Kristen J. Skvorak, Kenneth Dorko, Fabio Marongiu, Veysel Tahan, Marc C. Hansel, Roberto Gramignoli, K. Michael Gibson, Stephen C. Strom – 23 November 2012 – There is improved survival and partial metabolic correction of a mouse intermediate maple syrup urine disease (iMSUD) model after allogenic hepatocyte transplantation, confirming that a small number of enzyme‐proficient liver‐engrafted cells can improve phenotype. However, clinical shortages of suitable livers for hepatocyte isolation indicate a need for alternative cell sources.

Mark A. Barnes, Megan R. McMullen, Sanjoy Roychowdhury, Sorana G. Pisano, Xiuli Liu, Abram B. Stavitsky, Richard Bucala, Laura E. Nagy – 23 November 2012 – Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a multipotent protein that exhibits both cytokine and chemotactic properties, is expressed by many cell types, including hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells. We hypothesized that MIF is a key contributor to liver injury after ethanol exposure.

Taro Yamashita, Masao Honda, Yasunari Nakamoto, Masayo Baba, Kouki Nio, Yasumasa Hara, Sha Sha Zeng, Takehiro Hayashi, Mitsumasa Kondo, Hajime Takatori, Tatsuya Yamashita, Eishiro Mizukoshi, Hiroko Ikeda, Yoh Zen, Hiroyuki Takamura, Xin Wei Wang, Shuichi Kaneko – 23 November 2012 – Recent evidence suggests that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is organized by a subset of cells with stem cell features (cancer stem cells; CSCs). CSCs are considered a pivotal target for the eradication of cancer, and liver CSCs have been identified by the use of various stem cell markers.

Sébastien Anthérieu, Pamela Bachour‐El Azzi, Julie Dumont, Ziad Abdel‐Razzak, Christiane Guguen‐Guillouzo, Bernard Fromenty, Marie‐Anne Robin, André Guillouzo – 23 November 2012 – Drugs induce cholestasis by diverse and still poorly understood mechanisms in humans. Early hepatic effects of chlorpromazine (CPZ), a neuroleptic drug known for years to induce intrahepatic cholestasis, were investigated using the differentiated human hepatoma HepaRG cells.

Luigi Bolondi, Fabio Piscaglia – 23 November 2012

Yun‐Fan Sun, Yang Xu, Xin‐Rong Yang, Wei Guo, Xin Zhang, Shuang‐Jian Qiu, Ruo‐Yu Shi, Bo Hu, Jian Zhou, Jia Fan – 23 November 2012 – Epithelial cell adhesion molecule–positive (EpCAM+) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells may constitute a tumor‐initiating subpopulation in tumorigenic cell lines and HCC specimens. In the present study, EpCAM+ circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were identified prospectively in HCC patients undergoing curative resection, and the prognostic significance and their stem cell–like characteristics were investigated further.

Lisheng Zhang, Lixin Yang, Xiyong Liu, Wei Chen, Lufen Chang, Linling Chen, Sofia Loera, Peiguo Chu, Wei‐Chien Huang, Yun‐Ru Liu, Yun Yen – 23 November 2012 – Growing evidence indicates that deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) contributes to tumorigenesis. Dysregulation of miR‐657 has been observed in several types of cancers, but its biological function is still largely unknown. Our results showed that miR‐657 expression can be induced by hepatitis viral proteins and is significantly increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues.

Luigi Bolondi, Fabio Piscaglia – 23 November 2012

Shi‐Ying Cai, Daniël A. Lionarons, Lee Hagey, Carol J. Soroka, Albert Mennone, James L. Boyer – 23 November 2012 – The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is a genetically programmed animal model for biliary atresia, as it loses its bile ducts and gallbladder during metamorphosis. However, in contrast to patients with biliary atresia or other forms of cholestasis who develop progressive disease, the postmetamorphosis lampreys grow normally to adult size.

Nisanne S. Ghonem, James L. Boyer – 23 November 2012