Ischemic stroke is a fatal condition caused by an arterial embolism that blocks the blood flow through the cerebral artery, frequently being a cause of mortality and disability. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is likely the only member of the FGF family that may cross the blood-brain barrier. Among its functions, inflammatory regulation, energy metabolism, vascular homeostasis, oxidative stress and tissue repair can be highlighted.
Scientists at Guangzhou Imd Therapeutics Co. Ltd. and Pamplona Therapeutics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. have described proteolysis targeting chimeric (PROTAC) compounds comprising cereblon (CRBN) ligands covalently linked to an interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) targeting moiety through a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, autoimmune disease, cancer, cardiovascular, eye and inflammatory disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, among others.
Life-threatening arrhythmias are a major consequence of reduced cardiac sodium current with limited treatment options available. A recent study published in the European Heart Journal by researchers from Amsterdam University Medical Centers and collaborators explored a novel gene therapy approach to enhance the cardiac sodium current and prevent arrhythmias.
Raythera Inc. has identified TNF-α modulators reported to be useful for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disease, neurological disorders, pain, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, metabolic disorders and eye disorders.
Epigenetic editing is a promising method for gene regulation in vitro and in vivo, allowing precise control of gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, thereby minimizing genotoxic risks.
The map of cystic fibrosis (CF) research is being redrawn in the U.K. as improvements in treatment, and in particular the introduction of CF modulator drugs, mean people with the rare inherited disease are living much longer.
Pannexin 1 (Panx1) is a high-conductance, voltage-sensitive ion channels that exhibit flexible gating behavior upon activation, enabling the passage of ions such as Ca2+, Na⁺, K⁺, and ATP. Panx1 is expressed in cardiac tissue, but its role in ATP release and electrophysiological processes affecting cardiac function is not fully understood. Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center have found that in isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes, Panx1 activation during spontaneous sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release amplified the NCX-driven transient inward current.