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JCI Journals


A new way to boost red blood cell numbers

Researchers discovered that Gas6 protein increases cell signaling in response to Epo treatment, enhancing its therapeutic potential for treating anemia. The study also found that mice deficient in Gas6 have decreased sensitivity to Epo and reduced ability to recover from anemia.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 10, 2008

JCI online early table of contents: Jan. 10 2008

Researchers found that Gas6 protein increases cell signaling in response to Epo treatment and treats both chronic and acute anemia in mice. Additionally, mice deficient in Gas6 have decreased sensitivity to Epo and reduced ability to recover from anemia.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 10, 2008

JCI online early table of contents: Jan. 2, 2008

A new study by Atsushi Mizoguchi and colleagues established that IL-22 ameliorates disease in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis. The authors suggested that individuals with UC might benefit from local delivery of the IL-22 gene to their intestines.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 2, 2008

JCI table of contents: Dec. 20, 2007

Researchers found that antimalarial drug chloroquine effectively prevents cancer in mouse models of two distinct human cancer syndromes, Burkitt lymphoma and ataxia telangiectasia. Chloroquine inhibited the development of Myc-induced lymphomas and mediated its effects through autophagy and lysosomal stress.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 20, 2007

JCI table of contents: Dec. 13, 2007

A new study reveals secretoneurin's neuroprotective role in a rat model of stroke. SN treatment improved survival of primary brain cell cultures and reduced cerebral tissue death in rats with ischemia-induced stroke.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 13, 2007

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 6, 2007

Researchers have identified immunomodulatory anticancer drugs lenalidomide and pomalidomide as effective therapies for inducing fetal hemoglobin production in sickle-cell disease patients. Additionally, a new compound has been discovered to treat protein-losing enteropathy, a condition causing excessive protein loss from the gut.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 6, 2007

Giving asthma T(he)SL(i)P by blocking OX40

Researchers identified a role for OX40 in TSLP-induced allergic reactions, finding that blocking its interaction reduced allergic responses in mice and monkeys with asthma. The study suggests OX40-OX40L interactions as a promising therapeutic target for treating allergic diseases.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 3, 2007

Researchers at Karolinska Institute have identified a new source of dopamine cells that provided marked benefit when transplanted into mice with Parkinson's-like disease. Wnt5a-treated neural stem cells may be an efficient and safe source for DA cell replacement therapy in individuals with PD.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

JCI table of contents: Dec. 3, 2007

A new study published in JCI Journal has found that CP-31398, a compound that binds to mutant forms of the p53 protein, can prevent and treat UV light–induced skin cancers in mice. The study also demonstrated that CP-31398 increased p53 function in human skin cancer cells expressing a mutant form of p53.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

Promising approach to a more effective sunscreen

Researchers discovered a promising new agent, CP-31398, that restores mutant p53 tumor suppressor function and inhibits skin cancer growth in mice exposed to UVB light. The findings suggest potential for this approach as a sunscreen component for preventing and treating UV light-induced skin cancers.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

Replacing the cells lost in Parkinson disease

Researchers have discovered a novel method to produce dopamine cells for Parkinson's disease treatment by cultivating ventral midbrain neural stem cells with Wnt5a. This approach yielded substantial recovery in mice with PD-like disease, without tumor development.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

Modifying an anti-cancer drug makes it more specific

Researchers at Rice University have engineered a modified form of the anti-cancer drug imatinib, known as WBZ_4, which targets specific cancer-causing proteins without affecting normal bodily functions. This new compound shows promise in treating gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with reduced risk of heart toxicity.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2007

Pregnant women pass on the effects of smoking

A new study published in JCI Journals reveals that smoking before pregnancy or while breast-feeding may decrease the fertility of female offspring by reducing resting and early growing follicles. The effects are mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), which upregulates expression of the Harakiri gene, leading to cell death.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 21, 2007

JCI table of contents: Nov. 21, 2007

Smoking before or during pregnancy may decrease fertility in female offspring, according to a new mouse study. The study found that exposure to environmental toxins like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can reduce the number of follicles in female mice, leading to reduced fertility.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 21, 2007

CD200 stifles anti-tumor immunity

High levels of CD200 expression in melanomas represses activation of antitumor T cell immune responses by dendritic cells. Targeting the interaction between CD200 and its receptor may provide a new treatment approach for metastatic melanoma.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 15, 2007

JCI table of contents: Nov. 15, 2007

Researchers identified a mechanism that represses dendritic cell function in melanoma, which could be targeted for treatment. A new approach to treating myotonia in individuals with DM1 was also discovered using morpholino antisense oligonucleotide.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 15, 2007

ClC-1 helps mice get a move on

Researchers developed a morpholino antisense oligonucleotide to correct the abnormal inclusion of exon 7a in ClC-1 mRNA, restoring chloride channel function and eliminating myotonia in mice with DM1. This approach may potentially treat myotonia in individuals with DM1.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 15, 2007

Atrogin breaks down the side effects of statins

Researchers identified atrogin-1 as a key factor in statin-induced muscle damage, which can be prevented by inhibiting its function. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for high cholesterol patients experiencing unwanted side effects.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 8, 2007

JCI table of contents: Nov. 8, 2007

Research reveals that statins cause skeletal muscle damage through the activity of the gene atrogin-1. Inhibiting this gene's function could help protect against the side effect. Separate studies also link low levels of protein SHGB to metabolic syndrome and show how excess sugar contributes to its development.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 8, 2007

Sex, sugar and metabolic disease

A study reveals that excess sugar consumption decreases SHGB production in the liver, a protein regulating sex steroid entry into tissues. This reduction is associated with increased fat palmitate levels and inhibited by inhibiting palmitate generation.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 8, 2007

The chemical peroxynitrite tolerates pain

Researchers found peroxynitrite plays a crucial role in opiate-induced antinociceptive tolerance in mice. Accumulation of tyrosine-nitrated proteins and oxidative DNA damage were associated with this process.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 1, 2007

JCI table of contents: Nov. 1, 2007

Researchers developed a new mouse model to predict the loss of orally taken drugs due to metabolism by CYP3A, a key enzyme involved in first-pass metabolism. The study found that mice lacking functional CYP3A proteins accumulated docetaxol at higher levels, demonstrating the enzyme's role in intestinal metabolism.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 1, 2007

Mice predict the effectiveness of orally taken drugs

Researchers developed a mouse model to predict the loss of orally administered drugs due to CYP3A metabolism. The study found that mice with human CYP3A expression in the intestine had higher docetaxol levels, while those with liver expression showed only slight decreases.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 1, 2007

JCI table of contents: Oct. 25, 2007

A study found that valsartan reduces Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms in mice by lowering brain beta-amyloid protein levels. A new virotherapeutic also shows promise in treating cancer by selectively targeting cancer cells.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 25, 2007

How to design a cancer-killing virus

Researchers developed a new virotherapeutic targeting cancer cells expressing E2F and EGFR proteins, showing antitumor effects in mice and rabbits. The virus demonstrated high selectivity for cancer cells in tumor-bearing rabbits and human tissue samples.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 25, 2007

JCI table of contents: Oct. 18, 2007

Researchers have discovered that hyperacidification of the TGN causes increased activity of furin, leading to tissue fibrosis in individuals with CF. Additionally, a new study on EHEC O157:H7 has identified the role of type IV pili in intestinal adherence and immune response.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 18, 2007

How 1 bacteria colonizes the gut and causes food poisoning

Researchers found that EHEC O157:H7 uses a protein structure called the hemorrhagic coli pilus to attach to human intestinal cells. This adhesion enables bacteria to cause severe abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the young and elderly.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 18, 2007

JCI table of contents: Oct. 11, 2007

New research on glutaric acidemia type I reveals that young mice are more susceptible to brain damage due to lysine uptake, which can be mitigated with a novel treatment strategy. Mast cells play a role in abdominal aortic aneurysm development, and blocking LAG-3 might enhance cancer vaccine effectiveness.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 11, 2007

New insight into childhood metabolic disease

Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying injury and age-dependent susceptibility to glutaric acidemia type I. By using a mouse model of the disease, scientists discovered that limiting lysine uptake can substantially decrease brain damage caused by exposure to the amino acid.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 11, 2007

JCI table of contents: Oct. 1, 2007

Data suggests MIF may provide a target for developing therapeutics to treat West Nile Virus encephalitis. Abnormal microglial cell migration is also implicated in age-related macular degeneration, with CX3CR1-dependent accumulation linked to disease progression.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 1, 2007

Modulating fat levels essential for successful pregnancy

A study published in JCI Journals reveals that disturbances in sphingolipid metabolism may be a key factor in early pregnancy loss. Sphingosine kinase 1 (Sphk1) and Sphk2 proteins play a crucial role in metabolizing these fats, which are essential for placental development.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 20, 2007

Noninvasive prenatal testing by analyzing mother's blood

Researchers have identified a pattern of fetal mRNAs detectable in pregnant women's blood, which could serve as a baseline for diagnosing genetic diseases. This detection method has the potential to replace invasive prenatal procedures, offering a new approach to monitoring fetal health.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 20, 2007

JCI table of contents: Sept. 20, 2007

Researchers have developed a new non-invasive prenatal testing method that analyzes mother's blood to detect fetal mRNAs, which could be used for prenatal diagnosis of genetic diseases. In another study, mice exposed to particulate matter were found to have accelerated blood clotting and thrombosis, highlighting the need to target IL-6...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 20, 2007

JCI table of contents: September 13, 2007

Researchers have identified potential targets for ALS treatment by studying SOD1 gene mutations. Additionally, a new study on Candida parapsilosis has revealed that lipase is an essential virulence factor. Further research suggests that the timing of treatment with immune-modifying drugs can significantly impact viral infection outcomes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 13, 2007