Contents
10 January 2018
Vol 10, Issue 423
Vol 10, Issue 423
Research Articles
- Functional variants in the LRRK2 gene confer shared effects on risk for Crohn’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
Crohn’s disease (CD)–associated variants in the LRRK2 gene for risk (N2081D) and for protection (N551K) mediate shared effects in CD and Parkinson’s disease.
- Plasmacytoid dendritic cells promote systemic sclerosis with a key role for TLR8
The production of CXCL4 and IFN-α by plasmacytoid DCs in response to TLR8 signaling contributes to skin fibrosis and systemic sclerosis.
- Mechanobiologically optimized 3D titanium-mesh scaffolds enhance bone regeneration in critical segmental defects in sheep
Soft, honeycomb-structured titanium-mesh scaffolds enhance bone regeneration in a large segmental defect in sheep.
- The antimicrobial peptide SAAP-148 combats drug-resistant bacteria and biofilms
Infections refractory to conventional antibiotics may be targeted by the antimicrobial peptide SAAP-148.
Editors' Choice
- Factoring in new gene therapy treatments for hemophilia A
Delivery of a modified factor VIII gene leads to dramatic improvement of severe hemophilia A in human trials.
- Rapid drug screen using 3D tumor organoids
Breast cancer organoids enable high-throughput functional drug screens to potentially guide individualized therapy.
- Gold photothermal therapy: A positive for negative margins
Nanoparticle-based photothermal therapy after tumor resection inhibits recurrence.
- A tropical virus that prefers cool weather
Cooler temperatures exacerbate chikungunya viral arthritis.
- Zika–associated microcephaly: Reduce the stress and race for the treatment
Inhibition of the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway may hold the key to Zika virus–associated microcephaly treatment.
About The Cover
ONLINE COVER Genetics Connects Gut and Brain. A genome-wide association analysis of patients with the inflammatory bowel disorder Crohn's disease (CD) and healthy control individuals identified two functional variants in the LRRK2 gene that conferred either risk or protection for CD (Hui et al.). Mutations in LRRK2 (the structure of which is shown) are known to be associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder. Analysis of the LRRK2 locus in a large cohort of 24,570 individuals revealed similar genetic effects between CD and PD, providing insights into common pathogenic mechanisms for these two seemingly unrelated diseases. [CREDIT: JILL K. GREGORY/MOUNT SINAI HEALTH SYSTEM]