Publication

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are reported to have important roles in placental development and function, but the role of lncRNAs in abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) remains elusive. In the present study, the differential expression profiles of lncRNAs were analyzed to identify novel targets for further study of AIP. A total of 10 lncRNAs were chosen for validation by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. To further determine the functions of dysregulated lncRNAs and their corresponding mRNAs, functional enrichment analysis, coexpression analysis were performed.

A large number of dopamine neurons projecting to the NAc are innervated by local VTA LepR-expressing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons. Leptin enhances the activity of these GABA neurons and thereby inhibits NAc-projecting dopamine neurons. In addition, we find that lateral hypothalamic (LH) LepR-expressing neurons projecting to the VTA are inhibited by leptin and that these neurons modulate dopamine neurons indirectly via inhibition of VTA GABA neurons.

Fingertip mechanoreceptors comprise sensory neuron endings together with specialized skin cells that form the end-organ. Exquisitely sensitive, vibration-sensing neurons are associated with Meissner's corpuscles in the skin. In the present study, we found that USH2A, a transmembrane protein with a very large extracellular domain, was found in terminal Schwann cells within Meissner's corpuscles. Pathogenic USH2A mutations cause Usher's syndrome, associated with hearing loss and visual impairment.

Rationale: The combination of medical and tissue engineering in neural regeneration studies is a promising field. Collagen, silk fibroin and seed cells are suitable options and have been widely used in the repair of spinal cord injury. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the implantation of a complex fabricated with collagen/silk fibroin (SF) and the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) can promote cerebral cortex repair and motor functional recovery in a canine model of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Background Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) neural systems are important stress mechanisms in central amygdala (CeA), bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST), nucleus accumbens (NAc) and related structures. CRF-containing neural systems are traditionally posited to generate aversive distress states that motivate over-consumption of rewards and relapse in addiction. However, CRF-containing systems may alternatively promote incentive motivation to increase reward pursuit and consumption, without requiring aversive states.

Chronic activation and dysregulation of the neuroendocrine stress response have severe physiological and psychological consequences, including the development of metabolic and stress-related psychiatric disorders. We provide the first unbiased, cell type–specific, molecular characterization of all three components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, under baseline and chronic stress conditions. Among others, we identified a previously unreported subpopulation of Abcb1b+ cells involved in stress adaptation in the adrenal gland.

The axonal microtubules (MTs) support long-distance transport of cargoes that are dispatched to distinct cellular subcompartments. Among them, mRNAs are directly transported in membraneless ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules that, together with ribosomes, can also hitchhike on fast-moving membrane-bound organelles for accurate transport along MTs. These organelles serve as platforms for mRNA translation, thus generating axonal foci of newly synthesized proteins.

Regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS4) is a potent negative regulator of G-protein coupled receptor signaling duration. Recent studies have identified RGS4 as a key gene in the maintenance of mechanical and cold allodynia associated with chronic pain states in mice. RGS4 is abundantly expressed across the pain matrix, and several studies have demonstrated upregulation of RGS4 mRNA in response to both peripheral inflammation and nerve injury.

Obesity is a disease that affects 1/3 of the US population that could lead to several comorbidities. Obesity induces cognitive and behavioral impairment. Low plasma vitamin D levels are associated with increased body mass index (BMI). Therefore, vitamin D supplementation has shown benefits in BMI, glucose homeostasis and cognitive/behavioral function; however, contradictory data exists in animal models and remains poorly studied. Obesity in males increases 5.7-fold the risk for severe complications and death due to SARSCoV-2.

To examine the role of Sema3A expression in satellite cells (SCs) and terminal Schwann cells (TSCs) in neuromuscular junction (NMJs) formation, expression was investigated during recovery from muscle- or nerve-crush injuries in muscle from mice with a SC-specific knockout of Sema3A. We tested the hypothesis that loss of SC-specific Sema3A expression would disrupt TSC gene and protein expression after both injuries.