Hepatic Cell News Volume 3.04 | Feb 8 2019

TOP STORY

Post-Translational Regulation of Lipogenesis via AMPK-Dependent Phosphorylation of Insulin-Induced Gene

Scientists report that AMPK interacted with and mediated phosphorylation of insulin-induced gene (Insig). Thr222 phosphorylation following AMPK activation was required for protein stabilization of Insig-1, inhibition of cleavage and processing of SREBP-1, and lipogenic gene expression in response to metformin or A769662. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Glial Cell Line Derived Neurotrophic Factor Enhances Autophagic Flux in Mouse and Rat Hepatocytes and Protects against Palmitate Lipotoxicity

In vitro, glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor accelerated autophagic cargo clearance in primary mouse hepatocytes and a rat hepatocyte cell line, and reduced the phosphorylation of the mTOR complex downstream target p70S6 kinase similar to the autophagy activator rapamycin. [Hepatology] Abstract

Genome-Wide Screening and Functional Analysis Identifies Tumor Suppressor Long Non-Coding RNAs Epigenetically Silenced in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Investigators report that two long non-coding RNAs frequently downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma functioned as tumor suppressors and were epigenetically silenced by histone methyltransferase EZH2. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Derepression of LOXL4 Inhibits Liver Cancer Growth by Reactivating Compromised p53

After screening the entire genome in liver cancer cells, scientists identified lysyl oxidase-like 4 (LOXL4) as a novel regulator for p53 activation. They found that 5-azacytidine induced LOXL4 upregulation, with LOXL4 subsequently binding the basic domain of p53 via its low-isoelectric point region. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

Unfolded Protein Response Is an Early, Non-Critical Event during Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation

Researchers observed a very early, but transient induction of unfolded protein response genes during activation of primary mouse hepatic stellate cells in vitro and in vivo, prior to induction of classical stellate cell activation genes. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Liver-Specific Gene Delivery Using Engineered Virus-Like Particles of Hepatitis E Virus

The purified hepatitis E virus (HEV)-viruslike particles (LPs) efficiently penetrated liver-derived cell lines and liver tissues. To evaluate HEV-LPs as gene delivery tools, the authors encapsulated foreign plasmids in HEV-LPs with disassembly/reassembly systems. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Notch Signaling Facilitates Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA Transcription via cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein with E3 Ubiquitin Ligase-Modulation

Investigators revealed that Notch signaling activity facilitated hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA transcription via cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) which triggered the downstream PKA-phospho-CREB cascade and was regulated by E3 ubiquitin ligase-modulation of the Notch intracellular domain. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Simvastatin Improves Olanzapine-induced Dyslipidemia in Rats through Inhibiting Hepatic mTOR Signaling Pathway

Hepatic mTORC1 and p-mTORC1 expression was accelerated in the olanzapine treatment group, with upregulation of mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c and its target genes, whereas these alterations were ameliorated by simvastatin cotreatment. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

Glutathione Might Attenuate Cadmium-Induced Liver Oxidative Stress and Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation

Cadmium (Cd) uptake and the generation of reactive oxygen species in hepatocytes were detected by mass cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. Levels of aspartate aminotransferase, xanthine oxidase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and α-smooth muscle actin were significantly increased in Cd-treated rats. [Biol Trace Elem Res] Abstract

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Review Article: Shared Disease Mechanisms between Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome – Translating Knowledge from Systems Biology to the Bedside

The authors provide evidence indicating that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease treatment, including severe histological traits, cannot be limited to the use of a single drug, as it rather requires a multi-target therapeutic approach. [Aliment Pharmacol Ther] Full Article

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

Evotec and Galapagos Enter into Collaboration in the Field of Fibrosis

Evotec AG and Galapagos NV announced a global collaboration focused on a novel target for fibrosis and other indications. [Evotec AG] Press Release

BioVie Completes Patient Enrollment for Its Phase IIa Clinical Trial of BIV201 in Refractory Ascites

BioVie Inc. announced that it has completed enrollment in a Phase IIa open-label clinical study of BIV201 in patients with refractory ascites due to advanced liver cirrhosis. [BioVie Inc.] Press Release

Calliditas Therapeutics Granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA for Autoimmune Hepatitis

Calliditas Therapeutics AB announced that the US FDA has granted orphan drug designation to the company for the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis. [Calliditas Therapeutics AB] Press Release

NIH Asks Inspector General to Investigate 12 Allegations of Foreign Influence in US Research

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has referred 12 allegations relating to foreign influence over US-funded research to a federal oversight office, Sen. Chuck Grassley. Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has repeatedly demanded information from the NIH after the agency revealed in August it was investigating a half-dozen academic institutions — specifically, researchers who may have failed to disclose financial ties to foreign governments. [STAT News] Editorial

Trump’s $500 Million for Childhood Cancer? Scientists Have Ideas How to Spend It

The pediatric cancer community applauded President Trump’s State of the Union promise of an additional $500 million over the next 10 years to fund research into cures for more childhood cancers. [STAT News] Editorial

NEW Obesity and NAFLD: Mechanisms and Therapeutics
February 23-27, 2020
Banff, Alberta, Canada

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (London Foundation for Liver Research)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Cancer Biology (The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research)

Assistant/Associate Professor – Cancer Biology (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cancer Biology (University of California, San Francisco)

Senior Scientific Officer – Cancer Biology (Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania – Perelman School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (University of Southern Denmark)

Senior Scientific Officer – Tumor Microenvironment & Cancer Metabolism (Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute)

Postdoctoral Positions – Development & Progression of Cancer (Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Liver Disease (Pennsylvania State University)

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