Optogenetics has revolutionized neuroscience in small laboratory animals, but its effect on animal models more closely related to humans, such as non-human primates (NHPs), has been mixed. To make evidence-based decisions in primate optogenetics, the scientific community would benefit from a centralized database listing all attempts, successful and unsuccessful, of using optogenetics in the primate brain. We contacted members of the community to ask for their contributions to an open science initiative. As of this writing, 45 laboratories around the world contributed more than 1,000 injection experiments, including precise details regarding their methods and outcomes. Of those entries, more than half had not been published. The resource is free for everyone to consult and contribute to on the Open Science Framework website. Here we review some of the insights from this initial release of the database and discuss methodological considerations to improve the success of optogenetic experiments in NHPs.An asterisk indicates two viral constructs mixed in the same solution. LT-HSV, long-term herpes simplex virus; AAV, adeno-associated virus; LVV, lentiviral vector; EIAV, equine infectious anemia
Endocardial endothelium is reported to modulate myocardial contraction by releasing diffusible factors, but the nature of the agent(s) responsible is unknown. In the present study we investigated the potential role of endothelin in these effects. Cultured sheep endocardial endothelial cells were found to express endothelin-1 mRNA and to release endothelin-1 into superfusing solution. This superfusate induced positive inotropic effects in isolated rat cardiac myocytes, associated with an increase in the cytosolic Ca2+ transient. Similar positive inotropic effects were induced by vascular endothelial cell superfusate as well as by synthesized endothelin-1, administered at concentrations similar to those present in the superfusate. Incubation of endocardial endothelial cell superfusate with endothelin-1-specific antiserum reduced the free endothelin-1 concentration to undetectable levels and abolished both the positive inotropic effect and the rise in cytosolic Ca2+. These findings indicate that endocardial endothelial cells may modulate myocardial contraction in part through the release of endothelin-1 and suggest that endocardial as well as vascular endothelium could exert potent paracrine effects on myocardium.
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