Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered that “immune hubs” in the kidney create a unique metabolic environment that could be targeted for new treatments. These clusters of immune cells, called tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), show high levels of oxidative stress but counter this by accumulating glutathione, a key antioxidant, maintaining a delicate balance. The study found that specific support cells produce and supply glutathione to sustain these immune hubs, and blocking this process prevents new TLSs from forming or causes existing TLSs to shrink. By analyzing mouse and human samples, the researchers also demonstrated that measuring glutathione levels in urine could provide a simple, non-invasive way to monitor TLS formation (patent pending). This discovery opens the door to “metabolic intervention-based immune regulation,” a promising new therapeutic concept that could improve treatment for kidney diseases and beyond.

A research team at Kyoto University has discovered STAG3-cohesin, a new mitotic cohesin complex that helps establish the unique DNA architecture of spermaotogonial stem cells (SSCs), the stem cells that give rise to sperm. This "DNA organizer" is crucial for sperm production in mice: without STAG3, SSCs cannot differentiate properly, leading to a fertility problem. In humans, the researchers found that STAG3 is highly expressed in immune B cells and in B-cell lymphomas (a type of blood cancer), and blocking it slowed the growth of these cells. This discovery might open the door to new strategies for treating infertility and certain cancers.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Tsukuba showed that individuals who maintain regular daily sleep patterns tend to have greater global cognitive performance. The study also found that blood biomarkers related to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease were most elevated in individuals with moderate sleep regularity and lowest among those with either highly irregular or excessively rigid patterns—indicating a potential inverse U-shaped relationship.