Conditional knockout of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor in the liver accelerates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice.

Aim:   We previously demonstrated that heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is induced in response to several liver injuries. Because the HB-EGF knockout (KO) mice die in utero or immediately after birth due to cardiac defects, the loss of function study in vivo is limited. Here, we generated liver-specific HB-EGF conditional knockout mice using the interferon-inducible Mx-1 promoter driven cre recombinase transgene and investigated its role during acute liver injury.

Greater omentum gastrointestinal stromal tumor with PDGFRA-mutation and hemoperitoneum.

Although gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) occurs generally in the digestive tract, omental GIST is very rare. We report the first case of an adult greater omental GIST with a new platelet-derived growth factor receptor α gene (PDGFRA)-mutation with hemoperitoneum. A 43-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of acute abdominal pain.

Adiponectin prevents progression of steatohepatitis in mice by regulating oxidative stress and Kupffer cell phenotype polarization.

Aim: We reported previously that hypoadiponectinemia enhances hepatic oxidative stress and accelerates progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice. However, the precise mechanism and preventive effects of adiponectin on NASH remain unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of adiponectin on steatohepatitis using adiponectin-knockout (KO) mice and adenovirus-mediated adiponectin expression system.

Transplantation of basic fibroblast growth factor-pretreated adipose tissue-derived stromal cells enhances regression of liver fibrosis in mice.

Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSC) potentially differentiate into various cell types similar to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSC). Unlike BMSC, ADSC can be harvested easily and repeatedly. However, the advantages of ADSC for cell transplantation in liver disease remain unclear.

Delayed liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in adiponectin knockout mice.

We previously demonstrated that adiponectin has anti-fibrogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in the liver of mouse models of various liver diseases. However, its role in liver regeneration remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the role of adiponectin in liver regeneration.

Effects of growth factors on the growth and differentiation of mouse fetal liver epithelial cells in primary cultures.

Background And Aims: Growth factors (GF) are thought to affect the growth and differentiation of hepatocytes during liver development. However, in the midfetal liver, little is known concerning the role of GF.

Methods: The DNA synthesis of fetal liver epithelial cells (FLEC) in monolayer culture and the liver-specific gene expressions of FLEC in 3-D culture were examined in medium supplemented with various GF.

Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes the trans-differentiation of mouse bone marrow cells into hepatic lineage cells via multiple liver-enriched transcription factors.

Background/aims: Evidence that bone marrow cells have trans-differentiating potential to hepatocytes has been described in recent reports. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon is unclear. To address this issue, we investigated the parameters involved in the trans-differentiation of bone marrow cells into a hepatic lineage.

Enhanced carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice lacking adiponectin.

Background & Aims: Obesity is one of the risk factors for liver fibrosis, in which plasma adiponectin, an adipocytokine, levels are decreased. Hepatic stellate cells play central roles in liver fibrosis. When they are activated, they undergo transformation to myofibroblast-like cells.