Hepatic Cell News Volume 1.16 | May 19 2017

TOP STORY

Circular RNA MTO1 Acts as the Sponge of miR-9 to Suppress Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression

Scientists analyzed the expression profile of human circular RNAs (circRNAs) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and identified circMTO1 as one circRNA significantly downregulated in HCC tissues. [Hepatology] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Targeting CCl₄-Induced Liver Fibrosis by RNA Interference – Mediated Inhibition of Cyclin E1 in Mice

Genetic inactivation of Cyclin E1 prevents activation, proliferation and survival of hepatic stellate cells and protects from liver fibrogenesis. Investigators aimed to translate these findings into pre-clinical applications using an RNAi-based approach. [Hepatology] Abstract

Genetic Heterogeneity Among Slow Acetylator N-Acetyltransferase 2 Phenotypes in Cryopreserved Human Hepatocytes

Researchers investigated N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) phenotype in vitro and in situ in samples of human hepatocytes obtained from various NAT2 slow and intermediate NAT2 acetylator genotypes. [Arch Toxicol] Abstract

Differential Proteomic Analysis of Gender-Dependent Hepatic Tumorigenesis in Hras12V Transgenic Mice

Investigators studied Hras12V transgenic mice, in which hepatocyte-specific expression of the ras oncogene induces male-biased hepatic tumorigenesis and detected altered proteins by two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis. [Mol Cell Proteomics] Full Article

MicroRNA-23b Functions as an Oncogene and Activates AKT/GSK3β/β-Catenin Signaling by Targeting ST7L in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The authors found that microRNA (miR)-23b was significantly upregulated in tumor tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma patients (HCC). Functional tests showed that miR-23b could promote HCC cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

MiR-130a-3p Attenuates Activation and Induces Apoptosis of Hepatic Stellate Cells in Nonalcoholic Fibrosing Steatohepatitis by Directly Targeting TGFBR1 and TGFBR2

Scientists observed a significant reduction in the expression of microRNA (miR)-130a-3p in livers of a mouse model with fibrosis induced by a methionine–choline-deficient diet, of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients, and in activated hepatic stellate cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

The Cell Polarity Protein Scrib Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in Liver Cancer

Researchers report that Scrib not only translocates to the cytoplasm but also to the nucleus in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and in mouse and human liver tumor samples. They demonstrated that Scrib overexpression suppresses the growth of HCC cells in vitro, and Scrib deficiency enhances liver tumor growth in vivo. [Oncotarget] Full Article | Press Release

Spleen-Derived Lipocalin-2 in the Portal Vein Regulates Kupffer Cells Activation and Attenuates the Development of Liver Fibrosis in Mice

The authors induced liver fibrosis in mice after splenectomy, and investigated liver fibrosis development. Liver fibrosis resulted in significantly increased splenic lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) levels, but all other measured cytokine levels were unchanged. Splenectomized mice showed enhanced liver fibrosis and inflammation accompanied by significantly decreased Lcn2 levels in portal vein. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Acot1 Is a Sensitive Indicator for PPARα Activation after Perfluorooctanoic Acid Exposure in Primary Hepatocytes of Sprague-Dawley Rats

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is one of the most commonly detected and persistent perfluoroalkyl substances found in the environment. Investigators found that cell viability and intracellular oxidant stress increased in primary rat hepatocytes exposed to PFOA, and mitochondrial superoxide increased from 6.25μM PFOA treatment group. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract

Cholecystokinin Protects Mouse Liver against Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury

The authors showed that treatment with cholecystokinin decreased sAST/sALT levels, inflammatory hepatic injury, neutrophil influx and hepatocelluar apoptosis, while proglumide aggravated hepatic injury. [Int Immunopharmacol] Abstract

E2F1 Inhibits Circulating Cholesterol Clearance by Regulating Pcsk9 Expression in the Liver

Researchers demonstrated that E2F1 plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular cholesterol homeostasis by regulating cholesterol uptake via proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9, an enzyme that promotes low-density lipoprotein receptor degradation upon activation. [JCI Insight] Full Article

Hepatocyte Polyploidization and Its Association with Pathophysiological Processes

Scientists review the current knowledge on the mechanism of hepatocytes polyploidization during postnatal growth, aging, and liver diseases. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the hepatic cell research field.

Organovo Presents New Preclinical Data on 3D Bioprinted Human Liver Tissues

Organovo Holdings, Inc. presented new preclinical data showing extended survival and sustained functionality of its 3D bioprinted human liver tissue when implanted into diseased animal models. [Press release from Organovo Holdings, Inc. discussing research presented at the World Advanced Therapies and Regenerative Medicine Congress, San Diego.] Press Release

Seventh Wave Announces Partnership to Advance Liver Disease Research

Seventh Wave Laboratories announced an exclusive collaboration with Yecuris Corporation. The partnership enables the most predictive approach available to study new human liver disease therapies. [Seventh Wave Laboratories (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Onxeo Announces Allowance of U.S. Patent for Livatag^® in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Onxeo S.A. announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application covering the specific route of administration for Livatag^®, which is currently in a Phase III clinical trial for the second-line treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. [Onxeo] Press Release

Albireo Announces Plans for Phase III Clinical Program of A4250 in Patients with PFIC

Albireo Pharma, Inc. announced key study design details for its planned Phase III program of lead product candidate, A4250, in patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) determined following consultations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency. [Albireo Pharma, Inc.] Press Release

UK Political Parties Promise Science Funding Boost

UK scientists worried about how Brexit will affect their funding received a boost when the country’s three main national parties pledged long-term targets to raise research spending [Nature News] Editorial

Journal that Holds Record for Retracted Papers Also Has a Problem with Editorial Board Members

Last month, Springer, announced that the journal Tumor Biology was retracting 107 papers after finding that the peer-review process had been compromised. It was the third mass retraction at Tumor Biology. But that’s not Tumor Biology’s only problem. ScienceInsider has discovered that the journal’s editorial board, as published online, contains the names of several scientists who say they have no relationship whatsoever with the journal—including German Nobel laureate Harald zur Hausen. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 6^th Biennial Congress of the Asian-Pacific Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association
July 7-10, 2017
Yokohama, Japan

NEW ASCO/AACR Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop
July 29-August 4, 2017
Vail, United States

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Novel Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Liver and Pancreatic Carcinogenesis (University of Illinois College of Medicine)

Assistant Professor – Renal and Hepatic Pharmacology (University of Manitoba)

Chief – Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (University of Nebraska Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Obesity-Associated Complications (University of Kentucky College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Pediatrics/Cell Biology (Washington University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Research (University of Groningen)

Scientist – Hepatic Nuclear Receptor Biology (Moderna Therapeutics)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Research (University of Groningen)

Research Lead – Liver Discovery (Spark Therapeutics)

Research Technician II – Translational Liver Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Academic Surgical Pathologist – Liver/Gastrointestinal (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

Academic Pathologist – Liver/GI (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

Associate or Full Professor – Gastroenterology (University of Washington)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

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