2025
Endothelial SHANK3 regulates tight junctions in the neonatal mouse blood-brain barrier through β-Catenin signaling
Kim Y, Kim M, Kim S, Lee R, Ujihara Y, Marquez-Wilkins E, Jiang Y, Yang E, Kim H, Lee C, Park C, Kim I. Endothelial SHANK3 regulates tight junctions in the neonatal mouse blood-brain barrier through β-Catenin signaling. Nature Communications 2025, 16: 1407. PMID: 39915488, PMCID: PMC11802743, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56720-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBlood-brain barrierNeuronal excitabilityB-cateninBarrier functionMouse blood-brain barrierReduced neuronal excitabilityMale mutant miceBlood-brain barrier permeabilityBrain endothelial cellsAutism spectrum disorderNeonatal micePotential therapeutic targetASD risk genesMutant miceTight junctionsImpaired sociabilityPathogenic mechanismsBrain parenchymaEndothelial cellsTherapeutic targetASD pathogenesisSHANK3Adult ageDisabling conditionMice
2024
Human IPSC-Derived Microglia Sense and Dampen Hyperexcitability of Cortical Neurons Carrying the Epilepsy-Associated SCN2A-L1342P Mutation
Que Z, Olivero-Acosta M, Robinson M, Chen I, Zhang J, Wettschurack K, Wu J, Xiao T, Otterbacher C, Shankar V, Harlow H, Hong S, Zirkle B, Wang M, Cui N, Mandal P, Chen X, Deming B, Halurkar M, Zhao Y, Rochet J, Xu R, Brewster A, Wu L, Yuan C, Skarnes W, Yang Y. Human IPSC-Derived Microglia Sense and Dampen Hyperexcitability of Cortical Neurons Carrying the Epilepsy-Associated SCN2A-L1342P Mutation. Journal Of Neuroscience 2024, 45: e2027232024. PMID: 39557580, PMCID: PMC11735681, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2027-23.2024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNeuronal excitabilityHyperexcitable neuronsHuman microgliaCo-cultureVoltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.2Neuronal activityRepetitive action potential firingRodent models of seizuresBrain-resident immune cellsSodium channel expressionInfluence neuronal excitabilityAction potential firingHyperexcitability of cortical neuronsModulates neuronal excitabilityEpilepsy-causing mutationsSodium channel Nav1.2Resident immune cellsAbnormal neuronal activityPresence of microgliaSuppression of seizuresModulate neuronal activityDensity of sodium channelsModels of seizuresPresence of neuronsAxon initial segmentSingle-Cell Transcriptomic Analyses of Brain Parenchyma in Patients With New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE)
Hanin A, Zhang L, Huttner A, Plu I, Mathon B, Bielle F, Navarro V, Hirsch L, Hafler D. Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analyses of Brain Parenchyma in Patients With New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE). Neurology Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation 2024, 11: e200259. PMID: 38810181, PMCID: PMC11139018, DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200259.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNew-onset refractory status epilepticusTemporal lobe epilepsyGABAergic neuronsExcitatory neuronsInfiltrating macrophagesProportion of GABAergic neuronsChronic temporal lobe epilepsyRefractory status epilepticusInhibitory GABAergic neuronsSingle-cell transcriptome analysisDecreased expression of genesDegree of demyelinationImmune disturbancesNeuronal excitabilityImmune dysregulationNew-onsetStatus epilepticusPoor outcomeRefractory epilepsyHealthy childrenMicroglial reactivitySingle-nucleus RNA sequencingNLRP3 inflammasome activationInflammatory responseLobe epilepsyThe role of KCNQ channel activators in management of major depressive disorder
Meshkat S, Kwan A, Le G, Wong S, Rhee T, Ho R, Teopiz K, Cao B, McIntyre R. The role of KCNQ channel activators in management of major depressive disorder. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2024, 359: 364-372. PMID: 38772507, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.067.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRegulation of neuronal excitabilityKCNQ channel activityKCNQ channelsAlleviating depressive symptomsNeuronal excitabilityDepressive symptomsChannel activityModulating membrane potentialRegulate neuronal activitySignificant treatment challengeMitigate depressive symptomsEnhance treatment outcomesPreclinical evidenceReward circuitryTreatment challengesDepressive disorderKCNQTreatment outcomesTherapeutic approachesAnimal modelsNeuronal activityHuman studiesChannel modulationTherapeutic potentialSymptomatic targetsDisease-causing Slack potassium channel mutations produce opposite effects on excitability of excitatory and inhibitory neurons
Wu J, Quraishi I, Zhang Y, Bromwich M, Kaczmarek L. Disease-causing Slack potassium channel mutations produce opposite effects on excitability of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Cell Reports 2024, 43: 113904. PMID: 38457342, PMCID: PMC11013952, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113904.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchInhibitory neuronsRegulation of neuronal excitabilityPotassium channel mutationsVoltage-dependent sodiumInhibitory cortical neuronsGain-of-function mutationsAxon initial segmentKCNT1 geneNeuronal excitabilityChannel subunitsChannel mutationsNetwork hyperexcitabilityMouse modelNeuron typesCortical neuronsTreat epilepsyNeuronsExcitable neuronsNeurological disordersSevere intellectual disabilityMutationsInitial segmentKCNT1ExpressionHyperexcitabilityFunctionally-selective inhibition of threshold sodium currents and excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons by cannabinol
Ghovanloo M, Effraim P, Tyagi S, Zhao P, Dib-Hajj S, Waxman S. Functionally-selective inhibition of threshold sodium currents and excitability in dorsal root ganglion neurons by cannabinol. Communications Biology 2024, 7: 120. PMID: 38263462, PMCID: PMC10805714, DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05781-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDorsal root ganglionDorsal root ganglion neuronal excitabilityDorsal root ganglion neuronsNeuronal excitabilityCurrent-clamp analysisSteady-state inactivationVoltage-dependent sodiumSlow inactivated stateAutomated patch clamp platformMultielectrode array recordingsNav currentsNeuropathic painSodium currentRoot ganglionGanglion neuronsSlow inactivationInactivated stateCurrent inhibitorsIon channelsNeuronsInhibitory effectCannabinolArray recordingsEndocannabinoidCannabinoidCompartment-specific regulation of NaV1.7 in sensory neurons after acute exposure to TNF-α
Tyagi S, Higerd-Rusli G, Ghovanloo M, Dib-Hajj F, Zhao P, Liu S, Kim D, Shim J, Park K, Waxman S, Choi J, Dib-Hajj S. Compartment-specific regulation of NaV1.7 in sensory neurons after acute exposure to TNF-α. Cell Reports 2024, 43: 113685. PMID: 38261513, PMCID: PMC10947185, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113685.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTNF-aSensory neuronsEffect of TNF-aSensory neuron excitabilityTumor necrosis factor-aRegulation of NaV1.7Voltage-gated sodiumPro-inflammatory cytokinesCompartment-specific effectsNeuronal plasma membraneSensitize nociceptorsNeuronal excitabilitySomatic membraneChannel N terminusElectrophysiological recordingsP38 MAPKIon channelsFactor AAcute exposureMolecular determinantsNeuronsAxonal endingsPhospho-acceptor sitesPlasma membraneCompartment-specific regulation
2023
Interaction Between HCN and Slack Channels Regulates mPFC Pyramidal Cell Excitability in Working Memory Circuits
Wu J, El-Hassar L, Datta D, Thomas M, Zhang Y, Jenkins D, DeLuca N, Chatterjee M, Gribkoff V, Arnsten A, Kaczmarek L. Interaction Between HCN and Slack Channels Regulates mPFC Pyramidal Cell Excitability in Working Memory Circuits. Molecular Neurobiology 2023, 61: 2430-2445. PMID: 37889366, DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03719-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPFC pyramidal neuronsPyramidal cellsHCN channelsPrefrontal cortexPyramidal neuronsNeuronal firingSlack channelsPyramidal cell excitabilityRat prefrontal cortexPFC pyramidal cellsCell linesNon-selective cation channelsRecurrent excitatory connectionsCortical extractsNeuronal depolarizationNeuronal excitabilityPharmacological blockersSpecific blockerDendritic spinesKNa channelsCell excitabilityPostsynaptic spinesPersistent firingExcitatory connectionsNeural circuitsSpatiotemporal features of neurovascular (un)coupling with stimulus-induced activity and hypercapnia challenge in cerebral cortex and olfactory bulb
James S, Sanggaard S, Akif A, Mishra S, Sanganahalli B, Blumenfeld H, Verhagen J, Hyder F, Herman P. Spatiotemporal features of neurovascular (un)coupling with stimulus-induced activity and hypercapnia challenge in cerebral cortex and olfactory bulb. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2023, 43: 1891-1904. PMID: 37340791, PMCID: PMC10676132, DOI: 10.1177/0271678x231183887.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVasodilatory responseCerebral cortexNeurovascular couplingOlfactory bulbNeuronal activityBrief sensory stimuliRegional neurovascular couplingStimulus-induced activityHypercapnia challengeVascular toneNeuronal deactivationHemodynamic responseNeuronal excitabilityNeuronal responsesCalcium transientsBrain functionHemodynamic signalsSensory stimuliVasodilationHypercapniaCortexMiceCareful appraisalStimuliMetabolic wastePain-causing stinging nettle toxins target TMEM233 to modulate NaV1.7 function
Jami S, Deuis J, Klasfauseweh T, Cheng X, Kurdyukov S, Chung F, Okorokov A, Li S, Zhang J, Cristofori-Armstrong B, Israel M, Ju R, Robinson S, Zhao P, Ragnarsson L, Andersson Å, Tran P, Schendel V, McMahon K, Tran H, Chin Y, Zhu Y, Liu J, Crawford T, Purushothamvasan S, Habib A, Andersson D, Rash L, Wood J, Zhao J, Stehbens S, Mobli M, Leffler A, Jiang D, Cox J, Waxman S, Dib-Hajj S, Neely G, Durek T, Vetter I. Pain-causing stinging nettle toxins target TMEM233 to modulate NaV1.7 function. Nature Communications 2023, 14: 2442. PMID: 37117223, PMCID: PMC10147923, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37963-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSensory neuronsVoltage-sensing domainNav channelsTransmembrane proteinAccessory proteinsVoltage-gated sodium channelsCritical regulatorPore domainChannel gatingExtracellular loopToxin-mediated effectsNeuronal excitabilityPeptide toxinsProteinSodium channelsPharmacological activitiesNav1.7 functionKnottin peptidesNeuronsImportant insightsToxinSubunitsRegulatorDomainExcelsaNav1.7 gain-of-function mutation I228M triggers age-dependent nociceptive insensitivity and C-LTMR dysregulation
Wimalasena N, Taub D, Shim J, Hakim S, Kawaguchi R, Chen L, El-Rifai M, Geschwind D, Dib-Hajj S, Waxman S, Woolf C. Nav1.7 gain-of-function mutation I228M triggers age-dependent nociceptive insensitivity and C-LTMR dysregulation. Experimental Neurology 2023, 364: 114393. PMID: 37003485, PMCID: PMC10171359, DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114393.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsParoxysmal extreme pain disorderSmall fiber neuropathyFunction mutationsDRG neuron hyperexcitabilityYoung adult miceVoltage-gated sodium channel NaSodium conductanceAge-related changesNeuron hyperexcitabilityPain disordersCongenital insensitivitySodium channel NaExcitability changesFemale miceMouse DRGYoung miceNeuronal excitabilityNoxious heatSkin lesionsVoltage-gated channelsAdult miceNeuron subtypesNervous systemProfound insensitivityMice
2022
Fibroblast growth factor homologous factor 2 attenuates excitability of DRG neurons
Effraim PR, Estacion M, Zhao P, Sosniak D, Waxman SG, Dib-Hajj SD. Fibroblast growth factor homologous factor 2 attenuates excitability of DRG neurons. Journal Of Neurophysiology 2022, 128: 1258-1266. PMID: 36222860, PMCID: PMC9909838, DOI: 10.1152/jn.00361.2022.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDRG neuron excitabilityDRG neuronal excitabilityNeuronal excitabilityFibroblast growth factor homologous factorsNerve injuryDRG neuronsInflammatory mediatorsNeuron excitabilityDorsal root ganglion neuronsFunction of Nav1.7Peripheral nerve axotomyMultiple neurological disordersVoltage-gated sodium channelsDRG excitabilityFibroblast growth factor homologous factor 2Inflammatory painNerve axotomyGanglion neuronsIsoform-dependent mannerNeurological disordersBasal conditionsExcitabilityGating propertiesNeuron firingInjuryVentromedial hypothalamic OGT drives adipose tissue lipolysis and curbs obesity
Wang Q, Zhang B, Stutz B, Liu ZW, Horvath TL, Yang X. Ventromedial hypothalamic OGT drives adipose tissue lipolysis and curbs obesity. Science Advances 2022, 8: eabn8092. PMID: 36044565, PMCID: PMC9432828, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn8092.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVentromedial hypothalamusWhite adipose tissueVMH neuronsAdipose tissueBody weightLipid metabolismRapid weight gainCounterregulatory responsesSympathetic activitySympathetic innervationAdipocyte hypertrophyTissue lipolysisNeuronal excitabilityFood intakePhysical activityObesity phenotypesGenetic ablationWeight gainHomeostatic set pointEnergy expenditureNeuronsInnervationLipolysisSignificant changesCellular sensorsTREM2 Deficiency Disrupts Network Oscillations Leading to Epileptic Activity and Aggravates Amyloid-β-Related Hippocampal Pathophysiology in Mice
Stoiljkovic M, Gutierrez KO, Kelley C, Horvath TL, Hajós M. TREM2 Deficiency Disrupts Network Oscillations Leading to Epileptic Activity and Aggravates Amyloid-β-Related Hippocampal Pathophysiology in Mice. Journal Of Alzheimer's Disease 2022, 88: 837-847. PMID: 34120899, PMCID: PMC8898080, DOI: 10.3233/jad-210041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlzheimer's diseaseMicroglial functionTREM2 functionTheta-phase gamma-amplitude couplingHippocampal network functionSpontaneous epileptiform seizuresNetwork oscillationsTransgenic AD modelHippocampal neuronal excitabilityMyeloid cells 2Clinical Alzheimer's diseaseWild-type miceHippocampal network oscillationsHippocampal pathophysiologyProgressive dementiaTau pathologyUrethane anesthesiaAD pathophysiologyNeuronal excitabilityEpileptiform seizuresEpileptic activityAD modelTREM2Disease pathologyCells 2Depolarizing NaV and Hyperpolarizing KV Channels Are Co-Trafficked in Sensory Neurons
Higerd-Rusli GP, Alsaloum M, Tyagi S, Sarveswaran N, Estacion M, Akin EJ, Dib-Hajj FB, Liu S, Sosniak D, Zhao P, Dib-Hajj SD, Waxman SG. Depolarizing NaV and Hyperpolarizing KV Channels Are Co-Trafficked in Sensory Neurons. Journal Of Neuroscience 2022, 42: 4794-4811. PMID: 35589395, PMCID: PMC9188389, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0058-22.2022.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIon channel traffickingMembrane proteinsChannel traffickingAxonal membrane proteinsTransport vesiclesPhysiological functionsSame vesiclesAxonal proteinsSpecific transport vesiclesIon channelsTrafficking of NaDiverse physiological functionsExcitability disordersDifferent physiological functionsDistinct ion channelsSensory neuron membraneSensory neuronsDistinct functional classesDistinct functional rolesNormal neuronal excitabilityTrafficking mechanismsNeuronal excitabilityPlasma membraneTherapeutic strategiesPrecise regulationStem cell-derived sensory neurons modelling inherited erythromelalgia: normalization of excitability
Alsaloum M, Labau JIR, Liu S, Effraim P, Waxman SG. Stem cell-derived sensory neurons modelling inherited erythromelalgia: normalization of excitability. Brain 2022, 146: 359-371. PMID: 35088838, PMCID: PMC10060693, DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSensory neuronsPluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neuronsDynamic clamp electrophysiologyMediators of painUnmet healthcare needsEffective therapeutic approachErythromelalgia mutationAmeliorate painNeuronal hyperexcitabilityPain disordersClinical studiesNeuronal excitabilityPreclinical studiesTherapeutic approachesEffective treatmentNaV1.7 currentsBaseline levelsClamp electrophysiologyHealthcare needsNav1.7 channelsPainErythromelalgiaHyperexcitabilityFunction mutationsNav1.7
2021
Contributions of NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 to excitability in human induced pluripotent stem-cell derived somatosensory neurons
Alsaloum M, Labau JIR, Liu S, Estacion M, Zhao P, Dib-Hajj F, Waxman SG. Contributions of NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 to excitability in human induced pluripotent stem-cell derived somatosensory neurons. Scientific Reports 2021, 11: 24283. PMID: 34930944, PMCID: PMC8688473, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03608-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAction PotentialsAutopsyCell DifferentiationElectrophysiologyHumansImmunohistochemistryInduced Pluripotent Stem CellsMembrane PotentialsMutationNAV1.8 Voltage-Gated Sodium ChannelNAV1.9 Voltage-Gated Sodium ChannelNeuronsNeurosciencesPainPatch-Clamp TechniquesProtein IsoformsSensory Receptor CellsSomatosensory CortexConceptsNeuronal excitabilitySomatosensory neuronsPluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neuronsDynamic clamp electrophysiologyTreatment of painPromising novel modalityVoltage-gated sodium channelsSodium channel isoformsNeuronal membrane potentialGenetic knockout modelsNav1.9 currentsPharmacologic blockSensory neuronsNav1.8Cellular correlatesRepetitive firingClamp electrophysiologyExcitabilityNeuronal backgroundNovel modalityChannel isoformsSodium channelsNeuronsNav1.9Knockout modelsHMGB1, neuronal excitability and epilepsy
Dai S, Zheng Y, Wang Y, Chen Z. HMGB1, neuronal excitability and epilepsy. Acta Epileptologica 2021, 3: 13. DOI: 10.1186/s42494-021-00048-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchN-methyl-D-aspartateModulation of neuronal excitabilityAnimal models of epilepsyToll-like receptor 4Antiepileptic drug therapyInterleukin (IL)-1bTranslocation of HMGB1Multiple animal modelsDevelopment of epilepsyAnti-epileptic drugsMobility group protein B1HMGB1-related pathwayModels of epilepsyNuclear factor kappa BPotential of HMGB1Advanced glycation end productsFactor kappa BGlycation end productsNeuronal excitabilityBlocking HMGB1Downstream signaling pathwaysGlutamate receptorsHMGB1 signalingHyperexcitable neuronsDrug therapyDisruption of NEUROD2 causes a neurodevelopmental syndrome with autistic features via cell-autonomous defects in forebrain glutamatergic neurons
Runge K, Mathieu R, Bugeon S, Lafi S, Beurrier C, Sahu S, Schaller F, Loubat A, Herault L, Gaillard S, Pallesi-Pocachard E, Montheil A, Bosio A, Rosenfeld JA, Hudson E, Lindstrom K, Mercimek-Andrews S, Jeffries L, van Haeringen A, Vanakker O, Van Hecke A, Amrom D, Küry S, Ratner C, Jethva R, Gamble C, Jacq B, Fasano L, Santpere G, Lorente-Galdos B, Sestan N, Gelot A, Giacuzz S, Goebbels S, Represa A, Cardoso C, Cremer H, de Chevigny A. Disruption of NEUROD2 causes a neurodevelopmental syndrome with autistic features via cell-autonomous defects in forebrain glutamatergic neurons. Molecular Psychiatry 2021, 26: 6125-6148. PMID: 34188164, PMCID: PMC8760061, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01179-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLayer 5 neuronsKO miceForebrain glutamatergic neuronsTranscription factor NeuroD2Forebrain excitatory neuronsNeurodevelopmental disordersAutism spectrum disorderCortical projection neuronsPatch-clamp recordingsIntellectual disabilitySocial interaction deficitsSpontaneous seizuresCerebral cortexGlutamatergic neuronsSpine densityProjection neuronsIntrinsic excitabilityNervous system developmentNeuronal excitabilityExcitatory neuronsJuvenile miceBulk RNA sequencingSynaptic functionNeurobehavioral featuresDysregulated expressionThe structural basis of function and regulation of neuronal cotransporters NKCC1 and KCC2
Zhang S, Zhou J, Zhang Y, Liu T, Friedel P, Zhuo W, Somasekharan S, Roy K, Zhang L, Liu Y, Meng X, Deng H, Zeng W, Li G, Forbush B, Yang M. The structural basis of function and regulation of neuronal cotransporters NKCC1 and KCC2. Communications Biology 2021, 4: 226. PMID: 33597714, PMCID: PMC7889885, DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01750-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCryo-electron microscopy structureHuman NKCC1Microscopy structureEssential residuesFunctional characterizationKCC transportersPlasma membraneStructural basisTransepithelial saltTransport activityMechanistic understandingTransportersStructural studiesCritical roleCotransporter NKCC1Computational analysisIon transportWater transportNeuronal excitabilityNKCC1PhosphorylationCell volumeNKCCKCC2Residues
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