Publications by authors named "N Van Hul"
Article Synopsis
- Fibrosis plays a role in healing but excessive fibrosis harms organ function, particularly in Alagille syndrome (ALGS), which is linked to mutations in the JAGGED1 gene that can lead to liver disease and fibrosis.
- Research using Jag1 mice, a model for ALGS, demonstrated unusual liver characteristics, including immature liver cells and surprisingly few T cells, despite cholestasis (bile flow blockage).
- The study also showed that when regulatory T cells were transferred to Rag1 mice, they led to less inflammation and fibrosis in response to liver damage, indicating that both hepatic and immune system flaws contribute to the fibrotic issues seen in ALGS.
Upon infecting its vertebrate host, the malaria parasite initially invades the liver where it undergoes massive replication, whilst remaining clinically silent. The coordination of host responses across the complex liver tissue during malaria infection remains unexplored. Here, we perform spatial transcriptomics in combination with single-nuclei RNA sequencing over multiple time points to delineate host-pathogen interactions across Plasmodium berghei-infected liver tissues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground & Aims: Alagille syndrome (ALGS) manifests with peripheral intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) paucity, which can spontaneously resolve. In a model for ALGS, Jag1 mice, this occurs with distinct architectural mechanisms in hilar and peripheral IHBDs. Here, we investigated region-specific IHBD characteristics and addressed whether IGF1, a cholangiocyte mitogen that is downregulated in ALGS and in Jag1 mice, can improve biliary outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Spontaneous bleeds are a major cause of mortality in children with Alagille syndrome (ALGS), particularly affecting girls more than boys, as shown by a systematic review of vascular events.
- Research using Jag1 mouse models revealed they experienced vascular abnormalities, including brain bleeds and blood vessel issues, which could exacerbate with high blood pressure.
- Retinography was found to be an effective non-invasive tool for examining vascular characteristics in ALGS patients, highlighting significant sex differences in vascular conditions in this disorder.