The alphaGal epitope (Galalpha1-3Gal) is a sugar structure expressed on the cell surface of almost all organisms except humans and old-world-monkeys, which express natural anti-alphaGal antibodies. The presence of these antibodies elicits a hyper acute rejection (HAR) upon xenotransplantation of cellular materials, such as from pigs to human beings. Endo-beta-galactosidase C (EndoGalC), an enzy...

We developed a transgenic mouse line that expresses the Gi-coupled RASSL (receptor activated solely by synthetic ligand) Ro1 in astrocytes to study astrocyte–neuronal communication. Surprisingly, we found that all transgenics expressing Ro1 developed hydrocephalus. We analyzed these mice in an effort to develop a new model of hydrocephalus that will further our understanding of the pathophysiol...

Mutations in the DNA/RNA binding proteins TDP-43 and FUS are associated with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration. Intracellular accumulations of wild type TDP-43 and FUS are observed in a growing number of late-onset diseases suggesting that TDP-43 and FUS proteinopathies may contribute to multiple neurodegenerative diseases. To better understand the mechanisms o...

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) was considered a potential candidate for the treatment of heart failure. However, some animal studies and clinical trials have questioned whether elevating IGF1 chronically is beneficial. Secondary effects of increased serum IGF1 levels on other tissues may explain these unfavorable results. The aim of the current study was to examine the role of IGF1 in card...

Understanding cortical information processing in Huntington's disease (HD), a genetic neurological disorder characterized by prominent motor and cognitive abnormalities, is key to understanding the mechanisms underlying the HD behavioral phenotype. We recorded extracellular spike activity in two symptomatic, freely behaving mouse models: R6/2 transgenics, which are based on a CBA x C57BL/6 back...

Levels of glutathione are lower in the substantia nigra (SN) early in Parkinson's disease (PD) and this may contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress may increase the accumulation of toxic forms of alpha-synuclein (SNCA). We hypothesized that supplementation with n-acetylcysteine (NAC), a source of cysteine--the limiting amino acid in glutathione synthesis, ...

The role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of skin cancer was analyzed in mice bearing a Bcl-xL transgene expressed under the control of the keratin 14 promoter. No spontaneous tumors developed in the skin of these transgenic mice. Bcl-xL transgenics also failed to develop skin lesions following treatment with the chemical mutagen 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene, or the tumor promoter O-tetrade...

Current efforts are focused on the search for efficient methods of pathogen management that will not result in damage to environment or cause an imbalance existing biota. One strategies this is use nanoparticles agriculture disease management. This review presents a summative view various applications conferring resistance crops and possibility using as carriers genetic material generation resi...