Cone Rod Homeobox (): literature review and new insights.

The development of the neural retina requires a complex, spatiotemporally regulated network of gene expression. Here we review the role of the cone rod homeobox () transcription factor in specification and differentiation of retinal photoreceptors and its function in inherited retinal diseases such as cone-rod dystrophy (CoRD), dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA). We delineate the findings of animal models and, more recently, human retinal organoids in elucidating molecular mechanisms of CRX activity and the pathogenesis of inherited photoreceptor degenerations.

Elevation of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 promotes differentiation of Cancer Stem-like Cell state by Hepatitis C Virus infection.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a critical factor that regulates protein synthesis and degradation. The increased PAI-1 levels are detectable in the serum of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver disease. The differentiation state and motility of HCV-induced cancer stem-like cells (CSC) play a major role in severe liver disease progression.