Knowledge Sharing

About 10% of severe asthma patients are steroid-resistant, with traditional inhalers ineffective. High TSLP activates signaling pathways that block budesonide’s action. Current anti-TSLP antibodies show low lung concentration and off-target effects. A joint team proposed the ASCEND strategy to solve these problems. This article reviews the study published in Nature Communications.

CD19, a type I transmembrane glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is a B cell-specific marker expressed throughout B cell development except plasma cells. It forms a co-receptor complex with CD21/CD81 to augment BCR signaling, activating kinases and downstream molecules, lowering B cell activation threshold and boosting immune sensitivity.

In 1989, Belgian scientists first discovered heavy-chain-only antibodies (HCAbs) in camel serum. These ~90 kDa antibodies comprise an Fc fragment (hinge, CH2, CH3) and two VHH variable regions. Nanobodies (Nb) are the isolated VHH domains from HCAbs.

Current schizophrenia drugs mainly block dopamine D2 and 5‑HT receptors, relieving positive symptoms but not negative ones. mGlu2, a GPCR that regulates glutamate transmission, may improve both positive and cognitive symptoms. However, multiple mGlu2‑targeted drugs, including Eli Lilly’s mGlu2/3 agonist pomaglumetad, failed in clinical trials, suggesting a key gap in mechanistic understanding.

Protein function relies heavily on post-translational modifications (PTMs), which regulate conformation, activity and interactions. Over 80% of functional proteins undergo reversible PTMs. Palmitoylation, a key PTM, modifies cysteine residues and affects membrane localization and stability. Its abnormality is linked to cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, yet traditional methods lack spatiotemporal specificity.

Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes. The 2023 WHO report notes 250 million annual cases and over 600,000 deaths globally, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. The parasite matures in mosquitoes and infects humans via bites. Its most vulnerable stage is when sporozoites form oocysts. Scientists found the protein PfPIMMS43 helps parasites evade the immune system during this period.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks healthy tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. They are the second most common disorders after cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Their pathogenesis is unclear but linked to genetics, self-antigens, and immune dysregulation. Current treatments like NSAIDs and TNF‑α inhibitors have side effects, and 40% of patients do not respond to TNF‑α inhibitors.

Headache is one of the most common neurological disorders worldwide. Data indicates that approximately 52% of the global population has experienced the affliction of headaches, making it one of the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).

China’s 2024 Adult Obesity Dietary Guidelines show 34.3% overweight and 16.4% obesity among adults. The World Obesity Federation reports 2.8% and 2% annual increases for adults and children. By 2030, overweight and obese people may make up nearly half of China’s population.

Modern society places far higher demands on individuals. High-pressure study/work, complex relationships, and overreliance on electronic devices and virtual worlds reduce real social interaction. Material pursuit further disrupts physical and mental balance, leading to a sharp rise in anxiety and depression compared with previous decades.

Eczema is a localized inflammatory skin disease categorized into acute, subacute, and chronic types by clinical course. In China, its prevalence is about 3%–5% in the general population and 10%–20% in children. Symptoms like pruritus, erosion, exudation, ulceration, and frequent recurrence severely impair patients’ daily lives.

Approximately 8% of the DNA in the human body is derived from the remnants of retroviruses that infected ancient human ancestors. These retroviruses reverse-transcribed their own RNA into DNA, which integrated into the human genetic material and has been inherited by humans to the present day.