2022
Publication by the S.M. Siegner et al.: Adenine base editing efficiently restores the function of Fanconi anemia hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
In Fanconi Anemia (FA), a genetic disorder associated with bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition, DNA repair is defective, and consequently homology directed repair (HDR)-based editing is impaired in FA. We show that base editing approach is a feasible approach for efficient restoration of function in FA patient hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
Publication by the Corn group: A CRISPR view on autophagy.
We provide a comprehensive review on CRISPR’s impact on autophagy research. We outline the major considerations for CRISPR-based genetic manipulations in autophagy, with a focus on genome-wide screening, as well as various reporter systems for high-throughput autophagy quantification.
Publication by Hiebert et al.: Activation of Nrf2 in fibroblasts promotes a skin aging phenotype via an Nrf2-miRNA-collagen axis.
Hiebert et al. show that constitutive activation of the Nrf2 transcription factor in fibroblasts causes reduced skin strength as seen in aged mice. This results from Nrf2-mediated expression of microRNAs that target mRNAs of major skin collagens. Together with human data, these results identify activated NRF2 as a promoter of age-related molecular and biomechanical skin features.
Publication by Ben-Yehuda Greenwald et al.: Topical wound treatment with a nitric oxide releasing PDE5 inhibitor formulation enhances blood perfusion and promotes healing in mice.
Ben-Yehuda Greenwald et al. investigated the effect of topical application of an NO-releasing phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor-containing hydrogel on wound repair. The treatment promoted re-epithelialization and angiogenesis in wounds of healthy and healing-impaired diabetic mice. It also increased the microvascular network density and promoted blood perfusion of the wounds. These data encourage its further development as a wound therapeutic.
Publication by LaPIerre et al.: MicroRNA-7 regulates melanocortin circuits involved in mammalian energy homeostasis.
The hypothalamus controls energy homeostasis. Here, the authors show that loss of miR-7 in hypothalamic neurons causes obesity, increased growth, and endocrine dysfunction in mice. In humans, genetic evidence links miR-7 to height and adiposity.