Synaptic-like transmission between neural axons and arteriolar smooth muscle cells drives cerebral neurovascular coupling.

Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is important for brain function and its dysfunction underlies many neuropathologies. Although cell-type specificity has been implicated in NVC, how active neural information is conveyed to the targeted arterioles in the brain remains poorly understood. Here, using two-photon focal optogenetics in the mouse cerebral cortex, we demonstrate that single glutamatergic axons dilate their innervating arterioles via synaptic-like transmission between neural-arteriolar smooth muscle cell junctions (NsMJs).

MITF protects against oxidative damage-induced retinal degeneration by regulating the NRF2 pathway in the retinal pigment epithelium.

Oxidative damage is one of the major contributors to retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), while RPE mediated antioxidant defense plays an important role in preventing retinopathies. However, the regulatory mechanisms of antioxidant signaling in RPE cells are poorly understood. Here we show that transcription factor MITF regulates the antioxidant response in RPE cells, protecting the neural retina from oxidative damage.

MITF acts as an anti-oxidant transcription factor to regulate mitochondrial biogenesis and redox signaling in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

There is increasing evidence that the mechanisms protecting the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) against oxidative stress are important for preventing retinal degenerative diseases. Little, however, is known about these mechanisms. Here we show that MITF, a transcription factor responsible for RPE development and function, regulates redox signaling by acting through PGC1α, a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis.

Regulation of cell proliferation in the retinal pigment epithelium: Differential regulation of the death-associated protein like-1 DAPL1 by alternative MITF splice forms.

Vertebrate eye development and homoeostasis critically depend on the regulation of proliferation of cells forming the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Previous results indicated that the death-associated protein like-1 DAPL1 cell autonomously suppresses RPE proliferation in vivo and in vitro. Here, we show in human RPE cell lines that the pigment cell transcription factor MITF regulates RPE cell proliferation by upregulating DAPL1 expression.

Energy intake, oxidative stress and antioxidant in mice during lactation.

Reproduction is the highest energy demand period for small mammals, during which both energy intake and expenditure are increased to cope with elevated energy requirements of offspring growth and somatic protection. Oxidative stress life history theory proposed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) were produced in direct proportion to metabolic rate, resulting in oxidative stress and damage to macromolecules. In the present study, several markers of oxidative stress and antioxidants activities were examined in brain, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscle and small intestine in non-lactating (Non-Lac) and lactating (Lac) KM mice.