Improvement of hepatocyte transplantation efficiency in the mdr2-/- mouse model by glyceryl trinitrate.

Introduction: Hepatocyte transplantation could be an alternative to liver transplantation for the treatment of metabolic diseases. However, rodent models have shown that engraftment of transplanted cells in the liver is low and requires deposition of cells in hepatic sinusoids. Splanchnic vasodilatators improved hepatocyte engraftment in a rat model.

[Role of research institutions in management of scientific fraud: The example of Inserm Scientific Integrity delegation].

Fraud is only a part of misconduct in research. Very few French research Institutions have a scientific integrity office, and their prevention. The Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) has created a "Scientific Integrity delegation".

Increased engraftment of hepatic progenitors after activation of the hepatocyte growth factor signaling pathway by protein transduction.

Cell transplantation has become a major focus in biomedical research. However, efficient engraftment in solid tissues remains a challenge. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling increases survival, proliferation, migration, and invasion of many cell types through Met, its cell surface receptor.

[Molecular and clinical characteristics of a family with Alagille syndrome].

Background And Objective: The Alagille syndrome (AS) is characterized by biliary ductopenia and abnormalities of heart, eyes, face, bones, kidneys and brain with a dominant inheritability. Mutations of Jagged 1 gene are observed in individuals with the full syndrome and/or relatives with little or no phenotypic features. Prognosis of patients depends on the hepatic and cardiovascular involvement.

In vivo imaging of transplanted hepatocytes with a 1.5-T clinical MRI system--initial experience in mice.

The feasibility of in vitro mature mouse hepatocyte labeling with a novel iron oxide particle was assessed and the ability of 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to track labeled mouse hepatocytes in syngenic recipient livers following intraportal cell transplantation was tested. Mouse hepatocytes were incubated with anionic iron oxide nanoparticles at various iron concentrations.