Astrocytes in culture produce anandamide and other acylethanolamides.
Authors Walter Lisa; Franklin Allyn; Witting Anke; Moller Thomas; Stella Nephi;
JournalJ Biol Chem
PubMed ID11916961
'Anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide) is an endocannabinoid that belongs to the acylethanolamide lipid family. It is produced by neurons in a calcium-dependent manner and acts through cannabinoid CB1 receptors. Other members of the acylethanolamide lipid family are also produced by neurons and act through G-protein-coupled receptors: homo-gamma-linolenylethanolamide (HEA) and docosatetraenylethanolamide (DEA) act ... More
PRiMA: the membrane anchor of acetylcholinesterase in the brain.
'As a tetramer, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is anchored to the basal lamina of the neuromuscular junction and to the membrane of neuronal synapses. We have previously shown that collagen Q (ColQ) anchors AChE at the neuromuscular junction. We have now cloned the gene PRiMA (proline-rich membrane anchor) encoding the AChE anchor ... More
Isolation of muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells based on adhesion characteristics to collagen-coated surfaces.
AuthorsLavasani M, Lu A, Thompson SD, Robbins PD, Huard J, Niedernhofer LJ
JournalMethods Mol Biol
PubMed ID23400434
Our lab developed and optimized a method, known as the modified pre-plate technique, to isolate stem/progenitor cells from skeletal muscle. This method separates different populations of myogenic cells based on their propensity to adhere to a collagen I-coated surface. Based on their surface markers and stem-like properties, including self-renewal, multi-lineage ... More
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation as a method to maximize the beneficial effects of muscle stem cells transplanted into dystrophic skeletal muscle.
AuthorsDistefano G, Ferrari RJ, Weiss C, Deasy BM, Boninger ML, Fitzgerald GK, Huard J, Ambrosio F
JournalPLoS One
PubMed ID23526927
Cellular therapy is a potential approach to improve the regenerative capacity of damaged or diseased skeletal muscle. However, its clinical use has often been limited by impaired donor cell survival, proliferation and differentiation following transplantation. Additionally, functional improvements after transplantation are all-too-often negligible. Because the host microenvironment plays an important ... More