LAB PUBLICATIONS:
*Publications are under both Litwa and Newell-Litwa.
#Mentored Graduate Student, ^Mentored Undergraduate Student, &Mentored High School Student, $Mentored Post-Doctoral Researcher, @Mentored Medical Student
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/14ekjqyDymw5i/bibliography/public/
1. Tripson M, Litwa K, Soderstrom K. Cannabidiol inhibits neuroinflammatory responses and circuit-associated synaptic loss following damage to a songbird vocal pre-motor cortical-like region. Sci Rep. 2023 May 16;13(1):7907. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-34924-z. PMID: 37193782; PMCID: PMC10188539.
2. Litwa K. Shared mechanisms of neural circuit disruption in tuberous sclerosis across lifespan: Bridging neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative pathology. Front Genet. 2022 Nov 25;13:997461. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2022.997461. PMID: 36506334; PMCID: PMC9732432.
3. Belcher HA, Litwa K, Guthold M, Hudson NE. The Applicability of Current Turbidimetric Approaches for Analyzing Fibrin Fibers and Other Filamentous Networks. Biomolecules. 2022 Jun 9;12(6):807. doi: 10.3390/biom12060807. PMID: 35740932; PMCID: PMC9221518.
4. Wilson ES#, Litwa K. Synaptic Hyaluronan Synthesis and CD44-Mediated Signaling Coordinate Neural Circuit Development. Cells. 2021;10(10). Doi:10.3390/cells10102574
* This research demonstrates that the synaptic hyaluronan-based extracellular matrix regulates synapse formation through RhoGTPase signaling. We also demonstrate that CRISPR interference is a powerful tool to regulate gene expression in human cortical spheroids.
5. Tate K#, Kirk B, Tseng A&, Ulffers A&, Litwa K. Effects of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Fluoxetine on Developing Neural Circuits in a Model of the Human Fetal Cortex. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(19). doi:10.3390/ijms221910457
6. Fernandez RF, Pereyra AS, Diaz V, Wilson ES#, Litwa KA, Martínez-Gardeazabal J, Jackson S, Brenna JT, Hermann BP, Eells JB, Ellis JM. Acyl-CoA synthetase 6 is required for brain docosahexaenoic acid retention and neuroprotection during aging. JCI insight. 2021;6(11). doi:10.1172/jci.insight.144351
7. Papariello A#, Taylor D, Soderstrom K, Litwa K. CB1 antagonism increases excitatory synaptogenesis in a cortical spheroid model of fetal brain development. Scientific Reports. 2021;11(1):9356. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-88750-2
* This research demonstrates that human cortical spheroids develop a fetal endocannabinoid system that regulates synapse formation through RhoA activity. This study provides mechanistic insight into synapse formation while also establishing human cortical spheroids as a model to study how drugs of abuse, such cannabis, impact fetal neurodevelopment.
8. Wilson E#, Knudson W, Newell-Litwa K. Hyaluronan regulates synapse formation & function in developing neural networks. Scientific Reports. 2020;10(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-73177-y
9. Wilson E#, Rudisill T#, Kirk B, Johnson C^, Kemper P&, Newell-Litwa K. Cytoskeletal Regulation of Synaptogenesis in a Model of Human Fetal Brain Development. J Neurosci Res. Published online 2020. doi:10.1002/jnr.24692
* This research addresses how actin regulatory pathways orchestrate synapse formation in developing neural circuits of human cortical spheroids. This research also uses super-resolution STORM microscopy to resolve individual synapses in human cortical spheroids.
10. Papariello A#, Newell-Litwa K. Human-Derived Brain Models: Windows into Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Drug Therapies. ASSAY and Drug Development Technologies. 2020. doi:10.1089/adt.2019.922
11. Bott CJ, Johnson CG^, Yap CC, Dwyer ND, Litwa KA, Winckler B. Nestin in immature embryonic neurons affects axon growth cone morphology and Semaphorin3a sensitivity. Kaibuchi K, ed. Mol Biol Cell. 2019;30(10):1214-1229. doi:10.1091/mbc.E18-06-0361
12. Harbom LJ, Rudisill TL#, Michel N, Litwa KA, Beenhakker MP, McConnell MJ. The effect of rho kinase inhibition on morphological and electrophysiological maturity in iPSC-derived neurons. Cell Tissue Res. 2019;375(3):641-654. doi:10.1007/s00441-018-2942-7
13. Puranam I, Urs A, Kirk B, Newell-Litwa K*, Hoffman B*. A Molecular Tension Sensor for N-Cadherin Reveals Distinct Forms of Mechanosensitive Adhesion Assembly in Adherens and Synaptic Junctions. bioRxiv. Published online February 17, 2019:552802. doi:10.1101/552802 *co-senior authors
14. Wilson ES#, Newell-Litwa K. Stem cell models of human synapse development and degeneration. Mol Biol Cell. 2018;29(24):2913-2921. doi:10.1091/mbc.E18-04-0222
15. Niedenberger BA, Cook K, Baena V, Serra ND, Velte EK, Agno JE, Litwa KA, Terasaki M, Hermann BP, Matzuk MM, Geyer CB. Dynamic cytoplasmic projections connect mammalian spermatogonia in vivo. Development. 2018;145(15):dev161323. doi:10.1242/dev.161323
16. Martin-Vilchez S$, Whitmore L, Asmussen H, Zareno J, Horwitz R, Newell-Litwa K. RhoGTPase Regulators Orchestrate Distinct Stages of Synaptic Development. Gasman S, ed. PLoS One. 2017;12(1):e0170464. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170464
* This research demonstrates that unique combinations of actin regulatory proteins differentially regulate distinct stages of synaptic development.
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
WE ARE CONDUCTING FOUNDATIONAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH INTO HOW SYNAPSES FORM AND FUNCTION IN THE DEVELOPING BRAIN.
HOW DO SYNAPSES FORM?
created with Biorender.com
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CAN DISRUPT SYNAPSE FORMATION, RESULTING IN NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS. ARE THERE INTERVENTIONS THAT WE CAN USE TO PROTECT THE DEVELOPING BRAIN?
Broccoli for the Brain?
We are researching whether the phytochemical sulforaphane - found in the sprouts of cruciferous vegetables - can protect the developing brain from harmful chemicals.
Stay tuned for exciting results to be published soon!
THANK YOU FOR FUNDING OUR RESEARCH!