Reiner Wiest, Guadalupe Garcia‐Tsao – 22 February 2005 – Gut flora and bacterial translocation (BT) play an important role in the pathogenesis of the complications of cirrhosis. Research on the pathogenesis of BT and its clinical significance transcends established boundaries between microbiology, cell biology, intestinal pathophysiology, and immunology. This review delineates multiple mechanisms involved in the process of BT, with an emphasis on alterations in intestinal flora and mucosal barrier function, particularly immunological defense mechanisms.

Didier Samuel – 22 February 2005

Anja M. Hafkamp, Rick Havinga, Maarten Sinaasappel, Henkjan J. Verkade – 22 February 2005 – We sought to develop an oral treatment for unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. In the Gunn rat model of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, dietary supplementation with the lipase inhibitor orlistat (Orl) or with calcium phosphate (CaP) decreases plasma unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) levels. We determined whether Orl, CaP, or their combination is superior to phototherapy, the conventional treatment, and whether the effects of Orl and CaP are influenced by dietary fat content.

Sarah Edwards, Patricia F. Lalor, Gerard B. Nash, G. Ed Rainger, David H. Adams – 22 February 2005 – Crosstalk between hepatic sinusoidal ECs and closely juxtaposed hepatocytes via vascular endothelial growth factor is essential for the maintenance of sinusoidal endothelial growth and differentiation. We propose that paracrine interactions between endothelial cells and hepatocytes also may be responsible for the unique complement of adhesion receptors expressed on sinusoidal endothelium that regulate the recruitment of lymphocytes into the liver.

Elwyn Elias – 22 February 2005

Cho‐Yu Chan, Shou‐Dong Lee – 22 February 2005

Gisa Tiegs, Gabriele Sass – 22 February 2005

Golo Ahlenstiel, Barbara Rehermann – 22 February 2005 – Natural killer (NK) cells provide a central defense against viral infection by using inhibitory and activation receptors for major histocompatibility complex class I molecules as a means of controlling their activity. We show that genes encoding the inhibitory NK cell receptor KIR2DL3 and its human leukocyte antigen C group 1 (HLA‐C1) ligand directly influence resolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Stanley M. Lemon, MinKyung Yi, Kui Li – 22 February 2005

George K. Michalopoulos, Lindsay Barua, William C. Bowen – 22 February 2005 – Rats with chimeric livers were generated by using the protocol of injecting hepatocytes from dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV)‐positive donors into retrorsine‐treated DPPIV‐negative recipients subjected to partial hepatectomy. Rats with established chimeric livers were subjected to bile duct ligation, with or without pretreatment with the biliary toxin methylene diamiline (DAPM). Ductules bearing the donor hepatocyte marker DPPIV were seen at 30 days after bile duct ligation.