Lipocalin‐2 negatively modulates the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma through the epidermal growth factor (TGF‐beta1)/Lcn2/Twist1 pathway

Yun‐Peng Wang, Goung‐Ran Yu, Mi‐Jin Lee, Sang‐Yeop Lee, In‐Sun Chu, Sun‐Hee Leem, Dae‐Ghon Kim – 20 May 2013 – Lipocalin‐2 (Lcn2) is preferentially expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the functional role of Lcn2 in HCC progression is still poorly understood, particularly with respect to its involvement in invasion and metastasis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Lcn2 is associated with the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCC and to elucidate the underlying signaling pathway(s).

The receptor TGR5 protects the liver from bile acid overload during liver regeneration in mice

Noémie Péan, Isabelle Doignon, Isabelle Garcin, Aurore Besnard, Boris Julien, Bingkaï Liu, Sophie Branchereau, Anne Spraul, Catherine Guettier, Lydie Humbert, Kristina Schoonjans, Dominique Rainteau, Thierry Tordjmann – 17 May 2013 – Many regulatory pathways are involved in liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) to initiate growth, protect liver cells, and sustain functions of the remnant liver.

Invariant NKT cell activation induces neutrophil accumulation and hepatitis: Opposite regulation by IL‐4 and IFN‐γ

Hua Wang, Dechun Feng, Ogyi Park, Shi Yin, Bin Gao – 17 May 2013 – Alpha‐Galactosylceramide (α‐Galcer), a specific agonist for invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, is being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of viral hepatitis and liver cancer. However, the results from α‐Galcer treatment are mixed, partially because of the variety of cytokines produced by activated iNKT cells that have an unknown synergistic effect on the progression of liver disease.

Adipose tissue‐derived stem cells as a regenerative therapy for a mouse steatohepatitis‐induced cirrhosis model

Akihiro Seki, Yoshio Sakai, Takuya Komura, Alessandro Nasti, Keiko Yoshida, Mami Higashimoto, Masao Honda, Soichiro Usui, Masayuki Takamura, Toshinari Takamura, Takahiro Ochiya, Kengo Furuichi, Takashi Wada, Shuichi Kaneko – 17 May 2013 – Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease that impairs hepatic function and causes advanced fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells have gained recent popularity as a regenerative therapy since they possess immunomodulatory functions. We found that injected adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) reside in the liver.

Randomized trial comparing monthly ibandronate and weekly alendronate for osteoporosis in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

Núria Guañabens, Anna Monegal, Dacia Cerdá, África Muxí, Laia Gifre, Pilar Peris, Albert Parés – 17 May 2013 – Osteoporosis resulting in bone fractures is a complication in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Once‐weekly alendronate improves bone mass and is well tolerated in these patients, but there is a concern because of poor compliance. Therefore, the efficacy, adherence, and safety of monthly ibandronate (150 mg) with weekly alendronate (70 mg) were compared in a randomized, 2‐year study in 42 postmenopausal women with PBC and osteoporosis.

Adjuvant gemcitabine therapy improves survival in a locally induced, R0‐resectable model of metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Engin Gürlevik, Bettina Fleischmann‐Mundt, Nina Armbrecht, Thomas Longerich, Norman Woller, Arnold Kloos, Dirk Hoffmann, Axel Schambach, Thomas C. Wirth, Michael P. Manns, Lars Zender, Stefan Kubicka, Florian Kühnel – 17 May 2013 – Complete surgical tumor resection (R0) for treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is potentially curative, but the prognosis remains dismal due to frequent tumor recurrence and metastasis after surgery. Adjuvant therapies may improve the outcome, but clinical studies for an adjuvant approach are difficult and time‐consuming for rare tumor entities.

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