Subset of Suz12/PRC2 target genes is activated during hepatitis B virus replication and liver carcinogenesis associated with HBV X protein

Leo L. Studach, Stephan Menne, Stefano Cairo, Marie Annick Buendia, Ronald L. Hullinger, Lydie Lefrançois, Philippe Merle, Ourania M. Andrisani – 13 April 2012 – Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major risk factor for developing liver cancer, and the HBV X protein (pX) has been implicated as a cofactor in hepatocyte transformation. We have shown that HBV replication as well as in vitro transformation by pX are associated with induction of the mitotic polo‐like kinase 1 (Plk1) and down‐regulation of the chromatin remodeling components Suz12 and Znf198.

Sustained telomere length in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes with increasing age in normal liver

Suman Verma, Phaedra Tachtatzis, Sue Penrhyn‐Lowe, Cinzia Scarpini, Diana Jurk, Thomas Von Zglinicki, Nick Coleman, Graeme J. M. Alexander – 13 April 2012 – Telomeres, a validated biomarker of aging, comprise multiple nucleotide repeats capping chromosomes that shorten with each cell cycle until a critical length is achieved, precipitating cell senescence.

The diagnosis and management of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: Practice Guideline by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Gastroenterological Association

The diagnosis and management of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: Practice Guideline by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Gastroenterological Association

Foxp3+ regulatory T cells protect the liver from immune damage and compromise virus control during acute experimental hepatitis B virus infection in mice

Leonhard Stross, Johannes Günther, Georg Gasteiger, Theresa Asen, Stefanie Graf, Michaela Aichler, Irene Esposito, Dirk H. Busch, Percy Knolle, Tim Sparwasser, Ulrike Protzer – 6 April 2012 – The strength of antiviral T cell responses correlates with clearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but the immunological mechanisms mitigating or suppressing HBV‐specific T cells are still poorly understood. In this study, we examined the role of CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in a mouse model of acute HBV infection.

Response‐guided telaprevir therapy in prior relapsers? The role of bridging data from treatment‐naïve and experienced subjects

Jiang Liu, Pravin R. Jadhav, Shashi Amur, Russell Fleischer, Thomas Hammerstrom, Linda Lewis, Lisa Naeger, Jule O'Rear, Michael Pacanowski, Sarah Robertson, Shirley Seo, Greg Soon, Debra Birnkrant – 6 April 2012 – The purpose of this report is to illustrate the US Food and Drug Administration's rationale for approving response‐guided therapy (RGT) for telaprevir (TVR) in combination with pegylated interferon‐α and ribavirin (P/R) for the treatment of adults with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C who were prior relapsers.

Neonatal activation of the nuclear receptor CAR results in epigenetic memory and permanent change of drug metabolism in mouse liver

Wei‐Dong Chen, Xianghui Fu, Bingning Dong, Yan‐Dong Wang, Steven Shiah, David D. Moore, Wendong Huang – 6 April 2012 – Aberrant epigenetic alterations during development may result in long‐term epigenetic memory and have a permanent effect on the health of subjects. Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is a central regulator of drug/xenobiotic metabolism. Here, we report that transient neonatal activation of CAR results in epigenetic memory and a permanent change of liver drug metabolism.

25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 suppresses hepatitis C virus production

Takuya Matsumura, Takanobu Kato, Nao Sugiyama, Megumi Tasaka‐Fujita, Asako Murayama, Takahiro Masaki, Takaji Wakita, Michio Imawari – 6 April 2012 – Because the current interferon (IFN)‐based treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has a therapeutic limitation and side effects, a more efficient therapeutic strategy is desired. Recent studies show that supplementation of vitamin D significantly improves sustained viral response via IFN‐based therapy. However, mechanisms and an active molecular form of vitamin D for its anti‐HCV effects have not been fully clarified.

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