Keiji Kawatani, Genesis Omana Suarez, Ralph B. Perkerson III, Ephraim E. Parent, Toshihiko Nambara, Joshua A. Knight, Tammee M. Parsons, Kshama Gupta, Francis Shue, Alla Alnobani, Prasanna Vibhute, Hancheng Cai, Hugo Guerrero-Cázares, John A. Copland III, Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, and Takahisa Kanekiyo

Human iPSC-Derived MSCs Induce Neurotrophic Effects and Improve Metabolic Activity in Acute Neuronal Injury Models

While preclinical studies highlight the significant potential of MSC therapy in mitigating neurological damage from stroke and traumatic brain injury, the variability in clinical trial outcomes may stem from the inherent heterogeneity of somatic MSCs. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are an ideal alternative resource for the unlimited expansion and biomanufacturing of MSCs. Thus, we investigated how iPSC-derived MSCs (iMSCs) influence properties of iPSC-derived neurons. Our findings demonstrate that the secretome from iMSCs possesses neurotrophic effects, improving neuronal survival and promoting neuronal outgrowth and synaptic activity in vitro. Additionally, the iMSCs enhance metabolic activity via mitochondrial respiration in neurons, both in vitro and in mouse models.

Sky News

Deadly flesh-eating parasite found in person in US for first time

The importance of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has never been clearer. The first case of screwworm infection has now been reported in Maryland, USA. Read more here.

Tobias Mayr, ORF Science

Tiger mosquitoes are becoming a plague

This piece reports that the invasive Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is increasingly thriving in Austrian cities. To combat rising numbers, authorities are implementing Sterile Insect Technique (SIT): sterilized male mosquitoes, treated with X-rays at IAEA facilities in Seibersdorf, are released in Graz.

Suitability of the Precision Xrad320 irradiator for sterilizing major target pests for the sterile insect technique and for phytosanitary applications

This poster showcases the Precision X-Rad 320 irradiator as a reliable tool for the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Studies demonstrate that X-ray sterilization is more effective than gamma rays, achieving over 99% sterility at lower doses in mosquitoes, fruit flies, tsetse flies, and other key pests. By using controlled chilling and hypoxic environments, the system preserves insect quality during treatment, reducing damage and improving outcomes. With its versatility, the X-Rad 320 is well-suited for research, operational SIT programs, and phytosanitary applications.

Faye M. Walker, Lays Martin Sobral, Etienne Danis, Bridget Sanford, Sahiti Donthula, Ilango Balakrishnan, Dong Wang, Angela Pierce, Sana D. Karam, Soudabeh Kargar, Natalie J. Serkova, Nicholas K. Foreman, Sujatha Venkataraman, Robin Dowell, Rajeev Vibhakar & Nathan A. Dahl

Rapid P-TEFb-dependent transcriptional reorganization underpins the glioma adaptive response to radiotherapy

Using model systems of pediatric high-grade glioma, we show that rapid genome-wide reorganization of active chromatin facilitates P-TEFb-mediated nascent transcriptional induction within hours of exposure to therapeutic ionizing radiation. Concurrent inhibition of P-TEFb disrupts this chromatin reorganization and blunts transcriptional induction, abrogating key adaptive programs such as DNA damage repair and cell cycle regulation.

Vladimir Wischnewski, Paola Guerrero Aruffo, Matteo Massara, Johanna A. Joyce, Roeltje R. Maas, and Klara Soukup

The local microenvironment suppresses the synergy between irradiation and anti-PD1 therapy in breast-to-brain metastasis

The brain environment is uniquely specialized to protect its neuronal tissue from excessive inflammation by tightly regulating adaptive immunity. However, in the context of brain cancer progression, this regulation can lead to a conflict between T cell activation and suppression.

Xiaozhuo Ran, Bell Xi Wu, Venkatasubramanian Vidhyasagar1, Lifang Song, Xu Zhang, Reese Jalal Ladak, Mona Teng, Wail Ba-alawi, Vivek Philip, Housheng H. He, Nahum Sonenberg & Benjamin H. Lok

PARP inhibitor radiosensitization enhances anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy through stabilizing chemokine mRNA in small cell lung cancer

Immunotherapy (IO) is an effective treatment for various cancers; however, the benefits aremodest for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The poor response of SCLC to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 IOis due in part to the lack of cytotoxic T cells because of limited chemokine expression from SCLC tumors. Immunogenic radiosensitizers that enhance chemokine expression may be a promising strategy forward.

Wenqing Liu, Qijing Lei, Ans M. M. van Pelt, & Geert Hamer

Repeated ionizing radiation exposure induces TRIP13 expression, conferring radioresistance in lung cancer cells

Radiation therapy is a common treatment modality for lung cancer, and resistance to radiation can significantly affect treatment outcomes. We recently described that lung cancer cells that express more germ cell cancer genes (GC genes, genes that are usually restricted to the germ line) can repair DNA double-strand breaks more rapidly, show higher rates of proliferation and are more resistant to ionizing radiation than cells that express fewer GC genes.

Svenja K. Tetzlaff, Ekin Reyhan, Nikolas Layer, Franz L. Ricklefs, Dieter Henrik Heiland, Varun Venkataramani

Characterizing and targeting glioblastoma neuron-tumor networks with retrograde tracing

Glioblastomas are invasive brain tumors with high therapeutic resistance. Neuron-to-glioma synapses have been shown to promote glioblastoma progression. However, a characterization of tumor-connected neurons has been hampered by a lack of technologies.

Vladimir Wischnewski, Paola Guerrero Aruffo, Matteo Massara, Roeltje R. Maas,Klara Soukup, and Johanna A. Joyce

The Local Microenvironment Suppresses the Synergy Between Irradiation and Anti-PD1 Therapy in Breast-to-Brain Metastasis

The study utilized Precision X-Ray, Inc’s advanced SmART+ (Small Animal Image-Guided Radiotherapy) irradiator to deliver precise, hypo-fractionated radiotherapy (RT), replicating cutting-edge clinical stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). While combined high-dose RT and anti-PD1 therapy proved effective for extracranial tumors, it was less successful in BrM due to localized immune suppression. These findings identify neutrophils and Trem2 macrophages as critical therapeutic targets.