Pandala N, De Melo Haefeli L, Lang M, Stone EM, Mullins RF, Tucker BA, Han IC (2025) Development of a targeted choroidal injury model for the study of retinal degenerations and therapeutic cell replacement. bioRxiv 2025.07.29.667466. doi: 10.1101/2025.07.29.667466
Summary: The choroid is a vascular structure that provides nutrients to the photoreceptors by diffusion as well as removal of waste from the outer retina, essentially enabling proper retinal function. Loss of the choroid is a crucial pathophysiologic step in a wide range of retinal diseases. However a current limitation in developing choroidal cell replacement is the lack of a reliable injury model to allow study of transplantation strategies. Existing models rely on either ablative injury to the choroid with laser photocoagulation, but can damage unintended structures, or systemic sodium iodate administration, which causes diffuse, progressive choroidal injury. Authors were able to show suprachoroidal injection of anti-CD38 and anti-CD105 saporin conjugates resulted in targeted, localized, and non-progressive choroidal injury in rats. Immunotoxin-based models of targeted choroidal injury may be useful for understanding pathways of retinal degeneration and facilitating development of therapies for diseases involving choroidal cell loss.
Szysiak N, Kosior-Korzecka U, longo V, Patkowski K, Greguła-Kania M, Nowakiewicz A, Bochniarz M,Junkuszew A (2025) Influence of neurokinin b, dynorphin a and kisspeptin-10 on in vitro gonadotropin secretion by anterior pituitary cells isolated from pubescent ewes. J Vet Res doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2025-0003
Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the direct effect of the hypothalamic neuropeptides kisspeptin-10, neurokinin B, and dynorphin A on gonadotropin secretion by pituitary cells isolated from pubescent ewes.
Summary: Puberty is a multifactorial and complex process in animal development and in the case of livestock, timely attainment of sexual maturity contributes to increased reproductive efficiency, which leads to higher profitability. Studies revealed that kisspeptin, neurokinin B and dynorphin neuropeptides, collectively referred to as KNDy neuropeptides, are recognized as the key neuropeptides produced and secreted by the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC), and involved in the endocrine regulation of the onset of puberty. They all play roles in the endocrine regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis in puberty. Kisspeptin-10, NKB and Dyn A had a direct impact on gonadotropin secretion by ovine pituitary cells. However, a detailed explanation of their role in gonadotropin secretion by the anterior pituitary gland in sheep and their impact on the regulation of the HPO axis during sexual maturation or in the pathomechanism of delayed puberty requires further studies.
Usage: Prepubertal ewes received 1 μL (0.7 μg) of NKB-SAP (NK3-SAP) [IT-63] or Blank-SAP (IT-21) injections aimed at the arcuate (ARC) nucleus to ablate neurons expressing NK3R.
Ren X, Wang Y, Zhang Y (2025) Targeted depletion of dysfunctional hematopoietic stem cells mitigates myeloid-biased differentiation in aged mice. Cell Discov 11:56. doi: 10.1038/s41421-025-00810-3 PMID: 40490480
Objective: To develop and evaluate a targeted strategy for depleting dysfunctional, myeloid-biased CD150-high hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in aged mice to restore balanced hematopoiesis and mitigate aging-related blood disorders.
Summary: The study used an antibody-toxin conjugate to selectively eliminate CD150-high HSCs, improving lymphoid-to-myeloid ratios, reducing platelet hyperproduction, and restoring hematopoietic balance in aged mice. Treatment preserved functional CD150-low HSCs and showed minimal off-target or systemic toxicity.
Usage: Streptavidin-ZAP (IT-27) was combined with a biotinylated anti-CD150 antibody to generate Anti-CD150-SAP (IT-103). This conjugate was used at doses of 1–2 mg/kg in vivo and as low as 0.01 nM in vitro to specifically deplete CD150-high HSCs while sparing CD150-low populations.
Vringer M, Zhou J, Gool JK, Bijlenga D, Lammers GJ, Fronczek R, Schinkelshoek MS (2024) Recent insights into the pathophysiology of narcolepsy type 1. Sleep Med Rev 78:101993. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2024.101993 PMID: 39241492
Objective: To focus on recent insights into Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) pathophysiology, discussing structural and functional changes, immune system involvement, genetic findings, and future perspectives for the pathophysiology and treatment options.
Summary: Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is one of the central disorders of the hypersomnolence and results from hypocretin (Hcrt, also nown as orexin) deficiency in the brain. The development of HcrtR2-specific or dual HcrtR1 and HcrtR2 agonists, has shown promising results in pre-clinical and clinical trials. These agonists can potentially become the first drugs to directly target the Hcrt system and replace the shortage of Hcrt in NT1.
Usage: Hcrt-2 conjugated to the ribosome-inactivating toxic protein saporin (Orexin-SAP, Cat #IT-20) eliminated up to 90% of Hcrt neurons but also caused significant loss of neighboring neuronal cells, such as Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons.
Wang D, Wei SN, Zhang L, Lang ZC, Wang SN, Cheng B, Lu Y, Wang X, Wang W, Li FS, Zhang H (2024) Impaired basal forebrain cholinergic neuron gdnf signaling contributes to perioperative sleep deprivation–induced chronicity of postsurgical pain in mice through regulating cholinergic neuronal activity, apoptosis, and autophagy. CNS Nerusci Ther doi: 10.1111/cns.70147 PMID: 39639706
Objective: This study investigated the roles of lateral basal forebrain glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The authors researched GDNF and the associated signaling and cholinergic neuron activity, apoptosis, and autophagy dysfunction in sleep deprivation–induced increased risk of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) in mice.
Summary: Perioperative sleep deprivation promotes chronicity of postsurgical pain possibly through decreasing basal forebrain GDNF signaling and causing cholinergic neuronal apoptosis and autophagy dysfunction.
Usage: To ablate the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, 0.4μg/μL of mu p75-SAP (IT-16) in 0.6μL phosphate-buffered saline was used 3 weeks before the Skin/Muscle Incision and Retraction modeling.
Lewis RD, Keilholz AN, Smith CL, Burd EA, Nichols NL (2024) Spinal TNF-α receptor 1 is differentially required for phrenic long-term facilitation (pLTF) over the course of motor neuron death in adult rats. Front Physiol 15 doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1488951 PMID: 39703667
Objective: To study the impact motor neuron death has on the output of surviving phrenic motor neurons as well as the compensatory mechanisms that are recruited.
Summary: Results revealed that TNFR1 expression was increased on phrenic motor neurons of 28d CTB-SAP rats, and that astrocytes were increased and exhibited reactive morphology in the phrenic motor nucleus of CTB-SAP rats. This work suggests that TNFR1 could be used as a potential therapeutic agent in CTB-SAP rats and patients with respiratory motor neuron disease.
Usage: Intrapleural injection of CTB-SAP (25μg dissolved in PBS) to target respiratory motor neurons.
Morishata Y, Fuentes I, Gonzalez-Salinas S, Favate J, Mejaes J, Zushida K, Nishi A, Hevi C, Goldsmith N, Buyske S, Sillivan SE, Miller CA, Kandel ER, Uchida S, Shah P, Alarcon JM, Barker DJ, Shumyatsky GP (2024) Dopamine release and dopamine-related gene expression in the amygdala are modulated by the gastrin-releasing peptide in opposite directions during stress-enhanced fear learning and extinction. Molexular Psychiatry doi: 10.1038/s41380-024-02843-8 PMID: 39580604
Objective: To investigate neural circuits serving the dopamine function for fear extinction and PTSD.
Summary: Results demonstrate that gastrin-releasing peptide regulates dopamine function in stress-enhanced fear processing and identifies Grp as the first gene known to regulate dopaminergic control of fear extinction.
Usage: Bombesin-SAP (IT-40) or Blank-SAP (IT-21) (80 ng/µl) dissolved in saline were injected bilaterally into the basolateral amygdala (AP: -2.0 mm, ML: ±3.25 mm, DV: -4.3 mm) in 0.3 µl volume.
Park HB, Kim KH, Kim JH, Kim SI, Oh YM, Kang M, Lee S, Hwang S, Lee H, Lee T, Park S, Lee JE, Jeong GR, Lee DH, Youn H, Choi EY, Son WC, Chung SJ, Chung J, Choi K (2024) Improved safety of chimeric antigen receptor T cells indirectly targeting antigens via switchable adapters. Nat Commun 15(1):9917. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-53996-7 PMID: 39557825
Objective: To show that switchable CAR-T cells with a tumor targeting adaptor can mitigate on-target off-tumor toxicity against a low selectivity tumor antigen that cannot be targeted by conventional CAR-T cells, such as CD40.
Summary: The system is composed of anti-cotinine murine CAR-T cells and cotinine-labeled anti-CD40 single chain variable fragments (scFv), with which the authors show selective tumor killing while sparing CD40-expressing normal cells including macrophages in a mouse model of lymphoma. The authors evaluated whether Cot CAR-T cells could be depleted by Cot-saporin in vivo in an allogeneic CAR-T cell transfer model. When Balb/C mice transplanted with B6 bone marrow cells were injected with B6 Cot CAR-T cells, the transferred Cot CAR-T cells expanded in the peripheral blood in response to Balb/C alloantigen. However, when Cot-saporin was administered during this expansion phase, the Cot CAR-T cells failed to expand and were subsequently eliminated in the blood. Thus, Cot-saporin-mediated CotCAR-T cell suicide was confirmed in vitro and in vivo.
Usage: in vitro Cot CAR-T cell depletion by cotinine-drug conjugates: Peptides were incubated with saporin-labeled streptavidin (IT-27) at a molar ratio of 4:1 to generate cotinine-saporin conjugate (Cot-saporin). For Cot-saporin-dependent cytotoxicity assays on Cot CAR-T cells, a 1:1 mixed population (50,000 cells each) of Cot CAR-T cells (target cells) and control T cells (bystander non-CAR-T cells) were incubated with various doses of Cot-saporin for 48 h in medium containing human IL-2. Seven days after CAR-T cell transfer, Cot-saporin was administered intraperitoneally three times at 3-day intervals.
Ammar AO (2024) Involvement of peptidergic Edinger-Westphal nucleus in the neurobiology of migraine and acute alcohol exposure. Univ Pecs Thesis.
Objective: To confirm the role of Edinger-Westphal nucleus/urocortin1 (EWcp/UCN1) neurons in migraine. They hypothesized that selective ablation of EWcp/UCN1 neurons will influence the migraine-related behaviors induced by CGRP.
Summary: Upon selective ablation of EWcp/UCN1 neurons, authors examined the migraine-related behaviors in response to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) treatment. Leptin-SAP treatment significantly reduced the number of UCN1 immunoreactive neurons in the EWcp compared to naïve mice. Before ablation of EWcp/UCN1 neurons, CGRP treatment significantly reduced the periorbital withdrawal threshold compared to saline.
Usage: For selective UCN1 neuron ablation, 50 nl of Leptin-SAP was microinjected into the rostral and caudal parts of the EWcp area.
Moreno-Rodríguez M, Martínez-Gardeazabal J, Bengoetxea de Tena I, Llorente-Ovejero A, Lombardero L, González de San Román E, Giménez-Llort L, Manuel I, Rodríguez-Puertas R (2024) Cognitive improvement via cortical cannabinoid receptors and choline-containing lipids. Br J Pharmacol doi: 10.1111/bph.17381 PMID: 39489624
Objective: Authors hypothesized that activation of the endocannabinoid system may confer neuroprotection against cholinergic degeneration.
Summary: Degeneration, induced by 192-IgG-saporin, of baso-cortical cholinergic pathways resulted in memory deficits and decreased cortical levels of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC). The cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2 restored cortical cholinergic transmission and LPC levels via activation of cannabinoid receptors. This activation altered cortical lipid homeostasis mainly by reducing sphingomyelins in lesioned animals. These modifications were crucial for memory recovery.
Usage: Basal forebrain cholinergic degeneration was induced following bilateral stereotaxic injection of 192IgG-saporin (130 ng/μl, IT-01) into the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM).
