Medical research articles from across Nature Portfolio

Clinical and population-based cohorts revealed an interaction between the inherited PNPLA3 p.I148M variant and female sex in determining liver disease. Transcriptomic and functional studies showed that the mechanism encompasses ERα-dependent upregulation of PNPLA3 in hepatocytes, highlighting a target for precision medicine therapeutics in cisgender women.

New clinical studies suggest that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy can have positive clinical effects, potentially via immunomodulation, in patients with diabetic nephropathy or nephrotic syndrome. These trials suggest that the therapy is safe, but adverse reactions highlight the need to examine the source and functional attributes of MSCs closely.

Human aging is associated with increased rates of many cardiac diseases and tissue remodeling. However, disentangling the mechanisms that underlie normal heart aging from disease processes is challenging. A study now addresses this gap by investigating healthy primate cardiac aging and provides evidence that SIRT2 signaling may regulate cardioprotective effects.

Results from the DiViD Intervention, a phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled trial, showed that antiviral treatment with pleconaril and ribavirin for 6 months resulted in higher endogenous insulin production in children and adolescents with new-onset type 1 diabetes.

The commercial success of RNA vaccines for COVID-19 has revved up interest in circular RNAs as the next generation of therapies.

New research shows that deficiency of the sulfation-related SLC26A2 affects osteocyte formation, and that targeting downstream mediators can ameliorate SLC26A2-deficient osteoporosis.

Clinical and population-based cohorts revealed an interaction between the inherited PNPLA3 p.I148M variant and female sex in determining liver disease. Transcriptomic and functional studies showed that the mechanism encompasses ERα-dependent upregulation of PNPLA3 in hepatocytes, highlighting a target for precision medicine therapeutics in cisgender women.

New clinical studies suggest that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy can have positive clinical effects, potentially via immunomodulation, in patients with diabetic nephropathy or nephrotic syndrome. These trials suggest that the therapy is safe, but adverse reactions highlight the need to examine the source and functional attributes of MSCs closely.

Scientists should carefully consider whether embryo models based on human stem cells are essential to their work because of the associated practical and ethical challenges.