The homeobox gene Hex regulates hepatocyte differentiation from embryonic stem cell–derived endoderm

Atsushi Kubo, Yon Hui Kim, Stefan Irion, Shogo Kasuda, Mitsuaki Takeuchi, Kazuo Ohashi, Masayuki Iwano, Yoshiko Dohi, Yoshihiko Saito, Ralph Snodgrass, Gordon Keller – 25 January 2010 – We investigated the role of the hematopoietically expressed homeobox (Hex) in the differentiation and development of hepatocytes within embryonic stem cell (ESC)–derived embryoid bodies (EBs). Analyses of hepatic endoderm derived from Hex−/− EBs revealed a dramatic reduction in the levels of albumin (Alb) and alpha‐fetoprotein (Afp) expression.

Lamivudine maintenance beyond one year after HBeAg seroconversion is a major factor for sustained virologic response in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B

Hyun Woong Lee, Heon Ju Lee, Jae Seok Hwang, Joo Hyun Sohn, Jae Young Jang, Ki Jun Han, Jun Yong Park, Do Young Kim, Sang Hoon Ahn, Yong Han Paik, Chun Kyon Lee, Kwan Sik Lee, Chae Yoon Chon, Kwang‐Hyub Han – 25 January 2010 – The reported durability of virologic response after successful lamivudine monotherapy is variable, and the question remains as to whether virologic responses can be maintained over an extended follow‐up period.

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Robin Haring, Henri Wallaschofski, Matthias Nauck, Marcus Dörr, Sebastian E. Baumeister, Henry Völzke – 25 January 2010

Selection‐driven immune escape is not a significant factor in the failure of CD4 T cell responses in persistent hepatitis C virus infection

Michael J. Fuller, Naglaa H. Shoukry, Toshifumi Gushima, David G. Bowen, Benoit Callendret, Katherine J. Campbell, Dana L. Hasselschwert, Austin L. Hughes, Christopher M. Walker – 25 January 2010 – Immune escape driven by selection pressure from virus‐specific CD8 T cells has been demonstrated in both chimpanzees and humans infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

CX3CL1 (fractalkine): A signpost for biliary inflammation in primary biliary cirrhosis

Shinji Shimoda, Kenichi Harada, Hiroaki Niiro, Akinobu Taketomi, Yoshihiko Maehara, Koichi Tsuneyama, Kentaro Kikuchi, Yasuni Nakanuma, Ian R. Mackay, M. Eric Gershwin, Koichi Akashi – 25 January 2010 – Improvements in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) may depend upon dissection of mechanisms that determine recruitment of mononuclear cells to intralobular bile ducts, including the role of the chemokine‐adhesion molecule CX3CL1 (fractalkine).

Long‐term efficacy of rosiglitazone in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: Results of the fatty liver improvement by rosiglitazone therapy (FLIRT 2) extension trial

Vlad Ratziu, Fréderic Charlotte, Carole Bernhardt, Philippe Giral, Marine Halbron, Gilles LeNaour, Agnès Hartmann‐Heurtier, Eric Bruckert, Thierry Poynard, LIDO Study Group – 25 January 2010 – Short‐term trials of glitazones in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) yielded controversial histological results. Longer treatment might result in additional improvement. After a 1‐year randomized trial, 53 patients underwent a control liver biopsy and were enrolled in an open‐label extension trial of rosiglitazone (RSG), 8 mg/day for 2 additional years.

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