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A LGR5 Reporter Pig Model Closely Resembles Human Intestine for Improved Study of Stem Cells in Disease

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The constant epithelial regeneration in the intestine is the sole responsibility of intestinal epithelial stem cells (ISCs), which reside deep in the intestinal crypt structures. To effectively study ISCs, tools to identify this cell population are necessary. This study validates ISC isolation in a new porcine Leucine Rich Repeat Containing G Protein–Coupled Receptor 5 (LGR5) reporter line and demonstrates the use of these pigs as a novel colorectal cancer model. Overall, this novel porcine model provides critical advancement to the field of translational gastrointestinal research.

Probiotic Therapy During Vaccination Alters Antibody Response to Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection But Not to Commensals

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Strategies to boost vaccine-induced mucosal humoral responses are critical to developing an HIV-1 vaccine, and probiotic supplementation could help boost antibody responses. Researchers analyzed antibody titers to explore this topic in rhesus macaques (sex not specified) infected with simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV). They reported that probiotic treatment during vaccination led to delayed kinetics in the circulating HIV-specific IgA response after breakthrough SHIV infection.

Ion Channel Function in Translational Bovine Gallbladder Cholangiocyte Organoids: Establishment and Characterization of a Novel Model System

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The study of biliary physiology and pathophysiology has long been hindered by the lack of in vitro models that accurately reflect the complex functions of the biliary system. Recent advancements in 3D organoid technology may offer a promising solution to this issue. Bovine gallbladder models have recently gained attention in the investigation of human diseases due to their remarkable similarities in physiology and pathophysiology to the human gallbladder.

In Vivo MRI Is Sensitive to Remyelination in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Multiple Sclerosis

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Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the common marmoset is a model for studying inflammatory demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers investigated the feasibility and sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in characterizing remyelination, a crucial step to recover from MS. Investigators demonstrated that multisequence 7T MRI could detect spontaneous remyelination in marmoset EAE at high statistical sensitivity and specificity in vivo.

PGRN Deficiency Exacerbates, Whereas a Brain Penetrant PGRN Derivative Protects, GBA1 Mutation–Associated Pathologies and Diseases

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Mutations in GBA1 are associated with Gaucher disease (GD) and are also genetic risks in developing Parkinson’s disease (PD). Investigators created a mouse model and demonstrated that progranulin (PGRN) deficiency in Gba1 mutant mice caused early onset and exacerbated GD phenotypes, leading to substantial increases in substrate accumulation and inflammation in visceral organs and the central nervous system. These in vivo and ex vivo data demonstrated that PGRN plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression.

Conduction-Dominated Cryomesh for Organism Vitrification

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Vitrification-based cryopreservation via cryomesh is a promising approach for maintaining biodiversity, health care, and sustainable food production via long-term preservation of biological systems. Here, researchers conducted a series of experiments aimed at optimizing the cooling and rewarming rates of cryomesh to increase the viability of various cryopreserved biosystems. They found that vitrification was significantly improved by increasing thermal conductivity, reducing mesh wire diameter and pore size, and minimizing the nitrogen vapor barrier of the conduction-dominated cryomesh.

A New Method for Drosophila Cryopreservation Overcomes Longstanding Challenges

For biologists, cryopreservation holds major potential for numerous areas of research. The process of vitrifying (i.e., storing in glass to avoid the damaging effects of ice) biological samples—ranging from single cells to whole organisms—can be applied to such areas as biopharmaceutical testing, biological dressings, cell transplantation, and maintenance of genetic stocks.

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