Hepatitis B virus Dane particles bind to human plasma apolipoprotein H

Ilias Stefas, Marcel Rucheton, Arnaud Dupuy D'Angeac, Christine Morel‐Baccard, Jean M. Seigneurin, Jean P. Zarski, Marianne Martin, Martine Cerutti, Jean Pierre Bossy, Dorothée Missé, Hubert Graafland, Francisco Veas – 30 December 2003 – Human apolipoprotein H (apo H) was found to bind specifically to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐infected individuals. We used recombinant HBsAg proteins to analyze HBV domains recognized by apo H. We showed that the myristylated pre‐S1 domain of HBsAg strongly interacted with apo H.

Fas/CD95 pathway induces mouse liver regeneration and allows for highly efficient retrovirus‐mediated gene transfer

Jacques‐Emmanuel Guidotti, Vincent O. Mallet, David Parlier, Claudia Mitchell, Monique Fabre, Patrick Jaffray, Martine Lambert, Axel Kahn, Hélène Gilgenkrantz – 30 December 2003 – Stable gene transfer into hepatocytes has been proposed to compensate for genetic deficiencies that affect liver function, or to deliver diffusible factors into the circulation. This strategy can be achieved using retroviral vectors; however, cell division must occur.

Hepatitis C virus core protein enhances the activation of the transcription factor, Elk1, in response to mitogenic stimuli

Katsuhiko Fukuda, Katsuya Tsuchihara, Makoto Hijikata, Shuhei Nishiguchi, Tetsuo Kuroki, Kunitada Shimotohno – 30 December 2003 – Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways play key roles in cell proliferation, transformation of mammalian cells, and the stress response. We and other investigators showed that hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein has an oncogenic potential, but its mechanism has remained unknown.

Antiviral activity of clevudine [L‐FMAU, (1‐(2‐fluoro‐5‐methyl‐β, L‐arabinofuranosyl) uracil)] against woodchuck hepatitis virus replication and gene expression in chronically infected woodchucks (Marmota monax)

Simon F. Peek, Paul J. Cote, James R. Jacob, Ilia A. Toshkov, William E. Hornbuckle, Betty H. Baldwin, Frances V. Wells, C. K. Chu, John L. Gerin, Bud C. Tennant, Brent E. Korba – 30 December 2003 – L‐FMAU [1‐(2‐fluoro‐5‐methyl‐β,L‐arabinofuranosyl) uracil] has been shown to be an effective inhibitor of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and duck hepatitis B virus replication in cell culture and duck hepatitis B virus replication in acutely infected Peking ducks.

Activation of retinoic X receptor and peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor‐γ inhibits nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor‐α production in rat Kupffer cells

Koutaro Uchimura, Makoto Nakamuta, Munechika Enjoji, Takashi Irie, Rie Sugimoto, Tatsushi Muta, Hiroaki Iwamoto, Hajime Nawata – 30 December 2003 – Activators of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), which forms a heterodimer with retinoic X receptor (RXR), inhibit the production of certain inflammatory mediators. To clarify the role of the PPARγ:RXR signaling pathway in Kupffer cells, we studied the effect of an RXR agonist and PPARγ agonist on LPS‐induced nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) production.

Risk factors for primary biliary cirrhosis in a cohort of patients from the United States

Arti Parikh‐Patel, Ellen B. Gold, Howard Worman, Kathryn E. Krivy, M. Eric Gershwin – 30 December 2003 – Although the etiology of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) remains unknown, environmental factors may act to trigger the disease in genetically susceptible hosts. To assess specific risk factors, we conducted a survey using standardized NHANES questions to 241 PBC patients in the United States, 261 of their siblings, and 141 friends without PBC. The overall response rate was 199 of 241 (83%) among PBC cases, 171 of 261 (67%) among siblings, and 141 of 225 (62.7%) among friend controls.

Which patients with cirrhosis should undergo endoscopic screening for esophageal varices detection?

Filippo Schepis, Calogero Cammà, Domenico Niceforo, Antonio Magnano, Socrate Pallio, Maurizio Cinquegrani, Gennaro D'Amico, Linda Pasta, Antonio Craxì, Antonino Saitta, Giovanni Raimondo – 30 December 2003 – Our aims were to develop a noninvasive predictive tool to identify cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices and to evaluate whether portal Doppler ultrasonographic parameters may improve the value of other predictors. One hundred forty‐three consecutive compensated cirrhotic patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Interferon‐α delays S‐phase progression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells via inhibition of specific cyclin‐dependent kinases

Derek Murphy, Katharina M. Detjen, Martina Welzel, Bertram Wiedenmann, Stefan Rosewicz – 30 December 2003 – The potential antiproliferative effects of interferon‐α (IFN‐α) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are controversial, and the growth inhibitory mechanisms remain poorly understood. Therefore, the current study was designed to delineate the molecular mechanisms responsible for direct antiproliferative actions of IFN‐α in HCC cells.

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