Scientists at the CNIC and the CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), led by Vicente Andrés, have generated the first genetically modified mice with accelerated atherosclerosis induced by the protein progerin, which causes the development of HGPS. The research team found that the main cause of accelerated atherosclerosis and premature death in these mice was alterations in the smooth muscle cells lining the blood vessels. The results of the study, published in Circulation, identify vascular smooth muscle cells as a possible therapeutic target for combatting the premature atherosclerosis in progeria. The study was conducted in collaboration with Carlos López-Otín of the University of Oviedo and Jacob Bentzon at the CNIC.

Communications, contribute to the understanding of the cellular processes initiated at early stages and explain how the distinct cell populations of the immune system communicate to mount an effective response against pathogens. The CNIC researchers have shown that mitochondrial DNA contained in nanovesicles triggers a state of alertness in recipient cells that activates an antiviral genetic program. These nanovesicles, known as exosomes, are produced by T lymphocytes and taken up by dendritic cells via intercellular contacts.

Torralba D, Baixauli F, Villarroya-Beltri C, Fernández- Delgado I, Latorre-Pellicer A, Acín-Pérez R, Martín- Cófreces NB, Jaso-Tamame ÁL, Iborra S, Jorge I, González-Aseguinolaza G, Garaude J, Vicente- Manzanares M, Enríquez JA, Mittelbrunn M, Sánchez-Madrid F. Priming of dendritic cells by DNA- containing extracellular vesicles from activated T cells through antigen-driven contacts. Nat Commun. 2018;9(1):2658. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-05077-9

One of the research lines targeting the worldwide obesity epidemic is the manipulation of brown fat, a ‘good’ type of fat tissue that burns lipids to maintain an appropriate body temperature. Researchers at the CNIC have now uncovered the mechanism by which brown fat cells are activated to generate heat and eliminate excess fat. The results, published in PLoS Biology, have potential clinical implications for the treatment of obesity and related diseases like diabetes.

plays an important role in the day-to-day function of healthy organs. The research results show that the immune cells called neutrophils help to maintain the normal function of healthy tissues.

Casanova-Acebes M, Nicolás-Ávila JA, Li JL, García- Silva S, Balachander A, Rubio-Ponce A, Weiss LA, Adrover JM, Burrows K, A-González N, Ballesteros I, Devi S, Quintana JA, Crainiciuc G, Leiva M, Gunzer M, Weber C, Nagasawa T, Soehnlein O, Merad M, Mortha A, Ng LG, Peinado H, Hidalgo A.Neutrophils instruct homeostatic and pathological states in naive tissues. J Exp Med. 2018;215(11):2778-95. doi: 10.1084/jem.20181468 10.1084/jem.20171738

In response to infection or tissue injury, our bodies react by activating the inflammatory immune response, which attacks the infection and repairs the damaged tissue. However, excess inflammation can sometimes have the opposite effect, increasing injury in a process known as immunopathology. Now, researchers at the CNIC have discovered a new inflammation control mechanism that shows how the damage caused by the immune response can be controlled. The study is published in Science.

Del Fresno C, Saz-Leal P, Enamorado M, Wculek SK, Martínez-Cano S, Blanco-Menéndez N, Schulz O, Gallizioli M, Miró-Mur F, Cano E, Planas A, Sancho D. DNGR-1 in dendritic cells limits tissue damage by dampening neutrophil recruitment. Science. 2018;362(6412):351-6. doi: 10.1126/science. aan8423