P311, Friend, or Foe of Tissue Fibrosis?

P311 was first identified by the group of Studler et al. (1993) in the developing brain. In healthy, but mainly in pathological tissues, P311 is implicated in cell migration and proliferation.

The zinc finger transcription factor PW1/PEG3 restrains murine beta cell cycling.

Aims/hypothesis: Pw1 or paternally-expressed gene 3 (Peg3) encodes a zinc finger transcription factor that is widely expressed during mouse embryonic development and later restricted to multiple somatic stem cell lineages in the adult. The aim of the present study was to define Pw1 expression in the embryonic and adult pancreas and investigate its role in the beta cell cycle in Pw1 wild-type and mutant mice.

Methods: We analysed PW1 expression by immunohistochemistry in pancreas of nonpregant and pregnant mice and following injury by partial duct ligation.

Inhibitory effect of dietary capsaicin on liver fibrosis in mice.

Scope: Virtually all chronic liver injuries result in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In their activated state, these cells are the main collagen-producing cells implicated in liver fibrosis. Capsaicin (CPS), the active compound of chili peppers, can modulate the activation and migration of HSCs in vitro.

P311 modulates hepatic stellate cells migration.

Background & Aims: Liver fibrosis is induced by the accumulation of extracellular matrix, deposited mainly by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). One key characteristic of stellate cell activation is the directional migration to the site of injury during the wound-healing process. P311 is a protein that has been shown to play a role in migration and we aimed to study a possible role for this protein during stellate cell migration.