The library can be used to screen for specificity

of T cell lines or hybridomas. Furthermore, this library has potential uses in SEREX analysis of autoantibody reactivity. The cholangiocyte-specific cDNA library is a powerful tool for the identification of target antigens in murine inflammatory cholangiopathies and is available as a shared resource. “
“Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Saarland University, RG7204 mw Homburg, Germany Alterations in apical junctional complexes (AJCs) have been reported in genetic or acquired biliary diseases. The vitamin D nuclear receptor (VDR), predominantly expressed in biliary epithelial cells in the liver, has been shown to regulate AJCs. The aim of our study was thus to investigate the role of VDR in the maintenance of bile duct integrity in mice challenged with biliary-type liver injury. Vdr−/− mice subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) displayed increased liver damage compared to wildtype BDL mice. Adaptation to cholestasis, ascertained by expression of genes involved in bile acid metabolism and tissue repair, was limited in Vdr−/− BDL mice. Furthermore, evaluation of Vdr−/− BDL mouse liver tissue sections indicated altered E-cadherin staining associated with increased SAHA HDAC in vitro bile duct rupture. Total liver protein analysis revealed

that a truncated form of E-cadherin was present in higher amounts in Vdr−/− mice subjected to BDL compared to wildtype BDL mice. Truncated E-cadherin was also associated with loss of cell adhesion in biliary epithelial cells silenced for VDR. In these cells, E-cadherin cleavage occurred together with calpain 1 activation and was prevented by the silencing of calpain 1. Furthermore, VDR selleck products deficiency led to

the activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, while EGFR activation by EGF induced both calpain 1 activation and E-cadherin cleavage in these cells. Finally, truncation of E-cadherin was blunted when EGFR signaling was inhibited in VDR-silenced cells. Conclusion: Biliary-type liver injury is exacerbated in Vdr−/− mice by limited adaptive response and increased bile duct rupture. These results indicate that loss of VDR restricts the adaptation to cholestasis and diminishes bile duct integrity in the setting of biliary-type liver injury. (Hepatology 2013;58:1401–1412) “
“This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Definition Epidemiology Pathogenesis Diagnosis Treatment Screening and surveillance Summary of practice guidelines Conclusion References “
“Ingestion of foreign bodies (FBs) in the upper esophagus is common in South China. It is difficult to manage because of limited working space and inadequate visual field in this area. This randomized, controlled study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a transparent cap in the endoscopic management of FBs in the upper esophagus.