Macrophage to neuron communication via extracellular vesicles in neuropathic pain conditions.

Neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury results from maladaptive changes in neurons and immune cells contribution to mechanisms underlying chronic pain. Specifically, in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), sensory neuron cell bodies release extracellular vesicles (EVs) which promote pro-inflammatory macrophage accumulation that facilitates nociceptive signalling. Here, we show that macrophages shuttle EVs to neurons.

Fungal ball due to a species of the Scedosporium apiospermum complex in a post-tuberculosis patient.

Background: Scedosporium species are considered emerging pathogens causing illness in immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts.

Case Report: A case of non-invasive pulmonary (fungal ball) infection by Scedosporium apiospermum complex in a 49-year-old female with bronchiectasis and cavities secondary to tuberculosis is described. The patient had a history of three years of cough and hemoptysis.

Silencing miR-21-5p in sensory neurons reverses neuropathic allodynia via activation of TGF-β-related pathway in macrophages.

Neuropathic pain remains poorly managed by current therapies, highlighting the need to improve our knowledge of chronic pain mechanisms. In neuropathic pain models, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) nociceptive neurons transfer miR-21 packaged in extracellular vesicles to macrophages that promote a proinflammatory phenotype and contribute to allodynia. Here we show that miR-21 conditional deletion in DRG neurons was coupled with lack of upregulation of chemokine CCL2 after nerve injury and reduced accumulation of CCR2-expressing macrophages, which showed TGF-β-related pathway activation and acquired an M2-like antinociceptive phenotype.

Partnership for International Development: Finland-Argentina Conference on Circular Economy and Bioeconomy with Emphasis on Food Sovereignty and Sustainability.

A joint collaboration between the Cuarto region of Argentina championed by the National University of Rio Cuarto and the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, Finland organised a conference on several topics that are related to food sovereignty, sustainability, circular economy and bioeconomy. The efficient utilisation of natural resources in both regions is an important theme in meeting the sustainable development goals agenda. Hence, this partnership between the partner institutions will lead to the cocreation of knowledge.