Protein biomarkers of neural system.

The utilization of biomarkers for in vivo and in vitro research is growing rapidly. This is mainly due to the enormous potential of biomarkers in evaluating molecular and cellular abnormalities in cell models and in tissue, and evaluating drug responses and the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention strategies. An important way to analyze the development of the human body is to assess molecular markers in embryonic specialized cells, which include the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Neuronal development is controlled through the gene networks in the neural crest and neural tube, both components of the ectoderm. The neural crest differentiates into several different tissues including, but not limited to, the peripheral nervous system, enteric nervous system, melanocyte, and the dental pulp. The neural tube eventually converts to the central nervous system. This review provides an overview of the differentiation of the ectoderm to a fully functioning nervous system, focusing on molecular biomarkers that emerge at each stage of the cellular specialization from multipotent stem cells to completely differentiated cells. Particularly, the otic placode is the origin of most of the inner ear cell types such as neurons, sensory hair cells, and supporting cells. During the development, different auditory cell types can be distinguished by the expression of the neurogenin differentiation factor1 (Neuro D1), Brn3a, and transcription factor GATA3. However, the mature auditory neurons express other markers including βIII tubulin, the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT1), the tyrosine receptor kinase B and C (Trk B, C), BDNF, neurotrophin 3 (NT3), Calretinin, etc. KEYWORDS: Biomarker; Differentiation; Nervous system; Neural system; Otic placode; Stem cel

In silico and in vitro effects of the I30T mutation on myelin protein zero instability in the cell membrane

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) diseases are a heterogeneous group of genetic peripheral neuropathies caused by mutations in a variety of genes, which are involved in the development and maintenance of peripheral nerves. Myelin protein zero (MPZ) is expressed by Schwann cells, and MPZ mutations can lead to primarily demyelinating polyneuropathies including CMT type 1B. Different mutations demonstrate various forms of disease pathomechanisms, which may be beneficial in understanding the disease cellular pathology. Our molecular dynamics simulation study on the possible impacts of I30T mutation on the MPZ protein structure suggested a higher hydrophobicity and thus lower stability in the membranous structures. A study was also conducted to predict native/mutant MPZ interactions. To validate the results of the simulation study, the native and mutant forms of the MPZ protein were separately expressed in a cellular model, and the protein trafficking was chased down in a time course pattern. In vitro studies provided more evidence on the instability of the MPZ protein due to the mutation. In this study, qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted to confirm the instability of mutant MPZ in cellular membranes

Cell loaded hydrogel containing Ag‐doped bioactive glass–ceramic nanoparticles as skin substitute: Antibacterial properties, immune response, and scarless cutaneous wound regeneration

An ideal tissue-engineered dermal substitute should possess angiogenesis potential to promote wound healing, antibacterial activity to relieve the bacterial burden on skin, as well as sufficient porosity for air and moisture exchange. In light of this, a glass-ceramic (GC) has been incorporated into chitosan and gelatin electrospun nanofibers (240-360 nm), which MEFs were loaded on it for healing acceleration. The GC was doped with silver to improve the antibacterial activity. The bioactive nanofibrous scaffolds demonstrated antibacterial and superior antibiofilm activities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The nanofibrous scaffolds were biocompatible, hemocompatible, and promoted cell attachment and proliferation. Nanofibrous skin substitutes with or without Ag-doped GC nanoparticles did not induce an inflammatory response and attenuated LPS-induced interleukin-6 release by dendritic cells. The rate of biodegradation of the nanocomposite was similar to the rate of skin regeneration under in vivo conditions. Histopathological evaluation of full-thickness excisional wounds in BALB/c mice treated with mouse embryonic fibroblasts-loaded nanofibrous scaffolds showed enhanced angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis as well as regeneration of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles in vivo