RBPjk-dependent Notch signaling regulates both the onset of chondrocyte hypertrophy and the progression to terminal chondrocyte maturation during endochondral ossification. It has been suggested that Notch signaling c...RBPjk-dependent Notch signaling regulates both the onset of chondrocyte hypertrophy and the progression to terminal chondrocyte maturation during endochondral ossification. It has been suggested that Notch signaling can regulate Sox9 transcription, although how this occurs at the molecular level in chondrocytes and whether this transcriptional regulation mediates Notch control of chondrocyte hypertrophy and cartilage development is unknown or controversial. Here we have provided conclusive genetic evidence linking RBPjk-dependent Notch signaling to the regulation of Sox9 expression and chondrocyte hypertrophy by examining tissuespecific Rbpjk mutant(Prx1Cre;Rbpjkf/f), Rbpjk mutant/Sox9 haploinsufficient(Prx1Cre;Rbpjkf/f;Sox9f/1),and control embryos for alterations in SOX9 expression and chondrocyte hypertrophy during cartilage development. These studies demonstrate that Notch signaling regulates the onset of chondrocyte maturation in a SOX9-dependent manner, while Notch-mediated regulation of terminal chondrocyte maturation likely functions independently of SOX9. Furthermore, our in vitro molecular analyses of the Sox9 promoter and Notch-mediated regulation of Sox9 gene expression in chondrogenic cells identified the ability of Notch to induce Sox9 expression directly in the acute setting, but suppresses Sox9 transcription with prolonged Notch signaling that requires protein synthesis of secondary effectors.展开更多
Human herpesviruses (HVs) have developed ingenious mechanisms that enable them to traverse the defenses of the central nervous system (CNS). The ability of HVs to enter a state of latency, a defining char- acteris...Human herpesviruses (HVs) have developed ingenious mechanisms that enable them to traverse the defenses of the central nervous system (CNS). The ability of HVs to enter a state of latency, a defining char- acteristic of this viral family, allows them to persist in the human host indefinitely. As such, HVs represent the most frequently detected pathogens in the brain. Under constant immune pressure, these infections are largely asymptomatic in healthy hosts. However, many neurotropic HVs have been directly connected with CNS pathology in the context of other stressors and genetic risk factors. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms by which neurotropic HVs contribute to neurodegenerative disease (NDD) patholo- gy by highlighting two prominent members of the HV family, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). We (i) introduce the infectious pathways and replicative cycles of HSV-1 and HHV-6 and then (ii) review the clinical evidence supporting associations between these viruses and the NDDs Alzheimer's disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS), respectively. We then (iii) highlight and dis- cuss potential mechanisms by which these viruses exert negative effects on neurons and glia. Finally, we (iv) discuss how these viruses could interact with other disease-modifying factors to contribute to the initiation and/or progression of NDDs.展开更多
Oral 4-aminopyridine(4-AP)is clinically used for symptomatic relief in multiple sclerosis and we recently demonstrated that systemic 4-AP had previously unknown clinically-relevant effects after traumatic peripheral n...Oral 4-aminopyridine(4-AP)is clinically used for symptomatic relief in multiple sclerosis and we recently demonstrated that systemic 4-AP had previously unknown clinically-relevant effects after traumatic peripheral nerve injury including the promotion of re-myelination,improvement of nerve conductivity,and acceleration of functional recovery.We hypothesized that,instead of oral or injection administration,transdermal 4-AP(TD-4-AP)could also improve functional recovery after traumatic peripheral nerve injury.Mice with surgical traumatic peripheral nerve injury received TD-4AP or vehicle alone and were examined for skin permeability,pharmacokinetics,functional,electrophysiological,and nerve morphological properties.4-AP showed linear pharmacokinetics and the maximum plasma 4-AP concentrations were proportional to TD-4-AP dose.While a single dose of TD-4-AP administration demonstrated rapid transient improvement in motor function,chronic TD-4-AP treatment significantly improved motor function and nerve conduction and these effects were associated with fewer degenerating axons and thicker myelin sheaths than those from vehicle controls.These findings provide direct evidence for the potential transdermal applicability of 4-AP and demonstrate that 4-AP delivered through the skin can enhance in-vivo functional recovery and nerve conduction while decreasing axonal degeneration.The animal experiments were approved by the University Committee on Animal Research(UCAR)at the University of Rochester(UCAR-2009-019)on March 31,2017.展开更多
This review addresses two puzzling findings related to mutations in galactocerebrosidase (GALC) that cause Krabbe disease (KD), a severe lysosomal storage disorder characterized by extensive myelin damage in child...This review addresses two puzzling findings related to mutations in galactocerebrosidase (GALC) that cause Krabbe disease (KD), a severe lysosomal storage disorder characterized by extensive myelin damage in children with mutations in both GALC alleles. First, heterozygous carriers of KD-causing mutations, which include the biological parents of children with KD, exhibit increased risk for developing other diseases. Second, variants in the GALC locus increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), another disease characterized by extensive myelin damage. What explains these correlations? In studies on cuprizone-induced myelin damage in heterozygous (GALC+/–) mice carrying one copy of a mutation that causes KD-like disease, the extent of damage was similar in GALC+/– and wild-type (WT) mice. In contrast, GALC+/- mice had striking defects in repair of cuprizone-induced damage. We further found unexpected microglial defects in myelin debris clearance and in the ability to up-regulate the Trem2 microglial protein critical for debris uptake. These defects were rescued by exposure to a lysosomal re-acidifying drug discovered in our studies on KD, and which provides multiple clinically relevant benefits in the twitcher (GALC+/–) mouse model of KD. Thus, heterozygous GALC mutations cause effects on biological function that may help to understand the increased disease risk in heterozygous carriers of such mutations and to understand why GALC variations increase the risk of MS. Our findings indicate that while some genetic risk factors may contribute to complex diseases by increasing the risk of tissue damage, others may do so by compromising tissue repair.展开更多
基金supported in part by the following United States National Institute of Health grants: R01 grants (AR057022 and AR063071), R21 grant (AR059733 to MJH), a P30 Core Center grant (AR061307), and a T32 training grant that supported both AK and TPR (AR053459 to Regis J.O’Keefe and Michael J.Zuscik)
文摘RBPjk-dependent Notch signaling regulates both the onset of chondrocyte hypertrophy and the progression to terminal chondrocyte maturation during endochondral ossification. It has been suggested that Notch signaling can regulate Sox9 transcription, although how this occurs at the molecular level in chondrocytes and whether this transcriptional regulation mediates Notch control of chondrocyte hypertrophy and cartilage development is unknown or controversial. Here we have provided conclusive genetic evidence linking RBPjk-dependent Notch signaling to the regulation of Sox9 expression and chondrocyte hypertrophy by examining tissuespecific Rbpjk mutant(Prx1Cre;Rbpjkf/f), Rbpjk mutant/Sox9 haploinsufficient(Prx1Cre;Rbpjkf/f;Sox9f/1),and control embryos for alterations in SOX9 expression and chondrocyte hypertrophy during cartilage development. These studies demonstrate that Notch signaling regulates the onset of chondrocyte maturation in a SOX9-dependent manner, while Notch-mediated regulation of terminal chondrocyte maturation likely functions independently of SOX9. Furthermore, our in vitro molecular analyses of the Sox9 promoter and Notch-mediated regulation of Sox9 gene expression in chondrogenic cells identified the ability of Notch to induce Sox9 expression directly in the acute setting, but suppresses Sox9 transcription with prolonged Notch signaling that requires protein synthesis of secondary effectors.
文摘Human herpesviruses (HVs) have developed ingenious mechanisms that enable them to traverse the defenses of the central nervous system (CNS). The ability of HVs to enter a state of latency, a defining char- acteristic of this viral family, allows them to persist in the human host indefinitely. As such, HVs represent the most frequently detected pathogens in the brain. Under constant immune pressure, these infections are largely asymptomatic in healthy hosts. However, many neurotropic HVs have been directly connected with CNS pathology in the context of other stressors and genetic risk factors. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms by which neurotropic HVs contribute to neurodegenerative disease (NDD) patholo- gy by highlighting two prominent members of the HV family, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). We (i) introduce the infectious pathways and replicative cycles of HSV-1 and HHV-6 and then (ii) review the clinical evidence supporting associations between these viruses and the NDDs Alzheimer's disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS), respectively. We then (iii) highlight and dis- cuss potential mechanisms by which these viruses exert negative effects on neurons and glia. Finally, we (iv) discuss how these viruses could interact with other disease-modifying factors to contribute to the initiation and/or progression of NDDs.
基金supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health(K08 AR060164-01A)Department of Defense(W81XWH-16-1-0725)to JCE in addition to institutional support from the University of Rochester and Pennsylvania State University Medical Centers
文摘Oral 4-aminopyridine(4-AP)is clinically used for symptomatic relief in multiple sclerosis and we recently demonstrated that systemic 4-AP had previously unknown clinically-relevant effects after traumatic peripheral nerve injury including the promotion of re-myelination,improvement of nerve conductivity,and acceleration of functional recovery.We hypothesized that,instead of oral or injection administration,transdermal 4-AP(TD-4-AP)could also improve functional recovery after traumatic peripheral nerve injury.Mice with surgical traumatic peripheral nerve injury received TD-4AP or vehicle alone and were examined for skin permeability,pharmacokinetics,functional,electrophysiological,and nerve morphological properties.4-AP showed linear pharmacokinetics and the maximum plasma 4-AP concentrations were proportional to TD-4-AP dose.While a single dose of TD-4-AP administration demonstrated rapid transient improvement in motor function,chronic TD-4-AP treatment significantly improved motor function and nerve conduction and these effects were associated with fewer degenerating axons and thicker myelin sheaths than those from vehicle controls.These findings provide direct evidence for the potential transdermal applicability of 4-AP and demonstrate that 4-AP delivered through the skin can enhance in-vivo functional recovery and nerve conduction while decreasing axonal degeneration.The animal experiments were approved by the University Committee on Animal Research(UCAR)at the University of Rochester(UCAR-2009-019)on March 31,2017.
基金supported by the following funding sources:National Institutes of Health,F31-NS078911,https://www.nih.gov(NSH)New York State Department of Health,NYS-DOH-C026877,http://www.stemcell.ny.gov(NSH)+4 种基金New York State Department of Health,NYS-DOH-C029557,http://www.stemcell.ny.gov(MN)New York State Department of Health,NYS-DOH-C026877,http://www.stemcell.ny.gov(CJF)Hunter’s Hope,http://www.huntershope.org/site/Page Server(MN)Children’s Neurobiological Solutions Foundation,http://pediatricbrainfoundation.org(MN)the Legacy of Angels,http://tloaf.org(MN)
文摘This review addresses two puzzling findings related to mutations in galactocerebrosidase (GALC) that cause Krabbe disease (KD), a severe lysosomal storage disorder characterized by extensive myelin damage in children with mutations in both GALC alleles. First, heterozygous carriers of KD-causing mutations, which include the biological parents of children with KD, exhibit increased risk for developing other diseases. Second, variants in the GALC locus increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), another disease characterized by extensive myelin damage. What explains these correlations? In studies on cuprizone-induced myelin damage in heterozygous (GALC+/–) mice carrying one copy of a mutation that causes KD-like disease, the extent of damage was similar in GALC+/– and wild-type (WT) mice. In contrast, GALC+/- mice had striking defects in repair of cuprizone-induced damage. We further found unexpected microglial defects in myelin debris clearance and in the ability to up-regulate the Trem2 microglial protein critical for debris uptake. These defects were rescued by exposure to a lysosomal re-acidifying drug discovered in our studies on KD, and which provides multiple clinically relevant benefits in the twitcher (GALC+/–) mouse model of KD. Thus, heterozygous GALC mutations cause effects on biological function that may help to understand the increased disease risk in heterozygous carriers of such mutations and to understand why GALC variations increase the risk of MS. Our findings indicate that while some genetic risk factors may contribute to complex diseases by increasing the risk of tissue damage, others may do so by compromising tissue repair.