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- Dunlop, R. A., et al.
(author)
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Is Exposure to BMAA a Risk Factor for Neurodegenerative Diseases? : A Response to a Critical Review of the BMAA Hypothesis
- 2021
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In: Neurotoxicity research. - : Springer. - 1029-8428 .- 1476-3524. ; 39:1, s. 81-106
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In a literature survey, Chernoff et al. (2017) dismissed the hypothesis that chronic exposure to beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) may be a risk factor for progressive neurodegenerative disease. They question the growing scientific literature that suggests the following: (1) BMAA exposure causes ALS/PDC among the indigenous Chamorro people of Guam; (2) Guamanian ALS/PDC shares clinical and neuropathological features with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ALS; (3) one possible mechanism for protein misfolds is misincorporation of BMAA into proteins as a substitute for L-serine; and (4) chronic exposure to BMAA through diet or environmental exposures to cyanobacterial blooms can cause neurodegenerative disease. We here identify multiple errors in their critique including the following: (1) their review selectively cites the published literature; (2) the authors reported favorably on HILIC methods of BMAA detection while the literature shows significant matrix effects and peak coelution in HILIC that may prevent detection and quantification of BMAA in cyanobacteria; (3) the authors build alternative arguments to the BMAA hypothesis, rather than explain the published literature which, to date, has been unable to refute the BMAA hypothesis; and (4) the authors erroneously attribute methods to incorrect studies, indicative of a failure to carefully consider all relevant publications. The lack of attention to BMAA research begins with the review's title which incorrectly refers to BMAA as a "non-essential" amino acid. Research regarding chronic exposure to BMAA as a cause of human neurodegenerative diseases is emerging and requires additional resources, validation, and research. Here, we propose strategies for improvement in the execution and reporting of analytical methods and the need for additional and well-executed inter-lab comparisons for BMAA quantitation. We emphasize the need for optimization and validation of analytical methods to ensure that they are fit-for-purpose. Although there remain gaps in the literature, an increasingly large body of data from multiple independent labs using orthogonal methods provides increasing evidence that chronic exposure to BMAA may be a risk factor for neurological illness.
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- Fransson, Moa, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Engineered T regulatory cells target CNS and suppress active EAE upon intra nasal delivery
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). In the murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS, T regulatory (Treg) cell therapy has proven beneficial. However, systemic administration of such cells may immunologically compromise the recipient and promote infections due to general immunosuppression. We hypothesized that Tregs can be equipped with a CNS-targeting receptor and be delivered intra-nasally to avoid systemic exposure. In the current investigation, CD4+ T cells were modified with a lentiviral vector system to express a myelin oligodendrocyte (MOG)-targeting receptor in trans with the FoxP3 gene that drives Treg differentiation. The genetically engineered Tregs demonstrated suppressive capacity in vitro and were then tested in the EAE model. Engineered Tregs localized to the brain and suppressed ongoing encephalomyelitis in vivo. Cured mice were rechallenged with an EAE-inducing inoculum but remained healthy. Cytokine profile of the brain reveled lower levels of effector cytokines in TregCAR treated mice and acordingly, reduced axonal damage was seen in these mice. In conclusion, CNS-specific Tregs were able to localize to the CNS and efficiently cure mice with ongoing EAE.
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- Fransson, Moa, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Human Mesenchymal stromal cells expressing a CNS-targeting receptor can be administrated intra nasally and cure expersimental autoimmune enchphlomyelitis
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous population of stromal cells residing in most connective tissues and have the capacity to suppress effector cells of the immune system. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, systemic treatments with both murine and human MSCs have proven beneficial because of their capacity to suppress overt immune reactions. However, systemic administration of such cells may cause problems with infectious disease and low numbers of cells that reach the inflamed tissue. We hypothesized that MSCs can be accumulated and retained in the CNS using gene transfer of a CNS-targeting device and intranasal cell delivery. In the current investigation, MSCs were engineered to express a myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-specific receptor using lentiviral vectors. Genetically engineered MSCs retained their suppressive capacity in vitro and successfully targeted the brain upon both intraperitoneal and intranasal delivery. Engineered MSCs cured mice from disease symptoms and these mice were resistant to further EAE challenge. Encephalitic T cells isolated from cured mice displayed an anergic profile while peripheral T cells were still responsive to stimuli. Further, MSC treatment reduced the level of inflammatory cytokines in the brain and implyed reduced damage to axons. In conclusion, MSCs can be genetically engineered to target CNS and efficiently suppress encephalomyelitis in an active EAE model upon intranasal delivery.
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- Karlsson, Oskar, et al.
(author)
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Neurotoxin-Induced Neuropeptide Perturbations in Striatum of Neonatal Rats
- 2013
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In: Journal of Proteome Research. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1535-3893 .- 1535-3907. ; 12:4, s. 1678-1690
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The cyanobacterial toxin β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) is suggested to play a role in neurodegenerative disease. We have previously shown that although the selective uptake of BMAA in the rodent neonatal striatum does not cause neuronal cell death, exposure during the neonatal development leads to cognitive impairments in adult rats. The aim of the present study was to characterize the changes in the striatal neuropeptide systems of male and female rat pups treated neonatally (postnatal days 9-10) with BMAA (40-460 mg/kg). The label-free quantification of the relative levels of endogenous neuropeptides using mass spectrometry revealed that 25 peptides from 13 neuropeptide precursors were significantly changed in the rat neonatal striatum. The exposure to noncytotoxic doses of BMAA induced a dose-dependent increase of neurosecretory protein VGF-derived peptides, and changes in the relative levels of cholecystokinin, chromogranin, secretogranin, MCH, somatostatin and cortistatin-derived peptides were observed at the highest dose. In addition, the results revealed a sex-dependent increase in the relative level of peptides derived from the proenkephalin-A and protachykinin-1 precursors, including substance P and neurokinin A, in female pups. Because several of these peptides play a critical role in the development and survival of neurons, the observed neuropeptide changes might be possible mediators of BMAA-induced behavioral changes. Moreover, some neuropeptide changes suggest potential sex-related differences in susceptibility toward this neurotoxin. The present study also suggests that neuropeptide profiling might provide a sensitive characterization of the BMAA-induced noncytotoxic effects on the developing brain.
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- Lindh, Christian, et al.
(author)
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Binding of the potent allergen hexahydrophthalic anhydride in the mucosa of the upper respiratory and alimentary tract following single inhalation exposures in guinea pigs and rats
- 1999
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In: Toxicology. - 0300-483X. ; 134:2-3, s. 153-168
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA; CAS No. 13149-00-3) is a highly allergenic compound commonly used in the chemical industry. Guinea pigs and rats were exposed to [3H2]HHPA by inhalation for 3-8 h and were killed at various intervals during 7 days. The tissue distribution of non-volatile and covalently bound radioactivity was studied by autoradiography. Tissue bound radioactivity was mainly found in the mucosa of the upper respiratory airways, whereas negligible levels were observed in the lungs. In addition, tissue bound radioactivity was present in the gastrointestinal tract and conjunctiva. Moreover, in the cortex of the kidneys in rats, but not in guinea pigs, a low level of tissue bound radioactivity was found. The radioactivity in the tissues persisted for at least 7 days after the end of exposure. Plasma proteins and soluble proteins from trachea, lung, and kidney from [3H2]HHPA-exposed animals were separated by gel filtration. The radioactivity in dialysed plasma was mainly found in the same fractions as albumin. The soluble proteins from trachea, lung, and kidney in both rats and guinea pigs showed a similar pattern as found in blood. The radioactivity in dialysed plasma from both guinea pigs and rats seemed to decay according to a two-compartment model. The non-extractable binding of [3H2]HHPA in the upper respiratory airways and conjunctiva may be of relevance for symptoms in workers with allergy, since they mainly develop symptoms and signs from the nose and eyes.
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