Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Study may explain why high-sugar diets can worsen IBD

A new study suggests that high-sugar diets can exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms by disrupting the colon's lining renewal process. The research found that a high-sugar diet led to impaired cell division and altered metabolic pathways in mice, resulting in faster gut damage.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

The Mathematics of Cell Boundary 'Ruggedness'

The study, led by Professor Takashi Miura of Kyushu University, has discovered that interdigitated cell boundaries have a mathematically scaling pattern with self-similarity. The team used the Edwards-Wilkinson model to simulate and understand the molecular mechanism responsible for these dynamics.

SourceKyushu University·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2023

Fungal spores hijack lung cells

Researchers have discovered that fungal spores can exploit the human protein p11 to hijack lung cells and prevent them from destroying the fungus. This finding offers a promising new target for treatment against Aspergillus fumigatus infections, which affect over 300,000 people worldwide each year.

KAIST presents a fundamental technology to remove metastatic traits from lung cancer cells​

A research team led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho at KAIST has developed a fundamental technology to revert metastatic lung cancer cells to a non-metastatic state. This breakthrough could lead to the elimination of drug resistance and metastatic potential in cancer cells, while increasing their responsiveness to chemotherapy.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalCancer Research·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 29, 2023

New study suggests a promising therapeutic target for sepsis

A new study published in The American Journal of Pathology suggests that promoting autophagy with rapamycin restores intestinal barrier function during sepsis. The study also identifies the PLK1-mTOR axis as a crucial regulator of autophagy and intestinal barrier dysfunction, providing novel insights for treatment of sepsis.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2023

How to turn a tentacle into a foot

Researchers at UNIGE and FMI successfully modified the structure and function of tentacle cells in hydra by reducing Zic4 expression, resulting in transdifferentiation into foot cells. The study provides new insights into transdifferentiation mechanisms and could pave the way for therapies to regenerate deficient cell types in humans.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScience Advances·TypeNews article·DateJan 5, 2023

How cells find the right partners

Researchers found that the Eya protein regulates cell contact behavior, allowing for self-organization of epithelial cells with nurse cells. This mechanism enables complex development processes, including egg chamber formation and sperm cell development, in Drosophila.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2022

The gut patrol

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discover how gut barrier cells send secret messages to patrolling T cells, keeping them alive and active. The study sheds light on conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and highlights the importance of HVEM protein in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2022

Discovered a mathematical principle that explains how cells connect with each other to form tissues and organs

An international team of scientists has discovered a new mathematical principle that explains how cells connect with each other to form tissues. The finding reveals important properties of cellular connectivity, including the relationship between cell geometry and energy consumption.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalCell Systems·TypeObservational study·DateJul 13, 2022

Chinese Medical Journal review explores the role of macrophages in the progression of acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease

A recent review article highlights the crucial role of macrophages in the progression from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study suggests that targeting specific signaling pathways and altering macrophage activation can prevent renal fibrosis and CKD. Therapeutic strategies such as clodronate liposomes an...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 20, 2022

Stromal cells, maestros of the intestine

In a mouse model, stromal cells developed before weaning age promote the maturation of the intestinal barrier by forming a specialized niche. Absence of these cells induces defect in postnatal growth and increases susceptibility to intestinal inflammatory diseases.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJun 2, 2022

Microgravity analog culture profoundly affects microbial infection process in 3-D human tissue models, a new study finds

A new study found that microgravity analog culture profoundly affects the microbial infection process in 3-D human tissue models. This is critical for ensuring astronaut health on extended space missions and sheds light on mysterious processes of infection on Earth.

SourceArizona State University·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2022

Cystic fibrosis: Restoring airway integrity

Researchers discovered that hydrating the surface of airways in people with cystic fibrosis restores their protective barrier against bacterial infections. This breakthrough opens the way to new therapies based on mucus hydration, offering a promising alternative to current treatments.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCells·TypeNews article·DateMay 24, 2022

Microbes help orchestrate how the gut uses its genes

Researchers found microbes influence which genes are used for fat digestion and absorption, leading to changes in epithelial cells. The study also showed microbes promote lipid absorption and impact systemic processes like weight gain.

SourceDuke University·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2022

Getting sticky with it: Phospholipid found to play a key role in epithelial cell adhesion

Researchers found phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) essential for epithelial cell-cell adhesion and maintaining cellular identity. PIP2 regulates epithelial properties by recruiting Par3 to the plasma membrane, facilitating the formation of adherens junctions and preventing epithelial-mesenchymal transformation.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022

Stopping lung damage before it turns deadly

Researchers found that hypoxia can activate immune cells called ILC2s, which respond to harmless environmental allergens and drive mucus production and inflammation in the lungs. The study identifies adrenomedullin as a new target for treating inflammatory and allergic lung diseases.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022

Double agents: How stomach stem cells change allegiance upon injury

A molecular switch, p57, enables stomach stem cells to change allegiance from normal digestion to injury response, potentially leading to new treatments for gastric pathologies. The study's findings suggest that p57 is a key regulator of reserve stem cell state in gastric chief cells.

Researchers map lung development after birth into late childhood for the first time

Scientists have constructed a detailed map of lung development after birth, providing insights into the genetic and epigenetic factors that affect lung health. The study used next-generation single-cell sequencing technologies to analyze over 80,000 human and mouse lung cells, revealing clues on how cell types communicate and develop.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Genomics·DateApr 11, 2022

Scientists map entire human gut at single cell resolution

Researchers sequenced genes expressed in individual single cells from human GI tracts, revealing new cell-type characteristics and gaining insights into important cell functions. The study opens the door to exploring gut health in a more precise manner at greater resolution than ever before.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2022

'Molecular Velcro' enables tissues to sense, react to mechanical force

A University of Illinois study discovered that cadherin proteins can sense mechanical stress and alter cell communication, promoting tissue growth and tumorigenesis. The findings suggest a potential mechanism for preventing certain types of tissue growth by mutating cadherin molecules.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 10, 2022

Researchers discover repair properties of a protein critical for wound-healing in gut diseases

A team led by Case Western Reserve University discovered the novel repair properties of Gasdermin B protein, promoting restoration of epithelial layers and effective wound-healing. The findings have significant implications for designing therapeutics to enhance wound repair in various organs.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateFeb 7, 2022

Louisville researchers reveal how oral bacteria suppress protection against viral growth

Researchers at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry found that oral bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis can suppress the production and effectiveness of proteins that protect humans from viral infection. This suppression increases vulnerability to infection, allowing viruses to enter the body more easily.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2022

New study reveals how epithelial cells in the body naturally eliminate “precancerous” ones

Researchers have identified a novel immune-like mechanism by which healthy epithelial cells recognize and eliminate precancerous cells through a MHC class I-LILRB3 interaction. This process generates mechanical force to extrude the precancerous cells from the body, offering new hope for cancer prevention and treatment.

SourceWaseda University·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2021

LSU Health contributes to research suggesting late-onset retinal degeneration mechanism and potential Rx

A study led by LSU Health found how late-onset retinal degeneration develops and identified a surprising potential therapeutic, metformin. The research suggests that an enzyme called AMPK activates the protein CTRP5 to regulate fatty acid metabolism and energy stability.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2021

New study suggests that aquaporin could be key to repairing corneal defects

A new study provides evidence supporting the involvement of aquaporins in corneal cell proliferation and nerve regeneration, suggesting AQP5 induction as a potential therapy to accelerate corneal defect resurfacing. The study found that AQP5 deficiency can slow down corneal epithelial repair, but its specific mechanism remained unclear.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

TTUHSC technology leads successful clinical trial to treat dry eye disease

A clinical trial conducted by TTUHSC researchers found that corneal epithelial stem cell-derived eye drops significantly improved symptoms of severe dry eye disease, with patients experiencing a 23% improvement in SPEED questionnaire scores and a 17.1% improvement in OSDI scores. No adverse reactions were reported during the 12-week tr...

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Ophthalmology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 28, 2021

Repeated injury to airway stem cells could be major factor in chronic lung disease

Researchers link repeated injury to airway stem cells with chronic lung disease, suggesting that biological aging of these cells may contribute to the development of this condition. The study found that injury caused activation of a subset of stem cells, leading to their premature aging and loss of functional capacity.

SourceAlphaMed Press·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021

Study reveals how saline solution can inhibit replication of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers at the University of São Paulo found that a hypertonic saline solution can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by up to 88% in human epithelial lung cells. The study suggests that the use of such a solution could contribute to the development of novel prophylactic interventions or treatments for COVID-19.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalACS Pharmacology & Translational Science·DateSep 21, 2021

Novel mechanism links genetic defect in IBD patients to gut leakiness

A UC Riverside-led study identifies how loss-of-function mutations in the gene PTPN2 affect intestinal epithelial cells' ability to maintain a barrier. The researchers found that increased fluid loss and diarrhea are linked to the mutation, which can be reversed by treating cells with synthetic matriptase.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021