scholarly journals Locus Coeruleus Modulates Neuroinflammation in Parkinsonism and Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8630
Author(s):  
Filippo Sean Giorgi ◽  
Francesca Biagioni ◽  
Alessandro Galgani ◽  
Nicola Pavese ◽  
Gloria Lazzeri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Locus Coeruleus ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Near Future

Locus Coeruleus (LC) is the main noradrenergic nucleus of the central nervous system, and its neurons widely innervate the whole brain. LC is severely degenerated both in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and in Parkinson’s disease (PD), years before the onset of clinical symptoms, through mechanisms that differ among the two disorders. Several experimental studies have shown that noradrenaline modulates neuroinflammation, mainly by acting on microglia/astrocytes function. In the present review, after a brief introduction on the anatomy and physiology of LC, we provide an overview of experimental data supporting a pathogenetic role of LC degeneration in AD and PD. Then, we describe in detail experimental data, obtained in vitro and in vivo in animal models, which support a potential role of neuroinflammation in such a link, and the specific molecules (i.e., released cytokines, glial receptors, including pattern recognition receptors and others) whose expression is altered by LC degeneration and might play a key role in AD/PD pathogenesis. New imaging and biochemical tools have recently been developed in humans to estimate in vivo the integrity of LC, the degree of neuroinflammation, and pathology AD/PD biomarkers; it is auspicable that these will allow in the near future to test the existence of a link between LC-neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration directly in patients.

scholarly journals Intranasal Borna Disease Virus (BoDV-1) Infection: Insights into Initial Steps and Potential Contagiosity

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Kupke ◽  
Sabrina Becker ◽  
Konstantin Wewetzer ◽  
Barbara Ahlemeyer ◽  
Markus Eickmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Olfactory Pathway ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Receptor Neurons

Mammalian Bornavirus (BoDV-1) typically causes a fatal neurologic disorder in horses and sheep, and was recently shown to cause fatal encephalitis in humans with and without transplant reception. It has been suggested that BoDV-1 enters the central nervous system (CNS) via the olfactory pathway. However, (I) susceptible cell types that replicate the virus for successful spread, and (II) the role of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), remained unclear. To address this, we studied the intranasal infection of adult rats with BoDV-1 in vivo and in vitro, using olfactory mucosal (OM) cell cultures and the cultures of purified OECs. Strikingly, in vitro and in vivo, viral antigen and mRNA were present from four days post infection (dpi) onwards in the olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), but also in all other cell types of the OM, and constantly in the OECs. In contrast, in vivo, BoDV-1 genomic RNA was only detectable in adult and juvenile ORNs, nerve fibers, and in OECs from 7 dpi on. In vitro, the rate of infection of OECs was significantly higher than that of the OM cells, pointing to a crucial role of OECs for infection via the olfactory pathway. Thus, this study provides important insights into the transmission of neurotropic viral infections with a zoonotic potential.

scholarly journals Scientific Basis for the Potential Use of Melatonin in Bone Diseases: Osteoporosis and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Sánchez-Barceló ◽  
M. D. Mediavilla ◽  
D. X. Tan ◽  
R. J. Reiter
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis ◽  
Idiopathic Scoliosis ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Bone Diseases ◽  
Bone Degradation ◽  
Potential Use

The objective of this paper was to analyze the data supporting the possible role of melatonin on bone metabolism and its repercussion in the etiology and treatment of bone pathologies such as the osteoporosis and the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Melatonin may prevent bone degradation and promote bone formation through mechanisms involving both melatonin receptor-mediated and receptor-independent actions. The three principal mechanisms of melatonin effects on bone function could be: (a) the promotion of the osteoblast differentiation and activity; (b) an increase in the osteoprotegerin expression by osteoblasts, thereby preventing the differentiation of osteoclasts; (c) scavenging of free radicals generated by osteoclast activity and responsible for bone resorption. A variety of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies, although with some controversial results, point toward a possible role of melatonin deficits in the etiology of osteoporosis and AIS and open a new field related to the possible therapeutic use of melatonin in these bone diseases.

scholarly journals Targeting Mitochondrial Ion Channels to Fight Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 2060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Bachmann ◽  
Roberto Costa ◽  
Roberta Peruzzo ◽  
Elena Prosdocimi ◽  
Vanessa Checchetto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ion Channels ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Cancer Development ◽  
Cancer Growth ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
New Frontier ◽  
Near Future

In recent years, several experimental evidences have underlined a new role of ion channels in cancer development and progression. In particular, mitochondrial ion channels are arising as new oncological targets, since it has been proved that most of them show an altered expression during tumor development and the pharmacological targeting of some of them have been demonstrated to be able to modulate cancer growth and progression, both in vitro as well as in vivo in pre-clinical mouse models. In this scenario, pharmacology of mitochondrial ion channels would be in the near future a new frontier for the treatment of tumors. In this review, we discuss the new advances in the field, by focusing our attention on the improvements in new drug developments to target mitochondrial ion channels.

scholarly journals Role of Vitamin E and the Orexin System in Neuroprotection

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1098
Author(s):  
Maria Ester La Torre ◽  
Ines Villano ◽  
Marcellino Monda ◽  
Antonietta Messina ◽  
Giuseppe Cibelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Phenotypic Change ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Specific Receptors

Microglia are the first line of defense at the level of the central nervous system (CNS). Phenotypic change in microglia can be regulated by various factors, including the orexin system. Neuroinflammation is an inflammatory process mediated by cytokines, by the lack of interaction of specific receptors such as the OX2-OX2R complex, caused by systemic tissue damage or, more often, associated with direct damage to the CNS. Chronic activation of microglia could lead to long-term neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to explore how tocopherol (vitamin E) and the orexin system may play a role in the prevention and treatment of microglia inflammation and, consequently, in neurodegenerative diseases thanks to its antioxidant properties. The results of animal and in vitro studies provide evidence to support the use of tocopherol for a reduction in microglia inflammation as well as a greater activation of the orexinergic system. Although there is much in vivo and in vitro evidence of vitamin E antioxidant and protective abilities, there are still conflicting results for its use as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases that speculate that vitamin E, under certain conditions or genetic predispositions, can be pro-oxidant and harmful.

scholarly journals Multiple Sclerosis CD49d+CD154+ As Myelin-Specific Lymphocytes Induced During Remyelination

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Paweł Piatek ◽  
Magdalena Namiecinska ◽  
Małgorzata Domowicz ◽  
Marek Wieczorek ◽  
Sylwia Michlewska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cumulative Effect ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Cns Demyelination ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) mediated by autoreactive lymphocytes. The role of autoreactive lymphocytes in the CNS demyelination is well described, whereas very little is known about their role in remyelination during MS remission. In this study, we identified a new subpopulation of myelin-specific CD49d+CD154+ lymphocytes presented in the peripheral blood of MS patients during remission, that proliferated in vitro in response to myelin peptides. These lymphocytes possessed the unique ability to migrate towards maturing oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and synthetize proinflammatory chemokines/cytokines. The co-culture of maturing OPCs with myelin-specific CD49d+CD154+ lymphocytes was characterized by the increase in proinflammatory chemokine/cytokine secretion that was not only a result of their cumulative effect of what OPCs and CD49d+CD154+ lymphocytes produced alone. Moreover, maturing OPCs exposed to exogenous myelin peptides managed to induce CD40-CD154-dependent CD49d+CD154+ lymphocyte proliferation. We confirmed, in vivo, the presence of CD49d+CD154+ cells close to maturating OPCs and remyelinating plaque during disease remission in the MS mouse model (C57Bl/6 mice immunized with MOG35-55) by immunohistochemistry. Three weeks after an acute phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, CD49d+/CD154+ cells were found to be co-localized with O4+ cells (oligodendrocyte progenitors) in the areas of remyelination identified by myelin basic protein (MBP) labelling. These data suggested that myelin-specific CD49d+CD154+ lymphocytes present in the brain can interfere with remyelination mediated by oligodendrocytes probably as a result of establishing proinflammatory environment.

scholarly journals Microbiota and Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases—An Overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Catinean ◽  
Maria Adriana Neag ◽  
Andrei Otto Mitre ◽  
Corina Ioana Bocsan ◽  
Anca Dana Buzoianu
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Diseases ◽  
Beneficial Effect ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

In recent years, increased attention has been paid to the relationship between microbiota and various diseases, especially immune-mediated diseases. Because conventional therapy for many autoimmune diseases is limited both in efficacy and safety, there is an increased interest in identifying nutraceuticals, particularly probiotics, able to modulate the microbiota and ameliorate these diseases. In this review, we analyzed the research focused on the role of gut microbiota and skin in immunity, their role in immune-mediated skin diseases (IMSDs), and the beneficial effect of probiotics in patients with this pathology. We selected articles published between 2009 and 2019 in PubMed and ScienceDirect that provided information regarding microbiota, IMSDs and the role of probiotics in these diseases. We included results from different types of studies including observational and interventional clinical trials or in vivo and in vitro experimental studies. Our results showed that probiotics have a beneficial effect in changing the microbiota of patients with IMSDs; they also influence disease progression. Further studies are needed to better understand the impact of new therapies on intestinal microbiota. It is also important to determine whether the microbiota of patients with autoimmune diseases can be manipulated in order to restore homeostasis of the microbiota.

scholarly journals The role of the locus coeruleus in the generation of pathological anxiety

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 239821282093032
Author(s):  
Laurel S. Morris ◽  
Jordan G. McCall ◽  
Dennis S. Charney ◽  
James W. Murrough
Keyword(s):  
Locus Coeruleus ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Multiple Memory Systems ◽  
Clinical Literature ◽  
Norepinephrine System ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Chronic Threat ◽  
Pathological Anxiety

This review aims to synthesise a large pre-clinical and clinical literature related to a hypothesised role of the locus coeruleus norepinephrine system in responses to acute and chronic threat, as well as the emergence of pathological anxiety. The locus coeruleus has widespread norepinephrine projections throughout the central nervous system, which act to globally modulate arousal states and adaptive behavior, crucially positioned to play a significant role in modulating both ascending visceral and descending cortical neurocognitive information. In response to threat or a stressor, the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine system globally modulates arousal, alerting and orienting functions and can have a powerful effect on the regulation of multiple memory systems. Chronic stress leads to amplification of locus coeruleus reactivity to subsequent stressors, which is coupled with the emergence of pathological anxiety-like behaviors in rodents. While direct in vivo evidence for locus coeruleus dysfunction in humans with pathological anxiety remains limited, recent advances in high-resolution 7-T magnetic resonance imaging and computational modeling approaches are starting to provide new insights into locus coeruleus characteristics.

scholarly journals Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Methylmercury Neurotoxicity and Neuroinflammation

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 3101
Author(s):  
João P. Novo ◽  
Beatriz Martins ◽  
Ramon S. Raposo ◽  
Frederico C. Pereira ◽  
Reinaldo B. Oriá ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Molecular Alterations ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Cell Death Mechanisms

Methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity is a major environmental concern. In the aquatic reservoir, MeHg bioaccumulates along the food chain until it is consumed by riverine populations. There has been much interest in the neurotoxicity of MeHg due to recent environmental disasters. Studies have also addressed the implications of long-term MeHg exposure for humans. The central nervous system is particularly susceptible to the deleterious effects of MeHg, as evidenced by clinical symptoms and histopathological changes in poisoned humans. In vitro and in vivo studies have been crucial in deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. A collection of cellular and molecular alterations including cytokine release, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, Ca2+ and glutamate dyshomeostasis, and cell death mechanisms are important consequences of brain cells exposure to MeHg. The purpose of this review is to organize an overview of the mercury cycle and MeHg poisoning events and to summarize data from cellular, animal, and human studies focusing on MeHg effects in neurons and glial cells. This review proposes an up-to-date compendium that will serve as a starting point for further studies and a consultation reference of published studies.

scholarly journals Lactoferrin as Antiviral Treatment in COVID-19 Management: Preliminary Evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 10985
Author(s):  
Elena Campione ◽  
Caterina Lanna ◽  
Terenzio Cosio ◽  
Luigi Rosa ◽  
Maria Pia Conte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Antiviral Effect ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Negative Conversion

Lactoferrin (Lf), a multifunctional cationic glycoprotein synthesized by exocrine glands and neutrophils, possesses an in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, we conducted an in vivo preliminary study to investigate the antiviral effect of oral and intranasal liposomal bovine Lf (bLf) in asymptomatic and mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients. From April 2020 to June 2020, a total of 92 mild-to-moderate (67/92) and asymptomatic (25/92) COVID-19 patients were recruited and divided into three groups. Thirty-two patients (14 hospitalized and 18 in home-based isolation) received only oral and intranasal liposomal bLf; 32 hospitalized patients were treated only with standard of care (SOC) treatment; and 28, in home-based isolation, did not take any medication. Furthermore, 32 COVID-19 negative, untreated, healthy subjects were added for ancillary analysis. Liposomal bLf-treated COVID-19 patients obtained an earlier and significant (p < 0.0001) SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative conversion compared to the SOC-treated and untreated COVID-19 patients (14.25 vs. 27.13 vs. 32.61 days, respectively). Liposomal bLf-treated COVID-19 patients showed fast clinical symptoms recovery compared to the SOC-treated COVID-19 patients. In bLf-treated patients, a significant decrease in serum ferritin, IL-6, and D-dimers levels was observed. No adverse events were reported. These observations led us to speculate a potential role of bLf in the management of mild-to-moderate and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.

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