| 1. |
- Albertsson, Anna-Maj, et al.
(författare)
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The effect of osteopontin and osteopontin-derived peptides on preterm brain injury.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of neuroinflammation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1742-2094. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundOsteopontin (OPN) is a highly phosphorylated sialoprotein and a soluble cytokine that is widely expressed in a variety of tissues, including the brain. OPN and OPN-derived peptides have been suggested to have potential neuroprotective effects against ischemic brain injury, but their role in preterm brain injury is unknown.MethodsWe used a hypoxia-ischemia (HI)-induced preterm brain injury model in postnatal day 5 mice. OPN and OPN-derived peptides were given intracerebroventricularly and intranasally before HI. Brain injury was evaluated at 7days after the insults.ResultsThere was a significant increase in endogenous OPN mRNA and OPN protein in the mouse brain after the induction of HI at postnatal day 5. Administration of full-length OPN protein and thrombin-cleaved OPN did not affect preterm brain injury. This was demonstrated with both intracerebroventricular and intranasal administration of OPN as well as in OPN-deficient mice. Interestingly, both N134¿153 and C154¿198 OPN-derived peptides increased the severity of brain injury in this HI-induced preterm brain injury model.ConclusionsThe neuroprotective effects of OPN are age-dependent, and, in contrast to the more mature brain, OPN-derived peptides potentiate injury in postnatal day 5 mice. Intranasal administration is an efficient way of delivering drugs to the central nervous system (CNS) in neonatal mice and is likely to be an easy and noninvasive method of drug delivery to the CNS in preterm infants.
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| 2. |
- Albertsson, Anna-Maj, et al.
(författare)
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The immune response after hypoxia-ischemia in a mouse model of preterm brain injury.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of neuroinflammation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1742-2094. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundPreterm brain injury consists primarily of periventricular leukomalacia accompanied by elements of gray-matter injury, and these injuries are associated with cerebral palsy and cognitive impairments. Inflammation is believed to be an important contributing factor to these injuries. The aim of this study was to examine the immune response in a postnatal day (PND) 5 mouse model of preterm brain injury induced by hypoxia-ischemia (HI) that is characterized by focal white and gray-matter injury.MethodsC57Bl/6 mice at PND 5 were subjected to unilateral HI induced by left carotid artery ligation and subsequent exposure to 10% O2 for 50 minutes, 70 minutes, or 80 minutes. At seven days post-HI, the white/gray-matter injury was examined. The immune responses in the brain after HI were examined at different time points after HI using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining.ResultsHI for 70 minutes in PND 5 mice induced local white-matter injury with focal cortical injury and hippocampal atrophy, features that are similar to those seen in preterm brain injury in human infants. HI for 50 minutes resulted in a small percentage of animals being injured, and HI for 80 minutes produced extensive infarction in multiple brain areas. Various immune responses, including changes in transcription factors and cytokines that are associated with a T-helper (Th)1/Th17-type response, an increased number of CD4+ T-cells, and elevated levels of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM-2) and its adaptor protein DNAX activation protein of 12 kDa (DAP12) were observed using the HI 70 minute preterm brain injury model.ConclusionsWe have established a reproducible model of HI in PND 5 mice that produces consistent local white/gray-matter brain damage that is relevant to preterm brain injury in human infants. This model provides a useful tool for studying preterm brain injury. Both innate and adaptive immune responses are observed after HI, and these show a strong pro-inflammatory Th1/Th17-type bias. Such findings provide a critical foundation for future studies on the mechanism of preterm brain injury and suggest that blocking the Th1/Th17-type immune response might provide neuroprotection after preterm brain injury.
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| 3. |
- Albertsson, Anna-Maj, et al.
(författare)
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γδ T cells contribute to injury in the developing brain.
- 2018
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Ingår i: The American journal of pathology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1525-2191 .- 0002-9440. ; 188:3, s. 757-767
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Brain injury in premature infants, especially periventricular leukomalacia, is an important cause of neurological disabilities. Inflammation contributes to the development of perinatal brain injury, but the essential mediators leading to brain injury in early life remain largely unknown. Neonates have reduced capacity for mounting conventional αβT-cell responses. However γδT-cells are already functionally competent during early development and are important in early life immunity. We investigated the potential contribution of γδT-cells to preterm brain injury by using postmortem brains from human preterm infants with periventricular leukomalacia and two animal models of preterm brain injury-the hypoxic-ischemic mouse model and a fetal sheep asphyxia model. Large numbers of γδT-cells were observed in the brains of mice, sheep, and postmortem preterm infants after injury, and depletion of γδT-cells provided protection in the mouse model. The common γδT-cell associated cytokines interferon-γ and interleukin (IL)-17A were not detectable in the brain. Although there were increased mRNA levels of Il17f and Il22 in the mouse brains after injury, neither IL-17F nor IL-22 cytokines contributed to preterm brain injury. These findings highlight unique features of injury in the developing brain where, unlike injury in the mature brain, γδT-cells function as important initiators of injury independently of common γδT-cell associated cytokines. This new finding will help to identify therapeutic targets for preventing or treating preterm infants with brain injury.
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| 4. |
- Anderberg, Rozita H, 1976, et al.
(författare)
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Treatment with RNase alleviates brain injury but not neuroinflammation in neonatal hypoxia/ischemia
- 2024
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Ingår i: JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH. - 0360-4012 .- 1097-4547. ; 102:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is a need for new treatments to reduce brain injuries derived from neonatal hypoxia/ischemia. The only viable option used in the clinic today in infants born at term is therapeutic hypothermia, which has a limited efficacy. Treatments with exogenous RNase have shown great promise in a range of different adult animal models including stroke, ischemia/reperfusion injury, or experimental heart transplantation, often by conferring vascular protective and anti-inflammatory effects. However, any neuroprotective function of RNase treatment in the neonate remains unknown. Using a well-established model of neonatal hypoxic/ischemic brain injury, we evaluated the influence of RNase treatment on RNase activity, gray and white matter tissue loss, blood-brain barrier function, as well as levels and expression of inflammatory cytokines in the brain up to 6 h after the injury using multiplex immunoassay and RT-PCR. Intraperitoneal treatment with RNase increased RNase activity in both plasma and cerebropinal fluids. The RNase treatment resulted in a reduction of brain tissue loss but did not affect the blood-brain barrier function and had only a minor modulatory effect on the inflammatory response. It is concluded that RNase treatment may be promising as a neuroprotective regimen, whereas the mechanistic effects of this treatment appear to be different in the neonate compared to the adult and need further investigation.
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| 5. |
- Andersson, E. Axel, et al.
(författare)
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Circulating tight-junction proteins are potential biomarkers for blood-brain barrier function in a model of neonatal hypoxic/ischemic brain injury
- 2021
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Ingår i: Fluids and Barriers of the CNS. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-8118. ; 18:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Neonatal encephalopathy often leads to lifelong disabilities with limited treatments currently available. The brain vasculature is an important factor in many neonatal neurological disorders but there is a lack of diagnostic tools to evaluate the brain vascular dysfunction of neonates in the clinical setting. Measurement of blood-brain barrier tight-junction (TJ) proteins have shown promise as biomarkers for brain injury in the adult. Here we tested the biomarker potential of tight-junctions in the context of neonatal brain injury. Methods The levels of TJ-proteins (occluding, claudin-5, and zonula occludens protein 1) in both blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as well as blood-brain barrier function via C-14-sucrose (342 Da) and Evans blue extravasation were measured in a hypoxia/ischemia brain-injury model in neonatal rats. Results Time-dependent changes of occludin and claudin-5 levels could be measured in blood and CSF after hypoxia/ischemia with males generally having higher levels than females. The levels of claudin-5 in CSF correlated with the severity of the brain injury at 24 h post- hypoxia/ischemia. Simultaneously, we detected early increase in blood-brain barrier-permeability at 6 and 24 h after hypoxia/ischemia. Conclusions Levels of circulating claudin-5 and occludin are increased after hypoxic/ischemic brain injuries and blood-brain barrier-impairment and have promise as early biomarkers for cerebral vascular dysfunction and as a tool for risk assessment of neonatal brain injuries.
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| 6. |
- Andersson, E. Axel, et al.
(författare)
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Function and Biomarkers of the Blood-Brain Barrier in a Neonatal Germinal Matrix Haemorrhage Model
- 2021
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Ingår i: Cells. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4409. ; 10:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Germinal matrix haemorrhage (GMH), caused by rupturing blood vessels in the germinal matrix, is a prevalent driver of preterm brain injuries and death. Our group recently developed a model simulating GMH using intrastriatal injections of collagenase in 5-day-old rats, which corresponds to the brain development of human preterm infants. This study aimed to define changes to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and to evaluate BBB proteins as biomarkers in this GMH model. Regional BBB functions were investigated using blood to brain C-14-sucrose uptake as well as using biotinylated BBB tracers. Blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluids were collected at various times after GMH and analysed with ELISA for OCLN and CLDN5. The immunoreactivity of BBB proteins was assessed in brain sections. Tracer experiments showed that GMH produced a defined region surrounding the hematoma where many vessels lost their integrity. This region expanded for at least 6 h following GMH, thereafter resolution of both hematoma and re-establishment of BBB function occurred. The sucrose experiment indicated that regions somewhat more distant to the hematoma also exhibited BBB dysfunction; however, BBB function was normalised within 5 days of GMH. This shows that GMH leads to a temporal dysfunction in the BBB that may be important in pathological processes as well as in connection to therapeutic interventions. We detected an increase of tight-junction proteins in both CSF and plasma after GMH making them potential biomarkers for GMH.
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| 7. |
- Andersson Hall, Ulrica, et al.
(författare)
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Growth differentiation factor 15 increases in both cerebrospinal fluid and serum during pregnancy
- 2021
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Ingår i: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 16:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) increases in serum during pregnancy to levels not seen in any other physiological state and is suggested to be involved in pregnancy-induced nausea, weight regulation and glucose metabolism. The main action of GDF15 is regulated through a receptor of the brainstem, i.e., through exposure of GDF15 in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The aim of the current study was to measure GDF15 in both CSF and serum during pregnancy, and to compare it longitudinally to non-pregnant levels. Methods Women were sampled at elective caesarean section (n = 45, BMI = 28.15.0) and were followed up 5 years after pregnancy (n = 25). GDF15, insulin and leptin were measured in CSF and serum. Additional measurements included plasma glucose, and serum adiponectin and Hs-CRP. Results GDF15 levels were higher during pregnancy compared with follow-up in both CSF (385 +/- 128 vs. 115 +/- 32 ng/l, P<0.001) and serum (7378929198 vs. 404 +/- 102 ng/l, P<0.001). CSF levels correlated with serum levels during pregnancy (P<0.001), but not in the non-pregnant state (P = 0.98). Both CSF and serum GDF15 were highest in women carrying a female fetus (P<0.001). Serum GDF15 correlated with the homeostatic model assessment for beta-cell function and placental weight, and CSF GDF15 correlated inversely with CSF insulin levels. Conclusion This, the first study to measure CSF GDF15 during pregnancy, demonstrated increased GDF15 levels in both serum and CSF during pregnancy. The results suggest that effects of GDF15 during pregnancy can be mediated by increases in both CSF and serum levels.
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| 8. |
- Andersson Hall, Ulrica, et al.
(författare)
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Growth-differentiation-factor 15 levels in obese and healthy pregnancies: Relation to insulin resistance and insulin secretory function
- 2021
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Ingår i: Clinical Endocrinology. - : Wiley. - 0300-0664 .- 1365-2265. ; 95:1, s. 92-100
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective/Aim: Growth-differentiation-factor 15 (GDF15) has been suggested to improve or protect beta cell function. During pregnancy, beta cell numbers and function increase to overcome the natural rise in insulin resistance during gestation. In this study, we longitudinally measured serum GDF15 levels during and after pregnancy in women of normal weight (NW) and in women with obesity (OB) and explored associations between GDF15 and changes in beta cell function by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA). Methods: The cohort participants were 38 NW (BMI 22.3 +/- 1.7) and 35 OB (BMI 35.8 +/- 4.2). Blood was sampled and body composition measured at each trimester (T1, T2, and T3) and at 6, 12 and 18 months postpartum. Fasting glucose, insulin and GDF15 were measured, and HOMA for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA-B) determined. Results: GDF15 levels increased significantly each trimester and were similar to 200-fold higher at T3 than in the nonpregnant postpartum state. GDF15 was higher in NW than OB during pregnancy, but was reversed after pregnancy with a significant interaction effect. GDF15 correlated inversely with BMI and fat-free mass at T3. Low GDF15 was associated with lower incidence of nausea and with carrying a male foetus. The pregnancy induced increase in GDF15 associated with increased HOMA-B in OB and with reduced fasting glucose in all women. Conclusion: Large gestational upregulation of GDF15 levels may help increase insulin secretory function to overcome pregnancy-induced insulin resistance.
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| 9. |
- Ardalan, Maryam, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Dysmaturation of Somatostatin Interneurons Following Umbilical Cord Occlusion in Preterm Fetal Sheep
- 2019
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Physiology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-042X. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Cerebral white matter injury is the most common neuropathology observed in preterm infants. However, there is increasing evidence that gray matter development also contributes to neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Fetal cerebral ischemia can lead to both neuronal and non-neuronal structural-functional abnormalities, but less is known about the specific effects on interneurons. Objective: In this study we used a well-established animal model of fetal asphyxia in preterm fetal sheep to study neuropathological outcome. We used comprehensive stereological methods to investigate the total number of oligodendrocytes, neurons and somatostatin (STT) positive interneurons as well as 3D morphological analysis of STT cells 14 days following umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) in fetal sheep. Materials and Methods: Induction of asphyxia was performed by 25 min of complete UCO in five preterm fetal sheep (98-100 days gestational age). Seven, non-occluded twins served as controls. Quantification of the number of neurons (NeuN), STT interneurons and oligodendrocytes (Olig2, CNPase) was performed on fetal brain regions by applying optical fractionator method. A 3D morphological analysis of STT interneurons was performed using IMARIS software. Results: The number of Olig2, NeuN, and STT positive cells were reduced in IGWM, caudate and putamen in UCO animals compared to controls. There were also fewer STT interneurons in the ventral part of the hippocampus, the subiculum and the entorhinal cortex in UCO group, while other parts of cortex were virtually unaffected (p > 0.05). Morphologically, STT positive interneurons showed a markedly immature structure, with shorter dendritic length and fewer dendritic branches in cortex, caudate, putamen, and subiculum in the UCO group compared with control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The significant reduction in the total number of neurons and oligodendrocytes in several brain regions confirm previous studies showing susceptibility of both neuronal and non-neuronal cells following fetal asphyxia. However, in the cerebral cortex significant dysmaturation of STT positive neurons occurred in the absence of cell loss. This suggests an abnormal maturation pattern of GABAergic interneurons in the cerebral cortex, which might contribute to neurodevelopmental impairment in preterm infants and could implicate a novel target for neuroprotective therapies.
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| 10. |
- Ardalan, Maryam, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Reelin cells and sex-dependent synaptopathology in autism following postnatal immune activation
- 2022
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Ingår i: British Journal of Pharmacology. - : Wiley. - 0007-1188 .- 1476-5381. ; 179:17, s. 4400-4422
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and Purpose: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders with considerably increased risk in male infants born preterm and with neonatal infection. Here, we investigated the role of postnatal immune activation on hippocampal synaptopathology by targeting Reelin+ cells in mice with ASD-like behaviours. Experimental Approach: C57/Bl6 mouse pups of both sexes received lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1mg·kg−1) on postnatal day (P) 5. At P45, animal behaviour was examined by marble burying and sociability test, followed by ex vivo brain MRI diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Hippocampal synaptogenesis, number and morphology of Reelin+ cells, and mRNA expression of trans-synaptic genes, including neurexin-3, neuroligin-1, and cell-adhesion molecule nectin-1, were analysed at P12 and P45. Key Results: Social withdrawal and increased stereotypic activities in males were related to increased mean diffusivity on MRI-DKI and overgrowth in hippocampus together with retention of long-thin immature synapses on apical dendrites, decreased volume and number of Reelin+ cells as well as reduced expression of trans-synaptic and cell-adhesion molecules. Conclusion and Implications: The study provides new insights into sex-dependent mechanisms that may underlie ASD-like behaviour in males following postnatal immune activation. We identify GABAergic interneurons as core components of dysmaturation of excitatory synapses in the hippocampus following postnatal infection and provide cellular and molecular substrates for the MRI findings with translational value.
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