Issue Archive

Scavenger receptors are increasingly recognized as playing a critical role in atherothrombosis.¹  A new study presented by Valiyaveettil and colleagues in this issue of Blood demonstrates that oxidatively modified high-density lipoprotein (OxHDL) exhibits potent antiplatelet activity via the platelet scavenger receptor B type I (SR-BI).

A recent paper from the Alt laboratory shows that recombination activating genes (RAGs) are not responsible for double-strand DNA breaks associated with some chromosomal translocations in pre–T-cell lymphomas.

Latent human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with vast clonal expansions of cytotoxic CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells.

In this issue of Blood, Abdelkefi and coworkers use a randomized trial to show that the immunomodulatory agent thalidomide, applied after a single transplantation for 6 months, results in improved response rates and better progression-free and overall survival (OS) compared with tandem transplantation.

The AML1/ETO fusion protein induces DNA double-strand breaks, p53 expression, and a DNA damage response, suggesting a new role in AML pathogenesis.

High-cost prophylaxis for hemophilia has decreased morbidity, but its long-term impact on quality of life needs expanded investigation. This Arbeit takes a hard look at this and underscores its additional effects on the lives of these patients.

Freson and colleagues have identified a role (see figure) for the megakaryocyte VPAC1 receptor and its 2 major agonists, PACAP and VIP, in the regulation of platelet production.

A new genotoxicity assay allows one to study proto-oncogene activation at the appropriate human chromosomal position.

Roos and colleagues demonstrate that telomere length correlates with known biological prognostic factors in CLL and may independently predict clinical outcome. These findings suggest that telomerase may be a useful pharmacological target in CLL.

A member of the small heat shock protein family is found to regulate the formation of vasculature. A study by Dimberg and colleagues combines novel insights into the mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis with therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of cancer.

Briot and colleagues provide compelling evidence that aberrant activation of the MAPK stress-signaling cascade, which results in TNF-α oversecretion, plays an important role in the pathophysiology of Fanconi anemia.

Autoimmune complications arise commonly in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and may become life-threatening. Dearden and colleagues have analyzed the results of the UK Leukaemia Research CLL4 clinical trial and have come up with some interesting and unanticipated conclusions.