A segmentation clock patterns cellular differentiation in a bacterial biofilm.

Contrary to multicellular organisms that display segmentation during development, communities of unicellular organisms are believed to be devoid of such sophisticated patterning. Unexpectedly, we find that the gene expression underlying the nitrogen stress response of a developing Bacillus subtilis biofilm becomes organized into a ring-like pattern. Mathematical modeling and genetic probing of the underlying circuit indicate that this patterning is generated by a clock and wavefront mechanism, similar to that driving vertebrate somitogenesis. We experimentally validated this hypothesis by showing that predicted nutrient conditions can even lead to multiple concentric rings, resembling segments. We additionally confirmed that this patterning mechanism is driven by cell-autonomous oscillations. Importantly, we show that the clock and wavefront process also spatially patterns sporulation within the biofilm. Together, these findings reveal a biofilm segmentation clock that organizes cellular differentiation in space and time, thereby challenging the paradigm that such patterning mechanisms are exclusive to plant and animal development.

DMA-tudor interaction modules control the specificity of in vivo condensates.

Biomolecular condensation is a widespread mechanism of cellular compartmentalization. Because the "survival of motor neuron protein" (SMN) is implicated in the formation of three different membraneless organelles (MLOs), we hypothesized that SMN promotes condensation. Unexpectedly, we found that SMN's globular tudor domain was sufficient for dimerization-induced condensation in vivo, whereas its two intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) were not. Binding to dimethylarginine (DMA) modified protein ligands was required for condensate formation by the tudor domains in SMN and at least seven other fly and human proteins. Remarkably, asymmetric versus symmetric DMA determined whether two distinct nuclear MLOs-gems and Cajal bodies-were separate or "docked" to one another. This substructure depended on the presence of either asymmetric or symmetric DMA as visualized with sub-diffraction microscopy. Thus, DMA-tudor interaction modules-combinations of tudor domains bound to their DMA ligand(s)-represent versatile yet specific regulators of MLO assembly, composition, and morphology.

Magnesium Flux Modulates Ribosomes to Increase Bacterial Survival.

Bacteria exhibit cell-to-cell variability in their resilience to stress, for example, following antibiotic exposure. Higher resilience is typically ascribed to "dormant" non-growing cellular states. Here, by measuring membrane potential dynamics of Bacillus subtilis cells, we show that actively growing bacteria can cope with ribosome-targeting antibiotics through an alternative mechanism based on ion flux modulation. Specifically, we observed two types of cellular behavior: growth-defective cells exhibited a mathematically predicted transient increase in membrane potential (hyperpolarization), followed by cell death, whereas growing cells lacked hyperpolarization events and showed elevated survival. Using structural perturbations of the ribosome and proteomic analysis, we uncovered that stress resilience arises from magnesium influx, which prevents hyperpolarization. Thus, ion flux modulation provides a distinct mechanism to cope with ribosomal stress. These results suggest new approaches to increase the effectiveness of ribosome-targeting antibiotics and reveal an intriguing connection between ribosomes and the membrane potential, two fundamental properties of cells.

SnapShot: Electrochemical Communication in Biofilms.

The role of electricity in biological systems was first appreciated through electrical stimulation experiments performed by Luigi Galvani in the 18th century. These pioneering experiments demonstrated that the behavior of living tissues is governed by the flow of electrochemical species-an insight that gave rise to the modern field of electrophysiology. Since then, electrophysiology has largely remained a bastion of neuroscience. However, exciting recent developments have demonstrated that even simple bacteria residing in communities use electrochemical communication to coordinate population-level behaviors. These recent works are defining the emerging field of bacterial biofilm electrophysiology. To view this SnapShot, open or download the PDF.

Chromosomal Arrangement of Phosphorelay Genes Couples Sporulation and DNA Replication.

Genes encoding proteins in a common regulatory network are frequently located close to one another on the chromosome to facilitate co-regulation or couple gene expression to growth rate. Contrasting with these observations, here, we demonstrate a functional role for the arrangement of Bacillus subtilis sporulation network genes on opposite sides of the chromosome. We show that the arrangement of two sporulation network genes, one located close to the origin and the other close to the terminus, leads to a transient gene dosage imbalance during chromosome replication. This imbalance is detected by the sporulation network to produce cell-cycle coordinated pulses of the sporulation master regulator Spo0A∼P. This pulsed response allows cells to decide between sporulation and continued vegetative growth during each cell cycle spent in starvation. The simplicity of this coordination mechanism suggests that it may be widely applicable in a variety of gene regulatory and stress-response settings. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

A lactate-induced response to hypoxia.

Organisms must be able to respond to low oxygen in a number of homeostatic and pathological contexts. Regulation of hypoxic responses via the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is well established, but evidence indicates that other, HIF-independent mechanisms are also involved. Here, we report a hypoxic response that depends on the accumulation of lactate, a metabolite whose production increases in hypoxic conditions. We find that the NDRG3 protein is degraded in a PHD2/VHL-dependent manner in normoxia but is protected from destruction by binding to lactate that accumulates under hypoxia. The stabilized NDRG3 protein binds c-Raf to mediate hypoxia-induced activation of Raf-ERK pathway, promoting angiogenesis and cell growth. Inhibiting cellular lactate production abolishes the NDRG3-mediated hypoxia responses. Our study, therefore, elucidates the molecular basis for lactate-induced hypoxia signaling, which can be exploited for the development of therapies targeting hypoxia-induced diseases.

Widespread somatic L1 retrotransposition in normal colorectal epithelium.

Throughout an individual's lifetime, genomic alterations accumulate in somatic cells1-11. However, the mutational landscape induced by retrotransposition of long interspersed nuclear element-1 (L1), a widespread mobile element in the human genome12-14, is poorly understood in normal cells. Here we explored the whole-genome sequences of 899 single-cell clones established from three different cell types collected from 28 individuals. We identified 1,708 somatic L1 retrotransposition events that were enriched in colorectal epithelium and showed a positive relationship with age. Fingerprinting of source elements showed 34 retrotransposition-competent L1s. Multidimensional analysis demonstrated that (1) somatic L1 retrotranspositions occur from early embryogenesis at a substantial rate, (2) epigenetic on/off of a source element is preferentially determined in the early organogenesis stage, (3) retrotransposition-competent L1s with a lower population allele frequency have higher retrotransposition activity and (4) only a small fraction of L1 transcripts in the cytoplasm are finally retrotransposed in somatic cells. Analysis of matched cancers further suggested that somatic L1 retrotransposition rate is substantially increased during colorectal tumourigenesis. In summary, this study illustrates L1 retrotransposition-induced somatic mosaicism in normal cells and provides insights into the genomic and epigenomic regulation of transposable elements over the human lifetime.

Structural variants drive context-dependent oncogene activation in cancer.

Higher-order chromatin structure is important for the regulation of genes by distal regulatory sequences1,2. Structural variants (SVs) that alter three-dimensional (3D) genome organization can lead to enhancer-promoter rewiring and human disease, particularly in the context of cancer3. However, only a small minority of SVs are associated with altered gene expression4,5, and it remains unclear why certain SVs lead to changes in distal gene expression and others do not. To address these questions, we used a combination of genomic profiling and genome engineering to identify sites of recurrent changes in 3D genome structure in cancer and determine the effects of specific rearrangements on oncogene activation. By analysing Hi-C data from 92 cancer cell lines and patient samples, we identified loci affected by recurrent alterations to 3D genome structure, including oncogenes such as MYC, TERT and CCND1. By using CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering to generate de novo SVs, we show that oncogene activity can be predicted by using 'activity-by-contact' models that consider partner region chromatin contacts and enhancer activity. However, activity-by-contact models are only predictive of specific subsets of genes in the genome, suggesting that different classes of genes engage in distinct modes of regulation by distal regulatory elements. These results indicate that SVs that alter 3D genome organization are widespread in cancer genomes and begin to illustrate predictive rules for the consequences of SVs on oncogene activation.

Innate-like Cytotoxic Function of Bystander-Activated CD8+ T Cells Is Associated with Liver Injury in Acute Hepatitis A.

Acute hepatitis A (AHA) involves severe CD8+ T cell-mediated liver injury. Here we showed during AHA, CD8+ T cells specific to unrelated viruses became activated. Hepatitis A virus (HAV)-infected cells produced IL-15 that induced T cell receptor (TCR)-independent activation of memory CD8+ T cells. TCR-independent activation of non-HAV-specific CD8+ T cells were detected in patients, as indicated by NKG2D upregulation, a marker of TCR-independent T cell activation by IL-15. CD8+ T cells derived from AHA patients exerted innate-like cytotoxicity triggered by activating receptors NKG2D and NKp30 without TCR engagement. We demonstrated that the severity of liver injury in AHA patients correlated with the activation of HAV-unrelated virus-specific CD8+ T cells and the innate-like cytolytic activity of CD8+ T cells, but not the activation of HAV-specific T cells. Thus, host injury in AHA is associated with innate-like cytotoxicity of bystander-activated CD8+ T cells, a result with implications for acute viral diseases.

DICER1 loss and Alu RNA induce age-related macular degeneration via the NLRP3 inflammasome and MyD88.

Alu RNA accumulation due to DICER1 deficiency in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) is implicated in geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration that causes blindness in millions of individuals. The mechanism of Alu RNA-induced cytotoxicity is unknown. Here we show that DICER1 deficit or Alu RNA exposure activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and triggers TLR-independent MyD88 signaling via IL18 in the RPE. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of inflammasome components (NLRP3, Pycard, Caspase-1), MyD88, or IL18 prevents RPE degeneration induced by DICER1 loss or Alu RNA exposure. These findings, coupled with our observation that human GA RPE contains elevated amounts of NLRP3, PYCARD, and IL18 and evidence of increased Caspase-1 and MyD88 activation, provide a rationale for targeting this pathway in GA. Our findings also reveal a function of the inflammasome outside the immune system and an immunomodulatory action of mobile elements.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of acute respiratory infection, lower respiratory tract disease, clinical complications, and death in older adults. There is currently no licensed vaccine against RSV infection. METHODS: In an ongoing, international, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, adults 60 years of age or older to receive a single dose of an AS01E-adjuvanted RSV prefusion F protein-based candidate vaccine (RSVPreF3 OA) or placebo before the RSV season. The primary objective was to show vaccine efficacy of one dose of the RSVPreF3 OA vaccine against RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease, confirmed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), during one RSV season. The criterion for meeting the primary objective was a lower limit of the confidence interval around the efficacy estimate of more than 20%. Efficacy against severe RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease and RSV-related acute respiratory infection was assessed, and analyses according to RSV subtype (A and B) were performed. Safety was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 24,966 participants received one dose of the RSVPreF3 OA vaccine (12,467 participants) or placebo (12,499). Over a median follow-up of 6.7 months, vaccine efficacy against RT-PCR-confirmed RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease was 82.6% (96.95% confidence interval [CI], 57.9 to 94.1), with 7 cases (1.0 per 1000 participant-years) in the vaccine group and 40 cases (5.8 per 1000 participant-years) in the placebo group. Vaccine efficacy was 94.1% (95% CI, 62.4 to 99.9) against severe RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease (assessed on the basis of clinical signs or by the investigator) and 71.7% (95% CI, 56.2 to 82.3) against RSV-related acute respiratory infection. Vaccine efficacy was similar against the RSV A and B subtypes (for RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease: 84.6% and 80.9%, respectively; for RSV-related acute respiratory infection: 71.9% and 70.6%, respectively). High vaccine efficacy was observed in various age groups and in participants with coexisting conditions. The RSVPreF3 OA vaccine was more reactogenic than placebo, but most adverse events for which reports were solicited were transient, with mild-to-moderate severity. The incidences of serious adverse events and potential immune-mediated diseases were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of the RSVPreF3 OA vaccine had an acceptable safety profile and prevented RSV-related acute respiratory infection and lower respiratory tract disease and severe RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease in adults 60 years of age or older, regardless of RSV subtype and the presence of underlying coexisting conditions. (Funded by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals; AReSVi-006 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04886596.).

Lack of mismatch repair enhances resistance to methylating agents for cells deficient in oxidative demethylation.

The human alkylation B (AlkB) homologs, ALKBH2 and ALKBH3, respond to methylation damage to maintain genomic integrity and cellular viability. Both ALKBH2 and ALKBH3 are direct reversal repair enzymes that remove 1-methyladenine (1meA) and 3-methylcytosine (3meC) lesions commonly generated by alkylating chemotherapeutic agents. Thus, the existence of deficiencies in ALKBH proteins can be exploited in synergy with chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated possible interactions between ALKBH2 and ALKBH3 with other proteins that could alter damage response and discovered an interaction with the mismatch repair (MMR) system. To test whether the lack of active MMR impacts ALKBH2 and/or ALKBH3 response to methylating agents, we generated cells deficient in ALKBH2, ALKBH3, or both in addition to Mlh homolog 1 (MLH1), another MMR protein. We found that MLH1koALKBH3ko cells showed enhanced resistance toward SN1- and SN2-type methylating agents, whereas MLH1koALKBH2ko cells were only resistant to SN1-type methylating agents. Concomitant loss of ALKBH2 and ALKBH3 (ALKBH2ko3ko) rendered cells sensitive to SN1- and SN2-agents, but the additional loss of MLH1 enhanced resistance to both types of damage. We also showed that ALKBH2ko3ko cells have an ATR-dependent arrest at the G2/M checkpoint, increased apoptotic signaling, and replication fork stress in response to methylation. However, these responses were not observed with the loss of functional MLH1 in MLH1koALKBH2ko3ko cells. Finally, in MLH1koALKBH2ko3ko cells, we observed elevated mutant frequency in untreated and temozolomide treated cells. These results suggest that obtaining a more accurate prognosis of chemotherapeutic outcome requires information on the functionality of ALKBH2, ALKBH3, and MLH1.

Transcriptome-wide analyses of piRNA binding sites suggest distinct mechanisms regulate piRNA binding and silencing in C. elegans.

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) protect genome integrity by silencing transposon mRNAs and some endogenous mRNAs in various animals. However, C. elegans piRNAs only trigger gene silencing at select predicted targeting sites, suggesting additional cellular mechanisms regulate piRNA silencing. To gain insight into possible mechanisms, we compared the transcriptome-wide predicted piRNA targeting sites to the in vivo piRNA binding sites. Surprisingly, while sequence-based predicted piRNA targeting sites are enriched in 3' UTRs, we found that C. elegans piRNAs preferentially bind to coding regions (CDS) of target mRNAs, leading to preferential production of secondary silencing small RNAs in the CDS. However, our analyses suggest that this CDS binding preference cannot be explained by the action of antisilencing Argonaute CSR-1. Instead, our analyses imply that CSR-1 protects mRNAs from piRNA silencing through two distinct mechanisms-by inhibiting piRNA binding across the entire CSR-1 targeted transcript, and by inhibiting secondary silencing small RNA production locally at CSR-1 bound sites. Together, our work identifies the CDS as the critical region that is uniquely competent for piRNA binding in C. elegans. We speculate the CDS binding preference may have evolved to allow the piRNA pathway to maintain robust recognition of RNA targets in spite of genetic drift. Together, our analyses revealed that distinct mechanisms are responsible for restricting piRNA binding and silencing to achieve proper transcriptome surveillance.

Ultrasound-based steatosis grading system using 2D-attenuation imaging: An individual patient data meta-analysis with external validation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Noninvasive tools assessing steatosis, such as ultrasonography-based 2D-attenuation imaging (ATI), are needed to tackle the worldwide burden of steatotic liver disease. This one-stage individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis aimed to create an ATI-based steatosis grading system. APPROACH AND RESULTS: A systematic review (EMBASE + MEDLINE, 2018-2022) identified studies, including patients with histologically or magnetic resonance imaging proton-density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF)-verified ATI for grading steatosis (S0 to S3). One-stage IPD meta-analyses were conducted using generalized mixed models with a random study-specific intercept. Created ATI-based steatosis grading system (aS0 to aS3) was externally validated on a prospective cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (n=174, histologically and MRI-PDFF-verified steatosis). Eleven enrolled studies included 1374 patients, classified into S0, S1, S2, and S3 in 45.4%, 35.0%, 9.3%, and 10.3% of the cases. ATI was correlated with histological steatosis ( r = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.67; p < 0.001) and MRI-PDFF ( r = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.73; p < 0.001) but not with liver stiffness ( r = 0.03; 95% CI: -0.04, 0.11, p = 0.343). Steatosis grade was an independent factor associated with ATI (coefficient: 0.24; 95% CI: [0.22, 0.26]; p < 0.001). ATI marginal means within S0, S1, S2, and S3 subpopulations were 0.59 (95% CI: [0.58, 0.61]), 0.69 (95% CI [0.67, 0.71]), 0.78 (95% CI: [0.76, 0.81]), and 0.85 (95% CI: [0.83, 0.88]) dB/cm/MHz; all contrasts between grades were significant ( p < 0.0001). Three ATI thresholds were calibrated to create a new ATI-based steatosis grading system (aS0 to aS3, cutoffs: 0.66, 0.73, and 0.81 dB/cm/MHz). Its external validation showed Obuchowski measures of 0.84 ± 0.02 and 0.82 ± 0.02 with histologically based and MRI-PDFF-based references. CONCLUSIONS: ATI is a reliable, noninvasive marker of steatosis. This validated ATI-based steatosis grading system could be valuable in assessing patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Advances in Bioresorbable Triboelectric Nanogenerators.

With the growing demand for next-generation health care, the integration of electronic components into implantable medical devices (IMDs) has become a vital factor in achieving sophisticated healthcare functionalities such as electrophysiological monitoring and electroceuticals worldwide. However, these devices confront technological challenges concerning a noninvasive power supply and biosafe device removal. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensure continuous operation and patient comfort and minimize the physical and economic burden on the patient and the healthcare system. This Review highlights the promising capabilities of bioresorbable triboelectric nanogenerators (B-TENGs) as temporary self-clearing power sources and self-powered IMDs. First, we present an overview of and progress in bioresorbable triboelectric energy harvesting devices, focusing on their working principles, materials development, and biodegradation mechanisms. Next, we examine the current state of on-demand transient implants and their biomedical applications. Finally, we address the current challenges and future perspectives of B-TENGs, aimed at expanding their technological scope and developing innovative solutions. This Review discusses advancements in materials science, chemistry, and microfabrication that can advance the scope of energy solutions available for IMDs. These innovations can potentially change the current health paradigm, contribute to enhanced longevity, and reshape the healthcare landscape soon.

Nitrosative stress drives heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common syndrome with high morbidity and mortality for which there are no evidence-based therapies. Here we report that concomitant metabolic and hypertensive stress in mice-elicited by a combination of high-fat diet and inhibition of constitutive nitric oxide synthase using Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-recapitulates the numerous systemic and cardiovascular features of HFpEF in humans. Expression of one of the unfolded protein response effectors, the spliced form of X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1s), was reduced in the myocardium of our rodent model and in humans with HFpEF. Mechanistically, the decrease in XBP1s resulted from increased activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and S-nitrosylation of the endonuclease inositol-requiring protein 1α (IRE1α), culminating in defective XBP1 splicing. Pharmacological or genetic suppression of iNOS, or cardiomyocyte-restricted overexpression of XBP1s, each ameliorated the HFpEF phenotype. We report that iNOS-driven dysregulation of the IRE1α-XBP1 pathway is a crucial mechanism of cardiomyocyte dysfunction in HFpEF.

PKG1-modified TSC2 regulates mTORC1 activity to counter adverse cardiac stress.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex-1 (mTORC1) coordinates regulation of growth, metabolism, protein synthesis and autophagy1. Its hyperactivation contributes to disease in numerous organs, including the heart1,2, although broad inhibition of mTORC1 risks interference with its homeostatic roles. Tuberin (TSC2) is a GTPase-activating protein and prominent intrinsic regulator of mTORC1 that acts through modulation of RHEB (Ras homologue enriched in brain). TSC2 constitutively inhibits mTORC1; however, this activity is modified by phosphorylation from multiple signalling kinases that in turn inhibits (AMPK and GSK-3ß) or stimulates (AKT, ERK and RSK-1) mTORC1 activity3-9. Each kinase requires engagement of multiple serines, impeding analysis of their role in vivo. Here we show that phosphorylation or gain- or loss-of-function mutations at either of two adjacent serine residues in TSC2 (S1365 and S1366 in mice; S1364 and S1365 in humans) can bidirectionally control mTORC1 activity stimulated by growth factors or haemodynamic stress, and consequently modulate cell growth and autophagy. However, basal mTORC1 activity remains unchanged. In the heart, or in isolated cardiomyocytes or fibroblasts, protein kinase G1 (PKG1) phosphorylates these TSC2 sites. PKG1 is a primary effector of nitric oxide and natriuretic peptide signalling, and protects against heart disease10-13. Suppression of hypertrophy and stimulation of autophagy in cardiomyocytes by PKG1 requires TSC2 phosphorylation. Homozygous knock-in mice that express a phosphorylation-silencing mutation in TSC2 (TSC2(S1365A)) develop worse heart disease and have higher mortality after sustained pressure overload of the heart, owing to mTORC1 hyperactivity that cannot be rescued by PKG1 stimulation. However, cardiac disease is reduced and survival of heterozygote Tsc2S1365A knock-in mice subjected to the same stress is improved by PKG1 activation or expression of a phosphorylation-mimicking mutation (TSC2(S1365E)). Resting mTORC1 activity is not altered in either knock-in model. Therefore, TSC2 phosphorylation is both required and sufficient for PKG1-mediated cardiac protection against pressure overload. The serine residues identified here provide a genetic tool for bidirectional regulation of the amplitude of stress-stimulated mTORC1 activity.

High-throughput selection of cells based on accumulated growth and division using PicoShell particles.

Production of high-energy lipids by microalgae may provide a sustainable energy source that can help tackle climate change. However, microalgae engineered to produce more lipids usually grow slowly, leading to reduced overall yields. Unfortunately, culture vessels used to select cells based on growth while maintaining high biomass production, such as well plates, water-in-oil droplet emulsions, and nanowell arrays, do not provide production-relevant environments that cells experience in scaled-up cultures (e.g., bioreactors or outdoor cultivation farms). As a result, strains that are developed in the laboratory may not exhibit the same beneficial phenotypic behavior when transferred to industrial production. Here, we introduce PicoShells, picoliter-scale porous hydrogel compartments, that enable >100,000 individual cells to be compartmentalized, cultured in production-relevant environments, and selected based on growth and bioproduct accumulation traits using standard flow cytometers. PicoShells consist of a hollow inner cavity where cells are encapsulated and a porous outer shell that allows for continuous solution exchange with the external environment. PicoShells allow for cell growth directly in culture environments, such as shaking flasks and bioreactors. We experimentally demonstrate that Chlorella sp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Chinese hamster ovary cells, used for bioproduction, grow to significantly larger colony sizes in PicoShells than in water-in-oil droplet emulsions (P < 0.05). We also demonstrate that PicoShells containing faster dividing and growing Chlorella clonal colonies can be selected using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter and regrown. Using the PicoShell process, we select a Chlorella population that accumulates chlorophyll 8% faster than does an unselected population after a single selection cycle.

Phase 1/2 trials of human bone marrow-derived clonal mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play important roles in therapeutic applications by regulating immune responses. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the safety and efficacy of allogenic human bone marrow-derived clonal MSCs (hcMSCs) in subjects with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: The study included a phase 1 open-label trial followed by a phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that involved 72 subjects with moderate to severe AD. RESULTS: In phase 1, intravenous administration of hcMSCs at 2 doses (1 × 106 and 5 × 105 cells/kg) was safe and well tolerated in 20 subjects. Because there was no difference between the 2 dosage groups (P = .9), it was decided to administer low-dose hcMSCs only for phase 2. In phase 2, subjects receiving 3 weekly intravenous infusions of hcMSCs at 5 × 105 cells/kg showed a higher proportion of an Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI)-50 response at week 12 compared to the placebo group (P = .038). The differences between groups in the Dermatology Life Quality Index and pruritus numeric rating scale scores were not statistically significant. Most adverse events were mild or moderate and resolved by the end of the study period. CONCLUSIONS: The hcMSC treatment resulted in a significantly higher rate of EASI-50 at 12 weeks compared to the control group in subjects with moderate to severe AD. The safety profile of hcMSC treatment was acceptable. Further larger-scale studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary findings.

Facile Fabrication of Multifunctional Hydrogel Nanoweb Coating Using Carboxymethyl Chitosan-Based Short Nanofibers for Blood-Contacting Medical Devices.

Blood-contacting medical devices (BCDs) require antithrombotic, antibacterial, and low-friction surfaces. Incorporating a nanostructured surface with the functional hydrogel onto BCD surfaces can enhance the performances; however, their fabrication remains challenging. Here, we introduce a straightforward method to fabricate a multifunctional hydrogel-based nanostructure on BCD surfaces using O-carboxymethyl chitosan-based short nanofibers (CMC-SNFs). CMC-SNFs, fabricated via electrospinning and cutting processes, are easily sprayed and entangled onto the BCD surface. The deposited CMC-SNFs form a robust nanoweb layer via fusion at the contact area of the nanofiber interfaces. The superhydrophilic CMC-SNF nanoweb surface creates a water-bound layer that effectively prevents the nonspecific adhesion of bacteria and blood cells, thereby enhancing both antimicrobial and antithrombotic performances. Furthermore, the CMC-SNF nanoweb exhibits excellent lubricity and durability on the bovine aorta. The demonstration results of the CMC-SNF coating on catheters and sheaths provide evidence of its capability to apply multifunctional surfaces simply for diverse BCDs.