The role of VEGF in the nervous system is extensive; apart from its angiogenic effect, VEGF has been described as a neuroprotective, neurotrophic and neurogenic molecule. Similar effects have been described for enriched environment (EE). Moreover, both VEGF and EE have been related to improved spatial memory. Our aim was to investigate the neurovascular and cognitive effects of intracerebrally-administered VEGF and enriched environment during the critical period of the rat visual cortex development. Results showed that VEGF infusion as well as enriched environment induced neurovascular and cognitive effects in developing rats. VEGF administration produced an enhancement during the learning process of enriched animals and acted as an angiogenic factor both in primary visual cortex (V1) and dentate gyrus (DG) in order to counteract minipump implantation-induced damage. This fact revealed that DG vascularization is critical for normal learning. In contrast to this enriched environment acted on the neuronal density of the DG and V1 cortex, and results showed learning enhancement only in non-operated rats. In conclusion, VEGF administration only has effects if damage is observed due to injury. Once control values were reached, no further effects appeared, showing a ceiling effect. Our results strongly support that in addition to neurogenesis, vascularization plays a pivotal role for learning and memory.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2013.02.036 | DOI Listing |
Alzheimers Dement
December 2024
Good T Cells, Seoul, Mapo-gu, Korea, Republic of (South); YONSEI University, Seoul, Seodaemun-gu, Korea, Republic of (South).
Background: Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), have been long thought to be independent of the peripheral immune system, but their pathogenesis status is functionally influenced by various T cell subsets in the periphery. Especially Treg cells are emerging as an important dynamic population in the brain, but the detailed immunological molecular and cellular processes are poorly characterized METHOD: We reported that the cell surface protein Lrig1 is enriched in Treg cells and is an essential regulator of the functions of Treg cells in vitro and in vivo. To evaluate the functional importance of Treg cells in AD pathogenesis, the modulating mAb specific to Lrig1 (GTC 310-01) via intravenous injection route was administered into 5xFAD or 6xTg mice, the genetic mouse model of AD, and the various AD symptoms were investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Background: Understanding social, behavioral, and environmental determinants of health (SBEDOH) are key in identifying modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease and related Dementias (ADRD), particularly the disproportionate burden seen in minorities. However, a lack of standardized SBEDOH methods exists with current methods limited in scope and cultural sensitivity (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Sci
January 2025
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, China.
Skin fibrotic diseases are characterized by abnormal fibroblast function and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Our previous single-cell sequencing results identified an enriched fibroblast subcluster in skin fibrotic tissues that highly expresses the actin cross-linking cytoskeletal protein Transgelin (TAGLN), which bridges the mechanical environment of tissues and cellular metabolism. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of TAGLN in the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Nanomedicine
January 2025
Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Advanced Materials (LIMAV), Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program (PPGCM), Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Background: The 3D printing of macro- and mesoporous biomimetic grafts composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) infused with nanosized synthetic smectic clay is a promising innovation in biomaterials for bone tissue engineering (BTE). The main challenge lies in achieving a uniform distribution of nanoceramics across low to high concentrations within the polymer matrix while preserving mechanical properties and biological performance essential for successful osseointegration.
Methods: This study utilized 3D printing to fabricate PCL scaffolds enriched with nanosized synthetic smectic clay (LAP) to evaluate its effects on structural, chemical, thermal, mechanical, and degradative properties, with a focus on in vitro biological performance and non-toxicity.
Ecol Evol
January 2025
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal and Plant Resistance, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life Science Tianjin Normal University Tianjin China.
Understanding the adaptation of archaea to hypoxia is essential for deciphering the functions and mechanisms of microbes when suffering environmental changes. However, the dynamics and responses of archaea to the sedimentary hypoxia in Bohai Sea are still unclear. In this study, the diversity, composition, and distribution of archaeal community in sediment along an inshore-offshore transect across the oxygen-depleted area in the Bohai Sea were investigated in June, July, and August of 2021 by employing high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene.
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