Hepatic Cell News Volume 1.36 | Oct 6 2017

TOP STORY

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Hepatocarcinogenesis via lncRNA-MUF Interaction with ANXA2 and MiR-34a

Researchers report that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-associated mesenchymal stem cells (HCC-MSC) promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition and liver tumorigenesis. They identified a novel lncRNA that they termed lncRNA-MUF (MSC upregulated factor) that was highly expressed in HCC tissues and correlated with poor prognosis. [Cancer Res] Abstract

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Regulation of Glycolytic Metabolism by Autophagy in Liver Cancer Involves Selective Autophagic Degradation of HK2

By utilizing cancer cells with basal or impaired autophagic flux, researchers demonstrated that glycolytic activity was negatively correlated with autophagy level. The autophagic degradation of hexokinase 2 (HK2), a crucial glycolytic enzyme catalyzing the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate, was found to be involved in the regulation of glycolysis by autophagy. [Autophagy] Abstract

Engineered Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 Protects from Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury and Stimulates Aged Liver Regeneration in Mice

Scientists developed a chimaeric molecule termed Fibapo in which fibroblast growth factor 19 was covalently coupled to apolipoprotein A-I. They evaluated the pro-regenerative activity of Fibapo in two clinically relevant models where liver regeneration may be impaired: acetaminophen poisoning, and partial hepatectomy in aged mice. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Deregulated c-Myc Requires a Functional HSF1 for Experimental and Human Hepatocarcinogenesis

Researchers showed that the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) cascade was induced and necessary for c-Myc dependent liver tumor development and progression. Since the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) transcription factor is a major positive regulator of mTORC1 in the cell, they investigated the functional interaction between HSF1 and c-Myc using in vitro and in vivo approaches. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Role of the Transforming Growth Factor-β in Regulating Hepatocellular Carcinoma Oxidative Metabolism

Investigators analyzed the metabolic profile of hepatocellular carcinoma cells that showed differences in TGF-β expression. Oxygen consumption rate, extracellular acidification rate, metabolomics and transcriptomics were performed. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Therapeutic Potential of Human Minor Salivary Gland Epithelial Progenitor Cells in Liver Regeneration

Keratinocyte-like cells with self-regeneration and hepatic differentiation potential were isolated and characterized, and named human minor salivary gland epithelial progenitor cells. The cells were induced into functional hepatocytes in vitro which expressed liver-associated markers ALB, CYP3A4, AAT, and CK18. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Lactate-Mediated Mitoribosomal Defects Impair Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation and Promote Hepatoma Cell Invasiveness

Scientists showed that oxidative phosphorylation-defective hepatoma cells exhibited reduced expression of mitochondrial ribosomal protein L13, a mitochondrial ribosome subunit, suggesting a ribosomal defect. [J Biol Chem] Full Article

Loss-of-Function of MiR-142 by Hypermethylation Promotes TGF-β-Mediated Tumor Growth and Metastasis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

MicroRNA-142 (miR-142) was found to be dysregulated in cancer patients to participate into tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis. The authors found that the miR-142 expression was reduced in tumor tissues and two hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 and SMMC7721, which correlated to higher TNM stage, metastasis and differentiation. [Cell Prolif] Abstract

Changes Induced by Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells and Hepatocytes: Spectroscopic Imaging of Single Live Cells at the Subcellular Level

Investigators used a novel approach of label-free Raman confocal imaging to study primary liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and hepatocytes freshly isolated from the livers of mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by a high fat diet, in comparison to healthy controls. They characterized changes in the biochemical composition in LSECs and hepatocytes that occur in a single cell at the subcellular level. [Analyst] Abstract

Oleate Ameliorates Palmitate-Induced Reduction of NAMPT Activity and NAD Levels in Primary Human Hepatocytes and Hepatocarcinoma Cells

The saturated fatty acid palmitate and the unsaturated fatty acid oleate are the main free fatty acids in adipose tissue and human diet. Researchers asked how these fatty acids affect cell survival, NAMPT and NAD levels in HepG2 cells and primary human hepatocytes. [Lipids Health Dis] Full Article

Statins and Liver Disease: Is it Time to Recommend Statins to Prevent Liver Disease Progression?

More robust studies, including randomized trials and research on safety in patients with advanced liver disease, are needed before statins can be routinely recommended for prevention of liver-related morbidity and mortality. [Am J Gastroenterol] Abstract

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

Merck to Present New Data on ZEPATIER^® (Elbasvir and Grazoprevir) for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Merck announced that data from the company’s chronic hepatitis C clinical development programs and real-world studies are scheduled to be presented. [Press release from Merck discussing research to be presented at American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), Washington] Press Release

Eiger Announces Abstracts and Presentations

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that two abstracts will be presented. The first abstract is from the Lambda Interferon MonoTherapy in Hepatitis Delta Virus study and twenty-four week interim data will be presented. The second abstract is from the LOnafarnib with Ritonavir in Hepatitis Delta Virus study and mathematical modeling designed to inform next steps in clinical development will be presented. [Press release from Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), Washington] Press Release

MYR GmbH Announces Presentation of Interim Results of Phase IIb Clinical Program of Myrcludex B

Hepatera LLC and its development partner MYR GmbH announced the completion of the 24 weeks active treatment phase in MYR 202 clinical trial, a Phase IIb study investigating Myrcudex B in chronic hepatitis delta infection. [Press release from MYR GmbH (PR Newswire Association LLC.) discussing research to be presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), Washington] Press Release

Promethera Biosciences and Shibuya Announce Strategic Collaboration to Establish Breakthrough Cell Therapy Manufacturing Platform

Promethera Biosciences SA and Shibuya Corporation announced a strategic collaboration to establish a high-throughput, commercial-scale and clinical-grade cell therapy and regenerative medicine manufacturing platform. For Promethera, the collaboration will act as a cornerstone to optimize and expand the manufacturing capabilities for its current and future portfolio of liver-derived cell therapies to treat Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, acute-on-chronic liver-failure and other indications. [Promethera Biosciences SA] Press Release

BioVie Announces First Patient Dosed with BIV201 in Phase IIa Clinical Trial for Refractory Ascites Due to Liver Cirrhosis

BioVie Inc. reported that the first patient has been dosed with BIV201, which is being studied in a Phase IIa clinical trial for the treatment of refractory ascites due to liver cirrhosis. [BioVie Inc.] Press Release

Navajo Nation Reconsiders Ban on Genetic Research

When the Navajo Nation opens its first oncology centre next year in Tuba City, Arizona, clinicians there may be able to offer a service that has been banned on tribal lands for 15 years: analyzing the DNA of Navajo tribe members to guide treatments and study the genetic roots of disease. [Nature News] Editorial

Does Your State Get Its Fair Share of Federal Research Dollars?

The only physicist in Congress has introduced a bill (H.R. 3763) that could rekindle a debate over how to deal with geographic disparities in the allocation of federal research funding. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Scientists Plead with Brazilian Government to Restore Funding

Anxiety is growing in Brazil over the country’s collapsing research budgets. President Michel Temer had slashed funding for science by 44% in March and has proposed additional decreases for 2018 — even as some science institutes run out of money for basic needs, such as paying electricity bills. The 2017 science budget, at 3.2 billion reais (US$1 billion), is the lowest the country has seen in at least 12 years. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 14^th Annual Stem Cell Symposium: Technology Innovation for Stem Cell Research and Therapy
February 2, 2018
Los Angeles, California, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – 3D Organoid Mechanobiology (KU Leuven)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Liver Tissue Engineering (Massachusetts General Hospital)

Hepatologist – Gastroenterology and Hepatology (The Liver Institute of Virginia)

Faculty Position – Molecular Oncology (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hepatocyte Models for Organ-on-a-Chip Platforms (University of Oslo)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Human Bile Duct Organoids (University of Edinburgh)

Faculty Position – Cancer Biology (Emory University Hospital)

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 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)

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