Immunology Insights

Drivers of Development
New research has uncovered insight into how the loss of TET enzymes plays a role in B cell lymphoma onset (1). Deleting TET2 and TET3 in mature B cells in a mouse model of lymphoma led to marks associated with double-strand breaks, which were then associated with increased G-quadruplexes and R-loops.

Immuno Insights
Researchers have investigated dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) activity underlying inflammatory diseases (2). “We have identified a novel functional ligand of DCIR, likely involved in the pathogenesis of arthritis and other autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis,” said senior author Yoichiro Iwakura (3). Their work could advance research into immunology and glycobiology in inflammatory diseases.

Matters of the Heart
High blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and heart attack have been found to lead to structural and functional changes in the blood vessels in human bone marrow and mice (4). This resulted in an increase in white blood cells – causing inflammation throughout the body, including the arteries and heart.

Oxygen Observations
Scientists have used two-photon phosphorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to measure oxygen concentration in live mice (5). “Through this study, we suggest a new approach to understand the physiological mechanisms of living organisms by accurately measuring the concentration of biomolecules deep in biological tissues,” said lead author Keizo Nishikaw (6).

Testing Peto’s Paradox
Ever wondered why elephants and whales have low rates of cancer despite their large size and cell populations? An intense evaluation of Peto’s paradox has found that, across species, risk is largely independent of body mass and life expectancy (7). However, a carnivorous diet is associated with increased cancer-related mortality.

Credit: Shukla et al.

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References

1. 1. V Shukla et al., Nat Immunol, 23, 99 (2021). PMID: 34937926.
   3. T Kaifu et al., J Exp Med, 218, e20210435 (2021). PMID: 34817551.
   5. Tokyo University of Science (2021). Available at: https://bit.ly/3r60Td5.
   7. D Rohde et al., Nat Cardiov Res, [Online ahead of print] (2021).
   9. K Nishikawa et al., EMBO Rep, 22, e53035 (2021). PMID: 34661337.
   11. Doshisha University (2021). Available at: https://bit.ly/3F9prXy.
   13. O Vincze et al., Nature, [Online ahead of print] (2021). PMID: 34937938.

About the Author(s)

Liv Gaskill

During my undergraduate degree in psychology and Master’s in neuroimaging for clinical and cognitive neuroscience, I realized the tasks my classmates found tedious – writing essays, editing, proofreading – were the ones that gave me the greatest satisfaction. I quickly gathered that rambling on about science in the bar wasn’t exactly riveting for my non-scientist friends, so my thoughts turned to a career in science writing. At Texere, I get to craft science into stories, interact with international experts, and engage with readers who love science just as much as I do.

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