Ironing out MAFLD: Therapeutic targeting of liver ferroptosis.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is associated with iron metabolism disorders and ferroptosis, but the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. Fudi Wang's group used animal models, human cohorts, and multi-omics data to demonstrate the role of iron imbalance in MAFLD and the therapeutic potential of the iron chelator FerroTerminator 1 (FOT1).

TSC/mTORC1 mediates mTORC2/AKT1 signaling in c-MYC-induced murine hepatocarcinogenesis via centromere protein M.

Activated mTORC2/AKT signaling plays a role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Research has shown that TSC/mTORC1 and FOXO1 are distinct downstream effectors of AKT signaling in liver regeneration and metabolism. However, the mechanisms by which these pathways mediate mTORC2/AKT activation in HCC are not yet fully understood.

Association of physical activity, including amount and maintenance, with the risk of HCC among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background & Aims: We investigated the association of physical activity (PA) levels and changes with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes who had undergone health examinations in 2009 and 2011 were enrolled. In total, 1,439,152 patients were included in the analysis.

The Predictive Value of Time-Varying Noninvasive Scores on Long-Term Prognosis of NAFLD in South Korea.

Background: This study aimed to examine whether repeated measurements on noninvasive fibrosis scores during follow-up improve long-term nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) outcome prediction.

Methods: A cohort study of 2,280 NAFLD patients diagnosed at the Seoul National University Hospital from 2001 to 2015 was conducted. Multivariable Cox regression models with baseline and designated time-point measurements of the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) were used to assess the association between these scores and overall mortality, liver-related outcomes, and cardiovascular events.

A case series of prenatal hepatic hilar cyst in the presence of a gallbladder - navigating the dilemma between biliary atresia and choledochal cyst.

Background: Prenatally diagnosed hepatic hilar cysts are a challenging finding for the clinician. They can either be a sign of cystic biliary atresia (BA) or a choledochal cyst (CC), two diagnoses with different postnatal management and prognosis. Based on a case report of four patients, we aim to propose a management algorithm for prenatally diagnosed "hepatic hilar cysts".

Adipocyte inflammation is the primary driver of hepatic insulin resistance in a human iPSC-based microphysiological system.

Interactions between adipose tissue, liver and immune system are at the center of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and type 2 diabetes. To address the need for an accurate in vitro model, we establish an interconnected microphysiological system (MPS) containing white adipocytes, hepatocytes and proinflammatory macrophages derived from isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells. Using this MPS, we find that increasing the adipocyte-to-hepatocyte ratio moderately affects hepatocyte function, whereas macrophage-induced adipocyte inflammation causes lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and MPS-wide insulin resistance, corresponding to initiation of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Epidemiology of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Alameda County, California, 2017-2021.

Context: In the United States, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection predominantly affects ethnic minorities and vulnerable populations.

Objective: We analyzed surveillance data to describe CHB epidemiology to guide hepatitis B virus (HBV) elimination efforts in Alameda County.

Design: Persons with CHB during 2017-2021 were identified by ≥2 positive HBV tests (ie, HBsAg, HbeAg, and HBV DNA) ≥180 days apart using data from California Reportable Disease Information Exchange.

Portal Fibrosis and the Ductular Reaction: Pathophysiological Role in the Progression of Liver Disease and Translational Opportunities.

A consistent feature of chronic liver diseases and the hallmark of pathologic repair is the so-called "ductular reaction." This is a histologic abnormality characterized by an expansion of dysmorphic cholangiocytes inside and around portal spaces infiltrated by inflammatory, mesenchymal, and vascular cells. The ductular reaction is a highly regulated response based on the reactivation of morphogenetic signaling mechanisms and a complex crosstalk among a multitude of cell types.

FIB-4 Index and Liver Stiffness Measurement are Potential Predictors of Atherosclerosis in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common cause of death in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Therefore, CVD surveillance is important, but it is not well established. We evaluated the association between liver fibrosis, carotid artery atherosclerosis, and coronary artery stenosis in patients with MASLD.

Liver-related aspects of valoctocogene roxaparvovec gene therapy for hemophilia A: expert guidance for clinical practice.

Adeno-associated virus-based gene therapy (valoctocogene roxaparvovec) is an attractive treatment for hemophilia A. Careful clinical management is required to minimize the risk of hepatotoxicity, including assessment of baseline liver condition to determine treatment eligibility and monitoring liver function after gene therapy. This article describes recommendations (developed by a group of hemophilia experts) on hepatic function monitoring before and after gene therapy.