Two hundred years after James Parkinson first described the cardinal motor symptoms of the disorder that would later bear his name,there is still an irrefutable need for a therapy that targets the underlying pathophys...Two hundred years after James Parkinson first described the cardinal motor symptoms of the disorder that would later bear his name,there is still an irrefutable need for a therapy that targets the underlying pathophysiology of the disease and not solely its symptoms.展开更多
The central nervous system has a very high energy requirement. Accord- ingly, despite representing only 2% of the body＇s mass, the brain uses 20% of the total oxygen consumption. Importantly, because most of this ene...The central nervous system has a very high energy requirement. Accord- ingly, despite representing only 2% of the body＇s mass, the brain uses 20% of the total oxygen consumption. Importantly, because most of this energy is used to maintain synaptic activity, even a mild decrease in its supply to the brain has deleterious implications for synaptic function.展开更多
While it is well-known that neuronal activity promotes plasticity and connectivity, the success of activity-based neural rehabilitation programs remains extremely limited in human clinical experience because they cann...While it is well-known that neuronal activity promotes plasticity and connectivity, the success of activity-based neural rehabilitation programs remains extremely limited in human clinical experience because they cannot adequately control neuronal excitability and activity within the injured brain in order to induce repair. However, it is possible to non-invasively modulate brain plasticity using brain stimu- lation techniques such as repetitive transcranial （rTMS） and transcranial direct current stimulation （tDCS） techniques, which show promise for repairing injured neural circuits （Henrich-Noack et al., 2013; Lefaucher et al., 2014）. Yet we are far from having full control of these techniques to repair the brain following neurotrauma and need more fundamen- tal research （Ellaway et al., 2014; Lefaucher et al., 2014）. In this perspective we discuss the mechanisms by which rTMS may facilitate neurorehabilitation and propose experimental techniques with which magnetic stimulation may be investi- gated in order to optimise its treatment potential.展开更多
The irretrievable fate of neurons rhetoric for the first half of this dominated the neuroscience century, a position that was fiercely contested and recently debunked by extensive studies carried out in the field of n...The irretrievable fate of neurons rhetoric for the first half of this dominated the neuroscience century, a position that was fiercely contested and recently debunked by extensive studies carried out in the field of neuroregeneration research. The turning point came in the year 1928, when Ramon Y. Cajal＇s （Lobato, 2008） work suggested that the regenerative capacity of neurons, though limited, could exist beyond their physical be- ing and depended on the environment surrounding them. That the manipulation of the restrictive environment surrounding the neuron could aid the regenerative process was conclusively established by Aguayo and colleagues （Richardson et al., 1980）. Since then, various strategies have been employed to target the different phases of regeneration which include： cell-replacement and augmenting endogenous neurogenesis, the use of trophic factors, reversal of the inhibitory cues, and induction of signal- ing pathways that stimulate axon growth and guidance （Horner and Gage. 2000）.展开更多
The ATM gene is mutated in the syndrome,ataxia-telangiectasia(AT),which is characterized by predisposition to cancer.Patients with AT have an elevated risk of breast and brain tumors Carrying mutations in ATM,patients...The ATM gene is mutated in the syndrome,ataxia-telangiectasia(AT),which is characterized by predisposition to cancer.Patients with AT have an elevated risk of breast and brain tumors Carrying mutations in ATM,patients with AT have an elevated risk of breast and brain tumors.An increased frequency of ATM mutations has also been reported in patients with breast and brain tumors;however,the magnitude of this risk remains uncertain.With the exception of a few common mutations,the spectrum of ATM alterations is heterogeneous in diverse populations,and appears to be remarkably dependent on the ethnicity of patients.This review aims to provide an easily accessible summary of common variants in different populations which could be useful in ATM screening programs.In addition,we have summarized previous research on ATM,including its molecular functions.We attempt to demonstrate the significance of ATM in exploration of breast and brain tumors and its potential as a therapeutic target.展开更多
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by motor impairments caused by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.Levodopa is an effective and well-tolerated dopamin...Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by motor impairments caused by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.Levodopa is an effective and well-tolerated dopamine replacement agent.However,levodopa provides only symptomatic improvements,without affecting the underlying pathology,and is associated with side effects after long-term use.Cell-based replacement is a promising strategy that offers the possibility to replace lost neurons in Parkinson’s disease treatment.Clinical studies of transplantation of human fetal ventral mesencephalic tissue have provided evidence that the grafted dopaminergic neurons can reinnervate the striatum,release dopamine,integrate into the host neural circuits,and improve motor functions.One of the limiting factors for cell therapy in Parkinson’s disease is the low survival rate of grafted dopaminergic cells.Different factors could cause cell death of dopaminergic neurons after grafting such as mechanical trauma,growth factor deprivation,hypoxia,and neuroinflammation.Neurotrophic factors play an essential role in the survival of grafted cells.However,direct,timely,and controllable delivery of neurotrophic factors into the brain faces important limitations.Different types of cells secrete neurotrophic factors constitutively and co-transplantation of these cells with dopaminergic neurons represents a feasible strategy to increase neuronal survival.In this review,we provide a general overview of the pioneering studies on cell transplantation developed in patients and animal models of Parkinson’s disease,with a focus on neurotrophic factor-secreting cells,with a particular interest in mesenchymal stromal cells;that co-implanted with dopaminergic neurons would serve as a strategy to increase cell survival and improve graft outcomes.展开更多
Epileptic seizure control and the disappearance of epileptJform discharge are not indicative of the absence of abnormal perfusion foci. Perfusion abnormalities are a major cause of epileptic discharge, and the existen...Epileptic seizure control and the disappearance of epileptJform discharge are not indicative of the absence of abnormal perfusion foci. Perfusion abnormalities are a major cause of epileptic discharge, and the existence of abnormal perfusion loci implies possible relapse. Very little is known about perfusion abnormality repair in epilepsy. The present study selected 43 cases of idiopathic epilepsy under antiepileptic drug control for an average of 24 months. Comparisons between interictal single-photon emission CT （SPECT） images and long-term electroencephalogram （EEG） pre- and post-treatment showed that cases of normal SPECT increased by 48% （12/25） following treatment, with a total number of 15 reduced loci （,36%, 15/41 ）. Perfusion foci, Le., region of interest, were altered following treatment. These changes included： normal to abnormal in 3 cases （7%, 3/43; 2 hyperperfusion and 1 hypoperfusion）; abnormal to normal in 14 cases （32%, 14/43; 10 pre-treatment hypopeffusion and 4 hyperperfusion）; abnormal to abnormal in 7 cases （16%, 7/43; hyperperfusion to hypoperfusion in 5 cases, hypoperfusion to hyperpeffusion in 2 cases）. Long-term EEG revealed in an increase in the number of normal cases by 20 （40%, 20/39）, and there were 25 fewer cases with epileptiform discharges （66%, 25/38）. These findings demonstrate that long-term control of anti-epileptic drugs partially repaired cerebral perfusion abnormalities and reduced epileptiform discharges in idiopathic epilepsy.展开更多
Neuro D plays a key regulatory effect on differentiation of neural stem cells into mature neurons in the brain.Thus,we assumed that electroacupuncture at Baihui（DU20） acupoint in newborn rats exposed to in utero fet...Neuro D plays a key regulatory effect on differentiation of neural stem cells into mature neurons in the brain.Thus,we assumed that electroacupuncture at Baihui（DU20） acupoint in newborn rats exposed to in utero fetal distress would influence expression of Neuro D.Electroacupuncture at Baihui was performed for 20 minutes on 3-day-old（Day 3） newborn Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to in utero fetal distress;electroacupuncture parameters consisted of sparse and dense waves at a frequency of 2–10 Hz.Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR results demonstrated that m RNA expression of Neuro D,a molecule that indicates Neuro D,increased with prolonged time in brains of newborn rats,and peaked on Day 22.The level of m RNA expression was similar between Day 16 and Day 35.These findings suggest that electro acupuncture at Baihui acupoint could effectively increase m RNA expression of molecules involved in Neuro D in the brains of newborn rats exposed to in utero fetal distress.展开更多
Oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expressed in oligodendrocytes may trigger the repair of neuronal myelin impairment, and play a crucial role in myelin repair. Hypoxia-inducible factor la, a transcription factor, is of g...Oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expressed in oligodendrocytes may trigger the repair of neuronal myelin impairment, and play a crucial role in myelin repair. Hypoxia-inducible factor la, a transcription factor, is of great significance in premature infants with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage There is little evidence of direct regulatory effects of hypoxia-inducible factor le on oligodendrocyte lineage gene-l. In this study, brain slices of Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured and subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation. Then, slices were transfected with hypoxia-inducible factor la or oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1. The expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor la and oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 were significantly up-regulated in rat brains prior to transfection, as detected by immunohistochemical staining. Eight hours after transfection of slices with hypoxia-inducible factor la, oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expression was upregulated, and reached a peak 24 hours after transfection. Oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 transfection induced no significant differences in hypoxia-inducible factor la levels in rat brain tissues with oxygen-glucose deprivation. These experimental findings indicate that hypoxia-inducible factor la can regulate oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expression in hypoxic brain tissue, thus repairing the neural impairment.展开更多
Hyperglycemia reduces the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells, accelerates their senescence and impairs their function.However, the relationship between blood glucose levels and endothelial progenitor c...Hyperglycemia reduces the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells, accelerates their senescence and impairs their function.However, the relationship between blood glucose levels and endothelial progenitor cells in peripheral blood of patients with traumatic brain injury is unclear. In this study, 101 traumatic brain injury patients admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital or the Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, China, were enrolled from April 2005 to March 2007. The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and blood glucose levels were measured at 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21 days after traumatic brain injury by flow cytometry and automatic biochemical analysis, respectively. The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and blood sugar levels in 37 healthy control subjects were also examined. Compared with controls, the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in traumatic brain injury patients was decreased at 1 day after injury, and then increased at 4 days after injury,and reached a peak at 7 days after injury. Compared with controls, blood glucose levels in traumatic brain injury patients peaked at 1 day and then decreased until 7 days and then remained stable. At 1, 4, and 7 days after injury, the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells was negatively correlated with blood sugar levels(r =-0.147, P < 0.05). Our results verify that hyperglycemia in patients with traumatic brain injury is associated with decreased numbers of circulating endothelial progenitor cells. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, China(approval No. 200501) in January 2015.展开更多
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability and new therapies are desperately needed. Given the complex nature of ischemic brain injury, it has been postulated that cell-based therapies may be useful. However, c...Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability and new therapies are desperately needed. Given the complex nature of ischemic brain injury, it has been postulated that cell-based therapies may be useful. However, cell resources, invasive extraction procedures, immunological rejection, tumorigenesis and ethical challenges make it unlikely that many stem cell types could serve as a practical source for therapy. By contrast, these issues do not pertain to human amnion epithelial cells（h AECs）, which are placenta-derived stem cells. We recently assessed the effects of systemically delivered hAECs on stroke outcome using four animal models of stroke. We demonstrated that when injected intravenously after ischemia onset, hAECs migrate preferentially to the spleen and injured brain to limit apoptosis and inflammation, and attenuate early brain infiltration of immune cells, progression of infarction and systemic immunosuppression and to ultimately ameliorate functional deficits. When administration of hAECs is delayed by 1-3 days poststroke, long-term functional recovery can still be enhanced in young and aged mice of either sex. Moreover, our proof-of-principle findings suggest that h AECs are effective at limiting post-stroke infarct development in non-human primates. Overall, the results suggest that hAECs could be a viable clinical stroke therapy.展开更多
基金supported by the European Union Horizon 2020 Programme(H2020-MSCA-ITN-2015) under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training NetworksGrant Agreement No.676408,Science Foundation Ireland(11/RFP/NES/3183)through a postgraduate scholarship from the Irish Research Council to Niamh Moriarty
文摘Two hundred years after James Parkinson first described the cardinal motor symptoms of the disorder that would later bear his name,there is still an irrefutable need for a therapy that targets the underlying pathophysiology of the disease and not solely its symptoms.
基金supported in part by National Institutes of Health Grants NS-091201(to MY)and NS-079331(to MY)VA MERIT Award IO1BX003441(to MY)
文摘The central nervous system has a very high energy requirement. Accord- ingly, despite representing only 2% of the body＇s mass, the brain uses 20% of the total oxygen consumption. Importantly, because most of this energy is used to maintain synaptic activity, even a mild decrease in its supply to the brain has deleterious implications for synaptic function.
文摘While it is well-known that neuronal activity promotes plasticity and connectivity, the success of activity-based neural rehabilitation programs remains extremely limited in human clinical experience because they cannot adequately control neuronal excitability and activity within the injured brain in order to induce repair. However, it is possible to non-invasively modulate brain plasticity using brain stimu- lation techniques such as repetitive transcranial （rTMS） and transcranial direct current stimulation （tDCS） techniques, which show promise for repairing injured neural circuits （Henrich-Noack et al., 2013; Lefaucher et al., 2014）. Yet we are far from having full control of these techniques to repair the brain following neurotrauma and need more fundamen- tal research （Ellaway et al., 2014; Lefaucher et al., 2014）. In this perspective we discuss the mechanisms by which rTMS may facilitate neurorehabilitation and propose experimental techniques with which magnetic stimulation may be investi- gated in order to optimise its treatment potential.
基金supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (R00AT004197)Start-up Funds from The University of Toledo to Shah ZA
文摘The irretrievable fate of neurons rhetoric for the first half of this dominated the neuroscience century, a position that was fiercely contested and recently debunked by extensive studies carried out in the field of neuroregeneration research. The turning point came in the year 1928, when Ramon Y. Cajal＇s （Lobato, 2008） work suggested that the regenerative capacity of neurons, though limited, could exist beyond their physical be- ing and depended on the environment surrounding them. That the manipulation of the restrictive environment surrounding the neuron could aid the regenerative process was conclusively established by Aguayo and colleagues （Richardson et al., 1980）. Since then, various strategies have been employed to target the different phases of regeneration which include： cell-replacement and augmenting endogenous neurogenesis, the use of trophic factors, reversal of the inhibitory cues, and induction of signal- ing pathways that stimulate axon growth and guidance （Horner and Gage. 2000）.
文摘The ATM gene is mutated in the syndrome,ataxia-telangiectasia(AT),which is characterized by predisposition to cancer.Patients with AT have an elevated risk of breast and brain tumors Carrying mutations in ATM,patients with AT have an elevated risk of breast and brain tumors.An increased frequency of ATM mutations has also been reported in patients with breast and brain tumors;however,the magnitude of this risk remains uncertain.With the exception of a few common mutations,the spectrum of ATM alterations is heterogeneous in diverse populations,and appears to be remarkably dependent on the ethnicity of patients.This review aims to provide an easily accessible summary of common variants in different populations which could be useful in ATM screening programs.In addition,we have summarized previous research on ATM,including its molecular functions.We attempt to demonstrate the significance of ATM in exploration of breast and brain tumors and its potential as a therapeutic target.
基金supported by grants from Consellería de Cultura,Educación e Ordenación Universitaria,Xunta de Galicia(ED431G/05,ED431C 2018/10)European Regional Development Fund(FEDER),Instituto de Salud CarlosⅢ(RD16/011/0016,RD21/0017/0031)Secretaría de Estado de Investigación,Desarrollo e Innovación(Grant/Award,number RTI2018-098830-B-I00)(to JLLG)。
文摘Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by motor impairments caused by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.Levodopa is an effective and well-tolerated dopamine replacement agent.However,levodopa provides only symptomatic improvements,without affecting the underlying pathology,and is associated with side effects after long-term use.Cell-based replacement is a promising strategy that offers the possibility to replace lost neurons in Parkinson’s disease treatment.Clinical studies of transplantation of human fetal ventral mesencephalic tissue have provided evidence that the grafted dopaminergic neurons can reinnervate the striatum,release dopamine,integrate into the host neural circuits,and improve motor functions.One of the limiting factors for cell therapy in Parkinson’s disease is the low survival rate of grafted dopaminergic cells.Different factors could cause cell death of dopaminergic neurons after grafting such as mechanical trauma,growth factor deprivation,hypoxia,and neuroinflammation.Neurotrophic factors play an essential role in the survival of grafted cells.However,direct,timely,and controllable delivery of neurotrophic factors into the brain faces important limitations.Different types of cells secrete neurotrophic factors constitutively and co-transplantation of these cells with dopaminergic neurons represents a feasible strategy to increase neuronal survival.In this review,we provide a general overview of the pioneering studies on cell transplantation developed in patients and animal models of Parkinson’s disease,with a focus on neurotrophic factor-secreting cells,with a particular interest in mesenchymal stromal cells;that co-implanted with dopaminergic neurons would serve as a strategy to increase cell survival and improve graft outcomes.
文摘Epileptic seizure control and the disappearance of epileptJform discharge are not indicative of the absence of abnormal perfusion foci. Perfusion abnormalities are a major cause of epileptic discharge, and the existence of abnormal perfusion loci implies possible relapse. Very little is known about perfusion abnormality repair in epilepsy. The present study selected 43 cases of idiopathic epilepsy under antiepileptic drug control for an average of 24 months. Comparisons between interictal single-photon emission CT （SPECT） images and long-term electroencephalogram （EEG） pre- and post-treatment showed that cases of normal SPECT increased by 48% （12/25） following treatment, with a total number of 15 reduced loci （,36%, 15/41 ）. Perfusion foci, Le., region of interest, were altered following treatment. These changes included： normal to abnormal in 3 cases （7%, 3/43; 2 hyperperfusion and 1 hypoperfusion）; abnormal to normal in 14 cases （32%, 14/43; 10 pre-treatment hypopeffusion and 4 hyperperfusion）; abnormal to abnormal in 7 cases （16%, 7/43; hyperperfusion to hypoperfusion in 5 cases, hypoperfusion to hyperpeffusion in 2 cases）. Long-term EEG revealed in an increase in the number of normal cases by 20 （40%, 20/39）, and there were 25 fewer cases with epileptiform discharges （66%, 25/38）. These findings demonstrate that long-term control of anti-epileptic drugs partially repaired cerebral perfusion abnormalities and reduced epileptiform discharges in idiopathic epilepsy.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China,No.2015J01133the Professor Academic Development Foundation of Fujian Medical University of China,No.JS11003
文摘Neuro D plays a key regulatory effect on differentiation of neural stem cells into mature neurons in the brain.Thus,we assumed that electroacupuncture at Baihui（DU20） acupoint in newborn rats exposed to in utero fetal distress would influence expression of Neuro D.Electroacupuncture at Baihui was performed for 20 minutes on 3-day-old（Day 3） newborn Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to in utero fetal distress;electroacupuncture parameters consisted of sparse and dense waves at a frequency of 2–10 Hz.Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR results demonstrated that m RNA expression of Neuro D,a molecule that indicates Neuro D,increased with prolonged time in brains of newborn rats,and peaked on Day 22.The level of m RNA expression was similar between Day 16 and Day 35.These findings suggest that electro acupuncture at Baihui acupoint could effectively increase m RNA expression of molecules involved in Neuro D in the brains of newborn rats exposed to in utero fetal distress.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 81241022the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing,No. 7072023,7122045
文摘Oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expressed in oligodendrocytes may trigger the repair of neuronal myelin impairment, and play a crucial role in myelin repair. Hypoxia-inducible factor la, a transcription factor, is of great significance in premature infants with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage There is little evidence of direct regulatory effects of hypoxia-inducible factor le on oligodendrocyte lineage gene-l. In this study, brain slices of Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured and subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation. Then, slices were transfected with hypoxia-inducible factor la or oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1. The expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor la and oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 were significantly up-regulated in rat brains prior to transfection, as detected by immunohistochemical staining. Eight hours after transfection of slices with hypoxia-inducible factor la, oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expression was upregulated, and reached a peak 24 hours after transfection. Oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 transfection induced no significant differences in hypoxia-inducible factor la levels in rat brain tissues with oxygen-glucose deprivation. These experimental findings indicate that hypoxia-inducible factor la can regulate oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expression in hypoxic brain tissue, thus repairing the neural impairment.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30772229(to JNZ),No.81200907(to HJW)the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin of China,No.12JCQNJC06800(to HJW)+1 种基金the Science and Technology Projects in Key Areas of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Tianjin of China,No.2018001(to ZGW)the Scientific Research Program Project of Tianjin Education Commission of China,No.2018ZD03(to ZGW)
文摘Hyperglycemia reduces the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells, accelerates their senescence and impairs their function.However, the relationship between blood glucose levels and endothelial progenitor cells in peripheral blood of patients with traumatic brain injury is unclear. In this study, 101 traumatic brain injury patients admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital or the Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, China, were enrolled from April 2005 to March 2007. The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and blood glucose levels were measured at 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21 days after traumatic brain injury by flow cytometry and automatic biochemical analysis, respectively. The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and blood sugar levels in 37 healthy control subjects were also examined. Compared with controls, the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in traumatic brain injury patients was decreased at 1 day after injury, and then increased at 4 days after injury,and reached a peak at 7 days after injury. Compared with controls, blood glucose levels in traumatic brain injury patients peaked at 1 day and then decreased until 7 days and then remained stable. At 1, 4, and 7 days after injury, the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells was negatively correlated with blood sugar levels(r =-0.147, P < 0.05). Our results verify that hyperglycemia in patients with traumatic brain injury is associated with decreased numbers of circulating endothelial progenitor cells. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, China(approval No. 200501) in January 2015.
文摘Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability and new therapies are desperately needed. Given the complex nature of ischemic brain injury, it has been postulated that cell-based therapies may be useful. However, cell resources, invasive extraction procedures, immunological rejection, tumorigenesis and ethical challenges make it unlikely that many stem cell types could serve as a practical source for therapy. By contrast, these issues do not pertain to human amnion epithelial cells（h AECs）, which are placenta-derived stem cells. We recently assessed the effects of systemically delivered hAECs on stroke outcome using four animal models of stroke. We demonstrated that when injected intravenously after ischemia onset, hAECs migrate preferentially to the spleen and injured brain to limit apoptosis and inflammation, and attenuate early brain infiltration of immune cells, progression of infarction and systemic immunosuppression and to ultimately ameliorate functional deficits. When administration of hAECs is delayed by 1-3 days poststroke, long-term functional recovery can still be enhanced in young and aged mice of either sex. Moreover, our proof-of-principle findings suggest that h AECs are effective at limiting post-stroke infarct development in non-human primates. Overall, the results suggest that hAECs could be a viable clinical stroke therapy.
