All articles tagged with #mouse model
UCSD researchers identify chromogranin A (CgA) as a key driver linking amyloid-beta/tau pathology to cognitive decline: mice lacking CgA still develop Alzheimer’s brain changes but remain cognitively sharp, revealing innate resilience mechanisms and a potential preventive target, though human confirmation and safety considerations are needed, and some authors have industry ties.
Emory researchers in mouse models of leaky gut and disease show very small numbers of live gut bacteria can reach the brain, with evidence that the vagus nerve serves as the main route; blocking the nerve reduced brain bacterial presence, suggesting a gut-to-brain transmission axis influenced by diet and genetics and potentially reversible by restoring gut integrity. The findings, published in PLOS Biology, are not yet known to occur in humans and the bacteria were present in very low amounts, leaving open questions about their role in inflammation or disease and whether future gut-targeted therapies could affect brain conditions.
Researchers wrapped mitochondria in red blood cell membranes to shield them from destruction and facilitate cellular entry. In a Leigh syndrome mouse model, this capsule-like delivery increased survival by about two weeks (roughly 20%), with ~80% of cells taking up the mitochondria—significantly higher than naked mitochondria. The approach preserves the mitochondria’s membrane potential, marking a major efficiency advance, though some scientists caution that claims such as preventing Parkinson’s disease in mice may be overstated.
A Tulane study using a mouse model found that while both COVID-19 and influenza can cause lasting lung injury, only SARS-CoV-2 infection led to persistent brain inflammation and microvascular damage after the virus was no longer detectable, helping explain long-COVID brain symptoms and highlighting distinct brain-attack mechanisms from flu; findings could inform post-infection monitoring and treatment.
Stanford Medicine researchers report an intranasal vaccine that activates innate and adaptive immunity to provide months-long protection in mice against a broad spectrum of respiratory threats—SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, and house dust mite allergen—suggesting a path toward a universal respiratory vaccine, with human safety trials planned next.
Scientists at the University of Kentucky developed a mouse model that can switch the APOE gene from a high-risk to a protective form in adults, leading to improvements in Alzheimer’s disease markers and cognitive function, highlighting potential gene-based therapies for the future.
Scientists discovered that blocking the TAK1 protein in cancer cells slows tumor growth and enhances immune system attack in mice, suggesting a potential target for improving cancer immunotherapy, especially for melanoma, though further research is needed for human application.
A study from Texas Tech found that the blood-brain barrier remains largely intact in a common mouse model of Alzheimer's, challenging previous beliefs that the disease causes widespread BBB leakiness, which has implications for drug delivery strategies.
Stanford scientists discovered that hyperactivity in the reticular thalamic nucleus may drive autism symptoms in mice, and suppressing this activity with drugs reversed behaviors associated with autism, suggesting a new treatment target.
The article introduces spatial-DMT, a novel technology for simultaneous spatial profiling of DNA methylome and transcriptome in tissue sections at near single-cell resolution, applied to mouse embryos and brains, revealing intricate gene regulation mechanisms during development and tissue-specific epigenetic landscapes.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School discovered that lithium levels in the brain are linked to Alzheimer's disease, and that supplementing with lithium can reverse memory loss in mice, suggesting potential new avenues for treatment and early diagnosis in humans.
A study found that noninvasive spinal stimulation using Multipath DCS extended survival and reduced disease markers in ALS mice, supporting its potential for human treatment, with ongoing clinical trials testing its safety and efficacy.
A study in mice suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) may improve memory and reduce brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's by calming overactive neurons through glycine receptors, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic option, though further research is needed.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed the Mouse Aging Proteomic Atlas, a comprehensive database mapping protein changes in major tissues of aging mice. This atlas reveals proteins linked to aging, particularly in the extracellular matrix, enhancing our understanding of molecular aging and identifying potential targets for preventing age-related diseases. The study provides valuable insights into age-related post-transcriptional dysregulation and its impact on protein expression across different tissues.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new genetic model to study breast cancer, focusing on the E2F5 gene's role in tumor development and metastasis. This model, which uses genetically engineered mice, offers insights into how breast cancer spreads to organs like the liver and bones, rather than just the lungs, making it more relevant to human cases. The research aims to identify specific genes regulated by E2F5 that drive cancer progression, potentially leading to targeted therapies with fewer side effects in the future.