1. |
|
|
2. |
|
|
3. |
|
|
4. |
|
|
5. |
|
|
6. |
|
|
7. |
|
|
8. |
|
|
9. |
|
|
10. |
|
|
11. |
- Gaati, G, et al.
(author)
-
Revival of calcium-binding proteins for neuromorphology: secretagogin typifies distinct cell populations in the avian brain
- 2014
-
In: Brain, behavior and evolution. - : S. Karger AG. - 1421-9743 .- 0006-8977. ; 83:2, s. 82-92
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the vertebrate nervous system, the Ca<sup>2+</sup>-binding proteins parvalbumin, calbindin and calretinin have been extensively used to elaborate the molecular diversity of neuronal subtypes. Secretagogin is a phylogenetically conserved Ca<sup>2+</sup>-binding protein, which marks neuronal populations largely distinct from other Ca<sup>2+</sup>-binding proteins in mammals. Whether secretagogin is expressed in nonmammalian vertebrates, particularly in birds, and, if so, with a brain cytoarchitectonic design different from that of mammals is unknown. Here, we show that secretagogin is already present in the hatchlings' brain with continued presence into adulthood. Secretagogin-immunoreactive neurons primarily accumulate in the olfactory bulb, septum, subpallial amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, habenular nuclei and deep layers of the optic tectum of adult domestic chicks <i>(Gallus domesticus)</i>. In the olfactory bulb, secretagogin labels periglomerular neurons as well as a cell continuum ascending dorsomedially, reaching the ventricular wall. Between the hippocampus and septal nuclei, the interconnecting thin septal tissue harbors secretagogin-immunoreactive neurons that contact the ventricular wall with their ramifying dendritic processes. Secretagogin is also present in the neuroendocrine hypothalamus, with particularly rich neuronal clusters seen in its suprachiasmatic and infundibular nuclei. Secretagogin expression identified a hitherto undescribed cell contingent along intratelencephalic cell-free laminae separating brain regions or marking the palliosubpallial boundary, as well as a dense neuronal population in the area corticoidea lateralis. In both the telencephalon and midbrain, secretagogin complemented the distribution of the canonical ‘neuronal' Ca<sup>2+</sup>-binding proteins. Our findings identify novel neuronal subtypes, connectivity patterns in brain areas functionally relevant to olfaction, orientation, behavior as well as endocrine functions, which will help refine existing concepts on the neuronal diversity and organizational principles of the avian brain.
|
|
12. |
|
|
13. |
|
|
14. |
|
|
15. |
|
|
16. |
|
|
17. |
|
|
18. |
|
|
19. |
|
|
20. |
- Hevesi, Z, et al.
(author)
-
Preclinical Establishment of a Divalent Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2
- 2022
-
In: Vaccines. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-393X. ; 10:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- First-generation vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 do not provide adequate immune protection. Therefore, we engineered a divalent gene construct combining the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein and the immunodominant region of the viral nucleocapsid. This fusion protein was produced in either E. coli or a recombinant baculovirus system. Subsequently, the fusion protein was mixed with adjuvant and administered to mice in a prime-booster mode. Mice (72%) produced an IgG response against both proteins (titer: 10−4–10−5) 14 days after the first booster injection, which was increased to 100% by a second booster. Comparable IgG responses were detected against the delta, gamma and omicron variants of the RBD region. Durability testing revealed IgGs beyond 90 days. In addition, cytolytic effector cell molecules were increased in lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood. Ex vivo stimulation of T cells by nucleocapsid and RBD peptides showed antigen-specific upregulation of CD44 among the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of vaccinated mice. No side effect was documented in the central nervous system. Cumulatively, these data represent a proof-of-principle approach alternative to existing mRNA vaccination strategies.
|
|
21. |
|
|
22. |
|
|
23. |
- Korchynska, S, et al.
(author)
-
A hypothalamic dopamine locus for psychostimulant-induced hyperlocomotion in mice
- 2022
-
In: Nature communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1, s. 5944-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The lateral septum (LS) has been implicated in the regulation of locomotion. Nevertheless, the neurons synchronizing LS activity with the brain’s clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) remain unknown. By interrogating the molecular, anatomical and physiological heterogeneity of dopamine neurons of the periventricular nucleus (PeVN; A14 catecholaminergic group), we find that Th+/Dat1+ cells from its anterior subdivision innervate the LS in mice. These dopamine neurons receive dense neuropeptidergic innervation from the SCN. Reciprocal viral tracing in combination with optogenetic stimulation ex vivo identified somatostatin-containing neurons in the LS as preferred synaptic targets of extrahypothalamic A14 efferents. In vivo chemogenetic manipulation of anterior A14 neurons impacted locomotion. Moreover, chemogenetic inhibition of dopamine output from the anterior PeVN normalized amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion, particularly during sedentary periods. Cumulatively, our findings identify a hypothalamic locus for the diurnal control of locomotion and pinpoint a midbrain-independent cellular target of psychostimulants.
|
|
24. |
- Krivanek, J, et al.
(author)
-
Dental cell type atlas reveals stem and differentiated cell types in mouse and human teeth
- 2020
-
In: Nature communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 11:1, s. 4816-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Understanding cell types and mechanisms of dental growth is essential for reconstruction and engineering of teeth. Therefore, we investigated cellular composition of growing and non-growing mouse and human teeth. As a result, we report an unappreciated cellular complexity of the continuously-growing mouse incisor, which suggests a coherent model of cell dynamics enabling unarrested growth. This model relies on spatially-restricted stem, progenitor and differentiated populations in the epithelial and mesenchymal compartments underlying the coordinated expansion of two major branches of pulpal cells and diverse epithelial subtypes. Further comparisons of human and mouse teeth yield both parallelisms and differences in tissue heterogeneity and highlight the specifics behind growing and non-growing modes. Despite being similar at a coarse level, mouse and human teeth reveal molecular differences and species-specific cell subtypes suggesting possible evolutionary divergence. Overall, here we provide an atlas of human and mouse teeth with a focus on growth and differentiation.
|
|
25. |
|
|
26. |
|
|
27. |
|
|
28. |
|
|
29. |
|
|
30. |
|
|
31. |
- Orthofer, M, et al.
(author)
-
Identification of ALK in Thinness
- 2020
-
In: Cell. - : Elsevier BV. - 1097-4172 .- 0092-8674. ; 181:6, s. 1246-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)
|
|
32. |
|
|
33. |
|
|
34. |
|
|
35. |
- Romanov, RA, et al.
(author)
-
Unified Classification of Molecular, Network, and Endocrine Features of Hypothalamic Neurons
- 2019
-
In: Annual review of neuroscience. - : Annual Reviews. - 1545-4126 .- 0147-006X. ; 42, s. 1-26
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Peripheral endocrine output relies on either direct or feed-forward multi-order command from the hypothalamus. Efficient coding of endocrine responses is made possible by the many neuronal cell types that coexist in intercalated hypothalamic nuclei and communicate through extensive synaptic connectivity. Although general anatomical and neurochemical features of hypothalamic neurons were described during the past decades, they have yet to be reconciled with recently discovered molecular classifiers and neurogenetic function determination. By interrogating magnocellular as well as parvocellular dopamine, GABA, glutamate, and phenotypically mixed neurons, we integrate available information at the molecular, cellular, network, and endocrine output levels to propose a framework for the comprehensive classification of hypothalamic neurons. Simultaneously, we single out putative neuronal subclasses for which future research can fill in existing gaps of knowledge to rationalize cellular diversity through function-determinant molecular marks in the hypothalamus.
|
|
36. |
- Shahidi, MK, et al.
(author)
-
Three-dimensional Imaging Reveals New Compartments and Structural Adaptations in Odontoblasts
- 2015
-
In: Journal of dental research. - : SAGE Publications. - 1544-0591 .- 0022-0345. ; 94:7, s. 945-954
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In organized tissues, the precise geometry and the overall shape are critical for the specialized functions that the cells carry out. Odontoblasts are major matrix-producing cells of the tooth and have also been suggested to participate in sensory transmission. However, refined morphologic data on these important cells are limited, which hampers the analysis and understanding of their cellular functions. We took advantage of fluorescent color-coding genetic tracing to visualize and reconstruct in 3 dimensions single odontoblasts, pulp cells, and their assemblages. Our results show distinct structural features and compartments of odontoblasts at different stages of maturation, with regard to overall cellular shape, formation of the main process, orientation, and matrix deposition. We demonstrate previously unanticipated contacts between the processes of pulp cells and odontoblasts. All reported data are related to mouse incisor tooth. We also show that odontoblasts express TRPM5 and Piezo2 ion channels. Piezo2 is expressed ubiquitously, while TRPM5 is asymmetrically distributed with distinct localization to regions proximal to and within odontoblast processes.
|
|
37. |
|
|
38. |
|
|
39. |
|
|
40. |
|
|
41. |
|
|
42. |
|
|
43. |
|
|
44. |
- Zhang, M. -D, et al.
(author)
-
Comparative anatomical distribution of neuronal calcium-binding protein (NECAB) 1 and -2 in rodent and human spinal cord
- 2016
-
In: Brain Structure and Function. - : Springer. - 1863-2653 .- 1863-2661. ; , s. 1-21
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neuronal calcium-binding protein 1 and -2 (NECAB1/2) localize to multiple excitatory neuron populations in the mouse spinal cord. Here, we analyzed rat and human spinal cord, combining in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, complementing newly collated data on mouse spinal cord for direct comparisons. Necab1/2 mRNA transcripts showed complementary distribution in rodent’s spinal cord. Multiple-labeling fluorescence histochemistry with neuronal phenotypic markers localized NECAB1 to a dense fiber plexus in the dorsal horn, to neurons mainly in superficial layers and to commissural interneurons in both rodent species. NECAB1-positive (+) motor neurons were only found in mice. NECAB1 distribution in the human spinal cord was similar with the addition of NECAB1-like immunoreactivity surrounding myelinated axons. NECAB2 was mainly present in excitatory synaptic boutons in the dorsal horn of all three species, and often in calbindin-D28k+ neuronal somata. Rodent ependymal cells expressed calbindin-D28k. In humans, they instead were NECAB2+ and/or calretinin+. Our results reveal that the association of NECAB2 to excitatory neuronal circuits in the spinal cord is evolutionarily conserved across the mammalian species investigated so far. In contrast, NECAB1 expression is more heterogeneous. Thus, our study suggests that the phenotypic segregation of NECAB1 and -2 to respective excitatory and inhibitory spinal systems can underpin functional modalities in determining the fidelity of synaptic neurotransmission and neuronal responsiveness, and might bear translational relevance to humans.
|
|
45. |
|
|
46. |
|
|
47. |
- Ahmed, M, et al.
(author)
-
A hypothalamic pathway for Augmentor α-controlled body weight regulation
- 2022
-
In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 1091-6490. ; 119:16, s. e2200476119-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Augmentor α and β (Augα and Augβ) are newly discovered ligands of the receptor tyrosine kinases Alk and Ltk. Augα functions as a dimeric ligand that binds with high affinity and specificity to Alk and Ltk. However, a monomeric Augα fragment and monomeric Augβ also bind to Alk and potently stimulate cellular responses. While previous studies demonstrated that oncogenic Alk mutants function as important drivers of a variety of human cancers, the physiological roles of Augα and Augβ are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the physiological roles of Augα and Augβ by exploring mice deficient in each or both Aug ligands. Analysis of mutant mice showed that both Augα single knockout and double knockout of Augα and Augβ exhibit a similar thinness phenotype and resistance to diet-induced obesity. In the Augα-knockout mice, the leanness phenotype is coupled to increased physical activity. By contrast, Augβ-knockout mice showed similar weight curves as the littermate controls. Experiments are presented demonstrating that Augα is robustly expressed and metabolically regulated in agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons, cells that control whole-body energy homeostasis in part via their projections to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Moreover, both Alk and melanocortin receptor-4 are expressed in discrete neuronal populations in the PVN and are regulated by projections containing Augα and AgRP, respectively, demonstrating that two distinct mechanisms that regulate pigmentation operate in the hypothalamus to control body weight. These experiments show that Alk-driven cancers were co-opted from a neuronal pathway in control of body weight, offering therapeutic opportunities for metabolic diseases and cancer.
|
|
48. |
|
|
49. |
|
|
50. |
|
|