Publications

Background: Pericytes, a type of mural cells, exert important functions in the CNS. One major challenge in pericyte research is the lack of pericyte-specific and subpopulation-specific markers.

Methods: To address this knowledge gap, we first generated a novel transgenic mouse line in which vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are permanently labeled with tdTomato. Next, we isolated PDGFRβ⁺tdTomato^- pericytes and PDGFRβ⁺tdTomato⁺ vSMCs from the brains of these mice and subsequently performed RNAseq analysis to identify pericyte-enriched genes.

Results: Using this approach, we successfully identified 40 pericyte-enriched genes and 158 vSMC-enriched genes, which are involved in different biological processes and molecular functions. Using ISH/IHC analysis, we found that Pla1a and Cox4i2 were predominantly enriched in subpopulations of brain pericytes, although they also marked some non-vascular parenchymal cells.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that Pla1a and Cox4i2 preferably label subpopulations of pericytes in the brain compared to vSMCs, and thus, they may be useful in distinguishing these populations.

[This retracts the article on p. 1354 in vol. 14, PMID: 39319232.].

The authors of the article titled "Advances in Genetic Reprogramming: Prospects from Developmental Biology to Regenerative Medicine" (Dhanjal DS, Singh R, Sharma V, Nepovimova E, Adam V, Kuca K, Chopra C. Curr Med Chem. 2024; 31(13): 1646-1690. DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230503144619. PMID: 37138422) [1] have made revisions to the references in the text and the reference section. These updates have been made to ensure the integrity of the article. The updated reference list can be found in the latest version of the article. The authors apologize for any confusion or inconvenience caused. The original article can be found online at: https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/131443.

[This corrects the article on p. 1727 in vol. 30, PMID: 38617742.].

[This retracts the article on p. 509 in vol. 18, PMID: 39600461.].

[This corrects the article on p. 772 in vol. 15, PMID: 38404298.].

[This corrects the article on p. 2006 in vol. 16, PMID: 38764815.].

[This corrects the article on p. 1044 in vol. 85, PMID: 39660312.].

Although oligodendrocytes (OLs) synthesize laminin-γ1, the most widely used γ subunit, its functional significance in the CNS remains unknown. To answer this important question, we generated a conditional knockout mouse line with laminin-γ1 deficiency in OL lineage cells (γ1-OKO). γ1-OKO mice exhibit weakness/paralysis and die by post-natal day 33. Additionally, they develop blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in the cortex and striatum. Subsequent studies reveal decreased major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2a expression and increased endothelial caveolae vesicles, but unaltered tight junction protein expression and tight junction ultrastructure, indicating a transcellular, rather than a paracellular, mechanism of BBB breakdown. Furthermore, significantly reduced OL lineage cells, OL precursor cells (OPCs), proliferating OPCs, and mature OLs are observed in γ1-OKO brains in a region-specific manner. Consistent with this finding, various defects in myelination are detected in γ1-OKO brains at biochemical and ultrastructural levels. Overall, these results highlight important roles of OL-derived laminin-γ1 in BBB maintenance and OL biology (proliferation, differentiation, and myelination).