scholarly journals Linking structure and activity in nonlinear spiking networks

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Koch Ocker ◽  
Krešimir Josić ◽  
Eric Shea-Brown ◽  
Michael A. Buice
Keyword(s):  
Neural Activity ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Recurrent Network ◽  
Neural Connectivity ◽  
Population Activity ◽  
Statistical Field ◽  
Major Interest ◽  
Neural Information ◽  
Spiking Networks ◽  
And Function

AbstractRecent experimental advances are producing an avalanche of data on both neural connectivity and neural activity. To take full advantage of these two emerging datasets we need a framework that links them, revealing how collective neural activity arises from the structure of neural connectivity and intrinsic neural dynamics. This problem of structure-driven activity has drawn major interest in computational neuroscience. Existing methods for relating activity and architecture in spiking networks rely on linearizing activity around a central operating point and thus fail to capture the nonlinear responses of individual neurons that are the hallmark of neural information processing. Here, we overcome this limitation and present a new relationship between connectivity and activity in networks of nonlinear spiking neurons by developing a diagrammatic fluctuation expansion based on statistical field theory. We explicitly show how recurrent network structure produces pairwise and higher-order correlated activity, and how nonlinearities impact the networks' spiking activity. Our findings open new avenues to investigating how single-neuron nonlinearities—including those of different cell types—combine with connectivity to shape population activity and function.

Role of the 807 C/T Polymorphism of the α2 Gene in Platelet GP Ia Collagen Receptor Expression and Function

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (06) ◽  
pp. 951-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Corral ◽  
R. González-Conejero ◽  
J. Rivera ◽  
F. Ortuño ◽  
P. Aparicio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Platelet Surface ◽  
Vitro Analysis ◽  
And Function ◽  
In Vitro Analysis

SummaryThe variability of the platelet GP Ia/IIa density has been associated with the 807 C/T polymorphism (Phe 224) of the GP Ia gene in American Caucasian population. We have investigated the genotype and allelic frequencies of this polymorphism in Spanish Caucasians. The T allele was found in 35% of the 284 blood donors analyzed. We confirmed in 159 healthy subjects a significant association between the 807 C/T polymorphism and the platelet GP Ia density. The T allele correlated with high number of GP Ia molecules on platelet surface. In addition, we observed a similar association of this polymorphism with the expression of this protein in other blood cell types. The platelet responsiveness to collagen was determined by “in vitro” analysis of the platelet activation and aggregation response. We found no significant differences in these functional platelet parameters according to the 807 C/T genotype. Finally, results from 3 case/control studies involving 302 consecutive patients (101 with coronary heart disease, 104 with cerebrovascular disease and 97 with deep venous thrombosis) determined that the 807 C/T polymorphism of the GP Ia gene does not represent a risk factor for arterial or venous thrombosis.

scholarly journals Epigenetic reprogramming of cell identity: lessons from development for regenerative medicine

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amitava Basu ◽  
Vijay K. Tiwari
Keyword(s):  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Direct Conversion ◽  
Cellular Reprogramming ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Gene Regulatory ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
And Function

AbstractEpigenetic mechanisms are known to define cell-type identity and function. Hence, reprogramming of one cell type into another essentially requires a rewiring of the underlying epigenome. Cellular reprogramming can convert somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that can be directed to differentiate to specific cell types. Trans-differentiation or direct reprogramming, on the other hand, involves the direct conversion of one cell type into another. In this review, we highlight how gene regulatory mechanisms identified to be critical for developmental processes were successfully used for cellular reprogramming of various cell types. We also discuss how the therapeutic use of the reprogrammed cells is beginning to revolutionize the field of regenerative medicine particularly in the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue and organs arising from pathological conditions or accidents. Lastly, we highlight some key challenges hindering the application of cellular reprogramming for therapeutic purposes.

scholarly journals Modelling the Human Placental Interface In Vitro—A Review

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 884
Author(s):  
Marta Cherubini ◽  
Scott Erickson ◽  
Kristina Haase
Keyword(s):  
Drug Testing ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Scientific Challenge ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
And Function ◽  
And Control

Acting as the primary link between mother and fetus, the placenta is involved in regulating nutrient, oxygen, and waste exchange; thus, healthy placental development is crucial for a successful pregnancy. In line with the increasing demands of the fetus, the placenta evolves throughout pregnancy, making it a particularly difficult organ to study. Research into placental development and dysfunction poses a unique scientific challenge due to ethical constraints and the differences in morphology and function that exist between species. Recently, there have been increased efforts towards generating in vitro models of the human placenta. Advancements in the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), microfluidics, and bioprinting have each contributed to the development of new models, which can be designed to closely match physiological in vivo conditions. By including relevant placental cell types and control over the microenvironment, these new in vitro models promise to reveal clues to the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction and facilitate drug testing across the maternal–fetal interface. In this minireview, we aim to highlight current in vitro placental models and their applications in the study of disease and discuss future avenues for these in vitro models.

scholarly journals Plasma membrane integrity in health and disease: significance and therapeutic potential

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catarina Dias ◽  
Jesper Nylandsted
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Calcium Influx ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Membrane Repair ◽  
Plasma Membrane Integrity ◽  
Repair Mechanisms ◽  
And Function

AbstractMaintenance of plasma membrane integrity is essential for normal cell viability and function. Thus, robust membrane repair mechanisms have evolved to counteract the eminent threat of a torn plasma membrane. Different repair mechanisms and the bio-physical parameters required for efficient repair are now emerging from different research groups. However, less is known about when these mechanisms come into play. This review focuses on the existence of membrane disruptions and repair mechanisms in both physiological and pathological conditions, and across multiple cell types, albeit to different degrees. Fundamentally, irrespective of the source of membrane disruption, aberrant calcium influx is the common stimulus that activates the membrane repair response. Inadequate repair responses can tip the balance between physiology and pathology, highlighting the significance of plasma membrane integrity. For example, an over-activated repair response can promote cancer invasion, while the inability to efficiently repair membrane can drive neurodegeneration and muscular dystrophies. The interdisciplinary view explored here emphasises the widespread potential of targeting plasma membrane repair mechanisms for therapeutic purposes.

scholarly journals Developmental enhancers and chromosome topology

Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 361 (6409) ◽  
pp. 1341-1345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen E. M. Furlong ◽  
Michael Levine
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Transcriptional Dynamics ◽  
Spatiotemporal Expression ◽  
Chromosome Topology ◽  
Classical Models ◽  
And Function ◽  
Target Promoters

Developmental enhancers mediate on/off patterns of gene expression in specific cell types at particular stages during metazoan embryogenesis. They typically integrate multiple signals and regulatory determinants to achieve precise spatiotemporal expression. Such enhancers can map quite far—one megabase or more—from the genes they regulate. How remote enhancers relay regulatory information to their target promoters is one of the central mysteries of genome organization and function. A variety of contrasting mechanisms have been proposed over the years, including enhancer tracking, linking, looping, and mobilization to transcription factories. We argue that extreme versions of these mechanisms cannot account for the transcriptional dynamics and precision seen in living cells, tissues, and embryos. We describe emerging evidence for dynamic three-dimensional hubs that combine different elements of the classical models.

scholarly journals A Knowledge Representation and Reasoning System for Multimodal Neuroimaging Studies

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (59) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Coelho ◽  
Paulo Marques ◽  
Ricardo Magalhães ◽  
Nuno Sousa ◽  
José Neves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Representation And Reasoning ◽  
Case Based Reasoning ◽  
Multimodal Neuroimaging ◽  
Multimodal Data ◽  
Reasoning System ◽  
Reasoning Systems ◽  
Major Interest ◽  
Neuroimaging Data ◽  
And Function ◽  
Undiagnosed Diseases

Multimodal neuroimaging analyses are of major interest for both research and clinical practice, enabling the combined evaluation of the structure and function of the human brain. These analyses generate large volumes of data and consequently increase the amount of possibly useful information. Indeed, BrainArchive was developed in order to organize, maintain and share this complex array of neuroimaging data. It stores all the information available for each participant/patient, being dynamic by nature. Notably, the application of reasoning systems to this multimodal data has the potential to provide tools for the identification of undiagnosed diseases. As a matter of fact, in this work we explore how Artificial Intelligence techniques for decision support work, namely Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) that may be used to achieve such endeavour. Particularly, it is proposed a reasoning system that uses the information stored in BrainArchive as past knowledge for the identification of individuals that are at risk of contracting some brain disease.

scholarly journals Mapping calcium dynamics in a developing tubular structure

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorgen Hoyer ◽  
Morsal Saba ◽  
Daniel Dondorp ◽  
Kushal Kolar ◽  
Riccardo Esposito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Types ◽  
Feedback Mechanism ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Cytoskeletal Network ◽  
Notochord Cell ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Store Operated Calcium Entry ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cell Intercalation

AbstractCalcium is a ubiquitous and versatile second messenger that plays a central role in the development and function of a wide range of cell types, tissues and organs. Despite significant recent progress in the understanding of calcium (Ca2+) signalling in organs such as the developing and adult brain, we have relatively little knowledge of the contribution of Ca2+ to the development of tubes, structures widely present in multicellular organisms. Here we image Ca2+ dynamics in the developing notochord of Ciona intestinalis. We show that notochord cells exhibit distinct Ca2+ dynamics during specific morphogenetic events such as cell intercalation, cell elongation and tubulogenesis. We used an optogenetically controlled Ca2+ actuator to show that sequestration of Ca2+ results in defective notochord cell intercalation, and pharmacological inhibition to reveal that stretch-activated ion channels (SACs), inositol triphosphate receptor (IP3R) signalling, Store Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE), Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and gap junctions are required for regulating notochord Ca2+ activity during tubulogenesis. Cytoskeletal rearrangements drive the cell shape changes that accompany tubulogenesis. In line with this, we show that Ca2+ signalling modulates reorganization of the cytoskeletal network across the morphogenetic events leading up to and during tubulogenesis of the notochord. We additionally demonstrate that perturbation of the actin cytoskeleton drastically remodels Ca2+ dynamics, suggesting a feedback mechanism between actin dynamics and Ca2+ signalling during notochord development. This work provides a framework to quantitatively define how Ca2+ signalling regulates tubulogenesis using the notochord as model organ, a defining structure of all chordates.

scholarly journals Microglia, Cytokines, and Neural Activity: Unexpected Interactions in Brain Development and Function

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin Ferro ◽  
Yohan S. S. Auguste ◽  
Lucas Cheadle
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Neural Activity ◽  
Signaling Molecules ◽  
Evolutionary Strategy ◽  
Inflammatory Signaling ◽  
Peripheral Tissues ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Brain

Intercellular signaling molecules such as cytokines and their receptors enable immune cells to communicate with one another and their surrounding microenvironments. Emerging evidence suggests that the same signaling pathways that regulate inflammatory responses to injury and disease outside of the brain also play powerful roles in brain development, plasticity, and function. These observations raise the question of how the same signaling molecules can play such distinct roles in peripheral tissues compared to the central nervous system, a system previously thought to be largely protected from inflammatory signaling. Here, we review evidence that the specialized roles of immune signaling molecules such as cytokines in the brain are to a large extent shaped by neural activity, a key feature of the brain that reflects active communication between neurons at synapses. We discuss the known mechanisms through which microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, respond to increases and decreases in activity by engaging classical inflammatory signaling cascades to assemble, remodel, and eliminate synapses across the lifespan. We integrate evidence from (1) in vivo imaging studies of microglia-neuron interactions, (2) developmental studies across multiple neural circuits, and (3) molecular studies of activity-dependent gene expression in microglia and neurons to highlight the specific roles of activity in defining immune pathway function in the brain. Given that the repurposing of signaling pathways across different tissues may be an important evolutionary strategy to overcome the limited size of the genome, understanding how cytokine function is established and maintained in the brain could lead to key insights into neurological health and disease.

scholarly journals Biogenesis of NDUFS3-less complex I indicates TMEM126A/OPA7 as an assembly factor of the ND4-module

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi D’Angelo ◽  
Elisa Astro ◽  
Monica De Luise ◽  
Ivana Kurelac ◽  
Nikkitha Umesh-Ganesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Disease ◽  
Optic Atrophy ◽  
Complex I ◽  
Disease Gene ◽  
Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Catalytic Core ◽  
Assembly Factor ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACTComplex I (CI) is the largest enzyme of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and its defects are the main cause of mitochondrial disease. To understand the mechanisms regulating the extremely intricate biogenesis of this fundamental bioenergetic machine, we analyzed the structural and functional consequences of the ablation of NDUFS3, a non-catalytic core subunit. We prove that in diverse mammalian cell types a small amount of functional CI can still be detected in the complete absence of NDUFS3. In addition, we have determined the dynamics of CI disassembly when the amount of NDUFS3 is gradually decreased. The process of degradation of the complex occurs in a hierarchical and modular fashion where the ND4-module remains stable and bound to TMEM126A. We have thus, uncovered the function of TMEM126A, the product of a disease gene causing recessive optic atrophy, as a factor necessary for the correct assembly and function of CI.

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