scholarly journals CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy

Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (24) ◽  
pp. 1092-1104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Konno ◽  
Koji Kasanuki ◽  
Takeshi Ikeuchi ◽  
Dennis W. Dickson ◽  
Zbigniew K. Wszolek

Since the discovery of CSF1R gene mutations in families with hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids in 2012, more than 70 different mutations have been identified around the world. Through the analyses of mutation carriers, CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy has been distinctly characterized clinically, radiologically, and pathologically. Typically, patients present with frontotemporal dementia-like phenotype in their 40s–50s, accompanied by motor symptoms, including pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs. Women tend to develop the clinical symptoms at a younger age than men. On brain imaging, in addition to white matter abnormalities, thinning of the corpus callosum, diffusion-restricted lesions in the white matter, and brain calcifications are hallmarks. Primary axonopathy followed by demyelination was suggested by pathology. Haploinsufficiency of colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) is evident in a patient with a frameshift mutation, facilitating the establishment of Csf1r haploinsufficient mouse model. These mice develop clinical, radiologic, and pathologic phenotypes consistent with those of human patients with CSF1R mutations. In vitro, perturbation of CSF1R signaling is shown in cultured cells expressing mutant CSF1R. However, the underlying mechanisms by which CSF1R mutations selectively lead to white matter degeneration remains to be elucidated. Given that CSF1R mainly expresses in microglia, CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy is representative of primary microgliopathies, of which microglia have a pivotal and primary role in pathogenesis. In this review, we address the current knowledge of CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy and discuss the putative pathophysiology, with a focus on microglia, as well as future research directions.

AMB Express ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Memariani ◽  
Mojtaba Memariani

AbstractProtozoan diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness still levy a heavy toll on human lives. Deplorably, only few classes of anti-protozoan drugs have thus far been developed. The problem is further compounded by their intrinsic toxicity, emergence of drug resistance, and the lack of licensed vaccines. Thus, there is a genuine exigency to develop novel anti-protozoan medications. Over the past years, melittin, the major constituent in the venom of European honeybee Apis mellifera, has gathered the attention of researchers due to its potential therapeutic applications. Insofar as we are aware, there has been no review pertinent to anti-protozoan properties of melittin. The present review outlines the current knowledge about anti-protozoan effects of melittin and its underlying mechanisms. The peptide has proven to be efficacious in killing different protozoan parasites such as Leishmania, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and Trypanosoma in vitro. Apart from direct membrane-disruptive activity, melittin is capable of destabilizing calcium homeostasis, reducing mitochondrial membrane potential, disorganizing kinetoplast DNA, instigating apoptotic cell death, and induction of autophagy in protozoan pathogens. Emerging evidence suggests that melittin is a promising candidate for future vaccine adjuvants. Transmission-blocking activity of melittin against vector-borne pathogens underscores its potential utility for both transgenic and paratransgenic manipulations. Nevertheless, future research should focus upon investigating anti-microbial activities of melittin, alone or in combination with the current anti-protozoan medications, against a far broader spectrum of protozoan parasites as well as pre-clinical testing of the peptide in animal models.


Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Zacharek ◽  
Tao Yan ◽  
Michael Chopp` ◽  
Poornima Venkat ◽  
Ruizhou Ning ◽  
...  

Objective: Our previous studies have found that bone-marrow-stromal cell (BMSC) treatment of stroke in Type two DM (T2DM) rats, initiated at 3 days after stroke, improved functional recovery. Neurogenesis and white matter (WM) remodeling play an important role in neurorestorative effects after stroke. In this study, we tested whether BMSCs regulate neurogenesis and WM remodeling and the underlying mechanisms of BMSC induced neurorestorative effects in T2DM stroke rats. Methods: T2DM was induced with streptozotocin injection in addition to a high fat diet. T2DM rats were subjected to 2h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo), then treated with human BMSCs (5X106) or vehicle control (n=8/group) initiated at 3 days after MCAo and rats were monitored for 28 days. Neuroblast migration, WM changes, and gene and protein expression were measured in the ischemic brain. Subventricular zone (SVZ) explant cell migration and primary cortical neuron (PCN) axonal outgrowth measurements were performed in vitro. Results: BMSC treatment in T2DM rats significantly improves functional outcome and increases WM remodeling identified by increased myelin and axonal density. BMSCs also increase the neuroblast migration protein doublecortin (DCX, 25.0±4.3% vs control: 4.5±1.1%), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA, and bFGF expression in the ischemic border zone. Angiogenic ELISA array data are consistent with the immunostaining data, showing that BMSC treatment increases PDGF-AA (2.1 fold), PDGF-BB (2.5 fold) and bFGF (1.8 fold) in the ischemic brain. Using an in vitro cell culture model, we found that BMSCs secrete high levels of PDGF. PDGF treatment significantly increases SVZ explant cell migration (1.7 fold) and PCN axonal outgrowth (1.9 fold) compared to non-treatment control. Inhibition of PDGF with neutralized anti-PDGF antibody significantly attenuates BMSC conditioned medium induced SVZ cell migration and PCN axon outgrowth. Conclusion: BMSC treatment of stroke in T2DM increases WM remodeling and neurogenesis as well as increases PDGF expression. PDGF not only promotes neuronal migration, but also increases axonal outgrowth. Therefore, increasing PDGF likely contributes to BMSC induced neurogenesis and WM remodeling in T2DM stroke rats.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
YinYing Ba ◽  
MengLin Wang ◽  
KunFeng Zhang ◽  
QiJun Chen ◽  
JiaJia Wang ◽  
...  

Oligosaccharide esters, which are among the main active components of Polygalae Radix (PR), demonstrate significant pharmacological activities in the human nervous system. In our previous research, some other constituents in PR were able to improve the bioavailability of oligosaccharide esters such as sibiricose A5 (SA5), sibiricose A6 (SA6), and 3,6′-disinapoyl sucrose (DISS), but the related components and their underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the intestinal absorptive profile of SA5, SA6, and DISS and the absorptive behavior influenced by the coadministration of polygalaxanthone III and total saponins of PR (TS) using an in vitro everted rat gut sac model, along with the possible mechanisms that may influence absorption. The results showed that TS could significantly enhance the absorption of SA5, SA6, and DISS monomers. Verapamil, a P-glycoprotein inhibitor, was able to elevate the absorption of SA5 and SA6, and an absorption experiment using Rho123 led us to conclude that TS influenced the absorption of SA5 and SA6 in a manner similar to that of a P-glycoprotein inhibitor. Sodium caprate, a paracellular absorption enhancer, was found to increase the absorption of SA5, SA6, and DISS. Results showed that the absorption mechanisms of SA5 and SA6 may combine active transport with paracellular passive penetration, while DISS’s absorption was dominated by paracellular passive penetration. However, the relationship between polygala saponins and the absorption of SA5, SA6, and DISS by paracellular passive penetration remain to be examined. This is the direction of our future research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tereza Filipi ◽  
Zuzana Hermanova ◽  
Jana Tureckova ◽  
Ondrej Vanatko ◽  
Miroslava Anderova

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disease, which is characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the motor cortex and the spinal cord and subsequently by muscle atrophy. To date, numerous gene mutations have been linked to both sporadic and familial ALS, but the effort of many experimental groups to develop a suitable therapy has not, as of yet, proven successful. The original focus was on the degenerating motor neurons, when researchers tried to understand the pathological mechanisms that cause their slow death. However, it was soon discovered that ALS is a complicated and diverse pathology, where not only neurons, but also other cell types, play a crucial role via the so-called non-cell autonomous effect, which strongly deteriorates neuronal conditions. Subsequently, variable glia-based in vitro and in vivo models of ALS were established and used for brand-new experimental and clinical approaches. Such a shift towards glia soon bore its fruit in the form of several clinical studies, which more or less successfully tried to ward the unfavourable prognosis of ALS progression off. In this review, we aimed to summarize current knowledge regarding the involvement of each glial cell type in the progression of ALS, currently available treatments, and to provide an overview of diverse clinical trials covering pharmacological approaches, gene, and cell therapies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 319 (4) ◽  
pp. E814-E819
Author(s):  
Seth F. McCarthy ◽  
Hashim Islam ◽  
Tom J. Hazell

Lactate, a molecule originally considered metabolic waste, is now associated with a number of important physiological functions. Although the roles of lactate as a signaling molecule, fuel source, and gluconeogenic substrate have garnered significant attention in recent reviews, a relatively underexplored and emerging role of lactate is its control of energy intake (EI). To expand our understanding of the physiological roles of lactate, we present evidence from early infusion studies demonstrating the ability of lactate to suppress EI in both rodents and humans. We then discuss findings from recent human studies that have utilized exercise intensity and/or sodium bicarbonate supplementation to modulate endogenous lactate and examine its impact on appetite regulation. These studies consistently demonstrate that greater blood lactate accumulation is associated with greater suppression of the hunger hormone ghrelin and subjective appetite, thereby supporting a role of lactate in the control of EI. To stimulate future research investigating the role of lactate as an appetite-regulatory molecule, we also highlight potential underlying mechanisms explaining the appetite-suppressive effects of lactate using evidence from rodent and in vitro cellular models. Specifically, we discuss the ability of lactate to 1) inhibit the secretory function of ghrelin producing gastric cells, 2) modulate the signaling cascades that control hypothalamic neuropeptide expression/release, and 3) inhibit signaling through the ghrelin receptor in the hypothalamus. Unravelling the role of lactate as an appetite-regulatory molecule can shed important insight into the regulation of EI, thereby contributing to the development of interventions aimed at combatting overweight and obesity.


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Fiege ◽  
Frank Wappler ◽  
Ralf Weisshorn ◽  
Mark Ulrich Gerbershagen ◽  
Markus Steinfath ◽  
...  

Background More than 20 mutations in the gene encoding for the ryanodine receptor (RYR1), a Ca2+ release channel of the skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum, have been found to be associated with malignant hyperthermia (MH). This study was designed to investigate the effects of different mutations in the RYR1 gene on contracture development in in vitro contracture tests (IVCT) with halothane, caffeine, and ryanodine. Methods Ninety-three MH-susceptible (MHS) patients, diagnosed by the standard IVCT with halothane and caffeine, were included in this prospective study. Surplus muscle specimens were used for an IVCT with 1 microm ryanodine. The contracture course during the ryanodine IVCT was described by the attainment of different time points: onset time of contracture and times when contracture reached 2 mN or 10 mN. In addition, all patients were screened for mutations of the RYR1 gene. Results In 36 patients, four different mutations of the RYR1 gene (C487-T, G1021-A, C1840-T, G7300-A) were found. The IVCT threshold concentrations of halothane and caffeine were lower in patients with the C487-T mutation compared with patients without a detected mutation in the RYR1 gene. In the IVCT with ryanodine, contracture levels of 2 mN and 10 mN were reached earlier in muscle specimens from patients with C487-T, C1840-T, and G7300-A mutations compared with specimens from patients with the G1021-A mutation and patients without detected mutation in the RYR1 gene. Conclusions The differences between the groups in the halothane and caffeine IVCT threshold concentrations and in the time course of contracture development in the ryanodine IVCT underline the hypothesis that certain mutations in the RYR1 gene could make the ryanodine receptor more sensitive to specific ligands. This may be an explanation for varying clinical symptoms of MH crisis in humans.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3475
Author(s):  
Jaqueline Herrmann ◽  
Milen Babic ◽  
Markus Tölle ◽  
Kai-Uwe Eckardt ◽  
Markus van der Giet ◽  
...  

Vascular calcification and stiffening of the arterial wall is a systemic phenomenon that is associated with aging and it can be increased by several risk factors. The underlying mechanisms, especially the pathways of cellular senescence, are under current investigation. Easily manageable in vitro settings help to study the signaling pathways. The experimental setting presented here is based on an in vitro model using rat vascular smooth muscle cells and the detection of senescence and osteoblastic markers via immunofluorescence and RNAscope™. Co-staining of the senescence marker p21, the osteoblastic marker osteopontin, detection of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase is possible within one test approach requiring fewer cells. The protocol is a fast and reliable evaluation method for multiplexing of calcifying and senescence markers with fluorescence microscopy detection. The experimental setting enables analysis on single cell basis and allows detection of intra-individual variances of cultured cells.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (18) ◽  
pp. 2243-2250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meimei Xu ◽  
Yan Zhang

Background &Objective: Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality in gynecological tumors without effective therapeutic drugs as a result of drug-resistance for long-term utilization. Morin has been reported to possess powerful anti-tumor effects in several cancers. The present study aims to investigate whether Morin could influence ovarian cancer growth and underlying mechanisms. Methods: Morin was administered to cultured cells in vitro and formed tumors in vivo. MTT and colony formation assays were performed to explore the effects of Morin on the proliferation and colony formation of OVCAR3 and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. Western blot, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence as well as ELISA were used to detect protein and mRNA expression of target factors. Tumor formation was performed to investigate tumorigenesis ability of drug-treated cells. Results: The proliferation and colony size of OVCAR3 and SKOV3 were significantly decreased after Morin administration. The expression of NF-κB and inflammatory cytokine IL6/8 induced by TNF-α can be inhibited by Morin. Furthermore, Morin inhibited the volume of ovarian cancer tumors in nude mice. Conclusion: Morin effectively alleviates ovarian cancer growth, inhibits the inflammatory response, and reduces tumor size via modulation of the NF-κB pathway.


2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (4) ◽  
pp. C747-C756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cara J. Gottardi ◽  
Barry M. Gumbiner

Inhibitor of β-catenin and TCF-4 (ICAT) is a 9-kDa polypeptide that inhibits β-catenin nuclear signaling by binding β-catenin and competing its interaction with the transcription factor TCF (T cell factor), but basic characterization of the endogenous protein and degree to which it alters other β-catenin functions is less well understood. At the subcellular level, we show that ICAT localizes to both cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. In intestinal tissue, ICAT is upregulated in the mature, nondividing enterocyte population lining intestinal villi and is absent in the β-catenin/TCF signaling-active crypt region, suggesting that its protein levels may be inversely related with β-catenin signaling activity. However, ICAT protein levels are not altered by activation or inhibition of Wnt signaling in cultured cells, suggesting that ICAT expression is not a direct target of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In cells where β-catenin levels are elevated by Wnt, a fraction of this β-catenin pool is associated with ICAT, suggesting that ICAT may buffer the cell from increased levels of β-catenin. Distinct from TCF and cadherin, ICAT does not protect the soluble pool of β-catenin from degradation by the adenomatous polyposis coli containing “destruction complex.” Although ICAT inhibits β-catenin binding to the cadherin as well as TCF in vitro, stable overexpression of ICAT in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells shows no obvious alterations in the cadherin complex, suggesting that the ability of ICAT to inhibit β-catenin binding to the cadherin may be restricted in vivo. MDCK cells overexpressing ICAT do, however, exhibit enhanced cell scattering on hepatocyte growth factor treatment, suggesting a possible role in the regulation of dynamic rather than steady-state cell-cell adhesions. These findings confirm ICAT's primary role in β-catenin signaling inhibition and further suggest that ICAT may have consequences for cadherin-based adhesive function in certain circumstances, implying a broader role than previously described.


Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (2 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S14-S20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Philippe Brosseau ◽  
Dominique C. Pichard ◽  
Eric H. Legius ◽  
Pierre Wolkenstein ◽  
Robert M. Lavker ◽  
...  

ObjectiveA group of experts in dermatology, genetics, neuroscience, and regenerative medicine collaborated to summarize current knowledge on the defined factors contributing to cutaneous neurofibroma (cNF) development and to provide consensus recommendations for future research priorities to gain an improved understanding of the biology of cNF.MethodsThe group members reviewed published and unpublished data on cNF and related diseases via literature search, defined a set of key topic areas deemed critical in cNF pathogenesis, and developed recommendations in a series of consensus meetings.ResultsFive specific topic areas were identified as being relevant to providing an enhanced understanding of the biology of cNF: (1) defining the human cells of origin; (2) understanding the role of the microenvironment, focusing on neurons, mast cells, and fibroblasts; (3) defining the genetic and molecular differences between the cNFs, focusing on size and number; (4) understanding if sex hormones are critical for cNF development or progression; and (5) identifying challenges in establishing in vitro and in vivo models representing human cNF.ConclusionsThe complexity of cNF biology stems from its heterogeneity at multiple levels including genetic, spatial involvement, temporal development, and cellular composition. We propose a unified working model for cNF that builds a framework to address the key questions about cNF that, when answered, will provide the necessary understanding of cNF biology to allow meaningful development of therapies.


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