P0431 : IL-4/IL-13 exacerbate liver fibrosis progression through alternatively activated macrophages

P0311 : Balb/c and C57/Bl6 mice exhibit differences in their susceptibility and anti-tumor response to B16F10 melanoma liver metastasis

Inducible knockdown of procollagen I protects mice from liver fibrosis and leads to dysregulated matrix genes and attenuated inflammation.

Organ fibrosis is characterized by a chronic wound-healing response, with excess deposition of extracellular matrix components. Here, collagen type I represents the most abundant scar component and a primary target for antifibrotic therapies. Liver fibrosis can progress to cirrhosis and primary liver cancer, which are the major causes of liver related morbidity and mortality. However, a (pro-)collagen type I specific therapy remains difficult and its therapeutic abrogation may incur unwanted side effects. We therefore designed tetracycline-regulated procollagen alpha1(I) short hairpin (sh)RNA expressing mice that permit a highly efficient inducible knockdown of the procollagen alpha1(I) gen…

P0455 : IL-4Ra oegulates liver fibrosis differently during progression and reversal phases by modulating the ratio of M1 vs M2 macrophages

AMPK regulates macrophage polarization in adipose tissue inflammation and NASH

Molecular and Translational Medicine, Dept. of Medicine I, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstrase 1,55116 Mainz, GermanyCOMMENTARY ON:Hematopoietic AMPK beta1 reduces mouse adipose tissue mac-rophage inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity. Galic S,Fullerton MD, Schertzer JD, Sikkema S, Marcinko K, Walkley CR,Izon D, Honeyman J, Chen ZP, van Denderen BJ, Kemp BE, Stein-berg GR. J Clin Invest 2011;121(12):4903–15. Copyright 2011.Reprinted with permission of American Society for ClinicalInvestigation.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22080866Abstract: Individuals who are obese are frequently insulin resistant,putting them at increased risk of d…

Regulatory T cell deficient scurfy mice exhibit a Th2/M2-like inflammatory response in the skin

Abstract Background Scurfy mice have a functional defect in regulatory T cells (Treg), which leads to lethal multi-organ inflammation. The missing Treg function results in uncontrolled autoimmune cellular and humoral inflammatory responses. We and others have previously shown that during the course of disease scurfy mice develop severe skin inflammation and autoantibodies including anti-nuclear autoantibodies (ANA). Objective Autoimmune skin inflammation and ANA are hallmarks for the diagnosis of autoimmune connective tissue diseases; therefore we analyzed scurfy mice for typical signs of these diseases. Methods Indirect immunofluorescence was used to specify the ANA pattern in scurfy mice.…

Gliptins Suppress Inflammatory Macrophage Activation to Mitigate Inflammation, Fibrosis, Oxidative Stress, and Vascular Dysfunction in Models of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Liver Fibrosis

Abstract Aims: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by steatosis, panlobular inflammation, liver fibrosis, and increased cardiovascular mortality. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (gliptins) are indirect glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists with antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activity, used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Their potential and underlying mechanisms to treat metabolic liver inflammation and fibrosis as well as the associated vascular dysfunction remain to be explored. Results: In the methionine/choline-deficient (MCD) diet and Mdr2−/− models of NASH and liver fibrosis, treatment with sitagliptin and linagliptin significantly decreased parameters of steat…