[Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy] The noncanonical WNT5B signaling pathway induced sustained expression of matrix metallopeptidase 14 (MMP14), an extracellular matrix (ECM)-degrading enzyme, via activation of the NFATc2 transcription factor in both human and primary mouse astrocytes.

[Advanced Materials] Researchers employed embedded sacrificial bioprinting to construct functional liver sinusoid-mimetic vascular networks within hydrogel matrix of precisely tunable elastic modulus, establishing a dynamically perfused in vitro liver fibrosis model.

[Nature Communications] Scientists showed a reactive oxygen species-responsive nanosystem targeting tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 for spatiotemporally precise idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treatment.

[Advanced Science] Multi-omics profiling and co-culture experiments revealed that macrophage–secreted ferritin promotes fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and pathological extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition via the PIK3R2/SMAD signaling axis.

[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America] The authors identify the critical role of calumenin in maintaining vimentin proteostasis and regulating fibroblast senescence.

[Biomaterials Science] Regenerated silk fibroin scaffolds, with or without hepatocyte growth factor and fibroblast growth factor-4, were implanted onto the liver surface to assess antifibrotic efficacy.

[Journal of Translational Medicine] The authors integrate recent literature and synthesize evidence from both preclinical and clinical studies to elucidate the potential mechanisms by which cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) contribute to therapeutic resistance and to summarize up-to-date research developments in nanotherapeutic strategies targeting CAFs.

[Journal of Periodontal Research] Scientists examine the pathogenic mechanisms, diagnostic applications, and therapeutic targeting potential of the entire matrix metalloproteinases family in periodontitis and peri-implantitis.

[Rein Therapeutics] Rein Therapeutics announced that it has received orphan drug designation from the European Medicines Agency for LTI-03, its lead drug candidate aimed at preserving lung function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

[Nature Communications] Researchers presented the rational design and characterization of YL1004, a tricyclic oral PLpro inhibitor demonstrating robust, cross-variant SARS-CoV-2 antiviral activity and favorable pharmacokinetic properties.

[eLife] Researchers showed that the distribution and localization of mast cells in pulmonary tuberculosis in humans and macaques were associated with chymase production.

[Science Advances] Scientists demonstrate that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) orchestrates the temporal and sequential regulation of distinct programmed cell death pathways in human macrophages to optimize replication and dissemination.