Vascular adhesion protein-1 and liver disease progression

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder and is associated with metabolic dysfunction. Persistent hepatic inflammation in diseased livers results in progressive fibrosis and loss of hepatic function. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is expressed on the hepatic endothelium and recruits leukocytes to the liver; however, it is also produced as a soluble form (sVAP-1) that has monoamine oxidase activity. In this episode, David Adams, Chris Weston, and Emma Shepherd discuss their work, which links sVAP-1 levels in patient serum to NAFLD severity and prognosis. In murine hepatic injury models, loss of VAP-1 or inhibition of VAP-1 enzymatic function reduced inflammatory cell recruitment to the liver and fibrosis. The results of this study suggest that targeting VAP-1 has potential as a therapeutic strategy for limiting hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.

David Nathan

David Nathan, professor at Harvard Medical School and President Emeritus of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is a renowned hematologist with contributions to the clinical treatments of β-thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and chronic granulomatous disease. Nathan also contributed to the development of the first prenatal test for hematological disorders. He’s known as the consummate clinical investigator, mentor, and a great wit. In the interview, you can hear his stories about tedious Victorian poets, success in mentoring trainees, and aspiring to write like Atul Gawande.

Linking dietary sphingolipids to inflammation and intestinal carcinogenesis

Many lines of evidence support a link between prolonged inflammation and tumorigenic transformation. For example, patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at increased risk of developing colon cancer. In this episode, Julie Saba, Emilie Degagné, and Padmavathi Bandhuvula reveal that dietary sphingolipid metabolism influences intestinal inflammation and carcinogenesis. The results of this study suggest that plant-based sphingolipids have potential as protective agents against colon cancer.

A murine model of JC virus infection

The rare demyelinating disorder progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is triggered by JC virus infection of glial cells.  Current models to study JC virus infection are limited to cell culture systems due to the human-selective nature of the virus. In this episode, Steve Goldman and colleagues develop a murine model that is permissive to JC virus infection. This study provides an important tool for future evaluation of JC virus pathogenesis and potential therapies.

Peter Agre

After a 20-year focus on the water channel aquaporin (work for which he shared the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry), Peter Agre has turned his attention to malaria. He currently serves as Director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute. In this interview, Agre displays his witty sense of humor, including vignettes related to running for Senate, dancing to the Buena Vista Social Club, and his desire to be known as the Victor Borge of science.