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).

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).

Reply:

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

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.

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.

Decreased survival of subjects with elevated liver function tests during a 28‐year follow‐up

Cecilia Söderberg, Per Stål, Johan Askling, Hans Glaumann, Greger Lindberg, Joel Marmur, Rolf Hultcrantz – 25 January 2010 – The long‐term survival of subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in comparison with both individuals with elevated transaminases attributable to other causes and the general poulation is poorly characterized.

Subscribe to