Factors That Influence Primary Cilium Length

Almost all mammalian cells carry one primary cilium that functions as a biosensor for chemical and mechanical stimuli. Genetic damages that compromise cilia formation or function cause a spectrum of disorders referred to as ciliapathies. Recent studies have demonstrated that some pharmacological agents and extracellular environmental changes can alter primary cilium length. Renal injury is a well-known example of an environmental insult that triggers cilia length modification. Lithium treatment causes primary cilia to extend in several cell types including neuronal cells;this phenomenon is likely independent of glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibition. In renal epithelial cell lines, deflection of the primary cilia by fluid shear shortens them by reducing the intracellular cyclic AMP level, leading to a subsequent decrease in mechanosensitivity to fluid shear. Primary cilium length is also influenced by the dynamics of actin filaments and microtubules through the levels of soluble tubulin in the cytosol available for primary cilia extension. Thus, mammalian cells can adapt to the extracellular environment by modulating the primary cilium length, and this feedback system utilizing primary cilia might exist throughout the mammalian body. Further investigation is required concerning the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the control of primary cilium length in response to environmental factors

Neuroprotective Effects of Metallothionein Against Rotenone-Induced Myenteric Neurodegeneration in Parkinsonian Mice

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease with motor symptoms as well as non-motor symptoms that precede the onset of motor symptoms. Mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, rotenone, has been widely used to reproduce PD pathology in the central nervous system (CNS) and enteric nervous system (ENS). We reported previously that metallothioneins (MTs) released from astrocytes can protect dopaminergic neurons against oxidative stress. The present study examined the changes in MT expression by chronic systemic rotenone administration in the striatum and colonic myenteric plexus of C57BL mice. In addition, we investigated the effects of MT depletion on rotenone-induced neurodegeneration in CNS and ENS using MT-1 and MT-2 knockout (MT KO) mice, or using primary cultured neurons from MT KO mice. In normal C57BL mice, subcutaneous administration of rotenone for 6 weeks caused neurodegeneration, increased MT expression with astrocytes activation in the striatum and myenteric plexus. MT KO mice showed more severe myenteric neuronal damage by rotenone administration after 4 weeks than wild-type mice, accompanied by reduced astroglial activation. In primary cultured mesencephalic neurons from MT KO mice, rotenone exposure induced neurotoxicity in dopaminergic neurons, which was complemented by addition of recombinant protein. The present results suggest that MT seems to provide protection against neurodegeneration in ENS of rotenone-induced PD model mice

Visualization of Astrocytic Primary Cilia in the Mouse Brain by Immunofluorescent Analysis Using the Cilia Marker Arl13b

In vertebrates, almost all somatic cells extend a single immotile cilium, referred to as a primary cilium. Increasing evidence suggests that primary cilia serve as cellular antennae in many types of tissues by sensing chemical or mechanical stimuli in the milieu surrounding the cells. In rodents an antibody to adenylyl cyclase 3 (AC3) has been widely used to label the primary cilia of neurons in vivo by immunostaining, whereas the lack of markers for the primary cilia of astrocytes has made it difficult to observe astrocytic primary cilia in vivo. Here, we obtained a visualization of astrocytic primary cilia in the mouse brain. In the somatosensory cortex, a large portion of neurons and astrocytes at postnatal day 10 (P10), and of neurons at P56 had AC3-positive primary cilia, whereas only approx. one-half of the astrocytes in the P56 mice carried primary cilia weakly positive for AC3. In contrast, the majority of astrocytes had ADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 13B (Arl13b)-positive primary cilia in the somatosensory cortex and other brain regions of P56 mice. The lengths of astrocytic primary cilia positive for Arl13b varied among the brain regions. Our data indicate that Arl13b is a noteworthy marker of astrocytic primary cilia in the brain

ガン カンジャ ニ タイスル エイヨウ リョウホウ

Cancer cachexia has been defined as a multifactorial syndrome defined by an ongoing loss of skeletal mass that cannot be fully reserved by conventional nutritional support and lead to progressive functional impairment. The diagnostic criterion for cachexia is weight loss greater than 5％, or weight loss greater than 2％ in individuals already showing BMI＜20 or sarcopenia. Multimodal management plan including nutrition, exercise, ant-inflammatory strategies, and other adjuncts is required for all cancer patients with anti-cancer therapy （operation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy） to avoid weight loss and keep quality of life. Enteral nutrition by means of oral nutritional supplements and tube feeding offers ensuring nutrient intake in cases when normal food intake is in adequate. Routine parenteral nutrition in chemotherapy does not improve prognosis

ガン カンジャ ニ タイスル エイヨウ リョウホウ

Cancer cachexia has been defined as a multifactorial syndrome defined by an ongoing loss of skeletal mass that cannot be fully reserved by conventional nutritional support and lead to progressive functional impairment. The diagnostic criterion for cachexia is weight loss greater than 5％, or weight loss greater than 2％ in individuals already showing BMI＜20 or sarcopenia. Multimodal management plan including nutrition, exercise, ant-inflammatory strategies, and other adjuncts is required for all cancer patients with anti-cancer therapy （operation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy） to avoid weight loss and keep quality of life. Enteral nutrition by means of oral nutritional supplements and tube feeding offers ensuring nutrient intake in cases when normal food intake is in adequate. Routine parenteral nutrition in chemotherapy does not improve prognosis

Effects of texture modification on the flavor of foods for elderly people with dysmasesis

The aroma and flavor of food before and during eating is a major determinant of the pleasure which drives us to eat. The aim of this study was to investigate how texture modification influences the aroma and flavor of two types of texture-modified teriyaki-based salmon foods (chopped salmon teriyaki and steamed salmon teriyaki-paste) as compared to original salmon teriyaki using gas chromatographyolfactometry and retronasal olfactometry analyses. The results indicated that the odor of soy sauce was weaker in the modified foods as compared to the original, with the past having even less odor than the chopped salmon teriyaki. The sensory evaluation corresponded with the gas chromatography results, and showed that odor was an important factor contributing to preference. Steamed salmon teriyaki-paste is suitable for elderly people with dysmasesis because it is easy to chew and swallow ; thus, optimal cooking conditions to improve its odor should be developed.研究ノー