De novo bile salt transporter antibodies as a possible cause of recurrent graft failure after liver transplantation: A novel mechanism of cholestasis

Verena Keitel, Martin Burdelski, Zsuzsanna Vojnisek, Lutz Schmitt, Dieter Häussinger, Ralf Kubitz – 29 July 2009 – Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (PFIC‐2) is caused by mutations of the bile salt export pump (BSEP [ABCB11]), an ATP‐binding cassette (ABC)‐transporter exclusively expressed at the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. An absence of BSEP from the canalicular membrane causes cholestasis and leads to liver cirrhosis, which may necessitate liver transplantation in early childhood.

MicroRNAs involved in tumor suppressor and oncogene pathways: Implications for hepatobiliary neoplasia

Justin L. Mott – 29 July 2009 – MicroRNAs are a class of small regulatory RNAs that function to modulate protein expression. This control allows for fine‐tuning of the cellular phenotype, including regulation of proliferation, cell signaling, and apoptosis; not surprisingly, microRNAs contribute to liver cancer biology. Recent investigations in human liver cancers and tumor‐derived cell lines have demonstrated decreased or increased expression of particular microRNAs in hepatobiliary cancer cells.

Individualized treatment strategy according to early viral kinetics in hepatitis C virus type 1–infected patients

Thomas Berg, Viola Weich, Gerlinde Teuber, Hartwig Klinker, Bernd Möller, Jens Rasenack, Holger Hinrichsen, Tilman Gerlach, Ulrich Spengler, Peter Buggisch, Heike Balk, Myrga Zankel, Konrad Neumann, Christoph Sarrazin, Stefan Zeuzem – 29 July 2009 – Individualized treatment on the basis of early viral kinetics has been discussed to optimize antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Individually tailored reduction in treatment duration in HCV type 1–infected patients represents one possible strategy.

MicroRNA‐23b cluster microRNAs regulate transforming growth factor‐beta/bone morphogenetic protein signaling and liver stem cell differentiation by targeting Smads

Charles E. Rogler, Lauretta LeVoci, Tammy Ader, Aldo Massimi, Tatyana Tchaikovskaya, Raquel Norel, Leslie E. Rogler – 29 July 2009 – Transforming growth factor‐beta / bone morphogenetic protein (TGFβ/BMP) signaling has a gradient of effects on cell fate choice in the fetal mouse liver. The molecular mechanism to understand why adjacent cells develop into bile ducts or grow actively as hepatocytes in the ubiquitous presence of both TGFβ ligands and receptors has been unknown. We hypothesized that microRNAs (miRNAs) might play a role in cell fate decisions in the liver.

Alterations in the functional capacity of albumin in patients with decompensated cirrhosis is associated with increased mortality

Rajiv Jalan, Kerstin Schnurr, Rajeshwar P. Mookerjee, Sambit Sen, Lisa Cheshire, Stephen Hodges, Vladimir Muravsky, Roger Williams, Gert Matthes, Nathan A. Davies – 29 July 2009 – Albumin concentration is diminished in patients with liver failure. Albumin infusion improves survival of cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and it is hypothesized that this may be due in part to its detoxifying capabilities. The aim of this study was to perform detailed quantitative and qualitative assessment of albumin function in patients with cirrhosis.

Diagnostic value and utility of the simplified International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) criteria in acute and chronic liver disease

Andrew D. Yeoman, Rachel H. Westbrook, Thawab Al‐Chalabi, Ivana Carey, Nigel D. Heaton, Bernard C. Portmann, Michael A. Heneghan – 29 July 2009 – Diagnostic criteria for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) have been created and revised by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG). Simplified criteria have been created, but remain independently unvalidated. We report on the diagnostic accuracy of the simplified criteria in patients across a range of diagnoses, including a subset of patients presenting with fulminant liver failure who required liver transplant.

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