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JCI Journals


Lymphatic vasculature: A cholesterol removal system

Researchers have found that the lymphatic system is crucial for removing cholesterol from peripheral tissues, including artery walls. The study suggests that therapies supporting lymphatic transport could enhance cholesterol clearance and potentially treat atherosclerotic vascular disease.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 25, 2013

JCI early table of contents for March 25, 2013

Researchers characterized SUDEP in a mouse model of DS, finding that treatment with drugs reducing parasympathetic activity reduced incidence. Lymphatic vasculature also plays crucial role in cholesterol removal from arteries, with impaired lymphatic growth leading to increased cholesterol retention. A new therapeutic target is identif...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 25, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Mar. 15, 2013

Researchers found that mycolactone, a lipid toxin from Mycobacterium ulcerans, causes cytoskeletal dysregulation by activating the protein N-WASP. This led to defects in cell adhesion and migration, impairing skin integrity. The study suggests using N-WASP inhibitors as potential treatments for Buruli ulcers.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 15, 2013

Cytoskeletal dysregulation underlies Buruli ulcer formation

Researchers discovered that mycolactone, a lipid toxin produced by Mycobacterium ulcerans, disrupts the cellular skeleton through N-WASP activation. This dysregulation impairs skin integrity and cell adhesion, leading to Buruli ulcers. Blocking N-WASP activity with wiskostatin may provide a new treatment approach.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 15, 2013

Sorting out fertility after childhood cancer

Researchers have developed a multi-parameter sorting approach to separate healthy spermatogonial stem cells from cancerous cells, enabling the removal of malignant material during transplantation. This method shows promise for preserving fertility in male childhood cancer survivors.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 15, 2013

JCI early table of contents for March 8, 2013

Heavy drinkers show enhanced brain acetate metabolism, which may provide an energetic reward to compensate for drops in blood glucose levels. Additionally, planar cell polarity genes guide the formation of gut neurons, and their dysfunction is linked to gastrointestinal motility disorders.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 8, 2013

A coordinated response to cardiac stress

Researchers at Yale University identified a molecular mechanism by which the growth of new blood vessels and heart muscle are coordinated. Nitric oxide triggers the destruction of RGS4, allowing for physiological changes associated with the relaxation of blood vessels, while promoting cardiac growth.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Mar. 1, 2013

Scientists identified nitric oxide's role in degrading a protein that attenuates cardiac growth, linking vascular changes to heart size. A nanogel-based treatment targeting an immunosuppressive drug directly to tissues associated with immune cells may help treat systemic lupus erythematosus.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2013

A nanogel-based treatment for lupus

Researchers developed a nanogel-based delivery system targeting immunosuppressive drug mycophenolic acid at tissues associated with immune cells. The treatment showed improved survival rates and delayed kidney damage in mouse models of lupus.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2013

How to mend a broken heart: Advances in parthenogenic stem cells

Researchers at Georg-August-Universität Göttingen used parthenogenic stem cells to create cardiomyocytes and engineered heart muscle with normal properties. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential of parthenogenic stem cells for tissue engineering and could lead to new cell replacement therapies.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 22, 2013

Pulmonary fibrosis: Between a ROCK and a hard place

Pulmonary fibrosis is a scarring of the lungs that causes shortness of breath and fatigue. Researchers identified a mechanosensitive cellular signaling pathway in myofibroblasts, which promotes survival and prevents normal cell disappearance after wound healing.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 22, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Feb. 22, 2013

Scientists successfully use parthenogenic stem cells to develop functional heart muscle and treat pulmonary fibrosis. Researchers find that inhibiting a protein called ROCK attenuates myofibroblast survival and prevents lung scarring.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 22, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Feb. 15, 2013

Researchers found that cigarette smoke-induced miRNA alterations promote lung carcinogenesis by repressing miR-487b. Additionally, high levels of ox-CaMKII are linked to increased risk of sudden death after heart attack in diabetic patients, suggesting a potential mechanism for increased mortality.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 15, 2013

A smoking gun in lung cancer epigenetics

A recent study reveals that cigarette smoke-induced miRNA expression alterations, specifically the repression of miR-487b, play a crucial role in lung carcinogenesis. Loss of miR-487b increases oncogene expression and enhances tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in both normal and cancer cells.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 15, 2013

Rooting out recurrent breast cancer

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that TGF-β is highly expressed in triple negative breast cancer cells after chemotherapy. In a mouse model, blocking TGF-β prevented tumor recurrence and enhanced chemotherapy action against triple negative breast cancer.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 8, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Feb. 8, 2013

Studies reveal that blocking TGF-β can prevent tumor recurrence in mice with triple negative breast cancer. Additionally, targeting specific subsets of immune cells, such as CD8+ regulatory T-cells, may provide a new approach to treating rheumatoid arthritis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 8, 2013

Targeting T cells in rheumatoid arthritis

A subset of regulatory T cells has been identified that can remove pathogenic T cells, inhibiting disease progression in RA-like conditions. Small proteins have also been found to induce more of these beneficial T cells.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 8, 2013

A gut feeling about neural stem cells

Scientists at the University of Melbourne have successfully transplanted neural stem cells into mice, which then migrated to the gut and developed into functional neurons. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for intestinal motility disorders such as Hirschsprung's disease.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 1, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Feb. 1, 2013

Researchers have found that transplanted neural stem cells can migrate to the gut and develop into functional neurons, providing a promising new treatment for gastrointestinal motility disorders. Additionally, a protein called MFGE8 has been identified as an important regulator of inflammation, blocking inflammasome activity and limiti...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 1, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Jan. 25, 2013

Researchers found that stress accelerates prostate cancer development in mice, while a genetic mutation in the NESP4 gene disrupts a cellular complex essential for hearing. Combining green tea extract with vardenafil enhances anti-cancer effects in a mouse model of multiple myeloma.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 25, 2013

Prostate cancer cells thrive on stress

A recent study found that stress can accelerate prostate cancer development in mice, with adrenaline blocking cancer cell death. Conversely, drugs that inhibited adrenaline signaling ablated the effect of stress on prostate cancer. This suggests that beta-blockers could enhance the effectiveness of anti-cancer therapies.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 25, 2013

An important LINC in human hearing

Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation in the NESP4 gene, which disrupts the LINC complex and leads to hearing loss. The study highlights the importance of nuclear positioning for normal hearing.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 25, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Jan. 16, 2013

Researchers found that probiotic supplementation improved gastrointestinal immune function and reduced inflammation in SIV-infected macaques, a model for human HIV-infection. This study suggests that probiotics could benefit ARV-treated HIV patients by mitigating the damage caused by viral-induced gut inflammation.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 16, 2013

Could probiotics help HIV patients?

Researchers found that probiotic supplementation improved gastrointestinal immune function and decreased inflammation in SIV-infected macaques treated with ARV. These findings suggest that probiotics could benefit ARV-treated HIV patients, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 16, 2013

Fusion gene contributes to glioblastoma progression

Researchers identified a fusion between FGFR3 and TACC3 genes in human glioblastoma samples, which promoted tumor growth and progression in a mouse model. The fusion protein escaped regulation by miR-99a, indicating its potential as a prognostic marker and drug target for glioblastoma treatment.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 9, 2013

A new treatment for kidney disease-associated heart failure?

Researchers at the University of Tübingen found that spironolactone reduces vascular calcification in klotho-hypomorphic mice, a model for chronic kidney disease. This treatment also increases the life span of these mice. The findings have implications for treating cardiovascular mortality in CKD patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 9, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Jan. 9, 2013

Researchers found a small peptide that blocks antibody recognition of desmogleins, improving cell-cell adhesion and preventing skin blistering in pemphigus vulgaris. Additionally, spironolactone reduced vascular calcification in kidney disease mice, increasing their life span. A glioblastoma fusion gene promoted tumor growth and progre...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 9, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Jan. 2, 2013

Researchers found that bacterial imbalance contributes to intestinal inflammation and carcinogenesis, with treatment reducing disease risk. Dysbiosis was shown to enhance intestinal inflammation and increase the risk for inflammation-associated colon cancer.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 2, 2013

The X factor in liver metabolism

Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that activating the unfolded protein response (UPR) triggers the expression of Xbp1s, a protein regulating genes needed for metabolic switch. This suggests Xbp1s could play a role in metabolic disease.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 21, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Dec. 21, 2012

Researchers found that Xbp1s regulates liver metabolic switch after eating, while low iron accelerates H. pylori-induced gastric cancer. Additionally, p62 is crucial for brown fat thermogenesis, and dendritic cells play a protective role in atherosclerosis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 21, 2012

Harnessing the ID in glioma

Researchers found ID proteins essential for retaining glioma-initiating cells in a specific extracellular niche, maintaining their cancer-promoting properties. The study's results suggest ID proteins as potential therapeutic targets for glioma treatment.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 17, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Dec. 17, 2012

Researchers identified ID proteins as regulators of glioma progression and potential therapeutic targets. In contrast, the loss of TREM-1 increased inflammation and worsened lung infection outcomes in mice. Additionally, breast cancer cells interact with stroma to drive metastasis through HIF-dependent signaling pathways.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 17, 2012

Brown fat transplants help mice lose weight

Researchers performed brown fat transplants in mice to treat obesity, finding significant reductions in body weight and improvements in glucose metabolism. The transplanted brown fat secreted hormones that mediated metabolic effects throughout the body.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 10, 2012

Researchers identify therapeutic targets in neurofibromatosis

Three independent studies demonstrate that hyperactivation of MAPK signaling pathways underlies NF1-associated disorders. Researchers found that inhibiting MEK and ERK can block the development of JMML, reduce the growth of peripheral nerve tumors, and ameliorate myeloproliferative disorders in NF1 mutant mice.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 10, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Dec. 10, 2012

Researchers discovered that brown fat transplants significantly decreased body weight and improved insulin sensitivity in mice fed high-fat diets. The study also found that the transplanted brown fat secreted hormones that mediated metabolic effects throughout the body.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 10, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Dec. 3, 2012

Researchers have discovered that lithium restores cognitive function in Down syndrome mice, while stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons improve motor defects in Parkinson's disease monkeys. Additionally, inhibiting a key protein in Alzheimer's disease may reduce plaque formation and improve memory tasks. Moreover, tempering inflammati...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 3, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Nov. 26, 2012

Researchers found that bariatric surgery techniques produce similar outcomes, with weight loss itself being the primary factor responsible for improved metabolic responses. In another study, antifibrinolytic drugs were linked to seizures due to their inhibition of glycine receptors in the brain. A companion commentary reviews the conne...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 26, 2012