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Fc-Mediated Pan-Sarbecovirus Protection After Alphavirus Vector Vaccination

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Group 2B β-coronaviruses (i.e., sarbecoviruses) have resulted in regional and global epidemics. Here, the authors evaluate the mechanisms of cross-sarbecovirus protective immunity using a panel of alphavirus-vectored vaccines covering bat to human strains. They reported that vaccination does not prevent virus replication, but it protects against lethal heterologous disease outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 and clade 2 bat sarbecovirus challenge models. Full-length spike vaccines elicited the broadest pan-sarbecovirus protection.

Naturally Occurring Osteochondrosis Latens Lesions Identified by Quantitative and Morphological 10.5 T MRI in Pigs

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Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) is a pediatric orthopedic disorder that is associated with pain and gait deficits. JOCD lesions form in the knee, elbow, and ankle joints and can progress to early-onset osteoarthritis. In this study, researchers used a noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method to identify naturally occurring lesions in intact knee and elbow joints of juvenile pigs. This work can be applied to noninvasive identification and monitoring of early JOCD lesions and determination of risk factors that contribute to their progression in children.

Pancreatic Cancer Cells Upregulate LPAR4 in Response to Isolation Stress to Promote an ECM-Enriched Niche and Support Tumour Initiation

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Understanding drivers of tumor initiation is critical for cancer therapy. Investigators found transient increase of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 4 (LPAR4) in pancreatic cancer cells exposed to environmental stress or chemotherapy. LPAR4 induced tumor initiation, stress tolerance, and drug resistance by downregulating miR-139-5p, a tumor suppressor, and upregulating fibronectin.

Newly Identified Roles for PIEZO1 Mechanosensor in Controlling Normal Megakaryocyte Development and in Primary Myelofibrosis

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Mechanisms through which mature megakaryocytes (Mks) and their progenitors sense the bone marrow extracellular matrix to promote lineage differentiation are only partially understood. The authors report that PIEZO1, a mechanosensitive cation channel, is expressed in mouse and human Mks, and activation of PIEZO1 increased the number of immature Mks in mice. Piezo1/2 knockout mice show an increase in Mk size and platelet count, both at basal state and upon marrow regeneration.

Profile of a Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist and Researcher: Heather Shive, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVP

Since her childhood, Dr. Heather Shive (Figure 1) has been interested in working with animals. This interest, combined with a love of scientific inquiry, led her on the path to becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) who specializes in anatomic pathology, as well as a cancer researcher.

K01 Awardee Studies Innovative Approaches to Induce Protective Immunity Against HIV

Dr. Mauricio Martins has long been fascinated by the complexity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its relevance to public health. “The virus…is able to overcome the most sophisticated defenses in the immune system,” Dr. Martins explained. As an immunologist, he is interested in developing new ways to harness the immune system to eliminate HIV.

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