Biology subjects

Melo, I.

Publications and source records attributed to Melo, I..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

FL/FLT3 signaling enhances mechanical pain hypersensitivity through Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in male mice

Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) plays a critical role in chronic pain through its ligand FL, a cytokine that triggers mechanical pain hypersensitivity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigate the potential interplay between FL and IL-1{beta} a key cytokine in DRG neurons sensitization and mechanical hyperalgesia through both in vitro and in vivo approaches. ELISA assays reveal that intrathecal FL administration significantly increases IL-1{beta} protein levels in both the DRG and dorsal spinal cord of mice, beginning four hours post-injection. Using video microscopy and [Ca2+]i fluorescence imaging in primary DRG neuron cultures, we demonstrate that FL potentiation of TRPV1 receptor responses to capsaicin is partially mediated by IL-1{beta} signalling, as evidenced by a significant reduction in this potentiation in the presence of the IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-1Ra. Furthermore, FLT3-driven acute mechanical pain hypersensitivity in vivo is reduced both by prior administration of IL-1Ra and in IL-1 receptor knockout mice. Importantly, IL-1{beta}-induced mechanical pain hypersensitivity remains independent of FLT3 signalling as shown in Flt3 knockout mice. Collectively our findings expand the understanding of neuro-immune interactions by demonstrating a potential functional link between FL/FLT3 and IL-1{beta}/IL-1R signalling in nociceptive processing. HighlightsCytokines are known to engage in complex interactions and regulate each other FL increases IL-1{beta} in DRG and DSC within 4h, but IL-1{beta} does not affect FL levels FL modulates capsaicin-induced Ca2+ influx via IL-1{beta}/IL-1R signalling in DRG neurons IL-1R inhibition delays or abolishes FL-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in vivo Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=92 SRC="FIGDIR/small/648037v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (20K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@11cfa96org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@187ac2borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@387234org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d1c058_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG The timeline of the experimental design and the graphical abstract were created with BioRender.com C_FIG

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Biodiversity responses to forest cover loss: taxonomy and metrics matter

The actions required for biodiversity conservation depend on species responses to habitat loss, which may be either neutral, linear, or non-linear. Here, we tested how taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of aquatic insects, dragonflies, frogs, and terrestrial mammals, as well as their species composition respond to forest cover loss. We hypothesized that taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity would respond nonlinearly (thresholds) to forest cover loss. Our findings do not support the current idea that a single threshold value of forest cover loss is applicable across tropical regions, or that some biodiversity facets are consistently more sensitive than others across different taxa. Species compositional responses to forest cover loss showed general patterns with thresholds between 30-50%. These results highlight the importance to consider multiple biodiversity facets when assessing the effects of forest cover loss on biological communities.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Correlates of time to first citation in ecology and taxonomy

Several metrics exists to evaluate the impact of publications and researchers, but most are based on citation counts, which usually fail to capture the temporal aspect of citations. Time to first citation represents a useful metric for research evaluation, and informs the speed at which scientific knowledge is disseminated through the scientific community. Understanding which factors affect such metrics is important as they impact resource allocation and career progression, besides influencing knowledge promotion across disciplines. Many ecological works rely on species identity, which is the coin of taxonomy. Despite its importance, taxonomy is a discipline in crisis lacking staff, funds and prestige, which ultimately may affect the evaluation and dissemination of taxonomic works. We used a time-to-event analysis to investigate whether taxonomic, socioeconomic, and scientometric factors influence first citation speed across hundreds of ecological and taxonomic articles. Time to first citation differed greatly between these areas. Ecological studies were first cited much faster than taxonomic studies. Multitaxa articles received first citations earlier than studies focused on single major taxonomic groups. Article length and h-index among authors were negatively correlated with time to first citation, while the number of authors, number of countries, and Gross Domestic Product was unimportant. Knowledge dissemination is faster for lengthy, multitaxa, and ecological articles relative to their respective counterparts, as well as for articles with highly prolific authors. We stress that using several unrelated metrics is desirable when evaluating research from different-and even related-disciplines, particularly in the context of professional progression and grant allocation.

scientific communication and education↗