Researchers from Wroclaw Medical University investigated why some transplanted kidneys deteriorate despite treatment, focusing on a type of rejection called microvascular inflammation (MVI). This form of injury, now highlighted in the updated Banff 2022 Classification, is difficult to detect without biopsy and is often not accompanied by classic markers such as anti-HLA antibodies. To address this diagnostic gap, the team examined the role of non-HLA antibodies, particularly those targeting the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R).

In a study of 167 transplant recipients, MVI was significantly more common in patients with elevated AT1R antibody levels. Using advanced analytical methods, including artificial intelligence, the researchers identified that only high AT1R titers (>12 U/ml) meaningfully increased the risk of MVI. This suggests that non-HLA antibodies may contribute to graft injury in cases where traditional tests remain negative.

The findings open a path toward developing a more comprehensive, minimally invasive immunological profile to support early diagnosis of rejection. According to the authors, AI-assisted tools may become an essential part of transplant medicine, helping clinicians detect risk sooner and prolong the lifespan of transplanted kidneys.

Arousal by the brainstem and subcortical regions, and awareness from cortical regions combine to produce consciousness in the brain. While arousal or wakefulness is regulated by the ascending reticular activating system of brainstem, the exact mechanism by which brainstem injuries lead to disorder of consciousness (DoC) remains unelucidated. Now, researchers reveal the roles of four nodes in the brainstem in DoC, and describe therapies targeting these nodes and their networks to aid recovery.

Maintaining long-term health has become a major challenge, driving research into ways to extend “healthspan” rather than lifespan alone. In a recent study, researchers from Japan investigated COX7RP, a mitochondrial protein that promotes the assembly of mitochondrial respiratory supercomplexes essential for efficient energy production. They found that boosting COX7RP improves mitochondrial performance, enhances metabolic health, and significantly prolongs lifespan in mice, opening doors to novel anti-aging interventions and therapeutic strategies for aging-related diseases.

A research team at the Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR) within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), together with Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), has developed a new class of ultra-thin, flexible bioelectronic material that can seamlessly interface with living tissues. The researchers introduced a novel device called THIN (Transformable and Imperceptible Hydrogel-Elastomer Ionic-Electronic Nanomembrane). THIN is a membrane just 350 nanometers thick that transforms from a dry, rigid film into an ultra-soft, tissue-like interface upon hydration.