Methylation signature correlates with acute myeloid leukemia survival
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by the inappropriate replacement of normal bone marrow with white blood cells due to dysfunctional hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) differentiation. Many of the identified AML-associated mutations lie within genes encoding epigenetic modifiers, suggesting that evaluation of epigenetic signatures could be used to identify sub-groups of AML. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Ulrich Steidl and colleagues at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine compared methylation profiles between healthy populations of HSCs, myeloid progenitor cells, and red blood cell progenitors to evaluate differences in epigenetic profiles and found that the greatest change in epigenetic signatures occurred when HSCs committed to a differentiation pathway. The authors developed a metric of methylation patterns associated with HSC cell fate and evaluated methylation patterns in AML patient samples. The methylation profile in patient samples was prognostic for overall survival, regardless of treatment regime or particular mutation.
TITLE: HSC commitment–associated epigenetic signature is prognostic in acute myeloid leukemia
AUTHOR CONTACT: Ulrich Steidl
Albert Einstein College Of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
Phone: (718) 430-3437; E-mail: ulrich.steidl@einstein.yu.edu
View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/71264?key=071e25e79465f5af1c7a
Researchers characterize a biomarker for lysosomal storage disorders
Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are a common cause of neurodegenerative disease in young children. These diseases are difficult to diagnosis in the early stages; therefore, it is difficult to develop therapeutic strategies that prevent symptom onset. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Frances M. Platt and colleagues at the University of Oxford devised a method for evaluating the relative volume of acidic compartments as an indicator of LSDs. Using the commercially available pH-indicator dye, Lysotracker, the authors were able to calculate the relative acidic compartment volume in circulating B cells. Use of this metric in samples from young LSD patients revealed that the relative acidic compartment volume correlated with clinical severity, and could be used to evaluate patient response to a particular therapy.
TITLE: Relative acidic compartment volume as a lysosomal storage disorder–associated biomarker
AUTHOR CONTACT: Frances Platt
University of Oxford, Oxford, , GBR
Phone: 01865-271858; E-mail: frances.platt@pharm.ox.ac.uk
View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/72835?key=f7c5ebb23ba9074d3e81
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TITLE: Angiotensin converting enzyme overexpression in myelomonocytes prevents Alzheimer's-like cognitive decline
AUTHOR CONTACT: Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Phone: 310-423-4607; Fax: 310-423-0302; E-mail: maya.koronyo@cshs.org
View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/66541?key=1d715a3c7a9b161c199c
TITLE: Mutant p53–associated myosin-X upregulation promotes breast cancer invasion and metastasis
AUTHOR CONTACT: Johanna Ivaska
University Of Turku, Turku, , FIN
Phone: +3587203971; E-mail:johanna.ivaska@utu.fi
View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/67280?key=d825f4edfaca163d9ebe
TITLE: Hyaluronan digestion controls DC migration from the skin
AUTHOR CONTACT: Richard Gallo
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
Phone: 8588224608; Fax: 8588226985; E-mail: rgallo@ucsd.edu
View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/67947?key=ef2368ef66759b5c70fe
TITLE: Chemical chaperone ameliorates pathological protein aggregation in plectin-deficient muscle
AUTHOR CONTACT: Gerhard Wiche
University of Vienna, Vienna, UNK, AUT
Phone: +43 1 4277 52852; Fax: +43 1 42779748; E-mail: gerhard.wiche@univie.ac.at
View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/71919?key=3b3daaf0908e81205895
TITLE: TSHZ1-dependent gene regulation is essential for olfactory bulb development and olfaction
AUTHOR CONTACT: Ronald J.E. Pennings
Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Phone: +31.24.3617203; Fax: +31.24.3540251; E-mail: r.pennings@kno.umcn.nl
View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/72466?key=fbe24b6c82fed8a9701c
TITLE: Long-lived intestinal tuft cells serve as colon cancer–initiating cells
AUTHOR CONTACT: Timothy C. Wang
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
Phone: 212-851-4581; Fax: 212-851-4590; E-mail: tcw21@columbia.edu
View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/73434?key=61d205245d221e6d4189
Journal
Journal of Clinical Investigation