Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase mediates fibrotic and inflammatory effects of leptin on hepatic stellate cells

Samuele De Minicis, Ekihiro Seki, Christoph Oesterreicher, Bernd Schnabl, Robert F. Schwabe, David A. Brenner – 24 November 2008 – Although leptin induces fibrotic activity in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the mechanisms are not entirely understood. To investigate the potential role of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leptin signaling in HSCs, we analyzed leptin‐induced intracellular signaling pathways in primary wild‐type (WT), p47, and signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3 (STAT3)‐deleted HSCs.

Synergistic antitumor effects of transarterial viroembolization for multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

Jennifer Altomonte, Rickmer Braren, Stephan Schulz, Sabrina Marozin, Ernst J. Rummeny, Roland M. Schmid, Oliver Ebert – 24 November 2008 – Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising strategy for safe and effective treatment of malignancy. We have reported previously that recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vectors are effective oncolytic agents that can be safely administered via the hepatic artery in immunocompetent rats to treat multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), resulting in tumor necrosis and prolonged survival.

Bile duct proliferation in Jag1/fringe heterozygous mice identifies candidate modifiers of the alagille syndrome hepatic phenotype

Matthew J. Ryan, Christina Bales, Anthony Nelson, Dorian M. Gonzalez, Lara Underkoffler, Michelle Segalov, Jeanne Wilson‐Rawls, Susan E. Cole, Jennifer L. Moran, Pierre Russo, Nancy B. Spinner, Kenro Kusumi, Kathleen M. Loomes – 24 November 2008 – Alagille syndrome (AGS) is a heterogeneous developmental disorder associated with bile duct paucity and various organ anomalies. The syndrome is caused by mutations in JAG1, which encodes a ligand in the Notch signaling pathway, in the majority of cases and mutations in the NOTCH2 receptor gene in less than 1% of patients.

Comprehensive analysis of the α‐fetoprotein‐specific CD8+ T cell responses in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Robert Thimme, Michaela Neagu, Tobias Boettler, Christoph Neumann‐Haefelin, Nadine Kersting, Michael Geissler, Frank Makowiec, Robert Obermaier, Ulrich T. Hopt, Hubert E. Blum, Hans Christian Spangenberg – 24 November 2008 – Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide, with a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic strategies is of high priority. α‐Fetoprotein (AFP) is overexpressed in the majority of HCCs.

High incidence of hepatitis C virus reinfection in a cohort of injecting drug users

Campbell Kynoch Aitken, Jennifer Lewis, Samantha Lilly Tracy, Timothy Spelman, David Scott Bowden, Mandvi Bharadwaj, Heidi Drummer, Margaret Hellard – 24 November 2008 – An estimated 170 million people worldwide carry the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and in more developed countries the prevalence and incidence of HCV is particularly high among injecting drug users (IDUs). Spontaneous clearance of HCV infection and reinfection is well recognized but the level of protection against further infection conferred by HCV infection and clearance remains uncertain.

Prevalence of coronary artery calcification in patients undergoing assessment for orthotopic liver transplantation

Norma C. McAvoy, Narendra Kochar, Graham McKillop, David E. Newby, Peter C. Hayes – 24 November 2008 – Patients with advanced liver disease are at increased risk of cardiovascular events, especially following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a novel and independent predictor of cardiovascular risk, but its prevalence and utility in patients with cirrhosis are unknown.

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