PubMed Trending Research Digest — August 19, 2026

Automated digest · 96 articles · 15 research areas · August 19, 2026

Overview

Dominant across this digest is a shift toward mechanism-driven precision: in oncology, multiple papers connect specific molecular or immune architectures (e.g., nonclassical MHC-I targeting, microbiome-defined tumor immune niches, and metabolic-to-translation control) to therapeutic strategies, while in infectious disease and immunology, studies dissect upstream triggers (cGAS activation by HSV-1, autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons in chikungunya CNS disease) that can explain variable clinical severity and suggest targeted modulation.

A second theme is “real-world evidence plus better stratification.” Several studies use large datasets or pragmatic designs to compare strategies and quantify risks—such as anticoagulation failure mechanisms in atrial fibrillation, repeat ablation versus antiarrhythmic drugs after AF ablation, and comparative cancer risk across IBD advanced therapies. Complementing these, multiple biomarker/risk-prediction efforts (longitudinal NT-proBNP trajectories, cardiorespiratory fitness change, and inflammatory/prostate biomarkers) aim to move from single time-point measures toward dynamic, individualized risk assessment.

Finally, aging and metabolic stress recur as cross-cutting biological drivers. Primate brain atlases, microglial retroelement derepression, regulated cell death frameworks, and NAD+ circuit reviews converge on the idea that aging rewires cellular networks (immune, epigenetic, mitochondrial, and circadian) in ways that are potentially targetable. In parallel, metabolic interventions—especially incretin-based combinations and diet-derived or microbiota-mediated effects—are explored for organ-specific benefits (liver histology, kidney injury pathways, and tumor immunity), reinforcing the broader trend of treating metabolism as a therapeutic lever rather than a background condition.

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Anticoagulation failure & atrial fibrillation management

Global, regional, and national burden of HIV/AIDS, 1990-2023, with the estimated burden attributable to intimate partner violence and forecasted impacts of funding cuts through 2030: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023.

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 estimated HIV incidence, prevalence, and mortality from 1990–2023 across 204 countries and territories, quantifying the fraction attributable to intimate partner violence (IPV) among women and forecasting effects of global funding cuts through 2030. HIV burden generally declined over two decades, but IPV remained an important gendered driver of ongoing HIV vulnerability and could worsen under reduced resources. These findings support prioritizing IPV-sensitive prevention and sustaining HIV funding to protect progress toward epidemic control.

The lancet. HIV · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Global and regional progress towards reduced burden of oral conditions between 2019 and 2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023.

Using Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 modelled estimates for 204 countries and territories, the analysis assessed 2019–2023 trends in age-standardised prevalence of untreated dental caries (deciduous and permanent teeth) and other major oral conditions relevant to WHO’s Global Oral Health Action Plan. Progress toward reduced oral-condition burden occurred globally and regionally between 2019 and 2023, but the pace varied by location and did not uniformly ensure attainment of the 2030 target. The results provide evidence for where oral-health prevention and treatment coverage should be intensified to meet international goals.

The Lancet. Public health · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Measuring the composition and availability of human resources for health by sex in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2023, and workforce gaps for universal health coverage: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023.

The study used Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 data (population surveys, censuses, and other sources) to quantify health workforce density and composition by sex across 204 countries and territories from 1990–2023 across 20 health-worker cadres, and to estimate workforce gaps for universal health coverage (UHC). It found substantial sex-specific differences in health-worker availability and cadre mix, with persistent shortfalls in many settings relative to UHC needs. This informs targeted recruitment, training, and retention policies to close gendered workforce gaps and improve access to care.

The Lancet. Public health · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Multimodal brain cell atlas across the adult macaque lifespan.

Researchers generated a multimodal brain cell atlas by performing single-cell transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility profiling on 2,955,873 nuclei from eight brain regions of 23 female cynomolgus macaques spanning the adult lifespan. They identified dynamic, region- and cell-subtype-specific age-related changes in core processes such as synaptic communication and axon myelination, and pinpointed multicellular networks in the pons/medulla as a hotspot of primate brain aging. This provides a high-resolution reference for studying molecular mechanisms of brain aging and white-matter vulnerability in a translational primate model.

Zhang X, Lai G, Guo X et al. · Cell · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Expulsion of nuclear DNA to the cytoplasm after viral entry: A mechanism for activation of the cGAS pathway.

The authors investigated how herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) activates the cytosolic cGAS pathway by inducing cytoplasmic exposure of nuclear DNA in normal human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. They found that early HSV-1 infection triggers nuclear DNA blebbing into the cytoplasm, leading to cGAS recruitment to cytoplasmic DNA, activation of IRF3, and induction of type I interferon. This mechanistic insight clarifies a key innate immune trigger for antiviral responses and may guide strategies to modulate cGAS–STING signaling.

Romero N, Oh HS, Mertens ME et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Safety and Efficacy of Intra-Articular Injection of Umbilical Cord-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Retrospective Study.

In a retrospective clinical study, 29 patients with knee osteoarthritis (33 knees) received six intra-articular injections of umbilical cord stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (UC-EVs; 1×10^11 particles per dose every 2 weeks), with outcomes assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months using KOOS and VAS. The treatment was reported to be safe and associated with improvements in patient-reported knee symptoms and function over follow-up. These data support further prospective trials of UC-EVs as a potential disease-modifying or symptom-improving biologic therapy for knee osteoarthritis.

Yokota N, Kambayashi T, Tanabe Y · Orthopedics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Treatment sequence with gilteritinib and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in relapsed/refractory FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-mutated acute myeloid leukaemia patients: A multicentre real-world study.

This multicentre real-world study evaluated treatment sequencing in relapsed/refractory FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (r/r AML) patients receiving gilteritinib and, in some cases, subsequent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). The key finding was that gilteritinib-based management followed by alloHSCT showed clinically meaningful efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in routine practice for FLT3-internal tandem duplication and/or FLT3-tyrosine kinase domain mutation carriers. The results help refine real-world decision-making on how to integrate gilteritinib with transplant strategies in FLT3-mutated r/r AML.

Kunadt D, Zukunft S, Röllig C et al. · British journal of haematology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Rigosertib Reverses Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Noonan Syndrome.

Researchers tested rigosertib, a dual RAS/MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor, in models of Noonan syndrome to address hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) driven by RASopathy signaling. They found that rigosertib reversed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotypes, indicating pathway-level correction of disease-relevant signaling. This supports rigosertib as a potential targeted therapeutic candidate for RASopathy-associated HCM.

Legler L, Marchetti K, Xu B et al. · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Cell Death in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets.

This review synthesized evidence on regulated cell death (RCD) mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on how mitochondrial injury, proteostatic collapse, lysosomal stress, metabolic imbalance, glial state transitions, and chronic neuroinflammation interact across disease stages and cell types. It highlights that multiple RCD programs form an integrated pathogenic network rather than a single terminal death pathway. The synthesis identifies molecular targets and therapeutic opportunities for modulating RCD-related processes in major neurodegenerative disorders.

Li T, Zhang Q, Wu Y et al. · MedComm · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Positioning Guselkumab in The Treatment Algorithm for Ulcerative Colitis.

This position paper mapped guselkumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting IL-23p19, into the ulcerative colitis treatment algorithm aimed at deep remission and durable persistence. It concludes that selective IL-23p19 inhibition with guselkumab offers consistent efficacy and favorable safety based on Phase II/III evidence, supporting its placement among long-term biologic options. The clinical significance is improved guidance for sequencing therapy in ulcerative colitis toward sustained endoscopic and histologic healing.

D’Amico F, Fanizzi F, Magro F et al. · Journal of inflammation research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

The Neuroprotective Potentials of Dual GIP/GLP1-RA (Tirzepatide): From Preclinical Experiments to Clinical Trials: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review evaluated preclinical and clinical evidence for tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, across neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular outcomes, neurovestibular disorders, brain tumor response, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The review concludes that tirzepatide shows consistent neuroprotective signals in animal models and emerging supportive findings in early human/observational data, but evidence quality and disease-specific clinical endpoints remain heterogeneous. These mapped findings support prioritizing rigorous, disease-targeted clinical trials of tirzepatide to test whether dual incretin signaling can modify neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in humans.

Hawas Y, Abouzid M, Gadelmawla AF et al. · Brain and behavior · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum PX1 polymorphisms associated with decreased susceptibility to antimalarials in Uganda.

This study analyzed 157 whole-genome sequences of Plasmodium falciparum from Uganda to identify genetic loci driving decreased susceptibility to antimalarials, focusing on artemisinin partial resistance and reduced lumefantrine susceptibility. The strongest recent selection signal centered on a chromosome 7 segment encoding the pho gene (truncated in the abstract), with additional selection signatures around Kelch13 C469Y and A675V haplotypes. Identifying these PX1-associated polymorphisms and their loci is clinically significant for malaria surveillance and for anticipating resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies in Uganda.

Niaré K, Tafesse B, Treat M et al. · Nature medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Low-protein diet enhances antitumor immunity in pancreatic cancer through microbiota-derived UDP-galactose.

This mouse study in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tested whether a low-protein diet (LPD) enhances antitumor immunity via microbiota-derived UDP-galactose and macrophage signaling. LPD suppressed PDAC progression by remodeling the gut microbiota, enriching Blautia coccoides that produces UDP-galactose, which activated the macrophage P2Y14R–STAT1 axis and promoted an immunostimulatory tumor-associated macrophage phenotype; microbiota depletion or loss of this pathway abolished the effect and fecal microbiota transplantation transferred protection. These findings are significant because they link dietary protein restriction to a defined microbial metabolite–host immune axis that could be leveraged to improve PDAC immunotherapy.

Chen Y, Nian F, Wu S et al. · Nature cancer · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Microglia activation by derepression of endogenous retroviruses drives inflammation and cellular senescence.

This study investigated how aging-associated derepression of endogenous retroviruses (RTEs) affects microglia activation and senescence, using mouse and human tissue models and focusing on the retrotransposon repressor DAXX. Loss of Daxx in young-adult microglia caused chromatin decompaction at RTEs, reduced homeostatic markers, cell-cycle re-entry, DNA damage, microglial depletion, and subsequent replacement with DAXX-deficient/ApoE-high microglia-like states, driving inflammation and cellular senescence. The results are clinically and scientifically important because they implicate DAXX-mediated retroelement repression as a mechanistic driver of age-related neuroinflammation and microglial dysfunction.

Yan X, Georgopoulou C, Lee HM et al. · Nature neuroscience · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Virus-like particles enable targeted gene engineering and pooled CRISPR screening in primary human myeloid cells.

This work developed a virus-like particle (VLP) toolkit to deliver CRISPR editing components into primary human myeloid cells—monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. VLP delivery of CRISPR ribonucleoproteins enabled efficient gene knockout, base editing, and epigenetic silencing while preserving viability and innate immune responsiveness, and combining VLP delivery with AAV-mediated donor delivery enabled site-specific integration of large DNA sequences via homology-directed repair. This is significant for scalable, targeted gene engineering and pooled CRISPR screening in primary human immune cells, accelerating translational immunotherapy research.

Jung H, Devant P, Ching C et al. · Nature biotechnology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Corisin induces proteostasis stress to drive epithelial injury and pulmonary fibrosis.

This study examined the role of the microbiota-derived peptide corisin in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and epithelial injury, using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from IPF patients and functional assays in alveolar epithelial cells. Corisin was sequence-identified in IPF patient bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and depletion of native corisin abolished its proapoptotic activity, while synthetic corisin penetrated epithelial cells, localized to mitochondria, and induced apoptosis and downstream epithelial injury leading to fibrosis phenotypes (truncated). These findings are significant because they nominate corisin as a mechanistic microbiome-derived driver of epithelial damage in IPF and a potential therapeutic target.

Fujimoto H, Yasuma T, D’Alessandro-Gabazza CN et al. · Nature communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Development and Validation of A Nomogram for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Based on Inflammatory Ratios and PSA Derived Indicators.

This retrospective diagnostic study evaluated whether inflammatory ratios (C-reactive protein/albumin ratio [CAR] and platelet/albumin ratio [PAR]) combined with PSA-derived indicators could improve prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and used these variables to build a nomogram. Among 354 men undergoing initial prostate biopsy (training n=248; validation n=106), the study developed and validated a visualized nomogram integrating CAR, PAR, and PSA-derived measures to distinguish PCa from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (details truncated). Clinically, such a model could improve noninvasive risk stratification and guide decisions about biopsy in patients with suspected PCa.

Wang Y, Chen J, Kuang J et al. · Archivos espanoles de urologia · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Intermuscular Adipose Tissue as a Multimodality Quantitative Imaging Biomarker: Evidence Across Metabolic, Cardiovascular and Oncologic Diseases.

This article reviewed evidence that intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) can serve as a multimodality quantitative imaging biomarker across metabolic, cardiovascular, and oncologic diseases. It summarizes associations between increased IMAT and impaired muscle quality, reduced strength and mobility, frailty, insulin resistance, and adverse cardiometabolic outcomes, emphasizing IMAT’s distinct location within muscle architecture. The significance lies in supporting IMAT as a measurable imaging target for risk prediction and monitoring of disease progression and treatment response.

Ding F, Nakamoto A, Zheng X et al. · Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Therapies for Cardiovascular-Kidney-Liver-Metabolic Syndrome: Reappraisal of Fibrates.

This reappraisal article reviewed therapies for the proposed cardiovascular–kidney–liver–metabolic (CKLM) syndrome and specifically reassessed the role of fibrates in the context of modern treatments such as SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. It highlights that while these contemporary agents improve cardiovascular and renal outcomes, diabetes-related microvascular complications remain common and the potential benefits of fibrates beyond triglyceride lowering warrant renewed consideration (abstract truncated). Scientifically and clinically, the review frames where fibrates might fit mechanistically and therapeutically within CKLM management strategies.

Anagnostopoulou V, Travlos CK, Marinho LL et al. · Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Body Composition Remodelling During GLP-1-Based Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Using a Hierarchical Physiological Framework.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated longitudinal body composition changes during GLP-1-based therapy in adults, using a hierarchical physiological framework to categorize effects on adiposity, muscle quantity, muscle quality, and body weight. Across included studies through May 2026, it synthesized evidence on how GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual incretin therapies remodel body composition over time (specific pooled results truncated in the abstract). The significance is that it clarifies whether GLP-1-based weight loss preferentially affects fat versus muscle and informs safer use in populations at risk for sarcopenia or impaired muscle quality.

Lopes Menezes ML, Güntzel Chiappa ME, Kloss RF et al. · Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Real-world outcomes of venetoclax plus hypomethylating agents in unfit acute myeloid leukaemia: Results of the GIMEMA AML2320 trial.

The GIMEMA AML2320 prospective multicentre observational study evaluated venetoclax plus azacitidine or decitabine in 193 newly diagnosed unfit acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients. Venetoclax/HMA treatment produced real-world overall survival outcomes with secondary measures including composite complete remission (cCR) and disease-free survival, alongside safety assessment. These data support the clinical effectiveness and tolerability of standard-of-care venetoclax+HMA regimens outside randomized trials for older/unfit AML populations.

Palmieri R, Piciocchi A, Soddu S et al. · British journal of haematology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Legionella effector RavH is a tandem WH2-like domain-containing PI(3)P-dependent actin nucleator.

This study characterized the Legionella pneumophila effector Lpg0733 (RavH) as a tandem WH2-like domain-containing, PI(3)P-dependent actin nucleator in yeast and mammalian cells. RavH localized to endosomal membranes via an N-terminal lipid-binding domain and promoted membrane-dependent pointed-end actin polymerization. The findings clarify a specific host-membrane lipid (PI(3)P)–coupled mechanism by which Legionella remodels actin to build its intracellular niche.

Zhang Q, Kudryashova E, Sanford E et al. · Life science alliance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Glofitamab in combination with immunochemotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Phase 1b dose-escalation study.

In a phase 1b dose-escalation trial (NCT03467373), glofitamab was tested in combination with obinutuzumab/rituximab plus G/R-CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) in relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients with prior obinutuzumab/rituximab-containing therapy. The study used modified continual reassessment to escalate glofitamab starting at cycle 2 day 8 with fixed-dose (70 μg, 1800 μg) and step-up dosing (10 mg and 30 mg cohorts) to define an optimal biological dose. This work informs how to safely integrate the CD20xCD3 bispecific antibody glofitamab with standard immunochemotherapy in heavily pretreated B-NHL.

Townsend W, Ghosh N, Hutchings M et al. · British journal of haematology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Efficacy and evidence certainty of traditional Chinese exercises for musculoskeletal disorders: an umbrella review of meta-analyses.

This umbrella review synthesized systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials evaluating traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and assessed the certainty of evidence. Across 92 meta-analyses (1744 primary RCTs), the review summarized efficacy and exercise prescription parameters while grading evidence certainty. The synthesis helps clinicians and researchers select TCE modalities and dosing with a clearer understanding of how strong the underlying evidence is for MSD outcomes.

Chen WX, Li YZ, Kang LD et al. · British journal of sports medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Alopecia areata: Emerging therapies and up-to-date management strategies.

This narrative review summarized emerging therapies and up-to-date management strategies for alopecia areata (AA), focusing on how severity is assessed and how treatment is selected by patient factors. It highlights updated severity frameworks beyond scalp-only measures (e.g., AA Scale for Clinical Use) and outlines stepwise treatment approaches for mild-to-moderate versus more extensive disease. The review supports more individualized, evidence-informed AA management using modern severity assessment and therapy selection.

Spindler A, Maas D, Zappi I et al. · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

NAD⁺ Circuits in Aging, Tissue Repair and Fibrosis.

This review article examined how compartmentalized NAD+ circuits change with aging and influence stress responses, senescence, tissue repair, and fibrosis. It links NAD+ metabolism to key pathways including sirtuins, PARPs, and CD38, and frames whether tissue- and time-specific NAD+ modulation could promote regeneration or limit fibrotic remodeling. The synthesis provides mechanistic guidance for translational strategies targeting NAD+ in age-related disease and fibrosis.

Izadpanah R, Rappaport J, Alt EU · Ageing research reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Cancer Risk with Advanced Therapies in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: An Administrative Claims-based Study.

Using OptumLabs administrative claims, this retrospective cohort study compared cancer risk among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients initiating advanced therapies (TNF antagonists, vedolizumab, anti-interleukins, or JAK inhibitors) between 2016 and 2023. Among patients without prior cancer and with at least 1 year of coverage before and after treatment initiation, overall cancer risk (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) was assessed across therapy classes at least 3 months after start. The results inform comparative safety considerations for cancer risk when selecting advanced IBD treatments in real-world practice.

Ahuja D, Yeh KH, Park SK et al. · Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Eight-year outcomes of testosterone suppression plus enzalutamide or a non-steroidal anti-androgen for metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (ENZAMET; ANZUP 1304).

The ENZAMET (ANZUP 1304) randomized trial reported eight-year outcomes in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) patients assigned to testosterone suppression plus enzalutamide versus testosterone suppression plus a first-generation non-steroidal anti-androgen (NSAA), with early docetaxel allowed at clinician discretion. Enzalutamide continued to show overall survival benefit and the longer follow-up emphasized adverse events and causes of death. These extended results strengthen long-term risk–benefit evidence for enzalutamide-based intensification in mHSPC.

Zhang AY, Thomas H, Begbie S et al. · Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Long-term safety of oral orforglipron in Japanese participants with type 2 diabetes (ACHIEVE-J): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, parallel-group phase 3 trial.

The ACHIEVE-J phase 3 randomized open-label trial evaluated long-term safety of oral orforglipron as add-on therapy in Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants were assigned to orforglipron regimens versus diet/exercise alone or versus oral antihyperglycaemic medications, and the study assessed safety over extended follow-up. This provides region-specific evidence for the tolerability of the oral GLP-1 receptor agonist orforglipron in an East Asian population.

Yabe D, Shiraiwa T, Ugai H et al. · The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Single-cell 3D genome imaging shows super-enhancer hubs are rare, nonspecific, and neither necessary nor sufficient for transcriptional bursting.

This study used single-cell 3D genome imaging combined with nascent transcription measurements in mouse embryonic stem cells to test whether super-enhancer (SE) hubs drive transcriptional bursting. Most SEs were spatially isolated, multiway SE hubs were rare, and perturbations of cohesin, CTCF, BET proteins, or RNA polymerase II generally suppressed normal genome organization rather than proving SE hubs are necessary or sufficient for bursting. The results challenge the idea that SE hubs are a general, causal mechanism for transcriptional bursting and refine models of 3D genome regulation.

Le DJ, Hafner A, Raja Venkatesh A et al. · Cell genomics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Pervasive noise in human pre-mRNA splice site selection.

The study examined stochastic and cryptic pre-mRNA splice site selection in human cells by deep sequencing across RNA compartments to track splicing intermediates. It found pervasive usage of low-fidelity splice sites linked to genomic features that promote splicing noise, indicating that splicing is more variable than previously assumed. This improves mechanistic understanding of how transcriptional and genomic context generate transcriptome diversity and may inform interpretation of splicing heterogeneity in disease.

Khokhar ES, Brokaw K, Kartje ZJ et al. · Molecular cell · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Maintenance of nucleosome organization through replication and transcription counteracts aberrant coalescence of active chromatin.

The study investigated how the histone chaperone FACT coordinates nucleosome disruption and reassembly during mammalian DNA replication and transcription, using acute FACT depletion to perturb chromatin dynamics. FACT depletion halted replisome and RNA polymerase progression genome-wide and caused chromatin collapse characterized by reduced nucleosome occupancy, irregular spacing, and intermediate assemblies with loss of modified histones. These findings establish FACT as a unified requirement for maintaining nucleosome organization under replication/transcription stress, with implications for genome stability and epigenetic integrity.

Frater RCM, Rejnholdt Jensen R, Ollé López J et al. · Molecular cell · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

ER-liquid condensate contacts sequester FAM134B/C and RhoA to govern cell morphology.

The study explored how ER-liquid condensate contacts regulate cell morphology by screening for cytoplasmic interactors of ER-phagy receptors in mouse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. It identified a non-canonical mechanism where PRKAR1A binds and activates FAM134B/C via an amphipathic helix, and multimodal imaging showed this occurs at ER–condensate contact sites. This links PKA subunit PRKAR1A, FAM134B/C, and RhoA control of morphology to interorganellar condensate contact biology, suggesting new targets for manipulating ER-phagy-related phenotypes.

Jimenez-Moreno N, Karageorgiou A, Winnington-Ingram K et al. · Molecular cell · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Excess intracellular lactate represses mRNA translation and tumor progression through lactate-tRNA charging.

The study tested whether intracellular lactate directly regulates mRNA translation and tumor progression through lactate-dependent tRNA charging, focusing on AARS1-mediated charging in tumor models. It found that excess intracellular lactate acutely represses mRNA translation by having alanyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (AARS1) charge tRNAs with lactate, where slower lactyl transfer leads to lactylation of non-cognate tRNAs and broad elongation fidelity defects. This reveals a direct metabolic-to-translation control mechanism that could be exploited to modulate tumor growth under glycolytic stress.

Wang X, Lin C, Zhang Y et al. · Molecular cell · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Protein landscape of the chromatin domains in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

The study characterized the protein landscape of chromatin domains in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum using three proximity-labeling proteomics approaches. It generated a high-confidence proteome of heterochromatin, euchromatin, and (peri)centromeric chromatin comprising 214 proteins, including both known and newly identified chromatin components. This provides a molecular framework for epigenetic regulation in a non-model pathogen and supports future functional studies of chromatin-mediated adaptation.

Ramón-Zamorano G, Mainye S, Kimmel J et al. · Cell host & microbe · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

GPCR-Gα13 signaling regulates survival of intestinal intraepithelial CD8+ lymphocytes through migration to cytokine-rich niches.

The study examined how GPCR–Gα13 signaling regulates survival and positioning of intestinal intraepithelial CD8+ lymphocytes by analyzing Gα13 deficiency and its effector Arhgef1 in the intestine. It found that loss of Gα13 or Arhgef1 caused an intestine-specific disappearance of all CD8+ IEL types, with restricted intraepithelial movement, impaired maturation, and defective survival due to poor access to cytokine-rich villous niches. This identifies a specific signaling axis controlling IEL localization and persistence, informing strategies to modulate mucosal immunity.

Earley ZM, Rao A, Qiu L et al. · Immunity · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Intratumoral Bacillus cereus orchestrates stem-like lymphoid niches to potentiate immunotherapy response in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The study used spatial multi-omics to define immune niches in hepatocellular carcinoma and tested how intratumoral Bacillus cereus affects immunotherapy response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. It identified stem-like lymphoid niches (SLNs) enriched for CD70+ type 2 ILC2s and progenitor exhausted T (Tpex) cells that correlate with stronger PD-1/PD-L1 responses, and showed that Bacillus cereus promotes SLN accumulation via endothelial IL-33 release that rewires ILC2 programs. This links a specific microbial trigger to a predictive tumor immune niche, potentially enabling microbiome-informed enhancement of checkpoint therapy.

Hu C, You W, Huang Y et al. · Cancer cell · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Ovarian aging and systemic health: Mechanisms and emerging intervention strategies.

This review summarized mechanisms of ovarian aging and how ovarian dysfunction contributes to systemic aging through the ovarian-systemic axis, including genomic instability, epigenetic shifts, mitochondrial/proteostasis damage, and SASP-related inflammaging and fibrosis. It also discussed ovarian-derived endocrine disruption, especially estrogen decline, and compiled emerging intervention strategies such as senolytics, metabolic reprogramming, regenerative medicine, and systemic approaches. The significance is that it frames ovarian aging as a modifiable driver of systemic health and highlights candidate therapeutic directions to preserve fertility and reduce pro-aging signaling.

Jing Y, Qu J, Wang S et al. · Cell stem cell · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Fifteen challenges for generative AI applications to cell biology.

This article reviewed key challenges for applying generative AI to cell biology, focusing on whether molecular successes translate to cellular and multicellular phenotypes. It highlighted limitations such as insufficient training data, the complexity of cellular mechanisms, and the multicellular nature of most disease-relevant outcomes, arguing that new Gen-AI frameworks are needed to integrate prior biological knowledge like molecular interaction networks. The significance is that it provides a roadmap for making Gen-AI more reliable and mechanistically grounded for cell biology applications.

Dupire L, Khan AA, Karaletsos T et al. · Cell · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Cardiac outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection versus BNT162b2 vaccination in adolescents and young adults: a cohort study of 4 million individuals.

This retrospective cohort study compared cardiac outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection versus BNT162b2 vaccination in adolescents and young adults using TriNetX data for 4,072,375 individuals aged 16–25 years. It used competing risk analysis, propensity-score matching, and Cox regression to estimate risks of myocarditis, pericarditis, and mortality across uninfected/unvaccinated, infected/unvaccinated, vaccinated/uninfected, and hybrid-immunity groups. The clinical significance is that it directly quantifies and contrasts myocarditis/pericarditis and mortality risks between infection and vaccination in a very large contemporary adolescent/young adult population.

Toraih EA, Hussein MH, Thomas SJ et al. · Vaccine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Inhibition of mitochondrial complex III causes selective dopaminergic neurotoxicity by redox stress in Caenorhabditis elegans.

This study examined whether mitochondrial complex III inhibition causes dopaminergic neurotoxicity in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans using the complex III inhibitors antimycin A and pyraclostrobin, and assessed effects in the presence of α-synuclein and the pdr-1/PRK [truncated]. Both antimycin A and pyraclostrobin produced selective dopaminergic neurotoxicity driven by redox stress. These findings support mitochondrial complex III as a mechanistic target for pesticide-associated Parkinson’s disease risk and identify redox stress as a key in vivo pathway to test therapeutically.

Huayta J, Webster AS, Jhaver J et al. · Redox biology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Multi-omics-guided identification of blood-entering bioactive components and candidate responsive targets of Shugan Jianpi Tiaochang Pill against colorectal adenoma.

This study used an azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS) mouse model of colorectal adenoma to characterize blood-entering bioactive components and candidate molecular targets of the traditional Chinese medicine formula Shugan Jianpi Tiaochang Pill (TCP) using serum pharmacochemistry plus multi-omics integration. The authors report that multi-omics (proteomics, network pharmacology, transcriptomic validation, and single-cell/spatial transcriptomics with virtual knockout analyses) prioritized responsive targets linked to TCP’s bioavailable components. Scientifically, this provides a systems-level target map for TCP’s postoperative management strategy and a framework for identifying actionable mechanisms in colorectal adenoma progression.

Gao X, Lv S, Wang Y et al. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Brain Tumors: A Prospective Multicenter Analysis of Patients From the LAANTERN Study.

This prospective multicenter analysis of the LAANTERN registry (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02392078) studied outcomes and functional status over time in patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors treated with laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) using the Monteris NeuroBlate System across 25 US centers from 2015–2023. The study reports clinical outcomes, intraprocedural data, adverse events, survival, and longitudinal functional status collected prospectively and analyzed with univariable and multivariable methods. The results are significant for defining real-world effectiveness and safety profiles of LITT for brain tumors and related indications.

Leuthardt EC, Chiang V, Hadjipanayis CG et al. · Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

CXCR4-targeted dual softener for inducing senescence therapy in hepatic fibrosis.

This PNAS study developed an hepatic stellate cell (aHSCs)-targeted nanocomplex (AMD3100/MnO2@BSA nanoparticles, AMB NPs) that uses CXCR4 targeting to remodel the stiff extracellular matrix barrier in hepatic fibrosis and induce senescence therapy. The key finding is that CXCR4-targeted AMB NPs both improve antifibrotic delivery/penetration through ECM remodeling and promote senescence-related therapeutic effects in activated hepatic stellate cells. This is significant because it couples a CXCR4-directed targeting strategy with a physical barrier-remodeling mechanism to overcome a major limitation of antifibrotic drug delivery.

Mu J, Dong J, Chen J et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

OsWOX13 functions as a heading signal transducer from integrator Ehd1 to florigen for the accurate regulation of rice heading date.

This study investigated how the rice integrator Ehd1 regulates the florigen Hd3a to control heading date, focusing on the transcription factor OsWOX13 in rice. Ehd1 directly binds the OsWOX13 promoter, OsWOX13 binds and activates the Hd3a promoter, and OsWOX13 also interacts with Hd3a to inhibit its own activation of Hd3a, thereby precisely tuning Hd3a levels. This mechanistic Ehd1→OsWOX13→Hd3a signaling module clarifies how heading timing is accurately regulated and provides a target pathway for improving rice yield stability through developmental timing control.

Yu M, Chen M, Zhu X et al. · The Plant cell · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Dual MYC and GSPT1 Protein Degrader for MYC-Driven Hematologic Malignancies.

This study evaluated a novel dual protein degrader, GT19630, in MYC-driven hematologic malignancies, targeting both MYC and the translation termination sensor GSPT1 (G1 to S phase transition protein 1). GT19630 disrupts a MYC–GSPT1 feedforward loop, induces integrated stress response and inhibits the TCA cycle/oxidative phosphorylation, leading to apoptosis with potent anti-proliferative effects at low nanomolar concentrations. These findings support GT19630 as a promising therapeutic strategy for MYC-driven cancers by degrading MYC via a dual-degrader mechanism rather than direct MYC inhibition.

Nishida Y, Impedovo V, Ayoub E et al. · Blood · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Blood-based MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry versus bone marrow MRD for monitoring multiple myeloma: CASSIOPEIA study results.

This study compared blood-based MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry monitoring of patient-specific monoclonal immunoglobulins versus bone marrow minimal residual disease (MRD) measured by next-generation flow cytometry (NGF) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) in multiple myeloma within the CASSIOPEIA trial framework. In a retrospective post-hoc analysis of 237 patients with paired serum and bone marrow samples, serum MS was evaluated against bone marrow MRD to determine concordance for MRD status and response depth. If blood MS reliably tracks MRD, it could reduce reliance on invasive bone marrow sampling and mitigate sampling variability in multiple myeloma monitoring.

Dejoie T, Rebouh N, Corre J et al. · Blood · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Reduced SRSF1 Expression Correlates with LCK Exon Skipping and Impaired Treg Induction in Immune Thrombocytopenia.

This study examined immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) by profiling CD4+ naive T cells from patients and identifying molecular drivers of impaired Treg induction, focusing on alternative splicing of LCK and the splicing factor SRSF1. Patients showed reduced SRSF1 expression, widespread splicing dysregulation, and prominent LCK exon 8 skipping, and mechanistic assays using an LCK minigene plus RNA pull-down mass spectrometry and RNA immunoprecipitation implicated SRSF1 in regulating this splicing event. These results link SRSF1-dependent LCK splicing to defective TCR signaling and impaired Treg differentiation, suggesting a potential splicing-targeted pathway for ITP pathogenesis and therapy.

Hu X, Leng S, Liu Y et al. · Blood · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

RAD51 proximity mapping reveals spatial constraints on homology search during DNA double-stranded break repair.

This study developed RAD51 proximity identification sequencing (RaPID-seq) to map where RAD51 searches during DNA double-stranded break (DSB) repair in human cells. Using RaPID-seq, the authors found that homology-directed repair (HDR) is hierarchical, with DSB proximity constraining the search space such that sequence homology determines the eventual template choice within spatial limits. This provides cellulo, genome-scale constraints on RAD51-mediated homology search, improving mechanistic understanding of HDR fidelity and efficiency.

Yeh CD, van de Venn L, Kreutzer S et al. · Cell reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Cold and Room-Temperature Platelets in Cardiac Surgery: The CHIPS Randomized Clinical Trial.

This randomized clinical trial studied cold-stored platelets versus room-temperature platelets in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass who required platelet transfusion for bleeding. The trial tested whether cold-storage platelets (CSPs) up to 21 days are noninferior or superior in hemostatic efficacy compared with room-temperature platelets (RTPs). If CSPs maintain hemostatic function for longer, this could expand platelet inventory flexibility and reduce logistical constraints in cardiac surgery transfusion care.

Spinella PC, Zantek ND, VanBuren JM et al. · JAMA · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Low-Dose Hydrocortisone and Cognition in Women With HIV: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

This study tested whether low-dose hydrocortisone (LDH) improves cognition in women with HIV in a two-phase, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. The intervention was designed to modulate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and assess downstream neuroendocrine, immune, and HIV-related mechanisms underlying any cognitive benefit. Demonstrating cognitive improvement with LDH would provide a directly pathway-targeted pharmacologic strategy for HIV-associated cognitive impairment.

Rubin LH, Xu Y, Wu S et al. · JAMA network open · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Management of Shoulder Pain in Primary Care: A Review.

This review summarized evidence-based approaches to diagnosing and managing shoulder pain in primary care, emphasizing practical clinical decision-making. It highlights that most primary-care shoulder pain is due to benign periarticular soft-tissue disorders, with the subacromial region commonly implicated and “subacromial pain” preferred over inconsistent overlapping labels. The review’s synthesis supports more consistent diagnosis and management pathways for a common disabling condition.

Haas R, Ibounig T, Buchbinder R · JAMA internal medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Safety of Antiseizure Medications During Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy in Epilepsy.

This retrospective cohort study emulated target trials to compare safety outcomes of commonly used antiseizure medications (ASMs) in adults with epilepsy receiving direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). It assessed risks of thromboembolic events, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality across ASM groups using propensity score matching and per-protocol outcome estimation. The results aim to guide safer ASM selection when DOACs are required, addressing a clinically important evidence gap in epilepsy–anticoagulation co-management.

Schubert KM, Ferreira-Atuesta C, Soma A et al. · JAMA neurology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Anti-CD320 Autoantibodies and Central Nervous System Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Idiopathic Myelopathy.

This study investigated a novel autoantibody, anti-CD320 autoantibodies, in idiopathic myelopathy (IM) and characterized its clinical, radiographic, and metabolic associations. In a retrospective case-control design including 148 IM patients evaluated across four tertiary centers, the authors assessed biofluids for anti-CD320 autoantibodies in cases lacking an identified etiology. Identifying this autoantibody could improve etiologic diagnosis of otherwise unexplained myelopathy and enable more targeted management for affected patients.

Pluvinage JV, Acero-Garces D, Greco G et al. · JAMA neurology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Finerenone and apparent treatment-resistant hypertension in heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction.

This pre-specified analysis of the FINEARTS-HF trial studied whether finerenone improves blood pressure and outcomes in participants with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFpEF) who had apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (aTRH). Finerenone showed effects on blood pressure control and was evaluated for clinical outcome differences between aTRH and non-resistant hypertension groups. These findings are clinically significant because they test whether the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone can benefit a high-risk HF subgroup characterized by persistent hypertension despite multiple drugs.

Ostrominski JW, Claggett BL, Kulac IJ et al. · European journal of heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Whole Genome HPV Liquid Biopsy for HPV-Associated Cancer Detection and Viral Physical State Classification.

This study evaluated a whole-genome HPV liquid biopsy approach (HPV-DeepSeek) in a cohort of 235 HPV-associated cancers to detect HPV and classify viral physical state in blood. The key finding was that HPV-DeepSeek can diagnose HPV-associated cancer and additionally classify HPV viral physical state, addressing limitations of existing circulating tumor HPV DNA assays that cannot provide prognostic viral-state information at diagnosis. This is scientifically significant because it advances HPV surveillance toward more informative, state-aware ctHPVDNA testing that could better stratify patients at the time of cancer diagnosis.

Fisch AS, Abruzzo AR, Eldfors S et al. · Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Comparison of a Computable Pediatric Sepsis Phenotype Tool in Argentinian and U.S. Cohorts.

This retrospective cohort study compared computable pediatric sepsis phenotypes (PedSep A–D) originally derived in a U.S. cohort with an independent Argentine cohort from the ESSPED2 registry across 51 pediatric intensive care units. The key finding was the assessment of whether the U.S.-derived PedSep phenotype structure is plausible and reproducible in Pan-American children with sepsis for use in personalized clinical trials. This is clinically significant because validating cross-country sepsis phenotypes supports more generalizable, phenotype-driven trial enrollment and treatment strategies in pediatric critical care.

Caldino Bohn RI, Galvan ME, Lanziotti VS et al. · Pediatric critical care medicine : a journal of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

AI-designed prion-capping proteins provide evidence that prion fibril ends are replication-competent surfaces that contribute to prion seeding activity and infectivity.

This study used diffusion-based AI protein design to create prion-capping proteins (PRICAPs) that bind high-resolution structures of infectious prion fibril ends and tested their effects on prion seeding and infectivity. The key finding was that AI-designed PRICAPs cap prion fibril termini and provide direct evidence that prion fibril ends are replication-competent surfaces that drive prion seeding activity. This is scientifically significant because it supplies molecular tools to experimentally interrogate prion replication mechanisms and prion infectivity at the level of fibril termini.

Slota JA, Kirby M, Van Den Driessche A et al. · mBio · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

F7 Drives Gastric Cancer Metastasis Through Anoikis Resistance and Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling.

This mechanistic cancer study investigated coagulation factor VII (F7) in gastric cancer metastasis, focusing on anoikis resistance and tumor microenvironment remodeling. The key finding was that tumor-derived autocrine F7 promotes invasion, migration, and anoikis resistance via interaction with ITGA2 and downstream FAK–NF-κB signaling, while also inducing PD-L1 partly through ITGA2-mediated PI3K–AKT signaling. This is clinically significant because it identifies the F7–ITGA2 axis as a driver of metastatic behavior and immune evasion, consistent with F7’s association with lymph node metastasis, poor prognosis, and reduced CD8+ T-cell infiltration.

Gao L, Han Q, Wang Y et al. · Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

SR-A3 Promotes USP18-Mediated deISGylation of STING to Protect Against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

This study examined the role of scavenger receptor class A member 3 (SR-A3) in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and its regulation of USP18-mediated deISGylation of STING. The key finding was that SR-A3 is downregulated in MI/RI patient tissues, and that global or cardiomyocyte-specific SR-A3 deletion worsened MI/RI injury whereas AAV9-mediated SR-A3 overexpression was protective, linked to enhanced USP18-dependent deISGylation of STING. This is clinically significant because it suggests a cardioprotective pathway (SR-A3 → USP18 → STING deISGylation) that could be targeted to reduce reperfusion injury.

Han Y, Miao G, Zhao Y et al. · Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

TAB2 Causes Neuronal Damage by Aggravating Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s Disease.

This study investigated TAB2 in Parkinson’s disease (PD) by testing how TAB2 affects microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal survival in PD models. The key finding was that Tab2 knockdown inhibited microglial activation and protected neurons, with STAT3 regulating TAB2 expression and TAB2 interacting with α-synuclein to facilitate K63-linked ubiquitin recognition, promoting TAK1-TAB complex formation and downstream inflammatory signaling. This is scientifically significant because it identifies TAB2 as an early-stage biomarker and a mechanistic driver of neuroinflammation that could be leveraged for PD therapeutic targeting.

Zhao Y, Huang Z, Gao J et al. · Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

DDX3x Regulates NINJ1 Transcription via Histone Lactylation in Sepsis Associated-Acute Kidney Injury.

This study explored how histone lactylation regulates PANoptosis in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI), focusing on DDX3x-mediated control of NINJ1 transcription. The key finding was that lactate triggers PANoptosis by promoting histone H3 lactylation at H3K9/18/27 and activating NINJ1 gene transcription, with NINJ1 also undergoing lactylation at K111 and K114. This is clinically significant because it links metabolic lactate signaling to epigenetic regulation of NINJ1-driven PANoptosis, offering potential molecular targets to mitigate SA-AKI progression.

Liang H, Jiang J, Yin H et al. · Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Serum Levels of Prestin, Otoferlin, Connexin 26, and Stereocilin: A Biomarker Approach to Tinnitus.

This observational cohort study measured serum levels of outer hair cell protein prestin and inner ear proteins otoferlin, connexin 26 (CX26), and stereocilin in 82 participants (41 with chronic bilateral non-pulsatile tinnitus and 41 controls). The key finding was the evaluation of whether these serum biomarkers—particularly prestin—distinguish tinnitus patients from controls and support a role for prestin in tinnitus pathophysiology. This is clinically significant because it tests an objective, blood-based biomarker strategy for tinnitus diagnosis where current tools are largely subjective.

Adamczyk P, Corsetti R, Preniqi Z et al. · Otolaryngology—head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

The Astrocyte Clock Controls Circadian Perineuronal Net Remodeling, Synapse Strength and Learning Behavior.

This study investigated whether astrocyte-autonomous circadian timing controls perineuronal net (PNN) remodeling, synapse strength, and learning by deleting the core clock gene Bmal1 specifically in astrocytes postnatally. Astrocyte-specific Bmal1 deletion disrupted core clock function in astrocytes and altered expression programs linked to extracellular matrix/PNN remodeling, leading to changes in synaptic properties and learning behavior. Scientifically, it identifies an astrocyte-intrinsic circadian mechanism (Bmal1) that can gate circuit plasticity and behavior.

Smith PC, Quillin EI, Lefton KB et al. · Glia · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Defining ‘psychedelic’.

This paper examined how the subjective phenomenology of three psychoactive drugs—psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)—maps onto the definition of the term “psychedelic,” using participant-reported effects. The key finding is that the authors’ phenomenology-focused framework treats “psychedelic” as a taxonomic category grounded in the principal subjective effects of these drugs rather than only a generic state. This is significant for improving conceptual clarity in psychedelic research and for aligning clinical trial endpoints with patient-experienced effects.

Ostrand AE, Nour MM, Timmermann C et al. · Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Combined Vitamin D and Resveratrol Treatment Attenuates Motor Deficits and Neurodegeneration in a 6-OHDA Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease in Male Mice: A Focus on Sirt1 and Lingo-1 Pathways in the Ventral Tegmental Area.

This preclinical experiment tested whether combined vitamin D3 (VitD3) and resveratrol modulates Sirt1 and Lingo-1 pathways and reduces neurodegeneration in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) mouse model of Parkinson’s disease in male Swiss mice. The combined treatment attenuated motor deficits and neurodegeneration and was associated with pathway-level changes in Sirt1 and Lingo-1 expression in the ventral tegmental area. These results support a potential multi-target neuroprotective strategy targeting Sirt1/Lingo-1 signaling in PD.

Soti M, Ilaghi M, Kohlmeier KA et al. · Brain and behavior · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Artificial intelligence for predicting BCG response in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review.

This systematic review identified and appraised artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) models predicting treatment response and clinical outcomes after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The key finding is that multiple AI/ML approaches have been developed to address the clinical need to better identify BCG non-responders, but the review highlights the need for higher-quality, more generalizable evidence. Scientifically and clinically, it frames where AI could improve BCG response prediction beyond existing risk calculators.

Cella L, Contieri R, Paciotti M et al. · BJU international · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Finerenone for IgA Nephropathy After Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors Discontinuation: A Multicentre Retrospective Cohort Study.

This multicentre retrospective cohort study evaluated finerenone in patients with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) who had discontinued renin–angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) therapy, compared with patients receiving finerenone plus RASi or RASi alone. The key finding is that finerenone use after RASi discontinuation was associated with measurable changes in urinary total protein (UTP) and related renal outcomes over follow-up (with inclusion criteria of eGFR ≥25 mL/min/1.73 m² and UTP ≥0.5 g/day). Clinically, it informs whether finerenone can provide benefit when RASi cannot be continued.

Zeng F, Li X, Yang Y et al. · Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Efficacy of Luseogliflozin Added to Semaglutide in Patients With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomised, Open-Label Trial.

In a 52-week, open-label randomized parallel-group trial in Japan, adults with biopsy-proven metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and type 2 diabetes were assigned to semaglutide plus luseogliflozin (SGLT2 inhibitor) versus semaglutide alone. The key finding is that adding luseogliflozin to semaglutide improved liver histology outcomes at Week 52 compared with semaglutide monotherapy (assessed by blinded pathologists using paired biopsies). This is significant because it tests a GLP-1 receptor agonist plus SGLT2 inhibitor combination as a histology-directed treatment strategy for MASH in T2D.

Miyake T, Yoshida O, Furukawa S et al. · Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

The Impact of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy on Tuberculosis Infection and Disease Progression.

This longitudinal cohort study in Lima, Peru, followed household contacts (HHCs) of adults with microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis to assess whether isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) prevents new TB infection and/or progression to TB disease. The key finding is that IPT initiation among HHCs was evaluated using tuberculin skin testing (TST) conversion/boosting (e.g., ≥6 mm induration increase) and clinical disease assessment at baseline and 6 months. Clinically, it clarifies IPT’s role in preventing infection acquisition—not just disease progression—in child household contacts.

Zazueta OE, Becerra MC, Galea JT et al. · Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Fatty Liver Index and Differential Glycemic Responses to Ipragliflozin Versus Sitagliptin Over 52 Weeks: An Exploratory Post Hoc Analysis of the Niigata Ipragliflozin and Sitagliptin With Metformin (N-ISM) Study.

This exploratory post hoc analysis of the Niigata Ipragliflozin and Sitagliptin With Metformin (N-ISM) randomized trial compared differential glycemic responses to ipragliflozin (SGLT2 inhibitor) versus sitagliptin (DPP-4 inhibitor) over 52 weeks stratified by fatty liver index (FLI) in Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes without established ASCVD. The key finding is that baseline FLI stratification (low vs high, using a median cutoff of 51) was used to test whether HbA1c changes differed by treatment class over 52 weeks. Scientifically, it suggests fatty liver burden may modify the glucose-lowering response to SGLT2 versus DPP-4 inhibition.

Kitazawa M, Katagiri T, Suzuki H et al. · Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Risk of Liver Cancer From Major Causes Compared to Smoking and Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis compared relative risks of liver cancer from major causes (HBV, HCV, HDV, MASH, and alcohol) versus the well-established risk of lung cancer from smoking using cohort, case-control, and nested case-control studies. The analysis found that liver cancer risk varies by etiology and is meaningfully elevated for viral hepatitis and other major causes, supporting liver cancer as a preventable outcome analogous to smoking-related lung cancer. Clinically, the findings strengthen the rationale for targeted prevention (e.g., HBV/HCV control and alcohol/MASH risk reduction) and for public-health messaging that frames liver cancer risk as comparable in importance to lung cancer risk from smoking.

Wallace C, Razavi-Shearer D, Hall S et al. · Journal of viral hepatitis · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Management of Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation After Catheter Ablation: Five-Year Outcomes of Repeat Catheter Ablation Versus Antiarrhythmic Therapy.

Using the TriNetX database, this study evaluated adults (≥18 years) with recurrent symptomatic atrial fibrillation after index catheter ablation, comparing repeat catheter ablation versus initiation of antiarrhythmic drug therapy after a 3-month blanking period. After propensity score matching, repeat ablation showed improved long-term rhythm-control outcomes over antiarrhythmic therapy over a five-year follow-up. These real-world data support selecting repeat catheter ablation as a preferred strategy for recurrent AF after initial ablation in appropriately selected patients.

Yeo YH, Wong HKK, Vignarajah A et al. · Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Real-world effectiveness of topical ruxolitinib in non-segmental vitiligo: repigmentation, mental health, and quality-of-life outcomes in an 860-patient multicentre study.

In a multicentre retrospective cohort study across 34 Italian dermatology centers, investigators assessed real-world effectiveness and patient-reported outcomes in 860 patients (≥12 years) with non-segmental vitiligo treated with topical ruxolitinib 1.5% cream twice daily. Topical ruxolitinib was associated with clinically meaningful repigmentation and improvements in mental health and quality-of-life measures, with analyses identifying predictors of treatment response. The results extend phase-3 evidence by demonstrating effectiveness and tolerability in heterogeneous real-world populations and informing which patients are most likely to benefit.

Marzano AV, Narcisi A, Tavoletti G et al. · The British journal of dermatology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Identification of key symptoms impacting HRQOL in advanced renal cell carcinoma: nivolumab plus cabozantinib versus sunitinib in CheckMate 9ER.

This post-hoc mediation analysis used first-year data from the CheckMate 9ER trial to identify key symptoms driving health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) improvements in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma receiving nivolumab plus cabozantinib versus sunitinib. The study found that specific kidney symptom domains measured by the FKSI-19 and overall HRQOL captured by EQ-5D-3L mediated the observed patient-reported benefits of nivolumab/cabozantinib. Scientifically and clinically, pinpointing symptom-level drivers helps clinicians interpret PRO advantages and may guide supportive care targeting the symptoms most responsive to treatment.

Bergerot C, Yu S, Yang M et al. · The oncologist · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Phase II Study of Olaparib Plus Durvalumab in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Transformed to Small Cell Lung Cancer.

In an open-label, single-arm phase II trial, patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer transformed to small cell lung cancer received durvalumab plus olaparib (durvalumab 1500 mg IV every 28 days and olaparib 300 mg orally twice daily). The regimen demonstrated antitumor activity assessed by objective response rate per RECIST 1.1, with additional efficacy outcomes including progression-free survival and overall survival. This supports a therapeutic strategy combining PARP inhibition with immune checkpoint blockade for a high-risk resistance phenotype with limited standard options.

Mohindroo C, Takahashi N, Nichols S et al. · The oncologist · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Mediterranean diet and health outcomes in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Using adults with self-reported specialist-diagnosed idiopathic inflammatory myopathies from the international COVAD-3 survey, this study assessed Mediterranean diet adherence (MEDAS) and its determinants across IIM subtypes and examined associations with patient-reported health outcomes. Higher Mediterranean diet adherence correlated with better patient-reported health outcomes, and the study identified demographic, disease-related, and socioeconomic factors linked to adherence. These findings suggest that dietary pattern modification may be a feasible adjunctive strategy to improve quality of life in IIM, warranting prospective interventional testing.

Saha S, Minikumari Rahulan L, Sarkar M et al. · Rheumatology (Oxford, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Cystic Fibrosis and Colorectal Cancer Risk: Reprogramming of the Intestinal Epithelial Niche and Cell-State Plasticity in the CFTR Modulator Era.

This review synthesized evidence from colonoscopic surveillance, mouse models, human tissues, and patient-derived intestinal organoids to explain colorectal cancer risk in cystic fibrosis in the era of CFTR modulators. It argues that CFTR dysfunction reprograms the intestinal epithelial niche and increases cell-state plasticity, creating a permissive environment for early-onset colorectal cancer and broader intestinal pathology. The work provides mechanistic context for why CRC surveillance is increasingly important in CF and highlights CFTR-centered pathways as potential targets for prevention.

Umashankar B, Pankonien I, Amaral M et al. · Cell proliferation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Written in the Stars: Astrocyte Biology From Evolution to Disease.

This narrative review summarized astrocyte biology across evolution, physiology, and disease, focusing on how astrocyte diversity supports brain homeostasis, synaptic connectivity, and information processing. It highlights that evolutionary diversification of astrocytes parallels increasing functional complexity and that astrocyte dysfunction contributes to multiple nervous system disorders. The synthesis is significant for guiding future research into astrocyte-targeted diagnostics and therapies across neurological diseases.

Falcone C, Arckens L, Baiula M et al. · Acta physiologica (Oxford, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Fructose directly remodels the translocase of the outer membrane to impair oxidative phosphorylation in podocytes.

This mechanistic study investigated how fructose exposure affects mitochondrial function in podocytes, testing whether fructose can directly alter the translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOM) rather than only acting through toxic fructose metabolites. The findings indicate that fructose directly remodels the TOM complex, impairing oxidative phosphorylation in podocytes. This provides a new upstream mechanism for fructose-driven kidney injury and suggests TOM/mitochondrial entry pathways as potential therapeutic targets in metabolic kidney disease.

Wu W, Wang W, Zhang J et al. · Signal transduction and targeted therapy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

CDCP1-targeted antibody-drug conjugates and immunocytokines for cancer therapy.

This preclinical study evaluated CDCP1 as a tumor-associated antigen platform for two targeted modalities: CDCP1-directed antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and CDCP1-targeted immunocytokines delivering interferon-α2b (IFNα2b). Using humanized anti-CDCP1 monoclonal antibodies, the authors characterized binding to recombinant and cell-surface CDCP1 and assessed CDCP1 expression in tumor cells and xenografts by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. The work is significant because it supports CDCP1-targeted delivery as a strategy to improve selectivity and potency for cancer therapy using either cytotoxic payloads or immune cytokine activation.

Mu G, Yu M, Zhou F et al. · Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Decoding the causes of ischemic stroke despite ongoing oral anticoagulation and their clinical impact: the ASPERA-R study.

The ASPERA-R multicenter retrospective study examined causes and clinical impact of breakthrough ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who were receiving ongoing oral anticoagulation (DOACs taken within 48 hours or VKAs with therapeutic INR) between February 2020 and February 2025. The study focuses on identifying mechanisms—especially drug interactions—that explain ischemic stroke occurring despite adequate anticoagulant exposure. Clinically, defining these causes could improve risk stratification and guide management of anticoagulation failure in AF patients.

De Santis F, Foschi M, Gabriele F et al. · Journal of neurology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Safety profiles of two XOD and two URAT1 inhibitors in hyperuricemic patients: a real-world pharmacovigilance analysis based on the FAERS and JADER databases.

This real-world pharmacovigilance analysis evaluated safety profiles of two xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitors and two URAT1 inhibitors in hyperuricemic patients using FAERS and JADER adverse event reports from Q1 2004 through Q3 2024. Key findings were derived from disproportionality analyses (e.g., PRR and related metrics) to detect and compare adverse drug reaction signals across allopurinol/febuxostat/dotinurad/benzbromarone. The results provide evidence to support safer clinical selection and monitoring of urate-lowering therapies in routine practice.

Shi W, Huang X, Zhao X et al. · Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s archives of pharmacology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Naringenin alleviates age-related bone loss by targeting Runx2.

The study tested whether the dietary flavonoid naringenin (NAR) prevents age-related bone loss in a natural ageing mouse model and investigated its osteogenic and osteoclastogenic effects in cell culture, focusing on the osteogenic transcription factor Runx2. Naringenin alleviated senile osteoporosis phenotypes and acted by targeting Runx2 to promote bone formation and/or suppress pathological bone remodeling. These findings suggest a potential molecularly targeted, diet-derived therapeutic strategy for age-related osteoporosis.

Sun C, He Y, Xiao F et al. · British journal of pharmacology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Emerging therapeutic opportunities targeting nonclassical MHC-I molecules.

This Trends in Molecular Medicine review synthesized emerging therapeutic opportunities targeting nonclassical MHC-I molecules, including HLA-E, HLA-F, HLA-G, MR1, and CD1 family antigens, across cancer, infection, autoimmunity, and transplantation. It highlights how advances in structural immunology, single-cell/spatial profiling, and engineered immune-cell technologies are enabling more precise exploitation of these conserved antigen-presentation pathways. Scientifically, the review frames nonclassical MHC-I targeting as a promising, mechanism-driven route for next-generation immunotherapies.

Li YR, Chen Y, Yang L · Trends in molecular medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Histone deacetylase inhibitors as venetoclax-sensitising partners in acute myeloid leukaemia: Mechanisms, pharmacology and translational perspectives.

This review analyzed mechanistic and translational evidence for combining histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors with venetoclax as sensitizing partners in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly in the context of resistance to venetoclax-based regimens. It emphasizes that class I HDAC1/2/3 suppression of MCL-1 and de-repression of pro-apoptotic BH3-only genes provide a leading mechanistic rationale, while other pathways (e.g., HDAC6/HSP90, autophagy, immune modulation, super-enhancers) appear context-dependent. Clinically, the synthesis supports ongoing development of HDAC inhibitor–venetoclax combinations to overcome relapse and improve outcomes in older/unfit AML populations.

Lee J, Diederich M · British journal of pharmacology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Enlicitide: The first oral PCSK9 inhibitor approved for treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

This article describes enlicitide as the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor approved for hypercholesterolemia and positions it within lipid-lowering strategies for ASCVD risk reduction. The key finding is that enlicitide provides a potent oral alternative to injectable PCSK9-targeted therapies, addressing barriers such as injections and treatment inertia. This is significant because improved adherence and access to LDL-C lowering could translate into better prevention of cardiovascular events.

Sun Y, Gao J · Drug discoveries & therapeutics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Cardiovascular risk prediction & biomarkers

Longitudinal Changes in Heart Stress and the Risk for Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in Older Adults : An Observational Study.

This observational study evaluated whether longitudinal “heart stress” (HS) defined by 3-year changes in N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predicts total cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in community-dwelling older adults without prior cardiovascular disease, using data from the ASPREE trial and its observational extension. HS status based on NT-proBNP trajectories was associated with increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. Clinically, longitudinal NT-proBNP change may improve risk stratification beyond single time-point measurements in older adults.

Cai A, Bayes-Genis A, Wolfe R et al. · Annals of internal medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Longitudinal changes of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality: evidence from the UK Biobank.

This UK Biobank study analyzed 11,530 adults who completed two submaximal cycle-ergometry assessments to determine whether longitudinal changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), estimated as annualized VO₂max change, predict incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD mortality beyond baseline CRF. The key finding was that worsening or changes in CRF over time were associated with higher risk of CVD outcomes and mortality, independent of baseline CRF. This is clinically significant because it supports using serial CRF measurements to refine cardiovascular risk prediction and potentially guide interventions aimed at improving fitness trajectories.

López-Bueno R, Andersen LL, Polo-López A et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Stroke & endovascular reperfusion strategies

Intraarterial Thrombolysis: Past, Present, Future.

This narrative review examined the evidence base for intraarterial thrombolysis as an adjunct to intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy in ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. The key finding is that targeting residual distal arterial and microvascular occlusions via intraarterial thrombolysis may improve cerebral tissue reperfusion in selected anterior-circulation patients, but larger high-quality trials and pooled individual-patient analyses are still needed. Clinically, it supports ongoing refinement of endovascular reperfusion strategies beyond standard IV thrombolysis/thrombectomy.

Ng F, Wu C, Chamorro Á et al. · Stroke · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Coronary/vascular disorders in special populations (e.g., SCAD)

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection versus atherosclerotic myocardial infarction in young women: a propensity-matched cohort study.

This propensity-matched retrospective cohort study used the TriNetX network to compare long-term outcomes in women aged 18–55 years with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) versus atherosclerotic acute myocardial infarction (AMI). After 1:1 matching, SCAD and atherosclerotic AMI showed different outcome patterns over 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years (with sensitivity analyses including age-only, BMI-only, and SCAD-without-acute-MI cohorts). These findings help clinicians better counsel young women with SCAD on prognosis relative to conventional atherosclerotic AMI.

Awad A, Alwifati N, Echeverri D et al. · Future cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Oncology: immunotherapy & immune mechanisms

Serum IgA proteomics reveals clonal composition and neutralization of dimeric and monomeric IgA repertoires against human norovirus.

This study used serum LC-MS/MS proteomics to define clonal relationships and neutralization-relevant IgA architecture in human norovirus infection, focusing on monomeric IgA (mIgA) and dimeric IgA (dIgA) repertoires. The authors found clonal relationships between circulating IgG and IgA and between dIgA and mIgA, with >80% of antigen-specific mIgA also detectable as dIgA, and they biochemically characterized neutralizing epitopes on GII.4 virus-like particles (VLPs) targeted by serum IgA clonotypes. These results are significant for understanding how IgA oligomerization and clonality shape functional neutralization against norovirus.

Park J, Jo G, Reyes Y et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Molecular/cellular mechanisms & translational tools (genome regulation, cell death, delivery, microbiome-immune axes)

Autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons underlie a third of cases of Chikungunya virus encephalitis or myelitis.

This PNAS study analyzed three cohorts of confirmed Chikungunya virus cases from Martinique and Brazil to determine whether autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (AAN-I-IFN) underlie severe CNS disease. AAN-I-IFN were present in 35% of patients with encephalitis/encephalomyelitis/myelitis and were absent in 225 patients without CNS infection, with neutralization of IFN-α2, IFN-α8, and IFN-ω. The findings are clinically important because they identify a substantial fraction of CHIKV CNS cases with a specific, potentially actionable immune mechanism.

Tran VL, Gervais A, Champeaux MM et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Architecture and mechanism of the human p24 cargo receptor.

This structural biology study determined the architecture of the human p24 cargo receptor by solving cryo-EM structures of the p24 complex in three pH states and combining them with functional assays for GPI-anchored protein (GPI-AP) cargo engagement. The authors identify a tightly interlocked p24α2–p24β1–p24δ1–p24γ2 heterotetramer as the minimal unit for GPI-AP engagement and reveal redundancy between p24α2 and p24α3 with selective incorporation of p24γ2 for cargo engagement. These mechanistic insights are significant for understanding how secretory trafficking is organized and regulated at the molecular level.

Hua Z, Zhang D, Zhang M et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Host DNA repair factors empower a mechanism of antiviral nucleoside analog resistance.

This study investigated how host DNA repair factors influence antiviral nucleoside analog resistance by focusing on ganciclovir resistance in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), where resistance typically involves UL97 and/or UL54 mutations. The authors show that host DNA repair factors enable a mechanism that allows ganciclovir incorporation without chain termination, clarifying the fate of DNA strands containing the analog in resistant contexts. Scientifically, this identifies host pathways that can modulate nucleoside analog efficacy and may inform strategies to overcome or predict resistance.

Longmire P, Chen H, McKinzey DR et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Brassinosteroid-regulated transcription factors confer epigenetic changes that repress plant immunity.

This study in Arabidopsis thaliana examined how brassinosteroids (BRs) regulate transcription factors to impose epigenetic repression of plant immunity. It shows that the BR-regulated bHLH transcription factor CESTA (CES), together with homologs BEE1–3, mediates DNA methylation changes at transposable element (TE)-rich loci, thereby repressing immunity-related genes. The work is significant because it links hormone signaling to epigenetic control of immune trade-offs between defense and growth.

Ramirez VE, Shuai H, Hwu FY et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Generated automatically on August 19, 2026 from PubMed’s trending articles. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.