GSK3β is crucial for the regulation of microtubule organization and dynamics, particularly for mitotic spindle organization.29 p38α deficiency alters the balance between AKT and GSK3β leading to AKT down-regulation and GSK3β activation (Fig. 3), which seems to impair normal cytokinesis completion. MK2 also plays a significant role downstream of p38α in remodeling the actin cytoskeleton.30 Particularly, MK2 triggers phosphorylation of HSP27 inducing its release

from F-actin.30 HSP27 protects against apoptosis and actin fragmentation, promoting resistance against cell death.31 We found an increase in HSP27 levels, which may be an adaptive response against liver injury, with significant selleck chemicals llc changes in phosphorylation. Mnk1 and Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), two potential downstream targets of p38α signaling, may contribute to cytokinesis failure in p38α-deficient liver. Inhibition of Mnk1, a kinase target for MAPK pathways, causes cytokinesis failure inducing the formation of multinucleated cells.32 In addition, MK2 directly selleck chemical phosphorylates Plk1, and down-regulation of p38α or MK2 induces mitotic defects that can be rescued by Plk1.33 In conclusion, the present work shows that liver-specific p38α deficiency leads to reduced hepatocyte size, blockade of mitosis, cytokinesis failure, and eventually shorter life span upon chronic cholestasis

induced by BDL. These results highlight the key role of p38α in cell proliferation, in the development of hepatomegaly, and in survival during chronic inflammation such as biliary cirrhosis. We thank Soraya Ardila for technical help. Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article. “
“Aim:  Transient elastography is a non-invasive tool to measure liver stiffness (LS), which has been reported to correlate with stage of liver fibrosis. Extrahepatic cholestasis was reported to cause elevated LS, which is considered to be attributed to the increased hydrostatic pressure in the liver. In the present study, the correlation of LS with laboratory data was investigated in extrahepatic cholestasis.

FER The change of LS after biliary drainage was also assessed. Methods:  LS was measured in 29 patients with extrahepatic cholestasis due to carcinomas in 12 and non-neoplastic diseases of biliary tract or pancreas in 17. Results:  In 15 patients, LS was 11.4 kPa or higher which suggested liver cirrhosis in chronic infection of hepatitis C virus. LS significantly correlated positively with serum bilirubin levels (r = 0.726, P < 0.0001) and negatively with serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (r = −0.481, P = 0.0082) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (r = −0.631, P = 0.0002). Biliary drainage led to a reduction of bilirubin by 13.5 to 0.9 mg/dL which was significantly correlated with a reduction of LS by 14.3 to 0.5 kPa (r = 0.524, P = 0.0257).