BCAS1-positive oligodendrocytes enable efficient cortical remyelination in multiple sclerosis.

Remyelination is a crucial regenerative process in demyelinating diseases, limiting persisting damage to the central nervous system (CNS). It restores saltatory nerve conduction and ensures trophic support of axons. In multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, remyelination has been observed in both white and grey matter and found to be more efficient in the cortex.

Transgene-Free Cynomolgus Monkey iPSCs Generated under Chemically Defined Conditions.

Non-human primates (NHPs) are pivotal animal models for translating novel cell replacement therapies into clinical applications, including validating the safety and efficacy of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived products. Preclinical development and the testing of cell-based therapies ideally comprise xenogeneic (human stem cells into NHPs) and allogenic (NHP stem cells into NHPs) transplantation studies. For the allogeneic approach, it is necessary to generate NHP-iPSCs with generally equivalent quality to the human counterparts that will be used later on in patients.

Optimized pharmacological control over the AAV-Gene-Switch vector for regulable gene therapy.

Gene therapy in its current design is an irreversible process. It cannot be stopped in case of unwanted side effects, nor can expression levels of therapeutics be adjusted to individual patient's needs. Thus, the Gene-Switch (GS) system for pharmacologically regulable neurotrophic factor expression was established for treatment of parkinsonian patients.

Developing therapeutically more efficient Neurturin variants for treatment of Parkinson's disease.

In Parkinson's disease midbrain dopaminergic neurons degenerate and die. Oral medications and deep brain stimulation can relieve the initial symptoms, but the disease continues to progress. Growth factors that might support the survival, enhance the activity, or even regenerate degenerating dopamine neurons have been tried with mixed results in patients.

Pharmacokinetics of the MRI contrast agent gadobutrol in common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus).

Background: This study determined the pharmacokinetics of the contrast agent gadobutrol in marmosets by quantitative MRI to derive guidelines for neuroimaging protocols.

Methods: Local concentrations of gadobutrol were determined from consecutive gradient echo-based mapping of the relaxation rate R1 on a clinical 3T MRI scanner. Half-time of renal elimination was measured after injection of a triple dose of gadobutrol (0.

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Neurotrophic Factors CDNF and GDNF in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) belongs to a newly discovered family of evolutionarily conserved neurotrophic factors. We demonstrate for the first time a therapeutic effect of CDNF in a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion model of Parkinson's disease in marmoset monkeys. Furthermore, we tested the impact of high chronic doses of human recombinant CDNF on unlesioned monkeys and analyzed the amino acid sequence of marmoset CDNF.

A New Targeted Model of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in the Common Marmoset.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause for sustained disability in young adults, yet treatment options remain very limited. Although numerous therapeutic approaches have been effective in rodent models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), only few proved to be beneficial in patients with MS. Hence, there is a strong need for more predictive animal models.

NDRG2 as a marker protein for brain astrocytes.

The protein NDRG2 (N-myc downregulated gene 2) is expressed in astrocytes. We show here that NDRG2 is located in the cytosol of protoplasmic and fibrous astrocytes throughout the mammalian brain, including Bergmann glia as observed in mouse, rat, tree shrew, marmoset and human. NDRG2 immunoreactivity is detectable in the astrocytic cell bodies and excrescencies including fine distal processes.

Oligodendroglia in cortical multiple sclerosis lesions decrease with disease progression, but regenerate after repeated experimental demyelination.

Cerebral cortex shows a high endogenous propensity for remyelination. Yet, widespread subpial cortical demyelination (SCD) is a common feature in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and can already be found in early MS. In the present study, we compared oligodendroglial loss in SCD in early and chronic MS.

Structural and quantitative neuroimaging of the common marmoset monkey using a clinical MRI system.

Purpose was to adapt structural and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from humans to common marmoset monkeys on a clinical 3T scanner and to demonstrate the value for translational research. Three-dimensional T1- and T2-weighted MRI and gradient echo-based multi-parameter mapping was performed on nine adult animals using a wrist coil. Structural MRI was applied in a model of targeted experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Visualizing dopamine transporter integrity with iodine-123-FP-CIT SPECT in combination with high resolution MRI in the brain of the common marmoset monkey.

Considerable progress has been made in small animal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging in the field of Parkinson's disease. In preclinical research, there is an increasing demand for in vivo imaging techniques to apply to animal models. Here, we report the first protocol for dopamine transporter (DAT) SPECT in common marmosets using the radioligand ¹²³I-N-ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-{4-iodophenyl}nortropane (¹²³I-FP-CIT).

Early preweaning methamphetamine and postweaning rearing conditions interfere with the development of peripheral stress parameters and neural growth factors in gerbils.

Adrenal steroid hormones and neuronal growth factors are two interacting systemic factors that mediate the environment's influence on the brain's structure and function. In order to further elucidate their role and relationship in the effects of early stressful experience and isolated rearing (IR), this study measured blood corticosterone titres and relative adrenal weights and assessed nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations in brain regions of both hemispheres of young adult Mongolian gerbils injected on postnatal day 14 with a single high dose of methamphetamine (MA) or saline and raised after weaning either in an enriched or an impoverished environment. Irrespective of MA challenge, IR decreased corticosterone titres to about half, but increased relative adrenal weights.