Category: 8. Health

  • AI-Powered Universal Strategy for Protein Engineering Unveiled

    AI-Powered Universal Strategy for Protein Engineering Unveiled

    A team of Chinese researchers led by Prof. GAO Caixia from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a groundbreaking method that could transform the field of protein engineering. The new approach, called AI-informed Constraints for protein Engineering (AiCE), enables rapid and efficient protein evolution by integrating structural and evolutionary constraints into a generic inverse folding model—without the need to train specialized artificial intelligence (AI) models.

    The study, published in Cell on July 7, addresses many of the challenges associated with traditional protein engineering techniques.

    The ideal protein engineering strategy would achieve optimal performance with minimal effort. However, existing approaches are often limited in terms of cost, efficiency, and scalability. Current AI-based protein engineering methods are often computationally intensive, underscoring the need for more accessible and user-friendly alternatives that preserve predictive accuracy and enable broader adoption across the research community.

    In this study, the researchers first developed AiCEsingle, a module designed to predict high-fitness (HF) single amino acid substitutions. It enhances prediction accuracy by extensively sampling inverse folding models—AI models that generate compatible amino acid sequences based on protein 3D structures—while incorporating structural constraints.

    Benchmarking against 60 deep mutational scanning (DMS) datasets demonstrated that AiCEsingle outperforms other AI-based methods by 36–90%. Its effectiveness for complex proteins and protein–nucleic acid complexes was also validated. Notably, incorporating structural constraints alone yielded a 37% improvement in accuracy.

    To address the challenge of negative epistatic interactions in combinatorial mutations, the researchers developed the AiCEmulti module, which integrates evolutionary coupling constraints. This allows for accurate prediction of multiple high-fitness mutations at minimal computational cost, expanding the tool’s versatility and practical utility.

    Using the AiCE framework, the researchers successfully evolved eight proteins with diverse structures and functions, including deaminases, nuclear localization sequences, nucleases, and reverse transcriptases. These engineered proteins have enabled the creation of several next-generation base editors for applications in precision medicine and molecular breeding. These include: enABE8e, a cytosine base editor with a ~50% narrower editing window; enSdd6-CBE, an adenine base editor with 1.3× higher fidelity; and enDdd1-DdCBE, a mitochondrial base editor showing a 13× increase in activity.

    AiCE represents a simple, efficient and broadly applicable strategy for protein engineering. By unlocking the potential of existing AI models, it offers a promising new direction for the field and enhances the interpretability of AI-driven protein redesign.

    /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.

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  • Common bacteria found in the stomach has no symptoms but could cause 12 million cancers, study warns

    Common bacteria found in the stomach has no symptoms but could cause 12 million cancers, study warns

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    A common bacteria found in the stomach could cause nearly 12 million cancers among people born over a single decade, a new study suggests.

    Over the course of their lives, 15.6 million people born between 2008 and 2017 are expected to develop stomach cancer – and 76 per cent may be caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, according to the study published in the journal Nature Medicine.

    Stomach cancer is largely preventable, but the prognosis is poor once a patient is diagnosed. It is the fifth most common form of cancer worldwide, killing an estimated 770,000 people per year.

    Chronic infection with H. pylori is a major cause, and it helps explain the rise in stomach cancers among young people in recent years, the study found.

    Most people are infected with H. pylori as children, and they may be infected for years without knowing it because the infection doesn’t cause symptoms. But it can also cause ulcers or inflammation in the stomach lining.

    The bacteria can spread by mouth, for example kissing, or through contact with vomit or stool.

    Where stomach cancer cases will rise

    Researchers from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cancer research agency analysed stomach cancer data from 185 countries in 2022.

    They projected that under current trends, 11.9 million people could be diagnosed with stomach cancer attributable to H. pylori infection by 2101, which is the year someone born in 2017 would turn 84.

    The vast majority of bacteria-linked stomach cancer cases – 8 million – are expected in Asia. Another nearly 471,000 cases are projected in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.

    The burden of stomach cancer is also shifting globally. While sub-Saharan Africa currently has relatively few cases, the researchers expect stomach cancer cases tied to H. pylori to rise to 1.4 million by 2101 – six times higher than the rate in 2022 – due to ageing and population changes.

    “With demographic changes set to increase the gastric cancer burden in many parts of the world, there is an urgent need for coordinated prevention strategies and for regional health systems to be prepared to manage the growing burden,” said Dr Jin Young Park, one of the study’s co-authors and head of the gastric cancer prevention team at the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

    The study has some limitations, notably poor data quality in lower-income countries that can make it harder to make confident predictions.

    But the researchers said the data is clear enough for health authorities around the world to take action.

    They called for countries to invest in initiatives to screen and quickly treat people for H. pylori infection. Their analysis shows that such programmes could reduce the number of expected stomach cancer cases by up to 75 per cent.

    “It is essential that health authorities make gastric cancer prevention a priority and accelerate efforts to control it,” Park said.

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  • Endometriosis linked to higher pregnancy rates vs other infertility causes

    Endometriosis linked to higher pregnancy rates vs other infertility causes

    Endometriosis linked to higher pregnancy rates vs other infertility causes | Image Credit: © Peakstock – © Peakstock – stock.adobe.com.

    Pregnancy rates are 4 times higher in patients with endometriosis vs those with other causes of infertility, according to a recent study presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).1

    Understanding endometriosis and fertility

    The trial included over 4 million women in England across 30 years, providing hope for endometriosis patients with plans to conceive. Lucky Saraswat, PhD, senior lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, hypothesized that increased awareness about endometriosis may lead women to seek fertility care sooner, increasing the odds of a successful pregnancy.1

    “Endometriosis can vary in how it affects fertility,” said Saraswat. “Women with milder forms may retain good reproductive potential, especially if the condition is diagnosed and managed early. There’s also moderate-quality evidence suggesting that laparoscopic surgery can improve pregnancy rates in some with endometriosis.”1

    Symptoms and burden of endometriosis

    Endometriosis significantly impacts women’s quality of life, with symptoms including chronic pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, nausea, fatigue, and depression or anxiety.2 Trouble getting pregnant has also been noted as a symptom.

    Currently, methods of preventing endometriosis have not been discovered. However, natural progression and long-term symptom burdens may be reduced through enhanced awareness, alongside early diagnosis and management.2

    Diagnosis and infertility rates

    Researchers from the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh conducted the largest population-based study assessing women with infertility or symptoms related to endometriosis.1 The primary care, secondary care, and maternity records of participants were linked.

    There were 4,041,770 women aged 13 to 50 years presenting to primary care with infertility or other endometriosis symptoms in the cohort, 111,197 of whom were classified as having endometriosis based on a surgically confirmed diagnosis through laparoscopy or laparotomy. Overall, female infertility had a prevalence of 48.9 per 1000 women. 1

    The highest infertility rates were observed among women aged 30 to 39 years. Surgically confirmed endometriosis was reported in 6.1% of women with infertility, with infertility before diagnosis reported by 57.4% of these patients. This highlighted delays in identifying and diagnosing endometriosis.1

    Improved conception rates compared to other infertility causes

    Investigators noted that the data supports prior trials linking endometriosis to fertility challenges, as the odds of infertility were increased 2-fold among women with vs without the condition. However, a 4-fold increased chance of conception was reported in patients with endometriosis vs other causes of infertility.1

    Achieving at least 1 pregnancy during the study period was reported by 40.5% of women diagnosed with endometriosis regardless of infertility status. This indicated improved fertility rates compared to tubal factors, ovulatory dysfunction, and unexplained infertility.1

    Implications for fertility counseling

    Saraswat also noted that other factors such as age influence infertility. However, these findings allow clinicians to provide enhanced fertility counseling to women with a recent endometriosis diagnosis. This includes informing them about their odds of conception and how the overall rates and outcomes of pregnancy compare to other infertility sources.1

    “These insights can empower women to make informed reproductive decisions”, said Saraswat. “They also provide a strong foundation for future research into how factors such as disease stage, site, surgical treatment and use of assisted reproduction influence pregnancy outcomes in women with endometriosis.”1

    References

    1. Against the odds: Endometriosis linked to four times higher pregnancy rates than other causes of infertility, new study reveals. European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. July 1, 2025. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1088675?
    2. Endometriosis. World Health Organization. March 24, 2023. Accessed July 7, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis#:~:text=Overview,period%20and%20last%20until%20menopause.

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  • Trypanosoma dionisii in China: ecology and tentative epidemiology | Infectious Diseases of Poverty

    Trypanosoma dionisii in China: ecology and tentative epidemiology | Infectious Diseases of Poverty

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  • Virome profiling of Aedes albopictus across urban ecosystems in Guangdong reveals sex-specific diversity | Parasites & Vectors

    Virome profiling of Aedes albopictus across urban ecosystems in Guangdong reveals sex-specific diversity | Parasites & Vectors

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  • Treatment with Batten-1 seen to slow vision loss in real-world study

    Treatment with Batten-1 seen to slow vision loss in real-world study

    Treatment for approximately one year with Batten-1 (miglustat) — an experimental oral small molecule developed by Theranexus — in individuals with juvenile Batten disease, also known as CLN3 disease, resulted in significantly slower vision loss compared with untreated patients, according to new data from a real-world study.

    The findings align with those from an open-label Phase 1/2 clinical study (NCT05174039), sponsored by the Beyond Batten Disease Foundation, which was followed by an expanded access program that allowed patients to continue using the medication. After about two years, Batten-1 had helped preserve visual acuity, those results showed.

    The real-world study compared 11 patients treated with Batten-1 in routine clinical settings to 22 untreated patients, using data gathered from natural history studies, family interviews, and medical records.

    “We are deeply grateful to the patients, their families, and the healthcare providers who made this important analysis possible by agreeing to share their experiences and those unique clinical data,” Craig Benson, the foundation’s chairman, said in a press release from Theranexus that detailed the findings.

    “This collaboration has been essential in demonstrating Batten-1 potential to change the course of CLN3 disease,” Benson said.

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    Juvenile Batten disease is caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene, which encodes battenin, a protein involved in recycling molecules within cells. When battenin is missing or faulty, fatty molecules build up in lysosomes, the cell’s recycling centers. Nerve cells are especially vulnerable to this toxic buildup, which leads to the disease’s symptoms.

    Batten-1 works by inhibiting an enzyme called glucosylceramide synthase, which is involved in the production of certain fatty molecules. By blocking this enzyme, Batten-1 is expected to reduce the toxic buildup of fatty molecules in nerve cells, potentially helping to ease or prevent symptoms of juvenile Batten disease.

    Phase 3 study now planned to test therapy in juvenile Batten disease

    In the earlier Phase 1/2 clinical study, six adults and adolescents were treated for as long as about two years with Batten-1 as oral capsules at a maximum daily dose of 600 mg. In addition to preserving visual acuity, Batten-1 also prevented worsening of motor symptoms, data showed. Batten-1 was well tolerated and there were no observed serious side effects.

    After reviewing the data, regulators in both the U.S. and the European Union approved the design of a Phase 3 clinical study that will test an oral solution of Batten-1 against a placebo. It will enroll an estimated 60 children and adolescents with juvenile Batten disease.

    In the real-world study, the main endpoint was assessing changes in visual acuity or a person’s ability to recognize fine details. This was estimated using a logMAR chart consisting of rows of increasingly smaller letters. On this chart, a lower score means better vision. This is the same endpoint as that selected for the planned Phase 3 clinical study.

    Achieving near stabilization of visual acuity over 12 months in CLN3 patients is truly remarkable and unprecedented. … These results offer real hope for altering the natural progression of the disease.

    Only patients who started with some measurable vision — a LogMAR score of 1.9 or less — were tested, and were followed for one year. To ensure a fair comparison, the researchers used propensity score matching, a statistical method that accounts for differences, such as age or disease severity, between groups.

    Patients treated with Batten-1 maintained better visual acuity than untreated patients, with differences that were both statistically significant and clinically meaningful, according to Theranexus.

    “These findings strongly support our development strategy and reinforce the relevance of our endpoint in demonstrating Batten-1 potential efficacy,” said Marie Sebille, MD, Theranexus’ chief medical officer.

    For Gary Clark, MD, who’s been involved in testing Batten-1 at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, “achieving near stabilization of visual acuity over 12 months in CLN3 patients is truly remarkable and unprecedented. In this population, we would typically expect a relentless decline in vision. These results offer real hope for altering the natural progression of the disease.”

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  • Morphic Medical Announces CE Mark for RESET® Endoscopic Device Therapy

    Morphic Medical Announces CE Mark for RESET® Endoscopic Device Therapy

    RESET® is a minimally invasive, endoscopic, outpatient procedure designed to reduce weight and improve cardiometabolic health conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes.

    BOSTON, July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Morphic Medical, creator of the world’s first medical device designed to target the underlying cause of obesity and type 2 diabetes, today announced CE (Conformité Européenne) Mark approval for the RESET® System designed to provide patients living with obesity and metabolic disorders such as Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) with the first incision-free, endoscopic solution for immediate weight reduction and metabolic improvement. The CE Mark designation ensures RESET has met all European Commission safety, health and environmental protection requirements. The certification of RESET enables commercial launch in the European Union (EU) and other geographies that recognize CE marking.

    Many patients with obesity and T2D have poor glycemic control despite diet, lifestyle management, and medications. Although Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can be highly effective, it is an invasive and irreversible surgical procedure. RESET is a novel duodenal-jejunal bypass liner (DJBL) which is implanted endoscopically into the upper part of the small intestine, left in place for up to 9 months, and then removed endoscopically. The liner provides a physical barrier between receptors in the intestinal wall and food which has shown weight reduction and improved metabolic conditions by enhancing the guts natural hormones similar to GLP1 pharmacotherapy.

    A UK study by Dr Bob Ryder of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust reported treatment with RESET in people living with diabetes and obesity that demonstrated an average 17.4 Kg reduction in weight and a considerable improvement in blood glucose levels (average HbA1c reduced from 9.1% to 7.2%) a 1.9% reduction, alongside improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol which reduces cardiovascular risk. The amount of insulin required by the patients also reduced considerably with 37% discontinuing insulin use altogether. The RESET procedure also demonstrated encouraging durability data three years after treatment with 77% of patients maintaining their improvements in both reduction of weight and HbA1c.1

    Joseph Virgilio, President and CEO of Morphic Medical, stated, “This critical regulatory milestone is an important step toward delivering on our promise and accomplishing our mission to alleviate the symptoms of obesity and metabolic disorders such as T2D for patients fighting these global epidemics. We’re excited to help patients who have failed to achieve their goals through a program of diet, exercise, and medical management, and are looking for an alternative therapy.” He added that, “Regulatory approval under EU MDR allows us to immediately offer RESET to the millions of patients suffering from uncontrolled obesity and cardiometabolic disorders throughout Europe.”

    Professor Ricardo Cohen, President of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) says, “RESET is a non-surgical, endoscopic sleeve that lines the upper intestine to mimic some physiological effects of gastric bypass—boosting GLP-1, reducing insulin resistance, and improving blood sugar and weight control. It offers a less-invasive option for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity who haven’t responded well to medications or need a “bridge” before bariatric surgery.”

    The RESET System is intended to be used as an adjunct therapy to lifestyle and/or medication(s) for the management of morbid obesity and/or obesity in the presence of at least one concurrent cardiometabolic risk factor, e.g., type 2 diabetes and/or dyslipidemia. It is also intended to prevent contact of ingested nutrients with the mucosal lining of the duodenum and proximal jejunum (via the RESET Liner) in patients described above in order to promote weight loss, weight-loss mediated glycemic control and to minimize the likelihood of obesity-related complications such as cardiovascular disease and/or deterioration of underlying type 2 diabetes. RESET is indicated for a maximum implant duration of nine months.

    1. Ryder et al. Duodenal-jejunal bypass liner for treatment of T2DM and obesity: 4-year outcomes in the first National Health Service (NHS) EndoBarrier service. British Journal of Diabetes 2022.

    About Morphic
    Morphic Medical is the developer of RESET, an endoscopically delivered therapy which offers a non-surgical, alternative treatment for morbid obesity and/or obesity in the presence of concurrent cardiometabolic risk factor, e.g., type 2 diabetes and/or dyslipidemia. RESET is not approved for sale in the United States and is limited by federal law to investigational use only. Founded in 2003, Morphic Medical is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit morphicmedical.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

    Morphic Medical Media Contact:
    Investor Relations
    [email protected]
    +1 (781) 357-3296

    SOURCE Morphic Medical


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  • ACE inhibitor deemed cause of intestinal angioedema in woman, 39

    ACE inhibitor deemed cause of intestinal angioedema in woman, 39

    A woman in her 30s who experienced recurrent, nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms was diagnosed with angioedema of the small intestine — also known as intestinal angioedema, or sometimes angioedema of the bowel — related to the use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor to treat high blood pressure, according to a case report.

    The woman’s symptoms eased after stopping treatment with the medication, lisinopril, with no recurrence of angioedema attacks, or sudden swelling in the skin, after three months, the researchers noted.

    “The information provided is intended to assist health care professionals in recognizing clues associated with angioedema of the small intestine, allowing timely diagnosis and effective treatment for patients with [intestinal] angioedema,” the researchers wrote.

    The case report, “Recognizing Clues Associated With Angioedema of the Small Intestine: A Case Report,” was published in the Journal of Emergency Nursing by two nursing professors at The University of Tampa.

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    Angioedema is a condition marked by swelling in the deeper layers of the skin or mucus membranes. Drug-induced nonallergic angioedema is an adverse effect of certain medications — most commonly, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These drugs are often used to treat people with high blood pressure, or hypertension, and other cardiovascular conditions.

    ACE inhibitors usually cause angioedema in the face, lips, tongue, or throat, leading to swelling and sometimes blocked airways. But it’s less well known that they can also cause swelling in the small intestine.

    Diagnostic journey detailed for woman with intestinal angioedema

    Here, a research team in Florida described the diagnostic journey of a 39-year-old woman who sought emergency department treatment for mild to severe abdominal pain that had started two days earlier. She had a history of several months of intermittent nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, bloating, nausea, vomiting, frequent burping, and diarrhea.

    She also had hypertension, for which she was treated, for five years, with hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, and lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor. The woman also reported having experienced one episode of mild lip and facial swelling two months earlier, which was effectively treated with antihistamines and corticosteroids.

    Following that episode, she was referred to an allergist, who found that her C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) activity was normal. This ruled out hereditary angioedema, which is typically caused by low levels or impaired function of C1-INH. In such cases, excess bradykinin accumulates, leading to blood vessel dilation, fluid leakage, and swelling

    Besides abdominal symptoms, a physical examination indicated the abdomen was slightly distended, with generalized tympany — a percussion sound when tapping due to the accumulation of air and gas throughout the abdomen, which may indicate a bowel condition — and discomfort/pain when light pressure was applied.

    A CT scan also revealed swelling in a region of the small bowel with inflammation signs. This was suggestive of a bowel condition, such as an inflammatory disease or infection, or a mechanical obstruction. Ischemia, or a lack of blood flow to a part of the bowel, can also cause these symptoms.

    Laboratory analysis indicated a moderate increase in the levels of leucocytes, or white blood cells, which could indicate an inflammatory or infectious process.

    Clinicians started the woman on treatment with intravenous, or into-the-vein, morphine, which effectively controlled her abdominal pain, and intravenous haloperidol for nausea and vomiting. Her condition improved, and she was discharged with no adjustments to her medication or additional recommendations.

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    Woman’s abdominal symptoms resolved after stopping ACE inhibitor

    Two weeks later, however, she returned to the emergency department with the same symptoms, as well as bowel inflammation signs in the CT scan. She was referred to a specialist in gastrointestinal conditions, who suspected ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema and immediately discontinued lisinopril.

    The woman’s abdominal symptoms completely resolved after three days, according to the report.

    “Even though the exact pathogenetic [disease-causing] mechanism of ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema is not fully understood, current research posits that the inhibitory actions of these medications prevent the breakdown of bradykinin,” the researchers wrote.

    [This] case report underscores the challenges health care providers face in diagnosing [intestinal] angioedema and the crucial role of emergency nurses in recognizing key warning signs such as nonspecific abdominal complaints in patients on angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitor therapy.

    The team reported that several medications the woman subsequently used to control blood pressure triggered similar symptoms. After further adjustments, the patient’s blood pressure was well controlled with triamterene/hydrochlorothiazide, nebivolol, and amlodipine. The woman remained free from previous abdominal symptoms for at least three months, per the report.

    According to the researchers, “[this] case underscores the challenges health care providers face in diagnosing [intestinal] angioedema and the crucial role of emergency nurses in recognizing key warning signs such as nonspecific abdominal complaints in patients on angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitor therapy.”

    “Early identification of this condition can prevent unnecessary procedures, prevent prolonged symptoms, and improve patient outcomes,” the team added.

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  • Researchers in Sweden identify 18 new potential MS drug targets

    Researchers in Sweden identify 18 new potential MS drug targets

    Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden said they have identified 18 new potential protein drug targets to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) using an integrative analytical approach.

    A drug target is a molecule, typically a protein, within the body that’s often involved in disease processes. Some of the newly discovered proteins are targeted by existing non-MS drugs, suggesting these therapies may be repurposed to treat MS.

    The discovery was reported in the study, “Multiomics integration prioritizes potential drug targets for multiple sclerosis,” published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

    “Our results demonstrate significant potential for both the discovery of new drugs and the repurposing of existing ones,” Yuan Jiang, a PhD candidate at the Karolinska Institute and the study’s first author, said in a university news story.

    MS is marked by inflammatory damage to healthy parts of the brain and spinal cord. While several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are available to manage the disease by reducing the frequency and severity of relapses and delaying disability progression, more effective therapies are needed, especially for people with progressive forms of MS.

    Recommended Reading

    Identifying proteins, looking for roles in MS

    “Continuous exploration of drug discovery, development, and repurposing has become increasingly crucial for improving both the efficacy and the safety of MS treatment,” the researchers wrote.

    To identify candidate proteins linked to MS, the Karolinska researchers first conducted a proteome-wide association study (PWAS), a method that looks for relationships between protein levels in the blood and brain and MS susceptibility. Here, 100 proteins in the blood and 212 proteins in brain tissue had levels that were significantly associated with MS susceptibility.

    A technique called summary-data-based Mendelian randomization was then used to determine whether any of the proteins identified by PWAS played a causal role in MS. Overall, nine blood and nine brain proteins were considered causal and thus potential drug targets.

    Among the blood proteins, CR1 and WARS were associated with an increased risk of MS, whereas TNFRSF1A, FCRL3, TYMP, PGLYRP1, CD59, IDUA, and ARHGAP1 were linked with a reduced risk of MS. In the brain, HLA-B, ZC2HC1A, HMGCL, TSFM, FAM120B, TRAF3, and MTHFR were tied to an increased risk of MS, while ICA1L and AUH were associated with a decreased MS risk.

    Further experiments revealed that blood proteins were mostly produced by immune cells involved in MS, while brain proteins were mostly sourced to nerve cells and other supportive brain cells such as oligodendrocytes, the cells that produces myelin in the brain and spinal cord, astrocytes, and blood vessel cells.

    A subsequent analysis found that five of the nine blood drug targets interacted with 19 known targets of 10 approved MS medications. Likewise, two of the nine brain drug targets interacted with five known drug targets of six MS therapies.

    Four of the blood-based targets and two brain-based targets were also targeted by 16 existing drugs not used in MS, “suggesting potential opportunities for drug repurposing,” the team wrote.

    “By integrating large-scale … data and applying advanced statistical methods, we have been able to prioritize drug targets that may improve the treatment of MS,” Jiang said.

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  • 5 serious diseases Vitamin D deficiency can cause

    5 serious diseases Vitamin D deficiency can cause

    Vitamin D is much needed for bone health, supporting immunity, regulating mood, and inflammation– thus making it important for our overall health and well-being. Apart from getting it from foods, Vitamin D is also synthesised in the body when exposed to sunlight and hence it is also called the “sunshine vitamin”. However, a large number of people across the world suffer from Vitamin D deficiency, often without even knowing it. This deficiency is mainly due to poor diets and limited sun exposure, and it can lead to more than just fatigue or low mood— it’s been linked to several serious health issues, some of which can be long-term or even life-threatening if ignored. Here we list some serious diseases Vitamin D deficiency can cause:


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