Review
Cell Biology
Anshika Jangra, Ashish Kothari, Phulen Sarma, Bikash Medhi, Balram Ji Omar, Karanvir Kaushal
Summary: This review provides an overview of recent antifibrotic treatment modalities for the treatment of liver cirrhosis, as well as a brief summary of clinical trials conducted to date.
Article
Oncology
Md Soriful Islam, Sadia Afrin, Bhuchitra Singh, Friederike L. Jayes, Joshua T. Brennan, Mostafa A. Borahay, Phyllis C. Leppert, James H. Segars
Summary: Injections of collagenase into uterine fibroids led to a reduction in stiffness, inhibited cell growth, and decreased key factors promoting fibroid growth. Inhibition of YAP signaling pathway showed promising effects in suppressing cell proliferation and fibrosis-related pathways in fibroid cells, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for uterine fibroids.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Frank Tacke, Tobia Pungel, Rohit Loomba, Scott L. Friedman
Summary: The development of treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been challenging due to the complexity of the disease and the involvement of multiple pathways. Current approaches target metabolic dysregulation, inflammation, fibrosis, and immune responses. Potential therapies include nuclear receptor agonists, lipotoxicity modulators, genetic variant modification, hormonal agonists, microbiota interventions, and lifestyle changes. Inhibiting activation of hepatic stellate cells, immune cell modulation, and cell therapy are strategies to attenuate fibrosis. However, the heterogeneity of NASH poses a challenge in developing effective drugs for all patients.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Dermatology
P. P. Naik
Summary: Keloids are abnormal tissue scarring resulting from overgrowth of granulation tissue or collagen type III in injured skin, with treatment options ranging from traditional corticosteroid therapy to emerging approaches like stem cell therapy.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Austin J. Scholp, Jordan Jensen, Sathivel Chinnathambi, Keerthi Atluri, Alyssa Mendenhall, Timothy Fowler, Aliasger K. Salem, James A. Martin, Edward A. Sander
Summary: Tissue fibrosis is a major health issue, but there are limited effective treatments available. Targeting fibroblasts and myofibroblasts is a common therapeutic strategy, and higher fidelity models are needed for drug development and screening. A custom force-bioreactor using fibroblast-seeded fibrin gels is described as a useful tool for quantifying myofibroblast responses to candidate biomolecules. The administration of blebbistatin resulted in reduced fibroblast force generation and collagen production.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Aitor Gonzaga, Etelvina Andreu, Luis M. Hernandez-Blasco, Rut Meseguer, Karima Al-Akioui-Sanz, Barbara Soria-Juan, Jose Carlos Sanjuan-Gimenez, Cristina Ferreras, Juan R. Tejedo, Guillermo Lopez-Lluch, Rosa Goterris, Loreto Macia, Jose M. Sempere-Ortells, Abdelkrim Hmadcha, Alberto Borobia, Jose L. Vicario, Ana Bonora, Cristobal Aguilar-Gallardo, Jose L. Poveda, Cristina Arbona, Cristina Alenda, Fabian Tarin, Francisco M. Marco, Esperanza Merino, Francisco Jaime, Jose Ferreres, Juan Carlos Figueira, Carlos Canada-Illana, Sergio Querol, Manuel Guerreiro, Cristina Eguizabal, Alejandro Martin-Quiros, Angel Robles-Marhuenda, Antonio Perez-Martinez, Carlos Solano, Bernat Soria
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented global impact, causing significant social and economic disruptions and a high number of fatalities. In some cases, the virus can cause immune abnormalities and severe respiratory illness, necessitating the development of innovative therapeutic approaches to prevent mortality in high-risk patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Stuart B. Mazzone, Lorcan McGarvey
Summary: Chronic cough is a common medical condition that poses substantial physical, mental, and social burden on patients. Patients with refractory chronic cough (RCC) or unexplained chronic cough (UCC) often exhibit clinical features of cough hypersensitivity. Several targeted therapies for RCC/UCC are currently under clinical investigation, showing potential for precision medicine approach in treating this underserved patient population.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Matteo Canale, Manlio Monti, Ilario Giovanni Rapposelli, Paola Ulivi, Francesco Giulio Sullo, Giulia Bartolini, Elisa Tiberi, Giovanni Luca Frassineti
Summary: Biliary tract cancers, with gallbladder cancer being the most common type, have poor prognosis and slow progress in precision medicine and immunotherapy research. More attention and research are needed to explore new treatment strategies.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
John N. Shumar, Abhimanyu Chandel, Christopher S. King
Summary: Progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (PF-ILD) is a subset of interstitial lung diseases characterized by progressive and intractable lung fibrosis, with similarities to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Recent studies have shown the clinical efficacy of antifibrotic therapy in PF-ILD, changing the treatment landscape for fibrotic lung diseases and opening the door for combined therapies targeting both fibrotic and inflammatory components.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Poupak Fallahi, Silvia Martina Ferrari, Giusy Elia, Francesca Ragusa, Sabrina Rosaria Paparo, Armando Patrizio, Stefania Camastra, Mario Miccoli, Gabriella Cavallini, Salvatore Benvenga, Alessandro Antonelli
Summary: GD is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid, potentially leading to hyperthyroidism, with GO being an extra-thyroidal manifestation. Elevated cytokines may be related to the chronic effects of thyroid hormone increase, while a prevalent Th1 immune response plays a crucial role in the immune-pathogenesis of GD and GO.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
German Plascencia-Villa, George Perry
Summary: The deterioration of brain cells in neurodegenerative diseases is accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction. Current therapies for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease mainly focus on maintaining neurotransmitters and managing symptoms, with limited effectiveness in stopping or reversing the disease. This article discusses alternative molecular targets for treating neurodegeneration, such as regulating calcium ion transport, protein modification, glucose metabolism, antioxidants, metal chelators, vitamin supplementation, and mitochondrial transference. Some of these targeted therapies have shown promise in preclinical and animal studies, and are expected to have positive outcomes in clinical trials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jesse D. Rogers, William J. Richardson
Summary: Regional control of fibrosis after myocardial infarction is essential for maintaining structural integrity. Cardiac fibroblasts play a crucial role in modulating matrix turnover, but the complex interactions between signaling pathways make developing therapies for scar formation challenging.
Article
Neurosciences
Jiyoen Kim, Maria de Haro, Ismael Al-Ramahi, Lorena Laura Garaicoechea, Hyun-Hwan Jeong, Jun Young Sonn, Bakhos Tadros, Zhandong Liu, Juan Botas, Huda Yahya Zoghbi
Summary: Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the accumulation of tau proteins. A genetic screening of potentially druggable genes identified three genes (USP7, RNF130, and RNF149) that regulate tau levels by targeting the C terminus of CHIP. Knockdown of these genes reduced tau levels and rescued disease phenotypes, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer disease and other tauopathies.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Antonio Marcondes Lerario, Dipika R. Mohan, Gary D. Hammer
Summary: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and often fatal cancer of the adrenal cortex. Recent research has improved our understanding of the cellular and molecular programs controlling cortical growth and renewal, as well as the molecular subtypes of ACC. However, current treatment options for ACC are limited, highlighting the need for further research and development of novel clinical tools.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hye Won Lee, Jae Seung Lee, Sang Hoon Ahn
Summary: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health issue with progress in treatment but challenges remain. Antivirals do not directly target HBV DNA, leading to reactivation. New treatment strategies and drugs are under investigation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Guangyan Wei, Ping An, Kahini A. Vaid, Imad Nasser, Pinzhu Huang, Li Tan, Shuangshuang Zhao, Detlef Schuppan, Yury Popov
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Wei Chen, Aiting Yang, Jidong Jia, Yury Popov, Detlef Schuppan, Hong You
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ping An, Guangyan Wei, Pinzhu Huang, Wenda Li, Xiaolong Qi, Yi Lin, Kahini A. Vaid, Jun Wang, Shucha Zhang, Yang Li, Yat Sun Or, Li-Juan Jiang, Yury V. Popov
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ping An, Lin-Lin Wei, Shuangshuang Zhao, Deanna Y. Sverdlov, Kahini A. Vaid, Makoto Miyamoto, Kaori Kuramitsu, Michelle Lai, Yury Popov
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Willi L. Wagner, Sonja Foehst, Jessica Hock, Yong Ook Kim, Yury Popov, Detlef Schuppan, Katja Schladitz, Claudia Redenbach, Maximilian Ackermann
Summary: Cirrhosis is a disease caused by chronic liver injury, leading to excess fibrous tissue surrounding regenerative nodules and irreversible organ damage. During the development of cirrhosis, the formation of collagenous scar tissue is accompanied by reorganization and remodeling of the hepatic vascular system.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Guangyan Wei, Jingsong Cao, Pinzhu Huang, Ping An, Disha Badlani, Kahini A. Vaid, Shuangshuang Zhao, David Q-H. Wang, Jenny Zhuo, Ling Yin, Andrea Frassetto, Arianna Markel, Vladimir Presnyak, Srujan Gandham, Serenus Hua, Christine Lukacs, Patrick F. Finn, Paloma H. Giangrande, Paolo G. V. Martini, Yury V. Popov
Summary: PFIC3 is a rare lethal autosomal recessive liver disorder caused by loss-of-function variations of the ABCB4 gene. The study shows that liver-targeted hABCB4 mRNA therapy successfully restored phospholipid transport, rescued severe disease phenotype in PFIC3 mouse models, and promoted hepatocyte-driven liver regeneration. These findings provide promising preclinical proof-of-concept for hABCB4 mRNA therapy as a potential treatment option for PFIC3 patients.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Marlies Schippers, Eduard Post, Ilse Eichhorn, Jitske Langeland, Leonie Beljaars, Madhu S. Malo, Richard A. Hodin, Jose Luis Millan, Yury Popov, Detlef Schuppan, Klaas Poelstra
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Toni M. Delorey, Carly G. K. Ziegler, Graham Heimberg, Rachelly Normand, Yiming Yang, Asa Segerstolpe, Domenic Abbondanza, Stephen J. Fleming, Ayshwarya Subramanian, Daniel T. Montoro, Karthik A. Jagadeesh, Kushal K. Dey, Pritha Sen, Michal Slyper, Yered H. Pita-Juarez, Devan Phillips, Jana Biermann, Zohar Bloom-Ackermann, Nikolaos Barkas, Andrea Ganna, James Gomez, Johannes C. Melms, Igor Katsyv, Erica Normandin, Pourya Naderi, Yury V. Popov, Siddharth S. Raju, Sebastian Niezen, Linus T. -Y. Tsai, Katherine J. Siddle, Malika Sud, Victoria M. Tran, Shamsudheen K. Vellarikkal, Yiping Wang, Liat Amir-Zilberstein, Deepak S. Atri, Joseph Beechem, Olga R. Brook, Jonathan Chen, Prajan Divakar, Phylicia Dorceus, Jesse M. Engreitz, Adam Essene, Donna M. Fitzgerald, Robin Fropf, Steven Gazal, Joshua Gould, John Grzyb, Tyler Harvey, Jonathan Hecht, Tyler Hether, Judit Jane-Valbuena, Michael Leney-Greene, Hui Ma, Cristin McCabe, Daniel E. McLoughlin, Eric M. Miller, Christoph Muus, Mari Niemi, Robert Padera, Liuliu Pan, Deepti Pant, Carmel Pe'er, Jenna Pfiffner-Borges, Christopher J. Pinto, Jacob Plaisted, Jason Reeves, Marty Ross, Melissa Rudy, Erroll H. Rueckert, Michelle Siciliano, Alexander Sturm, Ellen Todres, Avinash Waghray, Sarah Warren, Shuting Zhang, Daniel R. Zollinger, Lisa Cosimi, Rajat M. Gupta, Nir Hacohen, Hanina Hibshoosh, Winston Hide, Alkes L. Price, Jayaraj Rajagopal, Purushothama Rao Tata, Stefan Riedel, Gyongyi Szabo, Timothy L. Tickle, Patrick T. Ellinor, Deborah Hung, Pardis C. Sabeti, Richard Novak, Robert Rogers, Donald E. Ingber, Z. Gordon Jiang, Dejan Juric, Mehrtash Babadi, Samouil L. Farhi, Benjamin Izar, James R. Stone, Ioannis S. Vlachos, Isaac H. Solomon, Orr Ashenberg, Caroline B. M. Porter, Bo Li, Alex K. Shalek, Alexandra-Chloe Villani, Orit Rozenblatt-Rosen, Aviv Regev
Summary: This study using single-cell and spatial atlases revealed the impact of COVID-19 infection on lung, kidney, liver, and heart tissues, showing structural remodeling and viral RNA enrichment. Differences in lung inflammatory responses and transcriptional alterations in heart tissue of COVID-19 patients were also identified, along with cell types and genes associated with disease severity.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Muyiwa Awoniyi, Jeremy Wang, Billy Ngo, Vik Meadows, Jason Tam, Amba Viswanathan, Yunjia Lai, Stephanie Montgomery, Morgan Farmer, Martin Kummen, Louise Thingholm, Christoph Schramm, Corinna Bang, Andre Franke, Kun Lu, Huiping Zhou, Jasmohan S. Bajaj, Phillip B. Hylemon, Jenny Ting, Yury Popov, Johannes Roksund Hov, Heather L. Francis, Ryan Balfour Sartor
Summary: By studying the microbial composition in germ-free and antibiotic-treated mice and PSC patients, we identified different bacterial species with functional protective and detrimental effects in these animals and patients, which are associated with clinical risk scores. These findings are important for the development of personalized therapeutic approaches.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giacomo Canesin, Linda Feldbruegge, Guangyan Wei, Lubica Janovicova, Monika Janikova, Eva Csizmadia, Juliana Ariffin, Andreas Hedblom, Zachary T. Herbert, Simon C. Robson, Peter Celec, Kenneth D. Swanson, Imad Nasser, Yury V. Popov, Barbara Wegiel
Summary: This study found that HO-1 deficiency leads to aggravated liver fibrosis and inflammation. Multiple genes involved in lipid and amino acid metabolism, regulation of oxidative stress, and extracellular matrix turnover were dysregulated in HO-1 deficient Mϕ. The LNX1/Notch1 pathway was identified as a downstream target of HO-1 in liver fibrosis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cindy Serdjebi, Karine Bertotti, Pinzhu Huang, Guangyan Wei, Disha Skelton-Badlani, Isabelle A. Leclercq, Damien Barbes, Bastien Lepoivre, Yury Popov, Yvon Jule
Summary: This study utilized an automated image analysis software to quantitatively assess fibrosis deposition in two preclinical models of liver fibrosis and established correlations with other quantitative fibrosis descriptors. The results demonstrate that automated digital analysis is a reliable tool for evaluating the dynamics of liver fibrosis and efficacy of antifibrotic drug candidates in preclinical models.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Diren Beyoglu, Pinzhu Huang, Disha Skelton-Badlani, Christine Zong, Yury V. Popov, Jeffrey R. Idle
Summary: We studied the metabolic reprogramming in liver fibrosis progression using different hepatotoxins in mice. The administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), thioacetamide (TAA), or a high-fat diet resulted in similar metabolic changes during fibrogenesis. Hepatic glucose, galactose, fructose, and glucuronic acid were diminished, while ascorbate and collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylase increased. Recovery from high-fat diet challenge showed reversed changes. The hijacking of glucose and galactose metabolism for ascorbate synthesis was mediated by increased aldose reductase Akr1b3 transcription.
Meeting Abstract
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Pinzhu Huang, Guangyan Wei, Shuangshuang Zhao, Disha Badlani, Li Chen, Mathieu Petitjean, Xin Chen, Gregory Gores, Yury Popov
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Shilpa Tiwari-Heckler, Z. Gordon Jiang, Yury Popov, Kenneth J. Mukamal
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
(2020)
Meeting Abstract
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jingsong Cao, Guangyan Wei, Ping An, Pinzhu Huang, Kahini Vaid, Shuangshuang Zhao, Jenny Zhuo, Ying Lin, Andrea Frassetto, Arianna Markel, Vladimir Presnyak, Srujan Gandham, Serenus Hua, Christine Lukacs, Patrick Finn, Paloma Giangrande, Yury Popov, Paolo Martini