Project description:Apolipoprotein E (apoE) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the brain, apoE is predominantly expressed and secreted by astrocytes, but is dramatically up-regulated in microglia under AD-associated conditions. Although the function of astrocytic apoE has been widely investigated, whether and how apoE particles derived from different types of glia differ in biological features and function remains elusive. Here, we show that apoE particles derived from astrocytes and microglia exhibit dissimilar sizes. Microglial apoE particles impaired neurite growth and synapses and promoted neuronal senescence, whereas GPNMB-deficient microglial apoE particles abolished these detrimental effects. These findings provide direct evidence supporting that microglia-derived apoE particles contribute to neuronal senescence and toxicity.
Project description:Copper (Cu) plays an essential role in cellular metabolism and limits phytoplankton growth and production in parts of the open sea. Whole transcriptome analysis provides a powerful tool to explore gene expression profiles and cellular metabolic pathways regulated by Cu. In this study, we identified Cu-regulated genes by profiling the transcriptomes of an oceanic diatom, Thalassiosira oceanica 1005, adapted to survive in a Cu-limited and Cu-replete environment. The results provide insights to the mechanisms of adaptation and acclimation of T. oceanica to low Cu environments.
