Scientists have identified a previously unknown type of neural stem cell (pNSC) that exists outside the brain and spinal cord, overturning decades of neuroscience dogma.
Category: biotech/medical – Page 235
Diagnosis and Management of Children With Atypical Neuroinflammation
Pediatric neuroimmune disorders comprise a heterogeneous group of immune-mediated CNS inflammatory conditions. Some, such as multiple sclerosis, are well defined by validated diagnostic criteria. Others, such as anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, can be diagnosed with detection of specific autoantibodies. This review addresses neuroimmune disorders that neither feature a diagnosis-defining autoantibody nor meet criteria for a distinct clinicopathologic entity. A broad differential in these cases should include CNS infection, noninflammatory genetic disorders, toxic exposures, metabolic disturbances, and primary psychiatric disorders. Neuroimmune considerations addressed in this review include seronegative autoimmune encephalitis, seronegative demyelinating disorders such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, and genetic disorders of immune dysregulation or secondary neuroinflammation.
Small Extracellular Vesicles From Hypoxia-Neuron Maintain Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity
STROKE: Hypoxia induces neuronal release of CircOGDH in small extracellular vesicles to interact with endothelial cells for enhancing blood-brain barrier repair during acute ischemic stroke.
BACKGROUND: Acute ischemic stroke disrupts communication between neurons and blood vessels in penumbral areas. How neurons and blood vessels cooperate to achieve blood-brain barrier repair remains unclear. Here, we reveal crosstalk between ischemic penumbral neurons and endothelial cells (ECs) mediated by circular RNA originating from oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (CircOGDH). METHODS: We analyzed clinical data from patients with acute ischemic stroke to explore the relationship between CircOGDH levels and hemorrhagic transformation events. In addition, a middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion mouse model with neuronal CircOGDH suppression was used to assess endothelial permeability.
CRISPR screen identifies EIF3D as critical regulator of stem cell pluripotency maintenance
A team of CiRA researchers has uncovered the crucial role of EIF3D—a protein translational regulator—in primed pluripotency. The research is published in the journal Science Advances.
According to the central dogma of molecular biology, information flows from DNA to RNA to protein. While much is known about pluripotency —the ability to differentiate into any other cell type in the body and to divide indefinitely—in terms of transcriptional and epigenetic regulation, as well as signal transduction, how protein translation ties these control mechanisms together remains largely underexplored.
To identify genes important for maintaining primed pluripotency—a state poised for differentiating into various cell types in the body, the research team, led by Associate Professor Kazutoshi Takahashi and Assistant Professor Chikako Okubo, began with a genome-wide genetic screen based on CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) that systemically reduces the expression of every single gene in the genome of a pluripotent stem cell (PSC) line.
The mTOR Inhibitors Lifespan Project Enters Next Phase
Ora Biomedical, in partnership with Rapamycin Longevity Lab, announces the successful funding of the first subproject under its ambitious initiative to conduct a rapid lifespan analysis of 601 mTOR inhibitors in roundworms.
With $50,000 secured, Ora Biomedical will now commence the next phase of the first subproject. This will be a high-throughput screening of 301 mTOR inhibitors using its cutting-edge WormBot-AI technology. This milestone marks an important step toward identifying next-generation compounds that could be more effective than rapamycin, which is currently seen as the golden standard because of its good longevity effects in multiple species.
Mitchell Lee, CEO of Ora Biomedical, emphasized the importance of this research by stating: “The potential of targeting aging to broadly improve healthy lifespan is clear from decades of studies with compounds like rapamycin. However, even for well-validated molecular targets like mTOR, we still don’t know the best interventions. We at Ora Biomedical are proud to partner with Rapamycin Longevity Lab to advance our understanding around targeting mTOR and related kinases for maximizing healthy lifespan. None of this work is possible without support from visionary donors and organizations like the Lifespan Research Institute, the nonprofit behind Lifespan.io, with whom we have partnered to create pathways for donations to advance longevity science. To all those involved, thank you again, and we are excited to get to work!”
An at-home smell test could pave the way for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease
When it comes to early detection of cognitive impairment, a new study suggests that the nose knows. Researchers from Mass General Brigham have developed olfactory tests—in which participants sniff odor labels that have been placed on a card—to assess people’s ability to discriminate, identify and remember odors. They found that participants could successfully take the test at home and that older adults with cognitive impairment scored lower on the test than cognitively normal adults.
Results are published in Scientific Reports.
“Early detection of cognitive impairment could help us identify people who are at risk of Alzheimer’s disease and intervene years before memory symptoms begin,” said senior author Mark Albers, MD, Ph.D., of the Laboratory of Olfactory Neurotranslation, the McCance Center for Brain Health, and Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Regulation of microbial gene expression: the key to understanding our gut microbiome
During the past two decades, gut microbiome studies have established the significant impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on host health. However, the molecular mechanisms governing the production of microbial metabolites in the gut environment remain insufficiently investigated and thus are poorly understood. Here, we propose that an enhanced understanding of gut microbial gene regulation, which is responsive to dietary components and gut environmental conditions, is needed in the research field and essential for our ability to effectively promote host health and prevent diseases through interventions targeting the gut microbiome.