behavior at the social, cognitive, motor and gait levels. Functional correlates regarding neuronal activity are also detailed wherever possible, and sexual dimorphism is explored pointing to the need to apprehend ASD in both sexes, as findings can be dramatically different at both quantitative and qualitative levels. The review focuses also on a set of three recent papers from our laboratory where we explored motor and gait function in various genetic and environmental ASD animal models. We report that motor and gait behaviors can constitute an early and quantitative window to the disease, as they often correlate with the severity of social impairments and loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells. The review ends with suggestions as to the main obstacles that need to be surpassed before an appropriate management of the disease can be proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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13 pages, 1564 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neuron–Microglia Contacts Govern the PGE₂ Tolerance through TLR4-Mediated de Novo Protein Synthesis

by Hsing-Chun Kuo, Kam-Fai Lee, Shiou-Lan Chen, Shu-Chen Chiu, Li-Ya Lee, Wan-Ping Chen, Chin-Chu Chen and Chun-Hsien Chu

Biomedicines 2022, 10(2), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10020419 - 10 Feb 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2786

Abstract

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of the peripheral immune system (e.g., macrophage and monocyte) in programming endotoxin tolerance (ET) have been well studied. However, regulatory mechanism in development of brain immune tolerance remains unclear. The inducible COX-2/PGE₂ axis in microglia, the primary innate [...] Read more.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of the peripheral immune system (e.g., macrophage and monocyte) in programming endotoxin tolerance (ET) have been well studied. However, regulatory mechanism in development of brain immune tolerance remains unclear. The inducible COX-2/PGE₂ axis in microglia, the primary innate immune cells of the brain, is a pivotal feature in causing inflammation and neuronal injury, both in acute excitotoxic insults and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. This present study investigated the regulatory mechanism of PGE₂ tolerance in microglia. Multiple reconstituted primary brain cells cultures, including neuron–glial (NG), mixed glial (MG), neuron-enriched, and microglia-enriched cultures, were performed and consequently applied to a treatment regimen for ET induction. Our results revealed that the levels of COX-2 mRNA and supernatant PGE₂ in NG cultures, but not in microglia-enriched and MG cultures, were drastically reduced in response to the ET challenge, suggesting that the presence of neurons, rather than astroglia, is required for PGE₂ tolerance in microglia. Furthermore, our data showed that neural contact, instead of its soluble factors, is sufficient for developing microglial PGE₂ tolerance. Simultaneously, this finding determined how neurons regulated microglial PGE₂ tolerance. Moreover, by inhibiting TLR4 activation and de novo protein synthesis by LPS-binding protein (LBP) manipulation and cycloheximide, our data showed that the TLR4 signal and de novo protein synthesis are necessary for microglia to develop PGE₂ tolerance in NG cells under the ET challenge. Altogether, our findings demonstrated that neuron–microglia contacts are indispensable in emerging PGE₂ tolerance through the regulation of TLR4-mediated de novo protein synthesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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13 pages, 950 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sleep Disturbance and Metabolic Dysfunction: The Roles of Adipokines

by Zhikui Wei, You Chen and Raghu P. Upender

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1706; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031706 - 1 Feb 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5248

Abstract

Adipokines are a growing group of peptide or protein hormones that play important roles in whole body metabolism and metabolic diseases. Sleep is an integral component of energy metabolism, and sleep disturbance has been implicated in a wide range of metabolic disorders. Accumulating [...] Read more.

Adipokines are a growing group of peptide or protein hormones that play important roles in whole body metabolism and metabolic diseases. Sleep is an integral component of energy metabolism, and sleep disturbance has been implicated in a wide range of metabolic disorders. Accumulating evidence suggests that adipokines may play a role in mediating the close association between sleep disorders and systemic metabolic derangements. In this review, we briefly summarize a group of selected adipokines and their identified function in metabolism. Moreover, we provide a balanced overview of these adipokines and their roles in sleep physiology and sleep disorders from recent human and animal studies. These studies collectively demonstrate that the functions of adipokine in sleep physiology and disorders could be largely twofold: (1) adipokines have multifaceted roles in sleep physiology and sleep disorders, and (2) sleep disturbance can in turn affect adipokine functions that likely contribute to systemic metabolic derangements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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20 pages, 2735 KiB

Open AccessReview

Regenerative Neurology and Regenerative Cardiology: Shared Hurdles and Achievements

by Dinko Mitrečić, Valentina Hribljan, Denis Jagečić, Jasmina Isaković, Federica Lamberto, Alex Horánszky, Melinda Zana, Gabor Foldes, Barbara Zavan, Augustas Pivoriūnas, Salvador Martinez, Letizia Mazzini, Lidija Radenovic, Jelena Milasin, Juan Carlos Chachques, Leonora Buzanska, Min Suk Song and András Dinnyés

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(2), 855; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020855 - 13 Jan 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6084

Abstract

From the first success in cultivation of cells in vitro, it became clear that developing cell and/or tissue specific cultures would open a myriad of new opportunities for medical research. Expertise in various in vitro models has been developing over decades, so nowadays [...] Read more.

From the first success in cultivation of cells in vitro, it became clear that developing cell and/or tissue specific cultures would open a myriad of new opportunities for medical research. Expertise in various in vitro models has been developing over decades, so nowadays we benefit from highly specific in vitro systems imitating every organ of the human body. Moreover, obtaining sufficient number of standardized cells allows for cell transplantation approach with the goal of improving the regeneration of injured/disease affected tissue. However, different cell types bring different needs and place various types of hurdles on the path of regenerative neurology and regenerative cardiology. In this review, written by European experts gathered in Cost European action dedicated to neurology and cardiology-Bioneca, we present the experience acquired by working on two rather different organs: the brain and the heart. When taken into account that diseases of these two organs, mostly ischemic in their nature (stroke and heart infarction), bring by far the largest burden of the medical systems around Europe, it is not surprising that in vitro models of nervous and heart muscle tissue were in the focus of biomedical research in the last decades. In this review we describe and discuss hurdles which still impair further progress of regenerative neurology and cardiology and we detect those ones which are common to both fields and some, which are field-specific. With the goal to elucidate strategies which might be shared between regenerative neurology and cardiology we discuss methodological solutions which can help each of the fields to accelerate their development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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10 pages, 1446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The microRNA-455 Null Mouse Has Memory Deficit and Increased Anxiety, Targeting Key Genes Involved in Alzheimer’s Disease

by Tracey E. Swingler, Lingzi Niu, Matthew G. Pontifex, David Vauzour and Ian M. Clark

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(1), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010554 - 5 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3783

Abstract

The complete molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remain to be elucidated. Recently, microRNA-455-3p has been identified as a circulating biomarker of early AD, with increased expression in post-mortem brain tissue of AD patients. MicroRNA-455-3p also directly targets and down-regulates [...] Read more.

The complete molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remain to be elucidated. Recently, microRNA-455-3p has been identified as a circulating biomarker of early AD, with increased expression in post-mortem brain tissue of AD patients. MicroRNA-455-3p also directly targets and down-regulates APP, with the overexpression of miR-455-3p suppressing its toxic effects. Here, we show that miR-455-3p expression decreases with age in the brains of wild-type mice. We generated a miR-455 null mouse utilising CRISPR-Cas9 to explore its function further. Loss of miR-455 resulted in increased weight gain, potentially indicative of metabolic disturbances. Furthermore, performance on the novel object recognition task diminished significantly in miR-455 null mice (p = 0.004), indicating deficits in recognition memory. A slight increase in anxiety was also captured on the open field test. BACE1 and TAU were identified as new direct targets for miR-455-3p, with overexpression of miR-455-3p leading to a reduction in the expression of APP, BACE1 and TAU in neuroblastoma cells. In the hippocampus of miR-455 null mice at 14 months of age, the levels of protein for APP, BACE1 and TAU were all increased. Such findings reinforce the involvement of miR-455 in AD progression and demonstrate its action on cognitive performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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25 pages, 2815 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Neurogenic Inflammation: The Participant in Migraine and Recent Advancements in Translational Research

by Eleonóra Spekker, Masaru Tanaka, Ágnes Szabó and László Vécsei

Biomedicines 2022, 10(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10010076 - 30 Dec 2021

Cited by 100 | Viewed by 18296

Abstract

Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by a unilateral, throbbing, pulsing headache, which lasts for hours to days, and the pain can interfere with daily activities. It exhibits various symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, and odors, and physical [...] Read more.

Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by a unilateral, throbbing, pulsing headache, which lasts for hours to days, and the pain can interfere with daily activities. It exhibits various symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, and odors, and physical activity consistently contributes to worsening pain. Despite the intensive research, little is still known about the pathomechanism of migraine. It is widely accepted that migraine involves activation and sensitization of the trigeminovascular system. It leads to the release of several pro-inflammatory neuropeptides and neurotransmitters and causes a cascade of inflammatory tissue responses, including vasodilation, plasma extravasation secondary to capillary leakage, edema, and mast cell degranulation. Convincing evidence obtained in rodent models suggests that neurogenic inflammation is assumed to contribute to the development of a migraine attack. Chemical stimulation of the dura mater triggers activation and sensitization of the trigeminal system and causes numerous molecular and behavioral changes; therefore, this is a relevant animal model of acute migraine. This narrative review discusses the emerging evidence supporting the involvement of neurogenic inflammation and neuropeptides in the pathophysiology of migraine, presenting the most recent advances in preclinical research and the novel therapeutic approaches to the disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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23 pages, 3131 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Class I HDAC Inhibitor, MS-275, Prevents Oxaliplatin-Induced Chronic Neuropathy and Potentiates Its Antiproliferative Activity in Mice

by Sylvain Lamoine, Mélissa Cumenal, David A. Barriere, Vanessa Pereira, Mathilde Fereyrolles, Laëtitia Prival, Julie Barbier, Ludivine Boudieu, Emilie Brasset, Benjamin Bertin, Yoan Renaud, Elisabeth Miot-Noirault, Marie-Ange Civiale, David Balayssac, Youssef Aissouni, Alain Eschalier and Jérôme Busserolles

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010098 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4372

Abstract

Oxaliplatin, the first-line chemotherapeutic agent against colorectal cancer (CRC), induces peripheral neuropathies, which can lead to dose limitation and treatment discontinuation. Downregulation of potassium channels, which involves histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, has been identified as an important tuner of acute oxaliplatin-induced hypersensitivity. MS-275, [...] Read more.

Oxaliplatin, the first-line chemotherapeutic agent against colorectal cancer (CRC), induces peripheral neuropathies, which can lead to dose limitation and treatment discontinuation. Downregulation of potassium channels, which involves histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, has been identified as an important tuner of acute oxaliplatin-induced hypersensitivity. MS-275, a class I histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), prevents acute oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN). Moreover, MS-275 exerts anti-tumor activity in several types of cancers, including CRC. We thus hypothesized that MS-275 could exert both a preventive effect against OIPN and potentially a synergistic effect combined with oxaliplatin against CRC development. We first used RNAseq to assess transcriptional changes occurring in DRG neurons from mice treated by repeated injection of oxaliplatin. Moreover, we assessed the effects of MS-275 on chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy development in vivo on APC^Min/+ mice and on cancer progression when combined with oxaliplatin, both in vivo on APC^Min/+ mice and in a mouse model of an orthotopic allograft of the CT26 cell line as well as in vitro in T84 and HT29 human CRC cell lines. We found 741 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between oxaliplatin- and vehicle-treated animals. While acute OIPN is known as a channelopathy involving HDAC activity, chronic OIPN exerts weak ion channel transcriptional changes and no HDAC expression changes in peripheral neurons from OIPN mice. However, MS-275 prevents the development of sensory neuropathic symptoms induced by repeated oxaliplatin administration in APC^Min/+ mice. Moreover, combined with oxaliplatin, MS-275 also exerts synergistic antiproliferative and increased survival effects in CT26-bearing mice. Consistently, combined drug associations exert synergic apoptotic and cell death effects in both T84 and HT29 human CRC cell lines. Our results strongly suggest combining oxaliplatin and MS-275 administration in CRC patients in order to potentiate the antiproliferative action of chemotherapy, while preventing its neurotoxic effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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16 pages, 2429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Therapy of Vitamin D3-Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells and Interferon-β in a Preclinical Model of Multiple Sclerosis

by Bibiana Quirant-Sánchez, María José Mansilla, Juan Navarro-Barriuso, Silvia Presas-Rodríguez, Aina Teniente-Serra, Federico Fondelli, Cristina Ramo-Tello and Eva Martínez-Cáceres

Biomedicines 2021, 9(12), 1758; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9121758 - 24 Nov 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4218

Abstract

Autologous antigen-specific therapies based on tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDC) offer the possibility to treat autoimmune diseases by restoring homeostasis and targeting specifically autoreactive responses. Here, we explore the hypothesis that systemic inflammation occurring in autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), can generate [...] Read more.

Autologous antigen-specific therapies based on tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDC) offer the possibility to treat autoimmune diseases by restoring homeostasis and targeting specifically autoreactive responses. Here, we explore the hypothesis that systemic inflammation occurring in autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), can generate a disease-specific environment able to alter the functionality of tolDC. In this context in fact, a combined therapy of tolDC with an immunomodulatory treatment could potentiate the beneficial effect of this antigen-specific cell therapy. For this purpose, we analyzed the efficacy of a combined therapy based on the use of vitamin D3 (VitD3)-tolDC plus interferon beta (IFN-beta) in MS. VitD3-tolDC were generated from healthy donors and MS patients and co-cultured with allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells, in the presence or absence of IFN-beta. In vitro, VitD3-tolDC treatment reduced the percentage of activated T cells and allogeneic proliferation, whereas VitD3-tolDC+IFN-beta treatment enhanced the suppressive ability of VitD3-tolDC and, additionally, induced a shift towards a Th2 profile. To determine the clinical benefit of the combined therapy, C57BL/6-experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-induced mice were treated with antigen-specific VitD3-tolDC and/or IFN-beta. Treatment of EAE mice with combined therapy ameliorated the disease course compared to each monotherapy. These results suggest that a combined therapy based on antigen-specific VitD3-tolDC and IFN-beta may represent a promising strategy for MS patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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9 pages, 920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modulation of Long-Term Potentiation by Gamma Frequency Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease

by Won-Hyeong Jeong, Wang-In Kim, Jin-Won Lee, Hyeng-Kyu Park, Min-Keun Song, In-Sung Choi and Jae-Young Han

Brain Sci. 2021, 11(11), 1532; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11111532 - 19 Nov 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4098

Abstract

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a neuromodulation procedure that is currently studied for the purpose of improving cognitive function in various diseases. A few studies have shown positive effects of tACS in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the mechanism underlying tACS has not [...] Read more.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a neuromodulation procedure that is currently studied for the purpose of improving cognitive function in various diseases. A few studies have shown positive effects of tACS in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the mechanism underlying tACS has not been established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of tACS in five familial AD mutation (5xFAD) mouse models. We prepared twenty 4-month-old mice and divided them into four groups: wild-type mice without stimulation (WT-NT group), wild-type mice with tACS (WT-T group), 5xFAD mice without stimulation (AD-NT group), and 5xFAD mice with tACS (AD-T group). The protocol implemented was as follows: gamma frequency 200 μA over the bilateral frontal lobe for 20 min over 2 weeks. The following tests were conducted: excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) recording, Western blot analysis (cyclic AMP response element-binding (CREB) proteins, phosphorylated CREB proteins, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and parvalbumin) to examine the synaptic plasticity. The EPSP was remarkably increased in the AD-T group compared with in the AD-NT group. In the Western blot analysis, the differences among the groups were not significant. Hence, tACS can affect the long-lasting enhancement of synaptic transmission in mice models of AD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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19 pages, 1671 KiB

Open AccessReview

Iron Homeostasis Disorder and Alzheimer’s Disease

by Yu Peng, Xuejiao Chang and Minglin Lang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(22), 12442; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222212442 - 18 Nov 2021

Cited by 99 | Viewed by 8824

Abstract

Iron is an essential trace metal for almost all organisms, including human; however, oxidative stress can easily be caused when iron is in excess, producing toxicity to the human body due to its capability to be both an electron donor and an electron [...] Read more.

Iron is an essential trace metal for almost all organisms, including human; however, oxidative stress can easily be caused when iron is in excess, producing toxicity to the human body due to its capability to be both an electron donor and an electron acceptor. Although there is a strict regulation mechanism for iron homeostasis in the human body and brain, it is usually inevitably disturbed by genetic and environmental factors, or disordered with aging, which leads to iron metabolism diseases, including many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is one of the most common degenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) threatening human health. However, the precise pathogenesis of AD is still unclear, which seriously restricts the design of interventions and treatment drugs based on the pathogenesis of AD. Many studies have observed abnormal iron accumulation in different regions of the AD brain, resulting in cognitive, memory, motor and other nerve damages. Understanding the metabolic balance mechanism of iron in the brain is crucial for the treatment of AD, which would provide new cures for the disease. This paper reviews the recent progress in the relationship between iron and AD from the aspects of iron absorption in intestinal cells, storage and regulation of iron in cells and organs, especially for the regulation of iron homeostasis in the human brain and prospects the future directions for AD treatments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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16 pages, 1149 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Neurite Tracing and Further Characterization of Human Monocyte-Derived-Neuronal-like Cells

by Alfredo Bellon, Tuna Hasoglu, Mallory Peterson, Katherine Gao, Michael Chen, Elisabeta Blandin, Alonso Cortez-Resendiz, Gary A. Clawson and Liyi Elliot Hong

Brain Sci. 2021, 11(11), 1372; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11111372 - 20 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3569

Abstract

Deficits in neuronal structure are consistently associated with neurodevelopmental illnesses such as autism and schizophrenia. Nonetheless, the inability to access neurons from clinical patients has limited the study of early neurostructural changes directly in patients’ cells. This obstacle has been circumvented by differentiating [...] Read more.

Deficits in neuronal structure are consistently associated with neurodevelopmental illnesses such as autism and schizophrenia. Nonetheless, the inability to access neurons from clinical patients has limited the study of early neurostructural changes directly in patients’ cells. This obstacle has been circumvented by differentiating stem cells into neurons, although the most used methodologies are time consuming. Therefore, we recently developed a relatively rapid (~20 days) protocol for transdifferentiating human circulating monocytes into neuronal-like cells. These monocyte-derived-neuronal-like cells (MDNCs) express several genes and proteins considered neuronal markers, such as MAP-2 and PSD-95. In addition, these cells conduct electrical activity. We have also previously shown that the structure of MDNCs is comparable with that of human developing neurons (HDNs) after 5 days in culture. Moreover, the neurostructure of MDNCs responds similarly to that of HDNs when exposed to colchicine and dopamine. In this manuscript, we expanded our characterization of MDNCs to include the expression of 12 neuronal genes, including tau. Following, we compared three different tracing approaches (two semi-automated and one automated) that enable tracing using photographs of live cells. This comparison is imperative for determining which neurite tracing method is more efficient in extracting neurostructural data from MDNCs and thus allowing researchers to take advantage of the faster yield provided by these neuronal-like cells. Surprisingly, it was one of the semi-automated methods that was the fastest, consisting of tracing only the longest primary and the longest secondary neurite. This tracing technique also detected more structural deficits. The only automated method tested, Volocity, detected MDNCs but failed to trace the entire neuritic length. Other advantages and disadvantages of the three tracing approaches are also presented and discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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21 pages, 4365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

MicroRNA-124 Alleviates Retinal Vasoregression via Regulating Microglial Polarization

by Ying Chen, Jihong Lin, Andrea Schlotterer, Luke Kurowski, Sigrid Hoffmann, Seddik Hammad, Steven Dooley, Malte Buchholz, Jiong Hu, Ingrid Fleming and Hans-Peter Hammes

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(20), 11068; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011068 - 14 Oct 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3506

Abstract

Microglial activation is implicated in retinal vasoregression of the neurodegenerative ciliopathy-associated disease rat model (i.e., the polycystic kidney disease (PKD) model). microRNA can regulate microglial activation and vascular function, but the effect of microRNA-124 (miR-124) on retinal vasoregression remains unclear. Transgenic PKD and [...] Read more.

Microglial activation is implicated in retinal vasoregression of the neurodegenerative ciliopathy-associated disease rat model (i.e., the polycystic kidney disease (PKD) model). microRNA can regulate microglial activation and vascular function, but the effect of microRNA-124 (miR-124) on retinal vasoregression remains unclear. Transgenic PKD and wild-type Sprague Dawley (SD) rats received miR-124 at 8 and 10 weeks of age intravitreally. Retinal glia activation was assessed by immunofluorescent staining and in situ hybridization. Vasoregression and neuroretinal function were evaluated by quantitative retinal morphometry and electroretinography (ERG), respectively. Microglial polarization was determined by immunocytochemistry and qRT-PCR. Microglial motility was examined via transwell migration assays, wound healing assays, and single-cell tracking. Our data showed that miR-124 inhibited glial activation and improved vasoregession, as evidenced by the reduced pericyte loss and decreased acellular capillary formation. In addition, miR-124 improved neuroretinal function. miR-124 shifted microglial polarization in the PKD retina from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype by suppressing TNF-α, IL-1β, CCL2, CCL3, MHC-II, and IFN-γ and upregulating Arg1 and IL-10. miR-124 also decreased microglial motility in the migration assays. The transcriptional factor of C/EBP-α-PU.1 signaling, suppressed by miR-124 both in vivo (PKD retina) and in vitro (microglial cells), could serve as a key regulator in microglial activation and polarization. Our data illustrate that miR-124 regulates microglial activation and polarization. miR-124 inhibits pericyte loss and thereby alleviates vasoregression and ameliorates neurovascular function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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22 pages, 5930 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling Functional Limitations, Gait Impairments, and Muscle Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease: Studies in the 3xTg-AD Mice

by Lidia Castillo-Mariqueo, M. José Pérez-García and Lydia Giménez-Llort

Biomedicines 2021, 9(10), 1365; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9101365 - 1 Oct 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4029

Abstract

Gait impairments in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) result from structural and functional deficiencies that generate limitations in the performance of activities and restrictions in individual’s biopsychosocial participation. In a translational way, we have used the conceptual framework proposed by the International Classification of Disability [...] Read more.

Gait impairments in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) result from structural and functional deficiencies that generate limitations in the performance of activities and restrictions in individual’s biopsychosocial participation. In a translational way, we have used the conceptual framework proposed by the International Classification of Disability and Health Functioning (ICF) to classify and describe the functioning and disability on gait and exploratory activity in the 3xTg-AD animal model. We developed a behavioral observation method that allows us to differentiate qualitative parameters of psychomotor performance in animals’ gait, similar to the behavioral patterns observed in humans. The functional psychomotor evaluation allows measuring various dimensions of gait and exploratory activity at different stages of disease progression in dichotomy with aging. We included male 3xTg-AD mice and their non-transgenic counterpart (NTg) of 6, 12, and 16 months of age (n = 45). Here, we present the preliminary results. The 3xTg-AD mice show more significant functional impairment in gait and exploratory activity quantitative variables. The presence of movement limitations and muscle weakness mark the functional decline related to the disease severity stages that intensify with increasing age. Motor performance in 3xTg-AD is accompanied by a series of bizarre behaviors that interfere with the trajectory, which allows us to infer poor neurological control. Additionally, signs of physical frailty accompany the functional deterioration of these animals. The use of the ICF as a conceptual framework allows the functional status to be described, facilitating its interpretation and application in the rehabilitation of people with AD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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24 pages, 7810 KiB

Open AccessArticle

EK100 and Antrodin C Improve Brain Amyloid Pathology in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice by Promoting Microglial and Perivascular Clearance Pathways

by Huey-Jen Tsay, Hui-Kang Liu, Yueh-Hsiung Kuo, Chuan-Sheng Chiu, Chih-Chiang Liang, Chen-Wei Chung, Chin-Chu Chen, Yen-Po Chen and Young-Ji Shiao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(19), 10413; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221910413 - 27 Sep 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3927

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the deposition of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). There are currently no drugs that can successfully treat this disease. This study first explored the anti-inflammatory activity of seven components isolated from Antrodia cinnamonmea in BV2 cells and selected EK100 [...] Read more.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the deposition of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). There are currently no drugs that can successfully treat this disease. This study first explored the anti-inflammatory activity of seven components isolated from Antrodia cinnamonmea in BV2 cells and selected EK100 and antrodin C for in vivo research. APPswe/PS1dE9 mice were treated with EK100 and antrodin C for one month to evaluate the effect of these reagents on AD-like pathology by nesting behavior, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting. Ergosterol and ibuprofen were used as control. EK100 and antrodin C improved the nesting behavior of mice, reduced the number and burden of amyloid plaques, reduced the activation of glial cells, and promoted the perivascular deposition of Aβ in the brain of mice. EK100 and antrodin C are significantly different in activating astrocytes, regulating microglia morphology, and promoting plaque-associated microglia to express oxidative enzymes. In contrast, the effects of ibuprofen and ergosterol are relatively small. In addition, EK100 significantly improved hippocampal neurogenesis in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. Our data indicate that EK100 and antrodin C reduce the pathology of AD by reducing amyloid deposits and promoting nesting behavior in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice through microglia and perivascular clearance, indicating that EK100 and antrodin C have the potential to be used in AD treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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23 pages, 4915 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Systems Analysis Reveals Ageing-Related Perturbations in Retinoids and Sex Hormones in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

by Simon Lam, Nils Hartmann, Rui Benfeitas, Cheng Zhang, Muhammad Arif, Hasan Turkez, Mathias Uhlén, Christoph Englert, Robert Knight and Adil Mardinoglu

Biomedicines 2021, 9(10), 1310; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9101310 - 24 Sep 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5040

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s diseases (PD), are complex heterogeneous diseases with highly variable patient responses to treatment. Due to the growing evidence for ageing-related clinical and pathological commonalities between AD and PD, these diseases have recently been studied in tandem. [...] Read more.

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s diseases (PD), are complex heterogeneous diseases with highly variable patient responses to treatment. Due to the growing evidence for ageing-related clinical and pathological commonalities between AD and PD, these diseases have recently been studied in tandem. In this study, we analysed transcriptomic data from AD and PD patients, and stratified these patients into three subclasses with distinct gene expression and metabolic profiles. Through integrating transcriptomic data with a genome-scale metabolic model and validating our findings by network exploration and co-analysis using a zebrafish ageing model, we identified retinoids as a key ageing-related feature in all subclasses of AD and PD. We also demonstrated that the dysregulation of androgen metabolism by three different independent mechanisms is a source of heterogeneity in AD and PD. Taken together, our work highlights the need for stratification of AD/PD patients and development of personalised and precision medicine approaches based on the detailed characterisation of these subclasses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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38 pages, 12268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Peiminine Reduces ARTS-Mediated Degradation of XIAP by Modulating the PINK1/Parkin Pathway to Ameliorate 6-Hydroxydopamine Toxicity and α-Synuclein Accumulation in Parkinson’s Disease Models In Vivo and In Vitro

by Yu-Ling Hsu, Huey-Shan Hung, Chia-Wen Tsai, Shih-Ping Liu, Yu-Ting Chiang, Yun-Hua Kuo, Woei-Cherng Shyu, Shinn-Zong Lin and Ru-Huei Fu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(19), 10240; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221910240 - 23 Sep 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4795

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disease that can cause motor, cognitive, and behavioral disorders. The treatment strategies being developed are based on the typical pathologic features of PD, including the death of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain [...] Read more.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disease that can cause motor, cognitive, and behavioral disorders. The treatment strategies being developed are based on the typical pathologic features of PD, including the death of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain and the accumulation of α-synuclein in neurons. Peiminine (PMN) is an extract of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq that has antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory effects. We used Caenorhabditis elegans and SH-SY5Y cell models of PD to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of PMN and address its corresponding mechanism of action. We found that pretreatment with PMN reduced reactive oxygen species production and DA neuron degeneration caused by exposure to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and therefore significantly improved the DA-mediated food-sensing behavior of 6-OHDA-exposed worms and prolonged their lifespan. PMN also diminished the accumulation of α-synuclein in transgenic worms and transfected cells. In our study of the mechanism of action, we found that PMN lessened ARTS-mediated degradation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) by enhancing the expression of PINK1/parkin. This led to reduced 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis, enhanced activity of the ubiquitin–proteasome system, and increased autophagy, which diminished the accumulation of α-synuclein. The use of small interfering RNA to down-regulate parkin reversed the benefits of PMN in the PD models. Our findings suggest PMN as a candidate compound worthy of further evaluation for the treatment of PD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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14 pages, 1290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aggregation of Cystatin C Changes Its Inhibitory Functions on Protease Activities and Amyloid β Fibril Formation

by Abdullah Md. Sheikh, Yasuko Wada, Shatera Tabassum, Satoshi Inagaki, Shingo Mitaki, Shozo Yano and Atsushi Nagai

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(18), 9682; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189682 - 7 Sep 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3548

Abstract

Cystatin C (CST3) is an endogenous cysteine protease inhibitor, which is implicated in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). In CAA, CST3 is found to be aggregated. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether this aggregation could alter the activity of the protein [...] Read more.

Cystatin C (CST3) is an endogenous cysteine protease inhibitor, which is implicated in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). In CAA, CST3 is found to be aggregated. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether this aggregation could alter the activity of the protein relevant to the molecular pathology of CAA. A system of CST3 protein aggregation was established, and the aggregated protein was characterized. The results showed that CST3 aggregated both at 80 °C without agitation, and at 37 °C with agitation in a time-dependent manner. However, the levels of aggregation were high and appeared earlier at 80 °C. Dot-blot immunoassay for oligomers revealed that CST3 could make oligomeric aggregates at the 37 °C condition. Electron microscopy showed that CST3 could make short fibrillary aggregates at 37 °C. Cathepsin B activity assay demonstrated that aggregated CST3 inhibited the enzyme activity less efficiently at pH 5.5. At 7.4 pH, it lost the inhibitory properties almost completely. In addition, aggregated CST3 did not inhibit Aβ_1-40 fibril formation, rather, it slightly increased it. CST3 immunocytochemistry showed that the protein was positive both in monomeric and aggregated CST3-treated neuronal culture. However, His6 immunocytochemistry revealed that the internalization of exogenous recombinant CST3 by an astrocytoma cell culture was higher when the protein was aggregated compared to its monomeric form. Finally, MTT cell viability assay showed that the aggregated form of CST3 was more toxic than the monomeric form. Thus, our results suggest that aggregation may result in a loss-of-function phenotype of CST3, which is toxic and responsible for cellular degeneration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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17 pages, 2700 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of SerpinA1 on the Modulation of Transthyretin Proteolysis

by Filipa Bezerra, Christoph Niemietz, Hartmut H. J. Schmidt, Andree Zibert, Shuling Guo, Brett P. Monia, Paula Gonçalves, Maria João Saraiva and Maria Rosário Almeida

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(17), 9488; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179488 - 31 Aug 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4343

Abstract

Transthyretin (TTR) proteolysis has been recognized as a complementary mechanism contributing to transthyretin-related amyloidosis (ATTR amyloidosis). Accordingly, amyloid deposits can be composed mainly of full-length TTR or contain a mixture of both cleaved and full-length TTR, particularly in the heart. The fragmentation pattern [...] Read more.

Transthyretin (TTR) proteolysis has been recognized as a complementary mechanism contributing to transthyretin-related amyloidosis (ATTR amyloidosis). Accordingly, amyloid deposits can be composed mainly of full-length TTR or contain a mixture of both cleaved and full-length TTR, particularly in the heart. The fragmentation pattern at Lys48 suggests the involvement of a serine protease, such as plasmin. The most common TTR variant, TTR V30M, is susceptible to plasmin-mediated proteolysis, and the presence of TTR fragments facilitates TTR amyloidogenesis. Recent studies revealed that the serine protease inhibitor, SerpinA1, was differentially expressed in hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) from ATTR patients. In this work, we evaluated the effects of SerpinA1 on in vitro and in vivo modulation of TTR V30M proteolysis, aggregation, and deposition. We found that plasmin-mediated TTR proteolysis and aggregation are partially inhibited by SerpinA1. Furthermore, in vivo downregulation of SerpinA1 increased TTR levels in mice plasma and deposition in the cardiac tissue of older animals. The presence of TTR fragments was observed in the heart of young and old mice but not in other tissues following SerpinA1 knockdown. Increased proteolytic activity, particularly plasmin activity, was detected in mice plasmas. Overall, our results indicate that SerpinA1 modulates TTR proteolysis and aggregation in vitro and in vivo. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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16 pages, 3532 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Immune Activation Causes Social Behavior Deficits and Hypomyelination in Male Rat Offspring with an Autism-Like Microbiota Profile

by Gilbert Aaron Lee, Yen-Kuang Lin, Jing-Huei Lai, Yu-Chun Lo, Yu-Chen S. H. Yang, Syuan-You Ye, Chia-Jung Lee, Ching-Chiung Wang, Yung-Hsiao Chiang and Sung-Hui Tseng

Brain Sci. 2021, 11(8), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11081085 - 18 Aug 2021

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 6488

Abstract

Maternal immune activation (MIA) increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. Microbial dysbiosis is associated with ASD symptoms. However, the alterations in the brain–gut–microbiota axis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MIA offspring remain unclear. Here, we examined the social behavior, anxiety-like and [...] Read more.

Maternal immune activation (MIA) increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. Microbial dysbiosis is associated with ASD symptoms. However, the alterations in the brain–gut–microbiota axis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MIA offspring remain unclear. Here, we examined the social behavior, anxiety-like and repetitive behavior, microbiota profile, and myelination levels in LPS-induced MIA rat offspring. Compared with control offspring, MIA male rat offspring spent less time in an active social interaction with stranger rats, displayed more anxiety-like and repetitive behavior, and had more hypomyelination in the prefrontal cortex and thalamic nucleus. A fecal microbiota analysis revealed that MIA offspring had a higher abundance of Alistipes, Fusobacterium, and Ruminococcus and a lower abundance of Coprococcus, Erysipelotrichaies, and Actinobacteria than control offspring, which is consistent with that of humans with ASD. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was applied to determine the relative importance of the microbiota, which indicated that the abundance of Alistipes and Actinobacteria was the most relevant for the profile of defective social behavior, whereas Fusobacterium and Coprococcus was associated with anxiety-like and repetitive behavior. In summary, LPS-induced MIA offspring showed an abnormal brain–gut–microbiota axis with social behavior deficits, anxiety-like and repetitive behavior, hypomyelination, and an ASD-like microbiota profile. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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17 pages, 3312 KiB

Open AccessArticle

mTOR Knockdown in the Infralimbic Cortex Evokes A Depressive-like State in Mouse

by Emilio Garro-Martínez, Maria Neus Fullana, Eva Florensa-Zanuy, Julia Senserrich, Verónica Paz, Esther Ruiz-Bronchal, Albert Adell, Elena Castro, Álvaro Díaz, Ángel Pazos, Analía Bortolozzi and Fuencisla Pilar-Cuéllar

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 8671; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22168671 - 12 Aug 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4950

Abstract

Fast and sustained antidepressant effects of ketamine identified the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway as the main modulator of its antidepressive effects. Thus, mTOR signaling has become integral for the preclinical evaluation of novel compounds to treat depression. However, causality between [...] Read more.

Fast and sustained antidepressant effects of ketamine identified the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway as the main modulator of its antidepressive effects. Thus, mTOR signaling has become integral for the preclinical evaluation of novel compounds to treat depression. However, causality between mTOR and depression has yet to be determined. To address this, we knocked down mTOR expression in mice using an acute intracerebral infusion of small interfering RNAs (siRNA) in the infralimbic (IL) or prelimbic (PrL) cortices of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and evaluated depressive- and anxious-like behaviors. mTOR knockdown in IL, but not PrL, cortex produced a robust depressive-like phenotype in mice, as assessed in the forced swimming test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST). This phenotype was associated with significant reductions of mTOR mRNA and protein levels 48 h post-infusion. In parallel, decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression was found bilaterally in both IL and PrL cortices along with a dysregulation of serotonin (5-HT) and glutamate (Glu) release in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Overall, our results demonstrate causality between mTOR expression in the IL cortex and depressive-like behaviors, but not in anxiety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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16 pages, 1140 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sex-Dependent Signatures, Time Frames and Longitudinal Fine-Tuning of the Marble Burying Test in Normal and AD-Pathological Aging Mice

by Mikel Santana-Santana, José-Ramón Bayascas and Lydia Giménez-Llort

Biomedicines 2021, 9(8), 994; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9080994 - 11 Aug 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4664

Abstract

The marble burying (MB) test, a classical test based on the natural tendency of rodents to dig in diverse substrates and to bury small objects, is sensitive to some intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Here, under emerging neuroethological quantitative and qualitative analysis, the MB [...] Read more.

The marble burying (MB) test, a classical test based on the natural tendency of rodents to dig in diverse substrates and to bury small objects, is sensitive to some intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Here, under emerging neuroethological quantitative and qualitative analysis, the MB performance of 12-month-old male and female 3xTg-AD mice for Alzheimer’s disease and age-matched counterparts of gold-standard C57BL6 strain with normal aging unveiled sex-dependent signatures. In addition, three temporal analyses, through the (1) time course of the performance, and (2) a repeated test schedule, identified the optimal time frames and schedules to detect sex- and genotype-dependent differences. Besides, a (3) longitudinal design from 12 to 16 months of age monitored the changes in the performance with aging, worsening in AD-mice, and modulation through the repeated test. In summary, the present results allow us to conclude that (1) the marble burying test is responsive to genotype, sex, aging, and its interactions; (2) the male sex was more sensitive to showing the AD-phenotype; (3) longitudinal assessment shows a reduction in females with AD pathology; (4) burying remains stable in repeated testing; (5) the time-course of marbles burying is useful; and (6) burying behavior most likely represents perseverative and/or stereotyped-like behavior rather than anxiety-like behavior in 3xTg-AD mice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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18 pages, 1468 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fecal Transplant and Bifidobacterium Treatments Modulate Gut Clostridium Bacteria and Rescue Social Impairment and Hippocampal BDNF Expression in a Rodent Model of Autism

by Sameera Abuaish, Norah M. Al-Otaibi, Turki S. Abujamel, Saleha Ahmad Alzahrani, Sohailah Masoud Alotaibi, Yasser A. AlShawakir, Kawther Aabed and Afaf El-Ansary

Brain Sci. 2021, 11(8), 1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11081038 - 5 Aug 2021

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 10033

Abstract

Autism is associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction and gut microbiota dysbiosis, including an overall increase in Clostridium. Modulation of the gut microbiota is suggested to improve autistic symptoms. In this study, we explored the implementation of two different interventions that target the microbiota in [...] Read more.

Autism is associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction and gut microbiota dysbiosis, including an overall increase in Clostridium. Modulation of the gut microbiota is suggested to improve autistic symptoms. In this study, we explored the implementation of two different interventions that target the microbiota in a rodent model of autism and their effects on social behavior: the levels of different fecal Clostridium spp., and hippocampal transcript levels. Autism was induced in young Sprague Dawley male rats using oral gavage of propionic acid (PPA) for three days, while controls received saline. PPA-treated animals were divided to receive either saline, fecal transplant from healthy donor rats, or Bifidobacterium for 22 days, while controls continued to receive saline. We found that PPA attenuated social interaction in animals, which was rescued by the two interventions. PPA-treated animals had a significantly increased abundance of fecal C. perfringens with a concomitant decrease in Clostridium cluster IV, and exhibited high hippocampal Bdnf expression compared to controls. Fecal microbiota transplantation or Bifidobacterium treatment restored the balance of fecal Clostridium spp. and normalized the level of Bdnf expression. These findings highlight the involvement of the gut–brain axis in the etiology of autism and propose possible interventions in a preclinical model of autism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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23 pages, 2985 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural and Functional Alterations in Mitochondria-Associated Membranes (MAMs) and in Mitochondria Activate Stress Response Mechanisms in an In Vitro Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

by Tânia Fernandes, Rosa Resende, Diana F. Silva, Ana P. Marques, Armanda E. Santos, Sandra M. Cardoso, M. Rosário Domingues, Paula I. Moreira and Cláudia F. Pereira

Biomedicines 2021, 9(8), 881; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9080881 - 24 Jul 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 6348

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular plaques composed by amyloid-β (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau. AD-related neurodegenerative mechanisms involve early changes of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes (MAMs) and impairment of cellular events modulated by these [...] Read more.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular plaques composed by amyloid-β (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau. AD-related neurodegenerative mechanisms involve early changes of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes (MAMs) and impairment of cellular events modulated by these subcellular domains. In this study, we characterized the structural and functional alterations at MAM, mitochondria, and ER/microsomes in a mouse neuroblastoma cell line (N2A) overexpressing the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) with the familial Swedish mutation (APPswe). Proteins levels were determined by Western blot, ER-mitochondria contacts were quantified by transmission electron microscopy, and Ca²⁺ homeostasis and mitochondria function were analyzed using fluorescent probes and Seahorse assays. In this in vitro AD model, we found APP accumulated in MAM and mitochondria, and altered levels of proteins implicated in ER-mitochondria tethering, Ca²⁺ signaling, mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis and protein import, as well as in the stress response. Moreover, we observed a decreased number of close ER-mitochondria contacts, activation of the ER unfolded protein response, reduced Ca²⁺ transfer from ER to mitochondria, and impaired mitochondrial function. Together, these results demonstrate that several subcellular alterations occur in AD-like neuronal cells, which supports that the defective ER-mitochondria crosstalk is an important player in AD physiopathology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models)

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