Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 84 in total

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  1. Fulltext Phenotype microarrays reveal metabolic dysregulations of neurospheres derived from embryonic Ts1Cje mouse model of Down syndrome
    Seth EA, Lee HC, Yusof HHBM, Nordin N, Cheah YK, Ho ETW, et al.
    PLoS One, 2020;15(7):e0236826.
    PMID: 32730314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236826
    Down syndrome (DS), is the most common cause of intellectual disability, and is characterized by defective neurogenesis during perinatal development. To identify metabolic aberrations in early neurogenesis, we profiled neurospheres derived from the embryonic brain of Ts1Cje, a mouse model of Down syndrome. High-throughput phenotypic microarray revealed a significant decrease in utilisation of 17 out of 367 substrates and significantly higher utilisation of 6 substrates in the Ts1Cje neurospheres compared to controls. Specifically, Ts1Cje neurospheres were less efficient in the utilisation of glucose-6-phosphate suggesting a dysregulation in the energy-producing pathway. T Cje neurospheres were significantly smaller in diameter than the controls. Subsequent preliminary study on supplementation with 6-phosphogluconic acid, an intermediate of glucose-6-phosphate metabolism, was able to rescue the Ts1Cje neurosphere size. This study confirmed the perturbed pentose phosphate pathway, contributing to defects observed in Ts1Cje neurospheres. We show for the first time that this comprehensive energetic assay platform facilitates the metabolic characterisation of Ts1Cje cells and confirmed their distinguishable metabolic profiles compared to the controls.
  2. Fulltext Extract from the paralyzed spinal cord of rats enhances neural stem cell proliferation in the neonatal rat brain by upregulating the Notch1/Hes1 pathway
    Zhou Q, Tian L, Jia X, Ling KH, Mohd Nor NH, Harun MH, et al.
    Minerva Pediatr (Torino), 2023 Oct;75(5):780-783.
    PMID: 37284814 DOI: 10.23736/S2724-5276.23.07322-6
  3. Fulltext MiR-3099 is Overexpressed in Differentiating 46c Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells upon Neural Induction
    Zainal Abidin S, Abbaspourbabaei M, Ntimi CM, Siew WH, Pike-See C, Rosli R, et al.
    Malays J Med Sci, 2014 Dec;21(Spec Issue):27-33.
    PMID: 25941460 MyJurnal
    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have a crucial role in gene expression regulation and protein synthesis, especially in the central nervous system. In developing mouse embryos a novel miRNA, miR-3099, is highly expressed, particularly in the central nervous system. This study aims to determine the expression of miR-3099 during cellular differentiation of 46C mouse embryonic stem cells after neural induction with N2/B27 medium.
  4. In vitro cytotoxicity assessment of ruxolitinib on oligodendrocyte precursor cell and neural stem/progenitor cell populations
    Lim CW, Hamanaka G, Liang AC, Chan SJ, Ling KH, Lo EH, et al.
    Neurotoxicology, 2024 Dec;105:10-20.
    PMID: 39209271 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.08.004
    JAK-STAT signaling cascade has emerged as an ideal target for the treatment of myeloproliferative diseases, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. Ruxolitinib (Rux), is an orally bioavailable, potent and selective Janus-associated kinase (JAK) inhibitor, proven to be effective to target activated JAK-STAT pathway in the diseases previously described. Unfortunately, limited studies have investigated the potential cytotoxic profile of Rux on other cell populations within the heterogenous CNS microenvironment. Two stem and progenitor cell populations, namely the oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), are important for long-term maintenance and post-injury recovery response of the CNS. In light of the limited evidence, this study sought to investigate further the effect of Rux on proliferating and differentiating OPCs and NSPCs populations. In the present study, cultured rat OPCs and NSPCs were treated with various concentrations of Rux, ranging from 2 μM to 20 μM. The effect of Rux on proliferating OPCs (PDGF-R-α+) and proliferating NSPCs (nestin+) was assessed via a 3-day Rux treatment, whereas its effect on differentiating OPCs (MBP+/PDGF-R-α+) and differentiating NSPCs (neurofilament+) was assessed after a 7-day treatment. Cytotoxicity of Rux was also assessed on OPC populations by examining its influence on cell death and DNA synthesis via YO-PRO-1/PI dual-staining and BrdU assay, respectively. The results suggest that Rux at a dosage above 10 μM reduces the number proliferating OPCs, likely via the induction of apoptosis. On the other hand, Rux treatment from 2.5 μM to 20 μM significantly reduces the number of differentiating OPCs by inducing necrosis. Meanwhile, Rux treatment has no observable untoward impact on NSPC cultures within the dosage range tested. Taken together, OPCs appears to be more vulnerable to the dosage effect of Rux, whereas NSPCs are not significantly impacted by Rux, suggesting a differential mechanism of actions of Rux on the cell types.
  5. Fulltext Height-dependent variation in corticospinal excitability modulation after active but not sham intermittent theta burst stimulation
    Tomeh A, Yusof Khan AHK, Abu Zaid Z, Ling KH, Inche Mat LN, Basri H, et al.
    IBRO Neurosci Rep, 2025 Jun;18:498-511.
    PMID: 40177703 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2025.03.005
    Poor reproducibility and high inter-individual variability in responses to intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) of the human motor cortex (M1) are matters of concern. Here we recruited 17 healthy young adults in a randomized, sham-controlled, crossover study. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-elicited motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were measured pre-iTBS (T0) and post-iTBS at 4-7 (T1), 9-12 (T2), 17-20 (T3), and 27-30 minutes (T4) from the right first dorsal interosseous muscle. MEP grand average (MEPGA) was defined as the mean of the normalized-to-baseline MEPs at all timepoints post-iTBS. As secondary objectives, we measured blood pressure, heart rate, and capillary blood glucose pre-iTBS, and at 0 and 30 minutes post-iTBS. The TMSens_Q structured questionnaire was filled out at the end of each session. Two-way repeated ANOVA did not show a significant TIME×INTERVENTION interaction effect on MEP amplitude, MEP latency, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose (p > 0.05). Sleepiness was the most reported TMSens_Q sensation (82.3 %) in both groups. Surprisingly, the subjects' height negatively correlated with the normalized MEP amplitudes at T3 (r = -0.65, p = 0.005), T4 (r = -0.66, p = 0.004), and MEPGA (r = -0.68, p = 0.003), with a trend correlation at T1 (r = -0.46, p = 0.062) and T2 (r = -0.46, p = 0.065) in the active but not sham group. In view of this, we urge future studies to delve deeper into the influence of height on neuroplasticity induction of the M1 representation of peripheral muscles. In the end, we highlight unique methodological considerations in our study protocol and future recommendations for M1-iTBS studies.
  6. Fulltext Defects in nerve conduction velocity and different muscle fibre-type specificity contribute to muscle weakness in Ts1Cje Down syndrome mouse model
    Bala U, Leong MP, Lim CL, Shahar HK, Othman F, Lai MI, et al.
    PLoS One, 2018;13(5):e0197711.
    PMID: 29795634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197711
    BACKGROUND: Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder caused by presence of extra copy of human chromosome 21. It is characterised by several clinical phenotypes. Motor dysfunction due to hypotonia is commonly seen in individuals with DS and its etiology is yet unknown. Ts1Cje, which has a partial trisomy (Mmu16) homologous to Hsa21, is well reported to exhibit various typical neuropathological features seen in individuals with DS. This study investigated the role of skeletal muscles and peripheral nerve defects in contributing to muscle weakness in Ts1Cje mice.

    RESULTS: Assessment of the motor performance showed that, the forelimb grip strength was significantly (P<0.0001) greater in the WT mice compared to Ts1Cje mice regardless of gender. The average survival time of the WT mice during the hanging wire test was significantly (P<0.0001) greater compared to the Ts1Cje mice. Also, the WT mice performed significantly (P<0.05) better than the Ts1Cje mice in the latency to maintain a coordinated motor movement against the rotating rod. Adult Ts1Cje mice exhibited significantly (P<0.001) lower nerve conduction velocity compared with their aged matched WT mice. Further analysis showed a significantly (P<0.001) higher population of type I fibres in WT compared to Ts1Cje mice. Also, there was significantly (P<0.01) higher population of COX deficient fibres in Ts1Cje mice. Expression of Myf5 was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in triceps of Ts1Cje mice while MyoD expression was significantly (P<0.05) increased in quadriceps of Ts1Cje mice.

    CONCLUSION: Ts1Cje mice exhibited weaker muscle strength. The lower population of the type I fibres and higher population of COX deficient fibres in Ts1Cje mice may contribute to the muscle weakness seen in this mouse model for DS.

  7. Gene and protein expression profiles of JAK-STAT signalling pathway in the developing brain of the Ts1Cje down syndrome mouse model
    Lee HC, Md Yusof HH, Leong MP, Zainal Abidin S, Seth EA, Hewitt CA, et al.
    Int J Neurosci, 2019 Sep;129(9):871-881.
    PMID: 30775947 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2019.1580280
    Aims: The JAK-STAT signalling pathway is one of the key regulators of pro-gliogenesis process during brain development. Down syndrome (DS) individuals, as well as DS mouse models, exhibit an increased number of astrocytes, suggesting an imbalance of neurogenic-to-gliogenic shift attributed to dysregulated JAK-STAT signalling pathway. The gene and protein expression profiles of JAK-STAT pathway members have not been characterised in the DS models. Therefore, we aimed to profile the expression of Jak1, Jak2, Stat1, Stat3 and Stat6 at different stages of brain development in the Ts1Cje mouse model of DS. Methods: Whole brain samples from Ts1Cje and wild-type mice at embryonic day (E)10.5, E15, postnatal day (P)1.5; and embryonic cortex-derived neurospheres were collected for gene and protein expression analysis. Gene expression profiles of three brain regions (cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus) from Ts1Cje and wild-type mice across four time-points (P1.5, P15, P30 and P84) were also analysed. Results: In the developing mouse brain, none of the Jak/Stat genes were differentially expressed in the Ts1Cje model compared to wild-type mice. However, Western blot analyses indicated that phosphorylated (p)-Jak2, p-Stat3 and p-Stat6 were downregulated in the Ts1Cje model. During the postnatal brain development, Jak/Stat genes showed complex expression patterns, as most of the members were downregulated at different selected time-points. Notably, embryonic cortex-derived neurospheres from Ts1Cje mouse brain expressed lower Stat3 and Stat6 protein compared to the wild-type group. Conclusion: The comprehensive expression profiling of Jak/Stat candidates provides insights on the potential role of the JAK-STAT signalling pathway during abnormal development of the Ts1Cje mouse brains.
  8. Fulltext Expression Profiling of Notch Signalling Pathway and Gamma-Secretase Activity in the Brain of Ts1Cje Mouse Model of Down Syndrome
    Yusof HH, Lee HC, Seth EA, Wu X, Hewitt CA, Scott HS, et al.
    J Mol Neurosci, 2019 Apr;67(4):632-642.
    PMID: 30758748 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01275-2
    Notch signalling pathway is involved in the proliferation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs), to inhibit neuronal cell commitment and to promote glial cell fate. Notch protein is cleaved by gamma-secretase, a multisubunit transmembrane protein complex that releases the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and subsequently activates the downstream targets. Down syndrome (DS) individuals exhibit an increased number of glial cells (particularly astrocytes), and reduced number of neurons suggesting the involvement of Notch signalling pathway in the neurogenic-to-gliogenic shift in DS brain. Ts1Cje is a DS mouse model that exhibit similar neuropathology to human DS individuals. To date, the spatiotemporal gene expression of the Notch and gamma-secretase genes have not been characterised in Ts1Cje mouse brain. Understanding the expression pattern of Notch and gamma-secretase genes may provide a better understanding of the underlying mechanism that leads to the shift. Gene expression analysis using RT-qPCR was performed on early embryonic and postnatal development of DS brain. In the developing mouse brain, mRNA expression analysis showed that gamma-secretase members (Psen1, Pen-2, Aph-1b, and Ncstn) were not differentially expressed. Notch2 was found to be downregulated in the developing Ts1Cje brain samples. Postnatal gene expression study showed complex expression patterns and Notch1 and Notch2 genes were found to be significantly downregulated in the hippocampus at postnatal day 30. Results from RT-qPCR analysis from E15.5 neurosphere culture showed an increase of expression of Psen1, and Aph-1b but downregulation of Pen-2 and Ncstn genes. Gamma-secretase activity in Ts1Cje E15.5 neurospheres was significantly increased by fivefold. In summary, the association and the role of Notch and gamma-secretase gene expression throughout development with neurogenic-to-gliogenic shift in Ts1Cje remain undefined and warrant further validation.
  9. Identification of the genomic mutation in Epha4(rb-2J/rb-2J) mice
    Mohd-Zin SW, Abdullah NL, Abdullah A, Greene ND, Cheah PS, Ling KH, et al.
    Genome, 2016 Jul;59(7):439-48.
    PMID: 27373307 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2015-0142
    The EphA4 receptor tyrosine kinase is involved in numerous cell-signalling activities during embryonic development. EphA4 has the ability to bind to both types of ephrin ligands, the ephrinAs and ephrinBs. The C57BL/6J-Epha4rb-2J/GrsrJ strain, denoted Epha4(rb-2J/rb-2J), is a spontaneous mouse mutant that arose at The Jackson Laboratory. These mutants exhibited a synchronous hind limb locomotion defect or "hopping gait" phenotype, which is also characteristic of EphA4 null mice. Genetic complementation experiments suggested that Epha4(rb-2J) corresponds to an allele of EphA4, but details of the genomic defect in this mouse mutant are currently unavailable. We found a single base-pair deletion in exon 9 resulting in a frame shift mutation that subsequently resulted in a premature stop codon. Analysis of the predicted structure of the truncated protein suggests that both the kinase and sterile α motif (SAM) domains are absent. Definitive determination of genotype is needed for experimental studies of mice carrying the Epha4(rb-2J) allele, and we have also developed a method to ease detection of the mutation through RFLP. Eph-ephrin family members are reportedly expressed as numerous isoforms. Hence, delineation of the specific mutation in EphA4 in this strain is important for further functional studies, such as protein-protein interactions, immunostaining and gene compensatory studies, investigating the mechanism underlying the effects of altered function of Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases on phenotype.
  10. Fulltext Human iPS-derived pre-epicardial cells direct cardiomyocyte aggregation expansion and organization in vitro
    Tan JJ, Guyette JP, Miki K, Xiao L, Kaur G, Wu T, et al.
    Nat Commun, 2021 08 17;12(1):4997.
    PMID: 34404774 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24921-z
    Epicardial formation is necessary for normal myocardial morphogenesis. Here, we show that differentiating hiPSC-derived lateral plate mesoderm with BMP4, RA and VEGF (BVR) can generate a premature form of epicardial cells (termed pre-epicardial cells, PECs) expressing WT1, TBX18, SEMA3D, and SCX within 7 days. BVR stimulation after Wnt inhibition of LPM demonstrates co-differentiation and spatial organization of PECs and cardiomyocytes (CMs) in a single 2D culture. Co-culture consolidates CMs into dense aggregates, which then form a connected beating syncytium with enhanced contractility and calcium handling; while PECs become more mature with significant upregulation of UPK1B, ITGA4, and ALDH1A2 expressions. Our study also demonstrates that PECs secrete IGF2 and stimulate CM proliferation in co-culture. Three-dimensional PEC-CM spheroid co-cultures form outer smooth muscle cell layers on cardiac micro-tissues with organized internal luminal structures. These characteristics suggest PECs could play a key role in enhancing tissue organization within engineered cardiac constructs in vitro.
  11. Fulltext Functional transcriptome analysis of the postnatal brain of the Ts1Cje mouse model for Down syndrome reveals global disruption of interferon-related molecular networks
    Ling KH, Hewitt CA, Tan KL, Cheah PS, Vidyadaran S, Lai MI, et al.
    BMC Genomics, 2014;15:624.
    PMID: 25052193 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-624
    The Ts1Cje mouse model of Down syndrome (DS) has partial triplication of mouse chromosome 16 (MMU16), which is partially homologous to human chromosome 21. These mice develop various neuropathological features identified in DS individuals. We analysed the effect of partial triplication of the MMU16 segment on global gene expression in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus of Ts1Cje mice at 4 time-points: postnatal day (P)1, P15, P30 and P84.
  12. Quantitative PCR analysis of genes expressed during biofilm development of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
    Atshan SS, Shamsudin MN, Karunanidhi A, van Belkum A, Lung LT, Sekawi Z, et al.
    Infect Genet Evol, 2013 Aug;18:106-12.
    PMID: 23669446 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.05.002
    Staphylococcus aureus biofilm associated infections remains a major clinical concern in patients with indwelling devices. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) can be used to investigate the pathogenic role of such biofilms. We describe qPCRs for 12 adhesion and biofilm-related genes of four S. aureus isolates which were applied during in vitro biofilm development. An endogenous control (16S rRNA) was used for signal normalization. We compared the qPCR results with structural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM studies showed different cellular products surrounding the aggregated cells at different times of biofilm formation. Using qPCR, we found that expression levels of the gene encoding fibronectin binding protein A and B and clumping factor B (fnbA/B and clfB), which involves in primary adherence of S. aureus, were significantly increased at 24h and decreased slightly and variably at 48 h when all 4 isolates were considered. The elastin binding protein (ebps) RNA expression level was significantly enhanced more than 6-fold at 24 and 48 h compared to 12h. Similar results were obtained for the intercellular adhesion biofilm required genes type C (icaC). In addition, qPCR revealed a fluctuation in expression levels at different time points of biofilm growth of other genes, indicating that different parameter modes of growth processes are operating at different times.
  13. Fulltext Transcriptional profiling of the postnatal brain of the Ts1Cje mouse model of Down syndrome
    Tan KL, Ling KH, Hewitt CA, Cheah PS, Simpson K, Gordon L, et al.
    Genom Data, 2014 Dec;2:314-7.
    PMID: 26484118 DOI: 10.1016/j.gdata.2014.09.009
    The Ts1Cje mouse model of Down syndrome (DS) has partial trisomy of mouse chromosome 16 (MMU16), which is syntenic to human chromosome 21 (HSA21). It develops various neuropathological features demonstrated by DS patients such as reduced cerebellar volume [1] and altered hippocampus-dependent learning and memory [2,3]. To understand the global gene expression effect of the partially triplicated MMU16 segment on mouse brain development, we performed the spatiotemporal transcriptome analysis of Ts1Cje and disomic control cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus harvested at four developmental time-points: postnatal day (P)1, P15, P30 and P84. Here, we provide a detailed description of the experimental and analysis procedures of the microarray dataset, which has been deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE49050) database.
  14. Fulltext On the rising potential of interdisciplinary rehabilitation in neurological disorders: A mini-review
    Tomeh A, Yusof Khan AHK, Abu Zaid Z, Ling KH, Inche Mat LN, Basri H, et al.
    Medicine (Baltimore), 2025 Mar 21;104(12):e41947.
    PMID: 40128024 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000041947
    Collaboration among health and non-health professionals is growing exponentially as we approach the personalized medicine era, where the intervention plan is tailored according to the patient's needs. This collaboration aims to develop highly efficient, patient-centered, holistic approaches, rather than singular interventions. Interdisciplinary rehabilitation is a rising theme to coordinate the efforts of various professionals, with the ultimate goal of increasing rehabilitants' satisfaction and improving their overall quality of life. A typical rehabilitation team may comprise a rehabilitation physician, rehabilitation nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech and language therapist, clinical psychologist, social worker, prosthetist, orthotist, rehabilitation engineer, and dietician. The need for inclusion of additional professions in the rehabilitation team is dynamic and varies depending on the population and health condition. Recently, various countries have begun incorporating interdisciplinary rehabilitation models into their healthcare frameworks. For example, the U.S. Veterans Affairs Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers have set a precedent for integrating interdisciplinary approaches into neurological rehabilitation, while European nations such as Germany and Sweden have successfully implemented stroke and pain rehabilitation programs. Although interdisciplinary rehabilitation has demonstrated effectiveness in improving patient outcomes, further research is required to explore its long-term benefits, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability in resource-limited settings. In this mini-review, we summarize the current evidence on employing interdisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with neurological disorders and highlight the implications for future research and clinical practice.
  15. Fulltext REST and Neural Gene Network Dysregulation in iPSC Models of Alzheimer's Disease
    Meyer K, Feldman HM, Lu T, Drake D, Lim ET, Ling KH, et al.
    Cell Rep, 2019 01 29;26(5):1112-1127.e9.
    PMID: 30699343 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.01.023
    The molecular basis of the earliest neuronal changes that lead to Alzheimer's disease (AD) is unclear. Here, we analyze neural cells derived from sporadic AD (SAD), APOE4 gene-edited and control induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We observe major differences in iPSC-derived neural progenitor (NP) cells and neurons in gene networks related to neuronal differentiation, neurogenesis, and synaptic transmission. The iPSC-derived neural cells from SAD patients exhibit accelerated neural differentiation and reduced progenitor cell renewal. Moreover, a similar phenotype appears in NP cells and cerebral organoids derived from APOE4 iPSCs. Impaired function of the transcriptional repressor REST is strongly implicated in the altered transcriptome and differentiation state. SAD and APOE4 expression result in reduced REST nuclear translocation and chromatin binding, and disruption of the nuclear lamina. Thus, dysregulation of neural gene networks may set in motion the pathologic cascade that leads to AD.
  16. Fulltext Screening of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) single nucleotide polymorphisms and plasma BDNF levels among Malaysian major depressive disorder patients
    Aldoghachi AF, Tor YS, Redzun SZ, Lokman KAB, Razaq NAA, Shahbudin AF, et al.
    PLoS One, 2019;14(1):e0211241.
    PMID: 30677092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211241
    BACKGROUND: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin found in abundance in brain regions such as the hippocampus, cortex, cerebellum and basal forebrain. It has been associated with the risk of susceptibility to major depressive disorder (MDD). This study aimed to determine the association of three BDNF variants (rs6265, rs1048218 and rs1048220) with Malaysian MDD patients.

    METHODS: The correlation of these variants to the plasma BDNF level among Malaysian MDD patients was assessed. A total of 300 cases and 300 matched controls recruited from four public hospitals within the Klang Valley of Selangor State, Malaysia and matched for age, sex and ethnicity were screened for BDNF rs6265, rs1048218 and rs1048220 using high resolution melting (HRM).

    FINDINGS: BDNF rs1048218 and BDNF rs1048220 were monomorphic and were excluded from further analysis. The distribution of the alleles and genotypes for BDNF rs6265 was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the controls (p = 0.13) but was in Hardy Weinberg disequilibrium for the cases (p = 0.011). Findings from this study indicated that having BDNF rs6265 in the Malaysian population increase the odds of developing MDD by 2.05 folds (95% CI = 1.48-3.65). Plasma from 206 cases and 206 controls were randomly selected to measure the BDNF level using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A significant decrease in the plasma BDNF level of the cases as compared to controls (p<0.0001) was observed. However, there was no evidence of the effect of the rs6265 genotypes on the BDNF level indicating a possible role of other factors in modulating the BDNF level that warrants further investigation.

    CONCLUSION: The study indicated that having the BDNF rs6265 allele (A) increase the risk of developing MDD in the Malaysian population suggesting a possible role of BDNF in the etiology of the disorder.

  17. Fulltext Predictors of recurrence of major depressive disorder
    Lye MS, Tey YY, Tor YS, Shahabudin AF, Ibrahim N, Ling KH, et al.
    PLoS One, 2020;15(3):e0230363.
    PMID: 32191745 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230363
    A total of 201 patients with major depressive disorder from four hospitals in Malaysia were followed up for 5 years to determine the prognostic factors of recurrent major depressive disorder that could potentially contribute to improving the management of MDD patients. For each individual patient, at the time of recruitment as part of a case-control study, information was collected on recent threatening life events, personality and social and occupational functioning, while blood samples were collected to genotype single nucleotide polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR), zinc transporter-3 (ZnT3), dopamine transporter-1 (DAT1), brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), serotonin receptor 1A (HT1A) and 2A (HT2A) genes. Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression were used to estimate hazard functions for recurrence of major depressive disorder. Individuals with severe MDD in previous major depressive episodes had five and a half times higher hazard of developing recurrence compared to mild and moderate MDD (HR = 5.565, 95% CI = 1.631-18.994, p = 0.006). Individuals who scored higher on social avoidance had three and a half times higher hazard of recurrence of MDD (HR = 3.525, 95% CI = 1.349-9.209; p = 0.010). There was significant interaction between ApaI +64978C>A single nucleotide polymorphism and severity. The hazard ratio increased by 6.4 times from mild and moderate to severe MDD for A/A genotype while that for C/A genotype increased by 11.3 times. Social avoidance and severity of depression at first episode were prognostic of recurrence. Screening for personality factors at first encounter with MDD patients needs to be considered as part of the clinical practice. For those at risk of recurrence in relation to social avoidance, the psychological intervention prescribed should be customized to focus on this modifiable factor. Prompt and appropriate management of severe MDD is recommended to reduce risk of recurrence.
  18. Fulltext Gene therapy for tuberous sclerosis complex type 2 in a mouse model by delivery of AAV9 encoding a condensed form of tuberin
    Cheah PS, Prabhakar S, Yellen D, Beauchamp RL, Zhang X, Kasamatsu S, et al.
    Sci Adv, 2021 Jan;7(2).
    PMID: 33523984 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abb1703
    Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) results from loss of a tumor suppressor gene - TSC1 or TSC2, encoding hamartin and tuberin, respectively. These proteins formed a complex to inhibit mTORC1-mediated cell growth and proliferation. Loss of either protein leads to overgrowth lesions in many vital organs. Gene therapy was evaluated in a mouse model of TSC2 using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector carrying the complementary for a "condensed" form of human tuberin (cTuberin). Functionality of cTuberin was verified in culture. A mouse model of TSC2 was generated by AAV-Cre recombinase disruption of Tsc2-floxed alleles at birth, leading to a shortened lifespan (mean 58 days) and brain pathology consistent with TSC. When these mice were injected intravenously on day 21 with AAV9-cTuberin, the mean survival was extended to 462 days with reduction in brain pathology. This demonstrates the potential of treating life-threatening TSC2 lesions with a single intravenous injection of AAV9-cTuberin.
  19. Fulltext Transient prenatal ruxolitinib treatment suppresses astrogenesis during development and improves learning and memory in adult mice
    Lee HC, Hamzah H, Leong MP, Md Yusof H, Habib O, Zainal Abidin S, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2021 Feb 15;11(1):3847.
    PMID: 33589712 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83222-z
    Ruxolitinib is the first janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and JAK2 inhibitor that was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agency for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms. The drug targets the JAK/STAT signalling pathway, which is critical in regulating the gliogenesis process during nervous system development. In the study, we assessed the effect of non-maternal toxic dosages of ruxolitinib (0-30 mg/kg/day between E7.5-E20.5) on the brain of the developing mouse embryos. While the pregnant mice did not show any apparent adverse effects, the Gfap protein marker for glial cells and S100β mRNA marker for astrocytes were reduced in the postnatal day (P) 1.5 pups' brains. Gfap expression and Gfap+ cells were also suppressed in the differentiating neurospheres culture treated with ruxolitinib. Compared to the control group, adult mice treated with ruxolitinib prenatally showed no changes in motor coordination, locomotor function, and recognition memory. However, increased explorative behaviour within an open field and improved spatial learning and long-term memory retention were observed in the treated group. We demonstrated transplacental effects of ruxolitinib on astrogenesis, suggesting the potential use of ruxolitinib to revert pathological conditions caused by gliogenic-shift in early brain development such as Down and Noonan syndromes.
  20. Fulltext DRD and GRIN2B polymorphisms and their association with the development of impulse control behaviour among Malaysian Parkinson's disease patients
    Zainal Abidin S, Tan EL, Chan SC, Jaafar A, Lee AX, Abd Hamid MH, et al.
    BMC Neurol, 2015;15:59.
    PMID: 25896831 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-015-0316-2
    Impulse control disorder (ICD) and behaviours (ICB) represent a group of behavioural disorders that have become increasingly recognised in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients who previously used dopaminergic medications, particularly dopamine agonists and levodopa. It has been suggested that these medications can lead to the development of ICB through the abnormal modulation of dopaminergic transmission and signalling in the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system. Several studies have reported an association between polymorphisms in the dopamine receptor (DRD) and N-methyl-D-aspartate 2B (GRIN2B) genes with the development of ICB in PD (PD-ICB) patients. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association of selected polymorphisms within the DRD and GRIN2B genes with the development of ICB among PD patients using high resolution melt (HRM) analysis.
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