Hepatic Cell News Volume 2.05 | Feb 9 2018

TOP STORY

Digoxin Suppresses Pyruvate Kinase M2-Promoted HIF-1α Transactivation in Steatohepatitis

Researchers demonstrated the ability of digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, to protect from liver inflammation and damage in alcoholic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Digoxin was effective in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis and suppressing HIF-1α pathway activation. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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Hippo-Mediated Suppression of IRS2/AKT Signaling Prevents Hepatic Steatosis and Liver Cancer

At the molecular level, activation of YAP/TAZ in the liver of Pten^–/– Sav1^–/– mice amplified AKT signaling through the upregulation of insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) expression. A high level of YAP/TAZ expression was associated with a high level of IRS2 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

Human iPSC-Derived Posterior Gut Progenitors Are Expandable and Capable of Forming Gut and Liver Organoids

Scientists demonstrated the reproducible generation of human CDX2⁺ posterior gut endoderm cells (PGECs) from five induced pluripotent stem cell clones by manipulating FGF, TGF, and WNT signaling. Transplantation of PGEC-derived liver bud organoids showed therapeutic potential against fulminant liver failure. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

circHIPK3 Regulates Cell Proliferation and Migration by Sponging miR-124 and Regulating AQP3 Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Investigators showed that miR-124 was downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and that the ectopic expression of miR-124 inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. They proposed that aquaporin 3 (AQP3) is a direct target of miR-124. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Elevated Mitochondrial Activity Distinguishes Fibrogenic Hepatic Stellate Cells and Sensitizes for Selective Inhibition by Mitotropic Doxorubicin

Using human and rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro, they showed that the mito-respiration, mito-membrane potential and cellular ‘bioenergetic signature’ distinguish fibrogenic HSCs from normal, less-active HSCs. Ex vivo, HSCs from mouse and rat models of liver fibrosis further confirmed the altered ‘bioenergetic signature’ of fibrogenic HSCs. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

EphB2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Promotes Hepatic Fibrogenesis in Mice via Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells

The authors report that upregulation of EphB2 is a prominent feature of two mouse models of hepatic fibrosis and also observed in humans with liver cirrhosis. EphB2 was upregulated and activated in mouse hepatic stellate cells following chronic carbon tetrachloride exposure. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Exosome-Mimetic Nanovesicles from Hepatocytes Promote Hepatocyte Proliferation In Vitro and Liver Regeneration In Vivo

Researchers investigated the therapeutic capacity of exosome-mimetic nanovesicles from primary hepatocytes in liver regeneration. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Hepatic Stem Cells with Self-Renewal and Liver Repopulation Potential Are Harbored in CDCP1-Positive Subpopulations of Human Fetal Liver Cells

Human hepatic stem cells were isolated from human primary fetal liver cells by flow cytometry using CDCP1, CD90, and CD66 antibodies. The purified CDCP1⁺CD90⁺CD66^– subpopulation exhibited clonal expansion and self-renewal capability, and bipotential capacity was further identified in single cell-derived colonies containing distinct hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Oxygen Drives Hepatocyte Differentiation and Phenotype Stability in Liver Cell Lines

The authors investigated the contribution of oxygen concentration to differentiation in human liver cell lines HepaRG and C3A. HepaRG cells that were serially passaged under hypoxia maintained their capacity to differentiate under normoxia, in contrast to cells passaged under normoxia. Hyperoxia increased hepatocyte differentiation in HepaRG and C3A cells. [J Cell Commun Signal] Full Article

LncRNA FAL1 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Migration by Acting as a CeRNA of miR-1236 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Scientists showed that long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) FAL1 was up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and functioned as an oncogene in HCC. LncRNA FAL1 could accelerate cell proliferation and metastasis as a ceRNA mechanism by competitively binding to miR-1236. [Life Sci] Abstract

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

Immunicum AB (publ) Presents Case Study of One Patient from Phase I/II HCC Trial

Immunicum AB announced the presentation of a case study on an individual patient included in the Phase I/II hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) trial at the poster session. [Press release from Immunicum AB discussing research presented at the 2018 Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Annual Conference, Salt Lake City] Press Release

Dr. Meritxell Huch reviews organoid culture and applications for intestinal, hepatic, and pancreatic tissues. Watch Now

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Announces Collaboration with Zhejiang Haichang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. for the Development of RX-0201 (Archexin^®) for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Zhejiang Haichang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., to develop RX-0201 for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. [Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

GeoVax and CaroGen to Collaborate on Development of Therapeutic Hepatitis B Vaccine

GeoVax Labs, Inc. announced that it is collaborating with CaroGen Corporation on the development of a combination immunotherapy treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus infection. [GeoVax Labs, Inc.] Press Release

New U.S. Budget Deal Includes More Funding for 2020 Census

The latest short-term budget agreement that keeps the U.S. government running for another six weeks gives a much-needed boost to planning for the 2020 census. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NSF Requires Institutions to Report Sexual Harassment Findings

The National Science Foundation (NSF) in Alexandria, Virginia, announced a new set of measures to combat sexual harassment by people working on the projects it funds. The steps may include suspending or eliminating research grants after an institution finds that a grantee committed harassment. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Breakthrough in Budget Negotiations Could Raise Spending for Science

Top lawmakers in Congress announced a budget agreement that could produce substantial spending increases for research at key U.S. science agencies-and avoid a partial government shutdown. But the deal must still clear a few hurdles before it is finalized. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Notch Signaling in Development, Regeneration and Disease
July 22-27, 2018
Lewiston, Maine, United States

NEW The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Conference 2018
October 23-24, 2018
New York, New York, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immunology of Chronic Infections (F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Translational Cancer Research (Lund University)

NEW Postdoctoral Scholar – Stem Cell Biology and Cancer Biology (University of Iowa)

NEW Lectureship – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (University of Edinburgh)

PhD Student – Hepatic Endothelial Heterogeneity (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Liver Cancer Research (University of California, San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Position – Liver Diseases (University of Illinois)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Liver Cancer Pathogenesis and Immunobiology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Liver Cancer (University Health Network)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Liver Tissue Engineering (Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

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