Laser interaction with materials: introduction.

Laser-materials interaction is the fascinating nexus where laser physics, optical physics, and materials science intersect. Applications include microdeposition via laser-induced forward transfer of thin films, clean materials processing with femtosecond beams, creating color filters with nanoparticles, generating very high density storage sites on subpicosecond time scales, structuring solar cell surfaces for higher efficiency, making nanostructures that would be impossible by other means, and creating in-volume waveguiding structures using femtosecond laser filaments.

miR-122--a key factor and therapeutic target in liver disease.

Being the largest internal organ of the human body with the unique ability of self-regeneration, the liver is involved in a wide variety of vital functions that require highly orchestrated and controlled biochemical processes. Increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential for the regulation of liver development, regeneration and metabolic functions. Hence, alterations in intrahepatic miRNA networks have been associated with liver disease including hepatitis, steatosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

A new HCV mouse model on the block.

The investigation of virus-induced liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma needs small animal models modeling hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and liver disease biology. A recent study published in Cell Research reports a novel mouse model which is permissive for chronic HCV infection and shows chronic liver injury including inflammation, steatosis and fibrosis.

Templated assembly of albumin-based nanoparticles for simultaneous gene silencing and magnetic resonance imaging.

In this article, we address the design of innovative human serum albumin (HSA)-based nanoparticles loaded with silencing RNA and grafted with gadolinium complexes having average sizes ranging from ca. 50 to 150 nm according to the siRNA/HSA composition. The non-covalent siRNA/HSA assembly is formed on isobutyramide-modified mesoporous silica and the self-supported HSA-based nanoparticles are obtained following the silica template dissolution.

Loss of hepatitis B surface antigen in a real-life clinical cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is the main indicator of viral cure in patients infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). We sought to identify the parameters associated with HBsAg loss in a well-characterized real-life clinical cohort of chronically HBV-infected patients.

Methods: Patients with chronic HBV infection were prospectively included, classified according to the disease stage, and followed up to determine parameters associated with HBsAg clearance.

Role of hypervariable region 1 for the interplay of hepatitis C virus with entry factors and lipoproteins.

Unlabelled: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) particles associate with lipoproteins and infect cells by using at least four cell entry factors. These factors include scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), CD81, claudin 1 (CLDN1), and occludin (OCLN). Little is known about specific functions of individual host factors during HCV cell entry and viral domains that mediate interactions with these factors.

Identification of conserved residues in hepatitis C virus envelope glycoprotein E2 that modulate virus dependence on CD81 and SRB1 entry factors.

Unlabelled: In spite of the high variability of its sequence, hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoprotein E2 contains several conserved regions. In this study, we explored the structural and functional features of the highly conserved E2 segment from amino acid (aa) 502 to 520, which had been proposed as a fusion peptide and shown to strongly overlap a potential conserved neutralizing epitope. For this purpose, we used reverse genetics to introduce point mutations within this region, and we characterized the phenotypes of these mutants in the light of the recently published structure of E2.

Synergy of entry inhibitors with direct-acting antivirals uncovers novel combinations for prevention and treatment of hepatitis C.

Objective: Although direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have markedly improved the outcome of treatment in chronic HCV infection, there continues to be an unmet medical need for improved therapies in difficult-to-treat patients as well as liver graft infection. Viral entry is a promising target for antiviral therapy.

Design: Aiming to explore the role of entry inhibitors for future clinical development, we investigated the antiviral efficacy and toxicity of entry inhibitors in combination with DAAs or other host-targeting agents (HTAs).

Hepatitis C virus cell-cell transmission and resistance to direct-acting antiviral agents.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted between hepatocytes via classical cell entry but also uses direct cell-cell transfer to infect neighboring hepatocytes. Viral cell-cell transmission has been shown to play an important role in viral persistence allowing evasion from neutralizing antibodies. In contrast, the role of HCV cell-cell transmission for antiviral resistance is unknown.

Laparoscopic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison between Middle Eastern and Western experience.

Background: Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is growing in popularity, but the short- and long-term outcome of patients undergoing LLR for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been established.

Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) from cited English and Chinese publications. Clinical and survival parameters were extracted.

IFN-λ receptor 1 expression is induced in chronic hepatitis C and correlates with the IFN-λ3 genotype and with nonresponsiveness to IFN-α therapies.

The molecular mechanisms that link IFN-λ3 genotypes to differential induction of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs) in the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are not known. We measured the expression of IFN-λ and of the specific IFN-λ receptor chain (IFN-λR1) in 122 liver biopsies of patients with CHC and 53 control samples. The IFN-λ3 genotype was not associated with differential expression of IFN-λ, but rather IFN-λR1.

Syndecan 4 is involved in mediating HCV entry through interaction with lipoviral particle-associated apolipoprotein E.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide and HCV infection represents a major health problem. HCV associates with host lipoproteins forming host/viral hybrid complexes termed lipoviral particles. Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a lipoprotein component that interacts with heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) to mediate hepatic lipoprotein uptake, and may likewise mediate HCV entry.

Unraveling hepatitis C virus structure.

The high variability and the limited knowledge of the structure of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins (GP) are challenging hurdles for vaccine design. Recently, Kong et al. published a new model of HCV E2 GP structure in Science, revealing a globular structure, starkly contrasting from the extended model of class II fusion proteins from other Flaviviridae viruses.

Human coronavirus NL63 replication is cyclophilin A-dependent and inhibited by non-immunosuppressive cyclosporine A-derivatives including Alisporivir.

Until recently, there were no effective drugs available blocking coronavirus (CoV) infection in humans and animals. We have shown before that CsA and FK506 inhibit coronavirus replication (Carbajo-Lozoya, J., Müller, M.

CD81-receptor associations--impact for hepatitis C virus entry and antiviral therapies.

Tetraspanins are integral transmembrane proteins organized in microdomains displaying specific and direct interactions with other tetraspanins and molecular partners. Among them, CD81 has been implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. CD81 also plays a crucial role in pathogen entry into host cells, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry into hepatocytes.

Entry inhibitors and future treatment of hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, HCV-induced liver disease is the leading indication for liver transplantation. The recent introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized HCV treatment by making possible the cure of the majority of patients.

TIP47 is associated with the hepatitis C virus and its interaction with Rab9 is required for release of viral particles.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) morphogenesis and release are closely linked to lipid metabolism. It has been described recently by our group that TIP47 plays an essential role for the targeting of the NS5A-complexed RNA genome from the replicon complex to the lipid droplet. Moreover, apolipoprotein (apo) E was found to be associated with the viral particle.

Entry of hepatitis B and C viruses - recent progress and future impact.

Chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections are major causes of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Although both viruses infect hepatocytes, the molecular virology and cellular biology of their respective replication cycles differ. Viral entry is the first step of the life cycle and recent developments in functional genomic and proteomic methodologies have increased our understanding of the entry pathways for these two important human pathogens.

Hepatitis C virus internalization.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide and thus an important public health problem. No vaccine is available and the current treatment does not cure all patients. A better understanding of the HCV life cycle will aid in developing new antivirals.