Biliary epithelial cell antibodies induce expression of toll‐like receptors 2 and 3: A mechanism for post–liver transplantation cholangitis?

Xupeng Ge, Mehmet Uzunel, Bo‐Göran Ericzon, Suchitra Sumitran‐Holgersson – 20 July 2005 – Studies to determine the role of preformed antibodies to biliary epithelial cells (BECs) in liver transplant rejections have been initiated. However, the clinical importance of these antibodies in the posttransplantation period still remains to be elucidated. Reactivity to BECs isolated from a normal healthy liver was investigated in sera of 56 patients before and after liver transplantation (LTX) using flow cytometry.

Transplantation of hepatitis B surface antigen–positive livers into hepatitis B virus–positive recipients and the role of hepatitis delta coinfection

Alessandro Franchello, Valeria Ghisetti, Alfredo Marzano, Renato Romagnoli, Mauro Salizzoni – 20 July 2005 – The scarcity of liver donors requires consideration of grafts from sources not previously used. Allografts from hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐carriers without a significant liver disease have been proposed for liver transplant recipients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C in Egypt

Mostafa K. Mohamed, Mohamed Abdel‐Hamid, Nabiel N. Mikhail, Fatma Abdel‐Aziz, Ahmed Medhat, Laurence S. Magder, Alan D. Fix, G. Thomas Strickland – 19 July 2005 – The incidence of hepatitis C (HCV) infection and associated risk factors were prospectively assessed in a cohort of 6,734 Egyptians from 2 rural villages who were negative for antibodies to HCV (anti‐HCV). Initial and follow‐up sera were tested for anti‐HCV by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and possible incident cases were confirmed by using the microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) and tested for HCV RNA.

Adenoviral gene transfer of ABIN‐1 protects mice from TNF/galactosamine‐induced acute liver failure and lethality

Andy Wullaert, Ben Wielockx, Sofie Van Huffel, Veerle Bogaert, Bart De Geest, Peggy Papeleu, Peter Schotte, Karim El Bakkouri, Karen Heyninck, Claude Libert, Rudi Beyaert – 15 July 2005 – Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in acute and chronic hepatitis B and C infection and alcoholic liver disease as well as fulminant liver failure. TNF‐induced liver failure is characterized by parenchymal cell apoptosis and inflammation leading to liver cell necrosis.

APOBEC‐mediated interference with hepadnavirus production

Christine Rösler, Josef Köck, Michael Kann, Michael H. Malim, Hubert E. Blum, Thomas F. Baumert, Fritz von Weizsäcker – 15 July 2005 – APOBEC3G is a cellular cytidine deaminase displaying broad antiretroviral activity. Recently, it was shown that APOBEC3G can also suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) production in human hepatoma cells. In the present study, we characterized the mechanisms of APOBEC‐mediated antiviral activity against HBV and related hepadnaviruses. We show that human APOBEC3G blocks HBV production in mammalian and nonmammalian cells and is active against duck HBV as well.

The role of nuclear factor κB in late‐gestation liver development in the rat

Michelle Embree‐Ku, Philip A. Gruppuso – 15 July 2005 – During the last 3 days of fetal development in the rodent, a burst of hepatocyte proliferation results in a tripling of liver size. Despite stimulation of mitogenesis via multiple signaling pathways, including some that are considered stress response pathways, little apoptosis accompanies this cell growth.

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