Review
Immunology
David A. Hume
Summary: The mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) refers to a family of cells that includes progenitors, monocytes in circulation, and resident tissue macrophages. They are formed during development and are maintained in the adult through self-renewal with minimal input from bone marrow or blood monocytes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Sadie VanHorn, Samantha A. Morris
Summary: Lineage tracing and fate mapping are two disciplines for tracking cells and their progeny, with lineage tracing focusing on identifying progeny and fate maps showing embryo development. Recent genomic technologies have enabled high-resolution reconstruction of lineage relationships. Fate maps, however, offer spatial information often lost in lineage reconstruction.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irena Krueger, Friedrich Reusswig, Kim Juergen Krott, Celina Fabienne Lersch, Martina Spelleken, Margitta Elvers
Summary: The study demonstrates that the mT/mG Cre reporter mouse is a suitable model for real-time visualization of platelets, analysis of cell morphology, and identification of non-recombined platelets. However, a small proportion of leukocytes exhibit mG fluorescence in PF4-Cre positive mice. Therefore, careful evaluation of platelet analysis beyond hemostasis and thrombosis should be conducted when increasing recombination of immune cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Avery A. Ahmed, Ernesto Salas, Denise G. Lanza, Jason D. Heaney, Stephanie A. Pangas
Summary: A novel knockin mouse model was generated that allows for the production of Stra8 and cre during oocyte development without affecting fertility.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martina Rossi, Aude Salomon, Nicolas Chaumontel, Jenny Molet, Sabine Bailly, Emmanuelle Tillet, Claire Bouvard
Summary: The Cre-lox system is a powerful tool for manipulating genes in mice, allowing for precise control of gene deletion. However, our study shows that tamoxifen activation of CreERT2 in young mice can result in severe hematological defects and mortality, even in the absence of a specific gene target. We emphasize the importance of including appropriate controls and improving communication about the limitations of Cre-lox mouse models among researchers.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Kara Corps, Monica Stanwick, Juliann Rectenwald, Andrew Kruggel, Sarah B. Peters
Summary: The loss of TGF beta receptor II in mice resulted in bone and teeth defects, as well as osteochondral dysplasia throughout the skeleton, potentially leading to breathing difficulties and malnutrition. These abnormalities were primarily caused by skeletal deformities, affecting the mice's ability to sense and absorb food.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Matan Yampolsky, Ido Bachelet, Yaron Fuchs
Summary: Wound healing is a complex physiological process that can provide valuable insights into genetic modifications and pharmaceutical interventions. In this article, a comprehensive protocol for conducting a skin-wound-healing assay in mice is presented, emphasizing the importance of key aspects in ensuring reliable and reproducible results. The article also discusses the use of lineage-tracing techniques to monitor cell migration and differentiation during the repair process.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Huijuan Liu, Ping Li, Shaoyang Zhang, Jinnan Xiang, Ruichen Yang, Jiajia Liu, Md Shafiquzzaman, Soma Biswas, Zhanying Wei, Zhenlin Zhang, Xin Zhou, Feng Yin, Yangli Xie, Stephen P. Goff, Lin Chen, Baojie Li
Summary: Prrx1-expressing cells act as stem cells for bone, white adipose tissue, and dermis in adult mice, maintaining tissue homeostasis and repair. These cells' activities are regulated by Wnt signaling.
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Yoshiharu Muto, Benjamin D. Humphreys
Summary: Lineage tracing was originally developed to identify all progeny of a single cell during morphogenesis, but has since been applied to organ homeostasis and injury recovery. Modern techniques rely on reporter gene expression induced by cell-specific DNA recombination, and recent advances include intersectional genetics and sequencing-based genomic lineage tracing.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Raul Navaridas, Maria Vidal-Sabanes, Anna Ruiz-Mitjana, Gisela Altes, Aida Perramon-Guell, Andree Yeramian, Joaquim Egea, Mario Encinas, Sonia Gatius, Xavier Matias-Guiu, Xavier Dolcet
Summary: Simultaneous deletion of Pten and p53 in endometrial epithelial cells is sufficient to trigger epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, leading to the development of metastatic uterine carcinosarcomas.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Mohsin Hassan, Oriol Juanola, Stefania Huber, Philipp Kellmann, Jakob Zimmermann, Edoardo Lazzarini, Stephanie C. Ganal-Vonarburg, Mercedes Gomez de Agueero, Sheida Moghadamrad
Summary: Math1/Atoh1 is a transcription factor necessary for the differentiation of secretory cells in the intestinal epithelium. This study shows that in germ-free mice, the depletion of Paneth cells is incomplete and the gene expression of Math1 is reduced. In addition, germ-free mice exhibit delayed epithelial cell renewal and depletion of preexisting Paneth cells. Colonization of the gut microbiota restores the expected phenotype.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Xinzhu Yu, Stefanie L. Moye, Baljit S. Khakh
Summary: By attenuating astrocyte calcium signaling in vivo using specific mouse models, researchers observed significant behavioral alterations in adult mice. Additionally, this attenuation led to cellular and molecular changes, particularly in the cerebellum. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of astrocytes in neural circuits and behavior.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
McKenna J. Crossen, Jillian Wilbourne, Allyssa Fogarty, Fei Zhao
Summary: Wolffian ducts (WDs) are embryonic structures that give rise to the male reproductive organs. They have sex-specific fates during sexual differentiation, which are tightly coordinated by various signals. This review discusses the process of fate decisions of WD epithelial and mesenchymal cells, from their formation to postnatal differentiation, and explores the aberrant cell differentiation in WD abnormalities and pathologies.
TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucie Valek, Irmgard Tegeder
Summary: Rodent models of Parkinson's disease are created using transgenic methods like mutant synuclein expression, PD gene deletions, MPTP or rotenone injections, or seeding with synuclein fibrils. These models exhibit histopathologic features of PD, such as Lewi bodies, but do not completely mimic the predominant loss of dopaminergic neurons. A study introducing transgenic diphtheria toxin receptor to mice showed partial ablation of neurons without PD-like behavioral correlates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yang Zhao, Guizhen Zhao, Ziyi Chang, Tianqing Zhu, Ying Zhao, Haocheng Lu, Chao Xue, Thomas L. Saunders, Yanhong Guo, Lin Chang, Y. Eugene Chen, Jifeng Zhang
Summary: To achieve specific and efficient smooth muscle cell (SMC) targeted gene deletion, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination to generate Cre-knockin mice by inserting CreNLSP2A or CreERT2-P2A sequences into the homologous arm surrounding the translation start site of the Myh11 gene. We evaluated the efficiency, specificity, tamoxifen-dependent controllability, and functionality of Cre-mediated recombination in both sexes using reporter mice. These models will expand the research toolbox and facilitate unbiased and comprehensive research in SMCs and SMC-dependent cardiovascular diseases.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Selina Jansky, Ashwini Kumar Sharma, Verena Koerber, Andres Quintero, Umut H. Toprak, Elisa M. Wecht, Moritz Gartlgruber, Alessandro Greco, Elad Chomsky, Thomas G. P. Gruenewald, Kai-Oliver Henrich, Amos Tanay, Carl Herrmann, Thomas Hoefer, Frank Westermann
Summary: Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals cell types and lineage trajectories during different developmental stages in neuroblastomas and healthy adrenal glands. The transcriptomes of neuroblastoma cells closely resemble developing neuroblasts of the adrenal gland.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Munetomo Takahashi, Melania Barile, Richard H. Chapple, Yu-jung Tseng, Daisuke Nakada, Katrin Busch, Ann-Kathrin Fanti, Petter Sawen, David Bryder, Thomas Hofer, Berthold Gottgens
Summary: This study reconciled in vivo flux experiments from different laboratories into a unified model using processed flow cytometry data and a biology-driven modeling approach, shedding light on the function of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Comparative analysis revealed distinct labeling efficiencies of different transgenic models across a heterogeneous HSC pool, validated by marker gene expression associated with HSC function. Finally, the unified model of HSC differentiation was demonstrated to simulate clonal expansion in the early stages of leukemia.
Article
Cell Biology
Yuying Jiang, Yongbing Yang, Yingchao Hu, Rui Yang, Jiajia Huang, Yi Liu, Yuqing Wu, Sheng Li, Chunmei Ma, Fiachra Humphries, Bingwei Wang, Xi Wang, Zhibin Hu, Shuo Yang
Summary: This study reveals that GSDMD in APCs of the TME restricts the efficacy of PD-L1 inhibitors against tumor immunity. Inhibition of GSDMD enhances anti-tumor immunity and promotes CD8+ T cell activation. Combination of GSDMD/PD-L1 inhibitors improves anti-tumor immunity, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for immunotherapy.
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Rong Liu, Yan Yun, Wenjie Shu, Xi Wang, Mengcheng Luo
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Ann-Kathrin Fanti, Katrin Busch, Alessandro Greco, Xi Wang, Branko Cirovic, Fuwei Shang, Tamar Nizharadze, Larissa Frank, Melania Barile, Thorsten B. Feyerabend, Thomas Hoefer, Hans-Reimer Rodewald
Summary: In response to infections and stress, hematopoiesis rapidly enhances blood and immune cell production. The specific stage responsible for this regeneration was unclear, but experiments on mice showed that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and multipotent progenitors (MPPs) played different roles. HSCs responded to sepsis by increasing proliferation and cell death, while MPPs were identified as a major source for accelerated myeloid cell production. This suggests that progenitors, rather than stem cells, regulate blood and immune cell homeostasis to ensure a rapid response and maintain the integrity of the HSC population.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Damian Carvajal Ibanez, Maxim Skabkin, Jooa Hooli, Santiago Cerrizuela, Manuel Goepferich, Adrien Jolly, Katrin Volk, Marc Zumwinkel, Matilde Bertolini, Gianluca Figlia, Thomas Hoefer, Guenter Kramer, Simon Anders, Aurelio A. Teleman, Anna Marciniak-Czochra, Ana Martin-Villalba
Summary: Stem cells have intrinsic interferon signalling that protects them from viral infections. However, interferon signalling in the ageing brain reduces stem cell activation. The relationship between interferons and stem cell functioning, as well as their timing, are still unknown.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ming Gao, Minjian Chen, Qiuzhen Chen, Shuai Zhu, Hengjie Wang, Weizheng Yang, Xi Wang, Qiang Wang, Ling Gu
Summary: Well-controlled metabolism is crucial for optimal oocyte development. This study investigated the intrinsic regulation of oocyte maturation through metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis, revealing novel metabolic features during porcine oocyte meiosis. The findings provide a comprehensive data resource and potential molecular biomarkers for predicting and improving oocyte quality.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Verena Koerber, Sabine A. Stainczyk, Roma Kurilov, Kai-Oliver Henrich, Barbara Hero, Benedikt Brors, Frank Westermann, Thomas Hoefer
Summary: Somatic evolutionary analysis of neuroblastoma, a pediatric tumor, reveals that tumors may develop as early as the first trimester of pregnancy and exhibit diverse outcomes. Aggressive tumors show early genomic instability and prolonged evolution, while tumors with favorable prognosis expand clonally after short evolution. The duration of evolution serves as an accurate predictor of clinical outcomes, providing insights for treatment decisions.
Article
Immunology
Stefanie Scherer, Susanne G. Oberle, Kristiyan Kanev, Ann-Katrin Gerullis, Ming Wu, Gustavo P. de Almeida, Daniel J. Puleston, Francesc Baixauli, Lilian Aly, Alessandro Greco, Tamar Nizharadze, Nils B. Becker, Madlaina V. Hoesslin, Lara V. Donhauser, Jacqueline Berner, Talyn Chu, Hayley A. McNamara, Zeynep Esencan, Patrick Roelli, Christine Wurmser, Ingo Kleiter, Maria J. G. T. Vehreschild, Christoph A. Mayer, Percy Knolle, Martin Klingenspor, Valeria Fumagalli, Matteo Iannacone, Martin Prlic, Thomas Korn, Erika L. Pearce, Thomas Hoefer, Anna M. Schulz, Dietmar Zehn
Summary: The study shows that dihydroorotate dehydrogenase in the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway functions as a cell fate checkpoint that allows for targeted reduction of effector T cells without affecting memory T cells. Blocking pyrimidine synthesis by inhibiting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase is effective in treating autoimmunity and preventing expansion of rapidly dividing cell populations. Early effector T cells are more susceptible to pyrimidine starvation due to their higher proliferative rate and lower pyrimidine synthesis capacity compared to memory T cell precursors. This cell fate checkpoint can potentially lead to new methods for manipulating effector T cell responses.
Article
Immunology
Nina Weisshaar, Sicong Ma, Yanan Ming, Alaa Madi, Alessa Mieg, Marvin Hering, Ferdinand Zettl, Kerstin Mohr, Nora Ten Bosch, Diana Stichling, Michael Buettner, Gernot Poschet, Glynis Klinke, Michael Schulz, Nina Kunze-Rohrbach, Carolin Kerber, Isabel Madeleine Klein, Jingxia Wu, Xi Wang, Guoliang Cui
Summary: The main function of the malate shuttle in CD8+ T cells is to detoxify ammonia and enable sustainable ammonia-neutral glutamine catabolism during chronic infection, rather than maintaining the NAD+/NADH balance.
Review
Immunology
Tamar Nizharadze, Nils B. Becker, Thomas Hoefer
Summary: This study uses mathematical inference to establish quantitatively testable models of mammalian CD8+ T cell memory development based on complex experimental data. Previous inference studies have shown that precursors of memory T cells develop early in the immune response. Recent work has validated a crucial prediction of this T cell diversification model and refined the model.
TRENDS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Nikolaus Dietlein, Xi Wang, Jonas Metz, Olivier Disson, Fuwei Shang, Celine Beyersdoerffer, Esther Rodriguez Correa, Daniel B. Lipka, Yvonne Begus-Nahrmann, Robyn Laura Kosinsky, Steven A. Johnsen, Marc Lecuit, Thomas Hoefer, Hans-Reimer Rodewald
Summary: Emergency hematopoiesis is a response of the immune system aimed at enhancing protection from infection. Research has found that the loss of the deubiquitinase USP22 leads to severe systemic emergency hematopoiesis and increased phagocytosis by neutrophilic granulocytes, ultimately enhancing innate protection against infection.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Min Su, Tao Pan, Qiu-Zhen Chen, Wei-Wei Zhou, Yi Gong, Gang Xu, Huan-Yu Yan, Si Li, Qiao-Zhen Shi, Ya Zhang, Xiao He, Chun-Jie Jiang, Shi-Cai Fan, Xia Li, Murray J. Cairns, Xi Wang, Yong-Sheng Li
Summary: The application of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) in biomedical research has provided valuable insights into the pathogenesis of disease and new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. However, the analysis of the large volumes of data generated by high-throughput scRNA-seq has become a challenge for researchers. This review article presents a workflow for scRNA-seq data analysis, covering processing, quality control, and advanced analysis, with accompanying software and scripts to support implementation.
MILITARY MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Hamed Alborzinia, Andres F. Florez, Sina Kreth, Lena M. Brueckner, Umut Yildiz, Moritz Gartlgruber, Dorett Odoni, Gernot Poschet, Karolina Garbowicz, Chunxuan Shao, Corinna Klein, Jasmin Meier, Petra Zeisberger, Michal Nadler-Holly, Matthias Ziehm, Franziska Paul, Juergen Burhenne, Emma Bell, Marjan Shaikhkarami, Roberto Wuerth, Sabine A. Stainczyk, Elisa M. Wecht, Jochen Kreth, Michael Buettner, Naveed Ishaque, Matthias Schlesner, Barbara Nicke, Carlo Stresemann, Maria Llamazares-Prada, Jan H. Reiling, Matthias Fischer, Ido Amit, Matthias Selbach, Carl Herrmann, Stefan Woelfl, Kai-Oliver Henrich, Thomas Hoefer, Andreas Trumpp, Frank Westermann
Summary: The study reveals that MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma undergoes ferroptosis in the absence of cysteine, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach of combining cysteine depletion and GPX4 inactivation. In addition, the study provides evidence that targeting multiple ferroptosis targets can be a promising therapeutic strategy for aggressive MYCN-amplified tumors.
