Lateral Habenula Astrocyte Activation in Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

The painful neuropathy induced by paclitaxel (PIPN) significantly impacts the quality of life for cancer patients and may lead to the cessation of the chemotherapy and poor clinical outcomes. The importance of spinal glia pathophysiology to the etiology of chronic pain has been investigated in multiple pain models; however, less is understood regarding its regulation at the supraspinal level. The lateral habenula (LHb), which is responsible for coding aversion signals, has emerged as a key region of pain signal processing. Whether activated astrocytes in LHb are responsible for pain signaling is not yet understood. In the current study, we investigated the astrocyte activation in LHb, evoked hypersensitivity, spontaneous pain and comorbid anxiety-like behaviors in a mouse model of PIPN. We first demonstrated the existence of astrocyte activation in LHb during the late phase of PIPN, as indicated by the enhanced immunoreactivity of GFAP and cellular hypertrophy. We then inhibited LHb astrocyte activation by microinjections of L-a-aminoadipic acid (L-a-AA), an astrocyte-specific cellular toxin. L-a-AA selectively attenuated the spontaneous pain but not the evoked hyperalgesia in a lateralized manner, supporting the hypothesis that the activated astrocytes contribute differently to sensory and affective pain in PIPN. Furthermore, we induced PIPN-like behaviors in naive mice by transplantation of activated astrocytes treated by paclitaxel and by in vivo chemogenetic activation of astrocytes through AAV-GFAP-hM3Dq. Taken together, our results showed the contributions of astrocyte activation in LHb to the development of pain and associated affective changes and its unilateral regulation of spontaneous pain, deepening our understanding of the functional asymmetry of LHb

Raw data of phenotypic, genetic and epigenetic variation

Raw data of phenotypic, genetic (AFLP) and epigenetic (MSAP) variatio

Comparison of carbohydrate accumulation and allocation in one-year-old <i>Q</i>. <i>acutissima</i> seedlings subjected to different light levels and N treatments (mean ± SE, <i>n</i> = 5).

<p>Soluble sugar content (A), soluble sugar ratio (B), starch content (C), starch ratio (D), cellulose content (E), and cellulose ratio (F). Different letters within the same column denote significant differences at <i>p</i> < 0.05 according to Duncan’s test.</p

Comparisons of gas exchange rates in one-year-old <i>Quercus acutissima</i> seedlings subjected to different light intensities and N treatments (mean ± SE, <i>n</i> = 3).

<p>A_max (A), E (B), and Gs (C). Different letters within the same column denote significant differences at <i>p</i> < 0.05 according to Duncan’s test.</p

Differences in plasticity of the parameters measured in <i>Q</i>. <i>acutissima</i> seedlings at different light levels and nitrogen deposition rates.

<p>PNUE, photosynthetic N-use efficiency; A_max, maximum net photosynthetic rate; E, transpiration rate; Gs, stomatal conductance; SLA, specific leaf area; LMR, leaf mass ratio; SMR, stem mass ratio; RMR, root mass ratio; R/S, root to shoot mass ratio.</p

Final height (A), basal diameter(B), leaf number(C) and total biomass (D) for one-year-old <i>Q</i>. <i>acutissima</i> seedlings subjected to different light- and N treatments (mean ± standard error (SE), <i>n</i> = 5).

<p>Different letters within the same column denote significant differences at <i>p</i> < 0.05 according to Duncan’s test.</p

Comparison of final biomass allocation in one-year-old <i>Q</i>. <i>acutissima</i> seedlings subjected to different light intensities and N treatments (mean ± SE, <i>n</i> = 5).

<p>Leaf mass ratio (LMR) (A), stem mass ratio (SMR) (B), root mass ratio (RMR) (C) and root/shoot ratio (R/S) (D) of <i>Q</i>. <i>acutissima</i> seedlings. Different letters within a column denote significant differences at <i>p</i> < 0.05 according to Duncan’s test.</p

Final two-way ANOVA of different treatments on <i>Q</i>. <i>acutissima</i>.

<p>Final two-way ANOVA of different treatments on <i>Q</i>. <i>acutissima</i>.</p

Nitrogen deposition does not affect the impact of shade on <i>Quercus acutissima</i> seedlings

<div><p>Light and atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition are among the important environmental factors influencing plant growth and forest regeneration. We used <i>Quercus acutissima</i>, a dominant broadleaf tree species native to the deciduous forests of Northern China, to study the combined effects of light exposure and N addition on leaf physiology and individual plant growth. In the greenhouse, we exposed <i>Quercus acutissima</i> seedlings to one of two light conditions (8% and 80% of full irradiation) and one of three N treatments (0, 6, and 12 g N m⁻² y⁻¹). After 87 d, we observed that nitrogen deposition had no significant effects on the seedlings regardless of light exposure. In addition, shade significantly reduced plant height, basal diameter, leaf number, total biomass, gas exchange capacity, and carbohydrate content. In contrast, however, shade significantly increased the amount of photosynthetic pigment, above-ground biomass allocation, and specific leaf area. There was also a hierarchical plasticity among the different seedling characteristics. Compared to traits of growth, biomass, biomass allocation and leaf morphology, the leaf physiology, including photosynthetic pigment, gas exchange, carbohydrate, and PUNE, is more sensitive to light conditions. Among the biomass allocation parameters, the leaf and root mass ratios had a relatively low phenotypic plasticity. The seedlings had high foliar physiological plasticity under various light conditions. Nevertheless, we recommend high irradiance to maintain vigorous seedling growth and, in turn, promote the restoration and reconstruction of vegetation.</p></div

Selective Access to 4‑Substituted 2‑Aminothiazoles and 4‑Substituted 5-Thiocyano-2-aminothiazoles from Vinyl Azides and Potassium Thiocyanate Switched by Palladium and Iron Catalysts

A highly selective construction of 4-substituted 2-aminothiazoles and 4-substituted 5-thiocyano-2-aminothiazoles, respectively, catalyzed by palladium­(II) acetate and promoted by iron­(III) bromide from vinyl azides and potassium thiocyanate has been developed. Use of readily available starting materials, high selectivity, as well as mild reaction conditions make this practical method particularly attractive