Glucosidase inhibition enhances presentation of de–N‐glycosylated hepatitis B virus epitopes by major histocompatibility complex class I in vitro and in woodchucks

Pamela A. Norton, Stephan Menne, Gomathinayagam Sinnathamby, Lucy Betesh, Paul J. Cote, Ramila Philip, Anand S. Mehta, Bud C. Tennant, Timothy M. Block – 16 June 2010 – In this report, the possibility of pharmacologically altering the hepatitis B virus (HBV) epitopes presented by major histocompatibility complex class I on infected cells is demonstrated. The HBV middle envelope glycoprotein (MHBs) maturation appears to require calnexin‐mediated folding. This interaction is dependent on glucosidases in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Role and cellular source of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase in hepatic fibrosis

Samuele De Minicis, Ekihiro Seki, Yong‐Han Paik, Christoph H. Österreicher, Yuzo Kodama, Johannes Kluwe, Luciano Torozzi, Katsumi Miyai, Antonio Benedetti, Robert F. Schwabe, David A. Brenner – 11 June 2010 – Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) is required for liver fibrosis. This study investigates the role of NOX in ROS production and the differential contribution of NOX from bone marrow (BM)‐derived and non–BM‐derived liver cells.

A novel role for thyroid‐stimulating hormone: Up‐regulation of hepatic 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl‐coenzyme a reductase expression through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A/cyclic adenosine monophosphate–responsive element binding protei

Limin Tian, Yongfeng Song, Mingzhao Xing, Wei Zhang, Guang Ning, Xiaoying Li, Chunxiao Yu, Chengkong Qin, Jun Liu, Xingsong Tian, Xianglan Sun, Rui Fu, Lin Zhang, Xiujuan Zhang, Yan Lu, Jianwen Zou, Laicheng Wang, Qingbo Guan, Ling Gao, Jiajun Zhao – 11 June 2010 – Elevated thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) and hypercholesterolemia commonly coexist, as typically seen in hypothyroidism, but there is no known mechanism directly linking the two.

CX3CL1‐CX3CR1 interaction prevents carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice

Tomonori Aoyama, Sayaka Inokuchi, David A. Brenner, Ekihiro Seki – 11 June 2010 – Chronic liver disease is associated with hepatocyte injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Chemokines and chemokine receptors are key factors for the migration of inflammatory cells such as macrophages and noninflammatory cells such as hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The expression of CX3CR1 and its ligand, CX3CL1, is up‐regulated in chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis C. However, the precise role of CX3CR1 in the liver is still unclear.

A longitudinal study on the natural history of serum hepatitis B surface antigen changes in chronic hepatitis B

Henry Lik‐Yuen Chan, Vincent Wai‐Sun Wong, Grace Lai‐Hung Wong, Chi‐Hang Tse, Hoi‐Yun Chan, Joseph Jao‐Yao Sung – 11 June 2010 – Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) quantification has been suggested to reflect the concentration of covalently closed circular DNA in the liver. We aimed to investigate the HBsAg levels at different stages of chronic hepatitis B and the changes in HBsAg level during the natural progression of disease. One hundred seventeen untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B were studied with longitudinal follow‐up for 99 ± 16 months.

Liver‐specific β‐catenin knockout mice have bile canalicular abnormalities, bile secretory defect, and intrahepatic cholestasis

Tzu‐Hsuan Yeh, Lindsay Krauland, Vijay Singh, Baobo Zou, Prathab Devaraj, Donna B. Stolz, Jonathan Franks, Satdarshan P. S. Monga, Eizaburo Sasatomi, Jaideep Behari – 11 June 2010 – Beta‐catenin plays important roles in liver physiology and hepatocarcinogenesis. While studying the role of β‐catenin in diet‐induced steatohepatitis, we recently found that liver‐specific β‐catenin knockout (KO) mice exhibit intrahepatic cholestasis. This study was undertaken to further characterize the role of β‐catenin in biliary physiology.

Usefulness 18F‐FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography for detecting recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in posttransplant patients

Young‐Kyu Kim, Kwang‐Woong Lee, Seong Yeon Cho, Sung‐Sik Han, Seong Hoon Kim, Seok‐Ki Kim, Sang‐Jae Park – 25 May 2010 – 18F‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (18F‐FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) has recently been shown to be able to predict a poor outcome after liver transplantation (LT) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there are few reports on the usefulness of PET during follow‐up after LT. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of 18F‐FDG PET/CT for the detection of HCC recurrence after LT.

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