A newly discovered cell-to-cell communication system involves small, membrane-enveloped nanovesicles, called exosomes. We describe here how these extracellular nanoparticles were discovered and how it became gradually apparent that they play fundamental roles in regulation of physiological functions and pathological processes. Exosomes enable intercellular communication by transporting genetic ...

Microglia are intrinsic immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS). The under controlled microglia activation plays important roles in inflammatory demyelination diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the means to modulate microglia activation as a therapeutic modality and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we show that administration of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (G...

Background. Studies on HIV-associated central nervous system (CNS) diseases in Cameroon are rare. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, identify aetiological factors, and determine predictors of mortality in HIV patients with CNS disease. Methods. From January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2009, we did at the Douala General Hospital a clinical case note review of 672 admit...

Although intracranial pressure (ICP) elevation can induce significant structural and functional changes within the central nervous system (CNS), almost complete neuronal recovery is possible if ICP and associated pathogenic factors are restored in the acute phase of the disease process. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many CNS diseases and may pl...

Limited drug penetration is an obstacle that is often encountered in treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases including pain and cerebral hypoxia. Over the past several years, biochemical characteristics of the brain (i.e., tight junction protein complexes at brain barrier sites, expression of influx and efflux transporters) have been shown to be directly involved in determining CNS p...

The ATP-gated P2X7 ion channel is an abundant microglial protein in the CNS that plays an important pathological role in executing ATP-driven danger signal transduction. Emerging data has generated scientific interest and excitement around targeting the P2X7 ion channel as a potential drug target for CNS disorders. Over the past years, a wealth of data has been published on CNS P2X7 biology, in...

Inflammation is a prominent feature of CNS injury that heavily influences neuronal survival, yet the signals that initiate and control it remain poorly understood. Here we identify the nuclear alarmin, interleukin (IL)-33, as an important regulator of the innate immune response after CNS injury. IL-33 is expressed widely throughout the healthy brain and is concentrated in white mater due to pre...

Abstract Background The plant Olax subscorpioidea Oliv (Olacaceae) is a shrub that widely available in Africa. It has been used traditional medicine to treat various diseases including asthma, pain, inflammation, gastrointestinal and central nervous system (CNS) disorders, cough, diabetes mellitus, cancer, infectious diseases, hepatic many other diseases. Several phytochemical pharmacological i...

Neurons and glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) release extracellular vesicles (EVs) to interstitial fluid brain spinal cord parenchyma. EVs contain proteins, nucleic acids lipids that can be taken up by, modulate behaviour of, neighbouring recipient cells. The functions have been extensively studied in context neurodegenerative diseases. However, mechanisms involved EV-mediated neu...

Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL), a rare disease, often presents with symptoms resembling other cardiac diseases. The correct diagnosis is crucial, as cardiac lymphoma can be cured with immuno-chemotherapy. PCL has a high risk of central nervous system recurrence (CNS); therefore, screening for CNS involvement and even prophylaxis may be necessary.