| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- Aufschnaiter, Andreas, et al.
(author)
-
Taking out the garbage : cathepsin D and calcineurin in neurodegeneration
- 2017
-
In: Neural Regeneration Research. - : Medknow. - 1673-5374 .- 1876-7958. ; 12:11, s. 1776-1779
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cellular homeostasis requires a tightly controlled balance between protein synthesis, folding and degradation. Especially long-lived, post-mitotic cells such as neurons depend on an efficient proteostasis system to maintain cellular health over decades. Thus, a functional decline of processes contributing to protein degradation such as autophagy and general lysosomal proteolytic capacity is connected to several age-associated neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. These so called proteinopathies are characterized by the accumulation and misfolding of distinct proteins, subsequently driving cellular demise. We recently linked efficient lysosomal protein breakdown via the protease cathepsin D to the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin. In a yeast model for Parkinson's disease, functional calcineurin was required for proper trafficking of cathepsin D to the lysosome and for recycling of its endosomal sorting receptor to allow further rounds of shuttling. Here, we discuss these findings in relation to present knowledge about the involvement of cathepsin D in proteinopathies in general and a possible connection between this protease, calcineurin signalling and endosomal sorting in particular. As dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis as well as lysosomal impairment is connected to a plethora of neurodegenerative disorders, this novel interplay might very well impact pathologies beyond Parkinson's disease.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Ching, Rosanna C., et al.
(author)
-
The role of exosomes in peripheral nerve regeneration
- 2015
-
In: Neural Regeneration Research. - : Medknow. - 1673-5374 .- 1876-7958. ; 10:5, s. 743-747
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Peripheral nerve injuries remain problematic to treat, with poor functional recovery commonly observed. Injuries resulting in a nerve gap create specific difficulties for axonal regeneration. Approaches to address these difficulties include autologous nerve grafts (which are currently the gold standard treatment) and synthetic conduits, with the latter option being able to be impregnated with Schwann cells or stem cells which provide an appropriate micro-environment for neuronal regeneration to occur. Transplanting stem cells, however, infers additional risk of malignant transformation as well as manufacturing difficulties and ethical concerns, and the use of autologous nerve grafts and Schwann cells requires the sacrifice of a functioning nerve. A new approach utilizing exosomes, secreted extracellular vesicles, could avoid these complications. In this review, we summarize the current literature on exosomes, and suggest how they could help to improve axonal regeneration following peripheral nerve injury.
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Latini, Francesco, 1982-, et al.
(author)
-
Rethinking the standard trans-cortical approaches in the light of superficial white matter anatomy
- 2015
-
In: Neural Regeneration Research. - Meadows : Medknow. - 1673-5374 .- 1876-7958. ; 10:12, s. 1906-1909
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A better comprehension of the superficial white matter organization is important in order to minimize potential and avoidable damage to long or intermediate association fibre bundles during every step of a surgical approach. We recently proposed a technique for cadaver specimen preparation, which seems able to identify a more systematic organization of the superficial white matter terminations. Moreover, the use of the physiological intracranial vascular network for the fixation process allowed us to constantly show main vascular landmarks associated with white matter structures. Hence three examples of standard approaches to eloquent areas are herein reanalyzed starting from the first superficial layer. New insights into the possible surgical trajectories and subsequent quantitative damages of both vessels and white matter fibres can help readapt even the most standard and widely accepted approach trough the brain cortex. A more detailed study of these fine anatomical details may become in the near future a fundamental part of the neurosurgical training and the preoperative planning.
|
|
| 9. |
|
|
| 10. |
- Moulin, Thiago, et al.
(author)
-
Dendritic spine density changes and homeostatic synaptic scaling : a meta-analysis of animal studies
- 2022
-
In: Neural Regeneration Research. - : Medknow. - 1673-5374 .- 1876-7958. ; 17:1, s. 20-24
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mechanisms of homeostatic plasticity promote compensatory changes of cellular excitability in response to chronic changes in the network activity. This type of plasticity is essential for the maintenance of brain circuits and is involved in the regulation of neural regeneration and the progress of neurodegenerative disorders. One of the most studied homeostatic processes is synaptic scaling, where global synaptic adjustments take place to restore the neuronal firing rate to a physiological range by the modulation of synaptic receptors, neurotransmitters, and morphology. However, despite the comprehensive literature on the electrophysiological properties of homeostatic scaling, less is known about the structural adjustments that occur in the synapses and dendritic tree. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of articles investigating the effects of chronic network excitation (synaptic downscaling) or inhibition (synaptic upscaling) on the dendritic spine density of neurons. Our results indicate that spine density is consistently reduced after protocols that induce synaptic scaling, independent of the intervention type. Then, we discuss the implication of our findings to the current knowledge on the morphological changes induced by homeostatic plasticity.
|
|
