@article{SchlechtVallonWagneretal.2021,
  author    = {Schlecht, Anja and Vallon, Mario and Wagner, Nicole and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman and Braunger, Barbara M.},
  title     = {TGFβ-Neurotrophin Interactions in Heart, Retina, and Brain},
  series = {Biomolecules},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Biomolecules},
  number    = {9},
  issn      = {2218-273X},
  doi       = {10.3390/biom11091360},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-246159},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Ischemic insults to the heart and brain, i.e., myocardial and cerebral infarction, respectively, are amongst the leading causes of death worldwide. While there are therapeutic options to allow reperfusion of ischemic myocardial and brain tissue by reopening obstructed vessels, mitigating primary tissue damage, post-infarction inflammation and tissue remodeling can lead to secondary tissue damage. Similarly, ischemia in retinal tissue is the driving force in the progression of neovascular eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which eventually lead to functional blindness, if left untreated. Intriguingly, the easily observable retinal blood vessels can be used as a window to the heart and brain to allow judgement of microvascular damages in diseases such as diabetes or hypertension. The complex neuronal and endocrine interactions between heart, retina and brain have also been appreciated in myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and retinal diseases. To describe the intimate relationship between the individual tissues, we use the terms heart-brain and brain-retina axis in this review and focus on the role of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and neurotrophins in regulation of these axes under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Moreover, we particularly discuss their roles in inflammation and repair following ischemic/neovascular insults. As there is evidence that TGFβ signaling has the potential to regulate expression of neurotrophins, it is tempting to speculate, and is discussed here, that cross-talk between TGFβ and neurotrophin signaling protects cells from harmful and/or damaging events in the heart, retina, and brain.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ShityakovHayashiStoerketal.2021,
  author    = {Shityakov, Sergey and Hayashi, Kentaro and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Scheper, Verena and Lenarz, Thomas and F{\"o}rster, Carola Y.},
  title     = {The conspicuous link between ear, brain and heart - Could neurotrophin-treatment of age-related hearing loss help prevent Alzheimer's disease and associated amyloid cardiomyopathy?},
  series = {Biomolecules},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Biomolecules},
  number    = {6},
  issn      = {2218-273X},
  doi       = {10.3390/biom11060900},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-241084},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with neurovascular dysfunction and cognitive decline. While the deposition of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the pathological hallmarks of AD-affected brains, the majority of cases exhibits a combination of comorbidities that ultimately lead to multi-organ failure. Of particular interest, it can be demonstrated that Aβ pathology is present in the hearts of patients with AD, while the formation of NFT in the auditory system can be detected much earlier than the onset of symptoms. Progressive hearing impairment may beget social isolation and accelerate cognitive decline and increase the risk of developing dementia. The current review discusses the concept of a brain-ear-heart axis by which Aβ and NFT inhibition could be achieved through targeted supplementation of neurotrophic factors to the cochlea and the brain. Such amyloid inhibition might also indirectly affect amyloid accumulation in the heart, thus reducing the risk of developing AD-associated amyloid cardiomyopathy and cardiovascular disease.},
  language  = {en}
}