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Biomedical subjects

V Silani

Publications and source records attributed to V Silani.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

GangliosideGM1 expression during human spinal cord and neural crest development.

GangliosideGM1 represents a widespread component of the neural cell plasma membranes. Cholera toxin-B subunit binds selectively to GM1. Human spinal cords at post-conception (PC) weeks 6 to 11 were examined and early GM1 expression shown on the cell plasma membrane in the developing grey matter at PC week 6. GM1 was demonstrated also in the marginal layer (white matter); on neural crest derivative plasma membrane, i.e. dorsal root (DRG) and sympathetic ganglia; along emerging fibres from DRG and neurite terminals innervating skeletal muscle. GangliosideGM1 is highly expressed in spinal cord primary cultures and is a stringent neural cell marker. GangliosideGM1 represents an early marker of neural differentiation in both spinal cord and neural crest derivatives.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1991

Human fetal brain beta-nerve growth factor cDNA: molecular cloning of 5' and 3' untranslated regions.

The mRNA of beta-nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) has been demonstrated to be present in the human brain, both in adult and fetal stages of development. However, its complete nucleotide sequence is unknown since a full-length cDNA has yet to be isolated. We report here the cloning and complete analysis of the human fetal brain beta-NGF transcript. cDNA synthesis was performed from total brain RNA and overlapping regions of beta-NGF cDNA were enzymatically amplified and sequenced. The central portion of the cDNA was amplified using primers designed on the known genomic DNA sequence. The 5' and 3' unknown regions were amplified by the anchored polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by complementary DNA Ends-PCR respectively. The latter method is an original variation of Inverted PCR. The sequenced transcript is very similar to the most common form of beta-NGF mRNA present in the mouse central nervous system. In addition, both the 5' and 3' untranslated regions show a high degree of homology to the corresponding murine sequences.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Beta-nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) mRNA expression in the parkinsonian adrenal gland.

The adrenal gland is a well-demonstrated source for different neurotrophic factors. The presence of the beta-nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) mRNA in the adrenal tissue used for grafting in a Parkinsonian patient is reported here. Adrenal samples were obtained on the day of implantation, and a specific cDNA was synthesized after the extraction of total RNA using a synthetic oligonucleotide as a reverse transcription primer. A 168-bp portion of the cDNA was amplified using two other oligonucleotides as Taq polymerase primers in a polymerase chain reaction. Thirty-two cycles of amplification were performed. The amplification products were identified by agarose gel electrophoresis and Southern blot analysis as a single DNA band hybridizing with a third beta-NGF specific oligonucleotide. The identity of the fragment was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Quantitative analysis demonstrated a beta-NGF mRNA concentration exceeding 5 fg/micrograms of total adrenal RNA. These findings add NGF to the other neurotrophic factors produced by the gland (i.e., basic fibroblast growth factor) and demonstrate the retained functional capacity of the Parkinsonian adrenal to express the beta-NGF mRNA. All these data may assume relevant meaning for neurotransplantation research.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1990

Detection of beta-nerve growth factor mRNA in the human fetal brain.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a trophic molecule recently demonstrated to interact with different structures in the central nervous system. The expression of the beta-NGF mRNA from human fetal cortices at the 15-16th week of gestational age has been demonstrated and quantitated by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the specific cDNA. beta-NGF mRNA expression in the human brain coincides with the period of active differentiation and synaptogenesis, suggesting that the trophic agent plays a role in the cerebral development.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Human neuronal cells in culture: from concepts to basic methodology.

The paper reviews some conceptual and methodological aspects of the tissue culture models which, during the past three decades, demonstrated a remarkable mimicry of many important structures and functions of the mammalian Central Nervous System (CNS) and related peripheral sensory and motor elements. Emphasis is placed on an original human neuronal tissue culture model obtained from selective CNS areas. The different cell types were identified and the neurotrophic interactions preliminary characterized. Neuropathological findings suggest hypothesis that can be fully tested using in vitro human models of affected cerebral specific areas.

Brain↗
PubMed1988

Human neuronal cell viability demonstrated in culture after cryopreservation.

A human neuronal cell freezing technique has been developed. The results indicate that human fetal neuronal cells can be frozen with 7%-10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotectant. The survival of isolated thawed cells has been evaluated in culture. Cells have been frozen at -196 degrees C for 370 days without loss of viability. Average recovery rate of frozen cells was 62% of the recovery rate of cultured unfrozen controls. Thawed cells show neurite outgrowth and maintain both cellular markers such as neuron specific enolase (NSE) and neurochemical characteristics (GABA synthesis). Morphological integrity of cryopreserved neurons has been confirmed at ultrastructural level.

Cell Survival↗
PubMed1988

Cryopreservation of human fetal adrenal medullary cells.

Cryopreservation of human fetal adrenomedullary cells was performed, after dissociation of the gland and purification of chromaffin aggregates, using 10% dymethyl sulfoxide as cryoprotectant. More than 90% of thawed cultured clusters appear morphologically intact, showing extensive neurite outgrowth and absence of appreciable cellular loss. Immunoreactivity for tyrosine hydroxylase and response to nerve growth factor were demonstrated. These findings indicate that human medullary cells maintain their distinctive functional characteristics after cryopreservation.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1988

Primary cultures of human caudate nucleus.

It is possible to grow functional primary dissociated cultures and explants from stereotactic biopsies of human parkinsonian caudate nuclei. Two major classes of cells were identified on morphological grounds. The culture cells appear to be stimulated by an unidentified soluble factor(s) obtained from human fetal neuronal cells in vitro. Culture of primary neuronal and glial cells from human adult cerebral nuclei seems to be a useful tool for several research purposes and in particular for studying both trophic factor action and target effects on afferent neurons for prospective human brain grafting.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Manifesting carrier of x-linked Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The authors have investigated the uncommon occurrence of a boy affected with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) whose mother showed myopathic features in the clinical history, EMG, biochemical tests and muscle biopsy. This study suggests that the patient's mother is a manifesting carrier of X-linked DMD with clinical, neurophysiological, biochemical and histological findings of X-linked DMD with an almost complete inactivation of the paternal X-chromosome (lyonization).

Adolescent↗