University of Louisville researchers have discovered how a naturally occurring microbial metabolite called urolithin A, or UroA, generated by gut bacteria after digestion of foods such as pomegranates, walnuts and berries, activates a protective pathway in the intestine that may help preserve gut health. This understanding may support future treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

CADASIL, an inherited disease caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene, damages the brain’s small blood vessels, leading to strokes, cognitive decline, and early dementia. Despite decades of research, its underlying disease mechanisms remain poorly understood due to the lack of suitable disease models. To tackle this issue, researchers have developed the world’s first zebrafish model of CADASIL, which reproduces several key features of the disease. Their findings will help identify potential therapeutic targets. 

Sjögren disease, an autoimmune disease characterized by dry mouth and dry eyes, may reduce patients’ quality of life. While CD4⁺ T cells are key drivers of immune-mediated tissue damage and chronic inflammation, the role of pathogenic CD4⁺ T cell subsets and their non-immune cell partners remains unexplored. Researchers have now identified the preferential CD4⁺ T cell-fibroblast cellular interaction that amplifies inflammatory proteins and tissue damage, representing a potential target for therapeutic intervention in Sjögren disease.