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1.
Front Cell Neurosci ; 18: 1374298, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38812790

ABSTRACT

Microglia play a critical role in maintaining brain homeostasis but become dysregulated in neurodegenerative diseases. Regulator of G-protein Signaling 10 (RGS10), one of the most abundant homeostasis proteins in microglia, decreases with aging and functions as a negative regulator of microglia activation. RGS10-deficient mice exhibit impaired glucose tolerance, and high-fat diet induces insulin resistance in these mice. In this study, we investigated whether RGS10 modulates microglia activation in response to hyperglycemic conditions, complementing our previous findings of its role in inflammatory stimuli. In RGS10 knockdown (KD) BV2 cells, TNF production increased significantly in response to high glucose, particularly under proinflammatory conditions. Additionally, glucose uptake and GLUT1 mRNA levels were significantly elevated in RGS10 KD BV2 cells. These cells produced higher ROS and displayed reduced sensitivity to the antioxidant N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) when exposed to high glucose. Notably, both BV2 cells and primary microglia that lack RGS10 exhibited impaired uptake of alpha-synuclein aggregates. These findings suggest that RGS10 acts as a negative regulator of microglia activation not only in response to inflammation but also under hyperglycemic conditions.

2.
NPJ Parkinsons Dis ; 10(1): 36, 2024 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38360903

ABSTRACT

Mounting data suggest an important role for the immune system in Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous evidence of increased natural killer (NK) cell populations in PD suggests a potential role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of the disease. Previous studies have analyzed NK cell populations using aggregation by variable expression of CD56 and CD16. It remains unknown what differences may exist between NK cell subpopulations when stratified using more nuanced classification. Here, we profile NK cell subpopulations and elucidate the expressions of activating, NKG2D, inhibitory, NKG2A, and homing, CX3CR1, receptors on NK cell subpopulations in PD and healthy controls (HC). We analyzed cryopreserved PMBC samples using a 10-color flow cytometry panel to evaluate NK cell subpopulations in 31 individuals with sporadic PD and 27 HC participants. Here we identified significant differences in the CD56dim NK subset that changes with disease severity in PD. Furthermore, the expressions of NKG2D in all three NK cell subsets were significantly elevated in PD patients compared to HC. Notably, NKG2A expression in the CD56bright NK subset increased in PD patients with longer disease duration but there were no changes in CX3CR1. In summary, our data suggests that changes in NK cells may be influenced by the clinical severity and duration of PD.

3.
J Korean Med Sci ; 39(1): e9, 2024 Jan 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38193328

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Turner syndrome (TS) is a common chromosomal abnormality, which is caused by loss of all or part of one X chromosome. Hormone replacement therapy in TS is important in terms of puberty, growth and prevention of osteoporosis however, such a study has never been conducted in Korea. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to determine relationship between the starting age, duration of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in TS and develop a hormone replacement protocol suitable for the situation in Korea. METHODS: This is retrospective study analyzed the medical records in TS patients treated at the Severance hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea from 1997 to 2019. Total of 188 subjects who had received a bone density test at least once were included in the study. Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) was used for achieving bone mineral density (BMD) of normal control group. Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, ANOVA and correlation analysis were performed using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: Each BMD measurement was significantly lower in women with TS than in healthy Korean women. Early start and longer duration of ERT is associated with higher lumbar spine BMD but not femur neck BMD. Femur neck BMD, but not lumbar spine BMD was significantly higher in women with mosaicism than 45XO group. CONCLUSION: Early onset and appropriate duration of hormone replacement therapy is important for increasing bone mineral density in patients with Turner syndrome. Also, ERT affects differently to TS patients according to mosaicism.


Subject(s)
Turner Syndrome , Adult , Humans , Female , Turner Syndrome/drug therapy , Bone Density , Nutrition Surveys , Retrospective Studies , Hormone Replacement Therapy , Chromosome Aberrations , Republic of Korea
4.
Br J Pharmacol ; 180 Suppl 2: S1-S22, 2023 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38123153

ABSTRACT

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2023/24 is the sixth in this series of biennial publications. The Concise Guide provides concise overviews, mostly in tabular format, of the key properties of approximately 1800 drug targets, and about 6000 interactions with about 3900 ligands. There is an emphasis on selective pharmacology (where available), plus links to the open access knowledgebase source of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. Although the Concise Guide constitutes almost 500 pages, the material presented is substantially reduced compared to information and links presented on the website. It provides a permanent, citable, point-in-time record that will survive database updates. The full contents of this section can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.16176. In addition to this overview, in which are identified 'Other protein targets' which fall outside of the subsequent categorisation, there are six areas of focus: G protein-coupled receptors, ion channels, nuclear hormone receptors, catalytic receptors, enzymes and transporters. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. The landscape format of the Concise Guide is designed to facilitate comparison of related targets from material contemporary to mid-2023, and supersedes data presented in the 2021/22, 2019/20, 2017/18, 2015/16 and 2013/14 Concise Guides and previous Guides to Receptors and Channels. It is produced in close conjunction with the Nomenclature and Standards Committee of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (NC-IUPHAR), therefore, providing official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate.


Subject(s)
Databases, Pharmaceutical , Pharmacology , Humans , Databases, Factual , Ion Channels , Ligands , Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
5.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37200540

ABSTRACT

Due to its vulnerability to hurricanes, Galveston Island, TX, USA, is exploring the implementation of a coastal surge barrier (also referred to as the "Ike Dike") for protection from severe flood events. This research evaluates the predicted effects that the coastal spine will have across four different storm scenarios, including a Hurricane Ike scenario and 10-year, 100-year, and 500-year storm events with and without a 2.4ft. sea level rise (SLR). To achieve this, we develop a 1:1 ratio, 3-dimensional urban model and ran real-time flood projections using ADCIRC model data with and without the coastal barrier in place. Findings show that inundated area and property damages due to flooding will both significantly decrease if the coastal spine is implemented, with a 36% decrease in the inundated area and $4 billion less in property damage across all storm scenarios, on average. When including SLR, the amount of protection of the Ike Dike diminishes due to flooding from the bay side of the island. While the Ike Dike does appear to offer substantial protection from flooding in the short term, integrating the coastal barrier with other non-structural mechanisms would facilitate more long-term protection when considering SLR.

6.
J Parkinsons Dis ; 12(s1): S83-S92, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35570499

ABSTRACT

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the abnormal aggregation and accumulation of the alpha-synuclein (α-syn) protein into Lewy bodies. It is established that there is an association between inflammation and PD; however, the time course of the inflammatory process as well as the immune cells involved are still debated. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes with numerous functions including targeting and killing infected or malignant cells, antimicrobial defense, and resolving inflammation. NK cell subsets differ in their effector function capacities which are modulated by activating and inhibitory receptors expressed at the cell surface. Alterations in NK cell numbers and receptor expression have been reported in PD patients. Recently, NK cell numbers and frequency were shown to be altered in the periphery and in the central nervous system in a preclinical mouse model of PD. Moreover, NK cells have recently been shown to internalize and degrade α-syn aggregates and systemic NK cell depletion exacerbated synuclein pathology in a preclinical mouse model of PD, indicating a potential protective role of NK cells. Here, we review the inflammatory process in PD with a particular focus on alterations in NK cell numbers, phenotypes, and functions.


Subject(s)
Neurodegenerative Diseases , Parkinson Disease , Animals , Inflammation , Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism , Killer Cells, Natural/pathology , Mice , Parkinson Disease/metabolism , alpha-Synuclein/metabolism
7.
J Clin Med ; 11(4)2022 Feb 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35207240

ABSTRACT

We aimed to determine the association between maternal age and pregnancy outcomes in singleton primigravidae in South Korea. We reviewed the medical data of singleton primigravidae women who gave birth between 2013 and 2018 and underwent the National Health Screening Examination using the administrative database from the National Health Insurance claims data. As advanced maternal age is associated with various comorbidities that could affect pregnancy outcomes, we divided the patients according to their age and comparatively analyzed the prevalence of high-risk pregnancy complications including rates of cesarean delivery, after adjusting for maternal demographics. Perinatal and postpartum complications according to maternal age were also investigated. Overall, 548,080 women were included in this study: 441,902 were aged <35 years; 85,663, 35-39 years; 20,515, ≥40 years. Patients' demographics differed according to their age. Increasing maternal age was significantly associated with higher income levels and higher rates of obesity, pre-existing diabetes, and hypertension. With the increasing maternal age, the rate of obstetric complications, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placenta previa, placental abruption, and cesarean delivery, increased. Maternal age was also positively correlated with perinatal morbidity including preterm birth and low birth weight. Additionally, advanced maternal age was a risk factor for hospitalization before delivery, more frequent outpatient visits, and readmission after delivery. These observations were maintained in the multivariate analysis results. Advanced maternal age appears to be associated with various adverse obstetric outcomes for primigravidae women, and the frequency of hospitalizations was higher in this group. Considering the current social environment of late pregnancies and childbirth in South Korea, effective policy consideration is required to support safe childbirth in women with advanced maternal age.

8.
Prog Disaster Sci ; 13: 100214, 2022 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35013726

ABSTRACT

COVID 19 is a still on-going fatal risk that affects the whole world. COVID-19 pandemic has been characterized as a systemic risk. Accordingly, this paper aims to identify the features of systemic risk of COVID-19 and draw policy implications for effective response. For this, we traced the COVID-19 related risk in Korea from January 2020 to August 2021 by utilizing the official data of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Analyzing the relationship between anticipated, emerging, amplified, and lingering risk and response measure through actual data, it was revealed that the risk flow model for cascading risk proposed by the author can be readily applied. In addition, through the analysis of actual response measures against the risks for 1 year and 8 months, the authors proposed a strategic response map against cascading pandemics. Five policy implication derived through this study can be extended for identifying strategic approach against cascading pandemics and for developing guidelines for effective preparedness, risk reduction, and resilience building.

9.
Mol Nutr Food Res ; 66(1): e2100704, 2022 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34783447

ABSTRACT

SCOPE: Aspergillus terreus is an industrial microorganism used in the brewing and sauce industries. It produces monacolin K, a natural statin. The study conducted an 8-week randomized controlled trial with hypercholesterolemic subjects to examine the hypocholesterolemic effects and mechanisms of supplementation with yellow yeast rice (YYR) prepared by growing Aspergillus fungi on steamed rice. METHODS AND RESULTS: YYR supplementation markedly reduced total cholesterol, LDL, and apolipoprotein B100 levels in plasma compared with the placebo. In addition, YYR induced a significantly increased ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 11 (ABCB11) gene expression compared with the placebo, indicating the role of YYR in lowering intrahepatic cholesterol availability by stimulating the bile salt export pump. Upregulation of LDL receptor (LDLR) and 3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) gene expressions provided additional evidence to support the role of YYR in reducing hepatic cholesterol availability. Plasma metabolomic profiling revealed the possibility of diminishing bile acid absorption. Finally, Spearman rank analysis showed correlations of plasma cholesterol profiles with HMGCR and LDLR gene expressions (negative) and plasma bile acids (positive). Plasma bile acids also correlated with ABCB11 (negative) and LDLR (positive) gene expressions. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that daily YYR supplementation exerted hypocholesterolemic effects in mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemic subjects by reducing intrahepatic cholesterol availability through stimulating bile salt export pumps and inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis.


Subject(s)
Biological Products , Hypercholesterolemia , ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 11/metabolism , Aspergillus/metabolism , Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism , Biological Products/therapeutic use , Cholesterol , Humans , Liver/metabolism
10.
Front Immunol ; 12: 772288, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34912341

ABSTRACT

Seasonal influenza epidemics represent a significant global health threat. The exacerbated immune response triggered by respiratory influenza virus infection causes severe pulmonary damage and contributes to substantial morbidity and mortality. Regulator of G-protein signaling 10 (RGS10) belongs to the RGS protein family that act as GTPase activating proteins for heterotrimeric G proteins to terminate signaling pathways downstream of G protein-coupled receptors. While RGS10 is highly expressed in immune cells, in particular monocytes and macrophages, where it has strong anti-inflammatory effects, its physiological role in the respiratory immune system has not been explored yet. Here, we show that Rgs10 negatively modulates lung immune and inflammatory responses associated with severe influenza H1N1 virus respiratory infection in a mouse model. In response to influenza A virus challenge, mice lacking RGS10 experience enhanced weight loss and lung viral titers, higher mortality and significantly faster disease onset. Deficiency of Rgs10 upregulates the levels of several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and increases myeloid leukocyte accumulation in the infected lung, markedly neutrophils, monocytes, and inflammatory monocytes, which is associated with more pronounced lung damage. Consistent with this, influenza-infected Rgs10-deficent lungs contain more neutrophil extracellular traps and exhibit higher neutrophil elastase activities than wild-type lungs. Overall, these findings propose a novel, in vivo role for RGS10 in the respiratory immune system controlling myeloid leukocyte infiltration, viral clearance and associated clinical symptoms following lethal influenza challenge. RGS10 also holds promise as a new, potential therapeutic target for respiratory infections.


Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/immunology , Pneumonia/immunology , RGS Proteins/immunology , Animals , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/immunology , Cytokines/immunology , Female , Lung/immunology , Lung/pathology , Lung/virology , Male , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/pathology , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology , Pneumonia/pathology , Pneumonia/virology , RGS Proteins/genetics
11.
Prog Disaster Sci ; 12: 100200, 2021 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34493999

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the different kinds of risks associated with the novel coronavirus infection in the Republic of Korea and how those risks have been changed by the countermeasures taken by the Korean authorities and citizens. To this end, the authors explored the official database of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) in order to extract risk-related data from January 2020 to April 2021, and then identified the disaster risks and countermeasures from the government press briefings and news media in the same period. Consequently, this study identified three important approaches to enhance the infectious disease response management. First, the government has to respond immediately, even when they lack information and knowledge about the new type of risk. Second, a multi-sectoral response must be prepared to cope with systemic risks. Third, the government should prioritize transparency, inclusive risk governance, and innovative technologies during the initial response stage against risks with high uncertainty and novelty. Aside from these approaches, the types of risks were divided into four categories based on the response measures: anticipated risk against which countermeasures can be planned in advance, lingering risk against which adaptive response should be taken promptly, amplified risk, and emerging risk; the last two risks require the established plan to be modified drastically in order to secure higher-level engagement and additional resources. Finally, the authors proposed a risk management flow that can be applied to an in-depth analysis of the intersection between risk and response.

12.
Br J Pharmacol ; 178 Suppl 1: S1-S26, 2021 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34529830

ABSTRACT

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2021/22 is the fifth in this series of biennial publications. The Concise Guide provides concise overviews, mostly in tabular format, of the key properties of nearly 1900 human drug targets with an emphasis on selective pharmacology (where available), plus links to the open access knowledgebase source of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. Although the Concise Guide constitutes over 500 pages, the material presented is substantially reduced compared to information and links presented on the website. It provides a permanent, citable, point-in-time record that will survive database updates. The full contents of this section can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/bph.15537. In addition to this overview, in which are identified 'Other protein targets' which fall outside of the subsequent categorisation, there are six areas of focus: G protein-coupled receptors, ion channels, nuclear hormone receptors, catalytic receptors, enzymes and transporters. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. The landscape format of the Concise Guide is designed to facilitate comparison of related targets from material contemporary to mid-2021, and supersedes data presented in the 2019/20, 2017/18, 2015/16 and 2013/14 Concise Guides and previous Guides to Receptors and Channels. It is produced in close conjunction with the Nomenclature and Standards Committee of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (NC-IUPHAR), therefore, providing official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate.


Subject(s)
Databases, Pharmaceutical , Pharmacology , Humans , Ion Channels , Ligands , Protein Transport , Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
13.
Food Res Int ; 146: 110428, 2021 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34119240

ABSTRACT

The spore-forming Bacillus coagulans has attracted attention for their therapeutic action in the colon. However, the mechanism of this action remains unclear. In this study, healthy subjects with mild intermittent constipation were supplemented with B. coagulans SNZ 1969 (BC) or the placebo for 8 weeks (n = 80). Then, we assessed colonic transit time (CTT), weekly complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) scores, bowel discomfort symptom (BDS) scores, and 16S rRNA fecal microbiome profiles. The association between the critically altered gut microbiome and clinical outcomes was analyzed using redundancy analysis (RDA) and validated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. BC supplementation significantly improved CTT (p = 0.031), CSBM at weeks 2 (p = 0.045) and 9 (p = 0.038), and BDS at weeks 3 (p = 0.019) and 6 (p = 0.029) compared with the placebo, while altering the community composition of the gut microbiota. We also confirmed that BC was effectively delivered to the gut. Finally, the multivariate redundancy analysis concluded that BC-induced enrichment of Lactobacillales and diminishment of Synergistales were related to CTT improvements. This study provides important new data on how spore-forming B. coagulans SNZ 1969 contributes to improving gut motility and presents evidence supporting the use of B. coagulans SNZ 1969 in adults with mild intermittent constipation and habitual low intake of fruit and vegetables.


Subject(s)
Bacillus coagulans , Adult , Constipation , Gastrointestinal Motility , Humans , Perception , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S , Spores, Bacterial
14.
Immun Ageing ; 18(1): 3, 2021 Jan 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33419446

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Physiological homeostasis decline, immunosenescence, and increased risk for multiple diseases, including neurodegeneration, are all hallmarks of ageing. Importantly, it is known that the ageing process is sex-biased. For example, there are sex differences in predisposition for multiple age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. However, sex differences in age-associated immune phenotypes are not clearly understood. RESULTS: Here, we examined the effects of age on immune cell phenotypes in both sexes of C57BL/6J mice with a particular focus on NK cells. We found female-specific spleen weight increases with age and concordant reduction in the number of splenocytes per gram of spleen weight compared to young females. To evaluate sex- and age-associated changes in splenic immune cell composition, we performed flow cytometry analysis. In male mice, we observed an age-associated reduction in the frequencies of monocytes and NK cells; female mice displayed a reduction in B cells, NK cells, and CD8 + T cells and increased frequency of monocytes and neutrophils with age. We then performed a whole blood stimulation assay and multiplex analyses of plasma cytokines and observed age- and sex-specific differences in immune cell reactivity and basal circulating cytokine concentrations. As we have previously illustrated a potential role of NK cells in Parkinson's disease, an age-related neurodegenerative disease, we further analyzed age-associated changes in NK cell phenotypes and function. There were distinct differences between the sexes in age-associated changes in the expression of NK cell receptors, IFN-γ production, and impairment of α-synuclein endocytosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates sex- and age-specific alterations in splenic lymphocyte composition, circulating cytokine/chemokine profiles, and NK cell phenotype and effector functions. Our data provide evidence that age-related physiological perturbations differ between the sexes which may help elucidate sex differences in age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease, where immune dysfunction is implicated in their etiology.

15.
J Korean Med Sci ; 35(45): e396, 2020 Nov 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33230987

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, China, a total of 637 patients had been diagnosed with the disease in Seoul as of May 2, 2020. Our study aimed to describe the impact of the 3T strategies (preemptive testing, prompt tracing and proper treatment) on the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in Seoul. METHODS: The descriptive and explanatory analysis was carried out on critical indicators such as epidemiological characteristics and key duration of patient status change from January 24 to May 2 in Seoul before and after preemptive testing for patients under investigation associated with COVID-19 clusters. RESULTS: Preemptive testing increased the positive test rate (3.9% to 4.2%), an asymptomatic case at diagnosis (16.9% to 30.6%), and reduced the time from symptom onset to quarantine (4.0 to 3.0 days). Prompt tracing decreased unknown sources of infection (6.9% to 2.8%), the mean number of contacts (32.2 to 23.6), and the time-varying reproduction number R(t) (1.3 to 0.6). With proper treatment, only 2 cases of mortality occurred, resulting in a fatality rate of just 0.3%. CONCLUSION: In the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic lasting 100 days, the effect of the 3T strategies flattened the curve and decreased the time during which infected individuals were contagious, thereby lowering the R(t) below 1 in Seoul.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/diagnosis , Strategic Planning , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/therapy , COVID-19/virology , Child , Child, Preschool , Contact Tracing , Disease Outbreaks , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Time-to-Treatment , Young Adult
16.
Exp Mol Med ; 52(9): 1517-1525, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32973221

ABSTRACT

Numerous lines of evidence indicate an association between sustained inflammation and Parkinson's disease, but whether increased inflammation is a cause or consequence of Parkinson's disease remains highly contested. Extensive efforts have been made to characterize microglial function in Parkinson's disease, but the role of peripheral immune cells is less understood. Natural killer cells are innate effector lymphocytes that primarily target and kill malignant cells. Recent scientific discoveries have unveiled numerous novel functions of natural killer cells, such as resolving inflammation, forming immunological memory, and modulating antigen-presenting cell function. Furthermore, natural killer cells are capable of homing to the central nervous system in neurological disorders that exhibit exacerbated inflammation and inhibit hyperactivated microglia. Recently, a study demonstrated that natural killer cells scavenge alpha-synuclein aggregates, the primary component of Lewy bodies, and systemic depletion of natural killer cells results in exacerbated neuropathology in a mouse model of alpha-synucleinopathy, making them a highly relevant cell type in Parkinson's disease. However, the exact role of natural killer cells in Parkinson's disease remains elusive. In this review, we introduce the systemic inflammatory process seen in Parkinson's disease, with a particular focus on the direct and indirect modulatory capacity of natural killer cells in the context of Parkinson's disease.


Subject(s)
Disease Susceptibility , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism , Parkinson Disease/etiology , Parkinson Disease/metabolism , Animals , Cell Communication , Cellular Senescence , Cytokines/metabolism , Disease Susceptibility/immunology , Gastrointestinal Tract/immunology , Gastrointestinal Tract/metabolism , Humans , Immunity , Neurons/metabolism , Parkinson Disease/pathology , Receptors, Natural Killer Cell/metabolism , Signal Transduction , alpha-Synuclein/metabolism
17.
Cell Signal ; 75: 109765, 2020 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32882407

ABSTRACT

Regulator of G protein signaling 10 (RGS10) belongs to the superfamily of RGS proteins, defined by the presence of a conserved RGS domain that canonically binds and deactivates heterotrimeric G-proteins. RGS proteins act as GTPase activating proteins (GAPs), which accelerate GTP hydrolysis on the G-protein α subunits and result in termination of signaling pathways downstream of G protein-coupled receptors. RGS10 is the smallest protein of the D/R12 subfamily and selectively interacts with Gαi proteins. It is widely expressed in many cells and tissues, with the highest expression found in the brain and immune cells. RGS10 expression is transcriptionally regulated via epigenetic mechanisms. Although RGS10 lacks multiple of the defined regulatory domains found in other RGS proteins, RGS10 contains post-translational modification sites regulating its expression, localization, and function. Additionally, RGS10 is a critical protein in the regulation of physiological processes in multiple cells, where dysregulation of its expression has been implicated in various diseases including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, osteopetrosis, chemoresistant ovarian cancer and cardiac hypertrophy. This review summarizes RGS10 features and its regulatory mechanisms, and discusses the known functions of RGS10 in cellular physiology and pathogenesis of several diseases.


Subject(s)
Eye Proteins/metabolism , Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism , RGS Proteins/physiology , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism , Cardiomegaly/metabolism , Female , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Multiple Sclerosis/metabolism , Parkinson Disease/metabolism
18.
Sci Rep ; 10(1): 11017, 2020 07 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32620847

ABSTRACT

The previous reports on an addiction vulnerability marker in the human SLC4A7 gene encoding the Na/HCO3 transporter NBCn1 suggest that this pH-regulating protein may affect alcohol-related behavior and response. Here, we examined alcohol consumption and sensitivity to the sedative effects of alcohol in male NBCn1 knockout mice. These mice displayed lower pH in neurons than wildtype controls, determined by intracellular pH in hippocampal neuronal cultures. Neurons from knockout mice had a higher action potential threshold and a more depolarized membrane potential, thus reducing membrane excitability. In a two-bottle free choice procedure, knockout mice consumed more alcohol than controls and consistently increased alcohol consumption after repeated alcohol deprivation periods. Quinine and sucrose preference was similar between genotypes. Knockout mice showed increased propensity for alcohol-induced conditioned place preference. In loss of righting reflex assessment, knockout mice revealed increased sensitivity to alcohol-induced sedation and developed tolerance to the sedation after repeated alcohol administrations. Furthermore, chronic alcohol consumption caused NBCn1 downregulation in the hippocampus and striatum of mice and humans. These results demonstrate an important role of NBCn1 in regulation of alcohol consumption and sensitivity to alcohol-induced sedation.


Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking/genetics , Down-Regulation , Hippocampus/cytology , Sodium-Bicarbonate Symporters/genetics , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Gene Knockout Techniques , Hippocampus/chemistry , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Male , Mice , Neurons/chemistry , Neurons/cytology , Quinine/pharmacology , Sucrose/pharmacology
20.
Landsc Res ; 45(1): 63-80, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31983788

ABSTRACT

Uncertainty about the impacts of sea level rise make the ability to forecast future spatial conditions a necessary planning/design tool. Geodesign integrates multiple fields of science with change/impact models and planning/design strategies. Proactive planning analyses such as newly developed scorecards allow for plan evaluation; design strategies can now be quantitatively assessed using landscape performance calculators. Neither have been explored as Geodesign tools. A Geodesign process was developed using the resilience scorecard to assess flood vulnerability using projections for the 100 year floodplain with sea level rise by 2100. Projections were used as a guide to develop a resilient master plan for League City, TX, USA. Future impacts of the plan are projected using landscape performance measures.

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