{"title":"High-Throughput Screening Reveals That CeeNU Acts as a New NLRP3 Inflammasome Inhibitor.","authors":"Sen-Lin Ji, Peipei Chen, Huaiping Tang, Chao Zhou, Zihao Li, Yunshu Wang, Xiang Cao, Liwen Zhu, Xinyu Bao, Zhuo Liu, Yan Chen, Yun Xu","doi":"10.1002/mco2.70695","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70695","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pyroptosis is a special form of cell death that often occurs during excessive inflammation and injury, leading to tissue damage, disease progression, and other related issues. The Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is an important regulatory factor in cellular pyroptosis that promotes the inflammatory response. Inhibitors targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome have emerged as promising potential therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases. Through large-scale screening, we found that the FDA-approved drug CeeNU strongly inhibited NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis. CeeNU exhibited dose-dependent suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and effectively mitigated inflammasome-driven pyroptotic cell death in both human and murine macrophages/microglia. Mechanistically, we further demonstrated that CeeNU specifically binds to arginine 335 within the NACHT domain of NLRP3, abrogating NLRP3 inflammasome activation by blocking its assembly. Importantly, CeeNU showed remarkable protective effects in multiple mouse models of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated diseases, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock, monosodium urate (MSU)-induced peritonitis, and MSU-induced gouty arthritis. Our results demonstrate that CeeNU, a clinically available drug, acts as an NLRP3 inhibitor and holds therapeutic potential for NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptotic diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":94133,"journal":{"name":"MedComm","volume":"7 ","pages":"e70695"},"PeriodicalIF":10.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13106880/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147793500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Innate Lymphoid Cells in Tissue Homeostasis and Diseases.","authors":"Zhenzhen Zhan, Heyang Sun, Chenning Li, Qianya Hong, Shuainan Zhu, Ying Yu, Hao Zhang, Kefang Guo","doi":"10.1002/mco2.70743","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70743","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are tissue-resident immune sentinels that play pivotal roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis, orchestrating immune responses, and modulating metabolic balance. They rapidly respond to environmental cues and interplay with other immune cells, thereby mediating host defense and facilitating tissue repair. However, dysregulation of ILC responses is increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of a broad spectrum of diseases. This review provides a comprehensive overview of ILC biology, beginning with their classification, plasticity, and homeostatic functions. We then dissect the complex, dual roles of ILCs across various pathological conditions. Using sepsis as a paradigmatic example of immune dysregulation, we illustrate how ILCs orchestrate both protective immunity and pathological role in a context-dependent manner. Furthermore, we extend the discussion to cancer, chronic inflammatory diseases, and metabolic disorders, highlighting the tissue-specific functions of ILC subsets. Finally, we synthesize emerging ILC-targeted therapeutic strategies and future research directions, proposing that a nuanced understanding of ILC biology is essential for developing novel immunotherapies aimed at restoring immune homeostasis in human diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":94133,"journal":{"name":"MedComm","volume":"7 ","pages":"e70743"},"PeriodicalIF":10.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13100492/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147793476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MedCommPub Date : 2026-04-21eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1002/mco2.70742
Wanlin He, Andrew J McMichael
{"title":"Nonclassical MHC-I Molecules: Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Next-Generation Immunotherapy.","authors":"Wanlin He, Andrew J McMichael","doi":"10.1002/mco2.70742","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70742","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Immunotherapies have transformed the treatment of cancers and infectious diseases by harnessing the precision and adaptability of the immune system. Central to these advances is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) system, with classical MHC-I molecules well documented for their role in immune surveillance. MHC-dependent therapies, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered therapies, and cancer vaccines, have shown substantial clinical promise. However, their broader efficacy is hindered by the extreme polymorphism of classical MHC-I molecules, susceptibility to immune evasion, and frequent downregulation in many disease settings. In contrast, nonclassical MHC-I molecules, including HLA-E, HLA-F, HLA-G, CD1, and MR1, offer alternative therapeutic opportunities. Shaped by strong evolutionary conservation, these molecules exhibit limited polymorphism, specialized antigen repertoires, distinct trafficking behaviors, and the capability to engage both innate and adaptive immune cells. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge of the structural biology, antigen presentation pathways, receptor interactions, and immunoregulatory functions of nonclassical MHC-I molecules. We further highlight emerging therapeutic strategies, including immune checkpoint modulation, cargo-based ligands, conformation-specific biologics, vaccines, and cellular therapies, while critically evaluating translational challenges. By linking specialized structural and functional features to therapeutic design, this review provides a unified framework for exploiting nonclassical MHC-I molecules as next-generation targets in immunotherapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":94133,"journal":{"name":"MedComm","volume":"7 ","pages":"e70742"},"PeriodicalIF":10.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13100496/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147793474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MedCommPub Date : 2026-04-20eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1002/mco2.70694
Penghui He, Sinan Xie, Kunlin Xie, Fengwei Gao, Yunshi Cai, Yan Huang, Chang Liu, Hong Wu, Yinghao Lyu, Tian Lan
{"title":"Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapies in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Mechanisms and Clinical Studies.","authors":"Penghui He, Sinan Xie, Kunlin Xie, Fengwei Gao, Yunshi Cai, Yan Huang, Chang Liu, Hong Wu, Yinghao Lyu, Tian Lan","doi":"10.1002/mco2.70694","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70694","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Liver cancer ranks the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with a 5-year overall survival rate of about 14.0%. And hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes about 80% of it. Given that HCC often remains asymptomatic in its early stages, the diagnosis of the majority of patients occurs at the intermediate or advanced stages, leading to the missed opportunity for surgical resection. Furthermore, the incidence of recurrence after surgical resection for early-stage HCC patients can be as high as 70%. In this context, systemic therapies, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies, have emerged as essential therapeutic strategies for advanced HCC. However, resistance and adverse effects limit their efficacy. This review provides an overview of the molecular signaling pathways underlying HCC and potential mechanisms underlying resistance to systemic therapies and discusses potential therapeutic targets within these pathways. We also examine the clinical outcomes of these systemic therapies, highlighting their efficacy, safety profiles, and the challenges of resistance and toxicity. Finally, we outline future directions for HCC treatment, including combination therapies and personalized treatment strategies, which may offer improved treatment outcomes for individuals with HCC.</p>","PeriodicalId":94133,"journal":{"name":"MedComm","volume":"7 ","pages":"e70694"},"PeriodicalIF":10.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13096695/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147793544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MedCommPub Date : 2026-04-19eCollection Date: 2026-05-01DOI: 10.1002/mco2.70732
Yuhan Fang, Xiaoqing Wang, Kai Luo, Tikam Chand Dakal, He Bai, Caiming Xu, Guixin Zhang
{"title":"Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutations in Cancer: From Bench to Bedside Applications.","authors":"Yuhan Fang, Xiaoqing Wang, Kai Luo, Tikam Chand Dakal, He Bai, Caiming Xu, Guixin Zhang","doi":"10.1002/mco2.70732","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70732","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations represent pivotal oncogenic drivers across multiple malignancies. Mutant IDH enzymes acquire neomorphic activity that produces the oncometabolite d-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2HG), which competitively inhibits α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases and promotes epigenetic reprogramming, differentiation arrest, and malignant transformation. Beyond tumor cell-intrinsic effects, D-2HG profoundly remodels the tumor immune microenvironment by directly suppressing T-cell proliferation and effector functions, silencing natural killer (NK) cell-activating ligands, and impairing dendritic cell maturation. In this review, we delineate the mechanistic basis of mutant IDH in oncogenesis and evaluate the development of selective allosteric inhibitors validated through rigorous preclinical models demonstrating potent D-2HG suppression. Clinical translation has yielded multiple FDA-approved IDH inhibitors demonstrating significant therapeutic efficacy across diverse IDH-mutant malignancies. Notably, dual inhibitors have extended progression-free survival in gliomas, whereas triple-combination regimens have achieved substantial complete remission rates in acute myeloid leukemia. However, therapeutic resistance has emerged through second-site mutations, clonal evolution, and metabolic reprogramming. We also discuss rational combinatorial strategies integrating IDH inhibitors with hypomethylating agents (HMAs), targeted therapies, and immunomodulatory approaches, alongside emerging technologies such as single-cell profiling and spatial transcriptomics. By addressing both achievements and challenges, this review underscores the translational relevance of IDH-targeted therapy and its potential to reshape precision oncology through refined patient stratification and enhanced therapeutic efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":94133,"journal":{"name":"MedComm","volume":"7 ","pages":"e70732"},"PeriodicalIF":10.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13092922/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147793498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"RNA Modifications: Current Understandings and Future Perspectives.","authors":"Shiyu Xiao, Tingwen Xiang, Chuan Yang, Xiaohua Wang, Gang Huang, Fei Luo, Zhao Xie, Yueqi Chen","doi":"10.1002/mco2.70734","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70734","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>RNA modification has been established as a pivotal field in epitranscriptomics, representing an emerging, dynamic, and precise regulatory layer in gene expression control. N6-methyladenosine (m<sup>6</sup>A), the most prevalent internal RNA modification, is critical for post-transcriptional regulation of RNA stability, translation, and degradation. In addition to m<sup>6</sup>A, RNA contains a number of other modifications that play important regulatory roles in RNA metabolism, transport, translation, and stability. Our review uses N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification as a research paradigm to conduct a systematic review of the RNA modification research framework. This article begins with RNA modifications, then discusses several RNA modification-related regulatory enzymes before using ac4C as a detailed research example. Starting with the fundamental functions of ac4C in RNA modifications, it discusses its discovery history, the specific mechanisms of the key acetyltransferase N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) in various RNA modifications, existing detection technologies, and the functional significance of ac4C modification under physiological and pathological conditions. This review systematically explains the multidimensional roles of RNA modifications, represented by ac4C, in health and disease. We point out that RNA modification-related regulatory enzymes, such as NAT10, can serve as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, thereby advancing disease mechanism research and improving clinical diagnosis and treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":94133,"journal":{"name":"MedComm","volume":"7 ","pages":"e70734"},"PeriodicalIF":10.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13092963/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147793526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tumor Organoid and Microenvironment Cocultures: Implications for Basic and Translational Cancer Research.","authors":"Jiajun Yang, Chunliang Cheng, Wenqin Luo, Xingfeng He, Yaqi Li, Xiang Hu, Sanjun Cai, Hai Zou, Shaobo Mo, Junjie Peng","doi":"10.1002/mco2.70741","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70741","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Organoids are innovative three-dimensional (3D) cellular constructs, offering a unique platform to replicate the architectural and functional complexity of organs and tissues. In oncology, the tumor microenvironment (TME) dictates tumor evolution and therapeutic resistance. Consequently, therapies targeting TME components have emerged as a burgeoning frontier in cancer treatment. However, accurately recapitulating the dynamic, multicellular crosstalk of TME remains a significant hurdle for clinical translation. This review encapsulates the spectrum of current organoid coculture methodologies, ranging from direct coculture and air-liquid interface to advanced microfluidics and 3D bioprinting. These models not only deepen our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms at play in cancer but also evaluate emerging therapeutic modalities, such as antibody-drug conjugates and immunotherapy. By closely mimicking the in vivo tumor milieu, organoid cocultures enhance our ability to predict therapeutic outcomes and pave the way for the development of precision medicine approaches, thereby propelling forward the frontiers of oncology. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of organoid coculture models, spanning from construction methodologies to clinical applications. We envision this work serving as a definitive guide for the field, ultimately accelerating the transition from theoretical research to clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":94133,"journal":{"name":"MedComm","volume":"7 ","pages":"e70741"},"PeriodicalIF":10.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13077213/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147694703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Combination of Vaccine With IL-12-Armed Oncolytic Virus SKV-012 Synergistically Potentiates Immune Responses in HPV-Associated Malignancies.","authors":"Nian Yang, Long Xu, Meijun Zheng, Huaqing Lu, Yongdong Chen, Zhixiong Zhu, Wanqin Zeng, Zeng Wang, Hexian Li, Jia Li, Zheng Jiang, Pingfu Zeng, Guoqing Wang, Hai Xie, Zongliang Zhang, Hui Yang, Aiping Tong","doi":"10.1002/mco2.70737","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70737","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Currently, patients with advanced-stage or refractory human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated malignancies have few therapeutic options. Despite therapeutic HPV vaccines having been investigated, the lack of appreciable efficacy highlights the urgent need to develop more effective strategies. Here, we developed an immuno-oncotherapy for HPV-induced tumors based on an adenoviral (Ad)-vectored therapeutic vaccine that contains concatemeric T cell epitopes, and evaluated oncolytic viruses (OV) as potential approach to enhance vaccine efficacy. We observed that the therapeutic vaccine encoding the HPV E7 oncoprotein epitope (Ad-E7P) significantly inhibited tumor growth in HPV-induced murine models by inducing systemic antitumor CD8+T cell responses and promoting the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures in peritumoral regions. We then evaluated the potential of combining the vaccine with an interleukin-12 (IL-12)-armed oncolytic herpesvirus (SKV-012) in preclinical models. The combination therapy elicited potent antitumor responses by inducing antigen-specific T-cell expansion, remodeling the tumor microenvironment, and generating immune memory, which led to tumor clearance. Overall, these findings support that the vaccine synergizes with the OV as an effective approach to enhance antitumor immunity in HPV-associated malignancies.</p>","PeriodicalId":94133,"journal":{"name":"MedComm","volume":"7 ","pages":"e70737"},"PeriodicalIF":10.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13077211/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147694654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Emerging Neural Recording and Neurostimulation Technologies Based on Brain-Computer Interface: A Promising Approach for Neuropsychiatric Disorders.","authors":"Yeguang Xu, Danyang Chen, Qing Ye, Peng Zhang, Jian Shi, Shengjie Li, Yuhao Sun, Zhixian Zhao, Yingxin Tang, Ping Zhang, Zhouping Tang","doi":"10.1002/mco2.70739","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70739","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neurological and psychiatric disorders, arising from disruptions in neural circuitry, pose a major and growing challenge to global healthcare systems. Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology has emerged as a promising approach, enabling direct communication between the brain and external devices. By facilitating bidirectional interaction with the nervous system, BCIs open new avenues for both diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we examine recent advances in recording and stimulation technologies within the BCI framework and evaluate their therapeutic potential across major neuropsychiatric disorders. We focus particularly on post-stroke motor rehabilitation as a representative paradigm, providing detailed analysis of the mechanisms, clinical evidence, and future prospects of endovascular BCI, BCI-integrated epidural spinal cord stimulation, and BCI-driven deep brain stimulation. We further extend the discussion to movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, as well as cognitive and psychiatric conditions including Alzheimer's disease and depression, highlighting how BCI-based approaches enable symptom detection and closed-loop neuromodulation. Additionally, we address ethical and societal considerations accompanying clinical translation of these advanced neurotechnologies. By integrating current evidence, this review highlights a paradigm shift toward more active, precise, and personalized neural rehabilitation enabled by BCI systems, while outlining key challenges and future directions for research and clinical application.</p>","PeriodicalId":94133,"journal":{"name":"MedComm","volume":"7 ","pages":"e70739"},"PeriodicalIF":10.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13077214/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147694625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}