Impaired neural stem cell expansion and hypersensitivity to epileptic seizures in mice lacking the EGFR in the brain

The Effects of miR-22-3p on Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells into Neural Progenitor-Like Cells

Stem cell treatment shows promise in treating conditions such as neurodegenerative disorders and spinal injuries, but its effectiveness is hampered by cell death and apoptosis. Improving the differentiation of MSCs into neural cells could enhance their therapeutic potential. The role of miR-22-3p in human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs), a superior alternative to treat neurodegenerative disorders, and its molecular mechanisms during neural differentiation remain elusive. Therefore, we investigated the miR-22-3p transfections during HDPSC differentiation into neural progenitor-like cells (NPCs) and elucidated the molecular processes through transcriptomic analysis. HDPSCs were differentiated into NPCs after transfection with a miR-22-3p mimic and inhibitor; the differentiation process was assessed by cell viability and expression of Nestin protein. mRNA sequencing on days 1, 3, and 7 of the differentiation process identified several differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Cytoscape and functional enrichment analysis pinpointed central hub genes among the DEGs and uniquely expressed genes. miR-22-3p mimic hindered HDPSC differentiation by reducing proliferation and increasing apoptosis. It downregulated genes linked to extracellular matrix, synaptic and vesicle functions, lipid metabolism, JAK-STAT, and cell cycle pathways across all days while activating proteasome and digestion pathways. In contrast, miR-22-3p inhibition boosts NPC proliferation and elevates Nestin neural marker protein expression. Altogether, miR-22-3p disrupts synapse functioning and lipid metabolism pathways, resulting in apoptosis and death. Conversely, inhibiting miR-22-3p enhances neural differentiation and proliferation of HDPSCs, suggesting its potential application in generating a greater quantity of NPCs and neurons.

Discovery of antiepileptic Q-Markers for Bombyx batryticatus: Integrating serum pharmacochemistry, network pharmacology and temporal-efficacy validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Bombyx batryticatus (BB) is a well-known animal-derived traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) commonly used for the treatment of epilepsy, convulsions, headaches, and other disorders. However, quality evaluation and control of BB remains incomplete, necessitating robust quality control paradigms.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To identify the Quality markers (Q-markers) of BB for the treatment of epilepsy by integrating serum pharmacochemistry, network pharmacology, HPLC-UV quantification, and temporal-efficacy validation, all in accordance with the core principles of Q-markers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Initially, Q-markers candidates were screened through serum pharmacochemistry-based tracing to achieve "traceability". Additionally, network pharmacology predictions and relevant literature were consulted to confirm potential bioactivity. Next, fingerprint and their contents in BB were determined by HPLC-UV, which provided the dosage basis for the efficacy validation experiment and ensured of "measurability". Finally, their antiepileptic effects were investigated through a temporal pharmacodynamic study using acute pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced mouse epilepsy model to ensure "pharmacological effectiveness".

RESULTS

HPLC-Q-TOF/MS analysis identified 65 compounds in the BB extract, of which 31 were found in mouse serum, including 9 amino acids, 4 nucleosides, 8 peptides, 5 fatty acids, 3 organic acids and 2 other components. Only 8 cyclic peptides were screened for network pharmacology analysis, and 4 potential bioactive components were selected for HPLC-UV quantification. The average contents of the final selected candidates across 15 batches of BB were as follows: beauvericin at 192.3 μg/g, bassianolide at 325.6 μg/g, and ammonium oxalate at 66515 μg/g. The PTZ model experiment showed that BB powder suspension (0.86 g/kg, i.g.) significantly prolonged seizure latency from 1 to 8 h (P < 0.05) with fluctuating efficacy (the maximum effect Emax1 at 3 h and Emax2 at 8 h). Ammonium oxalate (50 mg/kg, i.g.) demonstrated rapid-onset protection (Emax at 1-2 h), significantly increasing seizure latency at 1-4 h (P < 0.01) and achieving 90 % survival rate at 2 h (vs. 30 % model, P < 0.05), suggesting its role as an active ingredient in the early stage of BB's anticonvulsant effects. Beauvericin and bassianolide showed delayed efficacy (both Emax at 6 h), significantly extending seizure latency at 4-8 h and 2-8 h (P < 0.05), respectively, indicating their potential as active ingredients in the later stage.

CONCLUSION

Beauvericin, bassianolide and ammonium oxalate could be used as the Q-markers of BB, and the strategy applied in this study could effectively aid in identifying Q-markers for other TCMs.

A review of epilepsy syndromes and epileptogenic mechanism affiliated with brain tumor related genes

Epilepsy is one of the comorbidities often manifested by patients with brain tumors. While there are reviews commenting on the epileptogenicity of brain-tumor-related genes, the reviews are commonly restricted to BRAF, IDH and PIK3CA. According to World Health Organization (WHO), at least 50 genes have been proposed as brain-tumor-related genes. Hence, we aimed to provide a more comprehensive review of the epileptogenicity of the brain-tumor-related genes. We performed an extensive literature search on PubMed, classified the studies, and provided an overview of the associated epilepsy phenotype and epileptogenic mechanism of the brain-tumor-related genes advocated by WHO. Through our analysis, we found a minor overlap between brain-tumor-related genes and epilepsy-associated genes, as some brain-tumor-related genes have been classified as epilepsy-associated genes in earlier studies. Besides reviewing the well-studied genes like TSC1 and TSC2, we identified several under-discovered brain-tumor-related genes, including TP53, CIC, IDH1 and NOTCH1, that warrant future exploration due to the existence of clinical or in vivo evidence substantiating their pathogenic role in epileptogenesis. We also propounded some methodologies that can be applied in future research to enhance the study of the epileptogenic mechanism of brain-tumor-related genes. To date, this article covers the greatest number of brain-tumor-related genes.

Regenerative medicine approaches for the treatment of spinal cord injuries: Progress and challenges

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a profound medical condition that significantly hampers motor function, imposing substantial limitations on daily activities and exerting a considerable financial burden on patients and their families. The constrained regenerative capacity of endogenous spinal cord tissue, exacerbated by the inflammatory response following the initial trauma, poses a formidable obstacle to effective therapy. Recent advancements in the field, stem cells, biomaterials, and molecular therapy, show promising outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches for SCI treatment, including cell transplantation, tissue-engineered construct implantation, and other potential therapeutic strategies. Additionally, it sheds light on preclinical animal studies and recent clinical trials incorporating these modalities, providing a glimpse into the evolving landscape of SCI management. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The investigation into spinal cord injury (SCI) treatments focuses on reducing long-term impacts by targeting scar inhibition and enhancing regeneration through stem cells, with or without growth factors. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) show promise for autologous use, with clinical trials confirming their safety. Challenges include low cell viability and difficulty in targeted differentiation. Biomaterial scaffolds hold potential for improving cell viability and integration, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as a novel therapy. While EV research is in its early stages, stem cell trials demonstrate safety and potential recovery. Advancing tissue engineering approaches with biomaterial scaffolds is crucial for human trials.

Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) reduces cerebral edema and gastric mucosal injury by regulating the EGFR/Src/FAK pathway in an intracerebral hemorrhage rat model

The destruction of the blood-brain barrier and damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are important reasons for its high disability and mortality rates. However, the exact etiology is not yet clear. In addition, there are currently no effective treatments for improving cerebral edema and gastric mucosal damage after ICH. Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) is a secretory protein that plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and barrier function of the gastric mucosa, and it has been reported to have a protective effect on brain damage induced by various causes. This study utilized a rat model of ICH induced by type IV collagenase was utilized, and intervened with recombinant TFF1 protein from an external institute to investigate the protective mechanisms of TFF1 against brain edema and gastric mucosal damage after ICH. The results demonstrated that TFF1 alleviated the neurological function and gastric mucosal damage in the rat model of ICH induced by type IV collagenase. TFF1 may ensure the integrity of the blood-brain and gastric mucosal barriers by regulating the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)/Src (non-receptor tyrosine kinase)/FAK (focal adhesion kinase) pathway. Clearly, the disruption of the blood-brain barrier and the destruction of the gastric mucosal barrier are key pathological features of ICH, and TFF1 can improve the progression of blood-brain barrier and gastric mucosal barrier disruption in ICH by regulating the EGFR/Src/FAK pathway. Therefore, TFF1 may be a potential target for the treatment of ICH.

HB-EGF activates EGFR to induce reactive neural stem cells in the mouse hippocampus after seizures

Hippocampal seizures mimicking mesial temporal lobe epilepsy cause a profound disruption of the adult neurogenic niche in mice. Seizures provoke neural stem cells to switch to a reactive phenotype (reactive neural stem cells, React-NSCs) characterized by multibranched hypertrophic morphology, massive activation to enter mitosis, symmetric division, and final differentiation into reactive astrocytes. As a result, neurogenesis is chronically impaired. Here, using a mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, we show that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is key for the induction of React-NSCs and that its inhibition exerts a beneficial effect on the neurogenic niche. We show that during the initial days after the induction of seizures by a single intrahippocampal injection of kainic acid, a strong release of zinc and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor, both activators of the EGFR signaling pathway in neural stem cells, is produced. Administration of the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib, a chemotherapeutic in clinical phase IV, prevents the induction of React-NSCs and preserves neurogenesis.

RNA splicing analysis deciphers developmental hierarchies and reveals therapeutic targets in adult glioma

Widespread alterations in RNA alternative splicing (AS) have been identified in adult gliomas. However, their regulatory mechanism, biological significance, and therapeutic potential remain largely elusive. Here, using a computational approach with both bulk and single-cell RNA-Seq, we uncover a prognostic AS signature linked with neural developmental hierarchies. Using advanced iPSC glioma models driven by glioma driver mutations, we show that this AS signature could be enhanced by EGFRvIII and inhibited by in situ IDH1 mutation. Functional validations of 2 isoform switching events in CERS5 and MPZL1 show regulations of sphingolipid metabolism and SHP2 signaling, respectively. Analysis of upstream RNA binding proteins reveals PTBP1 as a key regulator of the AS signature where targeting of PTBP1 suppresses tumor growth and promotes the expression of a neuron marker TUJ1 in glioma stem-like cells. Overall, our data highlights the role of AS in affecting glioma malignancy and heterogeneity and its potential as a therapeutic vulnerability for treating adult gliomas.

Growth/differentiation factor 15 controls ependymal and stem cell number in the V-SVZ

The expression of growth/differentiation factor (GDF) 15 increases in the ganglionic eminence (GE) late in neural development, especially in neural stem cells (NSCs). However, GDF15 function in this region remains unknown. We report that GDF15 receptor is expressed apically in the GE and that GDF15 ablation promotes proliferation and cell division in the embryonic GE and in the adult ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ). This causes a transient generation of additional neuronal progenitors, compensated by cell death, and a lasting increase in the number of ependymal cells and apical NSCs. Finally, both GDF15 receptor and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were expressed in progenitors and mutation of GDF15 affected EGFR signaling. However, only exposure to exogenous GDF15, but not to EGF, normalized proliferation and the number of apical progenitors. Thus, GDF15 regulates proliferation of apical progenitors in the GE, thereby affecting the number of ependymal cells and NSCs.

Unexplained Causes of Glioma-Associated Epilepsies: A Review of Theories and an Area for Research

Approximately 30% of glioma patients are able to survive beyond one year postdiagnosis. And this short time is often overshadowed by glioma-associated epilepsy. This condition severely impairs the patient's quality of life and causes great suffering. The genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tumour development and epileptogenesis remain incompletely understood, leading to numerous unanswered questions. The various types of gliomas, namely glioblastoma, astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma, demonstrate distinct seizure susceptibility and disease progression patterns. Patterns have been identified in the presence of IDH mutations and epilepsy, with tumour location in cortical regions, particularly the frontal lobe, showing a more frequent association with seizures. Altered expression of TP53, MGMT and VIM is frequently detected in tumour cells from individuals with epilepsy associated with glioma. However, understanding the pathogenesis of these modifications poses a challenge. Moreover, hypoxic effects induced by glioma and associated with the HIF-1a factor may have a significant impact on epileptogenesis, potentially resulting in epileptiform activity within neuronal networks. We additionally hypothesise about how the tumour may affect the functioning of neuronal ion channels and contribute to disruptions in the blood-brain barrier resulting in spontaneous depolarisations.

Bulk and mosaic deletions of Egfr reveal regionally defined gliogenesis in the developing mouse forebrain

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a role in cell proliferation and differentiation during healthy development and tumor growth; however, its requirement for brain development remains unclear. Here we used a conditional mouse allele for Egfr to examine its contributions to perinatal forebrain development at the tissue level. Subtractive bulk ventral and dorsal forebrain deletions of Egfr uncovered significant and permanent decreases in oligodendrogenesis and myelination in the cortex and corpus callosum. Additionally, an increase in astrogenesis or reactive astrocytes in effected regions was evident in response to cortical scarring. Sparse deletion using mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM) surprisingly revealed a regional requirement for EGFR in rostrodorsal, but not ventrocaudal glial lineages including both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The EGFR-independent ventral glial progenitors may compensate for the missing EGFR-dependent dorsal glia in the bulk Egfr-deleted forebrain, potentially exposing a regenerative population of gliogenic progenitors in the mouse forebrain.

Signal requirement for cortical potential of transplantable human neuroepithelial stem cells

The cerebral cortex develops from dorsal forebrain neuroepithelial progenitor cells. Following the initial expansion of the progenitor cell pool, these cells generate neurons of all the cortical layers and then astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Yet, the regulatory pathways that control the expansion and maintenance of the progenitor cell pool are currently unknown. Here we define six basic pathway components that regulate proliferation of cortically specified human neuroepithelial stem cells (cNESCs) in vitro without the loss of cerebral cortex developmental potential. We show that activation of FGF and inhibition of BMP and ACTIVIN A signalling are required for long-term cNESC proliferation. We also demonstrate that cNESCs preserve dorsal telencephalon-specific potential when GSK3, AKT and nuclear CATENIN-β1 activity are low. Remarkably, regulation of these six pathway components supports the clonal expansion of cNESCs. Moreover, cNESCs differentiate into lower- and upper-layer cortical neurons in vitro and in vivo. The identification of mechanisms that drive the neuroepithelial stem cell self-renewal and differentiation and preserve this potential in vitro is key to developing regenerative and cell-based therapeutic approaches to treat neurological conditions.

Identification of Key eRNAs for Spinal Cord Injury by Integrated Multinomial Bioinformatics Analysis

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological deficit affecting both young and older people worldwide. The potential role of key enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) in SCI remains elusive, which is a prominent challenge in the trauma repair process. This study aims to investigate the roles of key eRNAs, transcription factors (TFs), signaling pathways, and small-molecule inhibitors in SCI using multi-omics bioinformatics analysis. Methods: Microarray data of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from 27 healthy volunteers and 25 chronic-phase SCI patients were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed transcription factors (DETFs), differentially expressed enhancer RNAs (DEeRNAs), and differentially expressed target genes (DETGs) were identified using the Linear Models for Microarray Data (limma) package. Fraction of immune cells was estimated using CIBERSORT algorithm. Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) was applied to identify the downstream signaling pathways. The eRNA regulatory network was constructed based on the correlation results. Connectivity Map (CMap) database was used to find potential drugs for SCI patients. The cellular communication analysis was performed to explore the molecular regulation mechanism of SCI based on single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) data were used to validate the key regulatory mechanisms. scRNA-seq dataset was used to validate the cell subtype localization of the key eRNAs. Results: In total, 21 DETFs, 24 DEeRNAs, and 829 DETGs were identified. A regulatory network of 13 DETFs, six DEeRNAs, seven DETGs, two hallmark pathways, two immune cells, and six immune pathways was constructed. The link of Splicing factor proline and glutamine rich (SFPQ) (TF) and vesicular overexpressed in cancer prosurvival protein 1 (VOPP1) (eRNA) (R = 0.990, p < 0.001, positive), VOPP1 (eRNA) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (target gene) (R = 0.974, p < 0.001, positive), VOPP1, and T helper (Th) cells (R = -0.987, p < 0.001, negative), and VOPP1 and hallmark coagulation (R = 0.937, p < 0.001, positive) was selected. Trichostatin A was considered the best compound target to SCI-related eRNAs (specificity = 0.471, p < 0.001). Conclusion: VOPP1, upregulated by SFPQ, strengthened the transient expression of EGFR. Th cells and coagulation were the potential downstream pathways of VOPP1. This regulatory network and potential inhibitors provide novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SCI.

The FEBS Journal: hidden gems

Every quarter, The FEBS Journal presents some of its 'hidden gems' - original research and review-type articles that provide a significant advance or discuss recent developments in the molecular or cellular life sciences. These articles are of high value to the scientific community, and we like to take the opportunity to promote these contributions from previous issues of the journal, as we feel their scientific content merits a boost in exposure.

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of baicalin in cerebrovascular and neurological disorders

Inflammatory responses play an extraordinary role in the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular and neurological disorders. Baicalin is one of the important flavonoids, which is extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Recently, numerous in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that baicalin has salutary effects for anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory and has been demonstrated to exert beneficial therapeutic properties in cerebrovascular and neurological diseases. In this review, we aim to discuss that baicalin exerts anti-inflammatory effects through multiple pathways and targets, thus affecting the production of a variety of inflammatory cytokines and neuroprotective process of neurological diseases; furthermore, the related targets of the anti-inflammatory effects of baicalin were analyzed via using the tools of network pharmacology, to provide theoretical basis and innovative ideas for the future clinical application of baicalin.

Role of EGFR in the Nervous System

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the first discovered member of the receptor tyrosine kinase superfamily and plays a fundamental role during embryogenesis and in adult tissues, being involved in growth, differentiation, maintenance and repair of various tissues and organs. The role of EGFR in the regulation of tissue development and homeostasis has been thoroughly investigated and it has also been demonstrated that EGFR is a driver of tumorigenesis. In the nervous system, other growth factors, and thus other receptors, are important for growth, differentiation and repair of the tissue, namely neurotrophins and neurotrophins receptors. For this reason, for a long time, the role of EGFR in the nervous system has been underestimated and poorly investigated. However, EGFR is expressed both in the central and peripheral nervous systems and it has been demonstrated to have specific important neurotrophic functions, in particular in the central nervous system. This review discusses the role of EGFR in regulating differentiation and functions of neurons and neuroglia. Furthermore, its involvement in regeneration after injury and in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases is examined.