VUB/UZ Brussel UMCOR’s Post

Exploring the multifaceted role of extracellular vesicles in Alzheimer's disease: in this review article, Anna R. R. Da Conceicao, Fernanda De Felice at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and collaborators summarized the diverse roles of extracellular vesicles in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), highlighting both their neuroprotective functions and their contribution to disease progression. EVs, released by various cell types, mediate intercellular communication under both normal and pathological conditions. In AD, EVs transported neuroinflammatory factors, pathogenic amyloid-β, and phosphorylated tau into recipient neurons, promoting pathology and neuronal degeneration. At the same time, EVs supported physiological processes, such as synaptic plasticity, neuronal activity, and tissue homeostasis in the central nervous system 🔗 https://lnkd.in/emXmFZrV Notably, EVs carrying neurotoxic molecules were able to cross the blood–brain barrier, making them promising biomarkers for minimally invasive AD diagnostics. They also engaged neuroprotective pathways and facilitated periphery-to-brain signaling, with alterations in EV content proposed as potential therapeutic strategies. Despite challenges such as standardization of isolation methods and limited knowledge of EV biodistribution, the use of EVs as diagnostic and therapeutic tools was presented as a rapidly advancing and promising field in AD research. An article co-authored by Júlia Marinatto, Lisandra Pinheiro and Tayná Rody. #extracellularvesicles #exosomes #Alzheimersdisease #biomarkers #Vesiculab

📢 🩺 Journal of Clinical Medicine | Most Downloaded Papers in 2025 🧑⚕️ In the first half of 2025, the papers published by JCM have garnered significant popularity with many readers. 📥 Here, we have selected 15 high-impact papers with a high average number of downloads to form the following selected collection of recommendations. 🫀 These research results cover cardiovascular disease, heart failure, diabetes, spinal trauma, hemodialysis, neurodegenerative diseases, spondyloarthritis, cervical spine disease, cardiorenal syndrome, knee replacement, pancreatic tumors, pituitary tumors, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and other fields. 👉 We welcome you to read the following most downloaded papers, and we hope this will inspire your own research. https://brnw.ch/21wUZju

New research from our scientists is shaping our understanding of brain diseases. A preclinical study led by Karin Lin and Nina Ly, PhD in the Carmela Sidrauski Lab, and James Lee and other Calico collaborators discovered a new link between chronic activation of the integrated stress response (ISR) and dysregulated cholesterol synthesis. The authors also showed that an activator of the protein synthesis regulator eIF2B could rescue the neonatal lethality in a mouse model with a severe pathogenic variant in eIF2B. Their work highlights the therapeutic potential of this molecule class in early onset Vanishing White Matter (VWM) disease. Fosigotifator, an analog of the activator, is in the clinic in Phase 1b in VWM disease. The team demonstrated that persistent ISR activation leads to dysfunctional oligodendrocyte maturation and reduced cholesterol biosynthesis. These processes are essential for myelin formation and brain health. This opens up new directions for research and development of potential new treatments for VWM and other diseases characterized by white matter loss. Read the full article to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gkQa9dhN

🔬 This Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month, from SMA Europe, we are Connecting the Dots! Did you ever wonder how research can have a real impact on the lives of people who live with SMA? Listen to Christian, the patient expert living with SMA, and Nathalie, the researcher behind the project: "Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells as untapped therapeutic targets for SMA long-term treatment (SATSMA)." 🧪 Following their discovery that SMN loss in muscle stem cells alone can trigger motor neuron death, Dr. Didier and Dr. Smeriglio aim to investigate the connection between muscle stem cells and motor neurons, and whether risdiplam treatment supports the function of these cells. 🌍 SMA Europe is unique in supporting cutting-edge scientific research on all aspects of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. No European organisation launches a research call focusing exclusively on SMA. Research in SMA is vital. Learn more about our Call for Research Projects initiative and support our efforts here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d_A_87vN Only together, #WeAreOne #SMAAwareness #ConnectingTheDots #SpinalMuscularAtrophy #RareDisease #SMAResearch #PatientExperts #SMACommunity #SMAEurope #smaresearch

From the lab at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer to the global stage: a world-first discovery in kidney development: In a global scientific breakthrough, researchers at Sheba Medical Center and Tel Aviv University have successfully grown a human kidney organoid, a synthetic 3D organ culture, that mirrors natural fetal development and sustained it for an unprecedented 34 weeks. During this time, the tissue-specific stem cells developed into multiple kidney cell types and formed distinct structures, such as blood filters and urinary ducts, through a process called tubulogenic, mirroring fetal kidney development. The team, led by Prof. Benjamin Dekel, Director of Pediatric Nephrology at Sheba's Safra Children's Hospital, developed the purest and longest-lived lab-grown kidney organoid, opening up new avenues to explore regenerative medicine, research congenital kidney disorders and assess drug safety during pregnancy. 🔗 Find out more about this milestone: https://lnkd.in/dMt5sgBW 

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium linked to gum disease, may play a significant role in Alzheimer's disease by entering the bloodstream, reaching the brain, and triggering inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes. This bacterium produces toxic proteases called gingipains, which can damage brain cells and contribute to neuroinflammation, amyloid plaque formation, and tau pathology. Studies have found P. gingivalis in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, and its presence is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline. Research suggests that gingipain inhibitors may be a potential therapeutic target to prevent or slow disease progression. The connection between P. gingivalis and Alzheimer's highlights the importance of oral health in overall brain health, and further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and potential treatments. We are about to release our upcoming issue and we are open for new submissions and you can submit yours here: clinicalpractice@genesispub.org #AlzheimersDisease #PorphyromonasGingivalis #GumDisease #Neurodegeneration #Neuroinflammation #BrainHealth #NeurologicalDisorders #MedicalResearch #HealthcareInnovation

🔬 This Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month, from SMA Europe, we are Connecting the Dots! Did you ever wonder how research can have a real impact on the lives of people who live with SMA? Listen to Christian, the patient expert living with SMA, and Nathalie, the researcher behind the project: "Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells as untapped therapeutic targets for SMA long-term treatment (SATSMA)." 🧪 Following their discovery that SMN loss in muscle stem cells alone can trigger motor neuron death, Dr. Didier and Dr. Smeriglio aim to investigate the connection between muscle stem cells and motor neurons, and whether risdiplam treatment supports the function of these cells. 🌍 SMA Europe is unique in supporting cutting-edge scientific research on all aspects of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. No European organisation launches a research call focusing exclusively on SMA. Research in SMA is vital. Learn more about our Call for Research Projects initiative and support our efforts here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d_A_87vN Only together, #WeAreOne #SMAAwareness #ConnectingTheDots #SpinalMuscularAtrophy #RareDisease #SMAResearch #PatientExperts #SMACommunity #SMAEurope #Research

Happy to share our review article entitled "Senescence in Aging, Within the Brain and Other Diseases: Mechanisms and Interventions," which delves into the critical role of cellular senescence in aging and age-related diseases, especially in the brain. DOI: 10.14218/ERHM.2023.00018 Plain Language Summary: As people live longer, age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and diabetes are becoming more common. A major culprit is senescent or “zombie” cells—damaged cells that stop dividing but don’t die. Instead, they release harmful substances that cause chronic inflammation, weaken immunity, and block healing. These cells also disrupt stem cell renewal, tissue repair, and DNA stability, speeding up aging. New treatments called senolytics aim to clear out these “zombie” cells, offering hope to slow aging, reduce disease, and support healthier brains and bodies. Key insights: ■ Older adults are valuable assets, and protecting brain health is key to healthy aging and strong communities. ■ Cellular senescence drives aging, disrupting stem cells and fueling chronic disease. ■ Senescent stem cells and Wnt signaling dysfunction play major roles in brain and body decline. ■ Stem cell therapies (like MSCs and neural stem cells) may reverse damage and restore brain function. ■ Senescent cells weaken immunity, leading to inflammaging and faster disease progression. ■ Aging reshapes our genome, with chromatin changes and DNA instability driving age-related conditions. 💊 Senolytics show promise in clearing senescent cells, rejuvenating tissues, and fighting aging—despite some clinical hurdles. #science #society #publichealth

Breakthrough in Sepsis Treatment from UVA and University of Michigan Researchers Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in U.S. hospitals, claiming millions of lives globally each year. But a new discovery from scientists at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and the University of Michigan could change that. Researchers have developed a monoclonal antibody that directly targets the immune system dysregulation at the heart of sepsis. In early lab testing, the antibody showed transformative potential—not only in stopping sepsis but also in treating a wide range of inflammatory conditions like autoimmune disorders, ARDS, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. What makes this innovation even more powerful is its integration with a diagnostic platform called PEdELISA, which can monitor immune response in near real-time from a single drop of plasma. This could revolutionize how we diagnose and treat sepsis—enabling earlier intervention and better outcomes. 💡 “This is the kind of breakthrough that can change the standard of care,” said Jianjie Ma, PhD, of University of Virginia ’s Department of Surgery and UVA Cancer Center. With $800,000 in funding from Virginia Catalyst, clinical trials are set to begin at UVA Health and VCU Health. The research has been published in Springer Nature and represents a major step forward in precision medicine and immunotherapy. #Sepsis #Biotech #UVA #Immunotherapy #Innovation #Healthcare #Research #PrecisionMedicine #LinkedInScience