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Stem cell research, xenotransplantation and somatic and germ line gene therapy are examples of emerging technologies that, if successful, will forever change the way we live. But how well does the public understand the benefits and risks of these technologies, and whose responsibility is it to communicate them? Here, Erik Millstone and Patrick van Zwanenberg of the University of Sussex, UK, discuss whether science is suffering because of a lack of transparency in presenting scientific information to its main consumer group—the general public.
Statins reduce the expression of the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHCII) by arterial cells, leading to a decreased T-cell response. This indicates that statins may be useful in treating graft atherosclerosis and other chronic inflammatory conditions. (pages 1399–1402)
Disruption of the gene encoding the cholesterol modifying enzyme ACAT2 in mice leads to a reduced capacity to absorb cholesterol and resistance to diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. This suggests that ACAT2 may be a good target for prevention of atherosclerosis. (pages 1341–1347)
Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is a key transcriptional regulator of the cellular response to hypoxia that is upregulated in many common cancers. Blockade of the pathway may provide a new opportunity for the development of cancer therapeutics (pages 1335-1340).
Transgenic manipulation of intracellular signaling pathways may be an effective and highly-specific means of modifying cardiac conduction and slowing heart rate during atrial fibrillation. Is it time to consider gene therapy as an approach to managing atrial tachyarrhythmias? (pages 1395–1398)
Multiple models have been proposed for the mechanism by which mutant superoxide dismutase 1 induces motor neuron death and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A combination of cell biology and genetics may soon lead to an answer.
A population of stem cells that are capable of differentiating into endothelial and smooth muscle cells has been identified, offering improved prospects for vascular tissue engineering.
