Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: The absence of the CAR-like membrane protein (CLMP) caused impaired peristaltic contractions in the intestinal tract and ureter due to a lack of gap-junctional communication between smooth muscle cells. Insufficient transport of chyme and urine caused a fatal delay to thrive and provoked a severe hydronephrosis in Clmp-knockout mice. Intrapelvic ink injections demonstrated the absence of physical obstructions (the image shows a Clmp-knockout urinary system). Ink easily flowed through the urinary path to the bladder (bottom of image). See article by Langhorst et al. (dmm032128). Cover image is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
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EDITORIAL
REVIEWS
Use of zebrafish to study Shigella infection
Summary: Here, we review how studying Shigella infection of zebrafish has illuminated novel research avenues in both infection and cell biology.
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: genes, therapies and models
Summary: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms have been an understudied entity with limited treatment options. We discuss the disease models, including emerging organoids, that may provide biological and therapeutic insight into these diseases.
Intestinal epithelial cell polarity defects in disease: lessons from microvillus inclusion disease
Summary: Microvillus inclusion disease serves as a useful model to enhance our understanding of the intestinal trafficking and polarity machinery in health and disease.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Developmental abnormalities in supporting cell phalangeal processes and cytoskeleton in the Gjb2 knockdown mouse model
Summary: A reduction in connexin 26 before opening of the tunnel of Corti impedes microtubule formation in supporting cells, and this may lead to cochlear developmental abnormalities and deafness in the Gjb2 knockdown mouse model.
Spliceosomal components protect embryonic neurons from R-loop-mediated DNA damage and apoptosis
Summary: Loss of RNA splicing factors causes R-loop accumulation and DNA damage in embryonic neurons, sensitizing them to radiation-induced cell death. These findings suggest that diseased cells with mutations in splicing factors are vulnerable to radiotherapy.
Inorganic arsenic causes fatty liver and interacts with ethanol to cause alcoholic liver disease in zebrafish
Summary: Using zebrafish, the authors show that exposure to a common environmental contaminant, inorganic arsenic, increases the risk of alcoholic liver disease.
Motor neuron degeneration correlates with respiratory dysfunction in SCA1
Summary: In this manuscript, we discovered motor neuron degeneration which correlates with respiratory failure in a knock-in mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1).
Divergent effects of adrenaline in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes obtained from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Summary: Different concentrations of adrenaline have divergent effects during and immediately after administration in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) obtained from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. Bisoprolol could not reduce the arrhythmias in HCM-specific hiPSC-CMs.
The IgCAM CLMP regulates expression of Connexin43 and Connexin45 in intestinal and ureteral smooth muscle contraction in mice
Summary: The function of the immunoglobulin cell adhesion molecule CLMP was investigated in a mouse model. CLMP is essential for intestinal and ureteral peristalsis, and for expression of Connexin43 and 45 in smooth muscle cells.
Superior cervical gangliectomy induces non-exudative age-related macular degeneration in mice
Summary: Ubiquitous alteration of choroid circulation causes localized retinal alterations in mice that are similar to human non-exudative age-related macular degeneration, thus providing a new potential experimental model of the disease.
Environmental factors regulate Paneth cell phenotype and host susceptibility to intestinal inflammation in Irgm1-deficient mice
Summary: In this study, we rederived conventionally raised Irgm1-deficient mice into specific pathogen-free and germ-free conditions. We show that these environments determine how Irgm1 regulates Paneth cell function and gut inflammation susceptibility.
Inhibition of galectin-3 ameliorates the consequences of cardiac lipotoxicity in a rat model of diet-induced obesity
Summary: Inhibition of Gal-3 activity reduced the excessive cardiac accumulation of lipids in rats fed a high fat diet. This was accompanied by the amelioration of mitochondria damage observed in obese rats.
RESOURCE ARTICLES
Modelling glioblastoma tumour-host cell interactions using adult brain organotypic slice co-culture
Editor's choice: A new ex vivo experimental approach to explore how glioblastoma stem cells interact with distinct brain microenvironments, with potential use a as preclinical model using new anticancer agents.
High-throughput screen for compounds that modulate neurite growth of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons
Summary: High-throughput, small molecule screening of hiPSC-derived neurons using a high-content, image-based approach focused on neurite growth identified hit compounds, including approved drugs, which target molecules or pathways known to regulate neurite growth.
DMM Journal Meeting 2024: Pre-clinical Modelling of Human Genetic Disease and Therapy

Register your interest for our 2024 Journal Meeting. Rapid advances in gene editing and genetic technologies have revolutionised our ability to model human genetic disease and provided new hope for gene therapies. At this Meeting, we will present the very latest advances in modelling human genetic disease. Find more information here.
A new call for papers is underway

Showcase your latest research in our upcoming special issue Translating Multiscale Research in Rare Disease, coordinated by DMM Editors Monica Justice, Karen Liu and Monkol Lek, and Guest Editor Kate Rauen. The deadline for submitting articles to the special issue is Monday 6 November 2023.
Moving towards heart success – Disease Models & Mechanisms Special Issue

DMM's most recent special issue compiles articles that aim to move heart failure to heart success by fundamentally addressing the roots of failure to identify curative strategies.
Adult zebrafish as advanced models of human disease

Editor-in-Chief Liz Patton and Editorial Board member Rich White discuss the unique advantages of adult zebrafish for studying human disease biology. Read the Open Access Editorial here.
The Forest of Biologists

The Forest of Biologists is a biodiversity initiative created by The Company of Biologists, with support from the Woodland Trust. For every Research and Review article published in Disease Models & Mechanisms a native tree is planted in a UK forest. In addition to this we are protecting and restoring ancient woodland and are dedicating these trees to our peer reviewers. Visit our virtual forest to learn more.