Contents
16 January 2019
Vol 11, Issue 475
Vol 11, Issue 475
Research Articles
- An engineered E. coli Nissle improves hyperammonemia and survival in mice and shows dose-dependent exposure in healthy humans
An engineered E. coli strain lowers blood ammonia, improves survival in models of hyperammonemia, and demonstrates safety in healthy volunteers.
- Clinical-grade stem cell–derived retinal pigment epithelium patch rescues retinal degeneration in rodents and pigs
A retinal pigment epithelial patch derived from mutation-free pluripotent stem cells shows therapeutic effects in rats and pigs.
- Identification of biologic agents to neutralize the bicomponent leukocidins of Staphylococcus aureus
Small protein biologics called centyrins can be engineered to combat the toxicity caused by systemic Staphylococcus aureus infection.
- Targeting hepatic glucokinase to treat diabetes with TTP399, a hepatoselective glucokinase activator
A hepatoselective glucokinase activator reduced hyperglycemia without hypoglycemia or adverse effects on lipids, liver enzymes, or blood pressure.
Report
- Tuberculosis following PD-1 blockade for cancer immunotherapy
Increased Mtb-specific TH1 responses precede tuberculosis associated with PD-1 blockade.
Editors' Choice
- BH3 mimetics: Weapons of cancer cell destruction
Specific MCL-1 inhibitor kills multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia cells.
- Safety in numbers: Identifying multiple targets for beta cell proliferation
Combined inhibition of DYRK1A and TGF-β pathways synergistically enhances proliferation and differentiation of human pancreatic beta cells.
- T cells, the last samurai against humoral rejection in lung transplants
Specialized T cells in induced bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue regulate alloimmune responses in the lung allograft.
Erratum
About The Cover
ONLINE COVER Playing Hoops with E. coli DNA. The image depicts a genetically modified Escherichia coli bacterium. By modifying genes involved in arginine metabolism, Kurtz et al.. created an E. coli probiotic Nissle strain capable of consuming excess gut ammonia by synthesizing surplus arginine. The engineered bacterial strain lowered blood ammonia and increased survival in mouse models of liver injury. Administration of the strain to healthy volunteers demonstrated that it was safe. These results suggest the potential of this modified E. coli strain to treat metabolic disorders that result in dangerously elevated blood ammonia concentrations. [CREDIT: VERGE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATIONS, FALCONIERI VISUALS]