Premature delivery in the domestic sow in response to in utero delivery of AAV9 to fetal piglets.

Numerous pediatric neurogenetic diseases may be optimally treated by in utero gene therapy (IUGT); but advancing such treatments requires animal models that recapitulate developmental physiology relevant to humans. One disease that could benefit from IUGT is the autosomal recessive motor neuron disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Current SMA gene-targeting therapeutics are more efficacious when delivered shortly after birth, however postnatal treatment is rarely curative in severely affected patients.

Tryptophan Metabolites Are Associated With Symptoms and Nigral Pathology in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine whether neurotoxic kynurenine metabolites, induced by inflammation, in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are associated with symptom severity and nigral pathology in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: Clinical and MRI data were obtained from 97 PD and 89 controls. We used ultra-performance liquid chromatography to quantify kynurenine metabolites and high-sensitivity multiplex assays to quantify inflammation in plasma and CSF.

Role of the kynurenine pathway and the endocannabinoid system as modulators of inflammation and personality traits.

Background: Kynurenine pathway metabolites and endocannabinoids both exert potent regulatory effects on the immune system, but the relationship between these molecules is unknown. The role of these immunobiological mediators in emotionality and personality traits is not previously characterized.

Methods: Interleukin-6 (IL-6), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and picolinic acid (PIC) were measured in the plasma of physically healthy individuals who had history of mood, anxiety, and personality disorders (n = 96) or who had no history of any psychiatric disorder (n = 56) by DSM-5 Criteria.

Altered Tryptophan Catabolism in Placentas From Women With Pre-eclampsia.

Background: The kynurenine pathway enzymes, breaking down tryptophan, are abundant in placental tissue. These metabolites are involved in immunoregulatory mechanisms, although the role of this pathway in pre-eclampsia (PE) has only begun to be characterized. Here, we determined tryptophan and metabolite levels together with the expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes and inflammatory factors in placental tissue from women with and without PE.

Muscle contractility dysfunction precedes loss of motor unit connectivity in SOD1(G93A) mice.

Introduction: Electrophysiological measurements are used in longitudinal clinical studies to provide insight into the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the relationship between muscle weakness and motor unit (MU) degeneration. Here, we used a similar longitudinal approach in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1[G93A]) mouse model of ALS.

Methods: In vivo muscle contractility and MU connectivity assays were assessed longitudinally in SOD1(G93A) and wild type mice from postnatal days 35 to 119.

HSPB1 mutations causing hereditary neuropathy in humans disrupt non-cell autonomous protection of motor neurons.

Heat shock protein beta-1 (HSPB1), is a ubiquitously expressed, multifunctional protein chaperone. Mutations in HSPB1 result in the development of a late-onset, distal hereditary motor neuropathy type II (dHMN) and axonal Charcot-Marie Tooth disease with sensory involvement (CMT2F). The functional consequences of HSPB1 mutations associated with hereditary neuropathy are unknown.