Hepatic Cell News Volume 1.37 | Oct 13 2017

TOP STORY

Mitophagy Controls the Activities of Tumor Suppressor p53 to Regulate Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells

Researchers report that mitophagy, the selective removal of mitochondria by autophagy, positively regulates hepatic cancer stem cells by suppressing the tumor suppressor p53. [Mol Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Integrative Analysis of Genomic and Epigenomic Regulation of the Transcriptome in Liver Cancer

Investigators profiled DNA copy numbers, DNA methylation, and messenger RNA expression levels from 64 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma specimens. They found that the frequencies of the aberrancies of the DNA copy-number-correlated expression genes and the methylation-correlated expression genes were co-regulated significantly. [Nat Commun] Full Article

PRMT1 and JMJD6 Dependent Arginine Methylation Regulate HNF4α Expression and Hepatocyte Proliferation

Scientists explored the role of arginine methylation changes in alcohol pathogenesis. They found that PRMT1 regulated Hnf4α expression directly through arginine methylation at the Hnf4α promoter. In the absence of PRMT1, JMJD6 demethylated the Hnf4α promoter and suppressed its expression. [Hepatology] Abstract

Increasing AR by HIF-2α Inhibitor (PT-2385) Overcomes the Side-Effects of Sorafenib by Suppressing Hepatocellular Carcinoma Invasion via Alteration of pSTAT3, pAKT and pERK Signals

The authors demonstrated that the sorafenib-induced or hypoxia-induced hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-2α could bind to an hypoxia responsive element within 500 bp region of androgen receptor (AR) promoter and thus transcriptionally suppress AR. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

The Level of Caveolin-1 Expression Determines Response to TGF-β as a Tumor Suppressor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Researchers analyzed the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines that express different levels of caveolin-1 (CAV1). They demonstrated that CAV1 protects HCC cells from TGF-β-induced apoptosis, which attenuates its suppressive effect on clonogenic growth and increases its effects on cell migration. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

N-Terminal Gelsolin Fragment Potentiates TRAIL Mediated Death in Resistant Hepatoma Cells

Scientists showed that conditioned medium containing gelsolin fragments or an N-terminal gelsolin fragment in the presence of TRAIL impaired cell viability of TNF-α related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) resistant transformed human hepatocytes. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Brucella abortus Promotes a Fibrotic Phenotype in Hepatic Stellate Cells with Concomitant Autophagy Pathway Activation

Investigators demonstrated that B. abortus infection induces the activation of the autophagic pathway in hepatic stellate cells to create a microenvironment that promote a profibrogenic phenotype through the induction of transforming growth factor-β1, collagen deposition and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 secretion. [Infect Immun] Abstract

Downregulation of SIRT2 Inhibits Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inhibiting Energy Metabolism

The authors evaluated the biological function of SIRT2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and identified the target of SIRT2 as well as evaluated its therapeutic efficacy. They found that SIRT2 was upregulated in HCC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, and this was correlated with reduced patient survival. [Transl Oncol] Full Article

An Alkynyl-Fucose Halts Hepatoma Cell Migration and Invasion by Inhibiting GDP-Fucose-Synthesizing Enzyme FX, TSTA3

Researchers focused on a fucose analog with an alkyne group, 6-alkynyl-fucose (6-Alk-Fuc), which is used widely as a detection probe for fucosylated glycans, but is also suggested for use as a fucosylation inhibitor. They showed that 6-Alk-Fuc halts hepatoma invasion. [Cell Chem Biol] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma — Evolving Concepts and Therapeutic Strategies

The authors review the evolving developments in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management of cholangiocarcinoma. [Nat Rev Clin Oncol] Abstract

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

Relburn-Metabolomics to Present Developments in Lead Programs for NASH and Gout

Relburn-Metabolomics, Inc. announced that the company will update scientific findings and clinical development plans for its drug candidates in two diseases, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and gout. [Press release from Relburn-Metabolomics, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC) discussing research to be presented at the 2017 BIO Investor Forum, San Francisco] Press Release

International Stem Cell Corporation Developed 3D Bioprinting Technology Targeted to Treat Liver Diseases

International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) announced a significant advancement in 3D bioprinting of liver tissue. ISCO’s R&D team has developed a 3D bioprinter which utilizes proprietary liver progenitor cells, which differentiate into cholangiocytes, hepatocytes and stellate cells. [International Stem Cell Corporation] Press Release

H3 Biomedicine Granted Orphan Drug Designation of H3B-6527 for Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

H3 Biomedicine Inc. announced that the FDA has granted the company an orphan drug designation for H3B-6527, its first solid tumor clinical compound, for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. [H3 Biomedicine Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

NSF Drops Preproposals, Deadlines for Biologists Seeking Funding

The National Science Foundation (NSF) will no longer require biologists applying for grants to submit preproposals and to adhere to an annual deadline for submissions. The changes pull the plug on a five-year pilot project in two NSF divisions—and mark the agency’s latest attempt to reduce the burden of the grant review system on its staff and outside researchers without lowering its standards. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

South African Researchers Bemoan Slashed Funds

Academics in South Africa are in uproar after a government research agency announced plans to cut the budget of a prestigious grant program that rewards the country’s best researchers. [Nature News] Editorial

Publishers Threaten to Remove Millions of Papers from ResearchGate

Millions of articles might soon disappear from ResearchGate, the world’s largest scholarly social network. Five publishers said they had formed a coalition that would start ordering ResearchGate to remove research articles from its site because they breach publishers’ copyright. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 2018 Cell Dynamics Symposium
May 24-25, 2018
Nashville, Tennessee, United States

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NEW PhD Student – Cystic Fibrosis Associated Liver Disease (KU Leuven)

Postdoctoral Position – 3D Organoid Mechanobiology (KU Leuven)

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)

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