Composite electrodes made of the polysaccharide agarose and carbon nanotube fibers (A-CNE) have shown potential to be applied as tissue-compatible, micro-electronic devices. In the present work, A-CNEs were functionalized using neuro-relevant proteins (laminin and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone) and implanted in brain tissue for 1 week (acute response) and 4 weeks (chronic response). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of neuronal and immunological responses revealed significant changes in immunological response to implanted materials depending on the type of biomolecule used. The potential to manipulate tissue response through the use of an anti-inflammatory protein, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, was shown in the reduction of astroglia presence near the implant site during the glial scar formation. These results suggest that A-CNEs, which are soft, flexible, and easily made bioactive, have the ability to modify brain tissue response through surface modification as a function of the biomolecule used.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.40297 | DOI Listing |
Sex Med
December 2024
Department of Biochemistry, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, 06170, Turkey.
Background: Sexual dysfunction (SD) due to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) use is a common condition encountered by psychiatrists and its etiology has not been fully elucidated.
Aim: To determine the relationship between alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH) and Melanocortin-4 receptor (MCR4) levels and sexual function levels of patients with and without SSRI related SD and control group and to examine whether α-MSH and MCR4 play a role in the etiology of SSRI related SD.
Methods: A total of 92 patients and 49 healthy volunteers who applied to psychiatry outpatient clinic were included in the study.
J Med Chem
December 2024
Research Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 1000 Kamoshida-cho, Aoba-ku, Yokohama 227-0033, Japan.
Activation of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) mediates melanogenesis in melanocytes, anti-inflammatory effects in inflammatory cells, and antifibrotic effects in fibroblasts. Thus, MC1R agonists are expected to be beneficial for treating skin, autoimmune, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases. Afamelanotide, an α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analogue MC1R agonist, is used clinically for treating erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) as a subcutaneous implant formulation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Biol
December 2024
Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China.
Production of melanin pigments is a protective mechanism of the skin against ultraviolet (UV)-induced damage and carcinogenesis. However, the molecular basis for melanogenesis is still poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrate a critical interplay between the primary cilium and the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) signaling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Immunol
December 2024
Institute of Forensic Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, China.
The defense mechanisms of the vertebrate brain against infections are at the forefront of immunological studies. Unlike other body parts, the brain not only fends off pathogenic infections but also minimizes the risk of self-damage from immune cell induced inflammation. Some neuropeptides produced by either nerve or immune cells share remarkable similarities with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in terms of size, structure, amino acid composition, amphiphilicity, and net cationic charge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Sci Food Agric
November 2024
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Agricultural College of Yanbian University, Yanji, China.
Background: Adventitious root (AR) culture is an effective method for the production of Hypericum perforatum raw materials. However, the ARs are seldom utilized in practical applications. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of H.
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