Abstract:Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by extensive stroma and pathogenic modifications to the peripheral nervous system that elevate metastatic capacity. In this study, we show that the IL-6-related stem cell promoting factor LIF supports PDACassociated neural remodeling (PANR). LIF was overexpressed in tumor tissue compared to healthy pancreas, but its receptors LIFR and gp130 were expressed only in intratumoral Significance:This study suggests a target to limit neural remodeling in pancreatic cancer, which contributes to poorer quality of life and heightened metastatic progression in patients.

Genetic mutations of the Methyl-CpG-binding protein-2 (MECP2) gene underlie Rett syndrome (RTT). Developmental processes are often considered to be irrelevant in RTT pathogenesis but neuronal activity at birth has not been recorded. We report that the GABA developmental shift at birth is abolished in CA3 pyramidal neurons of Mecp2 −/y mice and the glutamatergic/GABAergic postsynaptic currents (PSCs) ratio is increased. Two weeks later, GABA exerts strong excitatory actions, the glutamatergic/GABAergic PSCs ratio is enhanced, hyper-synchronized activity is present and metabotropic long-term depression (LTD) is impacted. One day before delivery, maternal administration of the NKCC1 chloride importer antagonist bumetanide restored these parameters but not respiratory or weight deficits, nor the onset of mortality. Results suggest that birth is a critical period in RTT with important alterations that can be attenuated by bumetanide raising the possibility of early treatment of the disorder.