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SOX2 is expressed frequently in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). ASCL1 is a potent driver of SOX2 expression and regulates INSM1 expression in the major subtype, SCLC-A (ASCL1). However, SOX2 also regulates distinct genes in the hippo pathway in the minor subtype SCLC-Y (YAP1). These results show that ASCL1-SOX2 axis is a potential therapeutic target in SCLC.
Computational modeling has emerged as a promising and cost-effective alternative method for screening potentially endocrine active compounds. This study applies classic machine learning algorithms and deep learning approaches to a panel of over 7500 compounds tested against 18 Toxicity Forecaster assays related to nuclear estrogen receptor (ERα and ERβ) activity.
This study shows in vivo and in vitro evidence to support a novel tree shrew model of lung fibrosis. Tree shrews are genetically, anatomically, and metabolically closer to humans than rodents or dogs; therefore, the tree shrew model presents a unique opportunity for basic and translational research in lung fibrosis.
Polarization-second harmonic microscopy was utilized to investigate whether collagen ultrastructure in thyroid due to four carcinoma types and Graves’ disease could be differentiated in human histopathology samples. Three parameters were extracted, revealing that the degree of linear polarization and χ(2)zzz/χ(2)zxx were effective in differentiating some diseases, while the parameter χ(2)xyz/χ(2)zxx was less effective.
This study demonstrates that small clusters (sCLs) of tumor cells with high expression of LGR5 continuously form in the invasive front in a colorectal cancer xenograft model. This structure is characterized by stress response and partial/hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These sCLs are an important contributor to tumor growth and the expansion of cancer stem cells.
Overexpression of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PD-MSCs) improved the mitochondrial activities, and induced regeneration of oxidative stress-damaged RPE through regulating oxidative status and mitochondrial biogenesis. Therefore, genetic modification of PD-MSCs with PEDF might be a new cell therapy for treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Combination of antihypertensive drugs with NSAID analgesics may cause a syndrome called triple whammy (TW) acute kidney injury (AKI), most often in the elderly. A rat model reveals that the TW-AKI is a prerenal form of AKI, only occurring in previously dehydrated rats, a condition particularly rife among the aged.
In this study, the authors assess the early pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF) pig gallbladder disease. The CF pig gallbladder epithelium lacks cAMP-stimulated anion and fluid transport. CF pig gallbladders also demonstrate increased luminal mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B accumulation without significant changes in the epithelial expression of gel-forming mucins compared to non-CF pigs.
The authors investigated the role of extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (eCIRP) in acute pancreatitis (AP) and found that eCIRP acts as a potent regulator of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation in AP. They observed that eCIRP itself is one of the NETs associated proteins. Furthermore, they demonstrate that C23 (a potent eCIRP inhibitor) reduces NETs formation and inflammation in AP.
To investigate genetic homozygosity in pediatric teratomas, this study analyses 13 sacrococcygeal, 12 ovarian, and 3 testicular teratomas in children by short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping. While genetic homozygosity is frequent in adult ovarian teratomas, no evidence of genetic homozygosity is seen in patients younger than 4 years, arguing pediatric teratomas arise at an earlier stage of germ cell development.
The authors show that exposure of neonatal mice to the toxin biliatresone creates an animal model of biliary atresia. Such mice develop clinical signs of biliary obstruction, inflammatory cell infiltration and liver fibrosis.
HNRNPA2B1 regulates the splicing of MST1R and promotes the expression of a cancer-specific isoform, RON∆165, in head and neck cancer cells. RON∆165 activates the Akt/PKB pathway and leads to increased expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition regulators such as TWIST2, E-cadherin, vimentin, and ZEB1 and promotes the invasive behavior of head and neck cancer.
Accurate quantification of steatosis in liver biopsies is a key step in the treatment of patients with fatty liver diseases. To assist pathologists for such analysis tasks, we develop a novel deep learning-based framework to segment overlapped steatosis droplets in whole slide liver biopsy images. Quantitative measurements of steatosis at both pixel and object-level present strong correlation with clinical data, suggesting its potential for clinical decision support.
Detailed protocols for immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 are provide so they can be readily implemented in pathology laboratories and medical examiner offices for diagnostic and research purposes. These assays were found to represent a sensitive and specific method for detecting the virus in tissue samples.
PCP4/PEP19 knockdown in neuroblastoma cells induce neurite outgrowth, upregulation of NeuroD1 and downregulation of Ascl1 expression, suggesting that PCP4/PEP19 can suppress neurite outgrowth and neuronal differentiation through the regulation of NeuroD1 and Ascl1. Immunohistochemistry shows nuclear localization of PCP4/PEP19 in neuroblastoma cells. PCP4/PEP19 may therefore be an intranuclear negative regulator of neuronal differentiation.
The therapeutic effects of CP-25 on experimental Sjögren’s syndrome has been shown to be associated with the inhibition of the JAK1-STAT1/2-CXCL13 signaling pathway in HSGEC, which impedes the migration of B cells into the salivary gland. The study provides an experimental foundation for CP-25 as a potential drug in the treatment of human autoimmune disorder, Sjögren’s syndrome.
Liquid biopsy is a novel promising, but technically challenging tool in oncology. We compared various circulating DNA extraction and sequencing systems used within four Swiss laboratories. Results were highly congruent, with perfect sensitivity down to 1% mutation frequency. We also determined several key factors to validate when implementing such tests.
The authors demonstrate that cholestasis impairs hepatic lipid storage via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and CREB signaling in hepatitis B virus surface protein transgenic mice. The pharmacological modulation of AMPK and CREB signaling might be a promising therapeutic concept for the treatment of fatty liver diseases.