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Sepsis, or death by lethal message

Researchers discovered that cells caught up in sepsis send out messages to other cells, causing them to die and fueling the spiraling inflammation. By understanding this process, scientists may be able to develop a treatment for inflammatory diseases like sepsis.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2025

Physical signals as fate deciders: How mechanical forces extrude cells from tissues

Physical signals from mechanical forces play a crucial role in determining the fate of cells being extruded from tissues. The study reveals that the intensity and duration of these forces determine whether dead or live cells are eliminated, with implications for tissue homeostasis and cancer progression.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2025

Cancer research: Small change with a big impact

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have discovered that different mutations of the tumour suppressor p53 affect pancreatic carcinomas differently. The study found that two variants of p53 selectively control distinct metabolic pathways, providing new insights into cancer development.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalJournal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research·DateDec 5, 2024

How fungi colonize plant roots

Researchers have deciphered how the beneficial fungus Serendipita indica successfully colonizes plant roots of Arabidopsis thaliana. The fungus secretes enzymes that produce a molecule called deoxyadenosine (dAdo), which activates cell death in plants, enabling colonization without causing significant harm.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2024

Slow editing of protein blueprints leads to cell death

A team of researchers has identified a mechanism that interferes with the splicing process in a more subtle way, leading to cell death. The study reveals that spliceosome subunits U4, U5, and U6 are normally stabilized by protein USP39, but when mutated or absent, stability is compromised, causing incorrect connections during splicing.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2024

Syrian hamsters reveal genetic secret to hibernation

Researchers at Hokkaido University have identified a key gene, glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4), that enables Syrian hamsters to survive extreme cold by limiting cellular damage. The discovery could lead to new treatments for human health, such as improving organ preservation and using hypothermia as a therapeutic tool.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalCell Death and Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2024

Fever drives enhanced activity, mitochondrial damage in immune cells

Researchers found that fever temperatures increase helper T cell metabolism, proliferation and inflammatory activity, while causing mitochondrial stress, DNA damage and cell death in a specific subset of Th1 cells. These findings may explain how chronic inflammation contributes to cancer development and suggest a fundamental way cells ...

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2024

Robots help put brakes on inflammatory diseases

A landmark study unveiled new automated diagnostic techniques, including liquid handling robots, to detect necroptosis in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. The findings provide critical insights into how necroptosis contributes to various inflammatory diseases and offer practical methods for treatment.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalMolecular Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 24, 2024

First effective treatment found for spitting cobra snakebite

Scientists have found an effective treatment for spitting cobra snakebites by blocking one of the major dermonecrosis-causing toxins with varespladib. The study suggests that this repurposed drug can prevent tissue damage and may become a valuable treatment against black-necked and red spitting cobra venoms.

SourceLancaster University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 7, 2024

Pioneering study indicates a potential treatment for corneal endothelial disease, reducing the need for corneal transplants

A pioneering study published in The American Journal of Pathology reveals the cytoprotective and proregenerative effects of neuropeptide α-MSH in promoting corneal healing after eye injury. The treatment has shown impressive therapeutic potential in reducing the need for corneal transplants.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 2, 2024

New study uncovers molecular interactions driving multiple inflammasome activation and inflammatory cell death

A team of researchers discovered a multiprotein complex involving NLRP3, AIM2, NLRC4, and Pyrin that drives PANoptosis, a type of programmed inflammatory cell death. The findings have implications for understanding inflammasome biology and identifying potential therapeutic targets.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalCellular and Molecular Immunology·DateDec 27, 2023

Graphene oxide reduces the toxicity of Alzheimer’s proteins

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have shown that graphene oxide nanoflakes can reduce the accumulation of misfolded amyloid peptides in yeast cells, which are similar to human neurons affected by Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that graphene oxide may hold great potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2023

An ancient anti-cancer mechanism: DISE

Researchers at Northwestern University identified a new evolutionarily conserved RNAi-based form of cell death called Death Induced by Survival gene Elimination (DISE), which targets essential survival genes in cancer cells. This mechanism is ancient and effective against all cancers tested.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 3, 2023

OHSU scientists discover new cause of Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia

Researchers found that ferroptosis, a form of cell death caused by iron buildup, destroys microglia cells in the brain's immune response, contributing to cognitive decline. The study's findings may lead to the development of compounds targeting microglial degeneration, offering new hope for Alzheimer's and vascular dementia treatments.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalAnnals of Neurology·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 5, 2023

Japanese scientists may have unraveled the secret of aging-resistance in naked mole-rats

Researchers discovered a unique mechanism in naked mole-rats that targets senescent cells, suppressing their accumulation and delaying aging. This 'natural senolytic' process involves serotonin metabolism and oxidative stress, potentially offering an evolutionary rationale for removing senescent cells as a therapeutic strategy.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2023

Inside job: Finding exposes unexpected killer of immune cells lacking self marker

Dendritic cells have been found to directly kill T cells lacking CD47, providing a new insight into the immune system's ability to distinguish self from non-self. This discovery has potential implications for cancer treatment and raises questions about the therapeutic application of this novel mechanism.

SourceKobe University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 7, 2023

Essential cell death-regulating mechanisms important for recovery from SARS-CoV infection and skin injury discovered

Researchers have uncovered a novel mechanism of cell death regulation, shedding light on its significance during conditions such as SARS-CoV infection and skin injury. The study reveals that the cleavage of cFLIP restrains cell death during viral infection and tissue injury, favoring tissue repair.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 26, 2023

Potentiating cancer vulnerability to ferroptosis: Off-targeting effects of DHODH inhibitors

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich discovered that DHODH inhibitors sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis by inhibiting ferroptosis suppressor protein-1 (FSP1), not DHODH itself. This finding confirms the crucial role of FSP1 in ferroptosis surveillance and opens up new avenues for developing effective cancer therapies.

St. Jude finds NLRP12 as a new drug target for infection, inflammation and hemolytic diseases

Researchers from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered NLRP12 to be the key molecule responsible for inducing inflammatory cell death and pathology in response to heme combined with other cellular damage or infection. This finding provides a new potential drug target to prevent morbidity in certain illnesses.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2023

Scientists at Ben-Gurion University have stumbled upon a groundbreaking approach for treating Alzheimer's disease that has shown remarkable success in mouse models

Scientists at Ben-Gurion University have discovered a groundbreaking treatment approach targeting the mitochondrial gatekeeper VDAC1 for Alzheimer's disease. The new therapy, VBIT-4, demonstrates significant improvement in mouse models, preventing cell death and neuroinflammation while promoting healthy neuron growth.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalTranslational Neurodegeneration·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2023

Pusan National University researchers uncover novel gene that regulates leukemia development and progression

Pusan National University researchers have identified a novel gene, SURF4, that regulates cell death and differentiation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The study found that suppressing SURF4 expression increases cell differentiation, cell death, and accumulation of ROS, leading to arrested tumor growth in mice.

SourcePusan National University·JournalCancer Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2023