Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zakaria Boulahtouf, Alessia Virzi, Thomas F. Baumert, Eloi R. Verrier, Joachim Lupberger
Summary: Chronic viral hepatitis is a major cause of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite being caused by different viruses, hepatitis B, C, and D have striking similarities in pathological impact. The advancements in omics and bioinformatics have revealed the important role of signaling networks in viral pathogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Lucia Morgado-Palacin
Summary: Nan Yan focuses on studying the physiological function of innate immune signaling in the absence of pathogen infection.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Daniel Toerocsik, Fruzsina Fazekas, Szilard Poliska, Andrea Gregus, Eszter Anna Janka, Katalin Dull, Andrea Szegedi, Christos C. Zouboulis, Dora Kovacs
Summary: The study revealed that EGF is a potent stimulator of sebocyte proliferation and induces the secretion of interleukin 6, while down-regulating genes involved in steroid and retinoid metabolism. Additionally, when combined with palmitic acid, EGF can decrease the lipid accumulation induced by palmitic acid and increase IL6 secretion.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Tianhua Xie, Zhonghong Zhang, Yuqing Cui, Yishun Shu, Yanqiu Liu, Jian Zou, Man Wang, Yangningzhi Wang, Qian Yang, Xubin Pan, Jiping Cai, Xiaodong Sun, Yong Yao, Xiaolu Wang
Summary: The study revealed that prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) and its receptor EP4R promote retinal neovascularization, potentially leading to retinopathy. The use of EP4R antagonist AH23848 could attenuate this promotion, suggesting a therapeutic potential for pathological intraocular angiogenesis.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2021)
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asher Mullard
Summary: Researchers are investigating whether vaccines can prevent multiple sclerosis and other chronic conditions that may be triggered by viral infections.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexis Ritvo, D. E. Foster, Christy R. Huff, A. J. Reid Finlayson, Bernard Silvernail, Peter Martin
Summary: A large survey of benzodiazepine users revealed the existence of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND), characterized by enduring symptoms and adverse life consequences. More than half of the respondents experienced symptoms such as low energy, distractibility, memory loss, nervousness, and anxiety, which lasted for a year or longer. Some reported that these symptoms persisted even after discontinuing benzodiazepines for a year or more. Further research on the pathogenesis and clinical aspects of BIND is needed.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Fabiane de Santi, Flavia L. Beltrame, Beatriz M. Rodrigues, Natalia F. Scaramele, Flavia L. Lopes, Paulo S. Cerri, Estela Sasso-Cerri
Summary: Venlafaxine has been found to affect testicular cells in rats, causing cell hypertrophy and differentiation, and promoting steroid hormone synthesis under the activation of androgen. In addition, venlafaxine also leads to impaired spermatogenesis. These findings suggest that venlafaxine may have a certain toxic effect on the reproductive system.
Review
Immunology
Armando Andres Roca Suarez, Barbara Testoni, Thomas F. Baumert, Joachim Lupberger
Summary: The persistent dysregulation of signaling pathways related to inflammatory responses is a hallmark for the development and progression of chronic liver diseases, with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) being the two major etiological agents associated with these complications. Both viruses utilize various strategies to evade host antiviral defenses, contributing to the development of chronic liver disease.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jaakko L. O. Pohjoismaeki, Steffi Goffart
Summary: This article discusses the physiological consequences of radiation exposure and its relationship with oxidative stress signaling. Radiation exposure may trigger multiple signaling pathways that result in metabolic changes. Understanding these impacts can help in devising strategies to mitigate the long-term effects of radiation exposure, such as researching the use of radiation exposure biomarkers and radiation hormesis.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose M. Rojas, Ali Alejo, Veronica Martin, Noemi Sevilla
Summary: This review provides an overview of type I interferon responses and mechanisms used by viruses to evade this response.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinyu Liu, Conghui Li, Jiao Li, Lesi Xie, Zeng Hong, Kang Zheng, Xiaofeng Zhao, Aifen Yang, Xiaofeng Xu, Huaping Tao, Mengsheng Qiu, Junlin Yang
Summary: This study demonstrates that EGF facilitates the transdifferentiation of astrocytes to oligodendrocytes, and suggests that targeting the EGF-EGFR-Erk1/2 signaling axis may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for myelin repair in injured central nervous system (CNS) tissues.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Prasenjit Manna, Saikat Dewanjee, Swarnalata Joardar, Pratik Chakraborty, Hiranmoy Bhattacharya, Shrestha Bhanja, Chiranjib Bhattacharyya, Manas Bhowmik, Shovonlal Bhowmick, Achintya Saha, Joydeep Das, Parames C. Sil
Summary: This study revealed that CA has a protective effect against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity by suppressing oxidative stress and interfering with pathological signaling events. CA can potentially be used as an effective agent to alleviate Dox-induced cardiotoxicity in the future.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Longwei Xu, Yuanyuan Su, Xiaolin Yang, Xueyang Bai, Yu Wang, Chengui Zhuo, Zhe Meng
Summary: This study aims to investigate the effect of Gramine on pathological cardiac hypertrophy and clarify the mechanisms behind its action. In vitro experiments showed that Gramine significantly improved Angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes, while having minimal effects on fibroblast activation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that Gramine effectively attenuated myocardial hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and cardiac dysfunction induced by transverse aortic constriction. Mechanistically, Gramine was found to alleviate pathological cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting the interaction between TGFBR1 and Runx1.
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Juan I. Garaycoechea, Catherine Quinlan, Martijn S. Luijsterburg
Summary: The authors discuss the relationship between DNA damage and nephrotoxicity as well as kidney cancer. They highlight the essential role of DNA repair in kidney homeostasis and its potential implications in kidney dysfunction. The study also shows that DNA damage can lead to cell death and senescence, and it has been implicated in acute and chronic kidney injury as well as renal cell carcinoma. Understanding the pathological consequences of DNA damage is crucial for the development of effective therapeutic strategies.
NATURE REVIEWS NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kimberly A. Arnold, Liam F. Peterson, Lisa A. Beck, Matthew G. Brewer
Summary: Little is known about the effect of different cytokines on the susceptibility of keratinocytes to viruses. This study found that type 2 and type 3 cytokines increased viral susceptibility of keratinocytes, while IFN gamma reduced susceptibility. The use of JAK inhibitors reversed the cytokine-enhanced viral susceptibility and the protective effects of IFN gamma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Thomas F. Baumert
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Joachim Lupberger, Thomas F. Baumert
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jacqueline Butterworth, Damien Gregoire, Marion Peter, Armando Andres Roca Suarez, Guillaume Desandre, Yannick Simonin, Alessia Virzi, Amal Zine El Aabidine, Marine Guivarch, Jean-Christophe Andrau, Edouard Bertrand, Eric Assenat, Joachim Lupberger, Urszula Hibner
Summary: Chronic hepatitis C infection is associated with altered gene expression profiles, which increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. A novel HCV target gene, GOLT1B, has been identified, and its expression is correlated with poor outcome in HCC.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zakaria Boulahtouf, Alessia Virzi, Thomas F. Baumert, Eloi R. Verrier, Joachim Lupberger
Summary: Chronic viral hepatitis is a major cause of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite being caused by different viruses, hepatitis B, C, and D have striking similarities in pathological impact. The advancements in omics and bioinformatics have revealed the important role of signaling networks in viral pathogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Andrea Magri, James M. Harris, Valentina D'Arienzo, Rosalba Minisini, Frank Juhling, Peter A. C. Wing, Rachele Rapetti, Monica Leutner, Barbara Testoni, Thomas F. Baumert, Fabien Zoulim, Peter Balfe, Mario Pirisi, Jane A. McKeating
Summary: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health problem that is characterized by interactions between the virus and the host immune system, leading to a spectrum of liver disease. The study investigates the contribution of HBV genomes, including episomal covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and chromosomal integrants, to viral transcripts in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The results demonstrate that cccDNA-derived transcripts are associated with liver inflammation markers, while integrant-derived transcripts are significantly associated with increasing age but not with inflammatory status.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Valerio Taverniti, Gaetan Ligat, Yannick Debing, Dieudonne Buh Kum, Thomas F. Baumert, Eloi R. Verrier
Summary: Despite the availability of a preventive vaccine, over 250 million people are still affected by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which is a major cause of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. The core protein of HBV plays a crucial role in the virus's life cycle and represents a promising target for the development of new antiviral therapies. Capsid assembly modulators (CAM) have shown potent antiviral activity in cell-based and in vivo models, and several CAMs are currently being developed for clinical use.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Seng Gee Lim, Thomas F. Baumert, Carolina Boni, Ed Gane, Massimo Levrero, Anna S. Lok, Mala K. Maini, Norah A. Terrault, Fabien Zoulim
Summary: Functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), achieved through hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss after 24 weeks off therapy, is the goal of current treatment. However, the rarity of achieving this cure with current therapy highlights the need for novel approaches. The three categories of treatment include reducing viral replication, reducing antigen load, and immunotherapies. Combination therapy of nucleos(t)ide analogues and immunotherapy shows promise in reducing HBsAg levels and inducing HBsAg loss in some patients, particularly those with low baseline HBsAg levels. Monitoring during therapy using viral and immunological biomarkers is important to predict HBsAg loss and understand its mechanisms.
NATURE REVIEWS GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Zeina Nehme, Natascha Roehlen, Punita Dhawan, Thomas F. F. Baumert
Summary: Tight junctions (TJs) are intercellular protein complexes that control paracellular permeability and cell polarity, and recent studies have shown their functional role beyond these classic functions. TJ proteins play crucial roles in cancer pathogenesis by modulating key signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, as well as promoting stem cell phenotypes in cancer cells. Additionally, TJ proteins have been used as therapeutic targets and prognostic markers in preclinical and clinical studies. This review summarizes the functional role of TJ proteins in cancer biology and their potential for novel cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Nikolaus Jilg, Thomas F. Baumert
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Dieudonne Buh Kum, Hannah Vanrusselt, Abel Acosta Sanchez, Valerio Taverniti, Eloi R. Verrier, Thomas F. Baumert, Cheng Liu, Jerome Deval, Nikky Corthout, Sebastian Munck, Leonid Beigelman, Lawrence M. Blatt, Julian A. Symons, Pierre Raboisson, Andreas Jekle, Sandrine Vendeville, Yannick Debing
Summary: This study uncovers a novel mechanism of action for CAM-As in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, where HBc aggregation induces cell death, leading to hepatocyte proliferation and loss of covalently closed circular DNA or its equivalent, possibly assisted by an induced innate immune response.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Barbara Testoni, Armando Andres Roca Suarez, Arianna Battisti, Marie-Laure Plissonnier, Marintha Heil, Thierry Fontanges, Francois Villeret, Yasmina Chouik, Massimo Levrero, Upkar Gill, Patrick Kennedy, Fabien Zoulim
Summary: This study validated the possibility to quantify cccDNA and assess its transcriptional activity in patients with chronic hepatitis B by combining FNA and droplet digital PCR. The use of FNA in clinical trials to evaluate the intrahepatic viral reservoir during the development of new antivirals and immunomodulatory agents is supported.
Meeting Abstract
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Natascha Roehlen, Sara Cherradi, Marion Muller, Nuno Almeida, Francois H. T. Duong, Emilie Crouchet, Frank Juhling, Houssein El Saghire, Sarah Durand, Clara Ponsolles, Marine Oudot, Antonio Saviano, Emanuele Felli, Patrick Pessaux, Gerhard Christofori, Joachim Lupberger, Greg Elson, Markus Meyer, Roberto Iacone, Tamas Schweighoffer, Patrice Laquerriere, Catherine Schuster, Laurent Mailly, Thomas Baumert
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
