The influence of glucocorticoids on neuronal survival and synaptic function

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 495-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadahiro Numakawa ◽  
Naoki Adachi ◽  
Misty Richards ◽  
Shuichi Chiba ◽  
Hiroshi Kunugi
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Neuronal Survival ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Neuronal Populations ◽  
Animal Models Of Depression ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
As Stress ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

AbstractGlucocorticoids, recognized as stress-related steroid hormones secreted from adrenal glands, have multiple roles in brain function. The concentration of glucocorticoids is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and chronically elevated levels of glucocorticoids are putatively involved in the pathophysiology of mental disorders, such as depression. As corticosteroids are also widely used as medical drugs (e.g., for chronic lung disease in infants), the developmental influence of glucocorticoids on neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity is a critical concern. Although many reports suggest a biological effect of glucocorticoids on neuronal populations of the central nervous system (CNS), some reports suggest a possibility that glial responses (including regulation of neurotrophic factor expression) to glucocorticoids are different from that of neurons. In the present review, we show an overview of the current knowledge concerning the impact of glucocorticoids on behavior in animal models of depression, and on cell survival and function in the CNS.

scholarly journals Insights into the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms That Govern the Fracture-Healing Process: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. 3554
Author(s):  
Dionysios J. Papachristou ◽  
Stavros Georgopoulos ◽  
Peter V. Giannoudis ◽  
Elias Panagiotopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Healing ◽  
Bone Repair ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Bone Architecture ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Stage Process ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

Fracture-healing is a complex multi-stage process that usually progresses flawlessly, resulting in restoration of bone architecture and function. Regrettably, however, a considerable number of fractures fail to heal, resulting in delayed unions or non-unions. This may significantly impact several aspects of a patient’s life. Not surprisingly, in the past few years, a substantial amount of research and number of clinical studies have been designed, aiming at shedding light into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate fracture-healing. Herein, we present the current knowledge on the pathobiology of the fracture-healing process. In addition, the role of skeletal cells and the impact of marrow adipose tissue on bone repair is discussed. Unveiling the pathogenetic mechanisms that govern the fracture-healing process may lead to the development of novel, smarter, and more effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment of fractures, especially of those with large bone defects.

scholarly journals Embryo–Maternal Interactions Underlying Reproduction in Mammals

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4872
Author(s):  
Stefan Bauersachs ◽  
Carmen Almiñana
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Research Articles ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
New Findings ◽  
As Stress ◽  
The Impact

This Special Issue, “Embryo-Maternal Interactions Underlying Reproduction in Mammals”, gathers a collection of 23 articles, 16 original research articles and 7 up-to-date reviews, providing new findings or summarizing current knowledge on embryo–maternal interactions in seven different mammalian species including humans. Considering the different players involved in these embryo-maternal interactions, articles are mainly focused on one of these different players: the oviduct, the uterus, the embryo or the emergent extracellular vesicles. Additionally, a few articles bring up the impact of reproductive, but also non-reproductive, diseases, as well as stress factors, on the establishment of pregnancy. We hope the readers enjoy this collection of articles and that the knowledge assembled here will support and inspire current and future research investigations. We would like to thank all authors for their contributions to this Special Issue.

scholarly journals Neuroinflammation as Fuel for Axonal Regeneration in the Injured Vertebrate Central Nervous System

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilse Bollaerts ◽  
Jessie Van houcke ◽  
Lien Andries ◽  
Lies De Groef ◽  
Lieve Moons
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Axonal Regeneration ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Vertebrate Central Nervous System

Damage to the central nervous system (CNS) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in elderly, as repair after lesions or neurodegenerative disease usually fails because of the limited capacity of CNS regeneration. The causes underlying this limited regenerative potential are multifactorial, but one critical aspect is neuroinflammation. Although classically considered as harmful, it is now becoming increasingly clear that inflammation can also promote regeneration, if the appropriate context is provided. Here, we review the current knowledge on how acute inflammation is intertwined with axonal regeneration, an important component of CNS repair. After optic nerve or spinal cord injury, inflammatory stimulation and/or modification greatly improve the regenerative outcome in rodents. Moreover, the hypothesis of a beneficial role of inflammation is further supported by evidence from adult zebrafish, which possess the remarkable capability to repair CNS lesions and even restore functionality. Lastly, we shed light on the impact of aging processes on the regenerative capacity in the CNS of mammals and zebrafish. As aging not only affects the CNS, but also the immune system, the regeneration potential is expected to further decline in aged individuals, an element that should definitely be considered in the search for novel therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals Structure, function, and allosteric modulation of NMDA receptors

2018 ◽  
Vol 150 (8) ◽  
pp. 1081-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasper B. Hansen ◽  
Feng Yi ◽  
Riley E. Perszyk ◽  
Hiro Furukawa ◽  
Lonnie P. Wollmuth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Nmda Receptors ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Genomic Variation ◽  
Receptor Subtypes ◽  
Receptor Complexes ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Excitatory Neurotransmission ◽  
And Function

NMDA-type glutamate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate a Ca2+-permeable component of excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS). They are expressed throughout the CNS and play key physiological roles in synaptic function, such as synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. NMDA receptors are also implicated in the pathophysiology of several CNS disorders and more recently have been identified as a locus for disease-associated genomic variation. NMDA receptors exist as a diverse array of subtypes formed by variation in assembly of seven subunits (GluN1, GluN2A-D, and GluN3A-B) into tetrameric receptor complexes. These NMDA receptor subtypes show unique structural features that account for their distinct functional and pharmacological properties allowing precise tuning of their physiological roles. Here, we review the relationship between NMDA receptor structure and function with an emphasis on emerging atomic resolution structures, which begin to explain unique features of this receptor.

Neuroimmune interactions and pain during postnatal development

2013 ◽  
pp. 65-73
Author(s):  
David Vega-Avelaira ◽  
Simon Beggs
Keyword(s):  
Postnatal Development ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Defensive Responses ◽  
Nociceptive Pathways ◽  
Neuroimmune Interactions ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
And Function ◽  
Type Of Injury ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Role And Function

The immune system is essential for identifying and mounting defensive responses to tissue damage and infection. In addition, it is increasingly recognized that interactions between immune cells and nociceptive pathways can modulate pain sensitivity. The role and function of immune cells in the central nervous system changes during postnatal development, and as a result, the impact of neuroimmune interactions on pain signalling varies with both age and the type of injury.

scholarly journals Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Current Evidence in Support of Benefit from Sleep Apnea Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie C. Lajoie ◽  
Anne-Louise Lafontaine ◽  
R. John Kimoff ◽  
Marta Kaminska
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Intermittent Hypoxemia ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sleep Apnea Treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent disorder characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction during sleep resulting in intermittent hypoxemia and sleep fragmentation. Research has recently increasingly focused on the impact of OSA on the brain’s structure and function, in particular as this relates to neurodegenerative diseases. This article reviews the links between OSA and neurodegenerative disease, focusing on Parkinson’s disease, including proposed pathogenic mechanisms and current knowledge on the effects of treatment.

scholarly journals Janus-faced spatacsin (SPG11): involvement in neurodevelopment and multisystem neurodegeneration

Brain ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (8) ◽  
pp. 2369-2379
Author(s):  
Tatyana Pozner ◽  
Martin Regensburger ◽  
Tobias Engelhorn ◽  
Jürgen Winkler ◽  
Beate Winner
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Pathogenic Variants ◽  
Structural Abnormalities ◽  
Neuronal Systems ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a heterogeneous group of rare motor neuron disorders characterized by progressive weakness and spasticity of the lower limbs. HSP type 11 (SPG11-HSP) is linked to pathogenic variants in the SPG11 gene and it represents the most frequent form of complex autosomal recessive HSP. The majority of SPG11-HSP patients exhibit additional neurological symptoms such as cognitive decline, thin corpus callosum, and peripheral neuropathy. Yet, the mechanisms of SPG11-linked spectrum diseases are largely unknown. Recent findings indicate that spatacsin, the 280 kDa protein encoded by SPG11, may impact the autophagy-lysosomal machinery. In this update, we summarize the current knowledge of SPG11-HSP. In addition to clinical symptoms and differential diagnosis, our work aims to link the different clinical manifestations with the respective structural abnormalities and cellular in vitro phenotypes. Moreover, we describe the impact of localization and function of spatacsin in different neuronal systems. Ultimately, we propose a model in which spatacsin bridges between neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative phenotypes of SPG11-linked disorders.

Neuronal functions of clathrin-associated endocytic sorting adaptors – from molecules to disease

Neuroforum ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia L. Kononenko ◽  
Volker Haucke
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Adaptor Proteins ◽  
Synaptic Cleft ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Endocytic Sorting ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Neuronal Functions ◽  
Synaptic Vesicle Fusion

AbstractCommunication in the central nervous system is based on the transmission of electrical signals at specialized junctions between nerve cells termed synapses. During chemical neurotransmission, tiny membrane spheres called synaptic vesicles that are packed with neurotransmitters elicit a postsynaptic response by fusing with the presynaptic membrane and releasing their content into the synaptic cleft. Synaptic vesicle fusion is followed by the reuptake of the membrane by endocytosis and the local reformation of functional synaptic vesicles within the presynaptic compartment to sustain further rounds of neurotransmitter release. Here, we provide an overview of the clathrin-associated endocytic adaptor proteins that help to sort and recycle synaptic vesicles during presynaptic activity. These adaptors also serve additional functions in the turnover of defective or aged synaptic components and in the retrograde axonal transport of important signaling molecules by regulating the formation or transport of autophagosomes. Endocytic adaptors thus play multiple roles in the maintenance of synaptic function. Defects in their expression or function can lead to neurodegenerative and neurological diseases.

scholarly journals Cytoplasmic RNA Granules in Somatic Maintenance

Gerontology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 485-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ossama Moujaber ◽  
Ursula Stochaj
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Rna Granules ◽  
Cytoplasmic Rna ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

Cytoplasmic RNA granules represent subcellular compartments that are enriched in protein-bound RNA species. RNA granules are produced by evolutionary divergent eukaryotes, including yeast, mammals, and plants. The functions of cytoplasmic RNA granules differ widely. They are dictated by the cell type and physiological state, which in turn is determined by intrinsic cell properties and environmental factors. RNA granules provide diverse cellular functions. However, all of the granules contribute to aspects of RNA metabolism. This is exemplified by transcription, RNA storage, silencing, and degradation, as well as mRNP remodeling and regulated translation. Several forms of cytoplasmic mRNA granules are linked to normal physiological processes. For instance, they may coordinate protein synthesis and thereby serve as posttranscriptional “operons”. RNA granules also participate in cytoplasmic mRNA trafficking, a process particularly well understood for neurons. Many forms of RNA granules support the preservation of somatic cell performance under normal and stress conditions. On the other hand, severe insults or disease can cause the formation and persistence of RNA granules that contribute to cellular dysfunction, especially in the nervous system. Neurodegeneration and many other diseases linked to RNA granules are associated with aging. Nevertheless, information related to the impact of aging on the various types of RNA granules is presently very limited. This review concentrates on cytoplasmic RNA granules and their role in somatic cell maintenance. We summarize the current knowledge on different types of RNA granules in the cytoplasm, their assembly and function under normal, stress, or disease conditions. Specifically, we discuss processing bodies, neuronal granules, stress granules, and other less characterized cytoplasmic RNA granules. Our focus is primarily on mammalian and yeast models, because they have been critical to unravel the physiological role of various RNA granules. RNA granules in plants and pathogens are briefly described. We conclude our viewpoint by summarizing the emerging concepts for RNA granule biology and the open questions that need to be addressed in future studies.

scholarly journals Astrocytes: Emerging stars in leukodystrophy pathogenesis

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Lanciotti ◽  
Maria Brignone ◽  
Enrico Bertini ◽  
Tamara Petrucci ◽  
Francesca Aloisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Ion Homeostasis ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Pathophysiological Role ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Vanishing White Matter Disease ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function

AbstractAstrocytes are the predominant glial cell population in the central nervous system (CNS). Once considered only passive scaffolding elements, astrocytes are now recognised as cells playing essential roles in CNS development and function. They control extracellular water and ion homeostasis, provide substrates for energy metabolism, and regulate neurogenesis, myelination and synaptic transmission. Due to these multiple activities astrocytes have been implicated in almost all brain pathologies, contributing to various aspects of disease initiation, progression and resolution. Evidence is emerging that astrocyte dysfunction can be the direct cause of neurodegeneration, as shown in Alexander’s disease where myelin degeneration is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the astrocyte-specific cytoskeleton protein glial fibrillary acidic protein. Recent studies point to a primary role for astrocytes in the pathogenesis of other genetic leukodystrophies such as megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts and vanishing white matter disease. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge of the pathophysiological role of astrocytes focusing on their contribution to the development of the above mentioned leukodystrophies and on new perspectives for the treatment of neurological disorders.

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