REVIEW
- Metastasis in context: modeling the tumor microenvironment with cancer-on-a-chip approaches
Summary: This Review evaluates the recent contributions of cancer-on-a-chip models to our understanding of the tumor microenvironment and its role in the onset of metastasis. The authors also provide an outlook for future applications of this emerging technology.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Neutrophil-specific knockout demonstrates a role for mitochondria in regulating neutrophil motility in zebrafish
Summary: Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated neutrophil-specific knockout, a requirement for mitochondrial DNA polymerase, electron transportation chain and superoxide dismutases in neutrophil migration is demonstrated in zebrafish, providing genetic evidence of the immunodeficiency seen in mitochondrial disease patients.
- Feeding difficulties, a key feature of the Drosophila NDUFS4 mitochondrial disease model
Summary: The characterization of a novel Drosophila model of NDUFS4 mitochondrial disease revealed a pronounced defect in feeding abilities and recapitulated additional human disease features.
- Lymphoblastoid cell lines as a model to understand amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease mechanisms
Summary: The identification of a patient-specific and non-invasive model is crucial in ALS research. Here, the authors present a reliable characterization of lymphoblastoid cell lines from both sporadic and mutated ALS patients.
- The role of the microRNA-146a/complement factor H/interleukin-1β-mediated inflammatory loop circuit in the perpetuate inflammation of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy
Summary: The microRNA-146a–complement factor H–interleukin-1β loop circuit might initiate a cascade of inflammation, leading to the perpetuate inflammation in temporal lobe epilepsy.
- Vangl2 disruption alters the biomechanics of late spinal neurulation leading to spina bifida in mouse embryos
Summary: Disruption of Vangl2-dependent planar-polarised processes in the posterior neuropore (PNP) neuroepithelium and surface ectoderm preclude zippering point biomechanical accommodation associated with Closure 5 formation at the completion of PNP closure.
- Identification of protective postexposure mycobacterial vaccine antigens using an immunosuppression-based reactivation model in the zebrafish
Summary: We characterize the reactivation of a latent mycobacterial infection and identify DNA-based vaccine candidates against the reactivation of tuberculosis using the adult zebrafish Mycobacterium marinum infection model.
- Mek1Y130C mice recapitulate aspects of human cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome
Summary: A mouse model for cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome caused by MEK1 Y130C mutant protein reveals the role of hyperactivation of the RAS/MAPK pathway in the development of the syndrome.
- Altered expression of the Cdk5 activator-like protein, Cdk5α, causes neurodegeneration, in part by accelerating the rate of aging
Editor's choice: By developing a comprehensive and quantitative metric for physiological age of Drosophila, we show that a neurodegeneration mutant produces its effects in part by accelerating the absolute rate of aging.
- Vitamin D deficiency in the ApcPirc/+ rat does not exacerbate colonic tumorigenesis, while low dietary calcium might be protective
Summary: Using rat models of familial and inflammation-induced colon cancer, this study demonstrates that vitamin D deficiency does not increase risk of developing disease, and that low dietary calcium might be protective.
- Identification of early indicators of altered metabolism in normal development using a rodent model system
Summary: This study suggests an important link between the early embryonic environment and later adult physiology and pathology. At least one process by which this might be coordinated is through the regulatory mechanisms mediated by Dnmt1.
RESOURCE ARTICLE
- Disease Ontology: improving and unifying disease annotations across species
Summary: Analyzing diverse disease data requires a comprehensive, robust disease ontology to integrate annotations and retrieve accurate, interpretable results. MGD, RGD and DO are working in collaboration to achieve this goal.
This issue
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
DMM and COVID-19
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on researchers worldwide. The Editors of all The Company of Biologists’ journals have been considering ways in which we can alleviate concerns that members of our community may have around publishing activities during this time. Read about the actions we are taking at this time.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the Editorial Office if you have any questions or concerns.
The twin pillars of Disease Models & Mechanisms
In her first Editorial as Editor-in-Chief, Liz Patton sets out her vision and priorities for DMM focusing on four thematic challenges: mechanisms of disease, innovative technologies, disease progression through time and therapy.
Extended deadline - The RAS Pathway: Diseases, Therapeutics and Beyond
Our upcoming special issue is welcoming submissions until 3 May 2021. Guest-edited by Donita Brady (Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, USA) and Arvin Dar (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, USA), the issue will focus on the targeting the RAS pathway.
Find out more about the issue and how to submit your manuscript.
Perspective - Modelling the developmental origins of paediatric cancer to improve patient outcomes
James Amatruda authors our first Perspective, discussing some of the key challenges in paediatric cancer from his perspective as a physician-scientist.
A muscle growth-promoting treatment based on the attenuation of activin/myostatin signalling results in long-term testicular abnormalities
In this issue’s Editor’s choice, Ketan Patel and colleagues describe how even brief exposure to muscle-growth-promoting treatments exerts a long-term detrimental effect on the testes, and test promising therapeutics to mitigate this side-effect.