Featured
-
-
Article
| Open AccessDiverse roles of the metal binding domains and transport mechanism of copper transporting P-type ATPases
Controlling copper levels is essential for life, causing disease when impaired. Here, structures of a copper transporter sheds light on the function of its metal binding domains and unifies previous theories on the details of copper transport.
- Zongxin Guo
- , Fredrik Orädd
- & Pontus Gourdon
-
Article
| Open AccessPolygenic risk score for ulcerative colitis predicts immune checkpoint inhibitor-mediated colitis
Colitis is one of the most common immune-related adverse events in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Here the authors show that a polygenic risk score for ulcerative colitis can predict immune checkpoint inhibitor-mediated colitis in patients with cancer.
- Pooja Middha
- , Rohit Thummalapalli
- & Elad Ziv
-
Perspective
| Open AccessEcological countermeasures to prevent pathogen spillover and subsequent pandemics
In this Perspective, the authors discuss the importance of preventing zoonotic spillover to prevent pandemics. They highlight mechanisms by which environmental changes can enable spillover, identify ecological interventions for spillover prevention and suggest policy frameworks through which interventions can be implemented.
- Raina K. Plowright
- , Aliyu N. Ahmed
- & Annika T. H. Keeley
-
Article
| Open AccessPhenome-wide Mendelian randomisation analysis of 378,142 cases reveals risk factors for eight common cancers
Mendelian randomisation can identify potential risk factors from large populations. Here, the authors analyse 3000 traits across multiple cancer types to search for potential risk factors and molecular biomarkers.
- Molly Went
- , Amit Sud
- & Richard Houlston
-
Article
| Open AccessTrimethylamine N-oxide impairs β-cell function and glucose tolerance
β-Cell dysfunction is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Here, the authors show that trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO (a microbiota metabolite)) induces β-cell dysfunction and type 2 diabetes in mice through NLRP3 inflammasome activation and calcium transients.
- Lijuan Kong
- , Qijin Zhao
- & Pingping Li
-
Article
| Open AccessThe EIF3H-HAX1 axis increases RAF-MEK-ERK signaling activity to promote colorectal cancer progression
Eukaryotic initiation translation factor 3 subunit h (EIF3H) possesses an alternative “moonlighting” function of deubiquitinase, while its role in colorectal carcinogenesis remains to be explored. Here the authors show that EIF3H deubiquitinates and stabilizes HAX1, which enhances RAF-MEK-ERK signaling to promote colorectal tumor growth and metastasis.
- Huilin Jin
- , Xiaoling Huang
- & Mong-Hong Lee
-
Article
| Open AccessPredictive evolutionary modelling for influenza virus by site-based dynamics of mutations
Seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness depends on including virus strains in the vaccine that closely match those circulating in the upcoming season. In this study, the authors develop a computational model of influenza virus evolution to predict future circulating strains and therefore support vaccine strain selection.
- Jingzhi Lou
- , Weiwen Liang
- & Maggie Haitian Wang
-
Article
| Open AccessOxygen-independent organic photosensitizer with ultralow-power NIR photoexcitation for tumor-specific photodynamic therapy
Conventional photodynamic therapy (PDT) is hindered by oxygen-dependent photosensitization pathways and high-power-density photoexcitation. Here, the authors develop polymer-based organic photosensitizers (PSs) through PS skeleton design and side-chain engineering to allow tumor-specific PDT under oxygen-free conditions using ultralow-power 808 nm photoexcitation.
- Yufu Tang
- , Yuanyuan Li
- & Bin Liu
-
Article
| Open AccessImmunization with V987H-stabilized Spike glycoprotein protects K18-hACE2 mice and golden Syrian hamsters upon SARS-CoV-2 infection
In this study, the authors report a mutation that increases the production of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike and exposure of the RBD. In animal models, a Spike-based vaccine containing the mutation induces strong immunogenicity, provides protection from disease and results in faster tissue viral clearance.
- Carlos Ávila-Nieto
- , Júlia Vergara-Alert
- & Jorge Carrillo
-
Article
| Open AccessHeterozygous missense variant in GLI2 impairs human endocrine pancreas development
Mutations in the Hedgehog signaling have not been previously associated to diabetes. Here, authors identify a missense variant of GLI2 in a family with early-onset diabetes and report an essential role of this gene during human iPSC-based pancreatic differentiation.
- Laura M. Mueller
- , Abigail Isaacson
- & Francesca M. Spagnoli
-
Article
| Open AccessStrong positive selection biases identity-by-descent-based inferences of recent demography and population structure in Plasmodium falciparum
Identity-by-descent (IBD) is used to infer malaria parasite population demography, but positive selection imposed by drug pressure can bias IBD estimates. This study shows that strong selection distorts IBD distributions impacting downstream inferences and presents an approach to correct these biases.
- Bing Guo
- , Victor Borda
- & Shannon Takala-Harrison
-
Article
| Open AccessPolyamine-mediated ferroptosis amplification acts as a targetable vulnerability in cancer
Ferroptosis plays an important role in response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, however, the sensitivity of cancer cell to ferroptosis varies. Here, the authors show that ODC1-mediated polyamine synthesis induces ferroptosis and demonstrate the potential of targeting this axis by combining polyamine supplements with radiotherapy or chemotherapy in preclinical lung cancer models.
- Guoshu Bi
- , Jiaqi Liang
- & Cheng Zhan
-
Article
| Open AccessTargeted metagenomics reveals association between severity and pathogen co-detection in infants with respiratory syncytial virus
The impact of other pathogens on disease outcome was studied in European infants with RSV infection. Additional viruses were commonly co-detected during infection but were weakly linked to severity. However, presence of Haemophilus bacteria strongly associated with severe cases.
- Gu-Lung Lin
- , Simon B. Drysdale
- & Andrew J. Pollard
-
Article
| Open AccessGenomic malaria surveillance of antenatal care users detects reduced transmission following elimination interventions in Mozambique
Routine sampling of pregnant women at first antenatal care (ANC) visits could be used for malaria surveillance. Here, the authors compare the genetic structure of Plasmodium falciparum parasite populations between samples from first ANC users and children from the community in Mozambique, and show that it can inform about changes in transmission beyond epidemiological data.
- Nanna Brokhattingen
- , Glória Matambisso
- & Alfredo Mayor
-
Article
| Open AccessThe decline of the 2022 Italian mpox epidemic: Role of behavior changes and control strategies
Mpox cases in Italy rapidly declined following a peak in summer 2022. Here, the authors investigate potential reasons for the decline in cases using an individual-based model of a sexual contact network of men who have sex with men.
- Giorgio Guzzetta
- , Valentina Marziano
- & Stefano Merler
-
Article
| Open AccessBiallelic NAA60 variants with impaired n-terminal acetylation capacity cause autosomal recessive primary familial brain calcifications
Most individuals with primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) remain genetically unsolved. Here the authors show that NAA60 biallelic variants cause PFBC, likely via reduced N-terminal acetylation and SLC20A2 levels with impaired phosphate uptake.
- Viorica Chelban
- , Henriette Aksnes
- & Henry Houlden
-
Article
| Open AccessInhibition of urease-mediated ammonia production by 2-octynohydroxamic acid in hepatic encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy is a severe complication of liver disease with a growing prevalence. Here, the authors present a hydroxamate-based urease inhibitor to target the production of intestinal ammonia, one of the contributors to the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.
- Diana Evstafeva
- , Filip Ilievski
- & Jean-Christophe Leroux
-
Article
| Open AccessTheileria parasites sequester host eIF5A to escape elimination by host-mediated autophagy
Theileria parasites have evolved mechanisms to evade host cell defenses. Here, Villares et al use an anti-parasite drug to show how intracellular parasites sequester host eIF5A to escape elimination by autophagy pathways.
- Marie Villares
- , Nelly Lourenço
- & Jonathan B. Weitzman
-
Article
| Open AccessInhibition of 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase prevents hepatic ferroptosis under an active state of sterol synthesis
Ferroptosis has been connected to liver disease through unclear mechanisms. Here, the authors identify the terminal enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase, as a regulator of ferroptosis in hepatocytes that suppresses ferroptosis through 7-dehydrocholesterol accumulation.
- Naoya Yamada
- , Tadayoshi Karasawa
- & Masafumi Takahashi
-
Article
| Open AccessIdentification of four biotypes in temporal lobe epilepsy via machine learning on brain images
Brain imaging-based disease progression modelling is a promising technique for disease stratification. Here the authors characterize distinct ‘trajectories’ of brain atrophy in temporal lobe epilepsy and identify four subtypes with distinct neuroanatomical signatures.
- Yuchao Jiang
- , Wei Li
- & Dongmei An
-
Article
| Open AccessSingle-cell division tracing and transcriptomics reveal cell types and differentiation paths in the regenerating lung
This study uses single-cell transcriptomics to examine how lung cells respond to targeted damage. The authors employ genetically modified mouse models and cell sorting to enrich for rare, actively dividing cells, revealing cell types/states and alternative differentiation paths.
- Leila R. Martins
- , Lina Sieverling
- & Claudia Scholl
-
Article
| Open AccessNumerosity estimation of virtual humans as a digital-robotic marker for hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease
Virtual reality, robotics and digital online technologies reveal heightened visual overestimation when estimating the number of humans, indexing presence hallucinations in healthy participants and patients with Parkinson’s disease.
- Louis Albert
- , Jevita Potheegadoo
- & Olaf Blanke
-
Article
| Open AccessUnderstanding the infection severity and epidemiological characteristics of mpox in the UK
Mpox cases without known travel links to endemic countries began to be detected in the UK in mid-2022. In this study, the authors characterise the severity of mpox cases in the UK and estimate the overall infection hospitalisation risk at ~4%.
- Thomas Ward
- , Christopher E. Overton
- & Martyn Fyles
-
Article
| Open AccessDrivers and impact of the early silent invasion of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha
The SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant of concern emerged in the UK in late 2020 but spread internationally before it was detected. Here, the authors reconstruct the dynamics of dissemination of this variant out of the UK by combining extent of genomic sequencing, travel volume, and local epidemic dynamics in a Bayesian model.
- Benjamin Faucher
- , Chiara E. Sabbatini
- & Chiara Poletto
-
Article
| Open AccessAcidity-activatable upconversion afterglow luminescence cocktail nanoparticles for ultrasensitive in vivo imaging
Activatable afterglow luminescence nanoprobes reduce unspecific signals and improve imaging fidelity, but their utility is limited by a requisition of donor-acceptor distance (>10 nm) in common biomarker-activatable designs. Here, the authors address this issue by developing organic afterglow luminescence cocktail nanoparticles for acid-activatable upconversion afterglow luminescence imaging.
- Yue Jiang
- , Min Zhao
- & Qingqing Miao
-
Article
| Open AccessPMI-controlled mannose metabolism and glycosylation determines tissue tolerance and virus fitness
Glucose metabolism is crucial for cellular energy regulation and affects the immune response. Here the authors show that nutritional supplementation of mannose may be beneficial during virus infections by rewiring glucose metabolic dysregulation and alleviating inflammatory tissue damage.
- Ronghui Liang
- , Zi-Wei Ye
- & Shuofeng Yuan
-
Article
| Open AccessPla2g12b drives expansion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins
Thierer and colleagues identify PLA2G12B as a key gene driving triglyceride incorporation into lipoproteins and show that disruption of this activity provides protection from atherosclerosis.
- James H. Thierer
- , Ombretta Foresti
- & Steven A. Farber
-
Article
| Open AccessSingle-cell profiling identifies IL1Bhi macrophages associated with inflammation in PD-1 inhibitor-induced inflammatory arthritis
Patients undergoing treatment with PD-1 blockade can experience inflammatory arthritis as an adverse event. Here, the authors use single-cell RNA sequencing to identify IL1Bhi macrophages in PD-1-inhibitor-induced arthritis, but not rheumatoid arthritis.
- Ziyue Zhou
- , Xiaoxiang Zhou
- & Xuan Zhang
-
Article
| Open AccessTargeting P2Y14R protects against necroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells through PKA/CREB/RIPK1 axis in ulcerative colitis
P2Y14R regulates necroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells though PKA/CREB/RIPK1 axis in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Targeting P2Y14R with a small molecule inhibitor improves dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC in mice, suggesting P2Y14R as a promising target for treatment of UC.
- Chunxiao Liu
- , Hui Wang
- & Qinghua Hu
-
Article
| Open AccessKdm1a safeguards the topological boundaries of PRC2-repressed genes and prevents aging-related euchromatinization in neurons
Kdm1a is a histone demethylase implicated in intellectual disability. Here, the authors show that removing Kdm1a in neurons of the adult mouse forebrain disrupts silencing of nonneuronal genes and chromatin organization, emphasizing its role in preserving neuronal genome integrity.
- Beatriz del Blanco
- , Sergio Niñerola
- & Ángel Barco
-
Article
| Open AccessFrequency, kinetics and determinants of viable SARS-CoV-2 in bioaerosols from ambulatory COVID-19 patients infected with the Beta, Delta or Omicron variants
SARS-CoV-2 can be spread by aerosols. Here the authors show that between 50-60% of ambulatory COVID-19 patients exhale culturable virus and that this is associated with lower neutralizing antibody titers and suppression of immune related transcriptomic pathways.
- S. Jaumdally
- , M. Tomasicchio
- & K. Dheda
-
Article
| Open AccessCentrosome amplification and aneuploidy driven by the HIV-1-induced Vpr•VprBP•Plk4 complex in CD4+ T cells
People living with HIV-1 are at an increased risk of developing various cancers. Here, the authors suggest that HIV-1-encoded Vpr can promote oncogenesis by forming a ternary complex with VprBP and Plk4 and inducing Plk4-dependent centriole overduplication and aneuploidy.
- Jung-Eun Park
- , Tae-Sung Kim
- & Kyung S. Lee
-
Article
| Open AccessNeuronal miR-9 promotes HSV-1 epigenetic silencing and latency by repressing Oct-1 and Onecut family genes
Here, the authors identify neuron-specific miR-9 that potentially blocks HSV-1 neuronal replication by targeting host OCT-1 and ONECUT transcription factors involved in epigenetic activation of HSV-1 productive-cycle genes. Thus miR-9 promotes viral epigenetic silencing and latent infection in neurons.
- Yue Deng
- , Yuqi Lin
- & Dongli Pan
-
Article
| Open AccessQTL mapping of human retina DNA methylation identifies 87 gene-epigenome interactions in age-related macular degeneration
Here, the authors perform genome-wide mapping of DNA methylation and expression quantitative trait loci, revealing associations among genotype, epigenome and transcriptome, uncovering genes and gene-environment interactions contributing to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- Jayshree Advani
- , Puja A. Mehta
- & Anand Swaroop
-
Article
| Open AccessDeregulated protein homeostasis constrains fetal hematopoietic stem cell pool expansion in Fanconi anemia
In this manuscript, the authors show deregulated protein synthesis as a novel, noncanonical defect in Fanconi Anemia. The observed deficits reflect the impact of proteostasis during fetal hematopoietic stem cell expansion and define the origins of hematopoietic failure in this disorder.
- Narasaiah Kovuru
- , Makiko Mochizuki-Kashio
- & Peter Kurre
-
Article
| Open AccessMYC induces CDK4/6 inhibitors resistance by promoting pRB1 degradation
Several molecular mechanisms, including retinoblastoma protein RB1 deficiency, explain CDK4/6 inhibitors resistance in cancer. Here, the authors show that MYC amplification induces CDK4/6 inhibitors resistance through transcriptional regulation of KLHL42, leading to RB1 degradation and targeting MYC overcomes CDK4/6 resistance in preclinical cancer models.
- Jian Ma
- , Lei Li
- & Lei Li
-
Article
| Open AccessApplying a genetic risk score model to enhance prediction of future multiple sclerosis diagnosis at first presentation with optic neuritis
People who experience optic neuritis, a cause of potentially serious sudden vision loss, have up to a 50% chance of ultimately being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Here, the authors find that genetic information combined with age and sex helps predict risk of future diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
- Pavel Loginovic
- , Feiyi Wang
- & Tasanee Braithwaite
-
Article
| Open AccessBTLA contributes to acute-on-chronic liver failure infection and mortality through CD4+ T-cell exhaustion
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by rapid deterioration of liver function in patients with chronic liver disease. Here, the authors show that BTLA expression in CD4+ T cells is associated with disease severity and inflammation in hepatitis B virus-related ACLF.
- Xueping Yu
- , Feifei Yang
- & Jiming Zhang
-
Article
| Open AccessDevelopment of pathophysiologically relevant models of sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia for therapeutic studies
Sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia (BT) are globally prevalent inherited blood disorders but, despite extensive research, no ex vivo system exists for SCD and BT. Here, the authors generate pathophysiologically relevant erythroid progenitor models of SCD and BT.
- Pragya Gupta
- , Sangam Giri Goswami
- & Sivaprakash Ramalingam
-
Article
| Open AccessBicarbonate signalling via G protein-coupled receptor regulates ischaemia-reperfusion injury
The acid–base balance regulates cellular responses, but little has been known about its molecular mechanism. Here, the authors unveil a bicarbonate-sensing GPCR, GPR30, that underlies cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury by regulating blood flow recovery.
- Airi Jo-Watanabe
- , Toshiki Inaba
- & Takehiko Yokomizo
-
Article
| Open AccessSNUPN deficiency causes a recessive muscular dystrophy due to RNA mis-splicing and ECM dysregulation
SNURPORTIN-1, encoded by the SNUPN gene, plays a key role in the nuclear import of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, however its physiological function remains unclear. Here the authors report that recessive SNUPN mutations cause a distinct subtype of childhood muscular dystrophy and reveal SNURPORTIN-1’s role in muscle homeostasis, offering insights for new therapeutic strategies.
- Marwan Nashabat
- , Nasrinsadat Nabavizadeh
- & Nathalie Escande-Beillard
-
Article
| Open AccessGlobal fungal-host interactome mapping identifies host targets of candidalysin
Candidalysin is a toxin secreted by Candida albicans. Although critical for pathogenesis, its intracellular targets are not well mapped. Here, Zhang et al screen for interacting proteins and identify that candidalysin can modulate the DNA damage repair pathway to promote fungal infection.
- Tian-Yi Zhang
- , Yao-Qi Chen
- & Ning-Ning Liu
-
Article
| Open AccessA distinct class of pan-cancer susceptibility genes revealed by an alternative polyadenylation transcriptome-wide association study
Alternative polyadenylation (APA) can play a key role in cancer initiation and progression. Here, the authors conducted a comprehensive pan-cancer APA TWAS analysis and discovered a distinct class of APA-mediated cancer susceptibility genes across 22 cancer types.
- Hui Chen
- , Zeyang Wang
- & Lei Li
-
Article
| Open AccessPersistence in risk and effect of COVID-19 vaccination on long-term health consequences after SARS-CoV-2 infection
The long-term health consequences of COVID-19 infection are not fully understood. In this retrospective cohort study from Hong Kong, the authors describe changes in the risk of various clinical outcomes including all-cause mortality for one year following COVID-19 infection and how they vary by vaccination status.
- Ivan Chun Hang Lam
- , Ran Zhang
- & Eric Yuk Fai Wan
-
Article
| Open AccessWhole-exome sequencing in UK Biobank reveals rare genetic architecture for depression
Despite many common genetic variants being linked to depression, the impact of rare coding variants on depression remains largely unknown. Here, the authors perform a whole-exome sequencing study of depression, providing insights into the rare genetic architecture of depression.
- Ruoyu Tian
- , Tian Ge
- & Chia-Yen Chen
-
Article
| Open AccessA wireless battery-free eye modulation patch for high myopia therapy
The proper axial length of the eye is crucial for achieving emmetropia. Here, authors introduce a wireless battery-free eye modulation patch designed to correct high myopia and prevent relapse.
- Tianyan Zhong
- , Hangjin Yi
- & Xinyu Xue
-
Article
| Open AccessTargeting HDAC6 to treat heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in mice
HFpEF has few effective treatments. Here, the authors show that inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) with TYA-018 reverses established HFpEF symptoms in mice, comparably to the use of a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor; highlighting HDAC6 as a potential target to treat HFpEF.
- Sara Ranjbarvaziri
- , Aliya Zeng
- & Jin Yang
-
Article
| Open AccessSingle-cell transcriptomics identifies the differentiation trajectory from inflammatory monocytes to pro-resolving macrophages in a mouse skin allergy model
Classical monocytes can differentiate into pro-inflammatory or pro-resolving macrophages. Here the authors characterise mouse macrophage differentiation and show that Ly6Chi classical monocytes can differentiate into Ly6Clo pro-resolving macrophages which are involved in the resolution of skin allergic inflammation.
- Kensuke Miyake
- , Junya Ito
- & Hajime Karasuyama
-
Article
| Open AccessImmune signature of Chlamydia vaccine CTH522/CAF®01 translates from mouse-to-human and induces durable protection in mice
Authors present a comparative immunological characterisation of Chlamydia vaccine, CTH522/CAF®01, in mice and humans. Findings suggest the mouse to be a good predictor of human immunity to the Chlamydia vaccine CTH522/CAF®01, and long-lasting protection in the mouse further supports the development of this promising vaccine candidate.
- Anja W. Olsen
- , Ida Rosenkrands
- & Frank Follmann
Browse broader subjects
Browse narrower subjects
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Dental diseases
- Endocrine system and metabolic diseases
- Eye diseases
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- Haematological diseases
- Immunological disorders
- Infectious diseases
- Kidney diseases
- Metabolic disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Nutrition disorders
- Oral diseases
- Psychiatric disorders
- Reproductive disorders
- Respiratory tract diseases
- Rheumatic diseases
- Skin diseases
- Trauma
- Urogenital diseases