Instructions for commentary authors

A successful Commentary provides a basic understanding of the related article appearing in the JCI and the science that is its topic, as well as an appreciation for the context of the science (e.g., its importance, unanswered questions, and future directions). It is an appropriate place to speculate, to take risks, or to comment (positively or negatively) on related trends. Articles must be accessible and interesting to both specialist and nonspecialists. Authors can expect significant editing to ensure the article will appeal to the Journal’s broad readership. See JCI Commentaries here.

Contact the science editor at science-editor@the-jci.org.

Commentary information
  • Deadline: Generally, the manuscript is due 1–2 months before the scheduled publication date. A specific deadline will be given at the time the Commentary is agreed upon.
  • Submission: Authors should submit a an electronic verison of the text (in Microsoft Word) and any figure or Table (if applicable) directly to science-editor@the-jci.org.
  • Publication: Along with the proof of the article, authors are given a tentative publication date. Note: Authors may not submit the manuscript to a preprint repository (e.g., bioRxiv, medRxiv) prior to publication by the Journal. The content is under embargo until the publication date.

Manuscript preparation

  • Length. Maximum: 1,500 words, excluding the Abstract, References, and Figure legend or Table (if applicable).
  • Organization. Present the manuscript in the following consecutive sections: Title page, Abstract, Main text, Acknowledgments, References, Figure legend or Table (if applicable).
  • Style. In general, authors should follow the AMA Manual of Style (AMA) for scientific/medical usage, as well as Stedman’s Medical Dictionary and the Chicago Manual of Style.
    • Demographic terminology. Adhere to NIH guidelines or other applicable authoritative standards on reporting race and ethnicity; and use clear, unbiased, and up-to-date descriptors for any demographic identities.
    • Gene terminology. Style gene names and symbols according to official NCBI Gene nomenclature and present the terms according to JCI Gene nomenclature and style.
    • Abbreviations. JCI Standard abbreviations may be used without definition. Nonstandard abbreviations should be spelled out at first use, with the abbreviated form following in parentheses. Thereafter, they may be used without definition.
  • Authors/affiliations. Provide complete names of all authors in the appropriate order. In the author list, use consecutive, superscripted numerals to assign authors to their affiliations. Affiliations should include complete location: city, state/province (if applicable), and country.
  • Conflicts of interest. Include a statement detailing any financial arrangements that could present a conflict of interest (view Journal policy). If no conflict exists, state “The authors have [or The author has] declared that no conflict of interest exists.”
  • Abstract. (Maximum: 80–100 words) Articles should include a short Abstract without references.
  • Subheadings. (Maximum: 8 words) Subheadings may be used throughout the main text.
  • Acknowledgments. Authors may include appropriate acknowledgments to others for help and advice, as well as of funding sources.
  • References and reference citations. (Maximum: 20) References are cited in the text by sequential numerals in parentheses (do not use superscript). The Reference list should include references in the order in which they are first cited in the text, with individual references presented in AMA format (use of EndNote in Microsoft Word is encouraged). However, for references with 3 or more authors, cite only the first author followed by “et al.” Abbreviate journal names according to the US National Library of Medicine (NLM) Catalog; spell out full names of unlisted journals. Examples follow; see How to prepare references for additional details.
    • Journal articles
      Han CY, et al. NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species increases expression of monocyte chemotactic factor genes in cultured adipocytes. J Biol Chem. 2012;287(13):10379–10393.
    • Articles in press
      Gardner W, Schultz HD. Prostaglandins regulate the synthesis and secretion of the atrial natriuretic peptide. J Clin Invest. In press.
    • Complete books
      Ellis RW, Brodeur BR, eds. Bacterial Vaccines. Landes Bioscience; 2003.
    • Articles in books
      Jacobsen D. Practical chemistry of homocysteine and other thiols. In: Carmel R, Jacobsen D, eds. Homocysteine in Health and Disease. Cambridge University Press; 2001:9–20.
    • Websites
      National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Asthma Risk Factors and Prevention Research.  http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/2009guidelines. Updated April 5, 2018. Accessed August 5, 2021.
  • Figure or table. (Maximum: 1 figure or 1 table, but not both) A figure or table must fit on a single page. The callout in the text should appear as “Figure 1” or “Table 1”.
    • Figure. Original artwork is encouraged, particularly to illustrate a specific point or to provide a clear graphic overview of a difficult concept. Reproduction of previously published primary data is discouraged, and unpublished primary data may not be included. Upon acceptance of the manuscript, editors work with the authors to develop a final figure, and a Journal illustrator redraws the figure prior to publication. Provide a key to any symbols in the Figure or legend.
    • Figure legend. (Maximum: 300 words) A figure legend should begin with a stand-alone title and include sufficient detail to make the figure intelligible without reference to the text.
    • Table. Assign table footnotes by superscripted capital letters starting with A and continuing in alphabetical order by row, then column.​​​​​​​
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