scholarly journals Recent Progress in Quantitatively Monitoring Vesicular Neurotransmitter Release and Storage With Micro/Nanoelectrodes

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuying Liu ◽  
Jinchang Du ◽  
Mengying Wang ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Chunlan Liu ◽  
...  

Exocytosis is one of the essential steps for chemical signal transmission between neurons. In this process, vesicles dock and fuse with the plasma membrane and release the stored neurotransmitters through fusion pores into the extracellular space, and all of these steps are governed with various molecules, such as proteins, ions, and even lipids. Quantitatively monitoring vesicular neurotransmitter release in exocytosis and initial neurotransmitter storage in individual vesicles is significant for the study of chemical signal transmission of the central nervous system (CNS) and neurological diseases. Electrochemistry with micro/nanoelectrodes exhibits great spatial–temporal resolution and high sensitivity. It can be used to examine the exocytotic kinetics from the aspect of neurotransmitters and quantify the neurotransmitter storage in individual vesicles. In this review, we first introduce the recent advances of single-cell amperometry (SCA) and the nanoscale interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (nanoITIES), which can monitor the quantity and release the kinetics of electrochemically and non-electrochemically active neurotransmitters, respectively. Then, the development and application of the vesicle impact electrochemical cytometry (VIEC) and intracellular vesicle impact electrochemical cytometry (IVIEC) and their combination with other advanced techniques can further explain the mechanism of neurotransmitter storage in vesicles before exocytosis. It has been proved that these electrochemical techniques have great potential in the field of neuroscience.

Author(s):  
Konstantin Gulyabin

Mills' syndrome is a rare neurological disorder. Its nosological nature is currently not completely determined. Nevertheless, Mills' syndrome is considered to be a rare variant of the degenerative pathology of the central nervous system – a variant of focal cortical atrophy. The true prevalence of this pathology is unknown, since this condition is more often of a syndrome type, observed in the clinical picture of a number of neurological diseases (primary lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, etc.) and is less common in isolated form.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 628-646
Author(s):  
Gülcem Altinoglu ◽  
Terin Adali

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, and is part of a massive and growing health care burden that is destroying the cognitive function of more than 50 million individuals worldwide. Today, therapeutic options are limited to approaches with mild symptomatic benefits. The failure in developing effective drugs is attributed to, but not limited to the highly heterogeneous nature of AD with multiple underlying hypotheses and multifactorial pathology. In addition, targeted drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), for the diagnosis and therapy of neurological diseases like AD, is restricted by the challenges posed by blood-brain interfaces surrounding the CNS, limiting the bioavailability of therapeutics. Research done over the last decade has focused on developing new strategies to overcome these limitations and successfully deliver drugs to the CNS. Nanoparticles, that are capable of encapsulating drugs with sustained drug release profiles and adjustable physiochemical properties, can cross the protective barriers surrounding the CNS. Thus, nanotechnology offers new hope for AD treatment as a strong alternative to conventional drug delivery mechanisms. In this review, the potential application of nanoparticle based approaches in Alzheimer’s disease and their implications in therapy is discussed.


Biosensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Galina Z. Gayda ◽  
Olha M. Demkiv ◽  
Yanna Gurianov ◽  
Roman Ya. Serkiz ◽  
Halyna M. Klepach ◽  
...  

Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) are well-known artificial enzymes with peroxidase (PO)-like activity. PBAs have a high potential for applications in scientific investigations, industry, ecology and medicine. Being stable and both catalytically and electrochemically active, PBAs are promising in the construction of biosensors and biofuel cells. The “green” synthesis of PO-like PBAs using oxido-reductase flavocytochrome b2 is described in this study. When immobilized on graphite electrodes (GEs), the obtained green-synthesized PBAs or hexacyanoferrates (gHCFs) of transition and noble metals produced amperometric signals in response to H2O2. HCFs of copper, iron, palladium and other metals were synthesized and characterized by structure, size, catalytic properties and electro-mediator activities. The gCuHCF, as the most effective PO mimetic with a flower-like micro/nano superstructure, was used as an H2O2-sensitive platform for the development of a glucose oxidase (GO)-based biosensor. The GO/gCuHCF/GE biosensor exhibited high sensitivity (710 A M−1m−2), a broad linear range and good selectivity when tested on real samples of fruit juices. We propose that the gCuHCF and other gHCFs synthesized via enzymes may be used as artificial POs in amperometric oxidase-based (bio)sensors.


2017 ◽  
Vol 474 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Ugbode ◽  
Yuhan Hu ◽  
Benjamin Whalley ◽  
Chris Peers ◽  
Marcus Rattray ◽  
...  

Astrocytes play a fundamental role in maintaining the health and function of the central nervous system. Increasing evidence indicates that astrocytes undergo both cellular and molecular changes at an early stage in neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). These changes may reflect a change from a neuroprotective to a neurotoxic phenotype. Given the lack of current disease-modifying therapies for AD, astrocytes have become an interesting and viable target for therapeutic intervention. The astrocyte transport system covers a diverse array of proteins involved in metabolic support, neurotransmission and synaptic architecture. Therefore, specific targeting of individual transporter families has the potential to suppress neurodegeneration, a characteristic hallmark of AD. A small number of the 400 transporter superfamilies are expressed in astrocytes, with evidence highlighting a fraction of these are implicated in AD. Here, we review the current evidence for six astrocytic transporter subfamilies involved in AD, as reported in both animal and human studies. This review confirms that astrocytes are indeed a viable target, highlights the complexities of studying astrocytes and provides future directives to exploit the potential of astrocytes in tackling AD.


1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Perrella ◽  
M. Guerriero ◽  
E. Izzo ◽  
M. Soscia ◽  
P. B. Carrieri

We detected the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and granulocyte macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) by ELISA in the CSF and serum of 30 HIV-infected patients classified as AIDS dementia complex (ADC), and 20 subjects with other neurological diseases (OND). We have found a high incidence of detectable IL-6 and GM-CSF in the CSF of ADC patients compared with OND patients. No statistical differences were observed between both groups for serum IL-6 and GM-CSF levels. These results suggest an intrathecal synthesis of these cytokines and a possible involvement in the pathogenesis of ADC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marenka Smit ◽  
Alberto Albanese ◽  
Monika Benson ◽  
Mark J. Edwards ◽  
Holm Graessner ◽  
...  

Improved care for people with dystonia presents a number of challenges. Major gaps in knowledge exist with regard to how to optimize the diagnostic process, how to leverage discoveries in pathophysiology into biomarkers, and how to develop an evidence base for current and novel treatments. These challenges are made greater by the realization of the wide spectrum of symptoms and difficulties faced by people with dystonia, which go well-beyond motor symptoms. A network of clinicians, scientists, and patients could provide resources to facilitate information exchange at different levels, share mutual experiences, and support each other's innovative projects. In the past, collaborative initiatives have been launched, including the American Dystonia Coalition, the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST—which however only existed for a limited time), and the Dutch DystonieNet project. The European Reference Network on Rare Neurological Diseases includes dystonia among other rare conditions affecting the central nervous system in a dedicated stream. Currently, we aim to broaden the scope of these initiatives to a comprehensive European level by further expanding the DystoniaNet network, in close collaboration with the ERN-RND. In line with the ERN-RND, the mission of DystoniaNet Europe is to improve care and quality of life for people with dystonia by, among other endeavors, facilitating access to specialized care, overcoming the disparity in education of medical professionals, and serving as a solid platform to foster international clinical and research collaborations. In this review, both professionals within the dystonia field and patients and caregivers representing Dystonia Europe highlight important unsolved issues and promising new strategies and the role that a European network can play in activating them.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick A. Lewis

Abstract Cellular control of vesicle biology and trafficking is critical for cell viability, with disruption of these pathways within the cells of the central nervous system resulting in neurodegeneration and disease. The past two decades have provided important insights into both the genetic and biological links between vesicle trafficking and neurodegeneration. In this essay, the pathways that have emerged as being critical for neuronal survival in the human brain will be discussed – illustrating the diversity of proteins and cellular events with three molecular case studies drawn from different neurological diseases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingdi Nie ◽  
Wen-Rui Ye ◽  
Shangbin Chen ◽  
Domenico Chirchiglia ◽  
Minyan Wang

: Src family kinases (SFK) are a group of non-receptor tyrosine kinases which play a pivotal role in cellular responses and oncogenesis. Accumulating evidence suggest that SFK also act as a key component in signalling pathways of the central nervous system (CNS) in both physiological and pathological conditions. Despite the crucial role of SFK in signal transduction of the CNS, the relationship between SFK and molecules implicated in pain has been relatively unexplored. This article briefly reviews the recent advances uncovering the interplay of SFK with diverse membrane proteins and intracellular proteins in the CNS and the importance of SFK in the pathophysiology of migraine and neuropathic pain. Mechanisms underlying the role of SFK in these conditions and potential clinical applications of SFK inhibitors in neurological diseases are also summarised. We propose that SFK are the convergent point of signalling pathways in migraine and neuropathic pain and may constitute a promising therapeutic target for these diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Banglian Hu ◽  
Shengshun Duan ◽  
Ziwei Wang ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Yuhang Zhou ◽  
...  

The colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) is a key tyrosine kinase transmembrane receptor modulating microglial homeostasis, neurogenesis, and neuronal survival in the central nervous system (CNS). CSF1R, which can be proteolytically cleaved into a soluble ectodomain and an intracellular protein fragment, supports the survival of myeloid cells upon activation by two ligands, colony stimulating factor 1 and interleukin 34. CSF1R loss-of-function mutations are the major cause of adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) and its dysfunction has also been implicated in other neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we review the physiological functions of CSF1R in the CNS and its pathological effects in neurological disorders including ALSP, AD, frontotemporal dementia and multiple sclerosis. Understanding the pathophysiology of CSF1R is critical for developing targeted therapies for related neurological diseases.


BMJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. n955
Author(s):  
Terry C Burns ◽  
Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa

Abstract Regenerative medicine aspires to transform the future practice of medicine by providing curative, rather than palliative, treatments. Healing the central nervous system (CNS) remains among regenerative medicine’s most highly prized but formidable challenges. “Regenerative neurosurgery” provides access to the CNS or its surrounding structures to preserve or restore neurological function. Pioneering efforts over the past three decades have introduced cells, neurotrophins, and genes with putative regenerative capacity into the CNS to combat neurodegenerative, ischemic, and traumatic diseases. In this review we critically evaluate the rationale, paradigms, and translational progress of regenerative neurosurgery, harnessing access to the CNS to protect, rejuvenate, or replace cell types otherwise irreversibly compromised by neurological disease. We discuss the evidence surrounding fetal, somatic, and pluripotent stem cell derived implants to replace endogenous neuronal and glial cell types and provide trophic support. Neurotrophin based strategies via infusions and gene therapy highlight the motivation to preserve neuronal circuits, the complex fidelity of which cannot be readily recreated. We specifically highlight ongoing translational efforts in Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, and spinal cord injury, using these to illustrate the principles, challenges, and opportunities of regenerative neurosurgery. Risks of associated procedures and novel neurosurgical trials are discussed, together with the ethical challenges they pose. After decades of efforts to develop and refine necessary tools and methodologies, regenerative neurosurgery is well positioned to advance treatments for refractory neurological diseases. Strategic multidisciplinary efforts will be critical to harness complementary technologies and maximize mechanistic feedback, accelerating iterative progress toward cures for neurological diseases.


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