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| Open AccessLiver ACOX1 regulates levels of circulating lipids that promote metabolic health through adipose remodeling
The peroxisomal β-oxidation enzyme ACOX1 increases in liver with obesity, but the physiological significance is unclear. Here, the authors show that liver-specific knockout of Acox1 leads to accumulation of omega-3 VLCFAs that promote metabolic health through activation of GPR120 in adipose tissue.
- Dongliang Lu
- , Anyuan He
- & Irfan J. Lodhi
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Article
| Open AccessCD5L as a promising biological therapeutic for treating sepsis
Authors explore the utility of CD5L for treating experimental sepsis. CD5L deficiency exacerbates experimental sepsis. Conversely, administration of recombinant CD5L in WT mice augments neutrophil function, enhances bacterial control, and mitigates inflammation, leading to substantial improvements in disease outcomes.
- Liliana Oliveira
- , M. Carolina Silva
- & Alexandre M. Carmo
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Article
| Open AccessGene editing for latent herpes simplex virus infection reduces viral load and shedding in vivo
The main challenge for anti-HSV therapy is to target latent virus in ganglionic neurons. Here, the authors report a well-tolerated anti-HSV gene editing approach against HSV which targets latent HSV genomes and leads to reductions of ganglionic viral loads, and viral shedding upon reactivation in mouse models.
- Martine Aubert
- , Anoria K. Haick
- & Keith R. Jerome
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Article
| Open AccessPersistent and multiclonal malaria parasite dynamics despite extended artemether-lumefantrine treatment in children
Standard diagnostics are often not able to fully capture submicroscopic parasite dynamics after treatment with antimalarials. In this longitudinal analysis of molecular markers of malaria parasitemia in an Ugandan cohort, authors describe persistence of markers following antimalarial therapy with dynamic and complex multiclonal infections in the initial and post-treatment periods.
- Justin Goodwin
- , Richard Kajubi
- & Sunil Parikh
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| Open AccessTargeted delivery of the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii to the extracellular matrix enhances gut residence time and recovery in murine colitis
In this study, the authors engineered a targeted Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic yeast platform, showing it exhibits high adherence to extracellular matrix proteins, resulting in longer gut residence, higher colon concentrations, and enhanced recovery in murine colitis.
- Mairead K. Heavey
- , Anthony Hazelton
- & Juliane Nguyen
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Article
| Open AccessDiet-omics in the
S tudy ofU rban andR uralC rohn diseaseE volution (SOURCE) cohortExposures rather than genetics likely contribute to the worldwide increased prevalence of Crohn Disease (CD). Here, the authors constructed the Study Of Urban and Rural Crohn disease Evolution (SOURCE), a multicenter and multi-omics cross-sectional study, to identify that time spent by rural residents in urban environments is linked with changes in gut microbial composition and metabolomics, which mirrored those seen in CD. Reviewer recognition:
- Tzipi Braun
- , Rui Feng
- & Yael Haberman
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Article
| Open AccessSingle-cell analyses reveal transient retinal progenitor cells in the ciliary margin of developing human retina
Formation of the retina during development involves the coordinated action of retinal progenitor cells and their differentiated cell types, which is key for producing a functioning eye. Here the authors provide a detailed atlas of human retinal development, combining scRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics, and identify key genetic factors that mediate retinal progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation.
- Birthe Dorgau
- , Joseph Collin
- & Majlinda Lako
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Article
| Open AccessWild-type IDH2 is a therapeutic target for triple-negative breast cancer
Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations are associated with cancer development and IDH-mutant inhibitors are approved to treat IDH-mutant cancer. Here, the authors show in preclinical murine models that wild-type IDH2 is a potential therapeutic target for triple-negative breast cancer.
- Jiang-jiang Li
- , Tiantian Yu
- & Peng Huang
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Article
| Open AccessInhibition of ACSS2-mediated histone crotonylation alleviates kidney fibrosis via IL-1β-dependent macrophage activation and tubular cell senescence
Here the author reveal that histone crotonylation (including H3K9cr) exert a role in kidney fibrosis, where ACSS2 represents a potential target to slow fibrotic kidney disease progression.
- Lingzhi Li
- , Ting Xiang
- & Liang Ma
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Article
| Open AccessCold-induced FOXO1 nuclear transport aids cold survival and tissue storage
How tissues adapt to extreme cold is not well understood. Here, the authors discover a mechanism that promotes FOXO1-mediated cold survival gene transcription at low temperatures, with potential implications for long-term tissue storage for transplantation.
- Xiaomei Zhang
- , Lihao Ge
- & Jingxing Ou
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Article
| Open AccessSystematic analysis of RNA-binding proteins identifies targetable therapeutic vulnerabilities in osteosarcoma
Proteomic, transcriptomic, and genomic analysis has shown osteosarcoma (OS) to be a complex and heterogenous disease but revealed little about its carcinogenesis or potential therapeutic targets. Here, the authors profile the RNA interactome, transcriptome and proteome of cells derived from OS patients, identifying a targetable vulnerability to translation inhibition.
- Yang Zhou
- , Partho Sarothi Ray
- & Andreas E. Kulozik
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Perspective
| Open AccessExpected and unexpected effects after systemic inhibition of Hippo transcriptional output in cancer
Hyperactivation of YAP/TAZ, the Hippo pathway downstream effectors, is common in human cancer. In this perspective, the authors review the role of the Hippo pathway in distinct tumor cell populations, discuss the impact of inhibiting Hippo output on tumor growth, and examine current developments in YAP/TAZ inhibitors.
- Isabel Baroja
- , Nikolaos C. Kyriakidis
- & Iván M. Moya
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Article
| Open AccessThe level of protein in the maternal murine diet modulates the facial appearance of the offspring via mTORC1 signaling
Children’s faces resemble their parents to various degrees. Here they show that the maternal diet affects the facial appearances of newborns and that inherited and adaptive mechanisms sculpturing facial bones are linked via dietary protein levels and the mTOR signaling pathway.
- Meng Xie
- , Markéta Kaiser
- & Andrei S. Chagin
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Article
| Open AccessEpigenetic modulators link mitochondrial redox homeostasis to cardiac function in a sex-dependent manner
Efforts to treat heart failure with antioxidants have failed. Here, authors reveal a robust sex-dependent endogenous defense against oxidative damage and demonstrate antioxidative treatment’s efficacy solely in subjects with inadequate redox capacity.
- Zaher ElBeck
- , Mohammad Bakhtiar Hossain
- & Christer Betsholtz
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Article
| Open AccessLong-term effects of Omicron BA.2 breakthrough infection on immunity-metabolism balance: a 6-month prospective study
Here the authors study recovery from mild to moderate Omicron breakthrough infection at six months post infection. Serum proteomics, PBMC single-cell transcriptomics and clinical parameters indicate slow recovery with coagulation abnormalities and an imbalance of the immune response and metabolism remaining.
- Yanhua Li
- , Shijie Qin
- & George Fu Gao
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Article
| Open AccessDistinguishing preferences of human APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B for cytosines in hairpin loops, and reflection of these preferences in APOBEC-signature cancer genome mutations
Human APOBEC3A (A3A) and APOBEC3B (A3B) proteins convert cytosines in hairpin loops to uracils and cause mutations with differing preferences for loop sizes and sequences. Examination of human tumor mutations reflects largely the preferences of A3A, not A3B.
- Yasha Butt
- , Ramin Sakhtemani
- & Ashok S. Bhagwat
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Article
| Open AccessHarnessing whole human liver ex situ normothermic perfusion for preclinical AAV vector evaluation
Developing clinically predictive model systems for evaluating gene transfer and gene editing technologies has become increasingly important. This study introduces human liver ex situ normothermic perfusion as a model to evaluate gene therapy vectors, paving the way for advanced liver disease treatment.
- Marti Cabanes-Creus
- , Sophia H. Y. Liao
- & Leszek Lisowski
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Article
| Open AccessHLA-class II restricted TCR targeting human papillomavirus type 18 E7 induces solid tumor remission in mice
The use of TCR engineered T cells holds promise for treatment of tumours, but is limited by awareness of clinically effective TCR molecules. Here the authors identify an MHC II restricted TCR that targets viral E7 of human papillomavirus type 18 and show effectivity in a murine model of solid tumour.
- Jianting Long
- , Xihe Chen
- & Yanyan Han
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Article
| Open AccessEnhancing prime editor activity by directed protein evolution in yeast
Compared to traditional Cas9 nucleases prime editors (PEs) are less active. Here the authors use OrthoRep, a yeast-based platform for directed protein evolution to enhance the editing efficiency of PEs: they identify mutations that have a positive effect on kinetics and use this knowledge to generate an efficient in vivo PE.
- Yanik Weber
- , Desirée Böck
- & Gerald Schwank
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Article
| Open AccessDevelopment of ISB 1442, a CD38 and CD47 bispecific biparatopic antibody innate cell modulator for the treatment of multiple myeloma
Rational antibody engineering can greatly improve the clinical value of therapeutic antibodies. Here authors describe ISB 1442, a fully human bispecific antibody, consisting of two targeting modules against two different epitopes on CD38, combined with a targeting module blocking CD47 and engineered effector properties, to enhance complement dependent cytotoxicity, antibody dependent cells cytotoxicity and antibody dependent cell phagocytosis to combat multiple myeloma.
- C. Grandclément
- , C. Estoppey
- & S. Sammicheli
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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
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Article
| Open AccessExploring the gut DNA virome in fecal immunochemical test stool samples reveals associations with lifestyle in a large population-based study
Here, the authors use fecal immunochemical test (FIT) samples from around 1000 individuals to characterize their gut virome, showing a diverse viral community, indicative of the individual lifestyle (smoking, fiber consumption and physical activity), thus highlighting FIT samples as a useful alternative for virome analyses.
- Paula Istvan
- , Einar Birkeland
- & Trine B. Rounge
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Article
| Open AccessRare disease research workflow using multilayer networks elucidates the molecular determinants of severity in Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes
Congenital myasthenic syndromes are rare inherited neuromuscular disorders. Here, the authors attempt to explain diverse disease severity seen in 20 patients with shared CHRNE gene mutations with a multilayer network analysis that identifies individual-level impairments at the neuromuscular junction.
- Iker Núñez-Carpintero
- , Maria Rigau
- & Alfonso Valencia
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Article
| Open AccessA SPLICS reporter reveals \({{{{{\boldsymbol{\alpha }}}}}}\)-synuclein regulation of lysosome-mitochondria contacts which affects TFEB nuclear translocation
Mitochondria-lysosome interactions are fundamental to cellular physiology. Here, the authors describe a genetically-encoded SPLICS reporter to study short- and long-juxtapositions between mitochondria and lysosomes.
- Flavia Giamogante
- , Lucia Barazzuol
- & Marisa Brini
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Article
| Open AccessDomain-inlaid Nme2Cas9 adenine base editors with improved activity and targeting scope
Nme2Cas9 has been well established as a genome editing platform. Here the authors engineer Nme2Cas9 to further increase the activity and targeting scope of compact Nme2Cas9 base editors and validate domain-inlaid Nme2-ABEs for single-AAV delivery in vivo.
- Nathan Bamidele
- , Han Zhang
- & Erik J. Sontheimer
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Article
| Open AccessActivation of GPR3-β-arrestin2-PKM2 pathway in Kupffer cells stimulates glycolysis and inhibits obesity and liver pathogenesis
Whether Kupffer cells play a role in regulating the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease remains to be completely explored. Here, the authors show GPR3 activation stimulates glycolysis in Kupffer cells through GPR3-β-arrestin2-GAPDHPKM2 pathway and inhibits high-fat diet induced obesity and liver pathogenesis.
- Ting Dong
- , Guangan Hu
- & Jianzhu Chen
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Article
| Open AccessDirect-to-biology, automated, nano-scale synthesis, and phenotypic screening-enabled E3 ligase modulator discovery
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is an emerging therapeutic that can lead to proteasomal degradation of target proteins. Here, the authors combine nano-scale, automated synthesis and cell-based, direct-to-biology screening, allowing them to discover and profile Molecular Glues (MGs) degrading substrates via the Cereblon E3 ubiquitin ligase.
- Zefeng Wang
- , Shabnam Shaabani
- & Alexander Dömling
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Article
| Open AccessAlveolar epithelial progenitor cells require Nkx2-1 to maintain progenitor-specific epigenomic state during lung homeostasis and regeneration
Alveolar epithelial progenitors in the lungs can regenerate the epithelial surface after acute injury. Here they generate lung organoids that can be used to study lung regeneration after injury and identify Nkx2-1 as a key regulator of alveolar progenitor activation.
- Andrea Toth
- , Paranthaman Kannan
- & William J. Zacharias
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Article
| Open AccessSphingosine-1-phosphate suppresses GLUT activity through PP2A and counteracts hyperglycemia in diabetic red blood cells
Red blood cells (RBC) carry the majority of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Here, the authors show that RBC dynamically regulate S1P levels in response to metabolic stress and employ them to regulate glucose uptake, glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway as protection against lipid peroxidation.
- Nadine Thomas
- , Nathalie H. Schröder
- & Bodo Levkau
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Article
| Open AccessLate gene therapy limits the restoration of retinal function in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa
Is there a critical period to deliver gene therapies in photoreceptor degeneration? Using a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa, the authors show that once 70% of rods are lost, gene replacement fails to restore normal retinal output.
- Miranda L. Scalabrino
- , Mishek Thapa
- & Greg D. Field
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Article
| Open AccessNearly complete structure of bacteriophage DT57C reveals architecture of head-to-tail interface and lateral tail fibers
The authors present the nearly-complete structure of the DT57C bacteriophage of the Siphovirus family, revealing the molecular architecture of its capsid, neck, tail and tail tip, and providing insights into the process of DNA ejection.
- Rafael Ayala
- , Andrey V. Moiseenko
- & Matthias Wolf
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Article
| Open AccessSystemically administered wound-homing peptide accelerates wound healing by modulating syndecan-4 function
A systemically administered peptide (CARSKNKDC) that homes to injured tissues, has inherent ability to promote wound healing. Here, the authors show that this peptide binds to syndecan-4 and activates ARF6 to trigger re-epithelialisation and the naturally occurring wound repair pathway.
- Horacio Maldonado
- , Bryan D. Savage
- & Tero A. H. Järvinen
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Article
| Open AccessA monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor showing therapeutic efficacy in mice without central side effects or dependence
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) represents a major reason for discontinuation of treatment. Here, the authors show that LEI-515, a peripherally restricted monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, suppresses CIPN without inducing central nervous system side effects or physical dependence.
- Ming Jiang
- , Mirjam C. W. Huizenga
- & Mario van der Stelt
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Article
| Open AccessAcetyl-CoA is a key molecule for nephron progenitor cell pool maintenance
Cell metabolism plays pivotal roles during kidney embryogenesis. This research shows that glycolysis modulation affects nephron progenitor cells via Acetyl-CoA-modulated pathways, influencing both kidney development, and nephron endowment at birth.
- Fabiola Diniz
- , Nguyen Yen Nhi Ngo
- & Giovane G. Tortelote
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Article
| Open AccessAntibody-directed evolution reveals a mechanism for enhanced neutralization at the HIV-1 fusion peptide site
Antibodies targeting the HIV-1 fusion peptide rarely achieve more than 60% neutralization breadth. Here, the authors develop an anti-FP antibody enhancing its potency to 80% and structurally resolve the expanded FP-binding site that allows the antibody to target diverse viral variants.
- Bailey B. Banach
- , Sergei Pletnev
- & Brandon J. DeKosky
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Article
| Open AccessEicosanoid and eicosanoid-related inflammatory mediators and exercise intolerance in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Systemic inflammation is recognized as a central pathobiologic feature in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Here, the authors report 70 pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoid and eicosanoid-related metabolites associated with HFpEF status.
- Emily S. Lau
- , Athar Roshandelpoor
- & Jennifer E. Ho
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Article
| Open AccessThe Imageable Genome
The impact of genomic discoveries on global health depends on their efficient translation into clinically applicable testing. Here, the authors present the Imageable Genome - the part of the human genome whose expression can be assessed via molecular imaging - to accelerate translation and to bridge the fields of genomics and molecular imaging.
- Pablo Jané
- , Xiaoying Xu
- & Martin A. Walter
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Article
| Open AccessHSP47 levels determine the degree of body adiposity
A complex interplay of various backgrounds and conditions determines the body fat levels of individuals. Here, the authors identify HSP47 as a pivotal determinant of body adiposity which is abundantly expressed in fat tissue and influenced by factors such as diet, exercise, hormones, and genetics.
- Jihoon Shin
- , Shinichiro Toyoda
- & Iichiro Shimomura
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Article
| Open AccessRational design of a JAK1-selective siRNA inhibitor for the modulation of autoimmunity in the skin
Therapeutic modulation of Janus kinase family enzymes is an established approach for inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases. Here the authors rationally design small interfering RNAs to enable single Janus kinase targeting and test this new therapeutic approach in a skin disease model for maintaining efficacy and improving selectivity.
- Qi Tang
- , Hassan H. Fakih
- & John E. Harris
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Article
| Open AccessRegulation of eDHFR-tagged proteins with trimethoprim PROTACs
The ability to control proteins in cells and animals is important for experimental research and may have therapeutic applications. Here, the authors developed a new set of heterobifunctional small molecules based on the antibiotic trimethoprim that can degrade proteins that are genetically tagged with E. coli dihydrofolate reductase (eDHFR).
- Jean M. Etersque
- , Iris K. Lee
- & Mark A. Sellmyer
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Article
| Open AccessInhibition of glycolysis-driven immunosuppression with a nano-assembly enhances response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy in triple negative breast cancer
A tumor cell-intrinsic hyperglycolytic state has been associated with immunosuppression and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here the authors describe an aptamer-based nanoassembly for tumor cell selective inhibition of glycolysis combined with bispecific immune checkpoint blockade, promoting anti-tumor immune responses in preclinical TNBC models.
- Xijiao Ren
- , Zhuo Cheng
- & Zhong Luo
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Article
| Open AccessEnhanced clinical assessment of hematologic malignancies through routine paired tumor and normal sequencing
Targeted sequencing panels such as MSK-IMPACT have been successfully used to profile solid tumours in clinical settings. Here, the authors develop and implement the MSK-IMPACT Heme sequencing panel and platform to profile haematologic malignancies using paired tumor and normal tissues.
- Ryan N. Ptashkin
- , Mark D. Ewalt
- & Maria E. Arcila
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Article
| Open AccessZFYVE28 mediates insulin resistance by promoting phosphorylated insulin receptor degradation via increasing late endosomes production
Insulin receptor levels are closely related to insulin sensitivity. Here, the authors show that ZFYVE28 is involved in insulin resistance by promoting the degradation of phosphorylated insulin receptor and ZFYVE28 may be a potential therapeutic target to improve insulin sensitivity.
- Liang Yu
- , Mengchen Xu
- & Yibo Wang
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Article
| Open AccessNivolumab and ipilimumab in recurrent or refractory cancer of unknown primary: a phase II trial
Standard of care for unfavorable-risk cancer of unknown primary (CUP) comprises platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment, however therapeutic options remain limited. Here the authors report the results of a phase II trial of combined nivolumab (anti-PD1) and ipilimumab (anti-CTLA4) in patients with unfavorable CUP.
- Maria Pouyiourou
- , Bianca N. Kraft
- & Alwin Krämer
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Article
| Open AccessRING finger protein 13 protects against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by targeting STING-relayed signaling pathways
The STING-relayed inflammation response has been increasingly identified as one of the key drivers of NAFLD progression. Here the authors show that an E3 ubiquitin ligase, RNF13, can ameliorate NAFLD phenotypes by facilitating the TRIM29-mediated degradation of STING.
- Zhibin Lin
- , Peijun Yang
- & Lin Wang
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Comment
| Open AccessGlucocerebrosidase mutations disrupt the lysosome and now the mitochondria
β-Glucocerebrosidase (GCase) mutations lead to glucosylceramide build-up in the lysosome, impacting α-synuclein aggregation and autophagy. Recently, Baden and colleagues found GCase in mitochondria, supporting mitochondrial complex I function and energy metabolism. We believe the newly described role of GCase in the mitochondria will inform new Parkinson’s and Gaucher’s disease therapeutics.
- Andrés D. Klein
- & Tiago Fleming Outeiro
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Article
| Open AccessSuper-enhancer hijacking drives ectopic expression of hedgehog pathway ligands in meningiomas
Hedgehog signalling is known to be linked to oncogenic proliferation. Here, the authors identify structural events as a mechanism of Hedgehog activation in over one-third of driver unknown meningiomas.
- Mark W. Youngblood
- , Zeynep Erson-Omay
- & Murat Günel
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Article
| Open AccessA molecular staging model for accurately dating the endometrial biopsy
Natural variability in menstrual cycle length with rapid changes in gene expression makes it difficult to accurately compare different stages of the endometrial cycle. Here, the authors show a method for precisely determining endometrial cycle stage based on global gene expression that reveals remarkably synchronised daily changes for over 3,400 endometrial genes.
- W. T. Teh
- , J. Chung
- & P. A. W. Rogers
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Article
| Open AccessNAD+ metabolism is a key modulator of bacterial respiratory epithelial infections
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infection. Here, Klabunde et al. present a transcriptomic, metabolomic and proteomic characterisation of the bronchial epithelial cell response to infection and show that NAD+ has a role in controlling bacterial replication.
- Björn Klabunde
- , André Wesener
- & Bernd Schmeck