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Publisher Correction: Psilocybin’s lasting action requires pyramidal cell types and 5-HT2A receptors
Neuronal activity-dependent mechanisms of small cell lung cancer pathogenesis
Abstract Neural activity is increasingly recognized as a crucial regulator of cancer growth. In the brain, neuronal activity robustly influences glioma growth through paracrine mechanisms 1 and by electrochemical integration of malignant cells into neural circuitry via neuron-to-glioma synapses 2,3 . Outside of the central nervous system, innervation of tumours such as prostate, head and neck, breast, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal cancers by peripheral nerves similarly regulates cancer progression 4–12 . However, the extent to which the nervous system regulates small cell lung cancer (SCLC) progression, either in the lung or when growing within the brain, is less well understood. SCLC is a lethal high-grade neuroendocrine tumour that exhibits a strong propensity to metastasize to the brain. Here we demonstrate that in the lung, vagus nerve transection markedly inhibits primary lung tumour development and progression, highlighting a critical role for innervation in SCLC growth. In the brain, SCLC cells co-opt neuronal activity-regulated mechanisms to stimulate growth and progression. Glutamatergic and GABAergic (γ-aminobutyric acid-producing) cortical neuronal activity each drive proliferation of SCLC in the brain through paracrine and synaptic neuron–cancer interactions. SCLC cells form bona fide neuron-to-SCLC synapses and exhibit depolarizing currents with consequent calcium transients in response to neuronal activity; such SCLC cell membrane depolarization is sufficient to promote the growth of intracranial tumours. Together, these findings illustrate that neuronal activity has a crucial role in dictating SCLC pathogenesis.
John Gurdon obituary: Biologist who made cloning possible
People with blindness can read again after retinal implant
What’s the cap on human energy expenditure? Elite athletes reveal ‘metabolic ceiling’
How scientists are pushing back against Trump’s funding ‘deal’ for universities
Blood tests are now approved for Alzheimer’s: how accurate are they?
Is academic research becoming too competitive? Nature examines the data
IL27RA promotes the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating TGFβR1
Fuzzy multi-criteria approach for rooftop photo-voltaic site selection: a case study in Gujarat
Correction: Long-term degradation of adsorbed natural gas storage in the MOF Basolite C300 due to Cn≥2 alkanes accumulation
Integrated crew for heating and dehumidification of air-source heat pump for tobacco curing
A dual-contract architecture with role-based access control for supply chain traceability and accountability
Study of novel 3D-Printed auxetic metamaterial structures under compressive loading: design, simulation, and experiment
Prevalence of diseases in rescued dogs and cats in areas affected by subsidence in the city of Maceió, AL
Neuroprotective effects of Pycnogenol on nerve regeneration and functional recovery after sciatic nerve crush injury in rodents
Abstract Pycnogenol, a standardized French maritime pine bark extract, is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This study evaluated its therapeutic potential in sciatic nerve regeneration following crush injury in female Sprague Dawley rats. Twenty-one rats were assigned to Sham, Control, and Pycnogenol (100 mg/kg/day) groups. After standardized nerve injury, Pycnogenol was administered for 28 days. Functional recovery was assessed using the Sciatic Functional Index (SFI), pinprick, and cold allodynia tests. Histopathology, muscle weight, and ELISA for nerve growth factor (NGF) were evaluated post-euthanasia. By Day 14, the Pycnogenol group showed significantly better SFI scores (83.60 ± 2.26 vs. 89.81 ± 2.42, p < 0.001), with continued improvement through Day 28 (49.42 ± 3.0 vs. 62.95 ± 2.93, p < 0.001). Histological analysis revealed enhanced muscle regeneration, increased fiber area, and improved myelination. ELISA confirmed significantly elevated NGF levels, supporting Pycnogenol’s neuroprotective role. These findings highlight its potential in peripheral nerve injury treatment. Further research is needed to confirm efficacy in humans, explore molecular mechanisms, and compare it with existing neuro-regenerative therapies. Pycnogenol may serve as a promising agent in neurology and regenerative medicine.