Identification of immunodominant hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐specific cytotoxic T‐cell epitopes by stimulation with endogenously synthesized HCV antigens

Simona Urbani, Jacopo Uggeri, Yoshiharu Matsuura, Tatsuo Miyamura, Amalia Penna, Carolina Boni, Carlo Ferrari – 30 December 2003 – Hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of liver cell injury and viral clearance in HCV infection.

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: Expansion of the tumor size limits does not adversely impact survival

Francis Y. Yao, Linda Ferrell, Nathan M. Bass, Jessica J. Watson, Peter Bacchetti, Alan Venook, Nancy L. Ascher, John P. Roberts – 30 December 2003 – The precise staging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the size and number of lesions that predict recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has not been clearly established. We therefore analyzed the outcome of 70 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and HCC who underwent OLT over a 12‐year period at our institution.

Intrahepatic hepatitis C viral RNA status of serum polymerase chain reaction–negative individuals with histological changes on liver biopsy

Sharon Barrett, Niamh Kieran, Eleanor Ryan, J. Conor O'Keane, John Crowe – 30 December 2003 – For individuals testing anti‐HCV positive but negative for HCV RNA in serum, diagnosis remains unclear. Debate exists over whether these individuals have resolved infection or have similar clinical, histological, and virological profiles as serum PCR–positive individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of histological changes in the liver of 33 serum PCR–negative women by investigation of clinical, histological, and intrahepatic HCV RNA status.

Involvement of p21WAF1/Cip1, p27Kip1, and p18INK4c in troglitazone‐induced cell‐cycle arrest in human hepatoma cell lines

Hironori Koga, Shotaro Sakisaka, Masaru Harada, Toshiyuki Takagi, Shinichiro Hanada, Eitaro Taniguchi, Takumi Kawaguchi, Kurumi Sasatomi, Rina Kimura, Osamu Hashimoto, Takato Ueno, Hirohisa Yano, Masamichi Kojiro, Michio Sata – 30 December 2003 – Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) regulates cell growth and differentiation. Recent evidence has suggested that PPARγ ligands had anti‐tumor effects through inhibiting cell growth and inducing cell differentiation in several types of malignant neoplasm.

The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor KDR/Flk‐1 is a major regulator of malignant ascites formation in the mouse hepatocellular carcinoma model

Hitoshi Yoshiji, Shigeki Kuriyama, Daniel J. Hicklin, James Huber, Junichi Yoshii, Yasuhide Ikenaka, Ryuichi Noguchi, Toshiya Nakatani, Hirohisa Tsujinoue, Hiroshi Fukui – 30 December 2003 – The vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A), also known as the vascular permeability factor (VPF), has been shown to play an important role in malignant ascites formation. The effects of VEGF‐A are mediated through flt‐1 and kinase insert domain–containing receptor/fetal liver kinase (KDR/Flk‐1) receptors.

Expression of mRNA for DNA methyltransferases and methyl‐CpG–binding proteins and DNA methylation status on CpG islands and pericentromeric satellite regions during human hepatocarcinogenesis

Yoshimasa Saito, Yae Kanai, Michiie Sakamoto, Hidetsugu Saito, Hiromasa Ishii, Setsuo Hirohashi – 30 December 2003 – To evaluate the significance of alterations in DNA methylation during human hepatocarcinogenesis, we examined levels of mRNA for DNA methyltransferases and methyl‐CpG‐binding proteins and the DNA methylation status in 67 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). The average level of mRNA for DNMT1 and DNMT3a was significantly higher in noncancerous liver tissues showing chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis than in histologically normal liver tissues, and was even higher in HCCs.

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