scholarly journals Loss of neurogenesis in Hydra leads to compensatory regulation of neurogenic and neurotransmission genes in epithelial cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1685) ◽  
pp. 20150040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Wenger ◽  
W. Buzgariu ◽  
B. Galliot
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
The Body ◽  
Neurogenic Genes ◽  
Cell Type Specific ◽  
The Impact ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Body Column ◽  
Compensatory Regulation

Hydra continuously differentiates a sophisticated nervous system made of mechanosensory cells (nematocytes) and sensory–motor and ganglionic neurons from interstitial stem cells. However, this dynamic adult neurogenesis is dispensable for morphogenesis. Indeed animals depleted of their interstitial stem cells and interstitial progenitors lose their active behaviours but maintain their developmental fitness, and regenerate and bud when force-fed. To characterize the impact of the loss of neurogenesis in Hydra , we first performed transcriptomic profiling at five positions along the body axis. We found neurogenic genes predominantly expressed along the central body column, which contains stem cells and progenitors, and neurotransmission genes predominantly expressed at the extremities, where the nervous system is dense. Next, we performed transcriptomics on animals depleted of their interstitial cells by hydroxyurea, colchicine or heat-shock treatment. By crossing these results with cell-type-specific transcriptomics, we identified epithelial genes up-regulated upon loss of neurogenesis: transcription factors ( Dlx , Dlx1 , DMBX1/Manacle , Ets1 , Gli3 , KLF11 , LMX1A , ZNF436 , Shox1 ), epitheliopeptides ( Arminins , PW peptide ), neurosignalling components ( CAMK1D , DDCl2 , Inx1 ), ligand-ion channel receptors ( CHRNA1 , NaC7 ), G-Protein Coupled Receptors and FMRFRL. Hence epitheliomuscular cells seemingly enhance their sensing ability when neurogenesis is compromised. This unsuspected plasticity might reflect the extended multifunctionality of epithelial-like cells in early eumetazoan evolution.

scholarly journals Mycobacteria Manipulate G-Protein-Coupled Receptors to Increase Mucosal Rac1 Expression in the Lungs

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nader Alaridah ◽  
Nataliya Lutay ◽  
Erik Tenland ◽  
Anna Rönnholm ◽  
Oskar Hallgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Airway Epithelial Cells ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
The Body ◽  
Airway Epithelial ◽  
Mucosal Vaccination ◽  
Mapk Signalling Pathway ◽  
The Impact ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Rac1 Expression

Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is currently the only approved vaccine against tuberculosis (TB). BCG mimics M. tuberculosis (Mtb) in its persistence in the body and is used as a benchmark to compare new vaccine candidates. BCG was originally designed for mucosal vaccination, but comprehensive knowledge about its interaction with epithelium is currently lacking. We used primary airway epithelial cells (AECs) and a murine model to investigate the initial events of mucosal BCG interactions. Furthermore, we analysed the impact of the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), CXCR1 and CXCR2, in this process, as these receptors were previously shown to be important during TB infection. BCG infection of AECs induced GPCR-dependent Rac1 up-regulation, resulting in actin redistribution. The altered distribution of the actin cytoskeleton involved the MAPK signalling pathway. Blocking of the CXCR1 or CXCR2 prior to infection decreased Rac1 expression, and increased epithelial transcriptional activity and epithelial cytokine production. BCG infection did not result in epithelial cell death as measured by p53 phosphorylation and annexin. This study demonstrated that BCG infection of AECs manipulated the GPCRs to suppress epithelial signalling pathways. Future vaccine strategies could thus be improved by targeting GPCRs.

Neural Stem Cells to Glial Cells an Important Factor for Brain Injury

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prithiv K R Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Neural Stem Cells ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Near Future

Stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into any type of cell or organ. Stems cell originate from any part of the body, including the brain. Brain cells or rather neural stem cells have the capacitive advantage of differentiating into the central nervous system leading to the formation of neurons and glial cells. Neural stem cells should have a source by editing DNA, or by mixings chemical enzymes of iPSCs. By this method, a limitless number of neuron stem cells can be obtained. Increase in supply of NSCs help in repairing glial cells which in-turn heal the central nervous system. Generally, brain injuries cause motor and sensory deficits leading to stroke. With all trials from novel therapeutic methods to enhanced rehabilitation time, the economy and quality of life is suppressed. Only PSCs have proven effective for grafting cells into NSCs. Neurons derived from stem cells is the only challenge that limits in-vitro usage in the near future.

Therapeutic Potential of Agonists and Antagonists of A1, A2a, A2b and A3 Adenosine Receptors

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (26) ◽  
pp. 2892-2905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumit Jamwal ◽  
Ashish Mittal ◽  
Puneet Kumar ◽  
Dana M. Alhayani ◽  
Amal Al-Aboudi
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
The Body ◽  
Membrane Receptors ◽  
Physiological Importance ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Central Nervous Systems ◽  
Energy Consuming ◽  
Metabolic Dysfunctions ◽  
G Protein Coupled

Adenosine is a naturally occurring nucleoside and an essential component of the energy production and utilization systems of the body. Adenosine is formed by the degradation of adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) during energy-consuming processes. Adenosine regulates numerous physiological processes through activation of four subtypes of G-protein coupled membrane receptors viz. A1, A2A, A2B and A3. Its physiological importance depends on the affinity of these receptors and the extracellular concentrations reached. ATP acts as a neurotransmitter in both peripheral and central nervous systems. In the peripheral nervous system, ATP is involved in chemical transmission in sensory and autonomic ganglia, whereas in central nervous system, ATP, released from synaptic terminals, induces fast excitatory postsynaptic currents. ATP provides the energetics for all muscle movements, heart beats, nerve signals and chemical reactions inside the body. Adenosine has been traditionally considered an inhibitor of neuronal activity and a regulator of cerebral blood flow. Since adenosine is neuroprotective against excitotoxic and metabolic dysfunctions observed in neurological and ocular diseases, the search for adenosinerelated drugs regulating adenosine transporters and receptors can be important for advancement of therapeutic strategies against these diseases. This review will summarize the therapeutic potential and recent SAR and pharmacology of adenosine and its receptor agonists and antagonists.

scholarly journals US28: HCMV’s Swiss Army Knife

Viruses ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Krishna ◽  
William Miller ◽  
Christine O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Latent Infection ◽  
Viral Latency ◽  
Lytic Replication ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Cellular Pathways ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Multiple Signaling ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Multifunctional Properties

US28 is one of four G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) encoded by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). The US28 protein (pUS28) is a potent signaling molecule that alters a variety of cellular pathways that ultimately alter the host cell environment. This viral GPCR is expressed not only in the context of lytic replication but also during viral latency, highlighting its multifunctional properties. pUS28 is a functional GPCR, and its manipulation of multiple signaling pathways likely impacts HCMV pathogenesis. Herein, we will discuss the impact of pUS28 on both lytic and latent infection, pUS28-mediated signaling and its downstream consequences, and the influence this viral GPCR may have on disease states, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. We will also discuss the potential for and progress towards exploiting pUS28 as a novel therapeutic to combat HCMV.

scholarly journals Regulatory Roles of Bone in Neurodegenerative Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengran Yu ◽  
Zemin Ling ◽  
Lin Lu ◽  
Jin Zhao ◽  
Xiang Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Lymphoid Organ ◽  
The Body ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

Osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases are two kinds of common disorders of the elderly, which often co-occur. Previous studies have shown the skeletal and central nervous systems are closely related to pathophysiology. As the main structural scaffold of the body, the bone is also a reservoir for stem cells, a primary lymphoid organ, and an important endocrine organ. It can interact with the brain through various bone-derived cells, mostly the mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The bone marrow is also a place for generating immune cells, which could greatly influence brain functions. Finally, the proteins secreted by bones (osteokines) also play important roles in the growth and function of the brain. This article reviews the latest research studying the impact of bone-derived cells, bone-controlled immune system, and bone-secreted proteins on the brain, and evaluates how these factors are implicated in the progress of neurodegenerative diseases and their potential use in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

Limitations of the Avp-IRES2-Cre (JAX #023530) and Vip-IRES-Cre (JAX #010908) Models for Chronobiological Investigations

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 634-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur H. Cheng ◽  
Samuel W. Fung ◽  
Hai-Ying Mary Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Confounding Factor ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Extreme Caution ◽  
Specific Manner ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Peripheral Clocks ◽  
Cell Type Specific ◽  
Encoding Gene ◽  
The Impact

The principal circadian pacemaker in mammals, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), expresses a number of neuropeptides that facilitate intercellular synchrony, helping to generate coherent outputs to peripheral clocks throughout the body. In particular, arginine vasopressin (AVP)– and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)–expressing neurons have been recognized as crucial subpopulations within the SCN and have thus been the focus of many chronobiological studies. Here, we analyze the neuropeptide expression of 2 popular transgenic mouse strains commonly used to direct or restrict Cre-mediated recombination to AVP- and VIP-ergic neurons. The Avp-IRES2-Cre (JAX #023530) and Vip-IRES-Cre (JAX #010908) “driver” mouse strains express the Cre recombinase under the control of the endogenous Avp or Vip gene, respectively, allowing scientists either to ablate their gene of interest or to overexpress a transgene in a cell type–specific manner. Although these are potentially very powerful tools for chronobiologists and other scientists studying AVP- and VIP-ergic neurons, we found that neuropeptide expression in these mice is significantly decreased when an IRES(2)-Cre cassette is inserted downstream of the neuropeptide-encoding gene locus. The impact of IRES(2)-Cre cassette insertion on neuropeptide expression may be a confounding factor in many experimental designs. Our findings suggest that extreme caution must be exercised when using these mouse models to avoid misinterpretation of empirical results.

scholarly journals Beyond the Flavour: The Potential Druggability of Chemosensory G Protein-Coupled Receptors

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Di Pizio ◽  
Maik Behrens ◽  
Dietmar Krautwurst
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Chemical Space ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
The Body ◽  
Odorant Receptors ◽  
Taste Receptors ◽  
Umami Taste ◽  
G Protein Coupled

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) belong to the largest class of drug targets. Approximately half of the members of the human GPCR superfamily are chemosensory receptors, including odorant receptors (ORs), trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs), bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs), sweet and umami taste receptors (TAS1Rs). Interestingly, these chemosensory GPCRs (csGPCRs) are expressed in several tissues of the body where they are supposed to play a role in biological functions other than chemosensation. Despite their abundance and physiological/pathological relevance, the druggability of csGPCRs has been suggested but not fully characterized. Here, we aim to explore the potential of targeting csGPCRs to treat diseases by reviewing the current knowledge of csGPCRs expressed throughout the body and by analysing the chemical space and the drug-likeness of flavour molecules.

Testing the impact of physiological stress response on police performance during critical job tasks

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lois James ◽  
Michael S. Goldstein ◽  
Peter Lecy ◽  
Stephen Mase
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
The Body ◽  
Stress Profile ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The Impact

PurposeTo add to the existing body of knowledge on the relationship between stress and job performance in policing, we monitored police officers' physiology using Hexoskin shirts while they responded to simulated scenarios.Design/methodology/approachWe employed mixed repeated measures (baseline, intervention, post-intervention), between groups (treatment vs control group) design. Using this approach, our aims were (1) to determine whether an individualized physiological stress profile—a combination of heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), sympathetic nervous system (SNS) index and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) index—could be developed for each participant; (2) to investigate the association between physiological stress and scenario performance and (3) to pilot test an intervention for decreasing physiological stress in real time.FindingsWe found that it was possible to individualize physiological stress profiles for each participant that alerted us when the participant was becoming stressed. We also found that physiological stress was significantly and negatively/inversely associated with scenario performance. However, our intervention to try and decrease participants' stress in real time was not successful. Several key lessons can be taken from our attempt that could inform future efforts in this area.Research limitations/implicationsThis was a small pilot study, precluding generalizability of results. Furthermore, our intervention was simplistic and potentially affected by an experimenter effect. Future research should explore better ways to intervene when officers are becoming physiologically stressed to help them overcome stress in real time and safeguard against the cumulative effects of stress on health and performance.Originality/valueThis research adds to the body of knowledge on physiological stress and job-task performance in police officers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document