Hepatic Cell News Volume 2.15 | Apr 27 2018

TOP STORY

Hepatitis B Virus Evasion from cGAS Sensing in Human Hepatocytes

Researchers investigated the functional role of cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS) in sensing of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and elucidated the mechanisms of viral evasion. They performed functional studies including loss- and gain-of-function experiments combined with cGAS effector gene expression profiling in an infectious cell culture model, primary human hepatocytes and HBV-infected human liver chimeric mice. [Hepatology] Abstract

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Oxidatively Modified PDIA3 Promotes DKC1-Mediated Malignancy and Survival of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

The authors investigated the regulatory mechanism of DKC1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. They observed that oxidatively-modified protein-disulfide isomerase-associated 3 (PDIA3) promoted DKC1-mediated malignancy and survival of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. [Hepatology] Abstract

Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting MYCN-Positive Liver Cancer Stem Cells with Acyclic Retinoid

Using a selective chemopreventive agent, acyclic retinoid (ACR), as a bioprobe, scientists identified MYCN, which is mostly recognized as an oncogene in neuroblastoma, as a therapeutic target of ACR for hepatocellular carcinoma through a selective deletion of MYCN⁺ liver cancer stem cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Phenformin-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction Sensitizes Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Dual Inhibition of mTOR

Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines were used in vitro to access the signaling and energetic impact of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors and phenformin, either alone or in combination. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Gut Microbiota-Derived Tryptophan Metabolites Modulate Inflammatory Response in Hepatocytes and Macrophages

In hepatocytes, indole-3-acetate attenuated inflammatory responses under lipid loading and reduced the expression of fatty acid synthase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Differentiation Therapy by Epigenetic Reconditioning Exerts Antitumor Effects on Liver Cancer Cells

Researchers showed that an epigenetic regimen with non-cytotoxic doses of the demethylating compound 5-azacytidine promoted an anti-cancer response by inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma cell tumorigenicity. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

ZBTB20 Regulates EGFR Expression and Hepatocyte Proliferation in Mouse Liver Regeneration

Investigators showed that ZBTB20 acts as a positive regulator of hepatic replication and is required for efficient liver regeneration. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Pivotal Roles of Kupffer Cells in the Progression and Regression of DDC-Induced Chronic Cholangiopathy

Scientists investigated the precise roles of Kupffer cells (KCs) in both the progression and regression phases of the 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC)-induced cholangiopathy model. In the early phase of DDC-induced cholangiopathy, the number of KCs significantly increased over time. [Sci Rep] Full Article

CCL20 Is Up-Regulated in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Fibrosis and Is Produced by Hepatic Stellate Cells in Response to Fatty Acid Loading

Expression analysis of hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells in response to lipid loading were conducted in vitro using quantitative PCR and ELISA. Expression of CCL20, but not its cognate receptor CC chemokine receptor 6, was significantly increased in response to fatty acid loading in LX-2 hepatic stellate cells, with relative increases greater than those in HepG2 hepatocyte cells. [J Transl Med] Full Article

Mutual Suppression of miR-125a and Lin28b in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Investigators showed that downregulation of Lin28b by miR-125a partially accounts for its antiproliferative activity toward hepatocellular carcinoma cells. They also found that Lin28b is able to bind a conserved GGAG motif of pre-miR-125a and to inhibit its maturation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Hepatocyte Transplantation and Advancements in Alternative Cell Sources for Liver-Based Regenerative Medicine

Researchers review the current status of hepatocyte transplantation, alternative cell sources to primary human hepatocytes and their potential in liver regeneration. [J Mol Med (Berl)] Full Article

Understanding Liver Regeneration: From Mechanisms to Regenerative Medicine

The authors summarize data published in the past five years in the liver regeneration field, discuss the mechanisms leading to regeneration disruption in chronic liver disorders, and address the potential use of novel approaches for regenerative medicine. [Am J Pathol] Abstract

Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Protection by Melatonin

Melatonin is a multi‐tasking hormone that has long been known for its anti‐cancer activity against various human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

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

STEMCELL Technologies Announces $45 Million Government Funding for Advanced Manufacturing Facility

STEMCELL Technologies announced a $45 million joint funding agreement between the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to help the company build a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility. The funding agreement will accelerate the Vancouver company’s rapidly scaling business of providing cutting-edge reagents and tools to support life science researchers around the world working in the cell therapy and regenerative medicine fields. [STEMCELL Technologies Inc.] Press Release

DURECT Announces Patient Dosing in Phase IIa Trial of DUR-928 in Alcoholic Hepatitis

DURECT Corporation announced it has commenced patient dosing in a Phase IIa clinical trial of DUR-928 in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. [DURECT Corporation] Press Release

Take a look at hepatic organoids, their culture and applications. Learn More

Chinese Physician Released after Three Months in Jail for Criticizing a Traditional Medicine

Tan Qindong had been held at the Liangcheng county detention centre since January, when police said a post Tan had made on social media damaged the reputation of the traditional medicine and the company that makes it. [Nature News] Editorial

Famed Cancer Biologist Allegedly Sexually Harassed Women for Decades

Inder Verma, the prominent geneticist and cancer scientist who has made his mark on U.S. research for decades, has sexually harassed women for just as long, according to allegations from eight women. [American Association for the Advancement of Science] Editorial

Columbia University Graduate Students Go on Strike

Administration officials contend that research and teaching assistants are students, not workers, and want to take the matter to federal court. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW Cell Symposia: Translation of Stem Cells to the Clinic: Challenges and Opportunities
December 2-4, 2018
Los Angeles, California, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Associate – Liver Disease and Injury (University of Pittsburgh)

PhD Student – Hepatology and Cancer Biology (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Liver Cancer and Epigenetics (International Clinical Research Center)

Research Fellow – Liver Tumorigenesis (Harvard School of Dental Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Alcoholic Liver Disease (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)

Postdoctoral Position – Inflammation and Metabolism (Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute)

Assistant/Associate Professor – Virology (Saint Louis University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer, Immunotherapy, and Fibrosis (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

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

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Hepatitis B Virology (Imperial College London)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Liver Diseases (University of Illinois at Chicago)

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