Quantitative graphical description of portocentral gradients in hepatic gene expression by image analysis

W H Lamers, W J Geerts, A Jonker, F J Verbeek, G T Wagenaar, A F Moorman – 30 December 2003 – The liver consists of numerous repeating, randomly oriented, more or less cylindrical units, the lobules. Although enzyme‐histochemical or microbiochemical assays accurately reflect zonal differences in lobular enzyme content, their results cannot be directly compared to biochemical assays. This is because section‐based assays typically sample along a linear portocentral column of cells, even though periportal regions contribute substantially more to hepatic volume than pericentral regions.

Differential activation of heat shock and nuclear factor κB transcription factors in postischemic reperfused rat liver

L Tacchini, L Radice, G Pogliaghi, A Bernelli‐Zazzera – 30 December 2003 – The aim of this study was to investigate the behavior of the transcription factors, heat‐shock factor (HSF) and nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB), in postischemic reperfused liver, with particular attention paid to possible differences in the time‐course and mechanism of activation, which may help in defining their role in the response of the liver to reperfusion. Ischemia was induced by clamping the hilar pedicle of the left lateral and median liver lobes; the clamp was removed after 1 hour.

A hepatitis B virus mutant with a new hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 binding site emerging in transplant‐transmitted fulminant hepatitis B

I Pult, T Chouard, S Wieland, R Klemenz, M Yaniv, H E Blum – 30 December 2003 – Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was cloned from serum of a heart transplant recipient who died from fulminant hepatitis B transmitted by the donor. Restriction enzyme analyses of the clones obtained by conventional cloning yielded six HBV variants: a major species (pF‐1) representing 88% and five minor species (pF‐2 to pF‐6), each representing 2% to 4% of the clones.

Assessment of the role of activin A and transforming growth factor β in the regulation of AML12 cell growth

Y Zhang, H Mashima, M Kanzaki, H Shibata, I Kojima – 30 December 2003 – The present study was conducted to determine the role of two autocrine factors, activin A and transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β), in the growth regulation of AML12 hepatocytes. We overexpressed truncated type II activin and/or TGF‐β receptors in AML12 cells. In AML12 cells overexpressing truncated type II activin receptors (AML‐tAR cells), the inhibitory effect of activin A on DNA synthesis was completely blocked.

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