Novel Cinnamaldehyde Derivatives Inhibit Peripheral Nerve Degeneration by Targeting Schwann Cells.

Peripheral nerve degeneration (PND) is a preparative process for peripheral nerve regeneration and is regulated by Schwann cells, a unique glial cell in the peripheral nervous system. Dysregulated PND induces irreversible peripheral neurodegenerative diseases (e.g.

Investigation of the Hydrogen Sulfide Signaling Pathway in Schwann Cells during Peripheral Nerve Degeneration: Multi-Omics Approaches.

-ethylmaleimide (NEM) inhibits peripheral nerve degeneration (PND) by targeting Schwann cells in a hydrogen sulfide (HS)-pathway-dependent manner, but the underlying molecular and pharmacological mechanisms are unclear. We investigated the effect of NEM, an α,β-unsaturated carboxyl compound, on HS signaling in - and -dedifferentiated Schwann cells using global proteomics (LC-MS) and transcriptomics (whole-genome and small RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq)) methods. The multi-omics analyses identified several genes and proteins related to oxidative stress, such as , , , , , and .

Protective and therapeutic effect of (S)-ginsenoside F1 on peripheral nerve degeneration targeting Schwann cells: a pharmaco-neuroanatomical approach.

Damaged peripheral nerves undergo peripheral neurodegenerative processes that are essential for the nerve regeneration. Peripheral neurodegenerative diseases, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy, are induced by irreversible nerve damage caused by abnormal peripheral nerve degeneration. However, until now, there have been no effective therapeutic treatments for these diseases.

Inhibition of transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) protects against Schwann cell trans-dedifferentiation and proliferation during Wallerian degeneration.

Irreversible peripheral neurodegenerative diseases such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy are becoming increasingly common due to rising rates of diabetes mellitus; however, no effective therapeutic treatments have been developed. One of main causes of irreversible peripheral neurodegenerative diseases is dysfunction in Schwann cells, which are neuroglia unique to the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Because homeostasis of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) is essential for Schwann cell dynamics, the regulation of these cations is important for controlling peripheral nerve degeneration and regeneration.

Penta-fluorophenol: a Smiles rearrangement-inspired cysteine-selective fluorescent probe for imaging of human glioblastoma.

Two of the most critical factors for the survival of glioblastoma (GBM) patients are precision diagnosis and the tracking of treatment progress. At the moment, various sophisticated and specific diagnostic procedures are being used, but there are relatively few simple diagnosis methods. This work introduces a sensing probe based on a turn-on type fluorescence response that can measure the cysteine (Cys) level, which is recognized as a new biomarker of GBM, in human-derived cells and within on-site human clinical biopsy samples.

Latent turn-on fluorescent probe for the detection of toxic malononitrile in water and its practical applications.

A latent turn-on fluorescent probe for the detection of malononitrile (NCCHCN), a precursor of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in the mammalian tissue metabolism, is developed based on reaction-based fluorophore generation for the first time. Malononitrile is utilized within a wide spectrum of academic and industrial applications, and it is a key reagent to make o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS gas; tear gas), which is used for riot control. Due to its extensive use as well as potential health risks and the environmental pollution, malononitrile monitoring method has been required.

Carvacrol effectively protects demyelination by suppressing transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) in Schwann cells.

Peripheral neurodegenerative processes are essential for regenerating damaged peripheral nerves mechanically or genetically. Abnormal neurodegenerative processes induce peripheral neurodegenerative diseases via irreversible nerve damage. Carvacrol, a major component in Origanum vulgare, possesses various effects on organisms, such as antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects; although transient receptor potential (TRP) ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), TRP canonical 1 (TRPC1), TRP melastatin M7 (TRPM7), and TRP vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) are carvacrol-regulated TRPs, however, effect of carvacrol on the peripheral neurodegenerative process, and its underlying mechanism, remain unclear.

Heme Oxygenase 1 in Schwann Cells Regulates Peripheral Nerve Degeneration Against Oxidative Stress.

During Wallerian degeneration, Schwann cells lose their characteristic of myelinating axons and shift into the state of developmental promyelinating cells. This recharacterized Schwann cell guides newly regrowing axons to their destination and remyelinates reinnervated axons. This Schwann cell dynamics during Wallerian degeneration is associated with oxidative events.

Fluorescence-Based Analysis of Noncanonical Functions of Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase-Interacting Multifunctional Proteins (AIMPs) in Peripheral Nerves.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-interacting multifunctional proteins (AIMPs) are auxiliary factors involved in protein synthesis related to aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs). AIMPs, which are well known as nonenzymatic factors, include AIMP1/p43, AIMP2/p38, and AIMP3/p18. The canonical functions of AIMPs include not only protein synthesis via multisynthetase complexes but also maintenance of the structural stability of these complexes.

Frontiers in Probing Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers with Fluorescent Small Molecules.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. The pathogenesis of the disease is associated with aggregated amyloid-β, hyperphosphorylated tau, a high level of metal ions, abnormal enzyme activities, and reactive astrocytes. This outlook gives an overview of fluorescent small molecules targeting AD biomarkers for ex vivo and in vivo imaging.

Mitophagy links oxidative stress conditions and neurodegenerative diseases.

Mitophagy is activated by a number of stimuli, including hypoxia, energy stress, and increased oxidative phosphorylation activity. Mitophagy is associated with oxidative stress conditions and central neurodegenerative diseases. Proper regulation of mitophagy is crucial for maintaining homeostasis; conversely, inadequate removal of mitochondria through mitophagy leads to the generation of oxidative species, including reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, resulting in various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Benzo[]coumarin-Based Fluorescent Probes for Bioimaging Applications.

Benzo[]coumarins, which consist of coumarins fused with other aromatic units in the linear shape, have recently emerged as an interesting fluorophore in the bioimaging research. The pi-extended skeleton with the presence of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents from the parent coumarins changes the basic photophysical parameters such as absorption and fluorescence emission significantly. Most of the benzo[]coumarin analogues show red/far-red fluorescence emission with high two-photon absorbing property that can be applicable for the two-photon microscopy (TPM) imaging.

Ginger fermented with Schizosaccharomyces pombe alleviates memory impairment via protecting hippocampal neuronal cells in amyloid beta plaque injected mice.

Ginger, which has been widely used for dietary condiment, has been reported to improve memory dysfunction in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, a few trials have been carried out to enhance the effects of ginger by improving the bioavailability of its relevant components via fermentation. Some reports have suggested that the fermented ginger has the ability to affect the AD in vitro systems; however, its anti-amnesic effects on an in vivo model still remain to be investigated.

Two-Photon In Vivo Imaging with Porous Silicon Nanoparticles.

A major obstacle in luminescence imaging is the limited penetration of visible light into tissues and interference associated with light scattering and autofluorescence. Near-infrared (NIR) emitters that can also be excited with NIR radiation via two-photon processes can mitigate these factors somewhat because they operate at wavelengths of 650-1000 nm where tissues are more transparent, light scattering is less efficient, and endogenous fluorophores are less likely to absorb. This study presents photolytically stable, NIR photoluminescent, porous silicon nanoparticles with a relatively high two-photon-absorption cross-section and a large emission quantum yield.

Fluorescent Labeling of Protein Using Blue-Emitting 8-Amino-BODIPY Derivatives.

8-Amino-BODIPY (boron-dipyrromethane) dyes show bright blue fluorescence. Disclosed here are synthesis and characterization of the photophysical properties of a series of functionalized 8-Amino-BODIPY (BP1-4) for protein labeling. The compact structure and solvent-insensitive absorption property of the dye are desirable features for protein labeling.

Anatomical distributional defects in mutant genes associated with dominant intermediate Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type C in an adenovirus-mediated mouse model.

Dominant intermediate Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type C (DI-CMTC) is a dominantly inherited neuropathy that has been classified primarily based on motor conduction velocity tests but is now known to involve axonal and demyelination features. DI-CMTC is linked to tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (YARS)-associated neuropathies, which are caused by E196K and G41R missense mutations and a single deletion (153-156delVKQV). It is well-established that these YARS mutations induce neuronal dysfunction, morphological symptoms involving axonal degeneration, and impaired motor performance.

Role of Gasotransmitters in Oxidative Stresses, Neuroinflammation, and Neuronal Repair.

To date, three main gasotransmitters, that is, hydrogen sulfide (HS), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitric oxide (NO), have been discovered to play major bodily physiological roles. These gasotransmitters have multiple functional roles in the body including physiologic and pathologic functions with respect to the cellular or tissue quantities of these gases. Gasotransmitters were originally known to have only detrimental and noxious effects in the body but that notion has much changed with years; vast studies demonstrated that these gasotransmitters are precisely involved in the normal physiological functioning of the body.

A Dipolar Anthracene Dye: Synthesis, Optical Properties and Two-photon Tissue Imaging.

Two-photon microscopy is a powerful tool for studying biological systems. In search of novel two-photon absorbing dyes for bioimaging, we synthesized a new anthracene-based dipolar dye (anthradan) and evaluated its two-photon absorbing and imaging properties. The new anthradan, 9,10-bis(o-dimethoxy-phenyl)-anthradan, absorbs and emits at longer wavelengths than acedan, a well-known two-photon absorbing dye.

Differences in MR signal intensity of lateral collateral ligament of knee joint on fat-suppressed proton density-weighted imaging.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the increased signal intensity (SI) of proximal lateral collateral ligament (LCL) at femoral attachment site on fat-suppressed (FS) proton density-weighted (PDW) MR imaging and the corresponding histological features on cadaveric knees.

Methods: MRI was obtained from 11 cadaveric knees. Two musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated SI of LCL at femoral attachment site and the remaining caudal portion on FS PDW imaging.

Hydrogen sulfide is essential for Schwann cell responses to peripheral nerve injury.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) functions as a physiological gas transmitter in both normal and pathophysiological cellular events. H2 S is produced from substances by three enzymes: cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MST). In human tissues, these enzymes are involved in tissue-specific biochemical pathways for H2 S production.

Neuropathic pain model of peripheral neuropathies mediated by mutations of glycyl-tRNA synthetase.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common inherited motor and sensory neuropathy. Previous studies have found that, according to CMT patients, neuropathic pain is an occasional symptom of CMT. However, neuropathic pain is not considered to be a significant symptom associated with CMT and, as a result, no studies have investigated the pathophysiology underlying neuropathic pain in this disorder.

6-Shogaol, an active constituent of ginger, attenuates neuroinflammation and cognitive deficits in animal models of dementia.

Recently, increased attention has been directed towards medicinal extracts as potential new drug candidates for dementia. Ginger has long been used as an important ingredient in cooking and traditional herbal medicine. In particular, ginger has been known to have disease-modifying effects in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

A novel adenoviral vector-mediated mouse model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2D (CMT2D).

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2D is a hereditary axonal and glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GARS)-associated neuropathy that is caused by a mutation in GARS. Here, we report a novel GARS-associated mouse neuropathy model using an adenoviral vector system that contains a neuronal-specific promoter. In this model, we found that wild-type GARS is distributed to peripheral axons, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cell bodies, central axon terminals, and motor neuron cell bodies.