Potential role of hippocampal neurogenesis in spinal cord injury induced post-trauma depression

It has been reported both in clinic and rodent models that beyond spinal cord injury directly induced symptoms, such as paralysis, neuropathic pain, bladder/bowel dysfunction, and loss of sexual function, there are a variety of secondary complications, including memory loss, cognitive decline, depression, and Alzheimer's disease. The largescale longitudinal population-based studies indicate that post-trauma depression is highly prevalent in spinal cord injury patients. Yet, few basic studies have been conducted to address the potential molecular mechanisms. One of possible factors underlying the depression is the reduction of adult hippocampal neurogenesis which may come from less physical activity, social isolation, chronic pain, and elevated neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury. However, there is no clear consensus yet. In this review, we will first summarize the alteration of hippocampal neurogenesis post-spinal cord injury. Then, we will discuss possible mechanisms underlie this important spinal cord injury consequence. Finally, we will outline the potential therapeutic options aimed at enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis to ameliorate depression.

Bile acids control inflammation and metabolic disorder through inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome

With the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,the research team led by Prof.Wang Di(王迪)at the Immuno metabolism Lab,Institute of Immunology,Zhejiang University School of Medicine,uncovered the mystery of Bile Acids control inflammation and metabolic disorder,which was published in Immunity(2016,45:802—816)).

The protein corona modulates the inflammation inhibition by cationic nanoparticles via cell-free DNA scavenging

A central paradigm in nanomedicine is that when synthetic nanoparticles(NPs)enter the body,they are immediately cloaked by a corona of macromolecules(mostly proteins)that mediates the role of the physico-chemical properties in the NP biological functions(the“coronation paradigm”).In this work,we focused on the assessment of the“coronation paradigm”for cationic NPs(cNPs)used as rheumatoid arthritis(RA)drugs due to their ability to scavenge cell-free DNA(cfDNA).We fabricated series of cNPs uniformly coated with single or di-hydroxyl groups and different types of amino groups and showed that hydroxylated nanoparticles displayed a prolonged retention in inflamed joints and greater anti-inflammatory effect in collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)rats than the non-hydroxylated analogues.Especially,the cNPs with secondary amines and a di-hydroxyl shell showed the best performance among the tested cNPs.Proteomic analysis showed that the cNPs with a di-hydroxyl shell adsorbed less opsonin proteins than the cNPs carrying mono hydroxyl groups and non-hydroxylated ones,which may provide a mechanistic explanation for the different biodistribution profiles of cNPs.Thus,this study suggests that the protein corona mediates the effects of the surface chemistry on the fate and functions of cNPs as anti-RA drugs.

Superiority of poly(L-lactic acid)microspheres as dermal fillers

The demand for injectable dermal filler has unde rgone significant growth with the rapid development of the beauty industry.Poly(lactic acid)(PLA) as a benefit of excellent biocompatibility and long-term promotion of collagen regeneration has been favored as a commonly used filler.However,the effects of chirality and particle size of PLA on the efficacy of dermal filler have not been studied.In this study,we prepared three kinds of microspheres(MSs) consisting of poly(D-lactic acid)(PDLA MS),poly(L-lactic acid)(PLLA MS),or meso-PLA(PDLLA MS)at 5,10 and 20 μmto reveal the different biological functions as dermal filler.Following intradermal injection into guinea pig,it was found that PLLA MS induced the slightest inflammation,and the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β induced by PLLA MS is only 0.3 or 0.7-fold of that induced by PDLA or PDLLA MS,respectively.More importantly,PLLA MS significantly stimulated the regeneration of collagen,which was 1.4 or 1.1 times higher than those stimulated by PDLA MS or PDLLA MS,respectively.The size of PLA MSs did not affect the levels of inflammation and collagen regeneration.The results confirmed the superiority of PLLA as a dermal filler.