Explore the vast range of titles available.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease, and liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. MASLD is a multifactorial condition, which still needs to be completely understood. Galectin 3 (Gal-3) is up-regulated in several liver disorders suggesting its implication in the mechanisms underlying liver damage. A human multilineage 3D model was utilized to investigate the role of Gal-3 in MASLD development. Human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) and human stellate cell line (LX-2) were co-cultured in a physiological ratio of 24:1 and treated with a mixture of palmitic and oleic acid (PAOA, ratio 1:2) to induce hepatocyte steatosis and facilitate the development of fibrosis. While the effect of LGALS3 silencing on neutral fat content was assessed by Oil-Red-O (ORO) staining, type I collagen production was analysed by immunofluorescent staining for collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1). Gal-3 depletion caused a reduction of neutral lipid content and COL1A1 accumulation in 3D spheroids. While LGALS3 silencing did not significantly alter the respiratory state, analysis of genes involved in lipid metabolism demonstrated significant changes in genes involved in β-oxidation and triglyceride synthesis. These results suggest a role of Gal-3 in the regulation of fatty acid and collagen accumulation, thereby indicating that approaches aimed at inhibiting Gal-3 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy in MASLD.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) encompasses a spectrum of hepatic disorders, ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, with the most severe outcomes including cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Notably, MASLD prevalence is lower in premenopausal women than in men, suggesting a potential protective role of estrogens in mitigating disease onset and progression. In this study, we utilized preclinical in vitro models—immortalized cell lines and hepatocyte-like cells derived from human embryonic stem cells—exposed to clinically relevant steatotic-inducing agents. These exposures led to lipid droplet (LD) accumulation, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and mitochondrial dysfunction, along with decreased expression of markers associated with hepatocyte functionality and differentiation. Estrogen treatment in steatotic-induced liver cells resulted in reduced ROS levels and LD content while preserving mitochondrial integrity, mediated by the upregulation of mitochondrial thioredoxin 2 (TRX2), an antioxidant system regulated by the estrogen receptor. Furthermore, disruption of TRX2, either pharmacologically using auranofin or through genetic interference, was sufficient to counteract the protective effects of estrogens, highlighting a potential mechanism through which estrogens may prevent or slow MASLD progression.

Abnormal deposition of α-synuclein is a key feature and biomarker of Parkinson’s disease. α-Synuclein aggregates can propagate themselves by a prion-like seeding-based mechanism within and between tissues and are hypothesized to move between the intestine and brain. α-Synuclein RT-QuIC seed amplification assays have detected Parkinson’s-associated α-synuclein in multiple biospecimens including post-mortem colon samples. Here we show intra vitam detection of seeds in duodenum biopsies from 22/23 Parkinson’s patients, but not in 6 healthy controls by RT-QuICR. In contrast, no tau seeding activity was detected in any of the biopsies. Our seed amplifications provide evidence that the upper intestine contains a form(s) of α-synuclein with self-propagating activity. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for PD in this biopsy panel were 95.7% and 100% respectively. End-point dilution analysis indicated up to 10 6 SD 50 seeding units per mg of tissue with positivity in two contemporaneous biopsies from individual patients suggesting widespread distribution within the superior and descending parts of duodenum. Our detection of α-synuclein seeding activity in duodenum biopsies of Parkinson’s disease patients suggests not only that such analyses may be useful in ante-mortem diagnosis, but also that the duodenum may be a source or a destination for pathological, self-propagating α-synuclein assemblies.

Reprogramming of energy metabolism is widely recognized as a hallmark of cancer cells. However, recent evidence indicates that metabolic reprogramming also occurs in vivo in differentiated rat hepatocytes following administration of the primary mitogen lead nitrate (LN). It remains unclear whether this phenomenon results from a direct action of LN on hepatocytes or is mediated by non-parenchymal liver cells. In our study, we investigated the cell-autonomous effects of LN using immortalized non-tumorigenic rat (RNT) and human (THLE-2) hepatocytes. LN treatment induced cancer-like metabolic features in non-tumorigenic hepatocytes, including increased glycolysis, activation of both oxidative and non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathways (PPP), and reduced oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Additionally, LN increased several targets of the transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2), a key regulator of cellular defense against stress. We found that activation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1)-NRF2 pathway was associated with increased hepatocyte proliferation. Importantly, silencing NRF2 completely abolished the LN-induced metabolic reprogramming. In contrast, triiodothyronine (T3), a liver mitogen that does not activate NRF2, failed to trigger metabolic reprogramming. Overall, our findings demonstrate that LN directly drives both proliferation and metabolic reprogramming in hepatocytes, independently of microenvironmental or immune signals. NRF2 plays a central role as a key driver of these cancer-like metabolic shifts, even in non-tumorigenic cells.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease with limited treatment options. Nintedanib and pirfenidone are the only antifibrotic drugs approved by both the USA and European medicinal agencies, but their efficacy and tolerability remain concerns. This exploratory study investigates the association between genetic variation in the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) region and adverse effects (AEs) of these therapies. HLA genotyping has been previously performed in a discovery cohort of 124 IPF Italian patients, with recorded drug‐related AEs. Logistic regression analysis using an additive model identified HLA‐C*06:02 as a significant risk factor, increasing the likelihood of AEs sixfold in nintedanib‐treated patients (p = 0.0043, OR = 6.54, 95% C.I. 1.80–23.75). Notably, gastrointestinal toxicity—the most common AE—was strongly associated with this allele (p = 0.0005, OR = 11.85, 95% C.I. 2.94–47.71). These findings suggest a potential immune‐mediated mechanism involving IL‐23‐driven inflammation and underscore the importance of pharmacogenetic tools in tailoring antifibrotic therapy. Implementing genetic screening could help minimize AEs and improve patient outcomes. Larger studies are warranted to validate these associations and guide personalized treatment strategies.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer globally and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality, primarily driven by viral infections (HCV, HBV) and steatotic liver diseases (SLD). Despite advances in treatment, early detection and accurate prognosis remain challenging. The Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) molecule is dysregulated in various conditions, including cancers and viral infections. This study aimed to investigate HLA-G’s role in viral-related and SLD-driven HCC. We analyzed a cohort of 116 HCC patients and 140 healthy controls to assess HLA-G genetic variants and soluble levels. Results showed significantly higher levels of soluble HLA-G in HCC patients compared to controls (Pc = 0.003). Moreover, overall survival (OS) was significantly lower in patients with the extended HLA-G*01:01:01/UTR-1 haplotype (Log-rank test, p = 0.002), a trend consistent in both HCV and/or HBV-related HCC (p = 0.025) and SLD-related HCC (p = 0.018). Elevated sHLA-G levels were associated with shorter OS across both subgroups (p = 0.034 (HBV/HCV) and p = 0.010 (SLD), respectively). The findings suggest that elevated levels of soluble HLA-G and specific genetic variants are associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients, highlighting the potential of HLA-G as a prognostic biomarker in both viral-related and steatotic liver disease-related HCC.

Background The association of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Human Syncytial Virus (HSV) infection with inflammatory and potentially malignant disorders of the oral cavity (OPMD) is unknown. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to stablish the expression of the p16 INK4A and HSV proteins, to test potential correlation between those parameters in biopsies from clinically diagnosed oral lesions. Methods Immunochemical analysis of 211 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks from 211 individuals was provided. The clinical diagnosis included in the research were Oral lichen planus ( N  = 30), Oral Leukoplakia ( N  = 13) Mucocele ( N  = 25), Erosion/ulceration/ inflammation of mucosa ( N  = 8), Overgrowth of mucosa ( N  = 135). Results Two hundred eleven analyzed FFPE samples resulted with the median age of 58.5 years (the average age 54.0 years and SD ± 17 years). The female/male ratio was 2.3 (69.7% vs 30.3% respectively). All the samples positive for HSV also expressed p16 INK4A ( p  = 0.000), that’s showed various levels of association with the diverse clinical diagnosis reaching the higher level in OM 49.1% (29 positive samples) and OLP 30.5% (18). p16 INK4A was associated with OLP at 30.5% (18), and fibroma 30.5%. HSV expression was mostly present in fibroma at 47.6% (10 positive samples). Conclusion HSV and p16 INK4A positivity in relation to diagnosis of the biopsies showed statistically most often p16 INK4A in OLP and fibroma. The results of co-expression of p16 INK4A and HSV in mucocele and fibroma in oral mucosa suggest a cooperation between the molecular alterations induced by these two viruses. Squamous papilloma samples positive for p16 INK4A were also positive for HSV, suggesting that the putative pro-oncogenic action of HSV could be an early event.

Antibody-mediated rejection is a significant cause of kidney transplant failure. Recent studies have shown that the MHC class I gene influences the transplantation outcome. However, the role of the primary receptor, NKG2D, has yet to be explored. We aimed to investigate the correlation between recipient/donor allele matching and genotype with the risk of antibody-mediated rejection and their potential clinical effects and implications for organ maintenance therapy. Of the 524 patients who underwent transplantation, 387 were eligible for the study. Complete allele and two functional polymorphisms of ( and ) were analyzed in 148 transplanted patients and 146 controls. Increased recipient/donor allele mismatches correlate with an elevated risk of antibody-mediated rejection (X = 6.95; Log-rank=0.031). Notably, the genotype contributes to a significantly increased risk of antibody-mediated rejection (X = 13.44; Log-rank=0.001 and = 0.34; Log-rank=0.84). The combined effect of two allele mismatches and genotype shows the highest risk (X = 23.21; Log-rank<0.001). Most importantly, patients with and AA genotypes may respond less to mTOR inhibitor immunosuppressive therapy than Calcineurin inhibitors ( P=0.035; and ; P=0.002). Recipient/donor allele mismatches and specific variants, as well as their combinations, influence kidney transplant outcomes, providing insights for personalized treatment and enhancing graft survival.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare autoimmune liver disease involving bile duct damage and fibrosis. This study explores the role of HLA-G, an immunomodulatory molecule crucial for immune tolerance, in PBC pathogenesis and treatment. A cohort of 166 PBC patients from Sardinia was compared to 180 healthy controls and 205 autoimmune hepatitis type 1 (AIH-1) patients. Plasma soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) levels, alleles, and haplotypes were analyzed alongside clinical data, including therapy response to ursodeoxycholic acid. The UTR-1 haplotype was significantly more frequent in PBC patients than in controls (48.2% vs 34.3%, Pc= 0.0018). The extended haplotype was also strongly associated with PBC (23.2% vs 12.5% in controls, Pc = 0.008; 23.2% vs 6.6% in AIH-1, Pc= 2.6×10 ). PBC patients exhibited lower sHLA-G levels compared to controls and AIH-1 (9.1 U/mL vs 24.03 U/mL and 13.9 U/mL, respectively). Among carriers, sHLA-G levels were particularly reduced in PBC patients. The haplotype correlated with the lowest sHLA-G levels and poorer therapy response (60% vs 24.1%, P = 0.0001). These findings suggest HLA-G variants, especially , as potential biomarkers for PBC prognosis and treatment outcomes.