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The enzymatic breakdown of the lipid sphingomyelin is associated with various infectious diseases. Here, the authors introduce trifunctional sphingomyelin derivatives for the visualisation of sphingomyelin distribution and sphingomyelinase activity in infection processes.

Cortical development is influenced by morphogen gradients. To mimic patterning events during brain development, polarized cortical assembloids are generated with the help of a localized FGF8 source.

Cervix and breast carcinomas are highly heterogeneous in their mechanical properties across scales. This heterogeneity provides the tumour with stability and room for cell motility.

A single-cell spatial transcriptomic and proteomic study of immune cells in the human CNS border compartments reveals differences in CNS-associated macrophages across age, perturbation and disease.

Imaging is central for the classification and diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis, as well as for monitoring disease progression and predicting response to treatment. Xenofon Baraliakos and Jürgen Braun provide an overview of the role of imaging for patients with axial spondyloarthritis and discuss how imaging techniques might influence research and clinical practice in the future.

The order of DNA methylation and histone modifications during transcription remained unclear. Here the authors show that HMGA2 induces DNA nicks at TGFB1-responsive genes, promoting nucleosome incorporation containing γ-H2AX, which is required for repair-mediated DNA demethylation and transcription.

Astrocytic glycogen dynamics is necessary to support neuronal transmission of long-term inflammatory pain signals in the spinal cord.

Han et al. report the existence of neural stem cells (NSCs) outside the central nervous system and show that these peripheral NSCs display features similar to brain NSCs, including the ability to differentiate into mature neurons.

Surgical weight-loss interventions improve insulin sensitivity via incompletely understood mechanisms. Here the authors assess skeletal muscle epigenetic changes in individuals with obesity following metabolic surgery and compare them with data from individuals without obesity.

Time-series data including 1,794 plant species from 7,738 vegetation plots in Germany between 1927 and 2020 reveal patterns of change in biodiversity, and suggest that more species declined than increased in abundance during this period.

A study of patients with COVID-19 and healthy donors found CD4⁺ T cells that react to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and human endemic coronaviruses; however, the effect of pre-existing SARS-CoV-2 cross-reactive T cells on clinical outcomes remains to be determined.

In this issue, Walter et al. report the results of two clinical trials of a new therapeutic vaccine, IMA901, for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). IMA901 consists of ten tumor-associated peptides identified as naturally presented T cell epitopes in RCC, and the authors show longer overall survival in subjects with immune responses to multiple vaccine peptides and identify serum and cellular biomarkers that may help predict overall survival in future studies of the vaccine.

Combining the kinase inhibitor sorafenib with allogeneic stem cell transplantation boosts immune responses against a subtype of acute myelogenous leukemia, suggesting potential clinical benefit.

The first expert consensus recommendations for the treatment and diagnosis of adult sterile bone inflammation have been developed, in which the term ‘chronic non-bacterial osteitis’ is proposed as a disease definition. Will these recommendations pave the way for better diagnosis, management and treatment of this rare disease?

Results from a cohort study are challenging the diagnostic algorithm proposed by the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society by showing that rheumatologists are not always confirming a diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis in patients with multiple features of spondyloarthritis. How will these results affect the future development of classification criteria?

For half a century, the cause for recent uplift of the European Alps has been debated. Here, the authors show that ∼90% of the geodetically measured rock uplift in the Alps can be explained by the Earth’s viscoelastic response to ice melting after the Last Glacial Maximum.

The first lasing results at SwissFEL, an X-ray free-electron laser, are presented, highlighting the facility’s unique capabilities. A general comparison to other major facilities is also provided.

Biomarkers and surrogate outcome measures can be used to monitor disease development, but what can biomarkers tell us about disease processes in axial spondyloarthritis? New research suggests that some biomarkers might be useful in monitoring patients with ankylosing spondylitis, but greater understanding of the pathological mechanisms is needed.

Considering the interdependence of performance measures and the lack of a basic reference system for all-solid-state batteries, Jürgen Janek and co-workers analyse literature performance data for major types of all-solid-state batteries and benchmark them against minimalistic reference cells.

A human Cytokimera GIL-11 is generated, with specific high affinity activation of the non-natural receptor gp130:LIFR:IL-11R complex and can rescue IL-6R deficient mice from death following partial hepatectomy.

NSAIDs are first line therapy for patients with axial spondyloarthritis and are recommended to be taken continuously in patients with active disease, but their ability to affect radiographic disease progression has been uncertain. Does a new meta-analysis shed light on this matter, or is it too soon to tell?

In this Review, the authors discuss how early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis can be achieved for patients with predominantly axial or predominantly peripheral symptoms. The importance of identifying differences between diagnosis and classification, and how this disparity might influence clinical practice, are highlighted.

Physical function is an important contributor towards a patient’s quality of life, but is often neglected in management strategies for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). This Review provides guidance on determinants and assessments of physical function in axSpA.

Transcriptional alterations demonstrate that adipose tissue responded to exercise completely distinct from skeletal muscle in the same human subjects. Adipose tissue showed acute and repeated reduction in transcripts of lipid uptake, synthesis and storage. The data also suggest the restoration of a healthier circadian rhythm in adipose tissue of subjects with obesity after regularly performed exercise. The interconnection of circadian rhythm with lipid metabolism possibly contributes to improved metabolic health and prevention of diabetes.