Hepatic Cell News Volume 1.32 | Sep 8 2017

TOP STORY

Multiscale Cytometry and Regulation of 3D Cell Cultures on a Chip

Researchers describe a microfluidic platform to perform high-density three-dimensional culture, controlled stimulation, and observation in a single chip. The method extends the capabilities of droplet microfluidics for performing long-term culture of adherent cells. [Nat Commun] Full Article

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Large-Scale Quantitative Proteomics Identifies the Ubiquitin Ligase Nedd4-1 as an Essential Regulator of Liver Regeneration

Scientists performed quantitative large-scale proteomics analysis of cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions from normal versus regenerating mouse liver. Proteins of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway were rapidly upregulated after two-third hepatectomy, with the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-1 being a top hit. [Dev Cell] Abstract

Myc Target Gene, Long Intergenic Noncoding RNA, Linc00176 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Regulates Cell Cycle and Cell Survival by Titrating Tumor Suppressor MicroRNAs

Investigators identified a novel long intergenic noncoding RNA, Linc00176, that plays a role in proliferation and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma. Linc00176 regulated the expression of more than 200 genes by the sponge function for tumor suppressor miRNAs, miR-9 and miR-185. [Oncogene] Abstract

Central Role of mTORC1 Downstream of YAP/TAZ in Hepatoblastoma Development

Scientists found that mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is activated in human hepatoblastoma (HB) cells and Yes-associated protein (YAP)/β-catenin-induced mouse HB tumor tissues. mTOR inhibitor MLN0128 significantly inhibited human HB cell growth in vitro. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Activation of Pluripotent Genes in Hepatic Progenitor Cells in the Transition of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis to Pre-Malignant Lesions

The authors investigated the activation of pluripotent genes and morphogenic gene in hepatic progenitor cells from patient specimens and in an animal model to determine the possibility of normal stem/progenitor cells becoming the origin of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC). Expression of pluripotent and morphogenic genes in human NASH-HCC tissues was significantly upregulated compared to adjacent non-tumor liver tissues. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Erythropoietin Enhances Kupffer Cell Number and Activity in the Challenged Liver

Investigators demonstrated that Kupffer cells (KCs), the liver-resident macrophages, are erythropoietin (EPO) targets. They showed that, in vitro, EPO initiated intracellular signaling and enhanced phagocytosis in a rat KC line and in sorted KCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cell Spheroids with Enhanced Aggressiveness to Mimic Human Liver Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo

Researchers fabricated a spheroid-forming unit for efficient and economic production of cell spheroids. They optimized the protocol for generating large and homogenous liver cancer cell spheroids using Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Upregulation of Epac-1 in Hepatic Stellate Cells by Prostaglandin E2 in Liver Fibrosis Is Associated with Reduced Fibrogenesis

Cell-specific delivery of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to either hepatocytes, Kupffer cells or hepatic stellate cells identified the latter cell as the mediator for the systemic PGE2 effects on exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac-1). In primary isolated hepatic stellate cells, PGE2 elicited Rap1 translocation, reflecting Epac-1 activation, and Epac-1 agonists attenuated PDGF-induced proliferation and migration of these cells. [J Pharmacol Exp Ther] Full Article

Trifluoperazine Activates FOXO1-Related Signals to Inhibit Tumor Growth in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Two hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, SMMC-7721 and Bel-7402, were treated with different concentrations of trifluoperazine (TFP) and the IC50 was determined. Scientists found that TFP could inhibit the vitality of two cell lines and induce cell cycle arrest at G0/G1. [DNA Cell Biol] Abstract

Hedgehog Signaling Inhibitor GANT61 Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Protective Autophagy in Hepatic Stellate Cells

Investigators revealed that the novel hedgehog signaling antagonist GANT61 induced apoptosis in the activated human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 cells, as it dose-dependently caused mitochondrial inner transmembrane potential loss and caspase-3 cleavage. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Insulin Regulation of Gluconeogenesis

The authors review some of the molecular mechanisms through which insulin modulates hepatic gluconeogenesis, thus controlling glucose production by the liver to ultimately maintain normoglycemia. Various signaling pathways governed by insulin converge at the level of transcriptional regulation of the key hepatic gluconeogenic genes PCK1 and G6PC, highlighting this as one of the focal mechanisms through which gluconeogenesis is modulated. [Ann N Y Acad Sci] Abstract

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

Lasker Prizes Recognize Work on Cell Growth, Cancer Prevention, and Reproductive Care

The Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation announced its three annual prizes, each of which comes with a $250,000 award. Regarded as the United States’s most prestigious biomedical research awards, the Laskers often precede a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: Eighty-seven Lasker laureates have gone on to win a Nobel. [ScienceInsider] Editorial | Press Release

Eiger Announces FDA Orphan Drug Designation Granted for Pegylated Interferon Lambda in Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. FDA has granted orphan designation for pegylated interferon lambda 1a (Lambda) as a potential treatment for chronic hepatitis delta virus infection. [Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Empowering Thousands of Canadian Researchers and Students to Push the Boundaries of Knowledge and Innovation

The Minister of Science, Kirsty Duncan, announced $515 million in support for fundamental research through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) 2017 competition for the Discovery Grants program, scholarships and fellowships. This is NSERC’s largest annual investment, and it assists researchers by offering financial support though scholarships, fellowships, research supplements, and equipment grants. [Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada] Editorial

United Kingdom Wants Cozy Science Ties with Europe after Brexit

The U.K. government released a long-awaited position paper on the future of scientific collaborations with the European Union (EU) after Brexit. Its overarching goal is “a more ambitious and close partnership with the EU than any yet agreed between the EU and a non-EU country. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Italian Scientists Welcome Surprise €400 Million Boost for Basic Research

Italian scientists received a welcome surprise when Valeria Fedeli, the minister for education, university, and research, announced that Italy will put an extra €400 million into its main basic science fund, the Research Projects of National Interest (PRIN). The money, to be spent over three years, will more than quadruple PRIN’s annual funding. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Senate Panel Seeks Middle Ground on Human Fetal Tissue Research and Abortion

A Senate spending panel countered a move by its House of Representatives counterpart to quash federal funding for research that uses human fetal tissue from elective abortions. The move sets up a conflict that will need to be resolved when lawmakers meet later this year to hash out differences between the House and Senate bills, which will provide funding for the National Institutes of Health in the 2018 fiscal year. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Organs- and Tissues-on-Chips
April 8-12, 2018
Big Sky, Montana, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cell Biology & Virology (INSERM)

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Research (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology (Georgetown University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Immunology and Metastasis (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

Research Associate – Hepatitis B Virus Pathogenesis (Imperial College London)

Research Scientist – Chronic Fibrotic and Metabolic Diseases (Gilead Sciences, Inc.)

Research Fellows – Cancer Research (National University of Singapore)

Multiple Positions – Cancer Research (National University of Singapore)

Assistant Professor – Biomedical Research (National Institutes of Health)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Computational Biology/Cancer Genomics (University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (University of Louisville)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pathogenesis of Metabolic Diseases (Columbia University)

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

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