Deletion of filamin A-interacting protein (FILIP) results in a weak grip strength and abnormal responses to nociceptive stimulation.

Filamin A-interacting protein (FILIP in mice, FILIP1 in humans) was first identified as a protein that negatively controls neuronal migration in rodents, and was subsequently demonstrated to be pivotal for the development of the neocortex. In the previous study, we generated FILIP knockout mice to investigate the in vivo functions of FILIP in cortical development. Since FILIP mRNA is widely expressed in the body, we systematically examined FILIP-knockout mice to determine the functions of FILIP throughout the body.

Morphology of Schwann Cell Processes Supports Renal Sympathetic Nerve Terminals With Local Distribution of Adrenoceptors.

Nerves in the renal parenchyma comprise sympathetic nerves that act on renal arteries and tubules to decrease blood flow and increase primary urine reabsorption, respectively. Synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitters that activate their effector tissues. However, the mechanisms by which neurotransmitters exert individual responses to renal effector cells remain unknown.

Exploring Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Development of the Depression-Like Phenotype in Interleukin-18-Deficient Mice.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an inflammatory cytokine that has been linked to energy homeostasis and psychiatric symptoms such as depression and cognitive impairment. We previously revealed that deficiency in IL-18 led to hippocampal abnormalities and resulted in depression-like symptoms. However, the impact of IL-18 deficiency on other brain regions remains to be clarified.

A lack of ChREBP inhibits mitochondrial cristae formation in brown adipose tissue.

The carbohydrate response element binding protein (ChREBP) is a glucose-responsive transcription factor that increases the transcription of multiple genes. ChREBP is highly localized in the liver, where it upregulates the expression of genes that code for glycolytic and lipogenic enzymes, resulting in the conversion of excess carbohydrate into storage fat. ChREBP knockout (KO) mice display an anti-obese phenotype.

Relationship between lamellar sensory corpuscles distributed along the upper arm's deep arteries and pulsating sensation of blood vessels.

Vibration is detected by mechanoreceptors, including Pacinian corpuscles (PCs), which are widely distributed in the human body including the adventitia of large blood vessels. Although the distribution of PCs around large limb vessels has been previously reported, there remains no consensus on their distribution in the adventitia of the human deep blood vessels in the upper arm. In addition, the physiological functions of PCs located around the deep limb blood vessels remain largely unknown.

Interleukin-18-deficient mice develop hippocampal abnormalities related to possible depressive-like behaviors.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an inflammatory cytokine linked to major depressive disorder (MDD). MDD is closely related to metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity. Moreover, DM is associated with cognitive impairment and promotes apoptosis of hippocampal cells by activating pro-apoptotic and inhibiting anti-apoptotic factors.

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor α gene is regulated by multiple first exons.

Transcription of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRA/Pdgfra) gene is considered to be precisely regulated. We have previously reported that the PDGFRA/Pdgfra gene is regulated by a dual promoter system in human and mouse, in which a novel PDGFRA/Pdgfra transcript has a first exon (exon 1β) different from that of the canonical PDGFRA/Pdgfra transcript (exon 1α). To elucidate the function of each transcript, we first investigated the contribution of different PDGFRA transcripts to final protein levels.

Deficiency in interleukin-18 promotes differentiation of brown adipose tissue resulting in fat accumulation despite dyslipidemia.

Background: The cytokine, interleukin-18 (IL-18), was originally identified as an interferon-γ-inducing proinflammatory factor; however, there is increasing evidence suggesting that it has non-immunological effects on physiological functions. We have previously investigated the potential pathophysiological relationship between IL-18 and dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which were mediated by lipid energy imbalance. Therefore, herein we focused on brown adipocytes (BAs) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) related to energy consumption as non-shivering thermogenesis.

Distribution of Pacini-Like Lamellar Corpuscles in the Vascular Sheath of the Femoral Artery.

Pacinian corpuscles are vibration-sensing mechanoreceptors that are densely distributed in the dermis of the human hand. Although they are also known to occur in various other regions/structures throughout the human body, including the adventitia of large vessels, their precise distribution and function in arteries remain unclear. In the present study, we identified Pacini-like lamellar corpuscles (LCs) adjacent to the femoral artery, and investigated their distribution with respect to that structure via a histological analysis.

Differential Distribution of Renal Nerves in the Sympathetic Ganglia of the Rat.

The renal nerve plexus comprises efferent and afferent fibers. It controls urine production and bodily fluid homeostasis. Efferent fibers to the kidney include sympathetic nerve fibers from their main ganglia, the prevertebral suprarenal ganglia (SrG), and the paravertebral sympathetic chain ganglia (ChG).

Possible Role of the Myelinated Neural Network in the Parietal Peritoneum in Rats as a Mechanoreceptor.

A network of myelinated nerve fibers in the peritoneum covers the abdominal wall. We studied the topographic distribution of this network, explored the fibers' destination in the central nervous system, and examined the markers in these fibers in order to identify the nature of the sensation conveyed by the network of nerve fibers in rats. We used Sihler's method, which stains myelinated fibers in whole mount materials, and observed a dense nerve network and endings toward the peritoneal cavity in the peritoneum that covers the abdomen's lateral bulge.

Interleukin-18 and its receptor are expressed in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons of mouse and rat forebrain.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine and an important mediator of peripheral inflammation and host immune response. IL-18 functions through its binding with the IL-18 receptor (IL-18R), which consists of two chains, an IL-18-binding α chain (IL-18Rα) and a signaling β chain. IL-18 and IL-18R are expressed in the brain; however, limited information is available on IL-18R expression and the role of IL-18 in neurosecretory cells.

Postnatal changes of interleukin-18 receptor immunoreactivity in neurons of the retrosplenial cortex in wild-type and interleukin-18 knock out mice.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18), which is involved in the inflammatory response, is also found in the cerebral cortex. IL-18 receptor-immunoreactive (IL-18R-ir) neurons are present in layer V of the retrosplenial cortex (RSC). In the adult IL-18 knock out (KO) mice, no IL-18R-ir neurons but many degenerated neurons are present in layer V of the RSC, suggesting that any changes in the neurons of layer V have occurred during postnatal development.

Fine structure of interleukin 18 (IL-18) receptor-immunoreactive neurons in the retrosplenial cortex and its changes in IL18 knockout mice.

Interleukin 18 (IL-18) participates in the inflammatory immune response of lymphocytes. Delay in learning or memory are common in the IL-18 knockout mouse. Many IL-18-immunoreactive neurons are found in the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) and the subiculum.

Interleukin-18-deficient mice develop dyslipidemia resulting in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis.

We investigated potential pathophysiological relationships between interleukin 18 (IL-18) and dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Compared with Il18(+/+) mice, IL-18 knockout (Il18(-/-)) mice developed hypercholesterolemia and hyper-high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterolemia as well as hypertriglyceridemia as they aged, and these disorders occurred before the manifestation of obesity and might cause secondary NASH. The analyses of molecular mechanisms involved in the onset of dyslipidemia, NAFLD, and NASH in Il18(-/-) mice identified a number of genes associated with these metabolic diseases.

Brain pericytes serve as microglia-generating multipotent vascular stem cells following ischemic stroke.

Background: Microglia are the resident macrophage population of the central nervous system (CNS) and play essential roles, particularly in inflammation-mediated pathological conditions such as ischemic stroke. Increasing evidence shows that the population of vascular cells located around the blood vessels, rather than circulating cells, harbor stem cells and that these resident vascular stem cells (VSCs) are the likely source of some microglia. However, the precise traits and origins of these cells under pathological CNS conditions remain unclear.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactive vagal sensory neurons innervating the gastrointestinal tract of the rat.

We have determined whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactive (BDNF-ir) neurons in the vagal ganglia innervate the gastrointestinal tract. Many BDNF-ir neurons were medium in size and located throughout the jugular and nodose ganglia. When Fluorogold was injected into the wall of the cervical esophagus, many retrogradely Fluorogold-labeled neurons were found in both the jugular ganglion and the nodose ganglion.

Expression of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors in murine renal intercalated cells.

Neurons influence renal function and help to regulate fluid homeostasis, blood pressure and ion excretion. Intercalated cells (ICCs) are distributed throughout the renal collecting ducts and help regulate acid/base equilibration. Because ICCs are located among principal cells, it has been difficult to determine the effects that efferent nerve fibers have on this cell population.

Origin of efferent fibers of the renal plexus in the rat autonomic nervous system.

To clarify the origin of efferent nerves containing renal plexus, the retrograde neuronal tracing was utilized with a new exact closed injection system with microcapsules. The microcapsule was positioned in the rat left renal plexus, and the capsule was filled with fluoro-gold. Retrograde labeled cells were observed in the ipsilateral sympathetic trunk, especially T12 and T13, and the ipsilateral suprarenal ganglia (SrG).

Calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive sensory neurons in the vagal and glossopharyngeal ganglia innervating the larynx of the rat.

We have examined whether calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive (CGRP-ir) neurons in the vagal and glossopharyngeal ganglia innervate the larynx. Many CGRP-ir neurons were located mostly in the superior glossopharyngeal-jugular ganglion complex that was fused the superior glossopharyngeal ganglion and the jugular ganglion in the cranial cavity. When Fluorogold was applied to the cut end of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) or the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), many Fluorogold-labeled neurons were found in the superior glossopharyngeal-jugular ganglion complex and the nodose ganglion.

Collateral projections of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve to the stomach and the intestines in the rat.

The vagal motor neurons project to the gastrointestinal tract by way of the gastric, celiac and hepatic branches of the vagus trunk. We have examined whether single neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV) have collateral projections to the stomach, the duodenum and the intestines using a double-labeling tracing method. Following application of Fluorogold to the cut end of the accessory celiac branch and injection of cholera toxin subunit b (CTb) into the body of stomach, many Fluorogold- and CTb-labeled neurons were found throughout the DMV.

Systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide increases the expression of aquaporin-4 in the rat anterior pituitary gland.

We investigated the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia on the expression of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in the rat anterior pituitary gland, using the real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. After intraperitoneal injection of LPS, the level of AQP4 mRNA doubled at 2, 4 and 8 hr. Immunohistochemical analysis showed an increase with time in AQP4 immunostaining in folliculo-stellate cells following LPS injection; the intensity of immunoreactivity peaked at 8 hr.

Cyclical and patch-like GDNF distribution along the basal surface of Sertoli cells in mouse and hamster testes.

Background And Aims: In mammalian spermatogenesis, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is one of the major Sertoli cell-derived factors which regulates the maintenance of undifferentiated spermatogonia including spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) through GDNF family receptor α1 (GFRα1). It remains unclear as to when, where and how GDNF molecules are produced and exposed to the GFRα1-positive spermatogonia in vivo.

Methodology And Principal Findings: Here we show the cyclical and patch-like distribution of immunoreactive GDNF-positive signals and their close co-localization with a subpopulation of GFRα1-positive spermatogonia along the basal surface of Sertoli cells in mice and hamsters.

Localization in the vagal ganglia of calcitonin gene-related peptide- and calretinin-immunoreactive neurons that innervate the cervical and the subdiaphragmatic esophagus of the rat.

We have determined the localization of calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive (CGRP-ir) and calretinin-ir neurons in the vagal ganglia that innervate the cervical or subdiaphragmatic esophagus. Many CGRP-ir neurons were found exclusively in the jugular ganglion located in the cranial cavity. Calretinin-ir neurons were distributed throughout the vagal ganglia.

Distribution and ultrastructure of afferent fibers in the parietal peritoneum of the rat.

The distribution and the ultrastructure of afferent fibers innervating the parietal peritoneum in the rat was studied with immunohistochemistry using an antiserum against the neuronal marker protein gene product 9.5. The immunoreactive fibers were distributed throughout the peritoneum.