Science - USA (2022-02-11)

some beneficial effects of caloric

restriction. —LBR

Science, abg7292, this issue p. 671;

see also abn6576, p. 620

CORONAVIRUS

Vaccination protects

against Omicron

The Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant

of concern has proven more

transmissible and infectious

than the original severe acute

respiratory syndrome coronavi-

rus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Muik

et al. investigated whether the

BioNTech/Pfizer BNT162b2

messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine

is effective against the Omicron

variant. Sera were collected

from two groups of clinical

trial subjects: those who only

received the primary two-dose

BNT162b2 vaccine series (spaced

21 days apart) and those who

also received a third, “booster”

vaccine 6 to 18 months after the

second dose. Individuals who

received only two doses had a low

ability to neutralize the Omicron

variant, whereas a third shot of

BNT162b2 significantly improved

antibody recognition of Omicron.

These data suggest that three

BNT162b2 mRNA doses are

likely required to protect against

Omicron-driven COVID-19. —PNK

Science, abn7591, this issue p. 678

SPATIAL EPIGENOMICS

Close-up on chromatin

modifications

Despite recent advances in spatial

transcriptomics to map gene

expression, it has not be possible

to determine the underlying

epigenetic mechanisms control-

ling gene expression and tissue

development with high spatial

resolution. Deng et al. report on a

technique called spatial-CUT&Tag

for genome-wide profiling of

histone modifications pixel by

pixel on a frozen tissue section

without dissociation. This method

resolved spatially distinct and

cell-type-specific chromatin

modifications in mouse embry-

onic organogenesis and postnatal

brain development. Single-cell

epigenomic profiles were derived

AGING

Searching for caloric

restriction mimetics

Moderately decreased food intake

that does not cause malnutrition

(caloric restriction) has benefi-

cial effects on health span and

life span in model organisms.

Spadaro et al. examined measures

of immune function in humans

who restricted caloric intake by

about 14% over 2 years and in

mice under a more severe 40%

restriction (see the Perspective by

Rhoads and Anderson). Cellular

analyses and transcriptional sur-

veys showed marks of improved

thymic function under caloric

restriction. Expression of the gene

encoding platelet activating factor

acetylhydrolase (PLA2G7) was

decreased in humans undergoing

caloric restriction. Inactivation

of the gene in mice decreased

inflammation and improved mark-

ers of thymic function and some

metabolic functions in aging

mice. Thus, decreased expres-

sion of PLA2G7 might mediate

RESEARCH

Edited by

Michael Funk

IN SCIENCE JOURNALS

A fluorescent reporter reveals tissue-specific p53 induction in mouse organs.

SCIENCE science.org 11 FEBRUARY 2022 • VOL 375 ISSUE 6581 625

TOOLS

Reporting on p53 in living color

M

any of our insights into the tumor-suppressor properties of the transcription

factor p53 have been obtained from cell culture studies because tools in live

animals tend to be invasive or are limited by detection issues. Humpton et al.

generated mice expressing a fluorescent, p53-responsive reporter that overcame

both limitations, revealing the dynamics of p53 activity during embryonic develop-

ment and in the liver after injury in adult mice. —LKF Sci. Signal. 15 , eabd9099 (2022).

IMAGE: HUMPTON

ET AL

./SCIENCE SIGNALING