JIAO HU, JIALU MO, XIANGLIN CHENG^*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.8, pp. 1689-1701, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.029409

Abstract Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases worldwide with a high prevalence and unknown pathogenesis. Further, its control is challenging. It is generally accepted that an imbalance between the excitatory and inhibitory properties of the central nervous system (CNS) leads to a large number of abnormally synchronized neuronal discharges in the brain. Transient receptor potential vanilloid protein type 1 (TRPV1) is a non-selective cation channel that contributes to the regulation of the nervous system and influences the excitability of the nervous system. This includes the release of neurotransmitters, action potential generation due to alterations in ion channels, synaptic… More >

RUXIN ZHANG¹, CHENGGANG LI², RUOCHEN DU¹, YITONG YUAN¹, BICHUN ZHAO¹, YUJUAN ZHANG¹, CHUNFANG WANG^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.3, pp. 583-592, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.017248

Abstract Extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Studies have shown that aggregates of extracellular Aβ can induce neuroinflammation mediated neurotoxic signaling through microglial activation and release of pro-inflammatory factors. Thus, modulation of Aβ might be a potential therapeutic strategy for modifying disease progression. Recently, a large number of reports have confirmed the beneficial effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on AD. It is believed to reduce neuroinflammation, reduce Aβ amyloid deposits and NFTs, increase acetylcholine levels, promote neurogenesis, reduce neuronal damage, and improve working memory and cognition. In this review, we… More >

Estela M. MUÑOZ

BIOCELL, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 41-46, 2018, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2018.07011

Abstract Until recently, microglia were mainly known as the resident phagocytes of the brain, i.e. the ‘immunological warriors’ of the brain. However, extensive knowledge is being accumulated about the functions of microglia beyond immunity. Nowadays, it is well accepted that microglial cells are highly dynamic and responsive, and that they intervene in a dual manner in many developmental processes that shape the central nervous system, including neurogenesis, gliogenesis, spatial patterning, synaptic formation and elimination, and neural circuit establishment and maturation. The differentiation and the pool of precursor cells were also shown to be under microglia regulation via bidirectional communication. In this… More >