Publications by authors named "E C P M Tak"
Background & Aims: The global pandemic caused by the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus led to the emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccines to reduce rising morbidity and mortality. However, limited research exists on evaluating the impact of these vaccines on immunocompromised individuals, such as recipients of living donor liver transplantation, highlighting the need for further studies to better understand their effectiveness in this specific population.
Methods: From June 2021, we followed up on the effectiveness of the vaccine for patients taking immunosuppressive drugs after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT).
Metabolic imbalance leading to inflammatory hypoxia and stabilization of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) is a hallmark of inflammatory bowel diseases. We hypothesize that HIF could be stabilized in CD4 T cells during intestinal inflammation and alter the functional responses of T cells via regulation of microRNAs. Our assays reveal markedly increased T cell-intrinsic hypoxia and stabilization of HIF protein during experimental colitis.
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- Human mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord (hUCM-MSCs) show potential for tissue regeneration, but efficient differentiation methods for these cells into specific types like hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) need improvement.
- Researchers utilized a ROCK inhibitor called fasudil and gelatin to enhance the differentiation efficiency of hUCM-MSCs into HLCs, while monitoring gene expression and organelle function throughout the process.
- The study found that fasudil promoted endoderm gene expression but excessive lipid droplet formation hindered differentiation; using high-viscosity gelatin minimized lipid droplets and enhanced mitochondrial function, leading to better outcomes in forming hepatoblasts.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection significantly elevates the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with the HBV X protein (HBx) playing a crucial role in cancer progression. Sorafenib, the primary therapy for advanced HCC, shows limited effectiveness in HBV-infected patients due to HBx-related resistance. Numerous studies have explored combination therapies to overcome this resistance.
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- The study aimed to investigate the role of reduced ceramides in immune cells during acute rejection (AR) in transplant patients.
- Researchers measured specific ceramide and sphingomyelin levels in serum from hepatic transplant patients and animal models, finding lower concentrations in those with AR.
- Results indicate that increasing ceramide levels could help manage AR by influencing dendritic cell subsets, suggesting new potential therapies for transplant recipients.