A fluorescent polarization-based assay for the identification of disruptors of the RCAN1/calcineurin A protein complex

5 pages, 4 figures, a table. 19891949 [PubMed]Calcineurin is a Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase involved in many biological processes and developmental programs, including immune response. One of the most studied substrates of calcineurin is the transcription factor NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) responsible for T-cell activation. Different anticalcineurin drugs, such as cyclosporine A and FK506, are the most commonly used immunosuppressants in transplantation therapies. Unfortunately, their mechanism of action, completely blocking the calcineurin phosphatase activity while also requiring continuous administration, bears severe side effects. During recent years, the family of regulators of calcineurin (RCAN) has been described and studied extensively as modulators of calcineurin signaling pathways. The RCAN1 region, spanning amino acids 198 to 218 and responsible for inhibiting the calcineurin-NFAT signaling pathway in vivo, has been identified. An RCAN1-derived peptide spanning this sequence interferes with the calcineurin-NFAT interaction without affecting the general calcineurin phosphatase activity. Here we report the development of an optimized in vitro high-throughput fluorescence polarization assay based on the disruption of the RCAN1(198-218)-CnA interaction for identifying molecules with immunosuppressant potential. This approach led us to identify dipyridamole as a disruptor of such interaction. Moreover, three small molecules with a potential immunosuppressive effect were also identifiedThis work was supported by grants from Fundació La Marató de TV3 (Ref. 030830), the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (SAF2006-04815, BIO2004-00998, BIO2007-60066, CTQ2005-00995/BQU), the Fundación Mutua Madrileña 2007 and from the Generalitat de Catalunya (Ref. 2006 BE 00051)Peer reviewe

Quantitative Analysis of the MGMT Methylation Status of Glioblastomas in Light of the 2021 WHO Classification.

Glioblastomas with methylation of the promoter region of the O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene exhibit increased sensitivity to alkylating chemotherapy. Quantitative assessment of the MGMT promoter methylation status might provide additional prognostic information. The aim of our study was to determine a quantitative methylation threshold for better survival among patients with glioblastomas. We included consecutive patients ≥18 years treated at our department between 11/2010 and 08/2018 for a glioblastoma, IDH wildtype, undergoing quantitative MGMT promoter methylation analysis. The primary endpoint was overall survival. A total of 321 patients were included. Median overall survival was 12.6 months. Kaplan-Meier and adjusted Cox regression analysis showed better survival for the groups with 16-30%, 31-60%, and 61-100% methylation. In contrast, survival in the group with 1-15% methylation was similar to those with unmethylated promoter regions. A secondary analysis confirmed this threshold. Better survival is observed in patients with glioblastomas with ≥16% methylation of the MGMT promoter region than with <16% methylation. Survival with tumors with 1-15% methylation is similar to with unmethylated tumors. Above 16% methylation, we found no additional benefit with increasing methylation

Effects of formalin fixation on polarimetric properties of brain tissue: fresh or fixed?

Imaging Mueller polarimetry (IMP) appears as a promising technique for real-time delineation of healthy and neoplastic tissue during neurosurgery. The training of machine learning algorithms used for the image post-processing requires large data sets typically derived from the measurements of formalin-fixed brain sections. However, the success of the transfer of such algorithms from fixed to fresh brain tissue depends on the degree of alterations of polarimetric properties induced by formalin fixation (FF). Comprehensive studies were performed on the FF induced changes in fresh pig brain tissue polarimetric properties. Polarimetric properties of pig brain were assessed in 30 coronal thick sections before and after FF using a wide-field IMP system. The width of the uncertainty region between gray and white matter was also estimated. The depolarization increased by 5% in gray matter and remained constant in white matter following FF, whereas the linear retardance decreased by 27% in gray matter and by 28% in white matter after FF. The visual contrast between gray and white matter and fiber tracking remained preserved after FF. Tissue shrinkage induced by FF did not have a significant effect on the uncertainty region width. Similar polarimetric properties were observed in both fresh and fixed brain tissues, indicating a high potential for transfer learning

Safe surgery for glioblastoma: recent advances and modern challenges

One of the major challenges during glioblastoma surgery is balancing between maximizing extent of resection and preventing neurological deficits. Several surgical techniques and adjuncts have been developed to help identify eloquent areas both preoperatively (fMRI, nTMS, MEG, DTI) and intraoperatively (imaging (ultrasound, iMRI), electrostimulation (mapping), cerebral perfusion measurements (fUS)), and visualization (5-ALA, fluoresceine)). In this review, we give an update of the state-of-the-art management of both primary and recurrent glioblastomas. We will review the latest surgical advances, challenges, and approaches that define the onco-neurosurgical practice in a contemporary setting and give an overview of the current prospective scientific efforts

Global comparison of awake and asleep mapping procedures in glioma surgery: an international multicenter survey

Background Mapping techniques are frequently used to preserve neurological function during glioma surgery. There is, however, no consensus regarding the use of many variables of these techniques. Currently, there are almost no objective data available about potential heterogeneity between surgeons and centers. The goal of this survey is therefore to globally identify, evaluate and analyze the local mapping procedures in glioma surgery. Methods The survey was distributed to members of the neurosurgical societies of the Netherlands (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Neurochirurgie-NVVN), Europe (European Association of Neurosurgical Societies-EANS), and the United States (Congress of Neurological Surgeons-CNS) between December 2020 and January 2021 with questions about awake mapping, asleep mapping, assessment of neurological morbidity, and decision making. Results Survey responses were obtained from 212 neurosurgeons from 42 countries. Overall, significant differences were observed for equipment and its settings that are used for both awake and asleep mapping, intraoperative assessment of eloquent areas, the use of surgical adjuncts and monitoring, anesthesia management, assessment of neurological morbidity, and perioperative decision making. Academic practices performed awake and asleep mapping procedures more often and employed a clinical neurophysiologist with telemetric monitoring more frequently. European neurosurgeons differed from US neurosurgeons regarding the modality for cortical/subcortical mapping and awake/asleep mapping, the use of surgical adjuncts, and anesthesia management during awake mapping. Discussion This survey demonstrates the heterogeneity among surgeons and centers with respect to their procedures for awake mapping, asleep mapping, assessing neurological morbidity, and decision making in glioma patients. These data invite further evaluations for key variables that can be optimized and may therefore benefit from consensus

The Development of Cephalic Armor in The Tokay Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: \u3cem\u3eGekko gecko\u3c/em\u3e)

Armored skin resulting from the presence of bony dermal structures, osteoderms, is an exceptional phenotype in gekkotans (geckos and flap-footed lizards) only known to occur in three genera: Geckolepis, Gekko, and Tarentola. The Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko LINNAEUS 1758) is among the best-studied geckos due to its large size and wide range of occurrence, and although cranial dermal bone development has previously been investigated, details of osteoderm development along a size gradient remain less well-known. Likewise, a comparative survey of additional species within the broader Gekko clade to determine the uniqueness of this trait has not yet been completed. Here, we studied a large sample of gekkotans (38 spp.), including 18 specimens of G. gecko, using X-rays and high-resolution computed tomography for visualizing and quantifying the dermal armor in situ. Results from this survey confirm the presence of osteoderms in a second species within this genus, Gekko reevesii GRAY 1831, which exhibits discordance in timing and pattern of osteoderm development when compared with its sister taxon, G. gecko. We discuss the developmental sequence of osteoderms in these two species and explore in detail the formation and functionality of these enigmatic dermal ossifications. Finally, we conducted a comparative analysis of endolymphatic sacs in a wide array of gekkotans to explore previous ideas regarding the role of osteoderms as calcium reservoirs. We found that G. gecko and other gecko species with osteoderms have highly enlarged endolymphatic sacs relative to their body size, when compared to species without osteoderms, which implies that these membranous structures might fulfill a major role of calcium storage even in species with osteoderms

Locomotor recovery following contusive spinal cord injury does not require oligodendrocyte remyelination

The contribution of oligodendrocytes to remyelination in functional recovery after spinal cord injury is not fully understood. Here, the authors show that oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation is not required for functional recovery after spinal cord injury in mice

Expertise in surgical neuro-oncology. Results of a survey by the EANS neuro-oncology section

Introduction: Technical advances and the increasing role of interdisciplinary decision-making may warrant formal definitions of expertise in surgical neuro-oncology. Research question: The EANS Neuro-oncology Section felt that a survey detailing the European neurosurgical perspective on the concept of expertise in surgical neuro-oncology might be helpful. Material and methods: The EANS Neuro-oncology Section panel developed an online survey asking questions regarding criteria for expertise in neuro-oncological surgery and sent it to all individual EANS members. Results: Our questionnaire was completed by 251 respondents (consultants: 80.1%) from 42 countries. 67.7% would accept a lifetime caseload of >200 cases and 86.7% an annual caseload of >50 as evidence of neuro-oncological surgical expertise. A majority felt that surgeons who do not treat children (56.2%), do not have experience with spinal fusion (78.1%) or peripheral nerve tumors (71.7%) may still be considered experts. Majorities believed that expertise requires the use of skull-base approaches (85.8%), intraoperative monitoring (83.4%), awake craniotomies (77.3%), and neuro-endoscopy (75.5%) as well as continuing education of at least 1/year (100.0%), a research background (80.0%) and teaching activities (78.7%), and formal interdisciplinary collaborations (e.g., tumor board: 93.0%). Academic vs. non-academic affiliation, career position, years of neurosurgical experience, country of practice, and primary clinical interest had a minor influence on the respondents’ opinions. Discussion and conclusion: Opinions among neurosurgeons regarding the characteristics and features of expertise in neuro-oncology vary surprisingly little. Large majorities favoring certain thresholds and qualitative criteria suggest a consensus definition might be possible

Expertise in surgical neuro-oncology. Results of a survey by the EANS neuro-oncology section

Introduction: Technical advances and the increasing role of interdisciplinary decision-making may warrant formal definitions of expertise in surgical neuro-oncology. Research question: The EANS Neuro-oncology Section felt that a survey detailing the European neurosurgical perspective on the concept of expertise in surgical neuro-oncology might be helpful. Material and methods: The EANS Neuro-oncology Section panel developed an online survey asking questions regarding criteria for expertise in neuro-oncological surgery and sent it to all individual EANS members. Results: Our questionnaire was completed by 251 respondents (consultants: 80.1%) from 42 countries. 67.7% would accept a lifetime caseload of >200 cases and 86.7% an annual caseload of >50 as evidence of neuro-oncological surgical expertise. A majority felt that surgeons who do not treat children (56.2%), do not have experience with spinal fusion (78.1%) or peripheral nerve tumors (71.7%) may still be considered experts. Majorities believed that expertise requires the use of skull-base approaches (85.8%), intraoperative monitoring (83.4%), awake craniotomies (77.3%), and neuro-endoscopy (75.5%) as well as continuing education of at least 1/year (100.0%), a research background (80.0%) and teaching activities (78.7%), and formal interdisciplinary collaborations (e.g., tumor board: 93.0%). Academic vs. non-academic affiliation, career position, years of neurosurgical experience, country of practice, and primary clinical interest had a minor influence on the respondents’ opinions. Discussion and conclusion: Opinions among neurosurgeons regarding the characteristics and features of expertise in neuro-oncology vary surprisingly little. Large majorities favoring certain thresholds and qualitative criteria suggest a consensus definition might be possible

Transplantation of Specific Human Astrocytes Promotes Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury

Repairing trauma to the central nervous system by replacement of glial support cells is an increasingly attractive therapeutic strategy. We have focused on the less-studied replacement of astrocytes, the major support cell in the central nervous system, by generating astrocytes from embryonic human glial precursor cells using two different astrocyte differentiation inducing factors. The resulting astrocytes differed in expression of multiple proteins thought to either promote or inhibit central nervous system homeostasis and regeneration. When transplanted into acute transection injuries of the adult rat spinal cord, astrocytes generated by exposing human glial precursor cells to bone morphogenetic protein promoted significant recovery of volitional foot placement, axonal growth and notably robust increases in neuronal survival in multiple spinal cord laminae. In marked contrast, human glial precursor cells and astrocytes generated from these cells by exposure to ciliary neurotrophic factor both failed to promote significant behavioral recovery or similarly robust neuronal survival and support of axon growth at sites of injury. Our studies thus demonstrate functional differences between human astrocyte populations and suggest that pre-differentiation of precursor cells into a specific astrocyte subtype is required to optimize astrocyte replacement therapies. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show functional differences in ability to promote repair of the injured adult central nervous system between two distinct subtypes of human astrocytes derived from a common fetal glial precursor population. These findings are consistent with our previous studies of transplanting specific subtypes of rodent glial precursor derived astrocytes into sites of spinal cord injury, and indicate a remarkable conservation from rat to human of functional differences between astrocyte subtypes. In addition, our studies provide a specific population of human astrocytes that appears to be particularly suitable for further development towards clinical application in treating the traumatically injured or diseased human central nervous system