Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Representative tile-scan image of murine inguinal lymph node. PDPN+ fibroblastic reticular cells are shown in green, extracellular matrix in red and CD3+ T lymphocytes in white. Confocal microscopy imaging permits the study of lymph node dynamics and changes that occur in the organ during disease states. See article by Makris et al. (dmm049256). Cover image is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
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EDITOR'S CHOICE
EDITORIAL
Working to enhance the accessibility of Disease Models & Mechanisms
Summary: The DMM Editor-in-Chief discusses the importance of accessibility to published research and outlines the implications of new Read & Publish agreements for the DMM community.
PERSPECTIVE
Autophagy takes it all – autophagy inducers target immune aging
Summary: Aging of the immune system drives ineffective immune responses in older people. Autophagy-inducing dietary interventions and drugs rejuvenate adaptive immune cells and could extend a healthy lifespan or offer new strategies to treat age-related diseases.
REVIEWS
Immune function and dysfunction are determined by lymphoid tissue efficacy
Summary: Lymphoid tissue fitness can determine disease severity and affect outcome by altering the course of immune responses. We discuss how lymphoid tissue function can impact disease progression during infections, chronic inflammatory conditions and cancer.
Alternative RNA splicing in tumour heterogeneity, plasticity and therapy
Summary: Recent evidence demonstrates that alternative mRNA splicing can influence tumour heterogeneity, its plasticity and a patient's response to therapeutic intervention. Here, we review the current knowledge of the role of alternative splicing in these processes.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Two cell line models to study multiorganic metastasis and immunotherapy in lung squamous cell carcinoma
Summary: Generation and characterization of two phenotypically different and transplantable mouse model lung squamous cell carcinoma cell lines – UN-SCC679 and UN-SCC680 – to be used in different research scenarios, including immunotherapy.
Vangl2–environment interaction causes severe neural tube defects, without abnormal neuroepithelial convergent extension
Summary: A gene–environment interaction involving the Vangl2 gene and sulfated glycosaminoglycans prevents mouse neural tube closure. Convergent extension shaping of the embryo is unaffected, implicating other mechanism(s) in this process.
Brain transcriptomes of zebrafish and mouse Alzheimer's disease knock-in models imply early disrupted energy metabolism
Summary: Young adult zebrafish mutants and a mouse model of a genetic variant promoting early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease, respectively, share changes in brain gene expression, indicating disturbance of oxidative phosphorylation.
Intrinsic and damage-induced JAK/STAT signaling regulate developmental timing by the Drosophila prothoracic gland
Summary: Damage signaling from tumors mediated by JAK/STAT-activating Upd cytokines delays the Drosophila larva–pupa transition through co-option of a JAK/STAT developmental role in the prothoracic gland.
The zebrafish embryo as an in vivo model for screening nanoparticle-formulated lipophilic anti-tuberculosis compounds
Summary: The zebrafish embryo is a quick, sensitive and powerful tool for evaluating the in vivo toxicity and efficacy of newly identified lipophilic anti-tuberculosis compounds formulated in nanoparticles.
Novel patient-derived models of desmoplastic small round cell tumor confirm a targetable dependency on ERBB signaling
Summary: Novel models of desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) reveal a role for the ERBB pathway in regulating growth of this sarcoma and provide a rationale for evaluating EGFR antagonists in patients with DSRCT.
Mapping the metabolomic and lipidomic changes in the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis in young and aged mice
Editor's choice: Using bleomycin-induced lung injury as a mouse model for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, this study identifies metabolomic and lipidomic changes in fibrosis reflecting higher energy demand, proliferation, tissue remodeling, collagen deposition and inflammation.
RESOURCE ARTICLE
The rat rotenone model reproduces the abnormal pattern of central catecholamine metabolism found in Parkinson's disease
Summary: This study presents an animal model that reflects the neurochemical pattern found in Parkinson's patients, the basis of the new and evolving catecholaldehyde hypothesis for the disease.
FIRST PERSON
PREPRINT HIGHLIGHTS
DMM Journal Meeting 2024: Pre-clinical Modelling of Human Genetic Disease and Therapy

Registration is now open 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.
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.