Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: AI-designed cyclic peptides enable controllable modulation of the CD28 immune checkpoint

doi: 10.64898/2026.03.06.710051

Figure Lengend Snippet: (A) Schematic representation of the adoptive CD4⁺CD45RB high T-cell transfer model of chronic colitis. CD4⁺CD45RB high T cells were isolated from BALB/c donor spleens and intravenously transferred into C.B-17 scid recipient mice. Beginning after cell transfer, mice received daily subcutaneous administration of CIP-3 (1 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg) or vehicle. Disease progression was monitored for 30 days. Endpoints included disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and serum cytokine analysis. (B) CIP-3 reduced disease severity in a dose-dependent manner. DAI (combined weight loss and stool score) was assessed longitudinally. Vehicle-treated mice developed progressive colitis, whereas CIP-3 treatment significantly attenuated disease progression, with greater efficacy observed at 5 mg/kg. (C) CIP-3 mitigated colonic shortening associated with inflammation. Colon length was measured on day 30. Vehicle-treated mice exhibited marked shortening relative to no-colitis controls, whereas CIP-3 treatment significantly restored colon length in a dose-dependent manner. (D-E) CIP-3 suppressed systemic inflammatory cytokines. Serum TNF-α ( D) and IL-6 (E) levels were quantified by ELISA at study termination. Vehicle-treated mice showed elevated cytokine concentrations, while CIP-3 significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels, with stronger suppression at 5 mg/kg. Data represent mean ± SEM (n = 8 per group). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparison test for endpoint analyses and two-way ANOVA for longitudinal DAI measurements. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001 versus colitis + vehicle group.

Article Snippet: Recipient C.B-17 scid mice (7 weeks old; Taconic Biosciences) received 3 × 10 5 CD4+CD45RB high T cells via intravenous injection (200 μL per mouse).

Techniques: Isolation, Biomarker Discovery, Activity Assay, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Comparison

Journal: Frontiers in Oncology

Article Title: Targeting TLK2 with antisense oligonucleotides as a new strategy in acute myeloid leukemia

doi: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1659341

Figure Lengend Snippet: TLK2 ASO in combination with gilteritinib decreases leukemic burden in a murine model of AML. (A) A schematic representation of a murine AML bone marrow transplantation model. 1e6 lineage (Lin - )-depleted CD45.2 + LysM-Cre + Flt3 ITD Tet2 +/- bone marrow cells were injected into lethally irradiated CD45.1 + recipients. Mice were treated with NT ASO, TLK2 ASO, NT ASO + gilteritinib, or TLK2 ASO + gilteritinib. (B) TLK2 expression in peripheral blood at week 17. (C) Spleen size measured by ultrasound at 14 weeks post-transplantation. (D) Endpoint spleen weights at 19 weeks post-transplantation. (E) Spleen images from each treatment group. (F) Leukemic burden in the bone marrow at 19 weeks post-transplantation was measured by flow cytometry using CD45.2 + and myeloid marker Ly6GLy6C. (G) Number of Lin - c-Kit + population and Lin - c - Kit + Sca - 1 + population in the bone marrow at week 19. (H) 2, 500 lineage-negative bone marrow cells from LysM-Cre + Flt3 ITD Tet2 +/- mouse were plated in methylcellulose-based media and treated with 10 µM NT ASO or TLK2 ASO, either alone or in combination with 200 nM gilteritinib. Colonies were counted on day 6. Data was presented in duplicates. Statistical significance (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001) as determined by one-way ANOVA.

Article Snippet: 1e6 lineage negative cells and supporting cells were retro-orbitally injected into 6-weeks old BoyJ CD45.1 recipient mice (Jackson Lab #002014) which were lethally irradiated with two doses of 500 and 450 cGy 4 hours apart.

Techniques: Transplantation Assay, Injection, Irradiation, Expressing, Flow Cytometry, Marker