Topic: Reelin

Lilii Bulbus (Lilium lancifolium Thunberg) has a proneurogenic effect on the hippocampus. However, its effects on epilepsy and associated pathological features remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the antiseizure effects of a water extract of Lilii Bulbus (WELB) in mouse model of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure. Mice were injected with PTZ once every 48 h until full kindling was achieved. WELB (100 and 500 mg/kg) was orally administered once daily before PTZ administration and during the kindling process. We found that WELB treatment protected against PTZ-induced low seizure

Rodents establish complex interindividual relationships based on the recognition of volatile and non-volatile urine molecules, which are detected by the vomeronasal organ. The resulting signals are processed by the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), which sends projections to various amygdaloid nuclei, including the posteromedial cortical nucleus (PMCo). The latter is considered the primary vomeronasal cortex due to its embryonic origin, specific laminar organization mediated by reelin, and its direct connection with the AOB. The main goal of this study was to characterize the electrophysiologica

KCNQ1 is the pore-forming alpha subunit of a voltage-dependent potassium channel complex. It is predominantly expressed in the heart and in the inner ear, however, it is also present in the brain. Genetic variants in KCNQ1 have been linked to several disorders, like Romano-Ward syndrome, Jervell and Lange Nielson syndrome and diabetes mellitus type 2. Moreover, KCNQ1 is also discussed to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer´s disease and neurodevelopmental disorders, even though it´s function in the human brain remains unknown. In this study we aim to elucidate the function of KCNQ1 in

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is responsible for higher cognitive tasks, and its ‘malfunction’ is shared across serotonin (5-HT)-related neuropsychiatric disorders and often find its origins during development. Proper cortical development is directed by a sequence of intrinsic ( transcription factors, local placental-derived 5-HT) and extrinsic (instructing 5-HT and catecholaminergic afferents) events. Recently, our group has shown a functional interplay between the 5-HT and catecholaminergic prefrontal projection systems during development leading to a distortion in PFC cytoarchitecture. Lack o

Microglia, unlike other brain cells, do not originate from the neuroectodermal layer but migrate from the yolk sac at early embryonic stages. After seeding of microglial progenitors, they colonize the brain parenchyma and mature to become efficient brain phagocytes displaying numerous functions. However, the mechanisms that govern microglial maturation are poorly understood. We hypothesize that microglia maturation program is led by a combination of genetic intrinsic factors and environmental cues. To test our hypothesis, we focused on neuronal-related cues including neuronal scaffolding, secr

The neuronal plasma membrane is composed of versatile lipid molecules with distinct biophysical characteristics and functions. Among them, sphingomyelin (SM) influences the localization and functions of various proteins including GPI-anchored proteins. Therefore, elucidation of the mechanisms that regulate the SM amount is important for understanding the mechanisms that control neuronal morphology and information transmission. Reelin is a secreted protein that regulates neuronal morphology and dynamics. We previously found that the embryonic brain of Reelin-deficient mice shows aberrant lipid

The extracellular matrix protein reelin, named after the reeler-mutant mouse, exerts a multitude of key functions in both the developing and adult brains of mammals. In addition to the well-studied effect of reelin on the migration of neuronal cells during embryonic development, several studies have demonstrated an effect of reelin on neuronal signaling in the mature brain. By modulating both excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory GABAergic neuronal signaling, reelin affects central neurophysiological processes such as learning and memory formation. We aim to further investigate reelin-induce

The extracellular matrix glycoprotein reelin is best known for orchestrating migration and positioning of cortical neurons during embryonic development. The reeler mutant mouse, lacking reelin expression, displays severe migration defects and aberrant dendritic development of cortical neurons. Less is known about the consequences of postnatally induced reelin deficiency in conditional reelin knockout (reln cko) mice. Postnatally induced reln cko was shown to entail functional deficits of neuronal communication, while morphological deficits of neurons have not been reported so far. Here, we inv

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a frequent, treatment resistant adult brain tumour which is classified as a grade IV glioma (Louis et al., 2016). To date treatment options for glioblastoma brain tumours are limited and no reliable markers are available to distinguish migratory active from resting glioblastoma cells. Here, we investigated the rat glioblastoma cell line C6 and their invasive behaviour on living brain tissue, represented by rat hippocampal slice cultures. We established a model system where brain tissue (represented by organotypic slice cultures) is overlayed with fluorescently labelled gl

According to the World Health Organization, there were over 340 million obese or overweight children and adolescents worldwide in 2016. Western diet consumption, based on refined sugars and high-fat foods, leads to obesity and negative effects on the brain, resulting in cognitive impairments even before changes in body weight. This is especially concerning for young people, since brain development, neurogenic processes, and neuronal maturation occur during this life period. Knowing this, our study aimed to analyze the effects of high-caloric diets on the hippocampus, particularly on the gamma-