Characterizing enteric neurons in dopamine transporter (DAT)-Cre reporter mice reveals dopaminergic subtypes with dual-transmitter content.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) comprises a complex network of neurons whereby a subset appears to be dopaminergic although the characteristics, roles, and implications in disease are less understood. Most investigations relating to enteric dopamine (DA) neurons rely on immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of DA. However, TH immunoreactivity is likely to provide an incomplete picture.

Synaptotagmin-1-dependent phasic axonal dopamine release is dispensable for basic motor behaviors in mice.

In Parkinson's disease (PD), motor dysfunctions only become apparent after extensive loss of DA innervation. This resilience has been hypothesized to be due to the ability of many motor behaviors to be sustained through a diffuse basal tone of DA; but experimental evidence for this is limited. Here we show that conditional deletion of the calcium sensor synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) in DA neurons (Syt1 cKO mice) abrogates most activity-dependent axonal DA release in the striatum and mesencephalon, leaving somatodendritic (STD) DA release intact.

Conditional deletion of neurexins dysregulates neurotransmission from dopamine neurons.

Midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons are key regulators of basal ganglia functions. The axonal domain of these neurons is highly complex, with a large subset of non-synaptic release sites and a smaller subset of synaptic terminals from which in addition to DA, glutamate or GABA are also released. The molecular mechanisms regulating the connectivity of DA neurons and their neurochemical identity are unknown.

Bone marrow-derived extracellular vesicles modulate the abundance of infiltrating immune cells in the brain and exert an antiviral effect against the Japanese encephalitis virus.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have regenerative capacity and have reported a beneficial effect on the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in an encephalitis model. However, the MSCs do not cross the blood-brain barrier and have other disadvantages limiting their therapeutic utility scope. Recently, there has been a shift in concept from a cell-based to a cell-free approach using MSCs-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs).

Involvement of RIG-I Pathway in Neurotropic Virus-Induced Acute Flaccid Paralysis and Subsequent Spinal Motor Neuron Death.

Poliomyelitis-like illness is a common clinical manifestation of neurotropic viral infections. Functional loss and death of motor neurons often lead to reduced muscle tone and paralysis, causing persistent motor sequelae among disease survivors. Despite several reports demonstrating the molecular basis of encephalopathy, the pathogenesis behind virus-induced flaccid paralysis remained largely unknown.

Atorvastatin ameliorates viral burden and neural stem/ progenitor cell (NSPC) death in an experimental model of Japanese encephalitis.

, a neurotropic flavivirus, causes sporadic encephalitis with nearly 25% fatal case reports. JEV infects neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) and decreases their proliferation. Statin, a commonly used class of cholesterol lowering drug, has been shown to possess potent anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in acute brain injury and chronic neurodegenerative conditions.

Identification and Classification of Hubs in microRNA Target Gene Networks in Human Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells following Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection.

RNA viruses are known to modulate host microRNA (miRNA) machinery for their own benefit. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a neurotropic RNA virus, has been reported to manipulate several miRNAs in neurons or microglia. However, no report indicates a complete sketch of the miRNA profile of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), hence the focus of our current study.

miR-301a Regulates Inflammatory Response to Japanese Encephalitis Virus Infection via Suppression of NKRF Activity.

Microglia being the resident macrophage of brain provides neuroprotection following diverse microbial infections. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) invades the CNS, resulting in neuroinflammation, which turns the neuroprotective role of microglia detrimental as characterized by increased microglial activation and neuronal death. Several host factors, including microRNAs, play vital roles in regulating virus-induced inflammation.

Using Ultrafast X-ray Spectroscopy To Address Questions in Ligand-Field Theory: The Excited State Spin and Structure of [Fe(dcpp)].

We have employed a range of ultrafast X-ray spectroscopies in an effort to characterize the lowest energy excited state of [Fe(dcpp)] (where dcpp is 2,6-(dicarboxypyridyl)pyridine). This compound exhibits an unusually short excited-state lifetime for a low-spin Fe(II) polypyridyl complex of 270 ps in a room-temperature fluid solution, raising questions as to whether the ligand-field strength of dcpp had pushed this system beyond the T/T crossing point and stabilizing the latter as the lowest energy excited state. Kα and Kβ X-ray emission spectroscopies have been used to unambiguously determine the quintet spin multiplicity of the long-lived excited state, thereby establishing the T state as the lowest energy excited state of this compound.

Japanese Encephalitis Virus-induced let-7a/b interacted with the NOTCH-TLR7 pathway in microglia and facilitated neuronal death via caspase activation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) released from the activated microglia upon neurotropic virus infection may exacerbate the neuronal damage. Here, we identified let-7a and let-7b (let-7a/b) as one of the essential miRNAs over-expressed upon Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) infection and released in the culture supernatant of the JEV-infected microglial cells through extracellular vesicles. The let-7a/b was previously reported to modulate inflammation in microglial cells through Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) pathways; although their role in accelerating JEV pathogenesis remain unexplored.

Platelet factor 4 promotes rapid replication and propagation of Dengue and Japanese encephalitis viruses.

Background: Activated platelets release cytokines/proteins including CXCL4 (PF4), CCL5 and fibrinopeptides, which regulate infection of several pathogenic viruses such as HIV, H1N1 and HCV in human. Since platelet activation is the hallmark of Dengue virus (DV) infection, we investigated the role of platelets in DV replication and also in a closely related Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV).

Methods And Findings: Microscopy and PCR analysis revealed a 4-fold increase in DV replication in primary monocytes or monocytic THP-1 cells in vitro upon incubation with either DV-activated platelets or supernatant from DV-activated platelets.

Designing air-stable cyclometalated Fe(ii) complexes: stabilization via electrostatic effects.

Designing efficient Fe(ii) chromophores requires optimization of numerous, at times conflicting, properties. It has been suggested that replacement of polypyridine ligands with cyclometalated analogs will be effective at destabilizing the quintet state and therefore extending the lifetime of photoactive metal-to-ligand charge transfer states. However, cyclometalated Fe(ii) complexes are not oxidatively stable due to the strong electron-donating nature of this ligand, which limits their applicability.

PLVAP and GKN3 Are Two Critical Host Cell Receptors Which Facilitate Japanese Encephalitis Virus Entry Into Neurons.

Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), a globally important pathogen, belongs to the family Flaviviridae, is transmitted between vertebrate hosts by mosquitoes, principally by Culex tritaeniorhynchus. The E-glycoprotein of the virus mediates its attachment to the host cell receptors. In this study, we cloned and purified JEV E-glycoprotein in pET28a vector using E.

HOMO inversion as a strategy for improving the light-absorption properties of Fe(ii) chromophores.

A computational study of a series of [Fe(tpy)] (tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine) complexes is reported, where the tpy ligand is substituted at the 4, 4', and 4'' positions by electron donor (furan, thiophene, selenophene, NH) and acceptor (carboxylic acid, NO) groups. Using DFT and TD-DFT calculations, we show that the substitution of heterocyclic π donor groups onto the tpy ligand scaffold leads to marked improvement of the [Fe(tpy)] absorption properties, characterized by increased molar extinction coefficients, shift of absorption energies to longer wavelengths, and broadening of the absorption spectrum in the visible region. The observed changes in the light absorption properties are due to destabilization of ligand-centered occupied π orbital energies, thus increasing the interactions between the metal t (HOMO) and ligand π orbitals.

Comparison of Interfacial Electron Transfer Efficiency in [Fe(ctpy)]-TiO and [Fe(cCNC)]-TiO Assemblies: Importance of Conformational Sampling.

Fe(II)-polypyridines have limited applications as chromophores in dye-sensitized solar cells due to the short lifetimes (∼100 fs) of their photoactive metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) states formed upon photoexcitation. Recently, a 100-fold increase in the MLCT lifetime was observed in a [Fe(CNC)] complex (CNC = 2,6-bis(3-methylimidazole-1-ylidine)pyridine) which has strong σ-donating N-heterocyclic carbene ligand in comparison to the weaker field parent [Fe(tpy)] complex (tpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine). This study utilizes density functional theory (DFT), time-dependent DFT, and quantum dynamics simulations to investigate the interfacial electron transfer (IET) in [Fe(cCNC)] (cCNC = 4'-carboxy-2,6-bis(3-methylimidazole-1-ylidine)pyridine) and [Fe(ctpy)] (ctpy = 4'-carboxy-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine) sensitized TiO.

Japanese encephalitis virus induces human neural stem/progenitor cell death by elevating GRP78, PHB and hnRNPC through ER stress.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), which is a causative agent of sporadic encephalitis, harbours itself inside the neural stem/progenitor cells. It is a well-known fact that JEV infects neural stem/progenitor cells and decreases their proliferation capacity. With mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomic study, it is possible to reveal the impact of virus on the stem cells at protein level.

GRP78 Is an Important Host Factor for Japanese Encephalitis Virus Entry and Replication in Mammalian Cells.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Southeast Asia with potential to become a global pathogen. Here, we identify glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) as an important host protein for virus entry and replication. Using the plasma membrane fractions from mouse neuronal (Neuro2a) cells, mass spectroscopy analysis identified GRP78 as a protein interacting with recombinant JEV envelope protein domain III.

Network analysis reveals common host protein/s modulating pathogenesis of neurotropic viruses.

Network analysis through graph theory provides a quantitative approach to characterize specific proteins and their constituent assemblies that underlie host-pathogen interactions. In the present study, graph theory was used to analyze the interactome designed out of 50 differentially expressing proteins from proteomic analysis of Chandipura Virus (CHPV, Family: Rhabdoviridae) infected mouse brain tissue to identify the primary candidates for intervention. Using the measure of degree centrality, that quantifies the connectedness of a single protein within a milieu of several other interacting proteins, DJ-1 was selected for further molecular validation.

Insights into the Spin-State Transitions in [Fe(tpy)2]2+: Importance of the Terpyridine Rocking Motion.

Iron(II) polypyridine complexes have the potential for numerous applications on a global scale, such as sensitizers, sensors, and molecular memory. The excited-state properties of these systems, particularly the intersystem crossing (ISC) rates, are sensitive to the choice of ligands and can be significantly altered depending on the coordination environment. We employ density functional theory and Smolyak's sparse grid interpolation algorithm to construct potential energy surfaces (PESs) for the photophysically relevant states ((1)A, (3,5)MC, and (1,3)MLCT) of the [Fe(tpy)2](2+) (tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) complex, with the goal of obtaining a deeper understanding of the ground- and excited-state electronic structure of this system.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers of Japanese Encephalitis.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a group of central nervous system (CNS) disorders caused by a wide range of viruses, bacteria, fungi, chemicals and toxins. It is important to distinguish between various forms of infectious encephalitis with similar clinical manifestations in order to ensure specific and accurate diagnosis and development of subsequent therapeutic strategies.

Tuning the Electronic Structure of Fe(II) Polypyridines via Donor Atom and Ligand Scaffold Modifications: A Computational Study.

Fe(II) polypyridines are an important class of pseudo-octahedral metal complexes known for their potential applications in molecular electronic switches, data storage and display devices, sensors, and dye-sensitized solar cells. Fe(II) polypyridines have a d(6) electronic configuration and pseudo-octahedral geometry and can therefore possess either a high-spin (quintet) or a low-spin (singlet) ground state. In this study, we investigate a series of complexes based on [Fe(tpy)2](2+) (tpy = 2,2';6',2″-terpyridine) and [Fe(dcpp)2](2+) (dcpp = 2,6-bis(2-carboxypyridyl)pyridine).

Chandipura virus perturbs cholesterol homeostasis leading to neuronal apoptosis.

Chandipura virus (CHPV; genus Vesiculovirus, family Rhabdoviridae) induces neuronal death through the Fas-mediated extrinsic apoptosis pathway. What propels this apoptosis remains unclear, although oxysterols have been reported to be key players in neurodegeneration. In our study of CHPV-infected brain samples, we observed over-expression of genes such as apolipoprotein E, Cyp46a1, Srebf-1 and Nsdhl.

Linker dependence of interfacial electron transfer rates in Fe(II)-polypyridine sensitized solar cells.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) convert solar energy to electricity employing dye molecules attached to a semiconductor surface. Some of the most efficient DSSCs use Ru-based chromophores. Fe-based dyes represent a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to these expensive and toxic dyes.

Cyclometalated Fe(II) complexes as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) often utilize transition metal-based chromophores for light absorption and semiconductor sensitization. Ru(II)-based dyes are among the most commonly used sensitizers in DSSCs. As ruthenium is both expensive and rare, complexes based on cheaper and more abundant iron could serve as a good alternative.

RIG-I knockdown impedes neurogenesis in a murine model of Japanese encephalitis.

Retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I) is a well established pattern recognition receptor (PRR) in neurons infected with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) as reported previously from our laboratory. Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus infection in brain has been shown to decrease the proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) which has its implications in neurological sequelae in JE survivors. We have found that ablation of RIG-I both in vivo and in vitro models results in significant decrease in NSPC proliferation post JEV infection.