Publications by authors named "Pahnke J"

Huntington's disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe motor deficits, cognitive decline and psychiatric disturbances. An early and significant morphological hallmark of HD is the activation of astrocytes triggered by mutant huntingtin, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators. Fingolimod (FTY), an FDA-approved sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor agonist is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS), a neuroinflammatory disease, and has shown therapeutic promise in other neurological conditions.

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Surgical and neuropathologists continuously search for new and disease-specific features, such as independent predictors of tumor prognosis or determinants of tumor entities and sub-entities. This is a task where artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) systems could significantly contribute to help with tumor outcome prediction and the search for new diagnostic or treatment stratification biomarkers. AI systems are increasingly integrated into routine pathology workflows to improve accuracy, reproducibility, productivity and to reveal difficult-to-see features in complicated histological slides, including the quantification of important markers for tumor grading and staging.

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Article Synopsis
  • Aggressive pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) often grow despite treatment and can metastasize, making them particularly challenging to manage.
  • This study analyzed tumor samples from 64 patients to investigate genetic markers, finding distinct patterns between aggressive/metastatic tumors and benign ones through genome-wide methylation and chromosomal analyses.
  • The results indicate potential biomarkers that could help in identifying high-risk patients earlier, refining treatment protocols, and improving outcomes for those with aggressive pituitary tumors.
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The transcription factor ΔNp63 plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of stratified epithelial tissues by regulating the expression of distinct target genes involved in lineage specification, cell stemness, cell proliferation and differentiation. Here, we identified the ABC transporter subfamily member as a novel ΔNp63 target gene. We found that in immortalized human keratinocytes and in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells, ∆Np63 induces the expression of ABCC1 by physically occupying a p63-binding site (p63 BS) located in the first intron of the gene locus.

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Intracellular cholesterol metabolism is regulated by the SREBP-2 and LXR signaling pathways. The effects of inflammation on these molecular mechanisms remain poorly studied, especially at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) level. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is a proinflammatory cytokine associated with BBB dysfunction.

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Background: Mass spectrometry (MS)-based cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteomics is an important method for discovering biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases. CSF serves as a reservoir for interstitial fluid (ISF), and extensive communication between the two fluid compartments helps to remove waste products from the brain.

New Method: We performed proteomic analyses of both CSF and ISF fluid compartments using intracerebral microdialysis to validate and detect novel biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in APPtg and C57Bl/6J control mice.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the function of the multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) in humans using a PET imaging approach with a radioactive tracer called [C]BMP, previously tested in rodents.
  • Thirteen healthy volunteers underwent whole-body PET scans, and specific brain and organ tissues were analyzed to measure the elimination rate constant (k) for MRP function, with test-retest variability calculated to assess reliability.
  • Results indicated notable differences in MRP function across various tissues and between sexes, suggesting that this imaging technique could be valuable for understanding MRP function in health and disease.
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ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters play a crucial role for the efflux of a wide range of substrates across different cellular membranes. In the central nervous system (CNS), ABC transporters have recently gathered significant attention due to their pivotal involvement in brain physiology and neurodegenerative disorders, such as (AD). Glial cells are fundamental for normal CNS function and engage with several ABC transporters in different ways.

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Background: 6-Bromo-7-[C]methylpurine ([C]BMP) is a radiotracer for positron emission tomography (PET) to measure multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) transport activity in different tissues. Previously reported radiosyntheses of [C]BMP afforded a mixture of 7- and 9-[C]methyl regioisomers. To prepare for clinical use, we here report an improved regioselective radiosynthesis of [C]BMP, the results of a non-clinical toxicity study as well as human dosimetry estimates based on mouse PET data.

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Article Synopsis
  • - A 29-year-old woman with a high fever underwent surgery for a suspected gallbladder or liver issue, but a solid tumor in her adrenal gland was discovered instead.
  • - The tumor's frozen section did not provide a definitive diagnosis, leading to further histological examination which revealed large histiocyte-like cells with specific markers.
  • - The final diagnosis was xanthogranulomatous adrenalitis, and potential other conditions like Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Rosai-Dorfman disease were considered in the differential diagnosis.
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Background And Aims: Statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) is a prevalent cause of statin discontinuation. It is challenging and time-consuming for clinicians to assess whether symptoms are caused by the statin or not, and diagnostic biomarkers are requested. Atorvastatin metabolites have been associated with SAMS.

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(St. John's wort) has been described to be beneficial for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Different extractions have demonstrated efficiency in mice and humans, esp.

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P-glycoprotein (P-gp, encoded in humans by the gene and in rodents by the genes) is a membrane transporter that can restrict the intestinal absorption and tissue distribution of many drugs and may also contribute to renal and hepatobiliary drug excretion. The aim of this study was to compare the performance and sensitivity of currently available radiolabeled P-gp substrates for positron emission tomography (PET) with the single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radiotracer [Tc]Tc-sestamibi for measuring the P-gp function in the kidneys and liver. Wild-type, heterozygous (), and homozygous () knockout mice were used as models of different P-gp abundance in excretory organs.

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Article Synopsis
  • Tacrine (THA) has been phased out due to safety concerns but is still used as a framework in drug development for its effectiveness against multiple targets, although its potential for liver toxicity is a major concern.
  • Researchers developed 30 new derivatives focusing on minimizing hepatotoxicity while maintaining anticholinesterase properties and targeting specific NMDA receptor subtypes, leading to the identification of two promising candidates, I-52 and II-52.
  • Compound I-52 was highlighted as a lead candidate, demonstrating minimal toxicity, favorable neuroprotective effects in behavioral tests, and lower hepatotoxicity compared to traditional THA-based drugs.
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The discovery of both distinctive lead molecules and novel drug targets is a great challenge in drug discovery, which particularly accounts for orphan diseases. Huntington's disease (HD) is an orphan, neurodegenerative disease of which the pathology is well-described. However, its pathophysiological background and molecular mechanisms are poorly understood.

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The efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) at the blood-brain barrier limits the cerebral uptake of various xenobiotics. To assess the sensitivity of [C]metoclopramide to measure decreased cerebral P-gp function, we performed [C]metoclopramide PET scans without (baseline) and with partial P-gp inhibition by tariquidar in wild-type, heterozygous and homozygous mice as models with controlled levels of cerebral P-gp expression. Brains were collected to quantify P-gp expression with immunohistochemistry.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, is a growing health issue with very limited treatment options. To meet the need for novel therapeutics, existing drugs with additional preferred pharmacological profiles could be recruited. This strategy is known as 'drug repurposing'.

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Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the world. The pathology of AD is affiliated with the elevation of both tau (τ) and β-amyloid (Aβ) pathologies. Yet, the direct link between natural τ expression on glia cell activity and Aβ remains unclear.

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Neuroinflammation and brain lipid imbalances are observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and the liver X receptor () signaling pathways are involved in both processes. However, limited information is currently available regarding their relationships in human brain pericytes (HBP) of the neurovascular unit.

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Purpose: Transforming growth factor-beta receptor 3-like (TGFBR3L) is a pituitary enriched membrane protein selectively detected in gonadotroph cells. TGFBR3L is named after transforming growth factor-beta receptor 3 (TGFBR3), an inhibin A co-receptor in mice, due to sequence identity to the C-terminal region. We aimed to characterize TGFBR3L detection in a well-characterized, prospectively collected cohort of non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (NF-PitNETs) and correlate it to clinical data.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Fingolimod has previously shown beneficial effects in different animal models of AD. However, it has shown contradictory effects when it has been applied at early disease stages.

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The solute carrier (SLC) monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1; SLC16A1) represents a promising target for the treatment of cancer; however, the MCT1 modulator landscape is underexplored with only roughly 100 reported compounds. To expand the knowledge about MCT1 modulation, we synthesized a library of 16 indole-based molecules and subjected these to a comprehensive biological assessment platform. All compounds showed functional inhibitory activities against MCT1 at low nanomolar concentrations and great antiproliferative activities against the MCT1-expressing cancer cell lines A-549 and MCF-7, while the compounds were selective over MCT4 (SLC16A4).

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Autistic adults are often stressed and feel depressed or anxious. However, mental health programs that are suited for autistic adults are few. Acceptance and commitment therapy is a psychotherapy method that seems to help people feel better, although not thoroughly evaluated in autistic individuals.

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Huntington's disease (HD) is a lethal neurodegenerative disorder without efficient therapeutic options. The inefficient translation from preclinical and clinical research into clinical use is mainly attributed to the lack of (i) understanding of disease initiation, progression, and involved molecular mechanisms; (ii) knowledge of the possible HD target space and general data awareness; (iii) detailed characterizations of available disease models; (iv) better suitable models; and (v) reliable and sensitive biomarkers. To generate robust HD-like symptoms in a mouse model, the neomycin resistance cassette was excised from zQ175 mice, generating a new line: zQ175.

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