PUMA–mediated apoptosis drives chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in mice

Wei Qiu, Xinwei Wang, Brian Leibowitz, Wancai Yang, Lin Zhang, Jian Yu – 2 July 2011 – Hepatocyte death and proliferation contribute to hepatocellular carcinoma development after carcinogen exposure or chronic liver inflammation. However, the role and the molecular targets of hepatocyte death in relation to compensatory proliferation have not been fully characterized.

Changes in hepatitis A and B vaccination rates in adult patients with chronic liver diseases and diabetes in the U.S. population

Zobair M. Younossi, Maria Stepanova – 2 July 2011 – Professional societies recommend hepatitis A and hepatitis B immunization for individuals with chronic liver disease (CLD), but the degree of implementation is unknown. Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) conducted in 1999‐2008.

Inflammation‐associated interleukin‐6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation ameliorates alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases in interleukin‐10–deficient mice

Andrew M. Miller, Hua Wang, Adeline Bertola, Ogyi Park, Norio Horiguchi, Sung Hwan Ki, Shi Yin, Fouad Lafdil, Bin Gao – 2 July 2011 – Alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are characterized by fatty liver plus inflammation. It is generally believed that steatosis promotes inflammation, whereas inflammation in turn aggregates steatosis.

Reversal of hepatitis B virus‐induced immune tolerance by an immunostimulatory 3p‐HBx‐siRNAs in a retinoic acid inducible gene I–dependent manner

Qiuju Han, Cai Zhang, Jian Zhang, Zhigang Tian – 30 June 2011 – It is extensively accepted that hepatitis B virus (HBV) escapes from innate immunity by inhibiting type I interferon (IFN) production, but efficient intervention to reverse the immune tolerance is still not achieved.

Novel poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 binding motif in hepatitis B virus core promoter impairs DNA damage repair

Hui‐Ling Ko, Ee‐Chee Ren – 30 June 2011 – It is well‐established that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but patients with high viral DNA load have significantly higher risk. As host factors are required for efficient viral replication and may, therefore, contribute to high viral DNA load, we screened for host factors that can transcriptionally activate the HBV core promoter (HBVCP).

Endogenous histones function as alarmins in sterile inflammatory liver injury through Toll‐like receptor 9 in mice

Hai Huang, John Evankovich, Wei Yan, Gary Nace, Lemeng Zhang, Mark Ross, Xinghua Liao, Timothy Billiar, Jun Xu, Charles T. Esmon, Allan Tsung – 30 June 2011 – Sterile inflammatory insults are known to activate innate immunity and propagate organ damage through the recognition of extracellular damage‐associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecules. Although DAMPs such as endogenous DNA and nuclear high‐mobility group box 1 have been shown to be critical in sterile inflammation, the role of nuclear histone proteins has not yet been investigated.

Cross‐presentation of antigen by diverse subsets of murine liver cells

Mohammad R. Ebrahimkhani, Isaac Mohar, Ian N. Crispe – 30 June 2011 – Antigen cross‐presentation is a principal function of specialized antigen‐presenting cells of bone marrow origin such as dendritic cells. Although these cells are sometimes known as “professional” antigen‐presenting cells, nonbone marrow‐derived cells may also act as antigen‐presenting cells.

Fighting against viral hepatitis: Lessons from Taiwan

Ding‐Shinn Chen – 30 June 2011 – Viral hepatitis and its sequelae are important health problems worldwide, including Taiwan. For the last 40 years, Taiwan's scientists and health care providers have worked hard to control these sequelae, and the results have been excellent. The author, Ding‐Shinn Chen, had a key role in planning and establishing the control program in Taiwan, and participated in the endeavors from the very beginning.

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