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JCI Journals


Why salad helps you say yes to 'NO'

Researchers found that supplementing rats with nitrate before vessel injury limited damage, while a diet low in nitrate exacerbated it. The study suggests that leafy green diets may benefit vascular health through nitric oxide production.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 23, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: March 23, 2011

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered a new nitric oxide pathway that protects against intimal hyperplasia in rats. The study found that supplementing rats with nitrate before vessel injury markedly limited damage, while a diet low in nitrate exacerbated it.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 23, 2011

When T cells attack: Insight into the mechanism of myocarditis

Researchers discovered that autoimmune disease myocarditis occurs when immune system targets heart muscle cells expressing alpha myosin, a protein required for contraction. Preventing the disease involves exposing T cells to alpha myosin in thymus, suggesting measurement of alpha-myosin as diagnostic tool and potential therapeutic target

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 23, 2011

An inside look at how the elite control HIV

Research reveals T cells from elite controllers are resistant to HIV infection due to selective upregulation of p21, an enzyme inhibitor. Blocking p21 increases viral gene expression, highlighting potential treatment strategies for vulnerable patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 14, 2011

New mouse model explains common pediatric brain tumor

A new mouse model has been developed to study pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), a common pediatric brain tumor. The model uses expression of a mutant BRAF kinase domain in mice and shows that this is sufficient to induce the formation of PA, closely resembling human disease.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 14, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: March 14, 2011

Researchers have discovered that T cells from elite HIV controllers upregulate a protein called p21, which inhibits viral replication. This finding may inform the development of new treatments for patients susceptible to HIV's devastating effects. Meanwhile, two new studies shed light on pediatric brain tumors and lung cancer metastasis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 14, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: March 7, 2011

Researchers create a molecular switch that enhances DC-mediated tumor antigen-specific T cell responses, improving the efficacy of cancer vaccines. Additionally, they find that reducing Tie1 levels attenuates the development of lesions in atherosclerosis models, highlighting a potential new target for therapy.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 7, 2011

Using a molecular switch to turn on cancer vaccines

Researchers have developed a molecular switch that enables efficient activation of dendritic cells, a crucial step in cancer vaccine development. By combining MyD88 and CD40 signaling pathways, the switch synergistically activates dendritic cells to enhance antitumor efficacy.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 7, 2011

DREADD-ing your next meal

Researchers found that chronic stimulation of AgRP neurons induces weight gain by increasing food intake, while inhibition inhibits food intake. Stimulating AgRP neurons also triggers intense food seeking behavior.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: March 1, 2011

Studies using DREADD technology found that stimulating AgRP neurons induced weight gain and intense food seeking behavior, while inhibiting these neurons inhibited food intake. In another study, researchers discovered a new mechanism explaining growth hormone's role in fatty liver disease, which may lead to the development of novel tre...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2011

JCI table of contents: Feb. 21, 2011

Researchers have discovered a new cellular mechanism underlying hydronephrosis, a common congenital defect in the kidney. They found that the Hedgehog signaling pathway controls the development of cells required for urine flow, and genetic mutations can impair this process. The study also suggests potential therapeutic targets and gene...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 21, 2011

New combination therapy for solid tumors?

Researchers have discovered a compound, ABT-737, that sensitizes hypoxic cancer cells to apoptosis. This compound synergizes with conventional chemotherapeutic agents in tumor-bearing mice, suggesting improved treatment of solid tumors.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 14, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 14, 2011

Researchers identify Hunk as a key protein required for HER2/neu-induced mammary tumorigenesis, potentially leading to new treatments for aggressive breast cancer. A new compound, ABT-737, sensitizes human cancer cells to apoptosis in hypoxic regions, offering a potential combination therapy for solid tumors.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 14, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 7, 2011

Researchers have developed an approach to identify parasite genes associated with severe infection in pregnant women and children, offering new understanding of childhood malaria. Additionally, studies found that niacin can inhibit progression of atherosclerosis in mice through its receptor GPR109A expressed by immune cells.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 7, 2011

Profiling malaria-causing parasites

Researchers have developed a method to profile malaria-causing parasite P. falciparum, identifying genes associated with severe infection in pregnant women and children. The study aims to provide new understanding of childhood malaria severity.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 7, 2011

Predicting liver cancer spread

A team of researchers has identified a potential biomarker for predicting future metastasis in patients with the most common form of liver cancer. Quantification of the mRNA template for a truncated version of the protein carboxypeptidase E (CPE) was found to predict intrahepatic metastasis with high sensitivity and specificity.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 1, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 1, 2011

A team of researchers has identified a potential biomarker for predicting future metastasis in patients with the most common form of liver cancer. They also explored a new gene therapy approach to treating the underlying cause of most forms of muscular dystrophy.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 1, 2011

JCI table of contents: Jan. 25, 2011

Researchers found that N-acetylcysteine can decrease the size of von Willebrand factor multimers in mice, potentially treating life-threatening blood disorder thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). However, chronic use of drugs targeting Notch1 raises concerns due to its link to vascular tumors and lethal hemorrhage in mice.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 25, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: Jan. 18, 2011

Research highlights the key role of estrogen signaling in maintaining energy balance, as well as the propagation of α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease. Additionally, a new immune cell activator has been identified to protect mice from tumors through an IFN-gamma-independent mechanism.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 18, 2011

Cancer cell survival is not 'miR-ly' dependent on p53

A recent study by Leif Ellisen and colleagues found that inhibiting certain microRNAs decreased tumor growth and made cells more sensitive to chemotherapy in a model of squamous cell carcinoma. The researchers identified a feedback loop between p63, microRNAs, and p73 that promotes cancer cell survival and chemoresistance.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 10, 2011

Transforming skin cells into cartilage

Researchers successfully transformed adult mouse skin cells into cartilage-producing cells, paving the way for potential therapy to repair cartilage injuries. The innovative method involves expressing proteins that induce pluripotency and promoting chondrocyte fate in fibroblasts from human skin.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 10, 2011

Dampening inflammation with aspirin

Researchers at Harvard Medical School identified a new aspirin-derived molecule that reduces levels of pro-inflammatory molecules and cells in mice. This finding suggests that the molecule could contribute to the beneficial effects of aspirin.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 4, 2011

JCI online early table of contents: Jan. 4, 2011

Researchers discovered a defect in hair follicle stem cells conversion to progenitor cells in AGA. Aspirin-derived resolvins reduced pro-inflammatory molecules and cells in a mouse model of inflammation. A new approach to vaccine design against systemic fungal infections requires inducing Th17 cells.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 4, 2011

Going bald without hair follicle progenitors

A study by George Cotsarelis at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that balding men retain hair follicle stem cells but lack CD200-rich and CD34-positive progenitor cells. This defect is linked to a transition problem for stem cells, providing potential new therapeutic targets for AGA treatment.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 4, 2011

Picking a poison for brain tumors: Arsenic

Researchers found that arsenic trioxide inhibits the growth of medulloblastoma and Ewing sarcoma cell lines by blocking the Hedgehog/GLI1 signaling pathway. The compound improved survival in a mouse model of medulloblastoma, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic option.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 22, 2010

JCI table of contents: Dec. 22, 2010

The study found that overexpression of the Sox3 gene causes frequent XX male sex reversal, while a new regulatory pathway involving the ventral premammillary nucleus is linked to leptin's effect on puberty onset. Additionally, arsenic trioxide may be beneficial for treating certain brain tumors.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 22, 2010

What sex are you?

A team of researchers has determined that overexpression of the Sox3 gene in mice causes frequent XX male sex reversal. Genomic rearrangements in the human SOX3 gene have been found in three patients with XX male sex reversal, suggesting a significant cause for this condition.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 22, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 13, 2010

Researchers have identified a mechanism that could explain why flu infections may help prevent asthma in children. Infection with influenza A virus protects mice from asthma by expanding NKT cells, which are immune cells that play a key role in the body's response to infection.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 13, 2010

A benefit of flu: protection from asthma?

Researchers found that influenza A virus infection in mice expanded a subset of immune cells called NKT cells, which protected against airway hyperreactivity. The study suggests treating children with therapeutics that activate NKT cells might prevent asthma development.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 13, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 6, 2010

Researchers have discovered a link between decreased alpha-2 integrin expression and increased tumor dissemination in breast and prostate cancer patients. Additionally, targeting blood vessel growth has been found to alleviate psoriasis symptoms by reducing angiogenesis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 6, 2010

How bacteria get from catheter to patient

Researchers have identified bacterial products that enable Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms to detach from surfaces, leading to infection. Inhibiting these mechanisms could provide a new approach to preventing biofilm-associated infections.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 6, 2010

A DEDD cert to support embryo development

A recent study has identified DEDD protein as essential for the formation of a functional decidua in mice. Defective DEDD function may be responsible for female infertility. The researchers suggest further investigation into the relationship between DEDD dysfunction and infertility in women.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 6, 2010

Designing safer glucocorticoid drugs

A team of researchers found that the protein LXR-beta is necessary for glucocorticoid drugs to cause severe side effects. In mice lacking LXR-beta, high blood glucose and fatty liver were avoided but immunosuppression remained.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 1, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 1, 2010

Researchers identified a crucial protein, LXR-beta, involved in the negative side effects of glucocorticoid drugs. Targeting this protein may lead to safer drug designs. Additionally, TXNL2 is found to protect human breast cancer cells from oxidative stress, while mutations in SLC1A1 cause rare kidney disorder dicarboxylic aminoaciduria.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 1, 2010

Successful treatment for mice with beta-thalassemia

A team of researchers has successfully treated beta-thalassemic mice by increasing hepcidin levels, which limits iron overload and markedly reduces anemia. This approach suggests a new therapeutic strategy for patients with beta-thalassemia, potentially mitigating iron overload and anemia.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 22, 2010

JCI table of contents: Nov. 22, 2010

High-throughput DNA sequencing of gut bacteria confirmed that antibiotic treatment disrupts bacterial patterns, which precedes VRE colonization and bloodstream invasion. Monitoring fecal bacteria content could identify patients at high risk of life-threatening infections.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 22, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Nov. 15, 2010

A team of researchers identified the gene Trib1 in mice, which regulates lipid production by the liver. Overexpression of Trib1 decreased blood lipids, while lack of Trib1 increased them. This suggests that TRIB1 is responsible for associations between chromosome 8 and lipid levels.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 15, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Nov. 8, 2010

Researchers have identified markers associated with breast cancer outcomes and found a protein linked to tumor spread. Additionally, a new therapeutic target for tumor suppression has been discovered, while gene therapy shows promise for improving wound healing in diabetic patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 8, 2010