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Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Mar 2024: Our report contributes a unique case of a non-neural GCT occurring in an unusual location, with its development during pregnancy adding to its rarity. : Granular cell...
: Our report contributes a unique case of a non-neural GCT occurring in an unusual location, with its development during pregnancy adding to its rarity. : Granular cell tumors (GCTs), also known as Abrikossoff's tumors, are rare neoplasms of Schwann cell origin with predominantly benign behavior. We present a case of a 29-year-old female with a non-neural variant of a GCT discovered incidentally during a cesarean section, situated on the posterior surface of the rectus abdominis muscle. : Histologically, the tumor exhibited features consistent with a benign non-neural GCT, confirmed through an immunohistochemical analysis. Despite the atypical presentation and challenging surgical removal due to prior scarring, the patient experienced no postoperative complications and showed no signs of recurrence during follow-up. : This case highlights the importance of considering GCTs in differential diagnoses, particularly in unusual anatomical locations, and underscores the favorable prognosis associated with timely surgical intervention.
Topics: Humans; Female; Rectus Abdominis; Adult; Granular Cell Tumor; Pregnancy; Muscle Neoplasms; Cesarean Section; Granulosa Cell Tumor
PubMed: 38674222
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60040576 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024Schizophrenia is a significant worldwide health concern, affecting over 20 million individuals and contributing to a potential reduction in life expectancy by up to 14.5... (Review)
Review
Schizophrenia is a significant worldwide health concern, affecting over 20 million individuals and contributing to a potential reduction in life expectancy by up to 14.5 years. Despite its profound impact, the precise pathological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia continue to remain enigmatic, with previous research yielding diverse and occasionally conflicting findings. Nonetheless, one consistently observed phenomenon in brain imaging studies of schizophrenia patients is the disruption of white matter, the bundles of myelinated axons that provide connectivity and rapid signalling between brain regions. Myelin is produced by specialised glial cells known as oligodendrocytes, which have been shown to be disrupted in post-mortem analyses of schizophrenia patients. Oligodendrocytes are generated throughout life by a major population of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC), which are essential for white matter health and plasticity. Notably, a decline in a specific subpopulation of OPC has been identified as a principal factor in oligodendrocyte disruption and white matter loss in the aging brain, suggesting this may also be a factor in schizophrenia. In this review, we analysed genomic databases to pinpoint intersections between aging and schizophrenia and identify shared mechanisms of white matter disruption and cognitive dysfunction.
Topics: Humans; Schizophrenia; Oligodendroglia; Aging; Animals; Genomics; White Matter; Myelin Sheath; Brain
PubMed: 38674040
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084452 -
Biomolecules Apr 2024Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motoneuron degenerative disease that is associated with demyelination. The () mouse exhibits motoneuron degeneration,...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motoneuron degenerative disease that is associated with demyelination. The () mouse exhibits motoneuron degeneration, gliosis and myelin deterioration in the cervical spinal cord. Since male s display low testosterone (T) levels in the nervous system, we investigated if T modified myelin-relative parameters in s in the absence or presence of the aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole (A). We studied myelin by using luxol-fast-blue (LFB) staining, semithin sections, electron microscopy and myelin protein expression, density of IBA1 microglia and mRNA expression of inflammatory factors, and the glutamatergic parameters glutamine synthetase (GS) and the transporter GLT1. Controls and + T showed higher LFB, MBP and PLP staining, lower g-ratios and compact myelin than s and + T + A, and groups showing the rupture of myelin lamellae. s showed increased IBA1 cells and mRNA for CD11b and inflammatory factors (IL-18, TLR4, TNFαR and PYR) vs. controls or + T. IBA1 cells, and CD11b were not reduced in + T + A, but inflammatory factors' mRNA remained low. A reduction of GS cells and GLT-1 immunoreactivity was observed in s and + T + A vs. controls and + T. Clinically, + T but not + T + A showed enhanced muscle mass, grip strength and reduced paw abnormalities. Therefore, T effects involve myelin protection, a finding of potential clinical translation.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Myelin Sheath; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Male; Disease Models, Animal; Testosterone; Spinal Cord; Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2; Microglia
PubMed: 38672445
DOI: 10.3390/biom14040428 -
Biomolecules Mar 2024Dysregulation of the endo-lysosomal-autophagy pathway has been identified as a critical factor in the pathology of various demyelinating neurodegenerative diseases,...
BACKGROUND
Dysregulation of the endo-lysosomal-autophagy pathway has been identified as a critical factor in the pathology of various demyelinating neurodegenerative diseases, including peripheral neuropathies. This pathway plays a crucial role in transporting newly synthesized myelin proteins to the plasma membrane in myelinating Schwann cells, making these cells susceptible to lysosome-related dysfunctions. Nevertheless, the specific impact of lysosomal dysfunction in Schwann cells and its contribution to neurodegeneration remain poorly understood.
METHODS
We aim to mimic lysosomal dysfunction in Schwann cells using chloroquine, a lysosomal dysfunction inducer, and to monitor lysosomal leakiness, Schwann cell viability, and apoptosis over time. Additionally, due to the ethical and experimental issues associated with cell isolation and the culturing of human Schwann cells, we use human dental pulp stem cell-derived Schwann cells (DPSC-SCs) as a model in our study.
RESULTS
Chloroquine incubation boosts lysosomal presence as demonstrated by an increased Lysotracker signal. Further in-depth lysosomal analysis demonstrated an increased lysosomal size and permeability as illustrated by a TEM analysis and GAL3-LAMP1 staining. Moreover, an Alamar blue assay and Caspase-3 staining demonstrates a reduced viability and increased apoptosis, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that prolonged lysosomal dysfunction leads to lysosomal permeability, reduced viability, and eventually apoptosis in human DPSC-SCs.
Topics: Schwann Cells; Lysosomes; Humans; Dental Pulp; Chloroquine; Stem Cells; Apoptosis; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 38672423
DOI: 10.3390/biom14040405 -
Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024There are many commercially available artificial nerve conduits, used mostly to repair short gaps in sensory nerves. The stages of nerve regeneration in a nerve conduit... (Review)
Review
There are many commercially available artificial nerve conduits, used mostly to repair short gaps in sensory nerves. The stages of nerve regeneration in a nerve conduit are fibrin matrix formation between the nerve stumps joined to the conduit, capillary extension and Schwann cell migration from both nerve stumps, and, finally, axon extension from the proximal nerve stump. Artificial nerves connecting transected nerve stumps with a long interstump gap should be biodegradable, soft and pliable; have the ability to maintain an intrachamber fibrin matrix structure that allows capillary invasion of the tubular lumen, inhibition of scar tissue invasion and leakage of intratubular neurochemical factors from the chamber; and be able to accommodate cells that produce neurochemical factors that promote nerve regeneration. Here, we describe current progress in the development of artificial nerve conduits and the future studies needed to create nerve conduits, the nerve regeneration of which is compatible with that of an autologous nerve graft transplanted over a long nerve gap.
PubMed: 38671830
DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11040409 -
Journal of Functional Biomaterials Mar 2024Nerve guidance conduits for peripheral nerve injuries can be improved using bioactive materials such as magnesium (Mg) and its alloys, which could provide both...
Nerve guidance conduits for peripheral nerve injuries can be improved using bioactive materials such as magnesium (Mg) and its alloys, which could provide both structural and trophic support. Therefore, we investigated whether exposure to Mg and Mg-1.6wt%Li thin films (Mg/Mg-1.6Li) would alter acute Schwann cell responses to injury. Using the RT4-D6P2T Schwannoma cell line (SCs), we tested extracts from freeze-killed cells (FKC) and nerves (FKN) as in vitro injury stimulants. Both FKC and FKN induced SC release of the macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), a marker of the repair SC phenotype after injury. Next, FKC-stimulated cells exposed to Mg/Mg-1.6Li reduced MCP-1 release by 30%, suggesting that these materials could have anti-inflammatory effects. Exposing FKC-treated cells to Mg/Mg-1.6Li reduced the gene expression of the nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and myelin protein zero (MPZ), but not the p75 neurotrophin receptor. In the absence of FKC, Mg/Mg-1.6Li treatment increased the expression of NGF, p75, and MPZ, which can be beneficial to nerve regeneration. Thus, the presence of Mg can differentially alter SCs, depending on the microenvironment. These results demonstrate the applicability of this in vitro nerve injury model, and that Mg has wide-ranging effects on the repair SC phenotype.
PubMed: 38667545
DOI: 10.3390/jfb15040088 -
Cells Apr 2024Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a multisymptomatic disorder with highly variable presentations, which include short stature, susceptibility to formation of the... (Review)
Review
Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a multisymptomatic disorder with highly variable presentations, which include short stature, susceptibility to formation of the characteristic benign tumors known as neurofibromas, intense freckling and skin discoloration, and cognitive deficits, which characterize most children with the condition. Attention deficits and Autism Spectrum manifestations augment the compromised learning presented by most patients, leading to behavioral problems and school failure, while fragmented sleep contributes to chronic fatigue and poor quality of life. Neurofibromin (Nf1) is present ubiquitously during human development and postnatally in most neuronal, oligodendrocyte, and Schwann cells. Evidence largely from animal models including suggests that the symptomatic variability may reflect distinct cell-type-specific functions of the protein, which emerge upon its loss, or mutations affecting the different functional domains of the protein. This review summarizes the contributions of in modeling multiple NF1 manifestations, addressing hypotheses regarding the cell-type-specific functions of the protein and exploring the molecular pathways affected upon loss of the highly conserved fly homolog dNf1. Collectively, work in this model not only has efficiently and expediently modelled multiple aspects of the condition and increased understanding of its behavioral manifestations, but also has led to pharmaceutical strategies towards their amelioration.
Topics: Animals; Neurofibromatosis 1; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Drosophila melanogaster; Drosophila Proteins; Neurofibromin 1; Drosophila
PubMed: 38667335
DOI: 10.3390/cells13080721 -
Cells Apr 2024Both Hedgehog and androgen signaling pathways are known to promote myelin regeneration in the central nervous system. Remarkably, the combined administration of agonists...
Both Hedgehog and androgen signaling pathways are known to promote myelin regeneration in the central nervous system. Remarkably, the combined administration of agonists of each pathway revealed their functional cooperation towards higher regeneration in demyelination models in males. Since multiple sclerosis, the most common demyelinating disease, predominates in women, and androgen effects were reported to diverge according to sex, it seemed essential to assess the existence of such cooperation in females. Here, we developed an intranasal formulation containing the Hedgehog signaling agonist SAG, either alone or in combination with testosterone. We show that SAG promotes myelin regeneration and presumably a pro-regenerative phenotype of microglia, thus mimicking the effects previously observed in males. However, unlike in males, the combined molecules failed to cooperate in the demyelinated females, as shown by the level of functional improvement observed. Consistent with this observation, SAG administered in the absence of testosterone amplified peripheral inflammation by presumably activating NK cells and thus counteracting a testosterone-induced reduction in Th17 cells when the molecules were combined. Altogether, the data uncover a sex-dependent effect of the Hedgehog signaling agonist SAG on the peripheral innate immune system that conditions its ability to cooperate or not with androgens in the context of demyelination.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Demyelinating Diseases; Mice; Testosterone; Hedgehog Proteins; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Central Nervous System; Smoothened Receptor; Myelin Sheath; Disease Models, Animal; Signal Transduction; Immune System; Microglia; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 38667291
DOI: 10.3390/cells13080676 -
Cells Apr 2024Oligodendrocytes originating in the brain and spinal cord as well as in the ventral and dorsal domains of the neural tube are transcriptomically and functionally... (Review)
Review
Oligodendrocytes originating in the brain and spinal cord as well as in the ventral and dorsal domains of the neural tube are transcriptomically and functionally distinct. These distinctions are also reflected in the ultrastructure of the produced myelin, and the susceptibility to myelin-related disorders, which highlights the significance of the choice of patterning protocols in the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into oligodendrocytes. Thus, our first goal was to survey the different approaches applied to the generation of iPSC-derived oligodendrocytes in 2D culture and in organoids, as well as reflect on how these approaches pertain to the regional and spatial fate of the generated oligodendrocyte progenitors and myelinating oligodendrocytes. This knowledge is increasingly important to disease modeling and future therapeutic strategies. Our second goal was to recap the recent advances in the development of oligodendrocyte-enriched organoids, as we explore their relevance to a regional specification alongside their duration, complexity, and maturation stages of oligodendrocytes and myelin biology. Finally, we discuss the shortcomings of the existing protocols and potential future explorations.
Topics: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; Oligodendroglia; Organoids; Humans; Cell Differentiation; Animals; Myelin Sheath; Cell Culture Techniques
PubMed: 38667289
DOI: 10.3390/cells13080674 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Apr 2024Despite considerable advances in artificial bone tissues, the absence of neural network reconstruction in their design often leads to delayed or ineffective bone...
Despite considerable advances in artificial bone tissues, the absence of neural network reconstruction in their design often leads to delayed or ineffective bone healing. Hence, we propose a multilayer hierarchical lithium (Li)-doped titanium dioxide structure, constructed through microarc oxidation combined with alkaline heat treatment. This structure can induce the sustained release of Li ions, mimicking the environment of neurogenic osteogenesis characterized by high brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. During experiments, the structure enhanced the differentiation of Schwann cells (SCs) and the growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mouse embryo osteoblast progenitor cells (MC3T3-E1). Additionally, in a coculture system, the SC-conditioned media markedly increased alkaline phosphatase expression and the formation of calcium nodules, demonstrating the excellent potential of the material for nerve-induced bone regeneration. In an experiment based on a rat distal femoral lesion model, the structure substantially enhanced bone healing by increasing the density of the neural network in the tissue around the implant. In conclusion, this study elucidates the neuromodulatory pathways involved in bone regeneration, providing a promising method for addressing bone deformities.
PubMed: 38663861
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c01520