DSCAM Deficiency Leads to Premature Spine Maturation and Autism-like Behaviors.

Mutations in some cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) cause abnormal synapse formation and maturation, and serve as one of the potential mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Recently, (Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule) was found to be a high-risk gene for autism. However, it is still unclear how DSCAM contributes to ASD.

The Candidate Schizophrenia Risk Gene Regulates Glucose Metabolism Homeostasis.

Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe psychiatric disease affected by genetic factors and environmental contributors, and premorbid abnormality of glucose metabolism is one of the SCZ characteristics supposed to contribute to the disease's pathological process. Transmembrane protein 108 () is a susceptible gene associated with multiple psychiatric diseases, including SCZ. Moreover, mutant mice exhibit SCZ-like behaviors in the measurement of sensorimotor gating.

Metformin ncreases arcolemma ntegrity and meliorates euromuscular eficits in a urine odel of Duchenne uscular ystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting. Stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been demonstrated to increase muscle function and protect muscle against damage in dystrophic mice. Metformin is a widely used anti-hyperglycemic drug and has been shown to be an indirect activator of AMPK.

Transmembrane protein 108 is required for glutamatergic transmission in dentate gyrus.

Neurotransmission in dentate gyrus (DG) is critical for spatial coding, learning memory, and emotion processing. Although DG dysfunction is implicated in psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, underlying pathological mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report that transmembrane protein 108 (Tmem108), a novel schizophrenia susceptibility gene, is highly enriched in DG granule neurons and its expression increased at the postnatal period critical for DG development.

Self-assembly of all-conjugated block copolymer nanoparticles with tailoring size and fluorescence for live cell imaging.

A series of all-conjugated polythiophene diblock copolymers containing hydrophobic (hexyl) and hydrophilic (triethylene glycol) side chains were synthesized via a nickel-catalyzed quasi-living polymerization. The correlations between block ratios and the self-assembled nanostructures of the block copolymers in thin films and in various solutions were examined. The copolymers dispersed in water via a slow dialysis method produced molecular-level self-assembled core-shell nanospheres with a crystallized hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic amorphous shell, which was proved by TEM images.

Lrp4 in astrocytes modulates glutamatergic transmission.

Neurotransmission requires precise control of neurotransmitter release from axon terminals. This process is regulated by glial cells; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We found that glutamate release in the brain was impaired in mice lacking low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (Lrp4), a protein that is critical for neuromuscular junction formation.

Neonatal Maternal Separation Impairs Prefrontal Cortical Myelination and Cognitive Functions in Rats Through Activation of Wnt Signaling.

Adverse early-life experience such as depriving the relationship between parents and children induces permanent phenotypic changes, and impairs the cognitive functions associated with the prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this work, we used rat neonatal maternal separation (NMS) model to illuminate whether and how NMS in early life affects cognitive functions, and what the underlying cellular and molecular mechanism is.

Cross-protection of Lactococcus lactis-displayed HA2 subunit against homologous and heterologous influenza A viruses in mice.

Current influenza vaccines provide strain-specific protection against homologous subtypes and need to be updated annually. Therefore, it is essential to develop a universal vaccine that would induce broadly cross-protective immunity against homologous and heterologous influenza A viruses. The highly conserved HA2 subunit is a promising candidate for developing a universal influenza vaccine.

Broadly protective immunity against divergent influenza viruses by oral co-administration of Lactococcus lactis expressing nucleoprotein adjuvanted with cholera toxin B subunit in mice.

Background: Current influenza vaccines need to be annually reformulated to well match the predicated circulating strains. Thus, it is critical for developing a novel universal influenza vaccine that would be able to confer cross-protection against constantly emerging divergent influenza virus strains. Influenza virus A is a genus of the Orthomyxoviridae family of viruses.

Protective immunity against influenza H5N1 virus challenge in chickens by oral administration of recombinant Lactococcus lactis expressing neuraminidase.

Background: Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses pose a debilitating pandemic threat in poultry. Current influenza vaccines predominantly focus on hemagglutinin (HA) which anti-HA antibodies are often neutralizing, and are used routinely to assess vaccine immunogenicity. However, Neuraminidase (NA), the other major glycoprotein on the surface of the influenza virus, has historically served as the target for antiviral drug therapy and is much less studied in the context of humoral immunity.

14-3-3ζ regulates immune response through Stat3 signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Ectopic expression of 14-3-3ζ has been found in various malignancies, including lung cancer, liver cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and so on. However, the effect of 14-3-3ζ in the regulation of interactions between tumor cells and the immune system has not been previously reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether and how 14-3-3ζ is implicated in tumor inflammation modulation and immune recognition evasion.

Lactococcus lactis displayed neuraminidase confers cross protective immunity against influenza A viruses in mice.

Influenza A viruses pose a serious threat to public health. Current influenza A vaccines predominantly focus on hemagglutinin (HA) and show strain-specific protection. Neuraminidase (NA) is much less studied in the context of humoral immunity against influenza A viruses.

Intranasal immunization of recombinant Lactococcus lactis induces protection against H5N1 virus in ferrets.

The increasing outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI) H5N1 viruses in birds and human bring out an urgent need to develop a safe and effective vaccine to control and prevent H5N1 infection. Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) based vaccine platform is a promising approach for mucosal H5N1 vaccine development.