| 1. |
- Auer, JMT, et al.
(författare)
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Of numbers and movement - understanding transcription factor pathogenesis by advanced microscopy
- 2020
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 13:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transcription factors (TFs) are life-sustaining and, therefore, the subject of intensive research. By regulating gene expression, TFs control a plethora of developmental and physiological processes, and their abnormal function commonly leads to various developmental defects and diseases in humans. Normal TF function often depends on gene dosage, which can be altered by copy-number variation or loss-of-function mutations. This explains why TF haploinsufficiency (HI) can lead to disease. Since aberrant TF numbers frequently result in pathogenic abnormalities of gene expression, quantitative analyses of TFs are a priority in the field. In vitro single-molecule methodologies have significantly aided the identification of links between TF gene dosage and transcriptional outcomes. Additionally, advances in quantitative microscopy have contributed mechanistic insights into normal and aberrant TF function. However, to understand TF biology, TF-chromatin interactions must be characterised in vivo, in a tissue-specific manner and in the context of both normal and altered TF numbers. Here, we summarise the advanced microscopy methodologies most frequently used to link TF abundance to function and dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying TF HIs. Increased application of advanced single-molecule and super-resolution microscopy modalities will improve our understanding of how TF HIs drive disease.
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| 2. |
- Berger, J, et al.
(författare)
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Loss of Tropomodulin4 in the zebrafish mutant träge causes cytoplasmic rod formation and muscle weakness reminiscent of nemaline myopathy
- 2014
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 7:12, s. 1407-1415
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nemaline myopathy is an inherited muscle disease that is mainly diagnosed by the presence of nemaline rods in muscle biopsies. Of the nine genes associated with the disease, 5 encode for components of striated muscle sarcomeres. In a genetic zebrafish screen the mutant träge (trg) was isolated based on its reduction in muscle birefringence, indicating muscle damage. Myofibres in trg appeared disorganized and showed inhomogeneous cytoplasmic eosin staining alongside malformed nuclei. Linkage analysis of trg combined with sequencing identified a nonsense mutation in tropomodulin4 (tmod4), a regulator of thin filament length and stability. Accordingly, although actin monomers polymerise to form thin filaments in the skeletal muscle of tmod4trg mutants, thin filaments often appeared to be dispersed throughout myofibres. Organised myofibrils with the typical striation rarely assemble, leading to severe muscle weakness, impaired locomotion, and early death. Myofibrils of tmod4trg mutants often featured thin filaments of various lengths, widened Z-disks, undefined H-zones, and electron-dense aggregations of various shapes and sizes. Importantly, Gomori trichrome staining and the lattice pattern of the detected cytoplasmic rods together with the reactivity of rods with phalloidin and an antibody against actinin is reminiscent of nemaline rods found in nemaline myopathy, suggesting that misregulation of thin filament length causes cytoplasmic rod formation in tmod4trg mutants. Although Tropomodulin4 has not been associated with myopathy, the results presented here implicate TMOD4 as a novel candidate for unresolved nemaline myopathies and suggest that the tmod4trg mutant will be a valuable tool to study human muscle disorders.
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| 3. |
- Blundell, JE, et al.
(författare)
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Role of resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure in hunger and appetite control: a new formulation
- 2012
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 5:5, s. 608-613
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A long-running issue in appetite research concerns the influence of energy expenditure on energy intake. More than 50 years ago, Otto G. Edholm proposed that “the differences between the intakes of food [of individuals] must originate in differences in the expenditure of energy”. However, a relationship between energy expenditure and energy intake within any one day could not be found, although there was a correlation over 2 weeks. This issue was never resolved before interest in integrative biology was replaced by molecular biochemistry. Using a psychobiological approach, we have studied appetite control in an energy balance framework using a multi-level experimental system on a single cohort of overweight and obese human subjects. This has disclosed relationships between variables in the domains of body composition [fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM)], metabolism, gastrointestinal hormones, hunger and energy intake. In this Commentary, we review our own and other data, and discuss a new formulation whereby appetite control and energy intake are regulated by energy expenditure. Specifically, we propose that FFM (the largest contributor to resting metabolic rate), but not body mass index or FM, is closely associated with self-determined meal size and daily energy intake. This formulation has implications for understanding weight regulation and the management of obesity.
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| 4. |
- Chand, Damini, 1986, et al.
(författare)
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Cell culture and Drosophila model systems define three classes of anaplastic lymphoma kinase mutations in neuroblastoma.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - Cambridge, UK : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 6:2, s. 373-82
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Neuroblastoma is a childhood extracranial solid tumor which is associated with a number of genetic changes. Included in these genetic alterations are mutations in the kinase domain of the Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), which have been found in both somatic and familial neuroblastoma. In order to treat patients accordingly required characterisation of these mutations in terms of their response to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Here, we report the identification and characterisation of two novel neuroblastoma ALK mutations (A1099T and 1464STOP) which we have investigated together with several previously reported but uncharacterised ALK mutations (T1087I, D1091N, T1151M, M1166R, F1174I and A1234T). In order to understand the potential role of these ALK mutations in neuroblastoma progression we have employed cell culture based systems together with the model organism Drosophila as a readout for ligand-independent activity. Mutation of ALK at position F1174I generates a gain-of-function receptor capable of activating intracellular targets, such as ERK (extracellular signal regulated kinase) and STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) in a ligand independent manner. Analysis of these previously uncharacterised ALK mutants and comparison with ALK(F1174) mutants suggests that ALK mutations observed in neuroblastoma fall into three classes. These are: (i) gain-of-function ligand independent mutations such as ALK(F1174), (ii) kinase-dead ALK mutants, e.g. ALK(I1250T)(Schonherr et al 2011a) or (iii) ALK mutations which are ligand-dependent in nature. Irrespective of the nature of the observed ALK mutants, in every case the activity of the mutant ALK receptors could be abrogated by the ALK inhibitor crizotinib (PF-02341066, Xalkori), albeit with differing levels of sensitivity.
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| 5. |
- Chatei, B, et al.
(författare)
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Impaired aerobic capacity and premature fatigue preceding muscle weakness in the skeletal muscle Tfam-knockout mouse model
- 2021
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 14:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mitochondrial diseases are genetic disorders that lead to impaired mitochondrial function, resulting in exercise intolerance and muscle weakness. In patients, muscle fatigue due to defects in mitochondrial oxidative capacities commonly precedes muscle weakness. In mice, deletion of the fast-twitch skeletal muscle-specific Tfam gene (Tfam KO) leads to a deficit in respiratory chain activity, severe muscle weakness and early death. Here, we performed a time-course study of mitochondrial and muscular dysfunctions in 11- and 14-week-old Tfam KO mice, i.e. before and when mice are about to enter the terminal stage, respectively. Although force in the unfatigued state was reduced in Tfam KO mice compared to control littermates (wild type) only at 14 weeks, during repeated submaximal contractions fatigue was faster at both ages. During fatiguing stimulation, total phosphocreatine breakdown was larger in Tfam KO muscle than in wild-type muscle at both ages, whereas phosphocreatine consumption was faster only at 14 weeks. In conclusion, the Tfam KO mouse model represents a reliable model of lethal mitochondrial myopathy in which impaired mitochondrial energy production and premature fatigue occur before muscle weakness and early death.
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| 6. |
- Crivello, M., et al.
(författare)
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Vascular regression precedes motor neuron loss in the FUS (1-359) ALS mouse model
- 2019
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : Company of Biologists Ltd. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 12:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) presents a poorly understood pathogenesis. Evidence from patients and mutant SOD1 mouse models suggests vascular damage may precede or aggravate motor dysfunction in ALS. We have previously shown angiogenin (ANG) treatment enhances motor neuron survival, delays motor dysfunction and prevents vascular regression in the SOD1G93A ALS model. However, the existence of vascular defects at different stages of disease progression remains to be established in other ALS models. Here, we assessed vascular integrity in vivo throughout different disease stages, and investigated whether ANG treatment reverses vascular regression and prolongs motor neuron survival in the FUS (1-359) mouse model of ALS. Lumbar spinal cord tissue was collected from FUS (1-359) and non-transgenic control mice at postnatal day (P)50, P90 and P120. We found a significant decrease in vascular network density in lumbar spinal cords from FUS (1-359) mice by day 90, at which point motor neuron numbers were unaffected. ANG treatment did not affect survival or counter vascular regression. Endogenous Ang1 and Vegf expression were unchanged at P50 and P90; however, we found a significant decrease in miRNA 126 at P50, indicating vascular integrity in FUS mice may be compromised via an alternative pathway. Our study demonstrates that vascular regression occurs before motor neuron degeneration in FUS (1-359) mice, and highlights that heterogeneity in responses to novel ALS therapeutics can already be detected in preclinical mouse models of ALS.
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| 7. |
- Dahl-Halvarsson, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Impaired muscle morphology in a Drosophila model of myosin storage myopathy was supressed by overexpression of an E3 ubiquitin ligase
- 2020
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Ingår i: Disease Models & Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 13:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Myosin is vital for body movement and heart contractility. Mutations in MYH7, encoding slow/beta-cardiac myosin heavy chain, are an important cause of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy, as well as skeletal muscle disease. A dominant missense mutation (R1845W) in MYH7 has been reported in several unrelated cases of myosin storage myopathy. We have developed a Drosophila model for a myosin storage myopathy in order to investigate the dose-dependent mechanisms underlying the pathological roles of the R1845W mutation. This study shows that a higher expression level of the mutated allele is concomitant with severe impairment of muscle function and progressively disrupted muscle morphology. The impaired muscle morphology associated with the mutant allele was suppressed by expression of Thin (herein referred to as Abba), an E3 ubiquitin ligase. This Drosophila model recapitulates pathological features seen in myopathy patients with the R1845W mutation and severe ultrastructural abnormalities, including extensive loss of thick filaments with selective A-band loss, and preservation of I-band and Z-disks were observed in indirect flight muscles of flies with exclusive expression of mutant myosin. Furthermore, the impaired muscle morphology associated with the mutant allele was suppressed by expression of Abba. These findings suggest that modification of the ubiquitin proteasome system may be beneficial in myosin storage myopathy by reducing the impact of MYH7 mutation in patients.
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| 8. |
- Diaz, Oscar E., et al.
(författare)
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Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid modulates barrier function and systemic T-cell homeostasis during intestinal inflammation
- 2021
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Ingår i: DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 14:12, s. 1-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The intestinal epithelium is continuously exposed to deleterious environmental factors that might cause aberrant immune responses leading to inflammatory disorders. However, what environmental factors might contribute to disease are poorly understood. Here, to overcome the lack of in vivo models suitable for screening of environmental factors, we used zebrafish reporters of intestinal inflammation. Using zebrafish, we interrogated the immunomodulatory effects of polyfluoroalkyl substances, which have been positively associated with ulcerative colitis incidence. Exposure to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) during 2,4,6-trinitro-benzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced inflammation enhanced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines as well as neutrophil recruitment to the intestine of zebrafish larvae, which was validated in the TNBS-induced colitis mouse model. Moreover, PFOS exposure in mice undergoing colitis resulted in neutrophil-dependent increased intestinal permeability and enhanced PFOS translocation into the circulation. This was associated with a neutrophil-dependent expansion of systemic CD4+ T cells. Thus, our results indicate that PFOS worsens inflammation-induced intestinal damage with disruption of T-cell homeostasis beyond the gut and provides a novel in vivo toolbox to screen for pollutants affecting intestinal homeostasis.
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| 9. |
- Fernius, Josefin, et al.
(författare)
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Bar-coding neurodegeneration: identifying subcellular effects of human neurodegenerative disease proteins using Drosophila leg neurons
- 2017
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS LTD. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 10:8, s. 1027-1038
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Genetic, biochemical and histological studies have identified a number of different proteins as key drivers of human neurodegenerative diseases. Although different proteins are typically involved in different diseases, there is also considerable overlap. Addressing disease protein dysfunction in an in vivo neuronal context is often time consuming and requires labor-intensive analysis of transgenic models. To facilitate the rapid, cellular analysis of disease protein dysfunction, we have developed a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) adult leg neuron assay. We tested the robustness of 41 transgenic fluorescent reporters and identified a number that were readily detected in the legs and could report on different cellular events. To test these reporters, we expressed a number of human proteins involved in neurodegenerative disease, in both their mutated and wild-type versions, to address the effects on reporter expression and localization. We observed strikingly different effects of the different disease proteins upon the various reporters with, for example, A beta(1-42) being highly neurotoxic, tau, parkin and HTT128Q affecting mitochondrial distribution, integrity or both, and A beta(1-42), tau, HTT128Q and ATX1(82Q) affecting the F-actin network. This study provides proof of concept for using the Drosophila adult leg for inexpensive and rapid analysis of cellular effects of neurodegenerative disease proteins in mature neurons.
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| 10. |
- Follwaczny, Philipp, et al.
(författare)
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Pumilio2-deficient mice show a predisposition for epilepsy.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 10:11, s. 1333-1342
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Epilepsy is a neurological disease that is caused by abnormal hypersynchronous activities of neuronal ensembles leading to recurrent and spontaneous seizures in human patients. Enhanced neuronal excitability and a high level of synchrony between neurons seem to trigger these spontaneous seizures. The molecular mechanisms, however, regarding the development of neuronal hyperexcitability and maintenance of epilepsy are still poorly understood. Here, we show that pumilio RNA-binding family member 2 (Pumilio2; Pum2) plays a role in the regulation of excitability in hippocampal neurons of weaned and 5-month-old male mice. Almost complete deficiency of Pum2 in adult Pum2 gene-trap mice (Pum2 GT) causes misregulation of genes involved in neuronal excitability control. Interestingly, this finding is accompanied by the development of spontaneous epileptic seizures in Pum2 GT mice. Furthermore, we detect an age-dependent increase in Scn1a (Nav1.1) and Scn8a (Nav1.6) mRNA levels together with a decrease in Scn2a (Nav1.2) transcript levels in weaned Pum2 GT that is absent in older mice. Moreover, field recordings of CA1 pyramidal neurons show a tendency towards a reduced paired-pulse inhibition after stimulation of the Schaffer-collateral-commissural pathway in Pum2 GT mice, indicating a predisposition to the development of spontaneous seizures at later stages. With the onset of spontaneous seizures at the age of 5 months, we detect increased protein levels of Nav1.1 and Nav1.2 as well as decreased protein levels of Nav1.6 in those mice. In addition, GABA receptor subunit alpha-2 (Gabra2) mRNA levels are increased in weaned and adult mice. Furthermore, we observe an enhanced GABRA2 protein level in the dendritic field of the CA1 subregion in the Pum2 GT hippocampus. We conclude that altered expression levels of known epileptic risk factors such as Nav1.1, Nav1.2, Nav1.6 and GABRA2 result in enhanced seizure susceptibility and manifestation of epilepsy in the hippocampus. Thus, our results argue for a role of Pum2 in epileptogenesis and the maintenance of epilepsy.
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| 11. |
- Gouignard, Nadège, et al.
(författare)
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Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and neurocristopathies : Dermatan sulfate is required for Xenopus neural crest cells to migrate and adhere to fibronectin
- 2016
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 9:6, s. 607-620
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Of all live births with congenital anomalies, approximately one-third exhibit deformities ofthe head and face. Most craniofacial disorders are associated with defects in a migratory stem and progenitor cell population, which is designated the neural crest (NC). Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (MCEDS) is a heritable connective tissue disorder with distinct craniofacial features; this syndrome comprises multiple congenital malformations that are caused bydysfunction ofdermatan sulfate (DS) biosynthetic enzymes, including DS epimerase-1 (DS-epi1; also known as DSE). Studies in mice have extended our understanding of DS-epi1 inconnective tissue maintenance; however, its role in fetal development is not understood. We demonstrate that DS-epi1isimportant for the generationofisolated iduronic acid residues in chondroitin sulfate (CS)/DS proteoglycans in early Xenopus embryos. The knockdown of DS-epi1 does not affect the formation of early NC progenitors; however, it impairs the correct activation of transcription factors involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and reduces the extent of NC cell migration, which leads to a decrease in NC-derived craniofacial skeleton, melanocytes and dorsal fin structures. Transplantation experiments demonstrate a tissue-autonomous role for DS-epi1 in cranial NC cell migration in vivo. Cranial NC explant and single-cell cultures indicate a requirement of DS-epi1 in cell adhesion, spreading and extension of polarized cell processes on fibronectin. Thus, our work indicates a functional link between DS and NC cell migration. We conclude that NC defects in the EMT and cell migration might account for the craniofacial anomalies and other congenital malformations in MCEDS, which might facilitate the diagnosis and development of therapies for this distressing condition. Moreover, the presented correlations between human DS-epi1 expression and gene sets of mesenchymal character, invasion and metastasis in neuroblastoma and malignant melanoma suggest an association between DS and NC-derived cancers.
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| 12. |
- Guan, Jikui, et al.
(författare)
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The ALK inhibitor PF-06463922 is effective as a single agent in neuroblastoma driven by expression of ALK and MYCN
- 2016
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Ingår i: DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 9:9, s. 941-952
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The first-in-class inhibitor of ALK, c-MET and ROS1, crizotinib (Xalkori), has shown remarkable clinical efficacy in treatment of ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer. However, in neuroblastoma, activating mutations in the ALK kinase domain are typically refractory to crizotinib treatment, highlighting the need for more potent inhibitors. The next-generation ALK inhibitor PF-06463922 is predictedto exhibit increased affinity for ALK mutants prevalent in neuroblastoma. We examined PF-06463922 activity in ALK-driven neuroblastoma models in vitro and in vivo. In vitro kinase assays and cell-based experiments examining ALK mutations of increasing potency show that PF-06463922 is an effective inhibitor of ALK with greater activity towards ALK neuroblastoma mutants. In contrast to crizotinib, single agent administration of PF-06463922 caused dramatic tumor inhibition in both subcutaneous and orthotopic xenografts as well as a mouse modelof high-risk neuroblastoma driven by Th-ALKF1174L/MYCN. Taken together, our results suggest PF-06463922 is a potent inhibitor of crizotinib-resistant ALK mutations, and highlights an important new treatment option for neuroblastoma patients. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.
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| 13. |
- Hagglund, Anna-Carin, et al.
(författare)
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A novel mouse model of anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) : conditional deletion of Tsc1 disrupts ciliary body and iris development
- 2017
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 10:3, s. 245-257
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Development of the cornea, lens, ciliary body and iris within the anterior segment of the eye involves coordinated interaction between cells originating from the ciliary margin of the optic cup, the overlying periocular mesenchyme and the lens epithelium. Anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) encompasses a spectrum of developmental syndromes that affect these anterior segment tissues. ASD conditions arise as a result of dominantly inherited genetic mutations and result in both ocular-specific and systemic forms of dysgenesis that are best exemplified by aniridia and Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, respectively. Extensive clinical overlap in disease presentation amongst ASD syndromes creates challenges for correct diagnosis and classification. The use of animal models has therefore proved to be a robust approach for unravelling this complex genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. However, despite these successes, it is clear that additional genes that underlie several ASD syndromes remain unidentified. Here, we report the characterisation of a novel mouse model of ASD. Conditional deletion of Tsc1 during eye development leads to a premature upregulation of mTORC1 activity within the ciliary margin, periocular mesenchyme and lens epithelium. This aberrant mTORC1 signalling within the ciliary margin in particular leads to a reduction in the number of cells that express Pax6, Bmp4 and Msx1. Sustained mTORC1 signalling also induces a decrease in ciliary margin progenitor cell proliferation and a consequent failure of ciliary body and iris development in postnatal animals. Our study therefore identifies Tsc1 as a novel candidate ASD gene. Furthermore, the Tsc1-ablated mouse model also provides a valuable resource for future studies concerning the molecular mechanisms underlying ASD and acts as a platform for evaluating therapeutic approaches for the treatment of visual disorders.
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| 14. |
- Hermansson, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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The chaperone domain BRICHOS prevents CNS toxicity of amyloid-beta peptide in Drosophila melanogaster
- 2014
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 7:6, s. 659-665
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aggregation of the amyloid-beta peptide (A beta) into toxic oligomers and amyloid fibrils is linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mutations of the BRICHOS chaperone domain are associated with amyloid disease and recent in vitro data show that BRICHOS efficiently delays A beta 42 oligomerization and fibril formation. We have generated transgenic Drosophila melanogaster flies that express the A beta 42 peptide and the BRICHOS domain in the central nervous system (CNS). Co-expression of A beta 42 and BRICHOS resulted in delayed A beta 42 aggregation and dramatic improvements of both lifespan and locomotor function compared with flies expressing A beta 42 alone. Moreover, BRICHOS increased the ratio of soluble: insoluble A beta 42 and bound to deposits of A beta 42 in the fly brain. Our results show that the BRICHOS domain efficiently reduces the neurotoxic effects of A beta 42, although significant A beta 42 aggregation is taking place. We propose that BRICHOS-based approaches should be explored with an aim towards the future prevention and treatment of AD.
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| 15. |
- Hermansson, E, et al.
(författare)
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The chaperone domain BRICHOS prevents CNS toxicity of amyloid-β peptide in Drosophila melanogaster
- 2014
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 7:6, s. 659-665
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aggregation of the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) into toxic oligomers and amyloid fibrils is linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mutations of the BRICHOS domain are associated with amyloid disease and recent in vitro data show that BRICHOS efficiently delays Aβ42 oligomerization and fibril formation. We have generated transgenic Drosophila melanogaster flies that express the Aβ42 peptide and the BRICHOS domain in the CNS. Co-expression of Aβ42 and BRICHOS results in delayed Aβ42 aggregation and dramatic improvements of both lifespan and locomotor function compared to flies expressing Aβ42 alone. Moreover, BRICHOS increases the ratio of soluble/insoluble Aβ42 and binds to deposits of Aβ42 in the fly brain. Our results show that the BRICHOS domain efficiently reduces the neurotoxic effects of Aβ42 although significant Aβ42 aggregation is taking place. We propose that BRICHOS-based approaches may be explored towards future prevention and treatment of AD.
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| 16. |
- Jones, Iwan, et al.
(författare)
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A novel mouse model of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) : eye-specific Tsc1-ablation disrupts visual-pathway development
- 2015
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 8:12, s. 1517-1529
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant syndrome that is best characterised by neurodevelopmental deficits and the presence of benign tumours (called hamartomas) in affected organs. This multi-organ disorder results from inactivating point mutations in either the TSC1 or the TSC2 genes and consequent activation of the canonical mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 signalling (mTORC1) pathway. Because lesions to the eye are central to TSC diagnosis, we report here the generation and characterisation of the first eye-specific TSC mouse model. We demonstrate that conditional ablation of Tsc1 in eye-committed progenitor cells leads to the accelerated differentiation and subsequent ectopic radial migration of retinal ganglion cells. This results in an increase in retinal ganglion cell apoptosis and consequent regionalised axonal loss within the optic nerve and topographical changes to the contra- and ipsilateral input within the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. Eyes from adult mice exhibit aberrant retinal architecture and display all the classic neuropathological hallmarks of TSC, including an increase in organ and cell size, ring heterotopias, hamartomas with retinal detachment, and lamination defects. Our results provide the first major insight into the molecular etiology of TSC within the developing eye and demonstrate a pivotal role for Tsc1 in regulating various aspects of visual-pathway development. Our novel mouse model therefore provides a valuable resource for future studies concerning the molecular mechanisms underlying TSC and also as a platform to evaluate new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this multi-organ disorder.
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| 17. |
- Kjell, J, et al.
(författare)
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Rat models of spinal cord injury: from pathology to potential therapies
- 2016
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 9:10, s. 1125-1137
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A long-standing goal of spinal cord injury research is to develop effective spinal cord repair strategies for the clinic. Rat models of spinal cord injury provide an important mammalian model in which to evaluate treatment strategies and to understand the pathological basis of spinal cord injuries. These models have facilitated the development of robust tests for assessing the recovery of locomotor and sensory functions. Rat models have also allowed us to understand how neuronal circuitry changes following spinal cord injury and how recovery could be promoted by enhancing spontaneous regenerative mechanisms and by counteracting intrinsic inhibitory factors. Rat studies have also revealed possible routes to rescuing circuitry and cells in the acute stage of injury. Spatiotemporal and functional studies in these models highlight the therapeutic potential of manipulating inflammation, scarring and myelination. In addition, potential replacement therapies for spinal cord injury, including grafts and bridges, stem primarily from rat studies. Here, we discuss advantages and disadvantages of rat experimental spinal cord injury models and summarize knowledge gained from these models. We also discuss how an emerging understanding of different forms of injury, their pathology and degree of recovery has inspired numerous treatment strategies, some of which have led to clinical trials.
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| 18. |
- Lashley, T., et al.
(författare)
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Molecular biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: progress and prospects
- 2018
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Ingår i: Disease Models & Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 11:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The neurodegenerative disorder Alzheimer's disease is characterised by the formation of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain parenchyma, which cause synapse and neuronal loss. This leads to clinical symptoms, such as progressive memory deficits. Clinically, these pathological changes can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and with brain imaging, although reliable blood tests for plaque and tangle pathologies remain to be developed. Plaques and tangles often co-exist with other brain pathologies, including aggregates of transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 and Lewy bodies, but the extent to which these contribute to the severity of Alzheimer's disease is currently unknown. In this 'At a glance' article and poster, we summarise the molecular biornarkers that are being developed to detect Alzheimer's disease and its related pathologies. We also highlight the biornarkers that are currently in clinical use and include a critical appraisal of the challenges associated with applying these biornarkers for diagnostic and prognostic purposes of Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, also in their prodromal clinical phases.
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| 19. |
- Lemmetyinen, TT, et al.
(författare)
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Fibroblast-derived EGF ligand neuregulin 1 induces fetal-like reprogramming of the intestinal epithelium without supporting tumorigenic growth
- 2023
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 16:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Growth factors secreted by stromal fibroblasts regulate the intestinal epithelium. Stroma-derived Epidermal growth factor (EGF) family ligands are implicated in epithelial regeneration and tumorigenesis, but their specific contributions and associated mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we use primary intestinal organoids modeling homeostatic, injured, and tumorigenic epithelium to assess how fibroblast-derived EGF family ligands Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and Epiregulin (EREG) regulate the intestinal epithelium. NRG1 was expressed exclusively in the stroma, robustly increased crypt budding and protected intestinal epithelial organoids from radiation-induced damage. NRG1 also induced regenerative features in the epithelium including a fetal-like transcriptome, suppression of the Lgr5+ stem cell pool, and remodeling of the epithelial actin cytoskeleton. Intriguingly, unlike EGF and EREG, NRG1 failed to support the growth of pre-tumorigenic intestinal organoids lacking the tumor suppressor Apc, commonly mutated in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Interestingly, high expression of stromal NRG1 was associated with improved survival in CRC cohorts, suggesting a tumor suppressive function. Our results highlight the power of stromal NRG1 in transcriptional reprogramming and protection of the intestinal epithelium from radiation injury without promoting tumorigenesis.
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| 20. |
- Lemmetyinen, TT, et al.
(författare)
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Fibroblast-derived EGF ligand neuregulin 1 induces fetal-like reprogramming of the intestinal epithelium without supporting tumorigenic growth
- 2023
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 16:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Growth factors secreted by stromal fibroblasts regulate the intestinal epithelium. Stroma-derived Epidermal growth factor (EGF) family ligands are implicated in epithelial regeneration and tumorigenesis, but their specific contributions and associated mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we use primary intestinal organoids modeling homeostatic, injured, and tumorigenic epithelium to assess how fibroblast-derived EGF family ligands Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and Epiregulin (EREG) regulate the intestinal epithelium. NRG1 was expressed exclusively in the stroma, robustly increased crypt budding and protected intestinal epithelial organoids from radiation-induced damage. NRG1 also induced regenerative features in the epithelium including a fetal-like transcriptome, suppression of the Lgr5+ stem cell pool, and remodeling of the epithelial actin cytoskeleton. Intriguingly, unlike EGF and EREG, NRG1 failed to support the growth of pre-tumorigenic intestinal organoids lacking the tumor suppressor Apc, commonly mutated in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Interestingly, high expression of stromal NRG1 was associated with improved survival in CRC cohorts, suggesting a tumor suppressive function. Our results highlight the power of stromal NRG1 in transcriptional reprogramming and protection of the intestinal epithelium from radiation injury without promoting tumorigenesis.
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| 21. |
- Lindqvist, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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The fraction of strongly bound cross-bridges is increased in mice that carry the myopathy-linked myosin heavy chain mutation MYH4(L342Q)
- 2013
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 6:3, s. 834-840
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Myosinopathies have emerged as a new group of diseases and are caused by mutations in genes encoding myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms. One major hallmark of these diseases is skeletal muscle weakness or paralysis, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we have undertaken a detailed functional study of muscle fibers from Myh4(arl) mice, which carry a mutation that provokes an L342Q change within the catalytic domain of the type IIb skeletal muscle myosin protein MYH4. Because homozygous animals develop rapid muscle-structure disruption and lower-limb paralysis, they must be killed by postnatal day 13, so all experiments were performed using skeletal muscles from adult heterozygous animals (Myh4(arl)/+). Myh4(arl)/+ mice contain MYH4(L342Q) expressed at 7% of the levels of the wild-type (WT) protein, and are overtly and histologically normal. However, mechanical and X-ray diffraction pattern analyses of single membrane-permeabilized fibers revealed, upon maximal Ca2+ activation, higher stiffness as well as altered meridional and equatorial reflections in Myh4(arl)/+ mice when compared with age-matched WT animals. Under rigor conditions, by contrast, no difference was observed between Myh4(arl)/+ and WT mice. Altogether, these findings prove that, in adult MYH4(L342Q) heterozygous mice, the transition from weak to strong myosin cross-bridge binding is facilitated, increasing the number of strongly attached myosin heads, thus enhancing force production. These changes are predictably exacerbated in the type IIb fibers of homozygous mice, in which the embryonic myosin isoform is fully replaced by MYH4(L342Q), leading to a hypercontraction, muscle-structure disruption and lower-limb paralysis. Overall, these findings provide important insights into the molecular pathogenesis of skeletal myosinopathies.
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| 22. |
- Martínez-García, Cristina, et al.
(författare)
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Accelerated renal disease is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome in a glucolipotoxic mouse model
- 2012
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 5:5, s. 636-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Individuals with metabolic syndrome are at high risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) through unclear pathogenic mechanisms. Obesity and diabetes are known to induce glucolipotoxic effects in metabolically relevant organs. However, the pathogenic role of glucolipotoxicity in the aetiology of diabetic nephropathy is debated. We generated a murine model, the POKO mouse, obtained by crossing the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARγ2) knockout (KO) mouse into a genetically obese ob/ob background. We have previously shown that the POKO mice showed: hyperphagia, insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia as early as 4 weeks of age, and developed a complete loss of normal β-cell function by 16 weeks of age. Metabolic phenotyping of the POKO model has led to investigation of the structural and functional changes in the kidney and changes in blood pressure in these mice. Here we demonstrate that the POKO mouse is a model of renal disease that is accelerated by high levels of glucose and lipid accumulation. Similar to ob/ob mice, at 4 weeks of age these animals exhibited an increased urinary albumin:creatinine ratio and significantly increased blood pressure, but in contrast showed a significant increase in the renal hypertrophy index and an associated increase in p27(Kip1) expression compared with their obese littermates. Moreover, at 4 weeks of age POKO mice showed insulin resistance, an alteration of lipid metabolism and glomeruli damage associated with increased transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) expression. At this age, levels of proinflammatory molecules, such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and fibrotic factors were also increased at the glomerular level compared with levels in ob/ob mice. At 12 weeks of age, renal damage was fully established. These data suggest an accelerated lesion through glucolipotoxic effects in the renal pathogenesis in POKO mice.
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| 23. |
- Medina-Gomez, Gema, et al.
(författare)
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Adaptation and failure of pancreatic beta cells in murine models with different degrees of metabolic syndrome
- 2009
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists Ltd.. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 2:11-12, s. 582-592
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The events that contribute to the expansion of beta-cell mass and enhanced beta-cell function in insulin-resistant states have not been elucidated fully. Recently, we showed that beta-cell adaptation failed dramatically in adult, insulin-resistant POKO mice, which contrasts with the appropriate expansion of beta cells in their ob/ob littermates. Thus, we hypothesised that characterisation of the islets in these mouse models at an early age should provide a unique opportunity to: (1) identify mechanisms involved in sensing insulin resistance at the level of the beta cells, (2) identify molecular effectors that contribute to increasing beta-cell mass and function, and (3) distinguish primary events from secondary events that are more likely to be present at more advanced stages of diabetes. Our results define the POKO mouse as a model of early lipotoxicity. At 4 weeks of age, it manifests with inappropriate beta-cell function and defects in proliferation markers. Other well-recognised pathogenic effectors that were observed previously in 16-week-old mice, such as increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), macrophage infiltration and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, are also present in both young POKO and young ob/ob mice, indicating the lack of predictive power with regards to the severity of beta-cell failure. Of interest, the relatively preserved lipidomic profile in islets from young POKO mice contrasted with the large changes in lipid composition and the differences in the chain length of triacylglycerols in the serum, liver, muscle and adipose tissue in adult POKO mice. Later lipotoxic insults in adult beta cells contribute to the failure of the POKO beta cell. Our results indicate that the rapid development of insulin resistance and beta-cell failure in POKO mice makes this model a useful tool to study early molecular events leading to insulin resistance and beta-cell failure. Furthermore, comparisons with ob/ob mice might reveal important adaptive mechanisms in beta cells with either therapeutic or diagnostic potential.
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| 24. |
- Olsson, Jan, et al.
(författare)
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HSV presence in brains of individuals without dementia : the TASTY brain series
- 2016
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 9:11, s. 1349-1355
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 affects a majority of the population and recent evidence suggests involvement in Alzheimer's disease aetiology. We investigated the prevalence of HSV type 1 and 2 in the Tampere Autopsy Study (TASTY) brain samples using PCR and sero-positivity in plasma, and associations with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology. HSV was shown to be present in human brain tissue in 11/584 (1.9%) of samples in the TASTY cohort, of which six had Alzheimer's disease neuropathological amyloid beta (A beta) aggregations. Additionally, serological data revealed 86% of serum samples tested were IgG-positive for HSV. In conclusion, we report epidemiological evidence of the presence of HSV in brain tissue free from encephalitis symptoms in a cohort most closely representing the general population (a minimum prevalence of 1.9%). Whereas 6/11 samples with HSV DNA in the brain tissue had A beta aggregations, most of those with A beta aggregations did not have HSV present in the brain tissue.
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| 25. |
- Oresic, Matej, 1967-
(författare)
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Obesity and psychotic disorders : uncovering common mechanisms through metabolomics
- 2012
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 5:5, s. 614-620
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Primary obesity and psychotic disorders are similar with respect to the associated changes in energy balance and co-morbidities, including metabolic syndrome. Such similarities do not necessarily demonstrate causal links, but instead suggest that specific causes of and metabolic disturbances associated with obesity play a pathogenic role in the development of co-morbid disorders, potentially even before obesity develops. Metabolomics - the systematic study of metabolites, which are small molecules generated by the process of metabolism - has been important in elucidating the pathways underlying obesity-associated co-morbidities. This review covers how recent metabolomic studies have advanced biomarker discovery and the elucidation of mechanisms underlying obesity and its co-morbidities, with a specific focus on metabolic syndrome and psychotic disorders. The importance of identifying metabolic markers of disease-associated intermediate phenotypes - traits modulated but not encoded by the DNA sequence - is emphasized. Such markers would be applicable as diagnostic tools in a personalized healthcare setting and might also open up novel therapeutic avenues.
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| 26. |
- Parada-Kusz, M, et al.
(författare)
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Generation of mouse-zebrafish hematopoietic tissue chimeric embryos for hematopoiesis and host-pathogen interaction studies
- 2018
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 11:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Xenografts of the hematopoietic system are extremely useful as disease models and for translational research. Zebrafish xenografts have been widely used to monitor blood cancer cell dissemination and homing due to the optical clarity of embryos and larvae, which allow unrestricted in vivo visualization of migratory events. Here, we have developed a xenotransplantation technique that transiently generates hundreds of hematopoietic tissue chimeric embryos by transplanting murine bone marrow cells into zebrafish blastulae. In contrast to previous methods, this procedure allows mammalian cell integration into the fish developmental hematopoietic program, which results in chimeric animals containing distinct phenotypes of murine blood cells in both circulation and the hematopoietic niche. Murine cells in chimeric animals express antigens related to i) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, ii) active cell proliferation and iii) myeloid cell lineages. We verified the utility of this method by monitoring zebrafish chimeras during development using in vivo non-invasive imaging to show novel murine cell behaviors, such as homing to primitive and definitive hematopoietic tissues, dynamic hematopoietic cell-vascular endothelial and hematopoietic cell-niche interactions, and response to bacterial infection. Overall, transplantation into the zebrafish blastula provides a useful method that simplifies the generation of numerous chimeric animals and expands the range of murine cell behaviors that can be studied in zebrafish chimeras. In addition, integration of murine cells into the host hematopoietic system during development suggests highly conserved molecular mechanisms of hematopoiesis between zebrafish and mammals.
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| 27. |
- Pfeifer, Kathrin, et al.
(författare)
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Patient-associated mutations in Drosophila Alk perturb neuronal differentiation and promote survival.
- 2022
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 15:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Activating anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) mutations occur in pediatric neuroblastoma and are associated with poor prognosis. To study ALK-activating mutations in a genetically controllable system, we employed CRIPSR/Cas9, incorporating orthologs of the human oncogenic mutations ALKF1174L and ALKY1278S in the Drosophila Alk locus. AlkF1251L and AlkY1355S mutant Drosophila exhibited enhanced Alk signaling phenotypes, but unexpectedly depended on the Jelly belly (Jeb) ligand for activation. Both AlkF1251L and AlkY1355S mutant larval brains displayed hyperplasia, represented by increased numbers of Alk-positive neurons. Despite this hyperplasic phenotype, no brain tumors were observed in mutant animals. We showed that hyperplasia in Alk mutants was not caused by significantly increased rates of proliferation, but rather by decreased levels of apoptosis in the larval brain. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified perturbations during temporal fate specification in AlkY1355S mutant mushroom body lineages. These findings shed light on the role of Alk in neurodevelopmental processes and highlight the potential of Alk-activating mutations to perturb specification and promote survival in neuronal lineages. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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| 28. |
- Ramanarao Parasa, Venkata, et al.
(författare)
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Modeling Mycobacterium tuberculosis early granuloma formation in experimental human lung tissue
- 2014
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : Company of Biologists: OAJ / Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 7:2, s. 281-288
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The widely used animal models for tuberculosis ( TB) display fundamental differences from human TB. Therefore, a validated model that recapitulates human lung TB is attractive for TB research. Here, we describe a unique method for establishment of TB infection in an experimental human lung tissue model. The model is based on cell lines derived from human lungs and primary macrophages from peripheral blood, and displays characteristics of human lung tissue, including evenly integrated macrophages throughout the epithelium, production of extracellular matrix, stratified epithelia and mucus secretion. Establishment of experimental infection in the model tissue with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB, resulted in clustering of macrophages at the site of infection, reminiscent of early TB granuloma formation. We quantitated the extent of granuloma formation induced by different strains of mycobacteria and validated our model against findings in other TB models. We found that early granuloma formation is dependent on ESAT-6, which is secreted via the type VII secretion machinery of virulent mycobacteria. Our model, which can facilitate the discovery of the interactions between mycobacteria and host cells in a physiological environment, is the first lung tissue model described for TB.
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| 29. |
- Schoultz, Elfin, et al.
(författare)
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First person - Elin Schoultz and Ellen Johansson
- 2022
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists Ltd. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 15:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Disease Models & Mechanisms, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Elin Schoultz and Ellen Johansson are co-first authors on Tissue architecture delineates field cancerization in BrafV600Einduced tumor development, published in DMM. Elin is an MD, PhD student in the lab of Mikael Nilsson at Sahlgrenska Centre for Cancer Research, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg. She has a great interest in the thyroid gland in particular, and the mechanisms of tumor development, progression and treatment associated with epithelial carcinomas in general. Ellen is an MD, resident physician in oto-rhino-laryngology and postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Karin Roberg at Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Cell Biology, Linkoping University, Linkoping, with broad interest the thyroid gland, tumors of the head and neck region, and the molecular mechanisms that are important for tumor initiation, development, and treatment.
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| 30. |
- Schoultz, Elin, et al.
(författare)
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Tissue architecture delineates field cancerization in brafv600e-induced tumor development
- 2022
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Ingår i: DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 15:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cancer cells hijack developmental growth mechanisms but whether tissue morphogenesis and architecture modify tumorigenesis is unknown. Here, we characterized a new mouse model of sporadic thyroid carcinogenesis based on inducible expression of BRAF carrying a Val600 Glu (V600E) point mutation (BRAFV600E) from the thyroglobulin promoter (TgCreERT2). Spontaneous activation of this Braf-mutant allele due to leaky activity of the Cre recombinase revealed that intrinsic properties of thyroid follicles determined BRAF-mutant cell fate. Papillary thyroid carcinomas developed multicentrically within a normal microenvironment. Each tumor originated from a single follicle that provided a confined space for growth of a distinct tumor phenotype. Lineage tracing revealed oligoclonal tumor development in infancy and early selection of BRAFV600E kinase inhibitor-resistant clones. Somatic mutations were few, non-recurrent and limited to advanced tumors. Female mice developed larger tumors than males, reproducing the gender difference of human thyroid cancer. These data indicate that BRAFV600E-induced tumorigenesis is spatiotemporally regulated depending on the maturity and heterogeneity of follicles. Moreover, thyroid tissue organization seems to determine whether a BRAFmutant lineage becomes a cancerized lineage. The TgCreERT2; BrafCA/+ sporadic thyroid cancer mouse model provides a new tool to evaluate drug therapy at different stages of tumor evolution.
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| 31. |
- Shambat, SM, et al.
(författare)
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Modelling staphylococcal pneumonia in a human 3D lung tissue model system delineates toxin-mediated pathology
- 2015
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 8:11, s. 1413-1425
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Staphylococcus aureus necrotizing pneumonia is recognized as a toxin-mediated disease, but yet the tissue destructive events remain elusive partly due to lack of mechanistic studies in human lung tissue. In this study, a 3D tissue model composed of human lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts was used to delineate the role of specific staphylococcal exotoxins in tissue pathology associated with severe pneumonia. To this end, the models were exposed to the mixture of exotoxins produced by S. aureus strains isolated from patients with varying severity of lung infection, namely necrotizing pneumonia or lung empyema, or to purified toxins. The necrotizing pneumonia strains secreted high levels of α-toxin and PVL, and triggered high cytotoxicity, inflammation, necrosis and loss of E-cadherin in the lung epithelium. In contrast, the lung empyema strain produced moderate levels of PVL, but negligible amounts of α-toxin, and triggered limited tissue damage. α-toxin had a direct damaging effect on the epithelium, as verified by toxin-deficient mutants and pure α-toxin. Moreover, PVL contributed to pathology through the lysis of neutrophils, and a combination of α-toxin and PVL resulted in the most severe epithelial injury. In addition, toxin-induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators from lung tissue models resulted in enhanced neutrophil migration. Using a collection of 31 strains from patients with staphylococcal pneumonia revealed that strains producing high levels of α-toxin and PVL were cytotoxic and associated with fatal outcome. Also, the strains that produced the highest toxin levels induced significantly greater epithelial disruption. Of importance, toxin-mediated lung epithelium destruction could be inhibited by polyspecific intravenous immunoglobulin containing antibodies against α-toxin and PVL. This study introduces a novel model system for studies of staphylococcal pneumonia in a human setting, and the results revealed that a combination and levels of α-toxin and PVL correlate with tissue pathology and clinical outcome associated with pneumonia.
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| 32. |
- Strassman, Alexander, et al.
(författare)
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Generation of a multipurpose Prdm16 mouse allele by targeted gene trapping
- 2017
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 10:7, s. 909-922
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Gene trap mutagenesis is a powerful tool to create loss-of-function mutations in mice and other model organisms. Modifications of traditional gene trap cassettes, including addition of conditional features in the form of Flip-excision (FlEx) arrays to enable directional gene trap cassette inversions by Cre and Flpe site-specific recombinases, greatly enhanced their experimental potential. By taking advantage of these conditional gene trap cassettes, we developed a generic strategy for generating conditional mutations and validated this strategy in mice carrying a multipurpose allele of the Prdm16 transcription factor gene. We demonstrate that the gene trap insertion creates a null mutation replicating the Pierre Robin sequence-type cleft palate phenotype of other Prdm16 mutant mice. Consecutive breeding to Flpe and Emx1(IREScre) deleter mice spatially restricted Prdm16 loss to regions of the forebrain expressing the homeobox gene Emx1, demonstrating the utility of the technology for the analysis of tissue-specific gene functions.
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| 33. |
- Vanherp, L, et al.
(författare)
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Sensitive bioluminescence imaging of fungal dissemination to the brain in mouse models of cryptococcosis
- 2019
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 12:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cryptococcus neoformans is a leading cause of fungal brain infections, but the mechanism of dissemination and dynamics of cerebral infection following pulmonary disease are poorly understood. To address these questions, non-invasive techniques that can study the dynamic processes of disease development and progression in living animal models or patients are required. As such, bioluminescence imaging (BLI) has emerged as a powerful tool to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of infection in living animals. We aimed at studying the time profile of the dissemination of cryptococcosis from the lung to the brain in murine models by engineering the first bioluminescent C. neoformans KN99α strain expressing a sequence-optimized red-shifted luciferase. The high pathogen-specificity and sensitivity of BLI was complemented with the three-dimensional anatomical information from micro-computed tomography (CT) of the lung and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. These non-invasive imaging techniques provided longitudinal read-outs on the spatial and temporal distribution of infection following intravenous, intranasal or endotracheal routes of inoculation. Furthermore, the imaging results correlated strongly with the fungal load in the respective organs. By obtaining dynamic and quantitative information about the extent and timing of brain infections for individual animals, we found that dissemination to the brain after primary infection of the lung is likely a late-stage event with a time frame that is variable between animals. This novel tool in Cryptococcus research can aid the identification of host and pathogen factors involved in this process and supports development of novel preventive or therapeutic approaches.
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| 34. |
- Wu, Dan, et al.
(författare)
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The infantile myofibromatosis NOTCH3 L1519P mutation leads to hyperactivated ligand-independent Notch signaling and increased PDGFRB expression
- 2021
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Ingår i: Disease Models and Mechanisms. - : COMPANY BIOLOGISTS LTD. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 14:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Infantile myofibromatosis (IMF) is a benign tumor form characterized by the development of nonmetastatic tumors in skin, bone, muscle and sometimes viscera. Autosomal-dominant forms of IMF are caused by mutations in the PDGFRB gene, but a family carrying a L1519P mutation in the NOTCH3 gene has also recently been identified. In this study, we address the molecular consequences of the NOTCH3L1519P mutation and the relationship between Notch and PDGFRB signaling in IMF. The NOTCH3L1519P receptor generates enhanced downstream signaling in a ligand-independent manner. Despite the enhanced signaling, the NOTCH3L1519P receptor is absent from the cell surface and instead accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, the localization of the NOTCH3L1519P receptor in the bipartite, heterodimeric state is altered, combined with avid secretion of the mutated extracellular domain from the cell. Chloroquine treatment strongly reduces the amount of secreted NOTCH3L1519P extracellular domain and decreases signaling. Finally, NOTCH3L1519P upregulates PDGFRB expression in fibroblasts, supporting a functional link between Notch and PDGF dysregulation in IMF. Collectively, our data define a NOTCH3-PDGFRB axis in IMF, in which an IMF-mutated NOTCH3 receptor elevates PDGFRB expression. The functional characterization of a ligand-independent gain-of-function NOTCH3 mutation is important for Notch therapy considerations for IMF, including strategies aimed at altering lysosome function.
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| 35. |
- Yau, ACY, et al.
(författare)
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Rheumatoid arthritis: identifying and characterising polymorphisms using rat models
- 2016
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Ingår i: Disease models & mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8411 .- 1754-8403. ; 9:10, s. 1111-1123
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disorder characterised by erosive inflammation of the articular cartilage and by destruction of the synovial joints. It is regulated by both genetic and environmental factors, and, currently, there is no preventative treatment or cure for this disease. Genome-wide association studies have identified ∼100 new loci associated with rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to the already known locus within the major histocompatibility complex II region. However, together, these loci account for only a modest fraction of the genetic variance associated with this disease and very little is known about the pathogenic roles of most of the risk loci identified. Here, we discuss how rat models of rheumatoid arthritis are being used to detect quantitative trait loci that regulate different arthritic traits by genetic linkage analysis and to positionally clone the underlying causative genes using congenic strains. By isolating specific loci on a fixed genetic background, congenic strains overcome the challenges of genetic heterogeneity and environmental interactions associated with human studies. Most importantly, congenic strains allow functional experimental studies be performed to investigate the pathological consequences of natural genetic polymorphisms, as illustrated by the discovery of several major disease genes that contribute to arthritis in rats. We discuss how these advances have provided new biological insights into arthritis in humans.
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