Engineered MSCs improve liver outcomesEngineered mesenchymal stromal cells with bispecific polyvalent peptides suppress excessive neutrophil infiltration and boost therapy.
We explored the impact of engineered mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) on liver disease, specifically focusing on their ability to manage inflammation caused by excessive neutrophil infiltration. With conditions like autoimmune disorders and liver diseases often worsened by this inflammation, we found a remarkable way to enhance the therapeutic properties of MSCs.
By modifying these cells with P-selectin and E-selectin targeting peptides, we created a system where engineered MSCs could effectively compete with neutrophils at the site of injury. This clever design allows the MSCs to more efficiently reach the damaged liver in a mouse model of acute liver failure.
Our findings showcase that these modified MSCs not only home to the liver effectively, but they also significantly curb unnecessary neutrophil activity. This one-two punch of reducing inflammation and utilizing the MSCs' inherent healing abilities leads to better treatment outcomes. Notably, we observed an increase in certain macrophages that help inhibit neutrophils, further suggesting a multi-faceted approach to therapy. Overall, we're excited about how this strategy opens new doors for MSC-based therapies in helping repair damaged tissues.
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Liver transplant as vital treatmentLiver Transplantation as a Definitive Treatment for Homozygous Protein C Deficiency.
We explored the potential of liver transplantation as a definitive treatment for patients suffering from homozygous protein C deficiency, a serious disorder typically diagnosed in infancy. This condition leads to severe clotting issues and can result in life-threatening complications, such as purpura fulminans.
Our focus was on an eight-year-old girl who had struggled with this deficiency since birth, enduring various treatments that failed to improve her health significantly. Despite receiving fresh frozen plasma transfusions and anticoagulants, she continued to experience severe complications and a poor quality of life.
Upon receiving care in the United Arab Emirates, she was placed on the national transplant waiting list for a liver transplant, which eventually took place successfully. Notably, after the surgery, her protein C activity normalized, and she did not experience any thrombotic events.
This case highlights that for children with homozygous protein C deficiency, particularly those facing recurrent thrombotic issues and enduring a compromised quality of life, liver transplantation may offer a crucial, life-saving option. Moving forward, we believe it's essential to weigh the transplantation benefits against the potential risks while focusing on enhancing the patients' long-term quality of life.
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Flavonoids show potential against HBVFlavonoids of Andrographis paniculata regulate hepatitis B virus replication and hepatocellular carcinoma progression: evidence from computational and experimental studies.
We investigated the effects of flavonoids derived from Andrographis paniculata on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and liver cancer progression. This study aimed to find a natural treatment alternative, especially considering the current drugs like HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors can have severe side effects and come at a high cost.
Our research involved a series of tests, including checking how these compounds affected the virus in liver cells and their potential to reduce the virus's presence. We also examined the compounds' ability to influence key interactions within the HBV's protein machinery and evaluated their cytotoxicity levels.
The results were encouraging. We found that Andrographis paniculata showed lower toxicity compared to other treatments, and it effectively reduced HBV levels and inhibited the secretion of important viral markers. This suggests that the flavonoids may help disrupt the virus replication cycle and could be a promising candidate for developing new liver disease therapies.
With these findings, we have strong evidence indicating that natural compounds like those in Andrographis paniculata could pave the way for safer and more effective treatments for liver-related diseases.
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Andrographolide reduces liver injuryAndrographolide ameliorates sepsis-induced acute liver injury by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress through the FKBP1A-mediated NOTCH1/AK2 pathway.
We explored how andrographolide (AP), a natural compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties, impacts acute liver injury during sepsis. The study examined the pathways involved in liver injury and highlighted the role of a specific protein called FKBP1A.
Our findings indicate that AP can effectively promote FKBP1A expression, while at the same time reducing the harmful effects of another protein known as NOTCH1. We observed that when FKBP1A levels were increased, liver injury caused by sepsis was significantly reduced in mice, and the compound also protected liver cells from damage in lab settings.
However, if FKBP1A was knocked down, the protective effects of AP diminished. Interestingly, another treatment, dexamethasone, showed benefits related to NOTCH1, but not FKBP1A. This suggests that the mechanisms differ between treatments. By inhibiting NOTCH1 signaling, FKBP1A helps limit endoplasmic reticulum stress in liver cells, offering a valuable insight into how AP could be an effective therapy for liver injuries linked to sepsis.
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MALT1 inhibition alleviates liver damageInhibition of MALT1 Protease Attenuates Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome by Modulating NRF2/HO1 and NF-κB Pathway.
We assessed the effects of inhibiting a protein known as MALT1 on a rare liver condition called hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS). This condition can be particularly risky for patients undergoing chemotherapy or stem cell transplants.
To understand its role, we used two mouse models and several types of cultured cells to analyze how the MALT1 inhibitor, MI-2, affects inflammation and liver damage. Our findings showed that MI-2 significantly reduced symptoms of HSOS in both models, such as the blockage of liver blood vessels and associated inflammatory responses.
Notably, treatment with MI-2 lowered levels of important markers linked to liver damage and inflammation. Further experiments revealed that this protein inhibitor not only mitigated the harmful effects of chemotherapy on liver tissue but also decreased oxidative stress—a major factor in inflammation. Overall, our findings suggest that targeting MALT1 could be a promising strategy for treating HSOS and its associated complications.
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