Journal of Clinical Investigation Archives

From left, Sheila Collins, PhD, Ryan Ceddia, PhD, and Heidi Hamm, PhD, and their colleagues have identified a potential new approach to reducing the global impact of obesity and diabetes. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Releasing a brake that drives obesity and diabetes

Sep. 6, 2023—Vanderbilt researchers have uncovered a potential new way to help curb the rapidly rising worldwide prevalence of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes.

Selenium signal found in colorectal cancer: study

Jun. 29, 2023—An antioxidant transporter of the trace mineral selenium that protects against inflammatory bowel disease has the opposite effect in colorectal cancer, where it promotes tumor growth, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have reported.

Craig Brooks, PhD, and colleagues are studying a molecular mechanism that promotes chronic kidney disease following kidney injury. (photo by Erin O. Smith)

Novel therapeutic target identified for chronic kidney disease

Dec. 15, 2022—Vanderbilt investigators have discovered a molecular mechanism that promotes chronic kidney disease following kidney injury.

From left, Raymond C. Harris, MD, Shirong Cao, MD, PhD, Ming-Zhi Zhang, MD, MSc, and colleagues are studying the role of inflammation in obesity.

Study sheds light on the dark side of obesity

May. 12, 2022—Vanderbilt research that promotes the anti-inflammatory pathway in macrophages could also reduce some of the bad side effects of obesity.

New prognosis predictor and target for gastric cancer

Apr. 7, 2022—The protein CGA — a subunit of glycoprotein hormones — is a biomarker that predicts chemoresistance in gastric cancer and could be targeted along with EGFR to restore chemosensitivity.

From left, MacRae Linton, MD, Huan Tao, MD, PhD, Jonathan Brown, MD, and colleagues have discovered a potential new target for preventing atherosclerosis.

Nature’s “recycler” could reduce heart disease risk: study

Jul. 8, 2021—Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified potential new targets for the prevention of atherosclerosis through the enhancement of autophagy, a natural process for recycling damaged cellular material.

Deanna Edwards, PhD, left, Jin Chen, MD, PhD, and colleagues are studying a new therapeutic strategy for triple-negative breast cancer.

Breast cancer cells ‘steal’ nutrients from immune cells: study

Apr. 1, 2021—Triple-negative breast cancer cells engage in a “glutamine steal” — outcompeting T cells for the nutrient glutamine and impairing their ability to kill tumor cells, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.

Allison Norlander, PhD, R. Stokes Peebles, MD, and colleagues are studying an approved drug that enhances immune cells and might be useful for treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Team studies new use for pulmonary hypertension drug

Mar. 25, 2021—An FDA-approved medication enhances the function of T regulatory cells (Treg), a class of immune cells that restrains the immune response, Vanderbilt investigators have discovered.

Post-transplant diabetes may be reversible: study

Feb. 20, 2020—Post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM), a common complication of immunosuppressive drugs that are given to prevent transplant rejection, may be reversible and at least partially preventable, researchers at VUMC report.

Study links neural circuit with impaired social function

Jan. 29, 2020—Stimulating neural activity between the amygdala and the nucleus accumbens — a brain region associated with pleasure — impairs social function even though mice find the stimulation rewarding, a new study published by Vanderbilt researchers reports.

Defective transporter linked to autism

Jul. 24, 2019—A first-of-its-kind mouse model may help reveal mechanistic underpinnings for the altered behaviors of autism spectrum disorder.

Study reveals role for stem cells in chronic lung diseases

May. 25, 2017—A novel population of lung stem cells plays an important role in regulating the pulmonary microvasculature — the network of tiny blood vessels where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange takes place.