Loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog enhances cell invasion and migration through aKT/Sp‐1 transcription factor/matrix metalloproteinase 2 activation in hepatocellular carcinoma and has clinicopathologic significance

Karen Man‐Fong Sze, Kris Lai‐Ting Wong, Glanice Kin‐Yan Chu, Joyce Man‐Fong Lee, Tai‐On Yau, Irene Oi‐Lin Ng – 11 February 2011 – Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is frequently inactivated in cancers and is associated with advanced stages of cancers or metastasis. However, the molecular mechanism of PTEN in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis is unclear. In this study, we found frequent (47.5%, n = 40) protein underexpression of PTEN in human HCCs compared with their corresponding nontumorous livers.

New staging system and a registry for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

Michelle L. DeOliveira, Richard D. Schulick, Yuji Nimura, Charles Rosen, Gregory Gores, Peter Neuhaus, Pierre‐Alain Clavien – 11 February 2011 – Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is one of the most challenging diseases with poor overall survival. The major problem for anyone trying to convincingly compare studies among centers or over time is the lack of a reliable staging system. The most commonly used system is the Bismuth‐Corlette classification of bile duct involvement, which, however, does not include crucial information such as vascular encasement and distant metastases.

Ron receptor regulates Kupffer cell‐dependent cytokine production and hepatocyte survival following endotoxin exposure in mice

William D. Stuart, Rishikesh M. Kulkarni, Jerilyn K. Gray, Juozas Vasiliauskas, Mike A. Leonis, Susan E. Waltz – 11 February 2011 – Previous studies demonstrated that targeted deletion of the Ron receptor tyrosine kinase (TK) domain in mice leads to marked hepatocyte protection in a well‐characterized model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced acute liver failure in D‐galactosamine (GalN)‐sensitized mice. Hepatocyte protection in TK−/− mice was observed despite paradoxically elevated serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α).

Hepatic encephalopathy: A central neuroinflammatory disorder?

Roger F. Butterworth – 11 February 2011 – Encephalopathy and brain edema are serious central nervous system complications of liver failure. Recent studies using molecular probes and antibodies to cell‐specific marker proteins have demonstrated the activation of microglial cells in the brain during liver failure and confirmed a central neuroinflammatory response.

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