Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
9.0
6.0
Journals
Cells
Special Issues
Imaging Endocannabinoids and Bioactive Lipid Messengers in Basic Research and...
share announcement

Imaging Endocannabinoids and Bioactive Lipid Messengers in Basic Research and Biomedical Application

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Methods".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 11779

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Masako Isokawa

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Forefront Research Center, Osaka University Graduate School of Science, Osaka, Japan
Interests: large-scale single-cell omics; cluster analysis (UMAP, TSNE, PCA, etc.); imaging mass spectrometry; single-molecule visualization (JA); the endocannabinoid system; development; plasticity; epilepsy; neurotransmission; calcium signaling (MA)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jun Aoki

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Laboratory for Cell Signaling Dynamics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Osaka University Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka, Japan
Interests: large-scale single-cell omics; cluster analysis (UMAP, TSNE, PCA, etc.); imaging mass spectrometry; single-molecule visualization (JA); the endocannabinoid system; development; plasticity; epilepsy; neurotransmission; calcium signaling (MA)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are widely-recognized lipid messengers in development, learning, and diseases.  However, lipids cannot be imaged by fluorescent microscopy using antibodies or genetically engineered indicators.  Thus, the cellular localization and functional distribution of eCBs has only been suggested indirectly based on the presence of cognate receptors and synthesizing and degrading enzymes.  The direct visualization of eCBs with an integrated cell morphology is essential for a better understanding of the functional map and metabolic pathways of eCBs in health and diseases. In this Special Issue, we discuss technologies that enable us to visualize eCBs and bioactive lipid messengers, such as fatty acids and lyso-phospholipids, directly on biological specimens, just as they would be observed through a microscope.  The technology of imaging mass spectrometry for MALDI, ESI, DESI, and SIMS are rapidly developing cutting-edge strategies for mapping the localization of numerous metabolites and signaling molecules by directly ionizing them without attaching any labeling molecules. In addition, Raman microscopy, vibrational microspectroscopy, positron emission tomography, and lipophilic fluorescent indicators can make unique contributions to visualizing and mapping eCBs and other signaling lipids. We hope that a collection of excellent papers will be found in this Special Issue and contribute to the advancement of bioactive lipid imaging, offering an enjoyable forum for developing new biotechnologies.

Dr. Masako Isokawa
Dr. Jun Aoki
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • lipid mapping
  • imaging mass microscopy
  • cluster analysis
  • massive parallel screening
  • endocannabinoid visualization

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Research

2 pages, 173 KiB  
Editorial
Imaging Endocannabinoids and Bioactive Lipid Messengers in Basic Research and Biomedical Application
by Jun Aoki and Masako Isokawa
Cells 2022, 11(11), 1756; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11111756 - 26 May 2022
Viewed by 1150
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are representative bioactive lipid messengers [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Endocannabinoids and Bioactive Lipid Messengers in Basic Research and Biomedical Application)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

15 pages, 8597 KiB  
Article
Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Levels in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex, Caudate Putamen, Nucleus Accumbens, and Piriform Cortex Were Upregulated by Chronic Restraint Stress
by Qing Zhai, Ariful Islam, Bin Chen, Hengsen Zhang, Do Huu Chi, Md. Al Mamun, Yutaka Takahashi, Noriko Sato, Hidenori Yamasue, Yoshiki Nakajima, Yu Nagashima, Fumito Sano, Tomohito Sato, Tomoaki Kahyo and Mitsutoshi Setou
Cells 2023, 12(3), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12030393 - 21 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1892
Abstract
Endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) has been implicated in habituation to stress, and its augmentation reduces stress-induced anxiety-like behavior. Chronic restraint stress (CRS) changes the 2-AG levels in some gross brain areas, such as the forebrain. However, the detailed spatial distribution of 2-AG and its [...] Read more.
Endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) has been implicated in habituation to stress, and its augmentation reduces stress-induced anxiety-like behavior. Chronic restraint stress (CRS) changes the 2-AG levels in some gross brain areas, such as the forebrain. However, the detailed spatial distribution of 2-AG and its changes by CRS in stress processing-related anatomical structures such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), caudate putamen (CP), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and piriform cortex (PIR) are still unclear. In this study, mice were restrained for 30 min in a 50 mL-centrifuge tube for eight consecutive days, followed by imaging of the coronal brain sections of control and stressed mice using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI). The results showed that from the forebrain to the cerebellum, 2-AG levels were highest in the hypothalamus and lowest in the hippocampal region. 2-AG levels were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated and 2-AG precursors levels were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated in the ACC, CP, NAc, and PIR of stressed mice compared with control mice. This study provided direct evidence of 2-AG expression and changes, suggesting that 2-AG levels are increased in the ACC CP, NAc, and PIR when individuals are under chronic stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Endocannabinoids and Bioactive Lipid Messengers in Basic Research and Biomedical Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 6223 KiB  
Article
Imaging and Manipulation of Plasma Membrane Fatty Acid Clusters Using TOF-SIMS Combined Optogenetics
by Chi Zhang, Kenji Kikushima, Mizuki Endo, Tomoaki Kahyo, Makoto Horikawa, Takaomi Matsudaira, Tatsuya Tanaka, Yusuke Takanashi, Tomohito Sato, Yutaka Takahashi, Lili Xu, Naoki Takayama, Ariful Islam, Md. Al Mamun, Takeaki Ozawa and Mitsutoshi Setou
Cells 2023, 12(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12010010 - 20 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1465
Abstract
The plasma membrane (PM) serves multiple functions to support cell activities with its heterogeneous molecular distribution. Fatty acids (FAs) are hydrophobic components of the PM whose saturation and length determine the membrane’s physical properties. The FA distribution contributes to the PM’s lateral heterogeneity. [...] Read more.
The plasma membrane (PM) serves multiple functions to support cell activities with its heterogeneous molecular distribution. Fatty acids (FAs) are hydrophobic components of the PM whose saturation and length determine the membrane’s physical properties. The FA distribution contributes to the PM’s lateral heterogeneity. However, the distribution of PM FAs is poorly understood. Here, we proposed the FA cluster hypothesis, which suggested that FAs on the PM exist as clusters. By the optogenetic tool translocating the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), we were able to manipulate the distribution of PM FAs. We used time-of-flight combined secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) to image PM FAs and discovered that PM FAs were presented and distributed as clusters and are also manipulated as clusters. We also found the existence of multi-FA clusters formed by the colocalization of more than one FA. Our optogenetic tool also decreased the clustering degree of FA clusters and the formation probability of multi-FA clusters. This research opens up new avenues and perspectives to study PM heterogeneity from an FA perspective. This research also suggests a possible treatment for diseases caused by PM lipid aggregation and furnished a convenient tool for therapeutic development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Endocannabinoids and Bioactive Lipid Messengers in Basic Research and Biomedical Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1424 KiB  
Article
Expression and Kinetics of Endogenous Cannabinoids in the Brain and Spinal Cord of a Spare Nerve Injury (SNI) Model of Neuropathic Pain
by Kenta Kurosu, Ariful Islam, Tomohito Sato, Tomoaki Kahyo, Tomohiro Banno, Noriko Sato, Yukihiro Matsuyama and Mitsutoshi Setou
Cells 2022, 11(24), 4130; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11244130 - 19 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1639
Abstract
The role of endogenous cannabinoids in neuropathic pain has been actively studied, among which 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) has received the most attention. However, owing to its chemical properties, direct detection of 2-AG distribution in tissues is difficult. Moreover, although desorption electrospray ionization mass [...] Read more.
The role of endogenous cannabinoids in neuropathic pain has been actively studied, among which 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) has received the most attention. However, owing to its chemical properties, direct detection of 2-AG distribution in tissues is difficult. Moreover, although desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) has enabled the detection of 2-AG, its distribution in the brain and spinal cord of neuropathic pain models has not been reported. In this study, the expression and distribution of 2-AG in the brain and spinal cord of a spare nerve injury (SNI) mice model of neuropathic pain was examined using DESI-MSI. The brain and lumbar spinal cord were collected and analyzed on days 3, 7, and 21 after treatment. On days 3 and 7 after treatment, 2-AG expression in the SNI model was decreased in the hypothalamus, midbrain, and especially in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) region but increased in the lumbar spinal cord. On day 21, the SNI model showed decreased 2-AG expression in the hypothalamus, but the difference from the control was not significant. Furthermore, there were no differences in 2-AG expression between the lumbar spinal cord, midbrain, or PAG. These data suggest that 2-AG might be involved in pain control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Endocannabinoids and Bioactive Lipid Messengers in Basic Research and Biomedical Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 50391 KiB  
Article
Space and Time Coherent Mapping for Subcellular Resolution of Imaging Mass Spectrometry
by Jun Aoki, Masako Isokawa and Michisato Toyoda
Cells 2022, 11(21), 3382; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11213382 - 26 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1539
Abstract
Space and time coherent mapping (STCM) is a technology developed in our laboratory for improved matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time of flight (TOF) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). STCM excels in high spatial resolutions, which probe-based scanning methods cannot attain in conventional MALDI [...] Read more.
Space and time coherent mapping (STCM) is a technology developed in our laboratory for improved matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time of flight (TOF) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). STCM excels in high spatial resolutions, which probe-based scanning methods cannot attain in conventional MALDI IMS. By replacing a scanning probe with a large field laser beam, focusing ion optics, and position-sensitive detectors, STCM tracks the entire flight trajectories of individual ions throughout the ionization process and visualizes the ionization site on the sample surface with a subcellular scale of precision and a substantially short acquisition time. Results obtained in thinly sectioned leech segmental ganglia and epididymis demonstrate that STCM IMS is highly suited for (1) imaging bioactive lipid messengers such as endocannabinoids and the mediators of neuronal activities in situ with spatial resolution sufficient to detail subcellular localization, (2) integrating resultant images in mass spectrometry to optically defined cell anatomy, and (3) assembling a stack of ion maps derived from mass spectra for cluster analysis. We propose that STCM IMS is the choice over a probe-based scanning mass spectrometer for high-resolution single-cell molecular imaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Endocannabinoids and Bioactive Lipid Messengers in Basic Research and Biomedical Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1993 KiB  
Article
Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Lipids in the Scent Glands of Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) in Different Reproductive Statuses
by Wenqian Xie, Shengheng Mu, Jinkun Zhong, Chaoran Zhang, Haolin Zhang, Xiaodong Wang and Qiang Weng
Cells 2022, 11(14), 2228; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11142228 - 18 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3453
Abstract
As a typical seasonal breeding animal, male muskrats have a pair of scent glands that can emit musky odor substances to attract females during the breeding period. The present study aimed to visualize the differences in the distribution of lipids in the scent [...] Read more.
As a typical seasonal breeding animal, male muskrats have a pair of scent glands that can emit musky odor substances to attract females during the breeding period. The present study aimed to visualize the differences in the distribution of lipids in the scent glands of muskrats during their different reproductive statuses by imaging mass spectrometry and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results revealed remarkable differences in the expression and spatial distribution of lipids detected in the scent glands of muskrats during the different reproductive statuses. In addition, the expression levels of lipid molecules PC (32:0) and LysoPC (16:0) were found to be significantly higher in the breeding season than in the non-breeding season. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of lipid synthesis enzyme Pemt and Pla2g4b were higher in the breeding season than in the non-breeding season, and there were positive correlations between the expression intensities of lipid molecules and the expression levels of Pemt and Pla2g4b. The present study investigates the changes and distribution of the endogenous lipid in the scent glands of muskrats and elucidates that the seasonal changes in the lipid metabolism may affect the functions of the scent glands in muskrats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Imaging Endocannabinoids and Bioactive Lipid Messengers in Basic Research and Biomedical Application)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop