TGF-β receptor kinase inhibitor enhances growth and integrity of embryonic stem cell–derived endothelial cells

Recent findings have shown that embryonic vascular progenitor cells are capable of differentiating into mural and endothelial cells. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate their differentiation, proliferation, and endothelial sheet formation remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily play important roles during differentiation of vascular progenitor cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and from 8.5–days postcoitum embryos. TGF-β and activin inhibited proliferation and sheet formation of endothelial cells. Interestingly, SB-431542, a synthetic molecule that inhibits the kinases of receptors for TGF-β and activin, facilitated proliferation and sheet formation of ESC-derived endothelial cells. Moreover, SB-431542 up-regulated the expression of claudin-5, an endothelial specific component of tight junctions. These results suggest that endogenous TGF-β/activin signals play important roles in regulating vascular growth and permeability

State-dependent modulation of positive and negative affective valences by a parabrachial nucleus-to-ventral tegmental area pathway in mice

Appropriately responding to various sensory signals in the environment is essential for animal survival. Accordingly, animal behaviors are closely related to external and internal states, which include the positive and negative emotional values of sensory signals triggered by environmental factors. While the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB) plays a key role in nociception and supports negative valences, it also transmits signals including positive valences. However, the downstream neuronal mechanisms of positive and negative valences have not been fully explored. In the present study, we investigated the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as a projection target for LPB neurons. Optogenetic activation of LPB-VTA terminals in male mice elicits positive reinforcement in an operant task and induces both avoidance and attraction in a place-conditioning task. Inhibition of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 65-expressing cells in the VTA promotes avoidance behavior induced by photoactivation of the LPB-VTA pathway. These findings indicate that the LPB-VTA pathway is one of the LPB outputs for the transmission of positive and negative valence signals, at least in part, with GABAergic modification in VTA

Involvement of NMDAR2A tyrosine phosphorylation in depression‐related behaviour

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102200/1/embj2009300-sup-0001.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102200/2/embj2009300.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102200/3/embj2009300-sup-0003.pd

ゼリーの色が味覚の判別に与える影響

The colors of foods, which may remind ones of the tastes, are important for the delicate sensing. Jellies with the tastes and flavors but with several colors for apple, lemon, strawberry and orange, were prepared. Sensory evaluations of the samples in regard to the colors and tastes were examined with 20 subjects/one sample by the questionnaire method. The results are summarized as follows. 1. The kinds of fruits presumed were correctly judged when the colors, tastes and flavors are in agreement with the native ones. Subjects answered that their judgements were made first by the colors and afterward confirmed by the agreement of the impressions with the tastes and flavors. 2. When the colors, tastes and flavors were unmatched, unusual sense and distaste were shown. 3. Among the jellies with the same taste and flavor but with different colors, yellow one tasted sour most strongly, indicating the strong influence of the colors on the tastes. 4. With jellies like Lemon and Mellon having peculiar tastes and flavors, the tastes were not so mach influenced by the colors