IL‐33 facilitates oncogene‐induced cholangiocarcinoma in mice by an interleukin‐6‐sensitive mechanism

Daisaku Yamada, Sumera Rizvi, Nataliya Razumilava, Steven F. Bronk, Jaime I. Davila, Mia D. Champion, Mitesh J. Borad, Jorge A. Bezerra, Xin Chen, Gregory J. Gores – 7 January 2015 – Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a lethal hepatobiliary neoplasm originating from the biliary apparatus. In humans, CCA risk factors include hepatobiliary inflammation and fibrosis. The recently identified interleukin (IL)−1 family member, IL‐33, has been shown to be a biliary mitogen which also promotes liver inflammation and fibrosis. Our aim was to generate a mouse model of CCA mimicking the human disease.

Cannabinoid receptor 1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma initiation and progression through multiple mechanisms

Bani Mukhopadhyay, Kornel Schuebel, Partha Mukhopadhyay, Resat Cinar, Grzegorz Godlewski, Keming Xiong, Ken Mackie, Martin Lizak, Qiaoping Yuan, David Goldman, George Kunos – 7 January 2015 – Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has high mortality and no adequate treatment. Endocannabinoids interact with hepatic cannabinoid 1 receptors (CB1Rs) to promote hepatocyte proliferation in liver regeneration by inducing cell cycle proteins involved in mitotic progression, including Forkhead Box M1.

The small GTPase Rab7 as a central regulator of hepatocellular lipophagy

Barbara Schroeder, Ryan J. Schulze, Shaun G. Weller, Arthur C. Sletten, Carol A. Casey, Mark A. McNiven – 6 January 2015 – Autophagy is a central mechanism by which hepatocytes catabolize lipid droplets (LDs). Currently, the regulatory mechanisms that control this important process are poorly defined. The small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Rab7 has been implicated in the late endocytic pathway and is known to associate with LDs, although its role in LD breakdown has not been tested.

Liver sharing and organ procurement organization performance

Sommer E. Gentry, Eric K. H. Chow, Allan Massie, Xun Luo, David Zaun, Jon J. Snyder, Ajay K. Israni, Bert Kasiske, Dorry L. Segev – 31 December 2014 – Whether the liver allocation system shifts organs from better performing organ procurement organizations (OPOs) to poorer performing OPOs has been debated for many years. Models of OPO performance from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients make it possible to study this question in a data‐driven manner.

Prevalence of psychological problems and associated transplant‐related variables at different time periods after liver transplantation

Coby Annema, Petrie F. Roodbol, Roy E. Stewart, Robert J. Porte, Adelita V. Ranchor – 30 December 2014 – After liver transplantation, recipients often experience psychological problems that are influenced by demographic, personal, and transplant‐related variables. However, because previous studies have mostly reported on psychological problems and their influencing factors in the first years after transplantation, less is known about their prevalence and influence in the long run.

Challenges and opportunities in drug and biomarker development for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: Findings and recommendations from an American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases–U.S. Food and Drug Administration Joint Workshop

Arun J. Sanyal, Scott L. Friedman, Arthur J. McCullough, Lara Dimick‐Santos – 29 December 2014 – Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease (CLD) in North America. It is a growing contributor to the burden of CDL requiring liver transplantation. Cirrhosis is also associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular cancer, which may occur even in the absence of cirrhosis in subjects with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the histological form of NAFLD associated with increased liver‐related mortality.

Challenges and opportunities in drug and biomarker development for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: Findings and recommendations from an American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases–U.S. Food and Drug Administration Joint Workshop

Arun J. Sanyal, Scott L. Friedman, Arthur J. McCullough, Lara Dimick‐Santos – 29 December 2014 – Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease (CLD) in North America. It is a growing contributor to the burden of CDL requiring liver transplantation. Cirrhosis is also associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular cancer, which may occur even in the absence of cirrhosis in subjects with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the histological form of NAFLD associated with increased liver‐related mortality.

Sofosbuvir compassionate use program for patients with severe recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation

Xavier Forns, Michael Charlton, Jill Denning, John G. McHutchison, William T. Symonds, Diana Brainard, Theo Brandt‐Sarif, Paul Chang, Valerie Kivett, Lluís Castells, Martín Prieto, Robert J. Fontana, Thomas F. Baumert, Audrey Coilly, Maria Carlota Londoño, François Habersetzer – 29 December 2014 – Recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation (LT) is associated with accelerated progression of liver disease, frequently leading to graft loss and early death.

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