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RNA Analysis Suggests Tx Options for PBC
J Hepatol; ePub 2017 Feb 9; Nakagawa, et al
N-Ras, an enzyme that regulates the T-cell receptor signaling pathway in CD4+ T cells, may be a worthwhile therapeutic target in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a recent study found. Because the disease’s pathogenesis remains unknown, researchers performed a genetic analysis in PBC patients and normal controls to locate downregulated microRNA (miRNA) and messenger RNA that might offer clues to the disease’s origin. Among the findings:
- The analysis revealed decreased expression of 4 miRNAs that disrupt T-cell receptor signaling in the CD4+ T cells of patients.
- 1 of these miRNAs, miR-425, was found to be an inflammatory regulator of the disease through N-Ras upregulation.
The authors postulate that restoring decreased miR-425 or suppressing N-RAs may provide new treatment options for the disease.
Nakagawa R, Muroyama R, Saeki C, et al. miR-425 regulates inflammatory cytokine production in CD4+ T cells via N-Ras upregulation in primary biliary cholangitis. [Published online ahead of print February 9, 2017]. J Hepatol. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2017.02.002.
This Week's Must Reads
Must Reads in PBC (Primary Biliary Cholangitis)
Age, Sex, & IBD Linked to Sclerosing Cholangitis Outcomes, Gastroenterology; ePub 2017 Mar 6; Weismuller, et al
Patients with PBC More Likely to Die Waiting for Transplants, Transpl Int; 2017 May; Singal, et al
European Guidelines for Primary Biliary Cholangitis, J Hepatol; ePub 2017 Apr 17; EASL
Autoreactive Antibodies Linked to Xenobiotics in PBC, Hepatology; ePub 2017 May 3; Tanaka, et al
Can PBC Diagnostic Tests Help Track Disease Progress?, Immunol Res; 2017 Feb; Alfano, et al