Transdifferentiation of bioencapsulated bone marrow cells into hepatocyte‐like cells in the 90% hepatectomized rat model

Zun Chang Liu, Thomas Ming Swi Chang – 22 February 2006 – Under specific conditions, bone marrow cells can transdifferentiate into a variety of cell types including hepatocytes. In this study, bioencapsulated bone marrow cells were transplanted intraperitoneally into 90% hepatectomized rats. We then followed the transdifferentiation of the bone marrow cells and the effect of this on liver regeneration in this liver failure model. Bone marrow cells isolated from Wistar rats were bioencapsulated using alginate‐polylysine‐alginate method.

Dendritic cells take up viral antigens but do not support the early steps of hepatitis B virus infection

Andreas Untergasser, Uta Zedler, Anja Langenkamp, Marianna Hösel, Maria Quasdorff, Knud Esser, Hans‐Peter Dienes, Barbara Tappertzhofen, Waldemar Kolanus, Ulrike Protzer – 22 February 2006 – Dendritic cells (DC) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers have been reported to exhibit functional impairment. Possible explanations for this phenomenon are infection of HBV by DC or alteration of DC function by HBV.

Drug‐induced liver injury: Summary of a single topic clinical research conference

Paul B. Watkins, Leonard B. Seeff – 22 February 2006 – Idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury (DILI) remains poorly understood. It is assumed that the affected individuals possess a rare combination of genetic and non genetic factors that, if identified, would greatly improve understanding of the underlying mechanisms. This single topic conference brought together basic scientists, translational investigators, and clinicians with an interest in DILI.

Paradoxical effects of short‐ and long‐term interleukin‐6 exposure on liver injury and repair

Xiaoling Jin, Teresa A. Zimmers, Eduardo A. Perez, Robert H. Pierce, Zongxiu Zhang, Leonidas G. Koniaris – 22 February 2006 – Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is an important mediator of liver regeneration and repair that is also elevated in chronic liver diseases, including fatty liver of obesity and cirrhosis. IL‐6 has been reported both to delay and accelerate liver regeneration.

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