Genome‐wide microRNA and messenger RNA profiling in rodent liver development implicates mir302b and mir20a in repressing transforming growth factor‐beta signaling

Wei Wei, Juan Hou, Olivia Alder, Xin Ye, Sam Lee, Rebecca Cullum, Andy Chu, Yongjun Zhao, Stephanie M. Warner, Darryl A. Knight, Decheng Yang, Steven J.M. Jones, Marco A. Marra, Pamela A. Hoodless – 12 January 2013 – MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered small RNA molecules that regulate developmental processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis; however, the identity of miRNAs and their functions during liver development are largely unknown.

Activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and Raf/Pyk2 by growth factor‐mediated Eph receptor 2 (EphA2) is required for cholangiocarcinoma growth and metastasis

Xiang‐Dan Cui, Mi‐Jin Lee, Jong‐Hyun Kim, Pei‐Pei Hao, Lan Liu, Goung‐Ran Yu, Dae‐Ghon Kim – 11 January 2013 – Eph receptor 2 (EphA2) overexpression is frequently accompanied by the loss of its cognate ligand during tumor progression. However, the molecular mechanism of this ligand‐independent promotion of tumor by EphA2 remains unclear in highly malignant and fatal cholangiocarcinoma (CC). We examined the biological role of EphA2 in tumor growth and metastasis in CC tissues and cells according to the degree of differentiation and we explored the downstream signaling pathways of EphA2.

Improvement of neurocognitive function in responders to an antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C

Michael R. Kraus, Arne Schäfer, Gerlinde Teuber, Heiner Porst, Kathrin Sprinzl, Sven Wollschläger, Christian Keicher, Michael Scheurlen – 8 January 2013 – Earlier studies have suggested neurocognitive impairment in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection even before liver cirrhosis has developed. Since these deficits might be reversible after successful antiviral therapy, we analyzed the long‐term course of neurocognitive parameters in HCV patients with and without successful virus elimination by an interferon‐based antiviral treatment.

Role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the pathophysiology of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in two rodent models

Stephanie Coulon, Vanessa Legry, Femke Heindryckx, Christophe Van Steenkiste, Christophe Casteleyn, Kim Olievier, Louis Libbrecht, Peter Carmeliet, Bart Jonckx, Jean‐Marie Stassen, Hans Van Vlierberghe, Isabelle Leclercq, Isabelle Colle, Anja Geerts – 8 January 2013 – The pathophysiology of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) should be approached as a multifactorial process. In several stages of NASH, a link between disease progression and hepatic microvasculature changes can be made.

Free fatty acids repress small heterodimer partner (SHP) activation and adiponectin counteracts bile acid‐induced liver injury in superobese patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Lars P. Bechmann, Peri Kocabayoglu, Jan‐Peter Sowa, Svenja Sydor, Jan Best, Martin Schlattjan, Anja Beilfuss, Johannes Schmitt, Rebekka A. Hannivoort, Alpaslan Kilicarslan, Christian Rust, Frieder Berr, Oliver Tschopp, Guido Gerken, Scott L. Friedman, Andreas Geier, Ali Canbay – 8 January 2013 – Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in industrialized countries and may proceed to steatohepatitis (NASH). Apoptosis and free fatty acid (FFA)‐induced lipotoxicity are important features of NASH pathogenesis.

Immunoglobulin G4+ clones identified by next‐generation sequencing dominate the B cell receptor repertoire in immunoglobulin G4 associated cholangitis

Lucas J. Maillette de Buy Wenniger, Marieke E. Doorenspleet, Paul L. Klarenbeek, Joanne Verheij, Frank Baas, Ronald P. Oude Elferink, Paul P. Tak, Niek de Vries, Ulrich Beuers – 8 January 2013 – Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)‐associated cholangitis (IAC) is a manifestation of the recently discovered idiopathic IgG4‐related disease. The majority of patients have elevated serum IgG4 levels and/or IgG4‐positive B‐cell and plasma cell infiltrates in the affected tissue.

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