Detection of the nuclear translocation of androgen receptor using quantitative and automatic cell imaging analysis.

Testosterone signaling mediates diseases such as androgenetic alopecia and prostate cancer and is controlled by the activation of the androgen receptor (AR) and nuclear translocation of the ligand-receptor complex. This study established an immortalized dermal papilla cell line that stably expresses the AR labeled with a monomeric green fluorescence marker. The cells expressed the histone H2B protein as visualized using a red fluorescence marker, enabling the Detection of nuclear translocation under live cell conditions using image analysis.

Enhanced auditory responses in visual cortex of blind rats using intrinsic optical signal imaging.

Functional maturation of the visual cortex is induced by visual experiences during critical periods. Blind animals and humans exhibit improved auditory abilities after losing their vision. Here we investigated the response of the visual cortex to white noise stimuli during the progression of photoreceptor degeneration in a rat model of blindness (Royal College of Surgeons [RCS] (rdy/rdy) rats).

Proteolysis of mitochondrial calpain-13 in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Calpains are calcium-dependent cysteine proteases activated by intracellular Ca. Although calpains mainly exist in the cytosol, calpain-13 is present in the mitochondria in mouse brains; however, the enzymatic properties and physiological functions of calpain-13 remain unknown. Hence, in this study, we predicted and evaluated the enzymatic properties of calpain-13.

Transcriptome-wide profiling for melanocytes derived from newborn and adult human epidermis with enhanced proliferation.

The senescence-associated protein p16 acts as a limiter element in cell-cycle progression. The loss of p16 function is causally related to cellular immortalization. The increase in p16 levels with advancing age was demonstrated in melanocytes.

Establishment of immortalized Egyptian Rousettus bat cell lines.

The Egyptian Rousettus bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) is a common fruit bat species that is distributed mainly in Africa and the Middle East. Bats serve as reservoir hosts for numerous pathogens. Human activities, such as hunting bats for food, managing vermin, and causing habitat loss, elevate the likelihood of transmission of bat pathogens to humans and other animals.

Evaluation of Local Retinal Function in Light-Damaged Rats Using Multifocal Electroretinograms and Multifocal Visual Evoked Potentials.

Electroretinograms (ERGs) are often used to evaluate retinal function. However, assessing local retinal function can be challenging; therefore, photopic and scotopic ERGs are used to record whole-retinal function. This study evaluated focal retinal function in rats exposed to continuous light using a multifocal ERG (mfERG) system.

Role of calpain-5 in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury.

Background: Ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury exacerbate the prognosis of ischemic diseases. The cause of this exacerbation is partly a mitochondrial cell death pathway. Mitochondrial calpain-5 is proteolyzed/autolyzed under endoplasmic reticulum stress, resulting in inflammatory caspase-4 activation.

Cultured fibroblasts of the Okinawa rail present delayed innate immune response compared to that of chicken.

The Okinawa rail is endemic to Okinawa Island and is categorized as an endangered animal. In this study, we focused on innate immunity because it is the first line of host defense. In particular, signals recognizing foreign RNA (e.

Immortalization of primary cells derived from the endangered Ryukyu long-furred rat.

The Ryukyu long-furred rat is an endangered species confined to the southernmost three small islands of Japan (Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, and Okinawa). Its population is rapidly decreasing because of roadkill, deforestation, and feral animals. To date, its genomic and biological information are poorly understood.

Properties of a Single Amino Acid Residue in the Third Transmembrane Domain Determine the Kinetics of Ambient Light-Sensitive Channelrhodopsin.

Channelrhodopsins have been utilized in gene therapy to restore vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and their channel kinetics are an important factor to consider in such applications. We investigated the channel kinetics of ComV1 variants with different amino acid residues at the 172nd position. Patch clamp methods were used to record the photocurrents induced by stimuli from diodes in HEK293 cells transfected with plasmid vectors.

SIG-1451, a Novel, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Compound, Attenuates Light-Induced Photoreceptor Degeneration by Affecting the Inflammatory Process.

Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive retinal disease that is associated with factors such as oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of SIG-1451, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compound developed for treating atopic dermatitis and known to inhibit Toll-like receptor 4, in light-induced photoreceptor degeneration. SIG-1451 was intraperitoneally injected into rats once per day before exposure to 1000 lx light for 24 h; one day later, optical coherence tomography showed a decrease in retinal thickness, and electroretinogram (ERG) amplitude was also found to have decreased 3 d after light exposure.

Immortalization of common marmoset-derived fibroblasts via expression of cell cycle regulators using the piggyBac transposon.

Common marmosets are non-human primate models used in biomedical research and genome editing technology. This study aimed to establish cell lines from common marmosets and evaluate their characteristics. We obtained normal fibroblasts derived from muscle tissues of two common marmosets and immortalized them with the introduction of a mutat form of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), Cyclin D1, and telomere reverse transcriptase (TERT) using the piggyBac transposon.

Lentiviral expression of calpain-1 C2-like domain peptide prevents glutamate-induced cell death in mouse hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells.

Glutamate neurotoxicity is involved in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Excess glutamate causes caspase-independent programmed cell death via oxidative stress and calcium influx. Our previous study showed that calpain-1 localizes to both the cytoplasm and mitochondria, where apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is cleaved by calpain-1 and translocates to the nucleus to induce DNA fragmentation.

Immortalization of cells derived from domestic dogs through expressing mutant cyclin-dependent kinase 4, cyclin D1, and telomerase reverse transcriptase.

Unlabelled: Dog is the first animal that was established as a close partner of human beings. Based on the vast genetic diversity and breeding, dogs exhibit unique genetic evolution and diversity from Chihuahua to St. Bernard.

Transcriptome analysis to identify the downstream genes of androgen receptor in dermal papilla cells.

Background: Testosterone signaling mediates various diseases, such as androgenetic alopecia and prostate cancer. Testosterone signaling is mediated by the androgen receptor (AR). In this study, we fortuitously found that primary and immortalized dermal papilla cells suppressed AR expression, although dermal papilla cells express AR in vivo.