Male ; Humans ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Lineage ; Cell Plasticity

The slow progress in clinical applications of stem cells and the bewildering mechanisms involved have puzzled many researchers. Recently, the increasing evidences have indicated that cells have superior plasticity in vivo or in vitro, spontaneously or under extrinsic specific inducers. The concept of stem cells may be challenged, or even replaced by the concept of cell plasticity when cell reprogramming technology is progressing rapidly. The characteristics of stem cells are manifestations of cellular plasticity. Incorrect understanding of the concept of stem cells hinders the clinical application of so-called stem cells. Understanding cellular plasticity is important for understanding and treating disease. The above issues will be discussed in detail to prove the reconceptualization of stem cells from cellular plasticity.
Cell Plasticity ; Cellular Reprogramming ; In Vitro Techniques ; Plastics ; Stem Cells

Synaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are a type of membrane surface glycoproteins that mediate the structural and functional interactions between pre- and post-synaptic sites. Synaptic CAMs dynamically regulate synaptic activity and plasticity, and their expression and function are modulated by environmental factors. Synaptic CAMs are also important effector molecules of stress response, and mediate the adverse impact of stress on cognition and emotion. In this review, we will summarize the recent progress on the role of synaptic CAMs in stress, and aim to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms and drug development of stress-related disorders.
Cell Adhesion ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; physiology ; Humans ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Stress, Physiological ; Stress, Psychological ; Synapses

OBJECTIVE: Dysfunction of neural plasticity in the brain is known to alter neural networks, resulting in depression. To understand how fluoxetine regulates molecules involved in neural plasticity, the expression levels of NCAM, NCAM140, CREB and pCREB, in rat C6 glioma cells after fluoxetine treatment were examined. METHODS: C6 cells were cultured after 20 min or after 6, 24 or 72 h treatments with 10 microM fluoxetine. Immunocytochemistry was used to determine the effect of fluoxetine on the expression of NCAM. Western blot analysis was used to measure the expression levels of NCAM140 and CREB and the induction of pCREB after fluoxetine treatment. RESULTS: NCAM expression following 72-h fluoxetine treatment was significantly increased around cell membranes compared to control cells. Cells treated with fluoxetine for 6 and 72 h showed a significant increase in NCAM140 expression compared to cells treated for 20 min. The level of pCREB in the cells treated with fluoxetine for 72 h not only increased more than 60%, but was also significantly different when compared with the other treatment times. The 72-h fluoxetine treatment led to the increase of NCAM140 and the phosphorylation of CREB in C6 cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that fluoxetine treatment regulates neuronal plasticity and neurite outgrowth by phosphorylating and activating CREB via the NCAM140 homophilic interaction-induced activation of the Ras-MAPK pathway.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; Cell Membrane ; Depression ; Fluoxetine ; Glioma ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Neurites ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Phosphorylation ; Plastics ; Rats

OBJECTIVE: In bipolar disorder, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level decreases leading to dysfunctions of critical neurotrophic, cellular plasticity and neuroprotective processes. The present study was conducted to evaluate the change in serum BDNF level with oxcarbazepine monotherapy in bipolar mania. METHODS: The present study is a prospective, interventional, open label clinical study conducted on 25 patients of bipolar mania and 25 healthy controls. Detailed history, clinical evaluation including Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) scoring and serum BDNF were assessed at baseline for all 50 subjects. The bipolar patients were prescribed tablet oxcarbazepine and followed up after 4 weeks for clinical evaluation and re-estimation of serum BDNF and YMRS scoring. RESULTS: The serum BDNF level in bipolar manic patients were compared with healthy controls at baseline and results revealed that there is a significant reduction (p=0.002) in serum BDNF level in bipolar patients. At follow-up after 4 weeks, the mean change in serum BDNF in bipolar group who were on oxcarbazepine monotherapy was found statistically significant (p=0.02) in comparison to healthy controls. In bipolar group, the YMRS score and serum BDNF at baseline have an inverse relation(r=−0.59) whereas change of the YMRS score had a positive correlation (r=0.67) with the change of serum BDNF over 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: In bipolar mania serum BDNF level is low and it is found to be increased with short term monotherapy with oxcarbazepine.
Bipolar Disorder* ; Brain* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor* ; Cell Plasticity ; Clinical Study ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Prospective Studies

Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are reticular structures resulting from the aggregation of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules around the cell body and proximal neurite of specific population of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Since the first description of PNNs by Camillo Golgi in 1883, the molecular composition, developmental formation and potential functions of these specialized extracellular matrix structures have only been intensively studied over the last few decades. The main components of PNNs are hyaluronan (HA), chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) of the lectican family, link proteins and tenascin-R. PNNs appear late in neural development, inversely correlating with the level of neural plasticity. PNNs have long been hypothesized to play a role in stabilizing the extracellular milieu, which secures the characteristic features of enveloped neurons and protects them from the influence of malicious agents. Aberrant PNN signaling can lead to CNS dysfunctions like epilepsy, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. On the other hand, PNNs create a barrier which constrains the neural plasticity and counteracts the regeneration after nerve injury. Digestion of PNNs with chondroitinase ABC accelerates functional recovery from the spinal cord injury and restores activity-dependent mechanisms for modifying neuronal connections in the adult animals, indicating that PNN is an important regulator of neural plasticity. Here, we review recent progress in the studies on the formation of PNNs during early development and the identification of CSPG receptor - an essential molecular component of PNN signaling, along with a discussion on their unique regulatory roles in neural plasticity.
Animals ; Central Nervous System ; physiology ; physiopathology ; Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans ; Extracellular Matrix ; physiology ; Humans ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Neurons ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; physiology

OBJECTIVE: Antidepressants Modulate Neuronal Plasticity. Tianeptine, An Atypical Antidepressant, Might Be Involved In The Restoration Of Neuronal Plasticity; It Primarily Enhances The Synaptic Reuptake Of Serotonin. Ncam140 Is Involved In Neuronal Development Processes, Synaptogenesis And Synaptic Plasticity. We Investigated The Effect Of Tianeptine On The Expression Of Ncam140 And Its Downstream Signaling Molecule In The Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line Sh-sy5y. METHODS: NCAM protein expression was measured in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells that were cultivated in serum-free media and treated with 0, 10, or 20 microM tianeptine for 6, 24, or 72 hours. NCAM140 expression in the tianeptine treatment group was confirmed by Western blot, and quantified through measurement of band intensity by absorbance. CREB and pCREB expression was identified after treatment with 20 microM tianeptine for 6, 24, and 72 hours by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared to cells treated for 6 hours, cells treated with 0 or 10 microM tianeptine for 72 hours showed a significant increase in NCAM140 expression and cells treated with 20 microM tianeptine showed a significant increase after 24 and 72 hours. The pCREB level in cells treated with 20 microM tianeptine increased in time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that the tianeptine antidepressant effect may occur by induction of NCAM140 expression and CREB phosphorylation.
Antidepressive Agents ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Humans ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Neuroblastoma ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Neurons ; Phosphorylation ; Plastics ; Serotonin

OBJECTIVETo investigate the proliferation and plasticity of neural stem cells in situ in adult rats after cerebral infarction.

METHODSCerebral infarction models of rats were made and the dynamic expression of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and BrdU/polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) were determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the number of BrdU-positive cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and hippocampus increased strikingly at day 1 (P < 0.05), reached maximum at day 7, and decreased markedly at day 14, but it was still elevated compared with that of the controls (P < 0.05); The number of BrdU-labeled with PSA-NCAM-positive cells increased strikingly at day 7 (P < 0.05), reached maximum at day 14, and markedly decreased at day 28, but it was still elevated compared with that of the controls (P < 0.05), and was equal to 60% of the number of BrdU-positive cells in the same period.

CONCLUSIONSOur results indicate that cerebral infarction stimulate the proliferation of inherent neural stem cells in situ and most proliferated neural stem cells represent neural plasticity.

Animals ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Cell Division ; Cerebral Infarction ; pathology ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; Male ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Neurons ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sialic Acids ; Stem Cells ; pathology

P21-activated kinases (PAK) participate in a variety of important cellular activities, such as cytoskeleton remodeling, cell migration, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis or survival. PAK also has an important impact on brain development, neuronal differentiation, and regulation of synaptic plasticity in the nervous system. PAK abnormalities result in diseases including cancer, Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and neural retardation. Therefore, it is of vital physiological significance to investigate the neuronal function of PAK. In this paper we review the advancement of research on the neuronal biological function and the underlying mechanisms of PAK.
Alzheimer Disease ; physiopathology ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Movement ; Cytoskeleton ; physiology ; Humans ; Nervous System ; enzymology ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Neurons ; physiology ; Parkinson Disease ; physiopathology ; p21-Activated Kinases ; physiology

To investigate the effects of time interval and cumulative dosage of repetitive mild cellular hypoxia on shape of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection in mice, population spike amplitude (PSA) was measured during hypoxia and posthypoxic recovery in hippocampal slices from untreated control and mice pretreated in vivo with a single or repeatedly intraperitoneal injection of 3-nitropropionate (3-NP). Posthypoxic recovery of PSA was dose-dependent in single pretreated slices, with maximal recovery on pretreatment attained with 20 mg/kg 3-NP (82 +/- 32%, P < 0.01). Upon 5 and 9 treatments with 20 mg/kg 3-NP (dosage interval 3 days), PSA recovered to (38 +/- 9)% with the difference being not significant vs control group and (72 +/- 45)% with the difference being significant (P < 0.05 to control, P < 0.05 to 5 treatments), respectively. In contrast, with 2 days time interval, recovery after 5 and 9 treatments was (30 +/- 25)% and (16 +/- 14)%, respectively (without significant difference from control). Continued neuroprotection was also observed upon increase of dosage interval to 4 and 5 days. It was suggested that repetitive chemical hypoxia is a model for neurodegenerative disease and continued neuroprotection depending on time interval between repetitive hypoxic episodes rather than cumulative dosage. At appropriate time intervals increased neuronal hypoxic tolerance could be induced with number of hypoxic episodes.
Adaptation, Physiological ; Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; blood supply ; cytology ; Huntington Disease ; physiopathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Male ; Mice ; Neuronal Plasticity ; physiology ; Nitro Compounds ; Propionates ; Time Factors