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Frontiers in Immunology 2023The liver plays pivotal roles in immunologic responses, and correct hepatic adaptations in maternal immunology are required during pregnancy. In this review, we focus on... (Review)
Review
The liver plays pivotal roles in immunologic responses, and correct hepatic adaptations in maternal immunology are required during pregnancy. In this review, we focus on anatomical and immunological maternal hepatic adaptations during pregnancy, including our recent reports in this area. Moreover, we summarize maternal pregnancy-associated liver diseases, including hyperemesis gravidarum; intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy; preeclampsia, specifically hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome; and acute fatty liver of pregnancy. In addition, the latest information about the factors that regulate hepatic immunology during pregnancy are reviewed for the first time, including human chorionic gonadotropin, estrogen, progesterone, growth hormone, insulin like growth factor 1, oxytocin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, adrenal hormone, prolactin, melatonin and prostaglandins. In summary, the latest progress on maternal hepatic anatomy and immunological adaptations, maternal pregnancy-associated diseases and the factors that regulate hepatic immunology during pregnancy are discussed, which may be used to prevent embryo loss and abortion, as well as pregnancy-associated liver diseases.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Fatty Liver; Pre-Eclampsia; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic; Hyperemesis Gravidarum
PubMed: 37457700
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1220323 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jun 2023Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a pervasive problem worldwide for which no effective treatment is currently available. Although most studies have focused on the...
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a pervasive problem worldwide for which no effective treatment is currently available. Although most studies have focused on the pathology of the injured brain, we have noted that the liver plays an important role in TBI. Using two mouse models of TBI, we found that the enzymatic activity of hepatic soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) was rapidly decreased and then returned to normal levels following TBI, whereas such changes were not observed in the kidney, heart, spleen, or lung. Interestingly, genetic downregulation of hepatic (which encodes sEH) ameliorates TBI-induced neurological deficits and promotes neurological function recovery, whereas overexpression of hepatic sEH exacerbates TBI-associated neurological impairments. Furthermore, hepatic sEH ablation was found to promote the generation of A2 phenotype astrocytes and facilitate the production of various neuroprotective factors associated with astrocytes following TBI. We also observed an inverted V-shaped alteration in the plasma levels of four EET (epoxyeicosatrienoic acid) isoforms (5,6-, 8,9-,11,12-, and 14,15-EET) following TBI which were negatively correlated with hepatic sEH activity. However, hepatic sEH manipulation bidirectionally regulates the plasma levels of 14,15-EET, which rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, we found that the application of 14,15-EET mimicked the neuroprotective effect of hepatic sEH ablation, while 14,15-epoxyeicosa-5(Z)-enoic acid blocked this effect, indicating that the increased plasma levels of 14,15-EET mediated the neuroprotective effect observed after hepatic sEH ablation. These results highlight the neuroprotective role of the liver in TBI and suggest that targeting hepatic EET signaling could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for treating TBI.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Neuroprotective Agents; Eicosanoids; Astrocytes; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Liver; Epoxide Hydrolases
PubMed: 37339206
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301360120 -
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases Oct 2023The aim of our review is to summarize specific clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis. The lung is the organ second most affected... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The aim of our review is to summarize specific clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis. The lung is the organ second most affected by cystic echinococcosis with approximately a quarter of cystic echinococcosis cysts. Most cysts are in the liver. Apart from the watch and wait approach for selected inactive cysts [cystic echinococcosis CE4, CE5], the well established WHO cystic echinococcosis cyst classification-based treatment of hepatic cystic echinococcosis cannot be applied to pulmonary cystic echinococcosis cysts. Some standard interventions can even be harmful when applied to pulmonary cystic echinococcosis cysts.
RECENT FINDINGS
Cystic echinococcosis is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Development of new diagnostics and treatment modalities is hampered by low investment into research and is accordingly slow.
SUMMARY
Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for pulmonary cystic echinococcosis cysts. Parenchyma-sparing surgical techniques should be used whenever possible. Albendazole induces decay of the parasitic cyst membrane, opening of cystobronchial fistulas and cyst complications, which can be life threatening. It is strongly recommended to seek advice from expert centres, including differential diagnoses, treatment and a long-term management plan.
Topics: Humans; Echinococcosis; Echinococcosis, Hepatic; Albendazole; Cysts; Lung
PubMed: 37578473
DOI: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000962