Featured
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Article
| Open AccessCoordinated targeting of cold and nicotinic receptors synergistically improves obesity and type 2 diabetes
Tobacco smoking and cold exposure are environmental modulators of human energy metabolism suppressing appetite and increasing energy expenditure, respectively. Here, the authors develop a novel pharmacological strategy in which they simultaneously mimic the metabolic benefits of both phenomena through small-molecule combination therapy, and show that this treatment improves metabolic health of obese mice.
- Christoffer Clemmensen
- , Sigrid Jall
- & Matthias H. Tschöp
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Article
| Open AccessEncoding of long-term associations through neural unitization in the human medial temporal lobe
In this work, the authors recorded single neurons and field potentials from the human medial temporal lobe (MTL) and show indistinguishable responses to associated stimuli. This coding mechanism provides a simple and flexible way of encoding memories in the human MTL.
- Hernan G. Rey
- , Emanuela De Falco
- & Rodrigo Quian Quiroga
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Article
| Open AccessNeurokinin-3 receptor activation selectively prolongs atrial refractoriness by inhibition of a background K+ channel
The cardiac autonomic nervous system produces various neuropeptides, such as neurokinin substance-P (Sub-P), whose function remains largely unclear. Here, authors show that Sub-P causes a receptor-mediated prolongation of the atrial action potential through a reduced background potassium current, and prevents atrial fibrillation.
- Marieke W. Veldkamp
- , Guillaume S. C. Geuzebroek
- & Ruben Coronel
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Article
| Open AccessSMYD2 glutathionylation contributes to degradation of sarcomeric proteins
Ischemic reperfusion or nutrient deprivation that produces reactive oxygen species can lead to a loss of muscle contractile function. Here the authors show that glutathionylation of the lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 contributes to degradation or disassembly of sarcomeres.
- Dhanushka N. P. Munkanatta Godage
- , Garrett C. VanHecke
- & Young-Hoon Ahn
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Article
| Open AccessRare truncating variants in the sarcomeric protein titin associate with familial and early-onset atrial fibrillation
Common genetic variants in structural proteins contribute to risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). Here, using whole-exome sequencing, the authors identify rare truncating variants in TTN that associate with familial and early-onset AF and show defects in cardiac sarcomere assembly in ttn.2-mutant zebrafish.
- Gustav Ahlberg
- , Lena Refsgaard
- & Morten S. Olesen
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Article
| Open AccessEarly redox activities modulate Xenopus tail regeneration
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) mediate regeneration but how is unclear. Here, the authors use an optic-based probe (‘optrode’) to monitor oxygen (O2) during Xenopus tail regeneration, identifying crosstalk between O2 influx, ROS production, and HIF-1α stabilization.
- Fernando Ferreira
- , VijayKrishna Raghunathan
- & Min Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessPrecisely measured protein lifetimes in the mouse brain reveal differences across tissues and subcellular fractions
Measuring precise protein turnover rates in animals is technically challenging at the proteomic level. Here, Fornasiero and colleagues use isotopic labeling with mass spectrometry and mathematical modeling to accurately determine protein lifetimes in the mouse brain
- Eugenio F. Fornasiero
- , Sunit Mandad
- & Silvio O. Rizzoli
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Article
| Open AccessLarge-scale whole-exome sequencing association studies identify rare functional variants influencing serum urate levels
Elevated serum urate levels are a risk factor for gout. Here, Tin et al. perform whole-exome sequencing in 19,517 individuals and detect low-frequency genetic variants in urate transporter genes, SLC22A12 and SLC2A9, associated with serum urate levels and confirm their damaging nature in vitro and in silico.
- Adrienne Tin
- , Yong Li
- & Anna Köttgen
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Article
| Open AccessStructural basis for PtdInsP2-mediated human TRPML1 regulation
Transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1) is a lysosomal channel which maintains the low pH and calcium levels for lysosomal function. Here authors use structural biology and electrophysiology to show how lipids bind and allosterically activate TRPML1.
- Michael Fine
- , Philip Schmiege
- & Xiaochun Li
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Article
| Open AccessSIRT1 mediates obesity- and nutrient-dependent perturbation of pubertal timing by epigenetically controlling Kiss1 expression
The onset of mammalian puberty is sensitive to metabolic changes and nutritional status, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. Here the authors show that the epigenetic regulator of transcription, SIRT1, mediates the effects of under and overnutrition on pubertal timing by controlling the expression of Kiss1 in hypothalamic neurons.
- M. J. Vazquez
- , C. A. Toro
- & M. Tena-Sempere
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Article
| Open AccessPathogenic variants in glutamyl-tRNAGln amidotransferase subunits cause a lethal mitochondrial cardiomyopathy disorder
Mitochondrial protein synthesis requires charging a mitochondrial tRNA with its amino acid. Here, the authors describe pathogenic variants in the GatCAB protein complex genes required for the generation of glutaminyl-mt-tRNAGln, that impairs mitochondrial translation and presents with cardiomyopathy.
- Marisa W. Friederich
- , Sharita Timal
- & Johan L. K. Van Hove
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Article
| Open AccessHigher ambient synaptic glutamate at inhibitory versus excitatory neurons differentially impacts NMDA receptor activity
Inhibitory interneurons play important roles in brain circuits and in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, the authors show that excitatory synapses onto interneurons vs. excitatory neurons differ in their ambient synaptic glutamate level, a finding with important implications for selective pharmacological targeting of inhibitory neuron NMDA receptors.
- Lulu Yao
- , Teddy Grand
- & Qiang Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessAlpha-enolase regulates the malignant phenotype of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells via the AMPK-Akt pathway
Metabolic reprogramming of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Here, Dai et al. show that the glycolytic enzyme alpha-enolase contributes to this reprogramming, and that its inhibition limits SMC proliferation and disease progression in animal models of PAH.
- Jingbo Dai
- , Qiyuan Zhou
- & Guofei Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessAncient and modern anticonvulsants act synergistically in a KCNQ potassium channel binding pocket
In some countries, leaves of the shrub Mallotus oppositifolius have been used to treat epilepsy. Here, authors look at the structural and molecular basis for how chemical components of M. oppositifolius have their anticonvulsant effects, via modulation of potassium channel activity.
- Rían W. Manville
- & Geoffrey W. Abbott
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Article
| Open AccessPositive cardiac inotrope omecamtiv mecarbil activates muscle despite suppressing the myosin working stroke
Omecamtiv mecarbil (OM) is a positive cardiac inotrope in clinical trials for the treatment of heart failure whose mechanism of action is incompletely understood. Here the authors show that OM inhibits myosin's working stroke and prolongs actomyosin attachment and propose a model that reconciles the OM-induced increase in cardiac performance in vivo with the inhibitory actions observed in vitro.
- Michael S. Woody
- , Michael J. Greenberg
- & E. Michael Ostap
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Article
| Open AccessHierarchical and stage-specific regulation of murine cardiomyocyte maturation by serum response factor
The processes regulating cardiomyocyte (CM) maturation are unclear. Here, the authors show that serum response factor regulates CM maturation only in neonatal CMs through stage-specific chromatin occupancy that affects cell size, sarcomere and transverse-tubule organization, and mitochondria
- Yuxuan Guo
- , Blake D. Jardin
- & William T. Pu
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Article
| Open AccessThe gut microbiota promotes hepatic fatty acid desaturation and elongation in mice
The role of the gut microbiota in hepatic lipid metabolism is controversial and incompletely understood. Here the authors perform multi-omics analyses of altered lipid metabolic processes in germ-free and specific pathogen-free mice, revealing how the gut microbiota affects hepatic fatty acid desaturation and elongation.
- Alida Kindt
- , Gerhard Liebisch
- & Josef Ecker
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Article
| Open AccessApolipoprotein A-IV binds αIIbβ3 integrin and inhibits thrombosis
Activation of integrin αIIbβ3 at the surface of platelets is required for their aggregation and for thrombus formation. Here Xu et al. identify apolipoprotein A-IV as a novel ligand for platelet αIIbβ3 integrin, and find it inhibits platelet aggregation and thrombosis.
- Xiaohong Ruby Xu
- , Yiming Wang
- & Heyu Ni
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Article
| Open AccessLincRNA H19 protects from dietary obesity by constraining expression of monoallelic genes in brown fat
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis counteracts obesity and promotes metabolic health. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the regulation of this process is not well understood. Here the authors identify a maternally expressed lncRNA, H19, that increases BAT oxidative metabolism and energy expenditure.
- Elena Schmidt
- , Ines Dhaouadi
- & Jan-Wilhelm Kornfeld
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Article
| Open AccessDendrite-targeting interneurons control synaptic NMDA-receptor activation via nonlinear α5-GABAA receptors
Somatostatin+ (SOM+ ) GABAergic interneurons are known to fine-tune synaptic plasticity as they inhibit dendritic spikes and burst firing. Here, the authors show that both SOM+ and NOS+ interneurons preferentially recruit nonlinear outward-rectifying GABA(A)R with alpha5 subunit, and that this inhibition with slow gating kinetics matches voltage and time-dependent activation of synaptic NMDARs, thereby controlling the generation of dendritic NMDA spikes.
- Jan M. Schulz
- , Frederic Knoflach
- & Josef Bischofberger
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Article
| Open AccessA myosin II nanomachine mimicking the striated muscle
There is interest in mimicking striated muscle for a range of applications including nanomachines. Here, the authors report on synthetic 1D nanomachines which are used to study an ensemble of myosin motors interacting with an actin filament with potential to create assays of muscle related diseases
- Irene Pertici
- , Lorenzo Bongini
- & Pasquale Bianco
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Article
| Open AccessLoss of the E3 ubiquitin ligase MKRN1 represses diet-induced metabolic syndrome through AMPK activation
AMPK activation has been suggested as treatment for obesity and its complications. Here the authors show that the ubiquitin ligase MKRN1 binds to AMPK and mediates its ubiquitination and degradation. Loss of MKRN1 leads to AMPK activation, increased glucose consumption and decreased lipid accumulation.
- Min-Sik Lee
- , Hyun-Ji Han
- & Jaewhan Song
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Article
| Open AccessNF-κB inhibition rescues cardiac function by remodeling calcium genes in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy model
The molecular mechanisms leading to heart failure in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are unclear. Here the authors show that NF-κB is activated in the heart of dystrophin-deficient mice and that its ablation rescues cardiac function through chromatin remodeling and activation of gene expression.
- Jennifer M. Peterson
- , David J. Wang
- & Denis C. Guttridge
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Article
| Open AccessDeep-coverage whole genome sequences and blood lipids among 16,324 individuals
Common genetic variants associated with plasma lipids have been extensively studied for a better understanding of common diseases. Here, the authors use whole-genome sequencing of 16,324 individuals to analyze rare variant associations and to determine their monogenic and polygenic contribution to lipid traits.
- Pradeep Natarajan
- , Gina M. Peloso
- & Sebastian Zoellner
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Article
| Open AccessA selective inhibitor of ceramide synthase 1 reveals a novel role in fat metabolism
Ceramides are signalling molecules that regulate several physiological functions including insulin sensitivity. Here the authors report a selective ceramide synthase 1 inhibitor that counteracts lipid accumulation within the muscle and adiposity by increasing fatty acid oxidation but without affecting insulin sensitivity in mice fed with an obesogenic diet.
- Nigel Turner
- , Xin Ying Lim
- & Anthony S. Don
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Review Article
| Open AccessMicrobial tryptophan catabolites in health and disease
Gut microbial metabolites are known to impact many physiological processes of the host and play a critical role in immune-homeostasis. Here the authors review our current understanding and appreciation of the importance of microbially derived tryptophan catabolites during both health and disease.
- Henrik M. Roager
- & Tine R. Licht
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Article
| Open AccessSUMOylation of VEGFR2 regulates its intracellular trafficking and pathological angiogenesis
VEGFR2 is a central regulator of angiogenesis. Here Zhou et al. report that SUMOylation of VEGFR2 regulates its subcellular localisation and activity, and that endothelial-specific knockout of the SUMO endopeptidase SENP1 protects against VEGFR2-mediated pathological angiogenesis.
- Huanjiao Jenny Zhou
- , Zhe Xu
- & Wang Min
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Article
| Open AccessDietary stearic acid regulates mitochondria in vivo in humans
Dietary fatty acids have different effects on human health. Here, the authors show that ingestion of the fatty acid C18:0, but not of C16:0, rapidly leads to fusion of mitochondria and fatty acid oxidation in humans, possibly explaining the health benefits of C18:0.
- Deniz Senyilmaz-Tiebe
- , Daniel H. Pfaff
- & Aurelio A. Teleman
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Article
| Open AccessStatin as a novel pharmacotherapy of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is associated with defective macrophage clearance of surfactant. Here, the authors show that patients with PAP have altered cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio in their surfactant, and that more importantly, statin therapy and reduction of cholesterol accumulation in macrophages can ameliorate PAP in both humans and mice.
- Cormac McCarthy
- , Elinor Lee
- & Bruce C. Trapnell
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Article
| Open AccessMyeloid apolipoprotein E controls dendritic cell antigen presentation and T cell activation
Cholesterol homeostasis can modulate immunity via multiple pathways. Here the authors show that apolipoprotein E, an important regulator of cholesterol, produced by myeloid cells can regulate T cell activation by controlling the antigen presentation activity of dendritic cells in both humans and mice.
- Fabrizia Bonacina
- , David Coe
- & Giuseppe D. Norata
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Article
| Open AccessVibration hotspots reveal longitudinal funneling of sound-evoked motion in the mammalian cochlea
Locations along the cochlea are tuned to different sound frequencies, and the individual vibration components are dynamically compressed before being converted to neural activity for further auditory processing. Here, the authors use optical coherence tomography to map sound-evoked vibrations and find a “hotspot” region with larger vibrations.
- Nigel P. Cooper
- , Anna Vavakou
- & Marcel van der Heijden
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Article
| Open AccessGlucose promotes cell growth by suppressing branched-chain amino acid degradation
Hypertrophic cardiomyocytes switch their metabolism from fatty acid oxidation to glucose use, but the functional role of this change is unclear. Here the authors show that high intracellular glucose inhibits the degradation of branched-chain amino acids, which is required for the activation of pro-growth mTOR signaling.
- Dan Shao
- , Outi Villet
- & Rong Tian
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Article
| Open AccessSoluble RANKL contributes to osteoclast formation in adult mice but not ovariectomy-induced bone loss
RANKL is a cytokine produced as a membrane-bound and a secreted protein. Here, using mice lacking soluble RANKL, the authors show that the secreted protein is important for osteoclast function, but not for mammary gland and lymphocyte development.
- Jinhu Xiong
- , Keisha Cawley
- & Charles A. O’Brien
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Article
| Open AccessAntibiotic-induced microbiome depletion alters metabolic homeostasis by affecting gut signaling and colonic metabolism
Antibiotic-induced microbiome depletion is one of the most common approaches to modulate the gut microbiome. Here the authors demonstrate that it affects gut homeostasis and glucose metabolism by decreasing luminal short chain fatty acids and leading to a shift of energy utilization by colonocytes.
- Amir Zarrinpar
- , Amandine Chaix
- & Satchidananda Panda
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Article
| Open AccessIntravital imaging-based analysis tools for vessel identification and assessment of concurrent dynamic vascular events
Different stimuli can induce dynamic changes in blood flow velocity, vessel diameter and permeability. Here the authors develop a multi-photon microscopy-based image analysis tool allowing the identification of vessels and the assessment of rapid changes in large vascular networks.
- Naoki Honkura
- , Mark Richards
- & Lena Claesson-Welsh
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Article
| Open AccessNicotine aversion is mediated by GABAergic interpeduncular nucleus inputs to laterodorsal tegmentum
Despite its known effects in brain reward centers, nicotine can be aversive in high doses. Here, the authors show that nicotine aversion depends on low-affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed on projections from the interpeduncular nucleus to the laterodorsal tegmentum.
- Shannon L. Wolfman
- , Daniel F. Gill
- & Daniel S. McGehee
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Article
| Open AccessDeep coverage whole genome sequences and plasma lipoprotein(a) in individuals of European and African ancestries
Circulating lipoprotein(a) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and shows variability between different ethnic groups. Here, Zekavat et al. perform whole-genome sequencing in individuals of European and African ancestries and find ancestry-specific genetic determinants for lipoprotein(a) levels.
- Seyedeh M. Zekavat
- , Sanni Ruotsalainen
- & Sebastian Zoellner
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Article
| Open AccessPostprandial FGF19-induced phosphorylation by Src is critical for FXR function in bile acid homeostasis
FXR plays an important role in bile acid homeostasis by transcriptionally modulating several enterohepatic genes, including intestinal FGF19, that repress hepatic bile acid synthesis. Here the authors show that postprandial FGF19 regulates FXR transcriptional activity via its action on the tyrosine kinase Src, which phosphorylates FXR.
- Sangwon Byun
- , Dong-Hyun Kim
- & Jongsook Kim Kemper
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Article
| Open AccessPromoter interactome of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes connects GWAS regions to cardiac gene networks
Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CM) are a widely used model to study cardiac genomics. Here, Choy et al. perform promoter capture Hi-C to map long-range chromosomal interactions of hESC-CMs and to study overlap of such regions with genetic loci associated with cardiac phenotypes.
- Mun-Kit Choy
- , Biola M. Javierre
- & Bernard D. Keavney
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Article
| Open AccessUterine glands coordinate on-time embryo implantation and impact endometrial decidualization for pregnancy success
The transcription factor FOXA2 is specifically expressed in uterine glands. Here, using two conditional FOXA2 knockout mouse models, the authors show that glandular epithelia of the endometrium are required for timely embryo implantation and subsequent endometrial decidualization during successful pregnancy establishment.
- Andrew M. Kelleher
- , Jessica Milano-Foster
- & Thomas E. Spencer
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Article
| Open AccessLate-life targeting of the IGF-1 receptor improves healthspan and lifespan in female mice
Reduced IGF-1 signaling increases longevity in many organisms. Here, Mao et al. show that administration of an anti-IGF-1R antibody is well tolerated and delays aging in female mice; importantly, late-life targeting is sufficient to achieve the beneficial effects.
- Kai Mao
- , Gabriela Farias Quipildor
- & Derek M. Huffman
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Article
| Open AccessGenetic inactivation of ANGPTL4 improves glucose homeostasis and is associated with reduced risk of diabetes
Genetic variation in ANGPTL4 is associated with lipid traits. Here, the authors find that predicted loss-of-function variants in ANGPTL4 are associated with glucose homeostasis and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and that Angptl4−/− mice on a high-fat diet show improved insulin sensitivity.
- Viktoria Gusarova
- , Colm O’Dushlaine
- & Jesper Gromada
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Article
| Open AccessOxidized phospholipids regulate amino acid metabolism through MTHFD2 to facilitate nucleotide release in endothelial cells
During atherosclerosis, endothelial cells release purines in response to oxidized phospholipids. Here, Hitzel et al. show that oxidized phospholipids activate an MTHFD2-regulated gene network in endothelial cells which reprograms amino acid metabolism towards production of purines and thus compensates for their loss.
- Juliane Hitzel
- , Eunjee Lee
- & Ralf P. Brandes
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Article
| Open AccessAlternative assembly of respiratory complex II connects energy stress to metabolic checkpoints
Mitochondrial complex II is normally composed of four subunits. Here the authors show that bioenergetic stress conditions give rise to a partially assembled variant of complex II, which shifts the anabolic pathways to less energy demanding processes.
- Ayenachew Bezawork-Geleta
- , He Wen
- & Jiri Neuzil
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Article
| Open AccessCotransporter-mediated water transport underlying cerebrospinal fluid formation
Osmotic forces do not suffice to explain the rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production. Here, the authors show that the Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter in the choroid plexus contributes substantially to CSF production via its inherent ability to cotransport water.
- Annette B. Steffensen
- , Eva K. Oernbo
- & Nanna MacAulay
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Article
| Open AccessMucosal-associated invariant T cells are a profibrogenic immune cell population in the liver
Hepatic fibrosis represents the liver response to chronic injury and can lead to cirrhosis. Here the authors show that mucosal-associated invariant T cells mediate chronic inflammation and fibrogenesis in the liver by inducing a proinflammatory phenotype in macrophages and myofibroblasts and proliferation of the latter.
- Pushpa Hegde
- , Emmanuel Weiss
- & Sophie Lotersztajn
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Article
| Open AccessIntegrin beta3 regulates clonality and fate of smooth muscle-derived atherosclerotic plaque cells
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) invade atherosclerotic lesions and expand, contributing to plaque progression. Here Misra et al. show that SMC-derived plaque cells come from a single SMC and integrin β3 in SMCs and macrophages regulate the fate, expansion and migration of SMCs during plaque formation.
- Ashish Misra
- , Zhonghui Feng
- & Daniel M. Greif
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Article
| Open AccessDeficiency of PRKD2 triggers hyperinsulinemia and metabolic disorders
Hyperinsulinemia can precede the development of insulin resistance. Here the authors identify a PKD2 mutation that leads to hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in Rhesus monkey and show that PKD2 deficiency promotes beta cell insulin secretion by activating L-type Ca2+ channels.
- Yao Xiao
- , Can Wang
- & Xiuqin Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessContinuous addition of progenitors forms the cardiac ventricle in zebrafish
Late-differentiating second heart field progenitors contribute to atrium, ventricle, and outflow tract in the zebrafish heart but how remains unclear. Here, the authors image heart formation in transgenics based on the cardiopharyngeal gene tbx1 and show that progenitors are continuously added.
- Anastasia Felker
- , Karin D. Prummel
- & Christian Mosimann