Hepatic Cell News Volume 2.16 | May 4 2018

TOP STORY

Liver Fix Thyself

By studying a rare liver disease called Alagille syndrome, scientists have discovered the mechanism behind an unusual form of tissue regeneration that may someday reduce the need for expensive and difficult-to-obtain organ transplants. [Press release from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Aldolase B-Mediated Fructose Metabolism Drives Metabolic Reprogramming of Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis

Researchers showed that colorectal cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming after they metastasize and colonize the liver. In particular, via GATA6, metastatic cells in the liver upregulate the enzyme aldolase B, which enhances fructose metabolism and provides fuel for major pathways of central carbon metabolism during tumor cell proliferation. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

CD97 Promotes Tumor Aggressiveness through the Traditional G Protein-Coupled Receptor-Mediated Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Functionally, cluster of differentiation 97 (CD97) promoted cell migration and invasion in vitro. In an in vivo mouse model, overexpression of CD97 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells led to accelerated lung metastasis. Mechanistically, CD97 cooperated with the altered regulator, G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 6, to mediate G‐protein‐coupled receptor desensitization and internalization. [Hepatology] Abstract

miR-199a-3p Modulates MTOR and PAK4 Pathways and Inhibits Tumor Growth in a Hepatocellular Carcinoma Transgenic Mouse Model

The authors investigated the therapeutic efficacy of miR-199a-3p, an miRNA highly expressed in normal liver and downregulated in virtually all hepatocellular carcinomas. The therapeutic value of miR-199a-3p mimic molecules was assayed in the TG221 mouse, a transgenic model highly predisposed to the development of liver cancer. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Full Article

Chemerin Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis through CMKLR1-PTEN-Akt Axis

Mouse models of extrahepatic and intrahepatic metastasis were employed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of chemerin. Forced expression of chemerin inhibited in vitro migration, invasion and in vivo metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

lncAKHE Enhances Cell Growth and Migration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Activation of NOTCH2 Signaling

Investigators found that lncAKHE was highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. lncAKHE depletion remarkably impaired the abilities of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma while promoting cell apoptosis. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

WWOX Controls Hepatic HIF1α to Suppress Hepatocyte Proliferation and Neoplasia

Given that WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is commonly inactivated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), researchers set to determine whether specific targeted deletion of murine Wwox affects liver biology and HCC development. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Altered AKAP12 Expression in Portal Fibroblasts and Liver Sinusoids Mediates Transition from Hepatic Fibrogenesis to Fibrosis Resolution

The authors investigated the role of a scaffold protein, A-kinase anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12), during liver fibrosis onset, and resolution. AKAP12 expression in portal fibroblasts and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells gradually decreased as fibrosis progressed but was restored after cessation of the fibrotic challenge. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

The SHH/Gli Axis Regulates CD90-Mediated Liver Cancer Stem Cell Function by Activating the IL6/JAK2 Pathway

Researchers investigated potential implications of Sonic Hegdehog/glioma-associated oncogene 1 (SHH/GL1) signaling in CD90⁺ liver cancer stem cells. The stem cell potentials of CD90⁺ 97L liver cancer cells were greatly impaired by Gli1/3 knockdown with siRNA but enhanced by SHH treatment. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Ameliorates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Related Metabolic Disorders in Mice

Scientists found that growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) expression was increased in the livers of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) animal models and human subjects with NASH. GDF15 directly suppressed expression of fibrosis-related genes and osteopontin, contributing factors for NASH-related fibrosis, in hepatic stellate cells in vitro and in the liver of mice in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Prevention of Hepatitis B-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The authors summarize and discuss the risk stratification and the preventive strategies of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. [Aliment Pharmacol Ther] Full Article

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

Cirius Therapeutics Reaches Enrollment Target in Phase IIb EMMINENCE Trial in NASH

Cirius Therapeutics announced that it has reached its enrollment target in its Phase IIb EMMINENCE trial for its lead program MSDC-0602K in more than 380 patients with NASH and liver fibrosis. [Cirius Therapeutics] Press Release

Conatus Announces Completion of Enrollment in ENCORE-PH Phase IIb Clinical Trial of Emricasan in Patients with NASH Cirrhosis and Severe Portal Hypertension

Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced the completion of enrollment in ENCORE-PH, a Phase IIb clinical trial evaluating emricasan, the company’s first-in-class, orally-active pan-caspase inhibitor. [Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc.] Press Release

Accused Cancer Scientist Resigns as Editor of Prestigious Journal

Inder Verma, the prominent cancer scientist and geneticist who has been accused of sexual harassment by several women, resigned yesterday as editor-in-chief of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a prestigious academic journal. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Nature Announces New Editor-in-Chief

Nature has named Magdalena Skipper as its new editor-in-chief. She is the first woman to hold the post. Skipper, who is currently editor-in-chief of the open-access journal Nature Communications, will become the eighth editor of Nature. [Nature News] Editorial

Big UK Science Funder Says Report Harassment or Risk Losing Funding

One of the world’s largest research-funding charities is cracking down on harassment and bullying. Scientists who have been sanctioned by their institutions could lose out on funding from the Wellcome Trust, under rules announced. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Annual Meeting 2018
December 8-12, 2018
San Diego, California, United States

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

NEW Research Technologist – Liver Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Necroptosis in Liver Diseases (Inserm)

NEW EBPOD Fellowship – NAFLD/NASH (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

NEW Academic Position – Cancer Research (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)

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

NEW Tenure-Track Faculty Position – Cancer Research (University of Ottawa)

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

PhD Student – Hepatology and Cancer Biology (German Cancer 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)

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

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