�����ƽ��

Human pancreas development remains incompletely characterized due to restricted sample access. We investigate whether pigs resemble humans in pancreas development, offering a complementary large-animal model. As pig pancreas organogenesis is unexplored, we first annotate developmental hallmarks throughout its 114-day gestation. Building on this, we construct a pig single-cell multiome pancreas atlas across all trimesters. Cross-species comparisons reveal pigs resemble humans more closely than mice in developmental tempo, epigenetic and transcriptional regulation, and gene regulatory networks. This further extends to progenitor dynamics and endocrine fate acquisition. Transcription factors regulated by NEUROG3, the endocrine master regulator, are over 50% conserved between pig and human, many being validated in human stem cell models. Notably, we uncover that during embryonic development, emerging beta-cell heterogeneity coincides with a species-conserved primed endocrine cell (PEC) population alongside NEUROG3-expressing cells. Overall, our work lays the foundation for comparative investigations and offers unprecedented insights into evolutionarily conserved pancreas organogenesis mechanisms across animal models. This study establishes the pig as a complementary model for studying human pancreas development. It shows pigs mimic human developmental tempo, gene regulation, and endocrine cell emergence, offering a valuable large-animal model for developmental biology.

In frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the RNA-binding protein TDP-43 is depleted from the nucleus of neurons in the brain and spinal cord. A key function of TDP-43 has emerged as a repressor of cryptic exon inclusion during pre-mRNA splicing, but a role for TDP-43 in other RNA-processing events remains unresolved. Here we show that loss of TDP-43 from neuronal nuclei of human brain and disease-causing mutations in TDP-43 are associated with widespread changes in alternative polyadenylation (APA). Using high-resolution polyadenylation site mapping, we comprehensively defined TDP-43-regulated APA events in human stem cell-derived neurons and found that both the strength and position of TDP-43 binding influence polyA site usage. APA events caused by loss of TDP-43 impact expression of disease-relevant genes (for example, SFPQ, NEFL and TMEM106B). These findings provide evidence that, in addition to cryptic exon inclusion, APA changes are a new facet of TDP-43 pathology. Zeng et al. show that TDP-43, known for repressing cryptic exon usage in frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also controls alternative polyadenylation, impacting expression of disease-linked genes (SFPQ, NEFL and TMEM106B).

Osthol (OST), a natural coumarin, exhibits anti-inflammatory and metabolism-regulating potential. This study investigated whether OST ameliorates obesity-associated metabolic dysregulation and inflammation by targeting ADRA1D-mediated T helper 17 (Th17) differentiation. High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice were treated with OST. Metabolic parameters including body/organ weights, serum lipids, hepatic enzymes, and histopathology were assessed. Th17-related and inflammatory markers were evaluated via flow cytometry, ELISA, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. In vitro Th17 differentiation (primary murine CD4⁺ T cells) and lipid metabolism (3T3-L1 adipocytes) models were used. ADRA1D was identified as a key target via bioinformatics and validated through overexpression in cells and mice. OST significantly reduced HFD-induced weight gain, liver and fat mass, serum triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic lipid deposition, and adipocyte hypertrophy. OST suppressed Th17 differentiation, CD4⁺IL-17A⁺ and CD4⁺RORγt⁺ cell proportions, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17A, IL-6, TNF-α), while elevating anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-β). OST downregulated IL-17RA, TRAF6, and Act1 expression and inhibited ERK1/2 and PI3K phosphorylation. In vitro studies confirmed the dose-dependent inhibitory effect of OST on Th17 polarization. Mechanistically, OST modulated Th17-related signaling via ADRA1D. ADRA1D overexpression partially reversed OST-mediated suppression of Th17 differentiation, expression of lipogenic genes (FASN, PPARγ), and lipid droplet accumulation. In vivo, ADRA1D overexpression attenuated the beneficial effects of OST on metabolic parameters and tissue inflammation, confirming ADRA1D dependence. OST ameliorates obesity-related metabolic dysregulation and inflammation by inhibiting ADRA1D-mediated Th17 differentiation, highlighting ADRA1D as a key mediator and potential therapeutic target for immunometabolic disorders.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are promising anti-cancer agents but remain underexplored in glioblastoma (GBM). This study evaluated the effects of three HDACis—CAY10603, vorinostat (SAHA), and valproic acid (VPA)—on human GBM cell lines (U87, MGG8) with immortalized human astrocytes (IHAs) as healthy controls. HDACis were tested alone or in combination with temozolomide (TMZ), the standard chemotherapy for GBM, in both 2D (monolayer) and 3D (neurosphere) cultures. Additionally, co-culture of GBM cells with macrophages (M0, biochemically differentiated from THP-1 human monocytes) was used to examine the impact of HDACis on cancer-immune interactions. Results demonstrated that all three HDACis significantly reduced cell viability and synergistically enhanced the effect of TMZ. CAY10603 and SAHA induced early apoptosis and upregulated caspase 3 (CASP3) expression, whereas VPA primarily induced late apoptosis and necrosis in GBM cultures. VPA induced both G0/G1 and G2/M cell cycle arrest, while SAHA and CAY10603 only induced G2/M arrest. mRNA expression analysis following HDACi treatment in U87 neurospheres revealed that HDACis inhibited expression of markers for epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), proliferation, and stemness pathways. In U87-M0 co-cultures, we observed significant upregulation of stemness markers and the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α following CAY10603 and VPA treatments. In contrast, TMZ monotherapy upregulated the expression of the immunosuppressive cytokine TGF-\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\:\beta\:$$\end{document}. These findings suggest that HDAC inhibition—including the novel small molecule CAY10603—sensitizes GBM to temozolomide and confers potent anti-tumor effects that combat GBM (e.g., reducing proliferation, EMT, stemness). Among the HDAC inhibitors tested, CAY10603 exhibited the most potent anti-tumor effect in 3D neurosphere and macrophage co-culture models, significantly enhancing apoptosis and disrupting pro-tumorigenic and anti-inflammatory signaling in GBM. Our in vitro findings —e.g., with 3D neurospheres that better mimic physiological tumor growth than 2D monolayers—warrant future in vivo testing of HDACis alone or in combination with chemotherapy.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-20749-5.

Targeting cancer cell plasticity through chromatin organization is an emerging research area, yet the molecular mechanisms that govern chromatin loop formation remain unclear. Here, we develop a CRISPR screen based on our engineered live-cell CTCF-cohesin contact reporters to identify regulators of chromatin loops. Our findings reveal that tousled-like kinase 2 (TLK2) functions as a key regulator of chromatin loop formation during the cancer stemness transition. Mechanistically, TLK2 phosphorylates DYNLL1, enhancing its interaction with CTCF to promote CTCF-cohesin hub formation at the KLF4 locus. Suppressing TLK2 impairs cancer stemness plasticity, sensitizes cancer cells to cytotoxic stress in vitro, and reduces lung metastases and enhances immunotherapy response in breast cancer mouse models. Clinically, elevated TLK2 expression correlates with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. Collectively, these findings identify TLK2 as a potential therapeutic target for mitigating cancer stemness plasticity, highlighting chromatin loop-targeting therapy as a promising strategy to eradicate cancer stem cells. Aberration of chromatin organisation is linked to cancer progression and cancer cell plasticity. Here, the authors investigate changes in chromatin state during the transition of cancer cells to cancer stem cells and, using a CTCF-cohesin contact reporter CRISPR screen, identify TLK2 as a driver of plasticity via regulation of chromatin loop formation.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) is a haematological malignancy commonly driven by NOTCH1 activating mutations. A concomitant feature associated with NOTCH1 mutations is heightened oxidative metabolism enabling the exponential proliferation of T-ALL blasts. As such, targeting mitochondrial metabolism in T-ALL is an attractive therapeutic avenue. Related to this, canagliflozin (cana), is an FDA-approved sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor with known off-target effects on complex I and glutamate dehydrogenase, but its potential anti-leukaemic effects remain unexplored. Here, we show that cana possesses potent anti-leukaemic effects underpinned by proliferative defects, cell cycle disruption and apoptosis. These anti-leukaemic effects driven by cana, are attributed to a perturbed tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and mitochondrial metabolism, and elevated mitochondrial ROS. Proteomic analysis revealed that cana treatment resulted in a compensatory increase in the expression of ATF4 targets, including upregulation of serine biosynthesis pathway and one-carbon metabolism enzymes. As such, restriction of serine and glycine synergized with cana treatment, further enhancing its anti-leukaemic effects. Collectively, our study reveals a cana-driven metabolic vulnerability that can be further exploited via dietary manipulation to treat T-ALL. Highlights•Canagliflozin impairs human T-ALL proliferation, and impacts viability, extending to a broad range of genetic subtypes.•Cana reprogrammes the proteome in T-ALL leading to compensatory increases in serine, glycine and one carbon metabolism.•Restriction of serine/glycine synergistically complemented canagliflozin treatment by heightening T-ALL apoptosis.

Neurons, as long-lived non-dividing cells with complex morphology, depend on a highly elaborate secretory trafficking system which enables a constant turnover of proteins and membranes. Previously, it was shown that simplified, Golgi-related structures called Golgi satellites (GS) are present in the dendrites of primary hippocampal neurons. These organelles are distinct from the somatic Golgi complex and are involved in de novo glycosylation and local forward trafficking of membrane proteins. However, the question of whether GS are also targeted to the axons of principal neurons remained unanswered. In this study, we investigated the subcellular distribution of GS in adult hippocampal neurons. Our findings showed that GS are present all along the axon, extending to the distal tips of the growth cone. Similar to dendritic GS, the axonal organelles are labeled by the same GS markers and are capable of mature glycosylation. Live imaging experiments revealed the presence of both mobile and immobile GS in the axon, and that the switch between active transport and stalling of GS was modulated by neuronal firing. We found that GS frequently pause at en passant synapses and remain stationary for longer time periods at activated pre-synaptic boutons. This behavior is dependent on the actin cytoskeleton and the actin-based motor protein myosin VI. Overall, our study demonstrates that neuronal activity can dynamically regulate the positioning of GS in the axon, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms underlying organelle trafficking in neurons.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00018-025-05896-2.

ABSTRACTActivating immune receptors provides mechanisms for phagocytes to elicit important effector functions that promote the killing of microbes. Leukocyte immunoglobulin‐like receptor A5 (LILRA5), an orphan immune receptor expressed by human phagocytes and co‐localising with FcRγ, remains poorly characterised. To address this, we developed a highly specific anti‐LILRA5 monoclonal antibody that has agonistic properties. We show LILRA5 expression on naïve monocytes and neutrophils, and that ligation of LILRA5 stimulates ROS production. While increased LILRA5 transcripts have been associated with sepsis, we also observed increased levels in patients with systemic infection but without sepsis complications. Ex vivo bacterial infection of whole blood did not alter surface LILRA5 expression, but LPS stimulation changed expression levels, indicating that surface LILRA5 expression is dynamic and likely regulated post‐transcriptionally, changing responses to different stimuli or over time. Soluble (s)LILRA5 was enhanced in sera from sepsis patients and in supernatants of monocytes that were LPS‐stimulated, indicating that shedding of LILRA5 from cell surfaces or that expression of sLILRA5 isoforms provides a mechanism to regulate surface LILRA5 expression levels. Finally, we show that altered surface LILRA5 expression influences LILRA5‐induced ROS production capacity. Thus, LILRA5 is a dynamically regulated activating receptor expressed on phagocytes that stimulates ROS production. Ligation of the activating LILRA5 receptor specifically stimulates ROS production by monocytes and neutrophils. Though LILRA5 transcripts are upregulated upon immune stimulation, surface LILRA5 expressions are dynamically regulated. Enhanced soluble LILRA5 was observed during immune challenge, suggesting that dynamic regulation of LILRA5 modulates ROS induction and innate immune responses.

Severely impaired mucociliary airway function is the primary pathomechanism in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Despite significant advances in CF therapy, there is still a critical need for alternative, individualized treatment options, especially for patients with untreatable CFTR mutations. Although intestinal organoids and primary airway cells are widely used as preclinical models of CF, both systems exhibit limitations with regard to the proper modelling of mucociliary clearance or the availability of sufficient cell quantities. Patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a promising alternative due to their unlimited expansion potential and capacity to differentiate into airway epithelia. However, cellular inhomogeneities in iPSC-derived airway cultures complicated conventional assays that determine CFTR function such as Ussing chamber measurements, and a comprehensive demonstration of CF pathophysiology in hiPSC-derived airway models has been largely lacking. This study provides comprehensive data demonstrating very similar gene expression, (ultra)structure and CFTR function in CF iPSC-derived airway (iALI) and primary airway (pALI) cultures. Addressing current limitations, we have implemented a sensitive, straightforward, and automatable ciliary beat frequency (CBF) assay, which is largely unaffected by inhomogeneities and directly reflects disturbed mucus viscosity and mucociliary transport in CF lung disease. Electron microscopy images confirmed the disease phenotype showing a highly dense and dehydrated mucus layer on top of CF iALI cultures. Furthermore, established CFTR modulator drugs partially rescued the disease phenotype in CF iALI cultures, which validated the utility of iALI cultures as a scalable, patient-specific platform for CF research and personalized drug development.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-025-04737-0.

BackgroundAirway basal cells have been shown to play important roles in lung disease, prompting their use in research involving 3-dimensional (3D) organoid culture. Mouse tracheal basal cells (MTBC) represent a key model in understanding the differentiation of airway basal cells in normal development and diseased states. The isolation, expansion, and culture media of basal cells can affect their capacity to maintain stemness and properly differentiate, thereby introducing unknown experimental variables. As MTBC use in 3D organoid culture proceeds, there is an increasing need for comparative studies to identify unknown experimental variables. In this study, we examined the effects of MTBC expansion media on the differentiation and tracheosphere-forming ability in 3D culture.MethodsMTBC were isolated from mouse tracheas, and three commonly used airway basal cell media were compared during MTBC expansion in cell culture (hereafter referred to as Media 1, 2, and 3). Following expansion, MTBC were cultured identically in 3D conditions to analyze tracheosphere-forming capability. Image analyses were performed to characterize tracheosphere count, size, and morphology, while metabolic and transcriptomic signatures were analyzed to assess MTBC differentiation in 3D culture.ResultsExpansion of MTBC in the three distinct media resulted in subsequent 3D tracheospheres that displayed unique metabolite and gene expression profiles, accompanied by overall changes in tracheosphere count and size. MTBC expanded in Medium 1 displayed lower levels of TCA cycle intermediates, along with lowered expression of differentiation markers Foxj1 and Scgb1a1, compared to MTBC expanded in Media 2 or 3. Pathway analysis showed an upregulation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis signaling pathways in tracheospheres cultured from MTBC expanded in Media 2 or 3.ConclusionThis study identified several key differences in tracheosphere-forming ability of MTBC resulting from MTBC expansion media and highlights the importance of transparency in cell culture protocols, particularly those involving stem cells or 3D culture.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12860-025-00554-8.

Gene therapy using lentiviral vectors offers a promising alternative treatment for β-thalassemia, a common monogenic blood disorder. Although the BB305 vector has demonstrated long-term clinical success—enabling most β-thalassemia patients to become transfusion-independent and substantially reducing vaso-occlusive events in sickle cell disease—there remains a significant opportunity to enhance its efficacy and lower production costs. Here, we present G2B, a novel hemoglobin beta gene (HBB) lentiviral vector derived from BB305-like constructs (BB305L), engineered by shortening the locus control region (LCR) and incorporating a mutated HBG2 promoter. Compared to BB305L, G2B achieves a ~4-fold increase in lentiviral titer and a 60% boost in β-globin expression. In a transplantation model using Hbbth4/Hbb+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, G2B demonstrates robust therapeutic efficacy without compromising integration safety. These findings suggest that G2B may offer a more potent, efficient, and potentially cost-effective gene therapy option for β-thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies.

CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells are the primary defenses against tumor cells. The tumor microenvironment impairs their antitumor capabilities, including the ability to infiltrate the tumor. Our laboratory has shown that tumors suppress T cells by inhibiting KCa3.1 K+ channel activity that controls cytokine release, cytotoxicity, and chemotaxis. However, little is known about the role of K+ channels in the anti-tumor activity of NK cells. Here, we investigated KCa3.1 channels’ role in human NK cell function in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Selective blockade of KCa3.1 using TRAM-34 inhibited chemotaxis of NK cells from both healthy donors and patients with HNSCC, while KCa3.1pharmacological activation increased chemotaxis and cytotoxicity. SKA-31, a selective KCa3.1 activator, enhanced antitumor immune responses in a humanized HNSCC mouse model generated by implanting Cal27 cells and healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells into immunodeficient mice. SKA-31 treatment resulted in a 7-fold increase in total NK cells and a 23-fold increase in functionally active (granzyme B-positive) NK cells in these tumors. These data highlight the critical role of KCa3.1 channels in antitumor immunity and open the possibility of targeting KCa3.1 to develop new immunotherapies for HNSCC.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-20101-x.