REVIEW
- Renal disease pathophysiology and treatment: contributions from the rat
Summary: This Review highlights the key role that the rat continues to play in improving our understanding of the etiologies of renal pathologies, and how these insights have opened up new therapeutic avenues.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Heterotypic mouse models of canine osteosarcoma recapitulate tumor heterogeneity and biological behavior
Editors' choice: We developed a system that recapitulates the heterogeneous biological behavior of bone cancer in mouse models and describe novel methods to study tumor–stromal interactions in these models.
- Whole-genome sequence, SNP chips and pedigree structure: building demographic profiles in domestic dog breeds to optimize genetic-trait mapping
Summary: Successful application of whole-genome sequencing and genome-wide association studies for identifying both loci and mutations in canines is influenced by breed structure and demography, motivating researchers to generate breed-specific strategies for canine genetic studies.
- Lurbinectedin induces depletion of tumor-associated macrophages, an essential component of its in vivo synergism with gemcitabine, in pancreatic adenocarcinoma mouse models
Summary: Lurbinectedin-gemcitabine synergism in PDA models involves lurbinectedin-induced tumor macrophage depletion, triggering CDA downregulation and enhanced DNA damage, supporting the use of this combination to treat macrophage-infiltrated pancreatic tumors.
- Helicobacter pylori VacA, acting through receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase α, is crucial for CagA phosphorylation in human duodenum carcinoma cell line AZ-521
Summary: The authors show a newly identified role of VacA in Helicobacter pylori infection through induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of CagA acting through the VacA receptor RPTPα.
- Deregulated expression of HDAC9 in B cells promotes development of lymphoproliferative disease and lymphoma in mice
Summary: This study demonstrates that aberrant expression of HDAC9 in B cells promotes development of lymphoproliferative disease and lymphoma through altering expression of genes involved in the cell cycle and survival, and modulating the activity of key B-lineage factors such as BCL6 and p53.
- Microglia activation in a pediatric rabbit model of tuberculous meningitis
Summary: A clinically relevant novel rabbit model provides robust microglial activation and neurological deficits as seen in children with pediatric central nervous system tuberculosis.
- Recovery of erectile function comparing autologous nerve grafts, unseeded conduits, Schwann-cell-seeded guidance tubes and GDNF-overexpressing Schwann cell grafts
Summary: Schwann-cell-seeded scaffolds and GDNF-overexpressing Schwann cell grafts are superior to unseeded tubes and autologous nerve grafts for the repair of erectile nerve gaps following nerve excision in rats.
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.