Hepatic Cell News Volume 1.44 | Dec 1 2017

TOP STORY

Cellular MicroRNA Networks Regulate Host Dependency of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Researchers applied integrative functional genomics strategies to elucidate global hepatitis C virus (HCV)–miRNA interactions. Through genome-wide miRNA mimic and hairpin inhibitor phenotypic screens, and miRNA–mRNA transcriptomics analyses, they identified three proviral and nine antiviral miRNAs that interact with HCV. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

AKT-Mediated Phosphorylation of ATG4B Impairs Mitochondrial Activity and Enhances the Warburg Effect in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

The authors demonstrated that the phosphorylation of ATG4B at Ser34 participates in the metabolic reprogramming of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via repressing mitochondrial function, which possibly results from the Ser34 phosphorylation-induced mitochondrial enrichment of ATG4B and the subsequent inhibition of F₁Fo-ATP synthase activity. [Autophagy] Abstract

Altered Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 (FABP4) Expression and Function in Human and Animal Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Scientists investigated the expression and function of FABPs1-9 in human and animal models of obesity-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Expression and function of FABP4 was determined in human HCC cells in vitro. Patient serum analysis demonstrated significantly increased FABP4 in those with underlying liver disease, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and HCC. [Liver Int] Abstract

Adrenergic Receptor Agonists Induce the Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatoblasts into Hepatocyte-Like Cellss

Investigators identified the α1-adrenergic receptor agonist methoxamine hydrochloride as a small molecule that promotes the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived hepatoblasts into ALBUMIN⁺ hepatocyte-like cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A Robust Cell Culture System Supporting the Complete Life Cycle of Hepatitis B Virus

Researchers showed that maintaining polyethylene glycol 8000 in culture medium increases the rate of infection by at least one order of magnitude, and, most importantly, promotes virus spread. To demonstrate the utility of this system, they showed that two interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), ISG20 and tetherin, restrict hepatitis B virus spread in sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide-expressing hepatoma cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Acetylation of TIP60 at K104 Is Essential for Metabolic Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Cells of Hepatocellular Cancer

The authors found that suppressing TIP60 inhibited p53 K120 acetylation and thus rescued apoptosis induced by glucose deprivation in hepatocellular cancer cells. Lys-104 (K104), a previously identified lysine acetylation site of TIP60 with unknown function, was observed to be indispensable for inducing p53-mediated apoptosis under low glucose condition. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

DYRK1A Is a Regulator of S Phase Entry in Hepatic Progenitor Cells

Investigators performed a high throughput kinome siRNA screen in HepaRG cells, a hepatic progenitor cell-like cell line, and evaluated the effect on proliferation with a 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation assay. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Capsaicin Enhances the Antitumor Activity of Sorafenib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells and Mouse Xenograft Tumors through Increased ERK Signaling

Researchers investigated the antitumor effects of combined sorafenib and capsaicin on hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and xenograft tumors. Mechanistically, capsaicin dose-dependently increased the levels of phosphorylated ERK in PLC/PRF/5 cells, thus leading to enhanced sorafenib sensitivity and a synergistic suppression on the tumor cells. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Full Article

Cytokines, Hepatic Cell Profiling and Cell Interactions during Bone Marrow Cell Therapy for Liver Fibrosis in Cholestatic Mice

Confocal microscopy analysis showed GFP⁺ bone marrow cells (BMC) near regions expressing hepatocyte growth factor and stromal derived factor-1 in the fibrotic liver. Impaired liver cell proliferation in fibrotic groups was restored after BMC transplantation. [PLoS One] Full Article

Liver Cell Therapy: Is This the End of the Beginning?

The authors discuss recent approaches in liver cell transplantation and requirements to improve the process, with the ultimate goal being efficient organ regeneration. They also discuss the potential off-target effects of cell-based therapies, and the advantages and drawbacks of current pre-clinical animal models used to study organ senescence, repopulation and regeneration. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Full Article

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

€34 Million Project to Develop Better Test for Liver Disease

The €34 million project is co-ordinated by Newcastle University, working closely with the lead European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations partner, Pfizer Ltd. Liver Investigation: Testing Marker Utility in Steatohepatitis will include 47 international research partners based at leading international universities and some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. [Newcastle University] Press Release

Can-Fite Enrolls First Patient in Phase II NAFLD/NASH Study with Namodenoson

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. announced that the first patient, of the planned 60 patients, has been enrolled in a Phase II trial of its drug candidate Namodenoson in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). [Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.] Press Release

Health Agency Reveals Scourge of Fake Drugs in Developing World

One in ten medicines in developing countries is fake or substandard, data from the World Health Organization suggest. Malaria drugs and antibiotics are among the most commonly reported, the agency found. But the problem extends to a variety of medications, including those for cancer, heart disease and HIV, as well as contraceptives and painkillers. [Nature News] Editorial

China to Roll Back Regulations for Traditional Medicine despite Safety Concerns

Support for traditional medicine in China goes right to the top. President Xi Jinping has called this type of medicine a “gem” of the country’s scientific heritage and promised to give alternative therapies and Western drugs equal government support. The country is taking dramatic steps to promote these cures even as researchers raise concerns about such treatments. [Nature News] Editorial

Zimbabwe’s Researchers Hope Political Change Will Revitalize Science

Academics are optimistic that the end of Robert Mugabe’s authoritarian rule could boost research and international collaboration. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 11^th Dutch Stem Cell Meeting
May 4, 2018
Utrecht, Netherlands

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

NEW Research Associate – Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (Newcastle University)

NEW Assistant, Associate or Full Professor – Hepatology (University of California, San Diego)

NEW Research Fellow – Hepatitis B Virology (National University of Singapore)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Liver-Like Organoids (KU Leuven)

Faculty Positions – Liver Health and Disease (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Position – Liver Disease (University of Illinois)

Biomedical Scientist – Molecular and Cellular Gastroenterology (Mayo Clinic)

Faculty Position – Cancer Experimental Therapeutics (University of New Mexico)

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

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