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Priego M, Noriega L, Kalinin S, Hoffman LM, Feinstein DL, Morfini G. Genetic deletion of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) modestly increases disease severity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 382:578152. [PMID: 37454525 PMCID: PMC10527920 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The c-Jun amino terminal kinases (JNKs) regulate transcription, and studies suggest they contribute to neuropathology in the EAE model of MS. To examine the role of the JNK3 isoform, we compared EAE in JNK3 null mice to wild type (WT) littermates. Although disease severity was similar in female mice, in male JNK3 null mice the day of onset and time to reach 100% incidence occurred sooner, and disease severity was increased. While glial activation in spinal cord was similar, white matter lesions were increased in JNK3 null mice. These results suggest JNK3 normally limits EAE disease in a sex-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Priego
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America
| | - Lorena Noriega
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America
| | - Sergey Kalinin
- Department of Research, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America
| | - Lisa M Hoffman
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America
| | - Douglas L Feinstein
- Department of Research, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America.
| | - Gerardo Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America.
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JNK Activation Correlates with Cognitive Impairment and Alteration of the Post-Synaptic Element in the 5xFAD AD Mouse Model. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060904. [PMID: 36980245 PMCID: PMC10047857 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are a family of proteins that, once activated by stress stimuli, can alter neuronal functions and survival. The JNK cascade plays a crucial role in the post-synaptic neuronal compartment by altering its structural organization and leading, at worst, to an overall impairment of neuronal communication. Increasing evidence suggests that synaptic impairment is the first neurodegenerative event in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To better elucidate this mechanism, we longitudinally studied 5xFAD mice at three selected time points representative of human AD symptom progression. We tested the mice cognitive performance by using the radial arm water maze (RAWM) in parallel with biochemical evaluations of post-synaptic enriched protein fraction and total cortical parenchyma. We found that 5xFAD mice presented a strong JNK activation at 3.5 months of age in the post-synaptic enriched protein fraction. This JNK activation correlates with a structural alteration of the post-synaptic density area and with memory impairment at this early stage of the disease that progressively declines to cause cell death. These findings pave the way for future studies on JNK as a key player in early neurodegeneration and as an important therapeutic target for the development of new compounds able to tackle synaptic impairment in the early phase of AD pathology.
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Cui SS, Jiang QW, Chen SD. Sex difference in biological change and mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease: from macro- to micro-landscape. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 87:101918. [PMID: 36967089 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and numerous studies reported a higher prevalence and incidence of AD among women. Although women have longer lifetime, longevity does not wholly explain the higher frequency and lifetime risk in women. It is important to understand sex differences in AD pathophysiology and pathogenesis, which could provide foundation for future clinical AD research. Here, we reviewed the most recent and relevant literature on sex differences in biological change of AD from macroscopical neuroimaging to microscopical pathologic change (neuronal degeneration, synaptic dysfunction, amyloid-beta and tau accumulation). We also discussed sex differences in cellular mechanisms related to AD (neuroinflammation, mitochondria dysfunction, oxygen stress, apoptosis, autophagy, blood-brain-barrier dysfunction, gut microbiome alteration, bulk and single cell/nucleus omics) and possible causes underlying these differences including sex-chromosome, sex hormone and hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Shuang Cui
- Department of Neurology & Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Department of Geriatrics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qian-Wen Jiang
- Department of Neurology & Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Department of Geriatrics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Sheng-Di Chen
- Department of Neurology & Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
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Borsello T, Musi C, Bonadonna C. Synaptic alterations as a common phase in neurological and neurodevelopmental diseases: JNK is a key mediator in synaptic changes. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:531-532. [DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.346488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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The Mechanism of TNF- α-Mediated Accumulation of Phosphorylated Tau Protein and Its Modulation by Propofol in Primary Mouse Hippocampal Neurons: Role of Mitophagy, NLRP3, and p62/Keap1/Nrf2 Pathway. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:8661200. [PMID: 35993019 PMCID: PMC9391138 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8661200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Neuroinflammation-induced phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) deposition in central nervous system contributes to neurodegenerative disorders. Propofol possesses neuroprotective properties. We investigated its impacts on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-mediated p-Tau deposition in neurons. Methods Mouse hippocampal neurons were exposed to propofol followed by TNF-α. Cell viability, p-Tau, mitophagy, reactive oxygen species (ROS), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), antioxidant enzymes, and p62/Keap1/Nrf2 pathway were investigated. Results TNF-α promoted p-Tau accumulation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. TNF-α (20 ng/mL, 4 h) inhibited mitophagy while increased ROS accumulation and NLRP3 activation. It also induced glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) while inhibited protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) phosphorylation. All these effects were attenuated by 25 μM propofol. In addition, TNF-α-induced p-Tau accumulation was attenuated by ROS scavenger, NLRP3 inhibitor, GSK3β inhibitor, or PP2A activator. Besides, compared with control neurons, 100 μM propofol decreased p-Tau accumulation. It also decreased ROS and NLRP3 activation, modulated GSK3β/PP2A phosphorylation, leaving mitophagy unchanged. Further, 100 μM propofol induced p62 expression, reduced Keap1 expression, triggered the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, and upregulated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, which was abolished by p62 knockdown, Keap1 overexpression, or Nrf2 inhibitor. Consistently, the inhibitory effect of 100 μM propofol on ROS and p-Tau accumulation was mitigated by p62 knockdown, Keap1 overexpression, or Nrf2 inhibitor. Conclusions In hippocampal neurons, TNF-α inhibited mitophagy, caused oxidative stress and NLRP3 activation, leading to GSK3β/PP2A-dependent Tau phosphorylation. Propofol may reduce p-Tau accumulation by reversing mitophagy and oxidative stress-related events. Besides, propofol may reduce p-Tau accumulation by modulating SOD and HO-1 expression through p62/Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.
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Musi CA, Castaldo AM, Valsecchi AE, Cimini S, Morello N, Pizzo R, Renieri A, Meloni I, Bonati M, Giustetto M, Borsello T. JNK signaling provides a novel therapeutic target for Rett syndrome. BMC Biol 2021; 19:256. [PMID: 34911542 PMCID: PMC8675514 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01190-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rett syndrome (RTT) is a monogenic X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by loss-of-function mutations in the MECP2 gene, which lead to structural and functional changes in synapse communication, and impairments of neural activity at the basis of cognitive deficits that progress from an early age. While the restoration of MECP2 in animal models has been shown to rescue some RTT symptoms, gene therapy intervention presents potential side effects, and with gene- and RNA-editing approaches still far from clinical application, strategies focusing on signaling pathways downstream of MeCP2 may provide alternatives for the development of more effective therapies in vivo. Here, we investigate the role of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) stress pathway in the pathogenesis of RTT using different animal and cell models and evaluate JNK inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach. Results We discovered that the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) stress pathway is activated in Mecp2-knockout, Mecp2-heterozygous mice, and in human MECP2-mutated iPSC neurons. The specific JNK inhibitor, D-JNKI1, promotes recovery of body weight and locomotor impairments in two mouse models of RTT and rescues their dendritic spine alterations. Mecp2-knockout presents intermittent crises of apnea/hypopnea, one of the most invalidating RTT pathological symptoms, and D-JNKI1 powerfully reduces this breathing dysfunction. Importantly, we discovered that also neurons derived from hiPSC-MECP2 mut show JNK activation, high-phosphorylated c-Jun levels, and cell death, which is not observed in the isogenic control wt allele hiPSCs. Treatment with D-JNKI1 inhibits neuronal death induced by MECP2 mutation in hiPSCs mut neurons. Conclusions As a summary, we found altered JNK signaling in models of RTT and suggest that D-JNKI1 treatment prevents clinical symptoms, with coherent results at the cellular, molecular, and functional levels. This is the first proof of concept that JNK plays a key role in RTT and its specific inhibition offers a new and potential therapeutic tool to tackle RTT. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01190-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Alice Musi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Milan University, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Castaldo
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Milan University, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sara Cimini
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Noemi Morello
- Department of Neuroscience and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pizzo
- Department of Neuroscience and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Maurizio Bonati
- Department of Public Heath, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Giustetto
- Department of Neuroscience and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Tiziana Borsello
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Milan University, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy. .,Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy.
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Benoit B, Baillet A, Poüs C. Cytoskeleton and Associated Proteins: Pleiotropic JNK Substrates and Regulators. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8375. [PMID: 34445080 PMCID: PMC8395060 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This review extensively reports data from the literature concerning the complex relationships between the stress-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and the four main cytoskeleton elements, which are actin filaments, microtubules, intermediate filaments, and septins. To a lesser extent, we also focused on the two membrane-associated cytoskeletons spectrin and ESCRT-III. We gather the mechanisms controlling cytoskeleton-associated JNK activation and the known cytoskeleton-related substrates directly phosphorylated by JNK. We also point out specific locations of the JNK upstream regulators at cytoskeletal components. We finally compile available techniques and tools that could allow a better characterization of the interplay between the different types of cytoskeleton filaments upon JNK-mediated stress and during development. This overview may bring new important information for applied medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béatrice Benoit
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM UMR-S-1193, 5 Rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (A.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Anita Baillet
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM UMR-S-1193, 5 Rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (A.B.); (C.P.)
| | - Christian Poüs
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM UMR-S-1193, 5 Rue Jean-Baptiste Clément, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (A.B.); (C.P.)
- Biochimie-Hormonologie, AP-HP Université Paris-Saclay, Site Antoine Béclère, 157 Rue de la Porte de Trivaux, 92141 Clamart, France
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Buccarello L, Dragotto J, Iorio F, Hassanzadeh K, Corbo M, Feligioni M. The pivotal role of SUMO-1-JNK-Tau axis in an in vitro model of oxidative stress counteracted by the protective effect of curcumin. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 178:114066. [PMID: 32502496 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a toxic cellular condition, strictly related to inflammation and known to be a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases. The imbalanced redox state modifies several molecular processes including protein SUMOylation, JNK and Tau protein activation, important actors in Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we showed a strong interaction among SUMO-1-JNK-Tau proteins and their molecular targets in an in vitro model (SHSY5Y cell line) of oxidative stress in which a significant reduction of cell viability and an augmented cell death was induced by increased doses of H2O2. The evoked oxidative stress led to a deficiency in the degradation system showing altered levels of Caspase-3, LC3BII/I and Ubiquitin. Curcumin, a natural compound with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, demonstrated to tackle oxidative stress re-equilibrating SUMO-1, JNK and Tau functions. Importantly, 5 μM of curcumin induced an efficient recovery of cell viability, a reduction of cell death and a normalization of altered protein degradation marker levels. Interestingly, we found that H2O2 treatment induced a strong co-localization of SUMO-1-p-JNK-Tau proteins in nuclear bodies (NBs) and that curcumin was able to reduce these nuclear aggregates. These results highlight the SUMO-1-JNK-Tau axis key role in oxidative stress and the protective effect of curcumin against this pathological event, focusing on the importance of SUMO/deSUMOylation balance to regulate essential cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Buccarello
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Jessica Dragotto
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Iorio
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Kambiz Hassanzadeh
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy; Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Feligioni
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy; Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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JNK signaling activation in the Ube3a maternal deficient mouse model: its specific inhibition prevents post-synaptic protein-enriched fraction alterations and cognitive deficits in Angelman Syndrome model. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 140:104812. [PMID: 32087286 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency of the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBE3A leads to the neurodevelopmental disorder Angelman syndrome (AS), while higher levels are linked to autism spectrum disorder. The mechanisms underlying the downstream effects of UBE3A loss or gain of function in these disorders are still not well understood, and treatments are still lacking. Here, using the Ube3a maternal loss (Ube3am-/p+) mouse model, we report an important JNK signaling activation in the hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum correlating with the onset of behavioral defects and biochemical marker alterations in the post-synaptic element, suggesting important spine pathology. JNK activation occurs at 7 and persists up till 23 weeks in Ube3am-/p+ mice in two different cellular compartments: the nucleus and the post-synaptic protein-enriched fraction. To study JNK's role in Ube3am-/p+ pathology we treated mice with the specific JNK inhibitor peptide, D-JNKI1, from 7 to 23 weeks of age. Preventing JNK action in vivo restores the post-synaptic protein-enriched fraction defects and the cognitive impairment in these mice. Our results imply a critical role of UBE3A-JNK signaling in the pathogenesis of UBE3A-related disorders. In particular, it was clear that JNK is a key player in regulating AS synaptic alterations and the correlated cognitive impairments, in fact, its specific inhibition tackles Ube3am-/p+ pathology. This study sheds new light on the neuronal functions of UBE3A and offers new prospects for understanding the pathogenesis of UBE3A-related disorders.
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Komulainen E, Varidaki A, Kulesskaya N, Mohammad H, Sourander C, Rauvala H, Coffey ET. Impact of JNK and Its Substrates on Dendritic Spine Morphology. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020440. [PMID: 32074971 PMCID: PMC7072711 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein kinase JNK1 exhibits high activity in the developing brain, where it regulates dendrite morphology through the phosphorylation of cytoskeletal regulatory proteins. JNK1 also phosphorylates dendritic spine proteins, and Jnk1-/- mice display a long-term depression deficit. Whether JNK1 or other JNKs regulate spine morphology is thus of interest. Here, we characterize dendritic spine morphology in hippocampus of mice lacking Jnk1-/- using Lucifer yellow labelling. We find that mushroom spines decrease and thin spines increase in apical dendrites of CA3 pyramidal neurons with no spine changes in basal dendrites or in CA1. Consistent with this spine deficit, Jnk1-/- mice display impaired acquisition learning in the Morris water maze. In hippocampal cultures, we show that cytosolic but not nuclear JNK, regulates spine morphology and expression of phosphomimicry variants of JNK substrates doublecortin (DCX) or myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate-like protein-1 (MARCKSL1), rescue mushroom, thin, and stubby spines differentially. These data suggest that physiologically active JNK controls the equilibrium between mushroom, thin, and stubby spines via phosphorylation of distinct substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Komulainen
- Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistokatu 6, 20500 Turku, Finland; (E.K.); (A.V.); (H.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Artemis Varidaki
- Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistokatu 6, 20500 Turku, Finland; (E.K.); (A.V.); (H.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Natalia Kulesskaya
- University of Helsinki, Neuroscience Center, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (N.K.); (H.R.)
| | - Hasan Mohammad
- Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistokatu 6, 20500 Turku, Finland; (E.K.); (A.V.); (H.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Christel Sourander
- Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistokatu 6, 20500 Turku, Finland; (E.K.); (A.V.); (H.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Heikki Rauvala
- University of Helsinki, Neuroscience Center, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (N.K.); (H.R.)
| | - Eleanor T. Coffey
- Turku Bioscience, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistokatu 6, 20500 Turku, Finland; (E.K.); (A.V.); (H.M.); (C.S.)
- Correspondence:
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