Hepatic Cell News Volume 1.23 | Jul 7 2017

TOP STORY

Hepatitis C Virus Induced Tumor Initiating Cancer Stem-Like Cells Activate Stromal Fibroblasts in Xenograft Tumor Model

It has been shown that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection generates epithelial mesenchymal transition state and tumor initiating cancer stem-like cells (TISCs) in human hepatocytes. Researchers investigated whether HCV induced TISCs, when implanted into mice, activate stromal fibroblasts. [Hepatology] Abstract

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TP53INP1 Down-Regulation Activates a p73-Dependent DUSP10/ERK Signaling Pathway to Promote Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Investigators report that the pro-apoptotic stress response factor TP53INP1 is often selectively down-regulated in advanced stage IV and metastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma tumors. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Wnt/β-Catenin Activation and Macrophage Induction During Liver Cancer Development following Steatosis

Scientists hypothesized that steatosis alters the microenvironment to promote proliferation of tumor initiating cells and carcinogenesis. Using bioinformatics analysis and verified by biochemical assays, they identified that hepatosteatosis resulting from either Pten deletion or transgenic expression of HCV core/NS5A proteins, promotes the activation of Wnt/β-catenin. [Oncogene] Full Article

RORα Induces KLF4-Mediated M2 Polarization in the Liver Macrophages That Protect against Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Researchers describe the orphan nuclear receptor retinoic-acid-related orphan receptor α (RORα) as a key regulator of M1/M2 polarization in hepatic residential Kupffer cells and infiltrated monocyte-derived macrophages. [Cell Rep] Full Article

Adult Mouse Liver Contains Two Distinct Populations of Cholangiocytes

The cell surface protease ST14 was identified as a positive marker for the clonogenic subset of cholangiocytes and was used to separate clonogenic and non-clonogenic duct cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Upregulate KIF4A Enhances Proliferation, Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Indicates Poor Prognosis across Human Cancer Types

Investigators measured the proliferation and migration ability of two hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines through KIF4A overexpression, and found that KIF4A overexpression could enhance migration and proliferation ability, indicating that KIF4A exhibits oncogenic effects. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-1Beta Enhances the Stemness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through Activation of the Notch Pathway

Scientists overexpressed HNF-1β in liver cancer cell lines and found the expression of liver progenitor cell markers and stemness were upregulated. The invasion ability and epithelial-mesenchymal transition-associated genes were also significantly higher in liver cancer cells overexpressing HNF-1β than in the control group. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Pro-Fibrotic Compounds Induce Stellate Cell Activation, ECM-Remodeling and Nrf2 Activation in a Human 3D-Multicellular Model of Liver Fibrosis

Researchers aimed at generating a system containing cells representing the three key players of liver fibrosis (hepatocyte, Kupffer cells and stellate cells) and assessed their response to pro-fibrotic compounds such as TGF-β1, methotrexate and thioacetamide. [PLoS One] Full Article

Astragalin Reduces Hexokinase 2 Through Increasing miR-125b to Inhibit the Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Investigators revealed that astragalin (ASG) remarkably suppressed the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. In HCC cells, ASG inhibited glucose glycolysis and promoted oxidative phosphorylation, resulting in a surge of reactive oxygen species. [J Agric Food Chem] Abstract

The Gut Microbiome and Liver Cancer: Mechanisms and Clinical Translation

The authors review mechanisms by which the gut microbiota promotes hepatocarcinogenesis, focusing on the leaky gut, bacterial dysbiosis, microbe-associated molecular patterns and bacterial metabolites as key pathways that drive cancer-promoting liver inflammation, fibrosis and genotoxicity. [Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol] Abstract

Targeting the Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Met Pathway in Cancer

Investigators review hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Met structure and function, basic properties of HGF/Met pathway antagonists now in clinical development, and recent clinical trial results. [Biochem Soc Trans] Abstract

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

BeiGene Presents Preliminary Phase I Data on BGB-A317 in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BeiGene, Ltd. presented preliminary results from patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), enrolled in the Phase I study of the investigational anti-PD-1 antibody BGB-A317 in advanced solid tumors. The preliminary Phase I data suggest that BGB-A317 was generally well tolerated and exhibited preliminary evidence of anti-tumor activity in HCC patients. [Press release from BeiGene, Ltd. discussing research presented at the ESMO 19^th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer (WCGI 2017), Barcelona] Press Release

CARsgen Therapeutics Joins The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine

CARsgen Therapeutics announced it has become an active member of The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) as the first Chinese company of advanced therapy. [CARsgen Therapeutics (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Celgene Corporation Enters into Global Strategic Immuno-Oncology Collaboration with BeiGene to Advance PD-1 Inhibitor Program for Solid Tumor Cancers

Celgene Corporation and BeiGene, Ltd. entered into a strategic collaboration to develop and commercialize BeiGene’s investigational anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor, BGB-A317, for patients with solid tumor cancers. BeiGene will acquire Celgene’s commercial operations and gain an exclusive license to commercialize Celgene’s approved therapies in China – ABRAXANE^®, REVLIMID^® and VIDAZA^®. [BeiGene, Ltd.] Press Release

French Scientist Fined for Failure to Disclose Industry Ties

In an unprecedented court case in Paris, an eminent French lung specialist has been fined €50,000 and given a six-month suspended jail sentence because he didn’t disclose his ties to the oil industry during a Senate air-pollution inquiry. [Nature News] Editorial

Trump Administration Chooses Georgia Physician to Lead US Public-Health Agency

Obstetrician and gynecologist Brenda Fitzgerald will direct the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price announced. [Nature News] Editorial

Europe’s Next Big Science-Funding Program Urged to Double Its Budget

Midway through the European Union’s sprawling seven-year, €75-billion research-funding program known as Horizon 2020, scientists are already angling for more money and less red tape in its successor. [Nature News] Editorial

Germany and Poland Launch Research ‘Twinning’ Effort

Germany and Poland are to jointly fund top scientists to start research groups at Polish institutes, in a scheme that could provide a new blueprint for east–west research collaboration in the European Union. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 13^th International Conference on Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
November 13-14, 2017
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

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

NEW Post-Doctoral Research Fellow – Liver Cancer Pathogenesis and Immunobiology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

NEW Postdoc or PhD Position – Cancer Research (University Medical Center Groningen)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cancer and Epigenetics (St. Anne’s University Hospital)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Translational Liver Cancer Research (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Senior Investigator/Investigator III – Molecular Pathology (Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research)

Assistant/Associate/Full Staff – Liver Disease (Lerner Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Liver and Pancreatic Carcinogenesis (Keck School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Associate – Gene Therapy (University of Massachusetts Medical School)

Research Fellow – Cancer Research (National University of Singapore)

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

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

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