Inflammation-promoting Molecules Released by Bile Duct Cells May Lead to Targeted Treatment for Liver Injury

Newswise — Article title: "Activated cholangiocytes release macrophage-polarizing extracellular vesicles bearing the DAMP S100A11"

Authors: Tomohiro Katsumi, Maria Eugenia Guicciardi, Adiba Azad, Steven F. Bronk, Anuradha Krishnan, Gregory J. Gores

From the authors: "The current studies have potential therapeutic implications for human cholestatic liver injury. In particular, [receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)] activation by [damage-associated molecular patterns] has been implicated in hepatic fibrosis, ductular reaction and hepatocarcinogenesis. Given that RAGE inhibitors have been developed for human use and appear to be well tolerated, such inhibitors may be useful for the treatment of human cholangiopathies." 

This study is highlighted as one of October’s “best of the best” as part of the American Physiological Society’s APSselect program.