Progranulin regulation of autophagy contributes to its chondroprotective effect in osteoarthritis.

Progranulin (PGRN) is a multifunctional growth factor involved in many physiological processes and disease states. The apparent protective role of PGRN and the importance of chondrocyte autophagic function in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) led us to investigate the role of PGRN in the regulation of chondrocyte autophagy. PGRN knockout chondrocytes exhibited a deficient autophagic response with limited induction following rapamycin, serum starvation, and IL-1β-induced autophagy.

A new hepatitis B virus e antigen-negative strain gene used as a reference sequence in an animal model.

Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) e-antigen (HBeAg)-negative strains is increasingly prevalent. Currently, detailed information of the obtained natural HBV strain is not available except for the B genotype and HBeAg-negative. The aim of the present study was to characterize the natural genetic variation of the HBeAg-negative strain and investigate its function.

A new model mimicking persistent HBV e antigen-negative infection using covalently closed circular DNA in immunocompetent mice.

Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health problem. HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-negative strains have become prevalent. Previously, no animal model mimicked the clinical course of HBeAg-negative HBV infection.