Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are effective immunosuppressants used to minimize rejection of transplanted organs and tissues, but they can also cause persistent hypertension and other side effects. Calcineurin is abundantly present in the hypothalamus, which regulates blood pressure, and its inhibition leads to hyperactivity of excitatory NMDA receptors in the brain. However, long-term blockade of NMDA receptors also comes with negative side effects. To identify a better therapeutic strategy and provide insights into the impact of CNIs on...

Genetic crossovers – the exchange of DNA between pairs of chromosomes from each parent – play a crucial role in accurate chromosome segregation during meiotic cell division. However, the mechanisms underlying the formation of these crossovers in mammals are poorly understood. To provide further insight into this process, researchers led by Francesca Cole, Ph.D., used genetic dissection to map the frequency and distribution of crossover points in mouse models. The researchers discovered two unique intermediate steps...

There are currently no effective systemic therapies for metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), a rare cancer that forms in the salivary glands.  A new study led by Renata Ferrarotto, M.D., and Luana Sousa, M.D., builds on previous findings in two major disease subtypes, including ACC-I, associated with poor patient prognosis. By exploring the tumor microenvironment, the researchers discovered that ACC-I tumors overexpressed the immune checkpoint protein B7-H4, resulting in an immune-excluded tumor microenvironment. In ACC-I...