Development of two age estimation models for buccal swab samples based on 3 CpG sites analyzed with pyrosequencing and minisequencing.

The analysis of DNA methylation levels of specific CpG sites is one of the most promising molecular techniques to estimate an individual's age. Numerous studies were published recently presenting age estimation models based on DNA methylation patterns from blood samples, with only a few using saliva or buccal swabs. The aim of this study was to identify age-dependent methylation of 88 CpG sites in eight different marker regions (PDE4C, ELOVL2, ITGA2B, ASPA, EDARADD, SST, KLF14 and SLC12A5) in buccal swab samples.

Mutual effects of caveolin and nerve growth factor signaling in pig oligodendrocytes.

Signaling of growth factors may depend on the recruitment of their receptors to specialized microdomains. Previous reports on PC12 cells indicated an interaction of raft-organized caveolin and TrkA signaling. Because porcine oligodendrocytes (OLs) respond to nerve growth factor (NGF), we were interested to know whether caveolin also plays a role in oligodendroglial NGF/TrkA signaling.

Negative impact of statins on oligodendrocytes and myelin formation in vitro and in vivo.

Statins are widely prescribed drugs in cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies also demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of statins by modulating the activity of small GTPases. Statins are thus considered as potential therapeutic drug for the inflammatory demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS).

Oligodendroglial cells and neurotrophins: a polyphonic cantata in major and minor.

Oligodendrocytes met neurotrophins in the early 1990s of the last century. Since then, their relationship underwent functional ups and downs partially dependent on the developmental stage of the oligodendroglial cells and the species, from which the cells were derived. This review provides a brief overview of oligodendroglial cells and neurotrophins, characterizes neurotrophin signaling during oligodendroglial development, and discusses the significance of proneurotrophins and sortilin for oligodendroglial death and survival.