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Browsing by Author "Bowers, J. Michael"

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    Age, but Not Sex, Modulates Foxp3 Expression in the Rat Brain across Development
    Taylor, Makenzlie R.; Roby, Clinton R.; Elziny, Soad; Duricy, Erin; Taylor, Tina M.; Bowers, J. Michael (Elsevier, 2020)
    The interconnectivity between brain development and the immune system has become an area of interest for many neuroscientists. However, to date, a limited number of known immune mediators of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) have been found to influence the development of the central nervous system (CNS). FOXP3 is a well-established mediator of regulatory T-cells in the PNS. However, the expression pattern of FOXP3 in the CNS and the PNS throughout development is unknown. To fill this void, we have characterized, in several brain regions, the developmental profile of Foxp3 for both sexes using rats. We found different patterns of Foxp3 in the CNS and PNS. In the CNS, we found Foxp3 was ubiquitously expressed, with the levels of Foxp3 varying by brain region. We also found both Foxp3 mRNA and protein levels peak during embryonic development and then steadily decrease with a peak increase during adulthood. In adulthood, the protein but not mRNA increases to the equivalent levels found at the embryonic stage of life. In the PNS, Foxp3 protein levels were low embryonically and increased steadily over the life of the animal with maximal levels reached in adulthood. Patterns observed for both the PNS and CNS were similar in males and females across all developmental timepoints. Our novel findings have implications for understanding how the neural immune system impacts neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
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    A developmental sex difference in hippocampal neurogenesis is mediated by endogenous Oestradiol
    Bowers, J. Michael; Waddell, Jaylyn; McCarthy, Margaret M. (BMC, 2010)
    Background: Oestradiol is a steroid hormone that exerts extensive influence on brain development and is a powerful modulator of hippocampal structure and function. The hippocampus is a critical brain region regulating complex cognitive and emotional responses and is implicated in the aetiology of several mental health disorders, many of which exhibit some degree of sex difference. Many sex differences in the adult rat brain are determined by oestradiol action during a sensitive period of development. We had previously reported a sex difference in rates of cell genesis in the developing hippocampus of the laboratory rat. Males generate more new cells on average than females. The current study explored the effects of both exogenous and endogenous oestradiol on this sex difference. Methods: New born male and female rat pups were injected with the mitotic marker 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and oestradiol or agents that antagonize oestradiol action. The effects on cell number, proliferation, differentiation and survival were assessed at several time points. Significant differences between groups were determined by two- or thee-Way ANOVA. Results: Newborn males had higher rates of cell proliferation than females. Oestradiol treatment increased cell proliferation in neonatal females, but not males, and in the CA1 region many of these cells differentiated into neurons. The increased rate of proliferation induced by neonatal oestradiol persisted until at least 3 weeks of age, suggesting an organizational effect. Administering the aromatase inhibitor, formestane, or the oestrogen receptor antagonist, tamoxifen, significantly decreased the number of new cells in males but not females. Conclusion: Endogenous oestradiol increased the rate of cell proliferation observed in newborn males compared to females. This sex difference in neonatal neurogenesis may have implications for adult differences in learning strategy, stress responsivity or vulnerability to damage or disease.
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    Native voices: Native peoples' concepts of health and illness - Panel discussion
    Bowers, J. Michael; Copeland, Nicholas M.; Ferguson, Victoria; Hester, Rebecca; Hey, Christina K. Mae; Cook, Samuel R.; Pannabecker, Virginia; Trinkle, David B. (Virginia Tech. University Libraries, 2016-09-20)
    This panel discussion was a joint effort between University Libraries, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, and American Indian Studies. Virginia Pannabecker, Health, Life Science, and Scholarly Communications Librarian; David Trinkle, Associate Dean for Community and Culture, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine; and Sam Cook, Director, American Indian Studies at Virginia Tech led the planning effort. Panelist Victoria Ferguson (not featured in the video recording) provided an introduction and led a discussion at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine event location in Roanoke.
    The panel was part of a series of events complementing the display of the exhibit Native Voices: Native Peoples' Concepts of Health and Illness (https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/) at Newman Library from September 16th to October 25th, 2016. The exhibit was developed and produced by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, in partnership with NLM, toured the exhibition to America’s libraries. It was brought to Virginia Tech by University Libraries; Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine; American Indian Studies; Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise; Division of Student Affairs: Intercultural Engagement Center; and the Moss Arts Center.
    The exhibit examined concepts of health and medicine among contemporary American Indian, Alaska native, and Native Hawai'ian people. The traveling exhibition, produced by the National Library of Medicine, featured interviews and works from native people living on reservations, in tribal villages, and in cities. Topics included: Native views of land, food, community, earth/nature, and spirituality as they relate to Native Health; the relationship between traditional healing and Western medicine in native communities; economic and cultural issues that affect the health of Native communities; efforts by Native communities to improve health conditions; and the role of Native Americans in military service and healing support for returning Natives veterans.
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    The role of the FOXP family of transcription factors in ASD
    Bowers, J. Michael; Konopka, Genevieve (Hindawi, 2012)
    Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease with complex genetics; however, the genes that are responsible for this disease still remain mostly unknown. Here, we focus on the FOXP family of transcription factors as there is emerging evidence strongly linking these genes to ASD and other genes implicated in ASD. The FOXP family of genes includes three genes expressed in the central nervous system: FOXP1, FOPX2, and FOXP4. This unique group of transcription factors has known functions in brain development as well as the evolution of language. We will also discuss the other genes including transcriptional targets of FOXP genes that have been found to be associated with language and may be important in the pathophysiology of ASD. Finally, we will review the emerging animal models currently being used to study the function of the FOXP genes within the context of ASD symptomology. The combination of gene expression and animal behavior is critical for elucidating how genes such as the FOXP family members are key players within the framework of the developing brain.