Establishment of TH-EGFP human embryonic stem cell line for specific labeling of dopaminergic neurons.

Dopaminergic (DA) neurons play critical roles in various neurological processes and disorders, particularly Parkinson's disease. To enable precise visualization and tracking of DA neurons, we generated TH-EGFP, a tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-driven enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-expressing knock-in cell line, by employing CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We introduced EGFP into the targeted genomic region of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and successfully established a TH-EGFP hESC line.

Gut-brain axis: gut dysbiosis and psychiatric disorders in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Gut dysbiosis and psychiatric symptoms are common early manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). These diseases, characterised by progressive neuron loss and pathological protein accumulation, impose debilitating effects on patients. Recently, these pathological proteins have been linked with gut dysbiosis and psychiatric disorders.

Generation of a human embryonic stem cell reporter line, TMEM119-EGFP, for the visualisation of in vitro differentiated human microglia.

Transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119) is a recently identified microglia marker that is not expressed by other immune cells. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we introduced enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP), into the H9 WA-09 human embryonic stem cell line, directly before the TMEM119 stop codon. Sanger sequencing confirmed successful insertion of the EGFP sequence.

An update on the rod microglia variant in experimental and clinical brain injury and disease.

Contemporary microglia morphologies include ramified, activated and amoeboid, with the morphology of microglia considered highly coupled to the cellular function. Rod microglia are an additional activated microglia variant observed in the ageing, injured and diseased brain. Rod microglia were reported frequently in the early 1900s by neuropathologists in post-mortem cases of general paresis, Alzheimer's disease and encephalitis, and then remained largely ignored for almost 100 years.

Intracerebral hemorrhage in the mouse altered sleep-wake patterns and activated microglia.

Sleep-wake disturbances are both a risk factor and reported morbidity for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). ICH begins with a ruptured blood vessel and blood leakage into the parenchyma. In response to initial damage, pathophysiological processes ensue that both exacerbate and repair damage.