Hepatic Cell News Volume 2.49 | Dec 21 2018

TOP STORY

Conversion of Hepatoma Cells to Hepatocyte-Like Cells by Defined Hepatocyte Nuclear Factors

Scientists report that the combination of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1A (HNF1A), HNF4A and forkhead box protein A3 synergistically reprograms hepatocellular carcinoma cells to hepatocyte-like cells. [Cell Res] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Activation and NADPH Oxidase Inhibition by Inorganic Nitrate and Nitrite Prevent Liver Steatosis

In a human liver cell line and in a validated hepatic 3D model with primary human hepatocyte spheroids, nitrite treatment reduced the degree of metabolically induced steatosis, as well as drug-induced steatosis. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article | Press Release

Tamoxifen Mechanically Deactivates Hepatic Stellate Cells via the G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor

The authors report that tamoxifen promotes mechanical quiescence in hepatic stellate cells, stromal fibroblast-like cells whose activation triggers and perpetuates liver fibrosis in hepatocellular carcinomas. [Oncogene] Full Article

A Simple Approach for Restoration of Differentiation and Function in Cryopreserved Human Hepatocytes

Scientists applied label-free quantitative global proteomics to analyze differences between attached and non-attached fractions of cryopreserved human hepatocyte batches. Hepatocytes that were unable to attach to a collagen matrix showed many signs of cellular stress, including a glycolytic phenotype and activation of the heat shock response, ultimately leading to apoptosis activation. [Arch Toxicol] Full Article | Press Release

Long Noncoding RNA HOTTIP Promotes Mouse Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation via Downregulating miR-148a

The expression profile of HOTTIP during the progression of liver fibrosis was detected in human liver samples and in CCl₄-treated mice using qRT-PCR. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

Selective Overexpression of Cytoglobin in Stellate Cells Attenuates Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Mice

Primary hepatic stellate cells isolated from cytoglobin-transgenic mice exhibited significantly decreased mRNA levels of α-smooth muscle actin, collagen 1α1, and transforming growth factor β-3 after four days in culture relative to WT cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Hepatocyte-Specific Sirt6 Deficiency Impairs Ketogenesis

Researchers demonstrated that Sirt6 functions as a mediator of ketogenesis in response to a fasting and ketogenic diet (KD). The KD-fed hepatocyte-specific Sirt6 deficiency mice exhibited impaired ketogenesis, which was due to enhanced fat-specific induction of protein 27, a protein known to regulate lipid metabolism. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Sulfuretin Protects Hepatic Cells through Regulation of ROS Levels and Autophagic Flux

Sulfuretin (Sul) is a natural product isolated from Rhus verniciflua Stokes; the cytoprotective effect of Sul on human hepatic L02 cells and mouse primary hepatocytes under palmitate-induced stress conditions was investigated in this study. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

Human Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocyte-Like Cells Support Zika Virus Replication and Provide a Relevant Model to Assess the Efficacy of Potential Antivirals

Investigators demonstrated that both human pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells and the Huh7 hepatoma cell line support the complete Zika virus replication cycle. [PLoS One] Full Article

Methyl Ferulic Acid Attenuates Liver Fibrosis and Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation through the TGF-β1/Smad and NOX4/ROS Pathways

Researchers investigated the effect of methyl ferulic acid on hepatic fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms. Human hepatic stellate LX-2 cells were exposed to 5 μg/L TGF-β1 for 48 hours to stimulate liver fibrosis in vitro. [Chem Biol Interact] Abstract

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Hepatocellular Carcinoma in β-Thalassemia Patients: Review of the Literature with Molecular Insight into Liver Carcinogenesis

There remain lacking data on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment outcomes in patients who have thalassemia. However, a personalized approach tailored to each patient’s comorbidities is essential to treatment success. Multicenter studies investigating the long-term outcomes of currently available therapeutic options in the thalassemia realm, in addition to novel HCC therapeutic targets, are needed to further improve the prognosis of these patients. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

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

Results of the Phase I Study of Repeated and Increasing Doses to Assess CER-209 in NASH/NAFLD

CERENIS Therapeutics announced the favorable results of the Phase I study of repeated and increasing doses to assess CER-209 in NASH/NAFLD. [CERENIS Therapeutics] Press Release

Eiger Announces PRIME Designation Granted by European Medicines Agency for Lonafarnib for Treatment of Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the European Medicines Agency has granted PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation for lonafarnib for the treatment of hepatitis delta virus infection. [Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Eiger Announces Breakthrough Therapy Designation Granted by FDA for Lonafarnib for Treatment of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) Infection

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for lonafarnib for the treatment of HDV infection. [Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Top Cancer Doctor Resigns as Editor of Medical Journal

Dr. José Baselga, the former chief medical officer of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, resigned under pressure as one of the editors-in-chief of Cancer Discovery, a prominent scientific journal, after he failed to accurately disclose his conflicts of interest in dozens of articles in medical journals. [The New York Times] Editorial

National Academy President Breaks Her Silence on Ejecting Sexual Harassers

It has been seven months since the presidents of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington, D.C., announced they had “begun a dialogue” about the standards of professional conduct required for membership in their exclusive ranks. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Max Planck Society Ends Elsevier Subscription

The Max Planck Society, an enormous German research organization 14,000 scientists strong and comprising multiple research institutes, has ended its subscription to Elsevier journals, the organization announced in a statement. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW European CanCer Organisation (ECCO) 2019: European Cancer Summit
September 12-14, 2019
Brussels, Belgium

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Hepatic Research (Karolinska Institutet)

NEW Postdoctoral Scholar – Liver Disease (Pennsylvania State University)

Postdoctoral Position – Liver Disease (University of Illinois)

Research Associate – Cancer Research (University of Cambridge)

Research Associate – Cancer Structural Biology (University of British Columbia)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Biology (Fox Chase Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Scholarships – Medicinal Chemistry, Experimental Biology & Systems Biology (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

PhD Position – Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (Deutsche Diabetes Forschungsgesellschaft e. V.)

Postdoctoral Positions – Experimental and Computational Quantitative Single-Cell Biology (Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury (Indiana University)

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