Leucine Zipper, fyve-finger protein interacts with activating transcription factor 2 [ATF-2] and regulates its transcriptional activity

This study identified two novel proteins, 52-Zn and 67-LZ, that interact with ATF-2 in yeast two-hybrid assay. The study showed that their mRNA expression is restricted to the embryonic stage of mouse development. 52-Zn contains a putative zinc finger domain and interacts only with full-length ATF-2 in vivo. In contrast, 67-LZ contains a leucine zipper-like domain followed by a phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PI3P]-binding FYVE-finger domain, is able to bind to the DNA-binding/leucine zipper domain of ATF-2 in vivo and in vitro and markedly stimulates in vitro DNA-binding by ATF-2. The ability of 67-LZ to functionally interact with ATF-2 in HeLa cell transfection assay is dependent on MEKK-1 activity, suggesting that ATF-2 phosphorylation by p38 kinase and/or Jun kinase is required for in vivo interaction between ATF-2 and this protein

Distribution of IL-6 in human liver cirrhosis

In this study, sera and liver biopsies from 15 patients with clinically and pathologically diagnosed liver cirrhosis were taken. In addition, sera from seven liver biopsies from three healthy controls were used. The serum levels of interleukin-6 [IL-6] were measured using ELISA kits and the cellular distribution was investigated using immunohistochemistry. The results showed that serum IL-6 levels in cirrhotic patients [25.46 +/- 11.6 pg/ml] were significantly increased compared with the control group [12.14 +/- 6.6 pg/ml]. Immunohistochemically, in the control group, IL-6 was seen only in occasional sinusoidal cells. However, it was widely distributed in the cirrhotic liver. In the latter, it was mostly seen in the inflammatory cells infiltrating the liver but also expressed in the sinusoidal cells, Kupffer cells, vascular endothelial lining cells and hepatocytes. Upregulation of IL-6 in cirrhotic patients could be due to active synthesis or defective clearance by non- functioning hepatocytes

Liver large cell dysplasia: a possible premalignant condition: a case report

There is still a debate about the role of liver cell dysplasia as a premalignant lesion. A 54 years old Egyptian man with chronic, liver disease was admitted for evaluation of his liver condition. He was diagnosed as liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension and hepatocellular failure. His serum hepatitis B surface antigen was positive and alpha fetoprotein [AFP] level was 200 ng/ml. The histopathological examination of liver biopsy showed liver large cell dysplasia [LCD], which was identified in all histological stenosis on lever power examination. Hepatitis B surface antigen was identified in hepatocytes by orcein stain. It was suggested that cirrhotic patient with liver large cell dysplasia, age above 50 years, hepatitis B surface antigen positive, advanced liver disease and raised AFP level could be major predictors of neoplastic transformation of HCC. Therefore, regular assessment by hepatic ultrasonography and AFP may identify early hepatocellular carcinoma