Search results for "Acellular"
showing 10 items of 1986 documents
Cajal–Retzius cells: Update on structural and functional properties of these mystic neurons that bridged the 20th century
2014
Cajal-Retzius cells (CRc) represent a mostly transient neuronal cell type localized in the uppermost layer of the developing neocortex. The observation that CRc are a major source of the extracellular matrix protein reelin, which is essential for the laminar development of the cerebral cortex, attracted the interest in this unique cell type. In this review we will (i) describe the morphological and molecular properties of neocortical CRc, with a special emphasize on the question which markers can be used to identify CRc, (ii) summarize reports that identified the different developmental origins of CRc, (iii) discuss the fate of CRc, including recent evidence for apoptotic cell death and a p…
Sodium dynamics: another key to astroglial excitability?
2012
Astroglial excitability is largely mediated by fluctuations in intracellular ion concentrations. In addition to generally acknowledged Ca 2+ excitability of astroglia, recent studies have demonstrated that neuronal activity triggers transient increases in the cytosolic Na + concentration ([Na + ] i ) in perisynaptic astrocytes. These [Na + ] i transients are controlled by multiple Na + -permeable channels and Na + -dependent transporters; spatiotemporally organized [Na + ] i dynamics in turn regulate diverse astroglial homeostatic responses such as metabolic/signaling utilization of lactate and glutamate, transmembrane transport of neurotransmitters and K + buffering. In particular, near-me…
Loss of Dishevelleds disrupts planar polarity in ependymal motile cilia and results in hydrocephalus.
2014
Defects in ependymal (E) cells, which line the ventricle and generate cerebrospinal fluid flow through ciliary beating, can cause hydrocephalus. Dishevelled genes (Dvls) are essential for Wnt signaling, and Dvl2 has been shown to localize to the rootlet of motile cilia. Using the hGFAP-Cre;Dvl1(-/-);2(flox/flox);3(+/-) mouse, we show that compound genetic ablation of Dvls causes hydrocephalus. In hGFAP-Cre;Dvl1(-/-);2(flox/flox);3(+/-) mutants, E cells differentiated normally, but the intracellular and intercellular rotational alignments of ependymal motile cilia were disrupted. As a consequence, the fluid flow generated by the hGFAP-Cre;Dvl1(-/-);2(flox/flox);3(+/-) E cells was significant…
Sodium Fluxes and Astroglial Function
2012
Astrocytes exhibit their excitability based on variations in cytosolic Ca(2+) levels, which leads to variety of signalling events. Only recently, however, intracellular fluctuations of more abundant cation Na(+) are brought in the limelight of glial signalling. Indeed, astrocytes possess several plasmalemmal molecular entities that allow rapid transport of Na(+) across the plasma membrane: (1) ionotropic receptors, (2) canonical transient receptor potential cation channels, (3) neurotransmitter transporters and (4) sodium-calcium exchanger. Concerted action of these molecules in controlling cytosolic Na(+) may complement Ca(2+) signalling to provide basis for complex bidirectional astrocyte…
A Quantitative In Vitro Approach to Study the Intracellular Fate of Gold Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Cytotoxicity
2009
Due to their physico-chemical characteristics, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) seem to be suitable for biomedical and therapeutic applications even if conflicting data on their toxicological profiles are present in literature. In order to better understand if AuNPs could be safe we must consider different biological endpoints such as cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, inflammation and biopersistence. Starting from these considerations, one of the first issues to be assessed is to better understand if AuNPs can be internalized by cells. In this work, we propose a methodological approach to radioactivate AuNPs by neutron activation and the quantification of their internalization by two in vitro cell syst…
Effects of Ca2+ entry blockers on CaCl2-, KCl- and noradrenaline-induced contractions of goat cerebral arteries
1990
Abstract The effects of three Ca 2+ entry blockers, nicardipine, nimodipine and verapamil, on CaCl 2 -, KCl- and noradrenaline-induced contractions were examined in isolated goat middle cerebral artery. The relationship between the effects of Ca 2+ entry blockers and the extracellular Ca 2+ dependence of the contractions was also examined. In ‘nominally’ Ca 2+ -free medium, addition of CaCl 2 induced concentration-dependent contractions of previously depolarized arteries. Withdrawal of Ca 2+ from the extracellular medium caused strong inhibition of the KCl- and noradrenaline-induced arterial contractions. Addition of EGTA to the Ca 2+ -free medium almost abolished the noradrenaline-response…
Electrochemical sensor based on rGO/Au nanoparticles for monitoring H2O2 released by human macrophages
2021
Abstract Increased oxidative burden contributes to the pathogenesis of most inflammatory diseases and is associated with aging and chronic inflammation. Macrophages contribute to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within inflamed tissues. Currently, ROS generation is measured using fluorescent probes and colorimetric/fluorimetric biochemical assays. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) diffuses through the cell membrane and can be monitored in the extracellular space. Herein, we present a sensor for H2O2 detection released by cells in culture supernatants. H2O2 sensing performance was evaluated using chronoamperometric detection. A sensitivity of 0.0641 μA μM−1 cm−2 with a limit of detecti…
HSP90 and eNOS partially co-localize and change cellular localization in relation to different ECM components in 2D and 3D cultures of adult rat card…
2007
Background information. Cultivation techniques promoting three-dimensional organization of mammalian cells are of increasing interest, since they confer key functionalities of the native ECM (extracellular matrix) with a power for regenerative medicine applications. Since ECM compliance influences a number of cell functions, Matrigel-based gels have become attractive tools, because of the ease with which their mechanical properties can be controlled. In the present study, we took advantage of the chemical and mechanical tunability of commonly used cell culture substrates, and co-cultures to evaluate, on both two- and three-dimensional cultivated adult rat cardiomyocytes, the impact of ECM c…
Heparin–polynitroxides: Synthesis and preliminary evaluation as cardiovascular EPR/MR imaging probes and extracellular space-targeted antioxidants
2011
We report here the synthesis of heparin-polynitroxide derivatives (HPNs) in which nitroxide moieties are linked either to uronic acid or glycosamine residues of the heparin macromolecule. HPNs have low anticoagulant activity, possess superoxide scavenging properties, bind to the vascular endothelium/extra-cellular matrix and can be detected by EPR and MRI techniques. As the vascular wall-targeted redox-active paramagnetic compounds, HPNs may have both diagnostic (molecular MRI) and therapeutic (ecSOD mimics) applications.
Transplanting the genetic susceptibility to Crohn’s disease
2003
Susceptibility to Crohn’s disease may be transferred via haematopoietic stem cells, highlighting the pivotal role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease Crohn’s disease (CD) is one of the two most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The prevalence of CD has increased in Western countries over the past decades and mainly young patients are affected, with a peak incidence between 15 and 35 years.1 The aetiology of IBD is still unclear and should be considered as multifactorial according to recent studies.2 Genetic factors seem to play a pathogenic role as well as environmental, infectious, and immunological factors. All of these different aetiological aspects …