D. Motooka

Spatial transcriptomics elucidates medulla niche supporting germinal center response in myasthenia gravis thymoma

This study uses spatial transcriptomics to identify medullary niche features in thymoma and thymic hyperplasia associated with myasthenia gravis pathogenesis.

Fibroblast Nrf2 inhibits profibrotic transcription with Ddx54 and mitigates pathological fibrosis in the mouse heart and kidney

This study identifies the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway as a regulator of TGF-β-mediated CTGF expression in fibroblasts, showing that Nrf2 with Ddx54 suppresses profibrotic genes and reduces fibrosis in mouse heart and kidney.

Deep mutational scanning of whole SARS-CoV-2 spike in an inverted infection system

The paper develops a DMS platform to analyze SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations, finding that spike expression, not ACE2 affinity, primarily affects infectivity and evolution.

Single-cell transcriptome landscape of circulating CD4+ T cell populations in human autoimmune diseases

The paper identifies 12 transcriptional gene programs in CD4+ T cells from autoimmune diseases and shows their utility in disease characterization and prediction.

Genetic and lipidomic identification of tuberculostearic acid as a controller of mycobacterial membrane compartmentalization

The paper identifies tuberculostearic acid (TBSA) as a key lipid controlled by the gene cfa, which regulates membrane compartmentalization in Mycobacterium smegmatis.

Engineered ACE2 counteracts vaccine-evading SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

This paper shows engineered ACE2 neutralizes Omicron and other sarbecoviruses effectively despite its high number of spike mutations.

Myasthenia gravis-specific aberrant neuromuscular gene expression by medullary thymic epithelial cells in thymoma

This study identifies neuromuscular gene expression in thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis by analyzing bulk and single-cell RNA-seq data, linking it to specific thymic epithelial cell subpopulations.

Enterococcus spp. have higher fitness for survival, in a pH-dependent manner, in pancreatic juice among duodenal bacterial flora

The paper investigates the survival of Enterococcus faecalis in pancreatic juice under different pH conditions and finds it has higher fitness in alkaline environments.

Identification, crystallization and epitope determination of public TCR shared and expanded in COVID-19 patients

The paper identifies and crystallizes public TCRs from SARS-CoV-2-specific Tfh cells in COVID-19 patients, showing they recognize conserved spike epitopes and cross-react with symbiotic bacteria.

High affinity modified ACE2 receptors protect from SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters

The paper engineers high-affinity ACE2 receptors to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in hamsters, showing protection against infection without viral escape mutations.

Generation of human bronchial organoids for SARS-CoV-2 research

This paper generates human bronchial organoids that support SARS-CoV-2 infection and drug testing, showing reduced viral load with TMPRSS2 inhibition.

Emergence and diversification of a host-parasite RNA ecosystem through Darwinian evolution

This study experimentally demonstrates coevolution between host and parasitic RNA molecules, showing how parasitic replicators drive genetic diversity in prebiotic evolution.

Transcriptomic profiling of Streptococcus pyogenes M1T1 strain in a mouse model of necrotizing fasciitis

This study identifies S. pyogenes gene-expression changes in a mouse necrotizing fasciitis model, revealing upregulation of virulence factors and downregulation of oxidative-stress response genes.