Issue published February 9, 2026
- Volume 11, Issue 3
- Previous Issue
Ogmen et al. report clinical features and disease mechanisms in patients with microcephaly-lymphedema-chorioretinopathy with KIF11 pathogenic variants, focusing on lymphatic function. The cover image shows confocal immunofluorescence microscopy of a paraffin section of human duodenum from a patient with a KIF11 variant. E-cadherin labels epithelial cells in yellow, PDPN marks lymphatic vessels in magenta, CD31 visualizes blood vessels in cyan, and nuclei are shown in orange. Image credit: Pia Ostergaard, Kazim Ogmen, Silvia Martin-Almedina, Felix Heymann, Rose Yinghan Behncke, and René Hägerling.
On the cover: Insights into KIF11 pathogenesis in microcephaly-lymphedema-chorioretinopathy syndrome from a lymphatic perspective
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Research Articles
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Abstract
Adaptive immune responses are widely considered the primary drivers of chronic inflammation in autoimmune disease, yet increasing evidence suggests that dysregulated myeloid cells play a central role in sustaining tissue damage. Salt-inducible kinases (SIKs) regulate immune cell activation, and their pharmacological inhibition can promote a shift from proinflammatory toward an immunoregulatory phenotype. We investigated whether selective inhibition of SIK2 and SIK3 with GLPG3970 could reprogram monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, and we assessed pharmacological effects on activated T and B cells. Preclinical studies in mouse models of colitis, psoriasis, and arthritis demonstrated that SIK2/SIK3 inhibition reduced inflammatory activity and promoted immunoregulatory and tolerogenic-associated pathways. Clinical signal-detection studies in ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis revealed signs of clinical and biological activity in ulcerative colitis and psoriasis. These findings suggest that myeloid cell dysfunction and impaired myeloid phenotype switching contribute to chronic inflammation in autoimmune diseases and that therapeutic targeting of SIK2/SIK3 holds the potential to restore immune balance by converting proinflammatory into regulatory pathways. Collectively, this work supports SIK2/SIK3 inhibition as a potential treatment strategy for myeloid cell–driven chronic inflammatory conditions.
Authors
Steve De Vos, Nicolas Desroy, Susan J. Bellaire, Anna Pereira Fernandes, Stéphanie Lavazais, Didier Merciris, Carole Delachaume, Catherine Robin-Jagerschmidt, Adrien Cosson, Angela Lazaryan, Nancy Van Osselaer, David Amantini, Christophe Peixoto, Maikel L. Colli, Thomas Van Eeckhoutte, Tiina Hakonen, Magali Constant, Alberto Garcia-Hernandez, Rahul Barron, Geert D’Haens, Wulf O. Böcher
×Abstract
Pathogenic variants in kinesin KIF11 underlie microcephaly-lymphedema-chorioretinopathy (MLC) syndrome. Although well known for regulating spindle dynamics ensuring successful cell division, the association of KIF11 (encoding EG5) with development of the lymphatic system and how KIF11 pathogenic variants lead to lymphatic dysfunction and lymphedema remain unknown. Using patient-derived lymphoblastoid cells, we demonstrated that patients with MLC carrying pathogenic stop-gain variants in KIF11 have reduced mRNA and protein levels. Lymphoscintigraphy showed reduced tracer absorption, and intestinal lymphangiectasia was detected in one patient, pointing to impairment of lymphatic function caused by KIF11 haploinsufficiency. We revealed that KIF11 is expressed in early human and mouse development with the lymphatic markers VEGFR3, podoplanin, and PROX1. In zebrafish, single-cell RNA-Seq identified kif11 specifically expressed in endothelial precursors. In human lymphatic endothelial cells, EG5 inhibition with ispinesib reduced VEGFC-driven AKT phosphorylation, migration, and spheroid sprouting. KIF11 knockdown reduced PROX1 and VEGFR3 expression, providing for the first time to our knowledge a link between KIF11 and drivers of lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic identity.
Authors
Kazim Ogmen, Sara E. Dobbins, Rose Yinghan Behncke, Ines Martinez-Corral, Ryan C.S. Brown, Michelle Meier, Sascha Ulferts, Nils Rouven Hansmeier, Ege Sackey, Ahlam Alqahtani, Christina Karapouliou, Dionysios Grigoriadis, Juan C. Del Rey Jimenez, Michael Oberlin, Denise Williams, Arzu Ekici, Kadri Karaer, Steve Jeffery, Peter Mortimer, Kristiana Gordon, Kazuhide S. Okuda, Benjamin M. Hogan, Taija Mäkinen, René Hägerling, Sahar Mansour, Silvia Martin-Almedina, Pia Ostergaard
×Abstract
Induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1/Hmox1) is broadly considered cytoprotective, but the role of colonic epithelial HO-1 in colitis-associated tumorigenesis is poorly defined. HO-1 catabolizes heme, releasing ferrous iron, a key driver of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. We observed that colonic epithelial HO-1 was induced during colitis and tumorigenesis. We also found that HO-1 was upregulated in ferroptosis-inducing conditions in murine and human colonic epithelial organoids and correlated with lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis markers in colonic tumors. In colonic epithelial organoids exposed to heme, deletion of Hmox1 amplified a compensatory oxidative stress and detoxification transcriptional program, likely reflecting unresolved oxidative and nonoxidative toxicity from heme. In vivo, epithelial HO-1–deficient mice developed significantly fewer and smaller tumors compared with littermate controls in a colitis-associated tumorigenesis model, despite similar inflammatory injury. Tumors from KO mice exhibited reduced iron levels, decreased lipid peroxidation, lower oxidative DNA damage, and decreased proliferation. Single-cell RNA sequencing of tumor epithelial cells revealed a shift from a proliferative to a stress-adaptive program with loss of HO-1. These findings identify epithelial HO-1 as a context-dependent regulator of tumorigenesis: it is protective against acute heme toxicity but promotes iron-dependent oxidative damage and proliferation in the setting of chronic inflammation.
Authors
Rosemary C. Callahan, Jillian C. Curry, Geetha Bhagavatula, Alyse W. Staley, Rachel E.M. Schaefer, Faiz Minhajuddin, Liheng Zhou, Rane M. Neuhart, Shaikh M. Atif, David J. Orlicky, Ian M. Cartwright, Mark E. Gerich, Calen A. Steiner, Arianne L. Theiss, Caroline H.T. Hall, Sean P. Colgan, Joseph C. Onyiah
×Abstract
Mechanisms responsible for skeletal muscle kidney crosstalk have not been defined. We have determined that a circulating mediator, signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα), impairs intracellular insulin-mediated functions. To elucidate the effect of myokine SIRPα on diabetic kidney disease (DKD), flox mice and muscle-specific (m-specific) SIRPα-KO mice were subjected to an obesity-induced model of diabetes, high-fat diet (HFD; 60%) or insulin-deficient hyperglycemia model, streptozotocin (STZ), and were subsequently exposed to anti-SIRPα monoclonal antibodies. In the obesity-induced diabetic mice, serum SIRPα increased. Genetic deletion of muscle SIRPα protected against obesity and improved intracellular insulin signaling in muscle and adipose tissue, with reduced intramuscular fat deposition when compared with flox mice on HFD. Moreover, mSIRPα-KO mice displayed enhanced kidney tubular fatty acid oxidation (FAO) expression with suppressed intraorgan triglycerides deposition, and importantly, protection against DKD. Conversely, exogenous SIRPα impaired kidney proximal tubular cell FAO, ATP production, and exacerbated fibrosis. Finally, suppressing SIRPα in skeletal muscles or treatment with anti-SIRPα monoclonal antibodies in STZ-treated mice mitigated cachexia, hyperlipidemia, kidney triglyceride deposition, and renal dysfunction in spite of significant hyperglycemia. Importantly, serum SIRPα was upregulated in patients with DKD. In conclusion, SIRPα serves as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in DKD.
Authors
Jiao Wu, Elisa Russo, Daniela Verzola, Qingtian Li, Helena Zhang, Bhuvaneswari Krishnan, David Sheikh-Hamad, Zhaoyong Hu, William E. Mitch, Sandhya S. Thomas
×Abstract
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a recalcitrant inflammatory disease with potential for malignant transformation, involving a cytotoxic CD8+ T cell–mediated basal keratinocyte apoptosis. However, it lacks an appropriate mouse model for study. Here we developed an OLP-like mouse model using topical oxazolone to induce a delayed-type hypersensitivity-mediated oral lichenoid reaction. Histological and ultrastructural analysis confirmed hallmark pathological features of OLP, including band-like CD8+ T cell infiltration and basal cell damage as well as the presence of Civatte bodies. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed significant similarity between RNA-Seq profiles of the mouse model and human OLP lesions, highlighting shared upregulated genes and enriched pathways, particularly those related to IFN-γ signaling and cytotoxic T cell activity. Functional studies demonstrated that the OLP phenotype depended on IFN-γ, with local priming by IFN-γ intensifying the disease through upregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I. Additionally, the absence of Langerhans cells exacerbated disease severity in vivo. Therapeutic evaluation showed that the JAK inhibitors baricitinib and ruxolitinib effectively reduced disease burden and provided mechanistic insights. In conclusion, this OLP-like mouse model recapitulates key immunopathological and transcriptomic features of human OLP, offering a robust platform for dissecting disease mechanisms and evaluating novel therapeutic strategies.
Authors
Zhenlai Zhu, Tinglan Yang, Peng Peng, Kang Li, Wen Qin, Chen Zhang, Shuyan Wang, Yuanyuan Wang, Minghui Wei, Erle Dang, Meng Fu, Hao Guo, Wen Yin, Shuai Shao, Qing Liu
×Abstract
Developing biomarkers to quantitatively monitor disease-specific T cell activity is crucial for assessing type 1 diabetes (T1D) progression and evaluating immunotherapies. This study presents an approach using V gene–targeted sequencing to quantify T cell receptor (TCR) clonotypes as biomarkers for pathogenic T cells in T1D. We identified “public” TCR clonotypes shared among multiple nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice and human organ donors, with a subset expressed exclusively by islet-antigen-reactive T cells in those with T1D. Employing V gene–targeted sequencing of only TCRs containing TRAV16/16D allowed quantitative detection of the public islet-antigen-reactive TCR clonotypes in peripheral blood of NOD mice. Frequencies of these public TCR clonotypes distinguished prediabetic NOD mice from those protected from diabetes. In human islets, public TCR clonotypes identical to preproinsulin-specific clones were exclusively found in T1D donors. This quantifiable TCR sequencing approach uncovered public, disease-specific clonotypes in T1D, providing biomarker candidates to monitor pathogenic T cell frequencies in blood for assessing disease activity and therapeutic response.
Authors
Laurie G. Landry, Kristen L. Wells, Amanda M. Anderson, Kristen R. Miller, Kenneth L. Jones, Aaron W. Michels, Maki Nakayama
×Abstract
HDAC8, an evolutionarily distinct, X-linked, zinc-dependent class I histone/protein deacetylase, is implicated in developmental disorders, parasitic infections, myopathy, and cancers. Our study demonstrates the important role of HDAC8 in immune cells by conditional targeting of HDAC8 in murine T cells and application of selective HDAC8 inhibitors. Using flow cytometry, RNA-seq, and ChIP-seq analyses, we demonstrate that knocking down or inhibiting HDAC8 impaired murine regulatory T cell (Treg) suppressive function in vitro and in vivo, but promoted conventional host T cell responses, thereby limiting syngeneic tumor growth. Mechanistically, HDAC8 knockout downregulated Foxp3 expression, enhanced H3K27 acetylation levels, and promoted IL-2, IL-6, Fas, and FasL expression in both Treg and conventional effector T cells. Thus, our combined genetic and pharmacologic studies establish the central importance of HDAC8 in T cell responses and suggest that selective HDAC8 inhibitors represent a potential therapeutic approach in immuno-oncology.
Authors
Fanhua Kong, Yan Xiong, Liqing Wang, Rongxiang Han, Hossein Fazelinia, Jennifer Roof, Lynn Spruce, Aaron B. Beeler, Wayne W. Hancock
×Abstract
Few HIV-specific epitopes restricted by non-classical HLA-E have been described, and even less is known about the functional profile of responding CD8+ T cells (CD8s). This study evaluates the functional characteristics of CD8s targeting the Gag epitope KF11 (KAFSPEVIPMF) restricted by either HLA-E (E-CD8s) or HLA-B57 (B57-CD8s). CD8s from 8 people with HIV (PWH) were cocultured with KF11 peptide presented by cell lines expressing HLA-B*57:01, HLA-E*01:01, or HLA-E*01:03. CD8 responses were analyzed using single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing. Supernatants were also assessed for soluble protein profiling. HLA-I multimers were developed to identify CD8s restricted by HLA-B57 and/or HLA-E ex vivo. B57-CD8s secreted higher levels of cytotoxic cytokines such as IFN-γ, whereas E-CD8s produced more chemotactic cytokines, including RANTES, CXCL10 (IP-10), and IL-27, findings that were corroborated through single-cell RNA sequencing. TCR clonotypes stimulated by KF11 were cross-restricted by HLA-B*57 and HLA-E*01:03 as demonstrated by in vitro T cell reporter assays and ex vivo multimer screening. Ex vivo CD8s were singly restricted by HLA-B57 and HLA-E, with dual restriction only observed in PWH with lower viral load. These findings demonstrate that certain HIV-specific CD8s in PWH exhibit dual restriction by HLA-B*57 and HLA-E*01:03, leading to functionally distinct immune responses depending on the restricting allele(s).
Authors
Kevin J. Maroney, Michael A. Rose, Allisa K. Oman, Abha Chopra, Hua-Shiuan Hsieh, Zerufael Derza, Rachel Waterworth, Mark A. Brockman, Spyros A. Kalams, Anju Bansal, Paul A. Goepfert
×Abstract
In pemphigus, autoantibodies against the desmosomal cadherins desmoglein (DSG) DSG1 and DSG3 cause intraepidermal blistering. Recently, we found that increasing cAMP with the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor apremilast stabilizes keratinocyte cohesion in pemphigus. This effect is paralleled by phosphorylation of the desmosomal plaque protein plakoglobin (PG) at serine 665 (S665). Here, we investigated the relevance of PG phosphorylation at S665 for stabilization of keratinocyte cohesion and further characterized the underlying mechanisms. Ultrastructural analysis of a recently established PG-S665 phospho-deficient mouse model (PG-S665A) showed diminished keratin insertion. Accordingly, the protective effect of apremilast against pemphigus autoantibody-induced skin blistering was diminished, and apremilast failed to restore alterations of the keratin cytoskeleton in PG-S665A mice. Keratinocytes derived from PG-S665A mice revealed a disorganized keratin cytoskeleton and reduced single-molecule binding strength of DSG3. In line with this, in ex vivo human skin, increased cAMP augmented keratin insertion into desmosomal plaques. Additionally, PG phosphorylated at S665 colocalized with desmoplakin and keratin filaments anchoring to desmosomes and increased cAMP-accelerated assembly of desmosomes. Taken together, phosphorylation of PG at S665 was crucial for protective effects of apremilast in pemphigus and for maintenance of DSG3 binding and keratin filament anchorage to desmosomes.
Authors
Franziska Vielmuth, Anna M. Sigmund, Desalegn T. Egu, Matthias Hiermaier, Letyfee S. Steinert, Sina Moztarzadeh, Mariia Klimkina, Margarethe E.C. Schikora, Paulina M. Rion, Thomas Schmitt, Katharina Meier, Kamran Ghoreschi, Anja K.E. Horn, Mariya Y. Radeva, Daniela Kugelmann, Jens Waschke
×Abstract
Epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by mediating gene-environment interactions. We previously showed that UHRF1, a central regulator of DNA methylation, contributes to cancer progression; however, its function in IBD remains poorly understood. Here, we revealed that UHRF1 was frequently reduced in inflamed tissues of patients with IBD and that its deficiency exacerbated intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) damage. Through a multilevel approach incorporating human cell models and an intestinal epithelial-specific Uhrf1-KO mouse model, we established UHRF1 as a key mitigator of IBD progression. Mechanistically, UHRF1 bound to the NPY1R promoter, promoted its methylation, and led to transcriptional suppression. The NPY1R upregulation resulting from UHRF1 deficiency attenuated cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling in IECs, thereby enhancing NF-κB activation and subsequent proinflammatory responses, which compromised intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. Furthermore, we identified miR-141 as a negative regulator of NPY1R, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent. Collectively, our results identified the UHRF1/NPY1R regulatory axis as a critical epigenetic mechanism in intestinal inflammation and underscored its dual promise for IBD diagnostics and therapy.
Authors
Yanan Han, Lina Sun, Yanxing Liu, Xiaohui Zhang, Hao Liu, Haohao Zhang, Xiaoxia Ren, Fenfan Wang, Huafeng Fan, Jie Chen, Dan Liu, Daiming Fan, Yuanyuan Lu, Xue Bai, Ying Fang, Kaichun Wu, Xiaodi Zhao
×Abstract
Fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma (FP-RMS), driven by PAX-FOXO1 fusion oncoproteins, represents the subtype of RMS with the poorest prognosis. However, the oncogenic mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of PAX-FOXO1 remain incompletely understood. Here, we discovered that N-Myc, in addition to being a classic downstream target of PAX-FOXO1, can also activate its expression and form a transcriptional complex with PAX-FOXO1, thereby markedly amplifying oncogenic signaling. The reciprocal transcriptional activation of PAX3-FOXO1 and N-Myc is critical for FP-RMS malignancy. We further identified YOD1 as a deubiquitinating enzyme that stabilizes both PAX-FOXO1 and N-Myc. Knocking down YOD1 or inhibiting it with G5 could suppress FP-RMS growth both in vitro and in vivo, through promoting the degradation of both PAX-FOXO1 and N-Myc. Collectively, our results identify that YOD1 promotes RMS progression by regulating the PAX3-FOXO1/N-Myc positive feedback loop, and highlight YOD1 inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy that concurrently reduces the levels of both oncogenic proteins.
Authors
Wenwen Ying, Jiayi Yu, Xiaomin Wang, Jiayi Liu, Boyu Deng, Xuejing Shao, Jinhu Wang, Ting Tao, Ji Cao, Qiaojun He, Bo Yang, Yifan Chen, Meidan Ying
×Abstract
Kidney organoids are an emerging tool for disease modeling, especially genetic diseases. Among these diseases, X-linked Alport syndrome (XLAS) is a hematuric nephropathy affecting the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) secondary to pathogenic variations in the COL4A5 gene encoding the α5 subunit of type IV collagen [α5(IV)]. In patients carrying pathogenic variations affecting splicing, the use of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) offers immense therapeutic hope. In this study, we develop a framework combining the use of patient-derived cells and kidney organoids to provide evidence of the therapeutic efficacy of ASOs in XLAS patients. Using multiomics analysis, we describe the development of GBM in WT and mutated human kidney organoids. We show that GBM maturation is a dynamic process, which requires long organoid culture. Then, using semi-automated quantification of α5(IV) at basement membranes in organoids carrying the splicing variants identified in patients, we demonstrate the efficacy of ASO treatment for α5(IV) restoration. These data contribute to our understanding of the development of GBM in kidney organoids and pave the way for a therapeutic screening platform for patients.
Authors
Hassan Saei, Bruno Estebe, Nicolas Goudin, Mahsa Esmailpour, Julie Haure, Olivier Gribouval, Christelle Arrondel, Vincent Moriniere, Pinyuan Tian, Rachel Lennon, Corinne Antignac, Geraldine Mollet, Guillaume Dorval
×Abstract
BACKGROUND WP1066 is an orally bioavailable, small-molecule inhibitor of activated phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) that has demonstrated preclinical efficacy in pediatric brain tumor models.METHODS In a first-in-child, single-center, single-arm 3+3 design phase I clinical trial, 10 patients were treated with WP1066 twice daily, Monday-Wednesday-Friday, for 14 days of each 28-day cycle to determine the maximum tolerated dose/maximum feasible dose of WP1066. Compassionate-use treatment with WP1066 in 3 pediatric patients with H3.3G34R/V-mutant high-grade glioma (HGG) is also described.RESULTS There was no significant toxicity, and the maximum feasible dose (MFD) was determined to be 8 mg/kg. Treatment-related adverse events were grade 1–2 (diarrhea and nausea most common); there were no dose-limiting toxicities. Median progression-free and overall survival was 1.8 months and 4.9 months, respectively. One partial response was observed in a patient with pontine glioma. Among the H3.3G34R/V-mutant HGG patients not on study, WP1066 was administered after upfront radiation to one patient for 17 months. At all dose levels tested, WP1066 suppressed p-STAT3 expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of PBMCs demonstrated increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, proinflammatory TNFA signaling, differentiation activity in myeloid cells, and downregulation of Tregs after WP1066 treatment, consistent with systemically inhibited STAT3 activity.CONCLUSION WP1066 is safe, has minimal toxicity, and induces antitumor immune responses in pediatric brain tumor patients. Phase II investigation of WP1066 at the MFD in this patient population is warranted.TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04334863.FUNDING CURE Childhood Cancer and Peach Bowl Inc.
Authors
Robert C. Castellino, Hope Mumme, Andrea Franson, Bing Yu, Hope Robinson, Kavita Dhodapkar, Dolly Aguilera, Matthew Schniederjan, Rohali Keesari, Zhulin He, Manoj Bhasin, Waldemar Priebe, Amy B. Heimberger, Tobey J. MacDonald
×Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep is increasingly recognized as essential to human health, yet the adverse health consequences of acute sleep deprivation are unknown. We hypothesized that acute sleep deprivation is associated with health outcomes and modulated by sleep-associated genotypes.METHODS Locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS) was performed on sleep estimates from Fitbit users (n = 14,681) between June 1, 2016, and July 1, 2022. Dates when population minutes slept were less than the 90% confidence interval of the LOESS regression were named acute sleep deprivation events (ASDEs). Phenome-wide disease incidence among the All of Us Research Program population (n = 287,012) in the 10 days after ASDE was compared with a preceding reference period by McNemar’s test. Circadian rhythm–associated and sleep duration–associated SNPs were screened to identify genotypes associated with shorter ASDE sleep duration. Influences of sleep and circadian genotype on post-ASDE influenza risk were modeled using binomial family generalized estimating equations.RESULTS We identified 32 ASDEs spanning major national events. A phenome-wide screen found increased risk of influenza (odds ratio = 1.54 [1.40, 1.70], P = 1.00 × 10–18) following ASDEs. Fifty-six SNPs were associated with decreased sleep duration on ASDEs. Higher quantiles of ASDE-related SNP genotype burden were associated with less ASDE sleep duration and a greater risk of influenza-associated health care visits.CONCLUSION Major national events are associated with acute sleep deprivation and greater influenza risk, which is amplified by sleep genotypes. These findings should inform public health vigilance surrounding major national events.FUNDING WoodNext Foundation; NIH grants T32HL129964, K08ES037420, R01HL124021, R01HL122596, and R01HL151228; American Heart Association grants 24SFRNCCN1276089 and 24SFRNPCN1280228; and the United Therapeutics Jenesis Innovative Research Awards, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, the McKamish Family Foundation, the Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania, and the Institute for Transfusion Medicine.
Authors
Neil J. Kelly, Rahul Chaudhary, Wadih El Khoury, Nishita Kalepalli, Jesse Wang, Priya Patel, Irene N. Chan, Haris Rahman, Aisha Saiyed, Anisha N. Shah, Colleen A. McClung, Satoshi Okawa, Seyed Mehdi Nouraie, Stephen Y. Chan
×Abstract
Mutations in MYOC, the most common genetic cause of glaucoma, cause misfolded myocilin to accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), leading to trabecular meshwork (TM) dysfunction, elevated intraocular pressure, and progressive vision loss. While gene editing offers curative potential, current delivery methods rely on viral vectors, which are limited by inflammation, off-target effects, and poor translatability. Here, we report a nonviral lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform that enables selective in vivo delivery of mRNA encoding an adenine base editor and single guide RNA (LNP-ABE) to TM cells. A direct comparison of LNP-mCherry with lentiviral GFP revealed that LNPs outperform viral vectors, achieving markedly higher efficiency and greater selectivity for the TM without inducing ocular inflammation. In a Cre-inducible Tg.CreMYOCY437H glaucoma mouse model, LNP-Cre mRNA selectively induced mutant MYOC expression in the TM, faithfully recapitulating key disease features. A single administration of LNP-ABE achieved efficient on-target editing of mutant MYOC, reducing mutant myocilin protein by approximately 46%, decreasing aggregates, alleviating ER stress, and fully rescuing the glaucomatous phenotype in Tg.CreMYOCY437H mice. Importantly, no off-target editing or ocular toxicity was detected. These findings establish LNP-based mRNA delivery as a safe, efficient, and clinically translatable approach for TM-targeted genome editing with broad therapeutic potential in glaucoma.
Authors
Balasankara Reddy Kaipa, Linya Li, Prakadeeswari Gopalakrishnan, Samuel Du, Jiin Felgner, Krzysztof Palczewski, Philip Felgner, Gulab S. Zode
×Abstract
Hofbauer cells (HBCs) are fetal macrophages located in the placenta that contribute to antimicrobial defense, angiogenesis, tissue remodeling, and metabolic processes within the chorionic villi. Although their roles in placental biology are increasingly recognized, the mechanisms that regulate HBC identity and function are not yet fully defined. This study aimed to define the core transcriptomic and epigenomic features of HBCs in term placentas and to examine their capacity for transcriptional responsiveness and phenotypic variation. Using chromatin accessibility profiling and bulk RNA-seq, we found that HBCs exhibit a unique gene expression and chromatin accessibility profile compared with other fetal and adult macrophages. We identified a coordinated transcriptional network involving nuclear receptors (NRs) NR4A1–3, the glucocorticoid receptor, and RFX family members (RFX1, RFX2, RFX5) that appears to shape HBC identity, particularly through pathways linked to lipid metabolism and angiogenesis. Although exploratory in nature, in vitro stimulation studies showed that HBCs exhibited increased transcriptional activity in response to combined IL-4 and rosiglitazone treatment, including induction of the lipid transporter CD36. Mass cytometry analysis revealed surface markers indicative of both immature and mature macrophage states. These results together indicate that HBCs are a distinct and diverse population of macrophages with a specialized, adaptable regulatory program in the human placenta.
Authors
Benjámin R. Baráth, Dóra Bojcsuk, Krisztian Bene, Noemí Caballero-Sánchez, Tímea Cseh, João CR. de Freitas, Petros Tzerpos, Marta Toth, Zhonghua Tang, Seth Guller, Zoárd Tibor Krasznai, Patrícia Neuperger, Gabor J. Szebeni, Gergely Nagy, Tamás Deli, Laszlo Nagy
×Abstract
Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition involving complex interactions among lipid-secreting sebaceous glands, keratinocytes, immune cells, and microbiota. While retinoids are effective for treating acne, disease pathogenesis remains poorly understood. In particular, it remains unclear how different subtypes of acne, including inflammatory (pustular) and noninflammatory (comedonal) lesions, vary in gene expression, signaling, and sebaceous gland involvement. Here, we performed spatial transcriptomics on healthy, nonlesional, comedonal, and pustular acne skin using a custom panel targeting sebaceous differentiation, lipid metabolism, and retinoid signaling pathways. We also designed a specialized segmentation pipeline to improve transcript assignment in the spatially complex sebaceous gland. Our analyses identified a PPARG+ transitional basal cell state in sebocytes and revealed that comedonal skin upregulates sebogenesis genes, whereas pustular skin downregulates sebogenesis. Both lesion types exhibited increased AP-1 transcription factors and elevated FABP5, a chaperone that blunts retinoic acid receptor signaling. Finally, we demonstrated that an AP-1 inhibitor, T-5224, downregulates FABP5 in human keratinocytes and reduces pustule formation in a mouse model of high-fat diet–induced folliculitis. Altogether, these findings indicate that altered lipogenesis, retinoid signaling, and keratinocyte differentiation are key features of acne, and nominate AP-1 and FABP5 as potential therapeutic targets.
Authors
Joseph S. Durgin, Natalia A. Veniaminova, Thomas J. Huyge, Shih-Ying Tsai, Jennifer Fox, Yuli Cai, Mrinal K. Sarkar, Lam C. Tsoi, Johann E. Gudjonsson, Sunny Y. Wong
×Abstract
Mucosal secretory IgA (sIgA) plays a central role in protecting against the invasion of respiratory pathogen via the upper respiratory tract. To understand how intranasal booster induces mucosal sIgA response in humans, we first used liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for peptide identification of immunoglobulin (MS Ig-seq) and single-cell B cell receptor sequencing (scBCR-seq) to identify 42 mucosal spike-specific sIgA monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) after intranasal booster. These mucosal sIgA mAbs exhibited enhanced neutralization up to 100-fold against SARS-CoV-2 variants compared with their monomeric IgG and IgA isotypes. Deep sequencing and longitudinal analysis of B cell receptor repertoires revealed that intranasal booster restimulates memory B cells primed by intramuscular vaccination to undergo IgA class switching, somatic hypermutation, and clonal expansion. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) revealed that intranasal booster upregulated the expression of mucosal homing receptors in spike-specific IgA-expressing B cells. This increase coincided with a transient increase of cytokines and chemokines that facilitate B cell recruitment in the nasal mucosa. Our findings demonstrate that intranasal booster can be an effective strategy for inducing upper respiratory mucosal sIgA and establishing mucosal immune protection.
Authors
Si Chen, Zhengyuan Zhang, Zihan Lin, Li Yin, Lishan Ning, Wenming Liu, Qian Wang, Chenchen Yang, Bo Feng, Ying Feng, Yongping Wang, Hengchun Li, Ping He, Huan Liang, Yichu Liu, Zhixia Li, Bo Liu, Yang Li, Diana Boraschi, Linbing Qu, Xuefeng Niu, Nanshan Zhong, Pingchao Li, Ling Chen
×Abstract
Germline and somatic changes in DICER1 and DGCR8 microprocessors confer risk of developing benign and malignant thyroid lesions, yet the molecular events driving malignant transformation remain unclear. We trace the molecular trajectories from benignity to malignancy in DICER1- and DGCR8-mutated thyroid lesions using multiomic profiling on over 30 DICER1-/DGCR8-mutated samples. Our findings reveal a progressive, specific, and linear accumulation of genetic changes, which when combined with enhanced downregulation of miRNAs distinguished DICER1-/DGCR8-malignant lesions from their benign counterparts. Compensatory hypomethylation of miRNA-encoding genes characterized DICER1-/DGCR8-benign lesions, but as the tumors progressed to malignancy, methylation was partly reimposed, reversing the attempts to activate miRNA-encoded genes and further compromising miRNA production. Transcriptomic analyses revealed mutation-specific effects on the microenvironment, whereby DICER1 mutations activated canonical thyroid cancer progression pathways, whereas altered DGCR8 associated with immune-related changes. This work unveils specific molecular events underlying malignant progression of miRNA-biogenesis-related thyroid tumors and identifies potential biomarkers and disease etiology mechanisms.
Authors
Anne-Sophie Chong, Carla Roca, Paula Morales-Sánchez, Eduard Dorca, Verónica Barea, Ignacio Ruz-Caracuel, Pablo Valderrabano, Carlota Rovira, Cristina Jou, Dorothée Bouron-Dal Soglio, Rebecca D. Chernock, Giovana T. Torrezan, Marc Pusztaszeri, José M. Cameselle-Teijeiro, Xavier Matias-Guiu, Clara V. Alvarez, Héctor Salvador, Jonathan D. Wasserman, Luis Javier Leandro-García, William D. Foulkes, Eduardo Andrés-León, Paula Casano-Sancho, Barbara Rivera
×Abstract
Functional antibody responses to malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) are assessed using the standard membrane feeding assay (SMFA). This assay quantifies the percentage reduction of oocyst levels in mosquitoes fed gametocytes mixed with antisera/antibodies, referred to as transmission-reducing activity (TRA). As TBVs advance to large clinical trials, new scalable assays are needed to characterize vaccine responses. Here, we developed an epitope-specific competitive ELISA platform (P230Compete) for TBV candidate Pfs230D1, based on single-chain variable fragments against epitopes recognized by human monoclonal antibodies with high TRA. We quantified functional epitope-specific antibody responses (F) in phase I Pfs230D1-EPA/AS01 vaccine trial participants, using 171 serum samples collected at 2 postvaccination time points. Five antibody features were examined by P230Compete, including total IgG (reported as ELISA units, EUF), IgG subclasses (IgG1F, IgG3F, IgG4F), and bound complement factor C1q (C1qF). EUF and IgG1F demonstrated strong correlation and excellent prediction of TRA (≥80%) in logistic regression analysis (AUC of 0.81 for both assays after dose 3, and 0.80 and 0.76 after dose 4). Furthermore, combining EUF and IgG1F showed even better predictive performance at each time point. P230Compete offers a promising proxy assay to replace SMFA in late-stage Pfs230D1 trials.
Authors
Cristina A. Meehan, Matthew V. Cowles, Robert D. Morrison, Yuyan Yi, Jingwen Gu, Jen C.C. Hume, Mina P. Peyton, Issaka Sagara, Sara A. Healy, Jonathan P. Renn, Patrick E. Duffy
×Abstract
Uncovering the early interactions and spatial distribution of dermal fibroblasts and immune cells in treatment-naive patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc) is critical to understanding the earliest events of skin fibrosis. We generated an integrated multiomic dataset of early-stage, treatment-naive diffuse cutaneous SSc skin. Skin biopsies were analyzed by single-nuclei multiome sequencing (snRNA-Seq and snATAC-Seq) and two spatial transcriptomic methods to comprehensively determine molecular changes. We identified an immunomodulatory niche within the papillary, hypodermis, and vascular regions enriched for activated myeloid cells and fibroblasts characterized by expression of genes such as CXCL12, APOE, and C7. Pathway analyses showed significant enrichment of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway expression in these cellular niches, driven by profibrotic growth factor signaling networks. Macrophage subclustering showed SSc-specific macrophage activation of IL-6/JAK/STAT signaling and enrichment of oxidative phosphorylation pathways. Ligand-receptor analysis revealed that SSc macrophages secrete PDGF and TGF-β to activate SSc-dominant fibroblast subclusters. Spatial transcriptomic analyses showed monocyte-derived MRC1+ macrophages express PDGF near PDGFRhiTHY1hi fibroblasts. Multiomic data integration and spatial transcriptomic neighborhood analysis revealed the colocalization of fibroblasts, macrophages, and T cells around the vasculature. These data suggest that interactions between activated immune cells and immunomodulatory fibroblasts around vascular niches are an early event in scleroderma pathogenesis.
Authors
Helen C. Jarnagin, Rezvan Parvizi, Zhiyun Gong, Rosemary Gedert, Xianying Xing, Lam (Alex) C. Tsoi, Rachael Bogle, Madeline J. Morrisson, Laurent Perreard, Patricia A. Pioli, Fred Kolling IV, Johann E. Gudjonsson, Dinesh Khanna, Michael L. Whitfield
×Abstract
C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is known to promote chondrocyte proliferation and bone formation; however, CNP’s extremely short half-life necessitates continuous intravascular administration to achieve bone-lengthening effects. Vosoritide, a CNP analog designed for resistance to neutral endopeptidase, allows for once-daily administration. Nonetheless, it distributes systemically rather than localizing to target tissues, which may result in adverse effects such as hypotension. To enhance local drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy, we developed a potentially novel synthetic protein by fusing a collagen-binding domain (CBD) to CNP, termed CBD-CNP. This fusion protein exhibited stability under heat conditions and retained the collagen-binding ability and bioactivity as CNP. CBD-CNP localized to articular cartilage in fetal murine tibiae and promoted bone elongation. Spatial transcriptomic analysis revealed that the upregulation of chondromodulin expression may contribute to its therapeutic effects. Treatment of CBD-CNP mixed with collagen powder to a fracture site of a mouse model increased bone mineral content and bone volume compared with CNP-22. Intraarticular injection of CBD-CNP to a mouse model of knee osteoarthritis suppressed subchondral bone thickening. By addressing the limitations of CNP’s rapid degeneration, CBD-CNP leverages its collagen-binding capacity to achieve targeted, sustained delivery in collagen-rich tissues, offering a promising strategy for enhancing chondrogenesis and osteogenesis.
Authors
Kenta Hirai, Kenta Sawamura, Ryusaku Esaki, Ryusuke Sawada, Yuka Okusha, Eriko Aoyama, Hiroki Saito, Kentaro Uchida, Takehiko Mima, Satoshi Kubota, Hirokazu Tsukahara, Shiro Imagama, Masaki Matsushita, Osamu Matsushita, Yasuyuki Hosono
×Abstract
Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is the expansion of blood stem cells and progeny after somatic mutation. CHIP associates with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD), with inflammation from macrophages a proposed common effector. However, mouse CHIP studies are discordant for clonal expansion and inflammation. Similarly, directionality of association between CHIP and CVD remains debated. We investigated effects of 3 CHIP mutations on macrophage cytokines, clonal expansion, and atherosclerosis in parallel. We found that cytokine release and inflammasome activation are increased by Tet2 mutation but decreased by Dnmt3a. However, Jak2 mutant macrophages produced equivalent cytokine as WT. In mice, Tet2 mutants clonally expanded, but Dnmt3a and Jak2 mutants did not. Expansion was unaffected by systemic inflammation, while hyperlipidemia expanded Tet2–/– cells but not mono-allelic mutants. Similarly, human Mendelian randomization showed no effect of serum cytokines or CVD on CHIP risk. Experimental atherosclerosis was increased in females with Tet2 and males with Jak2, but it was unchanged with Dnmt3a mutations. Together, common CHIP mutations have disparate effects on macrophage cytokines and clonal expansion, and they have sex-dependent effects on atherogenesis, suggesting a common mechanism across CHIP is unlikely. Thus, CHIP mutations differ in pathophysiology and clinical sequelae across sexes and should be treated as different entities.
Authors
Paul R. Carter, Lauren Kitt, Amanda C. Rodgers, Nichola Figg, Ang Zhou, Chengrui Zhu, Ziyang Wang, Peter Libby, Stephen Burgess, George S. Vassiliou, Murray C.H. Clarke
×Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are a leading immunotherapy for refractory B cell malignancies; however, their effect is limited by toxicity and incomplete efficacy. Daily (circadian) rhythms in immune function may offer a lever to boost therapeutic success; however, their clinical relevance to CAR T cell therapy remains unknown.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed CAR T cell survival and complications based on infusion time at 2 geographically distinct hospitals: Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, USA (n = 384) and Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon, USA (n = 331) between January 2018 and March 2025. The primary outcome was 90-day overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes included event-free survival (EFS), cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), ICU admission, shock, respiratory failure, and infection. We quantified the independent relationship between infusion time and outcomes using multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression and time-to-event models, adjusting for patient, oncologic, and treatment characteristics.RESULTS The therapeutic index of CAR-T cells inversely correlated with the timing of administration, with later infusions associated with lower effectiveness and more adverse outcomes. For each hour that CAR T cell treatment was delayed, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 90-day mortality increased by 24% (aOR 0.76; 95% CI 0.64–0.88, P = 0.001), severe neurotoxicity by 17% (P = 0.023), and mechanical ventilation by 27% (P = 0.026). These temporal patterns were most pronounced in patients receiving CD19-targeting CAR T cell products. In contrast, we did not find an association between infusion time and severe CRS (aOR 0.99; 95% CI, 0.75–1.27; P = 0.92).CONCLUSION Time of day is a potent and easily modifiable factor that could optimize CAR T cell clinical performance.
Authors
Patrick G Lyons, Emily Gill, Prisha Kumar, Melissa Beasley, Brenna Park-Egan, Zulfiqar A. Lokhandwala, Katie M. Lebold, Brandon Hayes-Lattin, Catherine L. Hough, Nathan Singh, Guy Hazan, Huram Mok, Janice M. Huss, Colleen A. McEvoy, Jeffrey A. Haspel
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Abstract
Alveolar macrophages (AMs) catabolize lipid-rich pulmonary surfactant to support gas exchange and have anti-inflammatory programming to limit tissue damage in response to minor challenges. GATA transcription factors (TFs) shape immune cell fates and GATA2 is expressed in a lung-specific manner in macrophages. GATA2 mutations and lung macrophage downregulation of GATA2 have been associated with chronic pulmonary pathologies in humans, but the role of GATA2 in coordinating AM function is not well defined. Using mice with myeloid-specific deletion of the GATA2 DNA binding C-terminal zinc finger domain, we show that GATA2 deficiency promotes enhanced inflammatory gene expression and metabolic dysfunction in AMs in response to type 2 stimuli. While homeostatic functions of AMs remain largely intact, GATA2 deficiency increases expression of type 2 response genes during IL-33-induced inflammation. Coincident with GATA2-dependent expression of genes in metabolic pathways, seahorse metabolic flux analysis indicates that AM metabolism is compromised in the absence of GATA2. AM GATA2-dependent gene networks are enriched for targets of TFs previously demonstrated to interact with GATA2 in other cellular contexts, including PU.1, PPARγ, and other regulators of AM function. Our data suggest that GATA2 modulates AM metabolic and transcriptomic programming to restrain responses and maintain AM identity during inflammation.
Authors
Morgan Jackson-Strong, Satarupa Ganguly, Aaron Francis, Flavia Rago, Jitendra Kanshana, Brandon A. Michalides, Lihong Teng, Omkar S. Betsur, Sonia Kruszelnicki, Karsen E. Shoger, Aaron Kim, Kay Bajpai, Amina Suleyman, Abigail Sekyere, Mika Hara, Varsha Sriram, Alok Kumar, Greg M. Delgoffe, Niranjana Natarajan, John F. Alcorn, Alison B. Kohan, Rachel A. Gottschalk
Abstract
The biological mechanisms underlying long COVID in the pediatric population are poorly understood. Our study aimed to characterize the immune pathophysiology of long COVID in children and young people (CYP). We analyzed major immune cell compartments in PBMCs, as well as specific SARS-CoV-2 antibody response in CYP with (n=99) and without (n=18) long COVID at three months following acute infection. Our findings indicate that pediatric long COVID is associated with a dysregulated immune response characterized by altered innate immunity and overactivated T-, B- and NK-cell responses. Furthermore, CYP with long COVID had an impaired humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 marked by a dysregulated B-cell compartment and lower levels of anti-RBD IgG and IgA. This correlated with reduced neutralizing capacity against SARS-CoV-2. Random forest analysis identified CCR6 expression on myeloid cells as the most relevant biomarker that distinguishes long COVID from control individuals with 79% accuracy.
Authors
Jon Izquierdo-Pujol, Núria Pedreño-Lopez, Tetyana Pidkova, Maria Nevot, Victor Urrea, Fernando Laguía, Francisco Muñoz-López, Judith Dalmau, Alba Gonzalez-Aumatell, Clara Carreras-Abad, María Méndez, Carlos Rodrigo, Marta Massanella, Julià Blanco, Jorge Carrillo, Benjamin Trinité, Javier Martinez-Picado, Sara Morón-López
Abstract
BACKGROUND. To construct multi-trait polygenic scores (PRS) predicting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and exacerbations, validate their performance in diverse cohorts, and identify PRS-related proteins for potential therapeutic targeting. METHODS. PRSmix+, a multi-trait PRS framework, is used to train a composite PRS (PRSmulti) in COPDGene non-Hispanic white participants (n=6,647). Associations of PRSmulti with COPD status (GOLD 2-4 vs. GOLD 0 or ICD) and exacerbation frequency were tested in COPDGene African American (n=2,466), ECLIPSE (n=1,858), MassGeneral Brigham Biobank (n=15,152), and All of Us (n=118,566). Protein prediction models were applied to GWAS summary statistics from traits contributing to PRSmulti and were validated with proteomic data in COPDGene (n=5,173) and UK Biobank (n=5,012). RESULTS. PRSmix+ selected 7 traits for PRSmulti. In multivariable models, PRSmulti was associated with COPD status (meta-analysis random effects (RE) OR 1.58 [95% CI: 1.28-1.94]) and exacerbation frequency (meta-analysis RE beta 0.21 [95% CI: 0.11-0.31]), with higher effect sizes observed in smoking-enriched cohorts. PRSmulti outperformed traditional single-trait PRS in all tested cohorts. Using protein prediction models, we identified 73 proteins associated with the PRS that were also validated with measured protein levels in COPDGene and UK biobank. Of these proteins, 25 were linked to approved or investigational drugs. Notable targets include RAGE/sRAGE, IL1RL1, and SCARF2, all implicated in COPD pathogenesis and exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS. Multi-trait PRS improves prediction of COPD and exacerbation risk. Integration with proteomic data identifies druggable protein targets, offering a promising avenue for precision medicine in COPD management. TRIAL REGISTRATION. COPDGene: NCT00608764; ECLIPSE: NCT00292552.
Authors
Chengyue Zhang, Iain R. Konigsberg, Yixuan He, Jingzhou Zhang, Tinashe Chikowore, William B. Feldman, Xiaowei Hu, Yi Ding, Bogdan Pasaniuc, Diana Chang, Qingwen Chen, Jessica A. Lasky-Su, Julian Hecker, Martin D. Tobin, Jing Chen, Sean Kalra, Katherine A. Pratte, Hae Kyung Im, Emily S. Wan, Ani Manichaikul, Edwin K. Silverman, Russell P. Bowler, Leslie A. Lange, Victor E. Ortega, Alicia R. Martin, Michael H. Cho, Matthew R. Moll
Abstract
Authors
Sebastian Kämpf, Marjan Hematianlarki, Leon Altmann, Jessica M. Bright, Alyssa M. A. Toda, Zohreh Mirzapoor, Valentin Zollner, Anja Werner, Johanna Bulang, Barbara Radovani, Miriam Wöhner, William Avery, Mark J. Karbarz, Pamela B. Conley, Greg P. Coffey, Falk Nimmerjahn
Abstract
Dual-degree medical students pursue additional training to prepare for careers in research, public health, and administration, but how these experiences influence residency application behaviors and outcomes are poorly understood. We analyzed 36,298 residency applicants from the TexasSTAR database spanning 2017-2023 to compare application, interview, and match patterns among single-degree MD applicants and those with MD-PhD, MD-MPH, MD-MBA, or MD-MSc degrees. Despite differences in academic metrics, application strategies, and interview rates, match rates were similar across degree groups. MD-PhD students applied to fewer programs but had the highest interview offer-to-application rate and matched at more prestigious programs based on Doximity rankings. Beyond traditional application metrics such as board scores, research productivity, grades, and honor society membership, strategies including away rotations, geographic preferencing, and program signaling were associated with increased interview offers and match success among all applicants but were less influential for dual-degree applicants. These findings suggest dual-degree applicants require specialized advising and evaluation.
Authors
Daniel C. Brock, Deborah D. Rupert, Toni Darville, Caroline S. Jansen, Elias M. Wisdom, Cynthia Y. Tang
